KO Magazine Fall 2023

KO M AG A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 2 3

The Community Commons Invigorating Life and Learning on Campus

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, Keira Sullivan ’23, Frances van Huystee Morris ’90, Kristen Weldon Graphic Designer: Anne Allen, Allen Design Associates Printing: Allied Printing Services, Inc. Photo Credits: Sheri Geoffreys Photography, Inc., Highpoint Pictures, Zach Hyman/Sesame Workshop, Adam Hushin, David. B. Newman ’80, Peapod Design, Sattah Phouthakoun ’23, Jackie Pisani, Dave Quick ’92, Rhino Photos, Doug Sanford, Greg Scranton ’94, Tony Spinelli, Sam Stuart, 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 Melissa Vega, Manager of Advancement Services vega.m@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.

KO Magazine is published by Kingswood Oxford School. © Kingswood Oxford School. All rights reserved.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

In This Issue: From the Head of School Around the Green Reunion A Grand Day Athletics Commencement

2 4 38 43 44 58

The Community Commons The ABCs of Leadership A Daily Practice Wyverns in Washington Ending on a High Note

68 72 80 86 94

Class Notes Class Gift In Memoriam Tribute Board of Trustees

98 108 110 113 116

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Families,

We are off to another great school year at Kingswood Oxford! Already this year, we have taken students on overnight class trips to Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, performed an outstanding fall play, The Grown Ups, to a packed house in our Black Box theater, and hosted the remarkably talented Ugandan-born musician Samite at a lively assembly as part of our Goodman Banks Visiting Artist Series. (He had us all out of our seats singing and dancing with him!)

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

Our teachers continue to find ways to bring

Regarding the third aspect of “place” in our Strategic

learning to life in the classrooms through team-

Plan, I’m happy to report at our November board

building excursions and hands-on learning

meeting, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution

projects. One recent highlight came out of the

to proceed with a complete redesign and renovation

Entrepreneurialism elective in the Middle School

of the Conklin Library and Mead Dining Center into

Skills Incubator program, where a group of

a new Community Commons that will become the

savvy students created their own business plan,

central gathering place for study, research, dining,

made their own products (granola, dog biscuits,

and social interaction on our campus. You can view

jewelry, etc.), and even sold them at the

the preliminary designs and read more about this

NexGen Innovators Market in West Hartford.

dynamic hub on page 68 of this issue.

Pretty cool, right?!

While I am filled with anticipation and enthusiasm

We’ve been active outside the regular cadence

for the school year and projects ahead, I recognize,

of the school day, too, and I’m excited to share

too, that we are living in unsettled times and that our

with you what’s ahead for KO. In the coming

students are watching. Given the ongoing turmoil

months, we will kick off a new campaign to

and conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well

support the three key pillars of our Strategic

as the toxic political culture in our own country, it

Plan: people, program, and place. First, it is

is more pressing than ever that we teach the next

imperative that we attract and retain the best

generation of KO graduates the importance of our

teachers. Schools are only as good as the

democratic values and the skills of civic engagement

people who teach, mentor, advise, and coach

and discourse. In these sobering times, we anchor to

our students. In a world where fewer promising

our school’s core value of “care beyond self,” which

graduates choose the teaching profession, KO

calls on us to practice empathy and love our neighbors

must continue to prioritize its primary driver

and, as history teacher Rob Kyff recently asked of a

of value – its people. Second, we know that

graduating class, “to go out and heal the world.”

students learn best when they take ownership of their learning, have choice, gain mastery over a subject, and understand the purpose of their

In Peace,

learning. To prepare students for the colleges of tomorrow, we aim to build upon our successful curriculum and add new and engaging learning opportunities that require interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration with others to address real-world problems.

TOM DILLOW

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AROUND THE GREEN

MOOD AND MOVEMENT Kingswood Oxford’s Choreographer Showcase on November 18 captivated the audience with 10 dance performances ranging from ballet to modern to hip-hop to lyrical to jazz. Theater Director Kyle Reynolds and several local dance troupes and individual choreographers, including IMMIX, NEBT, Sinque Tavares, Brandon Gregoire, and Chantal Edwards-Matthews choreographed the works. One of KO’s strategic pillars is to build partnerships with the local community, and the Choreographer Showcase is an exemplar of the school’s effort to attain that goal.

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KO students, from novices to seasoned performers, displayed impressive and artful skills as they fearlessly conveyed the motifs of each of the dances. Over several weeks, the students practiced tirelessly, and their performances reflected the result of their efforts. As Reynolds wrote in the Playbill, “The arts should be recognized as both an accessible opportunity for all skill levels and a practice that requires dedication, sacrifice, and hard work.” This dual mission produced an impressive evening of dance.

The first performance, the elegant “Slow Down,” demonstrated the struggle between competition and self-worth. This piece, featuring two dancers, questioned when and how fast we run, jog, walk, or stand still and showcased two competing narratives. The underlying message was that the opponents work better when they are supported rather than pinned against each other. ”Fall In, Fall Out,” choreographed by IMMIX, conveyed feelings of longing, vulnerability, and alienation. It demonstrated that by utilizing and working together with those nearby, you can gain strength and move forward. Initially, the piece began with IMMIX dancers, and the KO dancers were later introduced in the work.

The artists performed their own works. “Free Mind,” featuring choreographer EdwardsMatthews, focused on a universal and very human theme: the struggle to get out of bed some mornings. During the process of this piece, the dancer recognized how fierce her self-image truly was, and thus she could face the world with strength and power.

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AROUND THE GREEN

“Full Out,” a total crowd-pleaser by a vibrant hip-hop dancer Sinque Taveres, was an exuberant mix of fun, sass, muscle, and work.

“Pen Pals,” choreographed by NEBT’s Lucie Shultz, stressed the importance of leaning on those around you, even if they are far away.

Brandon Gregoire’s “Out of Order” contended with feeling stuck in a situation in which you are longing for more.

In “Ying and Yang,” the dancers dressed in black or white, began by moving slowly and then built speed. This work, punctuated with precise pirouettes and leaps, conveyed the importance of maintaining strength, empathy, and rigor while navigating a world of contrasting opinions.

“Through It All,” accompanied by Philip Glass’ evocative “Saxophone Concert,” had the dancers writhing and crawling on the floor as they fought and overcame their inner demons. The work featured breathtaking acrobatic movements.

The familiar notes of Henry Mancini’s “Pink Panther” accompanied “Jewelry Thieves,” a comedically quirky number featuring the KO dance bandits peeking from behind columns and dancing hip hop. As a police siren sounded and a flood light illuminated the stage, the dancers took flight.

The performance ended with “Music Is,” which began in a meditative state with yogic moves that transitioned into a rhythmic driving beat – a dynamic progression extolling the power of music, breath, stillness, happiness, and joy.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

Celebrating 50th Anniversary

How do you capture the magic that has occurred in the Roberts Theater over the past 50 years?

That was the tall order posed by The Edward C.

space for their troupe. With her transformative

and Ann T. Roberts Foundation to KO last June. An

gift through the Roberts Foundation, KO built

eclectic array from riveting musical performances to

the most advanced facility for arts and sciences

world-class Baird Symposium authors, has defined

in the area, and the Masquers had a home for

the theater and all that happened in its half-century.

their performances. Other arts organizations

But first, a little history.

also benefited and continue to benefit from the largesse of the Roberts Foundation, including the

The Roberts Theater, opened in 1972, was the dream

Bushnell, Theaterworks, and Real Artways.

of Ann “Sunny” Roberts, who met her husband Ned while acting in a play with the Mark Twain Masquers,

Fast forward to the spring of 2022, when

the longest-running community theater group in

Lisa Curran, executive director of the Roberts

Connecticut at the time. When Ann learned that

Foundation, reached out to KO’s Advancement

KO planned on constructing a new science and arts

Office to learn more about KO’s performing arts

building for the newly merged schools of Kingswood

program. Curran suggested that KO brainstorm

and Oxford, she proposed a partnership between the

ways to honor the first 50 years of the theater

school and the Masquers, who also needed a theater

and its connection to the Roberts Foundation

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AROUND THE GREEN

while also identifying theater improvements to enhance the school’s program. Over the summer, former Performing Arts Chair Todd Millen, Technical

“I’m proud of our work in the Roberts Theater and what we bring to the stage,” he said. “I’m excited by the direction the program is going in, and I’m excited by the caliber of people KO brings in. It raises the prestige of the school and the theater.

- Todd Millen, former Performing Arts Chair

Director Michael Bane, Choral Director Steve Mitchell and Theater Director Kyle Reynolds

in their original form, such as

The Faculty Jazz Combo, featuring

put their heads together to plan

Mozart’s Oboe Quartet in F

guest bassist Nat Reeves,

the celebration and identify

Major K.370 by Ariana Strings.

comprised of former Head of the

the needs of the theater.

Many pieces were reimagined

Upper School Dan Gleason on

The KO Advancement Office

to reflect the current direction

tenor sax, Millen on trombone,

wrote a grant proposal that

of the school’s performing arts

Zucker on piano, and Upper School

spelled out the concept of the

program by incorporating a

music teacher Dr. Wayne Pierce

observance itself, which was

modern choreography piece by

on drums. The combo played

to celebrate the history of the

Savana Jones danced to Dave

tight and solid versions of “Mercy,

theater, including an archival

Brubeck’s “Take Five” and a mash-

Mercy, Mercy” and “Caravan,” and

display. The second element in

up of different musical styles. This

the crowd was visibly impressed to

the grant proposal delineated

eclectic and dynamic program

see their colleagues and teachers

improvements to the theater,

blended together perfectly to

in a new klieg light.

such as a stunning crimson

reflect the diverse heritage of the

curtain and lighting upgrades

Roberts Theater.

for special lighting effects. KO

After Head of School Tom

and Anna Tippner ’24 reprised

submitted the application in

Dillow’s welcome to the brimming

their elegant dance performance

early August and learned mid-

crowd, KO Office Administrator

of “Have I Mentioned Today”

September that the Foundation

Lindsay Perkins sang a beautiful

from the recent Choreographer

had approved the grant.

version of “Day by Day” from

Showcase. The volume then turned

The program, presented in

the musical Godspell, one of the

up as blues guitarist extraordinaire

December, featured speeches

first performances staged at the

Jake Kulak ’18 wailed on the

from representatives of KO and

Roberts Theater. Upper School

fretboard with The Jake Kulak

the Roberts Foundation and

music teacher David Zucker ’88

Band, performing a blistering

songs that had been performed

accompanied Perkins on the

mash-up of “California Dreaming”

on the Roberts stage over the

piano. This delightful start was

and “Red Clay,” one of the songs

past 50 years. Some of the

a harbinger of the treats that

Kulak performed on the Roberts

performances were conducted

awaited the audience.

stage as a student. He also

Current and former students then took center stage. Frank Pu ’23

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

performed a self-penned number, “Give Me a Second,” a total crowd-pleaser.

And if all this talent weren’t enough, two-time Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin, performed the classic “Before the Parade Passes By” from Hello, Dolly! with a stunning vocal nimbleness and clarity. As the song ended, the curtain parted to reveal the KO Concert Choir singing a sublime medley of Stephen Sondheim’s “Our Time/ Children Will Listen” with Baldwin. This emotional number, carefully crafted and conducted by Choral Director Steve Mitchell, provided a perfect end note to the evening, a powerful reminder of the impact of adults’ words and deeds on the impressionable young: “Careful the things you say/Children will listen/ Careful the things you do/Children will see/And learn.”

Millen said the evening’s program reflected the overall quality of the school’s musical and theater programs.

“I’m proud of our work in the Roberts Theater and what we bring to the stage,” he said. “I’m excited by the direction the program is going in, and I’m excited by the caliber of people KO brings in. It raises the prestige of the school and the theater. In the next 50 years, I want to be known as ‘KO, that’s where you want to work and perform.’”

Celebrating 50th Anniversary

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AROUND THE GREEN

LISA LOEB P ’07, ’08

NEW HEAD OF THE UPPER SCHOOL A 1984 graduate of Bates College majoring in French, Lisa Loeb P ’07, ’08 earned her master’s in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Loeb brings a diverse array of both teaching and administrative experience to schools from her former positions at Choate Rosemary Hall, KO, where she worked for 17 years, New Haven Reads, Miss Porter’s School, and One Schoolhouse. A highly collaborative leader, she specializes in curricular improvement and professional development and strives to create a school environment that encourages everyone to question, to laugh and play, to work through conflict, and to embody passion.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

“

I am thrilled to have Lisa’s thoughtful and innovative approach to education as we continue to implement our strategic plan. She values authentic learning for our students and understands that students learn best when they develop meaningful connections to their teachers and the material and have greater ownership over their learning.

”

-Tom Dillow, Head of School

Loeb comes to KO from One

original time at the school, she

creating interdisciplinary learning

Schoolhouse, an online educational

says the essence of the school

opportunities for students,

platform where she served as a

has remained the same. “I know

objectives she views as intersecting

teacher and curriculum designer.

I’m different, and the school is

spokes on a wheel. “There should

While there, she redesigned all of

different, but what makes KO

be a melding of the strategic

the school’s summer courses and

a special community has not

priorities to develop the community

12 of its academic year courses.

changed,” she said. “That, to me,

we want to create,” she said.

Prior to that, Loeb served as

is what stood out the most during

Because the world is interconnected

director of professional growth

my visit.” She intends to continue

and careers students will pursue

and as chair of classical and

to strengthen the community

will not be conducted in siloes,

modern language department at

aspect of KO. “I like to think of

she feels it’s important to provide

Miss Porter’s School, where she

community as a verb instead of

interdisciplinary experiences. “We

also mentored department chairs,

a noun,” she said. “How can we

should be strategic about helping

executed a yearly professional

community together?”

students make those connections so

At KO, Loeb will help explore

they can have the experiences they

curricular, pedagogical, and

need moving forward,” she said.

programmatic initiatives that

Head of School Tom Dillow

will create new opportunities

said, “I am thrilled to have Lisa’s

for students’ learning and lead

thoughtful and innovative approach

Loeb taught at KO from 1995-

the faculty through these new

to education as we continue to

2012, serving as form dean,

initiatives while continuing to

implement our strategic plan. She

associate department language

honor KO’s tradition of academic

values authentic learning for our

and varsity girls’ cross country

excellence so that students can

students and understands that

coach, and thus views her new

reach their fullest potential.

students learn best when they

Loeb says she is eager to

develop meaningful connections

prioritize the school’s strategic

to their teachers and the material

plan goals of attracting and

and have greater ownership over

retaining stellar faculty and

their learning.”

development program, and planned and oversaw the development of interdisciplinary and experiential courses in Latin, Spanish, Chinese, and French.

position as “coming home.”

Although noting the various visible and vibrant school improvements that KO has made since her

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RAISING YOUR VOICES

’23, Leo Kollen ’26, and Riley

The 13th Annual Wyvern Invitational

Mass., Wilton, Conn., Bristol, Conn.,

’23; their second song was “Always

A Cappella Festival was back this

Fairfield, Conn., and Springfield

Be My Baby” with soloist Jada

year, bigger and better than ever!

Conservatory of the Arts. Kingswood

Asapokhai ’23.

Covid may have silenced these

Oxford’s all-male Crimson 7

Lexington High School’s

young vocalists for a couple of

(established in 2004 and directed by

performances were strong, earning

years, but the singers brought their

David Baker ’04) and the all-female

their all-female Onomatopoeia

dynamic A-game to the Roberts

Oxfordians (established in 2010

the top prize, the Gold Citation,

Theater on January 28, singing a

and directed by Steve Mitchell)

and Outstanding Female Solo, and

gamut of classic songs from The

performed. Each group performed

their all-male Rock, Paper, Scissors

Beatles and Stevie Wonder to more

two songs that showcased their

won Outstanding Male Solo. KO’s

contemporary tunes by Hozier

vocal dexterity, beatboxing, and

Jacob Joseph earned Best Vocal

and KT Tunstall. A cappella great

choreographic skills.

Percussion.

Crimson 7 performed “Animals/

The groups were judged by Melissa

Maps” with solos by Jacob Mapp

Jordano, a singer-songwriter and

’24 and Luke Roen ’23; their second

managing member of Backtrack;

Ten a cappella groups represented

song was “Bright Lights, Bigger City/

Mike Hinkle, a performer in NYC

the high schools from Lexington,

Magic” with solos by Jacob Joseph

Deke Sharon hosted the event and provided energetic interludes between the musical sets.

Mapp ’26. Oxfordians performed “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” with soloist McKenzie Campbell

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2022

theater festivals and Off-

the opportunity to workshop

and convey a mood. He advised

Broadway; and Chrissy Aloisio,

with Sharon to perfect their

them to pay attention and read

who sang in the highly-lauded

performances. Upbeat, fun, and

one another in the group, so they

Vocal Point, the University of

engaging, Sharon gave the group

become more cohesive.

Delaware’s a cappella group.

positive feedback and insights on

Proceeds from the event netted

On Friday and Saturday before

engaging more with the audience,

$6,000, with the funds supporting

the event, the KO Upper and

and using voice inflection to

Team Tobati.

Middle School students had

emphasize certain parts of a song

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AROUND THE GREEN

Crafting a Career in

WRITING Novelist Tayari Jones, New York Times best-selling author of An American Marriage, Silver Sparrow and other works, visited KO on January 5 and 6 as the 40th Warren Baird English Symposium author. During the semester leading up to the event, Senior Symposium students read and studied Jones’s works exclusively, dissecting, discussing, and analyzing them in preparation for her visit. Jones was a warm and dynamic presence on campus, workshopping with the Symposium Class and sharing her story with all Upper School students during an assembly.

Her message to the students was

as an intellectual, never mind

heartfelt and genuine, laced with

an artist. It wasn’t until Jones

delightful humor and, like her

attended Spellman College in

fiction, compelling storylines that

Atlanta that she saw herself as

drew students in and kept them

more than just someone who

listening intently. In telling her

loved to write. There she met

story about how she came to write

her first writer, who was also a

novels she said, “My message

teacher, and Jones took her first

really is about following your

creative writing class.

dreams. I know this is something you hear a lot, but it is something you can’t hear enough.”

97526IMPO.A (GRACol) Text.indd 14

Jones shared a funny recollection about her first creative writing class, a course that was only

Jones had a deep passion for

offered to upperclassmen. Not

writing from a very young age. She

only was Jones just a freshman,

laughed at how as a young girl,

but she was also the youngest

she would make little books out of

freshman at Spellman. But Jones

paper and staple them together.

had her heart set on taking

She said she never viewed herself

the class so she engaged in

12/4/23 11:24 AM

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

“

My message really is about following your dreams. I know this is something you hear a lot, but it is something you can’t hear enough.

- Tayari Jones

”

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AROUND THE GREEN

what she called an act of “civil

interested in my thoughts and

about that dubious squiggle on the

disobedience” and squiggled her

my written thoughts,” she said.

override form that looked like hers

About halfway through the

but was not. She told Jones this was

semester, Jones found a slip of blue

an act of forgery and she could be

On her first day of class, the

paper in her school mailbox, that

expelled because of her actions.

teacher asked her what she was

looked consistent with her advisor’s

Jones was understandably terrified

thinking about, and Jones started

stationery. Jones mused that

about the repercussions.

to tell her, only to have the teacher

perhaps she was being invited to a

The advisor, however, took a very

say, “No, write it down.” And with

reception because she was doing

different approach, making Jones

that, Jones had her first audience.

so well in her classes. Instead, her

promise she would never commit

“She was the first person

advisor raised some questions

fraud again. Her advisor said, “I will

advisor’s signature on an override form to gain entry into the class.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

“

Love the voices of those around you. When you elevate the everyday voices, you hear music all around you.

- Tayari Jones

”

say that when a young person

They encouraged her to attend

steady income it produces means

wants to learn something so

graduate school to become an

she doesn’t need to depend on

badly that she is willing to

English teacher, a career that

her writing to survive and thus

commit fraud, you must want

would enable her to write on the

enjoys the artistic freedom to

very badly to learn indeed.”

weekends. While Jones enjoyed

write what she wants.

While Jones’ parents and

the literature she was studying,

teachers recognized that she had

she felt as though “I was a bird,

great writing talent, they feared

and I was being trained to be a

that pursuing this as her main

bird watcher.” Jones still believes

career would not lead to a steady

in the importance of her day

income or a clear career path.

job as a professor because the

For her third novel, Silver Sparrow, Jones wanted to write about something very personal to her. Growing up, she had an older sister her dad fathered

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AROUND A OU D THE GREEN

before he met Jones’ mother. “I

instructions to sign the ones she

often misinterpret it as an example

wanted to write a book letting

could, then tell people she was

of success being a matter of who

her know that, although she

sold out, which he explained,

you know.

wasn’t in my life, she was in my

technically, was not a lie.

mind. I had a sister who lived in my peripheral vision, but when I looked, she wasn’t there.” About three-quarters of the way through writing Sparrow, Jones’s publisher dropped her because her sales weren’t high enough. Unsure of what to do next, she did what she knew best – kept writing. “It is what I tell my students,” Jones said. “You write the story your heart calls you to tell. You don’t write for an editor, an agent, or a market. You write a story because

doing your work and doing your

approached by a woman who

part,” she said. “I finished writing

asked for a book and mentioned

that book, so it was complete. I

she had heard that Jones was out

was able to hand something to

of a contract and her books were

the publisher. That happened,

out of print. The woman then

and it was like bad things never

introduced her to another woman

happened. When you keep doing

who said she was a publisher and

your work, it erases the challenges.

requested a copy of her book.

You learn from the challenges.”

Jones was fully ready for another

Jones was back in print and was

humiliation but, with nothing to

promoted in her job as a professor.

lose, gave her a book. As she left,

But what meant the most to her

the woman asked, “By the way,

was being able to hand her book

how do you know Judy?”

to her sister and tell her how much

Jones, confused, wasn’t sure

she meant to her.

what she meant. The publisher

An American Marriage is her

explained, “Judy Blume...the

fourth novel. The book has been

woman who just introduced us.”

a huge success and topped the

“It was like my nerdy childhood

list of Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club.

had come to rescue me,” Jones

“This was the book that changed

said, “because Judy Blume was

my career,” she said. The novel’s

my favorite author when I was

multiple points of view, Jones said,

a little girl. And, there she was,

allow the reader to interrogate

popped up in my life, and fixed

who has the privilege of telling the

my career. That was a Thursday;

story. Understanding that the main

by Monday, I had a book contract.”

character isn’t always right lends

Jones notes when she tells this

itself to a more interesting and

part of the story, her students

complex story.

you think this is something that needs to be in the world.”

Despite being dropped by the publisher, Jones had one speaking engagement on her calendar. Sad and dejected, she mustered up her strength and attended the event despite no book contract and books to sign after her reading. Upon arriving, she was surprised to see a small stack of her books waiting for her. She learned her father had purchased the books and sent them to the event with the fatherly

Jones disagrees. “It is about

After the reading, she was

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

After sharing her life story, Jones read an excerpt from Silver Sparrow and took questions from students. In answering one question, she bestowed an important piece of writerly advice about crafting propulsive plot lines. “Don’t fall in love with your thoughts and language,” she said. “I need to remind myself as a

Founded in 1983 by Warren Baird, then chair of the

writer that something has to happen.

KO English Department, the Baird English Symposium

Remember: characters have to do things.

has welcomed some of the nation’s most renowned

Somebody gets killed.”

writers, poets, and playwrights, including Arthur Miller,

She closed her talk to students by

John Updike, Tony Kushner, Joyce Carol Oates, and

advising, “Love the voices of those

Colson Whitehead. To prepare for the author’s visit,

around you. When you elevate the

students in all grade levels read at least one work by

everyday voices, you hear music all

the writer, and students in the Senior Symposium class

around you.”

read the author’s work exclusively.

Above: Tayari Jones and students in the Symposium Class.

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KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2022

Sweet Charity

HITTING THE SWEET SPOT It’s hard to imagine that KO’s theater department could top their stellar productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2020 and 9 to 5 in 2022, which won the Halo Awards’ Best High School Musical, but indeed it did with a rollicking rendition of Sweet Charity, showcasing bravura performances and the extraordinary dancing of our students. Chock full of inventive and invigorating stagecraft, this show was an energizing blend of rousing songs, Bob Fosse choreography, and witty dialogue.

The ebullient Charity, played with effervescence by Halo Award-winning leading actress in a high school musical Mckenzie Campbell ’23, is an unlucky-in-love dance hall hostess who yearns to find a good man. After being thrown into the lake by a narcissistic cad, Charlie, whom she has showered with gifts, Charity retreats to the dance hall where her fellow dime-a-dance co-workers entice the customers with detached, comehither propositions in the sizzling number “Hey Big Spender.” Fosse’s iconic dance moves are on full display – the knocked knees, bent arms, artful slouches – and in a tangle of stunningly sultry choreographed moves.

Undeterred, Charity has a chance meeting with Italian heartthrob Vittorio, a role enhanced by Jacob Mapp’s ’24 pitch-perfect comedic timing.

After he rows with his paramour, Ursala (Alice McClure ’23), Vittorio entertains Charity at the swanky Cafe Pompeii, where they enjoy a quirky, groovy floorshow – perhaps the show’s most impressive extended dance sequence – impeccably led with icy perfection by Avery Schiff ’23.

Charity and Vittorio head back to his apartment, where Charity sings “If They Could See Me Now” and playfully dons Vittorio’s keepsake top hat and walking stick. A remorseful Ursala (Alice McClure ’23) and Vittorio reconcile while Charity hides in a closet. Back to the dance hall where the duo of Helene (Diya Mistri ‘24) and Nickie (Faith Potter ’23), heart-ofgold wise-cracking friends, lament their lot in life with their eyes on their aspirations in “There’s Gotta Be Better Than This” – a West Side Story – inspired routine similar to that show’s “America.”

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AROUND THE GREEN

Act II opens with a meet-cute of Charity and the high-strung Oscar (Luke Roen ’23 ) trapped in an elevator stuck between floors.

Charity calms the claustrophobic Oscar, and the embers of their unlikely relationship slowly start to glow, although Charity hides her profession from him, fearing that the buttoned-up Oscar will reject her. They attend a Rhythm of Life church revival under a bridge in NYC replete with hippies and a charismatic preacher Daddy (Zaire Ramiz ’25), while acolytes fly tie-dye banners and wear bell bottoms. Despite Charity’s employment, Oscar intends to marry her, and the group assembles in the dance hall for a celebration led by the proprietor Herman (Gordon Beck ’26) in “I Love to Dance at Weddings.” Yet, ultimately, Oscar gets cold feet, plagued by the reminder of the former men in Charity’s life. Our unstoppable, optimistic Charity rallies in the reprise of “If You Could See Me Now,” accompanied by a marching band’s ingenious use of drumsticks to create a synchronized pounding effect on the floor.

No amateur performance here; the production was truly top-tier, a high school performance that rivals a professional performance.

Theater Director Kyle Reynolds left it all on the floor in this production, working with Broadway actor and Fosse dancer Stephanie Pope who workshopped dance routines with the students.

The stripped-down set made brilliant use of a few key elements to indicate each locale – retro bar, park bench, closet, cafe table, and the back of the stage was dominated by a live floor-to-ceiling brass band to stunning effect. This sparseness of the set only highlighted the on-point costuming, performances, and choreography.

Professional theater critic Jim Ruocco wrote of the performance, “Staging Sweet Charity, Kyle Reynolds, director of theater at Kingwood Oxford, brings a vigorous, kinetic energy to the production that produces spark and dash from a bygone era laced with plenty of sizzle, razzle-dazzle, smooth talk, irony, humor – an unstoppable juggernaut. Directorially, there’s notable precision and distinctive strength here, mixed with the playful timbre, motif, character and facilitated subscription of traditional Broadway musical theatre.”

“It all comes together seamlessly from scene to scene, song to song and act to act. More importantly, it’s all swiftly incorporated into a 145-minute run highlighted by perfectly timed scene changes, sound and light cues and ace instrumental accompaniment by the orchestra.”

this one only

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

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Lunch and Lead

SPEAKER SHARES LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS As part of KO’s Margaret E. and Henry R. Roberts Center for Leadership program, students attend forums to speak with successful alumni and local business leaders and gain insights on leadership skills.

In January, KO’s Lunch and Lead series featured KO alum Derek “Deke” Green ’81, a retired lieutenant colonel who served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force with increasingly impressive roles and responsibilities.

Following a career as an electrical engineer at

commander of operational support for the 201st

Westinghouse, Green joined the United States Air Force

Airlift Group. In 2003 NASA selected Green as an

initially as a flight commander and successively served

astronaut candidate, but because of imperfect

as a chief pilot, acquisition program manager, supervisor

eyesight, he didn’t make the final cut.

of flying, and combat pilot during the Gulf War. His

In 2007, he left the Air Force and began his career

stellar field performance led him to a management

with General Electric, where he was general

position within the Pentagon, supervising 15 Air Force

manager of their global flight operations division;

programs with a budget of $6.3 billion, including the

Green left GE in 2014.

maintenance and operation of Air Force One. He also wrote Air Force policy for these programs. Later he was selected as a VIP pilot for the White House, Department of Defense and Congress, flying out of Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. There he became

Green was inspired to enter the Air Force at a young age. “Ever since I was six, I wanted to be an astronaut, seeing Neil and Buzz bouncing along the moon in the summer of ’69,” he said. “My mom told me to go to bed, and, after she went to bed, I went

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

downstairs and watched more of the lunar walk.”

the water, and did an overhead approach. I wasn’t

After learning that all the astronauts were military

being creative. That was training, training, training.

fighters and had engineering degrees, Green knew

All that I was trying to do was to stay alive.”

the path he had to follow. “Turns out, after I was in, I was a lifer,” he said. “I stayed in the Air Force for 22 years.”

Green counts KO as one of the foundational experiences in his life. While at KO, Green was an athlete, musician, and academic and mixed easily

During the Lunch and Lead forum, one student

with various social groups.” I could talk to anyone,”

asked Green how he stays calm in intense

he said. “That’s going to serve you well. I was just

situations. He replied that while externally, he

having a good. time. If you lead, people are either

might look calm and collected, inside his brain

going to follow you because they like you or because

is a “helmet fire,” a voice inside screaming

they can connect with you. I learned that here. That

the directions. “It’s all about training, training,

whole thing about hard work. I learned that here.”

training,” Green said. “When you do these multiple tasks under pressure, it becomes natural. That’s how you look calm. I don’t think anyone actually feels calm. It’s kind of like public speaking.”

He said he didn’t fully appreciate the meaning of the KO motto “Vincit Qui Se Vincit” until after he graduated. “All that ‘conquering yourself’ I didn’t understand when I was here,” he said. “They were

Green said one of his toughest times at KO was

words on a shield. But doing the stuff that you have

Dick Dale’s history class when he had to deliver

to do so you can do the stuff that you want to do, all

a two-minute presentation in front of nine peers.

that I learned here. I see it as clear as day now.”

“I froze,” he said. “I messed up so badly, and Dick Dale put me through my paces. That year I won the public speaking award because I learned to practice over and over and over again.”

When Green fell short of achieving his dream of becoming an astronaut because of his eyesight, he was very disappointed and didn’t share the news with his wife for a week. He told the students not to

During one mission, as Green flew a 400,000

be deterred when disappointment strikes, because it

lb. lumbering jet into Somalia at night, his jet

doesn’t spell the end.

came under attack from bullets. Automatically, his military training kicked in. “Right away, I went through the combat entry checklist because the last thing you want is a bullet to hit your pressurized aircraft,” he said. “You get a hole in there, and that starts to spread. It’s like popcorn.

I had nine people counting on me. I turned the lights off and depressurized the plane. I turned out, went over the water and came back in from

“When it’s your time, and you’re building the foundational guidelines, you will be able to go into any field,” he said. “Keep studying; keep having that work ethic; keep moving forward. I’m an ordained minister, and my worldview is all about people.

If what I do does not help people, shame on me.

I should be able to be a positive addition to the community. And that’s what wakes me up – the promise of doing something helpful.”

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AROUND THE GREEN

KO

CUM C M LAUDE SOCIETY IETY

On April 17, 17 members of the Class of 2023 were inducted into KO’s chapter of the Cum Laude Society. A rainy day turned into a picture perfect one just as the ceremony was beginning. ThTh The group celebrated in Alumni Hall with beautiful sunlight spilling in through the large windows.

The inductees were Abigail Baier,

Head of School Tom Dillow

laude means ‘with praise and with

Elias Brandt, Sophia Brunalli,

warmly welcomed the inductees

honor’”, Dillow said, “and one of

Mckenzie Campbell, Tess Chapman,

and their families, as well as

the reasons this recognition is so

Kyra Dunnirvine, Maggie Dwyer,

the many KO teachers and staff

special is that it is a cumulation

Anyao He, Annabelle Jacobs,

who were present to share in

of the hard work and efforts of

Aman Kumar, Chin Ho Kung, Aidan

the celebration. He opened the

these students not just in one

Ladewig, Benjamin Margolis, Lucia

evening by impressing upon the

particular year, but over the

Martinez-Castro, Rajan Patel, Keira

recipients what an immense

course of four years.” He said

Sullivan, and Bella Theodorou.

accomplishment it was to be

that the core of their success was

named to this elite group. “Cum

their consistency, their constant

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

effort and application. “What is

French, Brodeur encapsulated the

the long journey to get there. “All

probably most impressive about

students’ time and effort into a

those countless hours studying,

Cum Laude,” he said, “is that it

beautiful French saying, “Petit à

writing papers, prepping for

represents what is most essential

petit l’oiseau fait son nid,” which

tests, the time spent, and most

to schools, which is excellence,

translates to “little by little the

importantly the hard work,” she

learning, and scholarship. It is the

bird makes its nest.”

said, “is substantial and it is

Following the induction ceremony,

meaningful. It really matters and

Faculty member Ryan Brodeur

the group moved into Mead

it is why we are here today. It is

’01, president of KO’s chapter of

Dining Hall where they enjoyed

more the marker of success than

Cum Laude, emceed the evening.

a tasty dinner and dessert,

any GPA you have right now or

An alumnus, teacher, coach,

prepared by Sage Dining. Alia

will get in the future.”

advisor, and a Cum Laude Society

Ornstein ’98 was the guest

Ornstein shared her experience

inductee during his senior year

speaker for the evening. Brodeur

growing up in New Britain,

at KO, Brodeur brought a warm

described, in a lovely, full-circle

Conn. as the daughter of an

and friendly atmosphere to the

connection, when he explained

immigrant and a high school

evening. In his remarks to the

that Ornstein, who was his Senior

science teacher, which she said

group, he explained what makes

Prefect when he was a freshman,

fundamentally defined her as

membership in the Cum Laude

had made a profound impact on

a person. She said her parents

Society so special.

him, specifically on his decision

valued education immensely

“From the outside,” he said, “it

to get fully involved during his

and encouraged her and her

could be said that people are

high school career.

siblings never to stop learning.

selected to societies simply

In introducing Orenstein, Brodeur

By watching and learning from

because they are smart. And,

described how she embraced

the immigrants in her own family,

while it is true that you are all

her KO experience by getting

she said she leaned into hard

bright, intelligent, passionate

involved in countless ways,

work to pay for her education

people, to say that you are here

including participating in student

and support herself. Ornstein

simply because you are smart is

government, as a prefect, a

said she had to redefine what

too simple; it is too reductive.”

three-sport athlete, and as a

success looked like and press

Brodeur acknowledged the

student representative on the

back against societal norms.

enormous amount of effort

school’s citizenship committee.

After graduating from KO, she

that went into the recognition,

Brodeur remembered Ornstein

went on to Harvard College,

including the countless hours

as a senior at KO as being hard

and the University of Southern

spent studying, all the while

working, intelligent, curious,

California School of Law and then

participtaing in clubs, activities,

active, and engaged.

joined a large law firm. While she

In her address, Ornstein

was on the fast track to partner,

acknowledged what a tremendous

she decided to pause and pivot

accomplishment being selected

in the pursuit of redefining what

to Cum Laude is, emphasizing

success looked like for her, and

very reason we exist.”

and sports, spending time with friends and classmates, and packing so many experiences into four short years. As a teacher of

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AROUND THE GREEN

“ ” by doing so, to find out what

requires a person to consider their

into the task of learning and come

made her immensely happy. This

community and the impact they

to understand and master what was

brought her to Brooklyn Grange,

can have on others. “I think that is

previously new to you. The ability

a non-profit organization near

something that everyone can find

to teach yourself. It is one of the

the Brooklyn Navy Yard that

valuable,” she said.

things that you have acquired in

promotes sustainable living and local ecology in a host of different ways including building farm rooftops and green spaces.

Ornstein has remained there ever since and now serves as chief operating officer and general counsel.

“What you have done in the past four years is acquired broad knowledge, an interest in learning,

your time here at KO, and I promise it will serve you well time and time and time again.”

and the ability to teach yourself,”

She challenged the students to

Orenstein said. “It is one of the

fall back on this ability to work

greatest skills and assets you

hard and do hard things when life

can have. It enables you to open

becomes difficult or unsteady.

doors for yourself. It allows you

“You can do hard things,” she said.

She challenged the students

to try new things. To figure out

“You have been doing it already.

to think about the concept

what is fulfilling for each of you

I want you all to feel the value of

of defining success, and not

individually, and to pivot, and be

that. To know it and to let it give

necessarily in the conventional

adaptable. You can be thrown into

you confidence and security as you

way, but instead in a way that

the unknown and put your skills

carry forward in life.”

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

30 TH ANNUAL

BAIRD JOURNALISM DINNER

Maria Spinella ’93, an executive producer at CNN, addressed the staff of the KO News at the 30th Annual Baird Journalism Dinner last spring. Spinella was co-editor-in-chief of the KO News with classmate Ryan D’Agostino, who, like Spinella, pursued a career in journalism. Under the tutelage of journalism and English teacher Warren Baird and longterm KO News faculty advisor Rob Kyff, Spinella learned the basics of good reporting on the top floor of Seaverns Hall, where the faculty set a high bar for high schoolers making a real paper, making real decisions, and not shying away from difficult issues, she said.

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AROUND THE GREEN

Following a position in video production early in

President Clinton after he left office. Despite her

her career, Spinella interned at CNN in Atlanta,

regular contact with world leaders and proximity to

springboarding her journalism path. After the

historic events, Spinella is still amazed by her career

internship, she planned on heading to Columbia

trajectory. She said that, while at the KO News,

University School of Journalism but secured a

she called herself “Woodward-ella,” a riff on the

news position at CBS. In a quandary about which

legendary investigative Watergate reporting team of

path to follow - work or schooling - Spinella

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. She recalled that

spoke to the dean at the journalism school. He

later in her career, Bernstein’s name popped up on

advised her to take the position at CBS, where the

her caller ID at home when he called to pitch a story

Columbia journalism students often landed after

for the evening news.

their education, saving Spinella $40,000 in tuition.

“As I was looking at the phone,” she said. “I was

Since CBS, Spinella’s career has led her to

thinking, ‘If I had ever known at KO when I was calling

marquee organizations like HBO Sports and ABC

myself “Woodward-ella” with such confidence that

to eventually returning to CNN. She has covered

someday Carl Bernstein would pitch me a story, and

major news events, such as the contested 2000

I would tell him, ‘I don’t know if we have room for

presidential election, 9/11, and, most recently,

that story’ is amazing to me. It’s just amazing what

the 2020 election, the Georgia run-off Senate

you can go on from here to do.”

election, the January 6 insurrection, the two impeachments of President Donald Trump, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She’s interviewed President Biden three times, President Trump, and

Above: Members of the KO News team.

In her position, Spinella produces 10 hours of live TV a week for the CNN news 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. slot each weekday. Working in the state-ofthe-art control room, she decides what stories air,

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

“

I’m a believer in transparency. When there is a breaking news event that I’m covering, I will tell the audience through our scripts or our newscaster, ‘Here’s what we know, and here’s what we don’t know.’

- Maria Spinella ’93

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”

what reporters and presenters are featured, and

“There have been times when we didn’t have the

what footage is shown to produce a seamless

facts, so we didn’t put it on the air,” she said. “Airing

show. She said that as a producer, “You must be

such a story,” she said, “does damage to your career

decisive. You must trust your gut, and you must

and the brand.” If a story contained errors, Spinella

be a problem solver.”

said she corrected the information. “I’ve never felt

Spinella described the challenges facing

pressure to put a story on the air that wasn’t ready,”

television news reporting, including viewer

she said. “I’m a believer in transparency. When

cord-cutting from linear television, the rise of

there is a breaking news event that I’m covering,

chatbots, deep fakes, alternative facts, and,

I will tell the audience through our scripts or our

most challenging, the toxic environment of

newscaster, ‘Here’s what we know, and here’s what

mistrust of journalism. In fact, this pernicious

we don’t know.’”

climate produced a bomb threat that forced

Spinella said that the unrelenting pace of the job

her team to evacuate their offices at CNN

has taken a toll on many journalists, with many

headquarters in Manhattan.

of them burning out and leaving the field to take

“An agreed-upon set of facts is considered

on other pursuits. Recognizing the stresses, many

essential, I think, for the functioning of good

news organizations have mental health services for

journalism and a society,” she said. “I don’t think

their staffers. Spinella tries to give her own staff as

I’m telling anyone anything they don’t know

much of a healthy work-life balance as time permits.

when I say it’s pretty hard these days for people

Despite the awareness of mental health, Spinella

to come to an agreed-upon version of the facts.

admitted, “You can’t turn it [the job] off. You wake

People have a lot of opinions. And opinion has a

up in the morning, and you have a deadline hanging

role in journalism… how someone believes this

over your head every minute of the day. And then

to be true. It’s difficult to change someone’s

you get home, and you get five or six hours of sleep,

opinion. A journalist’s job isn’t to change

and then it starts all over again. Some of these

someone’s opinion but to inform them well

stories are really awful. Really awful. Some of the

enough so they can make up their own mind.”

really awful stories happen over and over and over again. It takes a toll.”

When Spinella fielded questions from the audience, one student asked if she had ever

In Spinella, KO’s student journalists saw a role model

run a story without being certain of all its facts.

who leads with integrity as she shares the events of

Spinalla answered with an emphatic “No.”

the world, its heartbreak and its heroes, every day.

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AROUND THE GREEN

Myles Alderman ’10

STROUD SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM Myles Alderman III ’10, a Ph.D. candidate in Yale’s

Alderman described his task in the lab as a game

Department of Genetics, was this year’s Stroud

of intellectual Battleship where the scientists have

Science Symposium Speaker. His research is directed

some information and make guesses to see what

toward understanding the epigenetic regulations of

hits. Many of these experiments fail, so Alderman

embryogenesis, a curiosity fostered by Upper School

stressed to the students that a key ingredient to

Science Chair Fritz Goodman. Although this topic is

becoming a scientist is tenacity. “We are failing

complex, Alderman conveyed the information to the

a lot,” he said. “The most important part of the

audience with layman’s terms and good humor.

scientific method isn’t the steps but teamwork and

Epigenetics includes the study of how new organisms

perseverance. It’s perseverance that allows us to

come about following the fertilization of eggs by sperm,

move this research forward.”

which involves modifying genes so that they can be

Alderman’s quest began as a student at KO with

expressed or silenced. “The main scientific question

Fritz Goodman. He asked Goodman how a cell knew

in my research is how epigenetic mechanisms drive

what it was meant to become. Goodman responded

mammalian embryogenesis, the creation of embryos

with information about transcription factors

for mammals, and how we can use those mechanisms

(DNA control elements) and cell gene expression.

to improve pregnancy outcomes,” Alderman said.

“I said, ‘Well, how do cells know how to organize

Ultimately, the scientists are looking for ways to have

transcription factors in these cells precisely?’ He

more healthy babies born, he said.

said something I would never forget: ‘Well, we don’t know yet.’ And that set me on a journey.”

Alderman gave a primer about cell life and structure and explained that every cell in the body shows the same DNA sequence, and there are between 450 and 4000 different types of cells in the human body. Cell function is dependent upon individual protein levels. A difference in transcription leads to a difference in protein levels. The study of epigenetics is understanding how cells alter their function – through the regulation of transcription

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

– without altering their DNA sequence. DNA wraps around proteins called histones which allows the combination to condense and effectively make the DNA unreadable. By modifying the histones, you can make the reading more accessible. “If you methylate DNA (which involves attaching a carbon bound to three hydrogen atoms), you’ll cause it to wrap more tightly around histones, and if you remove that methylation, it will open it up.”

Alderman explained the importance of this in his research with a placenta and epigenetic regulation.

He examined an environmental factor that has an impact during a critical window of gestation by using BPA, a toxin that is found in cans, water bottles, and store receipts. BPA is so prevalent that 93% of human urine contains BPA traces.

He said estrogen and BPA have similar chemical structures, which can combine with estrogen receptors in the human body. The BPA binds to the estrogen receptor and signals to the cell that

Above: Alderman with Upper School Science Chair Fritz Goodman holding banners of their shared alma mater.

Both Alderman’s father and Goodman attended Kenyon College at the same time.

estrogen is present. BPA crosses the placenta to the embryo very easily, but cannot make the return

estrogen. In response to estrogen, the expression of

trip from the embryo to the placenta after it binds

a particular gene should decrease, but what actually

to estrogen receptors. As pregnancy advances,

happened was that it went up. The scientists inverted

the concentration of BPA increases to the point

the response to estrogen. This real-world example

that it is higher in the amniotic fluid than it is in

shows how exposure to a toxic compound can impact

the mother’s blood.

the epigenetics of people way after they are exposed

Alderman injected pregnant mice with BPA and monitored how the offspring’s uterus functioned at the two-week development period (before puberty)

to it. Due to studies like these, BPA has been banned in baby products and products that are marketed toward pregnant women.

and again at six weeks (after puberty when there is

Following the discussion, students asked follow-up

more estrogen in the body) to see how this one-

questions.

time exposure impacts adult mice. The scientists

Alderman earned his bachelor’s degree in biology

found over 1,700 sites on the genome that had

in 2014 from Kenyon College. He received the

differences in methylation, and 93 percent of the

Gruber Science Fellowship at Yale, the National

genes that had these changes were bound to the

Science Foundation’s Graduate Fellowship Research

estrogen receptor. Then, they looked at how genes

Fellowships Program (NSF GRFP), and the Lo Graduate

responded to estrogen. By giving the animal BPA

Fellowship for Excellence in Stem Cell Research.

as an embryo, this gene has an inverse response to

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AROUND THE GREEN

Emma Barringer ’24 wins

WALKS CONSTITUTIONAL ESSAY

From left: Head of School Tom Dillow, Samuel Auclair ’24, appellate court judge Ingrid Moll, Emma Barringer ’24, Upper School history teacher Rob Kyff.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

Emma Barringer ’24 was recently selected as the

very difficult to make a case that gerrymandering

WALKS Constitutional Essay winner for 2023,

is a positive thing. It would be saying that people’s

and Sam Auclair ’24 of Middletown placed second

votes don’t matter. It’s an attempt for political

runner-up. This is the second year in a row that KO

parties to gain more power.”

took home the coveted award, a testament to KO’s strong writing program that develops a student’s critical thinking and deep analysis of issues. It also reflects the overall strength of KO’s history department and the great work Upper School history teacher Rob Kyff does with his students daily.

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Barringer’s essay dove into many court cases, specifically Baker v Carr, a 1962 case that went before the Supreme Court. Baker contested that the lines of the state of Tennessee hadn’t been changed in 100 years, whereas it should change every 10 years to coincide with the census. She

WALKS is a consortium of five Hartford-area

said that Mr. Kyff was helpful in considering where

independent schools comprised of Westminster, Avon

the Consitution could mention gerrymandering,

Old Farms, Loomis Chaffee, Kingswood Oxford, and

even if it is not explicitly stated. “Mr. Kyff was very

Suffield Academy. The Constitutional Essay has been

supportive,” she said. “We talked about different

an annual event for over 60 years. Each year, the

clauses in the Constitution that apply, like the equal

member schools select two essay writers from their

protection clause and the First Amendment.” One

junior history classes to submit to the overall contest

recent topic she discussed in her essay was the

under a selected topic. This year students researched

gerrymandering clause passed in New York State,

and wrote on the topic of gerrymandering.

where gerrymandering would no longer be possible.

Essays are read and voted on by an external judge

Two years after that law was passed, the highest

selected by the host school on a rotating basis. This

court in New York found that gerrymandering still

year the judge was appellate court judge Ingrid Moll.

existed. “That was a big point in my essay,” she said. “Even if we try to solve it, there’s always going

Barringer took Upper School history teacher Steph

to be something that disrupts that process.”

Sperber’s civics elective ‘We the People’ this past fall, a contributing factor to her success since

Mr. Kyff guided his AP History Class with feedback

one area of the class discussed gerrymandering.

through the essay assignment. Auclair broke the

Barringer researched which power can decide upon

writing up over a long period of time but was

gerrymandering – the courts or the legislature. “This

waylaid with an illness before his rough draft was

was a very difficult topic,” she said, “because everyone

due. “My rough draft was a little lacking, but I

has varying opinions if the courts should decide to

made up for it in the final draft,” he said. “The

gerrymander. It’s a question of the separation of

week before it was due, I ate spaghetti at 10:00

powers. Some people think that only the legislative

p.m. to power through it.” He noted that Mr. Kyff’s

branch can decide if gerrymandering is allowed and

commentary and comments were essential, and he

that the judicial court shouldn’t involve itself in the

made his ideas more clear and concise. Barringer

political process.”

felt the writing process was easy for her being on the KO News and is accustomed to writing

“Currently, the position is that federal courts can’t really do anything against it, but state courts can still rule for partisan gerrymandering,” Auclair said. “It’s

lengthy articles under a deadline. “I knew what was expected of me, so I could just sit and do it.”

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AROUND THE GREEN

STUDENTS ATTEND ADL NEVER IS NOW SUMMIT Through the support of The Lazowski

more. The president of Adidas

to travel to the Javits Center for

Family P ’08, ’12, who established

North America, Rupert Campbell,

the conference. Most of the KO

KO’s Center for Courageous

said he was compelled to attend

students had never attended a

Conversations, 20 students and

and speak at the conference

conference of this size, noted Jayne

adults attended the Anti-Defamation

due to the brand’s relationship

Rotter, director of leadership giving,

League’s Never Is Now 2022 in

with Kanye West who made

who accompanied the students.

November in New York City. It is

highly controversial anti-Semitic

The students learned about the

the world’s largest summit on anti-

remarks. Over 7,000 attendees

tremendous impact, both positive and

Semitism and hate. The event

from 40 countries participated in

negative, of social media. Raj Patel ’23

featured remarks from figures such

workshops and learned how to

discovered that inflammatory social

as President Biden, Albert Bourla,

speak up and out against all forms

media posts get more traction on

DVM, Ph.D. chairman and chief

of bias and hate.

social media and that one needs to

executive officer of Pfizer, Diane von Furstenberg, fashion designer, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and

Although Nov. 10 was officially a day off for parent-teacher conferences, the 20 students and chaperones woke up early

search for unbiased sources. Maggie Poulin ’24 said social media could help counter anti-Semitism and hate by educating people about its toxic effects. Both Tess Chapman ’23 and Ava Cashman ’24 said students and adults need to take an active role in countering anti-Semitism and challenge those in one’s community who spread hate.

“Attendees learned about combating anti-Semitism, extremism and bigotry whenever it happens, said Rotter, and our students came away with ideas on how they can make a difference in their own communities. The goal of the conference and The Lazowski Center for Courageous Conversations at KO is to empower kids to have meaningful discussions about social justice.”

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Kingswood Oxford

POWER OF

women Igniting tomorrow’s leaders.

From left: Angela Georgopoulos ’00, Christine Bromberg, Debra Fountain and Joyce Mandell.

Over 150 people attended the Power of Women event in the

say to yourself, ‘Why not me? Why

Roberts Theater in April, featuring several women leaders: Christine

not any of us?’” she said. “There will

Bromberg P ’23, ’24, a partner at Robinson + Cole, Debra Fountain

always be more men in these courses

P ’23, owner of Lifer Fitness Studio, Angela Georgopoulos ’00,

– who cares. You have every right to

senior director of resource development of the American Society

be there. Take up space and be there.

of Hematology, and Joyce Mandell P ’82, ’85 ’87 GP ’21, ’22, ’22,

If they underestimate you, great.”

’23, ’25, ’26, entrepreneur and documentary film producer.

The panelists gave words of advice to

The panel was moderated by

The panelists discussed their

the audience. Georgopoulos said that

Director of Leadership Giving and

challenges in the business world,

the students must set themselves

POW advisor Jayne Rotter P’22

especially in male-dominated

up for success by understanding

and student chairs Tess Chapman

fields like STEM and law.

the difference between being

’23, Maggie Dwyer ’23, and Alyssa

Bromberg said she learned how

“interested” and “committed” in the

Temkin ’23, who masterfully kept

to have a voice and exercise a

workforce. She said being interested

the conversation flowing. The

voice that is true to herself and

in what you do at work is fine;

panelists shared their experiences

her personality. While opening

however, those who are committed

and insights as women in the

her fitness facility and ordering

will rise through the ranks. Bromberg

workforce, revealing their

exercise equipment, Fountain

said that mistakes are part of

challenges and highlights to help

said many of the salespeople

learning and not to be afraid to take

our young women navigate their

wanted to speak with the

risks. Fountain told the group not to

career paths.

decision-maker, and she had

lose sight of caring for themselves

to tell them that she was the

and their bodies. Mandell stressed

The panelists urged the students

business owner. Georgopoulos

authenticity. “Don’t lie or exaggerate

to take their time to find out what

said in the STEM field, women

or lie to yourself,” she said.

they love to do and accept that finding a career path may look

need to get accustomed to being

different for different people.

in the minority. “You need to

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reunion ’22 After three years of Reunions that were abbreviated, interrupted, and virtual, on October 14-15, 2022, Kingswood Oxford was thrilled to be able to host a gathering of alumni at full capacity once again.

Taking the opportunity to share our school, our campus, and our students at their best, Reunion Weekend moved from June, when our campus is quiet, to Hewett Day Weekend in October. Inviting alumni back to campus for an event that is so steeped in tradition is an opportunity to bring our alumni together to reconnect with each other and to realize that although many things have changed over the years, many others have remained the same.

Left: Veteran faculty member Rob Kyff teaches an alumni masterclass entitled American History Through the Lens of Visual Art. Below left: Perennial favorite teacher Ted Levine led a class in political science called Hidden Tribes and Equity Dreams. Below right: Finding familiar faces and learning about the school’s history in the Archives.

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DAYTIME Hewett Day Games, a family barbeque, and an open campus provided the backdrop for connections of all kinds. While some pushed the next generation of Wyverns around in strollers, others perused the Honor Boards in Alumni Hall, sharing stories of friendship and triumph. Former students took one more class with KO faculty legends Kyff, Goodman, Levine, and Semmelrock while others strolled the Senior Green, chatting with current seniors they met along the way.

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI On Saturday morning, Head of School Tom Dillow stood at the podium in Roberts Theater to honor the achievements and contributions of four members of the Alumni Community. Though varied in their experiences, all have made a significant impact on those around them and have brought honor and distinction to Kingswood Oxford School.

Left: Hazel Vail ’44, recipient of The Oxford Award. Above: Bruce Mandell ’82, Doug Harris ’77, and Jim Steane ’62 pose in front of the Senior Green after being honored as Distinguished Alumni.

NIGHTTIME Sunny skies gave way to a perfect night to celebrate our alumni. Dinner was served, memories were made, and friends gathered by a cozy fire to share stories of their time at KO.

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50TH REUNION Members of the Oxford and Kingswood Classes of 1972 celebrated their 50th Reunions on campus on October 15 with a dinner in Alumni Hall. Because the school’s official merger came just two years later, the Oxford and Kingswood classes have remained close, so they chose to celebrate together.

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HONORARY CAPTAINS Starting a new tradition, alumni who were captains of varsity teams were invited back to campus to serve as honorary captains on Hewett Day and at the KITs. The alumni captains shared their perspective on playing in big day games and gave some words of encouragement before taking part in the coin toss.

Top Left: Former Field Hockey Coach Chapin Yates and senior captain Allegra Kotowitz ’23 welcomed Athena Lentini McAlenney ’97 as Honorary Captain for their Hewett Day game. Bottom Left: David Ames ’62 and Rohan Singh ’12 call the toss before the boys’ varsity game together with senior captains Mac Louis ’23 and Max Sams ’23, and Coach Hikmet Aslan. Right: Marissa Kreh Gingeleskie ’96, Keith Wolff ’91, and Tylon Smith, Jr. ’11 rev up the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams before their opening KIT games in December.

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A GRAND DAY OCTOBER 7, 2022 & APRIL 28, 2023

Sunny skies prevailed for both the Middle School and Upper School Grandparents and Grand Friends Days this year. After a two-year forced hiatus, the school was eager to bring back our happiest days of the year.

The Middle School welcomed guests in October, and the Upper School celebrated in April. Both days featured an assembly full of student performances, after which grandparents and friends attended two classes before enjoying a special, family-style luncheon together.

Watching all the smiling faces of students and elders alike, it is no wonder that Grandparents Day is our favorite!

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KO Athletics 2022-2023

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Varsity Athletics 2022-23

FALL FOOTBALL Head Coach: Brandon Batory ’10 Assistant Coaches: David Hild ’80, Dac Newton, Matt Kocay, Duncan Insuik, Steve Sullivan, Kevin Nash Record: 4-4 Captain: Chase Fountain ’23 Seniors: Jacob Amburn, Jaeden Curcio, Chase Fountain, Jack Gold, Dalton Grant, Geordan Robertson, Benjamin Stengel, Joshua Zukowski M.V.P. Award: Chase Fountain M.I.P. Award: Evan Tyler ’25 VOLLEYBALL Head Coach: Scott McDonald Assistant Coaches: Cameron Biondi, Ryan Radmanovich Record: 15-2 Captains: Keira Sullivan ’23, Jillian Plaut ’23 Seniors: Jhanvi Daddala, Quinlan Kearney, Jillian Plaut, Eve Repp, Keira Sullivan M.V.P. Award: Keira Sullivan M.I.P. Award: Eve Repp Coaches Award: Alexandra Arcaro ’24 Four Year Award: Quinlan Kearney, Jillian Plaut FIELD HOCKEY Head Coach: Chapin Yates Assistant Coach: Nicole Baratz Record: 1-14 Captain: Allegra Kotowitz ’23 Seniors: Mckenzie Campbell, Allegra Kotowitz, Alyssa Temkin M.V.P. Award: Allegra Kotowitz M.I.P. Award: Emma Barringer ’24 Coaches Award: Kate DempseyWeiner ’26 Four Year Award: Allegra Kotowitz GIRLS’ SOCCER Head Coach: Sal Penta Assistant Coach: Judy Lindsay Bailey ’82 Record: 7-9-2 Captains: Alina Vaughn ’23, Georgia Louis ’24

Seniors: Samantha Azia, Kyra Dunnirvine, Annabelle Jacobs, Sattah Phouthakoun, Alina Vaughn M.V.P. Award: Alina Vaughn M.I.P. Award: Annabelle Jacobs Coaches Award: Julia Stepnowski ’28 Four Year Award: Samantha Azia, Kyra Dunnirvine, Alina Vaughn BOYS’ SOCCER Head Coach: Hikmet Aslan Assistant Coach: Matteo Cavaliere Record: 10-6-2 Captains: Max Sams ’23, Mac Louis ’23 Seniors: Paul Gilberto, Aidan Ladewig, Mac Louis, Rajan Patel, Praveen Andreas Rollan, Max Sams M.V.P. Award: Max Sams M.I.P. Award: Grant Daigle ’24 Coaches Award: Michael Bzowyckyj ’24 GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY Head Coach: Tricia Watson Assistant Coaches: Fritz Goodman, Rachel Heffner-Burns, Graham Hegeman Captain: Kami Tarantino ’24 M.V.P. Award: Claire Palmer ’25 M.I.P. Award: Meagan Rose ’26 Coaches Award: Sophie Chen ’25 BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY Head Coach: Fritz Goodman Assistant Coaches: Tricia Watson, Graham Hegeman, Rachel Heffner-Burns Captain: Samuel Bromberg ’23 Senior: Samuel Bromberg M.V.P. Award: Samuel Auclair ’24 M.I.P. Award: Dorian Ciscel ’26 Coaches Award: Samuel Bromberg Four Year Award: Samuel Bromberg ESPORTS Coach: Ryan Brodeur ’01 Assistant Coach: Kathleen DiSanto ’03 Captain: William Jacobs ’23 Seniors: Cole Ellis, Kodilichi Ezegbo,

William Jacobs, Garret Kelly, Chin Ho Kung, Christina Mullen M.V.P. Award: Ryan Zheng ’24 M.I.P. Award: Chin Ho Kung Coaches Award: Hannah Bateson ’26

WINTER BOYS’ BASKETBALL Head Coach: Brad Seaman Assistant Coaches: Ronald Garcia, Peter Jones Record: 16-8 Captains: Rhandyn Bair ’24, Esco Greene ’23, Gavin Griffiths ’23 Seniors: Chase Fountain, Dalton Grant, Esco Greene, Gavin Griffiths, Jacob Joseph, Nathan Raap M.V.P. Award: Gavin Griffiths M.I.P. Award: Chuck Hare ’24 Coaches Award: Chase Fountain Four Year Award: Gavin Griffiths GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Head Coach: Quinn O’Brien Assistant Coach: Judy Lindsay Bailey ’82 Record: 10-10 Captains: Aashni Patel ’24, Olivia Stevens ’24 M.V.P. Award: Aashni Patel M.I.P. Award: Madison Brillant ’28 Coaches Award: Olivia Stevens ICE HOCKEY Head Coach: John Hissick Assistant Coach: Michael Wolf Record: 0-14-1 Captains: Cody Brew ’23, Matthew Cote ’23, Benjamin Margolis ’23 Seniors: Cody Brew, Mathieu Champagne, Matthew Cote, Benjamin Margolis M.V.P. Award: Dalton Smith ’26 M.I.P. Award: Mathieu Champagne Coaches Award: Ryan Munz ’26 Four Year Award: Benjamin Margolis

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BOYS’ SWIMMING Head Coach: Alex Kraus Assistant Coaches: Kata Baker, Emma Johnson, Brigid Schulenberg Captains: Elias Brandt ’23, Aidan Ladewig ’23 Seniors: Elias Brandt, Jaeden Curcio, Aman Kumar, Aidan Ladewig, Mason Zimmer M.V.P. Award: Elias Brandt M.I.P. Award: Jackson Poulin ’26 Coaches Award: Shuhan Zhang ’24 Four Year Award: Jaeden Curcio Seven Year Award: Elias Brandt GIRLS’ SWIMMING Head Coach: Kata Baker Assistant Coaches: Alex Kraus, Emma Johnson, Brigid Schulenberg Captains: Charlotte Eberle ’23, Maggie Poulin ’24 Seniors: Charlotte Eberle, Stephanie Lu M.V.P. Award: Miya Scranton ’25 M.I.P. Award: Sydney Parker ’25 Coaches Award: Anna Ollenschleger ’25 Four Year Award: Charlotte Eberle BOYS’ SQUASH Head Coach: Robby Lingashi Record: 6-7 Captain: William Jacobs ’23 Seniors: William Jacobs M.V.P. Award: Jack Krieble ’25 M.I.P. Award: Cole Keegan ’27 Coaches Award: William Jacobs GIRLS’ SQUASH Head Coach: Cameron Biondi Record: 3-10 Captain: Annabelle Jacobs ’23 Seniors: Sophia Glazier, Annabelle Jacobs M.V.P. Award: Annabelle Jacobs M.I.P. Award: Ava Marseglia ’26 Coaches Award: Sophia Glazier

SPRING BASEBALL Head Coach: Steve Cannata Assistant Coaches: Peter Jones, Ryan Radmanovich Record: 10-7 Captains: Mac Louis ’23, Devin Wolff ’23 Seniors: Jack Gold, Mac Louis, Devin Wolff

M.V.P. Award: Devin Wolff M.I.P. Award: Adam Merritt ’24 Coaches Award: Elijah Wells ’24 Four Year Award: Jack Gold, Mac Louis, Brady Nichols, Devin Wolff SOFTBALL Head Coach: Jason Bradley Assistant Coaches: Rob D’Agostino, Kierstan Skinner Record: 12-3 Captains: Kyra Dunnirvine ’23, Hailey Williams ’23 Seniors: Sophia Brunalli, Kyra Dunnirvine, Hailey Williams M.V.P. Award: Kyra Dunnirvine M.I.P. Award: Sophia Radmanovich ’24 Coaches Award: Olivia Gallup ’25 Four Year Award: Sophia Brunalli, Hailey Williams Six Year Award: Kyra Dunnirvine BOYS’ LACROSSE Head Coach: Rich Mok Assistant Coaches: David Hild ’80, Josh Metz Record: 2-9 Captains: Michael Bzowyckyj ’24, Alex Levin ’24 Seniors: Jacob Amburn, Josh Zukowski Connecticut Valley Lacrosse Club Most Valuable Player Award: Jack Neikrie ’25 M.I.P. Award: Michael DeNardo ’26 Coaches Award: Michael Bzowyckyj, Alex Levin GIRLS’ LACROSSE Head Coach: Judy Lindsay Bailey ’82 Assistant Coach: Chapin Yates Record: 1-14 Captains: Allegra Kotowitz ’23, Chayse Shamleffer ’23, Kami Tarantino ’24 Seniors: Allegra Kotowitz, Chayse Shamleffer, Kami Tarantino M.V.P. Award: Allegra Kotowitz M.I.P. Award: Ashley Neikrie ’24 Coaches Award: Kami Tarantino Four Year Award: Allegra Kotowitz BOYS’ TRACK AND FIELD Head Coach: Alexander Kraus Assistant Coaches: David Baker ’04, Tracy Deeter, Fritz Goodman, Carmen Kreager, Steph Sperber, Tricia Watson

Captains: Paul Gilberto ’23, Aidan Ladewig ’23, Mason Zimmer ’23 Senior: Paul Gilberto, Aidan Ladewig, Mason Zimmer M.V.P. Award: Tyler Brown ’26 M.I.P. Award: Samuel Auclair ’24 Coaches Award: Aidan Ladewig GIRLS’ TRACK AND FIELD Head Coach: Tricia Watson Assistant Coaches: David Baker ’04, Tracy Deeter, Fritz Goodman, Alex Kraus, Carmen Kreager, Steph Sperber Captains: Jordan DiMauro ’23, Charlotte Eberle ’23, Sattah Phouthakoun ’23 Seniors: Jordan DiMauro, Charlotte Eberle, Sattah Phouthakoun M.V.P. Award: Claire Palmer ’25 M.I.P. Award: Anissa Lewis ’24 Coaches Award: Jordan DiMauro Four Year Award: Charlotte Eberle GOLF Head Coach: Michael Wolf Record: 10-5 Captain: Cody Brew ’23 Senior: Cody Brew Mark Dixon Most Valuable Player Award: Cody Brew M.I.P. Award: Stryckland WhittleyLigon ’25 Coaches Award: Austin Perkins ’26, Alexa Wolf ’25 BOYS’ TENNIS Head Coach: Andy Krugman ’86 Record: 4-12 Captain: William Jacobs ’23 Senior: William Jacobs M.V.P. Award: William Jacobs M.I.P. Award: Pratt Blair ’26 Coaches Award: Samir Patel ’24 GIRLS’ TENNIS Head Coach: Ron Garcia Record: 15-2 Captains: Hallie Braunstein ’23, Stella Dodd ’23 Seniors: Abigail Baier, Hallie Braunstein, Stella Dodd M.V.P. Award: Stella Dodd M.I.P. Award: Alex Doering ’26 Coaches Award: Loretta Szych ’24 Four Year Award: Abigail Baier, Stella Dodd, Christina Miller Five Year Award: Hallie Braunstein

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S O F T B A L L : F O U N D E R S L E AG U E C H A M P S

by Keira Sullivan ’23

After an intense 5-4 win over Loomis Chaffee on May 15, KO’s softball team was crowned Founders League champions. Founders League, a league of highly selective college preparatory schools, includes, KO, Avon Old Farms, Choate Rosemary Hall, Ethel Walker, Hotchkiss, Kent, Loomis Chaffee, Miss Porter’s, Taft, Trinity-Pawling, and Westminster. Post-win celebrations included ringing the victory bell once they returned to campus and reflecting on the truly incredible season they’ve had this year, a fact that is only made more apparent by their impressive 12-3 record.

The accomplishment of being Founders League champions and third-ranked team in New Englands is a source of pride for many of the team’s members, especially as the team only had ten players, who devoted hours each day to honing their skills.

Coach Jason Bradley said because the team lacked depth, every member stepped up and did her job. The team made it to the

semi-final Western New England playoffs (top four teams in each class) but was eliminated by Cushing Academy 1-0.

“I was thoroughly impressed by how this small team came together,” Coach Bradley said.

“We took it one day at a time.

They really did gel. Honestly, it was the best chemistry team I’ve had at KO in the eight years I have coached at the school.

There was a general likemindedness that they wanted to be successful, and they grabbed onto the ‘we before me’ mentality. They didn’t play any selfish softball.”

The season end is not only bittersweet for the loss but more for the loss of its seniors, a fulcrum of the team. Reflecting on her time with the softball team, senior first-baseman and pitcher co-captain Kyra Dunnirvine ’23 shared how being a member of the varsity team for six years has enabled her to grow as an athlete and leader. “Throughout the years, I’ve been able to see different leaders on the team and see how their strategies impacted the team for better or worse,” she said candidly. “Now that I’m a captain myself, this is so valuable because I’ve been able to use years of watching other leaders determine how to handle different situations.”

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

Beyond lessons in leadership, Dunnirvine added that her experience with the softball team brought her close to people she otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play with, like students in the Middle School.

She hopes that even after she has graduated, she will stay in touch with former teammates and friends.

While recounting her fondest memories of being on the team, Dunnirvine added that an 11-inning, 1-0 win over Westminster earlier in the season was one of her happiest moments. The team demonstrated serious grit and determination throughout

the showdown, keeping their opponents from scoring runs and staying in the game long enough to come out on top. Dunnirvine cited the efforts of eighth-grade pitcher Alexis Nisyrios ’27 and senior shortstop and pitcher cocaptain Hailey Williams ’23 on the mound as crucial to their success.

Looking back on the season as a whole, Dunnivrine explained that the team’s schedule worked out in such a way that the level of competition grew as the season progressed, enabling the team to work out hiccups as they arose.

“It allowed us to figure things out gradually,” she said. “We were able to get people into positions that gave everyone opportunities

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“

There was a general like-mindedness that they wanted to be successful, and they grabbed onto the ‘we before me’ mentality.

- Coach Bradley

KYRA DUNNIRVINE, All NEPSAC, First Base, 2023 HAILEY WILLIAMS, All NEPSAC, Short Stop, 2023

”

ALEXIS NISYRIOS, All NEPSAC, Pitcher, 2027

OLIVIA GALLUP, All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention, catcher, 2025 OLIVIA DORAN, All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention, second base, 2026 ADRIANNA CICCHIELLO, All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention, centerfield, 2027

OLIVIA GALLUP, Founders League All Conference, 2025 KYRA DUNNIRVINE, Founder League All Conference, 2023 ALEXIS NISYRIOS, All Conference, 2027

KYRA DUNNIRVINE, WNE - All Star HAILEY WILLIAMS , WNE - All Star

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

to play but also gave us the best chance to succeed. This schedule also helped newer players get acclimated to the team.”

Nisyrios is one of the players who is new to the team. Even though she is an eighth-grader, her performances on the mound and field belie her age. The formidable skills she demonstrates during games are very much the result of her experiences in club softball, which she has been playing since she was seven.

Currently, she plays for the Rhode Island Thunder 14u National team, one of New England’s

premier programs. Nisyrios is very committed to the sport and dedicates much of her time to improving. “Practices on the weekends are typically four hours long,” she shared. “We travel a lot over the fall and summer throughout the Northeast but also to other parts of the country.”

Not only is Nisyrios already an impact player for Wyvern softball, but she’s also become close friends with many of the girls on the team, despite the age gap.

This cohesion results from the team’s emphasis on developing team chemistry, which they work

on both on and off the field.

Nisyrios explained that bus rides to and from games are when some of the best team bonding takes place. “During our bus rides, we bring energy for our games,” she said. “We do each other’s hair and eye black, and on the rides home, we jam out to music and have such a blast.”

Coach Bradley said the team has four strong incoming players next season. “My outlook for next season is to build up, repeat, and have a great next year, too. KO softball is on the rise!” he said.

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N E W D U G O U T S E L E VAT E B A S E B A L L P R O G R A M This spring Kingswood Oxford installed a pair of dugouts and a net system on the baseball field. The school competes in the New England Preparatory Council Athletic Council (NEPSAC) league. Within this league, not many schools have this innovative dugout and net system.

“When you come to campus, and you see the dugouts and net system, it leaves an impression, said Director of Athletics Josh Balabuch. “It is a sign you care about your program and your team and are invested in it.”

The net system, in particular, is often seen in professional, minor

league, and college basketball teams and has many advantages, including providing a better viewing for fans and better safety.

In addition to the improved aesthetics, the net will also cut down significantly on the number of balls lost and the potential for hitting parked cars.

The school partnered with FIP Construction for the build and installation, a company they have used for other campus projects. The planning process for the project began in August 2022, and the build itself began around mid-December. It was completed over spring break, and a dedication was held in late April.

The varsity team was incredibly strong with a record of 10-7. The lineup had a depth of talent, in particular, with their pitching. The Wyverns had two pitchers, Devin Wolff ’23 and Adam Merritt ’24, heading to Division I programs.

The team’s catching was another area of strength Coach Ryan Radmanovich said.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

The project was funded by generous members of the KO community, including lead donors Thor & Joline Swanson P ’15, ’16, ’21, ’25, Karen Diaz-Meaike P ’19, ’22 & Shawn Meaike P ’19, ’22, and Kris & Keith Wolff ’91, P ’20, ’23. Additional generous donors were Brad Hoffman ’78, P ’07, Monica & Lee Gold ’90, P ’23, ’26, Leigh & John Kumpa P ’24, Elaine & Jerry Leshem P ’14, ’16, ’19, ’22, ’24, Susan & Evan Taback P ’28, and Michalee & Mark Merritt P ’21, ’24.

Coaches from left: Peter Jones, Ryan Radmanovich, and Steve Cannata

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COAC H K R AU S R E C E I V E S D I S T I N G U I S H E D S E R V I C E AWA R D Alex Kraus, KO’s long-time swimming and diving coach, received the New England Prep School Swimming Association (NEPSSA) Distinguished Service Award at New Englands in March. This is only the 18th time in the league’s 60-year history that this award was bestowed.

At the ceremony before the meet, the NEPSSA president said Kraus started with the league in 1986 and has always put the athletes’ experience above everything. The KO swimmers on deck held up a hand-painted banner with the words “You Are Loved,” Kraus’s email sign-off to his swimmers. It’s a two-way street and a testament to Kraus’ impact on legions of swimmers.

Assistant swim coach Katie Stauss from Williston, who had swum under Kraus, said that Coach Kraus was more than a coach to her but a mentor that everyone on the team looked up to. “When I decided I wanted to be a teacher, Kraus was the person I wanted to emulate,” she said. Although he held the students to high expectations and encouraged them to improve, she said that he always made them feel loved and supported every day and cared more about them as people than as athletes.

Kata Baker, KO’s assistant coach who has worked with Coach Kraus for 16 years, shared similar sentiments. Each of the thousands of students that Kraus has coached, she said, has learned under his tutelage what good sportsmanship looks like, how to handle stress and build confidence, and how to be a good teammate. As the MacGyver of high

school swim coaches, Baker said she had seen Kraus’ dedication first hand: coaching on Zoom, adding an extra lane line with pool noodles and rope, and coaching in a bath-sized therapy pool.

“He is frustratingly humble,” she said. “There is no end to the work he will do to ensure his students experience the program.”

Former swim coach and Middle School science teacher Clay Miles said, “While he has forgotten more about swimming than many know, he understands that it is the perfect platform from which to teach more than a little bit about life, and he utilizes that understanding to the utmost.

Traits such as hard work, courage, perseverance, sportsmanship, patience, grace, and ultimately care and love are at the core of every workout, team meeting, or personal interaction.”

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C L A S S O F 20 23 S T U D E N T-AT H L E T E S CO M M I T T E D TO P L AY S P O R T S AT T H E CO L L E G I AT E L E V E L JACOB AMBURN Stony Brook University, Football, D1 ELI BRANDT Tufts University, Men’s Swimming and Diving, D3 CHASE FOUNTAIN University of Connecticut, Football, D1 DALTON GRANT Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Football, D3 GAVIN GRIFFITHS Rutgers University, Basketball, D1 ALLEGRA KOTOWITZ Roger Williams University, Field Hockey, D3 GEORDAN ROBERTSON Pace University, Football, D2 MAXWELL SAMS Gettysburg College, Men’s soccer, D3 KEIRA SULLIVAN Grinnell College, Volleyball, D3 HAILEY WILLIAMS Chestnut Hill College, Softball, D2 DEVIN WOLFF University of Connecticut, Baseball, D1 MASON ZIMMER St. Lawrence University, Swimming and Diving, D3

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111th Commencement May 26, 2023 Sunny skies and happy tears prevailed at the 111th Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26 where 84 Wyverns celebrated their achievements in front of family, friends, and faculty.

Chin Ho (Johnny) Kung was awarded the Dux Prize, the student with the highest grade point average, at the earlier Prize Ceremony, and there were 17 Cum Laude recipients.

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Faith Potter ’23 introduced the keynote speaker, former Upper School English Chair Cathy Schieffelin, whose message highlighted the necessity of finding mentors and becoming guides for others. She leaned into her vulnerability and shared three personal stories of encountering “imposter syndrome.” The syndrome is characterized by that gnawing

“

feeling that plagues individuals, many highly accomplished, who feel that they aren’t as competent or intelligent as others might think.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today if not for these moments that made me feel like a total fraud and simultaneously helped me forge some of my strongest connections and shape my values,” Schieffelin said.

Schieffelin’s first bout of imposter syndrome struck as a freshman at Taft School.

Despite growing up as a faculty brat at the school, once she was enrolled as a student, she struggled to navigate a world of far wealthier and hipper students. Her confidence took a hit, and it wasn’t until her sophomore year that she found her footing and a home in

I wouldn’t be the person I am today if not for these moments that made me feel like a total fraud and simultaneously helped me forge some of my strongest connections and shape my values.

-Cathy Schieffelin

”

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an English class where her teacher gave her the courage to use her voice.

“She helped me feel a sense of belonging,” Schieffelin said, “and was always ready to remind me of who I was and how others really saw me — to shake me out of my uncertainty, uplift me, help me look at the scene around me with new eyes, and, above all else, make me laugh (sometimes at myself).”

Schieffelin related two other instances where she was overwhelmed by circumstances that rattled her confidence: as a 24-year-old dorm parent and teacher at Berkshire School and as a new mom of preemie twins.

While at Berkshire, she encountered a bright but troubled student. Knowing she was out of her depth in treating the mentally ill student, she contacted the girl’s parents. “In supporting her, I learned so much about myself—both my limitations and my strengths— as this experience of profound self-doubt taught me the value of using my experience and empathy to be the guide for others.”

While an overwhelmed new parent, she found her equilibrium in the new role by trusting her instincts, leaning into her discomfort, and finding her guides. She learned that these challenging

moments are “often a sign that we’re on the edge of growth.

New, disorienting experiences sometimes give us the opportunity to fail, fail better, and ultimately grow. A little bit of discomfort and doubt can push us out of our routine and complacency; it can be transformative.”

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you to own it and say sorry. The only thing keeping you from doing the right thing, from correcting a wrong, is pride. And our ego is the main obstacle to growth.”

Conversely, Dillow encouraged students to recognize that others will make mistakes as well, and will deserve foregiveness, too.

Without this understanding and mercy, holding on to anger becomes corrosive. “We’re all on this planet together, imperfect beings, striving and seeking acceptance. So let go of your anger and forgive others. In doing so, you will find freedom and inner peace.”

Through the lessons of her own growth, Schieffelin exhorted the seniors to try on new roles and identities while in college, embrace the disquiet, and seek out mentors to lean on and be that buttress for others along the way. In doing so, she said, one can become, as J.D. Salinger wrote, part of a “beautiful reciprocal arrangement.”

In his charge to the Senior Class, Head of School Tom Dillow remarked to the class about the extraordinary circumstances the class has experienced in the past

several years, from Covid-19 to the attack on the Capitol to toxic culture wars. Through it all, the students remained grounded, he said, because they lead with love rather than anger. He offered some advice to them including to live in the moment and enjoy life since they have earned it. On a more sobering note, Dillow said that despite the students’ growth and development, they still remain unfinished products. “There will still be times when you will make mistakes,” he said. “When you do, whenever you are at fault, I charge

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“

We’re all on this planet together, imperfect beings, striving and seeking acceptance. So let go of your anger and forgive others. In doing so, you will find freedom and inner peace.

-Tom Dillow

”

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Our Class of 2023 graduates celebrate on the steps of Alumni Hall with their parents who also attended KO.

FRONT ROW Keith Wolff ’91, Devin Wolff ’23, Hallie Braunstein ’23, Meryl Mandell Braunstein ’87, Melinda Collins Eberle ’91, Charlotte Eberle ’23, Shoshanna Levy ’23, Evan Levy ’93 MIDDLE ROW David Azia ’85, Samantha Azia ’23, Theodore Stephan ’23, Paul Stephan ’81, Jack Gold ’23, Lee Gold ’90 BACK ROW William Jacobs ’23, Heather Hills Jacobs ’84

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The Community Commons Invigorating Life and Learning on Campus

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KO’s Strategic Vision, set forth the year before the pandemic, called for a master campus plan, including a new Community Commons to serve as a state-of-the-art resource on campus for community gathering, dining, and flexible spaces for student/faculty collaboration and research.

If the Covid-era taught us any lessons, we learned, while walking across campus on those crisp fall days, that students love being outdoors and long for more spaces to connect with each other.

The Strategic Vision also calls for new kinds of

an update. As the Burkinabé-German architect

learning where students collaborate with each

Francis Kere said, “Architecture is about

other in small groups to address real-world and

people,” and if we are to uphold our promise as

interdisciplinary questions. This requires new work

educators of young people, we need to provide

and presentation spaces and a media-rich research

them with spaces that will inspire them and help

center equipped with cutting-edge technology,

them grow as thinkers and learners.

providing access to online resources, e-books, and interactive learning platforms. In addition to new technologies, our new study and research center will continue to offer an extensive collection of books that cater to diverse interests and academic disciplines. Books, as we know, will always matter!

That’s why we’re thrilled to share these preliminary designs of the new Community Commons with you. The Commons project represents the most significant undertaking on campus since the construction of the Hoffman Field House in 2017, the Chase ° Tallwood Math

The well-used Conklin Library has served our

and Science Center in 2009, and the Estes

community for over sixty years and is ready for

Middle School in 2003.

THE COMMONS features thoughtful touches that make the space a welcoming one.

Light fills an airy atrium upon entry, whose generous center hall will serve as an additional area for connection and conversation.

The library consists of several seating nooks to accommodate quiet conversation or studying.

It also includes a flexible entertaining and presentation space for 100+, a student center/ lounge, flexible small group study rooms, a quiet study room, and a large library classroom.

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The new Community Commons, designed by

The Community Commons will feature an outdoor

Centerbrook Architects in Centerbrook, Conn.,

patio, renovated dining spaces, flexible entertaining

will be the central hub and heartbeat of our

and presentation space for 100+, a student center/

community, a welcoming space for students,

lounge, flexible small group study rooms, a quiet

faculty, parents, and alumni. With flexibly

study room, and a large library classroom. This

designed spaces, the Commons will be a vibrant

project is set to break ground in June 2024 and will

venue that can pivot easily from a student

be completed for the opening of school in 2025.

research and presentation center to one that

Plans are underway for the upcoming school year’s

hosts cultural events and guest speakers.

interim dining and library spaces.

This light and bright space is designed to foster

The Commons is a major component of our

teamwork and creativity – an innovation lab

upcoming Capital Campaign that also prioritizes

that nurtures curiosity and ignites a passion

attracting and retaining top teachers and

for learning. It’s a place where brainstorming

developing innovative academic programs. Thanks

sessions are the order of the day, where dreams

to 100% participation from our Board of Trustees,

take flight, and where the seeds of future

several additional lead gifts from friends of the

inventions are planted.

School, and proceeds from the recent sale of the Trout Brook property, the leadership phase of our Campaign is well underway, and we look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months.

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©2023 Sesame Workshop®, Sesame Street® and associated characters trademarks and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Sesame Workshop. Photographer Zach Hyman.

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Q+A

The ABCs of Leadership

By Jackie Pisani

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We’ve grown accustomed to the depictions of the winnertake-all mentality of media moguls like Logan Roy in Succession. Still, there is a less volatile, more values-driven way to lead a media company, evidenced by the storied career of Jeff Dunn ’73, former executive chairman, president and chief executive officer of Sesame Workshop, former president and chief executive officer of HiT Entertainment, and former chief operating officer of Nickelodeon and the president of Nickelodeon Film and Enterprises.

Following his retirement from Sesame Workshop in 2021, Dunn volunteered at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education to mentor students and professors on using media to improve educational access and impact. Starting in January 2023, Dunn now serves as interim president and chief executive officer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Q+A

In our Q&A, Dunn shares his experience leading Sesame’s turnaround and shepherding companies through turbulent times.

What were the conditions at Sesame Workshop when you first arrived?

Sesame had eight years of operating losses before I got there, so the question was, how will we change that? One of the big reasons we were losing money was because we weren’t getting paid for the TV show. The costs of Sesame Street weren’t being paid by PBS, the network we were carried on, so we had to figure out how to pay for it in another way.

Historically, Sesame made money by licensing its characters and brand to toy companies and distributing its programs via cassettes and DVDs, but the world had changed. When Sesame Street first came out in 1969, there really wasn’t that much competition. There were only four networks, and there weren’t that many kids’ shows, so we really had the licensing business to ourselves. But now, there were hundreds of kids’ shows, all trying to compete for the same dollars. Additionally, over the last 20 years, kids had gotten older, younger. That is, they were aging out of things at an earlier age. Girls were no longer playing with dolls for the same length of time as they were before. People were getting into electronics earlier than before. We no longer had the same age range to sell to, and the fact that more people had to eat from the same pie meant that each business had to take less.

Sesame Street’s licensing business was down by 50 percent in the last eight years, and the CD and DVD business was down by 70 percent, as people moved to streaming.

I had to change the staff’s point of view to acknowledge that people no longer watched media and television in the same way. We needed to get

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paid for the programming somehow. Streaming is no different in a way than DVDs, and streaming had eroded the DVD business. The goal was to stay on PBS because it was free, but we would somehow have to get paid. We did a deal with HBO so that we were on HBO, and HBO paid for the programming. Then, we gave it free to PBS as we had always done. That combination turned around the economics. Now we were actually getting paid to make the programming.

Did you get a lot of resistance to instituting these changes?

Within that series of decisions, I had to bring many people along. There was tremendous resistance. First and foremost, there was resistance from PBS because this was a big change for them. They would be moving from what is called the “first window” to the “second window.”

In the media business, a window is when content appears. Historically, movie content first appeared in movie theaters, then it migrated to DVDs in stores like Blockbuster, then to broadcast television, and then to cable TV. Each one was a window that the movie earned money on. In television, the first window was on broadcast and the second window was on cable. In our case, what we were proposing was going to be a first run on cable, which was historically the second window, and then go back to PBS, who was going to get the programming for free. They were no longer going to be ahead of the cable window.

That decision was hugely controversial at the time.

When we did this, we caught the zeitgeist in the media business. There was cord-cutting. Netflix was taking off. People were unplugging from the cable. No one had ever done this before where there was going to be a first broadcast on cable, and then it was going to go to broadcast. The story made the front page of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, and the L.A. Times because people wondered if this was a seminal moment in the history of television again where all the prior rules were collapsing. But it did save the organization.

Some members of Congress had concerns. They were like, “OK, what’s really going on here?” People look at Sesame as a national treasure. Many people thought that PBS owned it, which wasn’t true. There were definitely people within the company itself who thought we were commercializing Sesame in some way.

How do you bring the employees along? How do you let them see your vision?

I think life-threatening situations tend to clarify peoples’ minds. Some people said, “Sesame should die a noble death. You’ve been there for 45 years, and it was a good run, and no TV show lasts forever.”

Well, I did not come there to have that happen. The board didn’t feel that way. The board felt Sesame had to evolve with the times and reflect the realities of the marketplace. That’s always hard, but when your very existence is threatened, and you’ve been losing money for eight years, you can say, “We can keep doing it the way we’re doing it, in which case, this is what the future looks like. Or, we can acknowledge the reality of our situation, and say we have to change.” That doesn’t mean there doesn’t have to be a lot of conversation about the change because there does. You have to get people to understand and feel that whatever change you’re going to make is mission-related.

There was some controversy about HBO. HBO was not a kids’ network and had a lot of different fare on it, but I did think they offered us some compelling things that no one else did. They were willing to let PBS have a free second window so kids could always see the show as they had before. They were creatively driven, which we valued tremendously, and it didn’t feel to us that they were just trying to make a buck. They were headquartered in NYC, as we were, which made it much easier to partner with them. HBO also had marketing dollars to put behind shows that PBS didn’t have in the same way. It was a combination of things that made it feel that HBO was the right partner.

It worked out, and it revived the economics of the organization and the brand. As a result, the show’s ratings on PBS grew. It was a win for them. For us.

Everyone won.

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How was morale when you started?

It was pretty bad because, before I got there, every year for eight years, the company would lay off more people. By fixing the economics, I could change that and not have to lay anyone off. It took a long time for people to get used to it. People were suspicious for three years and then got used to it.

They got paid more since many people hadn’t had a raise in eight years. We ended the layoffs. We gave bonuses. Our employees had a lot more job stability.

Change is hard on people even when they know it’s in their best interest. The only constant in life is change, but that doesn’t lessen the difficulty of it. People get settled into what they know and like.

People were worried about changing the culture, and my answer to that was, “How good a culture is it for a company to lose money for eight years?

Do you think that’s a good culture?” I have found that some people who grew up in the nonprofit industry really don’t understand what a nonprofit is. They thought being a nonprofit means you don’t make money. Being a nonprofit is a tax status that the U.S. government grants, meaning you don’t have to pay taxes on your profits. It can also mean that it can be tax-deductible if I give you money.

But, if you spend more than you take in, at some point, you will go out of business. It’s just as simple as that. Being nonprofit doesn’t mean that you are supposed to lose money. The goal of a nonprofit is to break even or make money. Many people at Sesame had lived with these losses for so long that they thought it was normal.

When you first started at the company, how did you tackle the job? Do you observe first and see the lay of the land?

Often when you get searched by a head hunter and the board, they ask, “Tell me what you’re going to do in the first 100 days.” If you think ©2023 Sesame Workshop®, Sesame Street® and associated characters trademarks and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved. Courtesy of Sesame Workshop.

Photographer Zach Hyman.

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Jeff Dunn and his wife Karen Denuzze Dunn ’73 at the Boston Symphony.

Q + A

What lesson did you learn at KO that has stayed with you?

What I left with that changed my life meaningfully was that KO taught me how to write, and in learning how to write, I also had to learn how to think. It has been my writing skills that have made my career as much as anything else.

I’ve written myself into college, I’ve written myself into graduate school. I’ve written myself into jobs. During Covid, I started, out of managerial necessity and leadership, to write to the staff every night. I was terribly concerned about isolation and chaos. I didn’t stop writing. Over time, the tone of it changed. It went from being practical to musings on life in some cases. I would comment on what was happening in public and what I thought and felt. I wrote about making my lunch for the first time in decades and what that meant, and what did that feel like. I talked about grilled cheese, and I got a lot of feedback. I wrote every night for nine months. When I left, the staff published a book of my writings. Some of them sent it to their families and friends.

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you’re going out of business in the first 100 days, then you really need to move quickly. But if you are new to the organization and it is relatively stable, you need to listen, ask questions and learn and try to understand the organization’s culture. How does it make money? Where does it lose money? You need to reserve judgment until you’ve done enough listening and learning so you can make intelligent choices. Six months is not an unreasonable time frame for that. I think it’s impossible before three months.

How do you build buy-in from the staff?

Buy-in doesn’t come instantaneously. You need to get people to understand: “Why do we need to change?”

If people’s built-in defense mechanism is no change, the first thing you need to do is to get people to understand why we should change. What’s the benefit of change? You don’t change for change’s sake. We’re here because there are benefits to change, and there also may be real issues with staying where we are.

You do have to have trust. People have to feel like they are heard. Even if they don’t want to do what you are proposing, they have to feel that they and their concerns were heard by you. And, so you can say, “I hear you, but here’s my rationale for why we have to do it.”

There’s a time when you must listen, learn, build trust, and lay out the reasons and rationale for the decision. There are so many ways that people can thwart you, even as a CEO of an organization. If people don’t want to do something, they can make it very hard for you to accomplish something.

Accomplishments only happen by people who want them to happen. If people pay you lip service or are not energized by your plans, there are many different ways that they can block it. You’ve got to work on that. I’ve said to people when they are becoming leaders, “One of the things you will learn is that, when you are making decisions, it’s a lot easier to say “no” to something people want to do than it is to say “yes” to something they don’t want to do. If the people don’t want to do it, and you want to do it as the leader, you have a lot of work to do.

President Lincoln worked with a team of rivals. Is that something you ascribe to – that you enjoy that kind of pushback?

I do. It turns out that two of the people I had on my senior staff were the other two finalists for the job.

I’m a big believer that you want people who will speak truth to power. It’s not always easy to find those people, but you need people who speak truth to power and encourage them to do so because otherwise, you won’t get all the information you need.

One of the things I’ve learned in my career is that if I’m trying to turn something around or lead fast growth, I need to tell people, “I can’t do it without your help. I will only be as good as the information you give me. I need you to tell me the problems so I can fix them. I need you to make sure I don’t do something stupid. If you think it’s the wrong thing, tell me.” We don’t want to do something we shouldn’t because no one had the courage to tell me I was wrong or my thinking was wrong. I try to be somebody who changes with the data. I’ve worked for people who never let the facts get in the way of their stories. They had a point of view, and they dug in. I’m not that way. If you tell me I have the facts wrong or if the situation changes, I’ll change, too. I’m not going to pursue something that makes no sense.

What frequently distinguishes people who can really grow and advance and become leaders is their ability to talk truth to power. And if you can’t – or if you’re too insecure or you can’t figure out how to say it in the right way – your career might top out. Really good leaders want people to tell them the truth so they can make good decisions, and no one is always right. You depend on people pointing it out when you are wrong.

Recently there was a video that made the rounds on the Internet of a CEO telling her staff that they wouldn’t be getting a bonus this year and chastising them about visiting “pity city.” However, she received a sizeable bonus. How important is it for a leader to have empathy and social-emotional skills?

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Empathy is hugely important. Character is hugely important. At times, leadership in our country is sadly lacking in character. You see it in government and business that people are almost taking what they can because they can.

I think leadership is the most naked thing you can do in public. What I mean is that you are out there for all the world to see, and you are the result of all your decisions. Everybody can see those decisions, and eventually, your brand becomes the summation of the decisions you’ve made. If you say, “Suck it up while I take a huge pay increase or bonus,” that is now your brand. That’s who you are. When I was at Sesame, I declined to take my full pay because it was a non-profit.

I gave back because I believed it was the right thing to do. I cannot imagine why any CEO or board member would take a bonus for laying people off. You’re going to lay people off and then get a bonus for that? Are you kidding me? Where is your morality?

I do think empathy is important for the job. At the end of the day, you have to make tough decisions at times. Some of the toughest decisions you have to make as a leader are the personnel decisions. Some decisions might be right for the person but wrong for the organization. Those are always tough. As an empathic person, I would like to do this for you, but as the organization’s leader, I have to say, “If I do this for you, will I do it for everyone?” That’s where it gets really hard. There are times when I have done it and justified it because I try to live by the Golden Rule. As an organization, most people want to know that they have been treated fairly, and it’s not because of who they know or how they argued.

Do you have to be an optimist as a leader?

You have to be appropriately optimistic. I have another saying: “Have your passport to reality stamped frequently.” What that means is that you have to acknowledge the reality of your situation. Your job as a leader is to level with people and be honest with people, and if that means delivering tough news, that means delivering tough news. My leadership has

been well-regarded and well-liked, but I didn’t achieve that by pandering to people and being inappropriately optimistic. I did it by being transparent and honest and saying, “This is where we are. This is the reality of it, and here’s where we are going.” More than anything, people want to be told the truth.

How did the company fare during the pandemic? Had you experienced anything quite like that in all your years in business?

I thought I had in some way. I’d been through the 2008 financial crisis when I was hired to take a company out of a financial crisis. There were a number of companies in 2008 that were profitable and fine but not making as much money because of the recession. They started cutting their costs and laying people off to maintain profitability. Many companies did that, and it made the world worse. The more people that were laid off, the worse the economy became.

When it came to Covid, many people said, “We’ve seen this movie before.” Companies started laying people off instantaneously. I was the exact opposite. I said to the staff, “I’m not laying anyone off. We have money in the bank for a rainy day, and the rainy day is here.”

In the television business, most production people are “work for hire” and work independently. They go from show to show in production. We had almost finished production for the season when Covid happened. These production people had nowhere to go. For a lot of them, being unemployed for a month was going to be a big deal. I told the freelancers who weren’t even our employees, “We’re going to pay you for the next month.”

We carried those people who weren’t working, which bought us enormous goodwill.

Throughout the pandemic, we never laid off a single person. I had two things driving me. The first was the mission. The second was the staff. My goal was to get through this together. It was an existential crisis for all of society. Laying off people doesn’t do anything for anyone. I told our employees to put their families first and watch their health. We got 90+ percent employee satisfaction ratings while other companies went to the

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floor. That goes back to empathy. In leadership, you want people to know you have their back. You’re going to do the right thing for them and for the company.

I went to the board and said, “We’re not going to lay anyone off. If you want to fire me, you can fire me.” I was grateful that the board thought it was the moral thing to do, and we kept everyone all the way through.

Surprisingly, our business went through the roof. In retrospect, it was understandable. People were home.

They were watching more TV, and there was a flight to comfort brands. We sold a lot of pajamas. Our Covid years were some of the best years of the company economically.

How do you feel about remote work and building a company culture when not everyone is in the office?

It’s really hard if you have only remote work, but the pandemic proved it could be done. We did it. The horse is out of the barn. The workforce, for the most part, has changed. Some services have to be delivered in person. Regarding other jobs with no in-person delivery component, I think it will be a hybrid world from here on in.

It’s much easier to build culture and relationships if you see someone in person every day. Everything on Zoom has to be scheduled, nothing is by chance.

You can’t go out after work for a drink. I do think it’s harder to live in a place with long commutes. The hybrid environment is here to stay, but I think it’s important that people have similar in-person work days. If you have people coming to work and no one is there, then it defeats the purpose of it.

During the pandemic, I asked all employees to keep a diary about their experiences, feelings, and learnings.

At the time, we thought it was going to be a month.

When we returned, I wanted to collect that data and see our learnings. This was the first real nationwide attempt to be remote, and I wanted to understand what we learned from it.

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We found that initially, in the pandemic, the most impacted were moms and young people because moms were bearing a disproportionate burden of child care, and young people’s social life revolved around work.

They were now isolated and felt alone. As time went on, it reversed. The older people craved to get back into the office and socialize, and the young people adjusted to the remote digital world and built new ways of connecting socially. That is a fascinating thing about it.

In business, is incorporating a multitude of people and perspectives and diverse voices important?

In terms of diversity, I think the best decisions are made when you have a diverse group of people. The murder of George Floyd ripped me up inside and was a turning point for me, and it was a turning point for the Black community.

At that time, our leadership team was genderbalanced, and we had people of color on it, but I thought we needed more people of color. One thing we were completely missing was young people. In an organization, the senior team is the senior team because they hold the senior positions. But the biggest role of the senior team is to advise the CEO in their decisionmaking process. I want the best minds in the room arguing it out. After George Floyd, I felt we needed to hear from a wider range of voices, including more people of color and more young people. The workforce was changing so much, and different generations are very different in their aspirations, their feelings, and the way they want to work.

I reached down into the management team, and it improved the quality of the discussions and how people were thinking about the issues. For an organization whose role was to educate kids, we went from 50 years of simply modeling good behavior to talking about racism. We have to talk to kids about what racism is and how to deal with it and confront it explicitly instead of just modeling good behavior. Those were very difficult conversations because it was a big evolutionary step in what we did.

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A Daily Practice:

Caring Beyond Self.

By Jackie Pisani

During Black History Month this year, community members shared AfricanAmericans who have inspired them. After Science Department Chair Fritz Goodman spoke of Dr. Caesar Anderson ’92, medical director of hyperbaric medicine and advanced wound care of UC San Diego in Encinitas, we wanted to share Anderson’s compelling story with the rest of the community. An immigrant who survived childhood trauma, Anderson combines extraordinary intelligence, a remarkable work ethic, and a deep love of humanity. His story inspires us to live out our core value of ‘care beyond self.’

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

Born and raised in Liberia, established in 1847

He recalled seeing the movie Hotel Rwanda, which

by the American Colonization Society for freed

included a particularly gruesome scene of passengers

formerly enslaved people, Anderson’s family

in a car traveling along a bumpy road in the fog only to

emigrated to the United States when he was eight

discover, once the fog cleared, that they were driving

due to civil unrest from a military coup staged by

over corpses.

Master Sergeant Samuel Doe in 1980. The nation had a cruel, ironic trajectory in that the freed American slaves, Americo-Liberians, recreated

“I started crying at that moment,” Anderson said. “I remember the stories. I remember seeing bodies. I remember experiencing the piercing chaos.”

a system of oppression they faced in the United States against the indigenous people of the land.

Shut out of top positions and marginalized within the society, the native Liberians overthrew the president and suspended the nation’s constitution.

During the unrest, Anderson’s mother had taken him to the hospital for treatment, and while they were in the hospital, a 12-year-old child soldier was patrolling the corridor armed with a machine gun. The soldier bumped into the two and proceeded to have them hop on one

“I remember my neighbors’ homes and the military

foot while giggling at them.

essentially knocking in the gates going into their homes,” Anderson said. “Fortunately, they were gone at that point. I’m sure my mom was freaking out because we probably would have been next.

Random people from the street were coming in

“My mother urged, ‘You better do what he says,’’’ he said. “Those memories I have permanently. I’m sure that’s played a role in shaping the scene that I don’t necessarily want to run back.”

and stealing their refrigerators, stoves, anything

To soften his transition to the U.S., Anderson’s parents

they could get their hands on and carry. There was

spun tall tales of American streets lined with chocolate

rampant looting.”

and snow that you could eat. He just couldn’t wait to

Since Anderson’s father worked in the former government, his family was also a target. As political asylees, they fled quickly to the United States to stay with an uncle, an executive in the U.N. Department of Social Affairs living in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. They stayed with him for several months until the family could resettle in Connecticut, where his father worked.

taste snow! Although a bright student, Anderson was reticent to speak in class or look his teachers in the eye due to the African cultural norm of respecting elders. But after his teachers expressed their concern to his mother and encouraged him to engage in class, Anderson went on to become the valedictorian in his grade school and headed to KO for high school, where he found a home and immersed himself in school life as a star on the track and cross country team, class

Anderson has gone back to Liberia only once when he was 13, and he said he has mixed feelings about returning again, despite having extended family living in Liberia urging him to visit.

“My memories are warped,” he said. “I know it’s something I need to do [returning to Liberia], but I also know it’s going to awaken feelings that I probably subdued.”

president, and Shield and Dragon ambassador. In his senior year, Anderson also won the Tyler Tingley Headmaster award for the individual who best exemplified the KO motto of ‘caring beyond self.’

As the eldest son in an African family, Anderson joked that he had only two options for a career: medicine or engineering. After graduating from KO, he studied

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CARE BE YOND SELF

“This motto tells you it’s not about you. It’s not about your academic achievements per se. It’s not about which schools you attended. It’s about how you translate that. How do you interact with others to get them to a better place than where they started? That’s the model that I try to follow.”

- Dr. Caesar Anderson ’92

pre-med and biomedical engineering at Brown

has been a long standing mentor and an excellent

University and understood that, as an immigrant,

friend of Anderson’s. He later joined Anderson as

his success would have to be based on meritocracy,

Department Clinical Research Chair at UCSD in the

not on well-established connections. As a medical

Hyperbaric Medicine Division.

student at Howard University, he initially intended to specialize in neurosurgery, but after his fourth-year neurosurgery medical rotation, he pivoted toward plastic surgery, a hyper-competitive field.

In the early 20th century, hyperbaric chambers were used for divers who suffered from the bends, a painful and potentially fatal condition caused by gas bubbles that developed in the blood when divers ascended too

While completing his general surgery residency

quickly. Over time, a governing body, the Undersea

at UConn, Anderson learned that plastic surgeons

and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) regulated

were sending their patients with compromised

hyperbarics for specific uses that have been trialed

flaps or grafts for hyperbaric medicine, which

and clinically tested with randomized, controlled

involves placing patients in a hyperbaric chamber

studies. Anderson has published consecutive chapters

where atmospheric pressure is steadily increased

in the UHMS Indications Manual regarding the

to 2.4 ATA while patients breathe 100% oxygen.

management of necrotizing soft tissue infections

UConn Health Center’s Hartford Hospital was one

(layman’s “flesh-eating bacterial infection”). Insurance

of the first institutions to build a large multi-place

companies cover the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

hyperbaric chamber.

only for the clinical indications approved by the

“To secure a position as a plastic surgery resident,

UHMS. The treatment has recently become trendy

you sometimes explore novel things in order to

among celebrities who seek hyperbaric treatments for

create a unique niche for yourself,” Anderson

cosmetic purposes at “sports spas” and “oxygen spas,”

said. “I started rotating with a trauma/transplant

which Anderson considers fad money makers.

surgeon, Dr. George Perdrizet, who was the head of

Anderson said several years ago, a photo of Michael

the UConn Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care

Jackson “sleeping” in a hyperbaric chamber trolled

program. We published several papers together,

the internet. Very few knew that Jackson was actually

which is how I ended up specializing in hyperbaric

receiving hyperbaric oxygen treatments to help heal

medicine coupled with wound care.” Dr. Perdrizet

thermal burn injuries he sustained during his infamous

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so if people have breast procedures that are failing or botched, they send them to me for salvage.”

Anderson’s treatments range from head to toe.

Whether patients have had skin cancer resected from the scalp so the skull is now exposed, or they’ve had breast reconstruction, and the implant is deteriorating, or they have diabetic wounds or radiation damage, Anderson fixes it. Some of these issues require artificial or cadaveric means for skin coverage, and he will utilize anything advanced to optimize the patient.

Not all of Anderson’s patients are placed in a hyperbaric chamber, and he considers this treatment as just another tool in his arsenal to treat patients. In many cases, he uses bioengineered skin grafts and advanced surgical techniques. Although some doctors still are unfamiliar with or consider hyperbarics on the periphery of medical treatment, success in hyperbaric medicine is incontrovertible.

Anderson points to astounding turnarounds. One patient, resuscitated during a cardiac event, had emboli scatter, which occluded multiple vessels in his lower extremities causing the feet to turn black and Pepsi commercial. Anderson points out, however, that fad entities use hyperbaric depths of less than 1.5 atmospheres, which is insufficient to achieve the level of healing identified in clinical studies. His facility at UC San Diego uses clinically proven dosing protocols and treats patients only with conditions approved by the UHMS. Anderson’s patients may

gangrenous. After several consultations with plastic surgeons and orthopedics, the patient was told he had no other choice and needed bilateral lower limb amputation. Fortunately, his last stop before surgery was a consult with Dr. Anderson, who recommended adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen treatment coupled with meticulous surgical care.

undergo a series of daily treatments that last

“We were able to clean up and remove devitalized

approximately two hours with five-minute air breaks

tissue which allowed the patient to granulate in and

in between periods of oxygenation.

regenerate his foot,” Anderson said. “His toes were

Anderson explained that if a patient has a compromised skin graft or failing flap, the doctor can hyper-oxygenate the wounds to optimize the graft’s survival. “My type of surgical work is not sexy in terms of cosmetics,” he said. “I’m the fix-it guy,

black, gangrenous, compromised with osteomyelitis, so he, unfortunately, lost his toes. But we salvaged everything else. Despite having tendon and bone exposed, we were able to nurture him back to full skin coverage. He wears Nike sneakers and walks even

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without the use of a cane. What was so gratifying was

that’s certainly the way to go. This is not a hocus-

when he said, ‘Everyone said it was impossible for me

pocus intervention. It’s been around long enough.

to save my legs!’ I just want to walk into their offices

It’s safe, low risk, and extremely effective.”

and say, ‘Before you say something is impossible, you really need to consider your options.’”

One of the most satisfying aspects of Anderson’s work is seeing the a-ha moments on the faces of

Anderson cited 100-pound pigs that had been

his emergency medicine residents who have not

drained of blood and perfused with saline, and placed

been previously exposed to the surgical benefits

in a hyperbaric chamber. Rather than the blood

of hyperbaric medicine. Initially, when seeing the

delivering oxygen to the tissue, only the oxygenated

dire conditions of the patients, the residents and

saline solution courses through the pig, keeping it

students accept that the patient will necessarily lose

alive. Once the pig is removed from the chamber,

a limb or never heal. Eventually, upon witnessing the

it will no longer live. “That gives you an idea of the

efficacy of the treatment, they’re converted. “They

oxygenation potency patients experience in the

see patient’s limbs being salvaged and see their skin

chamber,” he said.

regenerate,” he said. “Their light bulb goes on, and

Fortunately, contraindications and side effects from

they say, ‘Oh my gosh! This is a real possibility?!’ I

hyperbaric treatment are minimal and primarily

think that’s quite encouraging from my perspective.”

depend on how sedentary a patient is. Sedentary

Another area of fulfillment for Anderson is his

patients may feel more tired after treatment because

ability to witness in real-time the success of the

the chamber accelerates the metabolism, making

treatment. Rather than having to wait five years

some individuals feel that they had a small workout.

to see the benefits of a particular medication on a

More active patients will barely notice a difference.

patient, Anderson can track from week to week the

The only absolute contraindication to treatment is

repopulation and regeneration of the tissue. “I can

an untreated collapsed lung. The most common side

show the proof,” he said. “It has tangible, convincing

effect in patients is similar to ear changes that occur

evidence that is inspiring and life-altering for people

while flying, and most patients can equalize their ears

who don’t want to get amputated or have been told

without difficulty.

they will always have their skulls exposed. That’s

Though hyperbaric treatment seems to verge on the

gratifying to have such an impact.”

miraculous, it has limits. Some clinicians who don’t

Because Anderson sees his patients regularly over

understand the treatment often refer patients too

the course of several months, in some cases, a

late. By the time Anderson receives these referrals,

close relationship forms between Anderson and

the tissue is already dying. “If they had thought about

his patients. He believes the reason his patients

it sooner and referred these patients earlier, I could

have such a high success rate is not only that they

salvage them in a much more efficient manner,” he

are educated about the treatment and the disease

said. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, I always say, does

process but also that they experience the strong,

not resurrect the dead. If the tissue is dead already,

positive bonds that are cultivated on their wound

there’s no real role for it. But if the compromised

healing team. Anderson cites KO’s core value of

tissue can be perfused promptly in the chamber,

“caring beyond self” as a belief system he encourages

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

his students and residents to follow. “This motto tells you it’s not about you,” he said. “It’s not about your academic achievements per se. It’s not about which schools you attended. It’s about how you translate that. How do you interact with others to get them to a better place than where they started? That’s the model that I try to follow.”

“I love my job, and I’m telling you right now, even if you spend one day with me, you’ll see morbidity in a different light,” Anderson said. “I always say, for every adversity, there’s a trace of something potentially good. Some of my patients are cancer survivors. Some of my patients have very painful wounds. It’s saddening, but there’s also inspiration. You see these patients being tireless, and they show up each week fighting. As they see themselves healing, getting better, and the agony gives way and softens to smiles, it’s a beautiful thing. I tell my residents, whether we are speckled with Ivy League education or wherever we’ve been, the goal of medicine is not to divorce yourself from being as common as possible.”

“The goal is to make meaningful connections: embracing every patient encounter as an opportunity and blessing. This is an arena where I get to do that. It’s truly a humanizing thing.”

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Wyverns in Washington

by Katherine Gianni ’14

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

Sarah Gianni ’14 For most Washington, D.C., tourists, must-sees of the city include the United States Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress. Sarah Gianni ’14 calls that her daily commute to work. Gianni passes all three landmarks on her 11-minute stroll to the Longworth House Office Building, home to 251 congressional suites, five large committee rooms, seven small committee rooms, and one large assembly room where the House Committee on Ways and Means convenes.

Over the last five years, Gianni

After returning to Providence,

has spent most of her time on

Gianni kept in touch with Team

the fifth floor of Longworth,

Larson, eager to learn of any new

working alongside United States

openings for the following spring

Congressman John Larson. Larson,

or summer. As luck would have

whom Gianni and her colleagues

it, a staff assistant job opened

affectionately refer to as “JBL”

up. Gianni leveraged her past

and “The Boss,” has represented

internship experience, applied,

Connecticut’s First Congressional

and was accepted to begin work

District for over two decades.

in June 2018. She grew quickly in

with him. These groups

“I formally met the Congressman

her role, leading U.S. Capitol tours,

spend a lot of time planning

during the summer of 2017,”

processing a variety of constituent

their trips down to D.C., or

Gianni said. She had been

requests, and assisting with

when there are constituents

accepted to a two-month

legislative research. Six months

who want to share their

internship program in Larson’s D.C.

later, she was promoted to

stories, it really means a lot

office before beginning her senior

scheduler and executive assistant.

to them to get in front of

year at Providence College. “Right

“While every day does look

the Congressman. Being a

off the bat, I felt so welcomed,

different, my main responsibilities

helping hand in that is really

which I think is something our

are keeping track of the

something that I’ve loved.”

office does a really great job of —

Congressman’s daily, weekly,

making the interns feel included,

and monthly schedule,” Gianni

giving them substantial projects

explained. “We have many

to work on, and having them really

constituent groups and lobbying

feel part of the team.”

groups reaching out to our office,

“It is rewarding when the Congressman is able to get to every meeting, and folks are happy when they can take a photo or sit down

Footnote: at the time of printing, Sarah Gianni is now employed at Siemens Healthineers as the Government Affairs Coordinator.

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so I manage all those requests for

tricky, she says it’s the positive

Aside from supporting constituents,

him to take meetings.”

feedback from constituents that

Gianni says that it’s the relationships

Coordinating travel logistics is

makes it all worth it.

she’s built with Larson and her

another huge component of

“It is rewarding when the

co-workers that have continued

Gianni’s current role. She manages

Congressman is able to get to

to shape both her personal and

all of the Congressman’s flight

every meeting, and folks are

professional growth. She often

reservations to and from D.C.,

happy when they can take a photo

refers to Team Larson as a family

expertly navigating any last-

or sit down with him,” she said.

because the group has cultivated a

minute itinerary changes based on

“These groups spend a lot of time

workspace built on trust, respect,

committee hearings, events, and

planning their trips down to D.C.,

and collaboration.

the congressional voting schedule.

or when there are constituents

“I talk to JBL every single day,

Within the last year, Gianni has

who want to share their stories,

sometimes multiple times a day,”

also taken over the scheduling for

it really means a lot to them to

Gianni said. “Doing the scheduling

the district office in East Hartford,

get in front of the Congressman.

for almost five years now, we’ve just

Conn. While overseeing logistics

Being a helping hand in that is

built such a trust. He’s a fantastic

between the two offices can be

really something that I’ve loved.”

boss, and I really, deeply, care about the relationship that we have.”

Ryan Albanesi ’17 The KO connection runs strongly throughout Team Larson’s D.C. office. Ryan Albanesi ’17 sits about an arm’s length away from Gianni’s desk. Like Gianni, Albanesi began as a summer intern following the completion of his sophomore year at Tufts University.

He spent part of June and July of 2019 in Larson’s office before transitioning to Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal’s office for the remainder of the summer.

“I really enjoyed the culture of

he drove down to D.C. to begin

JBL’s office,” Albanesi said. “After

his new role as Larson’s staff

that experience, and as I went

assistant, a job he had accepted

on through college, I knew that

just a few weeks prior. He said

returning to the Hill was something

the timing was perfect — the

I was going to consider.”

Congressman and his team were

Albanesi graduated from Tufts

looking to fill the open position as

in May of 2021. The day after

Albanesi was actively filling out

the commencement ceremony,

job applications.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

“At KO, Mrs. Kasprak was a huge figure in my life and became almost like a second mother to me. It’s been so fascinating hearing from other people around me in professional environments who just don’t have these high school ties that are so strong. When I applied to Larson’s office, Mrs. Kasprak read my resume, read my cover letter, and spoke with me on the phone throughout the entire decision-making process.”

Having worked alongside Albanesi

Since formally joining the team

When Albanesi and Larson aren’t

during his summer internship,

in 2021, Albanesi has climbed

chatting about upcoming events,

Gianni also flagged his resume. “I

the ladder from staff assistant,

votes, or happenings around the

was so excited when I heard Ryan

to legislative correspondent, to

office on their drives, they’re

was applying to the office,” Gianni

his current position as legislative

listening to their collaborative

said. “I truly remember saying,

assistant. In the office, he takes

Spotify playlist. Top artists include

‘This guy is a star.’ I always had a

constituent meetings, writes

Frank Sinatra, Earth, Wind & Fire,

great impression of him from KO,

memos and letters, and drafts co-

Barbara Streisand, and Marvin

and I knew how involved he was

sponsorship recommendations for

Gaye.

— active sports captain, senior

specific bills. However, Albanesi

After wrapping up his outings with

prefect — I just knew he would

is often pulled away from his desk

be great.”

in Longworth for his other core

Albanesi said Gianni wasn’t the

responsibility: daytime driving.

team at the office. Even though

only Wyvern advocating for him

He says he begins most workdays

the staff spends many late nights

throughout his application process.

well before 9 a.m., zipping over to

and early mornings together at

He also credits Middle School

Capitol Hill to pick up Congressman

Longworth, they choose to get

history teacher Andy Krugman ’86

Larson for his morning meetings

together outside of work as well,

and former Upper School English

at the office. While most trips

which Albanesi said is a true

teacher Meg Kasprak for their

span only a few miles, others take

testament to the authenticity of

unwavering support.

him and Larson out of D.C. The

their relationships, both as co-

“At KO, Mrs. Kasprak was a huge

pair can occasionally be seen

workers and as friends.

figure in my life and became

hightailing it to Dulles International

almost like a second mother to

Airport in Virginia or BWI Airport in

me,” Albanesi explained. “It’s been

Baltimore to make a flight back to

so fascinating hearing from other

Connecticut.

people around me in professional

“I’m so grateful that I’ve had the

offices on The Hill that are not

environments who just don’t

experience of being a driver for

this way. Hill culture can be

have these high school ties that

JBL,” Albanesi said. “The one-

very competitive, cutthroat, and

are so strong. When I applied to

on-one face time with him has

difficult. But in our office—the one

Larson’s office, Mrs. Kasprak read

been, by far, some of my favorite

that JBL has cultivated throughout

my resume, read my cover letter,

moments on the job. I’ve been

the years — we’re all a team.”

and spoke with me on the phone

able to develop such a close

throughout the entire decision-

relationship with him, and so

making process.”

quickly too.”

Larson, Albanesi says he always looks forward to returning to the

“Working with Sarah and our other co-workers in the office is honestly my favorite part,” Albanesi said. “There are some

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Catalina Salazar ’12 Hop in a three-minute car ride from the Longworth House Office Building to the Hart Senate Office Building, and you’ll arrive at the office of United States Senator Chris Murphy.

Senator Murphy has served as the junior U.S. senator from Connecticut since 2013 — just one year after Catalina Salazar ’12 graduated from Kingswood Oxford. It wouldn’t be until four years after her KO graduation that she would join Team Murphy as a press intern in the Washington office.

Salazar says she caught the

new communications assistant in

D.C. bug the year prior, in 2015,

October, 2017. She was promoted

as a summer marketing and

to digital press secretary two

communications intern for the

years later.

Greater Washington Hispanic “Senator Murphy is really

Chamber of Commerce. She then

focused on video as one of his

knew she wanted to return to

favorite ways of communicating

the city after graduating from

issues that folks may not fully

Franklin & Marshall College in

understand. An example that

Lancaster, Penn.

was really successful is when Russia first invaded Ukraine.

For a lot of people, including folks like me, we don’t have a comprehensive understanding of the background behind all of this. So what we like to do in Senator Murphy’s digital program is make complicated issues like this more digestible — and we think visuals are a really great way to do that.”

“When I was first applying, the thing that the communications director said put me at the top of the list was my past experience on literary magazines,” Salazar said. At KO, she wrote for epic —

“The summer after my senior

the student-run literary and arts

year, I landed a six-week

publication. At Franklin & Marshall,

internship with Chris Murphy’s

she worked for a magazine with

office,” she explained. That

a peculiarly similar title, Epilogue.

opportunity would lead her to the

“It’s kind of crazy when I think

House side, where she worked as

on that,” she said. “It’s the power

a legislative intern for none other

of these extracurriculars and

than Congressman Larson. As

how they can have a meaningful

the final weeks of that internship

impact later on in your life.”

drew near, a colleague from Larson’s team flagged a full-time job opening in U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney’s office. Salazar applied and became Courtney’s

After more than five years with Courtney, Salazar returned to the Senate side in November 2021 as Murphy’s new deputy digital director. She was promoted after

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

five months to her present role

While serving as the deputy

etc., I still use that every single

of digital director. Her position is

digital director at the time, Salazar

day,” she said.

unique in that she is one of two

supported the former digital

staff members in the office who is

director to create a short-form

split between the official Senate

explainer video aimed at breaking

side and the political side. “I have

down the key concepts involved

my hands in both his re-election

in the Ukraine conflict. She says

campaign and on the official side,”

this type of content has continued

Salazar explained.

to resonate strongly among

She oversees the deputy

Murphy’s target audience. The

digital director, secures media

senator also uses social media

engagement opportunities for

to get his message out there,

Murphy, and manages all of his

particularly around his main issues

digital communications platforms

of foreign policy and gun violence

— including social media channels

prevention.

like Twitter, Instagram, and

“We recently did a social media

while racking up a daily average of

Facebook.

live with Maxwell Frost,” Salazar

15 to 20 miles on foot.

“Senator Murphy is really

said. “He’s the first Gen-Z member

focused on video as one of his

of Congress, and we talked

favorite ways of communicating

about the impact of the anti-

issues that folks may not fully

gun violence movement and the

understand,” Salazar said.

importance of advocates running

“An example that was really

for office.”

successful is when Russia first

Given the amount of content

spending four days just walking

invaded Ukraine. For a lot of

production required of Salazar

across it, especially some of the

people, including folks like me,

in her role, perhaps one of the

most beautiful parts, and getting

we don’t have a comprehensive

most impressive parts of her

to put that into my work was

understanding of the background

background is that she is almost

perfect. I was like, ‘Oh yeah, this

behind all of this. So what we like

entirely self-taught in videography

is what I want to do.’”

to do in Senator Murphy’s digital

and photography. The exception

program is make complicated

goes back to a photography class

issues like this more digestible —

she took during her junior year

and we think visuals are a really

at KO. “The basic skills I learned

great way to do that.”

about shutter speed, aperture,

When she’s not editing videos or photos at her desk, Salazar says she stays alongside Murphy at a variety of events and speaking engagements in D.C. and Connecticut in hopes of capturing the perfect shot or clip. A favorite project has been accompanying him on his “Walk Across Connecticut” — an annual trek where he sets out to speak directly to his constituents about a range of local and national issues,

“After four days of following him around and getting as much footage as possible, I edited a video of the walk, and that was such a fun project,” Salazar said.

“I absolutely love Connecticut and

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Jenni Traver ’13 For Jenni Traver ’13, the foray into politics didn’t begin on Capitol Hill. Rather, Traver got her start in the nonprofit world by working as an intern for the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in January 2017. The organization represents and provides services for grain, feed, and related commercial businesses. A then-DePauw University senior, Traver spent a month with NGFA before heading to Greencastle, Ind. to finish her final semester. Upon returning to campus, Traver, inspired by her time in Washington, applied and accepted a position as a district office intern for former U.S. Congressman Luke Messer in his nearby Shelbyville, Ind. office.

After graduating from DePauw

opportunities outside of Capitol

in May 2017, Traver made her

Hill that would continue to feed her

way back to D.C., working as a

passion for politics. In September

“For PCA I handle our cement

legislative intern for Messer’s

2018, she transitioned to a new

PAC — so, who we give money

Washington office while applying

role as political affairs coordinator

to, identifying new champions

for full-time positions. She landed

for the Associated General

for us to give PAC money to,

a role as a scheduler for U.S.

Contractors of America (AGC).

and then also raising money

Congressman Darin LaHood in

from our member companies.

August 2017. He currently serves

We largely deal with

constituents of the 16th District

infrastructure, energy, and

of Illinois. It was during her time

environmental issues.”

as a scheduler, Traver said, that

“AGC represents basically all of the contractors across the country who are members of a trade association,” she said. “It comprises about 27,000 member companies.”

she began to sharpen her focus on more specific career interests.

After just over a year in that role, Traver was promoted to political

“I quickly realized that I liked the political aspect of it more than the policy aspect of it,” she explained. “I was more interested in the campaign aspect and those types of projects.”

affairs manager. While she says she thoroughly enjoyed the work and collaborating with her teammates, she learned that a former AGC colleague had recently joined the Portland Cement Association (PCA)

After about a year with LaHood’s

to lead their government affairs

team, Traver began to explore

division, and he wanted Traver onboard.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

Traver began her role as senior manager of government and political affairs for the PCA in August 2020, early on in the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit promotes the use of cement and concrete, while conducting and sponsoring related field research and shaping cement manufacturing standards. Traver’s current role with the organization is director of political affairs and advocacy.

“For PCA I handle our cement PAC — so, who we give money to, identifying new champions for us to give PAC money to, and then also raising money from our member companies,” she explained. “We largely deal with infrastructure,

staffs on plant and facility tours

But what’s the most popular

energy, and environmental issues.”

and provide a detailed briefing of

talking point when working with

Traver also manages PCA’s

what the Association is working on

congressional representatives?

advocacy portfolio, a facet of the

back in D.C. “Their favorite is when

If you guessed workforce

organization that primarily focuses

they actually get to see the quarry

development, or PCA’s roadmap

on education about the cement

blow up,” she said.

to carbon neutrality, Traver says

industry and relevant issues. “There

What many folks are surprised to

guess again…

are only 92 cement plants across

learn, she said, is just how essential

“I probably explain the difference

the country,” Traver said. “Most

concrete is to construction and

between cement and concrete

members of Congress don’t have

infrastructure projects. “You can’t

more than I talk about anything

them in their districts, and even

build anything without cement,”

else on the Hill,” Traver said,

the ones who do may have never

Traver explained. “Cement is the

laughing. “That’s probably the

visited one before. A lot of my work

primary ingredient in concrete. It’s

biggest thing.”

is trying to get more people out to

equivalent to flour in a cake mix.

visit a cement plant.”

And concrete is the second most

On those trips, Traver will join

utilized building material in the

congressional members and their

world after water.”

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Celebrating Retirement

Ending on a High Note

By Jackie Pisani

Watching Maestro Rich Chiarappa conduct a piece, it’s clear that he’s not only shaping the music and bringing it to life, but also that he’s shaping the lives of the musicians who are watching his ever-elegant gestures, conveying his warmth and sensitivity. For 44 years, the musicians of KO have been mentored by this kind, self-effacing man who has always put the music and the students before himself, demolishing the caricature of the indulgent, overwrought orchestra conductor.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

Chiarappa attributes his approach to conducting to his conducting teacher at the Hartt School of Music. “His philosophy was simplicity and clarity,” Chiarappa said. “Not dramatic moments at the podium but clarity to make the music direct and clear for the orchestra members in front of me.”

Born and raised in Middletown, Chiarappa began playing piano at age five. He attended St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Mass., where the piano at the school was kept under lock and key. The students were required to ask permission from the brothers to practice the instrument. One evening, a brother overheard Chiarappa playing and was so impressed that he told him, “You’re going to be playing benediction on Monday nights.” After St. John’s, Chiarappa attended Fairfield University, where he not only played with a piano jazz trio but with the rugby team. After taking a knee to the nose and being knocked out, Chiarappa’s rugby career was cut short, so he put more of his free time into his music, tickling the ivories to Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” and taking private lessons.

Upon graduation, Chiarappa was accepted to Suffield Law School in Boston. However, he was called up for the national draft in 1970, holding the low draft lottery number of 51. Rather than serving for three years with the possibility of being shipped overseas, Chiarappa joined the National Guard for six years and went on active duty for six months as an engineer at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. There, he said, he spent his time “building and blowing up bridges.”

After postponing law school, Chiarappa eventually attended Suffield Law for one year, performing well in the notoriously rigorous first-year courses before he decided to leave.

“People would ask me,” he said, “‘Why did you leave?

You went through the toughest year, and you did well.’

I had law school here,” Chairappa said, pointing to his head, “but not here,” pointing at his heart.

While in law school, Chiarappa had played with a jazz musician from the New England Conservatory and studied with Roland Hanna, a renowned jazz pianist.

Eventually, Chiarappa attended The Hartt School of

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“

Music, receiving a master’s degree in conducting and theory, and working for the Artists Collective. In 1978, Chiarappa heard about an opening in the music department at KO, but he didn’t receive a job offer after his interview. Chiarappa feels that one reason was his honesty. As a classically-trained musician, he told the school that, although the high school musical was important, it wasn’t that important. “Low and behold, I wasn’t hired that year,” he laughed. “I wasn’t hired until 1979 when the choral director position opened up.”

For 30 years, Chiarappa conducted the Upper School mixed chorus leading the students in an array of music, from spirituals to ethnic songs to popular numbers.

“No music was in question,” he said. “It was good music. I never gave them junk. The singers rose to the occasion. They always did.”

In addition to his choral work, Chiarappa worked with the Upper School mixed jazz band for 10 years and conducted 30 musicals in the pit, drawing on his love of popular and jazz music. His original musical, Hoop, premiered at the school in 1986. He ran the Goodman Banks Performing Art Series for 10 years, bringing in the likes of actor Vincent Price and the Tokyo String Quartet. In 2008, Chiarappa switched to strings with the help of a strings specialist, separating the Upper School and Middle School players who formerly played together as one orchestra. Chiarappa felt this move was essential and allowed the musicians to develop at their own pace.

“He loves music, making music, and talking music, and it comes through in all that he does,” said former Upper School Creative Arts Chair Todd Millen of Chiarappa. “He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the program and really loves young people, which is why he’s still doing what he’s doing. He sees himself as the

He loves music, making music and talking music, and it comes through in all that he does. He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the program and really loves young people, which is why he’s still doing what he’s doing.

- Todd Millen, Former Upper School Creative Arts Chair

”

kindly grandfather wanting to share with the kids.

He’s one of the kindest men I’ve ever met.”

KO viola player Samit Virmani ’26 has thrived under the tutelage of Chiarappa, who selected Virmani to play with the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra (WHSO) to further his playing. “What makes Mr. Chiarappa special is his compassion and how he motivates his musicians,” Virmani said. “He helps you achieve another level of your playing. He loves all of us he spends time to make sure we reach our full potential, pushing us to achieve a new level, and that new level will always be out of our comfort zone.”

Chiarappa especially enjoyed writing the school’s alma mater “Hail Kingswood Oxford.” When Chiarappa first came to KO, the musicians played both the Kingswood School and Oxford School songs. Because the schools had merged, Chiarappa felt the new school needed its own song, so combined the lyrics of the two original songs and added some new lyrics to craft the song that we now know. In the past, during graduations, Chiarappa said that they would drag the upright piano onto the Senior Green, where the chorus would sing the school song without amplification. This meant that no one could hear what the group was singing. In fact, Chiarappia laughed, the group looked like a protest group singing around a piano. Recognizing the flaw, Chiarappa composed an arrangement of “Hail Kingswood Oxford” for the school orchestra.

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Upon retirement, Chiarappa plans to keep busy and spend more time marketing much of the music he has written over the years. One piece, The Red Disk, an hour-long opera, is based on a short story

by Mark Twain, and the other one-act opera, The Miraculous Staircase, is based on a legend of the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, N.M. This work was performed at Western Connecticut State University, and he now plans to launch it in a Catholic network.

In addition to enjoying his family and grandchildren, Chiarappa will continue to conduct the WHSO, which he founded 20 years ago with a local

businessman. “When I’m standing on that stage in front of the orchestra, I’m most alive,” he said.

“Music can put you on a whole other plane. It’s not that I’m not concentrating. I’m completely focused in.”

Since 2014, many KO students have performed with the WHSO, elevating their playing and exposing them to more complex arrangements. Chiarappa said he plans to keep the close ties with the school that has been part of his life for over four decades. “I’m thrilled that I wrote the alma mater,” he said. “Maybe I’ll get a callback and be asked to conduct the alma mater at graduation.”

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OXFORD 1959 Class correspondent: Zélie Calvocoressi Tourais

Class Notes 2022-2023

Class Notes are submitted June 2022 through May 2023.

Kudos to Julie Peck for winning the 48th annual Manasota Key Invitational Tennis Tournament in Florida. Julie thinks she is the oldest person ever to win, and she says that in the afternoon heat and sun she felt like it! Her mixed doubles partner was a good younger player, so the opponents directed many balls to Julie’s court; but the two prevailed through tough semifinals and finals.

Janice Castillo Cianci reports, “As another year rolls around, I’m reminded of accepting doing things for the last time. Last year we snow skied in Beaver Creek in Colorado for the last time, just as we will no longer be going scuba diving in the Caribbean. Then traveling has been put on hold also because of Richard’s crushed vertebrae in his lower back.

It’s improving, so we’ll see. The good news is that he’s in complete remission from his stage 4 B-cell Lymphoma, for which we are so grateful. Dawn, who works virtually from home, is able to visit more often from California.

Makenzie, who’s working on her master’s in Occupational Therapy, is now doing an internship at U.C.S.D. for three months and loving it. She will do her other one in Denver, Co., and finish in December. Son Jay’s oldest daughter, Kaytee, is about to graduate from Florida International University in Miami, and her sister Catalina just graduated from high school and will be going to Florida Atlantic University to major in marine biology. She also was a debutante. They grow up so fast! I’m still playing lots of tennis

and some pickleball, working out at the gym, playing bridge, outings with my camera club, etc., and enjoying adventures with family and friends.

Can you believe we’re in our 80s now?”

“Hello Zelie and classmates from Pam Swan Curtin. Really, I have not quite disappeared from the scene.

After living in upstate New York for nearly 25 years and caring for my late husband, Sean, I moved to West Columbia, S.C. My son Brian also moved here and works in Columbia.

This area is quite different from the quiet woods of my old home, but at least I can look out at trees and a field. Life is generally quiet, but I have projects to do for my D.A.R. chapter, and I also sing in a church choir. I recently had a birthday, which for me is a shock. When our class graduated from Oxford in 1959, that time I’ll forever remember, especially the beautiful day in June, the graduation ceremony when we sang “Oh God Thy Goodness Reaches Far.” Then the day finished with a dance and dinner in Farmington. At night there was a full moon, gorgeous.”

1959 Julie Peck

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1959 Debbie Mahoney Swenson wrote: if you are wondering what those brown sacks are, they are sea lions on the beach in the Galapagos.

Debbie Mahoney Swenson is “so grateful for a full and loving life with my life partner, Larry Capodilupo, living in Chatham, enjoying golf, tennis, hikes and biking, and winters in Vero Beach doing the same. We are very active (trustees, etc.) in our church, and serve on several nonprofit boards. We have also traveled to Alaska, the West Coast, and the Galapagos Islands.

Oxford 1960 Class correspondent: Jane Anderson Innerd Jennifer Ripple Akridge writes from Washington State that there is not much going on in her life. She says that spring has finally come, for which she is very glad. The winter was unusual, cold and snow in December instead of February, and the winter months this year seemed colder and endless. Spring was delayed

1959 Zélie Calvocoressi Tourais Here I am with my oldest friend, Martha Yost Newcomer. She is living in a retirement community in O’Fallon, Mo.

1960 Prilla Smith Brackett “Here we are, four years into our life together, trekking in the Kashmir Himalayas.” by a couple of weeks. As for family, Jenny and Ed occasionally see his daughter, his grandchildren and great grandchildren who live in the Spokane area. Jennifer’s children and their families live too far away, unfortunately, for Jennifer to visit. She says that she needs to be at home with Ed, who turned 91 in January, and so her traveling days are over.

The day after Scotty Dwyer Benson’s birthday in February, a 60-foot pine tree came down due to very high winds. It fell on her deck, and in the process damaged part of the roof, took off the gutters, and dented the siding. She has been working with the insurance company and contracting people to finish the repairs. She says the process has been a nightmare but is almost finished. She can see the light at the end of the tunnel. While all this was going on, Scotty continued to go to work, but only three days a week. It’s working well, she reports,

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because, when Wednesday afternoon comes, she is ready to go home, and

by Sunday night she feels ready to go back to work. Her son, Jim, and his very significant girlfriend, Kelli, live in Bethlehem, Pa. Jim moved there last summer, and Scotty has visited a couple of times. Jim is happy, and so Scotty is happy, and she loves Kelli.

The defining event since we last shared class news, Prilla Smith Brackett writes, was the death of her beloved George on February 10 this year. Although the many changes during his nine-year Alzheimer’s journey were profound, she says that nothing compares with this final, absolute loss. Going through mountains of slides, photos and albums looking for photos of him in preparation for the celebration of his life restored very happy memories of their amazing, earlier decades together. Such a blessing, she says!

Prilla sent a photo from 1970, which was taken while on a long trek in the Kashmir Himalayas.

Writes Nan Sunderland Brown, “We have a second granddaughter getting married in October (she is a fourth-year medical student), and her youngest sister just graduated from Boston College and took off three days later for a week on Crete.” Nan has eight grandchildren: four boys and four girls. They will all be together on Cape Cod in August. All her grandchildren have grown up, and Nan finds them all interesting. She and Pete just try to keep up with them!

Our well-traveled classmate Carolyn Goodrich writes that her travels have been curtailed this year because she has a granddaughter living with her who is a senior in high school.

However, she did manage to go to Italy in September and to Utah for skiing in January and looks forward to more trips next year. Without her granddaughter she will be “on the go.” Carolyn plans to travel while she still can. She has plans to cruise in southern New England with KG at the end of July. She thought last year might be his last, but he wants to go again, and she loves being his crew.

She is excited that her first grandchild was married on June 3 in Jamestown, where she lives. Carolyn still works part time as a therapist, which keeps her going and uses her mind.

Ed and Jane Keller Herzig moved into their spacious and completely refurbished apartment in the continuing care retirement community of Park Springs in Stone Mountain, Ga., on December 1, 2022. This was a big move, Jane reports, one that they could never have predicted.

They like their new place, which is located just 16 miles from their daughter Carolyn’s home in Atlanta.

Carolyn is an epidemiologist and public health officer with the Centers for Disease Control. Her work area covers Eastern Africa, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

When she is not abroad, Jane and Ed have Sunday dinner with her. Jane and Ed find that living near Carolyn is truly special. Their son, Michael, and his wife, Rachelle, are fine and busy

in Leonia, N.J. Their three children are involved in multiple team sports, and both evenings and weekends are fully scheduled with team practices, as well as games in different locations and directions. Carolyn’s daughter, Viola, will complete her third year of teaching kindergarten in Prince George County, Md. As for Jane and Ed, they believe that they are fortunate to be living in a place that offers many opportunities for making new friends and participating in activities that are thoroughly enjoyable.

“This year has been a tough one for Bill, me and our families,” writes Mary-Lew Sterns Kelly. They had three deaths within the last few months, all quite unexpected. Their 18-year-old grandson died. He was the youngest of their son Tim’s four children. He had cerebral palsy and was totally disabled. Bill’s sister, Sr. Mary Kelly, C.S.J., died just after her 89th birthday, and Mary-Lew’s “baby” brother, John, died just before his 71st birthday. They will all be terribly missed, but Mary-Lew says that they now have three more angels watching over them. Bill had knee surgery and is trying hard to do his physical therapy. Mary-Lew hopes that all of us have had a good year and continue to be safe and healthy.

Sue Matorin writes, “This is a very challenging phase of life as some of us in the class who have lost our life partner/soul mates know, after years of wonderful marriage. As I round my third year of this, I try very hard

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

to do my best professional work in psychiatry (an anchor), take pride in letters to the editor published in The New York Times (poverty the latest), and enjoy and feel very grateful for the family I created with my husband.

My grandchildren are really delightful and funny, Tess is 7; Theo is 3 ½.

Regular visits to L.A. and Skype keep me connected to their lives. I have returned to my love of music, and I value the kindnesses of long-term friends very much, but unlike some I can’t find a path to new interests.

I’ve attended a few too many funerals this year but have come to appreciate that being there to the end to honor someone actually feels like a good thing.”

“We are generally at home,” writes Tina Wilcox McIntyre, “although Jerry still goes to work three days a week.”

Tina shares a house in Vermont with her younger brother, so they spend time there. Tina is still active. She plays a fair amount of tennis and paddle tennis in the winter and she also volunteers. For her 80th birthday, Tina and Jerry joined a Viking cruise from Prague to Paris. First, they spent four wonderful days in Prague. The cruise up the Rhine was fun, with lots of castles and cathedrals to view. Tina also discovered that this area has wonderful white wine! Another trip was to St. Maarten with all the family for a week. Tina is fortunate because all her family live in Rhode Island. She ends by saying that she still cannot believe that we are all in our 80s!

Most unexpectedly Ann Faude Newbury took on a new position as registrar of voters in Farmington, Ct. There are two registrars. They are both brand new, and there is a great deal to learn, she says. This is supposed to be a position of 15 hours per week, but they have found that maybe that was true years ago but not now! Connecticut will also have early voting soon, which will be a new challenge for all of them.

Ann is enjoying the work and the challenges. Having been a moderator for more than 20 years, Ann is glad that she had that experience. In addition, Ann stays active with several organizations. She is grateful to be able to be busy with organizations and projects she enjoys.

“First of all, my sympathy goes to you, Prilla and Dotty, over your losses of Wilf, George and Ed. What a sad time for all of you,” writes Sue Lowe Redfield. Sue also suffered a loss. In October her sister and best friend, Judy, lost her three-year battle with long-term Covid and related illnesses. As a result, celebrating her 80th birthday in December was difficult. Looking forward, she says that she is grateful for her children and grandchildren. Beth’s husband, Todd, retired early, so they are free to roam. Megan happily remains in Sydney, working with autistic young adults while she studies for her master’s degree in behavioral analysis. An attractive (red headed!) beau adds to the charm of Australia.

Zach, who works for Allstate, and Val, a vet tech, live near Beth and Todd in Denver. Danny continues to work as a civilian for the Marine Corps in Special Ops Planning/Programming. First Lieutenant Maggie just completed her first tour, training troops in Lithuania.

She drives a tank as well as her car!

Trey just graduated (magna cum laude) from the Newhouse School of Broadcasting at Syracuse University.

He will be the week-end sports anchor for an ABC affiliate in Kearney, Neb. Like most of us, Sue says that her volunteer life changed with Covid. She misses it all, but for her soup kitchens and food pantries are not practical at age 80. Sue has been in her house for 49 years and loves being in a neighborhood of young families, and she enjoys gardening and her independence. How did the years slip by so quickly?, she asks.

For an 80th birthday present, Roger and Gay Willcox Squire enjoyed a three-week trip to Singapore (briefly) and Borneo (mostly). It was a part of the world they had never visited and knew little about. Their first three nights in Singapore were spent at the Fullerton Hotel, formerly the British Post Office in colonial times. Then they flew to Kuching, where they visited the Semenggoh Orangutan Center where orphaned orangutans are schooled to return to the wild.

They also visited Bako National Park, and then Sandakan, where they visited another orangutan and sun bear reserve. Also on the agenda

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were Labuk Bay to see proboscis monkeys, Kinabatangan’s mangrove preserve, and the Danum Valley rainforest, which is one of the planet’s most complex ecosystems.

One of the highlights of the trip was watching a giant Green Sea Turtle come ashore and lay 121 eggs, which a park ranger carefully collected and relocated to an enclosed nursery for safekeeping until they hatched. Gay says that adjusting to Vermont time and to sleeping and waking up at normal hours was very difficult. “And it’s great to be home!”

I am fortunate to have news of Pitircik Acar Uler from Prilla who talked with her in December. Pitircik is living next door to her daughter, Asli, near Geneva. Pitircik’s two sons are doing well. The younger son, Renan has qualified as an architect and is living with Asli until he finds a job. The older son,

Sinon, finished his master’s degree in Holland in artificial intelligence. He is also looking for a job. Sinon married a young Argentinian woman and has a baby girl. They are currently living in Argentina. (I think this makes Pitircik the first great grandmother in our class.) Asli’s husband is a Frencheducated Iranian, and Asli works remotely for a bank. At the time Prilla talked to Pitircik, she was studying French and needed to use a cane to walk.

Last August Wilf and I had our usual week at a resort on the Bruce Peninsula, this year with our daughter, Charlotte, who is a librarian at Wilfred Laurier University. Then we had a playgoing week in Stratford.

Prilla joined us from Boston, and we missed George’s presence, but he was in care. However, this past year I gradually became a caregiver as my husband’s health deteriorated.

He died on Remembrance Day. We

had a very happy 56-year marriage.

My children have been wonderful.

I spent Christmas in St. Louis with my daughter, Jane Eleanor, her two teenaged sons, Ahren, 15, and Aleksander, 14, and my son, Andrew, from Vancouver. Because of the snow storm, Charlotte’s plane could not leave Toronto, and we missed her being with us. I am fortunate to have many friends who keep me busy.

On behalf of our entire class, I wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Michael Roberts ’59 on the death of his wife, our classmate Cindy Baird Roberts. Cindy died on April 6. In addition to Mike, she leaves her daughter Cathy Bowman, her grandson Porter, and granddaughter Eliza. Mike told me that they met when in grades 8 and 9 in the Asylum Hill Congregational Church. We also extend our loving sympathy to Dotty on the death of her husband, Edward McAlenney ’58, on April 3, and Prilla on the death of her husband, George Brackett, on February 10. As Gay noted in her report, “It is sobering to know that we are all at this stage of life now. It seems not so long ago that class correspondents were reporting on marriages and babies being born.”

My thanks to all my classmates for responding to my request for news. I enjoy being in touch with all of you.

KINGSWOOD 1964

Terry Clark ’62 plays with Josh Caley ’91 (son of James B. Lyon Award Honoree Dick Caley ’62), Jason Sardilli ’94, and Scott Margolis P ’21, ’23 at the KO Golf Tournament in May.

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

KINGSWOOD 1964 The Seattle Times wrote an article this past February about Peter Miller’s bookstore in Pioneer Square - Peter Miller Books. His store, which has had several locations throughout the city since it first opened 45 years ago, also sells eclectic housewares and unique merchandise.

1976 Left to right: Charlie Herbert, Mary Beth Cosgrove, Paul Turco, Audrey Hughes and Gary Schwartz get together every few months for lunch!

Mary Martin ’77 P ’17, ’20, ready to tee off with fellow alum Marc Shafer ’75, P ’08, ’15, ’17 (center back) and parents of alumni Peter Lisi P ’10 and Michael Reilly P ’04, ’08.

Kingswood Oxford Class of 1977 Reunion

Winners of this year’s KO Mens’ Tennis Tournament: Frank Lamattina P’25 and Jay Berman ’80

Kingswood Oxford Class of 1982 Reunion

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KO 1990 In December 2022, Erin O’Brien Choquette was selected to serve as The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority’s new C.E.O. Prior to this new position, Erin was the Authority’s general counsel and chief operating officer.

Winners of the KO Womens’ Tennis Tournament: Samantha Pease Doering ’96 and Katharine Miller P’17

KO Mens’ Tennis Tournament runner-ups: Ben Rosen ’99 and Kevin Dougherty ’99

Gil ’88 and Kris Keegan P ’22, ’25, ’27 play in the KO Golf Tournament with Frank Lamattina P ’25, ’27 and Head of School Tom Dillow P ’21, ’22, ’26.

Fred ’91 and Kim Karp Krieble ’90 P ’22, ’25 join Susan and Greg Seaver P ’21, ’23 for their round at

the KO Golf Tournament.

Samantha Pease Doering ’92 P ’26, ’28, Monica Hoffman, Tenley Fisher Prince ’91 P ’26, and Katherine Gallagher P ’25, ’28, join the KO Golf

Tournament fun.

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KO 1994 On August 1, 2022, Fletch Thomson was appointed vice president and general counsel of Textron eAviation, a newly formed segment of multi-industry conglomerate Textron Inc., that focuses on sustainably powered flight.

KO 1997 Jessica Jordan Mercuri, a fourthgeneration funeral director, has been elected to her first term as a member of the executive committee of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association. Jessica is a licensed funeral director/embalmer at The Ahern Funeral Home, Inc.

KO Class of 1997 Reunion

There was a big turnout for the second annual KO Womens’ Tennis Tournament held on May 7.

Bob Rice ’93 with family members Chris Rice, Robert Rice P ’93, and Thom Rice at the KO Golf

Tournament in May.

The first KO Mens’ Tennis Tournament was a success!

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KO 1999 Joseph & Cohen, PC, has changed its name to Joseph, Cohen & Del Vecchio, PC, as Kristina Sadlak Del Vecchio became the head of the firm’s financial services practice.

KO 2004 James Leva was promoted to partner at Day Pitney LLP.

KO 2012 Siobhan McIlhoney writes, “I graduated in January from King’s College London with a Masters of Science with Merit (equivalent to Cum Laude) in Climate Change and Environmental Policy. My thesis focused on a critique of the environmental promises of the International Olympic Committee and the host nations of the Olympiads from 1972 to 2022. I moved to Boston and began working for the Standards and Certification team at Green Seal, an internationally recognized ecolabel that focuses on establishing green product standards and policy.”

Brooks Loomis ’99, Tom Zipp, Kevin Purviance ’96, and Dan Clark ’98 played as a team in the

KO Golf Tournament in May.

KO Class of 2002 Reunion

KO Class of 2012 Reunion

The Class of 2006 came to play at the KO Golf Tournament. Tom Obando ’06, Bomani Brown ’06, Jeff Giuffrida ’06, and Bennett Hires ’06.

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KO 2016

KO 2018

Dylan Udolf, a snowboarder representing the United States, qualified for the 2023 FIS Snowboard World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia, from February 19 to March 5.

Dylan has raced professionally for 10 years, and is a four-time U.S. National Champion. In addition to holding 13 national titles, he has been on the World Cup circuit since 2018.

In November 2022, Ben Tauber, a member of the Middlebury College football team, was named to the New England Small College Athletic Conference’s 2022 Fall AllSportsmanship Team. The squad is composed of one student-athlete from each institution for every sport and is selected by the players and

coaches from their respective teams for their positive contributions to sportsmanship.

Hobart College’s Jackson Meshanic was voted the Liberty League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year.

Additionally, for three weeks in a row in January, Jackson was named the Liberty League Men’s Basketball Performer of the Week.

Dylan Udolf ’16

Brenda Winn ’13

KO Class of 2017 Reunion

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The largesse of the Kingswood Class of 1962 is a fine example of paying it forward with their recent endowment The Kingswood Class of 1962 Faculty Award. A class known for their close fellowship, these Wyverns celebrated their 60th Reunion in October and decided to create something even more memorable with funds to support the faculty, honoring those teachers who impacted their lives.

“My intent was to create something of lasting value,” David Ames said.

Ames said that classmate Jim Steane and former KO teacher and classmate Dick Caley were instrumental in spearheading the effort. Every class member readily agreed to the idea to make the faculty feel appreciated and for the community to understand that KO cares about quality teaching. Initially, the goal was to raise $50,000, Steane said, but Ames suggested moving the dial to $62,000, representing their class year; ultimately, the group raised $65,000 through the diligent efforts of Steane, who connects and has connected with his classmates every year as Class Agent for over 40 years.

“It was incredible to be able to put something together so quickly,” Steane said. “It was overwhelming.”

The unanimity in gift-giving among the groups is largely due to the positive experiences the Kingswood graduates had in their formative years. “My classmates shared that kind of respect, admiration, and appreciation for the teachers we were fortunate enough to have,” Ames said.

Ames said that former Kingswood faculty member and boys’ soccer coach, Chick Jacobus, had a profound impact on his life. As a soccer player, Ames found a connection with Jacobus not only on the field but, more importantly, in the classroom. Ames took Jacobus’s drawing and engineering class which inspired Ames to study architecture and landscape design, leading to a career in real estate development in Hilton Head.

Ames said that in one’s life, there are key individuals who disrupt your life path fortuitously. For him, that teacher was Jacobus.

“Jacobus was one of those people who let me see my potential in a different area and bounced me in that direction,” he said. “I’ve always felt indebted to Chick for his support and guidance. Every one of our classmates has a similar story with a different faculty member.”

Steane hopes that with the endowment, current KO teachers utilize the stipend and educate themselves by exploring new areas and curricula and bringing those ideas back to KO to make our school an even better institution.

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The Kingswood Class of 1962 celebrated their 60th Reunion on October 15, 2022 with a dinner at the Avon Old Farms Hotel.

“

I’m hoping that with this endowment, teachers will continue to, in a very fundamental and profound way, inspire students to see their potential and go towards their potential.

Chick gave me confidence through the respect that I felt from him.

- David Ames

”

THE KINGSWOOD

C l a s s of 1 9 6 2 FACULT Y AWARD The award is presented to a faculty member who has demonstrated commitment to scholarship and for contributions made to the life of the school and its students. The Class of ‘62 created the fund to honor their 60th Reunion as well as for the many faculty who shaped their experience.

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IN MEMORIAM

KO expresses condolences to the families of those who passed away between July 13, 2022 and July 5, 2023 or whose deaths we learned of during that time.

Alumni 1930s Leslie Fenn Tapscott ’36 November 18, 2022 Arthur W. Frank Jr. ’37 July 5, 2023 Husband of Jane Ewing Frank ’38; father of Arthur W. Frank III ’64; and brother of Elise Frank Burwell ’31, Doris Frank Hatheway ’34, and David D. Frank ’41 1940s Marguerite Steane Kelland ’41 October 27, 2022 Sister of Elizabeth Steane Curl ’46 and Frances Steane Baldwin ’51 Robert Moncrieff ’43 February 27, 2023 Wayne W. Wall ’44 June 27, 2022 Father of Margaret Wall ’74 James T. Healy Jr. ’45 September 3, 2018 Brother of Joseph W. Healy ’48 Kendrick L. Griggs ’46 March 9, 2022 Brother of Janet L. Griggs ’49 Frances Beekley Haviland ’46 February 7, 2023 Wife of Samuel S. Haviland Sr. ’41; mother of Samuel S. Haviland Jr. ’81, Lindsey S. Haviland ’82, David C. Haviland ’85 and Susan F. Haviland ’85 J. Samuel Hunter ’46 November 21, 2022 Brother of Polly Hunter Memhard ’48 Anthony W. Erdman Sr. ’47 June 5, 2023 Father of Suzanne Erdman Warner ’87; and brother of Sally Erdman Belding ’43 and Joan Erdman St. John ’46

Marylee Burt Dodge ’48 June 16, 2022 Elizabeth Brainard Glassco ’48 October 7, 2022 Mother of Elizabeth Glassco Hudson ’74; and sister of Eleanor Brainard Randrup ’54 B. Maxwell O’Meara ’48 June 14, 2023 Father of James E. O’Meara ’78; and brother of William F. O’Meara ’47 and John F. O’Meara ’53 Elizabeth Jones Collamore ’49 September 11, 2022 Wife of H. Bacon Collamore Jr. ’46; and mother of Harry B. Collamore ’71, Bruce A. Collamore ’73 and Thomas J. Collamore ’77 Walden T. Gault ’49 June 27, 2022 Brother of Michael Gault ’46, David C. Gault ’56, and Richard H. Gault ’58 Francis J. O’Neil ’49 August 5, 2022 1950s Mary Barter Armstrong ’50 August 26, 2021 Sister of John H. Barter ’52 Mary Lou Daly Balog ’50 November 7, 2022 David K. Dodd ’50 October 8, 2022 Burnham S. Gould Jr. ’50 October 21, 2022 Elizabeth Stedman Russell ’50 July 12, 2022 Wife of Peter G. Russell ’44; mother of Morgan G. Russell ’77, Peter S. Russell ’80 and Virginia Russell Emme ’82; and sister of Marion Stedman Palm ’46 Esther L. Spafard ’50 January 29, 2023

William T. Davies Jr. ’51 February 4, 2023 D. Bruce Montgomery ’51 July 1, 2022 Husband of Nancy Fenn Montgomery ’50 Elizabeth Donegan Schultz ’51 November 16, 2022 Sister of Horace W.B. Donegan II ’59 David E. Austin ’52 February 18, 2023 Diane Davis Nixon ’52 April 17, 2022 Wife of David S. Nixon Jr. ’49 Rosamond Miner MacKinnon ’53 August 2, 2022 Carole Marks Scott ’53 August 7, 2022 Grandmother of Emily C. Bobruff ’15, Joshua T. Bobruff ’17 and Anna I. Bobruff ’19 Cassandra Sturman Harris ’54 September 18, 2022 Miriam Ford Stahler ’54 October 10, 2022 Constance Strike Wadsworth ’55 March 21, 2023 Sister of Jennie Strike Brown ’43 Sandra Martin McDonough ’56 April 25, 2023 Edward J. McAlenney Jr. ’58 April 3, 2023 Husband of Dorothy Mooney McAlenney ’60; father of E. Morgan McAlenney ’88, Peter McAlenney ’89 and John P. McAlenney ’95; grandfather of Charles McAlenney ’29; and father-in-law of Athena Lentini McAlenney ’97 Elizabeth Day Bolton ’59 October 16, 2021 Daughter of Katherine Long Day ’28 Richard L. Butler ’59 May 21, 2023 Brother of John N. Butler ’57 and Robert G. Butler ’64 1960s Timothy T. Curtis ’60 May 18, 2023

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Robert W. Marshall ’60 April 16, 2023 Husband of Jane Talbot Marshall ’62

1980s Daniel W. Wingate ’81 August 18, 2022

Cynthia Baird Roberts ’60 April 6, 2023 Wife of Michael A.F. Roberts ’59

Alumni Families

A. Ned Rogin ’60 October 17, 2022 Maris Swan Humphreys ’61 May 31, 2022 Sister of Frederick R. Swan Jr. ’55; and daughter of Frederick R. Swan Sr. ’29 Richard M. Mather ’61 Janaury 12, 2023 Brother of Susan Mather Dabanian ’58 Richard M. Caley ’62 December 17, 2022 Faculty Emeritus Father of Joshua Caley ’91 and Jessica Caley Rice ’94; husband of faculty emeritus Carol B. Caley; and fatherin-law of Robert J. Rice ’93 John M. Grocki ’62 December 24, 2022 Father of John Grocki ’88, Michael J. Grocki ’89, and William J. Grocki ’92 Barton J. Rapaport ’63 March 8, 2023 Brother of Ross S. Rapaport ’60 and James L. Rapaport ’66 Russell D. Lincoln ’67 March 30, 2022 Brother of Anthony S. Lincoln ’62 and Jeffrey C. Lincoln ’64 John H. McBride Jr. ’67 June 6, 2023 Brother of Barbara McBride Christie ’53 Bruce E. Fritzson ’68 February 9, 2023 Brother of Paul A. Fritzson ’72

John A. Berman October 25, 2022 Father of Timothy Berman ’78 and John A. Berman Jr. ’80; and grandfather of Blake T. Berman ’05 Martin M. Berman December 5, 2022 Father of Adrienne Berman ’82 George C. Brackett February 10, 2023 Husband of Prilla Smith Brackett ’60 John B. Breckenridge April 17, 2023 Father of Brooke Breckenridge Morton ’70 and Robin Breckenridge Stiner ’71 Harold C. Buckingham Jr. June 5, 2022 Father of Janet C. Buckingham ’85 Joyce Buckingham June 25, 2021 Mother of Janet C. Buckingham ’85 Jean F. Callahan December 17, 2022 Mother of Koren M. Wolman-Tardy ’80, Barton T. Wolman ’82, W. Brett Wolman ’84 and Brandon S. Wolman ’88 Thomas R. Cox December 20, 2022 Husband of Mary Kate Sullivan Cox ’68 Nina C. Del Turco September 28, 2022 Mother of Madelaine Lynch Makin ’80, Carter Lynch Adrian ’83 and Whitney Lynch ’89

Richard A. Battles III ’75 May 8, 2023

Irene DeVivo November 14, 2022 Mother of Donald A. DeVivo ’80 and Diana I. DeVivo ’82; and grandmother of Kyle A. DeVivo ’08 and Kevin A. DeVivo ’11

R. Stuart Spalding ’75 February 17, 2023 Brother of Thomas C. Spalding ’69

Isabel Dobkin June 17, 2023 Grandmother of Adam E. Sonntag ’19

1970s James M. Perzan ’72 March 1, 2022

Jyllian Horrow Shoor ’76 August 22, 2022

Vincent J. Dowling Sr. February 27, 2023 Father of Vincent J. Dowling Jr. ’78, Douglas J. Dowling ’81, S. Colin Dowling ’82 and Joseph G. Dowling ’84; and grandfather of Alexanderson J. Dowling ’10 Daniel E. Doyle Jr. June 18, 2023 Father of Matthew Doyle ’92, Andrew Doyle ’94, Margaret Doyle ’97, Caroline Doyle ’99, and Julia Doyle ’06 Florence R. Ergin January 15, 2023 Mother of Meliha Ergin Niemann ’76, Tahsin M. Ergin ’77, Tarik J. Ergin ’79 and Turhan M. Ergin ’84; and mother-in-law of Heidi Richardson Ergin ’79 David S. Federman December 3, 2022 Father of Eric A. Federman ’88 and Brian S. Federman ’93 Gordon B. Fowler Sr. June 2, 2023 Father of Gordon B. Fowler Jr. ’77 and Douglas B. Fowler ’83 Robert M. Furek October 13, 2022 Father of Nicole Furek Mullin ’96 and Tyler L. Furek ’99 Mary Elizabeth Grabowski January 26, 2023 Grandmother of George P. Stephan ’21 and Theodore M. Stephan ’23; and mother-in-law of Paul G. Stephan ’81 Peter C. Grassilli February 23, 2022 Father of Lora L. Grassilli ’82 and Amy Grassilli Chaple ’84 Marilyn B. Hamilton February 25, 2023 Mother of David B. Goldenberg ’68 and Susan Goldenberg Banks ’73; grandmother of Brian J. Craigie ’03 and Chelsea Banks Craigie ’05; and sister of Sherry Banks-Cohn ’54 Samuel C. Hamilton June 15, 2023 Father of Gordon S. Hamilton ’91; and grandfather of Noah T. Hamilton ’22

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Rebecca F. Hanna September 24, 2022 Grandmother of Lindsay Repp Armstrong ’06 and Hanna A. Repp ’08; and mother of faculty emeritus Jane H. Repp Donald K. Huber November 10, 2022 Father of Gretchen Huber Warren ’81 and Donald K. Huber ’85 Wilfred L. Innerd November 11, 2022 Husband of Jane Anderson Innerd ’60 Margaret Jones August 25, 2022 Grandmother of Eryk W. Jones ’19 and Molly K. Jones ’20; and mother of faculty member Peter W. Jones Mae K. Kaprove August 16, 2022 Mother of Michael S. Kaprove ’71 Barbara J. Karasik September 9, 2022 Grandmother of Emily M. Karasik ’21 and Audrey P. Karasik ’24 Winifred Lorden February 4, 2022 Wife of faculty emeritus Joel Lorden; mother of Joel E. Lorden Jr. ’74, Brenda Lorden Leith ’76, Timothy E. Lorden ’80, Kimberly Lorden Mosher ’83, Kristen Lorden DeQuattro ’87 and Craig A. Lorden ’92; and motherin-law of John B. DeQuattro ’87 Edward W. Mack IV December 15, 2022 Grandfather of Addisen F. Nicholson ’25; and father of faculty member Katherine Nicholson Germain D. Newton December 28, 2022 Husband of Patricia Lee Newton ’55; and father of Edward G. Newton ’80 and Charles H. Newton ’82 Thomas R. Preston Jr. December 9, 2022 Father of Thomas R. Preston III ’72, Mary E. Preston ’79 and Carol Preston Barry ’81; and father-in-law of David R. Francis ’73

Elaine S. Savin January 27, 2023 Mother of Stephanie Savin McCauley ’76, Terri Savin Docal ’79, John P. Savin ’83 and faculty member Stacey L. Savin; and grandmother of John V. Chatigny ’14 Norma H. Schatz October 24, 2022 Grandmother of Jeffrey W. Schatz ’04 and Laura W. Schatz ’08 J. David Schnatz October 27, 2022 Father of Peter F. Schnatz ’82; and grandfather of Lincoln Rybeck ’20 Mark S. Shipman March 4, 2023 Father of Paul D. Shipman ’80, Lawrence S. Shipman ’83 and William H. Shipman ’86 Gloria Smith September 28, 2022 Grandmother of Evan R. Banning ’21 and Cole R. Banning ’24 John T. Smith February 17, 2022 Grandfather of Evan R. Banning ’21 and Cole R. Banning ’24 Arnold Sprague December 21, 2022 Grandfather of Calvin S. Beck ’19, Kate E. Beck ’21 and Gordon E. Beck ’26 Marion Sprague August 10, 2022 Grandmother of Calvin S. Beck ’19, Kate E. Beck ’21 and Gordon E. Beck ’26 Henry Steiner II January 22, 2023 Father of Wendy E. Steiner ’78 and Bradford E. Steiner ’82 John A. Sutro Jr. April 11, 2023 Husband of Loulie Hyde Sutro ’53 Thomas J. Walsh Jr. May 2, 2023 Father of Bari Walsh ’84 and J. Clint Walsh ’90 Shao Pen Wang July 4, 2022 Father of John Y. Wang ’88

Harold F. Wheeler Jr. January 22, 2023 Father of Timothy F. Wheeler ’83 Marcia Wolman October 22, 2022 Grandmother of Natasha N. Wolman ’14, Gabriel J. Wolman ’16 and Lian R. Wolman ’19

Faculty F cul y & Staff ff Carol B. Caley April 8, 2023 Faculty Emeritus Wife of Richard M. Caley ’62; mother of Joshua Caley ’91 and Jessica Caley Rice ’94; and mother-in-law of Robert J. Rice ’93 Cynthia A. David January 24, 2022 Former Oxford teacher Sarah P. Foss January 14, 2023 Hadasa Plapler September 1, 2022 Mother of staff member Dina Plapler Anne P. Streeter May 22, 2023 Former Oxford teacher Dennis J. Sullivan May 10, 2023 Faculty Emeritus Father of Emily R. Sullivan ’12 and J. Benjamin Sullivan ’16 Bernita W. Sundquist November 17, 2020 Former KO teacher Joyce Wamester January 3, 2023 Mother of staff member Carolee Remme

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Richard Caley ’62 and Carol Caley Faculty Emeriti

Longtime faculty members Richard and Carol Caley, who taught at Kingswood Oxford for a combined total of 60 years, will always be remembered and treasured by their friends, family, students and colleagues for their life-long dedication to nourishing young people, their unwavering energy and good cheer, and their abundant warmth and kindness.

“The two of them just kept falling in love with each other over and over again…

They showed us how to live.”

- Fritz Goodman

Carol Bishop Caley grew up in Cheshire, Conn., and distinguished herself as a scholar, cheerleader and varsity basketball forward at Cheshire High School. After graduating from Bates College, where she majored in biology and sang in an elite vocal ensemble, she taught at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, Mass., and earned her master’s degree at the University of Connecticut, where she met Dick. They married in 1969 and, when Dick began his career at Kingswood Oxford, they moved to Granby, Conn., where they soon established an 11-acre recreational farm. Carol became a devoted and joyful homemaker, raising their two children, Josh ’91 and Jess ’94.

Carol was an avid gardener who grew many of the ingredients in her family’s meals, a tender caretaker of horses, pigs, chickens, sheep and goats on the Caley farm, and a legendary baker. No one will ever forget the tang of her homemade blueberry buckle. An active leader in the Granby community, she volunteered at the local food kitchen and played tennis at the Granby Tennis Club.

In 1984, Carol joined Dick as a science teacher at KO, and, for 23 years, they were a team like no other, commuting to school together every day. Carol immediately established herself as one of the school’s most dedicated and popular teachers, advisors and coaches, and her students regularly achieved top scores on the Advanced Placement Biology Examination.

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lobster dinner with friends. For the last 17 years of her life, Carol battled Alzheimer’s Disease with the grace, courage, and spirit that defined her entire life.

Carol always lived by the high standards she set, as seen through her vigorous approach to academics, athletics and friendships, and as a marriage partner to Dick, a mother to Josh ’91 and Jess ’94, and a grandmother to Colby, Caley and Mikey, who called her “gee.” Carol was the epitome of kindness, always taking the time to sit and listen to anyone who needed an ear. She knew what was important in life, and lived her life in balance – family, career, health, and love of the Earth and all of its gifts. Her joy in life was instantly felt by those she welcomed into the home she created with Dick.

She exuded warmth, sparkled with a great sense of humor, and loved her family deeply.

Carol’s love went far deeper than just her bright smile; her love was tangibly felt and made known. No one left her presence without a hug and an “I love you.” She always reached out to the quietest student in a class or the shyest guest at a party to make sure that person felt included and appreciated. Though always organized and practical, she sported a playful spontaneity and brought a sense of fun to every endeavor, from biking to hiking to preparing a

Dick, or “Caley” as he was affectionately known to all, was a West Hartford native and a proud member of the Class of 1962 at Kingswood, where he acquired the nickname “Goose” and excelled as a football quarterback, basketball center and ace pitcher and captain of the baseball team, accomplishments which earned him election to the Kingswood Oxford Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. At Amherst College, where he majored in biology and joined the Alpha Delta fraternity, he was the captain and top pitcher for the baseball team.

After earning a master’s degree at the University of Connecticut, he returned to Kingswood in 1970 to teach science and embark on the profession that deeply defined him and allowed him to utilize his diverse talents. He taught biology, chemistry, environmental science and photography, and served as science department chair and as dean of the sophomore class for many years. He also coached a variety of sports, including football, basketball, golf and varsity baseball.

He adjusted his coaching style to fit the personality of each athlete, and his players cherished Dick’s unwavering encouragement and patient advice.

Dick led a rich, full life. An active community member, he played tennis and golf, served on the town board of education, volunteered for a local food bank and actively supported the Granby Land Trust.

An artist as well as a scientist, he

designed beautiful works of stained glass and free-hand oil paintings, and was an avid nature photographer. He was also an eloquent and witty writer whose many heartfelt, handwritten thank-you notes were treasured by their recipients. He enjoyed the poetry of Donald Hall, the stories of radio host Garrison Keillor, and the music of James Taylor, Paul Winter, and George Winston.

Dick was simply a delight to be around. Spontaneous, irreverent, and wonderfully unpredictable, he took enormous joy in sharing his creative ideas, witty wisecracks, and offbeat perspectives with students, family, and friends. Dick’s extensive knowledge of science and just about everything else astounded his students and colleagues. On those very rare occasions when he didn’t know the answer to a question, he presented less-than-factual information so convincingly that everyone believed him anyway.

But Dick’s true devotion and life’s passion was caring for Carol. After she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, the Caleys retired

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2023

from teaching in 2007. Determined that A.D. not rob any more families of their loved ones and their memories, Josh, Jess and Jess’s husband, Bob Rice ’93, decided to raise money for A.D. research by founding the non-profit Jog Your Memory annual 5K and two-mile walk in Needham, Mass., in 2014. For nine years, Dick served as a board member of the organization. During Carol’s final years, he was a steadfast partner and caregiver, never missing a day of seeing her in person or via FaceTime while she was in a full-care facility. A few months after Dick’s passing, Carol succumbed to her illness.

As wonderful as Carol and Dick were as individuals, they were at their best when they were together. That’s when they created the most astounding and marvelous world of all. Their personalities blended perfectly to produce a vibrant landscape of love. As they teamed up to play tennis, organize whale watches, host parties, and lead expeditions of students and teachers to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Dick’s boisterous antics were complemented and tempered by Carol’s patience and common sense. They were clearly made for each other, and as Fritz Goodman noted in his tribute them at their Memorial Service, “The two of them just kept falling in love with each other over and over again… They showed us how to live.”

Together at their homestead in Granby, Carol and Dick nourished, not only their beloved animal companions – from Porko the pig, to Bluto, the ram, to Darlin’ the horse – but also the human beings they touched – students, friends, neighbors and, of course, their wonderful children and grandchildren.

Anyone who knew them was forever enchanted, invigorated, and inspired by these two faithful farmers of love.

Dennis Sullivan Faculty Emeritus

Former faculty member, Dennis Sullivan, passed away unexpectedly on May 10, 2023. Mr. Sullivan started at KO in 2000 as a science teacher. During his tenure, he taught honors chemistry and AP® Chemistry and served as the Upper School registrar.

He was known for his open notebook tests and quizzes, easy-going yet very organized teaching style, softspokenness, and all-around pleasant and good-humored personality. Mr. Sullivan retired in 2016. However, as a consummate team player, he returned in 2019-2020 to serve as registrar again for one year.

Dennis and his wife Rachel’s children also attended KO, Emily ’12 and Ben ’16. Everyone who worked with him remembers him fondly. One student commented of Sullivan,

“He provides students with a relaxed and insightful period of learning. He’s an oasis in the hectic school day.”

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Board of Trustees

Trustee Emeriti

July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023

Sherry Banks-Cohn ’54, P ’78, ’82

Mark D. Conrad ’96 Treasurer Nelson Correa P ’18, ’18, ’22, ’22 Jerry DeBerry ’82 Karen Diaz-Meaike P ’19, ’22 Thomas Dillow P ’21, ’22, ’26 Head of School Bonnie L. Dobkin P ’19 Joseph R. Gianni ’78, P ’14, ’14 Jeffrey S. Gitlin ’85, P ’11, ’13, ’17 Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

Thomas J. Collamore ’77 George L. Estes III ’67, P ’98 Laura R. Estes P ’98 Frederick S. Farquhar ’59, P ’83, ’86 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

Derek P. Green ’81

Alyce F. Hild P ’80, ’82, ’91, GP ’07, ’11, ’14, ’19

J. Douglas Harris ’77

I. Bradley Hoffman ’78

Gilbert E. Keegan III ’88, P ’22, ’25, ’27

Timothy Holt P ’99, ’02, ’07

Fred Krieble ’91, P ’21, ’25

Lance L. Knox ’62

Merrill Mandell P ’21, ’22, ’26

Jean C. LaTorre P ’12, ’14, ’19

Mary S. Martin ’77, P ’17, ’20 Chair

Thomas D. Lips P ’93

Kelley Nicholson-Flynn

Baxter H. Maffett ’68 P ’02, ’06

Megan Ouellette P ’18, ’20

Bruce A. Mandell ’82

Tyler B. Polk ’99 P ’28 Alumni Council, President

Kimberly Collins Parizeau ’75

David R. Quick ’92

Michael J. Reilly P ’04, ’08

Bruce S. Simons P ’12, ’15, ’24, ‘24

Avery Rockefeller III P ’00, ’02

Gayle Temkin P ’23, ’25

G. William Seawright ’59

John Y. Wang ’88

Marc T. Shafer ’75, P ’08, ’15, ’17

Lori Satell Wetsman ’85, P ’12, ’15 Secretary

Richard J. Shima P ’89, ’00

Lewis K. Wise ’65, P ’94, ’00

Karin Stahl P ’95

Keith J. Wolff ’91, P ’20, ’23

Les R. Tager P ’00, ’03 Alden Y. Warner III ’76 John A.T. Wilson ’56, P ’84, ’86 Martin Wolman P ’80, ’82, ’84, ’88 Joan Safford Wright ’53

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