ST. GEORGE’S THE
BULLETIN OF ST.
GEORGE’S
SCHOOL
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SPRING 2018
Crafting a career CAM CROCKFORD ’06
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WINTER 2015
ST. GEORGE’S SPRING 2018
T HE B U L L E T I N OF ST. G E OR G E ’ S SC H OOL
F E AT U R E S
D E PA R T M E N T S
16 Crafting a Career
02 L etter from the Head of School
Cam Crockford ’06 starts a booming furniture design business in Brooklyn
20 Surfs Up @ St. George’s
A new afternoon activity option has students riding the waves
26 New Chaplain
The Rev. Jackie Kirby becomes the 19th chaplain of SG
28 Capturing the Moment
03 Campus News 14 Faculty Essay 33 Alumni News 44 Class Notes 84 From the Archives 88 Student Essay
Piper Rastello ’06 pursues her passion for photography ON THE COVER
Cam Crockford ‘06 with a chair he designed. PHOTO BY: MATT HARRINGTON
The St. George’s Bulletin is published biannually. It’s printed on 8pt Sterling Matte Cover and 70# Sterling Matte text by Lane Press, South Burlington, Vermont. Typefaces used are Antwerp, Brix Sans and Brix Slab. Please send correspondence to bulletin_editor@stgeorges.edu. © 2018 St. George’s School
A rainbow appears over the Academic Center after a rain shower.
OUR MISSION In 1896, the Rev. John Byron Diman, founder of St. George’s School, wrote in his “Purposes of the School” that: “the specific objectives of St. George’s are to give its students the opportunity of developing to the fullest extent possible the particular gifts that are theirs and to encourage in them the desire to do so. Their immediate job after leaving school is to handle successfully the demands of college; later it is hoped that their lives will be ones of constructive service to the world and to God.” Today we continue to teach our students the value of learning and achievement, service to others and respect for the individual. We believe that these goals can best be accomplished by exposing students to a wide range of ideas and choices in the context of a rigorous curriculum and a supportive residential community. Therefore, we welcome students and teachers of various talents and backgrounds, and we encourage their dedication to a multiplicity of pursuits — intellectual, spiritual and physical — that will enable them to succeed in and contribute to a complex, changing world.
stgeorges.edu
The Bulletin of ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL Robert Weston Associate Head of School for External Affairs Cindy Martin Associate Director of Advancement Suzanne McGrady Director of Communications & Marketing Susie Keller Director of Alumni Relations Jeremy Moreau Web Manager Alex Silva Digital Communications Specialist Aldeia Design
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A LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
BY ALIXE CALLEN
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// SPRING 2018
From the Hilltop I am delighted to present our “New Beginnings” issue of The Bulletin. As someone who has experienced a huge new beginning this year, it’s a theme I know well. From the ever-changing Second Beach sunrises, to my initiation into the school’s many rituals and traditions, each day offers something new.
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he wonderful thing about being an educator, however, is that new beginnings are not the sole provenance of a new setting. This is particularly true of St. George’s. Every day on the Hilltop, faculty are implementing original lessons, the school is introducing new programs, and students are provided new opportunities. Examples abound. For instance, this year our history faculty redesigned its foundation modern world history course, broadening its study of non-Western societies, and focusing on the historical forces that have led to the current world order. Also this year, as the result of a student proposal, SG’s first Surf and Leadership team took to the waves. This is in addition to a wealth of new courses, internship sites, and travel opportunities. Other new beginnings belong to individual students. It’s humbling to see the changes that occur in our young Dragons. Some are small – watching a swimmer perform a flip turn for the first time, or seeing a student grasp a concept in a class. Others are big – getting over homesickness, finding a voice, seeing the world from a new perspective, traveling to new ports. In addition to all of these programmatic and personal new beginnings, St. George’s as an institution is also experiencing a new beginning. Over the past few years, the school has gone through a reckoning, a time of taking responsibility for its past while recommitting itself to providing students with a top-notch educational experience in the context of a caring and safe community. I am proud to lead this institution into its next phase.
As I think about this next phase, this new beginning, I am continually reminded of the phrase in the school’s mission statement, “constructive service to the world and to God.” In this time of new beginnings, it is fascinating to me that I keep coming back to a statement that was originally uttered nearly 125 years ago. And yet somehow it feels more fitting now than ever. Just as our founder, John Diman, portended, our work here at St. George’s is to prepare students for lives of constructive service to the world and to God. I would also argue that is our work as an institution – to be of constructive service. Our work starts here on the Hilltop, as we set a new standard for student safety and as we apologize to and seek to reconcile with those who were harmed under the school’s care. It is my hope that we can extend that work to the world – demonstrating leadership in the areas of student safety and support. In the meantime, we will greet each sunrise over Second Beach with new opportunities for students to seek challenge, make new friends, see the world, and discover their passions.
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Campus News
P H OTO S BY N A M E N A M E , N A M E N A M E
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IN THIS SECTION 04 Remembering Richard Grosvenor 05 New Faculty Q&A 08 Digital Details 11 Squash Champions
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CAMPUS NEWS
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Beloved art teacher, celebrated painter Richard Grosvenor dies at 89
SPRING 2018
Last year saw the passing of one of St. George’s most inspirational and influential teachers, Mr. Richard Grosvenor, who served the school for 40 years from 1953 to 1993, most of those as Chair of the Art Department. Mr. Grosvenor died on Aug. 30, 2017. He was 89. “He was one of the most welcoming, friendly and engaging A celebrated painter, Mr. Grosvenor brought his many gifts people I’ve ever met,” said Mike Hansel ’76, who knew Mr. as an educator, artist, creator and dreamer to hundreds of St. Grosvenor as a faculty child, as a student, as an art teacher, and George’s students over the years. who served alongside Mr. Grosvenor, later succeeding him as When he first arrived on campus, he taught painting, allowChair of the Art Department. ing students often to witness him at work in the masterful St. George’s students honored Mr. Grosvenor with three style for which he would become so well known; and art yearbook dedications. “[Mr. Grosvenor is] one of those rare history, leading students on tours of colonial architecture in men who is always ready with a smile and an encouraging Newport, a city he loved and supported with his dedication to word,” editors of the 1969 Lance wrote. the local arts community. In 1965 he introduced an architec“It is for his friendship that we are most grateful,” editors of ture course to the curriculum, and before long his spring projthe 1979 Lance wrote. “… Who else can you find late at night ects, ranging from a bridge made out of soda cans to a nearly in the architecture room willingly assisting his students? Who 50-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower, became legendary. else is seen more often at Dunkin Donuts buying Munchkins Indeed, Mr. Grosvenor’s dynamism pervaded both his profor his hungry classes? Who else can find the soothing word of fessional and personal life. encouragement for the artist of a disas“Dick really was an amazing, modern-day trous watercolor? Finally, who else do we Renaissance man,” said honorary trustee find behind us huffing and puffing his way Francis “Skip” Branin ’65. “He stimulated through the Pie Race?” countless SG students to appreciate all The Class of 1993 also dedicated their aspects of art, architecture and design during yearbook to Mr. Grosvenor, along with his 40 years on the Hilltop.” English teacher Robin Rogers ’44, upon Mr. Grosvenor built his own home with the their retirements. help of his family and his students, as well as In 1999, Mr. Grosvenor’s name became a 30-foot catamaran. And in the 1978 spring/ a permanent fixture on the St. George’s summer Bulletin, Mr. Grosvenor described campus when the new art center was what he called one of the most exciting named the William H. Drury and Richard moments of his life outside being married or MIKE HANSEL ’76 Grosvenor Center for the Arts, honoring the births of his children: his first flight in an two of the most dedicated arts faculty in airplane he had built and called “Buttercup.” the history of the school. “[After start-up] the plane moved faster and faster down the A longtime Hilltop resident who raised four children, all asphalt, the ‘high life canard’ bit into the air as it approached alumni, with his wife Margot here, Mr. Grosvenor later saw 60 miles an hour, and it gently left the ground,” he wrote. “The eight grandchildren graduate from SG on Prize Day. next thing I knew was that I could look down on the trees, the In retirement, he remained a cheerful participant in many Carlton Motel, busy East Main Road, the complex of buildings St. George’s events and a beloved attendee of numerous that make up the drive-in theater, the D&M tool company and Alumni Weekend celebrations. the gas station. … [Later] she came in at about 70 m.p.h. across A memorial service was held for Mr. Grosvenor in the the numbers, a quick little flair, then the noise of the wheels on St. George’s Chapel on Oct. 14, 2017. the runway. I’d made it!” Mr. Grosvenor was well known not only for his many talents, but also for his kindness.
“He was one of the most welcoming, friendly and engaging people I’ve ever met.”
P H OTO C R E D I T
CAMPUS NEWS
What “sealed the deal” for you in terms of accepting the job at SG? The ocean! Who is a hero of yours? My mother. She’s amazing.
PC or Mac? Mac What’s your paper-grading strategy? Go to a coffee shop, order an iced-chai latte, plug in my headphones, and grind! Do you have any favorite spots in Newport? Pour Judgement on Broadway. Topnotch establishment. What is something you look forward to when you go back to your hometown or to visit family? The California sun and In-N-Out. Can’t beat it. What’s the best biography you ever read? “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou Which Broadway show would you most like to see? “Rent” Which band or musician would you most like to see play live? OutKast One way to get my students’ attention is to … Be honest and authentic with them.
P H OTO S BY N A M E N A M E , N A M E N A M E
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What’s your favorite work of classic literature? “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin
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RANDALL PERSON joined the St. George’s faculty in September 2017. He teaches English and history, coaches football and basketball, and serves as a dorm parent in Arden. Randall graduated from the Cate School in Carpinteria, California, earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Colby College, and last year completed his master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania as part of the St. Paul’s School fellows program, where he worked for the last two years in the humanities department.
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New Faculty Q&A: Randall Person
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K AT I E G E O R G E ’ 1 9 ( P I C T U R E D AT R I G H T )
TURF FIELDS will be ready in the fall
The St. George’s Board of Trustees voted in February to approve the construction of two artificial turf athletic fields north of Auchincloss Dormitory and Memorial Schoolhouse where Crocker and Elliott fields have been. The turf fields will provide a dramatically improved playing surface for our field hockey, football, lacrosse and soccer teams. In addition, a new natural grass baseball field will be constructed north of the Hersey Track. A swift construction schedule means the turf fields will be available for play this fall. Construction of the baseball field will begin in August.
P H OTO BY LO U I S WA L K E R I I I
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“To me as a field hockey player, getting turf means a lot. Practicing on grass is not ideal and it’s harder to improve my skills. … I’m very excited to have turf and I can’t wait for the season to start again!”
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DI G I TA L
SIMON LI ’20
The fourth-former, whose arresting self-portrait earned a gold key in this year’s Scholastic Art Awards competition, reveals what’s on his phone.
DE TA I L S
MICHAELA SULLIVAN ’18
The sixth-former and girls’ varsity basketball player, who made news this past winter when she scored her 1,000th career point, reveals what’s on her phone.
Make and model iPhone 7 Plus How long was your most recent phone call and who was it with? 21 minutes, with my best friend Julia Last two photos taken Sunrise over the beach and my dog Sammy When and where you charge your phone My bedside table at night Favorite phone accessory My monogrammed leather phone case Home screen image Navy blue background with white stars Most used social media app SnapChat Favorite app you use on Sunday Instagram How many home screen swipes do you need to show all your apps? 1 Favorite emoji The heart exclamation point
Michaela’s favorite emoji
Make and model iPhone 8 How long was your most recent phone call and who was it with? 25 minutes, with Annie Tran ’19 Funniest text of the week “I’m better than you at ART.” — Marcus Rose ’20 When and where you charge your phone My bed Favorite phone accessory Apple AirPods Game you really wish you could delete Rules of Survival Most used social media app WeChat Favorite app you use on Sunday Instagram How many home screen swipes do you need to show all your apps? 3 First app checked in the morning and last before you go to bed I check WeChat first thing in the morning and Instagram right before I go to sleep. What was the last photo you took on your IPhone?
CAMPUS NEWS
I knew that I wanted to move the department in this direction it made perfect sense to have him consult on equipment and construct the recording studio.”
Visiting Artist Troy Curtis working with musician Lindsay Meyer ’19.
// SPRING 2018
Student musicians at St. George’s benefitted in a big way from the opening of a new recording studio in the Drury/Grosvenor Arts Center this school year. Visiting Artist Troy Curtis has been working with students to help them prepare recordings for college applications and other music opportunities. Curtis’ tenure at St. George’s this year is being made possible by a grant from the Merck-Horton Center for Teaching & Learning. David John Simas, production arts director at Christian Hill Community Church in West Warwick, Rhode Island, served as an advisor to Chair of the Music Department Ed Mudrak on equipment purchases and helped soundproof the studio. “David John is incredibly knowledgeable with regards to acoustics and sound engineering,” Mudrak said, “so when
OPPORTUNITY FOR TEENS TO SAIL ABOARD GERONIMO This summer Geronimo will sail from St. Simons Island, Georgia, back home to Newport, Rhode Island. All current high school students are encouraged to apply. The program begins June 25 and concludes July 23 in Newport. Cost for non-St. George’s students is $2,900 plus travel. Financial aid is available. Contact Captain Mike Dawson at Geronimo@stgeorges.edu.
P H OTO S BY N A M E N A M E , N A M E N A M E
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Recording studio a boon for SG musicians, singers
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CAMPUS NEWS
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Artists take home the GOLD
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Eighteen talented SG artists received awards in this year’s Rhode Island Scholastic Art Competition — and half of those were coveted “gold keys.” Several students won top prizes for their self-portraits, including Jessica Chen ’19, Daly Cheng ’20, Gray Foster ’20, Simon Li ’20 and Dima Piskun ’20. Cheka Orr ’18 and Angel Yang ’18 won gold keys for their art portfolios — “a series of eight distinct works that communicate a single cohesive idea or visual investigation.” Cheka won for her series titled, “Handywork,” and Angel won two gold keys, for portfolios titled “Mechanic Nature” and “Washed Planet.” The final gold key was awarded to Tony Wang ’19, for a photograph titled “Dreamer.” Daly Cheng ‘20 Self Portrait
Simon Li ‘20 Self Portrait
P H OTO C R E D I T
Jessica Chen ‘19 Self Portrait
GIRLS ARE SQUASH CHAMPIONS
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THE GIRLS’ VARSITY SQUASH TEAM continues its reign as Division II Champions after competing in the 2018 HEAD U.S. High School Team Squash Championships in Philadelphia in February. Pictured here are coach Sarah Mongan, Darcy Weber ’21, Ainsley Weber ’18, Georgina Green ’18, Amelia Schofield ’18, Rachel Smithie ’18, Julia Schofield ’19, Maya Bardorf ’20 and Diya Moolani ’20.
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Reaching 1,000
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Sixth-former Michaela Sullivan ’18 reached a remarkable milestone in January when she scored her 1,000th career point in the varsity girls’ basketball team’s game against Miss Porter’s School. Here she celebrates with her teammates. Watch the video on our Facebook page.
SPRING 2018
DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO
Editor’s note: Just before presstime, varsity basketball player Jenn Driscoll ‘19 also reached the 1,000-point milestone. Congratulations to both of these terrific athletes.
MEET ALIXE!
Head of School Alixe Callen is heading into her first spring at St. George’s and her first St. George’s Alumni Weekend. We’d love to have you join us for one of the remaining 2017-18 school year events at which she’ll be:
Friday, April 20-Saturday, April 21 A Weekend for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Thursday, May 3 Reception: Newport Shipyard Celebrate sailing and the Volvo Ocean Race 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Newport Shipyard Friday, May 4-May 6 Alumni Weekend Monday, June 4 Dragon Cup Golf Tournament 12:30 p.m., Newport Country Club
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/stgeorgesschool/videos
The Academic Center, completed in January 2016, has quickly become a hub of intellectual inquiry. And its signature interior atrium is now a popular space for small events and quiet group study.
A WEEKEND FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
APRIL 20-21, 2018 One of our continuing commitments is to honor diversity and to promote inclusion within the St. George's community. Over the last decade we have successfully hosted five Alumni of Color conferences. Now, building upon the momentum and lessons of the previous events, we are excited to advance our mission and to broaden our goals. The weekend will serve as an opportunity to bring together all alumni and members of our community to grow and learn together with the goal of valuing differences and promoting respect for each individual. We encourage all alumni to consider attending!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Derrell Bradford
Executive Vice President of 50CAN
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FA C U LT Y E S S AY
B Y D I R E C T O R O F A D M I S S I O N R YA N M U L H E R N ’ 9 1
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“ No matter what grade a new student enters here on the Hilltop, they will all have opportunities to try things that they have never done before.” D I R E C T O R O F A D M I S S I O N R YA N M U L H E R N ’ 9 1
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New Beginnings I have had the privilege of witnessing the start of so many students’ careers here on the Hilltop — from their first visit to campus through the decision to become a part of our community, and finally to greet them on the front steps on opening day in September.
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hile the first day at a new school is a time that makes both students and parents a little nervous and anxious, there is a contagious excitement about what lies ahead for each student. A new campus, challenging academics, new friendships with students from around the globe, more simply put, the adventure of a lifetime. No matter what grade a new student enters here on the Hilltop, they will all have opportunities to try things that they have never done before. For some students it will be a new sport or interdisciplinary class and for others it will include taking advantage of one of the many opportunities for experiential learning. During my time as Director of Admission, our alumni have been sending their children here in record numbers to experience the same warm community that they experienced, on a campus that has been bolstered by state-of-the-art facilities. Next fall we will play our first athletic contests on two new turf fields that will be completed this summer. This latest addition is an example of how the school continues to evolve to meet the needs of our current students. As a parent of two St. George’s students, I have had the unique perspective of watching my son acclimate to his new environment as a third-former, while preparing to look at colleges with my fifth-form daughter. Where did
the time go? How could we already be thinking about her next step? It feels like yesterday that she played in her first varsity game, ran in her first Pie Race, and sang in the chapel during Lessons and Carols as a member of the choir. While I’m looking back at all of the growth that I’ve seen over two and half years at SG, my daughter is only looking forward. Earlier this year I shared with the audience at our Today Program that she is currently focusing on three things. The first is sailing aboard Geronimo, our school’s floating classroom, in the Bahamas. The second is traveling to Spain this summer with the GCIP program to practice her Spanish while exploring Madrid with her classmates and gaining valuable life experiences participating in an internship program. The third thing and maybe the most important thing on her mind at that time was finding the right dress for the formal. It feels like yesterday that we began our St. George’s experience as a family and each year everything comes full circle from the arrival of new students to saying goodbye to our sixth-formers on Prize Day. On March 10, decision letters were mailed to our applicants for 2018-19, and before I know it, September will be here and I’ll be back on those front steps welcoming an amazing group of students to the start of their journey here on the Hilltop. Fortunately for those of us who work in schools, there is a new beginning around every corner.
Roommates Tony Wang ’19 and Kenta Hirashima ’19 in their room in Eccles Dormitory.
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C A M C R O C K F O R D '06
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“ I’d say a light fixture and a dining room table are the most prominent pieces of furniture in someone’s home. They really set the tone for the rest of the decor,” Crockford said. “It sets the whole vibe of the home, so it’s important for someone to have a personal connection with these pieces. They need to speak to you.”
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Crafting a career
Photo by Matt Harrington
After a stint hawking Del’s Lemonade, Cam Crockford ’06 finds a place in New York City's crowded design industry
CAM CROCKFORD ’06 can trace the furniture and lighting design business he now operates in Brooklyn back to an Advanced Placement 3-D design course he took at St. George’s. “That’s kind of what got me going,” said Crockford, who founded Cam Crockford Design in 2013. “[It’s when] I designed my first collection of furniture.” Today Cam’s clients include Patagonia, Soho House, lululemon, Bumble, Chelsea Market, Billy Cotton, Studio DB, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and the MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. While at St George’s, Crockford took courses in Intro Welding, AP Drawing, and AP 3D Design. This laid the foundation for his passion in design and his ultimate career path. Mike Hansel ’76, chair of the St. George’s Art Department, was a massive influence, Crockford said. “He taught me to weld and really lit the spark — literally.”
Crockford spent summers assisting on Hansel’s outdoor sculptural installations. “I also began to learn about form versus function in an AP 3D Design course with Lisa Hansel. I wanted to make things that had use and served a purpose,” he said. Crockford was a fifth-form student when he developed his “Hose Collection” and created his “Hose Chair,” which won a Gold Key and an American Vision Award in the National Scholastic Art competition in 2005. The collection included a chair, coffee table, sconce, and dining table. “We were well aware that he had a ton of talent,” Mike Hansel said of Crockford. “So many of us study something and love it, but don’t always get to do it every day as a career. That’s what’s impressive about Cam. He had a real passion for making things — and he stuck with it. He’s focused and determined. He’s living his dream.”
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FROM LEMONADE TO CHANDELIERS After St. George’s, Crockford went to Skidmore College, but in an effort to prepare himself for life postcollege, he focused on graphic design and didn’t do much metalwork. “I imagined learning Adobe programs and graphic design would provide greater job opportunities,” he said. After graduating, Crockford moved to New York City and started interning at different boutique design agencies, including Graj+Gustavsen and 1st Ave Machine. However, he quickly learned that this office work culture was not for him and took to Craigslist looking for jobs in the “Art/Media/Design” section. The first job he took was a studio assistant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, helping to finish an aluminum Louise Bourgeois sculpture. After that project was completed, he found another listing working with Tom Fruin in DUMBO, right across the street from his artist loft. Crockford helped build and install Fruin’s famous “Watertower,” a stained-glass sculpture located on a DUMBO rooftop, adjacent to the Manhattan Bridge, and viewable from the parks and streets of Dumbo, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, FDR Drive and Lower Manhattan. Crockford also helped build the Wythe Hotel “HOTEL” signage in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which is made of block letters wrapped in old street signs. Crockford made news in Brooklyn in 2012 when he restored a vintage 1949 Chevy Step van into a roving Del’s Lemonade stand reminiscent of those at Second Beach every summer. Crockford, a Portsmouth, R.I., native, was still operating that business when he simultaneously started his furniture company. “That was just kind of for fun as my first business venture, and I ran that for two years,” Crockford said of his Del’s venture. “My furniture company just really picked up steam and that’s what my passion was, so I ended up having to close down the lemonade truck.” During those two years, the truck catered movie sets, events put
International Contemporary Furniture Fair twice and has appeared in Vogue, Candid Mag, Luxe Magazine, and on the Tory Burch website. “To anyone graduating college, seeking work, or lost; I would tell you to slow down and figure out what really makes you happy,” Crockford said. “You need to pursue your passions. If you work hard and have the confidence and dedication to achieve your goals, you will find a way to do it.”
on by Nike, a pop-up for Kate Spade, catered private events at Facebook, Twitter, and Brooks Brothers Headquarters, did a collaboration with Uber, and was involved in numerous other branding experiences. The truck even made an appearance on “Good Morning America.” A pivotal moment in Cam’s life came when he was approached by SG classmate and friend Matt Cruise ’06. Cruise was working for an interior designer and in need of someone to fabricate and engineer a high-end custom brass chandelier. “At the time I was definitely not well-versed in light fixtures or brass, but I took on the challenge and started researching, calling fabricator friends, and watching YouTube videos,” Crockford said. “In the end, it was a great success, and launched my career.” Crockford was able to earn steady revenue making light fixtures and to open his own studio in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. “Once I had my own shop I was able to let people know that I was making furniture,” he said. “The network of friends I developed in New York City was instrumental in the growth of my company, many of whom I made at or through St. George’s.” Crockford currently has completed two six-piece collections — one in spring 2016 and another in 2017. His work was exhibited at the
SHAPING THE FUTURE Looking back on his time at St. George’s, Crockford said he’s grateful he was able to find his niche. “I knew I was passionate about it,” he said about the creative process. “I just found going to the art studio to be really enjoyable for me. I was in the shop any chance I had, even from 8–10 p.m. during Study Hall three times a week.” Now Crockford does all sorts of commercial projects, recently building out merchandise displays at Patagonia stores in New York City, making custom display cases at a concept store in Chelsea Market, and making conference tables for an office in Midtown. He’s also working on a new lighting line that he’s hoping to debut later this year. “I love making things that are both physically and visually enjoyable. It’s fun for me to see a space or an environment and to design a piece of furniture that is meant to live in that space.” Crockford said. “My goal is to create something that can evoke a feeling or make you feel a certain way. It should leave a surprising, lasting effect.”
WEBSITE: camcrockford.com
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Left: “Hose Chair,” Crockford's award-winning student project. Above: Crockford helped artist Tom Fruin install his “Watertower” sculpture in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Photos by Matt Harrington
FAVORITE CREATION: Sofa – Spring 2016 collection Crockford said his favorite creation so far is the first sofa he ever made, which was two years ago for his first collection. “It’s a complex piece of furniture and it ended up turning out really nice,” Crockford said. “It was the first piece I made in my debut furniture collection and really set the theme.”
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SPRING 2018
s ’ f Sur s ’ e g r o e @ St. G
Photo by Liz MacGillivray
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remembers gazing longingly down to Second Beach from the boys’ thirds soccer field on some afternoons in the fall of 2016. “My friends and I were always bummed out when the waves were good,” he said, “and having to just watch them from up here.” Things were different this past fall, however, as Cam and seven fellow students — all donning wetsuits — sat on the grass near that same soccer field waxing their boards. This school year the eight were given the opportunity to take part in an afternoon-activity pilot called The Surf Leadership Program. The program offered the chance for participants to improve their surfing skills, train for their lifeguard certifications and gain leadership experience. English teacher Cory Cramer ’00, the program’s advisor, put it this way: “This is not a competitive surfing program. Those programs exist. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re teaching these kids to be lifeguards. We’re teaching these kids to take ownership and planning over their afternoon activity. And we’re teaching these kids to be safe and confident in the water.”
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AM JONES ’19
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A NEW AFTERNOON ACTIVITY OPTION ALLOWS STUDENTS TO TAKE TO THE WAVES
EXPANDING OPTIONS Along with another program focused on marine biology, Surf Leadership was part of a move to expand St. George’s offerings in the afternoon “to provide specificinterest activities to our students,” said Dean of Afternoon Programs John Mackay. Leading the drive for the surf program were three boys who proposed it to Cramer last year, and who also helped design a program that met the criteria for a valuable extracurricular experience: Cam and his classmates, Colin and Oscar MacGillivray. “We got a Google Doc going and put all of our ideas in it,” said Oscar, a Middletown native. The boys had the drive and the passion to make it work. “I’ve been surfing for most of my life,” Oscar added, “and I also wanted to be doing it as a sport too.” On Cramer’s mind was also “to help kids think in a really respectful way about the ocean.” The group spent a good amount of time in thoughtful discussion “reading the water” and talking about weather conditions before they even waded in. Not all the students in the Surf Leadership program grew up on a board, and so with members of the group having varying degrees of expertise, the leadership aspect of the program was especially important, Cramer said.
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“One of the things that we’re doing is having the more experienced kids actually do the teaching of their lessexperienced peers,” he added. “One of the first lessons I learned about leadership was that it is generally separate from performance. So your ability to be an experienced sailor — in my case that’s what it was — really had very little bearing on my ability to get a whole bunch of kids who didn’t know how to sail a boat.” “It’s awesome that they can surf really well,” he said of the more veteran surfers, “but what’s transferrable out of here is their ability to work with people.” Charis Todd ’18, an avid sailor from Bermuda who took part in Geronimo’s transatlantic journey two years ago, said surfing was on her St. George’s bucket list. “Coming here as a freshman all my friends were like, we totally want to learn by senior year — and I’m a senior now, so it was my last shot to give it a go,” she said. When we talked to Charis last fall, she was excited to learn — and humbled by what last October were some of the best surfing conditions in years, thanks to a series of strong storms off the coast. “I got pummeled by a wave the other day and one of the guys sitting next to me on the beach after was like, ‘Yeah, that one took everyone out,’” Todd said. She appreciated the collegiality and getting to talk to people off campus. Lexi Sinskey ’18 of San Francisco said she comes from a family of water enthusiasts, and before the Surf Leadership program was mainly into body-boarding and body-surfing. “I’ve always been really bad at sports and stuff, but I’ve always really liked the ocean,” she said. “It took me a
sailing trips for Thompson Island Outward Bound and worked in the Maine Coast Semester program at the Chewonki Foundation before returning to St. George’s to teach in 2014. “The reason I love this program, and the reason I love this place, is that there are so many opportunities to combine what we do up here with where we are,” he said.
LEARNING ALONG WITH THE LOCALS
little bit longer than the rest of my family to start surfing. I guess after I came here I realized I should probably start trying to surf more.” Seamus Fearons ’19 of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, never surfed before he came to St. George’s. “I started surfing freshman year because my brother [Patrick ’18] went here and he got a surfboard — and I ended up getting into it more than he did,” he said. “The beach close by definitely got me into it.” Indeed Cramer, who also teaches a course in maritime literature, expressed his passion for “placebased” learning. A former Dragon sailor, he led sea kayaking and
Of course anyone who regularly drives past Second Beach on their way to St. George’s sees the evidence — the board-topped cars, the wave riders pulling your eyes while you’re ascending the hill — that Aquidneck has a very strong surfing community. “There’s definitely a lot of good, institutional local knowledge kicking around here,” Cramer said. Part of what he stressed with the students was respecting the rules. “Surfing safely within a large group of people involves being aware not only of your position relative to the waves, but also to the other people there,” Cramer explained. “And so it really is important that people be able to communicate, to learn what it means to wait your turn, who gets to go, and to understand your place in the lineup. I want to help our students be very good stewards of that because that etiquette exists primarily to keep people safe on the water.” Throughout the fall the surfers made day trips to
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“ This is not a competitive surfing program. Those programs exist. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re teaching these kids to be lifeguards. We’re teaching these kids to take ownership and planning over their afternoon activity. And we’re teaching these kids to be safe and confident in the water.”
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“ Coming here as a freshman, all of my friends were like, we totally want to learn [to surf] by senior year. And I'm a senior now, so it was my last shot to give it a go.” C H A R I S TO D D ’ 18
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other beaches in Rhode Island to surf, such as East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown and Goose Wing in Little Compton — definitely a hit with Darien, Connecticut native Spencer McLane ’19. “A highlight for me was when we took the trip to Little Compton and the waves were really nice there and it was just a new break,” he said. “So it was really fun and we were all getting really good waves.” At the end of the term, the crew went on a camping trip to Montauk — and they all passed their lifeguard certification tests. “It’s awesome that the school allowed us to do this, to come up with our own thing and to really step out of what they originally had planned,” Cam said. “They allowed us to go for it and give it a shot. “Surfing is a passion of all of ours,” he added, “and we love surfing whenever we can.”
“ There is so much more to school than classrooms and sports fields. Sometimes school can look like a half-flooded Zodiac with a trap full of crabs resting on its stern.” T I L LY P E C K ’ 1 8
OCEAN EXPLORATION A NEW AFTERNOON PROGRAM TARGETS STUDENTS INTERESTED IN MARINE BIOLOGY
FOR EIGHT STUDENTS this past fall, afternoons meant tooling around the waters off Third Beach in an inflatable boat, setting out and pulling up traps to see what creatures they’d caught, and heading back to the lab to record data. “It was basically a big, giant lab project that they did over a three-month period,” said science teacher Sarah Matarese, who supervised the Marine Biology Program, a new afternoon activity that further expanded the school’s list of athletic, arts, internship and special-project options. Along with the newly formed Surf Leadership Program, the Marine Biology Program was piloted in 2017 and will likely be offered again this fall. “Marine bio is kind of a hot area in science right now,” Dr. Matarese said. “This generation has been brought up with environmental issues in the news — and St. George’s location right across from the beach also attracts some students,” she added. Among the students who took part in the program were sixth-formers Lila Burns and Tilly Peck, who both said they gained valuable experience as they look toward attending college this fall. “The coolest thing about the Marine Biology Program was being able to
study the field that I hope to one day work in,” said Lila, a day student from Portsmouth. “We learned so much about our local environment and the species that live right down the street from our campus.” Tilly, of Philadelphia, said she appreciated being able to do marine research outside the structure of a class. “There was no set agenda, no required result, and no pressure for a perfect research project,” she said. “Sometimes I felt like a little kid again, playing in tide pools and wondering about mysterious organisms. Sometimes I felt like a graduate student, measuring enormous spider crabs. Either way, I was always interested, genuinely interested.” Students in the program learned trapping techniques, how to keep and track statistics, and the challenges of doing field biology. Weather was a big factor, Dr. Matarese said. A few donations made the program possible. The Zodiac inflatable was a gift from the Geronimo sailing program, which recently purchased a new, similar one, and funds from a marine science endowment helped Dr. Matarese purchase a new outboard and floorboards for the boat. Salve Regina University lent the traps (which were returned). “It was just nice to see the students excited about science, passionate about science,” Dr. Matarese said. “And it was nice to see that I had so many females
sign up for it, because science is still a male dominated field and I think it’s important to have women in science as role models.” Tilly said the marine world has always fascinated her. “I think many kids who chose to come to SG have an inherent love for the ocean,” she said. “There should be more opportunities for students to explore this passion. “There is so much more to school than classrooms and sports fields. Sometimes school can look like a half-flooded Zodiac with a trap full of crabs resting on its stern.” With the help of some filtered seawater from the University of Rhode Island, the group set up a tank in the biology lab and filled it with organisms they’d caught: lots of crabs, and sometimes scup, tautog or striped bass. They also caught a lot of eels, none of which were allowed in the tank. After the first couple of weeks, the young scientists noticed that we were catching many more male spider crabs than female spider crabs, so that became the overall focus of the team’s research: Why was there this sex bias? Then they compared the overall biodiversity of Third Beach. Why were they catching different species on one side as opposed to the other side? “One side is sandy and one side is rocky, which really kind of determines what lives there,” Dr. Matarese said.
The Rev. Jackie Kirby
becomes 19th chaplain of St. George’s
“ I just felt drawn to the life of the church, drawn to service and to the sacraments, which became more and more powerful to me as my faith life grew and deepened.” T H E R E V. J A C K I E K I R BY
F
or the Rev. Jackie Kirby, becoming chaplain of St. George’s has meant fulfilling a dream — bringing together her passion for teaching and her calling to God into one ideal package. The Rev. Kirby, a graduate of Yale Divinity School with a Ph.D. in comparative literature from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in literature from Yale, was, for many years, an educator. After Yale, she spent a year living in the city of Antigua teaching first grade in Guatemala. “Then I came home and tried to write the ‘Great American Novel,’ which lasted a couple of months,” she said, smiling. So she next went to North Jakarta, Indonesia, where she taught fifth-, seventh- and eighthgrade English. In both places, she said, religion played a major role in the countries’ cultures. In Guatemala, the Christians’ celebration of Easter was remarkable, she said. “And then to live in a predominantly Muslim country [Indonesia] was just fascinating; it opened my eyes to different paths to God.” While writing her dissertation for NYU, the Rev. Kirby was an adjunct professor at Bentley College and Boston University. She later became a full English professor in the writing program at B.U., and she was the lead founder of the Frederick Douglass Charter School in Boston. Still, she said, she had an idea there was something else in store for her. “It’s hard to describe,” she said. “When I was a teacher, there was always something missing. I always wanted to be able to talk to students about issues of faith and all the things that were most important to them.” Describing her call to the priesthood, she said, “I just felt drawn to the life of the church, drawn to service and to the sacraments, which became more and more powerful to me as my faith life grew and deepened.” In particular, there were several occasions in her life, she said, when she felt the distinct power of faith and of the priesthood. One was after an important relationship in her life fell apart. She reached out for solace at a Unitarian church outside Boston and met the church’s Buddhist preacher. “I don’t even remember what she talked about. I just remember feeling that was what I needed to hear right
now,” the Rev. Kirby said. “It was so helpful and I actually went and talked to her about what was going on in my life and she was just so loving. She exuded love and acceptance and she wasn’t the least bit judgmental. That’s what I wanted to be able to do for people in my work.” In January 2015, while serving as St. George’s Associate Chaplain, the Rev. Kirby was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in the SG Chapel. “It sort of got to the point that I didn’t feel that I could do what I was called to do without being a priest,” she said. “All the things that I wanted to do, that I felt that I was called or meant to do, such as baptisms … I couldn’t do without being ordained as a priest.” The Rev. Kirby, her husband Ed, and 9-year-old daughter Annie moved into Haffner House last summer and she officially became St. George’s first female chaplain and was formally installed during a service on Jan. 18, 2018, in the St. George’s Chapel. The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island and honorary chair of the St. George’s Board of Trustees, presided over the ceremony. Throughout this year, the Rev. Kirby has been at the center of initiatives and events that promote peace and inclusion. She’s started a student chapel group because she wanted to get more student involvement in chapel and since the beginning of the school year has worked with those students, who now organize and lead interfaith services most Tuesdays at 10 p.m. She’s been working with Director of Diversity Kim Bullock to educate faculty and students about diversity awareness and cultural competency. And she oversees, along with Chair of the Department of Theater, Speech and Dance Sarah Ploskina — a seminar that helps sixth-formers prepare for their chapel talks. As a chaplain, the Rev. Kirby says two of the most powerful parts of her priestly duties are preaching and preparing the Eucharist. “I just feel like for me the religious language is poetry. It’s a way to say things that you can’t say in any other language,” she said. And the Eucharist, she said, for her “has been an incredibly healing rite” she wishes to share. “I just felt called to be somebody who is in that role of gathering people together for worship and celebrating the Eucharist,” she said. “And … I felt like it was my calling to be there for people in their high points and low points of their lives.”
st. george’s school
Capturing the Moment
// SPRING 2018
PIPER RASTELLO has traveled to dozens of countries around the world and her next trip will take her straight to the base camp of Mount Everest.
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astello ’06 lives in Denver, Colorado, and works as an account manager for a social media marketing agency, but she also runs her own business called Piper Rastello Photography where she takes photos for adventure travel companies, outdoor publications and modeling agencies. Although Rastello didn’t take any art classes during her time at St. George’s, her path has led her to photographing some of the most diverse landscapes and cultures across the globe. “I think a lesson I’ve learned in the past decade as a photographer, is that you have to go down a lot of different paths to figure out what you truly love.” Rastello said. For her next trip (April 2018), Rastello will travel to India and Nepal with Women High on Adventure (WHOA). WHOA is an adventure travel company that organizes women-led adventure tours around the world. Rastello will accompany the group on its 14-day trek to the base camp of Mount Everest, which will be led by the first all-female Sherpa team, she said.
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“I think a lesson I’ve learned in the past decade as a photographer, is that you have to go down a lot of different paths to figure out what you truly love.”
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DISCOVERING A PASSION Rastello said she was primarily focused on academics while at St. George’s, rather than art and photography. However, Rastello pivoted to the arts once she started attending Occidental College in Los Angeles, becoming an art major with an art history minor, and eventually majoring in oil painting. “I focused so much on academics at St. George’s and getting good grades, that my passion for art took a backseat to academics. By the time I got to college, I really immersed myself in the arts,” said Rastello. It was while studying abroad in Rome for an art program in 2008 that her passion for photography was first ignited with an elective course she took in black-and-white film photography. “I ended up spending way more time in the darkroom than I did focusing on painting,” Rastello said. “I traveled all over Europe with a 35-mm camera just shooting monuments and landscapes and really fell in love with the art of photography and the darkroom process.” In 2010 Rastello worked at an HIV orphanage for several months and ended up backpacking from there alone
through more than a dozen African countries. “That’s when I bought my first digital camera and started shooting people,” Rastello said. “From South Africa, I backpacked through 15 different African countries by myself, just taking buses, camping and making new friends along the way.” Her never-ending pursuit to capture moments showing the true essence of a person or a place in a photo, she said, is her life’s passion. “People don’t look at it as a glamorous life, but when I was [in Africa], it was the only thing that I wanted to do,” Rastello said. Her favorite parts of the process, she added, are “capturing a moment … in a place that is so untouched and majestic, and having interactions with people, getting to know them, not only through the lens of the camera, but [by using] the camera as a point of connection.” She continues to relish the opportunity to capture the essence of a person she may never see again. “Capturing a beautiful image of a moment that’s so far beyond anything we see in our everyday life is kind of an addiction to me.”
WEBSITE: piperrastellophotography.com INSTAGRAM: @wherepiperwanders
“ That was one of the first photos that I took where I felt like I knew I was a portrait photographer and I captured a moment, an essence of a culture and a people, how they lived — and that felt very real to me.”
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P I P E R ’ S FAVO R I T E P H OTO : Little girl in a Masai village in Kenya in 2010 (Left)
// SPRING 2018
CHASING A PASSION Once Rastello returned from Africa, she went back to school for photography and started working as a photographer in Nashville for musicians and celebrities such as Blake Shelton and The Kings of Leon before deciding to return to adventure-travel photography. “Although I had accomplished my dreams shooting for celebrities and models, I lacked the passion that I once had when I was shooting abroad,” Rastello said. “When I sat down and thought about what made me happiest about being a photographer, it all came back to the adventures that I had had while backpacking through Africa and capturing raw and rare, untouched moments of beauty.” Rastello started taking pictures throughout Colorado and abroad in South America before she traveled to Peru where she was first hired by WHOA to shoot a 12-day trek through the Andes to Machu Picchu in 2017, camping near glaciers and hiking through arid and jungle landscapes. “I was able to photograph and witness Machu Picchu at sunrise, which was absolutely incredible,” Rastello said. “Something I’ll probably never be able to experience again.” Rastello said the best part of her job as a photographer is how it enables her to travel the world and experience its different cultures. “I think the ability to travel is my favorite part of being a photographer. It’s a career that not only enables me to travel, but it pays me to travel and meet new people and experience different aspects of life and how other people live and see the world,” said Rastello. “I think it’s really shaped the person that I am now, just having the perspective of how other people live outside of the United States’ bubble.”
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Alumni News
IN THIS SECTION 33 Alumni in the News 44 Class Notes 45 Memorial List 84 From the Archives
A hot cup of joe from Black River Roasters, the artisan coffee company started by Chris Merton ’85.
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// SPRING 2018
A day of infamy, a lifetime of memories Life on campus for members of St. George’s Class of 1943 involved not only studying for exams, but watching for German aircraft and U-boats as well. Now, as this chapter of America’s “Greatest Generation” comes to a close, not many members of the Class of ’43 remain, but those who do still recall life at school during the country’s entry into World War II. Class of ’43 alumni Peter Ward, 93, and Robert Merrill, 94, first met as students at St. George’s, but developed a friendship that has endured the test of time. There are five living members of the Class of ’43, according to Ward’s Class Notes in this issue of the Bulletin. Ward still remembers when he and Merrill hijacked a diesel-powered steamroller from the head of the machine shop on campus and took it on a joyride. “Bob (Merrill) and I managed to get the steamroller started and we ran it about 100 yards before they discovered it and we were, in some way, disciplined for doing a thing like that,” said Ward. “He and I had some laughable times.” “It was a diesel which was much harder to start because there was no key,” said Merrill. “You had to figure
out which valves to turn to get the oil to flow to the engine — a much more challenging and satisfying experience.” Ward, an honorary trustee who served on the St. George’s board from 1966 to 1978, acting as its chair from 1972 to 1978, went on to become a partner at New York City law firm Chadbourne & Parke and has been Merrill’s personal lawyer for 50 years. “We were very close at school and I always admired his intelligence,” Merrill said of Ward. “I think it’s very comforting to know that you have someone who you know you can trust and who has no ulterior motives — and that friendship has gone down in the family.”
ENTERING THE WAR Like the 35 other members of the Class of ’43, Merrill and Ward were on campus when news arrived of the attack on Pearl Harbor. “Our daily life really didn’t change very much,” Ward said. “Though when we graduated, we all went into some branch of the service.”
Ward was in his dorm room in Sixth-Form House when he first heard of the Pearl Harbor attack. “When Pearl Harbor happened, well the only thing we had to look forward to was being drafted into the army and I didn’t really want that. I had been on the water so much, I enlisted in the Navy,” said Ward, a lifelong sailor. Merrill can’t recall where he was exactly when he heard the news. “[But] I can remember [thinking], ‘where the hell is Pearl Harbor?’,” he said. After the sneak attack, the St. George’s chapel tower was turned into an aircraft spotting station, which was manned 24 hours a day by students and faculty. “We had a routine; we had a telephone there. The idea was if you spotted what presumably was an enemy airplane, you could call in. I do remember our code name was Gertrude,” Ward said. “Well most of our reports either turned out to be our own airplanes or maybe a seagull flying by. Nothing ever happened. No enemy planes.”
ALUMNI NEWS
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“ I got more out of St. George’s than I did at Harvard. I think the most important thing that shaped me were my years in the service. That was truly a changing thing. That’s where you became a young man to a man … in one hell of a hurry.”
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TIME IN THE SERVICE Like many others, both Merrill and Ward went on to serve in the military after graduating from St. George’s. “When we graduated, I went into officer training in the Navy,” Ward said. “I was commissioned in 1945, but just about the time I got my commission, the war ended with Japan.” Ward left Princeton to join the Navy, serving for a year on small ships that carried gasoline and bombs to support seaplane operations in the Pacific theater, he said. Once he completed his service, Ward returned to school and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
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ROBERT MERRILL ’43
“We stood watches around the clock in those days,” added Merrill. “That’s the only part that made me realize we were in the war. We didn’t get much radio news.” The shifts in the tower, though, were a source of pride for the students. “You felt good about it. You felt you were doing something for your country,” Merrill said. “You got into the spirit of it.” But while students on the Hilltop didn’t experience much fear surrounding the war, both Ward and Merrill recalled other parents’ reluctance to send their children to St. George’s because of its proximity to the Newport Naval Base. “Mothers of boys didn’t want their children necessarily to go to school in Newport because it was a military target,” Ward said.
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Merrill left school at Harvard to become an ensign in the Navy and graduated from the New York State Maritime Academy, serving for three years on a troop transport. He spent 6-8 months in the Pacific as navigator and another 6-8 months in the Atlantic as cargo officer. “I didn’t see any action because by the time I graduated and looked for my ship in the Pacific, they couldn’t find where it was because it had been hit with a kamikaze and it went in for repairs,” Merrill said. “So I had to move around in the Pacific and a month or so before I got to it, the big bomb went off, so the war was basically over by the time I got on my ship.” After his service, Merrill went back to Harvard and graduated. Then he worked as an analyst in the investment research department of Chase Bank before leaving to work for the investment firm H.G. Wellington & Co., where he would eventually retire. Later, Merrill’s granddaughter Lily Gray would also graduate from St. George’s as a member of the Class of 2000. “I got more out of St. George’s than I did at Harvard,” Merrill said. “I think the most important thing that shaped me were my years in the service. That was truly a changing thing. That’s where you became a young man to a man … in one hell of a hurry.” Merrill and Ward still meet up every few weeks in New York to talk business or just to catch up and reminisce about old times. Top to bottom: Clipping from The Red and White / Robert Merrill ‘43 / Peter Ward ‘43.
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// SPRING 2018
WEBSITE: fenwaypurist.com INSTAGRAM: @FenwayPurist
FOR THE LOVE OF FENWAY Henry Taves, was about nine years old when his father took him to his first game at Fenway Park in 1963, sparking a love for baseball and the Boston ballpark that continues to this day. Taves, an alumnus from the Class of 1972, estimates he’s been to about 300 Red Sox games since then. However, he still remembers what his first impression of Fenway was after only previously listening to games on the radio or watching them on black-and-white television as a kid. “The immediate impression is that the grass is so brilliantly green it seems impossible,” Taves said. “To see Fenway in person, to come up the ramp and see the field, it really was an amazing experience.” In March 2017, Taves started collecting his ballpark knowledge into an online blog dedicated to the history of Fenway Park called “Fenway Purist.” “There are many people who could write about the baseball players and the games better than I can,” said Taves. “I don’t follow the trade talks and statistics too much, so I really don’t talk about baseball as a game. I talk about Fenway Park and the fan experience in going there.”
Over the years, Taves has gathered an assortment of Fenway factoids that fans and spectators might find useful, such as a full analysis of the ballpark’s seating and even a list and calorie count of the menu items at its snack stands. “I thought that there would be other people that would like to know some of the obscure information about Fenway that I’ve been observing and collecting over the years,” added Taves. APPRECIATING THE HISTORY Taves didn’t play much baseball growing up, he said, and his participation in athletics at St. George’s stopped at the JV tennis team, but he still remembers watching the school’s baseball team play home games from the second floor of Memorial Schoolhouse. “My background in historic preservation has made me very appreciative of what we have in Boston about the park,” Taves said of Fenway. “It is not only a place to watch a game, but it’s a historic structure and it has a long history. Some of what I’ve tried to write about are the weird little bits of history that aren’t really available anywhere else.” Taves lived in the South for a number of years, working as the site manager for the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Louisiana, before moving back to New England in 2004 right after the Red Sox’s World Series victory. Taves said he started going to a lot of Red Sox games after he moved back to
“make up for lost time” and eventually became a Fenway Park season ticket holder in 2015. “I really have felt more connected with Fenway Park and the Red Sox since being able to say that three seats in there are my seats,” Taves said. “It’s sort of like owning a piece of the Red Sox, even though I’m renting it … These seats are under my control and it’s sort of a neat feeling.” Some of Taves’ best memories at Fenway include when he got the chance to operate the scoreboard from the Fenway control room, help put numbers up inside the Green Monster, and when he once chatted with New England Sports Network (NESN) sportscaster Dave O’Brien in the radio booth before a game. Although Fenway Park has undergone numerous renovations and expansions since it first opened in 1912, Taves said the ballpark still retains its historical character and hints of its past (if you know where to look). “The upper levels have been created in such a way that the old park has been respected,” Taves said. “It’s been done in a way that’s sympathetic to the original fabric of Fenway Park.” Each year Taves gets excited for the beginning of the new baseball season and the start of the next chapter in Fenway’s history. “All winter, I always look forward to opening day,” said Taves.
ALUMNI NEWS
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WEBSITE: blackriverroasters.com
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// SPRING 2018
Counting on the beans A former investment banker taps into his own entrepreneurial spirit For Chris Merton, nothing hits the spot like a good cup of coffee. Merton, an alumnus from the Class of 1985, said he’s loved coffee ever since his time at St. George’s where he and his friends would have a cup almost every morning at breakfast. “I’ve always loved coffee, since I was at St. George’s,” said Merton. “We used to drink a lot of coffee even though it wasn’t that flavorful back in the early 80s.” Now Merton is the owner of the artisan-roasted coffee company Black River Roasters in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, which makes everything from hot drip coffee to espresso drinks and cold brews infused with nitrogen. Black River Roasters operates out of a certified organic facility that includes a lounge and walk-in café where customers can see the company’s coffee bean roaster in action as well as where its coffee products are sorted, weighed, bagged, and shipped for its online sales.
OPENING UP SHOP Before Black River Roasters, Merton worked for an investment banking group in California, but said he always wanted to do something entrepreneurial. Opportunity knocked in 2009 when Merton bought half of a Vermont-based online coffee company called “Fresh Coffee Now” from a family friend, later buying the other half in 2014. Merton lives near the Black River in New Jersey and noted that there’s also a Black River in Vermont, so the decision was made to change the company’s name to Black
River Roasters as a way to honor both the company’s past and present. “In 2014 I bought a property [in New Jersey] and sold all our operations in Vermont and started fresh down here under Black River Roasters,” added Merton. Black River Roasters used to only focus on online sales of its coffee, but opened up its first retail store and café at its New Jersey roastery almost three years ago, according to Merton. “There’s a café, lounge and roastery under one roof. That’s something I really wanted to do.” In 2017, Black River Roasters sold a total of 41,000 pounds of coffee.
THE ART OF THE BEAN Merton said there are five factors that go into a good cup of coffee – the quality of the beans, the roasting, the storage, the grinding, and the brewing. “If you fall short on any of those five steps, you will have an inferior cup of coffee,” said Merton. “It’s important for us to make sure that every step along the way is completed to our satisfaction, otherwise we won’t serve it.” For Merton and Black River Roasters employees, that starts with the coffee beans, which are imported from all over the world, including Africa, Central America, South America and Indonesia. “I think the most important factor in getting the best cup of coffee and the best representation of that select origin starts with the quality of the beans” Merton said. “And while we have to pay a premium for our organic certified coffees it has proven to be well worth it.” Continued on Page 43
Most popular item on the menu? “Balinese coffee — It’s very fruity with bright acidity and dark chocolate and strawberry notes. We often add it to our espresso blend which gives it a sweet strawberry finish.”
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QA &
with actor L’Oreal Lampley ’11
// SPRING 2018
Class of 2011 alumna L’Oreal Lampley starred in Providence-based Trinity Repertory Theater Company’s production of “Othello,” which ran February through March of this year. Lampley, an actor and singer from Newark, New Jersey, is currently a second-year student in the Brown/Trinity Rep M.F.A. Acting program. Lampley graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a bachelor’s degree in English and has traveled with Music Academy International, performing musical selections from “Nine,” “Aida,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and “Evita” at galas and showcases around Italy. She has acted in 11 productions leading up to her Trinity Rep debut in “Othello.” We asked L’Oreal about her time at St. George’s and her study of acting and theater.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU ACTED? I was first introduced to acting while attending St. George’s. While I did a few performances at Franklin & Marshall College, it was not until the fall of my senior year of college that I took my first, formal acting class: Acting I: Introduction to Acting. Following that, I had auditions for M.F.A. programs during the winter. In the spring, I took Acting II: Acting for the Camera and by the following fall semester, Brown University/ Trinity Rep took over my formal acting training. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO ACTING? My inspiration first came
from seeing “The Lion King” on Broadway. I was in the fourth or fifth grade when my mother took me to New York to see the show. I recall leaving the theater angry and it had nothing at all to do with being displeased with what I had seen — the performance was phenomenal. I was angry because I was jealous of what the people on stage were able to become a part of: the lights, the costumes, the music, the dancing; the expressiveness that was so alive in their storytelling had me in awe. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR THEATER EXPERIENCES AT SG? I
was involved in a few shows at St.
George’s. I played the First God in “Good Person of Szechwan,” Mrs. McQueen in “Urinetown the Musical,” and Juliet in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” I worked a bit backstage and assisted with choreography for the production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY PREPARE FOR EACH OF YOUR ROLES? Once I know of
the role, I read the play, put it down for a little while, and then read it again. I write down questions that I have about the character in relation to the larger story, to the other characters, and the similarities/differences between how she handles the circumstances she’s dealing with and how I would approach them. After that, I continue with more textual analysis. And this is all before the first day of work, which is when the ‘table read’ happens. The ‘table read’ is the first opportunity for all of the people who are involved in making the production possible to sit in a room and hear the actors read the words as they have come to understand their characters on their own. So before a director even begins, they hear the play as the actors understand it during the ’first read.’ WHO IS BIANCA AND HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING PORTRAYING THE
CHARACTER? Bianca is the secret lover of Cassio, an officer to Othello. Often she is considered the “prostitute.” In this production, however, with the help of the director I am trying to carve out the ways in which she can be seen as a young, working woman who truly loves a man. Period. Unfortunately, her love for that man is what gets her intro trouble. The world that Shakespeare created in “Othello” doesn’t actually allow women to exist as a whole individual. A majority of the time when women speak it is to speak about, on behalf of, to defend, or critique the man opposite her. It is very much the case that women are, in great part, defined by their relationship to their male counterpart. The idea that a woman can have a romantic relationship and still have a life outside of that romance is something that I believe resonates with a ton of women in the present day. It certainly resonates with me. I am approaching Bianca’s character as a woman who tries to have everything she desires or better yet, everything she knows she deserves. Whether it is fruitful or not is merely a matter that is left up to circumstance. Bianca’s in love, and wants what she sees around her: married couples, living happily (or so it appears).
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“ I was involved in a few shows at St. George’s. I played the First God in ‘Good Person of Szechwan,’ Mrs. McQueen in ‘Urinetown the Musical,’ and Juliet in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.’”
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L’ O R E A L L A M P L E Y ‘ 1 1
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FUTURE GOALS (IN RELATION TO ACTING)? As
far as performance is concerned, I would absolutely love, love, love to play Nala in “The Lion King” on Broadway. It was the first movie my mother ever took me to see in theaters and it was my first Broadway show. I actually just saw the Broadway show for the fifth time this past November. It was phenomenal, per usual. The only thing that has changed since the first time I’ve seen the show is the depth of my perception about what is happening on the stage at each moment. Whereas I used to just see one big play, now, after having some training in acting and directing, I’m seeing the beauty that is in each of the components coming together to create a colorful world. It is also a big wish of mine to teach acting at a variety of levels (children, high school and collegiate). I’ve had the opportunity to teach and do workshops during the summer and at high schools in Providence throughout the academic year. I’d love to do that more and make a positive impact on the lives of young, aspiring artists in the same way that my instructors and mentors left a positive lasting impression of the arts on me. L’Oreal Lampley ‘11
WEBSITE: backstage.com/u/loreallampley
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Battling for better food Chris Landercasper ’03 has been a farmer for most of his life, but in 2013 he took it to the next level and founded his own organic farm outside of San Francisco.
Growing up on a 350-acre farm in Minnesota raising cattle and farming hay and row crops, Chris Landercasper ’03 has always had a passion for agriculture. “My parents came home one day, I was probably six or seven, and found that I had dug up the front yard and planted all the seeds I found in the house,” he said. “I was always into farming.” Landercasper had been organic farming for several years prior to attending St. George’s and would even travel home to help out during school vacations. “Every summer and every break, I would fly back home to the farm,” Landercasper said. “We would time our calving so that it happened over Spring Break and I could come home and help deliver calves, make hay during the summer, and then in the fall I would leave before the corn came out to go back to St. George’s.” MAKING THE MOVE Landercasper didn’t have a plan when he moved to California in 2009. “But within a few days, I met a couple of people who managed a group of restaurants here in the Bay Area and they were looking to build a farm to supply their restaurants with vegetables,” he said.
In 2013, he bought a 5.5-acre former cow pasture in Vacaville, California, and established Landerosa Farms, with its “big three” harvests being tomatoes, pumpkins, and honey. He also planted orchards at the property in 2014, which will take a decade to reach full growth, eventually adding peaches, oranges, lemons, limes, olives, pomegranates, cherries, figs, and plums to his organic offerings. “I bought what had been the remnant part of an old farm,” Landercasper said. “You can grow a lot of food on a small plot of ground if you live in the right part of the country.” ORGANIC CHALLENGES For the first three years of operation, Landerosa Farms didn’t have a well, a fence, or any electricity. Even when the proper infrastructure was installed, Landercasper faced a host of other challenges in creating a successful organic farm such as understanding the needs and demands of local chefs and clients as well as determining what size the farm needed to be in order to survive financially. “My business model revolves around supplying the restaurants of Napa Valley
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idea of biology and chemistry and some idea of marketing and sales and economics and business management. You have to know how to turn on a tractor and what’s wrong with it when it doesn’t run and how to fix it. You wear every hat farming.” ANOTHER OPTION Landercasper said that if people want to lessen the impact of conventional farming, alternatives need to be provided. “If you give people another option, they don’t have to eat genetically modified garbage,” he said. “If you want something that is flavorful and delicious and interesting, then it isn’t a commodity vegetable. Commodity vegetables are made so that they can be transported and that they’re uniform and that they’re the right color — but flavor just never mattered.” Landercasper plans to open direct-toconsumer sales with a farm stand in the future and recently created his own line of organic tomato sauces, which he hopes will be available in local grocery stores this year. Landercasper said he was excited to plant his tomatoes in the ground in April for the next growing season. “I love what I do … There’s something neat about farming,” Landercasper said. “It doesn’t matter how last year went, if you are able to start and go again, then every year presents a new opportunity. It’s wonderful that way.” ■
FALLEN ST. GEORGE’S TREE LIVES ON “There used to be a [maple] tree along the stone wall [at St. George’s] overlooking Second Beach that came down about a year or two after I left. There was a storm and it was struck by lightning or something and the tree came down. When I first went to St. George’s and had my interview, my mom and I walked around and she collected the seeds from that tree and took the seeds back home and planted them and grew them in Minnesota. Now there’s a gigantic one of those trees next to my house in Minnesota. I’ve thought for years about collecting some of the seeds and sending them to someone back at the campus so they could replant that tree.”
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/landerosa.farms
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and hopefully the Greater Bay area this year,” Landercasper said. “You have to have large enough clients that you’re able to produce a quantity that makes your farm sustainable and viable.” Landercasper described organic farming as a fight with nature. “In conventional farming, you use sprays and pesticides and herbicides to try and stop other things from taking the energy that your plants need,” Landercasper said. “In organic, you just don’t have any of those weapons and so you need to figure out ways of rotating your crops, introducing beneficial insects, hedgerows, and … keeping your soil healthy and your plants healthy.” “Micro climates” all over the San Francisco Bay area pose another challenge for farmers too, he said. “You fight against too much heat, you fight against drought, then you have the drought break and you get twice as much rain as you’re supposed to and you deal with too much water,” said Landercasper. “If you’re lucky enough that you’re able to make a crop work, then you have to market it.” In order to get Landerosa Farms certified as organic, Landercasper had to prove to the local government that no pesticides or chemicals had been sprayed on the former cow pasture for three years. “Farming, it takes everything,” Landercasper said. “You have to have some
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“ We would time our calving so that it happened over Spring Break and I could come home and help deliver calves, make hay during the summer, and then in the fall I would leave before the corn came out to go back to St. George’s.”
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ALUMNI NEWS
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“ The education I received at St. George’s was priceless. I am forever in debt to teachers like Mr. Hersey and Mr. Clark, who grounded me in math and science, and to Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Hollins, who opened my eyes to the liberal arts. I am grateful to St. George’s to this day for the opportunities that the school and community provided me.” CHRISSY JAMPOLER HOULAHAN ‘85
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Class of ’85 alumna in the political spotlight With a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Stanford and a master’s degree in technology and policy from M.I.T., Chrissy Jampoler Houlahan ’85 has been a captain in the U.S. Air Force, a chemistry teacher and a successful businesswoman. Now she’s running for Congress. Note to readers: The political views expressed within this article are Ms. Houlahan’s.
You’ve been called one of “Five Candidates to Watch in 2018” by U.S. News & World Report. Can you give us your own take on why you received that kind of attention? I am running in a district that is located just outside of Philadelphia in the western suburbs, where I have lived with my family for more than 20 years. This part of Pennsylvania is truly where the Red meets the Blue — we care about jobs, business and the economy, but we also care deeply about issues of justice and opportunity for all. My district is one of only 23 in the nation that Hillary “won” but where we also have a Republican representing us in Congress — and for perspective, 24 seats are needed for the House to flip. On top of that, Pennsylvania is the largest state delegation with no women representatives. So, this seat is not only a real chance to move a seat from Red to Blue, but is also a real chance to change the face of our representation. I believe my candidacy has resonated here because of my decades of real-world experience. I have served in the U.S. Air Force, grown and scaled three organizations in my community, and worked as an educator. These are experiences that voters are looking for from
their leadership. I am excited with the attention our campaign has received so far and inspired by the energy I have seen in our community to make a change! You’ve noted that the Women’s March was a life-changing event for you. Can you share a few memorable moments? The Women’s March was an incredibly seminal moment in my life. I was able to go with my grown daughters (who are now 23 and 25), and I organized a busload of women to join us. I think one of my favorite moments was after the day was over, on the drive back. I had started the day really only knowing nine or so of the more than 50 on my bus, but by the end of the day, we were all enjoying fried chicken and drinks together, and sharing our handmade signs and the reasons that each of us had taken the trip. The reasons we marched were so disparate — education, women’s reproductive health, LGTBQ issues, the planet, science, gender equity, etc. — but we all felt so unified that day in the realization that the protection of all of these “women’s” issues is central to our humanity and to the success of our democracy. They are human issues.
What’s been the hardest, most unexpected challenge in launching a congressional campaign? The most joyful part? Sadly, the most difficult part of launching a campaign is raising the money one needs to communicate. Our campaign finance system is really broken and favors those already in power and those from certain professions. If elected to Congress, getting money out of politics will be one of my first priorities. The most joyful part has been meeting and connecting with so many new people from different walks of life who are newly getting involved in the democratic process, and this is also what keeps me encouraged. There is so much at stake in our nation this election cycle, and while I am running for Congress, there are so many others who are getting involved in other ways to move our nation forward. Your supporters are diverse and engaged. What are people at different stages of their lives telling you matters most to them in their lives ahead? Since I launched my campaign last April, I have met with hundreds of voters in our district and the most consistent message I have heard is that people
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Chrissy Jampoler Houlahan ‘85
want a government that prioritizes good-paying jobs, access to affordable healthcare, and quality education. They are simply looking for a Congress that prioritizes solutions over partisan bickering and gridlock. I hear these priorities consistently across all demographics. One of the biggest fears Americans have today is that our current state of political — and personal — divisiveness will continue to hurt our country and our own lives. How do you approach conflict? This is a very real fear and is a key motivation behind my decision to run for Congress. Our government needs to figure out how to work better together and to reach across the aisle, and I think that my diverse background and real-world experiences have given me the tools to approach conflict more pragmatically than a career politician. If elected, I will commit to work in a bipartisan manner to represent the best interests of Pennsylvania families. I also come to this with no other motivation than the desire to serve. In the months that I have been running, I have had the privilege to meet many other first-time candidates across the country who, like me, are answering a real call to service. They are women and men, veterans, successful business people and STEM professionals. They bring a refreshing spirit of pragmatism and collaboration to the table, and they emphasize country over party. I have enor-
mous hope that this new class of elected officials will bring us back together. Can you share a memorable St. George’s experience that influenced your life after high school? I came to St George’s as a fifth-former and a day student and finished as a border my sixth-form year. My dad was a career naval officer and was stationed then at the War College in Newport. He also happens to have been a Holocaust survivor and came to this country as a small boy. I went to a different school almost every year, and St. George’s was the last stop on a long road for a Navy Brat. I was able to attend St. George’s as a beneficiary of a scholarship for military kids, sponsored by the Pell family. The education I received at St. George’s was priceless. I am forever in debt to teachers like Mr. Hersey and Mr. Clark, who grounded me in math and science , and to Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Hollins, who opened my eyes to the liberal arts. I was able later to excel at Stanford and M.I.T. because I was so very well prepared. I am grateful to St. George’s to this day for the opportunities that the school and community provided me. The fact that one generation later, the daughter of a Polish refugee who came here with nothing is running for Congress is truly remarkable, and a testament that the American Dream is alive. I am hopeful that I will be able to serve in Congress to pay forward to others some of the gifts that I have been afforded. ■
Black River Roasters uses a Diedrich 12-kilogram infrared coffee roaster. Roasting in small batches of 5 to 24 pounds, according to Merton, allows the company greater control over the quality of the final product. “Roasting is a science and we can control every aspect of the roasting process from beginning to end,” said Merton. “There are multiple reactions happening within the roaster at many different points and the operator needs to know how to adjust both the heat and air at precisely the right time.”
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CLASS NOTES
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BECOME A CLASS CORRESPONDENT! See an empty place where your class column should be and want to see it filled? Reconnect with old friends? Rally the class for your next reunion? Contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@ stgeorges.edu.
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Phillip F. Thomas, 540-486-4167
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Peter M. Ward, pward@ chadbourne.com ■ There are five of us left out of 33 — Myself (Peter Ward), Bob Merrill, Frank Mauran, Foxy Parker and Dean Bedford) — and we’re all doing pretty well. Nothing more to report!”
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Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@ stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
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David H. Couch, dc-mlc@verizon.net
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The Rev. Jonathan L. King, jlking340@aol.com
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Peter O. C. Austin-Small, paustinsma@aol.com ■ George Lloyd ’77 reports that his parents, Janet and Wingate Lloyd, sold their place in Washington, D.C., this past spring, and after spending the summer in Cape Cod, moved into Brookhaven, an assisted-living facility outside of Boston. There, they will be closer to George, his sisters Scottie and Nina, and the Cape. They are very happy to be at Brookhaven, where they are joining old friends and making new ones.
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C. Jackson Shuttleworth, Jr., 631-331-6098
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John T. Bethell, john. bethell@verizon.net ■ “The University of Maryland Medical School has accepted a $4 million gift, collected by me, to enrich the Department of Dermatology and establish the Joseph W. Burnett Professorship,” Joe Burnett writes. “Kitsie and I are well and living happily in a great retirement community — known as the cruise ship that never leaves the dock — near our Baltimore home, which we are in the process of selling after 40 years. I am swimming every day and keeping fit walking our funny downsized dog, Whimsy. Have a great men’s book club, which I started when I retired 10 years ago, and see a lot of interesting people while participating in the many activities here. Enjoying my life!” The new mailing address is 1055 West Joppa Road, #412, Towson, MD 21204. The phone number has not changed (410) 377-8510. ■ “This past year has been terrific,” declares Howard Crowell, adding, “That reminds me of asking about ‘the kids’ and getting a lengthy, boring response about geniuses-in-the-making. But we are just fine and enjoying life at our Glenridge retirement community more each year. Skiing, running, traveling, and partying make for a great lifestyle, and you hope the body holds up under the strain. Slopes at Telluride remain inviting, and the Columbia River made for a super cruise last July. We opened a new coral research facility in Summerland Key (in the Florida Keys) for Mote Marine Laboratory last May, having built it to Hurricane Category 5 standards. It was tested last fall right in the eye of Irma, and came out unscathed. So did we in Sarasota, without even losing power. Spent several days at the Colorado Springs Broadmoor Hotel for a senior-living conference in October. Some of the technology was mind-blowing! Keeping up with 21st century, innovations can be a challenge for old guys. Our Sarasota Military Academy thrives. Sally and I are invested in weekly Roman history and foreign affairs classes — have to keep the plaque away from the brain cells somehow. I am on too many boards and committees, but that’s par for the course and it is better than too little to do. We send class and schoolmates all the best, with the hope that in spite
Top to bottom: Come soar with me: Jay McLauchlan ’50 in the front seat of a Schleicher ASK-21 sailplane, touching down at the Warren, Vermont, airport. / Ted Robb ’50 at the Higashi Hongan-ji temple in Kyoto, Japan. Ted and his wife, Minney, made a 12-day visit to Japan in the spring of 2017. / “He’s dead!” Jeremiah Ford III ’50 unearthed this photo of a scene from the Dramatic Association’s May 1950 production of The Bat, a 1930s-era whodunit by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood. Onstage from left are Giunio Guardabassi ’51 as Lizzie, a housemaid; Richard Dodge ’52 as a Japanese houseboy; Michael Freed ’50 as shooting victim Dick Fleming; Ford himself as Detective Anderson; John Bethell ’50 as the coroner, Dr. Wells; Jay McLauchlan ’50 as elderly spinster Cornelia Van Gorder; Howard Crowell ’50 as Brooks, the gardener; and William Prescott, Jr. ’53 as the beauteous Miss Dale Ogden.
of all the blustering news, their world is as bright as ours seems to be.” ■ Jerry Ford writes: “Lost my dear wife, Betsy, in September 2016. Gained a new left hip last March. Moved to a smaller house in
CLASS NOTES
MEMORIAL LIST William M. Aiken ’49, Nov. 15, 2017 Allan W. Buttrick, Jr. ’49, Jan. 22, 2017 Henry Oscar Houghton, Jr. ’49, Nov. 23, 2017 Frank O. Gray ’50, Nov. 3, 2016
Robert B. Wheeler ’52, Oct. 27, 2017 Peter K. Sour ’53, July 6, 2017 Frederick S. Allen Jr. ’56, Oct. 9, 2017 D. Dana Jones ’61, Aug. 19, 2017 Richard H. Beinecke ’67, June 19, 2017 Vincent Bohlen ’10, Jan. 17, 2018
COMMUNITY Richard Grosvenor, Faculty Emeritus, 1953-1993, Aug. 30, 2017 Gail P. Miner, Former Staff, 1985-2010, Sept. 21, 2017
the time our classmates will be reading this.” Kent and his wife, Barbara, moved last fall to an apartment in Good Shepherd Village, a retirement community in the hamlet of Endwell, about five miles west of their longtime home in Binghamton, N.Y. Their address there is 29 Harmony Ridge, Apartment 135, Endwell, NY 13760; tel. (607) 754-0632. “We have a pleasing view of rolling green meadows,” adds Kent, “and best of all, no shoveling.”
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Mitchell Pierson, Jr., mitchpierson@gmail.com
George Peterson, III, agpeterson3@yahoo.com ■ George Kilby is as raring to go as always. Now he is negotiating the purchase and development of eight acres once belonging to his grandmother near Anniston. Any classmates seeking low
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John B. Livermore ’52, July 2, 2017
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Alfred R. Lewis ’50, Jan. 26, 2018
taxes and high quality of life in Alabama should call him. He and Farley have a ski lodge in Carbondale near Aspen. You can’t keep him home. For September 2018, the Kilbys are planning a trip around the West starting in Carbondale with old roommate Pete Peterson and his wife, Anne. ■ Bob Maddock, who is retired from medical practice, is, nonetheless, full of explosive energy. The author of two published books with another two already at the printers, he is now working on a fifth entitled: “In Support of God’s Army” for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This new book discusses the medical missionary division of the church. Bob claims not to be a “jock exerciser” but he and his bride, Raya, of 40 some years eat right and keep their weight down. He stressed that his door is always open to classmates and will tour you around Salt Lake City. He would love to send any classmate a copy of “The 1,300 Years’ War,” Volumes 1 and 2. A monumental work that has me glued and fascinated. ■ Randy Brown and his bride, Dede, seemed very content with their life in Annapolis having recently sold the historic family house, which has been in the family since 1738. They have moved to an active community with indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, tennis courts, etc., and medical care if you need it. His career as a naval commander spanned some 30 plus years and, he allowed, he did not regret a minute. Children visit regularly — a comfort to us in later years! ■ Had a long chat with Fred Holmes who is comfortably ensconced in assisted living in Annandale, Virginia, not far from the Pentagon, his “home” for many years as a major. Fred’s wife, Robbin, died not long ago of Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS. His three grandchildren visit regularly. Fred had a remarkable career in the military and, as an aside, he confided that in jump school he always landed in a plowed field — never in a tree. Some people have all the luck! ■ Jim Witker was preparing for a North Fork then Southhampton, Long Island, art show when I caught him on the fly. As you will remember, Jim bubbles over with enthusiasm about most things in life but particularly about the colorful art he paints. Good news for he and Christine as their son, James, is marrying the lovely girl he has known for 17 years.
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Windrows, a great retirement community here in Princeton. Converting it into a fun bachelor pad. Got a guest bedroom for anyone from the class.” Jerry’s address is 47 Hedge Row Rd., Princeton NJ 08540, tel. (609) 577-1691. ■ Ted Hussey and his wife, Nancy report the past year was “a quiet interlude with no headline-generating escapades. They celebrated their 60th on 11/2/2017.” ■ As noted in the Fall 2016 Bulletin, Jay McLauchlan has been constructing a two-tier planting space on an old foundation extending from his house in Gloucester, Mass., utilizing a Kubota KX71 mini-excavator and 50 tons of acquired stone. Jay now reports, “The foundation garden project is completed, including stonework, fountain basin, and a semicircular yew hedge.” He adds: “Sara and I recently visited friends in New Hampshire and went to Sugarbush, in northeastern Vermont, where I took my first soaring lesson (climbed to 8,000 feet). Thrilling! Look forward to more soaring this spring.” ■ Ted Robb: “We recently returned from Japan, where my wife, Minney, lived for six years and where I did a lot of business. Our Japanese friends are totally baffled and concerned by our retreat from key international agreements, and the bizarre behavior of POTUS. Probable result will be a remilitarized Japan. Here at home we are busy keeping track of 17 grandchildren scattered across the U.S., which requires a lot of texting.” ■ We checked in with Ted Tansi, who now resides in a senior-living community north of Naples, after Hurricane Irma tore up Florida’s west coast last September. Ted emailed, “The American House in Bonita Springs, where I am, is slightly back in business. Generators keep hallway lights on, but no lights or TV in any rooms. Makeshift food was provided and was adequate. The place was evacuated to a facility in Wildwood, Fla., with several other adult facilities. Not that pleasant an experience. Very crowded rooms, inconvenient bathroom access, etc. Much damage in Bonita Springs, trees down, flooding, no gas, no commercial places open since no power. I am well and, as always, a pain in the butt.” ■ And all is well in Endwell: “Our fifth granddaughter was married last October in a ceremony at Boston’s Museum of Science,” says Kent Turner, “and we are also anticipating the arrival of a fifth great-grandchild, about
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“I’m not so happy with these sudden marriages,” Jim joked. Their daughter, Pauline, works for an adventure travel company, visiting places that have them worried. Jim complained mildly about an arthritic hip, which reassures us all that he is as normal as we are. He wants to hear from his classmates and makes calls on his own. ■ Tim Sturtevant and Carol divide their time between Boston and Newport. Recently, at Massachusetts General in Boston, Tim had a pacemaker installed and is doing fine. Not to be left out, Carol had arthroscopic knee surgery recently, also. This is a golfing couple constantly on the move up and down to Florida as well. They are selling their charming house with a lake view teaming with birds and ‘watch-outs’, (I guess), in Vero Beach. However, the saga continues as they purchased a small condominium nearby. Festooning a wall of a guest room are montages of Jim Witker’s art. If you visit them, ask for that bedroom. Tim also has a number of Dick Grosvenor’s paintings and is not shy in hanging his own works, which he adds to from attending a school in Vero. ■ Elise von Koschembahr, wife of Gottfried, has maintained her support for St. George’s despite Jeffery’s passing over 17 years ago. I reached her at the house she built on her son and daughterin-law’s property in Seattle. She related a comic but sad tale of their life together in Philadelphia. She saw an ad for a yellow sofa with a Golden Retriever asleep on it. Captivated, she inquired and, as she was purchasing the lovely sofa, the sales woman asked if she would like a Golden Retriever puppy. Jeffrey was also thrilled. Later the puppy, now grown, slept on Jeff’s bed constantly during his illness but would not go near it once he died. Elise is active at St. Mark’s Cathedral leading Bible study classes. She would love to hear from Jeff’s classmates and was thrilled I called.
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William C. Prescott, Jr., wprescott@ wheelerschool.org ■ Since the last report, most of the news from our class relates to growing older and sadly, the news includes the death of Peter Sour. ■ For some time now, Dan Bray has been fighting (lung) cancer, and he had a back
operation. The good news is that both problems have been treated and now he is clean — a good place to be at 83 years young. ■ I, your scribe, have also been dealing with health issues. Early-onset Parkinson’s disease is being treated successfully. Not so successful with my own back problems. Had surgery at the end of June for stenosis and a herniated disc, and that seemed to work well, but in recent months another disc has misbehaved. As I write, I am scheduled for another surgery soon, so before you receive this Alumni Bulletin hopefully that issue will be resolved favorably. ■ Our most peripatetic classmates, Tony Booth and Harry Fisher, are still on the move. Tony writes: “No longer RVing; we sold our motorhome after 22 years of leading caravans for Winnebago. Spent a week in October in Seattle visiting kids and grandkids. Weather has finally started to cool off. Hot dawg!” ■ Harry Fisher writes: “Joan and I are still able to get to the airport, or the pier, to board a plane or a ship. Recently crossed the North Atlantic from Bergen to Iceland to Greenland to Quebec, and Montreal. Sailed to Southampton on the Queen Mary 2 last summer and, after a few days in London, toured the gardens of Northumberland and North Yorkshire. Our favorite Auberge in St. Barts is still standing; therefore, we will spend February in Caribbean warmth. South Africa and Namibia were visited last winter. We will keep up this pace as long as we are able. Are you still playing golf?” [Answer: Golf is on hold pending the outcome of the back issues.] “Getting old is not for sissies.” Amen, brother! ■ Our 65th class reunion is coming up May 4-6. I will certainly be there, and I think Tony Booth told me he would as well. Hope others will make it!
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Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
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Thomas H. Stevenson, tomstevenson@ verizon.net ■ This edition of the class notes comes to you following a nudge
from our class agent, George Watts, who asked for more frequent submissions in response to Bill Riley complaining to Sparky that there was not enough news. Shout out to Boots Ceres for pulling these together. ■ Here is a shocker for news item No. 1. Roger Smith — lifelong New Englander; Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts businessman; Cambridge and New London homeowner — and his wife, Martha — former Dartmouth faculty member, Harvard graduate and continuing associate, New London, N.H. Hospital MD, and practicing arthritis specialist — are pulling up stakes. They are heading for Boulder, Colorado! The reason? You guessed it: their children, and in particular the grandchildren. They are pretty much all in either Boulder or within a couple of hours of Boulder. Best of luck with the move! ■ In Sailing World magazine (July 2017 edition), there is a very interesting article entitled, “Triton Trux.” It was written by Jennifer Vandemoer Mitchell, SG Class of 2000. The article chronicles how the “Trux Regatta” has become an institution for college sailing. It has come to be named for our own Trux Umsted, USNA Class of 1959. He was a roommate of Boots for those four years following our graduation. “It is a well-done, interesting read,” Boots said. “It brings back into focus an old and dear classmate, who died after a Mediterranean deployment in 1967. If you would like a paper copy of the article, let me know, or you can find it on-line by going to www.sailingworld/triton-trux.” ■ I hope you still have the last St. George’s Bulletin, the Fall 2017 edition. Perhaps you read this publication in detail and already know this, but just in case you missed it: In the class notes for 1956 by Bob Ingersoll III, you will find some very interesting information about our own David Hoopes. Check it out. You will like it. (The publication is also online at https://issuu.com/ dragonsofsg) ■ Finally, a parting salvo for Sparky and Bill: Send me some news and perhaps we will have another column for the next magazine!
1956
Robert S. Ingersoll, III, robertsingersoll@aol. com ■ Talk about staying power. It has been 43 years since Tim Gallwey’s classic “The Inner Game of Tennis” was published
CLASS NOTES
1958
Jeffere F. Van Liew, comrepro@aol.com ■ Jeffere Van Liew writes: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dick Grosvenor! I came to St. George’s School in 1953. My acceptance into the SG student family was through sports. My first sport was football, coached by ‘Mr. Pete’ (Peter Rothermel), another SG legend. My second sport was wrestling. Dick (‘Mr. Grosvenor’) was the wrestling coach, among a host of other things (typical of the ‘prep school experience,’ past and present). Dick not only was a great
William A. Briggs, Jr., wbriggs41@aol.com ■ Tom Winslow writes: “Sheila and I made a quick trip across country to attend the “Celebration of the Life of Richard Grosvenor,” our teacher, coach and friend, in the SG Chapel. As you can imagine, the service was well attended by those from the school and the Newport community, where Dick was so well known for his artwork. What a great and inspirational man! Margot was amazing, and as always, displayed her beautiful charm, and at age 90! Another highlight for us was a surprise visit with our granddaughter, Lizzy Maimone ’19. In conclusion, I toured the new Academic Center. Wow, what an amazing facility and what an addition to the school! This is a must-see during our 60th reunion! ■ Ted Scull writes: “Ocean Liner Sunset,” published in the U.K. by Overview Press, becomes the third in a trilogy of personal sea voyage accounts in all kinds of passenger-carrying ships. In the meantime, I am still employed sharing the small-ship website QuirkyCruise.com with my Singapore-based partner. For pleasure, twice a year Suellyn and I sail transatlantic aboard Queen Mary 2, where I serve as a lecturer, plus add a week or so in Europe and the U.K. ■ Kane Phelps writes: “After experiencing a major heart attack on Super Bowl Sunday, I am coming back strong in this third chapter
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Stephen R. Wainwright, Esquire, wainwrightsrpc@aol.com
1959
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mentor, but a hands-on coach and friend to the team, especially me! ■ “Dick made me the captain (which I was for four years). He worked out with me, took me to Brown so I could train with the Brown wrestling team, drove us to meets all over New England, and would have the entire team to his home (next to the hockey rink) for barbeques once a week. Margot (‘Mrs. Grosvenor’) was also a great friend to us all. She would supply the hamburgers, with OJ, with her children crawling under her feet)! I would not have survived St. George’s if it were not for Dick and Mr. Pete! Thank you, St. George’s, for making all of that possible! ■ Hanging over my St. George’s armchair (gifted to me by my classmate Leffert ‘Leff’ Lefferts 38th), is a 1990 signed Dick Grosvenor watercolor painting of the Hilltop. Rest in peace, dear friend!”
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and the testimonials keep rolling in. Most recently Steve Kerr, coach of last year’s NBA championship Golden State Warriors, lauded the book as a guide to staying relaxed when the heat is on and not letting the anxious mind get in the way of peak performance. Pete Carroll, coach of the NFL Seattle Seahawks, wrote the forward to a recent edition of “Inner Tennis” and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has posted quotes from the book on Instagram. Tim’s book certainly transcends the sport he captained at SG and Harvard and has application across all of life. ■ And, lo and behold, also from the misty past, comes news from John Paris, who writes: “Life continues here in Canada at a dignified, uneventful pace. Ellie and I live in Crystal Beach, Ontario, near the former summer home of Krista Peterson’s family. I came to Ontario over 20 years ago, whilst pursuing a master’s of divinity degree at seminary in Toronto and having completed 20 years in various Army situations — the last 15 of which were in a reserve helicopter unit (Hueys) in a communications MOS. I have explained to Bob that I just do not have anything noteworthy to report, other than last year’s operation or next week’s flu shot. I think that is the point, probably for most of us! Oh, did I mention that I captured and brought home a strong case of toenail fungus from Jungle Warfare School in Panama along with a case of good rum? Cheers! John”
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Top to bottom: Stone Coxhead ’59, Peter Archer ’59, and Olie Thorp ’59 enjoyed a mini-reunion in San Francisco this summer. / DeeDee and Kane Phelps ’59
of life in health, family life, and my psychotherapist private practice. I believe that whatever stage of life we are in, we can re-author our life stories. I am in the business of transformation, transforming obstacles into stepping stones, wounds into strengths. I dedicate a portion of my work to “The Soldier’s Project,” counseling men returning from combat. The wounds are deep. The potential for healing, even deeper. ■ “Of late, I am disturbed/inspired by how deeply rooted white male privilege/patriarchy is showing its ugly face in our public discourse. I believe it is time to acknowledge this powerful legacy, the cause of so much suffering, and move forward towards respect for all living souls.”
1960
Dr. Peter R. Bartlett, prbartlett42@gmail. com ■ I report news received from seven members of the Class of 1960. All of you reading this in early 2018 must recognize that the material herein was submitted for publication in October, 2017, and, therefore, the future tense will have become the past tense. ■ Billy Gubelmann reported in from London where he and Shelley spend their time for part of
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the year. They will return to Florida for Thanksgiving. Billy reports having had “a very nice meeting with former Head of School, Eric Peterson, in November of 2016 when Eric was here in London, and saw him again last spring when he hosted St. George’s alumni and parents at the Sailfish Club in Palm Beach.” Billy encourages classmates to contact him in Palm Beach if they find themselves there during the winter months. He reminds us that in 2020 he will be 77 (as will all of us), and hopes to see all of us at our 60th Reunion “since it might be our last chance to see one another!” As it turns out, I plan to take him up on his invitation while attending a BOD meeting of the Flying Physicians Association in January 2018 in Ft. Lauderdale. ■ Airell Jenks also checked in with me, but reported that he had nothing in particular to report at this time. ■ I heard from George Crozer as I do periodically. He reports that he has heard from Dick Eggleston ’61, through social media. “We even exchanged action photos of games in the 1959 football season.” George and Dick have preliminary plans to get together in Miami Beach. While experiencing some familiar (likely to all of us) age related issues, he continues to travel far and wide to indulge his fishing passion, something reported in past Bulletin class notes. ■ Bill “Woody” Wood Prince reported a bit of nostalgia. “We had a very nice summer and went to Nantucket for the Boston Pops/ Beach Boys concert for my wife’s 60th birthday. Unbelievable evening. When the Beach Boys came on, about half way through the program, every woman in the place---from 10 years old to 80--went straight to the bottom of the stage and began dancing and singing along. A surreal sight.” He didn’t say whether his wife was one of them! My “California Girl” wife might have been at stage front had we been there. As with Billy Gubelmann, Woody referred to the Petersons. “We had a chance for some private time with Krista and Eric Peterson before they left for their summer on the Cape. They are two truly wonderful and gifted friends, and we will miss them.” ■ Travel and family continue to be the essence of the lives of Don Chadwick and his wife, Janice. They changed their planned world trip to go instead to Central and South America.
“With our 40th Anniversary coming up in November, we decided to celebrate that momentous occasion by going to East Africa — just got back a week ago. Any of our classmates that are the least bit interested in nature, Africa should be on their bucket list! Bouncing around “in the bush” in Africa was most stimulating physically as well as intellectually. Just when you think you’ve seen it all on a morning or evening game drive, something different occurs.” Don’s and Janice’s daughter’s family is in Colorado, and Chadwick grandchild number three is due in the spring. Don sends his best to everyone. ■ Joe Wright reported in just before my submission deadline, for which I am pleased. He reports being well, but “avoids cliffs as much as possible.” He continues his fishing with George Crozer, most recently in June of 2017. He alleges, “Joe caught a bigger fish than George, but George caught more little ones!” The irony is that Joe has always maintained that “size does not count!” Joe reports having dinner with Chad Gifford and wife, Anne, in Nantucket twice. “The news is that Anne still looks like she just graduated from high school. Joe and Chad, not so much!” He also reports trading “politically charged e-mails” with Cliff Iverson and Airell Jenks. Joe thinks that he and they have agreed to disagree. I have done the same with some of my former colleagues. ■ I also heard just as I write this from John McLeran who signs off as “Senior PrefectRetired.” He is still working on conservation issues in his town and throughout New England. “Gets me out almost every day. Love it!” He is delighted with our new Head of School, and looks forward to meeting her this year. I absolutely echo his sentiments, but regrettably I may not have a chance to meet her as soon as John or others do. ■ My wife and I continue to provide logistical support for younger grandchildren, but the oldest grandchild is 23 and finishing college this year. We continue to remain engaged in the volunteer sector, attend civic and educational events, and travel mainly by cruises on smaller ships. Earlier this year we spent 2-plus weeks in China and Southeast Asia. Some medical issues, mostly age related and old (SG football and U.S. Army) orthopedic ones, continue to aggravate, but on balance I keep my head above water
(no pun intended since I swim regularly). I hope that all who read this are well and enjoying life.
1961
Gaylord C. Burke, Jr., gaylordburke@gmail.com ■ As felt by many of our classmates, Fred Stetson recalls that we had the good luck of having teachers like Richard Grosvenor, who died Aug. 30, 2017. Fred said that one of his greatest regrets is that he never took a course from him but that he became friends with Dick and Margot after graduation. Fred said “Looking back, it seems to me that Dick was a friend to all, almost by definition: i.e. Dick Grosvenor = Friend. He just loved people and that love was infectious. Margot is a sweetheart; he married her when she was only 19 years old. ‘I was lucky: I made one good decision,’ Dick once told me with a smile.” ■ Fred submitted this description of the memorial service held in the St. George’s School Chapel on Oct. 14, 2017: ■ “Saturday morning, Oct. 14, I parked my Honda Civic Coupe down by Second Beach. Young men frolicked in the frigid surf, splashing and gliding off the roiling waves. All wore black wet suits. Wind-whipped rain beaded on my car windshield and blurred my vision. ■ “By two o’clock, the tempest subsided and the chapel filled with family and friends of Dick Grosvenor, the beloved and delightful faculty member who served St. George’s for 40 years. ■ “They came to honor a man well known for his art, art history and architecture courses, and for his own distinctive artwork. But, he was also known for his sense of adventure, his willingness to try almost anything. Build kayaks and paddle them on salt ponds; build and fly a single-engine, experimental plane; oversee building of a boat made of one-gallon milk jugs — these are a few of his many projects that sparked fun and fired up students. ■ “Head of School Alixe Callen noted that the editors of The Lance honored Dick by dedicating the school yearbook to him three times. A hymn selected for the occasion, “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” summarized his passions. The prelude was, “Abide by Me, Be Not Afraid.” ■ “The Rev. Jackie Kirby led the service and gave the homily. William B. Hoyt ’63, Cyrus Quadland ’66,
CLASS NOTES
Richard C. Grosvenor ’69 and Alixe Callen reflected on Dick’s life. Margot and Dick’s children, John ’70, and Holly Grosvenor ’75, read from the Bible; Jim Grosvenor’71, read the 23rd Psalm; and nine Grosvenor relatives, all SG graduates, were ushers. ■ “For several minutes before the celebration of Dick’s life began, I sat in one of the chapel pews and reminisced with Steve Leslie, a former SG faculty member. He recalled this (edited) chat with Dick about his home-built airplane: Steve: “Dick, is it true that your aircraft is so sensitive (to weight and balance restrictions) that you can’t carry a lunch with you when you take off?” Dick: “Yes! As a matter of fact, rain is also too heavy.” Steve: “Oh?” Dick: “Once, when I flew back from New Bedford to Newport, I got caught under a rain cloud.” Steve: “Then, what happened!?” Dick: “The plane started to dive, but the fast descent blew most of the rain off the wings and the rest evaporated!” ■ “Dick made it back to Newport this time. But, later, his aviation career ended with a crash. Not to worry: Dick took the tail section and made a piece of art out of it, now displayed at Newport’s Spring
1963
Robert C. Chope PhD, rcchope@sfsu.edu ■ Keith Wallace checked in to say that his wife and four children are doing well and he is thoroughly enjoying his six grandchildren. He is still active professionally and remains a trustee at Maharishi University of Management while continuing as chair of the Department of Physiology and Health. He also remains a prolific author. Last year he coauthored Dharma Parenting, which was published by a division of Penguin. This year he has finished a volume with his wife titled “Gut Crisis:
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Bill Batchelder ’61 and Pete Bouker ’61 after a round of golf in North Conway, NH with Tuckerman (Golden) and Daisy (Lab).
George H. Helmer, wbi@vermontel.net ■ Pete Andrews: “In July I accompanied Hannah on her Women’s Voice Chorus singing tour to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Having come to appreciate Russian history more deeply last year, it was equally moving to experience the Baltics’ history, including their use of their community singing traditions to reaffirm their cultural identity and negotiate an end to Soviet occupation. In 1989, our guide had participated, at 12 years old, in an unbroken 600-kilometer human chain from Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn to protest the 50th anniversary of the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. We are grateful to remain in good health; I am still working ahead on my book, and we are off this weekend to San Francisco to sing in another festival concert of Russian choral music.” ■ Dick Ely tells us he is “a confirmed New England Yankee, still living in Davis, California, and doing his mountain trekking: Mt. Ararat and most of the big ones in Turkey, New Zealand, and the Pyrenees since our 50th. Recently, sailed from D.C. up to Troy, N.Y. and sold the boat, sniff ... Currently, working on wind gust prediction for big wind turbines, fish genetics, fecal transfer [seriously?!!], and his hydro projects …..usual chaos.” ■ Bill Edgar: “Our two grandsons are both at SG, in the fifth and third forms. The eldest is a French scholar. The youngest is the next Pelé!” Bill also says he has phone access to Dan Lavezzo. Dan, get in touch! We miss you! ■ Geoff Quadland: “I spent about six weeks this year at our island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and 11 miles by boat from the nearest town. I also enlarged my woodshed and filled it, and we went to the U.S. National Dog Show
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1962
for bearded collies, outside St. Louis. The winner was not ours, but we bred the father of the winner. Like everyone else, I am wondering what the winter will bring. Should I start planting palm trees or put up the snow fence along our driveway, which I haven’t bothered to do for the last two years?” ■ John Ruthrauff: “I still bike to the office for my international advocacy work. Sailing is still good. My wife and I took a short four-day cruise in October to the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. I get to visit my 2-year-old grandson and his mom several times a year. In November I will become the Executive Director of the Center for Democratic Education in D.C., an NGO I founded in the 1980s.” ■ Sandy Scull: “Yesterday, during a rare, clear window in the fire and smoke of northern California, I kayaked from Tiburon to downtown Larkspur. Ah, the twilight of embodiment. On Labor Day my daughter, Siri, was married outside to a tall Texan during a 105-degree heat wave. I like him. After 50 years, I finally hit the V.A. for my hearing loss. They owe me. Next week, off to the Big Island to swim with the dolphins. I enjoy their sense of humor and willingness to celebrate in spite of the sharks.” ■ As for me, the kids and grandkids are thriving, and Jill and I are enjoying an absolutely gorgeous — and warm! — Vermont autumn. Jill is always busy with a variety of nonprofit and equine activities. Last month we visited Terry Meyer and Melissa in Maine — mid-harvest for his vegetable farm. Fresh corn, lobsters, and bluefish were feasted upon — as well as a new luncheon winner for my Fried Favorites list: the crab cake sandwich!
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Bull Gallery. ■ “For Dick, aviation was more than a fleeting passion. The spirit of adventure in the air, seen in some of his large, sweeping paintings, stayed with him to the end. In one of the most eloquent of the reflections, Richard Grosvenor said his father wished to ‘return some day as a sea gull.’ ■ Finally, Dick’s beloved wife, Margot, walked from her seat near the altar, mounted the pulpit, and read the dismissal: “Let us go forth in the name of Christ.”
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How Diet, Probiotics, and Friendly Bacteria Help You Lose Weight and Heal Your Body and Mind.” He has a new website at docgut.com and blogs on the latest research on the microbiome. He says hi to all. ■ Lucien Wulsin informs us that he has a new granddaughter, Lula Claire, who lives not far from me in Oakland, California. His wife, Katie, visits the baby and parents Lisa and Byron frequently. Lucien also has a blog at www.luciensblog.com. He is also channeling his energies by serving on two boards, Vision y Compromiso and the Saint Joseph Center. Lucien still grieves the loss of his brother and our friend Harry ’66, who died in March but he prepared memories of Harry to give to his son Bo. David Haythe and I used to refer to Harry as M because he reminded us of M in the Ian Fleming/James Bond books. Lucien does say that he is well, engaged, channeled and happy at this time of his new retirement. ■ I have just returned from extensive travels in Europe, visiting Barcelona in the midst of the separatist movement as well as other cities in Spain and Portugal. I enjoyed the city of Porto in Portugal and Madeira. I also visited the oldest lighthouse in the world in Acoruna, Spain. It was built in the second century. We were in Cuba in March and will return to Cuba for the holidays. ■ We continue to be alarmed by the many recent environmental disasters and we have friends in Puerto Rico who are suffering. Northern California has been rocked by a calamitous fire event and we have friends who have lost everything. I do not mean to end on such a downer, but we need to be mindful of the folks who are facing difficult challenges.
1964
Robert E. L. Taylor III, retaylor3d@gmail.com ■ Bayne Stevenson and wife, Jeanie, were off on another annual wander in “Past Tents,” their silver-sided trailer. This time they went west, old man, from Florida through red rock country and a Wyoming ranch to Montana and North Dakota. They planned to follow with a bike trip in Scandinavia. ■ Bob Delgado’s wife, Karen, joined him in retirement. They put their condo in Newport up for sale and are living in Center Sandwich, N.H. ■ Rob Taylor joined the bionic world by getting his right
hip replaced, and is writing a book about it for other hip replacement candidates. ■ And, most ’64s remain glued to the reality-TV President, with the minority wondering how the majority of classmates can stomach the show, and the majority watching Fox and cheering him on.
1965
Jonathan M. Storm, deadeye@well.com ■ Love is in bloom in our next generation. In October in Cortona, Tuscany, Rex Murphey’s son, Blake, married Heather Godsel. It was the capstone, says Rex, to “a one-week event that thoroughly tested Italy’s wine reserves.” The festivities took place at a farm owned by Rex’s sister Kitty. The couple met at a coffee house in Virginia Beach, where she worked in real estate and Lt. Murphey was an intelligence officer assigned to SEAL Team 10. They will live in Sicily, where he is stationed (and working online toward an MBA from the University of North Carolina), before returning stateside to his next posting in Washington at the Office of Naval Intelligence. Skip Branin’s son, Mac ’06, is engaged to Lindsay Walls of Santa Cruz, California. They are getting married in September in Carmel. Lindsay works for the executive search firm Spencer Stuart in New York, and Mac will join Merrill Lynch in New York this summer after graduating from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke. ■ Some of us still get around. Dan Mead and his wife, Sally Eagle, traveled to the Middle East and the Arctic in 2017. They were beta testing a tour itinerary in Iran with a friend who works for National Geographic. They sailed out of Svalbard, Norway, on a schooner with 10 other photographers, “checking out wildlife, sea birds, whales and incredible landscapes” 600 miles from the North Pole. Dan and Sally have had about 50 exhibits of their photographs in the last seven years, mostly at independent schools, with a few at art galleries and museums. www. meadeaglephotos.com is a feast for the eyes and the mind. In other sailing news, Duby Joslin joined the six-man New York Yacht Club team to race against 11 other clubs in the International Masters Regatta hosted by the San Diego Yacht Cub. Duby says he hopes to gain a berth on one of the storied 12-metre yachts when an
Avoiding singed eyebrows from the 70-flame inferno, Duby Joslin ’65 tries to blow out the candles at an October birthday party arranged by his daughter, Whitney, who is an architectural designer at Kaminski + Pew in Philadelphia.
international fleet gathers in Newport in July 2019 for the 12 Metre World Championship. Jimmy Gubelmann, commodore of the U.S. 12 Metre Association, is heading up organization and promotion of the event. Duby, Jimmy and Richie Sayer all attended the 40th anniversary dinner in Newport this summer honoring the America’s Cup victory of Ted Turner’s Courageous over Australia in 1977. Courageous qualified for the race by edging Independence, whose crew included Duby, Richie, and former classmate Steve Lirakis, in the elimination round. ■ John Bullard writes: “I plan to retire from NOAA Fisheries at the end of January. This time I plan to stay retired. Not sure what I will do next. Travel for pleasure with Laurie instead of for the government. I know I will get back involved in environmental issues as a private citizen and will try to assist in restoring the historic schooner Ernestina/ Morrissey. I am sure I will once again become politically active, which I have not been able to do working for NOAA. Should my protests of the current administration require bail money, I’ll send out notices.” ■ Finally, this remarkably chipper message from Steve Livingston: “After suffering the Harvey Flood in Houston (50 inches of rain and 18 inches in the house), we are tearing down our house and rebuilding three feet
CLASS NOTES
1966
Peter H. French, phfrench4@gmail.com ■ It may be the byproduct of a wonderful and fulfilling 50th reunion, or just age, but it seems we have embarked upon a mission to satisfy a collective wanderlust. Somewhat surprisingly many of these sojourns were driving trips around the good old US of A. John Pepper begins our travelogue. “I had feared our 50th might be a granfalloon: a proud and meaningless association of human beings, a group with far less in common than it thinks it has. I was happily surprised to find the experience meaningful and pleasurable. Thanks to SG and to all who came. Semiretirement continues to be a pleasure for me. Right now, Diana and I are in an apartment in Rome, me for three weeks and Diana for seven. We love the freedom to travel like this, to rent a place and just kind of live our lives there rather than operate out of a hotel. ■ “Not too long after our reunion weekend, I set off with a pal and his son in a 40-year-old VW camper, headed from Toronto to California. The only beds we slept in on this journey were supplied by Paul Fees and his wife, Nancy, who put us up, fed us royally and showed us some of the sights of Cody, WY. Paul took us on a great tour of the Buffalo Bill Museum where he was curator for many years. It was magnificent and of course we could not have had a better guide. We regretted missing the Cody Stampede Parade, for which Paul has been a color commentator for some years. My road trip ended in San Francisco where I spend time with our sometime classmate John Rogers. John is a documentary maker — actually a pioneering practitioner of video documentaries. I had a wonderful Fourth of July with John and his wife, Wendy, ending with a dinner presided over by a retired judge, a reading of the
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breaking your cover — but it is nice to hear about what you have been up to). ■ Clint Howell also reflected upon our 50th: “It was good to see everyone and I was truly looking forward to seeing Rick Beinecke again. Alas.” Yes Clint, alas; you touched upon THE bittersweet memory of Reunion, namely, having Rick with us for the Friday night reception, the last time we saw him before his untimely passing roughly a month later. We share your thankfulness in having had that opportunity. Continuing, “... as for news, there isn’t much. My daughter and I are going to trek in the Himalayas and my brothers and I are planning on Kilimanjaro in January of ’19. This past summer I had a great time in France, down by Toulouse on bike, barge boat and hiking.” Finally, someone found and used their passport! “By the time this is published I will have done several shows in NYC and San Francisco and my hope (for the business) is springing at this point in time.” ■ Heard from the good doctor William “Wing” Province this past spring. He had returned the previous June from a two-year ‘mission’ in Guatemala, and was in the process of cleaning up affairs in Indiana. A medical family if ever there was one, Wing was selling the office building his grandfather and great uncle (both MDs) had built in 1906. Now that his son (Harvard MBA and MD from Johns Hopkins in ER medicine) has moved to Utah and Wing has retired from is practice, with his daughter (BA, getting her RN) living in Nashville, there was no longer a need to keep it. Wing had hoped to make it back to reunion but was unable to due to a long delayed trip to Italy, (those silly little Iceland volcanic eruptions always get in the way). “We were home for a year from our Central America mission, traveled to Italy and unfortunately missed the reunion. We are now serving our last (?) mission in Peru, this time only for a year rather than two years.” Keep up the good work, Doc. ■ One of our most distant and therefore acceptable reunion no-show classmates is Richard Harris. Nine and a half years ago, Richard returned home to Brussels. He is a journalist there with The Bulletin, the English language publication of Brussels. Beat me with a stick, I did not know this, but Richard reports, “Fifty percent of the population of Brussels is not Belgian and with over 180 languages
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Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
Declaration of Independence around the dinner table, and a long-anticipated wedding announcement. Whether its age or spousal retirement, seems like we are all getting in cars and driving west (Go West, young man? Nah, wrong demo.). ■ Bill Abbott continues our journey. “The big news on my front is that with Sally also retired and we have been doing a lot of traveling. In July, we drove to Maryland to meet up with my daughter and her family for their two-week vacation. We had a baptism for my youngest grandson while we were in Maryland. In August, I flew to Denver to surprise my daughter for a week visit and then flew back to Maryland to meet up with Sally and help with our nephew’s reception. It was a great party and my son and his family joined us after their trip to Tennessee to see the eclipse. On Sept, 8, Sally and I left on a road trip that took us through Pennsylvania, Western Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky and then straight to Denver. We stayed there a week and then left to go to Rocky Mountain National Park, just outside of Estes Park, Colorado, for two days with Sara and her family again. From there Sally and I went north to Jackson, Wyoming, to see Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, and then went on to Cody, Wyoming, where Paul Fees and his wife, Nancy, put up us for a night. Paul took us on a private tour of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, where he had been curator for 20 years.” (Paul, there is a recurring theme here, and I think we could ‘bake-in’ a business, somehow). “Left them and drove pack to Denver for a few nights and then slowly back to Connecticut, stopping in Ohio to see the Cuyahoga National Park.” ■ One if by land; two if by sea ... Bill Mittendorf preferred the latter. “Joan and I took our boat from San Francisco to Santa Cruz Island and Santa Barbara for a few weeks in September. While there, Sean Hutchinson came down to the boat for tea and chatting. A few days later, he and his wife, Dorie, joined us for a dinner that lasted for hours but seemed like minutes. Sean is still making interesting music with some talented ‘south of the border’ musicians. He has written an engaging book, “For Crying Out Loud, about his rock ’n’ roll days in which SG played a seminal role. (Sean, I hope you will forgive me for
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higher with a second story. Cheers.” Best of luck to you, Steve, and to everyone else in the class.
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spoken by those living here, English is, of course, the lingua franca. I produce radio shows such as www.audioboom.com/ posts/4250550-greenlight-for-girls?t=0, and print articles such as www.xpats.com/ take-tour-around-mannekin-piss-newwardrobe.” Richard last made it back to SG for our 30th, had hoped to return for our 50th, but ... Richard, start thinking 55th. ■ I trust it was not the aftereffect of seeing all of us but immediately there after Geoff Verney vacated the country. “Sunday following our delightful reunion, Liz and I departed for Morocco. We visited Marrakech and Fez, amazing and peaceful places that we recommend wholeheartedly. On departure the airport in Casablanca was packed. We flew on to Rome and the rest flew to Riyadh for Ramadan. Liz and a pal wandered down the Amalfi coast. I joined a friend in Santa Maria del Lucca at the heel of the boot of Italy and cruised to Malta, stopping in Syracuse on Sicily and several other ports. The Cathedral of St. John is amazing as are the town fortifications and the history of the Knights. Liz spent a large part of the summer working for Post-Partem International. I worked for the Community Foundation of Nantucket and sailed. We are not total hedonists. Since we are still ambulatory, we are off to the West and Southwest of Ireland to visit friends and take a driving tour from Westport to Cork. In addition to Rick Beinecke, we lost a number of other dear friends this summer and we have decided to travel while we can. We will be in Boca Grande, Florida, for Christmas and the balance of the winter and welcome visitors, special class rates apply.” That’s a statement you may live to regret, Geoff. ■ No one would ever accuse Herrick Lidstone of being a hedonist; I got tired just reading his email. “I was not able to attend the 50th, but I very much appreciated the pictures and report. My life, as I am approaching age 70, remains hectic. I thought I would be retiring in 2019 when I turn 70, but at the moment, I am having too much fun. Family remains most important — my wife of 39 years still puts up with me; three adult sons, two daughters-in-law are wonderful, and our five grandchildren lighten up our lives frequently. Two sons and three grandchildren live within four miles of us, and we are blessed. We get to Chicago as often as
possible to see the other remaining two grandchildren (and their parents, of course). I am still working full time (managing partner for my law firm of 34 lawyers) in many business/commercial practice areas. I am practicing business transactional law; serving as an expert witness regularly for litigators in the areas of legal ethics, securities law, limited liability companies, and partnerships; and teaching a class to third-year law students at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. In addition, I have two books published — “Securities Law Deskbook,” which I have maintained since 2007, and the 2018 edits are being reviewed by the publisher, and “Limited Liability Companies and Partnerships” (with my co-author Allen Sparkman), currently in the 2017 edition. By the end of 2017, I will have taught seven continuing education courses during the year, ranging from LLCs and partnerships to ethics, legal opinions, to corporate social responsibility. Last I counted, I had 24 articles published on the Social Science Research Network (www.ssrn.com/ author=802201) where I am counted by downloads in the top 10 percent of the 360,000 plus authors with papers there. (Not bad for a non-academician.) My 30th published article is coming out in November, entitled “Attorney-Client Privilege and the Work Product Doctrine: Is Confidentiality Lost in Email?” Other than that, I am just trying to finance grandchildren’s college funds and keep one foot moving in front of the other.” The real question is, Herrick, can you “fix tickets?” ■ Herrick’s nearby neighbor Paul Fees was still basking in the glow of the reunion and pleased at the opportunity to reacquaint with old friends. “Wasn’t it a wonderful thing to be able to see Rick (Beinecke) so happy and in such an intimate and congenial setting as Bruce Sherman’s home? Surely, no other class has had such a great venue for the opening get-together. If I was skeptical about the joys of reunion, my doubts dissolved. The reunion was not over! This summer three members of our class have stayed with us (n.b., we’ve lived in Cody for 36 years, with Yellowstone National Park as our back yard, so where have you all been?). John Pepper and two friends in an antique VW microbus spent a night with us. I am only sorry it could not have been two or three, but apparently
driving over the mountains was so slow, and painstaking, that they could not spare the time. Craig Nordlund and his wife Sally were with us for a day and a night as they drove home to Palo Alto from Ten Mile Lake, Minnesota. Surprise of surprises, Bill and Sally Abbott threaded their way through Yellowstone snow closures and were able to stay with us for a night on their way to their daughter’s place in Denver. Johnny Irving and I have talked and corresponded, and Jeffrey Jackerson has stayed close. Peter, after years of talking and corresponding (didn’t we last see each other at — what? — the 21 Club in about 1986?), what fun to reconnect!” ■ Also from that neck of the woods, in “Big Sky Country,” Gordon Cross checked in (which as he pointed out was only 50 years in the making). “It must be that the wave of affection I felt for old classmates while at the reunion is still affecting me. Anyway, I told a fair number of classmates that I had been engaged in a five-year project at our ranch/farm constructing buildings and stone structures. It is now operating as a destination for various types of spiritual retreats. I have been relegated to mowing grass and plowing snow while my wife, daughter and son-in-law run the operation. I found it somewhat hard to describe and I had very few pictures with me that did it justice. However, now a website has many photos. Interested folks can visit www. dancingspiritranch.com. I would suggest that people wanting to show their kids the West should plan a trip out here, and stop at Kit Davenport’s too, although it is now more likely a trip with grandkids. I would love to see anyone interested. Really enjoyed the reunion.” ■ Speaking of him, last but not least, Kit Davenport is starting to do what Herrick is having such a difficult time with, as he reports, “Our only news is that Louise and I are retiring from our managerial positions at Moose Head Ranch. Our eldest, Chris, and our youngest, Lindsay, are taking over for us shortly. We celebrated our 50th anniversary of ownership of the ranch this September. We are building a cabin on the ranch and will be moving in this May. I will continue to run the Florida operation, but I hope to retire in the next couple of years.” ■ That is it for now, folks. For those miscreants who failed to heed my entreaty for news this time around: Beware, I will be back!
CLASS NOTES
Morgan Chicago and am enjoying family and travel.”
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adventure, although I’m not certain my good work has reduced the local crime rate significantly. With a lifetime appointment, I still have some time left to turn the tide, I hope.” ■ “My wife Mary and I are still living in Nahant, Massachusetts, where we built a house next to the house I grew up in. Our daughter Schuyler ’07 and son Sam ’10 are off to careers in consulting and finance. Schuyler is now at Tuck and will be married in the SG chapel this summer, where Mary and I were married in 1984! With the kids gone we have a new dog, a Welsh Springer Spaniel named Rusty. While not a rescue dog per se, Welshies are a venerable old breed of hunting dog that almost became extinct after World War II. We are doing our best to preserve Western European civilization. I think Mr. Hall would approve. I am now reading “Bleak House” at court because it reminds me of the community I serve (fog everywhere even in the very court of chancery itself) and “Mayflower” at home, for personal reasons that I dare not set forth, as I look forward to the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims arrival at Plymouth in 2020.” ■ Captain Rick Rubel reports he is still a professor of military ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. ■ John Pickford: “Not much about me these days. I retired after 37 years at J.P.
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David Harman ’66, Tom Cummins ’68 and Nick Stiassni. All went to Peck school together and David and Tom were at St George’s. They have seen each other every summer at Edgartown. This was taken at Mrs. Mari Harman’s beautiful service. The very thoughtful words of two 1968 classmates were read on the occasion.
Cary Spalding, cspalding @spaldingcpa.com ■ To start, our family has grown exponentially in the last five years: two daughtersin-law, one son-in-law and presto, five grandchildren! Natasha and I are enjoying being able to spend time with the grandchildren and then hand them back to their parents. We are appreciating the baby noises, giggles and even the meltdowns and tantrums, again, only because we know our time at the helm is short. Our daughter Kim had No. 5, Chloe Ruth Wasserman. Kim was very excited about her arrival on July 14. ■ July fourth saw me at St. John’s hanging out for the parade. I was given a skin diver’s tour of the BVI by a friend who has a refurbished an 80-foot Hatteras Yacht built in the mid 1980s. It originally berthed in Newport, Rhode Island. Summerstar was great fun to dive off. We swam with huge tarpon and dined like kings. I would not have enjoyed the trip nearly so much two months later, after Irma and Alice both destroyed the entire place on their way to Puerto Rico. Somehow, Summerstar and my friend survived both hurricanes and are now assisting in the area recovery efforts, as many smaller craft and much housing no longer exist. ■ I have not seen Frank Farwell since we graduated in 1969. When we had dinner in El Segundo in August it was great to recall people, places and events from long ago, as if they had happened yesterday, but, no, Frank confirmed, it has been 48 years. Frank looks much the same and his eyes still sparkle as he gives his classic wry smile. A great thing about seeing Frank again: We picked up right where we left off and never looked back. I am trying to figure out how to visit him in Marquette in the middle of winter. ■ Weddings were big this year: Frank walked his daughter, Elizabeth Douglas, down the aisle on July 29, 2017. She married Onder Ozer from Istanbul, in Mackinac, Michigan. Bob Ducommun witnessed it. The newlyweds are living in Philadelphia. She works for a foundation as an elementary education specialist, and he is a real estate entrepreneur. ■ Rick Grosvenor gave his daughter Nancy Langdon ’07 away to Darrin
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William L. Campbell, billcam2000@yahoo. com ■ Well, so here we almost are, folks, the big 5-0. We talked at the 45th about playing a squash round robin match, remember? ■ Larry Luddecke: “We will see if I have a new knee by then. Otherwise the squash match might be bocce with acorn squash.” ■ Al See: “We should play a game of head hunting Wall Ball outside Auchincloss if anyone can find a geezer-style whiffle ball.” ■ The artist formerly known as Joel Mandelkorn, now Jayadeva: “I can lead us older people in a rocking yoga class (chair yoga, or floor yoga or aerial yoga if there is an aerial yoga studio available for us). Join me. It will be fun. I run a nonprofit yoga community center these days.” ■ Dave Thomas: “Lisa (Laitman) and I have lived in New Jersey since 1977 but we get back to Aquidneck Island fairly often. I am retired from 25 years of large law firm practice, but I still have one corporate client and I handle a few other legal matters from time to time. Because of my light work schedule, I am able to return more frequently to Rhode Island than Lisa. Lisa still works full-time at Rutgers. She started and for the past 34 years has run the Rutgers drug and alcohol treatment program for students and in 1988, she started the first and still on-going college on-campus residential recovery-housing program in the U.S. My two children live and work fairly close by and maybe for this reason, I have grown fond of New Jersey.” ■ Matt Young: “Since 2015, I have been publishing director/ managing editor of Oak Knoll Press (books about book history, printing, graphic arts, typography, etc.). I telecommute most days, traveling to Delaware once a week and attending the major book fairs. Valerie has for many years been a found-object sculptor. Our family is scattered across the country, but we managed to gather four generations together in Mill Valley last summer at a rented home in the redwoods. On the side, I am gradually bringing to light some musical that has been rattling around in my head.” ■ Dunbar Livingston: “I am a judge of the Trial Court of Massachusetts sitting in the Chelsea, Massachusetts, district court hearing criminal cases (mostly jury trials). After almost 15 years as a judge following 22 years as a prosecutor, every day is still an
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that it is difficult to comprehend how he fit everything in. One of his community accomplishments was founding the Spring Bull Gallery, which exists today across the street from the Redwood Library in Newport; check it out, as well as the links Rick sent at the end of these notes. As Harry Reynolds put it, “Mr. Grosvenor was one of my favorite teachers and a big influence on me to this day.” ■ Vague notions like, “don’t miss the important times in your life,” I am not sure I really understood, apart from an admonition to be present and live each day one at a time, yet thinking, there must be more to it. Gentlemen, our 50th reunion is a little more than a year away. We were in our late teens in June 1969; we will become 70 years young quite soon. This will be the only time I ask: What are you doing on Alumni Weekend May 17–19, 2019, that is more important than attending your 50th SG reunion? ■ Here are those links from Rick: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AlPJLbsKhbeD6SsmGsHN72Pt0Saj and https://1drv.ms/v/s!AlPJLbsKhbeD6S7Mv725Rx9P3YmO
// SPRING 2018
1970 Top to bottom: Summerstar, out of Newport RI, survived two category 5 hurricanes in August 2017, fortunately, Cary no longer aboard. / Carribean sunset, over Monkey Cove, British Virgin Islands, bonus photo, Cary’s favorite picture from his June/July trip.
Top to bottom: Frank Farwell ’69 walked Elizabeth Douglas Farwell who married Onder Ozer, from Istanbul down the aisle on July 29, 2017 in Mackinac, Michigan. The newlyweds are living in Philadelphia, where she works for a foundation as an elementary education specialist, and he is a real estate entrepreneur. / Kim and Chloe Wasserman, Kim, Cary’s daughter, never attended SG, but recently visited campus with husband Mike, who’s favorite aunt lives in Jamestown RI, and Chloe, Cary’s fifth grandchild, SG 2036? / July 4, 2017 parade, St John, USVI, Cary and “little” angel.
Walters on Aug. 8, 2017, in a beautiful wedding at Bailey’s Beach in Newport. The couple went on their honeymoon to South Africa and will take up residence in Boston
when they return. ■ Howard Balloch enjoyed sailing in Narragansett Bay in a race around Conanicut Island on Sept. 15. He was moving fast on the Evangeline No. 3, looking quite intent upon winning his race. ■ It was sad to lose a great teacher and remarkable man, Richard Grosvenor, on Aug. 30. Rick and his family gave him a wonderful remembrance on Oct. 14 in the St. George’s Chapel, which Miguel de Braganca attended. The date would have been Richard and Margot Grosvenor’s 68th wedding anniversary. Their marriage should be a model for all: They joyously celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. Like many St. George’s faculty, Mr. Grosvenor’s creativity and enthusiasm for life flowed from the Hilltop into so many corners, people and places,
Stuart C. Ross, stuartross318@gmail. com ■ Small mailbag this time but a couple of goodies, especially this from our PacNW correspondent Meade Thayer. “Thought you would get a kick out of the attached photo. Pedro Guerreiro is in Seattle visiting his daughter who just moved to Seattle (working with Amazon), and Mike Sherer, Jay Chase, and I joined him for dinner. Good fun. Pedro is an accomplished professor in Portugal. Mike is writing another novel, Jay is with Boeing, and I’m consulting with schools about their financial-aid programs.” ■ Next, this heartfelt missive from our long-lost classmate Chips Miller: “My life has been filled with opportunity. I have received more than given. I am determined to bring balance to the equation. My days are met with enthusiasm and anticipation (like, long ago, waiting for a reply from the St. George’s Admission Office). Like receiving that acceptance letter, my days are (usually) filled with celebration. So, what’s been my SpaceX voyage? Meeting members of the faculty and staff at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
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Jeffrey Longcope, jlongcope@earthlink.net ■ Philip Marshall tells us: “I join you in mourning the shared loss of our teacher, inspiration, and mentor, Richard Grosvenor. I have left my position as professor and director of the Historic Preservation Program at Roger Williams University so that I can advance my work, full time, on elder justice: beyondbrooke.org.” ■ Billy Hilliard reports: “After 18 years as general counsel and chief development officer for a large Applebee’s franchisee and two years back at the law firm, I am now CEO of Atalo Holdings, Inc., an industrial hemp start-up company in Winchester, Kentucky. We are the largest participant in Kentucky’s industrial hemp research pilot program. Very exciting and challenging times building a company and
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equine (human) psychotherapy in Austin, Texas. Son Connor is a very fine guitarist and producer who splits his time between Santa Fe and LA. You raise your kids to be independent and travelers and then they actually take you up on it. Fortunately, they have chosen terrific places to live and visit! ■ “Suzie and I still live outside Philly in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, after teaching biology, coaching wrestling and rock climbing at EA and being very involved in the design of a new $200 million campus (quite a maneuver for a 230-year-old school). My good buddy, Spanish teacher Eddie Rodriguez, and I took over an outfitter — Costa Rican Adventures — in 2010, through which, as a client, I had taken over 700 students and 35 teachers into the jungle on crazy, cool, powerful expeditions. We have since grown CRA into Chill Expeditions and spread our wings into other places where we have cultivated a network of local visionaries and guides critical to our unique experiential approach. These other places now include Cuba, Belize, the Galapagos and mainland Ecuador, Peru, Crete, Andalusian Spain, as well as most recently Montana, North Carolina and Santa Fe and environs, right here in the good ol’ USA. Our differentiator is a highly refined educational approach to guiding and finding remarkable people to meet and learn from in special places. ■ “The driver is always the fundamental question, ‘Why do I do what I do?’ That was sparked by Gil Burnett at SG and I merged my fascination with biology that he nurtured, with a growing curiosity about the brain and behavior, had some fun and created my own major at Penn, psychobiology, which by the late ’80s morphed into what became the largest undergraduate major, BBB: Biological Basis of Behavior. All of which is to say
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Mike Sherer ’70, Meade Thayer ’70, Pedro Guerreiro ’70, and Jay Chase ’70 in Seattle.
that what the iconic Gil and some great profs at college and a few teachers even back at EA in middle school each catalyzed in my brain endured and still plays out in the work which I love doing everyday: creating opportunities that give pause to young people to reflect about what they will next do ... and why? Seems like that is more important than ever, especially getting kids to do this outdoors in the wilderness, in very different cultures — and importantly — unplugged! ■ “Stuart Ross graciously attested to the impact of his own family’s experience with us when they spent Christmas two years ago on a Chill Expedition in Costa Rica. “Our Family Travel” business has grown nicely alongside our major avenue of customizing educational expeditions for schools. We have worked with about 100 different schools all over North America on a wide array of expeditions. It’s a great gig still energizing me every day. ■ “I hope to see you each sooner than later and in no case later than May of 2020! In the meantime, anything we can do as a group or individually to stave off the current climate of ignorance, denial of facts, rejection of science and the lack of civil discourse so prevalent would be a great full-circle tribute to the collegiality we still maintain, and to the positive legacy of intellectual rigor and respect we still share as a result of our time together on the Hilltop. ■ “As we say in Costa Rica, ‘Pura Vida!’”
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I am six months post orthotropic liver transplant (OLT). The WOW factor was meeting the transplant team at Penn and getting to experience the kindness offered by staff and employees of HUP. The compassion of strangers, friends and members of my community, is humbling. Having the chance to tell the story is a nice perquisite. This bit of correspondence is uncomfortably filled with a lot of I’s and my’s. It is really meant as a tribute to you, my once upon a time, classmates. It is a note of gratitude and appreciation for all that you have accomplished and contributed. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.” ■ Thanks, Chips, for checking in and best wishes for continued recovery. ■ Finally, Crawford Hill felt left out of our last marathon class notes, having missed the deadline by one day, so he is resubmitting this saga for all of us: “Hi everyone who has shared such great stuff! (with the exception of the very sad news of Rob’s passing). Thanks for these updates. Fun reading. A remarkable group of lives well lived. This note is just a condensed general catch-up along the lines of these wonderful other personal stories. Some school’s classes put together 50th reunion ‘yearbooks’ that are pretty cool and what you guys have already put together could be the seed for such a project should that be of interest for our own (gulp). Having just seen my wife involved in such an undertaking over the past few years at Northfield Mount Hermon, it was quite impressive. … Speaking of my wonderful bride of 38 years, Suzie was a superb elementary school educator —we overlapped for six of my 35 years teaching, counseling and coaching at The Episcopal Academy outside Philly where Henry Clement, Meade Thayer and I met pre-SG and somehow I ended up back there! Suzie is, among many things, now heavily involved with her alma mater, NMH in Western Massachusetts, including on the aforementioned 50th. We try to escape to our little hacienda in a delightful, offbeaten-path fishing village in the Sierra Nevada foothills, La Herradura, southern Andalucia, Spain, when we can, and where SG’s recent Mediterranean Geronimo expedition spent some time we arranged for them last fall. Our daughter Hadley has merged her expertise in psychotherapy and horses into a growing practice of
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industry at the same time. Both daughters are married to wonderful men, and I’m embarking on the grandfather train ride.” ■ Ken Taylor wrote in about his and his family’s activities: “Here is an update on the Taylor family, four of whose names are forever etched on the walls of King Hall. We have wonderful memories of our times on the Hilltop. I continue to practice executive search through my firm, Taylor Meyer Associates, and have also started another company, Director Search LLC. We have developed the next-generation executive search platform that is being very well received. The details of this exciting digital platform are on the company’s website, as is my bio (About Us). It has taken me five years to put “my brain in a box” so to speak, but we have a state-of-the-art digital platform that will disrupt the practices and pricing structure of the legacy executive search firms, the top six of which are organized as an oligopoly. Old dog with new tricks. My wife, Cathy, continues to manage the Kellogg Center for Executive Women at Northwestern University and is doing well. Cathy and I are PROUD grandparents of Margaret and our son Mike is her godfather. We have three children, each of whom is a St. George’s graduate: Abby ’03, Williams College ’07, now 33, is a DVM (Ohio State) pursuing her internship, and hopefully residency next year, at Tufts to become a board-certified criticalist (ER doctor). Bill ’04, now 31, is a manager in the Dallas office of PwC, and the proud father of Margaret, age 6 months. He and his wife, Honore, were married in Chicago in April 2016. Bill earned his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago-Booth ’15, his master’s in accounting ’09 and bachelor’s in engineering ’08 from the University of Illinois, and is a licensed CPA in Texas and Illinois. Mike ’06, Amherst College ’10, now 29, is a vice president at Adams Street Partners and lives with his wife, Nina (neé Roberts ’06), near Menlo Park, California, where he works. Mike and Nina were married in September 2016 at the Clambake Club of Newport. He will receive his M.B.A. from UPenn-Wharton in May and is pursuing the third part of the C.F.A. exam. Nina is pursuing her Ph.D. at Oregon State in Corvallis. The Taylor family is doing well and sends our very best wishes to all our friends in the SG
Jeff Longcope ’71, Rick Moseley ’71, Dave McElhinny ’71, and Bill Battey ’71 got together in Maine in August.
community.” ■ In August Dave McElhinny and his wife, April, hosted Bill Battey, Bill’s wife, Nancy, and Rick Moseley for a weekend at Dave and April’s lakefront home in Maine. A couple of locals (my wife Beth and I) were pleased to join them for a great evening that included a sunset cruise and a wonderful dinner. There is just no way it was 50 years ago that we all met! ■ Last May Dave, I, and our spouses had dinner with Kim Elliman, who was in town on business, here in Portland, Maine. Neither Dave nor I had seen Kim for way too long. In June, I caught up with Victor Morrison briefly near his home in Brattleboro, Vermont, where my niece was getting married. We found that we each have one child in Jackson, Wyoming, and one in Denver, Colorado. In August, I was privileged to hear Dave and others speak movingly at a memorial service for Sandy Tattersall at Camp Timanous in Maine. Be well, and stay in touch.
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John H. Stewart II, johnstewartathome@ yahoo.com ■ A number of us showed up last May for our 45th reunion, prompting the following correspondence from one Henry Taves, who some may remember as one of the diverse gang of counter-revolutionaries who helped produce the Red & White during our sixth-form year. ■ “Here is my article submitted to you, Editor Stewart, for publication: “Alumni Weekend was a pleasure for the seven 1972ers who attended. Tony Graetzer, Charlie Kilvert, Bill Latour, Jay Merwin, John Stewart, Henry Taves, and Drausin Wulsin shared enthusiastic greetings after what, at least for some of us, has been many years of lost contact. We compared reminiscences of both above-board and
surreptitious activities, and caught up on what our lives have been like since venturing from SG into “the larger life of the world.” There was ample discussion of “whatever happened to ______?,” some of which will be learned when our impending 50th reunion attracts more of our classmates. We also mused about the fate of the many classmates who left the school before graduation. Whit Courtenay, Lou Peloubet, et al., where are you? ■ “Two nice breakfasts and a lunch in King Hall and the adjoining terrace brought back memories — we all checked the ceiling for stray butter pats, and found none. At a tasty dinner in the Campus Center, Taves read a humorous poem by Latour, which former editor Stewart had declined to publish in the Red & White. Speaking of which, we pored over old Red & Whites in the amazing St. George’s Archives. In the new Dorrance Field House, departing Head of School Eric Peterson shared some insights about the many accomplishments made during his tenure. We admired all the new state-of-the-art facilities, the current student body (which has a rather different appearance than ours did), and the inclusion of new technology into every part of student life. Could we have imagined all this way back then? Probably not. Remember, all the computing power in the school in 1972, had a total of 4K (yes, 4K!) of memory. ■ “Saturday’s events and random wanderings culminated in a festive dinner dance in the hockey rink, before a too-early Sunday breakfast and calm contemplation in a chapel service concluded the weekend. We seven enjoyed it and wished more of you came. So note in your May 2022 calendar: PLEASE come to our 50th! You might get Work Squad if you don’t!” ■ I can add a few observations that Henry might have missed. I think all of us who returned would agree that it was strangely transformative to see all the ways that our classmates had made their way through the twists and turns of careers, marriage (or not), children (or not), and how those experiences had shaped their perspectives and world view. We look a little different now, most of us, and there has been a lot of water under the bridge, but within moments of the time we all got together our little group quickly reverted to being the same people they always were, the people we knew and still
CLASS NOTES
H. Andrew Davies, hchixdigme@aol.com / William G. Dean, wdean7@aol.com ■ As I called around to drum up a little enthusiasm for our upcoming 45th reunion, I have discovered the following: Andy Hewitt is the CFO at a bank here in Massachusetts. Andy’s kids are grown, and I think he said he was a grandfather! Stu Beringer is definitely a grandfather! He is also the king of wealth management at HSBC in New York. ■ Jono Bitting is retired, traveling, and renovating his chateau in Duxbury, Massachusetts. ■ Andy Brown is hedging his bets in London. ■ Toby Coffin is retired. He and Susan traveled to Montana this summer, but missed Maud and Jeff Welles, who live there much of the year. Toby’s daughter Sarah ’06 works for the Red Sox, so he is in heaven and often at Fenway Park! ■ Donald Drummond has been a pediatrician in the Palm Beach area for a few decades, and rumor has it he may travel north for the reunion. ■ George Gebelein has hired a young whippersnapper named George Gebelein IV ’08 (aka Georgie 4 sticks) to help him run his olive empire. He may rename the company Olives-R-Us. ■ Michael Gooding continues to drill & fill at his dental practice in Warwick, Rhode Island, and is also hiring new dental talent — his daughter Mia! ■ Sandsy Heppenheimer won first prize at the Guild Hall Art Show in swanky Easthampton, New York, and had his own show there last fall. ■ I spoke with Matt Hyde recently. He is rehabbing his house in Portland, Maine. He has retired from the
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Class of 1972 reunion photos (top to bottom): Bill Latour ’72 / Dinner in the campus center at 45th reunion, from left, Tony Graetzer ’72, Bill Latour ’72 , Henry Taves ’72, Charlie Kilvert ’72, John Stewart ’72, Jay Merwin ’72, and Drausin Wulsin ’72. / Bill Latour ’72 and Drausin Wulsin ’72 outside the Campus Center Grill. / Jay Merwin ’72 in King Hall.
know intimately, and who fundamentally, remain exactly the same. Our expressions, our ways of communicating, our various academic and intellectual proclivities, all were picked up exactly where we left them 45 years ago. So our visit became an experience in time travel, and a chance to relive the highlights of our young adulthood for a few short moments. ■ Other trivia: Jay Merwin in the school archives, digging out the confidential notes from trustee meetings from our time at school, and sharing in lawyerly fashion some observations about decisions made back in the day. I was impressed that there actually was an archive, and equally embarrassed to review old copies of the Red & White as it appeared under my “leadership.” Jay later led a group down to Second Beach where he insisted, in spite of brisk spring weather, on body surfing. ■ Henry Taves, a Red Sox fan since ’63, lately runs a fantastically detailed historical blog about Fenway Park. If you email him at hvtaves@mac.com, he might let you read it. He was the only one of us to climb all the way to the top of the Chapel Tower. ■ Bill Latour does the kind of work that allows him to exist without being tethered to email or social media, so if you try to reach him you will need to ring his flip phone. ■ Drausin Wulsin now describes himself as an Ohio farmer, and is extremely well versed in the social benefits of grass-fed beef. He looks like
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Henry Taves ’72 climbing the Chapel tower during Alumni Weekend.
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he could still carry the rock for a first down. ■ Charlie Kilvert brought along his youngest son, who has the appearance of a bright young man, and the two spent some quality time together at school and in Newport. ■ It was great to hang with Tony Graetzer, same as always, looking hale and hearty. ■ As for me, though I find the impressive improvements to our campus somewhat disconcerting, I am consoled to see that the people we grew up with are still the same, and what we all shared is still real. As always, I would encourage my fellow classmates to provide personal updates by emailing me at the address above.
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oil ‘bidness,’ but is consulting, and teaches geology occasionally. ■ Dan Moseley (Mose) is retired after decades in medicine, and is recovering from the wedding of his oldest daughter. He has already RSVP’d to the Voompah this May. ■ Ted McGraw had one of his hips replaced, twice! ■ Roger Shepley hired my youngest son as an intern a few years back, but has now retired (I wonder if there is a connection?) He recently raced his sailboat to Bermuda — solo! ■ Andrew Thacher is returning to the herbal therapy field, newly legal in Massachusetts. ■ Prentiss Orr owns a vodka company in Pittsburgh. ■ I spoke with Ken Wright a few years back. He runs a high-tech (lasers?) business in Ohio, and travels to China frequently. ■ When I chatted with Mark WynneWilson, he had retired in Reno, Nevada, but was getting antsy, and thinking about un-retiring. ■ Look out Elon Musk. Word has it that Molly Zane has moved to fashionable Nonquit, on the south coast of Massachusetts. ■ John (Robinson) Harris told me he has retired from The California DOJ and is living in sunny San Diego. ■ Finally, Dean Robby White of Williams College has assured me that he will attend the reunion. I wonder if he knows Dean Wormer from Faber U.? ■ That is it until next time, but keep those cards and letters coming, folks! Until May, Phillet.
1974
Michael H. Walsh, mhwnpt@gmail.com ■ I would first like to give a shout-out and a big THANK YOU to Nancy Parker Wilson ’77 who graduated from St. George’s just a few years behind me. Every fall she hosts a party at her place, Greenvale Vineyards, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, for all alumni living in the area along with parents of present students, SG staff, and friends of SG and so on. ■ Greenvale is the only “gentlemen’s farm” left on the island and it is truly one of the most beautiful places for a party, anywhere. A variety of Greenvale’s red and white wines are offered up behind a wine-tasting bar in this gorgeous, old 19th century American Gothic barn where waiters wander through the crowd with trays of lobster rolls, fresh local shrimp and … well you get the idea. There is a large deck off the back, where most of the crowd gathers. It looks out over rows
and rows of neatly pruned grapevines as a setting sun casts long shadows across huge, ocher fields surrounded by beat up, old New England stonewalls. It is beautiful out there. ■ Nancy is so relaxed moving through the crowd, chitchatting with different folks, inviting me out to look at some of her trees she wants to get rid of in a field she does not know what to do with. She then got on the mic and asked if everyone liked the roadwork done on the main drive before introducing Head of School Alixe Callen. Again, if you are reading this Nancy, thanks so much for hosting such a cool party and I would keep those junipers your mother planted 40 years ago. ■ Beverly Joslin Muessel was the only other person from our class who was there. She was with her husband Mike. “Beav” and I mostly talked about her son, Will ’16 who is presently in college at the University of Colorado in Fort Collins, a town I have never seen. ■ I spent my sophomore year at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs. I used to hitch up to Denver on the weekends to visit my sisters who were attending Denver University. I also did a lot of skiing back then. Beverly caught me up on how super-developed Colorado has become and how great a college town Fort Collins is. She also told me how lift tickets run $140 a pop nowadays (Yowza!). The big talk at University of Colorado with the parents was the ski-passes one can buy on a weekly, monthly or seasonal basis. There is some app they all go to where you work out a deal and then you just show your phone to the chairlift operators when you go skiing. Huh!? I then remembered that Anne Jenkins lives in Leadville, Colorado, and David Keith and Tara (Allison) Welles live in Boulder. “Rocky Mountain high (Colorado)!” ■ I ran into Michael Newburg this past summer here in Newport. He was doing his annual summer pop-up sale. Mike sells fine French linens and tablecloths. He has a shop in Essex, Connecticut, where he lives (the house we had our graduation party at). He was telling me how he works with some old mill in Fall River, Massachusetts, that helps produce his product. There was a large selection of linens available, tablecloths, sheets, napkins, etc. and by the looks of it, beautiful stuff. I love Mike. He is so soft spoken and dignified in his own
Top to bottom: Michael Newburg ’74 at his pop-up sale of his home decor of fine linens. / Remembering Minot Frye ’74, who died May 2, 2017. / Michael Walsh ’74 with Head of School Alixe Callen. / Mike Walsh ’74 and Beverly Joslin Muessel ’74.
CLASS NOTES
1976
Clifford L. Dent, dentcliff@gmail.com ■ Lisa Anderson writes: “I am just back from the Head of the Charles where Nathan, a senior at Michigan, rowed the collegiate 4. Very fun. SG alum parents touring Vermont colleges or attending a reunion will find the Cornwall Orchards B&B (our new home) a perfect spot to rest and feast on their way to UVM and Middlebury! Thanks to nearby SG alums Jon (and Libby) Isham Sr. ’46 and Jr. ’78 and Doug Rumbough ’75 for their welcome to the neighborhood. We love it here.” ■ Bill Block writes: “Life is full-on this year. Besides raising our two amazing children, my wife and I have partnered with a very successful chef and his wife. Together we will be opening a restaurant this spring in New York City’s West Village. More on that in the next Class Notes. In the meantime, I am very busy promoting my new album ‘NO STANDING,’ which I am proud to say, has been getting excellent reviews. I played a gig at New York’s Bitter End on Oct. 11 to celebrate the release of the album. I had a 10-piece band with me and it was an absolute blast! Helen Mahoney Pardoe and Elizabeth Josephson were there from our class! Glyn Vincent
SPRING 2018
Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
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1975
’75 came with Elizabeth! That was a wonderful surprise! It was great to see the amazing Philip Marshall ’71 there as well! It was a very special show and for those of you with whom I am in contact on FB, I will make sure to post some clips soon. I have had many old friends contact me since the release of my album. One person you all know who really loves the album and reached out to say so is my old school friend Tucker Edmundson ’77. We have not seen each other since St. George’s so hearing from Tucker meant a lot. I hope you will all check the album out when you have a moment. It’s soulful rock ’n’ roll with a lot of influences from the music we all grew up listening to. You can sample it on Spotify or download it from iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music and CD Baby among others, or you can go to the album website, billblock.com, to sample and/or download it. I send lots of love to all!” ■ Charley Bowditch writes: “Duck season, Vermont skiing, pheasant hunting, Wyoming skiing (Corbet’s for sure), bone fishing in the Bahamas. More Vermont skiing with the Glade-iator mogul competition (and still a little miffed that I have been placed in the senior division). Then more fishing out on Fire Island coupled with the mako contest, except that I never catch one until after the contest. If I am lucky, I will do it all over again.” ■ Haluk Durudogan writes: “Happy days in the Durudogan house. Daughter Hayley ’14 is a senior at the University of Richmond thinking about life and ready to fix the world. I would not doubt her ability! Wife Elizabeth is busy working with several charities and doing well for the world. I am enjoying my business life and watch the world in ever-increasing amazement. Hope to see classmates this year.” ■ Rodney France writes: “Wow, busy weekend SG update I had forgotten until now. Forever in touch with Cliff Dent my roommate at SG, though 40th Reunion was the last time we saw each other face to face. I am steadily but surely building my coaching business facilitating many to land in the life experience of their heart’s desire. I am planning a Mediterranean cruise in the very near future. Details of it in the next update. I love it here where the true beach boy I am gets to celebrate life by the ocean, beautiful beaches, magnificent sunsets, and that wonderful ocean breeze.
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subtle way. ■ Some old college friends of my boyfriend, a couple, were visiting from Putney, Vermont, this past August. They are retired now but they were once on the staff at the Putney School. So we’re all sitting around, cooking dinner talking about this, that and the other thing, the Newport mansions they toured that day and then back to Vermont and the different committees he’s on. When all of a sudden he blurted out the name Jon Jesup!? Wait a minute. Jon Jesup!? Jon Jesup was in my class at St. George’s. They went on and on about the beautiful restoration work that Jon has done to many historically significant buildings. I would love to go someday to see some of the places that Jon has restored.
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Top to bottom: Rodney France ’76 (right) in 2016 with Canary Island cruise friends Wally, Kathlyn and Dean on the beach in Malibu. / Charley Bowditch ’76, Cathy Lambert ’76, Head of School Alixe Callen and Abby Ehrlich ’76 at the SG reception in New York in October. / David Wilson ’76: Drone shot off his beach club in Quogue, LI, from Hurricane Maria.
Was at SG for three years and never really drank in the life of being right by the ocean then as I do now, though I loved it then too.” ■ Beth Josephson writes: “All is well — still teaching art to incarcerated adolescents and gearing up for a new body of work with my paintings. Sending warmest wishes to all!” ■ Bar Gooding Littlefield writes: “I am looking forward to seeing
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Katie Pratt this Sunday at a reception for her newly published book about Paul and Julia Child. I hope other classmates might be there as well. My youngest headed for college last fall, so Bart and I are enjoying some free weekend time! ■ Katie Pratt writes: “I recently published a book with my book partner Alex Prud’homme called “France is a Feast: The Photographic Journey of Paul and Julia Child” (Thames and Hudson). The world has wanted to learn more about Paul Child, and this book helps to tell his story. It is a biography with several hundred of his photographs from when he and Julia were living in Europe after World War II, mostly in Paris, Marseilles, and the French countryside. My reason for publishing this book is that I grew up with Julia and Paul, and I wanted to pay tribute to Paul as an artist. My first book signing and book talks were in Washington, D.C., followed by several events in Boston and I curated a museum exhibit in Napa Valley, California, which ran through Feb. 18. You can get more information about my book at thamesandhudsonusa.com.” ■ Harry Tower writes: “Great to see so many good reports in the last issue thanks to the persistent efforts of Cliff Dent ... By the time you read this I will know where my son will be headed to college. As I write, we are in the throes of applications. Gee, I do not recall any of this treachery! I picked UVM because it had the best view on the brochure, Lake Champlain, the fresh water equivalent of our beautiful Second Beach. All good. Look me up in Wilmington, Delaware, or on LinkedIn.” ■ David Wilson writes: “Here’s a drone shot off our beach club in Quogue, Long Island, from Hurricane Maria. It was a good summer for surf there but it was tempered by the fact that these great waves were the result of such damage elsewhere. This one was around 15-16 feet. It went for 1/4 mile. There were four-to-five similar swells from the various hurricanes in the 2017 Atlantic season. I was there from June to the fall. Back in California now.” ■ Heidi Winslow writes: “2017 has been an exciting year. My oldest daughter, Kailee, graduated from USC grad school with a degree in marketing and PR and is working for an exciting start-up called Melody (a music app) in Los Angeles. My youngest daughter, Caroline, has retrofitted a Ram Pro Master van,
which she is living in for her senior year at Colby. She is incorporating her “off the grid” experience into her thesis and environmental policy research. My business, CoreRetreats.com, has partnered with the Shore Club in South Beach for three-day wellness retreats, November through May. Come and see us!” ■ Cliff Dent writes: “Since my last update, I have endured a record-breaking blistering hot summer in Phoenix and almost three months in the cauldron of dealing with two sixth-grade classes, which have kept me incredibly busy — so much that the due date for submissions for this edition’s Class Notes crept up on me. Nevertheless, I was able to get together 11 class notes from members of our cohort, plus some really great photographs from four of them. ■ I am on the St. George’s Alumni Board of Visitors and am very much looking forward to meeting Head of School Alixe Callen and hearing her mission for how St. George’s will take care of its responsibilities for dealing with its past while resolutely moving forward to fulfill its obligations to its present students to prepare them for an unknown but undoubtedly complex and thrilling future. ■ That is it for now — I will keep it short and sweet this time. I will be calling and emailing most members of my cohort soon to gear up for the fall edition of the Bulletin, and I am looking forward to seeing some of you in person on the Hilltop soon.”
1977
David A. Todd, dtodd@ wt.org ■ As I write this, our first cold front in Austin (not exactly a polar blast, but welcome nonetheless) has arrived, the last swifts have abandoned their cozy school chimney roost, the purple martins have flown south from their favorite local parking lot stopover, and the first speckled geese have arrived, honking a big hello. ■ But this is a good time to remember beautiful late spring days on the Hilltop, when we were lucky to have a terrific turnout for our 40th reunion, with appearances from Peter Barbaresi, John Barry, Loocie Brown, Mark Dillenbeck, Vicky Drummond, Ben Edwards, Arnim Holzer, Belinda Buck Kielland, George Lloyd, Hugh Jones, Elena Thornton Kissel, Beth Johnson Nixon, Jay Pierrepont, Drew Santin, Nina Purviance West, and Nancy
Parker Wilson. Many thanks to Elena, Belinda, and Nancy for providing room and board, and a kind Newport welcome. ■ Peter Barbaresi wrote: “Getting my next update to you while traveling back (seat 15F) from moving middle daughter into her dorm and for her senior year at Trinity. Last week was in St. Louis moving youngest into her dorm at Washington University. I am the family Sherpa as I bring the big (big) checked bags given my ‘status’ on the airlines, and resulting ‘no-charge-ability’ to take hundreds of pounds of shoes, sweaters, and other ‘essential’ apparel. Will be traveling back on multiple occasions to catch their respective soccer games this fall. Otherwise, the yoga chain (yes, it’s actually a real business…) that I am running is going well. Assessing a bunch of ‘strategic alternatives’ as ways to grow/ expand the biz. Stay tuned, and downward dog to all.” ■ Jim Brady echoed Peter’s feelings about the Sherpa job of pickup and delivery of kids and gear, though he felt it reminded him more of Mad Max making a long, bumpy drive. ■ Ben Edwards checked in from Europe (not exactly sure where the international man of mystery is right now), and writes, “We are thankful to report that all is pretty much fine here, other than the politics — the whole Brexit thang is driving us crazy and angry in equal measure. As responsible adults, we 1) take part in whatever protests will have us, wherever they may be, and 2) have devoted ourselves fully to crafting the perfect martini. These last months have zoomed by, but we often talk about what a great time we had at the SG reunion. It is really great to see everyone again, and marvel at how we have changed (and also stayed the same) over these many years. Since that weekend, we’ve flopped in the waters off of Nice and Malaga, and hiked in the mountains not far to the south of us in Austria. Our boys continue to toil in their chosen fields: Ben is thinking about his next venture in the restaurant biz in Vienna (his current place pretty much runs itself), and Nicholas happily applies digit to keyboard and mouse in furthering his graphic design career here in London. Barbara and I try to stay upbeat (and in the main, we succeed) regarding the stupefying own-goal this country has scored vis a
CLASS NOTES
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Top to bottom: A terrific turnout for the 40th reunion of the Class of 1977: Peter Barbaresi, John Barry, Loocie Brown, Mark Dillenbeck, Vicky Drummond, Ben Edwards, Arnim Holzer, Hugh Jones, Belinda Buck Kielland, Elena Thornton Kissel, George Lloyd, Beth Johnson Nixon, Jay Pierrepont, Drew Santin, Nina Purviance West, and Nancy Parker Wilson. / Nancy Parker Wilson ’77. / Pictured (from left to right) are Minot Weld ’78 and Lindsay Hopkins-Weld ’79, Elena Kissel ’77 and Jay Pierrepont ’77, taken in Northeast Harbor, Maine, in September at the home of Jay ’77 and Lisa Pierrepont.
vis Europe, and look forward to returning stateside, to Seattle and San Francisco, to catch up with relatives there.” ■ Arnie Holzer has wedding bells in his future: he recently got engaged to Christine Akerman, a psychotherapist in New York, and they were planning a February marriage. Arnie is in the financial world, working as a global macro and tail risk strategist at EAB Investment Group in Princeton and New York. ■ Hugh Jones has been busy in the food service and hotelier business, but also takes time to sail the beautiful Madcap, a 6-meter sailboat built in 1924, and lovingly restored before being taken out in the winds and waves of Narragansett Bay. He is also the proud parent of Harriet ’18 and Bridgit ’20. ■ Chris Lirakis lamented that he was sorry to miss all on Alumni Weekend this year, but explained that he was helping his daughter at her booth at the Bay Area Maker Faire, where she sells fun, colorful comic book-based art. He does get back to Rhode Island sometimes though. He reports that he recently ran into Betsy Leslie, and had a wonderful walk and talk along Second Beach. Back in his workaday life (if that applies to the exotic life among quarks), Chris said that he’s been hard at it, bringing the powerful new IBM quantum computer to life. Looking into the future, he promised a possible visit to the New York SG alumni event and would be happy to meet up with anyone in the greater Westchester area. He signed off on a hopeful note, hoping that everyone survived the hurricane season.” ■ Peter Maduro wrote in to tell
about life on the left coast, where he “lives and works as a psychotherapist in the greater Venice Beach/Santa Monica, California, area. His jump from legal practice to psychology and psychoanalysis in the late 1990s has been a good one for him, enriching as it does his understanding of human experience generally, and specifically the emotional suffering of his patients. His psych training also illuminates his myriad personal flaws (to which his SG classmates occasionally alerted him by way of notes on the Sixth Form House bulletin boards) for purposes of self-reflective insight. Peter just returned from New England where he was ordained for a day in Chittenden, Vermont, to officially perform the connubial rites for a B.U. law school friend’s daughter. In the course of this trip, father Maduro drove down to Rhode Island and Connecticut where he visited by phone with Joe Kettelle ’78 (Warwick, Rhode Island) and Andrew Griscom ’78, dad of Blythe Griscom ’21 (Stonington, Connecticut). He was reminded by these warm, lasting friendships, and the erudite conversations they produce, as well as by the crisp, clear fall weather, how much he loves and misses New England (Boston football and baseball not included), and would look forward to seeing classmates visiting the greater Los Angeles area. ■ Jon Mandeville was happy to announce that his son Courtney has recently become engaged, and that he and his wife’s six kids are making their way through college, including St. John’s, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Arizona State, with one already popped out from American University. Meanwhile, back at the store, Jon has been working as a financial accountant. ■ Valerie McKee was sorely missed at the 40th reunion, but got a hall pass to cruise Europe and see things much, much older than our classmates. Apparently it was a Dave Koz jazz cruise with concerts, jam sessions and talks with artists including Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair, Peter White, Sheila E, Vincent Ingala, Marcus Anderson, Valerie Simpson, Kenny Lattimore, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, Candy Duffer, and Richard Elliott. There was even a talent contest that included a 12-year-old sax player who was a little nervous but good. In between shows, Valerie and her fellow cruisers got to visit
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Kotor in Montenegro, Dubrovnik in Croatia, Santorini in Greece, San Marino and Venice. It was a bunch of fun. Apparently Valerie even got to attend a wedding with a masquerade dance, a toga party, a formal, and a purple night. She is clearly good at finding fun stuff to do, so I think we should take her up on her nice offer to recruit friends for another trip. Or, if you want to do something more local, Valerie can recommend plays too (she’s recently seen “Jitney,” “Hamilton” and “Pipeline”)! ■ Rob McLane was spotted at St. George’s cheering for son Nick’s graduation with the Class of 2017, following in the steps of big sister Allie ’13. ■ Shelley Randall told of her life in beautiful rural New Hampshire, where she is practicing child welfare law with two of her former law students, working out problems for children and parents, often made more challenging by the opioid crisis. For a break and a little sanity, she still finds time for kayaking and hiking with her pooch, and has even become a yoga instructor. ■ And as a finishing note, we should brag that our very own Peter Barbaresi and Elena Kissel have been chosen to join the St. George’s Alumni Board of Visitors! Congratulations to Peter and Elena!
1978
Leslie M. Greene, lmg4187@optonline.net ■ Greetings, friends! By the time this Bulletin arrives in your hands, it will be spring of 2018, which can mean only one thing: Our reunion is right around the corner! Yes, it is true: a full 40 years have passed since we left the Hilltop back in ’78. I hope that many of you are planning to make the trip back to campus to celebrate with the friends of your youth! ■ What a campus you will find! I have written in the past about how fortunate the current students are to have such fabulous facilities. Indeed, improvements are always in the works, as the school is committed to meeting the needs of students in every way possible. Next up are two turf fields, which will benefit many teams, in particular field hockey, boys’ and girls’ lacrosse, and football. The fields will help SG stay competitive in recruiting the top athletes for these sports. The plan is to have the fields ready for play this coming September 2018. ■
But even more than the physical campus, the positive energy and enthusiasm on the Hilltop will amaze you. I returned this past November, where I learned more about some of the great opportunities available to students, such as the technology and innovation program that allowed students to visit major tech firms in the San Francisco area, or the public policy program that brings students to Washington, D.C., to meet alumni who work in various political positions in the nation’s capital. By the time you read this, students in the Global Studies program will have visited Norway, and been introduced to the country by meeting with alumni, including two from the class ahead of ours: Belinda Buck Kielland and Nils Haugstveit. More than anything, I want to convey to you, classmates, what the students themselves are like. I heard a panel of students from each of the forms, and from all over the country (indeed, world, as one hails from Switzerland) with all sorts of interests. I was so very impressed by this group of well-spoken, passionate and intellectually curious young women and men, who truly seem to appreciate their fortune in being a part of the SG community. ■ While at SG, I saw classmate Welles Orr, who mentioned that he had had a great reunion a week or two earlier with Bill Sistare, Joey Kettelle, Jon Isham, and Andy Griscom, who, Welles informs me, has a daughter at the school right now. I hope that Andy can echo my views about the school today! ■ Much of the positive vibe is without question due to the arrival of Head of School Alixe Callen. I was fortunate to attend a reception in September welcoming Alixe, hosted by Nancy Parker Wilson ’77 at her beautiful Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth. Alixe is so approachable and personable and I hope that many of you have had the chance to meet her at one of the many gatherings that are being held to welcome her to our community. St. George’s is lucky to have such an accomplished, dedicated educator leading the school forward! ■ Speaking of dedicated educators, we mourn the loss of beloved art teacher Richard Grosvenor, who headed the art department for 25 years. Barbara Hirschler Barry attended the memorial service for Mr. Grosvenor held in October. She writes: “Hunt Henrie, Shawen Willliams ’79, Howard Hersey
’76 and Mrs. Hersey, Tom Lamont ’79, Tanya Kelley, Dr. Wallace, Mr. Leslie and many others were present. Wonderful reflections by his son Rick Grosvenor ’69 who shared that his dad loved the perspective of a seagull soaring high above and looking down on the seashore. So he suggested that when we see a seagull soaring, think of Mr. Grosvenor. A life well lived. Farewell, Mr. Grosvenor!” Hunt adds, “It was a special sendoff for a wonderful man and his extended family.” Kate Davis writes: “He was a great teacher who influenced students even out of class.’ I regret that I did not have a class with Mr. Grosvenor. Barbara remembers her watercolor class fondly, and I know many of you worked late into the night on your architecture projects for him. I did also know Mr. Grosvenor as a fellow Newporter, someone I would see at openings at the Newport Art Association, among other venues. I treasure a signed copy of the book he gave me in 2002 titled, ‘Newport: An Artist’s Impressions of its Architecture and History.” It is a lovely look at the town, illustrated with Mr. Grosvenor’s signature watercolors and architect’s drawings. Looking through it makes me glad to have known this remarkable man of St. George’s and of Newport! ■ On that note, I hope that you will be coming back to beautiful Newport the weekend of May 4-6. Katherine MacCornack writes, “I would like to come to our 40th. I will have to see about timing. I am still teaching and living happily on a horse farm.” Sounds idyllic! Kim Brady Cutler says if the date works out, it would be great fun to be there.” So … come join the fun!
1979
David F. Bayne, dfbayne@aol.com ■ Fred Taylor was a recipient of The Denver Foundation’s 2017 Philanthropic Leadership Award for his two decades of work serving as chair of the investment committees and on the boards of numerous not for profits in the Denver community.
1980 gmail.com
David T. Gardner, davidgardner61@
CLASS NOTES
Charles A. de Kay, c_de_kay@hotmail.com
1982
1984 1985
Brian M. Duddy, bduddy @williamblair.com
Eugene P. Hanrahan, Jr., ladagene@netscape.net / C. Fritz Michel, cfritzm@mac.com ■ Your West Coast class agent reawakens the class notes after a brief slumber with a word from Lyerly Spongberg Tuck, who reports that she is officially an empty nester (two metaphors in the first sentence — a new record). Lyerly had six birds that flew from her nest, so her house is newly quiet. Lyerly’s eldest daughter will be moving close to home to NYC post college graduation with a banking job and her youngest daughter is a college sophomore in the Army’s Officer Candidate School. Thank her for her service from the Class of ’85. Speaking of service, Tony Burnett is working in commercial real estate in Sacramento and keeping it real with his wife, son, and daughter. Stay tuned to the class notes for further updates. ■ Author and newlywed Ian Toll is diligently working on his latest tome in New York. He is far too busy writing to help your dedicated class agent with something as crucial as these notes. Keep in mind that yours truly receives no share of the profits, but I heartily recommend Ian’s latest chef d’oeuvre, “The Conquering Tide,” about WWII’s Pacific Theatre. In addition to his writing, Ian appears to be spending a great deal of time updating his Twitter profile with war information and cute dog/cat videos (interesting). His son is contemplating boarding schools,
Bill Hutchison ‘80, Gordon Ogden III ‘21 (SG Varsity Hockey), and Gordon Ogden, Jr. ‘80 at the holiday hockey tournament at SG in December.
and Ian occasionally sees our classmates Linda (Dunn) Garnett, Fritz Michel, and Scott Meserve in the big city. ■ I caught Pete Cook on his cell on the way to the airport. See if you can pick which news about this former DOD Press Secretary is true (answer below): a) The Trump Administration offered Pete the job as Secretary of Defense, which he politely declined. b) A large banking association offered him a job, which he politely accepted. c) He took some time off to pursue his interest in Blue Devil paraphernalia; or d) His eldest son is now a freshman at Pete’s alma mater. ■ Your roving agent called Chris Merton to get the latest from Mellow Merts, who was cryptic about his recent activities. Some research revealed that his coffee company, Black River Roasters, is celebrating its second anniversary and Merty is a trustee at the Far Hills Country Day School. Was that so hard? ■ Mike Van Beuren came to my house in LA earlier this year where I cooked Mike what he described as “the best meal he’s ever had” (paraphrasing). Mike was in town doing some intricate work on a famous person’s sailing yacht. Can you guess who this person is? a) Jack Nicholson; b) Warren Beatty; c) Brad Pitt; or d) I don’t think I’m supposed to say, so ask Mike if you’d really like to know (answer below). Mike reports that he’s been playing some hockey with Sam Iler ’87 that reminded him of his JV hockey days with Peter Groome ’86 and Chris Dominguez ’86. Mike ran into Chrissy Connett, Alicia Conway, and Chris Ottiano all from ’88 at a SG reception at the Greenvale Vineyards. ■ Chrissy Jampoler Houlahan is running for Congress in the PA06 district just outside Philadelphia! There are a multitude of reasons to vote
SPRING 2018
1983
Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
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Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
for her apart from that she’s an alumna (B.S. Stanford; M.S. M.I.T.; Teach for America volunteer; Air Force Officer; married 27 years; two grown daughters). I could go on for the length of these notes but check out www.chrissyhoulahanforcongress.com for a better presentation of her qualifications and achievements. Since these notes are nonpartisan, I won’t tell you for which party. ■ Randy Cutler will have to vote in the next election with an absentee ballot while he contemplates the wisdom of Brexit from his redoubt in London. He’s lived there for the last four years and anticipates remaining for the next five years. He extends an open invitation to “any travelling Dragon.” Tres genereux, Randy. ■ Fernanda (Dau) Fisher was kind enough to share that Mel (Brown) Bride ’84 is her daughter’s advisor. Fernanda tutors youngsters in English and visited San Francisco last winter where she saw Gwinneth Clarkson Berexa, whom she had not seen since she had been in Paris with her daughter. ■ With great interest did I hear from John Eckerberg who relocated from Geneva to Hong Kong last summer where he will be handling the legal issues for Japan Tobacco International in the Asia Pacific Region. Hong Kong seems like a good fit since he raved that Hong Kong is “80 percent green and has great beaches … so watersports are big here.” John says that chicken feet will remain on the “to-do” list as far as sampling the local cuisine, but otherwise he is looking forward to sampling the local food and culture. ■ Despite that we share the same locale, I needed an email from Molly Luetkemeyer to catch up with her since I had not seen her since we dined at her awesome West Hollywood supper club earlier this year. Molly spent Columbus Day on Nantucket with Fritz and his family where Molly finished a design project. This is Molly’s third project for the Michels with her company, M. Design, which is about to celebrate its 17th year in business. Check out www.mdesignla.com and click on the “Press” tab to be wowed by her work. Molly works bi-coastally so she gets to see lots of friends, family, and culture across the country. Out here, she hangs with Dede Gardner ’86, her sister Julie (Luetkemeyer) Bowen ’87, and Hardy Ophuls ’86. Molly was sending a shout
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1981
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out for stuff to do in Costa Rica and Japan where she planned to visit in December and February respectively. ■ Alix (Horne) Coolidge’s bubbly personality popped through her email to me about her daughter Sophie ’18 who is about to graduate from SG and has “loved every minute of it.” Sophie took advantage of “all the cool things SG” had to offer (Dang, I wish I had done that.) Sophie has worked with the Alumni Office to develop an Instagram account for alums to share what’s going on in their world since leaving SG. Alix asks you all to please respond if Sophie pings you. Check out stgeorges.edu/ sgdragontales to see profiles already posted. ■ Schuyler Horton’s e-mail automatically replied to me that he will be “in Las Vegas for the ABC Show” during the week of October 17 and “may be delayed in getting back to me.” Don’t worry Schuyler, “What goes on in Vegas…” ■ Here’s a quiz about Fritz Michel: a) Fritz has Carol Riddell ’84 as his new neighbor in Riverdale; b) Fritz is performing in a jazz trio; c) Fritz is performing in a parent rock ’n’ roll band that plays the song 867-5309 (remember that song? Jenny, Jenny etc.); or d) all of the above. Check out www. youngallies.com with links to Fritz’s performances onscreen in “Angels and Demons” and “Alias.” ■ As for me, I’ll be in New York City swimming in a race whose start date will be sometime this summer (sorry so vague). I am grateful that my mother, sister, Lisa (Hanrahan) White ’84, her husband, and three kids in Florida who escaped some of the hurricane-tragedies that struck elsewhere this past fall. My son loved pitching in the World Series-bound Dodgers while my wife works at the Geffen Playhouse. Allow me to host you for dinner if business/pleasure brings you to Los Angeles. Mike van Beuren can vouch for me (probably) that I am a decent cook. Adieu from California. ■ Answer Key: 1) Peter Cook (b) & (d). Mike van Beuren (d); Fritz Michel (d).
1986
Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
1987
Paul A. Kekalos, pkekalos @mac.com ■ So, this is my first foray back into the role of class correspondent since I did such a miserable job of it back in the early 90s. However, it is never too late for redemption and I return to these pages vowing to do a better job this time around. Here we go… ■ First of all, a big thank you to Clymer Bardsley, who has served as our class correspondent for many years, and done a noble job of keeping us all updated. Clymer is a very busy man these days: When he is not running The Bardsley Group, helping schools, civic organizations and other businesses with conflict-resolution services, he is apparently treating the Philadelphia skyline as a personal ropes course. Clymer writes, “This past year I participated in the Philadelphia Outward Bound School Building Adventure 2017 and I rappelled down Brandywine Realty Trust’s Two Commerce Square, an iconic Philadelphia Center City Skyscraper! On Oct 20, I and 100 other POBS supporters went over the edge on an amazing adventure for an amazing cause.” Well done, Clymer! ■ Alden Senior writes: “We’ve had a busy year. My father retired in October 2016 and I took over as CEO of our family business. I am the fifth generation of our family to lead the organization, which was founded in 1887. I have some big shoes to fill, but I have had 20 years to learn the business and a bunch of training and education. Kristen’s college-counseling business is doing well. She is an independent consultant who works with families to help them find the best college fit for their kids. Our oldest son Ben, just turned 17 and is a budding filmmaker. He has been taking film classes and made a 35-minute independent movie called “The Routine” (www.vimeo.com/214554249). He ended up winning “Best Student Production” at the Illinois International Film Festival last spring and last month it was screened at Horror Fest in Chicago. So, he is kind of famous amongst his peers right now, but he is not letting it go to his head. Our daughter Amelia just started high school with her brother and is a big swimmer and musician. She particularly enjoys playing the piano. Our youngest son Topher, is just 8 and a bundle of energy.” A busy year indeed for
Alden and his family. ■ You know who else is busy? Lonnie Stewart. I will let him tell you: “I am the director of clinical education for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Columbia University Medical Center — which means my primary responsibility is to place students in their clinical rotations around the country and the world. I also teach several courses. How I ever became an assistant professor at an Ivy League School, I’ll never know. I am also in the middle of pursuing a Doctor of Science degree in health sciences. I am the volunteer president of a neighborhood group called Neighbor2Neighbor in Greenwich Village: a band of neighbors who want to stay in their homes as they age.” Way to go, Londo! ■ SG ’87 still maintains a foothold in the great state of Alaska. Ali Fletcher writes from there: “I’m still in AK living with a young, rapidly growing boy and a large crazy dog. All is well and I wish there were salacious gossip to report. Hopefully our classmates will divulge some juicy details!” I hope so too, Ali! ■ Speaking of juicy tidbits, Brockie Dilworth chimes in with this one: “I happened across Paul Kekalos the other day. He was wearing these adorable Daisy Duke cut-off jeans and a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat while inexplicably and repeatedly whacking the base of a large tree with a 2x4.” To be honest with you, I did not recall the encounter, the outfit, or the circumstance remotely. The inclusion of the hat strains credulity. I followed up with Brockie to clarify. He responded, “Expect a different one every day, Kek. For your entire tenure as class officer. They will get progressively profane and absurd.” It is so good to be in touch with Brockie again! ■ Lydia Hemphill reports, “I’m in year 23 at Deerfield Academy in Western Massachusetts, as director of studies for the last 12. Teaching AP art history, chair of the art department and director of the school’s art gallery. Sounds like a lot when I write it all down, but it all works most days. I’ve been (blissfully) out of the dorm for a while (when I moved out I’d been living in a dorm in some capacity since I moved into the Astor basement as a third-former in the fall of 1983. My dwellings had fortunately improved steadily since that year of subterranean living. I am no longer coaching, which I
CLASS NOTES
1988
Michelle Doty, mmd@ cmwf.org / Alfred Jay Sweet IV, ajsfour@gmail.com ■ Just like the “Gray Lady” herself, we print nothing but the facts; no fake news here. Nope. Everything you read below has been sourced, validated and corroborated by various social media, late-night knitting circles, and the coconut wires. If you find any inaccuracies or slight embellishments best to complain directly to MTaber@ phishtour.net ■ Peggy Willauer-Tobey writes: “I am still living in Maine, aka Vacationland, aka “the way life should be.” The biggest change is that my youngest just hit six feet. Still work at Chewonki, now as director of development. Happy to report that dog, hubby, sons and self (in order of familial importance) are healthy and happy.” ■ Douglas Jackson writes: “All is well in Arkansas, aka the Wonder State, aka “where feral pigs run wild.” My girls are 17 and 15. Lilly is a senior and Virginia is a freshman. They keep Elizabeth, my wife, and I busy.” ■ Alex Kemp writes: “Living in Venice, California, aka Muscle Beach, aka Bohemia Rhapsody, with my wife, Winnie, and our two boys: Atticus, 5, and Booker, 3. I have a music production company called Wolf At The Door that composes original music for advertising,
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several years as I serve as a member of the Alumni Board of Visitors. It is a great opportunity for me to see and hear firsthand how the school is evolving and helping to educate new generations. I am happy to report that things on the Hilltop are vibrant and I am so impressed by how the institution has evolved — both in terms of the physical plant and also in terms of the sheer quality of the educational experience being offered. It is truly an amazing place. On behalf of our class, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Head of School Alixe Callen as she leads the school into its next chapter! ■ Well, that is all I have for now folks. Please do share some updates as we move forward. To those of you who were able to contribute notes this time around, thank you. For those who were not able to do so, I look forward to hearing from you for the next round. In the meantime, I shall be eagerly awaiting the next update from Mr. Dilworth… Best, Kek
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and Dorothy is a third-former with Emily Dyke and Brooks Klyver, (Annie’s son.) Our message to our classmates: Send your child to SG ... best school on the planet!” ■ Chris “Casual” Lee writes: “All is well in the Lee household. We spent a great summer day with Bear and his family the day before they dropped off their daughter for her first day at SG. The Lee family ship is steady as she goes with no mutinies to report.” ■ I was lucky to spend some time with Chris during our class’s 30th reunion last May. On the Friday of reunion weekend, Chris and I spent a lovely hour walking down to the beach from campus and catching up before meeting Natasha Harvey Swann and Jen Keegan for dinner in Newport. It was great to catch up with all of them and many laughs were had. We then hustled over to Jamestown to pay a visit to Hannah Swett, her husband Mark, and their kids. ■ The following day we all spent some time on campus. I ran into Hathaway Rogers Whalen and Polly Walldorf on a school-sanctioned climb of the Chapel Tower, and then spent some time watching various athletic contests with the Hill-Edgars and Hannah’s family. That night at the reunion dinner, Neil O’Grady, Hathaway, Polly, Keyes, Chris, and I watched as our classmate Dr. Gita Reese Sukthankar, was presented with the John B. Diman Award, which is the school’s highest alumni honor. Gita is the director of the Intelligent Agents Lab at the University of Central Florida, and is doing truly amazing work as a computer scientist with expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning. So, well deserved on the Diman Award, Gita! The dinner, while lightly attended by our class, was great fun. It was terrific to catch up with everyone. ■ As for me, I am still in New York, living in Lower Manhattan with my wife, Alexandra, and our two daughters: Stella, 14, and Scarlett, 12. Scarlett is deep into dance, filling after school hours every day of the week with some form of dance — a trait that she clearly picked up from me. Stella is currently in the midst of her high school application process and SG is on her list. By the time this is published, we should have a sense of what next year holds for her. Exciting times, to say the least. ■ I have had the pleasure of being up to St. George’s many times over the past
st. george’s school
miss only on beautiful New England autumn afternoons. I get back to SG usually every year so I’ve seen changes happen there, as it too responds to the demands of a 21st century boarding school population. Lots of great memories from my four years at SG. I remain grateful for the education I received from my teachers, coaches and classmates.” ■ More news from the West Coast from Julie Leutkemeyer/Bowen/Phillips. Julie writes, “I am lucky enough to be starting Season 9 of “Modern Family” with a final 10th season to follow. It is a terrific job that has kept me busy for a decade. I am looking forward to having more flexibility to travel (maybe even to a reunion?) in the future. Our three boys — Oliver, John, and Gus — continue to amaze with their endless energy and an obsession with all things Nerf.” Great job Julie! Cannot wait to see what’s next for you. ■ A fair number of our class are currently also parents of students at SG! Among them is Annie Akers Klyver, who writes, “In October we went to SG’s Family Weekend. We have two boys there, Sam is a fourth-former and Brooks is in the third form. Brooks is in the company of Bear’s daughter, Emily; Susie and Tucker Carlson’s daughters, Dorothy and Hopie; Keyes Hill-Edgar’s sons, JG and Morgan; Eddie Dejoux’s daughter, Charlotte; and Morgan Dejoux’s daughter, Hopie. Sounds like a fun class! They both love the school, and it’s been really fun for us to reconnect with old friends.” ■ Along with Annie, Jim “Bear” Dyke is also a current parent of a third former. Amazing! Bear is running a deliciously successful wine business (Mira Winery) in Napa. I drink his wines regularly, and they are really good. As I write this, I am hoping that Bear, his family, and his business remain safe from the terrible fires in California. ■ I have had the pleasure of running into Keyes Hill-Edgar and his wife, Allison, several times over the last few years while on official duties up in Middletown. As mentioned above, Keyes is a current SG parent with two boys up there. ■ Rounding out the SG ’87 alumni/parent crew are Susie and Tucker Carlson. Susie writes: “We had Family Weekend at SG in October and saw Annie, Bear and Keyes. We ALL have children at SG now. Our Hopie is in sixth Form, (senior prefect!)
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and in front of the studio, I have a surf shop called Lone Wolfs Objets d’Surf, where we sell expensive artsy surfboards! (Editor’s note: Jealousy abounds.)” ■ Ramsay Battin writes: “I am still living in Atlanta, aka Hotlanta, aka ‘Where Seemingly Insurmountable Super Bowl Leads Go to Die,” with my wife, Molly, and three kids. Doing the standard thing of work, carpools, and kids’ activities on weekends — which I would not trade for anything other than a Super Bowl victory. I occasionally bump into Adam Toll who is living in Atlanta, aka “Chokeville,” and doing a start-up company. Talk frequently with Gray Ottley who’s still peddling highend vodka to consumers with discerning taste. Hope anyone who comes through Atlanta, aka “Google 28-3,” gives me a call — would love to grab a beer or cup of coffee.” ■ Romina Siaterly writes: “2017 was an exciting year! I spent most of the first half behind one (or more) lenses pursuing my favorite hobby and ‘shooting’ the city of Athens, aka The Violet City, and its people, as part of a project for a photography group I joined. The results of our work will be exhibited in a gallery over here, so I expect I will be rich and famous by the time this is printed. (Editor’s note: Romina is now looking for agency representation and tax shelters.) “But, just in case the world is not yet ready to discover my extraordinary (!) talent, last July I re-joined the corporate world, and I am now the Director of Responsible Gaming for the Greek National Lottery. After 11 years in big tobacco, two in pharma and my recent stint in gambling, I think I have pretty much secured a nice, warm place in hell for the rest of eternity. ■ “Moving on to the more important stuff, my son Johnny has turned 5, which helps me fool people into thinking I am much younger than my real years. Johnny is a total joy: super bright, gorgeous, and well mannered (when he chooses to be), and I can very objectively call him the most adorable little boy on Earth. Which is just as well, because we do not plan on expanding the family, so his title won’t be threatened by a sibling. If you have befriended me on Facebook, you have probably read all about his escapades and socio-political discourse — no kidding! ■ “This is it in a nutshell from me. Unfortunately, my travels do not bring me often to the other side of the
Pond, but I would love to meet up with any classmates traveling to Greece! I hope everyone is doing great and I very much look forward to reading your news in the SG Class Notes!” ■ Anne Soh writes: “Still practicing law in the litigation department at Arnold Porter Kaye Scholer in our fancy new glass building at City Center. Was taught the zen of surfing in Maui by a philosophical 24-year-old this month and also bought a ukulele to match .... I think the mid-life crisis is in full swing now. ■ “I very much enjoyed reading about Gita Reese ’87 in the last bulletin. Congratulations, Gita! Was just in Korea for a long overdue visit and my sister and I were reminiscing about the fabulous time we had when Gita and Donna Myers came to visit Seoul after graduation. I see Tuck D. and Tom K. occasionally and try to attend Tucker and Susie’s receptions when I can. Read the entertaining GQ article about Tucker Carlson ’87 on my flight to Seoul. My political minded friends here in D.C. are starting to go on the TV punditry circuit and one of them has expressed a desire to duel with Tucker on his show. I hesitate to encourage her in case he slices and dices her with no mercy. I also follow Paul Tullis ’86 on FB and enjoy reading his thrashings on the state of the country. Neil O’Grady ’87 has been great moderating the social media discussion of SG. I also had a really nice visit with Susie Chace this spring in Wellesley!” ■ Tiphaine Ravenel Bonnetti writes: “I am still living in Boulder, aka home to the mighty University of Colorado Buffaloes, and working for a local organization that serves at-risk families with children under 2 years old. I have a high schooler, a middle schooler and a kiddo in his last year of elementary school. Paolo works for an organic snack food company, Made in Nature, that is based in Boulder, aka home to the best campus in college. We are enjoying hiking, skiing and traveling. I am amazed how life continues to both expand and contract with each passing year. I hope I am not the only one who wrote in and I truly hope everyone is thriving in his or her own unique way. If ever near Boulder, aka Soul Center of The Universe, please come visit.” (Editor’s note: Jay Sweet CU Class of 1993. Go Buffs!) ■ Burton Gray writes: “Hope all are well and having a good year. Thank you for your determined efforts on behalf of
our strangely quiet Class of 1988, aka the “Best In Show, aka The Cats Meow, aka Par Excellence Personified.” No real news — all healthy and happy, but one observation. Now that my oldest daughter is off to a nice start at boarding school — after rebelling earlier this year against it, as she termed it, “the expectation culture of the elitist independent school world” I am wondering if anyone else is asking themselves this same question: is the boarding school experience more a privilege for the student or the parents?” ■ Many people hesitate to send in their news because they worry it is not interesting enough. The reality is that most of us do not have “big news” to report but that is not the point of class notes. The point of the notes is to connect to your classmates. I think most of us feel that our lives are filled with small moments that nonetheless make us feel content and fulfilled. Humbly submitted, Your Class Scribes, Michelle Doty and Jay Sweet
1989
Sylvia Dent Aerenson sisharris@me.com / Stafford Vaughey Meyer, stafford@ staffordmeyer.com / J. Craighill Redwine, Jr., craighillr@me.com
Jeff Kimbell ‘89, Charles Ruma ‘89, Billy Bush ‘90, Emily Dyke ‘21, and Jim Dyke ‘87 in Park City, Utah on New Year’s Eve.
1990
William H. Bush, bushyinla@gmail.com / E. Stanton McLean, esmcleanuk@ gmail.com
1991
Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
CLASS NOTES
// SPRING 2018
Sara Ely Hulse, sse@ cbsnews.com ■ We had 28 classmates make it back for the reunion: Katie McKelvie Backfield, Corey Cook Bartlett, Louise Wells Bedsworth, Christian Denckla, John Faiella, Alice Fiddian-Green, Will Forbes, Candace Gottschalk, Cameron Goodyear, Scottie Weitman Guernery, Sarah Grew Haskell, Mike Hayes, Leslie Bathgate Heaney, Megan Hill, Trey Holder, Sara Ely Hulse, Heidi Von Rosenberg Klapinsky, Ginny Flower Marvin, John Nichol, Cory Smith Plumb, Amy Barclay Stiga, Randall Flinn, Travell Summerville, Heather Bond Weisenfluh, Tripp West, Christian Whiton, Julie O’Donnell Wood, and Marc Zuccaro. ■ It was a beautiful weather weekend and we got to see the Hilltop in all of its glory! With all the new facilities, I think we were all wandering around thinking how much we wanted to go back to school now! We had fun hanging out Friday night at Forty 1 North in Newport; Saturday night there was an after party topped off by a great stand-up performance by Katie McKelvie Backfield; and a great Sunday brunch hosted by the Wells family. ■ One fun thing about reunion planning is trying hard to reach classmates that have been out of touch. It was great to see Christian Denckla, who gets the award for coming the farthest for the reunion! He and his family live in Nairobi. ■ Kenyon Fields is another classmate who has been off the grid. Sadly, he was not able to make it back to the reunion, but I was glad to get back in touch. He is once again living in the lower 48 from Alaska, where he worked for many years for the U.S. Forest Service, an Alaska Native organization, and as executive director of Sitka Conservation Society. Kenyon’s background in conservation biology and landscape conservation led him to become one of the main founders of the Western Landowners Alliance (WLA), which is a collaboration of private landowners working collectively to conserve the rich natural values of the West. He got married on Oct. 5, 2013, to Mary Conover, and they manage an organic cattle and hay ranch in Utah and Colorado. He continues to be an avid mountain climber, biker, kayaker and musician. ■ John Reese is still living in California with his wife but they were
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unable to make the reunion — hoping he will come one of these years. Still, he was close to our hearts reunion weekend as his sister, Gita Reese Sukthankar ’87 was the winner of the John B. Diman Award and there was a presentation at the Saturday dinner. ■ Chad Schroeder said he had no prayer of making it to the reunion … still has the four kids — oldest just started high school. Crazy times. These days, he says, he feels lucky if he has nothing going on before 7 a.m. on Saturday. Once he is done driving around to soccer, field hockey, or volleyball (expected to be around 2030), he will think about making a career switch to logistics consulting, though he says his wife is way better at it. Still playing ice hockey, but he says, “lately the scouts aren’t showing much interest.” ■ Hillary Keenan was in Germany at the time of our reunion but she reports that she and her husband, Varant, are busy chasing after their three sons (two 15-year-olds and an 8-year-old), their dog and two cats. Hillary is still running and cycling in events including the Chicago Marathon in October. She has her Ph.D and is the director, biostatistics and bioinformatics core, and assistant investigator in the section on vascular cell biology at Joslin Diabetes Center. Hillary is also assistant professor of medicine, and associate director of biostatistics (Harvard Catalyst) at Harvard Medical School. ■ Tobin Dominick was sad to miss the reunion but her mother celebrated her 70th birthday
Photos from the Class of 1992 (top to bottom): In the back row: Jordan Macy, Scottie Weitman Guernery, Cory Smith Plumb, Travell Summerville, Heather Bond Weisenfluh, Marc Zuccaro, Ginny Flower Marvin, Christan Whiton, Tripp West, Antonia Gowan Harris, Christian Denkla, Coate Manderson, Bret Barasch, Will Forbes. Front row: John Faiella, Randall Flinn, Mike Hayes, Corey Cook Bartlett, Heidi Von Rosenburg Klapinsky, Sarah Grew Haskell, Trey Holder, Amy Barclay Stiga, Leslie Bathgate Heaney, Katie McKelvie Backfield, and Sara Ely Hulse. Not pictured: Louise Wells Bedsworth, Alice FiddianGreen, Candace Gottschalk, Cameron Goodyear, Megan Hill, John Nichol, and Julie O’Donnell Wood. / Hilltop: Christian Denkla, Trey Holder and Heidi Von Rosenburg Klapinsky. / Campus group: Candace Gottschalk, Julie O’Donnell Wood, Randall Flinn, Cameron Goodyear and Alice Fiddian-Green.
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Class of 1992 (top to bottom): Chapel group: Coate Manderson, John Nichol, Megan Hill, Louise Wells Bedsworth, Marc Zuccaro, Antonia Gowan Harris, Sara Ely Hulse, Tripp West and Alice Fiddian-Green. / Chapel View. / Campus beauty shot. / Class photo (day): Katie McKelvie Backfield, Trey Holder, Sarah Grew Haskell, Cory Smith Plumb, Tripp West, Leslie Bathgate Heaney, Jordan Macy, Heather Bond Weisenfluh, Coate Manderson, Megan Hill, Ginny Flower Marvin, John Faiella, Mike Hayes, Corey Cook Bartlett, Bret Barasch, Scottie Weitman Guernery, Christian Denkla, Amy Barclay Stiga, Antonia Gowan Harris, Randall Flinn, Sara Ely Hulse, John Nichol, Heidi Von Rosenburg Klapinsky, Louise Wells Bedsworth, Will Forbes.
on the same weekend. She is happy to report that all is well, though, and she is enjoying being an auntie to her brother Andrew (Drew) Dominick III’s ’95 kiddos: son Andy IV (4 years) and daughter Lula Dominick (born March 17, 2017). ■ Lukas Kolff was also missed at the reunion but he and his wife, Jo, and their kids — Charlie, Rose and Louis — all had fun last summer and managed to do some great sailing along the stunning islands in Greece. Carpe Diem! ■ Moy Dimen Drake writes to say that she was really sad to miss everyone at our 25th reunion, but her family was in the middle of a BIG move (and, she says, hopefully their last) from Hawaii back to Virginia. Before she left, though, she did get to see Cameron Goodyear very briefly while she was visiting Hawaii with her family and they had a blast catching up. Moy says they had an amazing three years living in paradise but were excited to come back to the East Coast and be closer to family and friends. Finally, after five months of renovations, she says they are finally unpacking and settling into their new home in Fairfax Station. And their new jobs… Moy made the move to private practice after a couple decades of working for the government. “Wish me luck!” Andy hit the 30-year mark in the Marine Corps and is loving his job at the Pentagon. Moy says she is still not sure what he does. Dash, Libby and Chance are now 10, 8 and 7. While the family was in Rhode Island for the Fourth of July, Moy was able to show off the SG campus. They were equally enamored with the view from the Hilltop as they were with their Del’s from Second Beach. Hope to see you all at the 30th (already planning on it), if not before! ■ Matt Plumb was traveling for work and not able to make the reunion, but thankfully Cory Smith Plumb was able to represent. The Plumbs left Newport and are now living in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Matt is still working in motorsports, where he has been for almost 20 years now! He drives in a professional sports car series in a McLaren. He says, “SG prepared me well! Their sons, Bayard and Wilkie, are doing great and Matt says he is busy trying to make them into Dragons! ■ Mike Hayes reports that Tuckerman Team continued the party well after the reunion. Mike,
CLASS NOTES
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Class of 1992 (top to bottom): Katie McKelvie Backfield performing (John Faiella in background). / Amy Barclay Stiga, John Nichol, Helen Manderson and Coate Manderson / Kenyon Fields married Mary Conover in October 2013 and currently lives out West.* / Lukas Kolff and family enjoying some great sailing along the stunning islands in Greece / Hillary Keenan. (Credit: John Soares) / Tobin Dominick pictured with her sister-in-law, Georgia, and her kids Lula and Andy. / Trey Holder, Heidi Von Rosenburg Klapinsky, and Bret Barasch. / Leslie and Andrew Heaney in Nantucket, July 2017. / Heidi Von Rosenburg Klapinsky and Amy Barclay Stiga in Marion, Massachusetts. / Randall girls weekend with Alice Fiddian-Green, Corey Cook Bartlett, Randall Flinn Stiglitz, Julie O’Donnell Wood, Cameron Goodyear, Candace Gottschalk, Kate Georgi Lauprete ’91 / Congratulations to Travell Summerville ’92, a member of the Kenan-Flagler Business School Executive MBA Class of 2017. * (photo from New York Times)
along with his wife, Catherine, Heidi, Trey, Julie and Bret B. joined Randall in Nantucket to have a long weekend to close out the month of July. Sadly, they missed the Heaneys by a couple of hours. ■ Heidi Von Rosenberg Klapinsky says that she definitely suffered from PRD (post reunion depression) after returning home from our 25th. It was such a great turnout and she loves the commitment from those who hopped on planes. She says she assuaged her PRD by continuing to connect with SGers over the course of last summer, seeing Margaret Ogden ’93, Heather Bond, Amy Barclay and Katie Backfield in Marion, Massachusetts, as well as Cameron Goodyear, Alice
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Fiddian-Green, Ethan D., Candace Gottschalk and Randall Flinn in Boston … and finally that trip with Mike Hayes to Nantucket (now known as rantucket). Life is good!! ■ Randall Flinn also kept the reunion mojo flowing when she had another girls’ weekend later in the summer with Alice, Corey, Julie, Cameron, Candace and Kate Georgi Lauprete ’91. Lots of beach time and laughter. ■ Christian Whiton made it back to the reunion despite his intense schedule at the State Department. His big news is that he has accepted a new position, senior vice president at Banner Public Affairs. He is also a senior fellow at the Center for the National Interest. He says it was a remarkable year of transition and administration, but also turbulent! He started the new job in mid-November after he and Marco were able to head to Japan to enjoy some time off. ■ At the reunion it was great to see Travell Summerville, who made a Herculean effort to drive up after his daughter’s game and was able to make the dinner! He has been busy in the Executive MBA program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill! He graduated at the end of October and can now put all his hard work to use! ■ In October, a few of us were able to meet at the New York Yacht Club to welcome the Head of School Alixe Callen. It seems like the new school year is off to a great start. ■ That’s it for now. Be sure to check the SG Class of 1992 group on Facebook and share your reunion photos or add them to our Google album (URL on our class FB page), if you haven’t already! —Sara Hulse
1993 1994
Geoffrey C. Siebengartner, geoff@siebengartner.com
Christine McSweeney Orthwein, binkieo@ gmail.com / Sara Selbert Savov, saraselbertsavov@gmail.com ■ Cameron Sterling reports that the most exciting thing since his last class notes update is that Rebecca and he welcomed their second baby boy, Tate Collier Sterling, born June 23, 2017. (Congratulations Cam, that IS exiting!!) ■ Stewart Strawbridge is living in Portland with his wife, Liz, and their
three kids — 2, 5, and 7. He always enjoys seeing folks that pass through Portland. Reach out anytime if you are in the area. Stewart is also in New York a fair amount and sees Charlie Rose and Seb Varney. He also sees Ned ’96 and Emily Johnson ’96 in the summer. Ned and Emily have two kids and live in Charleston, South Carolina. Ned has been seen swimming with the crocodiles. ■ Tristram Millard says “hello” but has “nothing really to report.” Life, wife and kids are good. ■ Dana Fentress Creel is still living in New York and Emilie, 11, and Spencer, 10, are liking school there. Dana went up to the Hilltop twice last year and had a great time seeing the new facilities and faculty. She runs into Seb Varney in Millbrook, New York, from time to time and had dinner with Nicki and Charles Rose in the city last spring. ■ Jesko von Stechow wrote in just after Oktoberfest finished in Munich. For those who haven’t been to Munich, put it on your bucket list! It is great fun. Nature of living in Germany is that he doesn’t run into SG fellow by chance, so no wedding pictures or reunion stories from there. (I think we should look him up when in Munich so we can change all that.) ■ Beth Nash Eriksen is still living right outside D.C. and working there as an attorney for the DOJ. She and her family welcomed baby No. 2, John Edward Nash, “Nash” Eriksen on Jan. 12, 2017, four days after big sister Caroline turned 2. She would love to see any SGers if and when you are in D.C. ■ Sara Selbert Savov is navigating the role of mother to two, and starting a small business in Connecticut. Also, their kitchen has been under construction for a little bit and the family has been celebrating the prepared food and take-out menus a lot lately. Anyone who is ever in Greenwich or wants to come visit, the door is open. Well not really, but welcoming SGers near and far. She has been keeping up with some classmates and looking forward to the next reunion, May 17-19, 2019, a not-so-far-off get together.
1995 @gmail.com
Carolyn Sclafani Mowat, carolynsclafani
Campbell McNicol ’09 (2nd from left) and her partner Dill Ayres beat Peter Pell ’95 and his Aunt Simmy Pell 7-6, 6-4 in the finals of the Piping Rock Club mixed doubles tennis tournament.
1996
Anthony L. Champalimaud, alchampalimaud@gmail.com
1997
Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent.
1998
Lindsey Houston Salmony, lindsey. salmony@blackbaud.com
1999
I. Andrew McLaughlin, iamclaughlin@gmail.com / Anne Harvey Sharpe, adharvey8@ gmail.com
2000
Jennifer Vandemoer Mitchell, mitchelljv @gmail.com ■ Hello everyone! Thanks again for all of your messages. David and I are still enjoying Aspen, Colorado, working and running around with our two kiddos. I had the chance to visit with Chris Fouts and family when I got stuck traveling through Chicago with my kids, so it was great to get all the little ones together and see their new surroundings in Hinsdale, Illinios. I also recently got a hike in with Fiona de Sada, who is enjoying being home in Aspen with her
CLASS NOTES
// SPRING 2018
family. ■ Alex Jones is living in Bermuda and has been running his own business there since 2015. He was scheduled to get married, as he puts it, “finally!” to Cheryl Pappas in Maine in January. ■ Alexis Barrick writes: “After 13 years in New York City, we decided to move back to Rhode Island. I’ve joined my father’s company and my husband will be commuting to DraftKings headquarters in Boston. So far we are loving it, but seriously need friends, so if any SG alums are in the area — hit us up! Our son, Nick Barrick, also loved meeting his SG aunties (Emily Talamo and Sayler Crouchley) and Uncle Matt Casey last May.” ■ Alexandra Malloy writes: “After 10-plus years in Los Angeles, we moved with our two girls to Charleston, South Carolina. We are both still running our companies in California so we will be traveling back and forth a bit. We love being back in the South and have reconnected with a lot of SG friends and alums.” ■ David Clark writes: “Only thing new on my end is that I left my old job as production accountant on “American Ninja Warrior” and “Top Chef” for a job at Netflix as a production finance executive overseeing their
st. george’s school
Top to bottom: Fred McFerran ’99 and Ben Ducas ’99 at the wedding of Neil McLaughlin ’99 in August 2017. / Emily Talamo ’00, Sayler Crouchley ’00, and Matt Casey ’00 with Nick Barrick, son of Alexis Sheehan Barrick ’00. / Warner and Winnie Talamo and Maisie and Skye Crouchley - Emily Talamo and Sayler Crouchley got their families together this summer and the kids had a blast! Hopefully a couple of future Dragons in the mix! / Jessica and George Sargent ’00 with their son Charlie.
expansion into unscripted series and talk shows.” ■ Liz Hughes writes: “Finished taking and passing the AREs (architecture registration exams) last winter, so I am now officially a licensed architect. I got married to a fellow named Mike Cahill in Brookline, Massachusetts, on Oct. 28, 2017.” ■ Kristen Deem was expecting another boy around Thanksgiving. “Otherwise life is pretty much the same in Albuquerque,” she wrote. “Kyle continues to fly helicopters for the USAF as an instructor pilot here and I’m still running my photo business. We will have photos and more news in the next magazine I’m sure!” ■ Channing Ansley Grate writes: “My husband Adam and I got married last year. We recently moved to Washington, D.C., with our fur family of two dogs and a cat, ending my long-but-rewarding exile in the Midwest. ■ Serene Murphy sent in a quick note to say that all is going well in London and she and Colin were expecting their second baby, who was due on Christmas day! ■ The day has come and George Sargent is a father. George and Jess Sargent had a baby boy Charlie in September. Mom and Charlie are doing great. Mom says, “Dad’s life hasn’t changed enough.” Dad isn’t sure. Charlie’s sleeping patterns (sleeps all day, parties all night) indicate that he has a fighting chance of exceeding his dad’s record for green cards due to oversleeping. ■ Andy Roberts got to spend time on the water with Paul Schmid last summer before he became a father in the fall. He and Maggie welcomed Paul Albert Schmid V on Oct. 11, 2017, born just a couple of weeks after, and now lives a few blocks from Charlie Sargent. Andy also got to kick it on SG campus with Chris Fouts in May with other alums at the Alumni Board of Visitors meeting. ■ Caitlin McShera writes: “My husband Ryan and I welcomed Patrick “Skip” McShera on Aug. 5, so that is our big news for the past year!” ■ Barbara Romero is settled into her new house in Harvard, Massachusetts, and is enjoying being a residential real estate broker west of Boston. ■ Amanda Fend writes: “I had a drink with Matt Casey in Nashville recently and I told him it was ironic (and scary!) that he and George are the ones running the show at work and having babies! If anyone’s ever in Nashville
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// SPRING 2018
Ebony Arrington ’00 got the chance to catch up with Maya Ray ’98, who was in the Raleigh Durham area in September.
please let me know! ■ Emily Talamo and Sayler Crouchley got their families together this summer and the kids had a blast! Hopefully a couple of future Dragons in the mix! ■ Ebony Arrington has a new baby addition to the Class of 2000 family, Elias Arrington, born May 11, 2017. She also got the chance to catch up with Maya Ray ’98, who was in the Raleigh/Durham area in September. She says they picked up right where they left off almost 20 years ago and didn’t miss a beat!
2001
Mary Turner Oehmig, mtoehmig@gmail.com / Justin P. Cerenzia, justin_cerenzia@ stgeorges.edu ■ It has been a long time; we should not have left without some class notes to read through. After a lengthy hiatus, we have had a veritable deluge of updates from people far and wide. It is great to hear from so many, particularly as so many of us seemingly found a sliver of time to share in the midst of chasing small children. Let us keep the momentum going in future editions. What follows is less of a narrative approach than we might traditionally utilize, but given the lack of updates, it feels appropriate to bring us all up to speed. So here goes! ■ Katherine (Nielsen) Currin kicked off the updates, checking in from Lookout
Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she lives ith her husband and sons Sam, 3, and Crawford, 2. She frequently sees Mary (Turner) Oehmig, who lives just a mile from Katherine on Lookout Mountain. Mary, who recently began working as a preschool teacher at Good Shepherd Episcopal School (where she teachers the above-mentioned Sam) and has two little ones of her own, a son Hank, 4, and daughter Laura, almost 2. ■ Speaking of children, Tom Davis is out in San Francisco doing big things. What, exactly, is hard to know but it is clear he is a very successful, handsome fellow. He did get back east recently where he visited the Hilltop and spent some time with current SG faculty member Justin Cerenzia. Justin lives in Buell Dormitory with his wife, Chrissy, who also works at SG, and sons Benno (almost 3) and Matteo (6 months). ■ Daphne (Neilson) Jonas is also in San Francisco with two daughters in tow: Perry, 4, and Nell, 1. She loves living on the West Coast and frequently spends time with Eliza (Notides) Young when she is back visiting family in the city. Yoori Oh recently moved back to Seoul with her husband, her daughter Vine, and an adorable pooch, Pritzker. ■ Monica (Kolb) Phillips is in Alexandria, Virginia, where she has been teaching math and science at Georgetown Visitation Prep for the last three years. Monica, who is looking to return to her previous career in systems engineering, is married to Eric and has two sons: Logan, almost 3, and Marshall, 6 months. ■ Dana Larkin checked in from Jackson, Wyoming, where she teaches math at a local high school, but more importantly engages in all sorts of outdoor adventures. No kids for Dana yet, but she is happily in an amazing relationship with another adventurer. ■ Colby Hewitt is in Dedham, Massachusetts, where he lives with his wife Jen, two kids (Charlie, 5 and Louisa, 3) and dog, Tiller. He is working for The Andover Companies and recently celebrated eight happy years married to Jen. ■ Mark Healy is doing some cool things working with the U.S. Marshal Service in D.C., where he has recently rubbed shoulders with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland and Secretary of Education Betsy Devos. ■ Andrew Grosvenor and his wife, Sarah, are based in Concord, New Hampshire,
with their 2.5-year-old son, Theo. When not lawyering it up for a group of entrepreneurs in Burlington, Vermont, he is out in the local music scene, tickling the ivories at local bars, where he even mixes some Wyc into his sets. ■ Annabel (Prentice) Botterill has been in Sydney, Australia, for the last 11 years, but will soon relocate back to the States in May. Annabel has been with Google for the last seven and a half years, but will be taking advantage of Australia (and Google’s) generous maternity leave, as she is expecting a girl soon. This will be her second child, as she welcomed a very feisty redhead (Callan) into the world, almost two years ago. ■ Megan (Lothrop) Pagano is working at HarperCollins publishing in Manhattan, doing analysis for their children’s division. She and her husband moved out to Long Island some years ago and have a daughter, Beatrice, 1.5. Megan’s mom (the all-star teacher Dr. Lothrop) retired from teaching at SG recently and relocated to be close to Megan to aid with childcare. ■ Nate Eaton and his wife, Leigh (Fenwick) Eaton ’99, have their hands full with 19-month-old twin girls, Caroline and Millicent. He frequently sees Kesa (Iskra) Lindsay ’03 and Kelly (Loftus) Fleming ’99, who are godmothers to the twins. ■ Isabella (Dana) Ridall relocated back to Newport after 10 years in the Bahamas with her husband Andy and sons Charlie, 8, Wilkes, 6, and Henry, almost 2. ■ Caitlin (Sherry) Reisman is in Needham, Massachusetts, where she works as a nurse practitioner at Stonehill College and clinical instructor at Boston College. Caitlin and her husband Jon stay busy with their three girls: Emma, 4½, Abby, 2½, and Hannah, 3 months. ■ Kristy (Frain) Perkowski lives in Falmouth, Maine, and works as a pediatrician in Portland. When not taking care of other people’s children, she and her husband are busy with three boys of their own: Luke, 5, Cole, 3, and Jude, 1.5. ■ Lynn Leong is based in Branford, Connecticut, with her husband Yiming King and daughter Blake, who is 5 now. She is still very much involved with squash, now serving as a senior assistant coach for Yale University men’s and women’s teams. She also runs her own squash academy out of Yale, called Pinnacle Squash. ■ Andrew Scott meanwhile has transitioned his
CLASS NOTES
report that she’s living with her husband Mike, stepdaughter Zoey, and stepson Kynen in North Berwick, Maine, and is in the midst of finishing dental school.
2002
SPRING 2018
Dorothy P. Billings, dorothybillings@gmail. com / Gerrit M. Lansing, gerrit. lansing@gmail.com / Dana T. Ross, danatross@gmail.com ■ We thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many of you at our 15-year reunion (cannot believe it has been 15 years!) Additionally, it was wonderful hearing from many of you regarding this edition of the Class Notes. ■ Moving from the West Coast to the East Coast for this update ... There is definitely still a good presence of folks living in California. Ryan Vaillancourt is living and loving Los Angeles with his wife, Uli, and daughter, Fiona. Ryan is working at NationBuilder (they are hiring if anyone is interested), and he and his wife are expanding their family gelato business, Gelateria Uli, by recently opening a second location. ■ Peyton Wallace too resides in LA and is making Ninja pants along with part-time DJ’ing. Kate Harvey and her husband, Jason, welcomed their son, Charles Brandon Anklowitz, to the world on April 27, 2017. Kate works in admission at a private elementary school, however, she and her family will be relocating to Connecticut this summer from sunny Marina Del Ray. Ashley Platt Woodford lives in Costa Mesa with her husband, Michael, and 2-year-old son, Fintan. She continues to work for Pega, a technology company based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. ■ Speaking of California, many SG alums (Ryan Vaillancourt, Peyton Wallace, Karl Mollohan, Trevor Farmen, Dana Ross, Dorothy Billings, Kate Harvey, Andrew Scott ’01, Casey Cook Waldin ’03, Eliza Baker Holladay ’03,) congregated in Santa Barbara to watch Logan Unland marry longtime girlfriend, Serena Wolf. Todd Curtin, Gerrit Lansing, Henry Sheehan, John Whipple ’03 and Ian Wick ’03 were part of the wedding party. Logan and Serena reside in the West Village of New York, and Logan works at an investment fund focusing on the healthcare sector. Serena is a chef and author. ■ Last summer, Emma Simmons Anselmi recently moved to Boulder, Colorado, from
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Grace, 19 months. ■ Jacqueline Perrottet is in Dubai, with husband Dennis and daughter Lia, 1. She initially moved to run an art gallery and after taking some time off is now starting her own business venture, a female focused co-working company. ■ Cicely Thomas, Ashley (Mihos) Kennedy, Dorothy Billings, and Emily Castelli have all visited. Tim Friend, who did such a bang up job as class correspondent these past few years, has been in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife, Kelly, son Paxton (almost 2) and two savage, mini poodles. They are soon relocating to Boston from D.C. ■ Jack Killen is in New York with his wife, Courtney, and awesome 5-month old boy, Mickey. He is in the beer business and owns an importing company, DropRippleWave. ■ Everyone’s favorite Canadian, Dory Sarkis sends his love from MTL where he recently welcomed a son with even more panache than he has. Romeo Chris Sarkis was born last December. Rumor has it Romeo blew kisses to the nurses at the hospital and then moonwalked out of the maternity ward. ■ The hoops fans among us may have noticed a new Nike commercial featuring Dante Grand. No, we did not graduate with a Dante, but we did graduate with a Jake Grand. The Nike ad, “Want it All,” is an example of Jake’s most recent work, with the character’s name a nod to my favorite roommate. He and his wife, Katie, are out in Portland, Oregon. ■ Peter Macon is in Northern Virginia, where he recently bought a house with his wife, Tina. They adopted an adorable Jack Russell puppy named Scuppers and an absolute train wreck of a German shepherd named Derby. Since leaving law school, he has been working as a State Department diplomat at FBI headquarters as part of an interagency State/FBI/DoD/ Intelligence Community team managing terrorism-related hostage cases. That sounds totally chill and not at all stressful. In order to avoid getting depressed at work, he spends his free time losing to Tim and Colby in fantasy football. ■ Ed Roberts was back on campus last spring, serving as an intermediary for a group looking to start a private boarding school for boys in Cleveland, Ohio. He, Cerenz, and Bob Weston caught up over dinner in town. ■ Mary Hand got in under the deadline to
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talents from squash to energy, working for a firm down on 42nd and 3rd in New York City. Scott, who remains an absolute beautician, is in a committed relationship with a lovely human, Kelly. They spent some time with the Cerenzia contingent on the Hilltop earlier this summer. Andrew and Kelly will soon close on a house in Kennebunkport, Maine, and hope to eventually transition there from life in the big city. He was heading to Georgia to run 26 miles with Jake von Trapp on Nov. 4, because apparently this is a thing people do in their leisure time. Jake is married to Betsy and has two little ones as well. ■ Romain Rigby has spent the past decade in Asia, splitting time between China, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur. Roma is an international man of mystery. ■ Andrew Stern is also up in Falmouth, Maine, where he lives with his daughter, Caroline. Andrew is working for the Royal Bank of Canada and still gets out on the water often. ■ Stuart (Stupac) Chan just returned to Toronto after spending the last two years in Hong Kong and Sweden. He got his master’s degree in landscape architecture in 2015 and is engaged to a wonderful Swedish woman. ■ Aurelia (Drackett) Demark and her husband Adam are in New York City, with their daughter Eloise, 2, and dog Scout. Soon after having Eloise, she resigned from Tory Burch after working there for 7 years. In the last year, she has been working on her eponymous fine jewelry line, Aurelia Demark. She and Missie Walker see one another as often as they can and recently bumped into Spencer Thune and Jay Lewis. ■ Diana (Hocker) Harper wrote in from Mexico City, Mexico, where she manages crime and violence prevention projects for USAID. Her husband Evan works at the State Department. Both of them were thankfully OK after the horrific earthquake that struck the city some months back. She saw Keating Simons recently and will welcome Kate Ackerman soon. ■ Friedrich Kapp checked in from Germany, where he will soon finish his five-year residency in pediatrics at the University Hospital in Freiburg. He and his wife, Tabea, recently welcomed their third daughter, Johanna, who joins Mona, 6, and Helene, 4. ■ Sarah (Coffin) Westcott and her husband Paul live in Annapolis, Maryland, with son Will, 4, and daughter
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// SPRING 2018
Class of 2002 (top to bottom): At their 15th reunion: Emma Simmons Anselmi, Dorothy Billings, Dana Ross, Serena Wolf-Unland, Henry Sheehan, Gerrit Lansing, Todd Curtin, Logan Unland, Alex Zani, Uli Vaillancourt, Ryan Vaillancourt, David Burkel. / Photo from Logan Unland’s wedding (left to right): Peyton Wallace, Todd Curtin, Trevor Farmen, Dana Ross, Kate Harvey, John Whipple ’03, Ian Wick ’03, Eliza Baker Holladay ’03, Logan Unland, Serena Wolf, Henry Sheehan, Casey Cook Waldin ’03, Gerrit Lansing, Karl Mollohan, Dorothy Billings.
Sausalito and are enjoying the season for the first time in years! Emma looks forward to seeing the Colorado SG group more often! Emily Whipple moved to Aspen at the start of 2017 to open The Broth-el, a seasonal bone broth business. ■ Katherine Peveler Fattaruso married a nice California man, named Mike. Together they live in Orlando and work for Disney. Jeff Patenaude is also a Florida resident. He and his wife, Amy, greeted their daughter Edith “Edie” Elizabeth on Aug. 27, 2017. Edie and Heath, their 3-year-old son, are keeping them busy! Jeff is now practicing law as in-house attorney for Hays, a London-based staffing firm. Jeff was able to catch up with Chris Sessa last fall when Sessa traveled to Tampa from Richmond, Virginia, for the Giants/Buccaneers game. Sessa can safely report that Jeff still loves to rock the aux cord! Sessa continues to work hard with his father and brother, AJ, as they are expanding their material handling business in four states. ■ Both Alex and Elliott Perry are living in Dallas. Alex works in real estate and Elliott is in construction, which has them at times
partnering up on real-estate development projects. Elliott now shares his home with his lovely wife, making Alex the only single Perry now. ■ Ted McDermott will now be a resident of Texas. After 11 years in Seattle, Ted is moving to Austin for a new job in the seafood industry. He is looking forward to the BBQ and music scenes, and if anyone is in the area please drop him a line. Ted also had the good fortune of spending some time with Kate MacBain in Fiji last fall, sailing around and fishing. Best trip since Geronimo. ■ Quincey Ross is down in Arkansas working at the Center for Arkansas Legal Services as a staff attorney. He is running for Circuit Court Judge in a nonpartisan election on May 22. Good luck, Quincy! Check him out on Facebook: fb.com/rossforjudge2018 ■ Ward Detwiler left his job last year to start a venture development group focused on commercializing new healthcare technologies. That led him to assuming the role of CEO of a spinout of one of his clients, a brain-imaging software company that they are just taking the covers off of. He is living the suburban dream with his dog in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Additionally, Ward still finds time to do a bunch of offshore racing, play rackets, ski, and hunt and fish (although not as much as he would desire). ■ Kevin Shers got engaged last summer to his fiancé, Kate McCartan, whom he met at Katharine Modisett’s wedding in 2014. He is planning to attend business school part time this spring in the D.C. area. Kevin had fun reconnecting with Ted Archer (who lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife, Kristen, and two baby Dragons, Paris, 4, and Nicolas, 1½), John Greeley, Adam Roberts, Vassar Pierce, Rose Johnson, Dr. Moss, Mr. Weston, and many others at the 15-year reunion. ■ Todd Curtin lives with his boyfriend and dog on the East End of Long Island and is practicing architecture out of Sag Harbor where he is nearing completion on his first international project. When not working, he spends as much time as possible hanging out with the SG’02 class — and then immediately regretting the decision. ■ Last September, Becky Rudolph married Michael Wilmot at the beautiful Candlelight Farms in New Milford, Connecticut. They reside in Newton, Connecticut, with their two girls, Summer
and Amanda, two horses, Batman and Orion, and their dog, Rosie. Sounds like a zoo! There is always an adventure with Summer and Amanda, one a freshman in high school and the other in sixth grade. Becky is reliving her freshman-year days of geometry and biology at the homework table, and has Mr. Lewis and Mr. Evans to thank for a solid foundation to keep the tutors at bay. Otherwise, in her spare time, she is the director of sales for an industrial X-ray manufacturing company, servicing the security (your friendly TSA) and the oil & gas industries. ■ Adam Roberts is now living in Boston, working for Resource Generation. He is a building a movement of friendly neighborhood class traitors (with a bunch of other ISL alums). Will Grosvenor and his wife, Marisa, and daughter, Marin, recently moved to Boston from New York. Will was relocated by his company Related, and is on their development team. ■ As for us: Dorothy Billings continues to work at Bloomberg LP in engineering (10-year Bloomberg work anniversary was in April 2017!) and resides on the Upper East Side of New York with her boyfriend, Alex. Gerrit Lansing celebrated his second wedding anniversary last summer and is running a digital-marketing agency and an onlineads company. He is still in D.C., living on Capitol Hill, but is eyeing a move back to sweet home Chicago in the next few years. ■ Overall, everyone seems to be doing very well. Congrats on all the engagements, weddings, and new additions to families! We wish you all happy and healthy months ahead! —Dorothy and Gerrit
2003
Bradley G. Hoover, bgh3175@gmail.com ■ Our 15-year reunion is May 4-6! Fifteen years… FIFTEEN YEARS! You know, it feels like only yesterday we were up until 1 a.m. cramming for that math test we kept putting off. Running across the campus to get back to Arden for check-in. Playing hacky-sack next to the sixth-form benches. Getting in trouble for having our shirts untucked or blazers not on. Grilling burgers during JV baseball games. Ordering Chinese food from Ming Moon and pizza from Via Via. The point is, I just cannot believe that it’s been 15 years… ■ On Aug. 16 of last
CLASS NOTES
James F. Bittl, jamesbittl@gmail.com / J. Garth Fasano, garthfasano@gmail. com / Julianna C. Howland, julianna. howland@gmail.com / Katharine Sheehan Ronck, katharineronck@gmail. com ■ Dr. Austin Brown married Dr. Julie Whelan, now the Dr. Browns, at Fort Adams in September. The wedding included a small SG reunion attended by James Beaty, Kelley Millane ’05 and Garth Fasano. The new Brown family recently moved to Florida, where Austin works on a team developing explosives to validate testing devices for airport and border security. ■ Jim Bittl and his wife Katherine Kung (Tabor ’06) are moving from NYC to Hong Kong early next year. If any alumni are in the area, be sure to let them know! ■ Hollyn Romeyn moved to Cape Town and continues to work in Iraq on humanitarian aid focusing on children’s education needs. Last summer she was interviewed on TV, reporting on the impacts of ISIS on child development.
2005
Christina I. Saldivar, c.saldivar311@gmail. com ■ Mary Wakefield and her husband were expecting a baby girl in February. Congratulations! ■ Christina Saldivar is celebrating her recent engagement to
Top to bottom: Matilde Davis ’05 and Sando Baysah ’05 in South Africa where Sando is working in Botswana in conjunction with her residency program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
SPRING 2018
2004
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traditional and alternative asset management senior level investment and asset raising roles. ■ Bill Nordlund reports that all is well in Alexandria, Virginia. His son Sam just turned 5; Henry is 3.5 years old; and Abby just turned 1. Bill is still at Amazon running operations for their Fresh business in the D.C. area. As an aside, a few of Bill’s classmates always thought Bill would become president of the United States one day. Well, it sounds like he is on his way to having a leadership position at the company that will one day run this country. The United States of Amazon. So we will be partially correct. ■ Chris Landercasper continues organic farming outside of San Francisco. Landy occasionally sees Andrew Watters and his son, Kai. ■ Life in Nashville is going well for Shannon Karpovitz. She goes to country concerts whenever possible. Last year she enjoyed the local hockey playoff scene, and hopes for a repeat this year. ■ Across the pond is Manuel Valencia, who recently completed his MBA in Madrid. Manny sold his business in California and is looking to remain in Spain. He wants to invest in the Spanish hospitality/tourism sector (e.g. B&B, restaurants). Manny would love to see some SG folks, so please reach out to him if you visit Spain! ■ Do you CrossFit? Do your friends who CrossFit tell you about it all the time? Well, I have some exciting news to share. This spring my partner and I are opening Gowanus CrossFit! Located in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, we are hard at work creating a strong and supportive community of awesome humans. The next time you are in the New York area, please get in touch with me. You are more than welcome to come get your fitness on with us! You stay classy, 2003.
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year, Colby Brown married Reem Asaad in Cleveland, Ohio! Congratulations you guys! Colby is also starting his fourth year of ENT residency. ■ On Nov. 12 of last year, Casey Cook married Erik Waldin in Palm Beach, Florida! Congrats to you both! SG presence at the wedding was strong, and included: Todd Curtin ’02, Missie Walker ’01, Dorothy Billings ’02, Dana Ross ’02, Emily Castelli, Kesa Lindsay, Eliza Holladay and Binkie Orthwein ’94. Casey and her husband reside in Palm Beach, and look forward to many more Dragon reunions and run-ins in the South Florida area. ■ Geoff Kearney is back in Arkansas until at least this fall. Geoff is clerking for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Before this, he was clerking for a federal district judge in Illinois. Geoff reports that it was tough to leave, but that it is great to be home. ■ Last year, Geoff traveled up to Harvard for his 10-year reunion, where he caught up with classmate Cece Keefe. While in Boston, he stayed with Tom Weismann and his wife, Liz. Before entering their home, he serenaded Tom with “Oh Tommy Boy” (ha ha). Do you know the reference? Geoff also traveled to Dallas for a weekend to hang out with his old dormmate Pavan Dharwadkar. Now that Geoff is back in Arkansas, he has seen more of Quincey Ross ’02. ■ As for Pavan, he successfully survived Oktoberfest in Munich last year. Congratulations Pave! We hope you are doing well in Saudi! ■ Also in the Boston area is Rob Stevenson. Rob, who is one year into married life, continues to work at Eagle Investment Systems, while running his drone business on the side. Rob also has his remote commercial pilot’s license, and is happy to give an alum discount. Hit him up! ■ Katie Britten moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, last spring and is cooking at Les Sablons, a new restaurant in Harvard Square. Super cool! Katie is loving being back in New England! ■ Rounding out the Boston scene is Abby Taylor. Abby is doing a small animal rotating internship at Tufts. She applied to the match for ECC (emergency and critical care) residencies last November. ■ Ben Smith’s wife, Grace, gave birth to a baby girl, Eleanor Eunbee Smith, on May 7 of last year. Congratulations! Ben started at a UK-based executive search firm in March — Sheffield Haworth — focusing on
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Marriages
// SPRING 2018
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CONGRATULATIONS Jonathan Foster ’97 to Laura Bannon July 22, 2017 Hilary Hopper ’98 to Michael Salvo Sept. 16, 2017 Neil McLaughlin ’99 to Lindsay Sullivan [ 1 ] / Aug. 19, 2017 Sarah Grosvenor ’00 to Steven Moseley July 7, 2017
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Channing Ansley ’00 to Adam Grate [ 2 ] / May 21, 2016 Liz Hughes ’00 to Michael Cahill Oct. 28, 2017 Mary Hand ’01 to Michael Gagnon July 22, 2017 Rebecca Rudolph ’02 to Michael Wilmot Sept. 9, 2017 Elliott Perry ’02 to Laura Howes Sept. 10, 2016 Logan Unland ’02 to Serena Wolf Oct. 7, 2017 Colby Brown ’03 to Reem Asaad [ 3] / Aug. 16, 2017 3
Casey Cook ’03 to Erik Waldin [ 4 ] / Nov. 12, 2016
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Katherine Heath ’03 to Robert “Ben” Douglass May 26, 2017 Russell Lloyd ’03 to John Booker June 18, 2016 Austin Brown ’04 to Julie Whelan [ 5 ] / Sept. 30, 2017 Garth Fasano ’04 to Peggy Tautz May 28, 2017 �
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Cabot Lyman ’05 to Michael Barry Aug. 5, 2017 Sasha Garfield ’05 to Colin McDonald ’05 [ 6 ] / Sept. 23, 2017
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SPRING 2018
Ian Cook ’06 to Jane Caty [ 7 ] / Sept. 2, 2017
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Kate Webbe ’05 to Christian Rahe Feb. 4, 2017
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Michael Ehinger ’06 to Leigh McGrath [ 8 ] / Sept. 09, 2017 Nancy Grosvenor ’07 to Darren Walters [ 9 ] / Aug. 5, 2017 John Harris ’09 to Grace Sickles [ 10 ] / Sept. 30, 2017 LuLu Keszler ’09 to Brendan Manley [ 11 ] / Sept. 9, 2017 Leslie Muzzy ’09 to Jim Walter July 8, 2017 Paula Pimentel ’09 to Jonathan Edwards [ 12 ] / July 15, 2017 Hendrik Kits Van Heyningen ’10 to Siobhan Hanley Aug. 5, 2017
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Ping Praneeprachachon ’10 to Tao Jatusripitak Aug. 6, 2017
Faculty Devon Ducharme (faculty) to Virginia Buckles (faculty) [ 13 ] / Sept. 23, 2017 �
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Babies �
CO NG RATULATIONS
// SPRING 2018 1
2 3
Margaret Jane “Maggie” Sullivan to Paula and Joe Sullivan ’93 [ 1 ] / May 10, 2017
Vine Kim to Leehong Kim and Yoori Oh ’01 April 24, 2015
John Edward Nash Eriksen to Christian and Beth Nash Eriksen ’94 [ 2 ] / Jan. 12, 2017
Hannah Reisman to Jon and Caitlin Sherry Reisman ’01 [ 9 ] / July 26, 2017
Tate Collier Sterling to Rebecca and Cameron Sterling ’94 June 23, 2017
Romeo Chris Sarkis to Alexandra and Dory Sarkis ’01 Dec. 20, 2016
Larsen Alexander Burckmyer to Denise and Charlie Burckmyer ’95 [ 3 ] / Sept. 21, 2017
Charles Brandon Anklowitz to Jason and Kate Harvey Anklowitz ’02 April 27, 2017
Lula Dominick to Georgia and Drew Dominick ’95 March 17, 2017
Edith “Edie” Elizabeth Patenaude to Amy and Jeff Patenaude ’02 Aug. 27, 2017
Sydney Grace Wong to Kristen and Karlson Wong ’99 Jan. 20, 2016
Marin Grosvenor to Marisa and Will Grosvenor ’02 July 5, 2016
Elias Arrington to Cornelius and Ebony Scales Arrington ’00 [ 4 ] / May 11, 2017
Eleanor Eunbee Smith to Grace and Ben Smith ’03 May 7, 2016
Nicholas Pembleton Barrick to Adam and Alexis Sheehan Barrick ’00 April 24, 2017
Claire Barker to Olivia Kerr Barker ’04 and Bret Barker ’04 [ 10 ] / July 2, 2017
Patrick “Skip” McShera to Ryan and Caitlin Thiem McShera ’00 [ 5 ] / Aug. 5, 2017
Margaret Taylor to Honore and Bill Taylor ’04 April 5, 2017
Charles David Pickman Sargent to Jess and George Sargent ’00 [ 6 ] / Sept. 16, 2017
COMMUNITY:
Paul Albert Schmid V to Maggie and Paul Schmid IV ’00 [ 7 ] / Oct. 11, 2017
Frances “Frankie” Love Dwyer to Kathy and Jeff Dwyer (faculty) May 19, 2017
Matteo Alexander Cerenzia to Chrissy and Justin Cerenzia ’01 [ 8 ] / April 28, 2017
Callum David Stachelhaus to Jessica and Scott Stachelhaus (faculty) July 4, 2017
Mickey Killen to Courtney and Jack Killen ’01 June 1, 2017
Otto Bear Westermann to Susie Keller and Jake Westermann (faculty) Aug. 23, 2017
�
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CLASS NOTES
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2006
Emily Jagger Lynch, emily.jagger@gmail. com / Marisa A. Rodriguez-McGill, mrodriguezmcgill@gmail.com ■ Hello Class! I just moved back to New York City and have already run into so many old SG friends. I have been working as the government relations manager for a Chinese dockless bike-sharing company called ofo (meant to look like someone riding a bicycle). It is very busy, but my weekly travels take me to interesting cities where I can reunite with former classmates from all points of my life. ■ I had dinner at Café China with Sung Jun Hong, who had just returned from a trip to Paris. He is living on the UWS and selling real estate for the City of New York. I also met up with Sally Hatfield ’05 and Ryan Dewey. Ryan is living in Chelsea with her law school sweetheart, Drew, aka KABBES. Funnily enough, Ryan and Kabbes are both lawyers at the same firm, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, though they work on different floors. In August, I saw Mac Branin, Beau Hill and David
SPRING 2018
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8
st. george’s school
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Jorge Garcia. He proposed during a Hall and Oats concert as they played “You Make My Dreams Come True.” She also started a new job at Merlin Law Group, representing policyholders devastated by storms in disputes with insurance companies. ■ Matilde Davis is still living in Atlanta and loving it. Earlier in 2017, she took a trip to South Africa where she met up with Sando Baysah, who was working in Botswana in conjunction with her residency program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. ■ Kate Humphrey is enjoying life in Detroit, working in the city’s Housing and Revitalization Department on public-private partnerships. ■ Colin McDonald and Sasha Garfield were married on Cuttyhunk Island on Sept. 23, 2017. Jamie Arciadiacono performed the ceremony, while Emma Garfield ’12 served as maid of honor. Hurricane Jose moved off the New England coast just in time for Cabot (Lyman) Barry, Lauren Bakios, Prunie Brox, Paul Bertrand, Kate (Webbe) Rahe, Allie Simons, John Schreder, Abby Morse, and Taylor Yawney plus Nico Walsh ’75 to catch a ferry over and join the celebration.
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// SPRING 2018
Grosvenor at Nancy Grosvenor’s ’07 wedding in Newport. We had fun dancing to the Ravers and drinking beachcombers. The next week, George Whiteley and I, along with many more of Mac’s friends, surprised him with a dinner party on the Upper East Side immediately following his in-apartment engagement to his fantastic fiancé, Lindsay. ■ Last summer I ran into Cameron Skinner at a mutual friend’s 30th birthday on Long Island, where we caught up and I met his lovely wife, Julia. They live in my NYC neighborhood and their best friend lives in my building so I am always getting the scoop on their whereabouts! ■ We also celebrated Caroline “Cuca” Guenther’s 30th birthday at #VillaGuenther in Beverly Farms. Cuca is living the life in San Francisco: skiing Thursday-Tuesday each week in Tahoe and taking work calls from the ski lift. Last year she was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list as someone to watch in the manufacturing sector — Cuca is the head of global supply chain for Cisco Systems, the original “tech” company in the Bay Area. You cannot spell San Francisco without “Cisco!” Caroline hangs out with SG students every time they visit San Francisco on Tech Treks, and meets up regularly with Jono Bernbaum, Meghan Kohls and Halsey Richartz ’07. She just had dinner with Mike Robey and Rachel Lee while home in Boston visiting her parents. Mike and Rachel work together at Wayfair.com. Mike is a full-stack programmer there and lives in the South End. Rachel is a boss lady at Wayfair, having worked her way to the top in just a few short years. Rachel, her boyfriend Matt, and their dog are moving from Andover to Hopkinton, Massachusetts. ■ Also in the Bay Area is Matt Bernard. He reports that he is working in Oakland as a remediation scientist and teaching sailing at the Treasure Island Sailing Center. Short-term career goals include speculation on the new Salesforce Tower and independently bursting the SF tech bubble by all financial and cultural Top to bottom: Emily Jagger Lynch ’06, Natalie Harrison ’06, and Kaitlyn Evans Jue ’06 at the Bright Beginnings’ annual 5k race in Washington, D.C. / MaryMartha Gaiennie ’06 and Caroline “Cuca” Guenther ’06 skiing in Tahoe on the fourth of July. / Scott Nordlund ’06 and his wife Zoila with their one-year-old boxer named Audie and Maine Coon Cat named Peanut. / Rachel Lee ’06, Caroline Guenther ’06 and Mike Robey ’06 in Boston.
metrics. I need more Matt Bernard in my life. ■ Longtime buddies, Kooksun Kim and Peter Holowesko met up for lunch in Hong Kong recently! Peter was taking a polo break to meet with investors in China, and Kooksun is an executive search consultant for ConnectedGroup in Hong Kong. Kooksun says she also ran into Henny and Regina last week in Korea! Mini SG reunions all around! ■ Sally Ward is at Georgetown for her obstetrics residency. I had dinner with Sally and her boyfriend while traveling to D.C. for work. We ate Ethiopian food. “I look forward to a Top Ten reunion for Field’s nuptials if I can get it off,” she wrote. ■ Oh, yes! Field Osler got engaged to her fiancé, Sandy, in Chicago this past summer! Sandy’s mom, Sally (Blodget) Carton ’75, graduated from SG too! David Grosvenor also got engaged, and his fiancé Meredith is a perfect match for him. Ian Cook married his wife, Jane, in New Haven, Connecticut, last summer and Mike Ehinger got married to Leigh in a grand Quogue celebration with Matt Redmond as his best man. ■ Louise Roy reports: “Last year I finished my master’s in oceanography and have just completed a research project with the Marine & Environmental Research Institute, looking at micro plastics in the Gulf of Maine and shellfish. I guess that could be interesting enough for class notes!” ■ Scott Nordlund is living on the East Coast again! He sent a nice photo and email update: “I am happily married to my wife, Zoila. I am currently getting my MBA at Northeastern University. We have a one-year-old boxer named Audie and a Maine Coon Cat named Peanut.” ■ I also got an update from Piper Rastello! Piper is still shooting photography full time. She just got back from Peru and next she is headed to the base camp of Mount Everest to shoot for a few adventure travel companies. Piper is also planning a trip around the world next year to shoot footage for a bunch of NGOs. She cannot wait to head back to Africa. If you want to follow along, Pipers handle is @wherepiperwanders on Instagram. All the best, Marisa.
2007
Alexandra E. Cahill, alexecahill@gmail. com ■ Schuyler Livingston writes, “I’m enjoying my second year at Tuck and after
F R O M T HCEL AASRSC N HO IV TE S
2009
Isabel H. Evans, Izzyevans22@gmail.com ■ Hello chums! We have a lot of big, juicy romantic news to report in this spring magazine! ■ Here are the newlyweds: Leslie Muzzy married Jim Walter in Jackson over the summer of 2017 in what appeared to be a hip, Western wedding. Paula Pimentel married Jon Edwards in Newport. In a surprise twist, they now live in Ithaca, New York! Lulu Keszler and Brendan Manley tied the knot in Southampton, otherwise known as “Little Munich.” ■ John Harris also married his wife Grace in Connecticut. Really beautiful aesthetically. Well done, John! Cheers to all the newlyweds! I don’t know if I wrote in 2015 that Piers Kermode got married. Did I mention that? Oh, and Kajsa MashawSmith is engaged. Congratulations! ■ I have gotten to see Margaret Hawkins twice in 2017 and she is living her best life in Austin. I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with her and her very nice boyfriend. Hannah Von Meister and I had breakfast in New York and she too is living her best LA life, working as a designer and web developer. Her website has excellent branding: vonmonster.com. She made me want to live in LA, take up yoga, and drink fresh rosewater every day. ■ Anna Schroeder has left Texas and is now living back in New York, continuing to work for Bank of America. I hung out with her at Tutti Davis’
SPRING 2018
Westley A. Resendes, west.resendes@gmail. com ■ Hi Everyone, Cannot believe we are about to meet for our 10th Reunion in May ! It will be a brief update this time, but I bet there will be more to report after Reunion Weekend! ■ Hillary Moatz shares: “I am still living in Bend, Oregon, working as a nurse at the local hospital. I got engaged last year in June and will be getting married this summer here in Bend. Super exciting!! Bend rules. I still go to Newport at least once a summer to see all my family!” ■ After a few years as an engineerfor consumer products, Geoff
his family offices in Rome, Palermo, and Marsala, and recently opened a new office in Rhode Island! ■ Last summer, I had a fantastic experience at the ACLU in San Francisco where I was involved in political advocacy and health policy work on the ACA repeal and litigation work in education, voting rights, and prisoners’ rights. I also enjoyed living in the Bay Area and was able to explore California on the weekends, including a weekend camping in Yosemite! I am now wrapping up a busy second year of law school: among many other highlights, I have especially enjoyed working with Connecticut veterans in Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. You will be able to find me this summer in Washington, D.C., working at Covington & Burling. Feel free to reach out if you will be in town, and I am looking forward to seeing you all at reunion! Best wishes, West
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2008
Pedrick moved to a user-centered design role at Walgreens. This is much like what the students get to experience through the SGx program. You will not see Geoff’s work on your phone, as he is working on employee-facing software; however, if you go into a Walgreens and see employees on mobile devices, they are using his designs to make your experience better! Outside of work, Geoff has been able to maintain a regular racing schedule on a couple of local boats, and will be competing in the 2018 Farr 40 World Championships this October in Chicago. ■ Liz Levison is still on the Paces Team at Douglas Elliman in Manhattan where she focuses on residential sales and rentals. She is serving with fellow classmate Mercedes Barba on the board of Friends of Caritas Cubana, which is focused on providing humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable in Cuba. The nonprofit organization recently hosted their 10th annual fundraiser — a smashing success! ■ On the start-up front, Will Mason’s company, Upload, continues to rise to new heights as it has raised $4.5 million in additional funding, opened up a fantastic Los Angeles facility for co-working and education, and recently launched the world’s first virtual-reality developer training programs. ■ Alex Merchant writes, “My wife, Maddie, and I are expecting a baby boy in December, which we’re really excited about. Also, six months ago, I started working in the New York City Office of the First Deputy Mayor focused on policy development and interagency projects with the goal of improving efficiency in city operations, working with the fire, sanitation, buildings, and other core agencies.” ■ Giuseppe Cicero, or rather Dr. Cicero, recently completed a three-year post-graduate periodontics and implant surgery residency at NYU. In the meantime, Giuseppe has been incredibly busy, as he has done extensive research on dental pulp stem cells, developed novel clinical protocols for soft and hard tissue regeneration, and introduced the application of 3-D printing technology for guided bone regeneration. Giuseppe has also published several articles and a book on dental medicine, and has lectured throughout the United States, Italy, and Spain. He is involved with a new start-up focusing on dental three-dimensional printing—Oral 3D. He now practices in
st. george’s school
graduation I’ll be moving to Boston. I’m also getting married at St. George’s this summer, which is also where my parents were married!” ■ Sable Knapp writes: “I am now a proud member of Resource Generation, an organization devoted to taking action against the forces driving economic inequality.” ■ Taylor Tobin is also engaged! She recently started a new position at Windham Capital Management LLC located in Boston, as the senior marketing associate. She is newly engaged to Andrew DeLorey (Nobles Class of ’05) and will be getting married in Hyannis Port in September. ■ Emily McGinnis writes, “I was disappointed to miss everyone this past May at our 10-year reunion, but was down in Elon, North Carolina, for my youngest brother’s (Michael McGinnis ’13) college graduation. I am currently living back at home in Rhode Island and managing the Citizen Experience Lab for a nonprofit social design firm in Providence called the Business Innovation Factory (The BIF). It has been about a year and a half since I got back from my extended four-year Peace Corps Service in Peru, where I was a youth development volunteer in a rural community for two years. Then I spent two years working for gender equality and education initiatives with several NGOs and Peru’s Ministry for Women and Vulnerable Populations in the nation’s capital, Lima. I am also currently writing you from Lima, where I am back doing a little pro bono work supporting a J&J corporate volunteer program through the National Peace Corps Association for a couple weeks. They couldn’t keep me away!”
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// SPRING 2018
27th birthday party. Tutti is still teaching children with disabilities. Honestly, she is such a sweetie saint. ■ Callie and I went to Sicily and Barcelona, eating tapas, drinking aperol spritzes, and trying to chase the American dream of coin and food. We hung out with S.J. Tilden when he visited New York over the summer. He has not changed in the slightest and still likes to sing a cappella to Toto’s “Africa.” Do you remember when the Hilltoppers sang “Africa” accompanied by photos of S.J.’s hike up Kilimanjaro? How delightfully inappropriate in retrospect. ■ Anyways, I also got the help again of Tom Growney who has become a very helpful executive consultant on this class notes production. I intend to pay him a small fee for his services. JK. I have no coin. ■ A word from Thomas Growney: “Johnny Harris is a married man! I cannot believe it and could not be more excited. The wedding was outstanding and the bride, Grace Harris, is a best friend of mine (I introduced them during my yearlong stint at St. Lawrence. No big deal!). It was a beautiful weekend and I was so happy to be involved. As you can imagine, a ton of our fellow SG boys attended. To name a few, our friend James Ridgely made it all the way from Micronesia, which many of us did not even realize was a place. He gave a wonderful speech and it was a true pleasure spending time with him. Teddy Collins took multiple flights to make it to the wedding from Russia. Luckily, Putin let him leave. ■ “Since the last Bulletin that Izzy actually included me in, a few things have changed for some former SG members that I thought would be interesting to include. Peter Lawson-Johnston has decided to return to working for Dunkin’ Donuts. The benefits are outstanding there, I am told. Halsey Landon is in the process of starting his own mitten company. Be sure to keep a lookout next time you are shopping for winter gear. Nick Biedron continues to make tremendous deals, while Nathaniel Pearson has his sights on the Trump 2020 campaign. Doyle Stack has a new Instagram handle if anyone was wondering; it is @doyle, so you know he has made it. ■ “All kidding aside, many of us were up in Newport periodically this summer and I had the chance to catch up with Ryan Mulhern ’91. He hired my cousin Haley Preston to work in admission and coach
field hockey and lacrosse at SG! Very excited for her and to have yet another reason to go visit the Hilltop.” ■ OK, this is Izzy again here. Thanks so much all. Also, there is a new class correspondent on the block for 2010: Liza Ghriskey. Liza, just STAY IN YOUR LANE OKAY? Just kidding. Welcome! I am sure we will get along fine.
2010
Eliza R. Ghriskey, elizaghriskey@gmail.com ■ Hello everyone! I, your new class correspondent, am writing to you from sunny California, eager to share all the exciting news of our 2010 classmates. To kick it off, we have had our first class weddings to celebrate this year! Hendrik Kits van Heyningen was married on Aug. 5 in Buffalo, New York, to Siobhan Hanley. Hendrik noted that she would now have the world’s hardest name — Siobhan Hanley Kits van Heyningen (try saying that five times fast!). They just moved to Chicago where she is starting her MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and Hendrik is the CTO at a data science startup called Pilytix. Can you say power couple? We also have another SG wedding to celebrate: Ping Praneeprachachon and Tao Jatusripitak were married on Aug. 6 in Bangkok, Thailand (FYI: It was live-streamed on Facebook and is one of the most spectacular weddings I have ever seen). They too are living in Chicago; Ping is working as a research associate in digital marketing and Tao is pursuing his Ph.D. in political science — both of them at Northwestern. A match made in St. George’s heaven! In similar news, Kinyette Henderson gave birth to a baby boy, Corey Jr., on July 15. He is incredibly cute, and we couldn’t be happier for her! She is engaged to her fiancé, Corey, and is heading into her fourth year teaching seventh-grade English. ■ Laura Lowry kindly responded to my plea for updates, attempting to be the new most responsive member of 2010. She is still living in Boston, but did take a short hiatus to move to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to work on Hillary Clinton’s campaign last fall. Truly a valiant effort, Laura! She is back in the city and working as the partnerships manager for ActBlue, a nonprofit that develops software tools for candidates, campaigns and nonprofits.
Eliza Ghriskey ’10 recently visited NYC and was able to meet up with SG classmates (pictured from left to right): with John Karol, Caroline O’Connor, Tutti Davis ’09, Findlay Bowditch, Vince Bohlen, Alex Hare, Jordan Watson, Emma Byrd, Eliza Ghriskey, Sydney Mas, Charlotte Deavers, Kaye Shek, Shealagh Coughlin, and Parker Gilbert.
Polly Murray also was quick to reply! She is in graduate school in Boulder, studying structural engineering and spending her free time exploring the mountains and rivers of Colorado. Another Coloradoan, Teddy Swift is living in Denver, working as a civil engineer and is “up to his ears in gas station developments.” Teddy wrote that he “had a great time this past summer when Alex Hare, Caroline O’Connor and Jordan Watson joined me for some June skiing and craft beers, among other things.” ■ Several Dragons have migrated west in the past few years! Kelty O’Brien just moved to San Francisco in June with her boyfriend and is working in business development at Square. We have visited each other several times in the past few months and have many more trips planned for the future. Macgill Davis is also in SF, recently starting his own company called Humble Dot, a platform that helps managers get insights from their team members and build trust through positive reinforcement. He still tells stories that I only believe are true half the time. Kelly Bullock wrote that he is “currently living with the love of my life, Kayla Sahli, in Long Beach, just a few miles away from my brother, Austin Bullock ’07. Since graduating, I’ve held positions which include babysitting, tutoring and corporate sales, but am looking for new work in SoCal while I substitute teach and post mate.” We have plans to attend a USC game this fall with Kai Dolbashian ’11 in order to embarrass our favorite, Maggie O’Connor ’14, in front of all her cool college friends. Also, I recently had dinner with another East Coast transplant, Allie Barrows, who has not aged a day since high school. She is living in Marina del Rey and launching the first field
CLASS NOTES
women’s soccer teams. They hope to get the application in to other institutions next year if the results are promising! ■ Everett Muzzy wrote — “I’m out here in San Francisco, working for Williams Sonoma, Inc. in food development and sourcing. It’s an incredible city and we’ve had a few SG alumni come our way, including Maia, Katie McCormack, Lili, Sebastian, etc. The city keeps growing!” ■ Katie Harris is still
Jack I. Bartholet, bartholet@jhu.edu
2013
Theresa A. Salud, theresasalud@gmail.com
2014
John Jongmin Kim, jjk90@georgetown.edu
2015
Agnes E. Enochs, agneselizabeth96@
2016
Thompson W. Davlin, thompson.davlin@
gmail.com
trincoll.edu
2017
Please contact the Alumni Office at 1-888-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@stgeorges.edu if you would like to volunteer to serve as class correspondent. S U B M I T A N OT E Please contact your class correspondent or the Advancement Office at 1-888-I-CALL-SG or ClassNotes@ stgeorges.edu.
SPRING 2018
c.1905
Top to bottom: Michael Kim ’12 and Lindsay White ’08 each spent a week sailing aboard Geronimo last summer. Michael completed the leg from Quebec City to Halifax and Lindsay sailed from Halifax back home to Rhode Island. / Baseball alums (L to R) Sam Alofsin ’14, Scott Andrade ’16, Johnny Agoros ’16, and Ryan Andrade ’13 visit with Coach Ed McGinnis during the Middlesex games. / Jaewoo Kang ’15, Eddie Liu ’15, Seung Shin ’14, and Phil An ’14 (not present for photo) met up in Seoul, South Korea, in November 2017. Eddie is currently studying abroad in Shanghai, while Jaewoo, Phil, and Seung are serving in the Korean army.
2012
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2011
Sophie C. Flynn, sophie.flynn@gmail.com ■ Seven years out of SG, our class has spread across the country and across the Applied Mechanics Building globe. I’m happy to share the news of my classmates’ work, travel, and educational pursuits. To the class of 2011: Please keep reaching out to me! ■ Graham Cochrane has finished his second year of medical school and started his Ph.D. in rehabilitation science studying the effects of concussion on the visual system and inner ear. He and Hendrik Kits van Heyningen ’10 developed a sideline smartphone test/application that they are testing the usefulness of in UAB football and
living in NYC, but no longer with Vanessa deHorsey, who is planning on moving to the West Coast! ■ Caroline Miller wrote — “I have started grad school and am attending Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, where I’m working on a two-year MFA in dramatic writing (film, TV, theater). It was a screenplay about SG that got me into the program, so it’s always fascinating to see how things come full circle.” ■ Seton Talty is living in Washington, D.C., working at The School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL). She works right down the street from Sam Peterson! Seton is the assistant director of admissions and gets to travel around the country to recruit students. She made the most of her school breaks last year with travel out west and to Cuba. When I last heard from her, she was looking forward to attending a debate in New York that Polina Godz organized!
st. george’s school
marketing team for ONE Brands, driving up and down the California coast while doing so. ■ I also traveled back and forth from LA to NY during wedding season and was lucky enough to spend some time with fellow SG alums in New York City. Esme Yozell is living in the East Village and continues to work for Joey WÖlffer. She is always on the go for work, most recently visiting me in LA while setting up a West Coast store, looking for product in Paris and Mexico City and launching the annual pop up on Nantucket. What a renaissance woman! Sydney Mas, my gracious NYC host, is living in Chelsea and works for Guggenheim Partners in Midtown. She is constantly organizing group outings, one of which was our summer dinner in the East Village with the whole gang: Kaye Shek, Vince Bohlen, Parker Gilbert, Caroline O’Connor, Shealagh Coughlin, Charlotte Deavers, Emma Byrd, Alex Hare, Jordan Watson, John Karol, Findlay Bowditch and Tutti Davis ’09. I cannot publish the details of said dinner in this Bulletin, but it’s safe to say we always have a memorable and wholesome time together (particularly at Batsu). My sister, Ali Ghriskey ’13, joined us towards the end of the night, seeing us all off in separate cabs. ■ As for me, I am still living in LA and work for The Wall Street Journal, but am hoping to make the move back east soon, after years of being peer pressured by some of our SG friends. Feel free to reach out if you are ever in town! Hope everything is going swimmingly for all and please send me updates about your lives so I do not have to stalk you on Facebook.
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
“ Five years after founding a tiny institution in a rental property in Newport, Diman launched his plan to build Old School on a beautiful Middletown ocean bluff, a move that proved critical in the longterm success of St. George’s.” A R C H I V I S T VA L E R I E S I M P S O N
c.1905
Miss Emily Diman, sister of St. George’s founder John Byron Diman, poses with her dog, Dandy, in front of Old School. This photo is part of a larger exhibit entitled “Mr. Diman’s Genius: Old School,” curated by Archivist Valerie Simpson, now on display in the Hill Library or viewable online.
View this collection, as well as past Archive exhibitions, on our website at stgeorges.edu/archives.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
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Documentary will highlight WWI fighter squadron
SPRING 2018
A new documentary about the first American men to fight and fly for France before the United States entered World War I recently brought the filmmakers in touch with St. George’s Archivist Val Simpson. That’s because Ronald Wood Hoskier, St. George’s Class of 1914, was one of those men compelled to enter into service early. Hoskier was a pilot who served in the elite Lafayette Escadrille, a fighter squadron comprised primarily of 38 American volunteers. A native of New Jersey, who spent much time abroad with his family, Hoskier joined the French war effort at the end of his sophomore year at Harvard, in June 1916. Tragically, he was killed in aerial combat less than a year later, on St. George’s Day, April 23, 1917. The fact was noted prominently in a piece written by Hoskier’s father, in “St. George’s School in the War,” printed for the Alumni Association in 1920. “Ronald fell on St. George’s Day. He could not do more,” wrote Herman Hoskier, an English-born New York banker who after retirement devoted himself to biblical scholarship. “It was fate. Graduated on the 13th day of June 1914, brevetted on the 13th Day of August 1916, and joining the Escadrille on the 13th day of December 1916, there seems to have been a fateful irony in these dates; and he passed away on the 23rd of April 1917, at high noon.” The alumni publication also notes: “During his career of four years at St. George’s [Ronald] occupied a very prominent place in the school life. Quiet, reserved, a creditable athlete and a brilliant student, he stands out in the memories of the school as a noble boy and loyal friend.”
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Following Hoskier’s death, news also spread quickly through the Harvard community. “He was a corporal, and had on repeated occasions distinguished himself for daring and brilliancy of operation,” the Harvard Crimson reported. “During the offensive that is now in progress, Hoskier engaged a German ‘Taube’ and was seen to fall with his airplane, landing within the German lines.” He was buried at a cemetery in Ham, France. Aviation writer and filmmaker Paul Glenshaw, aviation historian and photographer Dan Patterson, and historical consultant and master model builder Mark Wilkins are collaborating with filmmaker Darroch Greer on the
documentary. It was Glenshaw who was first in touch with St. George’s. The project, funded by donations, is set to be completed later this year.
DRAGON FACT: It is said that a portrait of Ronald Hoskier ’14 was the inspiration for the image of St. George on the back of the processional cross.
Learn more about the documentary at thelafayetteescadrille.org
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
st. george’s school
// SPRING 2018
Book collector donates noteworthy items to the St. George’s Archives A generous gift to the St. George’s Archives by Barton Levi St. Armand, professor of English and American Studies emeritus at Brown University, has brought a number of unique items to the Special Collections.
T
he gift, made in honor of longtime St. George’s English teacher Jeff Simpson and Archivist Valerie Simpson, includes books about the art and history of the book, prayer books, sample pages of the Macklin Bible, and several out-of-print editions of poetry by John Wheelwright, St. George’s Class of 1916, and S. Foster Damon. Mr. St. Armand was Mr. Simpson’s mentor and dissertation director when Mr. Simpson was earning his Ph.D. at Brown in 1991. Because St. George’s is an academic institution, Professor St. Armand offered his collection of early examples of the evolution of the book in the form of sample pages of illuminated manuscripts and printed pages, according to Mrs. Simpson. The manuscripts were written by hand in the 13th-15th centuries. He also gave a student Aldine Edition of a Pliny the Younger text — bound in vellum and printed in Venice in 1508 — as well as many more recent books on the history of book design and publishing. “All of these gifts help to provide excellent support material to accompany outstanding and rare items already in the SG Special Collections, such as a leaf of the Gutenberg Bible from 1455, the first great book printed in Western Europe using moveable metal type, and a late 15th century French illuminated manuscript, “Book of Hours,” Mrs. Simpson said. Noting St. George’s affiliation with the Episcopal Church, Professor St. Armand also donated his collection
of ecclesiastically bound prayer books, including several early editions of The Book of Common Prayer and many small pocket editions and miniatures of assorted religious texts. The sample pages of the Macklin Bible, dating from 1800, include one with an illustration by the prominent American artist Benjamin West (1738-1820). When Professor St. Armand himself was a Brown University student, one of his mentors was the poet, critic, and William Blake specialist S. Foster Damon, Mrs. Simpson noted. As a poet, Damon was associated with the group known as the Harvard Aesthetes, she said, and he was married to Louise Wheelwright, sister of St. George’s alumnus and poet John Wheelwright, Class of 1916, who was also associated with the Harvard group. John Wheelwright died at age 43 after being struck by a car in 1940; therefore Professor St. Armand never met him. “However, he heard many personal stories about him from Foster and Louise, and had greatly admired Wheelwright’s poetry,” Mrs. Simpson said. “When I told him of Wheelwright’s connection to St. George’s and how he had published several of his schoolboy poems as an editor of The Dragon, Bart gave us several out-ofprint Wheelwright and Damon editions to celebrate the connection.” Professor St. Armand said he hopes that his gift will serve to enhance the curriculum by giving students the opportunity to explore the history and art of book making in their humanities classes.
Clockwise from top left: Scholnsperger herb leaf, c.1500; French prayer book frontispiece; woodblock detail from Nuremberg Chronicle leaf, c. 1493; the top edge gilding with fleur-de-lis pattern on the Book of Common Prayer, c.1851; cover of Book of Common Prayer, c.1845.
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S T U D E N T E S S AY
BY J O H N K I R K PAT R I C K ’ 1 8
st. george’s school
Seeking Balance
// SPRING 2018
With a pleather skirt plastered to my scrawny legs and a blonde wig pinned to my head, I began, on queue, to lip sync the lyrics to Hannah Montana’s hit, “Nobody’s Perfect.”
I
t was the second-grade elementary school variety show and with a less than gentle push from my older sister and her friends, I was swept into not just joining, but standing center stage in a goofy rendition deemed “Hannah Johntana.” Little did I know, the liminality of this costume, as I crossed gender lines, not only created instant humor for the audience but allowed me to breach the insecurity that lurked just below the surface. Perfectly formed periods at the end of each sentence and a phobia for spots on my clothes defined my youthful perspective of the world. In elementary school, my inner perfectionist formed from my struggle to learn how to read. While other students raced through one book after another, the simplest passages challenged me. I devoured math problems counting peas and carrots, but as I stood up on the U.S. map carpet to read to my second-grade class, I stuttered through every sentence. The facial expressions of my classmates made me feel reading fluently was the only meaningful gauge of intelligence. Insecurity stung, and inferiority set in. In the midst of my struggle, Hannah’s simple words seemed distant. My challenge instilled a new sense of purpose in my elementary school self: I set out to prove my worth, since I seemed to flounder at the most basic task. “Reading Breakfast Club” with my teachers became a staple of my elementary school experience. Afternoons reading on the couch with mom followed these morning sessions. Slowly, I clawed away until I completed my first chapter book, “The London Eye Mystery,” in fourth grade. An initial burst of confidence made me feel as if I had finally caught up. However, the emotional ache of my reading difficulties remained, despite my triumph. School and sports morphed into outlets to compensate for my
feelings of inadequacy. I poured hours into my studies and elevated my athletic performances hoping to cleanse my emotions. With high school underway, I remained stuck in the same achievement-based mindset. But, during freshman year World Religions class, while learning about Buddhist notions of suffering and the Four Noble Truths, I began to grasp that my mental fixation on precision crippled my ability to live life. Suddenly, my perspective shifted with the Buddhist truth that suffering dies when attachment to desires dies. Although I would say my lifestyle did not induce intense “suffering,” embracing the uncertainties and failures of each day reversed my previous outlook that shunned unpredictability. I drew further inspiration through reading about psychology. Carol S. Dweck’s “Mindset,” in particular, resonated with me: “Mindset change is … about seeing things in a new way. When people change to a growth mindset, they change from a judge-and-be-judged to a learn-andhelp-learn framework.” With my new focus, it seems that I can finally hear Hannah’s words and am no longer just lip syncing. Last spring, after traveling every weekend to compete with my high school sailing team, I had a couple of free days to prepare for my end-of-the-year junior exams. Yet, on the day before my first test, I was called into action to serve on my first Honor Board case, an eight-student, nine-hour marathon. To the outside observer my exams seemed doomed, but from one task to another, I stayed in the moment and turned in the best exam week of my academic career. With my deep self-reflection in high school and ability to counteract my intensity with a well-natured, balanced approach, I know that I am ready for the peaks and valleys of college and ultimately life. Throughout the journey, Hannah’s timeless words will remain with me: “Nobody’s perfect!”
John Kirkpatrick ’18 will attend Stanford University in the fall. This was his college essay.
st. george’s school
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It’s May. It’s Newport. It’s a celebration! ALUMNI WEEKEND Feed your inner Dragon. Come back to the Hilltop.
May 4-6, 2018 Register at stgeorges.edu/AlumniWeekend
AND THE 2018 DIMAN AWARD GOES TO … ANTHONY MASON ’74 Anthony Mason ’74, co-host of “CBS This Morning: Saturday” and a senior national correspondent for CBS News, will be the recipient of this year’s John B. Diman Award, St. George’s highest alumni honor. The award will be presented during a service in the chapel on Friday, May 4.
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