ALUMNI/AE NEWS - Class Notes

2014

Sam Calle

Sam Calle, Class of 2014, has officially launched his own photo printing business—Find Adventure Photo! Scan the QR to visit his website.

Congratulations, Sam!

Andrew Best

2009

Gina Urbano

’77

2002

Sara Kaplan Callahan

Sara Kaplan Callahan ’02 was accepted into the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) program in school leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School

Sara also recently completed an equity, diversity, and inclusion certificate program at Cornell University.

Gina Urbano, Class of ’09, started her career as an esthetician (skincare) in Boston, MA. In 2020, when the pandemic began, Gina redefined herself by taking a different career path in human services. She worked as a resident counselor for a boarding school in New Hampshire that specializes in working with students with social, emotional, and behavioral tendencies. We are happy to report that Gina returned home to “the Hill” in the fall of ’21 and is currently the Elm House dorm counselor of Harmsworth Hall One at Eagle Hill School

2011-2012

Kevin McCabe and James Wagner

Kevin McCabe, class of 2012, and James Wagner, class of 2011, just happened to be in the area in September and decided to stop by campus to say hello. Thanks to some quick camera work, we could grab a picture of Kevin and James with faculty, Mike Richard and Josh Kanozek.

’14

Andrew Best ’14 is currently teaching and training students at Boston University and Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Andrew has also taken over the PASS research study program through BU and UMass Medical Center, where he conducts and manages research.

Adele Larson

Adele Larson ’14 is working as a veterinary assistant and receptionist. Her sister, who is a veterinarian, inspired her to pursue this profession. She loves knowing that she is helping ensure pets are healthy and feeling better when sick.

Max Mazurczak

Max Mazurczak ’15 joined Melick & Porter, LLP, a law firm located in Boston in 2020 as an office assistant. Today, Max is utilizing his IT skills and is now the operations specialist, juggling many tasks to keep a busy office running smoothly. In addition, Max is also working with Melick & Porter’s outsourced IT partner to expand his technology skills. Max earned his bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University in 2019.

Max is joined by Griffin McDonald ’18 and faculty Josh Kanozek in this photo.

Eddie Kennedy

Eddie Kennedy ’15 recently released his original songs Will I Ever Get Home and Get Together Scan the QR code to listen and follow his channel on YouTube:

Matt St. Jean

Matt St. Jean ’16 stopped by in October to tour the campus and catch up with faculty, including Dr. McDonald. Matt is the founder of Rally 2 Give, a non-profit organization that connects avid car lovers driven to support children and families with special needs as well as helping grow the next generation of leaders. Interested in finding out more about the charitable work Matt St. Jean is doing, scan the QR code to visit his website.

AJ Merjan

Congratulations to AJ Merjan ’16, who is now working for the world’s 4th largest advertising company, McCann Worldgroup

Annie Schafer

Joseph Forest

Joseph Forest ’15 stopped by campus to catch up with the faculty. He is an Insurance Agent for American National Insurance Company

Samantha Leighton

Samantha Leighton ’16 started a new business, The Dog Walker FL, in Ft. Lauderdale. She invites everyone to follow her business Instagram @thedogwalkerfl, where you’ll see many cute dog and kitty photos. Scan the QR code to visit her website.

Annie Schafer ’18 earned a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Clark University and is currently working as a graduate student at the Spratt Lab at Clark (see Alumni/ae Spotlight on page 49). Her lab invited EHS IB biology students to visit, where they could isolate fluorescent proteins with Annie’s professor. Eagle Hill students also participated in an interactive discussion about career paths in STEM and got a private tour of the facilities from Annie herself.

Griffin McDonald

Griffin McDonald ’18 is not only an alum but is now a new faculty member at Eagle Hill School! Griffin is the assistant director of the Baglio Sports and Fitness Center and oversees community memberships. He also is an assistant coach for the JV boys’ basketball team and an assistant coach for the boys’ varsity lacrosse team.

Griffin earned a Bachelor of Science from Dean College in Coaching and Recreation in 2022.

Lily Gottesman

Lily Gottesman ’18 was accepted to Americorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) She’ll be based in California, living and working with a team doing service projects throughout the Pacific Region.

Elan Philip Palay

Elan Philaip Palay ’18 is a University of Denver’s Daniels School of Business graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Deirdre Meagher

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) named Deirdre Meagher ’19 to the “All-Sportsmanship Team” for volleyball. Congratulations, Dee!

Hanna Katz

Congratulations to Hannah Katz ’19 for being named to the Muhlenberg College Dean’s List. She is shown with Dr. Kim at the 2023 Graduation Alumni/ ae Breakfast.

2020

Katherine Lodge

Congratulations to Katherine Lodge ’19 for being named to the Dean’s List from Lasell University. Katherine earned a Bachelor of Arts this Spring. She participated in the institution’s annual Connected Learning Symposium in April and presented her senior graphic design practicum portfolio at Lasell’s Yamawaki Art Center. The presentation incorporated the NACE competencies of professionalism, career and selfdevelopment, and equity and inclusion. Katherine also participated in a ceramics presentation, “Expressions in Clay,” in which they shared a piece of work created last semester and its inspiration.

Andrew Dawson

Andrew Dawson ’19 graduated from Connecticut College with a Bachelor of Arts and a double major in Government and Economics. He was also a senior admission fellow for the Office of Admission. Andrew is shown with Connor Ryan, Class of 2020.

Jake Green

Congratulations to Jake Green ’19 for making the Dean’s list at Emerson College. He’s majoring in Media Arts Production.

Harrison Stern

Congratulations to Harrison Stern ’20! Harrison was accepted into the University of New England’s accelerated master’s program in Marine Science. This program only selects a few students each year.

Harrison says, “When I came to EHS all those years ago, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life, but I can assure you it didn’t involve graduate school. From the support I got at EHS, I have not only been able to develop into a humble leader but someone who knows how to learn and how to succeed in a world despite having learning differences.”

Clare McCartin

Clare McCartin ’20, attending Endicott College, was inducted into two honor societies, Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity and Mortar Board Society. There are sixty students out of approximately 1,000 inducted into the Mortar Board Society in each graduating class. Clare is one of only two selected for her major in Sports Science!

Julia Martin

Julia Martin ’20 just finished her junior year at Sacred Heart University, majoring in Biology. When not busy in the biology labs, Julie still finds time to create art as a hobby. Julia also has plans to enter law school after graduation. Julia credits her success at Sacred Heart to her Critical Thinking class with Mr. Hopper. Also attending Sacred Heart University is Julia’s roommate Chumani Heard ’20. Since attending EHS together, they remain lifelong friends!

Chumani Cara Heard

Chumani Cara Heard ’20 completed her junior year at Sacred Heart University and achieved Dean’s List for 2022-2023. She is majoring in Communications Arts with a focus on theater arts. Chumani is interning with a production company in Newark, NJ this summer and has already interviewed guests and worked behind the camera.

Ashley Mintz

Lasell University recognized Ashley Mintz ’20 for outstanding collaboration in the school’s Exercise Physiology curriculum. Peers select recipients of the Collaboration Recognition Award for exemplifying superior skills in partnership by sharing ideas and valuable information, communicating professionally, and cooperating to ensure success. She also attended the institute’s annual exercise science industry night, “Change Makers: Shaping Lives and Cultivating Diversity and Inclusion Through Health, Human Performance, and Creative Expression.”

Ty Holden

Ty Holden ’21 is stationed at Camp Lejeune as a PFC Infantry MOS 0311 Rifleman. His job is to capture, destroy, and deter enemy forces, assist in reconnaissance, and help mobilize troops and weaponry. Currently, Ty is in field and classroom training and recently completed his first year with the U.S. Marine Corps

Macy Jensen

Congratulations to Macy Jensen ’21 for being named to Holyoke Community College’s Dean’s List.

Joey Raskin Lantos

Joey Raskin Lantos is a rising junior at Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges, and he is still dominating on the squash courts playing with the Hobart College squash team. Joey has also decided to apply to the US Marine Corps Leadership Program!

Nathan Rosenlev

Nathan Rosenlev ’21 was named second honors on the Clark University Dean’s List. Congratulations, Nathan!

Molly Hertzell

Molly Hertzell ’21 completed the first year at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) in the UK studying for a bachelor degree, specializing in illustration.

Collette Barrett

Collette Barrett ’21 is heading to Middlebury College for an eight-week Russian immersion program this summer. Collette was also accepted to attend St. Andrews in Scotland for a study abroad program in the fall.

Howie Brown

Howie Brown, who is attending the MCLA (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts), recently performed in the school’s production of the musical Urinetown

Audrey Plumb

Congratulations to Audrey Plumb ’22 for being named to the Dean’s List at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Tyler Tang

Tyler Tang ’22 is serving on the Student Council at Ohio Wesleyan University. As a newly elected senator, he will represent the student body for the next academic year. Tyler is seen with Shane Francoeur, dean of campus engagement at the 2023 EHS Graduation Alumni/ae Breakfast.

Ryan Fleming

Ryan Fleming ’22 attends Lynn University in Florida and also earned his solo piloting license in January! Ryan accredits his passion and skill for flying to Dr. Bacigalupi’s expert guidance in aviation and practicing on the flight simulator at Eagle Hill School!

Ethan White

Congratulations to Ethan White ’22 for being named to the Dean’s List at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Looking Back and Paying Forward

FAn endowment gift of distinction from a grateful Alum. red Van Lennep, of Deerfield Beach FL, isn’t sure exactly how his parents found out about Eagle Hill. After all, it was the 1970s when he found himself struggling in a traditional school setting and they couldn’t exactly do an internet search for a school specializing in learning disabilities. Someway and somehow, Fred found his way to Eagle Hill as a fifth grader (EHS admitted younger students in its early years). The campus back then was as different from what it is today as south Florida is from Hardwick. Yet despite grounds and facilities that were decidedly modest, Fred encountered a faculty with dedication and spirit that was anything but.

“My parents thought that school just wasn’t working for me the way that it should be and thought Eagle Hill would be different. The faculty were just remarkable. I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t for those years.”

With renewed confidence and strategies in place to harness his unique way of thinking, Fred finished his schooling and went on to a successful advertising career. His company produced print advertisements for local and regional business. Eventually, he worked exclusively with a fast-growing lighting company that expanded nationwide, no doubt thanks in part to his efforts.

Now retired, Fred reached out to Eagle Hill last year with an uncommonly generous idea. Out of appreciation for his time at Eagle Hill and so that others might enjoy the same experience, he has decided to create an endowed scholarship fund through his estate plan.

Last March, former Head of School PJ McDonald and Director of Development Rick Macdonald (no relation) traveled to Deerfield Beach to meet with Fred in person and express Eagle Hill’s gratitude. Fred kindly welcomed them to his home, and they went to enjoy a drink at a restaurant on the pier. They talked about his time in Hardwick, his journey afterwards, his penchant for fast cars, and the enormous future impact of his kindness.

Fifty years ago, a young Fred traveled north to Hardwick, MA. Both he and the school he encountered were young and brimming with potential. Now with both having experienced tremendous growth and achievement, their paths cross again to provide the same opportunity for others. We’re grateful for the partnership and, most of all, Fred’s friendship

Mr. and Mrs. William Higgins P ’24

The Howard Bayne Fund

Mark and Christa Lopez P’24

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Morein P ’20