bulletin board Fall/Winter 2007-2008
For Alumni, Families, and Friends of Elmwood Franklin School
www.elmwoodfranklin.org
The hostess of an 18th century replica home shows EFS third graders the ways of the past.
2 0 07 • 2 0 0 8 B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S Alice Jacobs, President Philipp L. Rimmler, Vice President Michael Hogan, Treasurer Grace Walsh Munschauer ’70, Secretary George Bellows Matthew Enstice Annette Fitch Arthur Glick ’71 Alison Keane George Kermis Seymour Knox IV ’69 Madeline Ambrus Lillie ’64 Eric Lipke Elizabeth Duryea Maloney ’70 Gail Mitchell Trini Ross Michele Trolli
2 0 07 • 2 0 0 8 A L U M N I C O U N C I L Stephen Kellogg, Jr. ’77, President Amy Decillis Bard ’86 Gitti Barrell ’71 Tricia Barrett ’92 Kristin Schoellkopf Borowiak ’82 Kary Fronk Clark ’91 Rob Drake ’96 Charles Hahn ’68 Susie Lenahan Kimberly ’64 Madeline Ambrus Lillie ’64 Kim Rich Lupkin ’80 Elizabeth Duryea Maloney ’70 Samantha Friedman Olsen ’00 Howard Saperston III ’85 Mary Franklin Saperston ’60 Eric Saldanha ’85 The Bulletin Board is published twice a year by the Development Office for alumni, families, and friends of Elmwood Franklin School. Julie Raynsford Berrigan, Director of Development E D I TO R / W R I T E R Sally Jarzab, Communications Coordinator D E S I G N A N D L AYO U T Rebecca Murak, Development Associate C OV E R A RT Watercolor inspired by the Eighth Grade trip to Camp Pathfinder. Elmwood Franklin School is Western New York’s oldest pre-primary through eighth grade independent school, emphasizing high academic achievement, good study skills, and positive character development. Elmwood Franklin accepts qualified students without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.
[ TABLE OF CONTENTS ]
8
16
24
BLUE-GRAY ALL THE WAY
TWO WORLD VIEWS
ALL TOGETHER NOW
As Blue-Gray turns 60 years old, the competition wages on.
Meet Lauren McHugh ’97 and Duncan Sisson ’94, two alumni who are travelling – and changing – the world.
Read how music education makes a difference.
FEATURES 4
6
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
10 MARK SALDANHA ’90 MAKES US LAUGH
Tony Featherston asks, “What is Elmwood
12 A BEACON IN BOSTON: CHRIS GABRIELI ’73
Franklin School?”
Chris and Hilary Gabrieli host the Fall Alumni
FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
Regional Gathering. See who else was there.
30 COME ALONG AND LEARN Third graders take a trip to Genesee Country Village. 44 ON THE MENU: A BIGGER, BRIGHTER, AND BETTER DINING ROOM
14 ALUMNI CAREER SPEAKER SERIES BRINGS RICK SMITH ’75 BACK TO EFS 48 THE ELMWOOD FRANKLIN EXPERIENCE Caitlin DeRose ’98 reflects on the distinction of an Elmwood Franklin education.
DEPARTMENTS 36 NEWS OF NOTE
46 ANNUAL FUND UPDATE
37 NAMES IN THE NEWS
50 ALUMNI SUBMISSIONS
38 DAY TO DAY
51 UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS
41 JUST FOR FUN
52 EFS REMEMBERS
42 FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
53 CLASS NOTES
[ FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL ]
T O N Y “W
H AT
head of school F E A T H E R S T O N
I S
E
L M W O O D
F
R A N K L I N
A S K S ,
S
C H O O L
THAT IS THE FIRST AND MOST CRITICAL QUESTION WE ARE ASKED FOR THE EXHAUSTIVE self-study process around which EFS is evaluated for reaccreditation by the New York State Association of Independent Schools. Throughout this school year, the faculty, staff, board, and parents are engaged in selfexamination, taking a critical look at every aspect of the school. In the end, however, it all comes back to that first, simple question: What is Elmwood Franklin School? It is our mission that best – and most succinctly – provides the answer, and many of us at school have been busy reaffirming and updating the mission to ensure that it reflects the long and successful tradition of EFS, the current 21st century reality, and the school’s future
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?”
[ FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL ]
direction. Our mission speaks to academic
felt the influence of a more market-driven
excellence to be sure. But it also specifically
educational model, one that specifically prepares
acknowledges the importance of character, of
students for professions. It is that same pressure
lifelong learning, and the development of
that our students and parents feel certainly in
confidence. We believe that each is important
high school, but even in middle and elementary
and will serve our students well in future pursuits.
grades. Martha C. Nussbaum, Ernst Freund
While we’re clear about who we are, there are
Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics
times when it seems that we’re swimming against
at the University of Chicago, wrote in Cultivating
the current of educational and societal values.
Humanity (1997) of “an education that is liberal in that it liberates the mind from the bondage of
Increasingly, our children are being pressured to
habit and custom, producing people who can
specialize, and it’s happening earlier and earlier.
function with sensitivity and alertness as citizens
As college admissions become more competitive,
of the whole world.” In other words, a liberal arts
applicants who’ve demonstrated excellence and
education produces thinkers, questioners, those
commitment to a particular activity or area of
who are comfortable with and thrive on the free
interest for many years are often valued above
exchange of ideas. While it may be difficult to
students who’ve sampled a wide variety of things
ascribe these habits of mind to our students in
they may never have the chance to do again. And
Prep and at times difficult to recognize in
the résumé-building begins earlier and earlier.
adolescents, I hope and believe that Elmwood
Youth coaches want seven-year-olds to commit to
Franklin fosters just this sort of learner.
one sport year-round. No Child Left Behind and state testing across the country emphasize
As you read through this edition of the
English and math at the expense of social studies,
Elmwood Franklin Bulletin Board, particularly the
music, art, and physical education. Even as an
alumni profiles, I trust that you will recognize the
independent school, not required to teach to
strength of our brand of liberal education.
government testing standards, we are not immune
While later pursuing wildly different paths, each of
from the greater societal pressures that seem to
them benefited from the exposure to the world’s
demand specialization.
great ideas and thinkers, the empowerment of learning to think for themselves, the values that
Concerned about the direction of higher
produce good citizens of the world, and the
education, Dartmouth College hosted a gathering
ability to understand, communicate, and work with
of academics in 2005 for two days of discussion
others of different backgrounds. In the end, I think
entitled “The Liberal Education: Dead or Alive,” at
that’s the answer to my original question.
which they debated the merits of a liberal arts
Elmwood Franklin School is a place that makes
education. Many prestigious colleges, long
anything possible.
bastions of liberal education, have increasingly
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[ FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT ]
from the
B O A R D AL
I
P R E S I D E N T C E J A C O B S
G
reetings from the Board of Trustees. Since last spring the Board has been actively engaged on many fronts. The Board works hard to ensure that despite the challenges involved in decisions for the school today, we keep at the forefront of our minds the importance of preparing Elmwood Franklin to continue to provide an excellent educational foundation for children of Western New York well into the future. To this end, our Strategic Planning Committee carried out a survey of parents of former fourth and eighth grade students to help us identify our strengths and weaknesses and to understand what our community holds dear and what they would like to see improved. The biggest message that came out of the exercise is that, overall, parents are highly satisfied with the education their children receive at Elmwood Franklin. While the
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[ FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT ]
“...WE KEEP AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARING ELMWOOD FRANKLIN TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AN
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN OF WESTERN NEW YORK WELL INTO THE FUTURE.”
EXCELLENT
quality of the academics and the teachers are judged to be the most important factors, the strong sense of community, the caring and nurturing environment of the school, the emphasis on character development and individual and collective responsibility are clearly what helps set EFS apart from other educational options. As we go forward in our strategic planning efforts, the Board is aware of the need to ensure that these aspects of the school continue despite the ever pressing desire in our society for more goaloriented education. We will continue to survey different groups of parents and alumni on a periodic basis to help guide our decision making. Our Buildings and Grounds Committee has undertaken the much needed expansion and renovation of our cafeteria, which we are trying to get used to calling the dining room, a name more fitting to the end product. The cafeteria has remained unchanged since the school was built in 1951. While some of our more nostalgic alumni may miss seeing the space in its original form, our faculty and kitchen staff are looking forward to a larger, brighter environment, which will seat all of our students more comfortably and provide for improved serving areas as well as hand washing stations. We hope to have the work completed by the end of February. In the meantime, plenty of children are greatly enjoying watching the progress of the big hole that was dug and the
construction process taking place outside of the windows. Many thanks to those donors who helped support this much needed project. Without you, we would not be able to undertake these improvements. Our Development Committee together with our development team has continued to work on expanding our development efforts with great success. The Annual Fund was restructured to form a Campaign Cabinet, involving more members of our community in this effort, the success of which is critical to helping keep tuition increases to a minimum. Alumni outreach has been increased through a reinvigorated Alumni Council, as well as alumni events in both New York City and Boston. Attending these events with Tony and other Board members, I was struck by how happy Western New York natives are to reconnect with each other, reflecting the sense of community I find at Elmwood Franklin. Elmwood Franklin is fortunate to have a thoughtful and hard working Board which I am privileged to lead. Combining the work of the Board and outstanding administration with the generous support of our community, I am confident we are continuing to strengthen the school’s foundation that will allow us to keep pace with the needs of future students while maintaining the core of what makes Elmwood Franklin special.
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[ BLUE GRAY RETROSPECTIVE ]
F RO M
L E F T TO R I G H T:
B L U E - G RAY
IN
2 0 0 7, 19 8 3 ,
AND
19 87
B L U E - G R AY
All the Way! IF YOU WERE A STUDENT AT ELMWOOD FRANKLIN, NOT ONLY DO you most likely remember if you were Blue or if you were Gray, you might even still identify with that color, and – five, ten, twenty years later – still carry the glory of your team’s victory (or the agony of its defeat) around with you today. That’s because Blue-Gray is more than a tug-of-war. It’s a 60-year tradition that inspires school spirit, builds character, bonds friendships, and teaches everyone how much fun a little healthy competition can be.
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[ BLUE GRAY RETROSPECTIVE ]
BLUE-GRAY YESTERDAY AND TODAY Blue-Gray has its origins in Elmwood Franklin’s two-pronged history. The Elmwood School’s colors were scarlet and gray; the Franklin School’s blue and buff. When the schools merged in 1941, their colors merged too – Blue-Gray could just as easily have been ScarletBuff! The competition itself was launched in 1947-1948, when the two teams started vying for possession of the coveted Blue-Gray Cup. Since 1980, two trophies have been awarded each year, one for the girls and one for the boys. And the results are a lesson in probability: since 1948, wins for the girls have been nearly tied between the two teams. This October, as in many years past, fifth grade students and those students new to the Upper School were welcomed onto a team at the Upper School picnic at Beaver Island State Park. The entire Upper School uses the day to familiarize newcomers, appoint captains, enjoy a cook-out, and commence the year’s competition, which starts (and ends) with a tug-of-war. Then, points are accrued throughout the year in a variety of activities, which are often sports-related, but also include class games, written work, and exhibitions of effort, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship. Blue-Gray gives recognition for trying as well as for succeeding: students get points for their prospective teams by just participating in after-school sports, regardless of their skill level. Over the years, the Blue-Gray competition has had contests in soccer, field hockey, flag football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, softball, and even a spelling bee. Nowadays, points are compiled from the usual events, as well as activities such as dodge ball,
asteroids, capture the flag, ping pong, and even juggling. In earlier days, students really got their backs into the rivalry with a posture contest. A track meet with ten events used to be the finale of the year, which has now evolved into Field Day, a highly anticipated day of fun outdoor games in early June. Sixty years since its inception, Blue-Gray is still going strong, maybe stronger than ever. “It just amazes me to see how much enthusiasm these kids have over this,” said gym teacher Debby Clark ’63, who has helped oversee parts of the competition for more than 30 years. The announcement of the winner at the Upper School closing program in June is met with cheers and screams that can probably be heard from blocks away. Debby credits much of the enthusiasm to the camaraderie the competition creates for students. “A team is like an instant family for students,” she said. “Half the school is on your side.” Whether you’re blue or you’re gray is not really the point (though some enthusiasts may argue with that), nor is whether you win or lose. The point is that, with Blue-Gray, you’re a part of something, something bigger than yourself, something that makes history. BLUE-GRAY MEMORIES A few alumni wrote in with nostalgia (as well as a little gloating) about their BlueGray wins and losses. “I was Blue team captain for the class of ’93 and have many great memories of those years and competition. I remember feeling such a bond with my fellow teammates throughout the years and remember looking forward to the annual track meet showdown at the end
of each school year. Will Irene, who was Gray team captain in ’93, and I still talk about the rivalry we had nearly 15 years ago and keep up that rivalry today, only now it is over our golf game instead. By the way, Blue team won in ’93!” John Cunningham ’93 “I was on the Gray team and I remember our Gray team captain was Pam Smith and Blue team was Annie Wilton. Everything we did revolved around our allegiance to our teams (unfortunately I think Blue team won by a small fraction in our 8th grade year). I think we even chose clothing based on our assigned colors (I preferred to think of gray as “silver.”) I can’t believe Blue-Gray is 60 years old…way to keep the healthy rivalry alive!” Kim Rich Lupkin ’80 “What I remember most about the BlueGray years was my beloved Gray being victorious my 6th and 8th grade years. Graduating with a victory was sweet, and, I'm pretty sure, gives me eternal bragging rights over the Blues in my class. At least until they start some kind of Real World-Road Rules-Inferno type challenge series for alumni. Until that time we shall remain victorious forever.” Matt Mariconda '92 “I was on the Blue team. We participated in everything: field hockey, basketball, running broad jump, and Posture Week. (They couldn't possibly still have that, though I must say I have great posture!) The only thing I didn't like about it was that my best friend, Jennifer Johnston, was on the Gray team and we were very competitive and often wouldn't talk to each other after contests. I always wanted her on my team, but c'est la vie. We're still very good friends in spite of it all!” Jennifer Rand Griffis '71
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[ ALUMNI PROFILE ]
M A R K S A L D A N H A
makes us
laugh
M A R K S A L D A N H A ’ 9 0 is used to getting heckled. As a professional stand-up comic who’s been performing all across North America for nearly a decade, he’s quite familiar with audience members who, either supportively or maliciously, try to become part of the show. But there’s been only one time, we’re sure, that he actually got heckled about Blue-Gray.
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[ ALUMNI PROFILE ]
After performing at the Montreal Comedy Festival
It wasn’t until after graduating from Canisius College,
(the “Sundance” of stand-up comedy) this past June,
though, that Mark made comedy his serious business. “I
playing Elmwood Franklin’s Johnston Theatre should be
was watching Pauly Shore on TV, and I thought, this guy
no big deal. But for Mark Saldanha, it was still a little
is so bad, there’s no way I couldn’t do better. So I went to
nerve-wracking.
an amateur night at a local comedy club, and I got one laugh in my entire routine.” Not exactly a rousing success,
“I’m kind of nervous. I wish they’d turn the house lights
but for Mark, it was a test in perseverance. “I knew if I
down – I’m standing up here looking at my mother!” he
could get one laugh, I could get more.” It took him the
told the crowd. He needn’t have been nervous.
better part of a year to write five minutes of good
Comprised of family, friends and fellow alumni, not to
material, and with networking and practice, he took his
mention a few of Mark’s former teachers, it was perhaps
show on the road. “I think for my first real gig, I got paid
the most supportive audience a comic could ask for.
in chicken wings.” Perseverance has paid off for Mark: his near decade of performing in 40 states and three
Several EFS jokes got things off to a good start: memories
countries has gotten him featured in USA Today and
of history class, Spanish lessons, art projects, and lunch in
The New York Times, and his comedy writing published in
the cafeteria (“I still remember the goulash. You know, you
Harper’s Weekly. Mark made his television debut in 2004
just can’t find goulash like that anywhere else in the
on SiTV’s “Latino Laff Festival”, and also appeared on
world. Well, maybe prison.”). It was his recollections of
NBC’s “Last Comic Standing 2” and “Girls Behaving
gym class with Mr. Ryan and Ms. Clark that prompted the
Badly” on the Oxygen Network. His work will also be
Blue-Gray interjection. (“I was Gray captain,” he said to
featured in an upcoming episode of Comedy Central’s
applause, “and I was a total dictator.”) Mark then went into
“Live at Gotham.”
some of his regular material – the jokes that he’s been crafting and performing over the past ten years. Earlier in
“No matter what you do in life,” Mark told the eighth
the day of his visit to EFS, he talked with the eighth grade
graders, “you’re going to face failure at some point.
students about his transformation from a wise-cracking
Probably not as publicly as I have in comedy – for
Upper Schooler giving his teachers a hard time (“Who
stand-ups, it’s really awful. But no matter what, you just
invented the cotton gin? Who cares?”) to a seasoned
need to accept it, and keep going. It takes a lot of
stand-up working with the likes of Chris Rock, Dane Cook,
practice to succeed.”
John Stewart, and Dave Chapelle, to name a few. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
“I got bitten by the comedy bug when I was still a student here,” he told the eighth graders. “I used to give
Did you miss the show? Don’t worry, Mark’s performance
funny responses in class and sarcastic answers on tests.
is available online. Visit www.elmwoodfranklin.org and
One my teachers told me, ‘If you think you’re so funny,
select “Upcoming Alumni Events” from the “Alumni”
you should be a comedian.’”
dropdown menu to watch the show!
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[ AT THE ALUMNI REGIONAL GATHERING ]
a beacon in boston: C H R I S
GABRIELI
’73
Alumni gather at the home of Chris ’73 (lower right) and Hilary Gabrieli in Boston, Mass. for the fall 2007 EFS Alumni Regional Gathering. In attendance were alumni Sarah Acer Allen ’73, James Duryea ’73, Paul Howard ’64, Lauren Jacobs ’95, Liz Duryea Maloney ’70, George Dewey Michaels ’80, Adrian Quackenbush ’89, Elizabeth Waagen ’71, Annie Wilton ’80, Katie Wilton ’85, former headmaster and corporation member E. John White with wife Kathryn, and Board president Alice Jacobs.
[ AT THE ALUMNI REGIONAL GATHERING ]
Legend has it that
when Chris Gabrieli was a first grader at Elmwood Franklin in 1966, he lobbied the headmaster to allow him to skip to second grade, thus beginning a hard-won devotion to educational opportunity and improvement. Toward that end, Chris, along with the foundation he co-founded, has helped to launch several major initiatives, including Boston’s After-School for All Partnership, the largest public-private partnership dedicated to children in Boston’s history. As the chairman of Massachusetts 2020, an education non-profit based in Boston, Chris is dedicated to expanding after-school and summer learning opportunities for children. All this is in addition to a history of transforming his struggling family business into a lucrative medical software business and a highly successful career as a venture capitalist. Oh, and there was that Massachusetts gubernatorial bid he made this past year. There’s just so much to catch up on! This November, Elmwood Franklin held a gathering for alumni living in the Boston area, welcoming 19 alums spanning the classes of 1964 to 1995. Certainly, some part of the event’s draw was its hosts – alumnus Chris Gabrieli, and his wife Hilary – and the chance to spend time in their gorgeous Louisburg Square home.
To those who live in the area, Chris is well known, perhaps most prominently for his 2006 Democratic candidacy for governor of Massachusetts. It was a challenge he did not win, but one that brought into the public eye the highflying story of a man who went from propping up the family business, to his own soaring success, wealth, and ambitions in a number of other arenas. After graduating from Harvard, Chris attended Columbia University medical school, but quit in 1983 to save his father’s financially-struggling business. Chris succeeded in developing a new branch for the company, medical billing software, that was able to hoist it back in the black. Chris was later hired by one of the company’s investors as a venture
capitalist, specializing in drug development and medical services. He spent fifteen years as a general partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, during which time his firm invested over $1 billion in start-up high-tech and biotech companies, creating more than 100,000 new jobs. Chris is currently managing director of the Ironwood Equity Fund, a small business investment corporation (SBIC) that provides growth capital to expansion and later-stage businesses in the Northeast. It was in capital investment that Chris found his fortune, but it has been in civic activism that he has found his payback. With aspirations toward politics, he has also become increasingly involved over the past decade in public policy. He served as chairman of MassINC, a leading nonpartisan, independent think tank. He serves on the governing boards of The Boston Foundation, the Boston Plan for Excellence, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, the Boston Public Library Foundation, and the Harvard University and the Boston University Schools of Public Health.
In 1999, Boston Mayor Tom Menino appointed Chris to be chair of the Mayor’s Taskforce on After-school Time. A year later, Chris co-founded Massachusetts 2020, a non-profit foundation devoted to expanding afterschool programs. In citing its mission, the foundation notes that today, as has been the case since the founding of public education in America, children spend only 20 percent of their waking hours in school. The hours beyond the school day and year can be either filled with activities that promote learning and development or fraught with risk and lost opportunity. Massachusetts 2020 is dedicated to “ensuring that these hours are ones of promise, not emptiness and danger.” Next on the organization’s agenda is improving time use and learning within the public school system in Massachusetts. Chris is thoroughly rooted in the environs of Boston and Massachusetts (he and his wife are raising five children there), and it is a wonderful fit: it’s a place, much like Chris himself, full of proud past accomplishments and many positive possibilities.
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[ ALUMNI COUNCIL SPEAKER SERIES ]
Alumni Career Speaker Series presents R I C K
S M I T H
’ 75
RICK SMITH ’75 VISITED THE UPPER SCHOOL IN NOVEMBER FOR
Much like Rigidized Metals, Rick's career experience
the Alumni Career Speaker Series, which brings EFS
covers a plethora of applications. He spent three years in
alumni back to talk to current students about their lives
San Francisco and then moved to Ireland during the ’90s
and career paths. From rock bands to squash to branding
to be a songwriter. Rick played many gigs from Cork City
cattle in Colorado, Rick shared the roundabout story of
to Galway. When he wasn't booked for a live show, the
how his own future in business was galvanized.
street corners served as his practice and performance area. After Ireland came Nashville and New York City.
During his college years (he majored in economics and
Rick recorded his first album In the Leavin’ and traveled
minored in comparative religious studies at the University
from Denver to San Francisco playing various shows. In
of Pennsylvania), Rick spent a summer building fences
the process, Rick also taught squash at the Denver Club.
and branding cattle in Colorado, where he lived in a
A second CD was recorded, and at the age of 37, Rick
teepee and learned to ride horses. After college, Rick
finally returned home to Buffalo to work full-time for
faced an important crossroad: work in sales and
Rigidized. The company is very active in the Western New
marketing for Proctor & Gamble (which translated to re-
York community. Two big projects it supports are
arranging boxes of Tide on the shelves of grocery stores
BoomDays and River Fest. BoomDays celebrates the
– at eye level, of course), or go to Africa. Rick chose the
lifting of the Lake Erie-Niagara River ice boom in April,
latter. After two years in Africa, where he helped a new
and the River Fest is a two day family festival with live
friend in the safari business make tall tree houses so that
music, a river regatta, classic car show, kids’ activities, and
elephants would not step on humans, Rick felt a little
more, that highlights the revitalization efforts being made
homesick and decided to come back to the states. He
along the Buffalo riverfront and the recreational
moved to Denver, working for Federal-Mogul, driving
opportunities that exist.
52,000 miles a year covering a territory from Canada to Mexico. (He got to know the Rocky Mountains very well.)
Rick, who is married and has a two-year-old daughter, told the students his favorite part about his job is watching
From Denver came a move to San Francisco to work in
his employees develop over time and gain confidence in
sales for Rigidized Metals, a company his grandfather
their work. Next up for Rick is a 20,000 ft. expansion to
founded in 1940. Today, Rigidized Metals is a leader in
Rigidized’s Ohio Street facility in Buffalo and having local
developing and producing deep textured three-
artist Larry Griffis incorporate a sculpture for the newly
dimensional metals. The metals are used in a variety of applications within the architectural, industrial and transportation field: helicopter flooring, elevators, restroom partitions, and residential and commercial backsplashes. In Buffalo, the company’s work can be found in the court buildings, on gas pumps, and on the backs of trucks.
[
expanded building.
]
EFS alumni from all backgrounds and professions are
invited to take part in the Career Speaker Series. For
more information, contact Julie Raynsford Berrigan,
Director of Development.
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Rick Smith ’75 keeps a captive audience with his tales of rock gigs, cattle branding and life in the family business.
[ ALUMNI PROFILE ]
T
W
O
W
Duncan Sisson ’94 and fellow riders Biking for a Better World pass through Canada as they make their way to Argentina this spring.
All images are courtesy of Duncan Sisson and Lauren McHugh.
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O
R
L
[ ALUMNI PROFILE ]
Views
D
THERE ARE TWO WAYS OF LEARNING
ABOUT THE WORLD:
reading about
it or experiencing it firsthand. AND THERE ARE TWO WAYS OF TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD:
talking about it or actually doing something. HERE ARE THE STORIES OF TWO
EFS ALUMS WHO ARE
TAKING THE LATTER APPROACH.
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[ ALUMNI PROFILE ]
BACK WHEN LAUREN MCHUGH ’97 WAS A STUDENT AT ELMWOOD FRANKLIN, SHE WOULD WATCH WITH AWE THE PEACE CORPS COMMERCIALS ON TV. NOW, SHE’S LIVING THEM. PICTURED AT LEFT Macedonian girls taking part in Camp GLOW (Girls Leading our World), a Peace Corps initiative that aims to develop leadership
Lauren is in the middle of a 27-month commitment with the Peace Corps, working as an English resource teacher in a primary school in Macedonia, a republic on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, bordered by Serbia, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. It’s a long way – and a long time – away from home, but for Lauren, it’s also a long-held dream.
skills and self-sufficiency among young women in countries around the globe. FOLLOWING PAGE
“It was always in the back of my head as something I would do after college,” said Lauren. “I wanted to learn about another culture by really experiencing it. The Peace Corps gives you the chance to really give back, see more of the world, and help those that are less fortunate. It was a simple decision for me.”
(left to right) Traditional Macedonian dress is worn during a parade. Lauren, pictured here teaching in a Macedonian school, is spending 27-months with the Peace Corps. Lauren (center, standing) poses with a group of students in Macedonia.
A simple decision, maybe, but by no means a simple endeavor. Lauren is busily engaged in a number of projects. “My main role is as an English resource teacher in a primary school. I'm there to support the other English teachers and to provide them with new and different teaching methods and activities,” explained Lauren. “The secondary projects I'm working on include beginning the first-ever girls soccer team in my town, assisting with the Women's Football Federation in Macedonia to promote women's soccer, building an English library at my school for the students, holding workshops all around Macedonia on HIV/AIDS education, and I was a counselor at a girls’ leadership camp this summer and helped prepare a boys’ leadership camp. I also run sixth to eighth grade Spanish and English clubs for the students that want extra help.” Lauren said that she enjoys seeing the direct benefits of her work – children who improve their English, girls who gain confidence in sports (which are still largely considered a boys-only enterprise in Macedonia), and other teachers who use new ideas and techniques that Lauren has shared with them.
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[ ALUMNI PROFILE ]
Her most satisfying experience so far, she said, has been her involvement last summer with Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World), a Peace Corps initiative that aims to develop leadership skills and self-sufficiency among young women in countries around the globe. Lauren’s experience involved sixtyfive girls from all over Macedonia, participating in classes on discrimination and gender roles, leadership, the environment, first aid, HIV/AIDS education, higher education, and volunteerism, along with sports, arts and crafts, and other fun camp activities. “I was so impressed by the girls at the camp, and it gave me hope that Macedonia does have bright young women who will help in the development of the country,” Lauren said. Working hard has made her time with the Peace Corps pass more quickly than she ever imagined. “Twenty-seven months seemed like forever when I joined the Peace Corps, but time is flying by,” she said. It’s true that Lauren has come a long way, and in more ways than one. She’s surprised by how well she has acclimated to her new surroundings. “I was nervous to move to my site after training. I was moving to a town of 17,000 and I was going to be the only American. The closest American was an hour busride away. … But it’s really amazing how easy it is to adjust to life over here. I didn't really know anything about this country before I came here. I was surprised by what a collectivist society Macedonia is. Success here isn't measured by what
you accomplish at work, but by the relationships you have. Macedonians are extremely friendly, welcoming and selfless.” Lauren’s future goals once she completes her Peace Corps work include traveling back to Vietnam, where she did volunteer work in 2005, running a marathon, coaching soccer, and traveling more. She also wants to finish graduate school. (She graduated from Lake Forest College near Chicago, and started her master’s in education before joining the Peace Corps.) Her experience with the Peace Corps has affected her plans somewhat, however. “Now I'm thinking of possibly studying international studies with a focus on human rights, international development, or national security. I would really like to work with an organization such as UNICEF, or any organization that is helping to stop poverty, make education available to all children, or deals with women's rights or conservation. I'm also interested in working with the UN and the Foreign Service.” Down the line, Lauren would like to have a family and a meaningful job she enjoys. The American dream, you could say, although not necessarily in America. “I think it would be neat to spend a year or so with my family living abroad,” she said. “I think so much can be gained from living in another country.” To learn more about the Peace Corps, visit www.peacecorps.gov.
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LAST JUNE, DUNCAN SISSON ’94 WENT FOR A BIKE RIDE. SIX MONTHS LATER, HE’S STILL PEDALING.
PICTURED ON NEXT PAGE (left to right) Duncan and fellow riding-mates meet with the mayor of the Nicaraguan town where the school is located. The riders meet with a teacher from the Nicaraguan school they
Duncan and three other riders are currently in the final leg of a 16,000 mile journey by bicycle. They started in June in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and will end some time this spring in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina – going through more than a dozen countries along the way, across mountain passes, deserts, and jungles, averaging nearly 60 miles a day – all in an effort to raise consciousness (their own and others’) and, more importantly, to raise funds to build a school in Nicaragua. The word ambitious doesn’t begin to describe the effort. Astonishing comes a little closer. Epic, or heroic, just about says it all.
are biking to support. Duncan and fellow riders spend time with the students. Here they are passing out candy.
Their goal is to raise $18,000, the amount needed to build a school in Nicaragua. The team is partnering with Building with Books, an organization that aims to provide safe and functional schoolhouses for children in developing countries, where educational opportunities are sorely lacking due to facilities that are dilapidated, overcrowded, inaccessible, or, in some cases, completely non-existent. Thus far, the team has raised $14,000 toward their goal through corporate sponsorship and individual donations. Unbelievably, the team had wanted to attempt this feat even without its humanitarian aspect. Collectively, the four riders combine diverse backgrounds of athletic accomplishments, including charity bike tours, professional free-skiing competitions, endurance sports events, climbing and mountaineering achievements, and wilderness certifications. This ride was to be yet another notch on their “extreme sport” tallies. “We were already set on taking this incredible journey; however, we wanted to do more with our trip,” wrote Duncan in an e-mail from the road. “We knew that it could easily get recognition. We figured it would be best to use it to improve some community along our path. That would tie things together nicely. Where we were going and who we were helping would all make sense.” In fact, it made such good sense that they established a formal non-profit, called Biking for a Better World.
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[ ALUMNI PROFILE ]
The team posts a blog on their website, describing the incredible experiences they have traveling an entire continent by bicycle, unsupported (meaning it’s literally just the guys and their bikes, their packs, and a map or two). The journals are an interesting read, telling tales of riding across desert land and dangerous, on seemingly endless roads, through jungle humidity and incessant rain; of camping among mosquitoes, cockroaches, beetles, poisonous tarantulas, snakes, and packs of wild dogs (both alive and dead); of staying the night in houses of friends and of strangers, or out in public places or in the wilderness under the stars; of smashed bicycle frames and inexpert repairs, worn parts and flat tires; of border crossings and language barriers; of waking up in the morning not knowing what country they were in, or where they were going, except south. When Duncan’s excursion is over, after nearly a year of riding from sunup to sundown – what then? “Good question,” answers Duncan. “Who knows what will happen, where I’ll want to live. As for now, I plan on returning to Lake Tahoe [Duncan’s place of residence in California for the past several years]. That will be crazy in itself. I will have no home; I sold my car, and all of my belongings are under a friend’s house. I would like to put more time into the mountains, ski-mountaineering, which is climbing mountains, summiting, and descending on skis. A combination of climbing and skiing. It’s great.”
As for his long-term plans, Duncan is equally down-to-earth. “Hopefully this non-profit will grow, and I’ll continue to work on it. I’d love to get married someday and have kids. A dog, as well. Though I’m sure these long trips will have to come to an end. I’ve already learned the hard way that girls don’t have the patience for these kinds of trips. Maybe some smaller trips.” Duncan, who majored in philosophy at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, believes that his taste for adventure was kindled during the three years he studied abroad. “I was lucky enough to visit South Africa, Ireland, and Australia. I think that it opened a can of worms – I wanted to see more and more. It probably had a serious impact on my decision and preparations for this trip.” It’s truly an indescribable journey that Duncan is on. People they meet in South America often don’t believe that the team started all the way in Alaska. Those that do ask the same question, Por qué? It’s a hard question to answer in broken Spanish, and not exactly simple in English either. “I do it to scare myself, to push myself, to hurt, to cry, to feel like dying and then to feel alive, bursting, on top of it all,” explains Duncan. “To feel stupid, to learn, to feel strong as ever. … I do it to see what’s inside. I do it for answers about myself and the world. I do it, and I have more questions.” For updates on Duncan’s progress, or to make a donation, visit www.bikingforabetterworld.org.
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HEADING UPHILL Duncan Sisson ’94 and fellow riders are biking from Alaska to Argentina to raise funds for a Nicaraguan school.
[ MUSIC AT EFS ]
Without music,
the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, life would be a mistake.
And school, he forgot to add, would be a much gloomier place. For at Elmwood Franklin, music fills the rooms, the halls, and the hearts of students.
A L L
T O G E T H E R
N O W
the many sounds of
music education T HE EFS M USIC P ROGRAM AT
G LANCE
Music is one of the first ways we communicate
Prep: daily music instruction explores singing, listening, movement, music appreciation, and performance and is a favorite of children this age.
with our children – just think of the lullaby. As
Lower School: dedicated, pull-out general music class includes vocal technique, music theory, introductory instrumentation, and performance. Musical awareness and appreciation is stressed, along with general terms, techniques and skills.
importance of music as a way of learning,
A
Upper School: all students choose between chorus and band (some do both), a specialized, performance-based program with weekly instruction and rehearsal sessions. An all-inclusive approach stresses preparation, effort, practice, and improvement.
children grow, and lullabies are replaced by the soundtrack to “High School Musical,” the developing, and making connections doesn’t diminish. In fact, many educators consider the ability to enjoy and make music a basic life skill. Listening, singing, and playing are right up there with reading, writing and ’rithmetic. Music has the ability to refresh the spirit and improve the mind.
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[ MUSIC AT EFS ]
Case in point: On the day before winter break, fourth
While singing is often the first and foremost way for
grade students file into the music room, excitable and –
young children to make music, learning an instrument
understandably – more than a bit distracted. Teacher
has a wealth of benefits all its own. By the time they
Pat Petersen has something a little different planned for
reach Upper School, students are ready to take on the
the day, and much to the kids’ delight, it involves a
rigors of learning to master a musical instrument and
gong. After a little practice, the students are expertly
are able to choose from eleven options, including flute,
accompanying a recording of a Tchaikovsky symphony
trumpet, tenor sax, and trombone. Teacher Cheri Truax
with tambourines, triangles, maracas, hand drums, and
heads up the instrumental music department, which
other simple instruments (as well as the coveted gong),
features two bands, a jazz ensemble, and a percussion
and a room full of jumpy nine and ten-year-olds has
ensemble. Two concerts, one in fall and one in spring,
been transformed into an impromptu orchestra
allow students to experience the power of public
exhibiting remarkable concentration, cooperation and
performance. Even beginners take part.
control. “The fall concert is a real challenge for the beginning While the urge to make music is inborn in just about
students – at that point in the year, they haven’t
everyone, it’s the music faculty’s job to expose and
learned a whole lot more than how to put their
inform, to instruct and inspire, so that children gain
instruments together,” says Cheri. “But it’s a good
confidence in understanding musical terms and
lesson in how to get through your first concert, and by
technique, so that everyone can “find their voice,” so to
spring, everyone has grown and improved.”
speak. From posture to breathing techniques, from rhythm and beat to tone quality, the whole point is to
Started ten years ago, the Upper School’s dedicated
learn and improve.
band-chorus format was designed to be a “performance-based” program. By making music the
“We don’t have hand-picked vocalists here. Everyone
students are learning music, and by learning music,
can take part,” said Pat, who teaches general music to
they are gaining even more: spatial-temporal reasoning,
Lower School students and vocal music to Upper
problem-solving, personal expression, even teamwork.
School choir students. “So we always aim for improvement, rather than perfection. That way,
“An ensemble is a team,” Cheri stresses to her band
everyone can feel they’ve accomplished something.”
students. “Each student is a like a link in a chain, all
Concert times (Thanksgiving and spring are the big
working together.”
two) are when the students can show off their accomplishments – Pat’s proudest moment. “I get to
“We’re trying to make one sound,” Pat likewise tells her
see how far everyone has come, how much they’ve
young vocalists. “We need all voices. If only the best
learned. One boy started the year able to sing only five
singers in the forest sang, think of the beautiful
notes. By the end, he could sing a full octave. I was just
birdsongs we’d never get to hear.”
so excited about that!”
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[ MUSIC AT EFS ]
CHERI TRUAX Upper School band/instrumental teacher
Years at EFS: 19 Place of birth: Buffalo, New York Education: Bachelor of Music, Frost School of Music (University of Miami), graduate work in elementary education at SUNY College at Buffalo First job: teaching general music in the Dade County public schools in Miami Most enjoyable aspect of job: “I get to play music on different instruments all the time. If it weren’t part of my job, I would never make the time to do it.” Most challenging part of job: The hardest part for Cheri is working within the limited amount of rehearsal time for the band. If Cheri wasn’t a teacher, she’d probably be: in television/ movie/radio production, or directing community theater. She also dreams of traveling the clogging workshop circuit. Favorite kind of music: Cheri lists country, bluegrass, Broadway show tunes, and folk-rock as her top picks. Vince Gill, John Denver, and Jean Pierre Rampal are a few favorite performers. Heroes: “My mother, because she takes care of everyone and manages everything! Someday I’d like to be able to do half of what she does.” Hobbies: clogging, scrapbooking, and knitting. Someday, she’d like to RV across the country with her family. A few things you may not know about Cheri: She’s directed nearly 30 musicals in various schools and community theatres. She also teaches clogging four times a week and directs three clogging performance teams. “And I love to cook Chinese food!” she adds.
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[ MUSIC AT EFS ]
PAT P E T E R S E N Lower School music teacher and Upper School choral teacher Years at EFS: 20 Place of birth: Charlottesville, Virginia Education: BA, Westminster College Most enjoyable aspect of job: “When concert time comes, I get to see how much the students have all learned. It’s very rewarding.” Most challenging part of job: Pat says that working with older students takes a different approach than with the younger kids. Finding songs that accommodate boys’ changing voices isn’t easy! If Pat wasn’t a teacher, she’d probably be: a performer in musical theater. In fact, in the 1960’s, she moved to NYC to pursue it. “I wanted to be a star,” she recalls. She did get to work with greats such as Hal Davis and Burt Bacharach. Favorite kind of music: Broadway show tunes are a favorite for sure. “Really, I like all kinds of music,” she says. “Except classical – it puts me to sleep!” Heroes: Julie Andrews has been an icon for Pat since she was young. She also mentions a special aunt, who served as her mentor in singing and in life. Hobbies: reading, gardening, and a new pursuit: modeling. Pat has been featured in commercials and print ads for Aspen Dental, Kodak, Independent Health, and others. A few things you may not know about Pat: She sang and performed for the troops at the Thule Air Base in Greenland in 1968. And it’s no surprise that singing is in Pat’s genes: Judy Garland is her third cousin!
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[ MUSIC AT EFS ]
M U S I C
for munchkins MUSICAL STUDY ISN’T LIMITED TO THE UPPER GRADES – AT ELMWOOD FRANKLIN, MUSIC APPRECIATION STARTS IN PREP.
M O L LY C L A U S S ’ 74 Prep music, gym, and Friendship Club teacher Years at EFS: 22 (more, if you count her days as a student!)
“Music speaks to everyone,” says Molly
From Raffi to Tchaikovsky, the goal of the
Clauss, who teaches a daily music class to
Prep music program is to expose the young
Prep’s four, five, and six year olds. “I love
children to as many different types of
how happy it makes the children and how
music as possible, “and to have fun doing
engaged they become.”
it,” says Molly. Of course, having fun is never hard in Prep. “The kids enjoy the
Place of birth: Buffalo Education: BS, elementary education, Lesley College; MS, elementary education, Buffalo State If Molly wasn’t a teacher, she’d probably be: involved some way in art, perhaps as a graphic artist. Hobbies: pen and ink architectural drawing, furniture painting Something you may not know about Molly: “I am working on getting my second children’s book published, this time (perhaps) with my own illustrations.”
Activities include simple instruments,
symphony as much as traditional children’s
dance and improvisational movement,
music. It’s all about exposure.”
singing, rhyming, games and more. Basic theory, such as rhythm and beat, instrument identification, and multi-cultural
Calling All Nutcrackers!
awareness, is also covered, along with
Are you a student or alum who performed in
performance skills. A highlight each year is
the Prep Nutcracker? Teacher Molly Clauss,
the annual “Prep II Nutcracker,” which
who has been producing the performance
combines music appreciation and dance
since 1992, would like to compile a
performance in a narrated, abridged
scrapbook chronicling fifteen years of Prep
version of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.
pirouettes. If you have photos from past
More than seventy nutcrackers line the
performances that you can share, please
stage, on loan from Prep families, behind
email Molly at mclauss@
which the Prep students perform their own
elmwoodfranklin.org or send by mail to:
take of the Nutcracker March, the Dance
Molly Clauss
of the Sugar Plum Fairies, the Russian
Elmwood Franklin School
dance, the Arabian dance, the Chinese
104 New Amsterdam Avenue
dance, the Dance of the Reeds, and the
Buffalo, NY 14216 (Photos will be scanned and returned.)
Waltz of Flowers.
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Molly Clauss (center) prepares for a music class with Prep I students.
[ LEARNING ALONG ]
Come along
& learn
with the third graders
on their trip to Genesee Country Village
HAIR WREATHS. ICEBOXES. BATHTUBS IN THE
KITCHEN. LITTLE BOYS IN DRESSES? LIFE SURE WAS DIFFERENT DURING AMERICA’S OLDEN DAYS. AS KIDS PRETTY WELL IMMERSED IN THE GIZMOS AND GADGETRY OF THE 21ST CENTURY, OUR EFS THIRD GRADERS WERE BRIMMING WITH QUESTIONS ON THEIR VISIT TO THIS 19TH CENTURY PRESERVE, THE MOST PREVALENT ONE BEING What’s that?
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[ LEARNING ALONG ]
Genesee Country Village,
located 20 miles outside of Rochester, is New York
state’s largest living history museum and among the largest in the entire nation. Opened in 1976, the village was assembled from authentic, functional 1800’s buildings and artifacts from a score of surrounding towns to recapture and portray the character and atmosphere of the village era. There are 68 restored and fully furnished buildings – homes ranging from the simple frontier cabin to the elaborate Victorian mansion, along with shops, schools, and churches – equipped with authentic period fixtures, furnishings, tools, and utensils. Stationed in every building are village hosts dressed in period garb, who explain the history of the building, demonstrate its workings, and answer any questions visitors may have (which, with our curious third graders, were plentiful). No wonder the trip lasted all day! Here are highlights from a few of their discoveries:
THE OCTAGON HOUSE
THE FARMHOUSE
On the way over to the eight-sided residence known
How long does it take to make butter? A lot longer than
as the Hyde Octagon House, the tinsmith stopped
it takes to buy it at the store: try 40 minutes of steady
to warn us that it was haunted – a ghost had once
churning next time you want to butter your bagel.
been seen in the mirror near the stairway. Our
Students were able to try their own hands at butter
students didn’t see any ghosts, but they did see
churning at the Jones Farmhouse, where a farmwife was
many other kinds of relics from the past, including
hard at work in the kitchen, making green corn pudding,
an icebox, the pre-refrigerator way to keep food
frying sage fritters, chopping ham, and pressing a round
cold. During the winter, men would cut blocks of ice
of cheese. “Why do you think they made so much
from ponds and streams and store them in an ice
cheese?” she asked. “Because there’s a cow outside!”
house (or just a hole in the ground, if that’s all that
one student quickly answered. And there were indeed
was available). It was the children’s job to pack the
cows in the backyard (abundant amounts of cheese were
ice in sawdust. If properly stored, the ice would last
made to preserve their milk), seen through the large
throughout the summer. The water pump at the
kitchen window of the simple frame house with hand-
kitchen sink also caught the students’ attention:
stenciled walls. The Jones Farmhouse, originally built in
used for laundry, bathing and housekeeping, the
the 1820’s by pioneer Ezra James in Ontario county, is
pump drew from an underground cistern that
typical of the small early 19th-century Genesee Country
collected rainwater.
timber-framed and clapboard-covered farmhouses.
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[ LEARNING ALONG ]
“Why do you think they made sothemuch cheese?” farmwife asked. “Because there’s a one cow outside!” student quickly answered. THE BLACKSMITH SHOP
THE SHAKER BUILDING
The clanging and banging from the cobblestone
In this building, acquired from an 1837 Livingston
shop could be heard from way down the path.
county Shaker settlement, the students learned how
Inside, students saw the blacksmith hard at work
to treat a 19th-century boo-boo: wash with
heating and shaping iron rods. When the rod glows
soapwort, apply an ointment of calendula, beeswax
red, he explained, it’s hot, but when it glows orange
and oil, and bandage with lamb’s ear (from the
it’s even hotter, and when it’s white, it’s ready to
fuzzy-leafed plant, not the animal). They also were
bend – and he held up a glowing orange iron rod so
able to see the simple process for making comfrey
that the kids could feel the warmth on their faces.
oil: place the comfrey leaves into a bottle, close it
The iron was heated in a beehive-shaped furnace
up, and watch as slowly over two years, the contents
with a fire fueled by charcoal and forced air pumped
are reduced to a thick, dark brown liquid once used
in with hand-held bellows. Though weaker than steel,
for healing skin abrasions. The Shakers were known
iron is very malleable, making it very useful. Back in
to work wonders with their herbal medicines (an
the 1800’s, the blacksmith was the first tradesman
herb garden outside was full of plants similar to
to set up shop in an emerging village. The smith
those propagated by the Shakers for their seed
shod horses, made hardware, repaired wagons and
business: bayberry, feverfew, lavender, and rue, to
plows — everything of iron that the farmer or the
name a few) as well as for their many inventions,
villager could not repair himself.
such as the flat-cut broom, the clothes iron, the washing machine, and waterproof fabric.
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[ NEWS OF NOTE ]
N E W S
of note
CLOCKWISE
Hall, placing in the top ten of 28 teams from
A Fifth Grader Rules the School
organizations in the Buffalo area. (The winner was
Emma Yates served as Head for a Day on November 16,
Buffalo Niagara Enterprise.) WorldQuest is an
handling such pressing matters as dress code and lunch
annual trivia competition and fundraiser for the
menu. Under her expert leadership, everyone wore jeans
International Institute of Buffalo. Teams grappled with
for the day and enjoyed French toast sticks for lunch!
48 questions on global politics, business, religion, sports, arts, literature, and history.
Global Competition A team representing Elmwood Franklin, comprised of
Corporation Luncheon
parents Akram Talhouk, Christine Human, Jenny
Life members of the EFS Corporation, a group
Black, and Adrian Black, history teacher Dee Drew,
comprised of former Board presidents and other
and head of school Tony Featherston, competed at
venerated affiliates, gathered for a luncheon in the
WorldQuest 2007 in November at Kleinhan’s Music
school library in October.
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[ NAMES IN THE NEWS ]
N A M E S
in the news
S T U D E N T N E WS Student Coordinating Committee Officers for the year are Nickolaus Osinski, president; Christine Stephan, vice president; Sarah Miller and Ivey Spier, secretaries; and Erica Dalton and Hannah Elsinghorst, treasurers.
Theatre throughout the fall. Elmwood Franklin is proud to celebrate the artistic talents of our community with the display of original artwork in any media in this space. Works are presented on a rotating basis throughout the year.
Blue-Gray captains for the year are Taylor Gillespie, girls Blue captain; Melissa Jacobs, girls Gray captain; Lucas Walsh, boys Blue captain; and Louie Jacobs, boys Gray captain. First semester co-captains are Molly Mathias, girls Blue co-captain; Allie Viti, girls Gray co-captain; Tino Tomasello, boys Blue cocaptain; and Dan Scully, boys Gray co-captain. Second semester co-captains are Jaci Smith, girls Blue co-captain; Charlotte Jacobs, girls Gray cocaptain; Noel Andersen, boys Blue co-captain; and Joey Todaro, boys Gray co-captain.
Contact Julie Raynsford Berrigan in the Development Office for information. Alumna Jennifer Dref ’03 currently has design work on display through the spring. FAC U LT Y A N D S TA F F N E WS Tony Featherston, Shellonnee Chinn, and Maria Pesquera participated in the National Association for Independent Schools People of Color Conference, held in Boston in late November. This conference is a gathering for people of color to expand their sense of belonging in independent schools, and for all people committed to diversity work to learn how to advance, build, and sustain inclusive school communities.
Pushing Up the Sky awards were presented in November to fifth graders Tyler Otterbein and Sophie Westbrook; sixth graders Rachel Piazza and Caroline Hogan; seventh graders Alexis Bruzgul, Emily Glick, Sarah Duncan, Maxcy Gayles, and Joey Todaro; and eighth graders Eliza Kaye and Ryan Tick. James Blackwell ’08 was named 2007 Player of the Year by the New York State Junior Golf Tour. Melissa Jacobs ’08 was named Champion of Children’s Hunters at the 2007 National Horse Show this past fall.
Director of Development Julie Raynsford wed James Berrigan on September 15 in McConnellsville, NY. Jeff Wannemacher of Sodexho has assumed the role of dining services manager at EFS.
PA R E N T A N D A L U M N I N E WS The paintings of EFS parent Sonia Taggart were on display in the Anderson Lobby of the Johnston Detail of ink drawing by Jennifer Dref ’03 currently on display in the Anderson Lobby.
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[ DAY TO DAY ]
DAY
day
to
The world inside the classroom: Seventh graders share their history research projects, for which they studied the geography, culture, history, and social issues of an African country of their choice.
Halloween parade: Students dressed in their Halloween finest paraded up and down New Amsterdam in October.
Please release me: Second graders had a bittersweet moment watching the painted lady butterflies that they watched hatch from chrysalises in the science classroom fly away into the open air.
You’re it!: The seventh/eighth grade theatrical production of “Five Children and It” took place in December. Based on the beloved children’s book by Edith Nesbit, the play is an enchanting tale of five youngsters who can have their wishes granted by a peculiar fairy.
Story sharing: Prep student Scotia Snyder performed for her classmates with others from the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Cattaraugus Reservation in November. Storytelling, dance and music were part of the presentation.
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[ DAY TO DAY ]
About the author: Children’s book author Susan Schapiro visited the fifth grade English classroom in October to discuss the process behind writing and publishing her book Brigadoon’s Luck. The writer is now at work on a sequel to the story and invited the students to write the title for it.
Four-alarm fun: Prep II students walked over to nearby Fire Engine House #38 in October. Children got lessons in fire safety from reallife firefighters and a chance to climb aboard a fire truck.
The power of song: The Seventh Grade chorus performed at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in December as part of the hospital’s “Music in the Lobby” program, which promotes music’s capacity to modify mood, soothe pain, calm nerves and relax the mind and body.
Family fun: The Fall Family Picnic in October went indoors to the gym, where kids took turns on a giant bounce slide. Games, activities and a cook-out for students and their families made the afternoon memorable.
Boxing up a feast: Students loaded the bounty from the annual EFS food drive in support of the Food Bank of WNY and the Ronald McDonald House. The Thanksgiving food drive is a school tradition dating back at least to the early 1900’s.
French friends: Students visiting Buffalo from France in November spent the day at Elmwood Franklin, touring the building, meeting the students, and making a big splash in French class.
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[ DAY TO DAY ]
Planning for the future: Dr. Samina Raja, mom of Hijab Khan ’08, from UB’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning spoke to EFS eighth graders in October. The class is taking part in the Future City Competition, a national contest in which students will create and build a city as it might be in the year 2150.
How pumpkins stack up: Prep students picked up some new math concepts by measuring pumpkins with inch-cubes.
Alive and kicking: The girls’ soccer team played against Nardin Academy in October on the EFS field.
Peace, man: Lower School students celebrated International Peace Day on September 21 by handing out peace sign stickers, sharing and illustrating stories about peace, and, best of all, enjoying a hug from a friend.
Faces in a crowd: Prep I students composed self-portraits that were incorporated into a community mosaic that graced note cards and matted prints to raise funds for the Parkinson’s Wellness Group of Western New York.
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[ JUST FOR FUN ]
M U S I C
trivia
H OW M U C H H AV E YO U L E A R N E D ( O R F O RG OT T E N ) A B O U T M U S I C ? Take our quiz to see where you land on the musical scale. 1. What is the area in your mouth right behind your upper front teeth called? c the soft palate c the hard palate c the epiglottis c the gullet
6. What kind of cymbals are opened and closed with a pedal by the drummer’s foot? c crash cymbals c hi-hat cymbals c ride cymbals c splash cymbals
2. Which of these is not a part of a clarinet? c bell c thumb rest c barrel c frog
7. What language do most musical terms come from? c Latin c Greek c Italian c French
3. Which is the smallest flute? c small flute c bass flute c alto flute c piccolo
8. What musical family is the trombone in? c brass c percussion c woodwind c string
4. What is the main resonator of the voice? c the pharynx c the larynx c the lungs c the diaphragm
9. The five horizontal lines on which music is written are called a what? c stair c staff c scale c spectrum
5. In vocal terms, the word “phrasing” refers to what? c the song’s lyrics c a style in which singers use wordless sounds and improvised notes c the breaths or stops between notes c the steady pulsation of a sustained note
10. A series of eight notes played consecutively is known as a what? c octave c scale c octet c signature
A N S W E RS : 1. the hard palate, 2. frog, 3. piccolo, 4. the pharynx, 5. the breaths or stops between notes, 6. hi-hat cymbals, 7. Italian, 8. brass, 9. staff, 10. scale
41 ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
R AT I N G S : 10 correct: maestro 7 to 9 correct: virtuoso 4 to 6 correct: accompanist 1 to 3 correct: greenhorn 0 correct: tone deaf
| BULLETIN BOARD
[ FROM DEVELOPMENT ]
a message from D E V E L O P M E N T Julie Raynsford Berrigan, D I R E C TO R
OF
D E V E LO P M E N T
Tony Featherston and I appreciated the opportunity to meet some of our Boston-area alumni this past November. In addition to greeting the group that gathered at the home of Chris ’73 and Hilary Gabrieli, we also met with a graduate of the Franklin School from the 1930s. (Thank you, Mrs. Julia Viele Hines ’35!) I always enjoy talking to our graduates from the 30’s and 40’s because they hold an important part of our past in their memories. They are our living history, really, and yet this is a group that may not be able to visit our school as often as we or they may like. It’s our hope that our Bulletin Board publications bring these alumni – and all alumni – “back” to Elmwood Franklin.
42 ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
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[ FROM DEVELOPMENT ]
“
Whenever I talk to alumni, no matter what their class year happens to be, I’m always amazed to see how their experiences are still remarkably similar to those of our current students. Whenever I talk to alumni, no matter what their class year happens to be, I’m always amazed to see how their experiences are still remarkably similar to those of our current students. Even now in 2008, Elmwood Franklin continues to graduate students with similar goals and values as we did in the 1930’s. Yes, technologies advance, teaching methods progress, resources evolve, and opportunities expand, perhaps, for our graduates today. Yet the mission of our school – to foster high academic achievement, good study skills and positive character development – has not changed. If anything, our mission has only crystallized, and the EFS community is just as committed to it now as ever before. This is due to the guidance we have received from our Board members and the total support and generosity of our collective constituents. We are most grateful to our graduates, our current families, our alumni families, our grandparents, our Corporation members, and our Board members, who give so much of their time, talent and resources. We are 113 years old and going strong due to all of you!
”
To our alumni, please take note of the All-Alumni Open House to take place the weekend of June 67, 2008. The Alumni Council is still hammering out the details but one thing is for sure: everyone is invited back to catch up with classmates, meet Head of School Tony Featherston, tour the school (including the newly expanded and renovated dining room), and take part in a memorial tribute to former headmaster Russell Anderson. More details will be sent to our alumni in April.
One alumna we welcomed back during open house last year was Celesta Kowalski Serio ’37. In addition to her energy and fond memories of the Franklin School, Celesta also brought her notebook and a few textbooks from her days as a student in the 1930’s. What a gift it is for us to have Celesta share these experiences and to help us hold on to the rich history of our fine institution. Thank you, Celesta! We sincerely hope that other alumni follow in your footsteps by visiting this June and sharing more of our history with us.
43 ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
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[ BUILDING BEYOND ]
O N
a
T H E
M E N U :
bigger brighter better ,
,
dining room!
and
44 ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
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Elmwood Franklin is proud of its long history – but not of the fact that much of it shows in our cafeteria, a space that has gone virtually unchanged since the building’s original construction in 1951.
That’s about to change, as a renovation project is underway that increases the square footage and legal occupancy rate and improves the look and feel of the space, creating a more enjoyable dining experience for students and expanding functionality for special events and other activities. With additional and larger exits, the new dining room will be a safer place for students as well.
Students from Prep through eighth grade, and even many teachers, staff and parents, have spent time with their noses pressed to the window, watching the crew and the heavy machinery dig, haul and build. Ground was broken just prior to Thanksgiving, and work is expected to be completed by late February. With work taking place during the school year, disruptions to student dining are being kept to a minimum.
Elmwood Franklin School is grateful for the contributions from several families and alumni, as well as local foundations and corporations, including the Seymour Knox Foundation, the M&T Charitable Foundation, the Dreamcatcher Foundation and the Cameron Baird Foundation. If you would like to make a gift toward the dining room expansion and renovation, please contact Julie Raynsford Berrigan, Director of Development, at (716) 877-5035.
Breaking ground Trustee members Eric Lipke (far left) and Matthew Enstice (second from right) join Head of School Tony Featherston and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Ziggy Piadlo for the ceremonial shoveling.
THE ANNUAL FUND CABINET HARD AT WORK. This year’s Annual Fund campaign has instituted a formal fundraising cabinet, made up of parent, alumni, alumni-parent, grandparent, and alumni-grandparent volunteers who work throughout the year to demonstrate the importance of annual giving and to ask others for their support.
T H E
E L M W O O D
F R A N K L I N
S C H O O L
A N N U A L
F U N D
Worth your support. AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2008
GOAL
The chart at left shows the progress of this year’s Annual Fund
$200,230.29 raised (74%)
$271,000
toward our overall goal of $271,000. What you can’t tell from the
61% parent participation
100%
100% trustee participation
100%
14% alumni participation
20%
Campaign. Take a look and you’ll see that we’re making good strides chart, however, is how much our participation goals have increased from past years – and so, despite a strong showing so far, we need everyone’s participation like never before. If you haven’t already, we urge you to join our many donors by making a tax-deductible gift to the EFS Annual Fund, in whatever
89% corporation member participation
100%
21% grandparent participation
25%
15% alumni parent participation
18%
amount you choose. To make a gift, simply use the enclosed envelope or visit www.elmwoodfranklin.org. To the hundreds of donors who already made a gift, we sincerely thank you for showing us that EFS is worth your support.
CENTER: Cabinet members gather for the Annual Fund kick-off breakfast in October. FAR LEFT: Chairs (from left to right) Shashi Davae, Jen Bronstein ’74, and Liz Maloney ’70 take part in a skit emphasizing the importance of annual giving. ABOVE: Cabinet members spend the afternoon writing letters to alumni seeking their support.
ANNUAL FUND CO-CHAIRS Jennifer Prince Bronstein ’74 Shashi Davae Liz Duryea Maloney ’70 CABINET MEMBERS Grandparents and Alumni Parents Penny Banta ’61 Keith and Lin Blakely Holly Donaldson ’57 James How Kitty Marcy ’54 Trudy Mollenberg ’61 S. Warren Prince, Jr. Betsy Sanders Sally Vincent ’60 Sally Walsh Mary Saperston ’60 Alumni Penny Schoellkopf Banta ’61 Amy Decillis Bard ’86 Gitti Barrell ’71 Kristin Schoellkopf Borowiak ’82 Jennifer Prince Bronstein ’74 Holly Augspurger Donaldson ’57 Cynthia Keating Doolittle ’46 Rob Drake ’96
Archie Glick ’71 Charles Hahn ’68 Steve Kellogg, Jr. ’77 Susan Lenahan Kimberly ’64 Madeline Ambrus Lillie ’64 Kitty Richard Marcy ’54 Rosemary Smith Marlette ’37 Liz Duryea Maloney ’70 Trudy Adam Mollenberg ’61 Grace Walsh Munschauer ’70 Samantha Friedman Olsen ’00 Eric Saldanha ’85 Stephen Sanders ’78 Mary Franklin Saperston ’60 Sally Spitzmiller Vincent ’60 Darcy Donaldson Zacher ’84 Alumni Parents Cynthia Doolittle ’46 Marita Duryea Madeline Lillie ’64 Liz Maloney ’71 Rosemary Marlette ’37 Current Parents Prep I Shashi Davae Michael and Gretchen Galvin
James and Heather Stephen Prep II David and Amy ’86 Bard Michael and Gretchen Galvin Nina Juncewicz Ted and Nena Rich Darcy Zacher Grade 1 Buddy and Kristin ’82 Borowiak John and Tina Bialkowski Michael Hogan Michael and Marcy Newman Dan and Laura Rifkin Grade 2 Sarah Ambrus Keith Frome and Ermi Bonaccio Ted and Nena Rich Dan and Laura Rifkin James and Heather Stephen Grade 3 John and Tina Bialkowski Annette Fitch Michael and Marcy Newman Stephen ’78 and Wendy Sanders Kevin and Mindy Shine Grade 4 Kristan Andersen Buddy and Kristin ’82 Borowiak
Dan and Laura Rifkin Grade 5 John and Tina Bialkowski Jennifer Prince Bronstein ’74 Shashi Davae Keith Frome and Ermi Bonaccio Harold and Andrea Harden Michael Hogan Alison Keane Grade 6 Archie Glick ’71 Michael Hogan Alice Jacobs Grace Munschauer ’70 Grade 7 Kristan Andersen Archie Glick ’71 Charles Hahn ’68 Lou and Joan Jacobs Andrea Kuettel Darcy Zacher Grade 8 John and Tina Bialkowski Alice Jacobs Lou and Joan Jacobs Steve Kellogg, Jr. ’77 Darcy Zacher
[ ALUMNI PERSPECTIVE ]
CAITLIN DEROSE ’98 looks at how Elmwood Franklin shapes
its students’ pasts and futures.
Caitlin DeRose (left) poses with sister and alumna, Molly DeRose ’00 (right).
T H E
“elmwood franklin
experience”
I S N O T S O O N F O R G O T T EN B Y I T S G R A D UAT E S . “They’re good kids”—A
PHRASE NOT OFTEN USED TO DESCRIBE MUCH OF
MODERN DAY’S YOUTH, BUT A PHRASE USED QUITE APTLY TO DESCRIBE THE YOUTH THAT FILE THROUGH THE HALLS OF ELMWOOD FRANKLIN.
EFS KIDS ARE DIFFERENT
FROM THEIR PEERS; AS A GRADUATE OF THE SCHOOL, I WOULD KNOW. BUT I DIDN’T FULLY COME TO THIS REALIZATION UNTIL WELL AFTER AND THOUGHT MY
I
HAD ALREADY GRADUATED
EFS DAYS WERE BEHIND ME. PERHAPS THIS IS BECAUSE EFS IS
A SAFE HAVEN THAT NURTURES ITS STUDENTS IN ITS OWN UNIQUE WAY. PERHAPS THIS IS BECAUSE
OR
EFS IS SUCH AN ENJOYABLE, ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
THAT ITS STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES COME TO FIND THAT EVERYTHING THEY NEED AND WANT CAN BE FOUND WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THIS INSTITUTION.
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[ ALUMNI PERSPECTIVE ]
Aside from kids I met while enrolled at other schools before I came to EFS or friends who lived down the street, every friend I had before I graduated I made at or through EFS. Even now, some of my best friends are those who date all the way back to my Prep II days with my Day Bear and Night Bear buddies. EFS kids who weren’t even in my class I now recognize about town, or out of town, or really anywhere, because I remember seeing their faces walking through the halls or performing at holiday programs in the old auditorium (which pales in comparison to its extreme-makeover modern self). This is such a special thing to me because there is a bond between EFS kids that perhaps cannot be put into words, but is felt between alumni and faculty who share in the experience that only we were fortunate enough to have. As I’ve heard and witnessed, the Elmwood Franklin experience is unlike that of any other school in the country. And as an animal lover, I have fond memories of visits from wildlife centers and endangered species refuge centers that no one else I’ve met can share. Where else could your child have the opportunity to pet a wolf? Or stroke the feathers of a bald eagle? Or have the science teacher’s pet fox hang out in the classroom while she was explaining theories of natural evolution—all in an absolutely safe and trusting environment? What other schools allow and encourage third graders to care for and be completely responsible for their own baby chick? The amount of trust and respect earned by the students of EFS is equal to the amount they give in return, and little by little, it grows exponentially over the years and the baby chick days eventually turn into Camp Pathfinder days, when Outdoor Education signifies a level of maturity and development that brings us even closer to our faculty counterparts.
from the smallest Prep I student all the way up to the Head of School, who always greeted us in the morning at the old library entrance with a smile and a handshake. When I was in third grade, headmaster John White used to gather my entire class on the floor in a circle around him and tell us some of the greatest stories a curious child would want to hear, and we could never wait to hear which story he would tell next. Those were special and rare occasions when everyone’s imagination was at play. Looking back at my EFS experience now, I just want to say thank you to everyone who made it what it was for me. EFS set me up with a foundation for life far beyond anything I could expect from any other school, even high school. The principles I learned, the manners and respect I was taught, the education I received—and not just what I read in books— is, as far as I know, unlike anything else available to children. I feel lucky to have parents who were so dedicated to their children’s education, and who found a suitably excellent place, that just happened to be right in their backyard. Elmwood Franklin is amazing, and it’s only getting better. CAITLIN’S “GREATEST HITS” OF EFS MEMORIES: Picking out what I wanted for lunch every morning in Prep I with wooden clothespins— the choice was between the main lunch or one of two sandwiches, one of which was always cheese. (I love cheese.) Naptime in Prep II with the Raffi tape playing and everyone lying on beach towels. You don’t appreciate naptime as much as you should until you don’t get it anymore.
The fact that EFS is so small is a large part of what makes it so great. It also allows for the development of strong bonds between everyone
Being the line leader in first grade—the first of many roles in responsibility and navigation EFS attempts to teach, because, hey, you can take a wrong turn on the way to gym class—there are a lot of hallways and at seven years old, you only have half the view.
Colonial Day in third grade, with actual inkwells and feather quills—yet another demonstration of trust, as both of those things had a lot of potential to poke eyes and ruin outfits. The Blue-Gray competitions and track meets marked the beginning of Upper School and a step towards adulthood; after all, competition is a part of life. Blob tag, believe it or not, appears to be an EFS original. I was talking with someone the other day who had mentioned corner tag, and I brought up blob tag, and he had no idea what I was talking about. And he’s a personal trainer—gym is his life. All of the programs that were produced in the auditorium, whether it was a closing program, a holiday program, a musical, or a special presentation—no one else does things like that, in that sort of capacity, to that extent. EFS had us marching, turning, hand motioning, and singing in sync—an entire school of children, of all ages. That, to me, is quite a feat. My first grade play, Mary Poppins, was particularly memorable to me because it was the only one in which I was granted a starring role. I blew it big time in the first scene, and I was tree number four or background singer number two from that point onwards. Rightfully so, however. Eighth grade began with a great Outdoor Ed trip to Pathfinder, where we all bonded as we raced canoes together, hiked, jumped off the water tower, swam in the ice cold water, sat around the campfire, and had only ourselves and our faculty supervisors to hang out with for about a week. It was the best Outdoor Ed trip of all. Too bad I forgot how that Moose song goes… Graduation. I cried a little, only because I felt like it was the first time I was really leaving home.
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By Caitlin DeRose ’98
[ ALUMNI SUBMISSIONS ]
S H A R E
Y O U R
elmwood franklin experience Alumni are invited
to write personal essays
on themes relating to their experience at Elmwood Franklin. We are seeking pieces between 500 and 1500 words that deal with memories, tributes, opinions, or ideas relevant to the EFS community. If you’re interested in submitting for a future issue, contact Sally Jarzab at sjarzab@elmwoodfranklin.org or (716) 877-5035.
W H AT ’ S I N Y O U R AT T I C ? The Elmwood Franklin School “archives” are sadly deficient, due to a basement flood nearly a decade ago in which we lost many old yearbooks, photographs, and other school memorabilia to water damage. If you have hung on to any old yearbooks, annual reports, newsletters, or scrapbooks through the years that you wouldn’t mind unloading, please contact the Development Office at 887-5035. While we don’t want to take away your treasured keepsakes, please think of us if you are in the process of cleaning out, so that we may begin to rebuild our archives. We promise not to keep them in the basement!
50 ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
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ALUMNI REGIONAL GATHERING FOR NYC AREA ALUMNI SPRING 2008 INVITATIONS WILL BE MAILED TO NYC AREA ALUMNI AND INFORMATION TO REGISTER WILL BE ONLINE IN MARCH!
Invitations to arrive this spring.
[ IN MEMORIAM ]
efs
R E M E M B E R S in memoriam 1920’s Charlotte Albright passed away November 27, 2007 at the age of 97. A former artist, she was renowned locally for her portrait and landscape painting.
1930 Joan W. Alford passed away on October 30, 2007. A former EFS trustee, she also volunteered for numerous non-profit organizations. She is survived by daughter
Russell A. Anderson
Anne Alford Surdam '71 and son
HEADMASTER OF ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL 1956-1979 We are saddened to share with all of our alumni and friends news of the death of former Elmwood Franklin School headmaster Russell A. Anderson on January 1, 2008 at the age of 83. Mr. Anderson assumed his position with Elmwood Franklin in 1956 and was commended throughout his 23 years of his service to the school for his outstanding leadership and personal involvement in all aspects of the school. He is survived by his wife Jean, a former EFS faculty member. Their five children are EFS graduates: Tom '63, Michael '65, Sarah '68, and Cathy '72. Mary Ann '66 died in 2005. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Russell Anderson, 450 Ocean Drive, #404, Juno Beach, FL 33408.
Elmwood Franklin owes much to Mr. Anderson, who will be remembered for the legacy of his tenure – a refurbished facility, a refined and well-rounded curriculum, full enrollment and a healthy financial state – that continues to shape our school today. Those who worked, studied, or volunteered at EFS with Mr. Anderson are invited to share their memories and tributes for a memorial book Elmwood Franklin is compiling in his honor. The book will be presented to his family at the All-Alumni Open House this summer. Please forward correspondence to Julie Raynsford Berrigan, Director of Development, 104 New Amsterdam Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216 or email jberrigan@elmwoodfranklin.org.
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David Alford '61.
1945 Elisabeth Zeller Hughes passed away on September 12, 2007 after a brave battle with cancer.
Former Faculty Gertrude E. Cook, who taught French at Elmwood Franklin for more than 25 years, died December 8, 2007 at the age of 99. Mrs. Cook has been credited as a pioneering teacher who helped develop the use of audio recordings and language labs to teach French, as well as being the first female teacher at Elmwood Franklin to wear slacks.
[ CLASS NOTES ]
class
N O T E S
F RO M L E F T TO R I G H T:
Alums gather outside the Johnston Theatre after Mark Saldanha’s performance on November 7. Pictured here (from l to r) Kelly Fermoyle ’92, Rob Drake ’96, Mark Saldanha ’90, Justin Blum, Perry Marlette ’96, Sarah Marlette ’99, Alison Drake ’96, and Eric Saldanha ’85. • Monique Chantelle Leigh ’89 toasts with husband Brian C. Goodwin after their wedding on May 5, 2007. • The Jacobs family poses for a photo after the wedding of Eliza Jacobs on June 2, 2007. Pictured here (from l to r) Caroline ’01, Charles, Eliza ’92, Brian Fiore, teacher Jill Jacobs, and Lauren ’95.
1945
career in New York City and tutoring SAT math.”
R. Natalie Kellogg, daughter of former interim headmistress Ruth Kellogg, lives in Ann Arbor, MI where she works as a physician assistant at a student health clinic. She has four grown children and six grandchildren. Natalie writes, “[I have] many fond Elmwood Franklin and Buffalo Zoo memories.”
Joan Howland and her husband William Webber are grieving the death of their son Christopher, who was killed in a pedestrian accident in New York City last spring. Joan lives in Andover, Mass.
1970 Melinda Burgwardt Gibson writes, “My nephew and godson Garrett Clark Burgwardt graduated from EFS this year! Glenn and I just moved into a beautiful new home next door to my veterinary clinic. Life is awesome!”
1974 1966
1964 Lisa Gillespie is still teaching at the Ross School in East Hampton, NY, where she works as a learning specialist for middle school students. She writes, “My oldest daughter, Hartley, just graduated from Georgetown University’s nursing school and starts work at Georgetown Hospital in the pediatric intensive care unit in January. My younger daughter, Eleanor, is pursuing an acting
Penny Matthews currently lives in Coconut Grove, FL where she is a teacher. Penny has been teaching for 30 years now, and still has many fond memories of EFS.
1969 Ellen Griggs has been appointed Chief Operating Officer for New England Pension Consultants, overseeing marketing, information technology, performance analytics, and administrative support.
Edward (Ted) Dillaway Putnam writes, “I’m alive and well (happy, go figure)! After a very happy time at EFS, I went to Nichols for one year, and then off to San Francisco for 6th grade and beyond. I now work in the SF public schools (grades 3-5, Speech and Language Impaired, Special Ed.). I am unmarried, except to my five-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback dog, Emma. After trying to change the world for twenty-some odd years through punk rock, I still write rock
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[ CLASS NOTES ] music in my spare time (as well as other artistic endeavors). So nice to see EFS still so vibrant and committed.”
1982 Newell Nussbaumer was recognized by Business First of Buffalo as a “Forty Under 40” award recipient.
1985 Monica Barnett is a director with The Advisory Board Company in Washington, DC. In January, she transitioned to a new position as a partnership director in the marketing division.
1987 Adam Lippes has opened a flagship store in Manhattan for his fashion line, now named ADAM. The store's address is 678 Hudson Street. The new web address is www.shopadam.com.
Robert Stevenson '65, Cathy Wettlaufer '62, Josh Nussbaumer '85, and probably a few others I've forgotten. The wedding was at Westminster Presbyterian Church with a reception at The Garret Club. We will continue to live in the Buffalo area.”
donated but have been meaning to, now would be great time to help us meet our goals! Please visit our website at bikingforabetterworld.org to check out our blog, photos, and fundraising progress, and tell everyone you can about us!”
Lori Decillis married Garth Tiedje on September 9, 2007. She lives in NYC.
1995
1992 Christine Lillie is a second-year law student at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. Paul K. Taefi is currently a realtor working with John R. Wood Realtors in the Naples and Bonita Springs areas on the southwest coast of Florida.
1994 Duncan Sisson and three other bicyclists have formed the nonprofit organization Biking for a Better World, Inc. to benefit communities along the Pan-American Highway. Duncan wrote with an update on his "Biking for a Better World" journey, a 16,000 mile bike tour from Alaska to Argentina to benefit communities along the Pan-American Highway.
1989 Monique Chantelle Leigh wed Brian C. Goodwin on May 5, 2007. She lives in Hoboken, NJ and works as a Senior Analyst in product development for Tiffany & Co., New York City.
1990 Mark Saldanha recently performed at the “Just for Laughs” Festival, the world's biggest comedy festival, held this July in Montreal. He performed alongside Lewis Black, Harland Williams and others. Two of his jokes made the critic's list for “Best Jokes of the Fest.”
1991 Katharine Fronk Clark writes in, “On April 21, 2007, I married Ted Clark '89. In attendance were Catie Clark-Dixon '92, Rumsey Clark '92, Meg Stevenson '95, Emily Stevenson '97, Evans Mitchell '95, Carolyn Gioia '97, Talley Wettlaufer '91, Lori Decillis '91,
“We have travelled nearly 3,500 miles since we began on the Arctic Ocean in Alaska seven weeks ago, through the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Washington, and now coastal Oregon. Everything is running smoothly and according to plan both on our ride and with the construction of the school in Nicaragua, which Building with Books is in the process of building right now. But we still need more than $4,000 to finish funding it! For those of you who have supported us in the past, thank you so much for helping this project become a reality, and for those of you who have not
Lauren Lowowski married Anthony Slawiak in September of 2006. She is currently a counselor at Buffalo General Hospital's psychiatric emergency dept.
1996 Sarah Lillie is a research fellow at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Jolie Roetter is the new Assistant Director of Off Campus Programs with The Center for International and Intercultural Studies at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Jolie, a graduate of St. Lawrence, class of 2004, received her BA in French and History.
1997 Lauren McHugh is currently teaching English, soccer and leadership skills to Vlado Kanpardjiev Elementary School students in Gevgelija, Macedonia (of the former Yugoslavia) with the Peace Corps. Since graduation from Lake Forest College in 2005, she worked with orphans in Vietnam, she worked on a reserve in Ecuador, and she taught in the Bronx with Teach NY. She would love to hear from her former classmates! Email Lauren at mchughlauren@gmail.com.
1998 Kevin Kaminski graduates in June with a BS in architecture from Drexel University. Following graduation he will be employed with Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates in Philadelphia.
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[ CLASS NOTES ] 2000 Marisa Kaminski is currently a senior at Denison University in Granville, OH and will graduate this coming May. Following graduation she plans to attend graduate school for medicine. Andrew Simmons is currently a junior at Boston College and continues to alpine ski race for BC in the USCSA. In March, Andrew skied for BC at the USCSA Nationals held in Winter Park, Colorado and was All American (top 15 men). In August, Andrew attended ski race training camp in Melboune, Australia. Ian Simmons is a junior at Williams College, Williamstown, MA and continues to alpine ski race for Williams in the NCAA Division I. In March, Ian competed in FIS races in Panorama, British Columbia. In June, Ian and his father participated in the Derby Dragon sailing regatta in La Baule, France, placing 10th out of 45 boats. This November, Ian is attending ski race training camp in Winter Park, Colorado with the Williams ski team.
2001 Karen Lillie is a junior at Princeton University. Brendan Swift is a junior at Bucknell University majoring in civil engineering. He is also an avid rugby player. During his freshman year, Brendan was instrumental in starting up the sport, which Bucknell had not been playing for many years. He now serves as both manager and player.
2002 Eric Lux writes, “I’m still at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla. I just signed a contract with a new professional race team: Farnbacker-Loles. It’s my fourth
season in the Grand-Am Rolex Sportscar Racing Series.”
Council President in September.
2006 2003 Daniel Swift is a freshman attending the University of Colorado at Boulder majoring in psychology. He has met up with many friends from Buffalo there, including Brian Brunsing '03 and the Farmelo brothers.
Ed Spangenthal is a sophomore at Nichols School where he runs on the cross country team, plays on the lacrosse team, and has written for the Nichols News and the literary journal Leviathan. Ed travelled to Redwood National Park this past summer to do conservation work.
2004 Julia Friedman was elected editor-inchief of the yearbook at Miss Porter's, where she is a senior. She was also named co-head of the Miss Porter's Dance Company. Julia recently studied with the Limón Dance Company and at The Boston Conservatory. Shahirah Gillespie was elected co-head of Watu Wazuri, the diversity club at Miss Porter's School. She spent this past summer volunteering at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, Haiti and interning at Roswell Park Cancer Institute's Research Participation Program for Young Scholars. Rachael Kermis has been named to the All Western New York Scholar-Athlete Team for field hockey. She will attend Cornell University in the fall joining her sister Amelia ’03. Emily Simmons is a senior at Northwood School in Lake Placid, NY and continues to alpine ski race in both USSA and FIS, Eastern USA. She was recently named a Commended Student by the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program. Of the more than 1.4 million students taking the PSAT/NMSQT test in October 2006, only 34,000 highscorers were named Commended Students. Emily was also elected Student
2007 Alison Johnston writes, “I am enjoying my freshman year at The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut and am playing on the soccer and squash teams.”
Corrections James Dryden ’07 was left out of the “Family Ties” feature in the spring/summer 2007 issue of the Bulletin Board, which featured graduates with alumni parents. James should have been pictured with his mother, Peggy, who is a member of the EFS Class of 1966. We apologize for the omission.
Share your news!
Alumni are invited to share their news with fellow alums and the EFS community! Send in updates about school, promotions, marriages, births, etc. M A I L TO :
Development Department Elmwood Franklin School 104 New Amsterdam Avenue Buffalo, NY 14216 EMAIL TO:
development@elmwoodfranklin.org SUBMIT ONLINE:
www.elmwoodfranklin.org
55 ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
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Building beyond Students look on as construction begins on the expanded dining room which will create a bigger, brighter and better dining area!
104 New Amsterdam Avenue Buffalo, New York 14216-3399 phone 716.877.5035 fax 716.877.9680 www.elmwoodfranklin.org
TO PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Development Office by phone 716-877-5035 or by email development@elmwoodfranklin.org with the correct mailing address. Thank you.
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