Graduation

Ninety years ago, Roger Fenn opened a boy’s school that promised a commitment to “a human understanding of the individual child.” Each boy would be deeply known, inspired to explore and fulfill his unique potential, and appreciated for his distinctive talents and contributions. For decades since Fenn’s founding, the Graduation Ceremony has been a display of the accomplishments of these boys of blue-and-gold, but also of the depth of relationships that form between faculty, staff, and students when a community is unreservedly invested in each of its boys. Read on for a snapshot of last year’s ceremony and the special way that our Fenn graduates continue to be honored for their individuality and for images that bring-to-life the strong connections that are intricately woven together across a Fenn tenure.

WITH EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION blanketing campus, Fenn Headmaster Derek Boonisar proudly led his first graduation procession of 38 eighth graders and 25 ninth graders out of the towering green doors of Ward Hall, across the sundrenched green, and toward the New Gym to celebrate the School’s 90 th Graduation Ceremony on Friday, June 7.

Mere minutes into the ceremony, graduating eighth graders were beckoned to the stage to receive diplomas from Chairman of Fenn’s Board of Trustees Jim Kitendaugh and a hearty handshake from Headmaster Boonisar. Days prior, a “Celebration of the Class of 2020” featured heartfelt headmaster reflections honoring each graduating eighth grader’s unique qualities and contributions to Fenn. A thank you and farewell to departing faculty and staff members followed (see tributes on pages 28-29) before Director of Instrumental Music Virginia Morales guided Fenn musicians through a spirited rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by British rock band Queen. The awarding of student prizes followed, supplementing others bestowed upon graduates on Prize Day two days earlier and including the first annual Tete Cobblah Prize for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, named after Fenn’s now retired, 33-year veteran art teacher and first Director of Diversity.

Graduating ninth graders then stole their due spotlight, as Headmaster Boonisar gifted each with highlights of his personal Fenn journey before Jim Kitendaugh awarded each his diploma. Fenn’s Treble Chorus, under the

direction of Arts Department Chair and Choral Director Mike Salvatore, provided an engaging musical pause with Zambian folk song “Bonse Aba” amidst the 25 personalized headmaster tributes. The 90 th Fenn graduation ceremony wound down to its conclusion with the passing of leadership torches from departing Student Body President and Vice President, Buck Lewis and Timmy Smith, to incoming President and Vice President, Jack Moskow and Tom Murdough, and a presentation by ninth graders Conor Kennealy and Fru Nkimbeng of the Class of 2019 gift of three canoes destined to travel the Concord River from Fenn’s North Campus access.

As Buck reflected on his six years at Fenn, he was quick to acknowledge the cadre of teachers who had supported him – from fifth grade advisor, Mr. Byrd, who taught him about leadership and the value of pushing outside one’s comfort zone, to Ms. Duval and Mr. Fitzsimmons, who instilled in him a love for English, reading, and writing, to Mr. Starensier who shared valuable life lessons, and to Ms. Libby who helped him to overcome academic challenges (most notably with math and science).

“Fenn is filled with so many teachers who care – teachers willing to spend their own time to help students,” he shared. “Trust me, I know.”

He later reflected on the most important gift Fenn had given him. “A truly outstanding school like Fenn will teach you more than math and science. It will teach you about

“A truly outstanding school like Fenn will teach you more than math and science. It will teach you about yourself … and there is nothing more important than that.” – Buck Lewis, Outgoing Student Body President

“Teachers at Fenn really do care about boys … All of them go out of their way to make our time at Fenn socially and academically better.” – Timmy Smith, Outgoing Student Body Vice President

yourself … and there is nothing more important than that.”

Timmy Smith expressed equal appreciation for the faculty who inspired him during his Fenn journey, which began at two years old during visits to Dad Ben Smith’s Lower School classroom. “Teachers at Fenn really do care about boys,” he echoed. “All of them go out of their way to make our time at Fenn socially and academically better … And the coaches help us improve in athletics, but also as people.” Timmy found his classmates to be most influential across his Fenn years, as they shared “times of joy and fun and stress and sorrow” and made countless unforgettable memories during class trips spanning Merrowvista in fifth grade, Washington, D.C. in seventh grade, and a final ninth grade bonding getaway to New Hampshire’s Camp Belknap in the fall.

With the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony complete, Fenn’s newest graduates marched from the New Gym to the tune of “Raiders March” by John Williams toward a path of awaiting faculty and staff who were excited to share embraces with the boys who had made an equally profound imprint on their lives.

Headmaster Reflections

SINCE THE DAYS OF ROGER FENN, proud graduates have received the parting gift of a personal tribute from the headmaster. From Roger’s few brief sentences, to Walter Birge’s eloquent portraits, and more recently to Jerry Ward’s thoughtful and substantive musings, these send-offs may have offered a snapshot of an apprehensive young boy first arriving at Fenn, the self-assured young man he became during his Upper School years, or the personal talents and personality he brought with him to Fenn or saw blossom under the watchful eye of faculty, staff, and peers.

Graduates may have taken their feet nervously when their name was called, uncertain what would be revealed before the graduation gathering. Others may have been eager for a brief escort down a personal blue-and-gold laced memory lane. All were undoubtedly curious about the finished product that was crafted by the headmaster perhaps from his own history with each boy, from anecdotes shared by faculty, or from the boys themselves, who are now asked how they would like to be remembered. It’s a patchwork of sorts — in Derek Boonisar’s case of approximately 225 words delivered in a brief 90 seconds to

tackle the weighty task of summarizing a potentially life-changing path through elementary and middle school years. “It was an honor and privilege to continue this longstanding, unique Fenn tradition this year,” shared Derek. “It’s yet another example of the caring, personal community at Fenn that I have long known and admired.

“My goal was to capture the individuality and true essence of each graduating boy and to share the breadth and depth of his accomplishments and engagement with school life. I wrote them myself and enjoyed it immensely, although I won’t admit how long they took even though many have asked. What matters most [with the reflections] is that each boy feels

known and appreciated. That’s the true purpose of the tradition and what each graduating boy deserves as he concludes his Fenn years.”

During the “Celebration of the Class of 2020” earlier during graduation week, eighth grade headmaster reflections celebrated Bobby Brady’s “twinkle in his eye and playful sense of humor” and Johnny Drapeau’s “impossibly big smile and unsinkable

“What matters most [with the reflections] is that each boy feels known and appreciated. That’s the true purpose of the tradition and what each graduating boy deserves as he concludes his Fenn years.” – Headmaster Derek Boonisar

disposition.” And there was a nod to “compassionate, loyal, and everpresent” Forrest Feist and to Jimmy Mawn’s “thoughtfulness and humor that solidified strong-as-oak friendships with peers and powerful connections with teachers.” And not to be forgotten was acknowledgement of Teddy McKeown’s “immense kindness, roaring sense of humor, and unflinching loyalty,” Edoardo Takacs’ “brave, giving, loving, and wanderlust spirit,” and Ryan Winters’ “sparkling character that made him a model citizen and sought-after leader.” Equally memorable was the depiction of Theo Randall as “impossibly happy and utterly synergistic with Fenn’s philosophy and program.” And those formed but a fraction of that evening’s 38 reflections. Ninth grader Michael Alpers rose first to receive a graduation-day reflection, kindly described by Derek as “the embodiment of Sua Sponte.” Twenty-four other tributes followed,

celebrating Andy Barton’s “mind on fire and easy going, affable personality and charisma that draw people to him”; Timothy Hibben’s “eternal optimism with a smile on his face, shoulder to lean on, and good story to tell”; and Fru Nkimbeng’s “booming voice, boundless energy, and zest for fun that reminds us to pause and appreciate life.” Also applauded was Ryan Lewis, “the ideal citizen in every way, self-effacing and purposeful with a unique grace and humility,” and Michael Lando’s “dedication to giving back that left us indelibly imprinted with his decency and forever indebted to his selflessness.” Recognized as the reflections drew to a close was the “palpable goodness” that Peter Scheibe “carried with grace,” Tucker Winstanley’s embodiment of “the ethos and values of Fenn,” and Rain Yang’s “intellect and deep soul.”

While varied, each reflection was a tribute to the unique boy receiving it, recognizing him for all that he is and became during his Fenn chapter and for the lasting legacy he leaves behind on Monument Street.

Awards and Prizes

EXCEPTIONAL CHARACTER, EFFORT, GROWTH, SPIRIT, AND COMMITMENT: these are the characteristics at the heart of these eight prestigious awards and prizes that were earned by an impressive collection of ninth and eighth grade graduates. All are awarded annually on the basis of recommendations and votes of The Fenn School faculty.

Faculty Prize (Fenn’s highest honor, recognizing ninth graders whose quality, consistency, and breadth of involvement in school life best exemplified the faculty’s ideals for all students): AliJah Anthony Clark, Joseph Daniel Doherty, Michael Peter Lando, Timothy Jarvis Smith

Lovejoy Prize (created in 1998 by Trustee Emeritus Frederick H. Lovejoy, Jr. ’51, recognizing eighth graders for exceptional character, effort, and achievement that enriched the life of the school): Liam Scott Brown, Benjamin Joseph Doty II, Samuel Michael Lyons, Theodore Raymond Randall

Philip S. Burbank ’36 Prize (awarded by teacher-coaches to a graduate with a generous and unselfish spirit who helped to foster the success, happiness, and self-esteem of teammates): Joseph Daniel Doherty Dr. Samuel C. Fleming Memorial Prize (established by the class of 1965 in memory of their classmate and friend, recognizing students who persevered in meeting academic challenges): Michael Peter Alpers, Rylan Willis Chandler, Aidan John O’Connell, Forrest Peregrine Feist

P.G. Lee Memorial Prize (recognizing a graduate’s determination, hard work, positive spirit, and cheerfulness to his athletic teams): Timothy Jarvis Smith, Timothy Edward Hibben, Fru Akongneh Nkimbeng, Jr.

Mark Biscoe Award (named for retired master teacher, advisor, and coach Mark Biscoe H’95, P’74, ’79, recognizing ninth graders for noteworthy personal growth and citizenship): Andrew John Heinze, Timothy Edward Hibben, Ryan Harrington Lewis, Fru Akongneh Nkimbeng, Jr. Walter W. Birge III Prize for Philanthropy and Support of the Fenn Community (named for Fenn’s fifth headmaster, recognizing ninth graders for exceptional community service, helpfulness to teachers, and support of peers): Joseph Daniel Doherty, Michael Peter Lando, Tucker Thomas Winstanley

Tete Cobblah Prize for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (named for retired 33-year teaching veteran and Fenn’s first Director of Diversity, recognizing graduates who worked tirelessly to realize Fenn’s mission to honor diversity, embrace the ideals of equity, justice, and inclusion, and embody Fenn’s four foundational values): AliJah Anthony Clark, Theodore Raymond Randall

Academic and arts achievements are equally celebrated with the following awards and prizes, as are displays of impressive citizenship by Fenn boys across the Lower, Middle, and Upper School communities.

Eleanor B. Fenn Modern Language Prize: Liam Scott Brown, Edoardo Giovanni Takacs

Alan S. Moats Mathematics Prize: Timothy Jarvis Smith, Peter Marcus Favero

Lennox Lindsay Latin Prize: Rylan Willis Chandler, Timothy Jarvis Smith, Samuel Michael Lyons, Theodore Raymond Randall

Austen Fox Riggs Award: (given in memory of Austen, a Fenn student from the class of 1955, to Lower School students who most resemble “Autie” in their helpful effort contributed in work and play): Samuel Farley Griswold, Theodore Vincent Lorusso, Tyler Brian Wells

Kirsten Gould Arts Awards: Michael Peter Alpers (music), Liam Scott Brown (visual arts), Joseph Daniel Doherty (drama)

Millar Brainard Science Prize: Timothy Jarvis Smith James R. Carter III ’54 Prize for History and Social Studies: Timothy Jarvis Smith, Liam Scott Brown, Theodore Raymond Randall, Edoardo Giovanni Takacs

David S. Huston Band Award: Michael Peter Lando, Liam Scott Brown, Evan Max Lanzendorf, Aidan John O’Connell

William O. Travers Writing Contest: (Lower School) Evan Michael Beetham (fiction), Kenji Charles Ma (personal narrative), and Owen Hayes Rapaport Goldstein (poetry); (Middle School) Timothy Matthew Smith (fiction), Luca Steven Raffa (personal narrative), and Maxwell Richards Libby-Grantham (poetry); (Upper School) Samuel Michael Lyons (fiction), Marcos Jose Braceras (personal narrative), and John Buckner Lewis and Chengyuan Yang (poetry)

Joseph A. Hindle, Jr. Science Recognition Award: Tucker Thomas Winstanley, Samuel Michael Lyons, Aidan John O’Connell, Benjamin Joseph Doty II

Citizenship Prizes: (Fourth Grade) Jonas Rein Ahlgren, Owen Michael Beauvais, Cole Patrick Brennan, Colin George Fitzgerald, Jacob Taylor Jones, William Rhys McCarthy, Declan Power Sunstein, and Liam McGovern Riley; (Fifth Grade) Jamesley Cazel Anderson, Lachlan Thorne McCaghren, and Nicholas Alfio Tahn; (Sixth Grade) Thomas Jae Donahue, John Paul Doty, Ian Hays Gardiner, William Glynn Ostrow, Tal Nguyen Richmond, Timothy Matthew Smith, and Luke Michael Waldeck; (Seventh Grade) Oliver Omar Ali, Corydon James Bailey, Ryan Scott Bettenhauser, Jayden Rene Guadalupe Guzman, Luca Steven Raffa, Panharith Keo Sam, and Zixuan Zhang; (Eighth Grade) Owen Alexis O’Malley, Samvidh Aamod Modur, Charles Greene Kessler, and Jakob William Cohen; (Ninth Grade) McCliff Metellus and Matthew Shannon Nicholas

FENN GRADUATING CLASS OF 2019

Michael Peter Alpers Andrew Folwell Barton Harrison Anderson Bertos Rylan Willis Chandler AliJah Anthony Clark Joseph Daniel Doherty Lucas Matthew First Daniel Wood Haines II Andrew John Heinze Timothy Edward Hibben Conor Wynn Kennealy Michael Peter Lando John Buckner Lewis Ryan Harrington Lewis

Conor James MacLean McCliff Metellus Matthew Shannon Nicholas Fru Akongneh Nkimbeng, Jr. Oscar Bolling Patton Andrew Joseph Pesce Peter Sawyer Scheibe Timothy Jarvis Smith Tucker Thomas Winstanley Chengyuan Yang Boran Zhang

FENN GRADUATES OF THE CLASS OF 2020

James Joseph Athanasoulas Kevin James Bertocci Andrew Chadwick Blau Nathaniel Lawson Blunt Marcos José Braceras Robert Allen Brady III Liam Scott Brown Benjamin Joseph Doty II John James Drapeau II Jeremiah Robert Engermann Peter Marcus Favero Avery Lucian Feather Forrest Peregrine Feist Brian Girard Fortin Liam Richard Kelleher Charles Greene Kessler Vehaan Narayan Keswani John Quinn Kielar Evan Max Lanzendorf Benjamin Matthew Lisa Luke Joshua LoPresti Samuel Michael Lyons Benjamin Ma Michael William Mariani James Joseph Mawn Michael Theodore McKeown Samvidh Aamod Modur Dennis Tod Morgan III Liam George Matthew Mulcahy Maxwell Glendon Murphy Parker Joseph Nagtegaal Aidan John O’Connell Theodore Raymond Randall Boden Ellsworth Rice Luke Andrew Swaim Timothey Paul Félix Szczepanski Edoardo Giovanni Takacs Ryan Joseph Winters Byron Ewart Woodman IV

Schools This Year’s Fenn Graduates Are Attending

Arlington Catholic High School 1 Belmont Hill School 1 Brooks School 4 Buckingham Browne & Nichols School 3 Carroll School 1 Concord Academy 3 Concord-Carlisle High School 15 Deerfield Academy 1 Groton School 1 International School of Boston 1 Lawrence Academy 4 Lincoln-Sudbury High School 2 Middlesex School 5 Noble and Greenough School 2 Phillips Academy, Andover 2 Phillips Exeter Academy 3 Pingree School 2 Rivers School 3 St. George’s School 2 St. Mark’s School 3 St. Sebastian’s School 1 Westford Academy 1 Winchester High School 2

Across Fenn’s 90 years, generations of boys with differing talents and passions have been influenced and inspired by their Monument Street years. There is a powerful shared experience that unites all who have worn the blue-and-gold, and this is never more evident than when our Fenn community of alumni and current students, their families, and faculty and staff gather to celebrate Homecoming and Reunion festivities. On the following pages, enjoy memories made at these festivities during the fall of 2018 as Fenn’s 90 th school year enjoyed its first community-wide celebration. This included awarding of Fenn’s Distinguished Alumnus Award to Bill Lawrence ’78 (see story on page 72). A wealth of Class Notes also follow, along with an engaging snapshot on page 80 of Alex Rivest ’94 and his journey to change the perception of science and the fearless individuals who advance it around the world each day.