Winter 2023 Meeting House Magazine

The Meeting House

ON THE COVER

Upper School students combined queries and photography as they glean aesthetic and reflective inspiration from the Matinecock Meeting House. One student reflected:

“I’m recollecting what I remember and what I learned. From when I first entered the Meeting House, I knew nothing of it. This was in 4th grade. After learning the history through story after story, it became a whole new different place. From a weird building with an odd smell, to a place that represents something more. Something deeper.”

Read more on pages 4-5.

Our Mission

Guided by Quaker principles, Friends Academy educates our students to discover and develop the best of who they are and who they can become.

Our Belief

At Friends Academy, we achieve educational excellence by committing to the highest standards of learning and living.

Our diverse and welcoming community is strengthened by our Quaker values, which empower our students to inquire, reflect, and engage in their classrooms, in their neighborhoods, and in the world.

Because when we inspire students to learn and live with purpose, they can achieve greatness without sacrificing goodness.

The Meeting House Editorial Board

Kevin Barry P ’36

Andrea Miller P ’22, ’27

The Meeting House Staff

Editor

Andrea Miller

Director of Strategic Communications

516-393-4295

andrea_miller@fa.org

Class Notes & Alumni News

AJ Pegno Campaign Coordinator

aj_pegno@fa.org

Writers

Andrea Miller P ’22, ’27

Margaret Pegno

Laura Schoeffel P ’17, ’20, ’22

Liz Winchester ’91

Photography

Alvin Caal

Margaret Pegno

Photo by Alvin Caal/Friends Academy

As my time at Friends Academy comes to a close, I have been reflecting on my past seven years as Head of School. It’s said that Quaker(ism) (and practicing Quaker Testimonies) are caught, not taught; yet, since joining the FA community, I have caught and was also taught to understand and practice Quaker ways of being and interacting in and with the world. I am fortunate to have developed a “Quaker lens” on life. It’s almost as if I cannot stop seeing much of what is good in the world or what is needed to mend what is not good through any other frame. I am often asked, “What is so special about a Friends education?” Friends education exemplifies what all education should be for our children from the earliest ages to graduation.

Consider continuing revelation, a Quaker term and practice to explain that the truth continues to reveal itself and can shift as new information is gathered, understood, and embraced. Today, in education, we refer to this practice as a growth mindset—to be less rigid and righteously confident in our thinking, and to consider other perspectives. In this issue of The Meeting House, you will read about how our students learn and demonstrate this practice through the Civil Discourse Association. Our students begin a lifelong journey by adopting essential skills like questioning, fact-checking, and using trusted sources to support an opinion. “I heard some things that made me re-evaluate my stance,” said one student during a Civil Discourse exercise. This is Continuing Revelation in practice. This is a Quaker Education.

Equality, for Quakers, is the fundamental belief that all humans are equal in the eyes of God and should be treated as such. Each precious soul has an inner light to be recognized, nourished, and appreciated. You will read a piece on Dr. Eric Goodman’s ’02 address to parents of the class of 2023, “Community stresses that we must live with all of those around us, not just those we want to live with. It is only when you meet someone as an equal that you can then open your heart and

mind.” Eric shared that he gained an understanding of this while a student at Friends and focuses on this testimony when he works with his patients. This is how Eric builds trust. This is a Quaker Education.

My headship began in earnest in September 2016. Though not so long ago, seven years later, life’s complexities have increased, decorum and human decency have been impacted, and safety and trust in our institutions are more difficult to secure and hold. How do we cope? I’ve turned to the Simplicity Testimony for guidance.

In this issue’s feature about Peace Week, readers will meet Manny Korman, a Holocaust survivor whose parents arranged for him to travel on kinder transport to live with a family during the height of the Holocaust. Letting him go was the best way to ensure his safety. Manny asked us, “ What should we as human beings be doing?” Such a simple query…What should we be doing? Manny provides an answer as well, “We have a responsibility of caring for each other and caring for people we don’t know. We can’t sit back and say, ‘Let the other guy take care of it.’” Our students learn they are it; they are “the person” who will step forward to do such courageous acts. In George Fox’s words, they will “..be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come; that your life and conduct may preach among all sorts of people, and to them. Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one.” Our students know this is among our greatest wishes for each of them, and all of them. This is a Quaker Education.

Leading Friends Academy for the past seven years has been an honor and a privilege; it’s been an education, a Quaker education, an education for a lifetime, for which I am, and will always be, eternally grateful.

SPOT AND SCAN TO VIEW FA VIDEO STORIES!

We have 5 videos in this issue! If you spot this video icon, scan the accompanying QR code with your smartphone camera or head to our YouTube page at www.youtube.com/friendsacademyli to watch an accompanying video story.

In Sarah Camhi’s Upper School Photography class this fall, students explored how their personal experiences can impact their photography. After learning about the history of the Matinecock Meeting House, built in 1725, with Quaker-in-Residence Jen Cort and reflecting on their own experiences within Quaker Meeting, students crafted queries relating to the Meeting House, Quakerism, or Simplicity, such as “What’s the history of this place?” and “What has this place gone through?” Ms. Camhi then challenged students to photographically respond to those queries in a series of three images. Read more at https://www.friendsacademy.org/news/ lessons-from-the-meeting-house

Wish Happy 100th Birthday to two of our oldest living alumni on Page 66!

FRIENDS ACADEMY: HISTORICAL GALLERY

Reflecting the lived realities of our history

By Karl Hoenzsch, Friends Academy Library Director

To provide an introduction to the history of our school, Frost Hall now has a historical photographs collection organized throughout its walls. These photographs reflect the gradual growth and changes of Friends Academy. At the entrance to Frost Hall, visitors might notice a gallery statement to introduce the collection:

The Friends Academy of today would be unrecognizable to those who knew “Friends College” in 1876 as a small school with five students, one school building, one teacher, one barn, one cow, and a handful of chickens. This photograph collection seeks to connect Friends Academy to its roots in order to provide ways to think about “what has changed?” and “what has remained constant?”

Although buildings and appearances might

1 – Upper School students leave Matinecock Meeting House, 1980-85; 2 – Parents and Board of Trustees on Frost Hall Steps, 1921; 3 – Old Chemistry Lab, 1950-59; 4 – Robert F. Kennedy speaks at Friends Academy in 1967; 5 – Students crossing Duck Pond Road after MFW, 1976-77; 6 – Women’s Basketball team game in 1978; 7 – English teacher Peter Philander in 1983; 8 – Music teacher conducting his band, 1975

change, our philosophy and who we are remain. Our Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship have been at the foundation of our school since 1876 and continue onward.

These photographs reflect the lived realities of our history. They encourage us to ask big questions about who we are, where we are, and where we are headed. Queries are a common practice for Quakers to guide reflection. Queries for these photographs might include the following:

Which Quaker testimonies can we see reflected throughout our history?

What is worth celebrating? What should we question today?

How can we empower ourselves to be change-makers for current and future generations?

Placards placed beneath these photographs provide context and relate to various aspects of Friends Academy’s history. The selected photographs range from the opening of the “Friends College” main building in January 1877 to a group photograph of the Inkwell staff (our student publication) in 1988. Many intriguing photographs exist in-between. A sepia-toned photograph shows an empty classroom as it existed sometime between 1913 and 1923. Another photograph portrays Robert F. Kennedy’s visit to Friends Academy on February 17th, 1967. A portrait of Peter Philander, a longtime English teacher from 1969 to 2001 after his emigration from South Africa, highlights his achievements as a key figure in South African literature and his struggles under apartheid.

We encourage all members of the Friends Academy community to stop in and check out this historical collection.

UPPER SCHOOL A CIVIL APPROACH

By Andrea Miller P ’22, ’27 Director of Strategic Communications

In 2016, Friends Academy freshman

Charles Englander noticed the need for less demagoguery and more discourse. He wanted to look past the conventional student political clubs and create a vehicle that might possibly allow people to both debate and possibly change their minds. During the pandemic, he and fellow classmate Alistair Wright achieved just that when they launched the then-virtual Civil Discourse Affiliation. The Upper School club began on Zoom and gained energy when students returned to campus in 2021.

The Friends Academy student-run Civil Discourse Club invited Portledge students for a day of civil discourse exploration and practice.

PHOTOS BY ARNOLD MILLER FOR FRIENDS ACADEMY

“We had to move to a larger room,” recalled senior and co-clerk Alistair Wright. “We had 68 people attend that meeting and we discussed a range of topics from nuclear energy, to gun rights, to America’s role in foreign politics,” he added.

For Charles and Alistair, civil discourse is predicated on a few key pillars, including providing fact-based evidence; discussing the positives of your side, not the negatives of the other side; actively listening and responding to other people’s points; ensuring that a fact checker is part of the discussion; and most importantly, shifting your opinion as information is presented.

Since its inception, the club, advised by Upper School History Department Head Steve Brennan, has become more organized – and more civil. On Saturday, Oct. 15, the club held its first symposium and invited students from Portledge and Locust Valley to join and engage in a morning of learning and practice.

After a brief introduction from Charles and Alistair, the group of 15 students started with a “lowrisk” mock discussion about what their favorite season was, in order to practice the tools and strategies that are quintessential to civil discourse. Students spoke from the “I” statement and refrained from repetition by using the Quaker phrase, “Friend [name] speaks my mind.” Each student outlined various reasons for their choice – seasonal allergies, seasonal activities, weather, introversion vs. extroversion, and more. Then, a curious thing happened.

“I heard some things that made me re-evaluate my stance,” shared senior Serena Saad as the overriding best season slowly changed from

winter to fall in the minds of many. “There were things said that I would never have thought of,” said another student. “That Serena called out my statistic and Charlie looked it up, that was important,” pointed out Alistair, who added, “The point is to learn.”

With a vigorous session of discourse under their belts, the students graduated to more controversial topics, including whether or not a college education should be a human right and to what extent religion belongs in public life. The conversation, calm and measured, led students to examine issues of human morality, the importance of an evidence-based foundation, and how to fund schools

equitably and equally. At the close, co-clerks Charles and Alistair shared plans for a wider spring event. “This is a stepping stone that we hope will facilitate and provide civil discourse to high school students across Long Island.”

Senior Serena Saad presents her perspective during a morning of facilitated civil dialogue.

Co-clerks Charles Englander ’23, left, and Alistair Wright ’23 founded the student club during the pandemic. They hope to bring civil discourse principles and practice to more schools on Long Island.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

The 8th grade arts year is designed as a survey, offering Middle School students the opportunity to dip into various mediums across the year – from studio art to theater to digital arts. In Ms. Camhi’s Digital Photography course, students experimented with lighting and angles to change points of view and transform a traditional “selfie” into a fine arts piece.

A student-centered lens, which is a hallmark of a Quaker approach to education set the tone. “The lesson is led by students,” said Ms. Camhi, who had previously worked with students on macro photography of small pumpkin and squash figurines, and defining points of view (eye-level, bird’s eye, from the ground).

“In this class, students used the intersection of light – through pairs of different colored LED lights – and angles to come up with fresh imagery. One student experimented by shooting up from the foot of their subject, and then angling the light down from above.”

– Margaret Pegno

AROUND THE QUAD

In 8th Grade Digital Photography, students are experimenting with light and angles to create stunning self-portraits.

PHOTO BY ALVIN CAAL/FRIENDS ACADEMY

SOLVING MEDICAL MATTERS

Seventh-grade students from the new Designs in Medicine class visited one of Friends Academy’s student-run Blood Drives to learn more about the process of phlebotomy and its role within the hospital system.

Structured as a team-taught quarter course, students are presented with a challenge from a local medical organization. Currently, 7th graders are tackling the uptick of Safety Event Reports (SERs) about lab draws (drawing and collection of lab specimens) received at Fairview Hospital.

In order to familiarize themselves with the key processes of patient care within hospitals, students were able to interview Ms. Audrey, the NY Blood Center head phlebotomist during a recent Friends Academy Blood Drive. The students were conducting

LOWER SCHOOL

research on phlebotomy for a logistical problem presented to them by specialists at the Cleveland Clinic. Seventh graders learned about the blood-drawing process and the various tools and procedures needed to provide services to a large number of patients. They also posed questions to Ms. Audrey about onthe-job challenges phlebotomists face and learned about her professional journey. Outlining their hypotheses in small groups, ultimately, students

FIRST-GRADE SHOP INTERVIEWS

As part of our all-school signature programming, first graders recently ventured into our Locust Valley neighborhood to visit a number of local businesses – from a pharmacy to a coffeehouse to a veterinary clinic. Following tours, students asked shop owners pre-prepared questions based on

individual research to learn more about topics regarding inventory, customer strategy, and more.

Our first graders sampled store wares and practiced their interviewing and interpersonal communication skills. Throughout the month of February, first graders will continue to visit shops in the local community.

– Margaret Pegno

A new Innovation-strand class, Designs in Medicine, tasks 7th graders with understanding the reasons behind an uptick in Safety Event Reports around lab draws at Fairview Hospital.

First graders stepped into the local community to interview a half-dozen local shop owners about their business practices.

PHOTOS BY MARGARET PEGNO/FRIENDS ACADEMY

will share their evidence-based recommendations to hospital personnel in a final presentation.

LENSWORTHY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALVIN CAAL

Friends Academy Photographer and Videographer Alvin Caal selects his favorite images from the school year so far and tells us why.

View even more photos on our new flickr page at flickr.com/photos/friendsacademy/albums

Art class with MaryJo

When I can, I love to walk the hallways and peek into classrooms. This was definitely a hands-on class. I loved the warmth of the teacher, Lower School Art teacher MaryJo Allegra, and how 100% of the class feels so at home. There was so much great energy going on here, especially from MaryJo, who told me that day, “I have the best job in the world.”

Halloween football toss

When I look at this photo, I think ‘Kids will be kids, even if it’s Halloween!’ From a photographer’s point of view, I shot it with a wide-open aperture, so that the image could take on a dreamy-like quality. I also love the ability to stop the action in photography and freeze the moment.

This was a time-sensitive project. With five minutes to go before the curtain went up, we were able to pull off a portrait of everyone in the cast. With two lights and a red gel in the background, I had full control of the lighting. (See more portraits on page 32.)

Pajama Day with Mrs. Martocci

I love unscripted moments. When people are themselves, that is the ultimate gift to photographers. Here, Playgroup teacher Pam Martocci is just a big bundle of energy. You can’t see it, but she is standing on top of the table animating and exciting all of her children on Pajama Day. That excitement was palpable.

DNA Barcoding

I like the layers of stories revealed in this photo – from the students at work in the background, to the student standing and engaged with the teacher, to the foreground with two students enthralled with their project. Certain photos also call out to be represented in black and white, rather than color. With this photo, I felt that seeing it in shades of gray, black, and white accentuated the emotion and individual stories of learning happening concurrently.

Our fifth graders recently traveled to the United Nations headquarters in New York City, where they learned why the United Nations was formed, and more about its six main bodies and 17 sustainable development goals. Students had the unique opportunity to watch a General Assembly Meeting live and understand what it means to be a delegate of a country, which proved invaluable for their simulation.

To get ready for their field trip, students researched a country of their choice to learn about a unique problem being faced by that country. Back in the classroom, after applying for different UN leadership roles, each student prepared a speech to illustrate their own leadership qualities and how they could help solve their country’s problem.

The final task was a real UN simulation that tasked students with working together as global leaders to stop and solve a worldwide Zombie invasion…! All the while still keeping the defense and support of their own country as a priority.

AROUND THE QUAD

Above, fifth graders at the United Nations in New York City. Right, collaborating to solve a Zombie crisis.

OUT-OFTHE-BOX ENGINEERS

Friends Academy second and third graders kicked off this school year by participating in the annual Global Cardboard Challenge facilitated by Lower School Science teacher Katie Schlicht during their science classes.

Every year, this creative engineering challenge encourages and nurtures creative thinking, problem-solving and innovation. Inspired by Caine’s Arcade, the short documentary film by Nirvan Mullick, students worked collaboratively to construct anything they could imagine using recycled cardboard. Using the engineering design process, students brainstormed, designed, built, tested, and revised their creations.

Students demonstrated their collaborative skills and perseverance

UPPER SCHOOL

throughout the engineering design process. The Global Cardboard Challenge culminated with a Day of Play when students shared their

engineering accomplishments with their peers.

– Andrea Miller

KEY TO FLUENCY? CULTURE

AP Chinese students traded their polos and sweaters for Chinese traditional clothing called (hanfu), in honor of Chinese New Year. Emulating styles from both the Ming dynasty from 600 years ago (girls) and the Tang dynasty from 1,500 years ago (boys), some students held representations of the dragon, lion, and rabbit in their hands; others

held silk fans and flowers. Dragon and lion dances are traditions during the New Year Celebration, which this year is the Year of the Rabbit. The round silk fan symbolizes reunion and the flowers’ Cantonese translation is the same as “fortune.” For Upper School Chinese teacher Harry Yang, the key to language fluency rests in an immersive understanding of the culture.

– Andrea Miller

Lower Schoolers test, iterate, and present their final engineering projects during the annual Global Cardboard Challenge.

AP Chinese students dress in traditional garb as part of their cultural immersion.

PHOTOS BY MARGARET PEGNO/FRIENDS ACADEMY

Scan here

A WEEK OF PRACTICING PEACE

PHOTOS BY ALVIN CAAL/FRIENDS ACADEMY

Visiting Buddhist monk Lama Tenzin Yignyen teaches Lower School students about the importance of compassion and how to interpret it within his Sand Mandala. This is Lama Tenzin’s eighth visit to Friends Academy.

By Andrea Miller P ’22, ’27 Director of Strategic Communications

“What should we as human beings be doing?” posed Holocaust speaker Manny Korman to Upper School students at a Peace Week Lunch and Learn. “We have a responsibility of caring for each other and caring for people we don’t know. We can’t sit back and say, ‘Let the other guy take care of it,’” he urged.

For four days each year, Friends Academy builds in extra programming to help students and colleagues practice the Quaker Testimony of Peace. Framed by the 2023-24 school theme of “Courage,” Peace Week 2023 featured a host of guest speakers, including two separate Holocaust Survivors, Mr. Korman, and Leo Ullman who shared with the Middle School; Darryl Bellamy of FEARless, who spoke to Upper School students about building in the small moments of courage that lead to overall fearlessness; and Lama Tenzin Yignyen, an ordained Buddhist monk, who returned to Friends for his eighth visit and construction of a Sand Mandala of Compassion.

“Don’t try to find happiness on the outside,” cautioned Lama Tenzin. “Find it on the inside,” he urged in Q&A sessions with

students, colleagues, and parents. “Compassion is the single-most best medicine for any disease,” he underscored. “If you see someone who needs help, it is our responsibility to help that person. That is compassion.”

In an assembly with Upper School students, Mr. Bellamy outlined the path to fearlessness. “It’s not about the fears, but about how we connect the dots going forward,” he explained, adding that a mix of courage and curiosity is ideal. “The most dangerous words are, ‘I already know that.’ I might know those things, but have I truly mastered them?”

The week always begins with a Meeting for Worship, which continued virtually enabling a wider

audience. “While we celebrate peace throughout the year, during Peace Week we come together in a more intentional way,” said Quaker-inResidence Jen Cort, who led the week’s planning.

“Peace is one of the Testimonies that is cornerstone to our belief,” shared Jen. “It’s thinking about internal peace, peace with others, and how we create peace in the world.”

In between readings and speakers, students and colleagues led a variety of workshops, including Quaker history and infrastructure, sustainability, service, and meditation. The Upper School Sustainability Committee spearheaded a bird-edible birdhouse project, which they hung later with Early Childhood buddies in the school’s new Forest Program.

The week was capped by the allschool FAmily Night, which featured an International potluck of family recipes, interactive art installations, and three workshops led by Friends Academy students and parents – African dancing; lessons on the hulusi, an ancient Chinese instrument; and figure-drawing lessons with fourth grade students.

Holocaust survior Manny Korman shares his story with Upper School students during a Peace Week Lunch and Learn.

During annual FAmily Night, families could participate in an interactive art installation and learn the ancient Chinese instrument, the hulusi, along with African dancing and figure drawing.

DNA CODING

With pipettes in hand and brows furrowed in concentration, students in Science Research: DNA Barcoding, cotaught by Jen Newitt and Vijay Suthar, listened closely to guest instructor Dr. Cristina Fernandez-Marco from the DNA Learning Center as she explained how to extract DNA from plant, fungal, and animal samples. “Anything with DNA involves very small tools,” commented Dr. Fernandez-Marco.

This fall, Friends Academy is a partner school with the Cold Spring Harbor-based DNA Learning Center, which dispatches its researchers to participating schools. In a practice run with students, Dr. FernandezMarco walked students through the microbiology lab techniques of micropipettes and centrifuges.

At the start of the class students employed science writing skills as they were tasked with writing research proposals to the Barcode Long Island Team at the DNA Learning Center.

“These proposals needed to be evaluated, revised, and accepted before research commenced,” explained Ms. Newitt. There are six research teams in the class, each with different research questions they have developed.

Exploratory investigation and specimen collection followed as students fanned out to the field –Bailey’s Arboretum, Shu Swamp, and even the man made Friends Academy “pond” – to bag and bottle

MIDDLE SCHOOL

samples of either lichens or aquatic invertebrates.

Their mission now is to identify their samples using DNA isolation and identification techniques.

“While the students practiced using traditional identification methods, such as taking photos of specimens and consulting field guides, they are learning that they can more accurately identify their samples by isolating the DNA and comparing to known specimens,” said Ms. Newitt.

FIELD RESEARCH

Every quarter, eighth graders partake in the Innovation-strand course, “Entrepreneurial Studies.” Students partner with local nonprofit organizations to help problem-solve a unique challenge. In-the-field research and a final presentation build core skills such as collaboration, empathy, and creativity.

Eighth graders headed off campus as part of their quarter-semester Entrepreneurial Studies challenge with a visit to the Glen Cove Senior Center. Tasked with helping to increase attendance at various activities at the center, students chatted with and interviewed

resident seniors as part of their field research to gather quantitative and qualitative data. This information will helped them form their solution presentations, which was be presented to Glen Cove Mayor Pam Panzenbeck when she returned on Friday, Nov. 4th.

– Andrea Miller

Students in the Science Research: DNA Barcoding class learn how to use a centrifuge.

PHOTO BY ALVIN CAAL/FRIENDS ACADEMY

THE ANNUAL FUND

Support Friends Academy with a gift

Now more than ever, we need your support.

It is imperative that we increase the participation amongst all our constituencies in supporting Friends Academy to advance our Quaker mission in providing the best possible educational experience for our students.

Please consider joining out list of supporters today!

For more information, please contact Kevin Barry, Director of Advancement at (516) 393-4269 or kevin_barry@fa.org.

For more information, please contact Kevin Barry, Director of Advancement at (516) 393 - 4269 or kevin_barry@fa.org

ALUMNI ON CAMPUS THE IMPORTANT LESSONS OF A QUAKER EDUCATION

This fall, Friends Academy welcomed back Dr. Eric Goodman ‘02 to the annual Senior Parent Luncheon, who spoke about the revered importance of both a Quaker and Friends Academy education. Now a parent of a 2-yearold, Eric crystallized the impact that his time at Friends had on him both personally and professionally as a physician.

“Your children are six months away from graduation – what gifts have you given them?” he asked. “Maybe it’s independence,” he queried. “I have no doubt that your children are at a point where they are more intellectually independent…possibly willing to debate you. If they’ve had a Friends education, they can form an opinion,

defend their views, and do that with discourse.”

Learning to live a life of truth and integrity can be difficult, shared Eric. “I’m a doctor and I have to get my patients to trust me,” who added that education should be real, lived, and connected to real life.

“The point of a Quaker education is that it focuses on equality, truth,

integrity, peace, and community.

Community stresses that we must live with all of those around us, not just those we want to live with. It is only when you meet someone as an equal that you can then open your heart and mind.”

Reflecting back on his own Friends Academy education, Eric pointed to learning why the interdependence of equals is so important. “Not only must we work to make the world a better place, but we must work toward a world where everyone recognizes that equality,” he said. “These values have powered my own life and I hope they will do the same for your children,” ended Eric.

– Andrea Miller

Eric Goodman ’02 shares how his Quaker education benefited him personally and professionally.

PHOTOS BY ALVIN CAAL/FRIENDS ACADEMY

FALL FAIR!

(and how we beat the rain)

This October, we took much of Fall Fair inside to escape the rain and found ourselves in warm, dry, and cozy community. From unique student booths that offered hands-on robotic tours, community “Mad Libs” with Inkwell, to a student-cultivated honey table and rock painting. We browsed the All-Colleague Art Exhibit and when the clouds cleared, we flocked to the rides, including the fan-favorite Pharoah’s Fury.

Clockwise: Members of the Diversity Committee display their indemand merch; Nurse Maria, Head of School Andrea Kelly, Upper School Principal Mark Schoeffel, and Upper School Dean of Students Erin Nolan; parent volunteers (thank you!); hands on with Upper School Robotics; pumpkin painting; our All-Colleague Art Exhibit; amazing rock painting; and high-flying on Pharaoh’s Fury.

PHOTOS BY ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY FOR FRIENDS ACADEMY

FALL REUNIONS

-50th Reunion-

Members of the Class of 1972 didn’t let the rain stop them from traveling to Duck Pond Road at their 50th Reunion. Their time at Friends included a special luncheon and tour and an incredible Meeting for Worship.

View more photos, starting on Page 70!

Clockwise: A reunion lunch at the Jackson House; touring campus with Tom Hawkins ’78 and Library Director Karl Hoenzsch; Meeting for Worship at the Matinecock Meeting House; Friends Academy Alumni magnets were handed out at the Alumni Tent on the Quad.

-50 Years Ago!-

We haven’t changed too much! Enjoy the trip down memory lane...

TWELFTH NIGHT: THE MUSICAL

It was February 2022 and Long Island, like the rest of the country, was still feeling the peak of the COVID subvariant of Omicron. While medical professionals debated community restrictions and school closures, on the Friends Academy stage, the show was still on. A group of 40 dedicated cast and crew continued to sing, dance, costume, choreograph, and block the first musical since the pandemic began with Twelfth Night: The Musical First produced by the Public

By Andrea Miller P ’22, ’27 Director of Strategic Communications

The cast of “Twelfth Night” introduces a newly disguised Viola, as the now Cesario, determined to make her way in a strange new land.

Scan here

PHOTOS BY ANDRES LOPEZ/FRIENDS ACADEMY

Theater in 2018 as an adaptation, featuring an original jazz-funk score by Shaina Taub, the dynamic retelling is a “rousing contemporary musical inspired by Shakespeare’s classic comedy about girl power, mistaken identity, and self-discovery.”

The musical opens as the young heroine, Viola (senior Angelina Miller), washes up on the shore of the distant land of Illyria. Fearing that her twin brother Sebastian (junior Mark Jennings) has not survived the shipwreck, she reinvents herself as a man, Cesario, and seeks to install herself within the employ of the local fealty, Duke Orsino (senior Jamie Merrill).

A love triangle slowly emerges as Viola/Cesario begins to gradually fall for Orsino; unfortunately, the Duke has convinced himself that he is in love with Countess Olivia (senior Lucy Schoeffel), who has sworn off love or marriage for seven years following the death of her brother.

As obstacles mount for the characters, life began to imitate art, as COVID challenges stacked

Senior Jamie Merrill, who plays Duke Orsino, longs after Olivia (senior Lucy Schoeffel), who instead has affections for the new-to-town, disguised-as-aman Viola/Cesario (senior Angelina Miller).

Attendng a Quaker school... has made us realize how important connections are.

A live band, atop the set, accompanies the singers in real-time.

PHOTOS BY ANDRES LOPEZ/FRIENDS ACADEMY

Feste (Charlotte Chen), the village fool, cooks up a comic sub-plot with Countess Olivia’s uncle, Sir Toby Belch (senior David Cooper-Boyce) and Olivia’s servant Maria (Erica Schwartz), as they conspire to convince Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio (senior Ethan Labelson), that the countess has fallen for him.

up for the cast and crew. “Having to learn all the choreography and songs while wearing an N95 mask was probably one of the hardest things we had to do,” recalled Angelina Miller. “The masks hid our faces during the performances, which meant that everything had to be bigger with our body language,” she said.

Open windows and social distancing continued to complicate the production. “Today, it seems crazy that we put this entire show together,” said Angelina. “Our rehearsal time was shortened and the normal traditions that helped us to bond and coalesce were missing,” she explained.

Undeterred, the Class of 2022 senior cast members faced the challenges with even more fortitude. “The seniors worked overtime to make this time as special as we could for what we were given,” said Angelina.

“Over the years, we have been so connected through this department – we just love doing theater together. And when it was our turn, officially, we didn’t feel that much pressure; it was just doing what we’ve always done and making sure that everyone, including all the underclassmen, were able to feel what we’ve always felt over the years. We just wanted to be the best seniors that we could be,” Angelina added.

Running over three nights, the cast and crew delivered an emotional punch during each performance. On their opening night, crowds of fellow seniors (many of who had read Twelfth Night earlier that fall in English classes) filled the seats with energetic applause and standing ovations.

The final scene of the production, which reveals Cesario as Viola, where love is finally professed and returned, was a carefully choreographed scene that used a multitude of small reactions from every actor to heighten the emotion. “It was the only time where all of the main characters came together and it wwas really powerful to both the actors and audience to have this culmination of little connections with everyone on stage,” said Angelina.

Moving forward, the seniors hope that the theater traditions they cherished return for their rising underclassmen.

“Attending a Quaker school has not only strengthened our empathy and care for others, but also made us realize how important connections truly are,” finished Angelina.

During her solo, “Viola’s Soliloquy” Viola/Cesario suddenly realizes that Olivia is in love with her.

Countess Olivia (senior Lucy Schoeffel) pines for Cesario/Viola as she firmly rebuts Count Orsino’s affections.

SWEET SOUNDS

Lower School student-musicians delighted families, friends, and their teachers with a full-length concert that included musical selections from each grade and a unique handbell selection from the fourth grade. A holiday mash-up medley inspired a robust audience sing-along and lots of dancing from their seats!

This December, Lower School students returned to the stage for their Winter Holiday Concert. With recorders and handbells, some ultra-cool DJ moves and sunglasses, our Playgroup through fourth grade musicians warmed hearts and souls.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTS WEEK

During the first full week of April, Middle School students took time to explore various activities and learn skills within the arts during the annual Middle School Arts Week celebration. With morning and afternoon sessions for the fourteen courses offered throughout the week, students were able to find the perfect fit for their interests.

A popular selection was Beatboxing 101 taught by beatbox champion SungBeats. Students learned the basic sounds of beatboxing to create percussive rhythms, as well as special sound effects like vocal scratching, bass-lines, horns. Other courses included, Paint Your Pet, Printmaking, Photography, Chinese Calligraphy, Digital Coloring, Hip-Hop Dance, Rock Band, Acrylic Painting, and Bamboo Dance.

– Margaret Pegno

Last spring, we welcomed the return of Middle School Arts Week, which features four days of guest artists and a plethora of dynamic, hands-on workshops for students in Grades 5-8.

MARGARET PEGNO/FRIENDS ACADEMY

“THE HAUNTED”

This fall, the Upper School Theater Department invited a limited set of audiences to follow them into a series of stories that explored the haunting and lingering impact of unfinished business. Using the storytelling device of immersive theater, a technique that uses space and design to curate a tangible and sensory environment, while focusing on the personal and individual audience experience, each actor spun a web of mystery and, ultimately, resolution. Each subplot was authored by Director of Theater Andrew Geha, and audience members were randomly assigned to a protagonist who,

By Andrea Miller P ’22, ’27 Director of Strategic Communications

Scan here

bit by bit, uncovered their truth in search of the viewer’s truth. At the start of the experience, audience members gathered on stage and are asked to don a mask to conceal their identity. One by one, they are led to a curtainedoff room on stage and thrust into a storyline with their protagonist, who are seemingly already engaged in pondering and conversations. In one room, a character flips over a rug and asks their viewer to sign their name as an artifact; in an adjacent space, another asks her participant to disclose a challenge that is preventing them from moving on.

With secrets exposed, viewers are led to a room that is brighter than the rest. A wooden case is opened and a bottle emerges. A sprig of lavender, maybe some thyme or cumin are sprinkled into the bottle, along with some water. The secret that is holding the viewer back is deposited into the bottle and with the cap tightly screwed on, is handed back as a memento of what was experienced and overcome.

Clockwise, Olivia Peng ’26 and Angelina Posada ’26 guide audience members to their first stop; Mackenzie Breg ’26, Anika Bhatia ’23, Taylor Fernandez ’25,and (below) Cassian Gerasimenko ’24 are part of a team of cast members who escort their masked participants into a story of longing, unasked questions, and potential resolution.

PHOTOS BY ALVIN CAAL/FRIENDS ACADEMY

SPRING SPORTS

What a season – on court, fields, and out on the water, our Spring athletes broke records, garnered all-state titles, the Long Island Championship, qualified for States, sought more competitive opponents, and more. Congratulations to all for their teamwork, resilience, and heart.

TRACK AND FIELD

10 All-State Athletes

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: FRANKLIN THOMPSON

LOGAN ALVAREZ

SAMANTHA AMRITT

ZIAD ASHMAWY

JACKSON BRIELMANN

HANNAH BYRON

OLIVIA CARDEN

DIJAYE CARPENTER

CHARLOTTE CHEN

ANGELINA CHERENFANT

OLIVIA COMO

MYLES COOPER-BOYCE

CLEMENTINE CONSTANTINO

WILLIAM DAVIS

TAYLOR FERNANDEZ

ABBY FRAZER

AISLINN FRAZER

ALEX GOLDGLIT

BRODY GORDON

ALISON GOTTLIEB

SHAMIK GUPTA

SEAN JOHNSON

KATE JUHEL

MACKENZIE KATZ

ETHAN LABELSON

SAMUEL LASERSON

RAYMOND LI

RICHARD LI

FARAZ LOTFI

BENJAMIN MARTIN

MATTHEW MARTIN

NIKKI MAZUR

JOSHUA MCKENZIE

QUINN MCLAUGHLIN

ANGEL MENDOZA

LOGAN MOTT

AUSTIN NOTARIS

LIVIA PRESTANDREA

ASHLEY REYES

MALACHI RUSSELL

OLIVIA SERAFINO

NYAH THOMAS

REBECCA VERONESE

LAILA WALKER

BRADLEY WILLIAMS

AVA ZUCKERBROT

10-2 Record 14 State Medals

11 State Qualifiers

1st Boys State Championship Relay

STATE CHAMPIONS

LOGAN ALVAREZ

JACKSON BRIELMANN

BEN MARTIN

LOGAN MOTT

ALL-STATE

OLIVIA CARDEN

OLIVIA COMO

DIJAYE CARPENTER

AISLINN FRAZER

NYAH THOMAS

CJ WILLIAMS

ALL-COUNTY

SAMANTHA AMRITT

ALL-DIVISION

ANA CHERENFENT

CLEMENTINE CONSTANTINO

JOSH MCKENZIE

ASHLEY REYES

LAILA WALKER

BOYS GOLF

Long Island Champions

The Boys Golf Team finished the spring 2022 season recognized as the best golf team on Long Island. After finishing with the best record in a very competitive conference, the team entered the county championship as a favorite to win Nassau. The boys lived up to expectations by winning the county by an astounding 27 strokes. A week later Friends Academy would square off in a match with the Suffolk champion, Ward Melville, at the historic Bethpage Black golf course. The team again would not disappoint. In the final match of the day Friends Academy would prevail to win the second Long Island championship in school history.

10-2 Record

32

Lowest Score

KIDDER BACON

MARCO DERLLY

JACK ESTRELLA

NOAH GOLDMAN

MARK GREEN

JAMIE MERRILL

CHARLES NEVIN

PETER ROSEN

SAMUEL SCHAMROTH

SEAN SHALLAT

1st

Sean Shallat Long Island

ZACH SHALLAT

EVERETT WILLIAMS

2

STATE QUALIFIERS

Sean Shallat and Jack Estrella

NEWSDAY COACH OF THE YEAR

MATT JOHNSEN

ALL-STATE JACK ESTRELLA SEAN SHALLAT ZACH SHALLAT

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: MATT JOHNSEN

GIRLS GOLF

State Qualifier

3rd In County Finals

37 Lowest Score

Ava Estrella

JOY BIONDI

AVA ESTRELLA

LARA FORTUNOFF

OLIVIA IPPOLITO

GWENYTH GUCKERT

NELL KURITA

ANNIKA LONO

MARIELLE OLIVERI

SOPHIA OLIVERI

LINDSAY VUONO

1

GRADUATING SENIOR

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: GAIL BAKER

BOYS LACROSSE

2nd in Nassau County Class D

129 Goals Scored

8 Average Goals Per Game

HEAD COACH: WALT CARSWELL

IAN AFZELIUS DANIEL BASKIND

CLARKE BEARD

HARRISON BRUDERMAN WILL BYSTROM

CHRIS CLINTON

BRETT COHEN

DEMITRI CONSTANTOPES

QUINN DOUGHERTY CAMPBELL FLORENCE

JUSTIN KELLY

TOMMY KENNY

JOHN LIVANOS

JOE MCCARTAN

PETER PAPPAS

BRANDON POLKE

JOHN SANOULIS COOPER SCHULTZ

KONRAD SCHWARZ

THEO TSIAMTSIOURIS

9

GRADUATING SENIORS

ALL-COUNTY

TOMMY KENNY

ALL-CONFERENCE WILL BYSTROM COOPER SCHULTZ

THE TEAM

GIRLS LACROSSE

140 Goals Scored

1 16 Senior Signed to College Play

Average Goals Per Game

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: RACHEL DOOLEY

SARAH ASNIS

GIULIANA BERRITTO

DAKOTA BRUDERMAN

KATHLEEN BYRNE

SKYLAR COHEN

FIONA DOUGHERTY

PETRA FAKIRIS

DAFNA JAKUBIAK

SOPHIA KAZANAS

PERRY L’ESPERANCE

LILLIAN LEE

SARABETH LEVIN

ADRIANA LLOVES

TEAH LOGIN

LIYA MADHOK

ALEXANDRA MEAD

CHLOE MORGAN

LILY ONORATO

PARIS PANAGOPOULOS

ALEX POLL

ELYA RAK

MELANIE SCHWAB

OLIVIA SCHWAB

CHARLOTTE SEMLIES

HARPER SEMLIES

AVA SKOLNICK

GRACE SKOLNICK

LINDSAY VUONO

ELIZA WOODHOUSE

100

FA CAREER GOALS FOR TWO PLAYERS

Paris Panagopoulos and Skylar Cohen

ALL-COUNTY

PARIS PANAGOPOULOS

Honorable Mention: SKYLAR COHEN

ALL-CONFERENCE

CHARLOTTE SEMLIES

SARABETH LEVIN

SOFTBALL

Heart and grit

7 Avg. Runs Per Game

1st Year Playing Varsity Schedule

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: ALEXANDRA BEGLIN

DYLAN BEYER

CHRISTINA GRASSO

THEONI HIOTIS

DAFNA JAKUBIAK

SOFIA MARAGOS

NAVYA MURTHY

KIKI ROSEN

LUCY SCHOEFFEL

MELANIE SCHWAB

CARA SOSCIE

NATALIA TAUTER

ELENI VRAHATIS

77 RUNS SCORED

SCHOLAR ATHLETE

LUCY SCHOEFFEL

ALL-CONFERENCE

ELENI VRAHATIS

BASEBALL

Moved Up a Division

2 Left Handed Pitchers

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: KEN RICE

COLE BEYER

JACKSON BROOK

ALEX CATALANO

NATE CHEN

LUCAS EDGAR

JONAS EDGAROV

JULIAN GOOD

PETER HIOTIS

BLAKE KNOPF

CHARLES LIZZA

BEN NOTARIS

KELLAN QUINN

DYLAN RORECH

MALACHI RUSSELL

NOAH SIBEL

GRAHAM SEMLIES

100+ PITCHES PER GAME

BOYS TENNIS

2nd Place in Nassau County

6

Graduating Seniors

1

8th Grader Playing Varsity

HEAD COACH: OWEN KASSIMIR

WILLIAM BOHNER

ZACHARY COHEN

DANIEL DUKE

MICHAEL FIECHTER

VINCENZO FODERA

MICHAEL GOTTLIEB

PIERCE HIRSHFIELD

MOHAN JAUHAR

JACK JERVIS

RYDER KAZERMAN

CONOR O’KEEFE

VEDANT RAWAT

BRANDON ROKHSAR

ALI SAYAN

GEORGIOS VIZIRGIANAKIS

ALEC WACHSMAN

ALISTAIR WRIGHT

ALISTAIR WRIGHT

ALL-CONFERENCE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

WILLIAM BOHNER

THE TEAM

CREW

Crew combines with Oyster Bay Community Rowing

1200+ Kilometers Rowed

1

THE TEAM

HEAD COACHES: SARA BALDVINS AND SARAH CAMHI

CAZ COSTAGLIOLA BRINLEY DAVIS MEG GILLIES CHARLOTTE KNIGHT

7+

8th Grader Rowing Varsity Schools Training

FALL SPORTS

As we returned to a full year of postpandemic athletic matches, we basked in the ability to practice and play with full teams and at incredible levels. We witnessed amazing comebacks, smashed personal and school records, and formed new partnerships. Congratulations to all of the athletes this fall!

GIRLS TENNIS

7th in New York State

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: OWEN KASSIMIR

KATHLEEN BRYNE

SKYLAR COHEN

JULIETTE D’ADDARIO

ALEXANDRA FODERA

EMMA GILBERY

37 Combined Singles Wins

11 Section VIII Awards

KATE JUHEL

LAURA KIM

SARABETH LEVIN

TEAH LOGIN

MIA MARSHALL

NAVYA MURTHY

ERICA NA

RACHEL NA

ELYA RAK

AERIN SATOVKSY

SOFIA SCHWARZ

ISABELLA SHA

SIENA SMITH

EVA SUN

AVA ZUCKERBROT

75%+ MATCHES WON (ALL-DIVISION RECIPIENTS)

ALL-STATE

ISABELLA SHA

ALL-COUNTY

SKYLAR COHEN

EVA SUN

SOFIA SCHWARZ

USTA SPORTSMANSHIP

ISABELLA SHA

GIRLS SOCCER

1st in Conference

12-1-1 Record 42 Goals Scored

158 Saves

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: VINCENZA DECRESCENZO

SARAH ASNIS

DANIELLA BERRITTO

HAYDEN BRIELMANN

EMMA BROCK

DANIELLE DAVIS

SOPHIA DIAZ

FIONA DOUGHTERY

KATHERINE GOLDSTEIN

CHELSEA GORDON

DAFNA JUKUBIAK

CHARLOTTE KNIGHT

MARLEY KRASKA

JULIA LUBLINER

NICOLE MAZUR

CRYSTAL MENDOZA

MAYA MOREY

ALEXA MOSCHETTO

PARIS PANAGOPOULOS

ARIANNA QUAN-SOON-VICTOR

ELLE RUSSELL

GABI SANDOVAL

MELANIE SCHWAB

EMMA SEIDNER

AVA SKOLNICK

ALISON STEIN

DYLAN WOLF

5 GRADUATING SENIORS

A2 COACH OF THE YEAR

VINCENZA DECRESCENZO

ALL-AMERICAN

DANIELLE DAVIS

ALL-COUNTY

MAYA MOREY

ARIANNA QUAN-SOON-VICTOR

Honorable Mention:

GABI SANDOVAL

FIONA DOUGHERTY

SOPHIA DIAZ

ALL-CONFERENCE

ALEXA MOSCHETTO

KATHERINE GOLDSTEIN

DAFNA JAKUBIAK

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE

PARIS PANAGOPOULOS

BOYS SOCCER

Biggest Comeback Win

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: EDGAR POSADA

JONATHAN ALMENDARES

LOGAN ALVAREZ

DANIEL BASKIND

JACOB BOCK

TYLER BRAGOLI

JACKSON BRIELMANN

7-4-2 Record 27 Goals Scored

57 Saves

JOSHUA CHEN

MAX COHEN

JULIAN CORN

JAMES DAMASSIA-MCINTYRE

LUCAS EDGAR

JONAS EDGAROV

JULIAN GOOD

BRODY GORDON

JACOB HERMAN

SAM LASERSON

DYLAN LEON

CHARLES LIZZA

AIDAN LLOVES

MIRCEA MANU

BENJAMIN MARTIN

LOGAN MOTT

JOHN O’SULLIVAN

ISAIAH POPPOLA

EDWIN SARAVIA

THEODORE TSIAMTSOURIS

12

GRADUATING SENIORS

ALL-COUNTY

JAKE BOCK

Honorable Mention:

MAX COHEN

DYLAN LEON

ALL-CONFERENCE

JOHN O’SULLIVAN

EDWIN SARAVIA

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE

JOSH CHEN

FIELD HOCKEY

Teamwork and resilience

7-3-1 Record 33 Goals Scored

HEAD COACH:

CHRISTINE BOTTI

GIULIANA BERRITTO

JOY BIONDI

GRACE BROOK

HEIDI BROWN

DAKOTA BRUDERMAN

CYNTHIA EUSTACHE

MARY GRAHN

MADELEINE HALLIDAY

MOLLY HALLIDAY

MARINA KRICHMAR

LILLI LEE

DAPHNE LIZZA

ARIANA LLOVES

SENULI PEIRIS

DIANE QIU

CECILIA SAAD

HARPER SEMLIES

GRACE SKOLNICK

NATALIA TAUTER

VALERIE VOLCY

LINDSAY VUONO

LAILA WALKER

REAGAN WARD

LUCY YANG

ALL-COUNTY

HEIDI BROWN

Honorable Mention:

ADRIANA LLOVES

FIONA DOUGHERTY

SOPHIA DIAZ

ALL-CONFERENCE

LAILA WALKER

NATALIA TAUTER

DAPHNE LIZZA

ALL-LEAGUE

LINDSAY VUONO

CROSS COUNTRY

6 All-County Runners

2nd in Nassau County for Girls

6th

in New York State (Aislinn Frazer)

OLIVIA CARDEN

DIJAYE CARPENTER

DAVID CHEN

JEMIMA CONSTANTINO

ABIGAIL FRAZER

AISLINN FRAZER

AVA JAKLITSCH

JUNHAO JIANG

ETHAN KALIMIAN

CHARLOTTE KNIGHT

AARON LABELSON

KODY MITCHELL

COOPER MOTT

VIR SINGH

COLLIN TRUST

CHARLOTTE YANKE

FENGXIN ZHANG

DAREN ZHONG

UNDERCLASSMEN

ALL-STATE

AISLINN FRAZER

ALL-COUNTY

ABBY FRAZER

CHARLOTTE YANKE

CHARLOTTE KNIGHT

AVA JAKLITSCH

DAREN ZHONG

NASSAU RUNNER OF THE YEAR

AISLINN FRAZER

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: LOUISA GARRY

FOOTBALL

1st Year Partnership with Roslyn

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: JORDAN HABER

BEN ANMUTH

BRADY BERMANT

BRENDON CHUNG

QUINN DOUGHERTY

KHY’YEN EMILE

HENRY ESQUENET

DYLAN GOODMAN

CHARLIE HELLER

SAM ILIZAROV

1

Freshman Played Varsity

3

Graduating Seniors

COLIN JOHNSTON

BLAKE KNOPF

GAVIN KOO

JACK KOZINN

YIANNI LAGUDIS

BRYAN MOLINA

DANIEL REIFERSON

LIAM REILLY

AIDAN RICHER

STOMATI SIDERIDIS

TORIAN SMITH

CHRIS TSIOLIS

STEPHEN TSIOLIS

WINSTON VANCE

BEN VENEZIANO

JUSTIN VISHNICK

RICHARD WALKA

JARED WILLIAMS

ETHAN YEDVAB

1 UNDER THE LIGHTS GAME

CHEER

Added Tumbling Routines

10+ Games Cheered

THE TEAM

HEAD COACH: JEN HALLIDAY

AVA CAIATI

SOPHIA CESARE

AVA GOLDEN

ANDIE HERMAN

SYDNEY KASSINOVE

ANABELLE MARCUS

GABRIELLA MINUTO SUMMER SCHORE

COLLEAGUE MILESTONES

In July, Director of Theater Andrew Geha presented at the American Association of Theater and Education’s annual conference in Providence, RI. “I led a workshop on devising immersive theater, taking everyone through the process by which we created Who Are We Now. It was incredibly successful, leading to wonderful conversations and new connections with schools around the country,” said Andrew.

Middle and Upper School Visual Arts teacher Amanda Fisk completed the Certificate in School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School in June.

Congratulations to Coach and Physical Education teacher Vincenza DeCrescenzo who won Coach of the Year honors for the 2022 Girls Soccer Season.

compensation and classifications, leave and accommodations, and performance management.

Lower School Librarian Krystin Dorfman continues to write articles/reviews and moderate panels for School Library Journal Krystin moderated a Middle Grade Fiction panel for The Penguin Random House Winter Book and Author Festival and a Young Adult Historical Fiction Panel.

my storytelling magic. I started March 12 during Quarantine 2020 to stay in touch with my kids and our community. I found my true passion and have learned soooo much,” said Debbie.

Director of Human Resources Tricia Licari was appointed to the Human Resource Council NBOA (National Business Officers Association). The Human Resource Council is an advisory and outreach council formed to support members in the Human Resources role at their school. Members will serve a 2-year term and offer expertise regarding HR compliance, employee handbooks, recruitment and onboarding,

Debbie Reynolds continues with her B.O.R.E.D Better off Reading every day program and has currently logged 1,300 books read, to date. With 116 subscribers to her YouTube channel and over 1600 followers on her Instagram, Debbie has met several authors and received requests to read their books. “I’m still loving this life of becoming the books I read with

An article co-written by Assistant Head of School Jen Halliday and former School Psychologist Lauren Foley is being published by the Oxford University Press as a chapter in a book entitled: The Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality.

Congratulations to all colleagues who presented at Fall Fair’s AllColleague Art Show. Colleagues from all departments, including Flik Dining, contributed works of art from ceramics to textiles, cross-stitch to painting, 3D models, photographs, and more! See photos above.

Jen Halliday

Lauren Foley

Andrew Geha

Enza DeCrescenzo

Krystin Dorfman

Debbie Reynolds

Tricia Licari

Amanda Fisk

The All-Colleagues Art Exhibit featured an amazing array of talent from Friends Academy colleagues across a variety of media.

RETIRED>> MICHAEL GRANT

Technical Director, Helen A. Dolan Center Theater

“Ibrought everything with me from my previous life,” began retiring Technical Director Michael Grant, in an auspicious start to an interview that would chronicle two careers filled with structural feats of wonder.

Capping a 21-year career at the Friends Academy Theater, Michael brought a wide swath of creativity to the FA stage – from ironwork to pools of water, and everything in between.

Born and raised in Glen Cove, Michael dove into stagecraft immediately following college. With stints at the PA Stage Company in Allentown, PA, the North Stage Dinner Theater, the Whole Theater Company (run by Olympia Dukakis), and on March 8, 1981, walked into the Public Theater. “With my focus in college, I had wanted to be a stage manager,” recalled Michael, “But they said they didn’t hire off the street. So I tried four or five times more and the final time I said I could do tech work – I got hired that day and was promised three days work...that was the start of 18 years.”

Michael had graduated with the skills to use tools and basic theatrical construction, but his world changed dramatically at the Public. “As I was handed projects, I was taught how to do them and I started doing things in ways that weren’t familiar to me at college,” he said. He credits much of his competency to Public’s Theater Director at the time, Mervin Haines.

“One of the things I saw in my role at The Public and at FA was to know what I know and know confidently what I know.”

At The Public Theater, Michael would go on to create sets that emulated the natural and man-made world, including an 80-foot pool

and 108-foot suspension bridge, both on stage, and both portents for the future at FA. In 2001, he left The Public for Friends Academy and began his second 20+-year career.

“My first show was Lord of the Flies. Andrew Geha directed that production and he had a concept for a kid digging in the sand. My response was, ‘Why don’t we cover the whole stage with sand?’ ‘Can we do that?’ asked Andrew. The next day, there was 6 to 8” of sand across the stage,” smiled Michael. The Head of School at the time, Marcus Hurlbut, was only slightly concerned. “We’re going to be able to get this out of here, right?” he asked.

At Friends, Michael worked on over 80 shows and each one was different. “ I have a number of sets that I really loved – Two Gentleman with the Rubix Cube; Much Ado About Nothing with real barn construction; the iron and steel set of Neverwhere that set pushed the limits for me. For better or worse, I’m definitely a perfectionist; but that’s what pushes me to get everything right.”

The last thing Michael wanted to was teach, but that was part of the job and it ended up being the thing

that opened up his world.

“I had to start thinking about things in a whole new way and, in turn, it gave me a new respect for the profession. You can’t just hand a kid something and say, ‘Go, do’,” said Michael. “Even if they know how to swing a hammer, they haven’t lived it. The goal is not just to finish something, but to turn it into something special.”

Michael derived a lot of pride from watching his students help erect sites and participate with real-world context.

“I got a lot of gratification in appreciating the kids and feeling their appreciation back. This is the most extraordinary second career I could have ever had, and I feel very lucky.”

– Andrea Miller

Michael Grant; read about his daughter, Meli Grant ‘04, on page 86 in Class Notes. One of Michael’s favorite sets from “Neverwhere” combined iron and steelwork.

TAMMY’S CORNER

Iam fully in the swing as Dean of Faculty Mentoring and I must admit, I am thoroughly enjoying being in this role. I have the unique opportunity to work with all of our new colleagues, as well as our veteran colleagues, in a position in which I can support, guide, and honor them. It is quite rewarding as I realize that amidst every new group of colleagues, it is quite possible that some of these colleagues may decide to make Friends Academy their permanent home and become long-standing members who will help to create an even better community and richer culture. In this role, we have created a robust mentoring program in which our veteran colleagues regularly meet with our new colleagues. Our veteran colleagues provide guidance and motivation and share their expertise to help guide our new colleagues. Our amazing colleagues truly care about education and they immensely care about our students. I am thrilled that I can support and work with all of our colleagues. It is my honor to be filling a much-needed position as a liaison, cheerleader, and advocate. Please enjoy getting to know a little bit about our newest colleagues:

Harry

Yang

Upper School Chinese

Since Sept., Harry has worked very hard to integrate cultural components into her curriculum. “So far the students have had a great cultural experience related to Chinese – the language they are learning,” said Harry. She is equally proud of the students she teaches. “I have a group of very talented and artistic students. Every time we work together on projects, they always surprise me.”

Currently, Harry is working diligently to organize a stage for the Chinese language learners to demonstrate their language skills.

FUN FACT! Harry remembers struggling with math in high school, but years later, sometimes now she helps her students with their math homework.

Scott Hertrick Upper School English

In previous schools, Scott has enjoyed working as a faculty mentor and in the context of peer-to-peer professional development, leading workshops and coordinating workshop portions of larger conferences. “I love this work because it helps me continue to reflect on my own teaching practice, and because I believe that schools are at their best when teachers see themselves as learners, too.”

Scott believes that the work of teaching is centered on relationships, so he proud of the trust that young people have put in him over the years. “Of course, I want them to learn a lot in my classroom, and to feel that the work we do together is valuable, but I also want them to feel safe sharing themselves with me. Last year, a student asked me to speak about my own struggles with mental health, and I was really moved by the request and the response to what I shared. Being an adult that students feel they can talk to is very important to me, and I am working hard to establish that trust with students here at Friends.”

FUN FACT! Scott’s dad was the Head of School at the PK-12 school where he attended as a lifer.

Molly Foresta Upper School History & Entre

Molly points to the internship program she built at a public school in the Bronx from the ground up as one of her proudest moments.

“I loved using New York City as my classroom and visiting my students at their sites, which represented a multitude of different industries ranging from culinary arts to public health, design and construction, public advocacy to environmental sustainability. As a native New Yorker it was fun to tap into all of my resources, build a network, meet new people and learn alongside my students in the field. Every day was an adventure.”

This fall, Molly counts traveling with her advisory to the Glen Cove Senior Center as one of her most memorable experiences at FA so far. “It felt like such a special opportunity to get to spend time with my students in a different context – off campus, engaging in an intergenerational exchange and sharing stories about our life experiences.”

FUN FACT! Molly plays the fiddle. She grew up playing classical violin as part of the East Harlem Violin Program and played in an old-time string band.

Tammy Clark Dean of Faculty Mentoring

Harry Yang

Scott Hertrick

Molly Foresta

The 1876 Society

Support Friends Academy through a planned gift

Awell-planned gift sustains your generosity after your lifetime and makes a powerful statement about the legacy you wish to leave. Planned gifts can also be a tax-efficient way to achieve financial and estate planning goals while supporting Friends Academy into the future.

For more information on planned giving, please contact Kevin Barry, Director of Advancement, at 516-393-4269 or kevin_barry@fa.org.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

PETER STEIN ’79, P ’17, ’20, ’23

Dear Fellow Alumni,

For the last seven years, I’ve had the pleasure of working hand-in-hand with Andrea Kelly, our 24th Head of School. Her commitment to understanding our Friends mission and how it continues to impact every one of our alumni speaks volumes. She is a true friend to Friends Academy alumni and though we will miss her dearly, we send our best wishes for her next chapter. Friends Academy is very fortunate to have Andrea as our outgoing head, as she expertly and seamlessly passes the baton for our school’s next chapter.

On that note, I’d like to welcome Paul J. Stellato to the Friends Academy alumni community as our 25th Head of School. Andrea is leaving an impressive school, student, and faculty body for Paul to embrace and guide. We are excited to introduce him to our greater FA community and to share the stories of our incredible alumni.

decided to give back – Evan Cagner ’91, Natalia Porcelli Good ’93 and Adam Good ’93, and Nishat Doshi ’98 as volunteers for a local organization that helps send children with cancer to summer camp (page 58); and Amber Ashley Parker ’05, who listened to the marginalized experiences of some of our alumni of color while at Friends, and is now working to create a mentoring program that bridges alumni and current students of color at Friends Academy (page 62).

Peter Stein ’79 Alumni Board President

This year, Friends Academy celebrated a return to post-COVID and “back-to-normal”! We were elated to help the Class of 1972 honor their 50th reunion (see photos from then and now on page 24) with a special luncheon at Friends, campus tour with alumnae, Matinecock Meeting member, Quaker, and former Board President Tom Hawkins ’78. Their time culminated in a poignant Meeting for Worship as messages were shared one by one as the rain pattered against the Meeting House shingles and time fell away, year by year.

In this issue, we learn about five Friends Academy alumni, who inspired by their Quaker education, have

Finally, I would like to wish a very happy 100th birthday to two of our oldest Friends Academy alumni –Florence Milyko Skinner and Joanne Tuthill Munhofen, who are both alumni from the Class of 1940! Ward Burian ’54 helped bridge the connection and let us know about this milestone celebration! He reports that both are very alert and articulate and brimming with love for “dear old FA.”

Florence Milyko Skinner

Joanne Tuthill Munhofen

BAFA

BIPOC ALUMNI OF FRIENDS ACADEMY

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE BIPOC ALUMNI COMMUNITY?

BAFA MISSION STATEMENT: BAFA aims to develop an inter-generational network created for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students and alumni within the wider Friends Academy community to cultivate belonging, celebrate cultural differences, empower others to be culturally competent, and ensure equity for all.

BAFA aims to develop an inter-generational network created for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students and alumni within the wider Friends Academy community to cultivate belonging, celebrate cultural differences, empower others to be culturally competent, and ensure equity for all. Email co-clerk Jessica Rizzi at jessica.marie.rizzi@gmail.com to join!

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE FA COMMUNITY,

POAA

PARENTS OF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

We hope this message finds you healthy and well despite the chaos of the times we're living in. We are so proud of the alumni who have come together to start this affinity group. Over the last year we have shared stories about our experiences as former students, identified elements we would want to improve for future students, and learned more about the issues of race, equity, justice, and inclusion at FA. Our discussions solidified the importance of what we were doing and why we needed to establish a group that could work with the school to intentionally support current BIPOC students and reengage BIPOC alumni. Through our collective efforts, BAFA aims to develop an intergenerational network created for BIPOC students and alumni.

Are you a member of the BIPOC alumni community? We would love to hear from you and expand our membership. Please scan the QR code to fill out our alumni survey!

DID YOUR CHILD GRADUATE FROM FA?

Wishing you and your families all the best,

BAFA Co-Clerks Maceda Alemu ’09, Jessica Marie Rizzi ’09, and Keyonne Session ’13

Then you are a member of the POAA, and we would love to invite you to join us for upcoming events as we work to stay connected as FA alumni parents.

Email Co-Clerk Maggie Johansen at maggiejohansen83@gmail.com to join!

Scan here! Winter

POAA Co-Clerks Maggie Johansen P ’08, ’10, ’13; Lauren Menzin P ’13, ’16; and Donna Gerzof P ’09, ’12

We want to hear from you!

Scan the QR code to fill out your alumni survey!

Questions?

Email BAFA@fa.org for more information!

BAFA Co-Clerks Maceda Alemu ’09, Jessica Marie Rizzi ’09, and Keyonne Session ’13

EVAN CAGNER ’91, NATALIA PORCELLI GOOD ‘93, ADAM GOOD ‘93 AND NISHAT DOSHI ‘98

FRIENDS ON A MISSION

By Elizabeth Siris Winchester ’91

About nine years ago Michele Cagner, parent of recent graduates Jordyn ’21 and Sydney ’22 with husband Evan Cagner ’91, was looking for a hands-on way to support a charitable organization. Friends Academy parent Debi Feinstein told Michele about the Sunrise Association, whose mission is to help children with cancer and their siblings world-wide, through Summer Day Camps, Year-Round Programs, and In-Hospital Recreational Activities, all offered free of charge. Sunrise Day Camp–Long Island, a full-summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings, is in Wheatley Heights.

“Sunrise immediately pulled at my heartstrings,” said Michele. “Something resonated with me about just letting kids be kids. So many charities raise funds for children with medical needs, but Sunrise is different. It’s about how to make a kid feel like a kid while going through something affecting them in so many major ways. That’s what did it for me.”

Giving back to others and the importance of being service-oriented is something that Evan learned as a Friends Academy student and a reason why the Cagners chose to send their daughters to the school

in the first place. “Friends has a value set of service, being a good person, being open and true—these are Quaker values, in my opinion,” said Michele. “While times change and curriculums change there are certain things about Friends Academy that don’t change, like the mindset of being service oriented and helping those in need.” It’s not surprising that other Friends families, also drawn to the school community for these reasons, support Sunrise and its mission too.

A Family – and Friends – Affair

Michele, who began her volunteer work for Sunrise by sitting in on meetings, soon started attending and then chairing events at Sunrise Day Camp–Long Island. “That was such a big draw for me,” Michele explained. “I could help raise funds but I could also come to the camp and see what it was doing for the kids.” Through Evan’s work at the time, the family was able to

Nishat Doshi ‘98 works with one of the Sunrise campers at their Planting Day service event.

Evan, Natalia, Adam, and Nish from their 1991, 1993, and 1998 Lamp Yearbooks.

donate supplies that campers needed, like backpacks, hats, and shoes. Evan and Michele began chairing an annual Friends of Sunrise fundraising event in Glen Head, Evan joined the organization’s board, and their daughters joined Friends Academy’s Sunrise club for students.

The Cagners introduced Adam and Natalia (Porcelli) Good, both ’93 and current Friends Academy parents, to Sunrise about seven years ago by inviting the Goods to the annual Friends of Sunrise auction. “We saw a video of smiling campers and heard compelling stories from a mother and her daughter whose lives were changed by their experience at Sunrise Day Camp,” Natalia shared. “We were so moved that evening and we knew it was time for us to get involved with this amazing organization. Since then, Sunrise has been an important part of our lives.”

Hands-On Help

Like the Cagners, the Goods have participated in annual SunriseWALKS events with their children. They “discuss the importance of bringing joy and happiness to children and their parents facing unimaginable challenges on a daily basis,” Natalia said. The Goods have also attended Planting Day events, to beautify the campgrounds before the campers arrive. Planting Day is chaired by Friends alum Nishat Doshi ’98 and his wife Franki, who are also current Friends Academy parents.

Nish remembers visiting Sunrise Day Camp–Long Island and somehow getting into a conversation about his home garden, which was a designed by a landscape architect. With the help of this expert gardener, Nish expanded the camp’s gardens, filling in empty beds with perennials that bloom each spring and new annuals every year to use as accents at the end. At the annual Planting Day event, volunteers gladly dig in and help with whatever tasks are needed.

Nish and Franki have also led gardening events with campers in past years. “A lot of the children have never done anything with flowers or planting and at first, they’re anxious and nervous about getting their hands dirty to take roots out of a pot but then they want to do another one…and another one,” said Nish. “Sunrise has given us leeway and will work with us when we want to jump in and do a project or help in some other way, which is really cool. It’s nice to have found a place where I can take on things independently.”

Friends Academy Roots

As former FA students, Evan, Nish, Natalia, and Adam remember their early service-related experiences with the school, including participating in the school’s YSOP overnight trip to hand out

Continued on Page 64

As former FA students, Evan, Nish, Natalia, and Adam remember their early service-related experiences... including participating in the school’s YSOP overnight trip to hand out sandwiches to the homeless.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUNRISE ASSOCIATION

Evan ‘91 and his wife Michele at a recent Sunrise Day Camp Planting Day service project.

sandwiches to the homeless. “Seeing first-hand the struggle that homeless people have to face while we were living comfortable lives without having to worry about where our next meal would come from made a lasting impression on us,” Natalia said. “Participating in this overnight trip as a grade made it that much more meaningful as it created a bond among our classmates that we may not have otherwise had.”

As parents, the four alumni and their families have taken part in FA’s sandwich-making activity, bringing in ingredients and assembling sandwiches for people in need.

Decorating the Mitten Tree in the Lower School with hats, mittens, and scarves, and donating food and helping sort various items for Gideon’s Attic were other service opportunities for families.

FA helped plant the seed of volunteerism in these families and

Sunrise is one of several causes that the families support. “Service has become a part of who we are as a family,” said Natalia, “whether it is for Sunrise or for another charitable organization that is meaningful to us.”

Michele and Evan Cagner ‘91 and their daughter Jordyn ‘21, Nishat ‘98 and Franki Doshi, and Natalia ‘93 and Adam Good ‘93 with other Friends Academy parents at Sunrise Day Camp during a recent service project.

Natalia ‘93 and Adam Good ‘93 at a recent fundraiser for the Sunrise Association

Inspired by the challenges of campers, alum mounts Everest-like climb

By Elizabeth Siris Winchester

In August, Evan Cagner ’91 completed his greatest challenge yet. Evan conquered a challenge called Everesting, which is climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest—29,029 vertical feet. With a group of 200 people, Evan climbed Snowbasin Mountain in Utah 13 times within the set 36-hour time period to achieve that distance, with the larger goal of helping to raise money to send children with cancer and their siblings to Sunrise Day Camps.

“I always like challenges,” said Evan, “and I felt that this climb and challenge should be for a bigger purpose than just climbing a mountain.”

Evan Cagner ‘91 after “Everesting” Snowbasin Mountain in Utah – 29,029 feet over 36 hours.

I always like challenges and I felt that this climb and challenge should be for a bigger purpose than just climbing a mountain.

’91

SPOTLIGHT

AMBER ASHLEY PARKER ’05

QUAKER PRINCIPLES FOR DIFFICULT TIMES

By Laura Schoeffel P ’17, ’20, ’22

Amber Ashley Parker has long appreciated the Quaker principles that underpin her education. For her, it was a continuum of the Christian principles she was raised with, and very much aligned with her family’s ideals. “To this day, these principles guide how I operate in the world with people, academically, and in business.”

When the country was roiling in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in 2020, Friends Academy was experiencing a reckoning of its own. For Parker, it was an affront to the school she loved, and an opportunity. It began with a memorial posted on the school’s social media page, a well-meaning gesture which, in her view, struck the wrong chord. “This felt like virtue

Amber Ashley Parker (bottom row, second from left, in yellow) with members of her family.

To this day, these principles guide how I operate in the world with people, academically, and in business.

signaling,” says Parker, and not a meaningful response to police violence that had taken the lives of so many, even right here in our own Long Island backyard. She wondered why not memorialize those closer to home, or honor those who fight for social justice every day. “But it was the comments posted afterward [on social media pages],” she says, “that really rocked my world. I thought: Oh No! Not my Friends Academy!”

Coming from a place of deep faith and love for her school, Parker believed that this moment deserved a better response, both from “her” Friends Academy, and from the community as a whole. “What I read in those comments and what I realized is that some of the things that were done to people stayed with them. And I don’t want these things to stay with them in the wrong way. We can’t erase it, or pretend it didn’t happen, but there is such a thing as redirecting it and moving on, and moving on better.” Her response: “You got me back. I want to help.”

Amber is a realist, acknowledging that she also “got down in the mud, in the social media weeds, to sift through.” She understands people are coming from different places and emotions run high. “Even if my experiences at Friends Academy may not emulate some of the more negative accounts, I had to be involved [in the response] and bring a positive viewpoint.”

The beginning of BAFA

Thus BAFA (BIPOC Association of Friends Academy) was formed. “I got involved in BAFA because I am very protective of Friends Academy,” says Parker. Working with other Alumni, the administration, and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Camille S. Edwards, Parker envisions BAFA as a way forward, using Quaker principles as a guide: “We have the tools,” she says, “Friends Academy is too smart to get down in the mud and, let me be frank, in the misinformed trends that are going on out there. We are better than that.”

With a lot of hard work on the part of the school, the community and BAFA, there is a sense that civil discourse based on our Quaker principles is indeed the way forward, and progress has been made. For Parker, this is only the beginning of what is possible. She envisions BAFA being a force for good for all students, and wants to be instrumental in launching a mentorship program that will partner Friends Academy

Top: Meeting President Bill Clinton; middle, Amber with her mother following graduation; bottom, Amber with friends

students with alumni who will help them navigate the waters of college and careers, creating a robust network that will benefit the wider Friends Academy family. “I am committed to leading this effort and I want it open for everyone.”

Friends Academy roots

Parker’s love for the school runs deep. She has been an active alumna since graduating in 2006, serving on the 10-year strategic planning board. “I loved my time at Friends, and it is where I made some of my life-long friends.” Arriving in ninth grade, she played varsity softball and junior varsity soccer, and ended up captain of the golf team; and she excelled academically. “I loved English with Mr. Crocco, History with Mr. Lape, and, of course, Mr. Dugger,” who, it turns out, is a distant cousin.

Fascinated as a child by the ethical

questions surrounding the cloning of Dolly the sheep, and channeled toward medicine at a young age by her family, Parker studied Bioethics, Health Care Management, and Biological Basis of Behavior as an

undergraduate at the College of Arts & Sciences and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Landing a plum job in the Division of Medical Genetics at Penn, at age 21, working on a study for the National Institute of Health on aortic aneurysms and genetic conditions impacting cardiovascular health.

This was a big break for Parker. She knew she wanted to work in her field before returning to medical school, and here she was surrounded by all the big names in bioethics and genetics: “Penn is the Mecca for bioethics” and this was the kind of work she wanted to do. Inspired by this experience, Parker went on to complete her Master of Bioethics at the Perelman School of Medicine at Penn, while also working at Children’s

Amber and her mother

Hospital of Philadelphia within their Office of Research Compliance. These days, Parker is full sail ahead on her dream of changing the ethical culture in U.S. healthcare policy, simultaneously pursuing her MD at Saint James School of Medicine in Anguilla, and her Ph.D in Health Policy from Walden University. She says she pays the bills by continuing to run her consulting firm, A Game Solutions, which she founded almost four years ago. How does she manage everything on her plate? “I just got to do it,” Parker says, wrangling her two foster Anguilla island puppies in the background of the conversation.

Changing the systems of health care

What excites Parker most about her next steps is 1) “Finishing school!” And 2) “Just realizing the impact that I can have in the world” as a doctor and improving the approaches in US health policy, particularly in the area of non-immigrant medicine. “Where some see their version of diversity, I see erasure,” says Parker. “This is a weak link in our healthcare system, which requires a more trans-disciplinary approach.” Her dream is to found an institute for research and policy implementation on non-immigrant (Black American descendants of enslaved people and Native Americans) medicine.

When asked what helped determine her path since graduating from Friends Academy, she laughs, replying that it was determined long ago when she was two years old. “My mother told me I could be a physician or an attorney. I chose medicine as a career because that was what interested me most, even then.”

Amber, with one of her best friends in the whole world.

Where some see their version of diversity, I see erasure. This is a weak link in our healthcare system, which requires a more trans-disciplinary approach.

1942

Helen Crafts Price

173 Ocean Pines Terrace Jupiter, FL 33477 (561) 744-8298 friscomaru1@aol.com

1950

Suzanne Didier DeVito

100 Bay Place, Apt. 1202 Oakland, CA 94610 (212) 627-7103 nicole@nicoledevito.com

1951

George H. Gifford, Jr.

12 Oak Ridge Road Stony Brook, NY 11790-2011 (631) 751-7489 georgegifford@danielgale.com

1952

Margaret Whitney Shiels

5427 FM 2515

Kaufman, TX 75142 (972) 962-8124 mspaumanok@aol.com

1953

Stephen Fisher

P.O. Box 26 Rhinebeck, NY 12572 (845) 876-3242 SGF0077@aol.com

1955

Naomi Johnson Dempsey

69 Webster Point Road Madison, CT 06443 (203) 245-7617 naomi.dempsey100@gmail.com

Arthur M. Geoffrion

322-24th Street

Santa Monica, CA 90402 (310) 394-0185

ageoffri@ucla.edu

Happy 100th Birthday!

We are thrilled to wish happy birthday to alumni Florence Milyko Skinner and Joanne Tuthill Munhofen, both from the Class of 1940!

in 1940

Thank you to Ward Burian ’54, who met Joanne through a mutual friend and is now in touch with Florence. Look for an article from Ward in the next issue.

Herb Cares is doing fine, still sees office patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, and recently offered some excellent advice to Art Geoffrion on a medical issue. Anne de Contades d’Ornano is doing well and sends her greetings across the ocean to all. Connie Eadie and Mike Hellman are still living in beautiful Hilton Head, though COVID-19 has turned many homes into rentals. They sold their home and are currently doing a total renovation of a cottage with a great view in a retirement neighborhood. A lot of work now, but it will be perfect for their future needs. Their children have been a great help. They are extremely grateful for their children, grandchildren, and many friends as well as for growing up in the best of times. Peggy Eagan Alley’s new work of historical fiction, Sunrise on Mannahatta, has now been published. It is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback. Mary Foster Anderson enjoyed visiting her son and family in New Jersey in July, and right after the bad hurricane in September, she visited her daughter’s family in their new house in Jacksonville, FL. Mary has eight grandchildren in college or graduated. Art Geoffrion is doing fine and continues to limit his travel, although he did make it to Austin in May to attend the graduation of his two Colorado grandsons from UT Austin. He ventures back to concert halls on occasion and continues to enjoy his longstanding interests. Stephie Giardino Dobrinin is still healthy and enjoying

life. She had a good year, including a wonderful trip to France in April to visit a grandson and his three young children, and a trip to Shelter Island, NY, in July for the marriage of her other grandson Kevin. TJ Jackson is still his ebullient self and continues to enjoy trading stocks. Living on Long Island Sound is lovely but can be frustrating when your beach sand is taken away by the tides, and the neighborhood stairs down the sea wall are no longer useful, which was the case this spring for Naomi Johnson Dempsey/Denslow and Clark. Fortunately, enough sand returned by early July to normalize their access. About those paper masks we’ve all been wearing for a couple of years now: Naomi found that they help a lot with her allergies. One of her granddaughters is a sophomore at University of Delaware, and her other two are in high school. Joan Konvalinka Hawkins and George ’54, having sold their business in 2016, are now selling their commercial property. But they are remaining in their lovely homestead in Glen Cove. Both Joanna Miller Jacobus and her husband, Lee, had COVID-19 in August – fortunately mild. Like so many of us, they haven’t ventured very far from home lately. Lucia Hazel Millham is enjoying life and keeping busy, recently by going to the bicentennial art exhibition at Bowdoin College with a group of friends. Quin Munson is dealing with some health problems, but is doing OK in Manchester, NH. Owen Smith isn’t traveling much these days

Florence

Joanne in 1940, and today!

and is working with a physical therapist to improve his mobility. Mike Volow was recently hospitalized with a broken pelvis from a fall, but his wife, Becci, is doing well. Diane Wilkinson Browne lives in Cottonwood, AZ, having sold her Centerport house last year. Her son and his partner have moved down from Oregon to be near her.

1959

David Seeler Bayberry, P.O. Box 711 Amagansett, NY 11930 (631) 537-3717 dseeler@thebayberry.com

Wendy Stone just won the Arizona Senior Golf Championship for 80+ years (called Legends Turned 80). She complains that Arizona is getting more and more crowded. She adopts Humane Society rescue dogs and remarks that “Life is good.” Gerry Bocian is selling his clinical research business. Gerry has had numerous occupations – chemist, consumer banking, Pepsi, management consulting, and finally clinical research. While doing all of the above, he also did competition horseback riding and marathon running. Jim Sykes celebrated his 80th by treating his entire family to a holiday in Bermuda. Judy Reeve retired from her garden design business but still helps with park design in downtown Hanover. Her husband, Ken, retired after 40 years of teaching at Dartmouth. After 50 years in the same location, John Wenger and his wife, Sally, just moved from Highland Park to Lincolnshire Park, IL, to an independent living space called Sedgebrook. Luckily, they left a few days before the July 4th parade. At the parade, a nut shot at the crowd, killing seven and wounding 48. John still plays tennis four or five days a week. He still works on mathematical proofs. He hopes to make new discoveries. His new address is 830 Audubon Way, Apt. 118, Lincolnshire, IL 60069. Tom Carter is traveling cross country to visit friends from his Peace Corp days in India. He will meet his daughter,

Archana; load up the remains of his furniture; and travel cross country with her to his new home in Los Angeles. He insists that we have a reunion while we are still physically and mentally sound (might be too late, Tom). Bob Pickles is retired but works two days a week in a clinic for uninsured people. His son is employed with a hedge fund; his daughter is an M.D. in North Carolina; and his other son is in the computer world. Bob now has a summer home in Hilton Head. David Seeler: I still work at The Bayberry in Amagansett, designing gardens and helping my wife with her real estate empire in Sagaponack. I am starting to sell some of my real estate in Amagansett, behind my nursery (my retirement fund). Last summer, Ngaere and I escaped to England for two weeks of opera at Glyndebourn and Garsington.

1960

Bob Powell 5344 Reasor Court Virginia Beach, VA 23464 (804) 523-6648 vigihawk@gmail.com

1961

Park Benjamin, III P.O. Box 368 Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 922-9537

pbenjamin3@optimum.net

1962

Andrew Merton 11 Gerrish Drive Durham, NH 03824 (603) 868-7256

andrew.merton@unh.edu

Randi Reeve Filoon

10 Longwood Drive, Unit 248 Westwood, MA 02090

filoons@yahoo.com

Randi Reeve Filoon: Our news is that we have left Sun Valley after 22

wonderful years in big mountain and river country. We have moved back East and will split our time between Cape Cod and Westwood, MA. We are loving being back here in the fall, seeing old friends, watching our 8- and 12-year-old grandchildren play sports and experiencing the wild colors of New England! Our youngest son and his family are nearby in Wellesley, but we still have two families on the West Coast, so visiting with them will be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, one San Francisco grandchild is in his first year at Proctor Academy in New Hampshire, and a granddaughter will be at Dartmouth next year, so that is something to really look forward to. Fred and I continue to be blessed with good health. We definitely have some aches and pains and joint replacements, but that has allowed us to stay mobile! We had a great cruise to Scandinavia and the Baltic with Viking in May. And we’re hoping to do another cruise starting In Istanbul and winding up in Venice next May. There is still so much to see and learn about. Randi adds: Nancy Moran is winning all kinds of accolades and ribbons for her black Lab in field trials in Texas. Sandi Holland is still living in Nantucket and loving it. She took her last sail on the Impala in the Mediterranean with her partner in life, Alfie Sanford, who then sailed the boat across the Atlantic and back to the States. She has become a very happy camper on a sailboat! Chip Malcolm is now retired from his many years as an OB-GYN in Middlebury, VT, and is enjoying his growing family and more free time. He and his wife, Nancy, are quite the opera buffs! Andy Merton: As for me, Gail and I are enjoying retirement in New Hampshire. Gail, a soprano in the North Berwick, ME, community chorus, fulfilled a dream last summer when the group sang as part of a concert in Carnegie Hall. Our daughter, Rachel, along with her husband, Matt, and our grandson, Kirby, now four, moved recently from North Carlina to Massachusetts where Rachel is an orthopedic nurse practitioner at the Lahey Clinic. They’re only an hour’s drive from us now.

1962-1968…

Meanwhile, our son, Gabe, has moved to Pasadena, CA, where he’s part of a team at Amazon working on developing a quantum computer – apparently the next big thing.

1963

Paula E. Howe

4914 Eigel Street Houston, TX 77007 (832) 364-8325 phowe0612@comcast.net

1964

Lesley Birkett Jacobs 274 Sherwood Drive Bradenton, FL 34210 (516) 676-3231 LesleyJ3@aol.com

1965

Robert D. Tilden 3640 CR 16

Montour Falls, NY 14865 (607) 535-2217 rdtilden@yahoo.com

1966

Helen Lotowycz Rising

2 East Boat House Lane Bay Shore, NY 11706 (631) 666-0135 HRising@aol.com

Clint Bush just returned home after a five-day cruise from Newport, RI, to New York Harbor crewing aboard the sloop of an old college roommate. Stops at Mystic Seaport, Port Jefferson, Oyster Bay, Manhasset Bay, and concluding with a passage down the East River and docking near Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Good sailing and good fun. From Dave Gallagher: Just yesterday I had lunch with Chris Lockwood and Jim March (‘67). We try to do that every year or two when Chris is in from California. The three of us went through college together.as well. I asked Chris if he had anything of note to pass

on to you for The Meeting House, but alas. Nothing. Betsy Gordon Kirk and her husband Cary have spent a relaxing summer in the Poconos on the Leigh River. Betsy and some friends from Asheville area off to Ireland this fall trip. Brandt and I as well as my sister-in-law Sally Rising Dean Cclass of 1968) spend three winter months in Islamorada, FL. For the past couple years we have travelled up to Key Biscayne for  lovely sails with Clint Bush on his 33’ Cape Cory. Look, we are all of us at an age when no news is good news. So, I guess you can’t expect much from our class any more. I’ve certainly got nothing new to report. Except that the three of us are doing well. But, thank you for the humorous emails which you send. I really enjoy them and pass them on to friends. The Julie Andrews was hilarious. And thank you for fifty-plus years of trying to keep us connected. I think of my classmates more and more often these days, and always with great fondness. Thank you, Sandy.

1967

Sherry Lyon Emmanuel

620 Rowley Lane South Londonderry, VT 05155 slemmanuel49@gmail.com

1968

Anne Maher

7111 Sycamore Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 (301) 332-1819 amaher@kkblaw.com

Thanks to all who all sent in your thoughts and updates. I am grateful to all of you who are reaching out to make a difference! The class of ’68 has been busy! Cliff Dasco and Sheri continue to work full-time remotely from the Maine Coast. Cliff’s lab at Baylor has made a discovery that has some real promise against a broad variety of cancers and has formed a company where Ciiff is the chief medical officer, planning clinical trials, working with the regulatory agencies, and, of course, raising money.

He continues to work with a free clinic which involves work in local politics and research in remote sensing for chronic disease care. Sherri continues in her law firm practice. Cliff writes: “Our kids continue to do well. My son is now chair of the department of global health and emerging diseases at the University of Texas in Galveston. My dermatologist daughter in the Dallas area is expecting her 4th (!) in January, and my software daughter in the Bay Area is living the California life. All in all, I have no complaints other than the normal ravages of aging. Many best wishes to our classmates as we all enter the next chapter.” Karin Neilson is a Regent with the Big Horn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and offers this advice: “Volunteer in any way you know you can make a difference. It’s time to give back. We owe at least that much to the efforts of the patriots who sacrificed their lives and fortunes in the formation of this country.” After 43 years, Janice Gatty has stopped teaching at Smith College, but continues with consulting work at the Clarke School for the Deaf, as well as other projects. She writes that “academics never really retire (which is embedded in the term (emeriti). With more time, they continue to do what they have enjoyed doing most in their career without professional recognition.” Greg Tarone is enjoying his new home in the little colonial town of Brookfield, CT which, although secluded, is very convenient to work and other activities. He joined the Brookfield Lions Club and discovered marvelous people who serve others through their unselfish volunteering. His law practice continues to focus on athletes and their rights, and he recently won an appeal in the Title IX and constitutional case which could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to pro bono legal work, he enjoys commercial real estate work. He has begun playing pickle ball, which he highly recommends for fun and socializing. As to Lesley’s tennis pavilion, which Greg has so generously taken the lead on, we have a general design that

is acceptable to the school but cannot proceed until the new campus master plan is finished because the existing tennis courts will likely be relocated. He will keep us posted. Thanks Greg! Paul Hand reports that he and Bunny are well and trying to stay healthy. After suffering for 40+ years with lower back pain Paul had “endoscopic rhizotomy surgery” on his lower spine and “can now actually walk like he was 30 again.” Now he needs a right shoulder replacement due to a massive tear in his rotator cuff and upper bicep (“Don’t ask how,” he begs!). Daughter Erika is the Dean of Student Special Ed Services at ASU and is now responsible for 5 elementary schools in the Phoenix district. She recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a MA of Education Administration! (“On an even more positive note she paid for it!!!!”) Daughter, Rebecca, was promoted to Senior Records Analyst at Mesa Airlines in Phoenix and volunteers her time at the local Moose Lodge. The Hands live at the base of South Mountain in Phoenix with lots of hiking trails. They love Arizona and continue their volunteer passion of feeding the homeless, through their church with the help of their daughters, friends and neighbors. Steve Tilden has continued to engage us all with his brilliant insights and beautiful writing. So many classmates have expressed their appreciation for his insightful and entertaining emails. Kudos to Steve for keeping our conversations going! Willie Merriken still enjoys working FT. He is trying to slow down and travel more, especially to the National Parks. He now sports a titanium right hip and is on schedule for a normal recovery. He and Louise celebrated 48 (!!!) years together last August and have 9 grandkids ages 16-5. “Looking forward to our 55th reunion next year!! Life is good!!” Bob Piro had big news: he and Mary sold their 110-acre Vermont horse farm and have downsized to a 4-acre property in Boxford, MA, close to their daughters. They have settled in nicely with two horses, two dogs and two cats. Bob

writes how proud they were of their farm and pleased to sell it to longstanding friends (one a former employee and horse trainer) who, he says, were the perfect team to take over their operation, and keep the legacy they built. In other news from Vermont, 2022 was a rough year for Johnny Malcolm, despite the fact that he expected the year be a good one “since 22 was my favorite number and also my football jersey number. In May I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer of bone marrow. New treatments are effective … in many cases it can be manageable for years.” After the treatments, he regained his strength, but in early October, while dismounting from his tractor, he broke both legs badly and needed extensive surgery and rehab. He reminds us to “cherish each step ahead.” We’re rooting for you Johnny! Sue Norton wrote: “As you know my husband Jay passed away in January, so we’ve been struggling with that. However, as a result I have started my own company Ambrus Consulting doing the same thing Jay and I did. I’m now working with an architect friend so things have been busy. I guess I’m not one to retire. Jared, Anna and Ambrus are coming from Hungary to spend Christmas. They’ll be here for about 1 month so it will be wonderful to get to see them (especially Ambrus) for a long visit. My daughter, Meagan, started a new job as a teacher at Jewish Montessori school which she is loving and it’s only a bike ride from the house.” Jim Evans who has made a new life in Southern Florida with his partner, Alex:

“We have met many new people and for the first time since I left Long Island in 1990 I (we) have wonderful friends in our 55+ community. After 17 years living in the mountains of Utah, I am happy to leave the cold and snow behind. Nothing like wearing shorts in the middle of the winter! If any of you are traveling my direction, I would love to host you at our place!” Mary Watkins shared some very interesting and unexpected news: “I attended Quaker meetings after Friends Academy and formally became a Quaker about 25 years after graduating from Friends. I had no idea that I have Quaker ancestors on both sides of my family. I am involved in a process of reparative genealogy or anti-racist genealogy, tracking my ancestors who were involved in slave holding and making reparations. To my great surprise, I have discovered that my early ancestors to the US were Quakers and they owned enslaved people. I am spending the autumn in New York and Philadelphia studying Quakers from 1660-1760 re slavery. During this period MANY Quakers owned slaves in Barbados, Virginia, the Carolinas, and, even, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I am trying to track how Quakers deflected efforts of abolition for one hundred years. We are mainly aware of Quakers taking the forefront of the abolition movement. This was not true for 100 years. Feel free to write me if you are interested (watkinsmarym@gmail. com). As for me (Anne), I am (finally) stepping away from my law practice and enjoying volunteer work, family time, book clubs and exercise. I am looking forward to a bike/barge trip in the Netherlands during tulip season and (hopefully) a trip to Alaska in August. Sending love and best wishes for 2023! I’m grateful for all of you, and more specifically as Janice stated: “I am grateful to Steve Tilden for his epistolary fluency, his ability to listen, comment and speak on behalf of many; to Johnny for sharing his story with us with its vulnerability, courage and hope. He continues to show us how to live life

Class of 1968 Lamp Yearbook

1968-1972…

with grace, gratitude, courage and love; to Bob Piro for showing us how to live, love and let go with intention and style; to Lesley who kept us together and connected during her life and is managing to do that even in her passing. It’s a tribute to her love and sense of community; and to contributing class members who continue in their commitment to make the world a better place and remind us of our role in doing the same.”

1969

Jane Forelle Casey

49 Bay Drive Annapolis, MD 21403 (203) 570-1866 rjntkc@gmail.com

1970

Deborah Gianelli

361 Claremont Ave Apt 11 Montclair, NJ 07042 deborahgianelli@gmail.com

1971

David Cressey

239 Johnson Road Holbrook, PA 15341 (724) 447-2323 ddcressey23@gmail.com

Angela Manno

22 E Village Drive Burlington, VT 05401 amanno@angelamanno.com

1972

Karen Spero Albers

2513 Harris Avenue Richland, WA 99354 (509) 375-5356 klalbers@charter.net

The View From Friends After Fifty Years – A class and some of its faculty take stock of the time passed (by Matthew Stevenson, Karen Spero Albers, and Masha Sampsidis Slobodskoy).

Matthew Stevenson: I am not exactly sure of the numbers, but about 20 members of the class of 1972 (plus some brave spouses) showed up for our 50th reunion (splendidly organized by Karen Spero Albers and Masha Sampsidis Slobodskoy), which unfolded over three days in late September/ early October 2022 at the Glen Cove Hotel (aka The Mansion) and on the burgeoning Friends campus (the past isn’t what it used to be). As I am cultivating eccentricity, I flew from our house in Switzerland to Long Island via Casablanca and Morocco, and then, after a short night’s sleep, rode a borrowed bicycle across Brooklyn and Queens to the F. Scott Fitzgerald-era hotel (thinking of the last lines in The Great Gatsby: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”). John McGrane hosted the arrival get-together pizza party on Friday night, and during the course of the evening, classmates wandered into his elegant garden as if it were an FA party circa 1972 (when Jeremiah was a bullfrog). Earlier than some of us might have liked was the Saturday morning gathering at the Meeting House, when many recalled those classmates who are no longer with us. It was just our class aligned on the gray facing

benches, but Marty Jacobson was there facing us – the perfect proxy for all faculty members, living and dead, who were very much on our minds during the hour of quiet reflection and shared spoken memories. Generously, Friends Academy and its Head of School, the engaging Andrea Kelly, put on a reunion luncheon for our class in what is called Jackson House (as I said, the campus spills out in many directions). The honored guest was Miss Roosevelt, who beamed with appreciation that so many of her former students came forward with greetings (not to mention the few who promised to finish reading The Grapes of Wrath by – “at the latest” – next week). Remnants of Hurricane Ian washed out much of the Fall Fair, although there was face painting and a bake sale in the new-to-me field house. Our class took a walking tour of the school, and it was like Greek archaeologists wandering around the palace of Knossos, trying to work out the coordinates of earlier lives (“I’m pretty sure the junior lounge was about here...”). The farewell took place over two elegant meals – a class dinner at the Glen Head home of Masha Sampsidis Slobodskoy and her husband, Alex, and a brunch the following morning that sprang up in the hotel dining room, where everyone

Coach Jacobson and his boys – Maurice Kerins, Kevin Glynn, Jim Neville, and Matthew Stevenson

came to say a last goodbye. I don’t think anyone wanted the weekend to end, not until one more joke was exchanged or one more memory was shared –anything to keep us all afloat on those currents that have kept us afloat all these years. Karen Spero Albers: I sat with my classmates in Quaker Meeting, gazing around the room at the familiar setting, overwhelmed by a deluge of memories. It has been 50 years since we attended morning assembly and listened to John Mankiewicz regaling us on the piano with his rendition of the Beatles’ “Help.” Fifty years since that fated Halloween when the Commandos (Gerry Keefe, Larry Mauer, Larry Mincer, Kevin Glynn, Ken MacHarg, Matt Stevenson, Jim Neville, Jonathan Rapp, Diane Zerillo Ryan, Bill Finlayson, Bruce Hawkins, etc.) terrorized Locust Valley in their Jeeps, crashed morning assembly, and later held Mr. Lewis hostage. Fifty years since we wrestled and played field hockey (our team was undefeated), tennis, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, track. Fifty years since we last sang a cappella with Mr. O’Hanlon on the Meeting House steps. Fifty years since we last performed on stage in the girls’ gym. (Who could forget Threepenny Opera, Ondine, and Peer Gynt?) Fifty years since we took SATs/Advanced Placement exams,

applied to colleges. Fifty years since graduation when we listened to Mr. Erickson one last time deliver an inspirational speech to send us on to the next chapter of our lives. But thankfully, that wasn’t the end. Fortunately, over the years, our class always managed to find an excuse to get together, whether it was at the designated reunion intervals (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50) or just odd years in between. Often the FA Fall Fair was the gathering place where we wandered around the campus in awe of the changes and rooted for the field hockey and football teams. But we also found that Jim Kane’s family beach house provided an ideal and fun location to meet. In our time-honored tradition at our 50th reunion, we shared many funny stories and anecdotes of days gone by, but we also grieved together for the classmates who have passed away. At Quaker Meeting, we said our goodbyes to Maureen Reid, John Kelly, Tom Pesiri, Harry Olander, Ken MacHarg, Lelly Bush-Brown Gimbel, Augie Mariani, Rekha Desai, and Gerry Keefe. I might add that it’s also a special treat when a “lost” classmate has been found, as was the case this year with Jeff Jordan and Courtney Stadd! Jeff and his lovely wife, Carol, attended our reunion. It was a highlight to see Jeff and Bill Finlayson discussing the Civil War, like two long-lost cronies comparing battlefield strategies. A special thank you to Jan Klocke Sullivan, Melinda Abood, and Van

Stogner for joining us at our Golden Jubilee reunion celebration. I hope you came away with ideas to plan your 50th reunion next year. It was the most perfect weekend. Masha Sampsidis Slobodskoy: It was wonderful to reconnect with a good number of classmates at our recent Friends Academy 50th reunion for the class of 1972. So many have maintained lifelong friendships, and some were rekindled over the days of our gathering. Of the classmates who came to the reunion, four of us – Karen Hohner, Amelia Erickson, Maurice Kerins, and I – had attended Lower School. Touring our former school, which has been completely transformed, brought back specific memories from our years there in the early ’60s. Seeing the spot where our third-grade classroom was located in 1962 inevitably reminded us how our class had been allowed to create a solar system room in the attic of the Upper School. The walls had been covered in tar paper, and several times a week our class would take the walk across campus to the Upper School and paint stars on the walls. We made papier mâché planets, moons, and the sun and suspended them from the ceiling. This was truly experiential learning at its best! That same year, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, we had drills in which we would go to the lower level of the building and sit on the floor in the hallway with our hands over our heads

Jonathan Rapp, Masha Sampsidis Slobodskoy, and George Baird

Bill Finlayson, Carol & Jeff Jordan

Jamie Bergford, Jane and Larry Mincer, Alice Adelson Seidenberg

to protect us from a possible nuclear attack. Each generation of school children has its own challenges, but fortunately, we all benefited from many positive and incredible learning experiences that stayed with us throughout our lives. The variety of memories that everyone has from our days in Upper School never ceases to amaze me, and there is so much that binds us. A common thread many remarked upon at the reunion was the personal relationships we had with our teachers, coaches, drama directors, club advisors, choir director, and other mentors. Over the course of the events of our reunion weekend, we remembered the great literature we read; themes we wrote; math and science concepts we investigated; the foreign languages we studied; and historical, political, social, and philosophical ideas we discussed. We reminisced about our drama productions, sporting events, championship games, concerts, socializing and studying in the junior and senior lounges, field days, pranks, community service on the first Earth Day in 1970, gatherings at our teachers’ homes, and the memorable visit of Robert F. Kennedy. Just as we did every Thursday throughout our days at Friends, on the morning of the Fall Fair, we walked down the brick pathway to Quaker Meeting where we recalled our classmates and teachers who had passed away. We sat in the familiar silence and remembered the world of the 1960s and ’70s and thought about

the tremendous changes we have witnessed in the last 50 years. We reflected on the joys and hardships we have faced in our lives, and, with much gratitude and some nostalgia, we recollected our days at Friends. Jim Neville: The gatherings of classmates from the Class of 1972 were magical and very satisfying. I had one foot in the past, the other in the present. There was some good fun reminiscing and catching up with old buddies after 50 years (which passed in a flash!) and also learning interesting things about others with whom I communed very little during those long-ago days. Thank you, Coach Jacobson and Elizabeth Roosevelt, for honoring us with your grace and presence. Especially poignant was the Meeting for Worship where we remembered classmates, teachers, and coaches who had died – those valued folks who influenced, taught, nurtured, and held us (me) accountable. I thank John McGrane and Masha Sampsidis Slobodskoy for their kind and generous hospitality, and Karen Spero Albers, Jimmy Kane, Kevin Glynn, Clare Laemmle Bridge, and Jonathan Rapp for their beautiful efforts to bring this wonderful event to life. Much appreciation to Head of School Andrea Kelly who welcomed us warmly, and to

Joan Bruen, who sat next to my wife, Tayler, at the lovely luncheon and made Tayler feel right at home (and whose brother, Chris Kane, absolutely revolutionized the game of lacrosse!). Deep gratitude is what I feel most about my years at Friends Academy. Oh, how I wish I could now thank my parents for sending me to such a wonderful school. Continued good fortune to you, my friends. God bless you all! Jim Kane: Wow, such a fun 50th reunion! So much fun catching up with classmates and significant others in person and in the weeks leading up to our reunion by email from those unable to attend. Our Quaker Meeting was special as we spent time reflecting on the past 50 years, the meaning of friends and Friends, and recognizing those who are no longer with us. A fun factoid (as our class hero Karen Spero Albers would say) is that Bill Finlayson and I have known each other the longest of all our classmates (except, of course, the Bush-Brown twins), as our moms had adjacent rooms at Glen Cove Hospital and put “just days-old Billy and Jimmy” in the same bassinet while they enjoyed a smoke. I seem to remember Billy trying to poke me in the eye (haha). We already have some preliminary thoughts on our 55th,

Former History teacher Elizabeth Roosevelt and Alice Adelson Seidenberg

Karen Spero Albers, Jeff & Carol Jordan

perhaps a summer return to the Kane beach house or a dinner/cocktail event at the very nice and new Barney’s Corner back function/patio set-up. Stay tuned. Kevin Glynn: I remember going to the Fall Fair in 1971 when I was a starry-eyed senior. I remember seeing a group of people walking, much like we just did, towards this Meeting House. They seemed antediluvian. When I learned they were here for their 50th reunion, I thought about what they must have lived through: the excitement of The Roaring ’20s, the shock of the Crash, the Great Depression, the War, the Cold War, landing on the moon... and yet, they endured. So now the wheel has turned. Some students, perhaps starry-eyed as well, may have seen us walking here and thought: “I wonder what happened to them?” We too could tell them quite a story! We have lived, loved, and endured much ourselves. And so will they. Then it will be their turn to walk down that path to this place to be among friends once more. Robbie Thomas could not attend but wrote: My most enjoyable years of teaching were the six I spent at Friends Academy. Your class was my last year at FA, and I have fond memories of you and many of your classmates. I hope you get a good turnout. My best to you all. Harry Shaw sent regrets, writing: It would be good to see the members of your class. I retain vivid memories of them and of my three years at Friends. They were golden times. I feel fortunate to have begun

teaching at such an energetic, humane school with students who treated each other well and cared about learning. Last spring, I retired after serving as a professor of English at Cornell for 43 years. I’ve been exceedingly fortunate in my teaching career, beginning with Friends. My very best to you and your classmates. I hope you are well and happy. Should you or any of your classmates find themselves in centrally isolated Ithaca, NY, do let me know. Lewis Hitzrot, chemistry teacher extraordinaire, wrote: Thanks so much for the invitation to your reunion and kind note. Sadly, I won’t be able to make it, but please pass on greetings from me to all your classmates. I thoroughly enjoyed my years at Friends and have fond memories of all the great kids I taught there. I regret that I won’t be able to get back to your reunion. It’s always a treat for a teacher to catch up with former students.Dexter Lewis had another obligation, but he wrote: “It was so good to hear from you after all these years. Friends was my start in education and has a special place in my heart. I joined Friends in 1966 with a host of new people.“My memories of the school, the faculty and you people are vivid. Ted Withington hired me as a completely new teacher with no experience and moved me into a leadership position in two short years. Since Friends I have headed five schools (Hamburg, Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, the Harley School, Washington

International School) and been an educational consultant. Friends was my start on this odyssey, and I am forever grateful. Over the years we stayed in close touch with Robbie and Becky Thomas, and with Roger Erickson, Karl Garlid and Lila Gordon (who are no longer with us), as well as Lew Hitzrot, Peggy Brucia and many, many others that I am sure you all remember fondly. “Dawn and I are in a retirement community in Middlebury, Vermont and have one son and grandchildren nearby. At 88, I still play reasonable tennis and try to keep things together. “So, class of 1972, I regret I cannot make it, but wish you all a wonderful and memorable reunion. With best wishes to all...” Maurice A. Kerins III: Some say that one can never return home again. And, in terms of buildings, classrooms, labs, its gyms, and its theater, Friends Academy has changed so dramatically, it is difficult to place the events in one’s memory in this new place. Fifty years will do that. I have many early remembrances of my 13 years at Friends, the first in the spring of 1959 on my first visit to the then-Lower School and my kindergarten interview. Whatever they asked me has been long forgotten. And yet, the moment we sat down in the Meeting House on Saturday morning, I started to feel at home again, flooded with memories of weekly Quaker meetings with those same people and so many others, stirred by the testimonies of my

John McGrane and Jim Kane

Cheryl Larimer Arnedo and Alice Adelson Seidenberg

Masha Sampsidis Slobodskoy and Amelia Erickson

1972-1973…

former classmates and the tributes to those we had lost over the intervening years. Although we were all saddened that so many of our former teachers were unable to attend, Coach Martin Jacobson did a more than admirable job standing in for the wonderful cohort of teachers – some only ten years our senior – who started teaching in our seventh and eighth grade years. Personally, I owe much to Marty, not the least of which was my avoiding the certain ignominy I would have faced had I not wrestled and had attempted to play basketball instead. The gathering of friends, the recollections of a shared experience, the uniform gratitude of having gained a wonderful education in a unique time and place that allowed us to feel that we had indeed returned home. Karen Hohner: It was really great to see everyone — I think for the most part we’re all really quite well preserved! Thanks in great part to Karen Spero Albers, many of us have managed to stay in touch via Facebook, email, and Zoom, and with Jim Kane’s organizational help, we have gotten together on a regular basis over the last 50 years. It’s nice to see how some of the spouses have now also become honorary classmates, and I look forward to seeing them each time we get together. At our reunion this year, I was very moved by the Quaker Meeting for our class, just being in that space again, remembering our departed classmates, and voicing our appreciation for the teachers who did so much

to make us who we are today. It was really interesting to hear how much of an impact some of the teachers had on individual classmates. I particularly enjoyed the campus tour as well. The new buildings are very impressive, but what I liked most was revisiting some of our old haunts. This was especially true in the Middle School, where those of us who were Lifers at Friends tried to reconstruct where our Lower School classrooms had been and reminisced about our teachers. The tour brought back lots of good stories and memories. Jeff Jordan: I was among the “lost” alumni, having fallen out of touch many years ago. Maurice Kerins and Karen Spero Albers found me in connection with an intensive search for missing alumni prior to the 50th reunion. I was pleased and surprised to hear from them, and my questions quickly turned to the whereabouts of a number of classmates. I was dismayed to hear that a number of my classmates had passed away. As I reflected on this, it made me recognized how blessed we, the class members present at the reunion, are, to have spouses, children, grandchildren, fulfilling careers, and activities in our communities, which perhaps, our departed classmates may not have fully enjoyed. My heart is filled with gratitude for the many blessings I have enjoyed since my years at Friends and glad that the classmates present have shared similar experiences. I also approached the reunion with some trepidation. Having fallen out of touch, I had not

participated in any of the prior reunions, but the classmates present had participated in a number of prior reunions and had kept their relationships fresh. I was concerned that this would leave me the odd man out, but as it turned out, this could not have been further from the actual experience. I was warmly greeted by my classmates, and we spent much of our time together describing our experiences since graduation and generally bringing each other up to date. We shared many experiences in common and found that friendships established so many years ago were easily rekindled. My Friends’ classmates really are special people. I look forward to staying in touch from now on and sharing time together in the future. Finally, I took my own private tour of the campus. Though many things have changed, I found various spots that brought back a flood of memories, including the Meeting House, the basketball court, the grounds, and a few classrooms. I was glad to see that Friends continues to be the sort of school that I remembered, educating students to be intelligent and well-rounded and prepared to be capable members of their communities, the sort of people Friends can continue to be proud of. Jonathan Rapp: So 19 of our 56 classmates who remain on this side of the lawn attended our 50th reunion. A very good turnout by my estimation, although there are many more classmates I would like to have seen. Seems like we picked up right where we left off in 1972! No awkward moments and lots of laughter! We all looked pretty good, too, given that we are all fossils now! The most poignant and emotional moment, thus the most memorable event of the weekend, was our Meeting. About half of those who attended felt moved to speak. Alternating between some humorous moments, some sad moments in remembrance of our deceased classmates, and some truly heartwarming anecdotes of what FA meant to us. Some folks who never spoke at Meeting during their time at

Helen Glynn, Karen Hohner, Jim Kane

Matthew Stevenson, Maurice Kerins, Kevin Glynn

FA did so this time. One spouse of a classmate was so moved at our closeness and, understanding how important our FA experience was, spoke emotionally of how he wished he could have had such an experience and expressed how lucky we are to feel the way we do about that time in our lives. I was brought to tears several times, fortunately countered with some laughter. It may sound arrogant, but I feel that we did have a special class, and we can all thank FA and each other for that! Amelia Erickson: A highlight of the 50th reunion weekend at Friends Academy – besides seeing and interacting with old friends – was for me our Meeting for Worship. On a cool rainy Saturday morning, it was a warm embrace of memory. I was soon overwhelmed by a gratitude for my friends and the faculty who had shaped and strengthened me during those formative years. When in medical school I finally realized I was gay, I knew it was my truth and could proceed confidently into my future. I knew I would be okay because of the courage and sense of right instilled in me at Friends Academy. I had wanted to

1973

Jan Klocke O’Sullivan

546 N. Roast Meat Hill Road

Killingworth, CT 06419 (203) 710-4433

danjan85@aol.com

stand up and say this, but next I knew Jimmy was hugging me to signal the end of the Meeting. Had it gone on, I would have quoted Dr. Who:

Never be cruel.

Never be cowardly… Never give up. Never give in.

Remember, hate is always foolish, and love is always wise. Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind. Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind.

Love you all, and I hope to see each and every one of you at the next reunion! Karen Spero Albers: In closing, the class of 1972 did want to say to those classes behind us, whose own 50th reunions are fast approaching: Read the above memories and know that if you make the effort to “come back,” these, too, will be your own rewards.

Jan Klocke O’Sullivan: I have enjoyed being a fairly regular attendee at Fall Fair, but the one this past October, which celebrated the 50th reunion of the Class of ’72, was special. I treasured this opportunity to reconnect to many people who were in activities with me at Friends and whom I looked up to, especially as they were going through the college application process only a year before we would. Now it is our turn to plan our 50th reunion, and they have again been role models, having done it so well. I am excited for what lies ahead in the planning process and in the actual reunion to come. Van Stogner and Melinda Abood were also at Fall Fair, and we were all definitely taking notes! Melinda has enthusiastically agreed to help in organizing our reunion. For news, she adds that she has been a financial advisor for UBS for over 35 years and has two daughters that work in the tech industry. Susan Nappa Cocke is also looking forward to our reunion, writing: We are doing well in Bluffton, SC – a little over a year since we moved here. We are not sure where we will ultimately land, but for now, this is a nice transition in a lovely rental home. I go back and forth to Florida easily to see my mother who is doing well at 96! My husband, Phil, and I still work at our own businesses. Looking forward to our 50th reunion! Let’s try to get as many of us together next October! Kathy Neisloss Leventhal: Richard and I are currently at a conference in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain – what a fascinating part of the world. There is a positive energy from the massive construction projects all around that have shaped an architecturally stunning city in the desert. More impressive still, especially in a part of the globe rife with tension, is the

Class of 1972 Yearbook

1973-1974…

diversity of cultures that coexist in Dubai and Abu Dhabi regardless of race or religion and the negligible incidence of crime. Hats off to a society that is focused on a productive future and the belief that anything is possible. It is so gratifying to be traveling again. We still bounce between New Jersey, NYC, and San Francisco and visits with our four children and two grandsons. I am trying to ease my husband into a version of retirement, but that is almost impossible. It’s hard to keep track of what continent Beth Rose might be writing from, since she lives in New Zealand and might be teaching almost anywhere. She writes: Namaste! My big news is that, rather than retiring, I have started a new adventure, as a research chair professor at the Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIMU). I am thrilled about this on multiple levels. It allows me to spend time in India, which is my “happy place” (I really like wearing sarees!). Professionally, it is the most truly research-oriented place I have worked – many schools claim this, but IIMU really does it. This position also offers me the opportunity to make a difference, in terms of mentoring colleagues and Ph.D. students, and I really enjoy doing that. Jeff Hull can’t wait to see everyone next fall and writes: I am in my 23rd year teaching art at Longview High School, Longview, TX. Bonnie and I celebrated our 40th anniversary on October 9. Our youngest, Brandi, is getting married to Simon in November near Dallas, and my brother (Sandy Hull ’74) will be officiating. Our son, Chris, and his wife, Ashley, just celebrated their first anniversary, so all three kids are married, and we have three grandkids with our oldest daughter, Kim, and her husband, Will. Elaine Gould is still working full time as chair of radiology at Stony Brook University School of Medicine. She is still splitting her time between Oyster Bay and East Marion on Long Island and Block Island, RI. Her three children are all scattered, living in New York; Newport, RI; and California. Cliff Gardner: As for news, I am not

retired, still working full time as a criminal defense lawyer doing homicide defense, mostly capital cases. I have been lucky enough over the years to work on many fascinating cases, but that pesky attorney-client privilege makes writing a book out of the question. Doing a bit more traveling these days. Julie and I went on a hiking trip in the Alps in July 2021 and a bike trip in Scandinavia this past summer, and we are headed to Egypt next month. I was back in New York City recently and had a wonderful evening with Cille Koch Longshaw, who showed me around Roosevelt Island for the first time. Mark Howard wrote that he hasn’t retired yet and is committed to another few years of work. He keeps in touch with Jeff Leach and Dave Rosenberg. As many of us do when we retire, Jeff Leach has been looking back at his career and fondly remembering not only the projects he did at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and IBM but also how his time at Friends served him so well for all that he accomplished. If you have heard of IBM’s MQSeries or System Z, then you may understand better than I do the types of things Jeff did over his career. However, I greatly enjoyed the YouTube video from 2009 in which Jeff patiently explains how banking from your phone will work, complete with images of video monitors that are over a foot deep. We’ve come a long way, thanks to Jeff and others in his field! Besides being immersed in technology at work, Jeff created his own personal streaming service before any of us had heard of streaming, and now his whole house is smart-enabled, to the extent that his wife worries that if something happens to him, she would have no idea whom to call when something goes awry. Jeff volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and Feed My Starving Children. Eli (Ray) Goodrich: My wife, Dawn, and I (41 years) have raised five children, all still on Long Island. Two have their own companies (author and web design – as I have done for decades). Two work for tech companies, and the oldest is an

artist. We also added in, years ago, two teenagers who needed a family; they are all grown, too. And today, we are raising our only grandson (13), so it’s back to school, homework, and sports. Nothing has changed – life cycles. We have been in Huntington now for 39 of those years. Life is good; we are blessed. Chris Rising Turner: I hope this submission finds each of you doing well despite the turmoil of COVID-19 and the political realm here and worldwide. We can only hope that 2023 will bring more stability as the world battles over resources, poverty, and climate change. Despite this, my family remains well here in Vermont and Canada. We enjoyed our youngest daughter and her husband for the summer through peak leaf season. She and her sister just finished a cross country van trip together. This Thanksgiving, we will be with mother in her home. She is 97 and poking along. Wishing everyone peace and good health. Bill Dudjoc spent the first half of 2022 training for the annual Tahoe bike ride for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and his team raised over $225,000. They were #4 in the country with only seven members, compared to 50 or more in the teams ahead of them. The day before the ride, some suspicious symptoms made Bill rethink his plan to ride 100 miles around Lake Tahoe with significant changes in elevation. He is now recovering from a double bypass followed by an aortic valve replacement. He writes: Both my cardiologist and my surgeon agreed that cycling had more or less saved my life. This was my final year with Team in Training. Since 2010, you have helped me raise $118,000 to fight blood cancers, and since 2017, Team Remission has raised $536,000. Barbara Boyle Weaner: 2022 was a good year for our family, despite the difficulties from the pandemic and the suffering so widespread in the world. We had a productive farm and garden year with a bountiful harvest. Our daughter, Fern, gave birth for the first time and has a sweet and happy son named Owen,

who joins his older brother, Jackson, 13. Many laughs in that household, and Owen is bringing joy to Fern to counterbalance the difficulties of being an elementary school teacher in the midst of COVID-19 chaos. We had three grandsons for a month on the farm this summer, which was great fun – lots of time in the rivers in canoes and kayaks, archery, rope swings, horseback riding, and dart throwing. They are an active gaggle of boys (13, 12, and 9). We’re hoping Owen will join in the mix in a few years! Our other kids, Caleb and Kyle, and their spouses are all well and happy and healthy. Much to be grateful for. I applied for and received an award from the West Virginia Department of Culture and History to be an apprentice in the WV Folklife Program, studying natural dyeing, spinning, and weaving with master artist Enrica McMillon. We’ve already had success with 12 different plant dyes this autumn before the first frost, and I’ve got a project on my loom. The apprenticeship will last a year. We had a sad and sweet reunion last year; Hank Reusch, Bill Dudjoc, Nick Seamon, and I attended John Shipman’s memorial celebration in Centerport, which led to a lovely meal this summer on Nick and Barbara’s front deck. A foretaste of our class reunion next year! They have a gorgeous group of breeding golden retrievers and adorable puppies and some very sweet granddaughters that cheered the evening. Their beautiful daughter, Kaie, is a family nurse practitioner, so we had lots to share. I am sad to report that our classmate John Glick passed away; however, my memories of him 50 years ago still make me smile. His sister, Betsey Glick Heidt, contacted me, saying: John passed away suddenly in New Orleans in October [2021] where he and his wife, Cindy, had retired in February 2020. They had met there over 40 years ago, and New Orleans always held a special place in their hearts. As for me, Jan Klocke O’Sullivan, this past year I was delighted to attend a couple of crossword tournaments that are back

to being in-person events. I was also elected to the Board of Governors of the American Friends of Lafayette. I am the associate editor of their Gazette and am helping to plan events for the upcoming bicentennial celebration of Lafayette’s 1824–1825 Farewell Tour. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at our 50th!

1974

Evette Beckett-Tuggle

1338 Shinnecock Lane Fort Mill, SC 29707 (704) 575-8829 evettebt@gmail.com

1975

Tilde Mariani Giacché

11 East 12th Street, Apt. 4 New York, NY 10003 tildemgiacche@gmail.com

a big smile. What a great guy; Friends Academy breeds the best! Betsy Bober Polivy: I am sorry that COVID-19 made it so that our class wasn’t able to celebrate our 45th together, but I guess we will have to look forward to our 50th! As I write this for Tilde – and I only write because I never want to say “no” to our wonderful Tilde – I am in my daughter’s home in Boston where we are taking care of our three grandchildren. Some of our happiest moments

Laurie Block: Well, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I finally found my Mr. Right! Who’d a thunk it? I actually met him when I was 22. We were married on September 8 on Long Island in a gorgeous venue. It was truly glorious, and I’m so excited to share the news! On a side note, I broke my arm while in Breckenridge in July. The ER doctor told me to see an orthopedic when back in NY. I showed up to the group practice and imagine my surprise when the door opened and Peter Stein greets me with

are spent with these little ones. This summer we traveled to South Dakota for a wedding and then drove over 3,000 miles exploring our exquisite country. We landed in Park City where we got to spend a delightful time with our son and daughter-in-law. I hate that they are so far away now, but we do love Utah. It never disappoints as one of our most beautiful states. I am happy to report that the two Manhattan Sideways books that I wrote during COVID-19 – in an effort to shine a light on the small businesses on the side streets of Manhattan – have both sold out. Never did I imagine the response that I received, but more importantly, these books are now enticing many to visit the shops, bars, and restaurants on the side streets. This thrills me to no end. I have been enjoying being the voice for a series of reels that are posted on Instagram each week highlighting the small businesses, as well as continuing with podcast interviews, and I am looking forward to the opening of several more photogra-

Laurie Block and her new husband

Betsy Bober Polivy’s three grandchildren

phy exhibits that I am curating in the coming months. With that being said, I am also pleased to say that my website (sideways.nyc) has been acquired. I will remain as editor-at-large and be an integral part of everything Manhattan Sideways, but I will not be the one maintaining it anymore on a daily basis. It was time for me to step aside and allow others who share my passion for the small businesses to continue walking and writing. Thank you, Tilde, for keeping our class connected and for being such a warm and loving soul to each of us. How blessed we are to have you as our class representative and our friend. John Sengstaken: John has retired after a nearly 34-year career at Delta Airlines and 21 years in the USAF! He writes: Retirement Plan – Flying our Beechcraft Baron, my wife (Margie) and

disease on all fronts – and with other patient-focused organizations. My husband, George, and I are fortunate that daughter, Casey, and family live nearby, running their Scuttlebutt Coffee Co. and restaurant in Padanaram. Good times on their porch: my 2-year-old grandson, Cody, and I were dancing there this summer. Our son, Tim, is a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University; we love visiting Pittsburgh!

Dogs Bel (10-year-old Bernese) and Watson (1.5-year-old Lab puppy) give us joy. Come visit us all in Padanaram, South Dartmouth, MA! Doug Mallory: Adventures in Mexico: missed the boat

I will be visiting our four kids and three grandkids; enjoying beautiful Southport, NC; and teaching Delta pilots how to fly the B-757 in the simulators. Pam Walker McNamara: Greetings, FA. It’s been a busy year with a mini reunion of seven of us alums (wow!) in May, hosted by Allison Bannister Benabdallah and me. We are thrilled that Allison and Mohamed have moved to our town, just a mile away, into their lovely new home. Allison and I walk our trails a lot and work at our local YMCA farm (produce goes to our regional foodbank). I continue working with the American Kidney Fund – fighting kidney

(again). Typical. Got some stamps in my passport. Counting calories (science!).

Phillip Sih: In August, I went to see Bob where he lives in upstate New York. I flew across the country in a small airplane, and when I got there, we took a flight around his “neighborhood” to

see some of the local sights. We also met up with our mutual friend Arch, whom some of you might have met back in the day. Bob and his wife, Teri, looked great. They have a beautiful house in a nice neighborhood, and their normally shy cats decided to come by and say hello to me, which surprised everyone. It was a real treat to be able to spend some time with them. Time passes, but friends remain. Greg Azzolin: I’ve spent so many years off the Friends grid until Tilde reached out to me directly, and frankly, who could refuse Tilde. I am a semi-retired veterinarian on the Connecticut shoreline. For the last 38 years, I have worked with partners to develop Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine. We are a 24/7 emergency and referral practice serving Connecticut and her surrounding states. I have one son, Schuyler, who happily works as a private banker for JP Morgan in Greenwich. Once completely retired, I will spend my time sailing on the Long Island Sound, building a home in Ludlow, VT, and traveling to and from the Turks and Caicos Islands that I love. I wish everyone happiness and good health. Daphne Riker Hagan: It has been a very exciting year in the Hagan family. In February, we welcomed our first grandchild, Jack Riker Humenansky. Because they live in San Diego, Kevin and I have become bicoastal. These years go by so fast, and we want to enjoy it all. So our travels abroad have slowed, and we will be going back and forth between Cold Spring Harbor and

John Sengstaken is taking advantage of his recent retirement to visit his grandchildren

Doug Mallory’s adventures abound in Mexico...

Bob Piro and Phillip Sih in upstate New York

Last spring with Pam Walker McNamara’s daughter, Casey, and her family.

La Jolla. In May, I had the best time at our Buckley Girls reunion in Dartmouth, MA. Pam Walker McNamara and Allison Bannister Benabdallah planned a fun-filled weekend for us. There were a lot of laughs and latenight chats. How nice it was to be able to socialize again after COVID-19, especially with friends from your childhood and high school years. In June, Kevin and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary as well as Kevin’s dad’s 92nd birthday. In July, Jenny and Adam and Jack visited New York for Jack’s christening at St. John’s of Lattingtown (a very special day and place, as both of my parents’ ashes are in the memorial garden). This fall will bring us to Denver to visit our son, Kyle, and his wife, Macy. They love the Colorado lifestyle and do not seem to be missing Brooklyn much at all. I also continue to see our ever-persistent

class representative, Tilde Mariani Giacché, along with Tina Rose Erardi and Vicki Chesler for frequent lunches in the city. Lynn Chamberlain Adams also made a New York appearance this summer. Looking forward to Jack’s first Christmas in California this year. Roger Thomas: Three kids in college. Working hard on a number of different business platforms, including my main suburban office company, which is now about 18 million square feet in 15 states. Bouncing back and forth way too much between my main residence in Florida and several places in the northeast. And trying to travel and ski as much as

commonly referred to as one’s golden years. Pam retired from AHRC-Nassau where she was a speech pathologist working with disabled adults. As for me, last month – after more than 35 years with Wilson Elser, LLP – I made the decision to step back from the partnership where I had been on the Executive Committee for the last eight years or so. I will continue in an advisory role for the foreseeable future as senior counsel. It’s been quite the ride, but now that I’m cutting back, we just planned our first month-long trip ever heading to Israel and Jordan next year. A lot more trips to do on our bucket list. My family and friends all keep asking me if I’m really going to fully retire ever. We shall see. As for our girls, Emily and Rebecca, both are doing well. Emily is an administrative manager for an

possible given all that! Currently single because I have no time to date! Here’s a pic from Italy this summer. Not great, but I’m terrible at keeping and organizing them. Spent a month there with family and friends. Hard to leave! Look forward to a chance for us to catch up. And a big hug back! Howie Klein: It was nice to finally get out! Although officially retired, I am still umpiring NYC boys high school baseball, as well as Little League and girls softball in Westchester. Hope to get together soon and love to all my friends. Dave Sheiffer: You caught me at one of those significant times in life, as my wife, Pam, and I are beginning the journey into what is

Daphne Riker Hagan’s first grandchile, Jack

Pam Walker McNamara and Allison Bannister Benabdallah on a recent trail hike in South Dartmouth.

Breakfast with Vicki Chesler, Daphne Riker Hagan, and Tilde Mariani Giacché.

Roger Thomas and his family

Howie Klein with Matthew, Lisa, and Ben in Portugal this past summer.

1975…

accounting firm in Melville. Rebecca is in Atlanta where she is, like mom, a speech pathologist for Gwinnett County Schools, where she works with disabled children and has a private practice as well. Hopefully, we will hear some wedding bells for both in the near future. That’s about it for now. Trust all is well with all of you and your families! Linda Relli: I hope you’re all doing well! All good down here in Virginia. I spent a week on Long Beach Island with my cousins. A much-needed beach trip! A friend from Ireland who I haven’t seen since I flew over for her wedding some 20+ years ago came over for a visit. We have kept in touch all these years; we met when we both worked on a farm in Kentucky. We went to Asheville, NC, for a few days, and I took her to visit some local sites. It was a great visit! Other than that, I lead a quiet life with work and farm life! Tina Rose Erardi: We still love living in Manhattan and splitting our time between there and our lake house up in the Adirondack Mountains. We take frequent trips out to Wisconsin to visit our daughter, Kat (33), who is the art director for Target headquarters in Minnesota. Son, Nick (37), was stuck working in Canada during COVID but is finally back, working in tech and living nearby in Astoria. It’s great having Tilde Mariani Giacché just a few blocks away, with Daphne Riker Hagan and Vicki Chesler nearby also. We see each other frequently, and we take an annual trip with Pam Walker McNamara, Allison Bannister Benabdallah, and Lynn Chamberlain Adams, working our way around the country, depending whose hometown we decide to visit. Luckily, we’ve all settled in some fun places. It’s great being/staying in touch, getting to know each other’s kids, and sharing milestones – like my daughter’s wedding in September 2023 after being engaged nearly three years. I hope you and your families are healthy and enjoying these new Medicare years! (Weren’t we all 18 just a few years ago?) Peter Flint: Denise and I are doing well and still live outside of Philly in a home we just built. I retired at the end of 2022 and now sit on boards of early-stage companies. We

have three grandchildren, which is so much fun. Penelope and Christopher Mayer: Christopher retired in 2018, and we have moved permanently to the coast of North Carolina. The winters are much more forgiving, and we can play golf all year long. We did downsize to a condo on Long Island and do return for the summer months. Not only is Christopher playing a lot of competitive golf both within our community as well as statewide tournaments, he has also started playing tennis. This month, his team from St. James competed in the USTA National Tournament and took third place out of over 520 teams across the country. I think he’s trying to reclaim all those lost hours commuting by having as much fun as he can during waking hours. Our daughter, Augusta (’13), has worked for the same high-end interior design firm in Cambridge, MA, for the past five years and recently branched out on her own (in her spare time). Her specialty is small-scale residential projects. She will help clients choose everything from furnishings and lighting to plumbing fixtures or cabinet knobs. For the most part, first-time apartment owners are her clients. She

is also on the visitation rotation of Cathy and Terrence Chermak when they are in Massachusetts visiting their daughter, Vanessa, who is at Tufts. Shout out to Peter Flint: If you ever take your boat south and stop in Southport again, let us know. Allison Bannister Benabdallah: Since the last Meeting House issue, I have retired from my position as an elementary school principal. My husband and I purchased a new home in South Dartmouth, MA, in January 2022 to be near the beautiful beaches here year round. Unlike most retirees, we upsized instead of downsizing to ensure we had ample room for all of our children and grandchildren when they come to visit and enjoy the

Getting together with 1975 classmates!

Allison Bannister Benabdallah’s three grandsons: Jackson, Oliver, and their little cousin, Cyrus.

The Distinguished Alumni Award

Each year, Friends Academy presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to someone who has their life speak. It is our hope that the recipient’s life will serve as an inspiration for others. Please consider nominating a fellow alum for this honor. Submit his/her/their name to the alumni office at alumni@fa.org or call 516-465-1796.

Recent Recipients

2022: Aisha Palmer Mix ’91 As Rear Admiral, one of the highest-ranking U.S. Public Health Service officers in the nation, Aisha advises the Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

2021: Andy Menzin ’81 A lifelong champion for Friends Academy, Andy serves on the Friends Academy Board of Trustees, and has over 32 years of experience in the medical field, currently serving as the Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, Central Region, at Northwell Health.

2020: Peter Stein ’79 A longtime leader of FA Alumni as President of the Alumni Board, Peter travels yearly to perform volunteer surgeries in under-

beaches and trails here. Our son Adam and his wife, Sara, live in Washington, DC, with their two boys, Jackson (7) and Oliver (4). Justin and his partner, Annabelle, also live in DC with their little 1-year-old son, Cyrus. Our daughter, Hannah, is living and working in Brooklyn. It’s so wonderful now that I’m retired to have the time to visit them whenever I want. We are so fortunate to live only a mile away from Pam Walker McNamara and her husband, George. We absolutely love our new

served communities.

2019: Michele Pistone ’82 A life dedicated to service, Michele discovered a new area of law that led to a life of compassion and action for refugee rights.

2018: Bill Wicker ’67 An avid athlete throughout his Friends career, Bill credits the coaching wisdom he received at FA central to changing the course of his life.

2017: Todd Jacobson ’93 Senior Vice President for Social Responsibility for the NBA, Todd used the power of sport to bring people together and change lives.

community and so enjoy having our dear friends Pam and George as neighbors. Pam and I co-hosted a wonderful reunion of classmates in May, including Tilde Mariani Giacché, Vicki Chesler, Tina Rose Erardi, Daphne Riker Hagan, and Lynn Chamberlain Adams. If anyone is ever in our area, please let us know! Would love to reconnect with old friends. Cathy and Terry Chermak: Terry’s middle daughter, Jennifer, had a baby girl! Our first granddaughter, Starling, is

celebrating her 1st birthday in November. It’s so fun! Tara, the eldest, has two boys, Ariel and Levi; they run us around! Both families live on Long Island, which is wonderful and convenient! Vanessa is a sophomore at Tufts and is enjoying life! During our recent visit to Boston, we met up with Augusta Mayer (Penelope and Christopher Mayer’s Augusta!). She and her lovely boyfriend, Alex, met us for brunch (and we took that fab photo). Terry and I are enjoying life in LA, playing lots of tennis both here and in Montauk. Please let us know if you’re coming west or also to the east end; we’d love to see you. Chip Behal: With the lifting of travel restrictions this year, Jo-Anne and I were able to visit her mother in Australia in March for the first time in over two years. During the lockdown, Jo-Anne pursued her ancestry/genealogy research. In June this year, we visited Scotland and Northern Ireland to explore areas where some of her ancestors lived before emigrating to Australia. Then in September, we visited Barcelona (lovely) before embarking on an Irish-music-themed cruise of the Western Mediterranean that had been postponed from 2020, followed by Part 2 of Jo-Anne’s ancestry tour in England. We’re hoping to visit my family’s homelands in Germany and the Czech Republic in the next year or two. Robin Beckhard: This past year has been a good one for us. Bryan and I have appreciated the flexibility that semi-retirement has given us to travel and spend quality time with friends and family near and far. We’ve enjoyed trips to Aruba, Belize, the UK, Maine (for Bryan’s daughter’s wedding in September), and Egypt (finally, after being postponed twice because of COVID-19). The latter trip included every imaginable type of conveyance – from a dahabeya cruise along the Nile to hot air balloons,

Terry and Cathy Chermak’s daughter, Vanessa, with Penelope and Christopher Mayer’s daughter, Augusta ‘13.

1975-1987…

tuk-tuks, pickup trucks, and the requisite camel ride at the pyramids (see photo). We’re incredibly lucky to live 10 blocks from our three grandchildren, and thus to see them once or twice a week. And our business, Cohabitalk – offering guidance to couples, roommates, and intergenerational families who are moving in or already living together – is going well. If you know someone for whom this could be helpful, please reach out! I hope we can have a class reunion in 2023. Vicki Chesler: It’s been a very exciting year: Our daughter, Melissa, and her husband, Nick, had a baby! Oliver Bertie Kovner Levine (left) was born on October 24 in Nashville, TN, and my husband, Matt Kovner, and I went down to spend over a month there helping out as the new family settled in. After

hearing this from so many of our friends in recent years, I agree 100% that grandparenthood is absolutely thrilling! Of course he is the cutest baby ever! During the year, we had some wonderful opportunities to get together with great friends from FA, including a reunion in Dartmouth, MA, with … (I’m sure you will be writing about this already, Tilde Mariani Giacché). We also had a wonderful visit with Tina Rose Erardi and her husband, Greg, at their beautiful home on Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks over the summer and get-togethers in NYC with Tina Rose Erardi, Greg Azzolin, Tilde Mariani Giacché, Daphne Riker Hagan, and Lynn Chamberlain Adams. Bob Levy: Great to read about you all, and I hope you and your families avoided the pandemic. All four boys are happy and doing well, which is all I can ask for. My youngest is in tenth grade, so I don’t plan on retiring in the near future. All the best to all my friends! Tilde Mariani Giacché: I feel so lucky to be class rep so that I can stay in touch with so many friends! We are all so thrilled to have welcomed

another baby grandson on March 2, 2022. Jennifer and Steve had their second baby, and imagine our joy to find out they named him after my brother Augusto (Augie) who passed away last year. Marco has been great and loves playing with his little brother! Another bit of great news is that my son, Josh, and Kate got married in September in Florence, and we had an amazing three days of fun and laughter with friends and family. This is my fifth year working at Manhattan Youth in their after-school program; I teach middle schoolers and absolutely love it! I’m really looking forward to our next reunion, that’s for sure!

Lunch with Val and Tilde

Lunch with Laurie Block, Sue, Betsy Bober Polivy, and Tilde Mariani Giacché.

Robin and Bryan Beckhard enjoying semi-retirement with a trip to Egypt.

Tilde Mariani Giacché’s grandsons, Augie (The Hulk) and Marco (Venom).

1976

Nancy Toher Hawkins 123 Duck Pond Road Glen Cove, NY 11542 (516) 671-8977 nthawkins123@aol.com

1977

Chuck Cooperstein 6729 Barcelona Irving, TX 75039 (214) 632-1814 coopgator@aol.com

1978

Lis Dillof Dreizen 11 Cobb Court Huntington, NY 11743 (631) 424-3880 artland95@aol.com

Thomas Hawkins 123 Duck Pond Road Glen Cove, NY 11542 (516) 671-8977 thawkins@barcap.com

1979

Susan Thomas Cosmopulous 52 Robincrest Court Seekonk, MA 02771 susancosmopulos@gmail.com

1980

Michael Salzhauer 710 West 246th St Bronx, NY 10471 (718) 432-1142 michael@benjaminpartners.com

1981

Betsy Jordan Gahagan P.O. Box 12 Locust Valley, NY 11560 (516) 474-4486 bjgahagan@me.com

Rob Blechman writes: Living in Mill Valley, CA, with family. Looking forward to some world travel again soon.

1982

Edward Di Monda 11910 Fieldthorn Court Reston, VA 20194 edward.c.dimonda@navient.com

Ellen Greene 19 Farmstead Lane Glen Cove, NY 11545 ellenjgreene@gmail.com

1983

Laura Dilimetin 66 Eakins Road Manhasset, NY 11030 Ldilimetin@gmail.com

1984

Beth Anne Melkmann 162 East 80th Street, Apt. 3B New York, NY 10075 (212) 988-1753

Lebonchien@aol.com

1985

Laura Match Schaffer 1220 Studio Lane Riverwoods, IL 60015 Lematch7@gmail.com

1986

Kara Vassel Lewis 44 Pinehill Trail East Tequesta, FL 33469 (516) 639-3150

kmvlewis@gmail.com

Charles Ritter 79 The Promenade Glen Head, NY 11545 (516) 676-8271

chuckr@universalphotonics.com

1987

Barry Joseph 67-66 108th Street, D66 Forest Hills, NY 10010 (718) 222-3563 Info@barryjoseph.com

Emily Beiles Kaufman 7 Beechwood Drive Saddle River, NJ 07458 (201) 785-0907

emkaufman@optonline.net

We had a 35th reunion! Graciously hosted in NYC by the Fortunoff’s, it was a great time to reconnect. Everyone shared lots of high school memories as well as updates on their current life. We hope even more can come out for the 40th. Attendees included: Gen Geller, David Fortunoff, John Scola, Toby Zacks, Pamela Peirez, Kristina Constantino, Gennifer Geller, Allison

Members of the Class of 1987 at their 35th Reunion.

1987-1994…

Heaney, Douglas Martocci, Emily Kaufman, Stephanie Mehta, Francis Tucci, Richard Wu, Jr., Rashid Walker, Michael Gallo, Lee Rosenberg, Melinda Frank, and Francis Tucci (Shout out to Jim Paget who tried to get to us but his flight was cancelled last minute.) Fun was had by all. In other news: Chaplain Eric W. Covington, M.Div. says: “I continue to live in Suffolk, VA, with my wife of 18 years. We have two adult children and a 5-year-old grandson. I started a career change before the pandemic, graduating from Regent University in Virginia Beach in December 2019 with a Master of Divinity - emphasis in chaplaincy. During the pandemic, I began the road to health care chaplaincy by completing a one-year chaplain residency at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Heart Hospital and another one-year chaplain residency at the Hampton VA Medical Center. In March of 2022, I began my full-time position as the Community Living Center and Palliative Care Chaplain at the Hampton VA Medical Center. Providing emotional and spiritual care to veterans is my passion since I am a 24-year Navy veteran. Pray that all is well for the class of ‘87 and your families!” Liz Schnelzer shares: “As you probably know from my Facebook page, sailing is now my main passion. Having just dropped our youngest child off for his freshman year at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts this week, my husband Doug and I plan to spend more time living on and working from our Beneteau 393 sailboat: Wombat. In September, we will sail from Herring Bay (just south of Annapolis) to Washington DC and spend a month living aboard Wombat at the Capital Yacht Club. We’re looking forward to exploring museums, theater and taking the water taxi to a Nationals game from our floating apartment. All my best to you both! 35 years, yikes, that hardly seems possible!” Desiree Lee (Ifill) informs us that: “ It has been an eventful year. My husband and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We just returned from dropping our daughter off at school, she is a freshman at Wake Forest University. We are excited to start the next chapter of our lives as empty nesters.” Beth Febre notifies us that: “ During the pandemic, I was still teaching kindergarten. I

started virtually to finish out the school year and then came back to teach both in person and virtually at the same time. Talk about challenging, but we all got through it! I am now teaching the English side of a dual language program with a Spanish partner, which has been extremely rewarding. It is amazing how quickly young children can be on their way to becoming bi literate. I have been married for almost 26 years now and still reside in Florida. My oldest daughter is in pharmacy school, my son graduated from nursing school, and my youngest daughter just started college studying to be a physician‘s assistant. No other teachers in my house. I hope everyone is doing well! Alison Heaney declared: “Personally, my family is great. My daughter graduated from Wake Forest in December of 2020 and has joined me at Skaggs-Walsh where we now offer heating oil, plumbing and air conditioning services. My son is starting his Junior year at Fordham University in the Bronx. My husband Joe and I are still working harder than we would like but starting to play golf a bit more!”

John T. Buffa provided the following: “I currently live in Saddle River, NJ with my wife Gina and 3 daughters, Alexa (24), Taylor (24) & Blake (21) and Yorkie (Roxy). I am the co-founder of a Multi Family Office, Cognetic Capital Advisors, the founder and my partner Joel Talish, is also a Friend’s Academy Alumni, we both grew up together in Merrick. My wife Gina is a board member of our Families Public Charity Go for The Goal Foundation that was formed in 2006 after our nephew Richard was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Their unwavering mission is to improve the lives of children battling cancer by providing financial support, developing unique hospital programs and funding innovative research for a cure.” Emily Kaufman understands that: “I’m still living in NJ. Sent my first child off to college at Virginia Tech this year and have a high school junior at home. I have been working on the helpdesk of my husband’s software company for approximately seven years. I have also been a Board of Education member for a roller coaster ride of six years. The thing that probably brings the most attention in my life is walking my American Hairless Terrier, Metro. People are very attracted to a hairless dog believe it or not.” I proclaim: “I am amazed that

even during the pandemic I continue to tour my first book, Seltzertopia (speaking to 2,000 people since 2018), published my second last January (Friday is Tomorrow, or The Dayenu Year, a pandemic memoir), my third is set to be come out in March 2023 (Making Dinosaurs Dance, a toolkit for digital design in museums), and working on a new book about Stephen Sondheim, the puzzle constructor and game designer (and Broadway legend). Also, now that the NDA has expired, I am relieved to finally share that my entire senior year was, in fact, a performance art project for an experimental theater class I was taking while an undergrad at Hofstra. In other new: Andrew Bart visited the Musée d’Orsay (and did not order the crap plate), Paul Murphy won the Pritzker Prize for his frozen bonsai collection, Sandy William achieved a life dream of becoming the second man to climb Mount Snowdon pushing a Brussels sprout with his nose, and Todd Grupe continues to live in the Metaverse where he frequently receives Barry Joseph where they await the return of the Mandalorian. This is the way.

1988

Robert Foss

7431 Rancho Cabrillo Trl San Diego, CA 92127

robbykfoss@gmail.com

Melissa Errico’s daughter, Victoria, won the New York State Tennis Championships this fall. Congratulations!

1989

JoAn Monaco

315 East 72nd Street, Apt. 18-L New York, NY 10021 (646) 438-9264

doctor@drjoanmonaco.com

Catching Up with Kenyatt

Friends Academy had reported that a play by Kenyatt Godbolt ’93 – Kings Without A Queen – was one of 40 plays to receive a staged reading at the 2019 Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. The emerging playwright recently had his first play produced! Titled A House is Not A Home, the play had six performances at Matthews Playhouse in Charlotte, NC, this past August.

Kenyatt is working to have the play produced locally before taking it to other parts of the country. He has secured some local dates for shows during Black History Month in February.

Instead of waiting for Kenyatt’s play to be shown in her community, Shelly Malone, former FA librarian, flew solo to Charlotte to see the play performed there! “Seeing Shelly made me so happy,” said Kenyatt, who worked with Shelly when he taught FA Lower School from 2000 to 2006 and remembers Shelly as a librarian from his student days at FA. “I introduced Shelly to my family and friends. We had a blast and my wife and children especially enjoyed her company. Thank you, Shelly!”

Kenyatt is currently researching for his next play, which might deal with “the decay of the NYC public school system in the 1980s as well as the simultaneous emergence of a new form of artistic expression called hip-hop,” he said. “Former FA Middle School teacher Ken Austin has agreed to help me with the research due to his extensive background in education, music and American culture.” Stay tuned!

– By Liz Winchester ’91

1990

Jed Morey 53 Viola Drive Glen Cove, NY 11542

jmorey@moreycreative.com

1991

Michael Fox 320 West 106th Street, Apt. 2F New York, NY 10025 (646) 373-7535 mfox789@gmail.com

Colleen Doyle Moran 10 Arbor Way Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 656-1513 colleendmoran@aol.com

1992

Clayton Siegert 98 Winn Street Belmont, MA 02478 (617) 821-2867

csiegert@yahoo.com

1993

Natalia Porcelli Good 2 Tondan Lane Lattingtown, NY 11560 (516) 801-1533

nataliapgood1@gmail.com

Danielle Valenti Smith 1036 Park Avenue, Apt. 12D New York, NY 10028 (646) 334-3888

danvalenti@hotmail.com

1994

Alana Teutonico Brock 39 North Drive Plandome, NY 11030 (646) 594-8413

teutonico13@hotmail.com

Kenyatt and his family

Kenyatt Godbolt ‘93, Shelly Malone, and the cast of “Kings Without A Queen”

1995-2008…

Neely Doshi Cather 305 Degraw Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 (718) 222-1373 neelycather@gmail.com

1995

Thomas Pascarella 1672 August Road North Babylon, NY 11703 tompasc@tompasc.com

Kelly Reid Walsh 785 Beaver Street Waltham, MA 02453 (617) 285-5819 kellyreidwalsh@gmail.com

1996

Luke Cass 3000 Washington Boulevard, Apt. 823 Arlington, VA 22201

1997

Devon Broderick Carroll 443 Woodbury Road Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 (917) 531-7579

devon.broderick@gmail.com

Devon George 29 Village Lane Bronxville, NY 10708 (516) 457-8082

Devo426@gmail.com

1998

Justin J. Boults 222 Gates Avenue Apartment 2 Brooklyn, NY 11238 boultsman@hotmail.com

Justin P. Meli 411 West 44th Street, Apt. 19 New York, NV 10036 (713) 553-4108

justinpmeli@gmail.com

1999

Jennifer Ryan Woods 2 Meadow Spring Lane Glen Cove, NY 11542 (516) 398-0888 woodsj@me.com

2000

Meredith MacKinnon 539 East 6th Street, Apt. 1A New York, NY 10009 (516) 759-2063

mmackinnon35@yahoo.com

2001

Hadley Devon Mongell 80 East Putnam Avenue Cos Cob, CT 06807 (516) 857-2177

hmongell@gmail.com

2002

Lauren Bebry Kenter

160 Madison Avenue Apartment 42E New York, NY 10016 (631) 875-5725

Michael Jason Weiss 60 West 23rd Street, Apt. 411 New York, NY 10010 (516) 695-3155

michael.jason.weiss@gmail.com

2003

Jessica Jakobson

434 East 11th Street, Apt. 4RB New York, NY 10009 (516) 628-1241

jess.jakobson@gmail.com

2004

Angela Batista Forrest 451 East 14th Street, Apt. 5G New York, NY 10009

(516) 857-6572

Batista1023@gmail.com

Jonathan Harley Koenig 15 West 72nd Street, Apt. 3M New York, NY 10023

jonathan.h.koenig@gmail.com

We are thrilled to share that Meli Grant has been cast as the first trans-woman character, “Catalyst,” in the uber-successful video game Apex Legends! According to Games Radar, the creators of the game at Respawn worked closely with their transgender

Meli Grant ’04 breaks new ground as the first trans-woman character in the hugely successful video game, “Apex Legends.” Meli is the daughter of recently retired Friends Academy Technical Director Michael Grant (see his story on page 53).

employees, representatives at GLAAD, as well as Meli. Meli was also nominated by the 2022 Viewer’s Choice Dubbie’s for her voiceover work in the animated Requiem of the Rose King

2005

Garrett Dooley

243 Cleft Road Mill Neck, NY 11765 (516) 314-5241 gsdooley@gmail.com

Helen Simpson Hatch

408 East 92nd Street, Apt. 17D New York, NY 10128 (917) 634-7646 helen.s.hatch@gmail.com

2007

Caitlin Koufakis deSvastich

68 Montague Street, Apt. 8C Brooklyn, NY 11201 (516) 784-7596 katie.desvastich@gmail.com

Christine Farrell

Congratulations to Francesca Batista who married Timothy Livsey on Oct. 8, 2022. Friends Academy Director of College Counseling Edward Dugger officiated the ceremony at the Nassau County Museum of Fine Arts.

2006

Brian T. Alessi

50 Shore Drive

Plandome, NY 11030 (516) 365-3983

brian.t.alessi@gmail.com

Emily Lepore Jonap

201 East 69th Street, Apt. 15Z New York, NY 10021 (631) 909-3369

lepore.emily@gmail.com

284 Mott Street, Apt. 2E New York, NY 10012-3492 (516) 606-1300 farrell.chrissy@gmail.com

Rebecca Pacchiano 93 Tenth Street Hicksville, NY 11801 (516) 458-0710 rebeccaleigh17@gmail.com

Dear Evan Hansen and Be More Chill Broadway star Will Roland stopped by FA to say hello with his wonderful wife, Stephanie, to Director of Diversity, Equity, + Inclusion Camille S. Edwards. A quick tour to his old stomping grounds included a stop at the Headmaster’s Commendation plaque and of course the Dolan Center Theater. Will has a current recurring role on Billions, co-created and produced by fellow FA alum Brian Koppelman ‘84.

2008

Laura Berke Mottel

201 East 28th Street, Apt. 10M New York, NY 10016 (516) 680-4437

lnberke@gmail.com

Alexandria Phillips

80 Nassau Street, Apt. 3C New York, NY 10038 (631) 421-3332

afp1013@gmail.com

Will Roland ’07, his wife Stephanie, and Director of DEI Camille S. Edwards

Friends and classmates! From left, Jennifer Tytel Wolf, Samantha Moss, Shana Farrell Rafter, Carli Baum Margulies, Lyndsey Lostritto Laverty, Alex Idol Sperling and Stefanie Polauf Carter.

2009-2022...

2009

Nell C. Kucich

79 Chicken Valley Road

Old Brookville, NY 11545 (516) 965-0635 NellKucich@gmail.com

John E. Mascari

Dartmouth 45 Kellogg Building Hanover, NH 03755 john.mascari@dartmouth.edu

2010

Alexa Gordon 24 West Creek Farms Road Sands Point, NY 11050 (516) 883-7537 alexa.gordon@wustl.edu

Emily Hawkins 123 Duck Pond Road Glen Cove, NY 11542 ehawkin2@wellesley.edu

2011

Holly Constants

52 Ayers Road Locust Valley, NY 11560 holly.constants@gmail.com

Gabrielle McPhaul-Guerrier

188 Leaf Avenue Central Islip, NY 11722 (631) 439-5888 gmcphaul-guerrier@live.com

2012

Sarah Chartash

19 Serenite Lane Muttontown, NY 11791 (516) 941-7309 schartash@gwu.edu

Jake Ingrassia

325 W. Adams Boulevard, #6158 Los Angeles, CA 90007 (516) 236-6064

jake.ingrassia@gmail.com

Gabrielle Rechler

95 Wall Street, Apt. 1507 New York, NY 10005 (516) 404-4105 grechler93@gmail.com

2013

Sydney Menzin

6 Tappanwood Drive Lattingtown, NY 11560 (516) 639-2083 sfmenzin@gmail.com

John O’Brien

16 Wishing Well Lane Old Brookville, NY 11545 (516) 419-2689 john.obrien1294@gmail.com

2014

Simi Akinola 215 Rushmore Street Westbury, NY 11590 simisolaakinola@yahoo.com

Lydia Graham 2000 Front Street East Meadow, NY 11554

Ryan Dobrin was a guest director at the University of Michigan’s theatre department in September, and is now the assistant director on the off-Broadway revival of Sondheim and Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez at New York Theatre Workshop this winter. He wants to show appreciation and love to Tracey Foster, who recently completed over two decades of leadership training and artistic fostering at Friends Academy as Director of Arts, and whose mentorship Ryan and many of his lifelong friends made at FA credit to the leaders and people they are today. Her mark has been left on innumerable students at FA and the Artist’s Institute. Thank you for everything, Tracey!

2015

Marianna Cuomo Maier

2 Lancaster Court Manhasset, NY 11030 (516) 676-1957

mariannacm430@gmail.com

Cameron Hellerman

318 East Shore Drive Massapequa, NY 11758 (516) 487-0182

cameronhellerman@me.com

Danielle Kahn

1107 Broadway, Apt. 2C New York, NY 10010 (516) 621-5397

danikahn@me.com

Brooke Gardner made her Broadway debut in Ohio State Murders, working alongside six-time Tony winner and Broadway legend Audra McDonald. Brooke graduated in 2019 from Pace University with a BFA in Acting.

2016

Maximo Lipman

11 Prospect Lane Sands Point, NY 11050 (516) 883-7905

maximo1219@gmail.com

Christina Yannello

14 Penmor Drive Muttontown, NY 11732

(516) 625-9110

christinayannello@gmail.com

Ryan Dobrin ’14 served as assistant director on the off-Broadway revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathon Groff, and Lindsay Mendez.

2017

Kaitlyn Hardy hardykaitlyn7@gmail.com

Mishie Macy mishie_macy@icloud.com

Reed Mullen reedmullen1@gmail.com

Elizabeth Panacciulli efp1298@gmail.com

Kaitlyn Hardy caught the eye of TikTok Headquarters after she and her childhood friend created a viral dance challenge they dubbed #cuffitchallenge. that went viral in the TikTok Cuff It Challenge, garnering almost 500 million views. Prior to becoming an overnight mega TikTok sensation, Kaitlyn, an accomplished dancer, performed as a backup dancer to rapper Doechii at the 2022 BET Awards.

2018

Elissa Fielding efielding1984@gmail.com

Raquel Hutt raquelhutt@gmail.com

2020

Billy Duke Billy_Duke@fa.org

2021

Jordyn Cagner jdc4266@gmail.com

Carleigh Zelman carleighf@gmail.com

Lauren Nagel Lauren_Nagel@aol.com

Ally Zucker allyzucker13@gmail.com

2019

Margaux Blau margauxxblau@gmail.com

Alexander Clinton ac5court@icloud.com

Olivia Lizza olivializza123@gmail.com

Morgan Pascucci morgan1055@aol.com

Congratulations to Vimala Alagappan, who was designated a John Harvard Scholar based on her 2021-2022 academic record. According to Harvard “signifies the College’s pride in your superior academic achievement. We applaud your commitment to your academic work.”

2022

Kennedy Daal kennedydaal09@gmail.com

Erica Schwartz eschwar@bu.edu

Josh Sukoff jsukoff@icloud.com

Members of the Class of 2022 gathered with their alumni parents for a graduation photo and included, from left, Evan Cagner ‘91 and Sydney Cagner ‘22; Rita White Afzelius ‘80 and Ian Afzelius ‘22; and Charles Santich ‘84 and Taylor Santich ‘22.

Brooke Gardner ’15, fourth from left, and the cast of “Ohio State Murders”

In honor of those we lost this year...

Caryl Croy Ebert ’40

Carol was born in 1922 in New York City, the daughter of the late Homer and Mae Savell Croy. She was a graduate of Friends Academy in Locust Valley, NY, and the University of Arizona. Carol was a retired travel agent, loving her job, at several different local travel agencies. Her husband, Harry “Dutch” Ebert Jr., whom she married on June 23, 1945, in Tucson, AZ, preceded her in death on August 17, 2014. Carol loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit 83 countries on six continents. Seeing the world was a priority yet she was just as happy taking the grandchildren to the beach. She had many skills all involving the creative process. She was an excellent seamstress making doll clothes, outfits for her daughters, and many dresses for children in Africa. She was an avid reader of books and newspapers. She loved to garden and to entertain. Her parents were both authors and well-known in the literary community and that allowed Carol to meet many famous people in her lifetime. Some that stand out are Will Rogers, Willa Cather, Theodore Dreiser, Lowell Thomas, Sinclair Lewis, Dale Carnegie, Eleanor Roosevelt and Helen Keller. On her 10th birthday she received a hand-drawn birthday card from Walt Disney. She dreamed of being a writer and she had her first story published at age 6 in a neighborhood newspaper. She also wanted to be an actress and was an extra in several Hollywood movies. She was active in Winchester life –WinchesterLittleTheatre, the Hospital Follies, Scout leader, garden, bridge, and book clubs; and writing commentaries and modeling in local fashion shows. She

also wrote and hosted a radio show on WINC called “Carol and Carolyn.” She considered life an adventure and even if things didn’t go well, it was still an adventure. Making people laughgavehergreatpleasureandcreatedmany long-lastingfriendships.Shewasdeterminedto bringasmiletosomeone’sface.Herphilosophy of life was that it had to be FUN! Surviving is daughter, Deirdre “Dee” Bauserman (Bill) of Winchester, VA; son, Harry “Hank” Ebert III (Marianne) of Salem, VA; grandchildren: William Bauserman (Karen) of Stephens City, VA; Bryan Bauserman (Sabra) of Strasburg, VA; Elizabeth Strader (John) of Glen Allen, VA; Keith Lyons of Philadelphia, PA; Kristen Lyons of Marblehead, MA; great-grandchildren: Robyn Bonilla, Katelyn Dellinger, Courtney Bauserman-Villa, Carson Bauserman, Lindsey Bakov, Caroline Bauserman, Jack Strader, Meredith Strader; great-great-grandchildren: Addy Bauserman and Lucas Bonilla.

Joy Mayes Brown ’45

Born in Manhattan, Joy attended the Lenox School until the family moved to East Norwich, L.I. Joy continued her education at Friends Academy in Locust Valley, graduating in 1945. Joy started her career in journalism as an Assistant Editor at the Locust Valley Leader (L.I., N.Y.) which led to an enthusiastic 20 years with the Community News as Editor of the Roslyn News, Port WashingtonNews, ManhassetPress,WestburyTimesonLongIsland. Joy then accepted the Congressional Staff position of Director of Public Information for Congressman Lester Wolff, his district covering the North Shore of Nassau County and Queens, NY. Retired from the US House of Representatives in the early 80s, Joy and her husbandrelocatedtotheBerkshires.Becoming an active contributor to the Otis community immediately, Joy served on the Conservation Committee 1984-1996, as a Selectwoman 1985-1987, a Planning Commissioner 19881996 and the Finance Director 2003-2012. Additionally, she served on the Elder Services, Bi-Centennial, Historical and the Recreation Committees. In 2006 she was honored by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of

Women as a Massachusetts Unsung Heroines of 2006. “She is a truly extraordinary woman who has given her time, her talents, her determination and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others.” She adored her family with all her heart, always eager to know what was happening with all her loved ones and to know what she could do to help in any way she could. Predeceasedbyherhusband,EugeneS.Brown, her father Richard T. Mayes and mother Josephine Uterhart Mayes of East Norwich and Sutton Place, NYC; survived by her daughter, Dale Lee Thiel, son in-law Warren A. Thiel of Old Chatham, NY; her son Laurence Michael Brown of Auburn, CA, daughter in-law Gayleen Brown. Grandchildren Cortney Mayes Keene of Hartland, VT, Kimberly Paige Thiel of Saugertis, NY, Henry Brown of Auburn, CA, Katarina Brown of Auburn, CA. GreatGrand Son Justin Bailey of Saugerties, NY.

Diana Davis Rulon ’49

Diana “DeeDee” Davis Rulon, 90, a longtime Long Island resident of Mt. Sinai, Huntington, and Centerport, died peacefully on February 1, 2022, the day before her 91st birthday, after a brief illness. Diana was always proud of her family’s Long Island roots with a history dating back before the Revolutionary War. Diana’s life revolved around her family, her love of sailing, and her many hobbies. She was a longtime member of the Centerport Garden Club and the Centerport Yacht Club. Physically unable to sail aboard larger boats in her later years, she became an active devotee of model yacht racing. She greatly enjoyed creating artworks incorporating seaweed she collected during her walks along the shore. A cancer survivor, she volunteered many hours assisting others coping with the effects of lymphedema. Diana was predeceased by her husband Bob in 2003 following 51 years of marriage. Survivors include her children Timothy and Patricia, her granddaughters Emily and Sofia, and her great-granddaughter Rowan.

Amy Edmonds ’72

Joseph Fletcher ’53

M

y father Joseph Fletcher recently passed away on August 23, 2022, and he was a graduate of Friends Academy, class of 1953. (Back when it was a boarding school). He met my mom (Linda Ferro) at Friends Academy in his sophomore year and they remained a lifelong married couple until her death in 2014. After college, they moved to Dallas, TX where they raised a family of three children. In 2003, they returned to NYC to attend their 50th class reunion at Friends and the visit remained a highlight in their lives thereafter. My dad lettered in basketball, and I still have the “F” letter that was sewn onto his jersey. I know my dad wanted to be listed in your The Meeting House magazine.

– Written by Gregory Fletcher

Francis “Peter” Edmonds ’60

We are sad to report the death of Francis

“Peter” Edmonds ‘60 in early January 2023 in Berlin, Germany following a long illness. Pete attended Princeton University and then had a long career with IBM, both in the United States and Germany. After his retirement from IBM, he worked as a technical translator in Berlin. He changed his citizenship to German. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of East Germany, he obtained his Stasi (East Germany Secret Police) file and discovered their attempt to recruit him as a spy to perform industrial espionage. (He did not do it). Surely, if he were still alive, he would have some stories to tell. Peter He is survived by his full sister Ruth Tiffany Edmonds Naylor ’ 61 and by five half brothers including James Glasgow Edmonds ’66. His half sister Amy Frances Edmonds Dean ’72, who sadly passed away in September 2022.

Amy Edmonds Dean, 68, of Keedysville, MD, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022, at Meritus Medical Center. Born Thursday, June 10, 1954, in Glenhead, NY, she was the daughter of Francis Edmonds 2nd, and Grace Glasgow Edmonds. She was a graduate of Friends Academy, and Hood College, with a Master’sdegreein marine biology. Amy was a lover of puzzles, puzzle computer games, collecting owls and light houses, tending to her garden, and feeding the birds. She also lovedandenjoyed traveling to Lancaster, PA; Williamsburg, VA; and the Outer Banks, NC, with her family. Amy was employed by CAMRIS in quality assurance for 18 years. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Middletown, MD. Amy is survived by sons, Brandon Dean and wife Jessica, Kevin Dean and companion Jacob Nash, brother James Edmonds and wife Carol, niece Jennifer Edmonds, and nephew Matthew Edmonds, half-sister, Ruth Tiffany Naylor, and late husband Brian Naylor, halfbrother, Francis Edmonds 3rd, and many more nieces,nephews,andgreatniecesandnephews. She is proceeded in death by husband Paul Manville Dean, September 21, 2022. They married on Saturday, November 3, 1979.

Peter M. Fahey

Former Friends Academy Parent and Grandparent

Peter

M. Fahey, former partner at Goldman Sachs and Trustee of Dartmouth College, died on Saturday evening, November 26, 2022, at his home in Hanover, NH. He had been battling the late stages of pulmonary fibrosis since the summer. He was 75. The oldest of six, Mr. Fahey was born and raised in Winchester, MA before attending Dartmouth College, where he earned an AB in chemistry in 1968. From there, he went on to the Thayer School of Engineering and received a BE and ME.

Amidst working toward his degrees, Mr. Fahey met his wife, Helen, then a nursing student at Skidmore College, while in Nassau during

their spring breaks in 1967. After keeping in touch through letters, phone calls, and visits between their schools, they made it to the altar and were wed in August of 1968. They were married for 54 years. Mr. Fahey started his career as a chemical engineer in 1970 before going to Harvard Business School, where he graduated in 1975 as a Baker Scholar, putting him in the top 5% of his class. He then started his career on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs in Corporate Finance. He was named a General Partner in 1983 and retired in 1993. Taking up much of Mr. Fahey’s newfound free time was philanthropy. Over three decades, he supportedmultiplefacilitiesprojects,endowed bothundergraduateandgraduatescholarships, and created an endowment for the athletics departmentatDartmouth.Mr.Faheyservedon the Dartmouth Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2004. In 2003, he received Thayer School’s Robert Fletcher Award for his significant service to the School. In 2007, he received the Dartmouth Alumni Award, which is given to “alumniwhohavedemonstratedextraordinary service to Dartmouth and civic organizations in addition to career accomplishment.” Most recently, in 2018, Dartmouth awarded him an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Serving on Goldman Sachs’ philanthropic boards, he was part of “10,000 Women” and “10,000 Small Businesses” initiatives, empowering women entrepreneurs and small business owners all over the globe. While his successesandaccoladesweremany,Mr.Fahey’s biggest triumphs came in his personal life. He attended every one of his kids’ sporting events, took up the piano, kept a log of every book he read, and chased the snow during ski season with friends and family. Mr. Fahey was large in stature, standing at 6-foot-5, but his love for life and family was immeasurable. On his college application, when asked to write twenty-five philosophical words to humanity, he responded, “You have but one life on this earth: do not waste it. Utilize every minute of your life to improve yourself and help your neighbor.” And that is exactly how he lived. Mr. Fahey and his wife started The Fahey Award for Master Teaching. The award was established in 2001 and is presented annually each spring to a member of the FA faculty who has served the profession long and well and has distinguished him/herself through his/her contributions both in and out of the classroom. To be eligible one must have served the FA community for a minimum of seven years, during which time they inspired students through their passion for and effectiveness in teaching as well as demonstrated a depth of character that reflects the school’s values and serves as a model for the community. Mr. Fahey is survived by his wife, Helen, his four children, Kimberly ‘88, Peter ‘90, Michael ‘93, and Katie‘02, and ten grandchildren including Ashley ‘18, Lilly ‘20, Emily ‘21, Heidi ‘23.

Patricia Parmelee

Pat was one of the best teachers I ever had as a colleague. I was fortunate to have her teach both my children. They learned so many life lessons from her. Pat was a excellent role model for all of us. A dedicated, hard worker who always had time to listen and help anyone who needed it. I enjoyed so many outdoor education trips with her. She loved the outdoors and made those trips terrific experiences for the students. Rock climbing, canoeing and hiking the trails, she was the leader of all of us. I can’t ever think of Pat without smiling. Friends Academy, it’s students, parents,andcolleagueswerefortunatetohavePat with us for so many years.

– Martin Jacobson

I always thought Parm would live forever. With tears I will always hang on to my memories , my laughs, my respect and my love for this very special friend whom I have adored for so many years. On the field hockey field , in the halls of FA, on the slopes of Colorado and during her visits to Vermont , Parm so added to my life with joy and endless fun. As a junior at Friends, I joined Parm and Dave Hotaling on a biological field trip to the US Virgin Islands tenting on the beaches and exploring the marine life with a great group of other students. Later as a student at the University of Colorado , I also embraced more good times with Parm as we ventured many weekends in her putt putt VW bug to the slopes of the Rockies . (Parm was in grad school at CU) Added to this was her con job to get me rock climbing and join her group of 4 to deep into the canyons of Lake Powell in S Utah prior to its filling up in the 60’s. Three weeks of rappelling and hiking the desert floor/ canyons highlighted her zest for life as we were challenged by rattlesnakes, scorpions, flash floods and spectacular scenery . Nevermind her hilarious homemadewineparties,Parmwasatruetreasure! What more can I say ! One Incredible woman!

– Betsy Malcolm Eklof ’64

In 1969, I came to Friends Academy, eager to teach, but with virtually no teaching experience.ThankstoBobFatherly,JaneFreeman, and Pat Parmelee, I was accepted as a colleague immediately. Pat, in particular, became a role model whom I wanted to emulate. She was always eager to answer my questions and make suggestions as how to bring out the best in each student. She gave me confidence to trust myself and create an exciting curriculum. Her insights about students she had taught helped me see

the unique qualities in each kid. From Pat, I learned leadership skills that were invaluable to me as Omega Team Leader. But most of all, Pat was my friend, who loved life and helped me love teaching and being part of the Friends community.

– Ward Seibert, former Lower and Middle School teacher

PatParmelee was one of the true heroes in my life. When I was hired as an assistant teacher in Beta in 1971, with no experience or skills, she said, “We don’t have assistants here.” From the first day, she treated me as an equal. So it was up to me, to watch and learn, to question and try. She never criticized or tried to “teach” me. She let

me become my best self. I attribute much of the person I am today to those first years in Beta, in which I had the wonderful opportunity to learn from the best. Pat was the embodiment of what a Friends educator should be. She was a true Friend.

– Candace Seibert

I am sad to learn of Pat’s passing. I enrolled at FA in sixth grade (Omega team) while Pat was a Beta teacher, so both my younger brother and sister had her as a teacher. She was very involved with the outdoor education program and challenge weekends that we took when I was in high school. I was heavily influenced by her and by Sue Adams, who was also an avid participant in those programs. Now, I am holding Pat’s family in the Light.

– Joanna Parker ’77

Iwas so fortunate to have been able to work with Pat as a colleague and as a parent. She was also an incredible role model for me in my early career at Friends in the 80’s. The qualities that truly set Pat aside from the rest are many- her zest for life and wonderful sense of humor, a deep love for her students, her never-ending patience (especially with my son!), her flexibility and range of personal talents, her deep commitment to service and the environment and her enduring smilethatbrightenedeveryroomsheentered.Pat was a teacher and one who left a special mark on every person she touched.

– Deb Schoman, former Middle School nd Upper School Principals

Former Lower School and Phys Ed teacher, Assistant Lower School Principal

Miss Parm changed my name. Seriously. Before Miss Parm I was a little kid named “Danny.” Miss Parm looked down at me in that tight-lipped way and referred to me as “Dan,” and made it clear that I was expected to behave like a serious young man and not some doofy kid. Miss Parm was the first person to make me feel like that and I liked it. So I became “Dan,” and Dan tried to win Miss Parm’s approval. Not sure I ever did, but she wasn’t the type to high-five you or whatever so who knows? But I improved myself by trying, and I’m pretty sure that was Miss Parm’s intention. Au revoir and thanks, Miss Parm.

– Dan Kaplan ’85

On my first day at Friends Academy Pat was the first person to welcome me to Lower School. Shewassowelcomingandtookmeunder her wing. She was always full of life, smiles and fun! We had many adventures both in school and beyond. I will always remember her kindness, support and laughter. Parm was a dear friend during my years in Lower School and I remember her fondly.

– Carolyn Fricke, Lower School Office and Library

Iwas a boarder for the last two years that FA had boarding,1956-57.Patwasabrandnewteacher then, and lived on my corridor for both those years. Especially in my freshman year, Pat’s room was a sanctuary for us. She gave us a space there to hang out, eat food from “the Valley”, listen to music, whatever, whether she was there on not. What a generous gift!

– Martha Livingston McDermott ‘59

I imagine that most people remember the experience of starting their first job. The moment that I was hired as a teacher at Friends Academy 34 years ago is still crystal clear in my mind with Pat Parmelee as the central figure. I remember exactly where we were standing when she took my hand in both of hers with a broad smile and a twinkle in her eye and told me how happy she was that I was joining the Beta Team. It didn’t matter that she had only met and interviewed me earlier that day. In that brief moment she let me know that I was welcome and valued. That same warmth pervaded every aspect of her work at FA. Miss Parm was a progressive educator who truly cared for her students, created memorable learning experiences,andheldhighexpectationsforthem as learners and members of the community. She was also a collaborative leader of our team who provided this novice teacher with invaluable

guidance and opportunities to make my own way. She was the first to arrive and the last to leave, except during softball season when she spent afternoons with the team. And that impish grin let you know that she like to have fun as well. Organizing the button booth, a regular and popular feature of the Fall Fair in years gone by, was an annual responsibility that Parm took on with enthusiasm. All these years later I still have the button I made with a picture of the two of us – a treasured keepsake and reminder of a life well lived.

– Matthew Bradley, former Middle School teacher

The first flurries of winter today seems like a perfect time to think of my dear friend and amazing colleague of so many years, Pat Parmelee, as walking through Parm’s large, open classroom and hallway on a snowy winter’s day remains one of my most enduring memories of the impact she made on students and colleagues alike. Somehow, miraculously, every day, a cadre of wonderful teachers, led brilliantly by Parm, would gather students in wall-less groups, each exploring totally different areas of the lively and full curriculum of the day: independent readers sprawled on the “loft” or on bean bags, math manipulatives strewn around a table, a language arts group writing Haiku quietly in a corner. But on a winter’s day in particular, I remember noticing the marvelous intangibles that set Parm above the crowd: the smell of mittens and boots drying after a sledding session with Parm on the Lower School hill and the maple sap, tapped from the campus trees, being slowly rendered into syrup, which would, of course, accompany handmade pancakes with Parm later in the day. Sometimes over fifty students and teachers would gather in a silent, snow-hushed circle, in a promptedQuakermeetingtoreflectonaconcern that may have just arisen in the community. Pat Parm’s instinctive way with children checked all the boxes that have now become more familiar. She was also a brilliant leader and so many young teachers who learned alongside her became hugely successful and sometimes gifted

educators in their own right. She was an educator of well- deserved legend, an incredibly generous and kind-hearted colleague, a gifted mentor to so many, a superb leader and a magnificent human being. Parm will be much missed but remembered forever.

– Margaret Lindner, former Lower School Art teacher

IwasaLowerSchoolteacheratFriendsAcademy from 1979 to 1987; the last five years I had the great fortune of working in the Beta Team with lead teacher Pat “Parm” Parmelee. Simply stated, Pat was a master teacher who embodied the qualities of a true professional: prepared, forthright, giving and humble. (She also had a great sense of humor.) During my 38 years as a teacher and school administrator, I was blessed to have four mentors – two at Friends – Marty Jacobson and Pat. It was Pat who guided me in honing my classroom instructional skills. If you look closely at the pictures of Pat teaching, she was gifted in challenging and engaging students – balancing rigorous skill development and plain fun. When the class read a story on the production of maple syrup, Pat had students tap trees on campus, tend the collection buckets and make their own syrup, to be enjoyed during a class pancake lunch celebration. When reading My Side of the Mountain, Pat constructed a full size paper mâché tree. Students then could read inside the tree (when not reading in the loft she constructedinthecenteroftheroom.)Sheguided children in talking out their differences and apologizingwhennecessary–nonsense,straight tothepointandcaring.Sheinvitedhercolleagues – even the young ones like me – to go cross country skiing in the winter and to her and life partner Linda’s home on numerous occasions. I am indebted to her for her professional guidance. When I sought to be a school administrator she invited me to join her at the Nassau County Principal Association (which she co-founded). She is a person who made a difference in children’s lives and made the people around her better as well. She will be missed.

–JohnGentilcore,Ed.D.,formerLowerSchoolteacher

Pat Parmelee in one of her favorite places – the classroom.

Maxine Lifshitz

Former Upper School Mathematics Department Chair

Maxine was well described by her former colleague as“brutally honest and endlessly caring”. As a teacher, she worked tirelessly to support her students, through Algebra One up to AP Calculus. She never glossed over the facts, and would always tell it how it was. Maxine maintained a high bar for her students and stubbornly insisted that they work hard to attain excellence. Maxine would work as hard for her students as she insisted they work for her. She would come in early and stay late. Within the classroom, her heuristic models of teaching were well crafted to serve a broad range of students. As a well-seasoned teacher, she always had plenty of alternative explanations to support students’ understanding. She would also often employ multiple representations (analytical, graphical, and numerical) that supported spiral learning. A master in her field, Maxine was a leader and mentor among upper school faculty. As a regular presenter at teaching conferences, both locally and nationally, Maxine was a great resource for pedagogical advice. Within the department, she was the content guru. She authored an AP Calculus textbook, and has frequently been chosen to be an AP Reader. It is not surprising that she was inducted into the Long Island Math Teachers’ Hall of Fame. In addition to her work in the mathematics department, Maxine has supported the school through convening the Cum Laude Society and serving on the Judicial Board. Maxine’s departure has left many voids at Friends Academy. We will miss her, both within the classroom and around campus. She is kind, caring, quick-witted, honest, and dedicated.

– Marika Knight, former Friends Academy Math Department Chair and current Math teacher

Iwas lucky enough to know Maxine before she retired, and I remember her as a consummate professional who cared deeply for FA and her students.

– Tricia Licari, Director of Human Resources

Ithank Maxine for my employment at Friends. I sent my resume to the math chairperson who turned out to be Maxine. She responded that there were no openings but asked me if I would be interested in subbing. I said yes even though I kept looking for a full time job. Then she called me a month later to tell me that there were 2 math openings. I had been offered an adjunct position at St. Joseph’s college but eagerly came for a job interview at Friends--and so Alex Burt and I were both hired! Maxine was such a friend and she endeared herself to her students with her wit and compassion.

– Joan Phillips, former Friends Academy Math teacher and current Admissions Associate

Abrilliant mathematician highly respected by her colleagues at FA and by the Nassau County math educators, Max (as we all called her) was the quintessential teacher beloved by her students in the classroom and as a senior class advisor. Max taught the AP AB/BC math courses (she was author of the Amsco Review book!) and other AP and honors math offerings, mentored her department members, and provided any student who would drop into her office with the extra help and support that was needed. I have fond memories of the fun we had as colleagues on the Senior retreat and the joy Max had bonding with her new senior advisory group each year.

– Deb Schoman, former Middle School and Upper School Principals

Maxine was an immensely dedicated math teacher,anhonestandforthrightcolleague and a deeply principled woman. With Max, what you saw is what you got. Smart, hard-working and with a quick wit and a smile that lit up her face! Max was superbly calm and pragmatic in all situations and I often thought that, had she not chosen a career in mathematics, that Max would have made a wonderful Supreme Court Justice!

– Margaret Lindner, former Lower School Art teacher

Evan Schreiber, Andrew Schlenger, Ari Pappas

Maxine at her retirement celebration with daughters Alissa and Mariel.

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14% of the Class of 2023 have officially committed to further their academic and athletic careers.

Friends Academy

The cast of SpongeBob: The Musical sung and danced their way into our hearts with a vibrant production.

Friends Academy

Vimala Alagappan ’21 has been named a John Harvard Scholar – ranking in the top 5% of her class at Harvard University.

Third graders invited their parents/caregivers into their classrooms for a student-led workshop on Quakerism.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman ceremoniously approves county-issued bond for the development of the new Center for Innovation.

Middle and Upper School Chinese students venture to Flushing, Queens for an immersive language and culture experience.