New Canaan Country School Bulletin Fall 2018

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL

Meet Head of School

Aaron Cooper

Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall & Commons Opens

Fall 2018

New Canaan Country School Bulletin Fall 2018 Head of School: Aaron Cooper Editors: Brooke Arthur Kent Findlay ’80 Contributors: Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 Tara Coniglio Marisa DiBiasio Nanette Gantz Keri Kern Mark Macrides Abigail Manny Newport ’89 Moina Noor Lela Philip Design: Good Design, LLC gooddesignusa.com Printer: J.S. McCarthy Printers jsmccarthy.com Photography: Brooke Arthur Diane Briggs Kent Findlay ’80 Nanette Gantz Pam Ha-Stevenson Keri Kern Meaghan Mallin Moina Noor Julie Porter Fraser Randolph Chi Chi Ubiña Torrance York

Photo credit: Torrance York

50 SCRAPBOOKS

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A Place to Gather

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“Listening and Learning:” Q&A with Head of School Aaron Cooper

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Take Ownership of Your Learning: 2018 Closing Exercises

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Finding the Right Fit: The Secondary School Counseling Process

ALUMNI

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A Pre-K Through Grade 9 Athletics Program

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Gaining Perspectives

OUR MISSION STATEMENT The mission of New Canaan Country School is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral and physical potential. The school values the imagination and curiosity of children, and respects childhood as an integral part of life. Teachers set high academic standards and challenge students to question, to think, to collaborate and to act with integrity. The school works in partnership with families to teach personal, social and environmental responsibility, and to create a community that honors diversity and our common humanity. New Canaan Country School inspires students to be lifelong learners with the courage and confidence to make a positive contribution to the world.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018–2019 President: Randall M. Salvatore Vice President: Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81 Treasurer: Christopher T. Baker Secretary: Sarah M. Irwin Members-at-Large: Yolanda Seals-Coffield Smita Singh

Tara J. Coniglio Michael J. DiBiasio ’90 Gary D. Engle F. Tucker Golden ’90 Mariko G. LeBaron Monique S. Mims Michael Riccardi John M. Ryan Michael S. Sotirhos Brennen Strine Sharon Gibbons Teles ’88 Caitlin A. Walsh Wilson S. Warren Megin E. Wolfman

Aaron C. Cooper, Head of School Dr. Christopher M. Bogart Lynne F. Byrne Drew Casertano

Faculty Representatives: Elizabeth M. Carroll Hannah M. Liu

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2018–2019 President: Tara Coniglio President-Elect: Susan Barr Treasurer: Marcy Smith Secretary: Liz Keogh VP Community, Diversity & Inclusion: Michelle Saldivar VP Community Service: Leigh Kennedy VP Volunteers: Marnie Gizzie

Kyle A. Markes Day of Service Parents’ Association: Year in Review A Country Night Under the Stars Auction A Celebration of Our Faculty & Staff Frogtown Fair Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day Welcoming Back Former Faculty & Staff

66 Alumni News 74 NCCS Network 76 Class Notes 90 Faculty & Staff News 93 Milestones 94 In Memoriam 96 A Look Back

64 Horizons

Address changes: communications@countryschool.net On the cover: Head of School Aaron Cooper

CONTENTS

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ALUMNI COUNCIL 2018–2019 President: Tucker Golden ’90 Vice President: Sanny Burnham Warner ’88 Emily Coughlin Basaran ’98 Dan Bergfeld ’58 Matt Bloom ’98 Dick Colligan ’01 Michael DiBiasio ’90 Taylor Gould ’06 Marshall Johnson ’04 Caitlin Maguire ’04 Suzy Gibbons Owen ’94 Elena Kavanagh Phillips ’91 Kelsey Hubbard Rollinson ’86 Richard See ’75

Emeritus: Carl Brodnax ’76 Hugh Halsell ’59 Paula Kennedy Harrigan ’81 Carl Rohde ’66 Kit O’Brien Rohn ’78 Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81 Ex Officio: Aaron Cooper, Head of School Terry Gumz, Director of Advancement Holly Donaldson Casella ’04, Director of Alumni Affairs Steve Bloom ’03, Former Alumni Council President

from the

HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Country School Community: As I sit looking at Grace House circle reflecting on my first months on campus, I am struck by the deep reverence so many have for Country School. I have felt this in the conversations I have had with our faculty and staff and in meeting so many alumni and parents of both current and former students. I have also felt the reach of Country School through the letters and emails I have received from unexpected places.

I have had former high school friends from my Groton days reach out to talk about their Country School experiences as students and graduate school colleagues contact me to talk about how Country School’s programs have impacted them as educators; and independent school contacts of all manner have commented to me how impressive Country School’s reputation is. Most significant has been the several heads of school and admissions directors who have reached out to tell me how talented, how successful and how wonderful the Country School graduates who are in their schools are. They have told me that Country School graduates stand out for their ability to think critically, for their confidence, for

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their knowledge of themselves, for their love of learning and for their leadership.

QUITE SIMPLY,

childhood years are foundational, and a school that focuses solely on them like NCCS is able to provide a better experience than ones that focus on other years.

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While this was gratifying to hear, it is not surprising to me. Our students’ successes are directly related to our commitment as a Pre-K through Grade 9 school dedicated to childhood and all the essential elements that come with these years.

Quite simply, childhood years are foundational, and a school that focuses solely on them like NCCS is able to provide a better experience than ones that focus on other years. In my short time here, I have so appreciated seeing the intentionality that goes into every curricular element and every decision. Purpose, when anchored by core values and supported by expertise, drives results. In these pages, you will have the chance to read about that purpose and those results.

We dive deeply into our secondary school process and how we help every one of our students find the best match for secondary school. You will read about our most recent graduates and the mark they leave on Country School, and you will read about the successes of our athletic programs. You will celebrate with us as we dedicate the Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall & Commons.

Together, these highlights tell the story of Country School — a community rooted in respect for childhood as an integral part of life and dedicated to providing children the skills and mindset to make a positive contribution to the world.

Sincerely,

Aaron Cooper, Head of School discover more countryschool.net

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A PLACE T O G AT H E R Susan Haigh Carver '51 Dining Hall & Commons Opens

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

On Oct. 6, the Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall & Commons was officially dedicated.

More photos available www.nccs.smugmug.com

A watercolor by Lela Philip that depicts the Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall & Commons and the dogwood tree planted in her honor was presented to John Carver.

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ICONIC GRACE

The new Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall & Commons will serve as a central gathering space in the heart of campus, available throughout the day for students, teachers and parents, as well as a warm and inviting space to welcome potential new families, alumni and the outside community.

By Tara Coniglio and Abigail Manny Newport ’89, Co-Chairs of the Grace House Committee

HIGHLIGHTS: • Bright, inviting space for children • Increased community opportunities

The first floor of the iconic Grace House was renovated this summer. In addition to the brand new Dining Hall & Commons, the Schlesinger

• Larger kitchen area, allowing for more fresh foods • Decreased pressure on the academic schedule

Library, Performing Arts wing, lobby, Head’s

• Two serveries with shortened

Office, school store and a relocated Admission

• Entire divisions can be

Office received upgrades.

wait times seated together • Four additional conference rooms above the Commons

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

HOUSE REFRESHED THE JOHN-CHRISTOPHE SCHLESINGER LIBR ARY During the construction of the new Dining Hall & Commons, the John-Christophe Schlesinger Library and its adjacent areas were transformed to serve as a temporary kitchen and cafeteria until the completion of the new facility. During that year, the Grace House Committee was formed with the charge of determining how best to utilize those spaces once construction was completed.

The library will continue to be known as the John-Christophe Schlesinger Library, named for John Schlesinger ’89 who died in a car accident in 1997. The committee was overjoyed to continue to honor his name. The Schlesinger family met with the committee throughout the planning process and they recognized, as did the committee, the need to evolve and modernize our library.

The committee considered input from faculty and staff, and researched modern day libraries. In particular, the committee studied the work of John Palfrey, author of Biblio Tech: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever In The Age of Google. Palfrey is also Head of School at Phillips Academy Andover where John’s sister, Katie Schlesinger Fates ’91, attended boarding school. After careful thought and discussion, the committee recommended that our future library be a hybrid of traditional and technological practices. In the redesigned space, you will see the familiar sight of books lining the walls and cozy places for reading and thanks to a gift from the Amicus Foundation, a hands-on maker lab with the tools for designing, creating, building and inventing.

Also, thanks to a gift from the Class of ’89, the room is filled with tables and chairs on wheels, rolling whiteboards and moveable soft furniture which allows for flexibility in creating multiple learning environments. The Library serves as a community space for everyone; it creates opportunities for learning and helps to shape new ideas that enrich the student experience. Borrowing Palfrey’s words,

CALLING ALUMNI AUTHORS We are restocking our bookshelves.

If you have published a book, please send a copy to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella '04.

the library will be a “lab for the scholar.” A scholar is definitely how we would describe John Schlesinger.

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A D M I N I S T R AT I V E O F F I C E S & LO B BY The Admission Office has moved to the first floor of Grace House near the lobby, creating a more accessible and welcoming experience for prospective families. The Head of School and Assistant to the Head of School offices were also relocated to adjoin this new admissions space. The telephone office now sits on the other side of the lobby and the former Head of School Office has been converted to a flexible conference and sitting area. The Grace House Lobby was refurbished with fresh paint, carpet, lighting, and reupholstered new furniture. Structurally the lobby remained, with the beautiful staircases and fireplace as the focal point as you enter through the front doors.

PERFORMING ARTS The Performing Arts Department received additional class-

SCHOOL STORE

room spaces by repurposing rooms surrounding the audito-

The Parents’ Association School Store moved to a bright space

dedicated music rooms, a practice room, and an additional

in between the Grace House Lobby and Carver Commons.

flex room that can be used for an extension of performing

This new space is inviting and provides a more visible, central

arts, film, innovation or classroom experiences. The entire

location for New Canaan Country School spirit wear.

area was refurbished with new paint, carpet, lighting and

rium. It now has a centralized wing comprised of three large

colorful acoustical panels for soundproofing.

GRACE HOUSE COMMITTEE 2017–2018 Tara Coniglio, PA President-Elect, parent, co-chair

Liz Carroll, Faculty Representative to Board of Trustees, parent of alumna Terry Gumz, Director of Advancement Ed Kirk, Director of Facilities Rob Macrae, Head of School, parent of alumna Meaghan Mallin, Head of Lower School, parent Julie Porter, Fifth Grade Teacher, parent Day Rosenberg, Asst. Head of School, parent Kirsten Rosolen, Head of Middle School, parent

Abigail Manny Newport ’89, Second Grade Teacher, parent, co-chair

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

Alex Wellman, Head of Upper School Stephanie Bowling Zeigler ’81, Vice President of the Board of Trustees, parent

OUR FUTURE CAMPUS In January 2016, the Board of Trustees adopted a long-range campus master plan. Significant progress has been made in just two years:

Middle School renovation COMPLETED 2016

Lower School renovation COMPLETED 2017

Grace House renovation COMPLETED 2018

Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall & Commons (new construction) COMPLETED 2018

o Athletic Center o Campus Green o Playing Fields

For more information, visit www.countryschool.net/futurecampus

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“

Listening & Learning”

Q&A W I T H HE A D OF SCHOOL A A RON COOPE R

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

Just as the foundation of a building is essential to its stability, longevity and effectiveness, so too are lessons learned in childhood directly related to one’s adulthood.”

As a veteran head of a N–8 school, Aaron Cooper knows what it takes to lead an independent school. He is familiar with the ebbs and flows of the school year and the many different types of challenges that can arise with an endeavor so bold as educating children, but he is not taking his experience for granted. He is dedicating his first year to “listening and learning” in order to deeply understand the unique culture of our school community. This summer he met one on one with many faculty, staff, parents, trustees and alumni (meetings that he plans to continue into the fall) to get to know Country School through their eyes.

Now it’s our turn to find out more about Aaron.

An interview with Director of Marketing and Communications Brooke Arthur

Q: A:

Let’s start at the beginning. Why did you become an educator?

My path to being an educator starts with my parents and grandparents: two of my grandparents were Protestant ministers, my

father nearly started his career there, and my mother is a nurse practitioner. Caring for people and communities was core to my upbringing. From an early age, I applied that spirit to working with children. I tutored

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younger students at our local library starting in middle school and sought the opportunity to be a prefect in the eighth grade boys’ dormitory in high school. While I never actively aspired to be a teacher, even given those activities, the choice was a natural one once I reached the end of college.

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We all want our children to be happy, successful adults who lead lives of purpose, and the best way to do that is to ensure that their foundation for good character and deep intellectual spirit is as strong as possible.”

Q:

Your career has largely been in schools that serve the elementary and middle school grades.

What is it about those particular ages or the Pre-K through Grade 9 model that appeals to you?

A:

I studied architecture for a time in college.

Just as the foundation of a building is essential to its stability, longevity and effectiveness,

so too are lessons learned in childhood directly related to one’s adulthood. What we learn and experience as children become intuitive to who we are and how we think, and thus integral to our growth. I have dedicated my career to schools that intentionally and solely focus on the entire arc of childhood because I believe they have a greater impact on children than other schools that focus on older students. In a Pre-K through Grade 9 school, all of the resources go to students in these most impressionable years, educators can be intentional in designing the progression of the program to meet the development of children, and early adolescents can grow and learn in an environment free from

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Q:

There is so much talk about kids and stress these days. What do you see as a school’s role in the emotional life of a child?

A:

Schools have an enormous role in the emotional life of a child. People learn best when they are confident and feel safe

psychologically, emotionally and physically. Our first role in a child’s emotional life is cultivating such an environment of safety and of self-knowledge. That happens in every classroom, in every hallway and in every interaction between students and teachers.

Beyond that, one of the components of Country School that has impressed me the most is its direct attention to students’ understanding of their own — and their classmates’ — well-being. Morning meeting, mood meters, Responsive Classroom techniques, life skills courses, athletics and our advisory program are several of the formal ways that we directly educate our students to discover and monitor their own emotional well-being.

Q:

The field of education is changing rapidly. How do you stay on top of the trends and determine what is a fad and what has staying power?

A:

I read. I go to conferences. I speak with other educators. I visit great schools. And I read some more. As Head of School, it is essential

the sometimes irresistible pull of older students. One

for me to learn about new thinking and new applica-

of the aspects that attracted me to Country School

tions in the field of educating children. That said,

the most is the mission to “respect childhood as an

when considering whether a new idea would have a

integral part of life.” We all want our children to be

positive impact at Country School, I think of it less in

happy, successful adults who lead lives of purpose, and

terms of “fad versus staying power” than in terms of

the best way to do that is to ensure that their founda-

what fits within our mission and will have a positive

tion for good character and deep intellectual spirit is

impact on our students and the overall quality of their

as strong as possible. No school can do that like a Pre-K

experience. Anything that passes that litmus test is

through Grade 9 school.

worthy of our serious consideration.

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

“Schools have an enormous role in the emotional life of a child. People learn best when they are confident and feel safe psychologically, emotionally and physically.

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In order to envision what the strongest future for Country School entails, I need to know its history and its present state as thoroughly as possible.�

Q:

What are you most proud of from your time as head of Elisabeth Morrow School?

A:

When reflecting on my time at The Elisabeth Morrow School, I am most proud of uniting teachers, parents, students and administra-

tors behind a shared vision of a stronger future that remained faithful to the core values of the school while also driving significant change. Those efforts resulted in the school overcoming many of the challenges it had experienced in the wake of the 2008 recession. There was deeper dedication to the mission of the school, increased admission and retention, more parental satisfaction and record-breaking fundraising results.

Q:

You have said that you plan to listen and learn during Year One. What are you listening for?

A:

I am listening for the stories that when taken together paint the full picture of Country School. In order to envision what the

strongest future for Country School entails, I need to know its history and its present state as thoroughly as possible. Seeing the picture of the school through the eyes of those who went here, have taught here and who know it best is invaluable. Every conversation adds a brushstroke to the picture of the school as I understand it.

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

The Cooper Family Joins Country School On July 1, Head of School Aaron Cooper and his wife, Kara,

throughout his time at EMS

along with their two daughters, Julia and Charlotte, offi-

Aaron demonstrated his

cially joined the Country School community.

ability to face challenges

with creativity and confidence,

While serving as Head of The Elisabeth Morrow School

steering the school through a revi-

(EMS) in Englewood, New Jersey, for the past six years,

talization that has bolstered financial

Aaron guided the school through a successful capital

sustainability and resulted in a 20-year

campaign and long-range campus master plan, and the

high in applications and new enrollees, as well as

development of a sustainable financial model. He also

increased annual giving and engagement

developed and implemented a comprehensive integrated

across all constituent groups.

STEAM program, a renowned instrumental music initiative, and an interconnected diversity and inclusivity program.

Aaron earned an Ed.M. in Private School Leadership and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College,

During his 15 years at EMS, Aaron also served as Assistant

Columbia University; he received his B.A. in the Growth

Head and Dean of Students; coached and taught math,

and Structure of Cities from Haverford College, and a

Latin, ethics and public speaking; and led middle school

diploma from Groton School. He served on the board of

advisory groups. Aaron was actively involved in the school’s

The Community Chest of Englewood, has served on five

reaccreditation process and an initiative to expand the

reaccreditation visiting committees and is a member of the

school to include grades seven and eight. Importantly,

Elementary School Heads Association.

Q:

The role of Head of School has become increasingly demanding.

What do you do to refuel yourself?

A:

I love to be outside and to spend time with my family. A run in the woods, a family board game and a few moments throwing a ball

with my kids all give me time and space for reflection and renewed energy.

Q:

I understand that your family just adopted a puppy. Had you heard the nickname New Canine Country School before?

Letters from Aaron visit www.countryschool.net/lettersfromaaron to read and subscribe to Aaron’s weekly letters to the Country School community

A:

No, I hadn’t heard that one, but I love it! Yes, Baxter, our Irish Doodle puppy, joined us a few weeks after we settled into our new

house on Ponus Ridge. We had not lived in circumstances that have been particularly conducive to having a dog, so we are excited that Country School and New Canaan are different. I look forward to having him join me in my office sometime soon!

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1

Learning Take Ownership of Your

2

2018 Closing Exercises

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4

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

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The following are remarks made

by Dr. Robert P. Macrae during the 2018 Closing Exercises When I spoke with many of your grandparents and special friends about a month ago, I told them how proud

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of Country School you are and what makes Country School different is how

the United States. Jefferson’s famous

the students own their education. I

phrasing was actually inspired by British

believe we work hard to give you a

philosopher John Locke. Locke theorized

sense of ownership of the school.

that “life, liberty and property” were the

I love the quote: “The mind is not

necessary ingredients for a democratic

a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be

society. He believed that ownership not

kindled.” I don’t believe a Country School

only provided incentive but also fueled

education is about filling your brains with

the entrepreneurial fires that would

facts and figures that you can simply

lead to prosperity. Jefferson seized on

regurgitate on an exam. Instead we need

Locke’s idea, but he wisely realized that

to teach you the Mission Skills, how to

“the pursuit of private property” didn’t

creatively develop alternative solutions

have quite the same poetic appeal.

to a problem, and how to be empathetic!

Ownership can be messy, demanding,

It is obvious that you have taken

even downright exhausting. In schools

ownership for your learning and that

where students are encouraged to

you have made this school yours. You’ve

own their learning, teaching is consid-

put your hearts and souls into every

erably more challenging. Believe

aspect of your learning, which in turn

me, if it were easy, more schools

has made Country School the trans-

would do it. That’s why we see most

formational school that it is today.

schools relying on standardized lesson

To expound on the importance of

plans and fill-in-the-bubble tests.

ownership, I reach back to the birth

But at Country School, we purposely

of our country and the Declaration

create a climate in which we expect

of Independence. In the Declaration,

our students to partner with us in

Thomas Jefferson penned the historic

their learning because the correla-

phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of

tion between ownership and depth of

happiness” — a concise expression of

learning is irrefutable. Students simply

our unalienable rights as citizens of

learn more when they play active roles.

9 1. Ashley Rodgers, Georgia Rivero, Audrey Magnusen, Jennifer Llamas and Lauren Walsh 2. Dillon Mims presented the Class Reflection 3. Fell, Benjamin, Sam, Emma and Cara Burnham Herdeg ’86 4. Yolanda, Sydney, Mackie and Eric Coffield 5. Avery ’16, Madsie and Logan MacLear 6. Jennifer, Thomas, Maisy, Jeffery and Michael Ricciardelli 7. Jeff, Jack, Oliver and Eila Johnson 8. Sarah Pescosolido, Audrey, Layla and Mark Magnusen 9. Jack and Katherine Scarborough

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2018

Lifers

11 of our 32 graduates have been together since the Thacher Building

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13 Each member of the Class of 2018 can proudly claim an ownership stake in Country School. Every one of you has a unique story of how this place has become your own. You went to great lengths to protect, preserve and promote the school you love — to leave it a better place than you found it. This

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is the magic that Jefferson and our forefathers believed in. Through ownership, we would have the opportunity to better ourselves and better our world.

This lofty notion of ownership is the lesson I offer you today. When you begin to care deeply about an institution or a cause, you’ll want to serve it. You’ll become subordinate to what matters most, and it comes full circle when you begin to live a life of service.

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If you follow this path, you’ll not only be a better person, but you will have found the key to leading a happy life. I believe this is what Jefferson intended when he changed Locke’s words from “life, liberty and property” to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

As you proceed to the next level of your education and prepare to live and thrive in a free society, I challenge you to continue to take ownership of your

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learning. Own it and the future is yours.

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The Kontulis family concludes 24 years at the school, one of the longest runs in recent memory.

Also noteworthy are the Alvords and the Miller-Riveros who have each been at Country School for 12 years.

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20 10. Logan MacLear, James Kontulis, Georgia Rivero and Alexis Rodgers attended NCCS from Pre-K through Grade 9 as did Carter Alvord (pictured in photo 20).

11. Cory, Dillon, Justin and Monique Mims 12. Anna and Isabel Hernandez 13. Hunter ’17, Sydney, Campbell and Stacey Essex 14. Hannah Nightingale delivered the Salutation 15. Erick, Brian and Ana Villalta 16. Luca Franzino and Jennifer Llamas 17. Celine, Shane, Kieran and Jarlath Carbin 18. Patti, Matt ’15, Lydia and Jim Dormer 19. Clay ’12, Elizabeth, James, Eliza ’04 and Chuck Kontulis 20. Carter Alvord 21. Carlos and Georgia Rivero, Nancy Miller-Rivero 22. Lucy Jones, Deyante McKinstry and Logan MacLear 23. Owen Collins, Jeffrey Ricciardelli, Alex Byrne and Adam Rizvi 24. John, Freya, Owen and Sarah Collins 25. Laura, Connor ’15, Eloise, Tyler, Quinn ’16 and Charles Galante 26. Christine, Caleb, Scooter, Will, Margot and Adam Seiden 27. Sulani, Aaron and Monica Watkins

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26

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Alumni 4 of our 2018 graduates are children of alumni

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

28. Riz, Adam, Anika, Noah and Saira Rizvi 29. Caitlin, Connor, Lauren, Jane and Luke Walsh 30. Bill, Weezie, Tucker ’16, Nina, Christina and Bill Stoops ’78, Martha Economou 31. Julie and Hannah Nightingale 32. Lucy and Banc Jones ’85 33. Deyante McKinstry with Ori, Jace and Deyanira Felix 34. Floris ’83, Jay and Allisson van Dijkum 35. Rachel, Maeve, Daly and Chris Baker 36. Steve, Ashley, Alexis, Emily and Kristen Rodgers

More photos available www.nccs.smugmug.com

Class of 2018 Secondary School

Destinations

Carter Alvord �������������������������������� Loomis Chaffee School

Logan MacLear ����������������������������������� St. George’s School

Daly Baker ����������������������������������������� Deerfield Academy

Audrey Magnusen ���������������������������������� St. Luke’s School

Alex Byrne ������������������������������������������� Berkshire School

Deyante McKinstry �������������������������� Choate Rosemary Hall

Shane Carbin ���������������������������������������� St. Luke’s School

Dillon Mims. ................................. Phillips Exeter Academy

Sydney Coffield ���������������������������� Rye Country Day School

Hannah Nightingale ����������������� Brien McMahon High School

Owen Collins ���������������������������������������� Millbrook School

Jeffrey Ricciardelli ����������������������������������� The Taft School

Lydia Dormer �������������������������������� Greens Farms Academy

Georgia Rivero ���������������������������������������� Hopkins School

Sydney Essex ����������������������������������������������� King School

Adam Rizvi ������������������������������������������� St. Luke’s School

Luca Franzino ������������������������������� Rye Country Day School

Alexis Rodgers ���������������������������������� Greenwich Academy

Tyler Galante �������������������������������� Loomis Chaffee School

Katherine Scarborough ��������������� Phillips Academy Andover

Emma Herdeg ��������������������������������������� St. Luke’s School

Will Seiden. .......................... Williston Northampton School

Anna Hernandez ������������������������������� Westhill High School

Nina Stoops ������������������������������������������ Berkshire School

Jack Johnson ���������������������������������������� Hotchkiss School

Jay van Dijkum ����������������������������� Phillips Exeter Academy

Lucy Jones ��������������������������������������� Westminster School

Brian Villalta �������������������������������� Rye Country Day School

James Kontulis �������������������������������������� St. Luke’s School

Lauren Walsh ������������������������������������������ The Taft School

Jennifer Llamas ����������������������������� Greens Farms Academy

Aaron Watkins �������������������������� Phillips Academy Andover

Good Luck

We wish the best of luck to the members of the

2017–2018 eighth grade class who departed at the end of the year: Annabelle Baird, JB Barr, Aiden Bertellotti, Elizabeth Dale, Menna Delva, Mary Duffy, Amira El Hattab, Lila-ViVi Fagel, Bennett Ghriskey, Pippa Gore, Max Guan, Ben Guarini, Duke Hagen, Brendan Keogh, Alexandra Mathews, Byrne Matthews, Amanda Miller, Peter Miller, Caitlin Neafsey, Ram Perez, Chris Raker, Thomas Ricciardelli, Maggie Ruvinsky, Tavin Staber, Samantha Stevens, Niki Sulkowski, Will Warner and Ryan Werneburg.

See page 88 for Class of 2019 school destinations.

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19

finding the

THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNSELING PROCESS

20

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

C

ountry School graduates often have their pick of top schools when it comes to secondary education, and it is Director of Secondary School Counseling Lisa Schultz’s job to make sure they have fully explored their options before making that final decision. Because of their combination of exceptional academic preparation, strong sense of community and leadership skills, NCCS graduates

attend some of the best secondary schools in the country — independent day and boarding, as well as local public schools.

After nearly two decades in the fashion business, Lisa made a career shift to working at independent schools, starting with joining the Admission Office at Brunswick School, where she spent eight years before landing her “dream job” at NCCS four years ago. Her own children, Katherine ’08 and Reed ’11, are proud Country School alumni, and seeing them thrive as young adults helps Lisa guide anxious parents who are eager to make the right decisions in their own children’s educational journeys.

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21

TOP 10

secondary schools Over the past five years, the top 10 schools attended by NCCS graduates (from eighth and ninth grades) are:

Q

You often talk about your work as partnering with students and families to find the “right fit.”

How exactly do you go about that?

A

It’s so exciting to work with kids this age. It’s one thing I love about working in a school of

our configuration. Students in eighth and ninth grade have gotten to know themselves as learners,

An interview with Director of Marketing and Communications Brooke Arthur

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Q A

NEW CANAAN HIGH SCHOOL. ........ 33 ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL. .................. 27 KING SCHOOL. ..................... .... 19 GREENS FARMS ACADEMY............ 15 GREENWICH ACADEMY. .......... .... 15 DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL............. .... 15 WESTMINSTER SCHOOL. ............. 15 CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL. ....... .... 15 THE TAFT SCHOOL. .................... 13 PHILLIPS ACADEMY ANDOVER. .. .... 12

How do you get to know the students?

I send them a questionnaire early in the year that helps identify their interests, but I really

find out a lot through our face-to-face meetings. I ask

have practiced being citizens in our school commu-

a lot of questions. I ask them about their passions.

nity and in the community at large, and have

I ask them questions like: What do you like to do in

uncovered some of their passions and interests.

your free time? Do you do any chores around the

They are building a strong sense of self-identity. At

house? What do you like to read? Have you gone to

the same time, 15-year-olds developmentally are

sleep-away camp? Those kids who love sleep-away

not ready to make an educational decision solely

camp generally do well at boarding school. I also

by themselves, and still need and value guidance

get to know the students through the eyes of their

from their families and teachers. So we work

teachers and coaches as well as their parents.

collaboratively. I ask them a lot of questions, get to

Q A

know them and their families on a personal level, and then suggest schools that might be a good fit.

94%

of the Class of 2018 graduates who applied to independent secondary schools were admitted to their first choice school.

See page 19 for the Class of 2018 Secondary School Destinations.

What’s it like to watch ninth graders go through the process?

You watch them struggle and work hard and then have some failures and successes, and

that is the model of our lives. It is often their first exposure to having something out of their control.

In the end, secondary schools see Country School graduates as academically prepared and very desirable, and yet they still have to compare our students to other very capable kids. I think it is good for them to work diligently and experience the feeling of wanting something very much and then eventually achieving their goal. I also get to witness them face a fork in the road as they discover that sometimes there is no one perfect choice, that they might have equally rewarding, but different experiences at different schools.

22

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

secondary school admission

Q A

How do you prepare students for the interview process?

Practice, practice, practice. We run them through mock interviews to shake out

the nerves and to give them a chance to hear

PROCESS a roadmap for families SPRING

themselves answer some common questions out loud. In many ways we have been preparing them for this moment their entire time at NCCS. How they present themselves in their interviews is the cumulative effect of all of the years of collaboration, critical thinking and presentation that they have done, many since Beginners.

Q A

What about the parents? How do you support them?

Attend seventh & eighth grade parent panel presentation

Gather information at secondary school fairs

SUMMER

Conduct online research and begin to develop school list

My goal is to offer them a very personal-

Register for December or January SSAT

ized experience. We provide one-on-one

counseling as well as monthly coffees to go over the next step of the process. Each fall, we host

who will be meeting with them and their children as they undertake this next step of their journey.

We also keep a resource page on the website chock full of pertinent information.

Q A

What is your first piece of advice as families begin the process?

I encourage them to cast a wide net and stay open-minded. You would be surprised how

much a child grows during ninth grade and how a

Visit day, public and boarding schools SSAT Prep Classes begin Request teacher recommendations

as possible. Then it becomes a family decision.

Q A

What are schools really looking for?

What stands out on the application or in the interview?

Of course academic performance is the underpinning, but communication skills are

still paramount. Students who interview well and are strong public speakers will excel, and that is something we stress here at Country School.

They are looking for relevant skills, for problemsolvers who can be entrepreneurial, creative thinkers. They are looking for confidence, which our students gain through a variety of experiences and leadership roles. And finally, they want students who are community-minded.

FALL Parent coffee first week of school to review process

Organize application material and practice interviewing Take SSAT at NCCS in November

WINTER

$

Individual counseling sessions

Submit applications and financial aid forms

family’s ideas shift as they visit schools. My goal is always to create as many options for each student

Schedule appointments with secondary schools

Attend Secondary School Admission Director Panel

a panel of secondary school admission directors so that parents can hear directly from the people

Initial meeting with Secondary School Counseling

Counseling Office submits transcripts and recommendations

SPRING

Counseling Office helps evaluate options and make a decision

Revisit and respond to admitted secondary schools and enroll accordingly

24%

public

SECONDARY SCHOOL MATRICULATION

43%

boarding

5-year average of eighth and ninth graders

33%day countryschool.net

23

“

meet the We know that the students who come to us from NCCS will be superbly prepared academically, be active learners in the classroom, and, as we state in our mission, eager and able to serve as partners with our teachers.”

—ANN R. MILLER, DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT AND FINANCIAL AID, GREENS FARMS ACADEMY

“

NCCS students who enroll at Choate come well prepared in all realms — academically, athletically and artistically — and are thus wonderfully engaged community members. At the heart of it all, is a true love of learning and curiosity that makes them exceptionally proactive and engaged both inside and outside of the classroom.”

—JEFFREY BEATON, SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION, CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL

EXPERTS

Each fall, NCCS invites admission directors and heads of schools from a variety of secondary schools to campus to provide parents with insights into the secondary school process.

This year’s Secondary School Panel was held Sept. 25. Panelists included: Ann Miller, Greens Farms Academy Cheryl Plummer, Greenwich Country Day School Drew Casertano, Millbrook School Elizabeth Schmitt, Miss Porter’s School Jim Ventre, Phillips Academy Andover Matthew Suzuki, Rye Country Day School Miles Bailey, Westminster School

Q A

What trends are you seeing?

The biggest changes I have seen are in the ways students are being evaluated during the admis-

sion process. On most school campuses, there is an emphasis on character skills, social justice, diversity and cultural competence. It’s a exciting time. They want kids who are collaborative, open-minded and aim to be catalysts for positive change in our world.

In terms of the landscape, boarding schools have become more competitive because they are more globally accessible and our local public high schools have only gotten stronger. Whether it be at boarding, day or public school, the core curriculum is rich and relevant, and our kids have the confidence to take advantage of all there is to offer.

“

NCCS students are some of the most well prepared, curious, engaged students we see. They have learned the importance of balancing a tough academic load with demanding extracurricular activities and are totally comfortable reaching out to their teachers and adults in the community. NCCS kids are passionate about life and know the importance of being a responsible, engaged community member.”

—SUZANNE CAMPBELL, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS, THE TAFT SCHOOL

Q A

What is the best part of your job?

The kids, of course! I love getting to know them and watching them grow into young

adulthood. I also admire the colleagues I work with in the admission offices. We may seem like a serious bunch, but we really have a great time together and there is a great sense of collegiality.

Q A

What do you hear from graduates?

They have the most amazing stories about the classes they are taking, the clubs they

started, the jobs they’ve accepted. They seem to do very well academically, socially and athletically in secondary school, and if you look even further out you see that they continue to grow and excel and become the “happy, healthy 30-year-olds” that we want them to be.

24

For more information, visit NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

www.countryschool.net/secondaryschool

BY THE NUMBERS Every year we survey alumni from the graduating class three years prior to find out about their transition to secondary school and their plans for college.

See page 88 for Class of 2015 College Destinations

HERE IS WHAT THE CLASS OF 2015 HAD TO SAY: Keeping up with the workload:

90% FOUND IT AS EXPECTED OR EASIER THAN EXPECTED

20%

B’s

GPA RANGE

80% A’s

Forming relationships with faculty:

100% FOUND IT AS EXPECTED OR EASIER THAN EXPECTED Building new friendships:

87% FOUND IT AS EXPECTED OR EASIER THAN EXPECTED Preparation for leadership:

82% EXCELLENT OR VERY GOOD

50%

75%

73%

SERVED AS TOUR GUIDES OR ON THEIR SCHOOL’S ADMISSION COUNCIL

HELD A LEADERSHIP POSITION IN A STUDENT ORGANIZATION OR SERVED AS A SPORTS TEAM CAPTAIN (OR BOTH!)

PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

93%

of the Class of 2015 achieved a spot on academic honor roll. More than half achieved honor roll EVERY semester throughout secondary school.

Also, more than half received an academic distinction, prize or award beyond honor roll.

25

2017–2018 young alumni

ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to our young alumni on their 2017–2018 secondary school academic and character achievements and recognitions!

• Shane Baldwin ’17 (Choate Rosemary Hall): Elected 2021 Class President • Anna Bean ’15 (Brien McMahon High School): Myles M. Beringer Foundation Scholarship • Cayla Bernstein ’18 (Greens Farms Academy): Sophomore Class President • Gabriel Byan ’15 (Phillips Exeter Academy): German Award; Senior Choir • Haley Fuller ’15 (St. Paul’s School): Rector’s Award (selfless devotion to school enhanced lives and improved the community) • Teddy Gartland ’15 (Greens Farms Academy): Class Valedictorian • Jason Gold ’14 (Brooks School): The Headmaster’s Prize; Head Senior Prefect • Kathryn McCaughey ’15 (Phillips Exeter Academy): Member of the Student Council (Policy Committee) • Ryan Neafsey ’15 (St. Luke’s School): Richard M. Whitcomb Character Award (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship) • Daniel Pfrommer ’15 (Darien High School): 2018 Class Valedictorian; 4th Place, Physical Science Fast Point-based Raytracing with Sphere Bounding Volume Hierarchies; Mu Alpha Theta Award for the most challenging, original, thorough and creative investigation of a problem involving mathematics accessible to a high school student • Cam Raker ’16 (King School): Rensselaer Medal at King School for outstanding achievement in mathematics and science;

the Math Team Prize; Cum Laude Society; invitation to participate in the American Invitational Math Competition • Whitney Rintoul ’16 (Greens Farms Academy): Roger True Science Research Award • Alexandra Schwartz ’15 (St. Luke’s School): St. Luke’s Senior Scholar (Classics and STEM) • Victoria Song ’15 (Choate Rosemary Hall): Thomas Curtis Memorial Prize: Honorable Mention (enthusiasm and love of learning in the study of English); Cum Laude Society • Haley Strom ’17 (Choate Rosemary Hall): Perge Modo Award — Honorable Mention (Latin); John Kirby Simon ’79 Service Award • Tyler Swirbul ’16 (Berkshire School): C. Twiggs Myers Prize (Excellence in U.S. History) • Emma Tapscott ’15 (St. Andrew’s School): Robert H. Stegeman, Jr Award • Kate Tapscott ’15 (St. Paul’s School): The Ambassador Duke Spanish Prize • Carson Teitler ’15 (Phillips Academy Andover): Robert E. Maynard Math Prize for excellence in Analytic Geometry and Calculus

• Nicholas Toldalagi ’15 (Phillips Academy Andover): Presented a Ted Talk at the Tang Institute: “Modernization: Making the Future Accessible to Everyone” • Grant Wang ’15 (New Canaan High School): Columbia Book Award; Principal’s Leadership Award (exemplary academic accomplishment, leadership to the school and/or the community) • CJ Woodberry ’15 (St. Luke’s School): Williams College Book Prize; Distinction in Mathematics and Science • Avery York ’15 (Greens Farms Academy): President, Community Service Board • Leigh Young-Lawler ’15 (Brien McMahon High School): Robert Caste Scholarship • Christopher Ziac ’16 (Rye Country Day School): Cornelius Tacitus Prize (excellence in humanities); Advanced Placement Scholar (having received a “3” or higher on three or more AP Exams); 2018 National Merit commendation • Maia Zonis ’15 (Milton Academy): Cum Laude Society

• Alexandra Truwit ’15 (St. Luke’s School): Cum Laude Society; Senior Bowl • Christine Toldalagi ’15 (Miss Porter’s School): Cum Laude Society; 2017 Yale Book Award (leadership, teamwork and organizational skills)

DO YOU HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?

Information was obtained from secondary schools, media outlets and responses to the alumni survey.

Please contact Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net to report additional news.

COLLEGE MATRICULATION (Classes 2011 to 2015) American University (2) Amherst College Babson College Barnard College (2) Bates College (3) Belmont University Bentley University (2) Boston College (4) Boston University (4) Bowdoin College (4) Brown University (5) Bucknell University (5) Carnegie Mellon University (2)

26

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

Christopher Newport University Clarkson University Colby College (4) Colgate University (9) College of Charleston (4) Colorado College (7) Columbia University (4) Connecticut College Cornell University (8) Dartmouth College (6) Denison University Dickinson College (3) Duke University (7)

Eastern Connecticut State University Elon University (4) Emerson College Franklin & Marshall College (3) Furman University (2) George Washington University Georgetown University (9) Gettysburg College (2) Hamilton College (6) Hampshire College Hartt School of Music Harvard University (7)

Hobart and William Smith Colleges (3) Howard University Indiana University (2) Iona College Iowa State University Johns Hopkins University Kenyon College Lafayette College (4) Lehigh University (2) Liberty University Loyola University Maryland Manhattanville College

Miami University (3) Middlebury College (11) Mount Holyoke College New York University (6) Northeastern University (3) Norwalk Community College Oberlin College Occidental College Pace University Pomona College Princeton University (4) Quinnipiac College Roger Williams University Sacred Heart University (2) San Diego State University Santa Clara University (4)

Sewanee Southern Connecticut State University Southern Methodist University (4) St. Lawrence University (4) Stanford University (4) State University of New York at Purchase Texas Christian University The Juilliard School Trinity College (12) Trinity College, Dublin (2) Tufts University (6) Tulane University (3) Union College University of California Berkeley

University of Chicago (3) University of Colorado University of Connecticut University of Denver (7) University of Florida University of Georgia University of Kentucky (2) University of Maryland University of Miami (3) University of Michigan (3) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2) University of Notre Dame (2) University of Pennsylvania (9) University of Richmond (3) University of South Carolina

University of Southern California (3) University of St. Andrews (3) University of Vermont University of Virginia (12) Vanderbilt University (4) Vermont Academy Villanova University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University (3) Washington & Lee (2) Washington University Wesleyan University Wiley College Williams College (4) Yale University (4)

27

ATHLETICS A Pre-K Through Grade 9 Athletics Program

By Director of Athletics Keri Kern

Eighth grade teacher and cross-country coach Will McDonough is fond of saying, “You get out of cross-country running what you put into it. It’s a one-step-at-a-time endeavor.” The slow-build sequence to which he alludes is overt in its simplicity and yet infers an intentional, cumulative, hard-won outcome. The same can be said for the Country School athletics program. Our Pre-K through Grade 9 athletic curriculum is intentionally designed to introduce students to what will hopefully be a lifelong enjoyment of physical fitness and a healthy attitude toward athletic competition.

28

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

We achieve this through an age-appropriate, creative and

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

challenging athletics curriculum. From an emphasis on participation, fitness, skills and sportsmanship in the youngest grades, to continuing participation and ability-based teams in the Upper School, our enthusiastic athletes are well prepared for secondary school athletics.

In a nurturing, positive environment, Beginners receive guidance in developing a basic understanding of gross movement concepts and manipulative skills. The program emphasizes the acquisition of gross-motor skills and basic body management skills. Strength building, balance, coordination, teamwork, jumping, hopping and skipping are emphasized throughout the year.

Lower School students participate in a carefully sequenced curriculum, with emphasis on fitness, participation, sportsmanship and general athletic skills. We are helping them develop gross and fine-motor skills, learn collaborative skills, coordination, visual and spatial awareness, cardiovascular fitness, selfconfidence and helping them simply get to know their bodies.

Kindergarten through Grade 2 students participate by homeroom, while our students in Grades 3 and 4 move to a genderbased program where we introduce specific sport units that our students will be exposed to in the Middle and Upper Schools.

In the Middle School, students transition to a combination of intramural and interscholastic programs. In the fall and spring, students select a sport and play a competitive interscholastic

Middle and Upper School Athletic Offerings FALL

WINTER

SPRING

CROSSCOUNTRY

BASKETBALL

BASEBALL

FITNESS

CROSSCOUNTRY

FIELD HOCKEY FOOTBALL SOCCER VOLLEYBALL

HOCKEY PADDLE TENNIS SQUASH

LACROSSE SOFTBALL

VOLLEYBALL YOGA

Playing time is evenly distributed at the Middle School level, and the emphasis is on sport-specific skills, collaborative team work, sportsmanship, team pride and improvement over the course of a season.

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29

From an emphasis on participation, fitness, skills and sportsmanship in the youngest grades, to continuing participation and ability-based teams in the Upper School, our athletes are well prepared for secondary school athletics.

schedule. Each team competes with peer schools from the Fairchester Middle School Athletic League (FAA). Playing time is evenly distributed, and the emphasis is on sport-specific skills, collaborative teamwork, sportsmanship, team pride and improvement over the course of a season. Usually there is more than one team in a given sport. In these cases, teams are created to be equal, both by grade level and skill level.

Frequently, two separate teams in a given sport will practice together daily, which helps promote a sense of community and strengthens the bonds between students.

The winter season is intramural-based and is divided into two equal sessions. Students rank preferences from a variety of offerings and have the opportunity to experience two sports.

This intramural season adds to the students’ total athletic experience while also providing a chance for sport-specific skill development and camaraderie among peers.

In the Upper School, students are placed on ability-based teams through a tryout period each preseason. Every student has a chance to participate at a level that complements his or her skill level so that each can experience success and growth as an athlete. Our teams compete in the Fairchester Athletic League, and often against non-league opponents as well.

Our varsity teams are extremely competitive and successful, frequently competing against high school freshman and JV teams, as well as travel teams.

Upon graduating from NCCS, our athletes move on to their next schools feeling prepared and confident for the next level of competition.

Young Alumni

ACHIEVEMENTS Congratulations to our young alumni on their 2017–2018 secondary school athletic and character achievements and recognitions!

> Emma Alpaugh ’15 (Westminster School): > William Byrne ’16 (Berkshire School): Daly Award (tri-varsity athlete, leadership, enthusiasm, strength of character); Tri-varsity Captain (Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse), Squibb Bowl (Varsity athlete, sportsmanship, consistent effort — Soccer), Most Valuable Player Award (Basketball and Lacrosse); NEPSAC All-Star (Basketball and Lacrosse); All Founders League (Lacrosse), Committed to Trinity College (Lacrosse)

> Anna Bean ’15 (Brien McMahon High

School): MVP (Ice Hockey and Lacrosse); Captain (Ice Hockey and Lacrosse)

30

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

David H. Neal Award — Most Improved (Lacrosse)

> Liam Carroll ’16 (Berkshire School) Berkshire Plaque — Most Improved (Tennis)

> Elizabeth Casey ’15 (Westminster

> Jason Gold ’14 (The Brooks School):

Captain (Wrestling and Lacrosse); New England Championship (Soccer); ISL Champion (Wrestling); US Lacrosse Academic All American (Lacrosse)

> Liam Griffiths ’16 (New Canaan High

School): 2018 FCIAC All-East (Lacrosse)

School) Squibb Bowl (varsity athlete, sportsmanship, consistent effort — Cross-Country), Captain (Cross-Country)

> Sam Ives ’18 (New Canaan High School):

> Phoebe Casey ’15 (Greenwich Academy):

Committed to Colby College (Lacrosse)

Gator Award (leadership, strength of character), Captain (Soccer)

2018 FCIAC All-East (Golf)

> Zach Liston ’15 (Greens Farms Academy):

Next Up:

A NEW ATHLETIC CENTER In order to meet the needs of our physical education program, the long-range master plan calls for a new Athletic Center to replace the existing Watson Gymnasium. See page 7 for more about our future campus plans.

Highlights include:

> Increased offerings: mindfulness, yoga, erging, spinning and aerobics

> Will limit need for sports teams to travel off-campus for practices, regaining valuable time

range of programs)

> Two regulation-sized basketball courts with retractable bleachers for spectator seating

> Jack Megrue ’15 (St. Luke’s School):

Tri-Varsity Athlete Recognition (Soccer, Hockey, Lacrosse); Captain (Lacrosse)

> Ryan Neafsey ’15 (St. Luke’s School):

Outstanding Senior Athlete Award; All State Team (Soccer) NEPSAC All Star Team (Soccer); WNEPSA All Star Team (Soccer); Varsity Ice Hockey

> Bret Pastor ’14 (Deerfield Academy):

The Deerfield Hockey Cup (senior who contributed most to the spirit and excellence of Deerfield hockey). Committed to Middlebury (Hockey).

> Diego Pepe ’18 (Ridgefield High School):

Freshman Tiger Pride Award for exceptional play and sportsmanship (Soccer)

> Drew Pyne ’17 (New Canaan High

School): Committed to Notre Dame (Football)

> Four squash courts > An expanded fitness center > Two multipurpose rooms (adaptable for a wide > A well-equipped training room > Athletic field improvements with a possible turf field

> James Tait ’15 (Salisbury School): Most Improved Award (Golf)

> Tyler Swirbul ’16 (Berkshire School): Most Improved Award (Baseball)

> Kate Tapscott ’15 (St. Paul’s School): Gold > CJ Woodberry ’15 (St. Luke’s School): Medal in the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Championships

> Alexandra Truwit ’15 (St. Luke’s School): Qualified for the 2018 Junior National Swimming Championship; Committed to Yale University (Swimming)

> Tucker Seth ’15 (St. Luke’s School): Team Manager of the Year

> Walker Stevens ’15 (Westminster School): Committed to Middlebury (Lacrosse)

> Cal Stewart ’14 (Choate Rosemary Hall): Founders League Top Goaltenders; Captain (Hockey)

2018 FAA All-League Team Honorable Mention (Hockey)

> Maia Zonis ’15 (Milton Academy): Captain (Squash)

DO YOU HAVE ATHLETIC NEWS TO SHARE? In the next Bulletin, we will feature the achievements of our college-age alumni. Please contact Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net to report additional news.

31

Student-Athlete

REFLECTIONS Six ninth grade students were asked to reflect upon their ninth grade sports seasons and their evolution as athletes, and to share some of their most memorable moments and lessons learned.

KATHERINE SCARBOROUGH “Falling in love with softball was easy.

“It has a competitive nature deep to its roots, with crazy chants designed just to distract the other team, or to hype up your own. You become a family with your team. It’s bound to happen when you throw 11 girls together, regardless of friend groups, grades or style.”

Katherine, who served as a tri-captain of the girls’ varsity team, readily admits that while taking to the sport was easy, she first had to overcome feelings of trepidation and self-doubt: “Prior to softball, I had never felt athletically inclined. As a fifth grader, I was tall and lanky and felt awkward.” An early attempt and quick abandonment of cross-country running in Middle School did little to dissuade her of this. She took to the softball field at first nervous and hopeful, then surprised and, ultimately, delighted.

“After I claimed softball as my sport, I required a different level of commitment from myself. I went from just hoping I’d be able to make a throw to actually practicing and perfecting my speed, accuracy and strength.”

Katherine, who will next attend Phillips Academy at Andover, is looking forward to trying out for the school’s crew and softball teams.

AUDREY MAGNUSEN For Audrey, being captain of her soccer team has been transformative. “I’ve always loved being on a team, but suddenly, as captain, my focus was truly on all my teammates. You really start thinking beyond yourself and checking in with everyone. We developed such a tight-knit bond,” she said.

“Audrey leads by example, in her

JAMES KONTULIS “During my 12 years at Country School, I participated in and played many different sports. However, of all of them, squash has been the most challenging.

“Squash may seem like an individual sport, but it’s also very much a team sport.

And as a team, we have accomplished a lot.”

“One of my favorite moments was last year,” said James. “I watched teammates Ella Schoonmaker and Mary Duffy compete with us in the boys’ division of the High School Nationals. I have a lot of respect for how the girls handled that. They are mentally tough. They were only in seventh grade at the time and their opponents were these 6-foot tall high school seniors. I really enjoyed watching them just crush these guys who had been smiling and laughing with way too much confidence before they went on the court. Let me just say, they were wearing a much different expression on their faces at the end of their matches!

“Overall, I have taken a lot of pride and joy in being a part of this team. I am glad that I was a part of the foundation of this program, and I look forward to coming back to watch a few matches.” James plans to continue his squash career while attending St. Luke’s School.

32

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

own understated way,” said Coach Sean Robb. “No one is better at making her teammates feel included.”

Coach Robb recalls one game in particular when Audrey demonstrated her leadership: “The opposing team had scored a goal and Audrey, not me, called everyone in for a huddle.

I still don’t know what she said, but she wasn’t going to let her team lose confidence, and they didn’t.”

Audrey plans to continue playing at St. Luke’s School, but has appreciated being an athlete while at NCCS.

“It’s not just about winning games here. Your coaches want you to improve as much as you can. They care about you as an athlete, as a student and as a person.”

JACK JOHNSON As luck would have it, Jack chose to try cross-country in the fifth grade. “Really, it was a process of elimination. We were required to choose a competitive sport in Middle School,” explained Jack. “Football didn’t appeal, and I hadn’t played soccer since first grade. I didn’t really consider myself an athlete.” That’s all changed now.

Over the past five years running for NCCS, Jack has steadily increased his speed, endurance and self-confidence. By eighth grade, he secured a firstplace finish in a Fairchester Schools’ race field of 140 runners and completed his first half-marathon with a time of 1:53. He has handily won both of Country School’s Homecoming 5K Fun Runs and during the fall, he achieved an NCCS record at New Canaan’s Irwin Park, breaking a 6-minute mile in 5:52, a time he trimmed further to 5:40:39 a few days later. In the spring, he completed the Fairfield Half Marathon in 1:43:51, seven minutes faster than the goal he had set for himself.

“I have found an athletic passion that I can pursue in high levels even outside of school, and keep on improving until I can run farther than I ever have before.

NINA STOOPS Nina is not sure which came first, walking or skating. She does, however, know with certainty that her lifelong love for the game of ice hockey was established in the earliest years.

“I have vivid memories of those Learn to Skate classes, when the entire Kindergarten went down the hill from the classroom to the rink. I get the same feeling today as I did then, just excited to be on the ice, with my friends, doing what I love. It’s still my happy place,” she said.

“One of the things I like best about playing hockey is that we get to do it as a team. I want everyone on my team to score, not because I want to crush the opponent, but because I want my friends to experience the rush of a goal and love the game the way I do. Hockey at NCCS is really fun. I want us all to be having a great time.”

A three-sport athlete, Nina also plays varsity field hockey

“Cross-country is just you, the course, and the people around

and was a captain of the girls’ varsity lacrosse team, but

you. Once you’ve gone far enough, you stop feeling any pain.

admits that ice hockey is her primary focus.

You stop feeling tired even though there’s no energy left in you

She plans to continue all of her athletic pursuits at The

— you’re just running. It’s a sport that tests your true physical

Berkshire School. “I’ve been skating on the same ice, with

boundaries and lets you push yourself further and faster than

mostly the same kids, since I was really little,” said Nina.

anything else can. Most important, however, cross-country is a

“The girls on my teams are my best friends, they are my

sport that I never would have found without NCCS.”

support system. I have loved it and now I’m ready and

Jack will next attend The Hotchkiss School.

excited for whatever comes next.”

ALEX BYRNE “We all know sports are important because they teach you teamwork, respect, determination, resilience, work ethic and the importance of being a part of something bigger than yourself, but I think one of the most underrated aspects of sports is to just have fun.”

Alex was a member of the boys’ varsity lacrosse team that enjoyed back-to-back undefeated seasons and attributes their success to the team being hardworking, focused when it needed to be, wellcoached and well-led by its four captains.

“Our team is different than those we played against because we are an actual team. Many of the teams we went up

against had just a few talented guys trying

“I had been playing hockey at Country

to carry all of the load. We spend every

School since fifth grade, and I played on

practice working on all of the jobs, not just

the Winter Club travel team after school

offensive plays.”

as well. So I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to

Alex also competed on the school’s

take a risk and try something new? I had

varsity soccer and basketball teams, the

never played on an organized basketball

latter for the sheer enjoyment of playing

team before and it was an absolute blast.”

basketball with friends.

Alex, who will next attend The Berkshire School, is philosophical when reflecting on his athletic career at Country School.

“This is my advice: Show up.

Do your job. If the win happens, that’s awesome. If not, you are playing something you love with friends, which is still a lot of fun.” discover more countryschool.net

33

Meet the

COACHES

Accomplished athletes themselves, many of our coaches are current faculty and staff. This teacher-coach model has numerous benefits including a whole-child approach to better knowing students both in and out of the classroom. For more coach bios and information about our athletic program, visit www.countryschool.net/athletics.

SEAN ROBB Girls’ Varsity Soccer Coach, World Language Teacher

“I always ask the students to speak before me in the halftime meetings, providing thoughts about where we are strong, where we are weak, what do we need to do. By the end of the season they are running the meetings and young leaders have emerged.”

PE Coordinator, PE Teacher, Coach

“Each student brings something unique to the group. Everyone can contribute and play a meaningful role regardless of skill, talent, athletic ability or physical attributes.”

Chantal Angelis joined the NCCS community in 2013 following eight years in a similar role at an independent school in Greenwich.

A basketball player, Chantal attended Lehigh University on a full athletic scholarship, earning her B.A. in psychology and a master’s degree in education.

In high school, Chantal earned First Team All-State honors in soccer, basketball and tennis, was the all-time leading goal scorer

Sean Robb has taught Lower School Spanish and has been the Head Coach

in soccer and was a member of two state

for the girls’ varsity soccer team since his arrival in 2011. He also coaches

championship tennis teams.

cross-country during the spring.

At NCCS, Chantal oversees the Physical

In his youth, he was selected to participate in the VT/US Youth Soccer ODP,

Education curriculum, coaches and runs the

a national development program. He played soccer for Choate Rosemary

popular “Dribblers” program, designed to

Hall, competing in the New England Championship final, and was also a top

allow second and third grade girls the oppor-

tennis player.

tunity to fine-tune their basketball dribbling

He earned a B.A. in American Studies with a minor in Spanish at Skidmore

skills while building confidence and coordina-

College, where he also studied for a semester at Universidad de Alicante in

tion in a fun, empowering environment.

Spain. While at Skidmore, he was a four-year starter and senior year captain for the men’s varsity soccer team. He has also coached at various camps at high school level. Sean earned his master’s in teaching at Fairfield University.

34

CHANTAL ANGELIS

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

MATTHEW MCDONALD Boys’ Varsity Hockey Coach, Upper School Math Teacher

“I keep my composure while coaching and try to model game behavior to help the children understand how to control their emotions and stay focused on the task at hand.”

Matthew McDonald arrived at NCCS in 2015. He now teaches Upper School math and is the Head Coach for the boys’ varsity hockey team. Matt earned a B.A. in mathematics and psychology from Hamilton College and an M.A.T in secondary mathematics from Manhattanville College. While at Hamilton, Matt played on the varsity hockey team and helped coach a local U-12 hockey team, the Clinton Comets. A native of Upstate New York, Matt earned all-league honors while playing hockey and soccer at Potsdam Central High School and made the varsity lacrosse team as a freshman. After his junior year, Matt transferred to Deerfield Academy where he spent two seasons as a member of the varsity soccer and hockey teams. In his free time, Matt coaches at the New Canaan Winter Club, acting as the assistant coach for the club’s Bantam A team, which won the 2018 state championship, and the head coach for the U-18 team.

CHARLES KHUEN Boys’ Varsity Soccer and Lacrosse Coach, Upper School English and History Teacher, Grade Level Dean Charles Khuen attended The Fenn School and Winchester High School where he was a starter and captain of the varsity lacrosse and soccer teams. He still holds the Winchester boys’ lacrosse career goals and career points records. At San Diego City College, Charles captained the soccer team, leading them to a Pacific Coast Conference Championship and a deep run into the state playoffs. Charles also coached in the Poway youth lacrosse system while living in San Diego. After transferring to University of California, Davis, where he double-majored in Middle East/

KERI KERN

South Asian Studies and Religious Studies with a minor in World History, he played lacrosse his senior year.

Director of Athletics, Varsity Field Hockey

After graduation, Charles went to Israel for six months on an extended study

and Girls’ Lacrosse Coach

course focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From Israel, Charles traveled

Keri Kern has worked as Director of

to Amman, Jordan, where for another eight months he helped establish the first

Athletics since 2007. Previously, she was

all-female soccer league for refugees. At NCCS since 2011, he has been Head

the Assistant Director of Admission and

Coach of the boys’ varsity soccer and lacrosse teams, accumulating a string of

Athletics at Groton School where she

undefeated seasons.

also served as head coach of the varsity field hockey and lacrosse teams.

Keri earned her B.A. in psychology and a minor in marketing and management at Duke University, where she also competed for the nationally ranked field hockey and lacrosse teams on full scholarship.

During the course of her college career, she participated in five NCAA Division I Tournaments, including the NCAA Division I Women’ Lacrosse Final Four.

In her youth, she attended Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts, where she picked up First Team All-American accolades in both field hockey and lacrosse. She has also coached at various camps at both the college and high school level, as well as the MassElite and Granite State Elite lacrosse club teams.

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CONGRATS To Our Undefeated Teams!

GIRLS’ VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY 9–0–1 The competition was challenging but ultimately proved to be no match for the seventh, eighth and ninth graders who outscored their opponents 31 goals to 2. Coaches Keri Kern and Cynthia Badan had originally thought that this would be a rebuilding year, but were delighted by the tenacious spirit of the young team. In their last game — against perennial powerhouse Sacred Heart of Greenwich, during an unseasonably cold, wet day — the players proved they had what it takes.

“With all the pressure on their shoulders, the athletes took to the field for their final game with confidence and were relentless despite the ache in their hands and legs from the downpour conditions. Their hard work and sheer determination paid off.” –Keri Kern, Head Coach, Field Hockey (above) Members of the team included Annabelle Baird, Daly Baker, Maeve Baker, Caroline Blouin, Fiona Burton, Elizabeth Dale, Bennett Ghriskey, Pippa Gore, Ellie Hanson, Lucy Jones, Amelia Lancaster, Kyle Latimer, Logan MacLear, Annika Mannix, Gigi Morgan, Katharine O’Shea, Cece Salvatore, Nina Stoops, and Gwen Thompson, and were led by Coaches Keri Kern and Cynthia Badan.

CO-ED VARSITY SQUASH 10–0 In addition to being undefeated as a team, Upper School squash players tallied a remarkable 63 individual wins versus 5 losses during regular season competition. At the 2018 U.S. Middle School Team Squash Championship held at Yale University Jan. 19–21, the girls’ squash team earned a fourth-place national ranking in Division 1 following three days of hard-fought matches. The boys’ squash team enjoyed success as well, placing third in the nation in Division II competition. (left) Members of the team included Dean Ambrose, Daly Baker, Maeve Baker, Stanley Bright, Cody Comyns, Mary Duffy, Parakram Karnik, James Kontulis, Amanda Miller, Peter Miller, Katharine O’Shea, Cece Salvatore, Ella Schoonmaker and Connor Walsh, and were led by Coaches Cynthia Badan and Madeleine Ker ’10.

36

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

GIRLS’ VARSITY SOCCER 8–0–1 Coaches Sean Robb and Abigail Cerone led their athletes through a grueling nine-game season that saw 25 NCCS goals find the net, versus only 7 from the competition. Coach Robb noted that by the last game, the second meet-up of the season with Greenwich Country Day School, they knew they might have an undefeated season on their hands. Undaunted by the prospect, he encouraged his players to stay focused on the task at hand and leave any potential accolades for after the game. “They got down to business,” said Robb. When the buzzer sounded, giving them the 1–0 win, the girls mobbed their goalkeeper.

“They displayed great resilience at every turn. It was not any easy game — or season — by any means.” –Sean Robb, Head Coach, Girls’ Soccer (above) Members of the team included Margaret Boeschenstein, Ava Gizzie, Anna Hernandez, Jennifer Llamas, Audrey Magnusen, Layla Magnusen, Amanda Miller, Caitlin Neafsey, Alexis Rodgers, Ashley Rodgers, Ella Schoonmaker, Dylan Seth, Samantha Stevens, Lauren Walsh and Ella Zea, and were led by Coaches Sean Robb and Abigail Cerone.

BOYS’ VARSITY LACROSSE 12–0 Netting an impressive 116 goals versus just 39 allowed, the team clinched their second consecutive undefeated season. Highlights included a championship win at the 2018 GCDS Lacrosse Invitational Tournament and back-toback, hard-fought wins against perennial rival Brunswick School. The tension was palpable when, in the final game of the season, the Bruins from Greenwich led 3–0 at the half.

The Cougars found their strength from within, clawing their way back with six unanswered goals for the victory.

“I have been impressed with this team’s ability to come together as a united front and deliver some truly high-caliber lacrosse. We had leaders on both sides of the ball who rallied us when we needed to refocus.”–Charles Khuen, Head Coach, Boys’ Lacrosse (above) Members of the team included Jackson Alpaugh, Carter Alvord, Walker Blair, Alex Byrne, Owen Collins, Cody Comyns, Peter Diorio, Tyler Galante, Charlie Gaynor, Will Johnson, James Kontulis, Nick Lancaster, Ram Perez, Jeffrey Ricciardelli, Thomas Ricciardelli, Alex Sotirhos, Carter Spain and Rett Zeigler, and were led by Coaches Charles Khuen, Marshall Johnson ’04 and Tom Furbee.

37

Kyle A. Markes Day of Service &

MARKES MADNESS 2

EMBERS OF THE NINTH GRADE CLASS led more than 300 New Canaan Country School students and their parents, along with several alumni, to serve the wide-ranging needs of 13 local nonprofit organizations on April 7. They were participating in the fourth annual Kyle A. Markes Day of Service, in honor of a classmate who passed away in 2013.

Volunteer groups washed windows and performed an indoor-outdoor seasonal clean-up at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (Stamford); raked leaves and prepared food trays at Inspirica (Stamford); sorted and stocked deliveries for the food pantry at New Covenant Center (Stamford); prepared grocery bags at Person-To-Person (Norwalk); cleaned up a playground and planted spring flowers at the Open Door Shelter (Norwalk); spent time playing games and making crafts with resi-

3

dents at the New Canaan Inn; played Family Feud and sang karaoke with seniors at the Waveny Care Center Nursing Home (New Canaan); participated in a charity low-impact barre class in support of the ELM Project and Camp AmeriKids at Pure Barre (Darien); compiled first aid kits for Americares of Norwalk; created flash cards and tutored ESL students at Building One Community (Stamford); packed personal hygiene kits for the homeless population served by Family & Children’s Agency (Norwalk); made fleece blankets for the babies in the NICU and cards and necklaces for the mothers comforted by the Tiny Miracles Foundation (New Canaan); and prepared cards and gift bags for pediatric patients of Yale’s Smilow Cancer Center (New Haven).

Event co-chairs Davina Brislin Lilley ’94 and Melinda Stewart orga1

nized the two days of events in coordination with the school’s Service Learning Co-Directors, Kathy Kravec and Will McDonough.

4

MARKES MADNESS On April 6, over 80 students participated in a charity basketball tournament named “Markes Madness” in Kyle’s honor. Twenty-two 4-person teams comprised of Middle and Upper School students competed in a spirited 3v3 tournament. Proceeds from the games benefited Horizons.

More photos available NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018 www.nccs.smugmug.com

38

5

6 1. Theodore Dulos 2. Co-Director of Service Learning Will McDonough and son Gideon 3. Katey Charnin planted flowers at Norwalk’s Open Door Shelter 4. Upper School champions Mason Pratt, Charlie Gaynor, Will Johnson and Rett Zeigler 5. Jack Nally, Graysen Strine and Brandon Krongard 6. Alumni from the Class of 2017, Sloane Latimer, Carter George, Desmond Pratt, Shane Baldwin, Charlie Tait and Katie Stevens joined Walter Markes and Jackqueline Mclean-Markes (center) to honor their former classmate, Kyle A. Markes, at the new Friday evening event.

7. Event co-chairs Davina Brislin Lilley ’94 and Melinda Stewart

8. New Canaan Country School students, parents, teachers and friends including Louisa Gosk, Julia Coniglio, Anthony Coniglio, Adam Wolfman, Celia Baliotti, Hilary Miller and Sam Aliapoulios made fleece blankets for the babies in the NICU and cards and necklaces for the mothers comforted by the Tiny Miracles Foundation.

9. John Bajaj, Bradley Werneburg, Will Mackey, Ned Smith and Ben Bilden were excited about the Middle School championship.

10. During the tournament half-time, Kyle Markes' parents, Jackqueline Mclean-Markes and Walter Markes, thanked the crowd of over 150 students, parents and returning alumni.

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8

10 ©AUGUSTOS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

9

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39

P E R S P E C T I V E S

Service Learning in

Costa Rica A day after graduation, 16 recent ninth grade graduates boarded a plane for a weeklong trip to Costa Rica to immerse themselves in Central American culture and Spanish language. They spent a couple of days at a school in La Luca, a village in the center of the country, where they engaged in a service project, painting and repairing the school. In their spare time, they played with local students (lots of pick-up soccer!) and interacted with local families. During the second part of their trip, students traveled to the Pacific Coast where they learned to surf and zip-lined in nearby mountains to view wildlife.

40

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

Top: Students who participated included Carter Alvord, Alex Byrne, Shane Carbin, Owen Collins, Sydney Essex, Lucca Franzino, Tyler Galante, James Kontulis, Logan MacLear, Deyante McKinstry, Hannah Nightingale, Georgia Rivero, Adam Rizvi, Nina Stoops, Aaron Watkins and Lauren Walsh.

Above: Students paint a school in La Luca.

Global Insights Alumni Serve as Expert Advisors to Eighth Grade World Congress

By Moina Noor

E

ighth graders tackled complex contemporary global issues during World Congress,

an annual highlight of a yearlong study of world cultures. Over a period of two days in late May, students took to the podium to address their peers and teachers about the environment, climate change, renewable energy, global health and human rights.

Working in task forces, they researched different aspects of each topic and collaborated to create a unified presentation. For example, students in the human rights task force researched child labor, hunger, refugees, illiteracy, overpopulation and gender discrimination. They delved into the history of the topic, the current outlook and potential solutions. Each student wrote independent research papers that they then turned into group presentations.

Eighth graders in Liz Carroll's class videoconferenced with Liz Barratt-Brown ’74.

“Creating global citizens means giving students practice in the tricky nature of diplomatic, democratic, collaborative group work,” said eighth grade history and English teacher Will McDonough.

This year for the first time, the students had an added resource for their research: Country School alumni. Five alumni provided subject matter expertise to students via videoconferencing in their classrooms: Liz Barratt-Brown ’74, an advisor for the Natural Resources Defense Council, talked about climate change; Jon Isham ’75, a professor of Economics and Environmental Studies at Middlebury College, took on the environment; Ned Rimer ’76, a director of the Health Sector Management Program at Boston University, discussed global health; Kathy Ward ’79 discussed her work as a human rights lawyer; and Greg Erdmann ’80 talked about his role as an executive at NRG

“Creating global citizens means giving students practice in the tricky nature of diplomatic, democratic, collaborative group work.”

—Will McDonough, Eighth Grade History and English Teacher

Systems, a renewable energy company. (See sidebars for bios.) discover more countryschool.net

41

World Congress

Alumni Experts Elizabeth (Liz) Barratt-Brown ’74 Senior Advisor, Natural Resources Defense Council “These alumni are accomplished leaders in their fields,” said Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04.

“They were thrilled to share their knowledge and experiences, and the students benefited from the firsthand accounts.

It was a win-win, and a terrific way to engage our talented alumni in the learning that’s going on here on campus.”

Each presenter took time to share their personal journeys.

“The thing that pleased me most was how accessible the alumni were,” said Mr. McDonough. “Each of them acknowledged the link between the students and themselves and sought to make their own stories, their own trajectories, relevant to the students.”

Several alumni traced their interest in their professions to Country School. Many of them credited Pat Stoddard’s anthropology class as influential in their development as young thinkers and citizens. “We discussed news and current events; it was like learning in real time,” said Mr. Isham. “She exposed us to new issues we hadn’t discussed in class before, like race, culture and the environment.”

In particular, Mr. Isham remembers a project he did with classmate Bill Detmer ’75 about prisons. “That was a lifechanging experience for me. It was a key foundation for everything I’ve done since.”

Eighth grader Amanda Miller was impressed by Ms. Ward.

“She had so many real-life situations to share about different cases she had worked on as a lawyer.”

In addition to talking about her human rights work in Rwanda, Cambodia and Chechnya, Ms. Ward gave the students this advice: “Keep track of things that impact you, collect them and use them as a springboard in your life.” She also cautioned: “The hardest human rights issue to tackle is actually getting over our own attitudes and our own tribes.”

Eighth grader Tavin Staber was struck by her optimism: “She deals with so many sad problems, but yet she holds on to hope.”

Mr. McDonough expects that meeting the alumni will live on in many of his students’ memories. “This experience exposed them to the foundation of a Country School education and hinted at the future histories of their own lives.

Like the generations before them, today’s Country School students will go on to hold positions of influence and to make a positive contribution to the world.”

42

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

After attending Country School, Taft and Brown University, Liz BarrattBrown began her career at the Natural Resources Defense Council in 1981. While working for Sen. Frank Lautenberg, she helped craft the Toxic Release Inventory, the nation’s first community right-to-know act on toxic chemicals, before returning to Connecticut to get her law degree from Yale Law School. Liz’s work at NRDC continues today as a senior advisor focused on protection of Canada’s Boreal forest. Working with U.S. and Canadian groups and First Nations, she has advocated against the expansion of tar sands oil extraction in northern Alberta and was central to the launch of the campaign against the Keystone XL pipeline, which has sparked a national debate about investment in largescale fossil fuel projects. Liz has worked on numerous issues in Canada over the years, including stemming acid rain and protection of British Columbia’s Clayoquot Sound and Great Bear Rainforest. Liz has also worked to strengthen global environmental treaties on climate change, biodiversity and ozone depletion. With her family, Liz runs a sheep and olive estate in Mallorca that welcomes visitors, hosting extended family stays, weddings and business retreats. See Pedruxella.com for more information.

Greg Erdmann ’80 Vice President, Global Sales, NRG Systems Greg Erdmann has spent the past 25 years in the renewable energy industry, drawing on his technology sales and marketing experience in expanding international market share for both established and start-up companies. He currently serves as vice president of global sales for NRG Systems, a leading wind and solar energy technology company headquartered in Hinesburg, Vermont, where earlier in his career he established its first formal sales and marketing department in the 1990s. Prior to rejoining NRG Systems, Greg

P E R S P E C T I V E S

public middle schools in low-income communities

marketing at Southwest Windpower, and before

nationally to provide an expanded learning day rich

that he spent two years directing the sales of radar

with opportunities, and was its managing director

systems at Vestas Technology R&D. He is on the

from its founding through 2007. Prior to these roles,

Executive Committee and a board member of the

Ned was nominated and trained by the American

Global Wind Energy Council, the international trade

Red Cross to serve as an international delegate to

association for the wind energy industry, based in

natural disasters and spent four years as an assistant

Brussels. Greg attended Salisbury School and earned

professor and administrator at Zamorano University in

a bachelor’s degree in economics and art history from

Honduras, where he also trained ambulance medics.

the University of Vermont.

After Country School, Ned attended St. George’s

Jon Isham ’75 Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for

and later earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Vermont, an M.B.A. from Boston University and a M.Ed. from Harvard University.

Social Entrepreneurship,

Kathy Ward ’79

Middlebury College

War crimes lawyer and international

Jon Isham is a professor of economics and environ-

conflict policy-maker

mental studies at Middlebury College. Jon gradu-

Kathy Ward has worked on human rights

ated cum laude from Harvard (1984), served in the

issues around the world. While acting as

Peace Corps in Benin (1984–87), and then earned his

deputy director in Washington, D.C., for the

master’s in international studies from Johns Hopkins

International Crisis Group, her areas of focus included

University (1990) and his doctorate of economics

conflicts in Asia, Africa, Iraq, and the Balkans, as well

from University of Maryland at College Park (2000).

as the HIV/AIDS crisis. She was one of 15 members of

He joined the Middlebury faculty in 1999 and teaches

the 36th class of White House Fellows in 2000. Prior

courses on social entrepreneurship, environmental

to that, she was a senior fellow and counsel with

economics, microeconomics and environmental

the Coalition of International Justice in Washington,

policy. In 2012, he founded Middlebury’s Center for

where she served as liaison to the war crimes tribunal

Social Entrepreneurship, which helps students use

for the former Yugoslavia and helped to initiate the

the tools and strategies of entrepreneurs to bring

Kosovo War Crimes Documentation Project, and

about positive social change. In 2016–17, he was a

worked with war crimes investigators in Rwanda on

Fulbright Scholar at Ashesi University in Ghana. Jon

efforts that resulted in groundbreaking interven-

co-edited the books Ignition: What You Can Do to Fight

tion to ensure the trial of an alleged hate-radio

Global Warming and Spark a Movement (Island Press,

leader. Earlier in her career she was an associate at

2007), and Social Capital and Economic Development:

White & Case, in New York and then in Uzbekistan

Well-Being in Developing Countries (Edward Elgar,

as its liaison for an advisory project to the Uzbek

2002), and has published articles in a wide range of

government. In addition to being a Country School

academic journals.

graduate, Kathy holds a master’s degree from The

Ned Rimer ’76 Faculty Director of the Health Sector

Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; a J.D. from University of Chicago Law School; and a bachelor of arts degree in East Asian Studies and Soviet Studies

Management Program, Senior Lecturer and

from Yale University; and has also

Executive-in-Residence at the Questrom

studied internationally at the

School of Business, Boston University

University of Cambridge,

Before joining the faculty of Boston

St. John’s College,

University, Ned Rimer founded and served as execu-

Leningrad State University

tive director of Chronic Care Community Corps, a

and the Beijing Foreign

health care reform initiative based at Education

Languages Institute.

Development Center, which prepares and mobilizes the community to support families caring for people with serious illnesses. In 1995, he co-founded Citizen Schools, an education organization that partners with

©OLGA ZELENKOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

was vice president for commercial sales and global

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

in being an alumni expert for World Congress 2019 or if you know a classmate with expertise in these areas, please reach out to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Casella Donaldson ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5687.

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43

What Does a Scientist Look Like?

By Moina Noor

in

between teaching units about weather and the human body,

about my scientist is that she has a great

sense of humor.

I didn’t

expect that.”

—Ambika Nott,

fifth grader

©SASHATIGAR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

44

stereotypes is not easy. It’s a skill and it

paused to teach a mini-unit on stereotypes

takes practice,” said Ms. Palmer who joined

in science. She invited her students to draw

Country School in September 2017.

The scientist drawing exercise led to a class

first image that came to mind. The drawings

discussion about stereotypes. “Why do we

weren’t surprising. The majority were of white

make assumptions about a group of people?”

men in lab coats with their hair standing on

Mrs. Frey asked. The brain naturally classi-

end holding test tubes. A couple of the draw-

fies things into groups, she told students.

ings were of women, also with lab coats and

Nevertheless, Frey encouraged, it is critical

test tubes. Only one student drew a picture

that students challenge their assumptions.

of a young woman outside with trees.

“My goal as a science teacher is to develop

“The students quickly understood the point of the exercise,” said Mrs. Frey. “But

an interest in science in all of my students,”

they were also surprised at how quickly

said Ms. Frey. “But stereotypes can discourage

they jumped to their preconceived ideas.”

some of them from pursuing careers in

“Both of our Middle School science teachers

science. If you don’t fit the stereotype,

are women,” said fifth grader Lila Gizzie.

you can’t picture yourself as a scientist.”

“But still most of us drew pictures of men.”

Ms. Frey had broached this subject with

The next exercise furthered this point.

students in previous years but felt her

Students were asked to match images of

teaching was limited by her comfort level in

scientists of different ages, genders, races

talking about race, gender and personality

and clothing with their specialty. The students

type. “I knew that this topic could be so

approached the assignment with gusto,

much more and wanted it to have a lasting

eagerly trying to determine the differences

impact, but I felt uncomfortable,” she said.

in appearance of a geneticist versus a physi-

After hearing Director of Diversity

cian, but soon became frustrated. “You

& Inclusion Kisha Palmer give a faculty

can’t tell what kind of scientist a person

presentation on biases and stereotypes

is by their picture,” said Lila.

in curriculum, Ms. Frey approached her.

“That exercise really changed

Ms. Palmer and Ms. Frey discussed the objectives for the lesson, as well as fears

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

“Talking about diversity, inclusion and

Middle School science teacher Lindsay Frey

a scientist in their journals based on the

“T he thing I remember

the lesson and role-played scenarios together.

everyone’s perspective.”

As the final activity of the

about talking about race. Ms. Palmer acted as

lesson, each student picked

a coach, and the two of them walked through

the name of a contemporary

P E R S P E C T I V E S

scientist from a hat. They were asked to research their scientists and make a fact page answering several questions: What does your scientist study? How did your scientist become interested in their career? What do you find interesting about your scientist? How is your scientist changing the world? What is one question you’d like to ask your scientist?

The scientists came from a variety of backgrounds and were in different scientific fields. They included Tejal Desai, a biomedical engineer who leverages nanoscale technologies to deliver medicine to target sites; Vidal Mendoza, who studies rivers and the way the water flows; and Ayanna Howard, who creates robots that make decisions for themselves.

“The thing I remember about my scientist

“Lindsay came to me with a desire to

is that she has a great sense of humor,” said

make sure she was reaching all of her

fifth grader Ambika Nott, who did her fact

students,” said Ms. Palmer. “Although

page about a geologist. “I didn’t expect that.”

Lindsay felt unsure how to take on biases

Ms. Frey used the fact pages to create a

and stereotypes, she showed up ready to

gallery inside and outside her classroom, to break down stereotypes through visual

learn. This is the key to her success.”

Ms. Palmer is partnering with other

representation created by the students

teachers around campus to look at curriculum

themselves. “They were literally surrounded

through an anti-bias lens. For example,

by a diversity of faces of scientists,” she said.

Upper School English and history teacher

The pictures caught the attention of

Marshall Johnson ’04 is re-evaluating

many Middle School students and teachers

the way he teaches US imperialism in

who passed, creating yet another layer of

Hawaii and the Early Childhood division is

impact to Mrs. Frey’s

discussing how to weave culturally respon-

anti-bias curriculum.

sive teaching into every classroom.

What is an anti-bias curric ulum?

“Anti-bias education is an approach to teaching and learning designed to increase understanding of differences and their value to a respectful and civil society and to actively challenge bias, stereotyping and all forms of discrimination in sch ools and communities. It incorp orates inclusive curriculum tha t reflects diverse experiences and perspectives, instructional me thods that advance all students’ learning, and strategies to create and sustain safe, inclusive and res pectful learning communities .”

—The Anti-Defamatio n League

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1

2

3

THE ART OF

compromise Seventh graders grapple with national issues in Washington, D.C.

46

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

S

P E R S P E C T I V E S

eventh graders discovered the world of lawmaking during a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., in mid-

4

April. During the trip, which serves as a capstone project for the grade, students participated in

debates, learned about current bills in Congress and drafted proposals to address pressing national issues.

“We wanted the students to experience the process of going from debate to compromise to action,” said seventh grade English and history teacher Charles Khuen, who organized the trip with fellow seventh grade teacher Marshall Johnson ’04. “Students had to wrestle with complex problems and learn the skills necessary to have difficult, and sometimes uncomfortable, conversations.”

During their Mock Congress, which entailed committee work and on-the-spot research, the group debated animal testing and caps on sugar. They also participated in a Capitol Hill simulation where they took on the roles of congressmen and lobbyists. Students then walked to the real Capitol Hill where they witnessed live congressional debates on the topics they had just been discussing.

The next day, students continued to practice their debating skills: Should Syrian refugees be allowed to enter the U.S.? Who has the stronger case in the Apple v. FBI case? What are the pros

“Students had to wrestle with complex problems and learn the skills necessary to have difficult, and sometimes uncomfortable, conversations.”

—CHARLES KHUEN, SEVENTH GRADE TEACHER 5

and cons of the Dakota pipeline? After debating the issues and coming up with arguments, the groups were asked to negotiate and hammer out a final proposal.

“I really liked the debating,” said seventh grader Jasper Engle.

“You have to understand both sides to come up with a plan.”

In addition, the students toured memorials and museums.

They were asked to reflect on the size and power of government as they visited the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. At the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, students discussed how citizens and communities have organized to bring about equality in society.

They also visited the Newseum to explore the role of the press in a democracy. At each stop along the tour, teachers encouraged students to think about the past in relation to the present.

“We want the students to understand that what is happening now is part of the history of 2018,” said Mr. Khuen.

Opposite: Seventh graders discussed equal rights at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

1. Upper School English and history teacher Marshall Johnson ’04 discussed the importance of compromise in the legislative process.

2. Seventh graders head toward the Capitol Building.

3. Seventh grader Will Johnson practiced his debating skills during Mock Congress.

4. Seventh graders reflected on President Thomas Jefferson’s legacy in front of his memorial.

5. Jamie Staniar writes in his journal at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

47

ion:

t Parents’ Associa

w e i v e R n i Year The Parents’ Association celebrated a successful year under the leadership of PA President Marisa DiBiasio. Through an

1

impressive variety of events and programs, the PA supported our school’s mission, created a positive sense of community and raised funds to benefit school programs. We are grateful to the hundreds of parents who volunteered their time and creativity, and to the faculty and staff for their partnership and support throughout the year.

2 1. Christina, Rochelle and Katey Charnin; Billy and Sanny Burnham Warner ’88; Mary and Anna Majewski; Desmond ’17, Dan and Mason Pratt cleaned up a playground and planted flowers at Open Door Shelter of Norwalk during Kyle A. Markes Day of Service. (See page 38 for more on Kyle A. Markes Day of Service.)

2. Maureen Knowles, Kelly Brewer, Jennifer Ryan and Marcy Smith of the Logo Team showed their school spirit!

3. PA President-Elect Tara Coniglio and PA President Marisa DiBiasio welcomed parents on the first day of school.

4. Hilary Flanagan and Leigh Kennedy promoted the Food Drive by hanging posters made by Early Child and Lower School students.

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

4 6

3

5

2017-2018 Parents’ Association Committees & Events: Admission Ambassadors • Annual Fund

Ambassadors • Annual Meeting & Dinner • Auction • Campus Beautification • Class Representative Program • Community Service • Festival of Books and PJs & Pizza • Frogtown Fair • Holiday Greenery • Homecoming/5K • Host Family Program • Kyle A. Markes Day of Service • Logo • Nominating & Appointments • PA First Fridays (Parent Education) • Resource Groups: Allergy, Parents of Students of Color, Global Citizens, Mothers at Work • Teacher Appreciation Day • Upper School Dinners: Celebration of Girls, Celebration of Boys

7 9

8

Thank you!

TO OUR 2017–18

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:

Marisa DiBiasio, President • Tara Coniglio, President-Elect • Marcy Smith, Treasurer • Meredith Edwards, Secretary • Jawanda Staber, VP Community, Diversity & Inclusion • Leigh Kennedy, VP Community Service • Marnie Gizzie, VP Volunteers 11

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10

5. Ashley Williams, Jennifer Kline and Nicole Intile showcased the Festival of Books and PJs & Pizza at the PA Committee Fair.

6. Michelle Saldivar, Moina Noor, Shiva Sarram, Caryn Antonini ’87 and Tichianaa Armah discussed the Global Citizens Resource Group at the PA Committee Fair.

7. Volunteers attended an annual end-of-year Parents’ Association gathering.

8. Jennifer Kurtz, Jennifer Kearney, Heidi Mitchell, Eila Johnson and Cara Burnham Herdeg ’86 cheered on runners at the 5K race.

9. Caryn Antonini ’87, Ashley Burr and Helaine Gendason created child-inspired centerpieces for the Annual Meeting & Dinner.

10. Megan Calley, Pallavi DebNath, Jenny Harrington and Monique Mims kicked off the school year with fellow parents at the PA Opening Day Coffee.

11. Molly Berkley, Julie Aliapoulios, and Brennen Strine designed and filled the new planters on campus in preparation for opening day.

12. Lauren Ryder and Molly Winn at the Festival of Books

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49

2

1

3

Hay bales, burlap tablecloths and Western-themed decor set a comfortable, casually elegant tone for the biennial dinner and auction attended by more than 300 parents, faculty and staff under a tent on the school’s campus on April 28.

Highlights of the evening included mechanical bull rides and live music performed by Doug Allen and his band. Auctioneer Quig Bruning kicked off

4

the live auction with a set of maple syrup bottles, the first of several unique NCCS-made items available during the evening, including an outdoor shed, a lemonade stand, and iSpy tables, all made in the school’s woodworking shop, and paint-splattered drop cloths from the school’s art department that had been cleverly framed, mounted and repurposed into three enormous pieces of art, reminiscent of the works of Pollock and de Kooning.

The live auction also featured 11 additional items including a girls’ weekend in New York City with award-winning actress and Country School alumna Allison Williams ’03, along with other fun experiences. Proceeds support financial aid, faculty development and program enhancements. Funds were also raised through the FUNd-a-Need for recess equipment, including corn hole games, four-square balls and jump ropes.

Thank you to event Co-Chairs Susan Barr, Sarah Irwin and Mariko LeBaron.

More photos available www.nccs.smugmug.com

50

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

1. Auction co-chairs Mariko LeBaron, Susan Barr and Sarah Irwin 2. Mason Lehnard rides the mechanical bull 3. Brett and Cathy Jefferson, Marisa DiBiasio and Michael DiBasio ’90 4. Ranjit and Kuldip Samra

6 5

10

7

8

9 11

12

5. Todd and Kristin McClutchy, Tara and RÊal LeClerc, Jaime and Jeff Overman 6. Beautiful art made from the art department’s paint-splattered drop cloths 7. Claire and Randy Salvatore 8. Tara and Anthony Coniglio 9. Tom and Tracy Kelley 10. Doug Allen

11. Silent auction co-chairs, Jamie Overman and Molly Reilly 12. Head of Upper School Alex Wellman with longtime friend and event auctioneer Quig Bruning 13. Arlety Campos and Sharon Gibbons Teles '88, live auction co-chairs 14. Sue and Dave Stoller 15. Jaime and Jeff Overman

13 14 15

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51

1

2

4

5

3

A CELEBRATION

of Our Faculty & Staff On June 1, members of the Board of Trustees held a reception to thank all the faculty and

6

staff and to honor those departing Country School. Board President Randy Salvatore thanked Dr. Robert Macrae for his unwavering service and he in turn thanked departing colleagues for their significant contributions to the school. The evening was made all the more special by the presence of so many former faculty and staff, alumni and parents of alumni who returned for the occasion.

1. Board President Randy Salvatore presented Rob Macrae with an oil portrait which now hangs in the Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Commons.

2. Darby Webber, Stoddard Horn, Meegan Rourke, Betsy Hulme, Melissa Heus, Keri Kern and Stefan Borowski 3. Suzy Sensbach received a commemorative gift for her 11 years of service.

4. Kisha Palmer, Day and Lauren Rosenberg 5. Hayley Bloom, Sarah Irwin, Meaghan Mallin 6. John Ziac, Topsy Post ’66, Bart Fredo, Mary Ann Lansdale, Dave Stoller, Bruce Lemoine and Pat Grace 7. Davina Brislin Lilley ’94 and Scott Lilley with Will and Nicole McDonough 8. Melissa Heus and Brooke Kelly 9. Jim and Jennifer Campbell with Smita Singh 10. Sarah Lauture and Chris Bogart

52

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

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8

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TRANSITIONS

Welcome to our NEW COLLEAGUES & TRUSTEES New Trustees

Tara Coniglio

B.S. in electrical engineering and holds

Hannah Liu

Tara and her husband,

an MBA from The Wharton School,

Hannah joined the

Anthony, live in New

University of Pennsylvania. He is a

Country School

Canaan with their three

Managing Director at Morgan Stanley

community in 2016

daughters, Maya ’21,

and has held senior management posi-

as a Latin teacher,

Julia ’23 and Caroline

tions within Wealth Management, U.S.

advisor and coach.

’23. Her family joined

Field Management and the Private Bank.

Since then, she

the Country School community in 2012.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2008,

has also served as a third and fourth

Tara was raised on Long Island, the oldest

Michael worked at McKinsey & Co. in

grade teacher for the Horizons winter

of five children, and graduated with a B.A.

the financial services practice and was

program, and a mentor for the ninth

in accounting from Hofstra University.

a consultant at Andersen Consulting/

grade students attending the Student

She pursued a career in accounting and

Accenture. He is a member of New

Diversity Leadership Conference. In addi-

business management in the construc-

Canaan Country School’s Alumni Council

tion to being part of the Country School

tion industry for nearly 15 years before

and previously served as an Annual Fund

community, Hannah lives and works as

leaving to raise her children full-time.

and Admissions Ambassador.

a Resident Tutor at A Better Chance of

She is currently the President of the

New Canaan, where she is a mentor to

for Admission and the Annual Fund.

Tucker Golden ’90

During her time at Country School, Tara

Tucker and his wife,

that offers opportunities for histori-

has served on the Parents’ Association

Gwen, and their sons,

cally underrepresented students to

Executive Council as President-Elect and

Oliver ’22 and

attend high schools that will affirm and

Treasurer, co-chaired the Grace House

James ’26, live in

nurture their academic talent while

Committee and the school’s biennial

Rowayton. Tucker

helping them develop confidence and

Parents’ Association and an Ambassador

seven boys attending New Canaan High School. ABC is a national organization

fund-raiser, Deal Days. She has been a

currently serves as President of the

independence as active members of our

Class Representative and a Host Family,

NCCS Alumni Council and also serves

society. Hannah graduated with honors

and has also served on the committee for

as an Annual Fund ambassador. The

from Brown University with an A.B. in

the Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall

Goldens regularly volunteer as a host

Classics and Religious Studies. While at

and Commons, and the Nominating and

family for new NCCS families. Tucker is

Brown, Hannah served as a Trustee on

Appointments Committee.

Managing Partner at the value-oriented

the Board of Directors at Brown RISD

investment firm Solas Capital in Darien,

Hillel, a college Hillel ranked in the top

which he founded in 2004. Previously,

10 in America. A lifelong lover of music,

he led research in the consumer area

Hannah was also Assistant Music Director

Michael and his wife,

for Ivory Capital in Los Angeles; was

and President of Brown University’s

Marisa, live in Darien

an associate at the private equity firm

Disney A Cappella. In addition to teaching

with their children,

Centre Partners in New York; and was

and working with children, Hannah is

Caroline ’22,

a Senior Analyst in the investment

a strong supporter of museums and

James ’24 and

banking division at Donaldson, Lufkin &

museum education, having worked in

Matthew ’28. They have been at

Jenrette in their New York and London

curation and education at museums

Country School since 2010. Michael is

offices. Tucker is a graduate of Groton

in the U.S. and Italy before joining the

a graduate of Cornell University with a

School and Princeton University.

Country School community.

Michael J. DiBiasio ’90

discover more countryschool.net

53

John M. Ryan

School Counselor

Allison, live in Pound

Sharon Gibbons Teles ’88

Ridge, New York, with

An alumna from the

Nora Goddard has

their sons, Mac ’20

Class of 1988, Sharon

joined Country

and Ben ’23. They

graduated from

School as our new School Counselor

have been a Country

Phillips Academy

focusing on Grades 5 through 9.

John and his wife,

Nora Goddard

School family since 2010. John is the

Andover and Hamilton College, where

Nora will be based in the Stevens

Global Treasurer and a Managing Director

she received a B.A. in English. She worked

Building and will work closely

of Morgan Stanley. He has served as

as an editor at Simon and Schuster for

with School Psychologist Rebecca

Chief Investment Officer of Morgan

several years before moving on to a

Comizio, who is based in the Welles

Stanley Bank and Head of Balance Sheet

career in marketing communications and

Building and focuses primarily on

Risk Management for Morgan Stanley

brand management at Morgan Stanley.

students in Pre-K through Grade 4.

Private Bank since 2012. In this role, he

Sharon returned to New Canaan in

Most recently Nora was Director

has been overseeing the banks’ invest-

2014 with her husband, Tom, and their

of Admission and Next Schools

ment portfolios and managing the

three children, Harper ’21, William ’23

Guidance Counselor at The

banks’ interest rate risk profiles. John

and Ashley ’26. She is now a full-time

Advent School, an independent

joined Morgan Stanley in 2004 on the

parent and active volunteer. Sharon has

pre-Kindergarten–Grade 6 school in

fixed income financing desk trading

co-chaired the Festival of Books, Teacher

Boston. As a licensed school guid-

short-term interest rate products. He

Appreciation Day, the Live Auction

ance counselor, Nora supported

became a Managing Director in 2007 and

and Class of ’88 reunions in addition to

students in their social-emotional

managed risk globally for Institutional

serving as an Admission Ambassador

journeys in the development of a

Securities Financing before joining

and Host Family. Outside of Country

school-wide SEL curriculum, through

Corporate Treasury in 2010. From 2010

School, Sharon has been involved with

affinity groups, and during the

through 2012 he was Assistant Treasurer

the Central Park Conservancy for over

school placement process. Nora

in charge of liquidity, funding and risk

a decade and currently serves as Vice

holds a B.A. in psychology from

management. Prior to joining Morgan

President of the Women’s Committee,

Hamilton College, and an M.A. in

Stanley, John held positions at Deutsche

which is responsible for raising 15%

school counseling of education

Bank and Mizuho in Securities Finance

of the Conservancy’s annual budget.

from Boston College. She said

and Interest Rate Trading. John earned

She also devotes time to the New

that she was particularly drawn

his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and

Canaan Library, co-chairing its annual

to Country School for its strong

Art History from Hobart College, and

fundraiser and serving on its capital

sense of community, tradition,

graduated from Hotchkiss School. John

campaign committee. Sharon is one of

and understanding that academic

grew up in Staten Island, New York, and is

eight members of her extended family

learning goes hand in hand with

the youngest of eight children. John has

to have attended NCCS, and her father,

social-emotional development. Nora

served on the board of Nativity Mission

Bob Gibbons, served as President of the

is looking forward to working with

Center, St. Ignatius School and The

Board of Trustees from 1988 to 1991.

students and parents, partnering with faculty, and continuing to

Westmoreland Sanctuary.

foster an inclusive and thoughtful Social-emotional Learning program.

Joining us or taking on new responsibilities this fall (indicated by an asterisk) are the following: • Aron Back*, Director of Innovation and Academic Technology • Joan Bepler, Assistant Transportation Coordinator

54

• Tom Furbee*, Grade 4 Teacher

• Kelly McCarthy*, Apprentice KM

• Rinku Ghadiyali, Plus Program Assistant

• Bob Mueller, Interim Chief

• Kristen Giacalone*, Grade 3 Teacher • Nora Goddard, School Counselor

Financial Officer • Nika Skvir-Maliakal*, Upper School

• Andrew Bevan, Grade 5 Teacher

• Brooke Kelly*, Grade 6 Teacher

English, History and Learning

• Sue DeOreo*, Grade 2 Teacher

• Christie Lundquist, Upper School

Resources Teacher

• Kathleen Fay, Plus Program Assistant NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

World Language Teacher

TRANSITIONS

FAREWELL

to our dear colleagues Dr. Robert Macrae

BY DAY ROSENBERG

Rob is first and foremost a

of school spirit, initiating monthly Spirit Days, supporting

people person. On his first official

the school logo store and even dressing as an “over-the-

visit to campus after his appoint-

top Cougars fan” to lead his first Halloween parade.

ment as Head of School, he made

Rob joined our community at an important and historic time,

a point of shaking the hand of

leading us through our centennial year, the 10-year reaccredita-

every student, teacher and staff

tion process, and the long-range plans for our campus as well as

member. You could often find him

overseeing the renovations of both the Lower School and Middle

around campus or in the lobby of

School and the ground-breaking of the Dining Hall & Commons.

Grace House with a big smile on

But what we may remember most about Rob is the connec-

his face and a high five for anyone

tions he made from the very start with parents. He was always

passing through. One of his

looking for opportunities to punctuate important topics

favorite experiences at Country

through parent meetings and by bringing nationally recog-

School was going on the Outdoor

nized speakers, such as Marc Brackett and Ana Homayoun, to

Action Trip with the ninth graders,

campus. He loves to engage parents in the day-to-day discus-

immersing himself for days in their conversations on the trail.

sions around school life. As a father of four himself, he knows

As he shared in his 2017 Closing Exercises remarks, he

well the value of the partnership between home and school.

believes strongly in the power of positivity and maintaining an

We wish Rob, his wife, Lynn and their family the best

“attitude of gratitude.” During his time at Country School, Rob

on the next leg of their journey.

brought a focus to social-emotional learning. He introduced the RULER program developed at Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence and created “Wellness Wednesdays” that taught skills like time management and stress reduction. In fact, Rob was first drawn to Country School because of our work with the Mission Skills Assessment. Rob was a steadfast proponent of deepening our academic program through careful research and thoughtful implementation. He was a champion for the introduction of the Lucy Calkins’ Writers Workshop curriculum.

He was also drawn to the school’s mission to “respect childhood as an integral part of life,” which he saw come to life each day as students skipped along the sidewalk by his office, one of his favorite vantage points on campus. He truly believes that every experience on campus is a part of a child’s education and that the moments in between classes are just as important.

Rob is a good sport and always ready to join in any activity that boosts school spirit. Before he officially began in the summer of 2015, he swore he would not participate in the dunking booth at Frogtown Fair, but it did not take long for the ninth graders to persuade him. He brought a strong sense discover more countryschool.net

55

Suzy Sensbach

BY LAUREN ROMEO

Suzy joined the sixth grade in 2007 as a homeroom

attentive to fostering relationships with peers —

teacher. Almost immediately, she was appreciated

even if it brought her to new continents in an effort

for her sharp wit, good humor and candid nature.

to do so. In 2012, Suzy spent one week in Italy with

She was a refreshing voice who brought balance and

her sixth grade teammates: Fraser Randolph, Andy

forward-thinking ideas to the sixth grade team and

Johnson and Lauren Romeo. Touring the ancient

its curriculum. Working collaboratively with former

cities of Venice, Florence and Rome, a friendship was

Head of School Tim Bazemore, Suzy also supported

cemented while standing atop Brunelleschi’s dome,

the school’s launching of its Mission Skills. Serving

overlooking the beautiful venue that served as the

as the faculty coordinator, Suzy was a pioneer in this

birthplace of the Renaissance — the focus of the

area, crafting and curating inspirational lessons which

sixth grade’s history curriculum.

explicitly supported the development of essential

Beyond campus, Suzy is an active athlete and

character skills in students.

marathon runner. She is also devoted to lifelong

As a teacher, Suzy’s reach was wide, supportive

education and is currently working toward the

and always personal. Students have described her

completion of her second master’s degree, with a

as funny, caring, loving, reassuring and outstanding.

focus in special education. Most important, Suzy

One former student remarked, “Ms. Sensbach taught

is the loving mother of Peter “PJ” Sensbach ’15.

me how important it was to be mindful, not only

We wish Suzy the best fortune and happiness as

of my friends but of myself. When I feel stressed in

she takes on her new role in education. She will be

school, I remember how she taught me to breathe

deeply missed by all.

deeply. Then I feel much calmer.”

Suzy wasn’t just mindful of her students; her care and consideration extended far beyond the four walls of her classroom. She was particularly

56

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

TRANSITIONS

Kayla Berube

presence in the Upper School and has

BY ELIZABETH CARROLL

support to the Middle School as well.

reached across the driveway to offer In the last year, she redesigned the

Trustworthy, warm, generous and

Life Skills curriculum to bring relevance

possessing a deep emotional intelli-

to ninth graders’ understanding and

gence, Kayla has been a treasure at

experience of identity development.

NCCS and a great support to so many

She redoubled the conversation on

students. From 2007 to 2011, Kayla

social-emotional wellness, leading

taught third grade at Country School

discussions about the impact of social

before departing to pursue a graduate

media on the brain and mental health,

There, day in and day out, she

degree and to start a family. We

and building resilience across devel-

supported students through a

welcomed her back in 2015, this time

opmental stages. She worked closely

panoply of issues, some large, some

as School Counselor, just in time for

with teaching teams to offer pertinent

small, but all addressed with the

her to see her former Lower School

lenses and strategies for understanding

same respect, openness, caring and

students blossoming into leaders in the

and supporting students.

expertise. Kayla will be missed by

Upper School. For the last three years

Most of what Kayla did, however,

all, but we’re sure she has more great

Kayla has been a thoughtful, steadfast

she did in the safe space of her office.

success in her future.

Hayley Bloom

BY ABIGAIL MANNY NEWPORT ’89

Dedicated is the first word that comes to mind when reflecting on Hayley’s years at NCCS. The first to arrive and often the last to leave, Hayley gave Country School everything she had. A warm, caring follower of Responsive Classroom, Hayley created a community like no other. Each child in her class felt known and loved. There was no stone left unturned

in Mrs. Bloom’s room. If a student needed a challenge, Hayley was on it. Keenly aware of each child’s needs, Hayley found creative ways to support those who required extra help. As one of her former students puts it, “Mrs. Bloom never lost her temper once. She always helped us with our problems. She was also awesome at read-aloud.”

A lover of animals, Hayley occasionally brought her dog, Lyle, to campus to everyone’s delight, and the class guinea pig, Chestnut, was also a source of joy. As a friend and colleague, Hayley had a delightful sense of humor. While the consummate professional, Hayley also saw the fun in working with young children. Her recess stories showed her compassion for the children, but also her delight in the silliness of childhood.

Incredibly organized, Hayley was the division’s go-to for rituals like the 100th Day of School.

Hayley will also be remembered for “Song of the Week.” Each student in her class was lucky enough to pick a song to be studied, analyzed and shared throughout a given week. Overall, with no exaggeration, Hayley was one of Country School’s best. She will be missed, and we hope she will return to us one day! discover more countryschool.net

57

Day Rosenberg

BY ROB MACRAE

Day is the consummate professional. He has loyally served the school and the students of NCCS for the past six years as Assistant Head of School. With strong values and the demeanor to commit to those values, he is unflappable, always

through Grade 9 education. He knows the rhythms of

Jennifer Campbell

school and how to make things better for the students.

BY ROB MACRAE

positive and treats everyone with reverence and respect while solving a variety of complex problems on behalf of the school.

Day has a keen understanding and sense for a Pre-K

Day served as a resource for many members of the faculty and staff whose confidentiality they always knew they could count on. Day is an

It was no easy task for Jennifer

innovator. He reignited the global studies program and organized international

to follow in the footsteps of a

student travel opportunities. He oversaw the expansion of the Maker program and

legendary 41-year CFO. However,

artfully managed the school’s 10-year reaccreditation process.

Jennifer was no ordinary CFO. It

Finally, Day is someone you can trust to treat your child with love and kindness.

is amazing what she was able to

He is the type of person who never has a mean word to say about anyone.

accomplish in five years. Not only did she keep the school in compliance, but she modernized many of our business practices. Her commit-

Mike Coker

ment to the school was 24/7.

BY ED KIRK

She worked tirelessly to create a positive work environment for

Mike joined the facilities team in 2010 following an apprenticeship as an electri-

every employee. She has an almost

cian after high school. From the beginning, he has been a rock-solid member of

boundless energy and was always

the Country School team and has a well-deserved reputation for being ready to

willing to take on additional

take on any task and to try anything new.

responsibilities.

Mike is equally well-known for his ever-present smile, quick laugh and friendly

Jennifer recruited and hired

personality. His many friends — of all ages — are sad to see him go.

Director of Facilities Ed Kirk and

“He’s just an amazing person,” said colleague Charles Bogus, who has known

together they have overseen

Mike for over seven years.

three major building projects —

“We are all just really sad to see

the Middle School renovation,

him go. It’s bittersweet. He brought

Lower School renovation and the

so much joy to the maintenance

construction of the new Dining

team, to the school and really, to

Hall and Commons.

everyone he met.”

During her tenure, Jennifer

Recently married to Nicole, Mike

received her fair share of parent

has accepted a new maintenance

phone calls about busing, food and

opportunity closer to home.

delinquent payments, but she was

Congratulations, Mike, we wish you

always patient and respectful.

much happiness in this next chapter

Finally, what I love about Jennifer

of your life. You will be missed!

is her warmth, her commitment and her incredible sense of humor. No matter how many problems came our way, she had a way of always keeping us smiling.

58

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

TRANSITIONS

Departing FAMILIES The following is a list of departing families who have been with Country School for five or more years and other families who have graduating ninth graders or have Upper School students who are moving on. We will miss the families who have given so much to the school and wish the students well as they embark upon the next step of their academic careers.

Twenty-Four Years

Eleven Years

Seven Years

Four Years

• Elizabeth & Chuck

• Kristine Gore

• Celine & Jarlath Carbin

• Elizabeth & Robert Duffy

Kontulis

Jaakob Gore

Eliza ’04, Jeffrey ’07,

Pippa ’19, Holdt ’21 Nine Years

• Heather & Todd Raker Brett ’14, Cam ’16, Chris ’19 Fourteen Years • Lisa & Tom Dale Thomas ’14, William ’16, Henry ’17, Elizabeth ’19

• Susan Scarborough Joe Scarborough

Clay ’12, James ’18 Fifteen Years

Shane ’18

• Sharon & Bill Baird Annabelle ’19

Katherine ’18, Jack ’24 • Christina & Bill Stoops ’78 Tucker ’16, Nina ’18 Six Years

Three Years

• David Freelove

• Lori & John Gianukakis

• Andrea & Stephen Matthews Byrne ’19, Gray ’23

Madeline ’24 • Katherine & Peter Tarrant Russell ’22 • Vanessa Brown & Angi Toussaint

• Louisa & Colin Ives ’81

Aiden ’19

Lizzie ’22, Ethan ’25

Eight Years

Five Years

• Patti & Jim Dormer

• Christine & Jeff Barto

Matt ’15, Lydia ’18 • Allyson & Benno Green Ella ’18, Griffin ’21

Twelve Years • Sara & Seth Alvord Carter ’18, Jackson ’18

Lila ’20 • Amy & Eric Lerner Ari ’20 • Zaida Donis & Don Perez Ram ’19 • Allisson & Floris van Dijkum ’83

Turner ’16, Sam ’18,

Jack ’16, Caitlin ’19

Ben ’19 • Jan & Alex Sulkowski

Menna ’19

Robert Bertellotti*

Patrick ’13, Ryan ’15,

• Krista & Mark Guarini

Lawrence Delva

Thirteen Years

• Mara & Tad Neafsey

Luca ’18

Niki ’19

• Edna Tadele-Delva &

• Martha &

Audrey ’21, George ’23

Mary ’19 • Laurie & Joseph Franzino

• Dani Woolwine & Tarquin Katis ’85 Henry ’18, Helen ’22

Maddie ’23 • Tara Prezzi-Bridtter & Rick Bridtter

Two Years • Janie Gao & Wei Guan Max ’19

Bryce ’23 • Jennifer & Jim Campbell Alexis ’23 • Michelle Levinson

• Nancy Miller-Rivero &

Jay ’18

Carlos Rivero

Devon Fagel

Georgia ’18

Lila-ViVi ’19, Atticus ’23 • Deyanira Felix

One Year • Hanane Ait Chaf & Aziz El Hattab Amira ’19 • Jennifer & David Hagen Duke ’19

Deyante McKinstry ’18 • Isabel Hernandez

Departing Faculty & Staff We thank the following members of our community for their dedication and contributions: • Sarah Lauture (2 years),

• Lin Yue Wang (2 years),

Plus Program Assistant;

Upper School World

Administrative Assistant

Language Teacher

Anna ’18 • Jennifer & Andrew Ryan Charlie ’25, Blake ’27 • Ana & Erick Villalta Brian ’18 • Monica & Sulani Watkins Aaron ’18

* deceased

• Elisse LoPresti (2 years), • Helga Tomala (1 year), Grade 5 Teacher

Upper School World Language Teacher discover more countryschool.net

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

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Frogtown Fair The 71st Annual Frogtown Fair went off without a hitch thanks to the chairs and committee members who were flexible in planning the event around some challenging weather. It was a great afternoon filled with good, old-fashion family fun!

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1. Head of School Aaron Cooper took in his first Frogtown Fair with his wife, Kara, and daughters, Julia and Charlotte 2. Noor Hamlen, daughter of Samar Jamali ’95; granddaughter of Topsy Post ’66 3. Sebastian Kelsey, Kieran Mohindra-Green and Oliver Johnson 4. Frogtown Fair Co-Chairs Jessica Blouin and Liz Keogh 5. Allie Knowles Thompson ’92 enjoyed a fire engine ride with her sons, Morgan and Whit.

6. Caroline Irwin and Olivia Parker 7. Kaelyn Beauchette got her face painted on the Midway.

8. Middle School teacher Julie Porter took her turn in the water balloon booth.

9. Connor Walsh, Evan Hayes, Sydney Osinloye, Himani Narayan and Charlotte Price

10. Ruben Augustin, McKenley Beauchette and Adrian Augustin visited the cotton candy booth 11. Longtime staff member Pat Oakes spent some time with her grandson, Jonah, and Mika and Ryan Oakes ’93 12. Ashley Godina 13. Abigail Manny Newport ’89 and her son, Tully, enjoyed the day.

14. Gwen Thompson and Pippa Gore “got married” in a fun Midway game.

15. Head of Middle School Kirsten Rosolen and her daughter Ellie 16. Ninth graders Nina Stoops and Owen Collins raised the official Frogtown Fair flag

More photos available www.nccs.smugmug.com discover more countryschool.net

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Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day We were delighted to welcome a record number of grandparents and special friends — more than 450 — to campus May 16 to experience a school day with their loved ones.

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Charlotte, Carolyn, Katharine and John Tocks Layla, Vida and Audrey Magnusen Annsley and Carol Leclerc Roger DeBard, Jack Johnson and Janet DeBard Mary Davidson and Blake McDonnell Sam, Lucy, Sam B. Jones and Joanne Shakley Lisa Alpaugh, Mimi Alford, Jackson Alpaugh and Dick Alford 8. Parker Hanson and Ann O’Malley 9. Benjamin Herdeg, Bill and Alice Burnham 10. Nisha, Johan and Vijay Mital 11. Ian Finlay and Harry Jellinek 12. Max Calia, Ellen Luckman and Ceci Calia 13. Marianne Bell Reifenheiser ’58 and Annabell Adams 14. Joanne and Cece Salvatore 15. Peter Miller and Peter Crisp 16. Sloane and Faith LeBaron 17. Caitlyn Wideman, Charles and Jennifer Briggs

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

18. Octavio and Enrique Calderini 19. Thomas Blouin and Doug Lake 20. Augusta and Nicolien van Reesema 21. Cordell, Marlene, Juan-Carlos and Consuelo Bowman 22. Anne Meyercord, Charlie Stevens and Champ Meyercord 23. Joan Grabe, Isla Hokin and Bill Grabe 24. Cindy, Frank and Crey Savage, Charles and Darlene Creighton 25. Chien Chao, Tyler Jefferson and Taina Chao 26. Katie Barr and Becky Hurta 27. Michael Bria and Carmine Pannone 28. Martin Flanagan and Patti Vaughan 29. James, Arthur and Beth Golden 30. Sharyn Weiner and Isabella Kelley

More photos available www.nccs.smugmug.com

SAVE THE DATE TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR!

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Building Brighter Futures Since 1964 Hosted at New Canaan Country School

HORIZONS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Achieve 100% College Placement Horizons Class of 2018

Thirty high school seniors from five towns were honored during the Horizons at New Canaan Country School graduation ceremony on June 6. For 54 years, the Horizons program has been building brighter futures for students from underresources communities primarily within Stamford and Norwalk. Our yearlong educational model has been confirmed to reduce the opportunity gap, putting our students on a path to success in school

you will get there. I urge you to keep

and in life. One of the program’s greatest

moving forward, even on the days when

accomplishments is college placement

forward seems so hard.”

results that far surpass regional averages.

Student speaker Diana Acosta, a

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the

graduate of Norwalk High School, gave

college enrollment rate for low-income

this sage advice: “Broaden your hori-

high school students was 67% in 2016.

zons. Surround yourself with different

Horizons at NCCS 2016–2018 Board Chair

people and find out something new from

Jennifer Barnard revealed at the gradu-

someone. Ask questions about every-

ation the exciting news that 100% of the

thing. Talk to your teachers. Whatever you

Class of 2018 have enrolled in college.

choose to do in the months to come, chal-

Award. Infante will attend the University

“Use the tools, the knowledge and

lenge yourself and meet someone new or

of Connecticut — Storrs in the fall and

the experiences that you have gained

read about something you know too little.”

described his time at Horizons as “a

to get you to where you need to go,”

Senior Program Dean of Students & Culture Jackie Roberson presented Jude Infante the Jackie Roberson Valedictorian Award.

unique experience unlike any other.”

encouraged graduation speaker Nehemie

2018 AWARD WINNERS

Nikayla Ashley, a graduating senior from

Moise, who graduated from the Horizons

Senior Program Dean of Students and

Norwalk High School, received the Leah

program in 2007 and is now the Horizons

Culture Jackie Roberson, Horizons

Kimmet College Aid Award, which recog-

Family & Program Director. “There is

graduate Class of 1973, presented

nizes outstanding kindness, enthusiasm and

nothing in this life that will come easy.

Jude Infante, a graduating senior from

dedication to others. Nikayla will attend

Everything you have, you have got to

Stamford High School who boasts a GPA

Western Connecticut State University and

work hard for, but I am confident that

of 4.6, the Jackie Roberson Valedictorian

major in elementary education.

Academic Director Claire Harding (left) and Family & Program Director Nehemie Moise (right) presented Nikayla Ashley the Leah Kimmet Aid Award.

64

Lynn Quinn, Board of Governors; Jen Cohen Zonis ’82, Board Member, Adiah Price-Tucker, Alisha Price NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

HORIZONS CLASS OF 2018

College Destinations:

“Broaden your horizons. Surround yourself with different people and find out something new from someone.”

—DIANA ACOSTA, NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND HORIZONS CLASS OF 2018

Jerry Narcisse, Kevin Cayo, Aland Joseph (Academic Coach) and Izaac Ballard

New Alumni ASSOCIATION

American International College ArtCenter College of Design Fordham University Harvard University Hawaii Pacific University Iona College Lehigh University Norwalk Community College Ohio University Pace University Pennsylvania State University Sacred Heart University Southern Connecticut State University Trinity College University of Connecticut — Stamford University of Connecticut — Storrs University of Hartford Western Connecticut State University For more information about Horizons and how to get involved, visit www.horizonskids.org.

Marie DePhilips, Horizons Class of 2006, and Executive Director Nancy von Euler

Horizons formally launched its Alumni Association at the June 6 graduation ceremony. Thirty graduating high school seniors and 26 returning alumni were inducted as part of the inaugural ceremony. Nine of the returning alumni also served as academic coaches to our graduating seniors throughout their high school journey, and several other alumni have served as teachers or directors in the program.

“The Alumni Association is a way to preserve the things you value most in your Horizons experience: connection to a caring community of friends and supporters who believe in you,” said Executive Director Nancy von Euler. The goal is that all members will reach out to fellow alumni for advice, guidance and support during their professional and educational journeys;

HORIZONS Scholars

and also reach back to newer alumni and current students to

Horizons Scholars Jennifer Llamas ’18 and Brian

provide support and share the wisdom they have gained from

Villalta ’18 were joined by special guest Joseph Chan ’86

life experiences. We were thrilled to welcome the inaugural

at the annual Bazemore Society Breakfast.

members of the Horizons Alumni Association! discover more countryschool.net

65

ALUMNInews Fellow Alumni,

I am thrilled to serve as the next President of the Alumni Council and look forward to a productive and fun three years ahead! My predecessor, Steve Bloom ’03, has helped to take our alumni program to new heights, and I’m excited to build on our collective successes in the years to come.

Country School is a truly special place. My two sons, Oliver and James, currently attend NCCS, and I can attest that they are having the same incredible experience we had as students in years past. My wife, Gwen, and I have been so impressed by the school’s dedication to providing an excellent and comprehensive

THANK YOU!

Pre-K through Grade 9 education to our students — and I’ve also been glad to see so many of the best traditions we all remember about NCCS are still alive and well.

We offer our

The dedicated faculty, rich program and caring community are all mostly as you

heartfelt thanks to Steve Bloom ’03,

remember, and always improving. Country School has remained true to itself while

who served as President of the Alumni

continuing to progress and grow — always maintaining its unique culture and sense of

Council for the past three years. Steve’s

purpose. I encourage you all to come back for a visit, whether it be for your next reunion

enthusiasm, contagious positivity and

or whenever you happen to be in town. You are likely to find a few familiar faces, and I

dedication to Country School propelled

guarantee you will find many happy memories of childhood all around campus.

our alumni program forward throughout

As I consider my new role and the mission of our Alumni Council and the alumni

his term. Steve oversaw a wildly

community at large, I believe we have a responsibility to act as stewards of Country

successful Centennial celebration,

School’s lasting legacy and tradition — and as important supporters of its continued

three new Alumni Award recipients in

mission and progress. I urge you to participate in the community in any way that

Dave Forney ’54, Mo Vaughn ’82

makes sense for you in the year ahead. You can be a Class Agent, a Reunion Chair or

and Topsy Post ’66, and, of course,

a member of our Alumni Council. You can attend alumni events near and far from

three banner years for the Annual Fund.

campus, submit Class Notes, contribute to the Annual Fund, join NCCS Network or

While we will certainly miss Steve’s

even just carve out time for a visit or phone call with our terrific Director of Alumni

leadership, we are delighted that he will

Affairs, Holly Donaldson Casella ’04.

stay on as an ex officio member of our

Our community is as strong as what its constituents contribute. I know we can all

Alumni Council in the years to come.

contribute to ensure that current and future Country School students will enjoy the same

Thank you for your time, passion and

opportunities from which we have all benefited so greatly. As we know, and our school

partnership, Steve!

motto proudly states, Audentes fortuna juvat — Fortune Favors the Bold. I encourage you to be bold and re-engage at every opportunity with your first alma mater!

Thank you for all that many of you already do for Country School. I look forward to partnering with you in the months and years ahead.

Best,

Get Involved!

There are many ways to connect with the Country

School community — and the Alumni Office wants your help! We need Class Agents, Reunion Chairs, help with Class Notes, Event Committee members and

Tucker Golden ’90

more. Reach out for more information! Contact Holly Donaldson Casella ’04, Director of Alumni Affairs, at hcasella@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5687.

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

CLASS OF 2017

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SAVE THE DATE!

Thanksgiving reunion for the classes of 2016, 2017 and 2018 is Monday, November 19.

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Thanksgiving Reunion The Alumni Office continued its tradition of hosting a Thanksgiving Reunion for our youngest alumni. This year, we welcomed back to campus the Classes of 2015, 2016 and 2017 for pizza, cake and catching up.

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The Class of 2017 Jeffrey Ramirez ’16, Emily Barnard ’16, Avery MacLear ’16 Emily Riccardi ’17, Merrill Bright ’17 and Haley Strom ’17 Members of the Class of 2016: Christopher Zegarra, Quinn Galante, Jack Spain, Turner Ives and Tucker Stoops Katie Stevens ’17, Cam Lawrence ’17, Will Hall-Tipping ’17 and Ellie Boeschenstein ’17 Members of the Class of 2015: Clay Prawl, Connor Galante, Nate Aliapoulios, Victoria Song and Alexandra Schwartz.

Members of the Class of 2017: Mimi Ndokwu, Julia Graham, Sydney Mouzon, Eloise Leclerc, Sophie Gribin Members of the Class of 2017: Charlie Tait, Carter George, Kevin Barnard, Austin Andersen and Bo Zeigler

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NCCS

CCS

NCCS

NCCS

NCC S

NCCS

1

Young Alumni Reception

in New York City

Young Alumni Camilla Arntzen ’09, Emi Coughlin Basaran ’98, Nikki Bongaerts ’04, Matt Bloom ’98, Steve Bloom ’03, Dick Colligan ’01, Carolyn Silverman Crisafulli ’03, Anne Greenwood ’02, Marshall Johnson ’04, Betsy Luke ’07, Caitlin Maguire ’04, Peter Maturo ’09, Daley O’Herron ’05, Annie Rauscher ’02, Michael Sachs ’97, Lindsay Grant Savarese ’03 and Colin Woolford ’08 hosted the annual 2

Young Alumni Reception in New York City in November 2017. A great night was had by all — another big turnout from our young alumni in NYC! 1. (front row): Holly Donaldson Casella ’04, Steve Bloom ’03, Kelsey Craig ’04, Tessa Tookes ’10; (middle row): Will D’Agostino ’04, Lindsay Grant Savarese ’03, Carolyn Silverman Crisafulli ’03, Caleigh Forbes ’06, Mara Upson ’06, Nikki Bongaerts ’04, Callie Taylor ’10, Colin Woolford ’08, Thomas Luchars ’08; (back row): Oliver Lowe ’09, Alex Gould ’07, Victoria Manganiello ’04, Emily Upson ’10, Patrick Barragan ’04, Emily Old ’10 and Matt Bloom ’98 2. Emily Old ’10, Emily Upson ’10, Tessa Tookes ’10, Christian Tookes ’02, Morgan Eifler ’02, Luke Montgomery ’10, Harry Eifler ’10 and Nick LaBorne ’10 3. Members of the Class of 2004: Patrick Baragan, Victoria Manganiello, Holly Donaldson Casella, Will D’Agostino, Caitlin Maguire, Kelsey Craig, Nikki Bongaerts, Andy Zaccagnino and Ryann Tookes

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Life Beyond Country School Young Alumni Panel

Back by popular demand, a panel of our youngest alumni returned to campus to share with parents the unique paths that they each took following Country School.

A big thank you to Alexandra LeBaron ’17 (Andover Class of ’20), Jeffrey Ramirez ’16 (Brunswick Class of ’19), Upper School teacher and event moderator Marshall Johnson ’04, Sloane Latimer ’17 (Darien High School Class of ’20) and Emily Riccardi ’17 (Taft Class of ’21).

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

“The forks one takes can lead down many

wonderfully unexpected paths.”

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And the Alumni Award Goes to...

Teacher, photographer, humanitarian and world traveler

Juliana “Topsy” Post ’66

The New Canaan Country School Alumni Award is presented each year to honor an alumna or alumnus who best embodies the statement from the school’s mission, “New Canaan Country School inspires students to be lifelong learners with the courage and confidence to make a positive contribution to the world.” This year, the honor went to Juliana “Topsy” Post ’66.

While on campus May 18 to receive her

joining Country School’s faculty in

award, Topsy spoke to Middle and Upper

1992 where, for the next 22 years, she

School students (Grades 5–9) about “Finding

imparted wisdom, worldly experience

One’s Voice” followed by a “PechaKucha,”

and a unique global perspective to Upper

a 20-slide presentation, titled “The Tea

School students. During her tenure,

Darlings of Darjeeling,” featuring her own

Ms. Post was a teacher of English and

photography and narration.

history, a Grade 9 academic advisor and

In her remarks to the students, she

the faculty advisor to the staff of The

shared how, with the assistance of her

Column, a student-run publication. She

third grade teacher Tot Wright, she

also served as History Department Chair,

overcame her painful shyness, developed

overseeing the design and implementa-

a sense of self-worth and set out on a

tion of the school’s eighth grade World

lifelong path — both figuratively and

Cultures curriculum. In addition, she led

literally — of finding her own voice.

student tours of the civil rights South

She related that her curiosity for the

as part of the school’s ninth grade

larger world led her to India, where as a

Expanded Studies program.

student she studied the Hindi language,

Characteristically, nowadays her time

practiced the sitar and researched

is spent in the service of others. Most

Ayurvedic medicine. She also spent as

notably, she focuses her talent and energy

much free time as possible travelling

upon those who have found their way

and exploring.

to our country and are working hard to

Following graduate school, her travels

improve their circumstances. Ms. Post

led her to Pakistan, where she started a

has become certified to teach English as

school, taught at the International School

a second language and does so both for

in Islamabad and designed literacy mate-

female refugees at Mercy Learning Center

rials for UNICEF.

in Bridgeport and recent immigrants at

Returning to Fairfield County in 1985,

Building One Community in Stamford.

Ms. Post continued teaching, ultimately

2 1. Noor Hamlen, George Post, Samar Jamali ’95 holding Devens Hamlen, Topsy Post ’66 and Roy Pfeil. Topsy’s other daughter, Alexandra Jamali ’00, was unable attend.

2. Topsy Post ’66, was presented with the 2018 New Canaan Country School Alumni Award by Steve Bloom ’03.

Send Us Your

Nominations!

We welcome your suggestions

for future Alumni Award candidates.

Please send nominations to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net. Please include name, class year and a short explanation of the candidate’s accomplishments. To find out about previous New Canaan Country School Alumni Award recipients, visit www.countryschool.net/alumni.

discover more countryschool.net

69

65th 1

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60th

Reunion

Classes of ’53, ’58, ’68, ’93, ’98, ’03 and ’08 returned to campus May 19 to reminisce with former classmates during a fun-filled

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reception and individual reunion dinners. Many enthusiastically donned hardhats for a sneak peek of the Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall & Commons construction, while others pored through yearbooks, photo albums and archival memorabilia on display for the occasion.

1. Members of the Class of ’65: Bob Shields, Bill Crane, Debby Janney O’Keefe, Parry Weser Grogran, Jennifer Robbins Manocherian 2. Heidi Swan ’68 3. Members of the Class of 1958: (top row) Ward Cleary, Port Draper, Ted Bayne, Tom Hayes, Lee Gilbert, Bill Shields; (seated) Elise Truebner Henning, Elise Grant, Dan Bergfeld, Jim Benenson, Sandy Carr Motland and Marianne Bell Reifenheiser 4. Members of the Class of ’68: Linda MacCracken, Jane Watson Stetson, Sunnie Holden Evers and Chaille Cullinan Hutcheson 5. Members of the Class of 1968: (top row) Stephen Kent, Sunnie Holden Evers, Susie Warner Parsons, Ace Crary, Jane Watson Stetson, Tim Fine, Heidi Swan; (seated) Chaille Cullinan Hutcheson, Linda MacCracken and Irene Grant

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

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6. Members of the Class of 1993: (top row) Michael Cuniberti, Devie Deland Perry, Alexa duPont Bell, Than Bryan; (front row) Gina Suh, Michelle Paseltiner Menard, Westy Charlson LeConey, Abby Campbell Rowe and Ryan Oakes 7. Members of the Class of 1998: (top row) Andrea Griffin, Matt Bloom, Sawyer Stone, Lily Drummond-Hay Tangen, Lauren Fisch Reed, Sean Stadler; (seated, left to right) Scott Cohen, Matthew Heineman, Emi Coughlin Basaran and Sarah Young Kilcullen 8. Members of the Class of 2003: (top row) Haley Priebe, Carolyn Beinfield Nally, Allison Williams, Hilary Saverin, Kate Krause, Lindsay Grant Savarese; (seated) Ben Simpkins, Carolyn Silverman Crisafulli and Steve Bloom 9. Marcia Cleary and Elise Grant ’58 10. Classmates reminisced while looking through archival memorabilia on display.

discover more countryschool.net

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Alumni and former faculty returned to Country School for the Alumni Art Show and Blue & White Night reception May 18. Alumni artists whose work was featured include Dan Bergfeld ’58, Kari Cholnoky ’03, Alexandra Nason ’03, Topsy Post ’66, Ann Conrad Stewart ’78 and former Headmaster George Stevens (1963–1979).

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Alumni Art Show and

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1. Allison Williams ’03 and husband Ricky Van Veen 2. Former faculty member Dan Bergfeld ’58 and Former Faculty Member Pat Stoddard 3. Jane Watson Stetson ’68 and Sunnie Holden Evers ’68 4. Abby Campbell Rowe ’93 and Michelle Paseltiner Menard ’93 5. Topsy Post ’66 and Anne Fadiman ’68 6. Marianne Bell Reifenheiser ’58 and Tom Reifenheiser 7. Pen and watercolor drawing by Alexandra Nason ’03 8. Photograph by Topsy Post ’66 9. Print by Ann Conrad Stewart ’78

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

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Alumni Artists Dan Bergfeld ’58

illustrations and logos, typography,

Dan attended Milton

marketing collateral, drawing, painting

Academy, Yale

and many other design forms.

University and the 7

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Topsy Post ’66

Stevens Institute of Technology before finding his

After attending University of Wisconsin

true passion for art and sculpture.

and Teachers College, Columbia

Dan’s focus is on the interaction of

University, traveling the world and

movement and sound through wind-

spending time teaching in Pakistan, Topsy

driven sculpture. Dan is a Guild Artists

returned to Country School as an Upper

Member at the Silvermine Arts Center in

School teacher for more than 20 years. In

New Canaan, where he is a permanent

her retirement, Topsy has rediscovered a

exhibitor on their Sculpture Walk.

lifelong passion for photography.

Kari Cholnoky ’03

Ann Conrad Stewart ’78

Kari attended Choate Rosemary Hall

Ann attended Hotchkiss and received her

and Dartmouth College before earning

B.A. from Princeton before continuing

her MFA in painting at the Cranbrook

her education as a printmaker at Bob

Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills,

Blackburn’s Printmaking Workshop

Michigan. Since then, Kari has been

in New York City. Ann specializes in

invited back to Dartmouth for visiting

printmaking and painting. Her work

artist lectures, and most recently as a

explores how multiple looks at the same

Visiting Professor of Studio Art. Kari

subject can deepen understanding and

specializes in painting, but her work also

how digital technology is changing the

includes sculpture and other forms.

way we look at things.

Alexandra Nason ’03

George Stevens, P ’74, ’76, ’78 &

After Country School,

Head of School (1963–1979)

Alexandra went on to

A collection of sketches by former Head

Choate Rosemary Hall and

of School George Stevens rounded

later earned her BFA in

out the show. George and his wife,

communication design from

Jill, had three children attend Country

Washington University in St.

School: Link ’74, Scott ’76 and Jed ’78.

Louis in 2010. Alexandra’s

His sketches depicted scenes near the

artistic range is broad,

Stevenses’ home in Vermont.

including hand-drafted concepts, vector-based

CALLING ALUMNI ARTISTS To be included in an upcoming Alumni Art Show, please contact Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04.

9 discover more countryschool.net

73

Join the Network!

NCCS Network is a “career” networking platform exclusively serving the Country School community.

As a member, you have the opportunity to:

• RECONNECT: Find and reminisce with

Will D’Agostino ’04

classmates, see what they have been up to and stay in touch.

Founder, Nutshell Co. Stamford, CT

• GIVE BACK: Introduce, employ, and be a mentor to our graduating students.

• EXPAND YOUR NETWORK: Leverage your

professional network to get introduced to people you should know.

• GET AHEAD: Advance your career

through inside connections working in top companies and access to exclusive opportunities.

Sign up today to find out what fellow graduates are up to and share your own professional story!

Will started Nutshell Co. in 2015 in an effort to reinvent the snack bar using high-quality, fresh ingredients to handcraft a bar that is organic, gluten-free and vegan. After testing recipes at home and on friends, Will took his product to farmers markets and local retail stores. His following continues to grow.

Now you can find Nutshell bars throughout the Tristate area. Nutshell bars have no unwanted ingredients and are wrapped in environmentally friendly packaging, something that’s incredibly important to Will, whose lifelong passion for the outdoors served as the inspiration for Nutshell. www.nutshellco.com @nutshell_co #ElevateTheBar

Larry Waldman ’98 Co-Founder, Principal Group Program Manager, Microsoft Teams, Seattle Larry has worked at Microsoft since 2005. He has held various roles over the past 13 years, mostly working on Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Several years ago he co-founded the Microsoft Teams product and has been responsible for its user interface, platform and messaging features. His team is also responsible for the GroupMe app, used today by university students and families around the world. Prior to joining Microsoft, Larry developed software for a variety of companies. He also led a research team focused on developing software for ultimate use on the JPL 2008 Martian Lander project at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a degree in computer science.

Join today!

You can sign up in less than two minutes by importing your LinkedIn profile.

74

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

Liani Balasuriya ’04 Associate (Litigation), Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Chicago

Kristen Broadhead Cashel ’86 Owner, Rulon Reed, Palm Beach, FL As a busy mom of four living in sunny Palm Beach, Kristen found herself constantly on the go and without easy, comfortable clothing options that looked fashionable and chic without the time-consuming ironing and expensive trips to the dry cleaners that so often come with them. So she took matters into her own hands! Kristen started Rulon Reed in 2015 and has been creating comfortable and stylish Americanmade wash-and-wear dresses and tunics ever since. Made using performance fabric that goes right in the washing machine and comes out unwrinkled and ready to wear, it’s every mom’s dream! www.rulonreed.com

Liani graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in English. While in college, Liani interned for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

After graduating, she served as a National Field Director for the bipartisan network No Labels and worked in the office of New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan before heading to law

Adam Kimberly ’81 Founder & General Partner, BaseCamp Equity Partners, Boulder, CO)

school at Northwestern University in 2014. While at Northwestern, Liani served on the Law Review and interned at Skadden, Arps,

After a career that included a mix of operating and private equity roles, in

Slate, Meagher & Flom both

2017 Adam launched BaseCamp Equity Partners, an investment firm focused

summers before accepting a full-

on growth and later-stage equity investments, located in Boulder. Previously,

time position there following her

Adam also led Palladium Industries, co-founded Montis Capital LLC in 2006, and was part of leadership teams at two operating businesses following his graduation from Kellogg School of

graduation in 2017. In March 2017, Liani was awarded the “Student of Inspiration” award from Ms.

Management in 1995. Prior to Kellogg, Adam attended The

JD, a nonprofit dedicated to the

Taft School and Williams College, and now serves on the

success of aspiring and early-

boards of numerous community organizations.

career women lawyers.

Alexa du Pont Bell ’93, SVP Platform Partnerships, Paperless Post, New York, NY Alexa joined Paperless Post, a leading platform for digital invitations, in 2012 and is currently responsible for partnerships that drive growth and revenue for the business. The company has grown considerably over the past six years, and now has over 100 million users including New Canaan Country School! Alexa is also the co-founder and Board Chairman of Cents Ability, a nonprofit organization focused on teaching financial literacy to teens throughout New York City since 2004. Prior to joining Paperless Post, Alexa led strategic development at RecycleBank, a platform that helps cities track recycling by household and rewards citizens for their impact, both to the environment and to the budget. She started her career in finance as an investment banker at UBS and later at RRE Ventures, where she focused on investments in early to mid-stage information technology companies. She holds an A.B. with honors from Harvard University, where she was commodore of the Radcliffe Varsity Crew, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two very tall kids.

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Class Notes 1943

Katharine Wadsworth Wilson writes, “Very busy year at my counseling practice: over 600 client appointments. Traveled to St. Augustine, FL, and islands of Georgia plus Savannah. Poetry awards. Keeping fit.

Saw several operas.”

1944

Johnson “Johns” Winship, a longtime resident of Simsbury, CT, passed away June 17, 2016, at Seabury in Bloomfield, CT. Please see In Memoriam.

1946

Virginia “Kip” Macdonald Farrell writes, “The last of our 11 grandchildren are off to college, Mount Holyoke and Juniata. I will never forget the Centennial Weekend and enjoyed being Chairman of the Class of 1946. Seven of us are still alive and four came to the Reunion. Thank you, NCCS, for the wonderful memories!”

1947

Peter Ransom of Little Compton, RI, passed away May 25, 2018. Please see In Memoriam.

Rick Smith has just completed filming and editing a one-hour documentary for MSNBC on grassroots citizen movements

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

NCCS alumni at the wedding of Eliza Kontulis ’04.

winning political reforms at the state and local level called The People vs. the Politicians. He writes, “It is break-the-mold television about what I call the missing story of American politics. Today’s media is hypnotized by Trump, either pro or con, and television in particular pours out torrents of verbiage about the hyper-partisan conflicts in Washington or, sadly, about individual corruption and conflicts of interest. But the new media are uninterested in reform — the battle for gerrymander reform, the use to expose dark money, the battle for voters’ rights, the impact of public funding on politics and the policy agenda of state legislatures that benefit from it. Those are the largely unknown stories that you’ll find in our documentary.” It will run on MSNBC multiple times between now and September 2019.

Segments will be posted on the YouTube channel “The People vs. the Politicians” at https://goo.gl/DqHX19; subscribe and you will be automatically alerted when new videos are posted. Rick is also running the website www.reclaimtheamericandream.org.

John Tunney passed away on Jan. 12, 2018, at a home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Please see In Memoriam.

1948

1953

John Carpenter of New Hope, PA, passed away May 26, 2018. Please see In Memoriam.

1949

Robert S. Ogden Jr. passed away on Sept. 14, 2017, at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. Please see In Memoriam.

1951

Peter Lapham writes, “An unexpected coincidence: Ned Barnard recently moved to Philadelphia, nearby, and we see each other often.”

1952

Jere Buckley writes, “Caryl and I have started a new chapter in our lives by joining Birch Hill, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Manchester, NH. However, we are not abandoning our log home and lakeside camp in nearby Webster, NH. The Webster properties will remain a gathering place for kids, grandkids and friends. We shuttle between the two places in accordance with our whims and the weather.”

The Class of 1953 gathered for its 65th Reunion at NCCS this May. For photos, please see page 70.

Allen Holloway writes, “I continue to be fortunate with my health, really only suffering from those skeletal infirmities that arise from long-term athletic pursuits and that surgeons are now able to repair.

I continue to work, although only about

50% of the time, as it still is a source of pleasure as well as social contact. Sitting on a porch with a fishing pole appears not to be in my genes. I also continue to travel, having managed to get to Morocco, the Galapagos and Kenya over the past year as well as several hiking trips in the U.S. — Yellowstone, Glacier, and last month to Arches and Canyonlands, the latter as a family with my brother Rick Holloway ’56 and sister Libby Holloway Fiene ’58.

1 Jennifer Robbins Manocherian writes, “My husband, Fred, and I have been married close to 60 years. Large clan, with eldest of 13 grandchildren now engaged. Both Fred and I still (and hopefully always will) work.

Joan Dominick O’Brien will be joining my daughter and me on a trip to Europe this fall. And I saw my sisters Sue Robbins Morrison ’47 and Vicky Robbins Cowal ’55 this May at Vicky’s daughter’s wedding.

Jonathan B. O’Brien of Providence, RI, and Westport, MA, passed away March 22, 2018.

Please see In Memoriam.

Dudley Smith shares, “We celebrated Julie’s 80th birthday in June with 13 family members on Monhegan Island 10 miles off the Maine coast. Explorer John Smith visited there in 1614. It’s an hour boat ride and scarcely a mile square. There are no cars, only 4–5 pickups to take the luggage from the dock up the hill to the Island Inn. All roads are dirt. Artists, mostly amateur, are everywhere; the island has 65 or so residents. A boat beached in 1948 remains on the rocky shoreline and the 1824 lighthouse works. There are 12 miles of trails, 170-foot cliffs, lobster pots and seals. Eiders and guillemots abound. The food at the Inn is

1 Jennifer Robbins Manocherian ’53 and husband Fred.

2 1956 mini-reunion at the Roger Sherman Inn in Oct. 2017

outstanding. Limited contentious news from Washington, D.C. A really good place to be.”

several cities in Germany and Austria is on the agenda this fall. Syd and Peter enjoy time with their two daughters and their families, have taken up pickleball and do far too much gardening...which, like pets, needing sitters, gets in the way of carefree traveling.

1954

Tom Adams writes that he is “retired from teaching at St. Mark’s School of Texas in Dallas since 2009, but still helping to coach varsity basketball.”

Tita Hayes Gratwick writes, “Thanks to NCCS for many wonderful years and gifted teaching!”

Peter Uhry and his wife Sydney still live in Greenwich, CT, and are active in a variety of groups including the Old Greenwich Yacht Club and Retired Men’s Association (RMA).

Peter was president of RMA several years ago and continues to participate as a board member, golf and tennis player and member of the program committee. RMA organizes 50 weekly guest speakers for the members each year. The Uhrys are active travelers with trips to Florida, Sicily, southern Italy and the Windward Islands already accomplished this spring and summer. Spending some time in

1955

Susan Carr Pickett writes, “Wonderful conversations with classmates Cathy Cody, Caroline DuBois Hutton and Kathy Clark De Long at The Snarks’ production of ‘Enchanted April’ and, this year, their production of ‘Steel Magnolias’ — Heaven on Earth!”

Penn Kavanagh writes, “Our grandson, Ridley Phillips, seems to be thriving at NCCS!”

1956

2 The Class of 1956 gathered for a minireunion in October 2017 at the Roger Sherman Inn in New Canaan. The hope is to make this an annual tradition.

Matching Gifts:

GROW YOUR GIFT, GROW A CHILD Did you know that Corporate Matching Gifts are a great way to increase your personal gift to Country School? Please check with your employer’s human resources department to see if it participates in a matching gift program.

Obtain a form from your company, send it to us with your gift, and we’ll take care of the rest. For more information, contact Diane Briggs in the Advancement Office at (203) 801-5619 or dbriggs@countryschool.net.

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77

Greer McLane Hopkins writes, “Still working in corporate events. Active and excited by extraordinary young operatic talent in the Merola Opera Program each year. Brothers Tom McLane ’46 and Jamie McLane ’54 very much in touch as we share views from East Coast to West.”

Clip Kniffin shares that life in Seattle is good and that he and his family are blessed with his 14th grandchild born in May 2018! He also shared that his nonprofit to benefit Liberia is growing and benefiting Liberian women and children. You can learn more about the organization at www.elwamausa.org.

Don Burnes writes, “I currently live in Denver, CO, with my wife, Lynn, a very accomplished artist who keeps churning out true masterpieces. I am the founder of the Burnes Center on Poverty and Homelessness at the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. I am currently on sabbatical from the Center, but I remain active in trying to address homelessness. My second book, Ending Homelessness: Why We Haven’t, How We Can, co-edited with my colleague Dr. David DiLeo, is doing well. A new collaborator, Dr. Jamie Rife, and I are about to send the manuscript of my next book to the publisher. Its working title is Journeys Through Homelessness: The Voices of Lived Experience. We hope it will hit the streets by the end of this year.”

The artwork of Dan Bergfeld was featured in our Alumni Art Show. See page 73.

Joy Fischbacher Law writes, “Busy managing my small ranch and we seem to be in a really bad drought. Also training a young horse and new border collie pup.”

1959

1961

1958

The Alumni Office is pleased to announce that as part of its 60th Reunion in May 2018, the Class of 1958 raised funds to dedicate a tree at NCCS. We are so grateful to the generosity of those who participated in this year’s Annual Fund in honor of your 60th! For photos of the reunion, please see page 70.

Ted Bayne writes, “After 11 years living full time on Martha’s Vineyard, we sold and moved back to Concord, MA.” Elise Truebner Henning shares, “I am back living in Fairfield County, namely Rowayton, after Buenos Aires, Palm Beach, and New York. Important in my life are my daughter, Cornelia Van Amburg, her husband Nick, and their three children, ages 8, 6, and 18 months. They live in New York, which affords me a lot of opportunity to see my grands. It’s much fun!”

Liz Davidson Kidder writes, “Loving Florida and grateful for my NCCS education way back when! I have been cleaning closets and found many of my 45 and 33 music records.

My grandson ran from the room when I played some … the Platters, Johnny Mathis, Ricky Nelson are lurking, but it reminded me of dances and weekend parties in eighth and ninth grade and many wonderful, close relationships. I don’t think that is only nostalgia talking. We were really good friends and had interesting, good times.

NCCS was a joy for me. Where are you classmates? How are you? What are you doing now. I miss you!”

1960

Lyn Bremer Chivvis writes, “Not much new in my life: I’m still working as a massage therapist, with a specialty in manual lymph drainage. I’ve been doing it for almost 20 years — after I left NCCS! Art ‘Beecher’ has been doing some pro bono work at Baruch

College in NY. We’ve had a lot of fun family visits with Christopher Chivvis ’86, Devon Chivvis ’89 and Dana Chivvis ’96.

Christopher and his wife, Sumona, have three children and live in Bethesda.”

Dave Gens writes, “Son Ryan Gens (35), got married July 7, 2018, to Luci Mazzullo.

Brother John Gens ’60 and his family attended the wedding in Easton, MD.”

1962

Jim Rohde writes, “After 40 years living in the Santa Ynez Valley, just north of Santa Barbara, CA, I have made a significant change in my life. I have moved to the Big Island of Hawaii. I have a home in Waikoloa Village on the northwest side of the island, away from the volcanic activity. It is humbling to realize that I live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I enjoy a 200-degree view of mountains, the island of Maui, open land and endless ocean. Every evening I am reminded of God’s Grace as I view a magnificent sunset over the water.

This island offers me a new world to learn about. On a normal motorcycle ride of two hours, I pass through at least five climate zones. And so a new chapter in my life is

Join NCCS Network — a career networking platform just for the Country School community. Post jobs, mentor young professionals, connect with industry leaders, find internships, and keep track of your classmates’ professional achievements.

Join today!

QUESTIONS?

Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 Director of Alumni Affairs hcasella@countryschool.net

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

Class Notes

3 Betsy Jones Zwick ’63 with her daughter, Katie, and first granddaughter, Chloe.

4

unfolding before my eyes. My love to my classmates from NCCS!” Linda “Pindy” Ogden Wilson passed away at her home in Darien, CT, on June 8, 2016.

Please see In Memoriam.

Sam Childs ’63 and family in Barbados.

1965

Cynthia Conklin of Sharon, CT, passed away Aug. 20, 2017. Please see In Memoriam.

Holly Ford Ridgway hosted a “minireunion” for the Class of 1965 in May. In addition to Holly, Christie Nichols, Annis Gilbert Kukulan, Jane Crary, Carol Newman, Whitney Neville Harvey were in attendance.

5

1963

3 Betsy Jones Zwick writes, “My daughter, Katie, blessed me with my first grandchild.

Chloe Elizabeth Norton was born May 19, 2018. My husband and I traveled to India last February and it was an amazing adventure. Canadian Rockies are coming up in August, then Yosemite in October and New Zealand at the beginning of 2019. In spite of all our rigorous travel plans, I am still active in my real estate career. I am on the Santa Barbara Historical Museum’s Costume Council and we are planning a trip to Denver to see the Dior show which is coming to the U.S. from Paris. Finally, I’ve become a golf addict and play at least twice a week. Hello to all my well-remembered classmates.”

4 Sam Childs shares that his family spent Christmas 2017 in Barbados to celebrate his and his wife’s 70th birthdays and almost 50th anniversary! Shown above right are Jamie and Hannah with their children — Thayer, George and Mac — Ted and his son Tommy (who lives in New Canaan). Missing are Sam (oldest) and his wife Amy who just welcomed twin sons, William and Andrew.

We are living in Old Lyme, CT.

ARE YOU GETTING OUR EMAILS? If not, please send your preferred email address to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net.

1966

Margaret Marks Cluceru of Stamford, CT, passed away Jan. 1, 2018. Please see In Memoriam.

Juliana “Topsy” Post received the 2018 Alumni Award (see page 69) and was also a featured artist in the Alumni Art Show (see page 73).

Carl Rohde married longtime partner Nora Rohde on Aug. 7, 2018, in the Rose Garden at Waveny Park in New Canaan, CT.

5 Christie Nichols, Annis Gilbert Kukulan, Jane Crary, Carol Newman, Whitney Neville Harvey, Holly Ford Ridgway, all Class of 1965.

1968

The Class of 1968 gathered for its 50th Reunion at NCCS this May. A 50th Reunion update was distributed to the class via email.

Please reach out to Alumni Director Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 for more information: hcasella@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5687.

For photos, please see page 70.

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6

Alison Taggart-Barone ’69 with her family’s exhibit at the New Canaan Historical Society.

1969

Alison Taggart-Barone, Rush Taggart ’68 and Stewart Taggart hosted the opening event at the New Canaan Historical Society on May 5.

Their family has over 100 years of history in New Canaan, and thanks to their father, Rush Taggart Jr., a family tree that traces back to the 1500s in several branches.

The family donated their archives to the Society, and is grateful that the images and documents will be well cared for and humbled by the extent and depth of the collection.

Elizabeth “Lisa” Proctor passed away peacefully at her Los Angeles home on Feb. 24, 2018. Please see In Memoriam.

6

1974

7 Liz Barratt-Brown writes, “Hi, NCCS friends! We will make our organic, extra virgin, slow food (and I say fair trade because we treat our pickers to a picnic in the groves) olive oil again at Pedruxella.com (http://pedruxella.com) this fall. Come visit us and pick or come another time of the year as a ‘voluntourist’ or guest while we still own this crazy olive estate. Family is doing well — Barratt a rising senior and dreaming of college and Eliza a rising junior and not thinking at all about it yet (good!).

Still doing my environmental work for NRDC.” Liz lent her expertise for the eighth grade World Congress; see page 41.

1975 7 Liz Barratt-Brown ’74 on her family’s olive estate in Italy.

Christine Gamble Brooks shares, “I had the opportunity to see classmates Lisa Jewett, Pam James, Missy Marshman, Connie Childs, Lauren Kimberly Calahan and Lolly Jewett ’76 in May while passing through Connecticut. What fun to get caught up. It had been a long time since being in the area. I sure would like to see more of them and others. It is great to be in touch with many NCCSers.”

Jon Isham, a professor of Economics and Environmental Studies at Middlebury College, lent his expertise for the eighth grade World Congress; see page 41.

8 Trip Hunter ’79 and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak take a break at Silicon Valley Comic Con, an event they founded in 2015.

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

1976

Ned Rimer, a director of the Health Sector Management Program at Boston University, lent his expertise for the eighth grade World Congress; see page 41.

1978

The artwork of Ann Conrad Stewart was featured in our Alumni Art Show. See page 73.

1979

Charlotte Koudijs Taverna, of Wilton, CT, passed away Dec. 12, 2017. Please see In Memoriam.

8 Trip Hunter has been working hard but having fun as a founding partner and the CEO of Silicon Valley Comic Con. He is based in Utah, but still finds time to race and be a gear-head with George Beavers.

International human rights activist Kathy Ward lent her expertise for the eighth grade World Congress; see page 41.

1980

Ed Bryan is still in Maine and has taken up the hobby of beekeeping. Over in the other Portland, Leigh Guyer has gotten serious about sailing. Arthur (Merdinolu) Merdinian in St. Louis, Bert Rodiger in Hingham, MA, and Tory Falconer Crane in Darien are also enjoying the boating life and watching their children compete. Not to be outdone, RJ Lavallee is rebuilding a boat by hand in Mystic, CT.

Class Notes As previously reported, a large number of class members have selected education as their chosen field, including Lesley Barnes Brophy (Kent Denver), Carolyn Crandall (Chapin) and Brad Czepiel (Hopkins). Happy to update this with news that Stephen Billhardt is Head of Lower School, The Fessenden School, in Massachusetts.

Bill Shutkin continues to lecture and consult around the world on the ideas and innovations guiding us to a prosperous future. Check out his award-winning book, The Land That Could Be: Environmentalism and Democracy in the Twenty-First Century, and also A Republic of Trees: Field Notes on People, Place, and the Planet. He was last sighted in Colorado heading up Shutkin Sustainable Living.

World traveler and VP, Global Sales at renewable energy firm NRG Systems, Greg Erdmann is still doing his version of Where’s Waldo. At press time, he was sighted making his way from Vermont to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thank you, Greg, for helping our eighth grade students with their research for World Congress (see page 41)! Andra Bowman Ehrenkranz has also been racking up the air miles. Based in NYC, she frequently travels to Abaarso School of Science and

Technology in Somaliland, where she is a patron, mentor and friend. This fall she will be visiting northern Iraq with the International Rescue Committee to learn more about what can be done to help the Yazidi, Kurds and other displaced peoples there.

Gerard Sava was a camera operator for David Letterman’s “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” (Malala Yousafzai episode), the Dark Knight series “Gotham,” the Netflix rom-com Set It Up and the comedy Otherhood.

In the corporate sector, a big thank you to Lissie Ryan O’Brien for making time for some NCCS outreach projects in Pound Ridge, NY, this past year. Lissie is normally busy leading IBM’s Global Sports & Entertainment Partnerships Group. Her portfolio includes iconic events such as The Masters, Wimbledon, the US Open, ESPN Fantasy Football, the Grammys, the Tonys and a partnership with Pebble Beach. We were pleased to see Eric Woolworth, president of business operations for The HEAT Group, speak on SportsCenter about Miami Heat staff diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Margy Nightingale says “bonjour” from Paris, Omar (Dave) Robinson “hello” from Houston. Rob McGill welcomes all to

Lloyd Fales ’80 Visits NCCS Lloyd Fales ’80 screened his film Return to Penguin City and answered questions at an assembly held for Middle and Upper School students on April 16. The National Science Foundation-funded documentary, which originally aired on Animal Planet, follows millions of Adelie penguins as they storm the beaches of Antarctica during their annual October migration to breeding grounds. For over half a century, researchers such as David Ainley, Grant Ballard and Viola Toniolo have been trying to unlock the secrets of penguins’ lives. The documentary provides a glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary birds — braving fierce storms, outsmarting predators and scaling rogue icebergs — along with the scientists who study them. The filmmakers were also able to document the effects of a giant iceberg (bigger than the island of Jamaica) breaking off the Ross Ice Shelf, a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly more commonplace, but that is rarely witnessed or documented.

Lloyd was the film’s producer and one of its photographers, spending a month in Antarctica, visiting three different penguin colonies. He currently works as an executive producer at NBC News’ Peacock Productions.

ALUMNI, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH STUDENTS? Contact Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 with your idea! hcasella@countryschool.net

9 Robert Gustavson ’81, Joel Post ’81, and Tim Woolworth ’81 in Falmouth, ME.

Rainbow Lake, his new waterside home in Ridgefield. Margaret Carter encourages everyone to check out her Pinterest board — she is an interior designer in Washington, D.C. If you are looking to relocate, Realtors Jane Nicol Manuel in Charleston, SC, and Michael Johnston in Addison, VT, would surely assist.

Alicia Altman Southwell is working at the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy.

Graham Hall is a psychotherapist in Washington, D.C. Ian Wilkie, a man of many talents, also lives in the nation’s capital. Following a career in law, he has branched out to form Greener Pastures Capital Partners LLC, which serves as a legal cannabis investment fund for accredited investors and a consultancy for legal marijuana and hemp-related companies.

1981

9 Robert Gustavson got together with Joel Post and Tim Woolworth this July aboard Tim’s boat in Falmouth, ME.

Find out what Adam Kimberly has been up to! See page 75 and join the NCCS Network!

1982

Brad Bull is an architect with Gensler in Denver, CO. He and his wife, Reba, are raising three beautiful children!

1984

Tom Piper’s film on Piet Oudolf was shown at the New York Documentary Film Festival on Nov. 11, 2017.

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81

10 Quito Cooksey ’93 and family at NCCS this spring.

1986

Find out what Kristen Broadhead Cashel has been up to! See page 75 and join the NCCS Network!

1988

Andrew Piper is Professor and William Dawson Scholar in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at McGill University. He directs .txtLAB, a digital humanities laboratory at McGill, and is editor of the new web-based, open-access journal CA: Journal of Cultural Analytics.

His work focuses on applying the tools and techniques of data science to the study of literature and culture, with a particular emphasis on questions of cultural capital, institutional prestige and intellectual diversity. He has ongoing projects that address the inequalities of culture, academic publishing and power, and the history of the visual page. His research is grounded in an understanding of the long history of reading technologies and how they have shaped human cultures.

1990

Tucker Golden has been named President of the Alumni Council. Read his letter on page 66.

Lauren Oakes ’96 and her husband, Matt.

1992

Thayer Bull Smock and her husband, Chris, live in Redding, CT, with their four wonderful kids. Thayer is a teacher.

1993

The Class of 1993 gathered for its 25th Reunion at NCCS in May. For photos, please see page 70.

10 Quito Cooksey visited NCCS this spring with his wife and daughter. Quito is a television commercial and video art director and lives in Los Angeles.

Find out what Alexa duPont Bell has been up to! See page 75 and join the NCCS Network!

1996

Sky Bull Minckler and her husband, Bill, are raising two beautiful girls on a ranch in Colorado. She is using her law degree in real estate!

11 Lauren Oakes married Matt Craven on July 7, 2018, in Big Sky, MT. Proud mom and longtime NCCS staff member Pat Oakes and Lauren’s brother Ryan Oakes ’93 were in attendance.

1991

1998

Amanda “Mandy” Montanaro of New Canaan passed away March 12, 2018.

Please see In Memoriam.

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

The Class of 1998 gathered for its 20th Reunion at NCCS in May. For photos, please see page 70.

12 Eliza Golden ’98 with her husband, Peter, and their dog, Jackson.

12 Eliza Golden married Peter Roady on July 7, 2018, at their house in Moraga, CA, east of Oakland in the Bay Area. They gathered a small group to celebrate in their backyard, and their black lab, Jackson, played a major role in the ceremony. Eliza works in San Francisco on the investment team at Acumen America, a nonprofit venture fund that invests in companies tackling challenges of poverty in the U.S. Peter served in national security policymaking positions in the government and is now pursuing a second career in academia and writing his dissertation on the history of national security in the United States. Peter and Eliza are mountain biking, running and hiking enthusiasts, and are loving their new West

Class Notes Coast home. In addition to siblings Alex Golden ’94 and Tucker Golden ’90 (and Tucker’s sons and current NCCS students Oliver Golden and James Golden), Eliza’s classmate, good friend and former hockey co-captain Scott Cohen was there to help celebrate with his wife, Rachel.

Larry Waldman ’98 with wife Katie and daughter Kennedy.

13

14 Matthew Ryan Weintz, son of Becky Grant Weintz ’99.

13 Larry Waldman shares, “I got married to Katie Beltrone in October of 2016, and she and I just had a baby girl, Kennedy Alice Waldman on Feb. 14, 2018. Family is doing great. I still work at Microsoft, living in Seattle, and my brother Billy Waldman is working in San Francisco. Hope all is well with the NCCS crowd!” Find out what Larry Waldman has been up to! See page 74 and join the NCCS Network!

1999

14 Becky Grant Weintz and husband Alex Weintz welcomed Matthew Ryan Weintz on Jan. 15, 2018!

2000

Sebastian Benthall married Daria Asmolova on Aug. 1, 2017.

2001

Rob Dudley and his wife, Tricia, welcomed Reed Hamilton Dudley on March 1, 2018.

Matt Bloom and wife Katie welcomed baby Zoe Bloom in February 2018.

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2002

15 Carl Greiner, Jill Greiner ’02, Christian Wakeman, Jackie Greiner, Chad Greiner ’96, Beatrice Greiner and Henrietta Greiner.

15 Jill Greiner married Christian Wakeman on Oct. 21, 2017 in Southport, NC. The day was perfect, and Jill was excited to have her maid of honor and NCCS classmate, Katie Flynn by her side. Jill and Christian live in Charlottesville, VA, where Jill is the City of Charlottesville’s water conservationist and Christian is a data and operations program manager for the Center of Diabetes and Technology at the University of Virginia.

Jill also received the 2017 EPA WaterSense Partner of the Year Award from Leo Gueriguian, Acting Associate Director, OWN Water Infrastructure Division, U.S. EPA.

16 Emily Smith Whitledge and her husband Jim welcomed baby Virginia “Ginny” Anne Whitledge on June 27, 2018.

2003

The Class of 2003 gathered for its 15th Reunion at NCCS in May. For photos, please see page 70.

Chris Fezza married Kathryn Carski on June 17, 2017 at Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards in Virginia.

16 Emily Smith Whitledge ’02 with husband Jim and new baby “Ginny.”

17 Mike Karp ’03 with wife Margurite and siblings Lauren Karp ’06 and Jon Karp ’09.

17 Mike Karp married Margurite Berard on May 12, 2018, in Cortland Manor, NY. Mike’s siblings Lauren Karp ’06 and Jon Karp ’09 were in attendance, and his best man was NCCS classmate Jamie Epstein. The happy couple has since moved to Stamford, CT.

19

Hayley O’Donnell ’03

and daughter, Harper 18

84

Chelsea Laverack ’03 with husband Scott and the Laverack family.

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

Class Notes

21 Molly, daughter of Kelley Overlander ’04

20 Olivia and Piper, daughters of Christina Sachs Phillips ’03

22 Nikki Bongaerts ’04 at her Columbia Master of Science in Sports Management & Business graduation.

Mike is an associate director for Camp Manitou for Boys in Oakland, ME, while Margo is an account director for PureWow, a women’s lifestyle brand.

Overlander ’08, and Haley Overlander ’12 were in attendance. Kelley and Michael welcomed their first child, Molly Brynn Aksman on Aug. 9, 2018.

18 Chelsea Laverack and Scott Clifford were married on June 16, 2018, in East Hampton, NY. Chelsea’s siblings William Laverack ’07, Mollie Laverack ’08 and Winslow Laverack ’11 were all there to celebrate along with close friends and NCCS alumni Hope Krause Kremer and Jaymie Oppenheim.

22 Nikki Bongaerts shares, “I graduated from Columbia with a Master of Science in Sports Management & Business in December 2017 and walked this past May. I had a dual curriculum of sports marketing classes and finance classes taken through Columbia Business School. After graduating I accepted a job as the account manager for a sports media agency, Dragonfli Media Technologies, in Park City, UT. Couldn’t be happier with my time in the Columbia program!”

19 Hayley O’Donnell and Ryan McEneaney welcomed Harper Marie McEneaney on Sept. 3, 2017.

20 Christina Sachs Phillips and her husband, Will, welcomed their second baby, Piper Griggs Phillips, on June 13, 2018. Their first daughter, Olivia Clark Phillips, joined the clan on Sept. 12, 2016.

Jonathan Spector and his wife, Lianna, welcomed Eliza Amy Spector on Oct. 11, 2017.

The artwork of Ann Conrad Stewart was featured in our Alumni Art Show. See page 73.

2004

Find out what Liani Balasuryia and Will D’Agostino have been up to! See page 74 and join the NCCS Network!

Kelley Overlander married Michael Aksman on Sept. 9, 2017, in Coxsackie, NY. Kelley’s siblings Ashley Overlander Boggia ’00, Jessica Overlander ’02, Colleen Overlander Gover ’06, Blake

William Buchanan married Jenna van Egmond on Aug. 18, 2018, just weeks before starting his second year of business school at Rice University.

23 Ed and Kathy Craig with Kelsey Craig ’04 and Taylor Craig ’08 in Tanzania.

FOLLOW @NCCSALUMNI

Anne Geitz Colestock and her husband, Matthew, welcomed baby William Fielding Colestock on July 18, 2018.

for the latest alumni news and

23 Kelsey Craig and her parents, Ed and Kathy Craig, recently visited her sister, Taylor Craig ’08, in Tanzania, where Taylor is working for the Peace Corps. Taylor took a short break to join them on a safari.

reunions and, of course, your

Kelly Crane married Brian Fink on Oct. 7, 2017, in Norwalk, CT. Kelly’s brother, Rob Crane ’01, was in attendance.

21

Will D’Agostino moved back to Connecticut and started Nutshell, a fresh take on nutritional snack bars, in 2016 by selling his nutbars at local farmers

updates in real time! Share wedding photos, chance encounters, minifavorite throwbacks for #TBT. To submit photos, direct message through Instagram or email to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@ countryschool.net. Please identify everyone in the photo, with class years wherever possible — and feel free to include a caption!

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NCCS GETTING MARRIED? Let the Alumni Office know so we can send you a NCCS banner for photography! Reach out to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella at hcasella@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5687.

24

Eliza Kontulis ’04 and husband Max Getz

markets. Focusing on the highest quality ingredients, creative flavors, and freshness, Will has grown Nutshell from producing a few dozen to over 1,200 bars each week.

To learn more, see his profile on page 74 and visit www.nutshellco.com.

25 Hadley Martin ’04 and husband Daniel McDow.

Drew Fink graduated from Harvard Business School in 2018 and is currently in Colombia, taking a circuitous path to his future home in Boulder, CO. While getting his MBA, Drew and his fiancée Daniela founded the beverage company Lazy Bear (https://www.lazybeartea.com) , which upcycles cascara, or coffee fruit, into a bottled tea. After their wedding in Bogota this coming November, Drew and Daniela plan to continue growing the business in the Front Range of Colorado.

24 Eliza Kontulis married Maxwell King Getz on July 21, 2018, in Grosse Pointe, MI. NCCS classmates Hadley Martin and Annie Smith were bridesmaids. Many NCCS alumni were also in attendance, including Eliza’s brothers, Jeffrey Kontulis ’07, Clay Kontulis ’12, and James Kontulis ’18, Nikki Bongaerts, Holly Donaldson Casella, Will D’Agostino, Haley Priebe ’03, Whitney Martin Shriver ’00, Gigi Priebe ’74, Ann Conrad Stewart ’78, Thayer Stewart ’78, Nolan Stewart ’06, Avery Stewart ’08, and Cal Stewart ’14.

26 Heidi Wolfgruber ’04 and husband Tyler Pate.

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

25 Hadley Martin married Daniel McDow on May 26, 2018, in Connecticut. NCCS Classmates Eliza Kontulis and Annie Smith were members of the bridal party. Other NCCS alums in attendance include Hadley’s

siblings, Whitney Martin Shriver ’00, Tucker Martin ’96, Trevor Martin ’95 and Tag Martin ’06.

26 Heidi Wolfgruber married Tyler Pate on May 12, 2018, in Nashville, TN. Heidi’s brother and NCCS alumnus Christian Wolfgruber ’99 was in attendance.

2005

Letty Lawrence married Scott Heymann in Aspen, CO, on July 21, 2018.

27 Caroline Spillane married Maxx Meyer on Aug. 11, 2018, in Woolwich, ME. Caroline’s brothers Nick Spillane ’01 and Sam Spillane ’04 were members of the wedding party.

2006

Colleen Overlander married John Gover on July 8, 2018 in Portland, CT. Colleen’s siblings Ashley Overlander Boggia ’00, Jessica Overlander ’02, Kelley Overlander Askman ’04, Blake Overlander ’08 and Haley Overlander ’12 were in attendance along with Mara Upson ’06 In March 2018, Diana Saverin completed a 250-mile winter traverse of the Brooks Range in Alaska with her friend Nyssa. The two began in the village of Ambler, and finished 15 days later in Anaktuvuk Pass.

They navigated through the mountains on skis, following a map drawn by an elder in

Class Notes Ambler. They both pulled sleds weighing more than 100 pounds, and faced challenges of cold weather, mixed visibility and steep passes.

28 Bea Whitton married Peter Tufo on Aug. 4, 2018 in Manchester, VT. NCCS classmate Ashley Jeffress co-officiated with Nick Hammershlag, husband of Bea’s sister and bridesmaid Cricket Whitton Hammershlag ’01. Other bridesmaids included Bea’s sisters Lindsey Whitton Christ ’98 and Libby Whitton ’09, and Libby Miner. Other NCCS alumni in attendance included Maggie Buchanan, Ellie O’Brien, Ben Tabah, Suzanne Beinfield, CJ York ’12 and Avery York ’15.

27 The Spillane family, including Nick Spillane ’01 and Sam Spillane ’04, at the wedding of Caroline Spillane ’05.

2008

The Class of 2008 gathered for its 10th Reunion at NCCS this May. For photos, please see page 70.

Melanie Silverman finished her second year as an apprentice here at NCCS and moved to New York to work as a teacher’s assistant at Avenues while pursuing her master’s in Elementary Inclusive Education at Teacher’s College at Columbia.

2010 28

NCCS alumni at the wedding of Bea Whitton ’06.

Peter Christensen graduated from Northeastern University in May with a master’s Degree in mechanical engineering. In August he heads to Los Angeles for a job at SpaceX as a propulsion components engineer.

Alumni Working at Horizons We had a great group of alumni working at the Horizons at NCCS summer program, including CJ Woodberry ’15, Christopher Ziac ’15, Kevin Barnard ’17, Avery York ’15, Lily von Stade ’14 and Erin Murphy ’13. Not pictured: Carl Brodnax ’76, Aren Craft ’15, Ben Sosnow ’15 and Nicholas Fellows ’15.

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Class of 2015

College Destinations

Nathan Aliapoulios �����Miami University of Ohio

Michael Grise................... Berkshire School ’19

Blake Sommi ��������������������������� Tufts University

Emma Alpaugh ��������������������������Trinity College

Lucy Hudson..............Greenwich Academy ’19

Victoria Song ������������������������ Bowdoin College

Jeffrey Basta .............. University of Michigan

Kelsey Johnson ���� Texas Christian University

Benjamin Sosnow ����������Millbrook School ’19

Anna Bean........................University of Denver

John Joyce ����������� University of Pennsylvania

Sabrina Sotirhos.........Georgetown University

Gabriel Byan ������������������������Cornell University

Lila Kirchhoff ����������������������� Hamilton College

Walker Stevens......... Westminster School ’19

Seve Calderini................... Bucknell University

Chase Landis ������������������������Dickinson College

James Tait......................... Salisbury School ’19

Elizabeth Casey ������������������Colgate University

Elizabeth Laub �������������������Colgate University

Emma Tapscott ���������������������Williams College

Phoebe Casey ���������������������Colgate University

Oliver Lawrence ������������������������� Colby College

Kate Tapscott ����������������������� Bowdoin College

Claire Collins...................... Dartmouth College

Zachary Liston.......Greens Farms Academy ’19

Felicity Taylor �������������������������Washington and

Grace Consoli ����������������������������Trinity College

Kathryn McCaughey...... University of Michigan

Lee University

Aren Craft............................Bentley University

George McGlade ��������������������������University of

Carson Teitler...................Columbia University

Oliver Dewey ������������������������� Pomona College

Colorado Boulder

Christina Toldalagi ���������������� Tufts University

Matthew Dormer ������������������������������ Franklin &

John Megrue �����������������������Cornell University

Nicholas Toldalagi ���������������� Carnegie Mellon

Marshall College

Dana Mills....................... Quinnipiac University

University

Kricket Drewes...............Middlesex School ’19

Ian Murphy......................... Bucknell University

Alexandra Truwit ��������������������� Yale University

Catherine duBoulay ������������������ Colby College

Ryan Neafsey ����������������������Cornell University

John Ventura..................University of Virginia

Nicholas English ������������������� Phillips Academy

Scout O’Donnell ������������� New York University

Finn Walker ������������������������������� Taft School ’19

Andover ’19

Charles Olsen ����������������������������Trinity College

Harris Walker ��������������������� Harvard University

Spencer Epps................ Santa Clara University

Jay Parmelee................... Southern Methodist

Grant Wang........... University of Pennsylvania

Nicholas Fellows....University of Connecticut

University

Kelly Wappler ��������������������� Indiana University

Arianna Fleuriot ��������������American University

Samuel Parmelee ������Gap Year (Peru, Bolivia,

Ezra White.................. Florida State University

Katharine Foster ��������������������������University of

Uruguay, Pacific Northwest)

Christopher Woodberry.................. St. Luke’s

Southern California

Daniel Pfrommer.... University of Pennsylvania

School ’19

Marina Fournier ���������������������������������Unknown

Clayton Prawl �������������������������������������Unknown

Avery York................... Wake Forest University

Haley Fuller..........................Colgate University

Hallie Purcell............... University of Michigan

Leigh Young-Lawler.........Gettysburg College

Connor Galante �������������������������Trinity College

Hannah Riegel ������������������������� Boston College

Brian Zaffino..................... St. Paul’s School ’19

Teddy Gartland........... University of Michigan

Alexandra Schwartz ������������������ Colby College

Christopher Ziac........Georgetown University

Chase Glover �����������������������������Elon University

PJ Sensbach....................University of Georgia

Maia Zonis........................... Harvard University

Sophie Graham..........Gap Year: Joffrey Ballet

Tucker Seth................... Santa Clara University

Class of 2019

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Destinations

Annabelle Baird........... Episcopal High School

Max Guan...............Phillips Academy Andover

Chris Raker ��������������������������������������King School

JB Barr.....................................St. Luke’s School

Ben Guarini........Fairfield Preparatory School

Thomas Ricciardelli ������������������������Taft School

Aiden Bertellotti.....New Canaan High School

Duke Hagen ������������������������������������King School

Maggie Ruvinsky ����������������������������King School

Elizabeth Dale................. Greenwich Academy

Brendan Keogh �������������������� Hotchkiss School

Tavin Staber.......................The Masters School

Menna Delva...............Greens Farms Academy

Alexandra Mathews ��������������� Hopkins School

Samantha Stevens ����������� Darien High School

Mary Duffy....................... Greenwich Academy

Byrne Matthews.....New Canaan High School

Niki Sulkowski ��������������������� Brunswick School

Amira El Hattab ���������������������St. Luke’s School

Amanda Miller �����������������������Berkshire School

Will Warner.......................Westminster School

Lila-ViVi Fagel ������������������� Wilton High School

Peter Miller.......................Westminster School

Ryan Werneburg.....New Canaan High School

Bennett Ghriskey ������������Westminster School

Caitlin Neafsey ����������������������St. Luke’s School

Pippa Gore......................... Darien High School

Ram Perez..........Brien McMahon High School

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

Class Notes

Seve Calderini ’15, Chase Landis ’15 and George McGlade ’15 on graduation day at Berkshire School.

29 Brianna Cummings ’12 sporting her fashion collection, Meraki Essence.

2012

29 Brianna Cummings was the youngest designer to show a collection for the Harlem Week Fashion Show, which draws more than two million people each year in Harlem, NY. Brianna’s collection for the show featured day-to-night outfits under her brand Meraki Essence, but her true passion is bridal.

Brianna is a rising senior studying fashion design at Virginia Commonwealth University.

We look forward to seeing more from her in the years ahead!

2013

Ryan Musto is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University pursuing majors in Near Eastern Studies and History and minors in Arabic, Business, and Classical Civilizations. Prior to serving as vice president for judicial affairs on the Interfraternity Council, Ryan was the freshman representative on the Student Assembly and worked on the Interfraternity Development Council. He’s been focusing his work on sexual assault and discrimination prevention.

2014

For recent athletic achievements by Campbell Connors, Jason Gold, Bret Pastor and Cal Stewart, see page 30.

2015

For recent academic achievements by Anna Bean, Gabriel Byan, Haley Fuller, Teddy Gartland, Kathryn McCaughey, Ryan Neafsey, Daniel Pfrommer, Alexandra Schwartz, Victoria Song, Emma Tapscott, Kate Tapscott, Alexandra Truwit, Christine Toldalagi, Nicholas Toldalagi, Grant Wang, CJ Woodberry, Avery York, Leigh YoungLawler, Christopher Ziac and Maia Zonis, see page 27; for recent athletic achievements

by Emma Alpaugh, Anna Bean, Elisabeth Casey, Phoebe Casey, Zach Liston, Jack Megrue, Ryan Neafsey, James Tait, Kate Tapscott, Alexandra Truwit, Tucker Seth, Walker Stevens, CJ Woodberry and Maia Zonis, see page 30.

2016

For recent academic achievements by Liam Griffiths, Cam Raker, Whitney Rintoul, and Tyler Swirbul, see page 27; and for recent athletic achievements William Byrne, Liam Carroll, Liam Griffiths, Tyler Swirbul, see page 30.

2017

For recent academic achievements by Shane Baldwin and Haley Strom, see page 27; and for recent athletic achievements by Drew Pyne, see page 30.

Alumni from the Class of 2017 returned to honor their former classmate at the annual Kyle A. Markes Day of Service. See page 38.

2018

For recent academic achievements by Cayla Bernstein, see page 27; and for recent athletic achievements by Sam Ives and Diego Pepe, see page 30.

Congratulations to the Class of 2018! See photos from graduation and information on secondary school placement on page 14.

2019

We offer our congratulations and the best of luck to the members of Class of 2019 who departed at the end of their eighth grade year. (See Destinations previous page.)

NO NEWS FROM YOUR CLASS? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please submit your news and updates to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net or on our website. You can also submit notes via mail using the enclosed return envelope. Share your own news, or tip us off to milestones, news and achievements of classmates, children or others in our community!

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Faculty & Staff News Sue Friborg is enjoying Maine where she is keeping busy with community volunteering, playing pickleball, hiking and following the Red Sox. She reports: “Having lots of family nearby is an added treat, so I’m spending lots of time with them as well. Life is good!”

▼ Colin and Cindy Thom welcomed a son, Declan LeClair Thom, March 14.

Declan joins brother Finn.

Charles Khuen married Marielle Hayden in their childhood hometown of Winchester, MA, in June.

Sue Speers writes: “My new hip works well enough to let me return to hiking. The big event of our summer was the wedding of Christopher Speers and Rosy Gonzalez on Aug. 11; He is the oldest son of Will Speers ’72. The officiant will be Uncle Tom Speers ’73. The bride is a political consultant, and the groom, an administrator at the Dublin School in NH.”

▼ Meegan Rourke and Stoddard Horn were engaged over the Memorial Day weekend in Newport, RI. They are members of the Millbrook School’s Class of 2007.

▲ Jack Johnson and Sean Robb completed the Fairfield Half Marathon, which they and Jeff Johnson all ran on June 3.

▸ Kristen Ball wrote a book called A Calf Named Brian Higgins, which was published

by One Elm Books in July and is now available for sale. Find it on Amazon.com!

▸ In her debut novel, The Velveteen Daughter,

former staff member Laurel Davis Huber shared the true story, never before told, of Pamela Bianco, a world-famous child prodigy artist, and her mother Margery Williams, author of the beloved children’s literature classic, The Velveteen Rabbit.

▲ Lynn Sullivan shared that she and Nicole Victor were selected (out of 400 proposals) to co-present a workshop at the NAIS 2018 People of Color Conference in Tennessee. Lynn was also inducted into The Links, Inc. and Dana Thomas came to the ceremonial luncheon.

▸ Jesse

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and Leatrice Embley welcomed a son, Colton John, on June 30.

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

▲ Melissa Fryer and Tyler Gomes are engaged. The couple, who met at Trumbull High School in 2011, are planning a summer 2019 wedding.

▲ Terry Gumz is pleased to announce the arrival of her grandson, William (Billy) Gibbs Joseph, on Nov. 5, 2017. Terry’s daughter, Lily, and son-inlaw, Nick, live in Manhattan.

▸ Several stalwart faculty members completed the famed Leatherman’s Loop April 22 at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Congratulations to Stefan Borowski, Sue DeOreo, Lindsay Frey, Martha McAndrews, Will McDonough, Abigail Manny Newport ’89, Julie Porter, Monica Rowett ’02, Suzy Sensbach and Darby Weber and a big shout-out to Will for the win. Additional members of the NCCS community who completed the race included Megan, Keith and Heidi Mitchell, Matt and Sanny Burnham Warner ’88 and Kim Gaynor.

Welcoming Back Former Faculty & Staff It was wonderful to have so many members of our extended community return to campus May 18 for the 2018 Alumni Award presentation to Topsy Post ’66.

(See page 69 for more on the Alumni Award.)

1. Twee Haffner, Sue Speers, Pamela Simpson and Kit O’Brien Rohn ’78 2. Lyn and Michael McNaught 3. Dan Bergfeld ’58 and Al Perry 4. Jo Ann Devlin and Jacqueline Jeffress 5. Diane Briggs, Jodi Hasbrouck and Kate Lowe

1

2

4

3

5

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FA C U LT Y S P OT L I G H T: Performing Arts Teacher Andrew Tyson

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

“I get to be the one to help them discover the joy of music. I used to work in a high school and the students in my ensembles already loved what they were doing. We made some great music, to be sure, but I like to help students find their way to music in the first place. I want to be right there with them while they’re still sorting through it all, sharing what I love about music and hopefully sparking that passion in them as well.”

During his free time, he performs with the aptly named Andrew Tyson Trio and continues to sing with the University Glee Club of New York City. In 2014, Mr. Tyson released Six PM, a piano trio album of original compositions, and scored an independent documentary, The Island and the Whale. In 2016, he composed the Country School song, Fortune Favors the Bold, and arranged a variety of pieces for the University Glee Club of New York City, including Roll the Old Chariot, for their performance at Lincoln Center.

On June 23 he married Jess, an entrepreneur and musician he met in Harlem and to whom he became engaged in Ireland. When not teaching, he spends his time traveling, cooking and playing with Hummus, the couple’s labradoodle.

“Music feeds the soul and makes us better people,” said Mr. Tyson. “It’s pretty amazing to share that with students every day.”

“It’s so amazing to see someone fall in love with music. It’s like watching a lightbulb switch on above their head. You know that music will be part of their life, in one way or another, from then on. Being a part of that moment is

WHY I LOVE TEACHING.

“

Mr. Tyson’s own passion for music began during childhood in Walpole, New Hampshire. He took piano lessons and played trumpet in the middle school band.

He sang in the chorus and played piano at Vermont Academy, then double-majored in music and Spanish at Skidmore College.

He completed his master’s degree in music education at Boston University, followed later by a specialist certificate in live sound engineering from Berklee College of Music.

A skilled pianist, composer and brass player, Mr. Tyson is also an accomplished choral singer. In fact, it was while singing with the University Glee Club of New York City that he heard about an opening at NCCS from fellow members John Hastings and Jake Alrich. “I applied right away and am so glad that I did.” Mr. Tyson had already logged eight years of teaching in three different countries to students ranging from pre-Kindergarten to high school. “My earlier experiences all helped me figure out who, what and where I wanted to teach,” he said.

Four years at the American School of Madrid teaching older students gave way to two years in Abu Dhabi teaching band and chorus to primary and elementary school students at the GEMS American Academy. Two years teaching band at Harvey School got him closer to his beloved New York City.

Both professionally and personally intrigued by Country School’s commitment to growing the musical program into a larger component of the academic curriculum, Mr. Tyson quickly accepted the position in 2013. He has found his niche teaching students during their middle school years.

Milestones

Join us in celebrating and honoring members of the Country School community, past and present.

To read more, please visit www.countryschool.net/milestones for birth and marriage notices.

Our Congratulations MARRIAGES

Carl Rohde ’66 to Nora Kalil Rohde Aug. 7, 2018

Chris Fezza ’03 to Kathryn Carski June 17, 2017

Eliza Kontulis ’04 to Maxwell Getz July 21, 2018

Lauren Oakes ’96 to Matt Craven July 7, 2018

Mike Karp ’03 to Margurite Berard May 12, 2018

Hadley Martin ’04 to Daniel McDow May 26, 2018

Eliza Golden ’98 to Peter Roady July 7, 2018

Chelsea Laverack ’03 to Scott Clifford June 16, 2018

Heidi Wolfgruber ’04 to Tyler Pate May 12, 2018

Larry Waldman ’98 to Katie Beltrone Waldman October 2016

Kelley Overlander ’04 to Michael Askman Sept. 9, 2017

Letty Lawrence ’05 to Scott Heymann July 21, 2018

William Buchanan ’04 to Jenna van Egmond Aug. 18, 2018

Colleen Overlander ’06 to John Gover July 8, 2018

Kelly Crane ’04 to Brian Fink Oct. 7, 2017

Bea Whitton ’06 to Peter Tufo Aug. 4, 2018

Virginia “Ginny” Anne Whitledge to Emily Smith Whitledge ’02 and Jim Whitledge June 27, 2018

William Fielding Colestock to Anne Geitz Colestock ’04 and Matthew Colestock July 18, 2018

Harper Marie McEneaney to Hayley O’Donnell ’03 and Ryan McEneaney Sept. 3, 2017

Molly Brynn Aksman to Kelley Overlander Aksman ’04 and Michael Aksman Aug. 9, 2018

Sebastian Benthall ’00 to Daria Asmolova Aug. 1, 2017 Jill Greiner ’02 to Christian Wakeman Oct. 21, 2017

BIRTHS Kennedy Alice Waldman to Larry Waldman ’98 and Katie Waldman Feb. 14, 2018 Zoe Bloom to Matt Bloom ’98 and Katie Bloom Feb. 10, 2018 Matthew Ryan Weintz to Becky Grant Weintz ’99 and Alex Weintz Jan. 15, 2018 Reed Hamilton Dudley to Rob Dudley ’01 and Tricia Dudley March 1, 2018

Piper Griggs Phillips to Christina Sachs Phillips ’03 and Will Phillips June 13, 2018 Eliza Amy Spector to Jonathan Spector ’03 and Lianna Spector Oct. 11, 2017

SUBMIT A NOTICE

on the website or contact Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 directly at hcasella@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5687 with your news item.

All milestones received after we go to print will be included in the next edition of the Bulletin, scheduled for spring 2019 and also posted on the website.

93

IN MEMORIAM We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the following members of our extended school community. To read more, please visit www.countryschool.net/milestones for full-length obituaries. You may also submit a notice on the website or contact Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 directly at hcasella@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5687 with your news item.

Alumni

John Elliott Carpenter ’48 of New Hope, PA, passed away May 26, 2018.

He was 84. In addition to his wife, Carol, John is survived by his children, Betsy Carpenter Morris of Doylestown and Rob Carpenter of Oak Park, IL. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Rob, Scott, Charlie and Harry.

Margaret Louise Marks Cluceru ’66 of Stamford, CT, passed away Jan. 1, 2018.

Besides her husband, Valentin Cluceru, Margaret is survived by her children, Alexander Higle, Heather Higle and Julia Cluceru, as well as her sister, Kathryn Ann Marks Cambriello.

Cynthia Conklin ’65 of Sharon, CT, passed away Aug. 20, 2017. She was 67.

Cynthia is survived by her brothers Bill and Hank Conklin.

Amanda “Mandy” Dawn Montanaro ’91 of New Canaan passed away March 12, 2018. She is survived by her mother, Judy Larson of New Canaan, her father, Richard Montanaro of Easton, her brother Christopher Montanaro ’95 and his wife, Kristi Montanaro and their daughter, Stella, of Westport, and her brother Nicolas Montanaro ’09 of Norwalk.

George A. Nelson III ’60 died suddenly on May 29, in New York.

Beloved husband of Bettina, father of Alexander (Winnie), and grandfather of Jack.

Dear brother of Alix and Michael. Alumnus of St. Paul’s School and Columbia University.

Lover of all animals, friend of the Bronx Zoo and repository of esoteric knowledge.

Jonathan B. O’Brien ’53 of Providence, RI, and Westport, MA, passed away March 22, 2018. He was 79. He is survived by his wife, Joan Dominick O’Brien ’53, to whom he was married for 59 years, daughters Jennifer Clare O’Brien of San Francisco, CA, Margrett “Megan” Shaw O’Brien of New Bedford, MA, and Elizabeth “Lou” O’Brien Berl of Middletown, DE, son-in-law Christopher Norrie Berl,

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NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

grandchildren Jonathan and Olivia Decker, Charlotte, Wilder and Allaire Berl, and brother Stephen ’59. He was predeceased by two brothers, Donal C. O’Brien Jr. and C. David O’Brien.

Robert Ogden Jr. ’49 passed away on Sept. 14, 2017, at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. He was 83 and had lived in Sanibel, FL, and Madison, CT. Bob is survived by his brother, Richard ’54 of Washington, D.C., his daughters Deborah W. Ogden of Bridgewater Corners, VT, and Karen Ogden Morse of Norwalk; his two grandsons, Schuyler and John Morse, and beloved nieces and nephews. Joan, his wife of 57 years, predeceased him in 2015, as did his sister, Linda “Pindy” Ogden Wilson ’62, in 2016.

Jeanne Rudolph Pechin ’43 passed peacefully, July 26, in Hana, Hawaii, at age 90.

Jeannie was famous for introducing people to others.

At her Hana home, people from all walks of life and corners of the globe mingled and enjoyed each other’s company. Her love of travel, curious nature, and broad range of interests made her many friends. Her guests felt welcome and at ease. Jeannie raised two sons of her own and was mom to five step children, along with countless dogs and cats. She contributed 46 years of tireless volunteer service to many nonprofit organizations in the Hana community.

Elizabeth “Lisa” Proctor ’69 passed away peacefully at her Los Angeles home on Feb. 24, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her daughter, Bethany Catherine, also of Los Angeles, her mother, Helen Proctor, and siblings Schuyler “Skip” ’72, Robert “Bob” ’74 and Patricia Proctor Soyland, as well as six nephews and a niece.

Peter R. Ransom ’47 of Little Compton, RI, passed away May 25, 2018. He was 85. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anne Winship Ransom ’47, his four children, Peter R. Ransom Jr., Hilary H. Ransom, Charles W. Ransom and Virginia C. Heraghty, and his four grandchildren, Gabriel K. Ransom, Anne S. Ransom, Julia

C. Ransom and Elizabeth W. Ransom. He is predeceased by his brother Jack ’42.

Charlotte Koudijs Taverna ’79 of Wilton, CT, passed away Dec. 12, 2017. She is survived by her husband, John Taverna and children Willem, Beatrice and Caroline.

John V. Tunney ’49 passed away of prostate cancer on Jan. 12, 2018, at a home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was 83. In recent years, John had homes in Sun Valley, ID, New York City and Los Angeles. He is survived by his brother Jonathan “Jay” Tunney ’51 and is predeceased by siblings Gene and Joan.

Constance Linda “Pindy” Ogden Wilson ’62 passed away at her home in Darien, CT, on June 8, 2016. She was 68. She is survived by son James “Jamie” Wilson ’90; her daughter, Lindsay Wilson; her four beloved grandchildren, Callie, Zoe, Sophia and Schuyler; and her brother Richard Ogden ’54. Please also see Robert Ogden Jr. ’49, above.

Johnson “Johns” Winship ’44 a longtime resident of Simsbury, CT, passed away June 17, 2016, at Seabury in Bloomfield, CT, where he had recently moved with his wife, Ann. He was 87.

In addition to Ann, he is survived by his children, David Edwards Winship, Katharine Beckett Winship and Nancy Winship Milliken, and brother Arthur Winship ’42.

Former Faculty & Staff Stuart Chase

(Faculty 1958–1966, Trustee 1963–1965) of Deerfield, MA, passed away Dec. 31, 2017. He was 84.

Stuart arrived at Country School to teach English in 1958 and was appointed Assistant Headmaster by thenHead of School Henry Welles in 1962.

It was during this time that he earned a master’s degree in English at Columbia University and, with his wife, Monie, and young family, hiked in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, sailed and played

Milestones tennis. In 1966, he left NCCS to become Head of Eaglebrook School, a position vacated by his father. His tenure there would last for 36 years. Upon retirement in 2002, he cherished time in Sanibel, FL, and served on the boards of Salisbury School, the Franklin Land Trust and the Connecticut River Valley Watershed. He also was a founding member of the Junior Boarding School Association.

Stuart is survived by his wife of 63 years, Monie Chase (Faculty 1961–1966) and his sons and their families, Andrew, his wife Rachel and their children, Calla, Lucy, and Sam; and Tad, his wife Sandy and their children Harrison, Zander and Davis.

Anita Joy Currin (Faculty 1982–2012) passed away on July 1, 2018, in Stamford, CT. She was 86. Anita was a glorious woman who lit up any room she entered. She had a zest for life, a love for her family and a dedication to teaching piano to generations of young people. She taught private lessons at home as well as Country School. Anita is survived by four children, Jeff, Sarah, John and Rachel, 12 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, James “Doc” Currin.

Marilyn Greene Hague (Faculty 1959–1961) of Capitol Island, Southport, ME, and previously Seabrook Island, SC, passed away Jan. 16, 2018, in the company of her family. She was 83.

Marilyn taught Beginners during her time at Country School. She is survived by her daughter, Susan, and her husband, Bob, and their daughters, Claire and Sydney, of

Evergreen, CO, as well as son Tim and his wife, Beth, and their twins, Caroline and Walker, of Washington, D.C. Though her siblings and husband had passed, she was blessed to be very close to her nieces, Lisa, Linda and Jennifer; her nephews, Bill and Jeff; and extended family and lifelong friends.

George Mills (Faculty 1999–2009) of Norwalk and more recently of Danbury, passed away Nov. 17, 2017. He had worked on the maintenance team while at Country School and is remembered particularly for having worked in and been beloved by the Lower School community.

George was predeceased by his wife, Frances Mills. He is survived by his sisters, Florence Schulte of Norwich and Marylou and her husband, Daniel Stratton, of Florida, and brother Nicholas Mills of Norwalk; three stepdaughters, Donna Ferris of Danbury, Sandra Lowery of New Fairfield and Victoria Nolan of Maine; stepson Andreas Kruse of Danbury; two grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Richard “Richie” Thompson

daughters Janet Ferris Chobanian and Jamie Lee Navarro; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Former Trustees

A.B. “Bliss” McCrum

(Trustee 1964–1970) passed away June 6, 2018.

Husband of Marcia; father of Hanna McCrum Henderson ’71, Lindsay McCrum ’72, Elizabeth McCrum ’75, Kate McCrum ’78, Arlington B. McCrum III ’77 and William McCrum ’81; and step-children, Kenneth Bull, Laura Bull Bailey and Bradford Bull ’82.

Patrick Henry O’Neill (Trustee 1984–1987) a longtime resident of New Canaan, passed away Feb. 15, 2018. He was 102 years young. Patrick is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra D. O’Neill, and their children: Erin O’Neill Argueta ’84 of Stamford, CT, and Kevin Reddy O’Neill ’87 of London, England, as well as the couple’s grandchildren, Haley and Dylan Argueta, and Jackson, Whitman and Quinlan O’Neill.

(Faculty 1980–2006) a longtime resident of Stamford, passed away July 2, 2018, in Homasassa, FL. He was 79. While at Country School, Richie worked on the facilities and maintenance teams. He was well-versed in carpentry and used his creative mind, hands and meticulous nature to craft and build. He is remembered as a man of honor, humor and craftsmanship by his colleagues, family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Marie Thompson,

Frances “Sonsie” Frost Overlock

• Louise Holland: Parent of John ’93 and Michael Holland and Courtney Lesko Holland ’98 • C. Lincoln “Link” Jewett & Truda “T” Jewett: Parents of Lisa ’75 and Laura “Lolly” ’76 • Joan Keever: Parent of Jim ’76, Kile ’79 • Richard Kimball: Parent of Rick ’79 • Frank Leana: Husband of Lenesa Leana (Assistant Head of School 1993–1999) • Richard K. LeBlond: Parent of Dave ’70, Bill ’73, Tom ’74, Sara LeBlond Petrovek ’75 and Joseph ’78 • Diana Long: Grandparent of Elizabeth Hall ’22

• Harriette “Jane” Peacock Kirkbride: Parent of Dena Kirkbride Bellows ’66, Frank ’69 and Brooks ’70 • Charles E. McKenney: Parent of Helaine “Hobby” McKenney Coudert ’78 and Philip ’86 • Gail Noble: Wife of Tim ’58; Parent of Andy ’93 and Emily ’94 • Judith “Jude” Pincus: Parent of Joshua ’93 and Rebecca ’98 • Cecelia Ruggles: Parent of Daniel ’94 and Andrew ’97 • Peter Ward: Parent of Pete ’74, Susan ’76, Pam Ward Parker ’78 and Doug ’86 • Cynthia “Cynnie” Yates: Parent of Annie Yates Dawes ’78

(Trustee 1967–1969) of New Canaan, CT, and Nantucket, MA, passed away in Redding, CT, Nov. 4, 2017, following a period of declining health. Her death was preceded by that of her devoted husband of 67 years, Willard. Sonsie is survived by her two sons and their families, Mike and Joseph “Bo” Overlock ’69; four grandchildren, Emily Overlock Curry, Will and Garret Overlock and Hannah Overlock, and three great-grandchildren.

Parents, Partners & Friends • Rae Ackerly: Parent of Tod ’58, Rick ’60, Molly ’62, Jim ’64 • Julia Gilbert Post Bastedo: Parent of Julie Bastedo Vietor ’62 • Robert “Bob” Bean: Parent of Kerin Bean Walworth ’80, Chris ’83 and Kevan ’87; father-in-law of Jeannie Staunton Bean ’83; and grandparent of Bella ’14, Anna ’15 and Finley ’17 • Elizabeth “Beth” Dawson: Parent of Jim ’86, Liz ’90 and John ’96 • Rose M. Ver Elst: Wife of David Gens ’64 • Peter Garrison: Parent of Abigail Garrison Dunkin ’92, Austin ’95 • William Holding: Parent of Wendy ’88

95

A LOOK BACK

The Power of Community Spaces

by Mark Macrides,Archivist

hen I first arrived at NCCS in the fall of 1985, I was immediately impressed with the strong sense of community

were deliberately designed with half of the room devoted to

that resonated everywhere I visited on campus. In those days,

gathering. The Perrine Commons was configured for divisional

the school was smaller, so coming together in larger groups was

pageants, plays and assemblies. The old Assembly Hall had

easier. The full faculty and staff fit nicely in an extra-large classroom

space to accommodate an all-school gathering. The study hall

in the Stevens Building, and all the students and teachers could

in Stevens provided a home for full faculty and staff meetings,

gather snugly together in the old Assembly Hall. These and many

so that each member could address an issue feeling valued and

other opportunities for gathering larger groups emphasized the

included. The Watson Gym was a space not just for physical

educators’ understanding of how to effectively build community,

education, but one where PTA volunteers sorted and priced tag

from the smallest circle of a few children working together on

sale items before welcoming in the community at large as part

a project to the very large circle of all children, faculty and staff

of an annual fundraising effort.

celebrating an eventful moment together.

For over 100 years, Country School’s mission has guided

Generous space is often considered a luxury in school environments where resources are carefully considered and

very intentional conversations about program and facilities

weighed against one another. As NCCS moves into a new

in support of community. As children’s experiences progress,

era, building community remains a high priority. With the

they are continually introduced to expanded opportunities for

thoughtful renovations to the Lower and Middle Schools the

building community. The concentric circles of the classroom,

past two summers, the new Susan Haigh Carver ’51 Dining Hall

the grade level, the division, the faculty, the parent body and

& Commons and plans for a spacious new athletic center, it

the full school have always been honored and valued with time

is clear that Country School remains committed to planning,

and space to share and grow together.

designing and building spaces that perpetuate the strong sense

Throughout the years, as educators, architects and designers planned for new and renovated facilities, community was

96

always a driving force. The spacious Welles Building classrooms

NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL BULLETIN • Fall 2018

of community that is very much embedded in the ethos and mission of Country School.

Planned Giving Did you know there are creative ways to support Country School?

The Welles Society

Giving techniques called planned gifts allow you to

are often the gifts with the greatest

create win-win solutions for you and Country School.

impact, and they can be the easiest

Bequests and beneficiary designations

way to give. A thoughtful gift and

Planned gifts

estate plan can help address personal

• Are a significant resource for Country School.

financial-planning needs and allow you

• Make extraordinary opportunities possible for students.

to maintain control of your assets while

• Help you create a lasting legacy in your name.

providing Country School with important long-term support.

• Can come from anyone at any income level.

Please let us know if your plans already include a gift to NCCS and we will welcome you into The Welles Society.

Country School’s future strength and well-being depend in great measure on the generosity of families such as yours,

Henry H. Welles

through planned gifts.

Named for Henry H. Welles, Country School’s first Headmaster, The Welles Society recognizes those who

Put Country School in Your Will

support Country School through planned gifts. Members

Although there are many ways to give a planned gift, and

will be honored guests at upcoming school events and

you may wish to consult with your financial advisor, the most

receive periodic information, as a courtesy, about charitable

straightforward type of planned gift and one that allows you to

planning or tax and estate law changes. Country School

make a significant contribution is a bequest in your will or living

honors all donor requests for anonymity.

trust. Wills provide many donors an excellent opportunity to

To join The Welles Society or to ask a question about estate

support Country School. You may bequeath a fixed percentage

planning, please contact Director of Advancement Terry Gumz

of your estate or a specific amount to support our mission.

at tgumz@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5633.

The Welles Society Members We are deeply grateful to all members of The Welles Society for their gracious and generous support to help ensure that the quality of the Country School experience will continue for generations to come.

Anonymous ’46* Anonymous P’83, ’76

Mrs. Walter Mansfield* P’64, ’63, ’59, ’58, GP’97

Sarah Mleczko Woolworth ’73 Liz and Michael Zea P’19, ’19

Alice and Sherman Baldwin P’17, ’12, ’10

Robert McKay ’81

Robert R. Barker* P’66, ’62, ’60, ’58

Sandy Carr Motland ’58

Current Faculty and Staff

Pauletta and Ralph Beaty GP’16, ’14

Katie Mountcastle and Kenneth

Holly and Bruce Lemoine P’08, ’06, ’05

C. Daniel Bergfeld ’58 Catherine Broadhead ’89 Karen Brody P’99

Mountcastle* P’78, ’75, ’71, ’69 Jonathan O’Herron* P’80, GP’15, ’15, ’13, ’09, ’08, ’07, ’06, ’05, ’03, ’03, ’02

Former Faculty and Staff Albert “Ben” V. Bensen* P’72, ’67, ’66, ’63

Loocie Brown ’74

Joanna Pennypacker* ’45

Jean Caldwell*

Susan Haigh Carver* ’51

Jane Pollock* P’63

David Crandall ’77, P’09, ’08

Margaret Childs P’85, ’83, ’76, ’75, ’73,

Joel S. Post ’81

Ann Martin DiLeone P’78, ’74, ’72

Linda Post* and George Post P’81, ’68,

Anneliese and Berni Gastrich

’73, ’72 Judith Bricken Flanagan ’63

’66, ’65, ’63, GP’00, ’95

Elizabeth Hulme Sue Speers and Guthrie Speers* P’77,

Timothy Gilbert* ’56

Heidi and Douglas Riggs P’02

Jack D. Gunther Jr. ’56

Patsy Rogers ’52

Heather Winters and Cary Holcomb P’10

Kathy and Peter Sachs ’54, P’03, ’99, ’97

Marilyn Starr*

Robert Hubby ’54

Christopher Smith* ’57

Pat Stoddard and Hudson Stoddard*

Lorna Layton Kellogg ’83

John W. Stokes* P’87, ’82, ’81

Sarah Storm Lockee ’55

Steven Tower* ’65

Charles T. Lusk ’56

Katharine Wadsworth Wilson ’43

S. Brinton Luther ’76

Dart Winship ’42

’75, ’73, ’72

P’75, ’72, ’71, GP’06, ’03 Sarah and Nicholas Thacher P’88, ’85 * (deceased), P’ (parent class of), ’ (alumni class of) GP’ (grandparent of alumni class of)

635 Frogtown Road New Canaan, CT 06840 Address Service Requested

ADDRESS CHANGES Please help us reduce our mailing costs and our carbon footprint by sending address changes to communications@countryschool.net.

2018–2019 EVENTS Country School hosts a variety of social and educational events for our community throughout the year here on campus and across the country. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to reconnect with the Country School family!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019

Alumni NYC Reception

Deal Days — Biennial Tag Sale

NOVEMBER 6–8, 2018

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Festival of Books

Alumni Award Presentation

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2018

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

Class of 2016, 2017 & 2018

Frogtown Fair, Alumni Art Show &

Thanksgiving Reunion

Reunion Weekend

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019

Horizons Benefit

Upper School Closing Exercises

Hyatt Regency Greenwich

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Above dates and times are subject to change — please stay tuned and check our website for updates