Worcester Academy Hilltopper Summer 2014 by Good Design

HILLTOPPER the

Imagination

encircles THE HILLTOP

TeCh ToolboX CoMMenCeMenT 2014 reunion Weekend

neW! augMenTed

realiTy inside

(Learn more on Page 1)

summer 2014

VoluMe XXiii / issue 1

CONTENTS

Mural, Worcester Academy Library

teacher stocks tech toolbox by Caroline Reich P’06, ’08

suMMer 2014

contents

imagination encircles the hilltop Visual & PerforMing arTs fosTering CollaboraTion, ProbleM-solVing, CreaTiVe eXPression by Jody P. MCnaMara P’09, ’12

commencement 2014 JaMes PieTro ’81 urges graduaTes To ‘serVe and giVe baCk’

4 20

reunion weekend 2014

departments AUGMENTED REALITY INTERACTIVE CONTENT

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33 26

Discover interactive content on pages 5, 7, 8, 11, 24, and 34

3 froM The head of sChool 3 To The ediTor 26 aluMni neWs 30 on The hillToP 34 The Middle 36 VarsiTy Club 40 giVing neWs 43 Class noTes 48 Passings

the

Hilltopper

Board of Trustees

officers & members

President Henry Dormitzer III ’88 Vice President Susan Weagly Jacobs, J.D. Treasurer Sarah (Sullivan) Pulsifer ’91 Secretary Brian A. O’Connell, Esq. ’67

summer 2014

Volume XXIII / Issue 1

Head of School

Hilltopper Editor

Ronald M. Cino Neil R. Isakson P’15, ’19

Associate Editor Barbara Strogoff Benny Sato Ambush ’69 Graphic Design Good Design LLC William Breidenbach ’69 Dr. Craig R. Dufresne ’69 Photography David Baron Patricia Z. Eppinger Frank Callahan R. Victor Fields ’71 Greg Cappello Matthew Finkle ’87 Hockmeyer Studios David P. Forsberg ’65 Gaby Hoffman J. Michael Grenon ’88 Emily Isakson ’15 Thomas Heiser Neil Isakson Arthur Kentros ’74 Tom Kates Jamie E. Lavin ’02 Pam Lefferts Dana R. Levenson ’75 Charles J. O’Connor III ’73 Videography Whit Wales Andrew B. O’Donnell, Esq. ’73 DigiNovations Jacqueline Peterson James J. Pietro ’81 Advancement Office Marillyn G. Earley, Director of Advancement Hervey S. Ross ’46 Ursula A. Arello ’85, Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship Robert Scumaci Frank R. Callahan ’71, Director of Planned Giving David V. Shamoian ’70 Greg Cappello, Director of Alumni Relations Jonathan S. Stuart ’86 Alicia Figueiredo, Coordinator, Campaign Operations and Event Planning Luke M. Vaillancourt ’01 Neil R. Isakson, Director of External Communications Anette Macintire, Annual Fund Coordinator Marcia Mallett, Director of Marketing Dexter P. Morse, Head Emeritus/Advisor to the Capital Campaign Nancy K. Osborn, Director of Parent Relations Erica Driscoll Ribeiro, Director of Annual Giving Donald E. “Dee” Rowe ’47, Special Assistant to the Head of School Kim Stone, Director of Donor Development Barbara Strogoff, Gift Coordinator/Editor

Featured Writer

Contributing Writer

Mission

Worcester Academy exists to instill in its students the desire to learn throughout life, to engage passionately with the world around them, and to be honorable persons of strong and resourceful character.

Core Values

We are a community—curious, houghtful, generous, and thriving in our diversity. We embrace each of our core values as essential to the mission of Worcester Academy and as testimony of our beliefs and commitments. HONOR | RESPECT | COMMUNITY | PERSONAL GROWTH | CHALLENGE 2 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

On the Cover Director of Instrumental Music Al Vaudreuil conducts band practice in Warner Theater.

Jody P. McNamara P’09, ’12, a marketing and communications consultant, is a longtime feature writer and former director of parent relations at Worcester Academy. Jody, who organized and chaired two consecutive auctions for WA, lives on Cape Cod. Caroline Reich P’06, ’08 is a former grant writer, campaign coordinator, and director of donor relations and stewardship for Worcester Academy. She and her husband, Joel Reich, are benefactors of the Summer Scholars Program, which serves children living in the WA neighborhood. The Hilltopper is published twice yearly by Worcester Academy. Reader comment, as well as information of interest, is always welcome. Please write to Neil Isakson, director of communications, at Worcester Academy, 81 Providence St., Worcester, MA 01604 USA, or email neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org.

from the head of school It is summer at Worcester Academy—that time when students, families, and faculty enjoy well-deserved rests after a demanding, productive school year. But don’t be fooled into believing it is quiet on the Hilltop. It’s also a time when our campus is as lively as ever with Sports and Arts camps, our Summer Scholars program for neighborhood children, our International Summer Program, and specialized academic offerings such as Robotics, 3D Design & Printing, and Video Game Design. This summer, in particular, is a busy one. From the front porch of Abercrombie House, I can see the progress being made next door on the final phase of WA’s extensive Walker Hall renovations, which, as you may recall, are being completed over the course of two summers (phase 1 was completed last summer). I am already imagining the many ways that this project will impact academic programming and provide new, expanded, and improved academic spaces for innovative teaching and learning. Happily, I can report that the project is on schedule and Walker Hall will be open in time for the start of the 2014-2015 school year. As you read this edition of The Hilltopper magazine devoted to the Arts, I hope

you will get a sense of the depth, breadth, and excellence of our Visual & Performing Arts Department. The extensive nature of our offerings, resources, and the talents of our faculty place our arts program among the best in independent schools. Whether at the Middle School level or in Upper School, whether in vocal, instrumental, dramatic, or visual media, arts at Worcester Academy are an integral part of student life and are bursting at the seams with innovation and creativity. We celebrate that success even as we consider ways to build upon it. I look forward to seeing all of our students and faculty back on campus for registration and orientation on Monday, Sept. 8, and for the official start of classes on Tuesday, Sept. 9. For those of you who are students, and who have yet to finish your summer reading (including the common Upper School read, “More Than This,” by Patrick Ness), you may want to take those books to the beach with you. There’s some great material there as well as many wonderful conversations waiting to be had on the Hilltop upon your return!

Ronald M. Cino

to the editor Nearly 80 Years Later, Memories Of WA still Clear

Harry Emmons “Achieving the Honorable”

I recently received the winter issue of The Hilltopper, which was a beautiful issue. It brought to mind memories of WA. I attended WA for one year because my Dad felt that because Holden High School (where I had graduated) was small, I needed a year of prep school. I attended for the 1935–36 year and lived in Dexter Hall. I assume I am the only survivor of that class. I clearly remember two courses, which I took. One was a course in English Literature and each member of the class read the same books, so that we could discuss them together. I remember that one was Rolvaag’s book, “Giants in the Earth,” which was about the “soddies” built by pioneers in the great west. Another was Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles.” Perhaps that’s why I still enjoy reading. I’m currently enjoying Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “The Bully Pulpit” on my Kindle! The other course was Printing, and I still use my skills in laying out Newsletters, etc. I spent most of my working career in nonprofits: credit unions, an HMO started by the United Auto Workers Union, and leading an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity in Sun City, AZ.

I was interested to read your thumbnail on Harry Emmons ’60 in the winter 2013–2014 Hilltopper. I, too, served at Kagnew Station (1964– 1966) as a member of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service John Winthrop ’58 (AFRTS). To be more precise, I was an Army broadcaster. I have no idea what Mr. Emmons did there, as I don’t recall ever seeing him before, but maybe that’s because I am CERTAIN he was sans the long white beard during his Kagnew stint! The base was a top-secret Army Security Agency listening post for short wave and satellite communications between Africa and the Mideast, with language specialists and code experts manning several antenna sites on the high ground that we leased from the regime of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, the “King of Kings” and “Conquering Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah.” When he was deposed, the new socialist government ended the lease agreement, and the American military was forced to leave. They also kicked out all the Peace Corps folks, and I had many good friends among them. All of this, of course, was a very long time ago, but I remember it well. It was truly an amazing time for those of us who served there, and it was a good broadcasting primer for me, too—I am STILL in the “biz” 50 years later, doing advertising and sales for KKJL 1400 & 106.5 and ESPN Sports Radio here in San Luis Obispo, CA, after decades in TV and radio news on both coasts. It is a TERRIFIC commitment Harry is making with his African scholarship program. By taking his WA experience and paying it forward to the next, less-fortunate generation, he is truly living up to WA’s motto, “Achieve the Honorable.” Again, my congratulations to Harry, and to WA, for taking this on—it is absolutely remarkable.

Sincerely yours, Henry Waterman Warren II ’36

Regards, John Winthrop ’58 Worcester Academy

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4 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

ust outs ide the s Grand F Center fo wle oyer of W o r the Pe B a shingto rforming Terrace eth n D.C.’s Arts, in wall, is Kenned izab scribed l a quote E y his visio on the R from ou and the n for Am iver r 35th P Science erican c residen “Ther s, and m u b lt ecome w t. u e is a co ra S p issing v l e easy to li a fe k , John F ing to ell roun nnectio ital opp feel, bet . ded. K n e , or tunitie n h B nedy w ard to e ween a u t n The Ag o t s for stu rote: here on chievem xplain lo e of Per dents to t e h g n e ic A t ic Hilltop. ally but t Worce … and les was Lorenzo progres ster Aca also the de’ Med s k d n in A e e m w, that ge of Ph the Art ici was y, we kn Age of the Ar ts s. idias. T also the ow, just Elizabe innovati he Age fuel ima Age of th was as Presid In the o o gination L n f a eonardo . In prep lso the ent Ken ensuing a A a n w d nedy r g d a in e e th V c g of Shak annot a 54 years inci. Th at imag our stud as a cult espeare n e ination d since th e ure, hav n w ts il l to b .” n fuels o o b th o t e s e neglect e words the Mid innovati rushed have div the Ar ts dle Sch headlon were pe ve leade ed deep c o o . o g m n rs, A l n in ly p and Up ed, we, required onent o to the e into the have pu per Sch f studen xpanse curriculu t a phon minutia s o p o ts o a l, e f re e m in ’ th space, educati of the h into the d no tale e Ar ts a But in th ons and uman g pocket nt or ex re a crit e rush to ti e e W o n s p ic f o o e in 9 al m rcester nse in b prepare 0 perce e, and we’ve w the Ar ts Academ nt of all ringing students atched to its stu V is y A th u m m h e fo a a dents. A ericans any sch l and Pe ver y be r this te s sacrificin . ools dim st oppo rformin ch-heav s a resu g that fu in fact, r tunig Ar ts p lt, Worc inish th y future ndamen th r e e ro , iv s im gram is ing, burg ter Aca tal and por tanc integral n’t just demy ’s inexora eoning e of the alive an par t of s ble link with inn Ar ts, d well. tu betwee o dent life vation a How It is, n the A do we a . nd crea r ts tivity, a ccompli With ou n s d an h this? W r studen e star t w ts. here we always do:

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Student-Centered Means Student-Driven

scan this page to discover more about the arts @ WA

Involved. Passionately engaged. Creatively inspired. No matter how you say it, WA students are an active part of both their curricular and co-curricular arts lives. “The kids have a tremendous voice and great range in terms of their own creativity,” says Elizabeth Bowles, co-chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. “From Middle School on, we give our students ownership of their artistry and the option to try new things. By the time they’re upperclassmen, they know where their passions lie.” As you wander the campus on a brisk wintery day, you’ll see that Elizabeth is absolutely right. Step inside Leonid Rogach’s 6th Grade music class, for example, where self-discovery is the name of the game. “With middle schoolers, everything is still a game—especially for the younger ones. Creating a fun environment where they can freely learn is essential.” On a recent visit to his classroom, Len’s charges are practicing the biographical rap songs that they have written. As each student takes the lead in presenting his or her own, self-composed, rhyming life story, their fellow students provide back-up vocals, beatboxing, and dance. “They’re really learning a rather sophisticated rhythm through their own movement,” Len muses. “Body movement makes their comprehension of beat and meter so much easier.” Rap? What ever happened to classical music as a foundation? Len laughs at the question. As a graduate of the Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory (fellow alumni include Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Prokofiev, and Dmitri Shostakovich) and a classical pianist himself, Mr. Rogach assures us that a solid musical history foundation is a big part of his curriculum. “I try to play something that hits the spot right away. I teach the kids that there is no such thing as good music or bad music. There is music that you love, music that you like, and music that does nothing for you personally. Don’t say, ‘It’s bad,’ I tell them. Simply say ‘I don’t understand it.’ Lovable music can be in any possible style.

Worcester Academy

H in-reacH and outreac nal playwrights to > Bringing professio our students isn’t campus to work with do. Certainly not. the only “in-reach” we the City of > Collaboration with e-Park Program Worcester’s Ar t-in-th (sculptor and brought Drew Goerlitz NY Plattsburgh) professor of Ar t at SU this year. His piece sculpture to campus de the Megaron, is on display just outsi joined our and Professor Goerlitz e workshop. students for an onsit ence Program brings > Our Ar tist-in-Resid s, storytellers, professional musician . and artists to campus And, of course, our

outreach never stops

ater play-building > Middle School the ated a play about students this year cre most of their aging. They conducted ster Senior Center research at the Worce performances both and then presented Senior Center. on campus and at the headed off to New > Our Jazz students classes with City York City for master faculty and at College of New York zy ’s Jazz Club. Lincoln Center’s Diz nced Chorus students > Don Irving’s Adva Oratorio to took their Christmas h in Worcester. St. Matthew’s Churc

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6 the HILLTOPPER : summer 2014

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imagination “arT is a ProduCT of Man in WhiCh MaTerials are skillfully ordered To CoMMuniCaTe a huMan eXPerienCe.” “The More ThaT arT ProVides an oPPorTuniTy To look aT Things differenTly, The More effeCTiVe We’ll be as ProbleM solVers.”

Classical does not equal boring and I’ll prove it to you.’” Len smiles as he says, “And I always do prove it to them. My background allows me to expose kids to different types of music. My goal is to create adults who will be interested in exploring many different genres throughout their lives.” Speaking of “voice” and “range,” there’s plenty of that streaming daily from both Warner Theater and Walker Gallery, where don irVing’s Upper School choral classes generally meet. “I teach two sections of Chorus now, 45 students in total this year. About half of those also take voice lessons from me as well—individually or in small groups.” And what instruction they’re getting! In Don’s 29-year career at Worcester Academy, he’s been instrumental in launching some pretty stellar voices into eventual professional careers. Broadway sensation Jessica Phillips ’89, soprano Jessica Jacobs ’03, and mezzo soprano Alta Dantzler ’96 all number among his students. “Alta has been back to campus twice for master classes with our student musicians and that has been inspiring,” Don says. How does he do it, year after year? “The wonderful thing is that every person is different and that means constantly developing different approaches for different students. It’s always interesting. For example, we undertook something very ambitious for this past year’s Holiday Concert. We did a 20-minute Christmas oratorio by French Baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier. This meant bringing together the right elements from my Advanced Chorus class, putting together a small orchestra, doing a little bit of staging, and even involving some costuming with Joanne Buyniski’s Costume Design class. It gave many of our students an opportunity to experience something they haven’t done before from a period they may be unfamiliar with. It’s these broad experiences that prepare them for life beyond high school,” Don continues. “If we can prepare our students to be in a place where they can take advantage of everything that college has to offer, then I’m happy.” Head over to the second floor of Walker Hall now, and spend some time in bob Thorn’s bright and airy studio. A 37-year WA teaching veteran, Bob has seen Arts at WA through thick and thin, and can testify to its current robust state. “The thing that sets us apart right now is variety. The number of choices that our kids have is impressive, to say the least. There is so much more available to them than there used to be,” Bob asserts. “Take the Visual Arts. It isn’t just Studio Art any more. There’s New Art Media, Ceramics, 3-D Design, Printmaking … I could go on. But I still believe that it all starts with Drawing, so we pay attention to the basics as well.” Why is all of this variety important? “I give my new students a definition of Art. I tell them ‘Art is a product of man in which materials are skillfully ordered to communicate a human experience.’ Human experience can be communicated in many, many ways. Most of my students are not going to become great artists, but Art teaches them to view a given topic in many different ways. I think in today’s world, everyone needs not only a ‘Plan B,’ but also perhaps a ‘Plan C’ and a ‘Plan D,’ and at the pace we’re moving, we don’t even know what ‘Plan C’ will look like a few years from now! The more that Art provides an opportunity to look at things differently, the more effective we’ll be as problem solvers.”

ddis

Take a few steps downstairs, where we find Costume Designer Joanne Buyniski in her newly renovated, sprawling, design space. She’s hard at work with her Upper School Costume Design & Construction class. Joanne breaks free from several students huddled around a laptop to give us an overview. “We’re just researching late 19th century policeman’s caps for the spring production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Carousel,’ ” she informs. Pointing, she adds, “These racks over here are the costumes for this past winter’s production, and over on these long tables we have the beginnings of the ‘Carousel’ wardrobe.” So Joanne’s class isn’t just design theory? “Absolutely not!” she exclaims. “My costume design students always, always make the clothing for our productions. If you are in my class, something of yours will go on the stage. I insist on that and I believe we are fairly unique in that. As a member of the Educational Theatre Association, I see what is happening at other schools. Worcester Academy is way ahead in terms of how we integrate our Arts curriculum. As a matter of fact, my students will not only design and fabricate the clothing, they’ll also manage backstage hair, make-up, and dressing for the production. ” Where does Joanne find 21st century teens who can sew? Joanne laughs heartily. “On a rare occasion, I have a student who already knows how to sew, but I have taught many, many students the basics and intricacies of sewing. With very little exception, the kids love it and they come back to my classes, and to crew for theater productions, semester after semester. I’ve even had several students go on to study costume design and textiles in college.” What’s her secret? “Ownership,” Joanne tells us. “It’s imperative that the kids be involved in design and production and that they use their own ideas. Some of their ideas are crazy and some of them simply don’t work out. But, you know what? My students get to find that out for themselves. Believe me,” she laughs, “sometimes I’m pulling my hair out because I’m sure that a student’s concept is not going to work out. But then, every once in a while, it does work out—and those times are magical. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me, and that is the best thing ever.” And who wears these student-created costumes? Take a walk down the hall to Will Addis’s Theater Practicum Class. These students are winding down from an experience that few on the planet will ever know: They spent last semester collaborating with a New York City playwright on a new stage production. “Experiments in the Garden of Eden” was premiered right here on campus. Will, with a background in directing himself, mines his many contacts for just the right collaborative spirit. “It’s actually the second time that we’ve brought in a playwright and it’s great to be able to craft something specifically for the kids and to challenge them in such a real way.” This sounds like something unusual for a secondary school. Is it? Will nods vigorously and says, “Yes. Yes. When I speak to colleagues at other high schools, or even at universities, the idea that I am able to commission work is shocking to them. But I have nothing but support here at Worcester Academy. The attitude is, ‘if it makes sense, do it.’ That’s been really wonderful. In fact,” Will adds, “both writers that we’ve worked with have completed their WA experiences wanting to collaborate again and there are others who tell me, ‘I have ideas. I’d love to work with your kids.’ We’ll do it again, I’m sure.”

A Will

scan this page to watch an interview with Will Addis

Worcester Academy

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a ha

eliz

scan this page to watch an interview with Eliza Hale “We go To greaT lengThs To CreaTe CrossdisCiPlinary, inTegraTed Courses ThaT TraVerse old boundaries and Challenge our sTudenTs To CreaTe soMeThing neW.”

an inteGrative aPProacH

And the kids are clearly ready. Why is that? “Integration is important to us,” says eliza hale, co-chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. “In addition to the fact that Arts are a required and essential part of our curriculum in both divisions, we, as a faculty, go to great lengths to create cross-disciplinary, integrated courses that traverse old boundaries and challenge our students to create something new. After all, Art is all around us every day. Why not make it part of the plan?” Take, for example, WA’s signature interdisciplinary Arts Café program (see page 34), an element of the core curriculum in 6th Grade, during which students integrate Visual Art, Drama, Music, Dance, Social Studies, English, and Math with real world entrepreneurial skills. Our youngest students research a culture, and work collaboratively to create a theme restaurant designed to educate their patrons. They prepare the food, create the décor, and consider business and economic questions. “We’re fully using our 6th Grade theme of Invention, Innovation and Discovery with Arts Café,” says Elizabeth Bowles, who along with Eliza Hale is an Arts Café co-creator. “It really brings that Arts-Imagination-Innovation link to life for our students. It’s amazing to watch our youngest students take ownership of a project and invest themselves so fully in its success.” The integration only grows in Upper School. “Since Arts are a required piece of the curriculum through 10th Grade, we want to be sure that we offer classes that appeal to every student, no matter his or her strengths or interests,” says Eliza. “And it’s a win-win. More integrated offerings excite us all, but they also reinforce that expansion of imagination so important in today’s world.” Speaking to excited faculty members about their course offerings for this coming school year serves to illustrate the point.

8 the HILLTOPPER : summer 2014

“It’s crucial in our evolving technological society that students understand how music has always been an intrinsic part of every civilization and understand how it is tied to the concept of humanness.”

Awards & Honors

Christina Duff points to a wall of shelves in her expansive studio, all covered, floor to ceiling, with scale models. “I always begin with tree houses with my basic Architecture students,” she says. “It’s a great chance for those budding engineers to combine their sense of order and structure with artistry. And let’s face it,” she laughs, “Who doesn’t have that fantasy of the perfect tree house?” Joanne Buyniski positively lights up when discussing her Style By Decade course offering. “We’re really going to dig into the psychology of clothing,” she tells us. “We’ll not only tie in actual fashions and styles here in the Unites States within a given decade, but we’ll discuss what was happening socially, economically, and politically during that decade, and we’ll explore how the style of the time was an expression of those sociological factors.” Our music department won’t be outdone. Al Vaudreuil, Director of Instrumental Music, can’t wait to get started on Worcester Academy’s first Ethnomusicology class, Music and Culture. “I’ll be team teaching this course with Dr. John Murnane from our Department of History and Social Sciences and Aaron Stephenson, our Department of World Languages chair. We’re very excited with where this course is going. ‘Why do humans make music?’ ‘Has music evolved as a social glue?’ ‘What does music tell us about culture?’ These are the questions that drive Ethnomusicology and we’ll be digging in deep. It’s crucial in our evolving technological society that students understand how music has always been an intrinsic part of every civilization and understand how it is tied to the concept of humanness. Music is the tie that binds us all,” Al says. “The course will culminate in a final project that combines musical performance and analysis, either in writing or as a film. I can’t wait to see what the kids come up with.” Al isn’t stopping there. He’ll be bringing more college-styled courses to campus in the fall when he’ll be offering a new class titled, “History of American Popular Music”—something Al’s been teaching at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for the past three years. Wishing you were back in school? Keep reading!

TAMY Awards 2012 for Excellence in High Sc hool Theater >> Lauren Sullivan ’15, Rising Star Award for Best Youn g Actress >> Mika Yoshie ’14 , Outstanding Chorus Member No mination >> Mika Yoshie ’14 , Margaret Gardner ’13 and Roxanne Ande rson ’13, Outstanding Make -up Design Massachusetts Educ ational Theatre Guild (METG) 1-Act Play Festival 2012 Distinguishe d Performance Aw ards >> Kyle Berglund ’12 >> Claire Byrnes ’12 2013 Distinguishe d Performance Aw ards >> Andrew Reiter ’13 >> Adam Echelman ’13 2014 Distinguishe d Performance Aw ards >> Olivia Lucas ’15 >> Michael Papetti ’15 >> Margaret Gardne r ’13 (Make-up Desig n) >> Mika Yoshie ’14 (Make-up Design) Massachusetts Instru mental and Choral Conductor’s As sociation (MICCA) >> Academy Singe rs, 2013 MICCA Sil ver Medal >> Advanced Choru s, 2014 MICCA Silve r Medal Central District Hono rs Ensemble Chor us Member s >> Henri-Alexandr e Noel ’14, Bass >> Rachel Mazur ’15 , Soprano >> Susan Shepardso n ’15, Soprano Band Member >> Matthew Dallas ’17

, French Horn

Orchestra Memb ers >> Nathan Geurkin k ’15, Cello, High District Score >> Charles Chiang ’15, violin >> Matthew Jordan ’17, viola >> Haein Lee ’17, Cl arinet, 4th highest district score

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All-State Honors Ense mble >> Orchestra memb er Nathan Geurkink ’15 Worcester Academy

imagination

Fall arts events ncert fall upper school Co > Sunday, Oct 26 y fall upper school Pla Saturday, Nov 1 > Friday, Oct 31 & ice recital upper school solo Vo > Sunday, Oct 9 y fall Middle school Pla Saturday, Nov 22 & > Friday, Nov 21 r Concert Middle school Winte > Thursday, Dec 11 Concert upper school holiday > Friday, Dec 12 Musical Winter Middle school 31 > Saturday, Jan Play Winter upper school Saturday, Feb 21 & > Friday, Feb 20 ice recital upper school solo Vo > Sunday, Feb 22 ntal recital upper school instrume 2 > Monday, Mar Musical spring upper school turday, May 2 & > Friday, May 1 Sa Jazz night 6 > Wednesday, May ncert Co ol spring Middle scho 7 y > Thursday, Ma Mom’s Pops night > Sunday, May 10

ange. Please visit, Dates subject to ch demy.org/arts www.worcesteraca n. tio for more informa

s MPu nTer a C Ce Th sou ManCe d e s r o Po Pro Perf

10 the HILLTOPPER : summer 2014

First-rate Facilities

The recently renovated lower levels of the Megaron and Walker Hall stand as testimony to WA’s commitment to the Arts. Here we find expanded Arts classroom space for both Middle School and Upper School students. Eliza Hale’s 7th Grade students are enjoying their new, expanded drama space and, today, are becoming skilled at improvisation. In a brilliant exercise in self-discovery and imagination, Eliza’s young students are in a class that combines the Visual and Performing Arts with Literature and History. They have created their own masks (using their own faces as molds) and, with only a plot summary of a classic Greek tale, are exploring the fine art of improvisation with their fellow classmates. “There’s so much going on here,” says Eliza. “They’re each crafting a character, expanding their ability to think on their feet, honing their interpersonal skills. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.” Christina Duff’s recently expanded studio is home to not only the tools of her Architecture students, but also to nine (that’s right! NINE!) very active potter’s wheels that hum at seemingly all hours. “My ceramics classes are popular, it’s true,” laughs Chrissie. “I offer extracurricular Open Studios to both the students and the adults in our community most semesters. These wheels are humming then as well.” Will Addis’s bright new studio space for his acting, directing, and theater arts classes is another area that seems to be perpetually in use. Will’s students spend class time and free periods honing their craft and deepening their understanding of themselves and their world. “The creation of this space has been a real positive for me,” Will confides. “I was able to create my own space, which is a wonderful thing for a teacher, and I love having a space that is explicitly meant as a studio space. Students can come here after school and work, I can hold my classes here, but it’s not my performance space and it’s not a hangout. I think this arrangement helps the kids take their work more seriously. That being said, we’re very much looking forward to having our own performance space.”

new enHanceMents

And a dedicated space is on the way! Plans are in motion to expand the recently acquired 12-acre south campus property—already home to our award-winning Morse Field (American Sports Builders Association Outstanding Single Field of the Year in 2013)—to include a new performance center. “Building a performance center is a big positive,” continues Will. “I think that it says a lot about Worcester Academy’s priorities to put an Arts space next to an Athletic space. I think it shows where we’re going as a school. We all miss The Pit (Andes Pit Theater) of course, but in all honesty, the program had outgrown the space. Additionally, Warner Theater is over-packed, over-programmed, and not ideal for many of our needs. We use it and we love it, but it can be a challenge. I’m looking forward to the flexibility to say, ‘We want to do this production in Warner,’ rather than, ‘We have to do this production in Warner.’” The South Campus Performance Center will add much-needed space not only for our actors and musicians, but also for our Hilltop visual artists. Plans include a lobby/gallery space for exhibits, and even a patio where we envision musical performances from our talented choral musicians and our ever-popular Hillpoppas a cappella group. And speaking of musicians, let’s not forget our new state-of-the-art recording studio expected to come online sometime in the 2014–2015 school year. “The numerous Heydon Hall music practice rooms, now four years old, were an invaluable addition for Worcester Academy Arts,” says Al Vaudreuil. “With Warner Theater in high demand for many school functions, our ‘Jazz Room’ gave us a great space for any number of uses, from ensemble classes to play rehearsals to residential band jam sessions. It was while planning the sound proofing of the Jazz Room that the idea came to me to investigate redesigning it into a recording studio,” Al continues. “This on-campus studio will be used to record our curricular, extracurricular, ensembles, and other campus bands, provide audio and video college audition recordings, and serve a myriad of needs from other academic departments. And when our Music Production & Engineering curriculum is finalized, this studio will fully put state-of-the-art technology into our students’ hands.”

scan this page to view more student artwork

looKinG aHead

All is not perfect, though, and there are still pieces missing from the program—particularly in terms of physical space. Our enhancements to Walker Hall and our plans for South Campus Performance Center go a long way, but, often, in our efforts to carve new spaces out of old spaces, we find ourselves lacking. This is particularly true for our choral music department, which sorely needs a larger space. “I try to incorporate motion as part of the rehearsal process,” says Don Irving. “Walking and movement to an expression or a phrase within a given piece is an important element in the learning process. This is one place where our facilities are inadequate. A real choral room would be an important and much needed addition to our program. It doesn’t need to be fancy,” Don laughs, “just a bit larger than Walker Gallery!” Have we left anything out? Absolutely. The fact is the Arts, by design, permeate the Hilltop these days. Albert Einstein, not predominantly known for his artistry, once famously said, “I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world”1 And through our Arts program, imagination encircles the Hilltop, creating a true training ground for collaboration, problem-solving, and creative expression. 1

“i aM enough of an arTisT To draW freely uPon My iMaginaTion. iMaginaTion is More iMPorTanT Than knoWledge. knoWledge is liMiTed. iMaginaTion enCirCles The World.”1

albert einstein letter to Miss Theodate Johnson, Publisher, Musical america, sept. 13, 1960.

Worcester Academy

12 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

teacher stocks tech toolbox Peter Smith,

middle school math teacher

“Students should be challenged at an appropriate level. They should receive as much support as necessary to grow and achieve their goals in the process.”

by Caroline Reich P’06, ’08

Peter Smith, a Middle School math teacher at WA, began as a technology integrator at the Academy in 2006. A graduate of Allegheny College with a B.S. in Computer Science, he has an M.A. in Technology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. If you ask him, he’ll tell you that his personal teaching philosophy comes down to two main ideas: first, that students should be challenged at an appropriate level; and, second, that they should receive as much support as necessary to grow and achieve their goals in the process. It’s that supportive approach, coupled with high standards, that makes him very popular among Middle School students and well respected by his peers. Over the years, he says he has witnessed several major milestones in regard to teaching, especially as it relates to technology. First, and perhaps most noticeably, the computer labs that existed when he arrived at WA have been replaced. Today, technology is placed directly into the hands of students and faculty, all of whom receive a laptop, and the entire campus has wireless Internet access. Pete says a second, perhaps less obvious, milestone is that the Academy has achieved real equity in terms of technology resources. “With the 1:1 laptop program, I no longer have to worry about some of my kids not having access to a computer at home or having access to the right software. This is huge because it puts everyone on the same playing field.” A third milestone, Pete explains, is the integration of iPads and other emerging tech tools in the classroom. For example, Pete often has his math students correct their own tests (he grades a copy that he keeps) using iPads. The students find their own mistakes using an answer key, identify what they

did right or wrong, then “teach it back” to the class from iPad to interactive SmartBoard. “This is a much better assessment. I am sitting right with them as an educator, rather than as an adversary or just a grader,” Pete says. “I love having iPads in my classroom because they allow my students to dive deeper into math content, to work together to figure out solutions, and to share problems up on the SmartBoard—things we can’t do as easily with paper or even with the laptops.” Pete is also piloting the Google Glass project at WA, recently taking the eyeglass-styled wearable devices on the eighth grade Outward Bound trip to New York City. He continues to let his students experiment using Google Glass to record and capture events, do some basic programing using GPS, and record data for science class learning excursions. “There are some very exciting possibilities presented as we move from hand-held devices to something wearable. Our students will be partners as we evaluate the potential of these so-called ‘augmented reality devices’ over the next several months,” Pete says. In the end, Pete knows that whatever technology tools he brings into his classroom have to really work for those particular students, at that particular time. This is where knowing his students well comes into play. Pete coaches Middle School soccer and skiing, and his students know he is an avid skier and triathlete. Pete says he meets his students “where they are,” frequently around these pursuits, as well as sharing messages on the math Instagram account and other school blogs. And those Google Glass optics that may look quite otherworldly to many of us are an invitation for a new and exciting kind of learning on the Hilltop. Worcester Academy

James Pietro ’81 urges graduates to

‘serve & give back’

14 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

“Members of the Class of 2014, I urge you to never forget. As you move on in your lives, always make the effort to come back and reconnect, and, if you have the means or the opportunity, serve and give back to this special place, your school, Worcester Academy.” James Pietro ’81, Academy Trustee

“One of the primary goals of a Worcester Academy education is to instill in its graduates the desire to be lifelong learners,” James J. Pietro, alumnus and former board president, told graduates at Worcester Academy’s 180th Commencement Exercises. “As a 1981 graduate of the Academy, I too try to live by this philosophy. So, rather than give you my advice, today I thought I would share with you some of the things I have learned from the members of the Worcester Academy Class of 2014.”

Read the complete speech on page 19.

Worcester Academy

Thus began the passing

of bits of wisdom from one generation to the next as “Jim” Pietro, president of Mid-State Insurance and current WA parent, spoke at 2014 graduation ceremonies, held on the historic Quad, as is tradition, June 6. Parents, friends, alumni, and faculty graced the event as 144 students from across the country and around the world marked milestones in their paths to adulthood and life after Worcester Academy. Preceding Mr. Pietro were Valedictorian Michael Schermerhorn of Brimfield and Salutatorian Alexandra DelloStritto of Worcester, each of whom was selected by vote of the senior class to represent it at graduation. Mr. Pietro later acknowledged the student speakers for having imparted their sentiments and truths about the occasion, then turned his attention to his son, John, and many of his classmates for what they had imparted to the elder Pietro over the years. Not unlike the Class Will page out of an old yearbook, he recounted some of the many things that each of the students had unknowingly bequeathed to him. “Graduates, today you will become part of a special group,” he said. “Wherever your path takes you, whatever accepted norms you challenge or whatever new realities you create, remember the lessons I have learned from you.”

Class of 2014

Lauren A. Abbenante Mary C. Abu Audrey K. Adams Deqa A. Aden Christian C. Alexandrou Noah G. Altamirano Emily M. Ammons Gianna L. Anderson Emanuelle I. Andrianopoulos

Kylie H. Baker Daniel J. Baldwin Hannah F. Barnes Nicholas P. Barry

16 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

Matriculation List

College of the Holy Cross Marist College Michigan State University Grinnell College Furman University Union College Binghamton University College of the Holy Cross University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Pittsburgh Rollins College Union College University of Massachusetts, Lowell

Alexandra Berisheva Ryan A. Bernier Kevin N. Bock John D. Bowers Mackenzie D. Butler Maria J. Cabrera Alev E. Cansever Christopher M. Capozzoli (PG) Catrina M. Cattaneo William G. Cavalier Daria E. Cenedella Shiyun Chen Cherry T. Chung Matthew C. Cimino

Northeastern University Purdue University Skidmore College Harvard College Elon University University of Connecticut Brandeis University Lynn University Rhodes College Merrimack College Middlebury College Boston University Boston University The George Washington University

Mark C. Clements (PG) Zachary T. Cloutier Shamus S. Crowley Michael Cusato Olivia Dalton-Hoffman Abdulrahman B. Dambazau Jordan B. Davis (PG) Alexandra A. DelloStritto Basit Dennis (PG)

Kelleher Dolan (PG) Gina M. Doyle Shengkun Duan Maria Jena M. Duffy

University of New Haven Sacred Heart University University of Massachusetts, Amherst Suffolk University Allegheny College University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire Boston University University of Massachusetts, Amherst Marist College Tufts University Drexel University The University of Arizona

commencement 2014

Among those lessons?

Just handling a challenging day might be a great achievement. A positive attitude can help get you through the rough spots. Putting the needs of others ahead of your own can make a real difference. Sometimes, simply taking one step forward can be the most courageous thing you can do. Set goals and be persistent. Never simply accept the standard answer—always be inquisitive. Mr. Pietro encouraged the students to appreciate whatever they have in life at the times that they it, but also to remember Worcester Academy, which has meant so much to them all. “Members of the Class of 2014, I urge you to never forget. As you move on in your lives, always make the effort to come back and reconnect, and, if you have the means or the opportunity, serve and give back to this special place, your school, Worcester Academy.”

Peter A. Dykeman-Bermingham Middlebury College Min-Kyu Eo Undecided Jacquelyn E. Feraco University of New Hampshire Tomer Finkelberg Boston College Patrick J. Flahive (PG) Brandeis University Maya F. Franson King’s College, London John L. Friday Franklin Pierce University Nicole R. Gaudette American University John Conrad Geenty III University of Massachusetts, Amherst Zexi Geng Haverford College Alexandra L. Ghalibaf Savannah College of Art and Design Robert B. Gionet-Giacomelli Wentworth Institute of Technology Jaquelyn A. Goldsberry Northwestern University Elise J. Gorzela University of Massachusetts, Lowell Kevin Griffin Wentworth Institute of Technology Shane D. Hardie (PG) University of Hartford Carly B. Heman Wake Forest University Yuk Yung Hung Boston University

Christopher Hunter Alexander P. Hurley (PG) Margaret A. Iaccarino Dalton L. Jaklitsch Sudeep V. Jandyam Kailun Jiang Samuel M. Joaquin Nicholas J. Johnson Jameilen E. Jones (PG) Haeyun Kang Brian Kee Caroline E. Kelleher Thomas W. Kessler Seong Min Kim Samuel K. Klippel (PG) Mariam Kobeissi Christopher Graham Koval Hannah M. Lambert

University of Maine Stonehill College Boston College Endicott College Brown University Boston University Colby College University of Rhode Island Central Connecticut State University University of Rhode Island University of Rochester Connecticut College Hobart and William Smith Colleges New York University Fairfield University University of Rochester Connecticut College Lehigh University

Alison E. Lanyon Lauren R. Lavine Jin Hee Lee Seong Noh Lee Claire T. Liebmann Ta Chun Lin Olivia Lo Raquel M. Lopez Jason J. Lu Ziqi Lu Yuheng Luo Arjun Malkani Thomas J. Mangaudis John W. Marculitis Romeo Masuku (PG) Sheldon Matalon (PG) Tyreik R. McCauley Lauren M. McNamee

Dickinson College University of Delaware University of California, Riverside University of Detroit Mercy Barnard College Pennsylvania State University Providence College Smith College Boston University Williams College Pennsylvania State University Tufts University Providence College Saint Anselm College University of Rhode Island University of Miami West Virginia University Ithaca College Worcester Academy

A Worcester Native

James Pietro, a Worcester native and a graduate of Colby College (1986), is former president of the Worcester Academy Board of Trustees, a position he held from 2004–2011. He currently serves as its development chair. Mr. Pietro is also president of Bears on Board, a nonprofit agency raising funds for the collection and distribution of stuffed teddy bears for emergency vehicles (police, fire, ambulance, etc.). Bears are given to children in traumatic situations to help calm them when dealing with police officers and other emergency personnel. Jim and his wife, Terrie Hanna, have three children: Danielle ’11, John ’14, and Nicole ’19. Mr. Pietro’s father, John Pietro ’46, was also a Worcester Academy graduate, as were Jim’s brothers, David ’73 and Paul ’75.

Brandon C. Miskin (PG) Zofia V. Mita Amanda B. Moquin Julianne M. Mortimer Chun Hei Ng Dan Linh Nguyen Vy Thanh Thien Nguyen Celeste L. Nicoletti Henri-Alexandre Noel Minkyung Oh Ross J. Osae Nondh Panithanpaisal (PG) Abrielle S. Peltier Mitchell A. Peltier Kerstin E. Peterleitner John Pietro 18 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

Brandeis University Barnard College Nichols College Babson College Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) Emerson College University of Richmond Worcester Polytechnic Institute United States Military Academy Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Dean College Princeton University University of San Francisco St. Lawrence University Boston College Bowdoin College

Jenna A. Pike Fairfield University Caroline M. Powers University of Vermont Alexandra Z. Radel Fairfield University Adam J. Richer Suffolk University Molly Riordan Villanova University Kathryn M. Roche University of Massachusetts, Amherst Michele Rossi Cairo Undecided Eric M. Sachse Chesire Academy (postgraduate) Zackary I. Sadlier University of Michigan Oseh-Lie Saine (PG) Boston College Alexander J. Sanchez University of New Hampshire Michael T. Schermerhorn Middlebury College Julia G. Seward Wentworth Institute of Technology Shaniqua C. Shaw Connecticut College Peilin Shi Suffolk University Amanda K. St. Laurent Connecticut College Taylor R. Steinman Endicott College Kelly G. Stevens Mount Holyoke College

Nicholas J. Szczygiel Peter A. Tonelli Sage Usher (PG) Kaushik Viswanathan Lydia Vital Charles R. Watkins Brittany M. Williams Devon M. Williams Nicole M. Wilson Matthew D. Wolf Yifan Wong Quron J. Wright (PG) Peian Wu Shuxian Zhang Yuxin Zhang Tianying Zhou

Lafayette College Bentley University University of Toronto Boston College Keene State College University of Massachusetts, Amherst Elon University Brewster Academy (postgraduate) Bowdoin College Rollins College Lehigh University University of Rhode Island Parsons The New School for Design Boston University Wake Forest University University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Wentao Zou New York University

commencement 2014

2014

Commencement Address

The following is the 2014 Commencement Address delivered by James Pietro ’81. Mr. Pietro is president of Mid-State Insurance and is former president of the Worcester Academy Board of Trustees. Mr. Cino, Mr. Dormitzer, administrators, alumni, faculty, friends, families, grandparents, parents and, of course, the Class of 2014, I am sure that many of you, upon hearing that I was to be the graduation speaker, had a few questions. I would like to take a few minutes to address these questions directly. Did somebody else cancel? Yes. Isn’t he John’s Dad? Yes. Isn’t he the insurance guy who has those TV commercials? Yes. As a matter of fact, I inserted my card in each diploma jacket. Isn’t he the track coach? Yes (not even the head coach, by the way). Isn’t he the guy who asks for money for the school? Yes. During the offertory hymn, I will ask Mr. Cino and Mr. Dormitzer to go up and down the aisles with a basket. Is this really the best they could do? Apparently, yes. Even when I talked to my wife to let her know that Ron called to ask that I be the speaker, she quickly responded, “You?! Can’t they get, like, a speaker, speaker?!!” Honey, I want to thank you for your confidence. As Tom Brady knows, however, it isn’t why or when you get picked that counts; the only thing that matters is how you perform once you get the opportunity. One of the primary goals of a Worcester Academy education is to instill in its graduates the desire to be lifelong learners. As a 1981 graduate of the Academy, I too try to live by this philosophy. So, rather than give you my advice, today I thought I would share with you some of the things I have learned from the members of the Worcester Academy Class of 2014. Mitch Peltier: I have known Mitch for a long time; he and my son John went to pre-school together. Mitch and John attended a very nurturing Montessori pre-school, and when Mitch and John had to make the switch to a very structured public school kindergarten environment, both Mitch’s parents and my wife and I were nervous about the transition. So, on the first day of kindergarten, I dropped John off and as I was leaving I saw Mitch in the hall. As I approached Mitch I was going to ask him how things were going, but before I could get a word out, five-year-old Mitch put his hand up and said, “I am handling it, I AM HANDLING IT!” I learned that sometimes just “handling it” can make for a great day. Oseh Saine: Even though he was facing 37 consecutive days of detentions this spring, mainly from either sleeping through classes or being late, he was still accepted by a highly selective college and maintained a positive attitude throughout. Jenna Pike: Jenna injured her knee the week before the New England Track and Field Championship meet. I firmly believe she would have won New England’s and broken the school record in her event. As hard as it was for her to be at the meet and unable to participate, she put the team ahead of her own individual feelings to help coach and support her fellow teammates. Conrad Geenty: Watching how Conrad approaches conditioning and nutrition, I learned the power of determination and a strong work ethic. Mark Clements: Mark is a one-year student from New Jersey. Mark stayed at our house during the summer football camp. When I was dropping him off in front of the gym at the end of the camp he looked at me and said, “Mr. Pietro, John and I were talking, and I think I will come over your house every weekend once school starts.” I looked at him and asked, “Every weekend, Mark? We’ll

see how it goes.” Well, weekends, snow days, sick days... Mark became part of the family this year. Mark was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the end of his junior year in high school and, as if cancer wasn’t enough of a challenge, while undergoing treatment, he lost his brother. From Mark I learned that simply taking the next step toward your future can be courageous. John Bowers: From John I learned two things: (1) hell hath no fury like Haringa’s scorn, and (2) never simply accept the standard answer and always be inquisitive. Christian Alexandrou: Christian became an Eagle Scout and created a veterans’ memorial. Through his achievements, I learned about the importance of persistence and goal setting. My son, John: As a trustee of the Academy for many years, John would occasionally see me on campus, for one meeting or another. As a middle schooler, he would always come up to me say “hi,” give me a hug, and ask why I was on campus. In upper school, he would still come up to me when he saw me on campus, but instead of the “hi and hug” he would ask, “Hey, can I have 10 bucks to get a sub after school?” This spring John would call me on random days and ask if I had time to grab lunch. During one of his calls, I was just about to start a meeting with someone. As I got off the phone, I explained to the man I was about to meet with that the call was from my son, and that he had called to ask if he could meet me in the hopes of landing yet another free lunch. The man looked at me, his face turned to a sad expression, and he said, “That’s so nice; the only time my 18-year-old son calls me is when he wants to know when I will be out of the house.” That day John taught me to be happy for what I have when I have it. Graduates, you know all the reasons why you had a sometimes difficult but more often wonderful experience here—that amazing teacher, the inspiring coach, the caring advisor, that lifelong friend—these are just a few of the relationships that made your time here so special. In the classroom, on the playing field, or on the stage, you were pushed outside of your comfort zone; you were asked to challenge accepted norms and to think for yourself and make your own decisions. Have you ever thought about the fact that your school, Worcester Academy, also practices what it preaches? Throughout its history, WA has always had a willingness to push boundaries and challenge societal norms. Did you know that the first AfricanAmerican to attend Worcester Academy was a former slave named Jacob Stroyer? He graduated in 1875 and went on to become a minister and author. Female students were first admitted to Worcester in the mid1800s. A co-educational, New England prep school was virtually unheard of at the time. The first international student, Robert A. Fyfe, graduated from WA only three years after the school was founded. Socioeconomic diversity has been an integral part of Worcester Academy since its beginning. Legendary Headmaster from 1882– 1918, Dr. Daniel Webster Abercrombie, called the WA student body “a true democracy” where wealthy students were intermingled with students of lesser means. In its day, this philosophy was very progressive as the vast majority of New England prep schools were exclusively for the wealthy. A number of years ago I asked a 1938 graduate why he gave a major gift to the school and he replied, “When my parents and I

were looking at boarding schools, Worcester Academy was the only New England prep school we could find that would accept Jewish students. My gift is my way of saying thank you.” Clearly, gay students have been attending WA since its earliest days. Yet, because of laws against homosexuality in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, they did so secretively. However, it is interesting to note that arguably the Academy’s most famous graduate, Cole Porter, was gay. The world-renowned Broadway composer came to WA from Indiana and graduated in 1909. We know that, during his four years at the Academy, his music and his ability to entertain made it easy for him to make friends. He was very close to Headmaster Abercrombie and was the valedictorian of his class. It is hard to imagine that with the success he enjoyed here and with so many close friends that his secret wasn’t known, at least by a few, and accepted. Our school song may be a bit odd. I mean “Oskee Wow-Wow?”— what? Our mascot is unconventional, a Hilltopper, really? Our dorm windows do not overlook the Atlantic Ocean, rolling fields or grazing horses. However, the three-deckers we see remind many of us of our own family history—working families and immigrants trying to make a better life for themselves and their children. Our setting challenges us at times and yet it also is one of the reasons why we, as a community, stay nimble, hungry and engaged with the world around us. Other schools will shy away from noting the milestone dates I have just shared with you because they are embarrassed by theirs, but we are inspired by ours. Whether the place you call home is halfway across the globe or just outside the gate, you and your family were drawn to this school—its education, its values, its history and its culture. Members of the Class of 2014, I urge you to never forget. As you move on in your lives, always make the effort to come back and reconnect, and, if you have the means or the opportunity, serve and give back to this special place, your school, Worcester Academy. Graduates, today you will become part of a special group. WA alumni have been leaders of business and industry, pioneers of the civil rights movement, entrepreneurs, political and social activists, governors, congressmen, insurance agents … I just wanted to see if you were still paying attention … Olympic medalists, teachers, Rhode Scholars, artists, actors, professional athletes and coaches, college presidents, moms and dads, and the list goes on. Wherever your path takes you, whatever accepted norms you challenge or whatever new realities you create, remember the lessons I have learned from you: >> Just handling a challenging day might be a great achievement. >> A positive attitude can help get you through the rough spots. >> Putting the needs of others ahead of your own can make a real difference. >> Sometimes, simply taking one step forward can be the most courageous thing you can do. >> Set goals and be persistent. Never simply accept the standard answer—always be inquisitive. Today, I ask everyone to take the time to hug a little longer, kiss a little more gently, and say, “I love you” a little more slowly. Because, as I learned from my son, we need to be happy for what we have when we have it, since as we all know, today especially, life does change. Congratulations to the Class of 2014! Worcester Academy

REUNION

WEEKEND 20 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

REUNION

EEKEND

Reunion Weekend 2014 welcomed the classes of 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, and 2009 back to the Hilltop, May 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;3, to rekindle friendships and experience Worcester Academy today. Worcester Academy

The 50th Reunion Class of 1964 kicked off the weekend on Friday with lunch at Alumni House followed by a tour of campus featuring the renovations to Walker Hall and an invitation by 8th grade students to participate in their cultural projects. After an all-class reception in Abercrombie House, the Class of 1964 capped its day with a class dinner hosted by Head of School Ron Cino and his wife, Nathalie, at the Worcester Club.

Ken Payson ’64 and Lori Robidoux at the Head’s Reception in Abercrombie House during Reunion Weekend 2014.

A hug for Oskee WA-WA, our mascot, from his newest fan!

Tuyen Nguyen ’94 and his son.

2 1 Reunion Weekend hit high gear on Saturday as alumni returned to campus for a series of afternoon events, including the annual alumni soccer game, reunion barbeque (and introduction to our mascot, Oskee WA-WA!), games at Gaskill and Morse Fields, and the spring musical in Warner Theater.

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22 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

The Class of 1964 at the Worcester Club. Attending the reunion from the Class of 1964 were: Bill Abodeely, Ralph Dworman, Gordon Erikson, Richard Gordon, Sam Hayward, Ken Payson, Ken Safran, and Alan White.

Sam Hayward and our mascot, Oskee, at the Reunion Barbecue.

Fom left, Gary Hopfmann ’69 joined Bill Rothman and Bill Radner ’68 at their 45th reunion. Other members of the Class of 1969 who attended the reunion included: Alan Betten, Bill Humberto Guglielmina represented for Breidenbach, Bob Dorfman, Tim the Class of 1979. Doyle, Dick Dubin, Mitch Glazier, David Miller, Jesse Ritz, and Peter Woodbury.

Class of 1969 Tree Re-dedication

Jeffrey Halbreich and Jason Cotton represented the Reunion Cup Challenge champion Class of 1959.

Members of the Class of 1984 who attended their 30th reunion included Deborah Barrera, Dorene Blythe, David Lundgren, Kathy Phipps, Patricia Rockett, and Amy Sharron.

Class of 2009 friends Ryan McKetchnie, Greg McKetchnie, Stephen Wright, and Dustin Weigl share a laugh over their time capsule.

Cynthia Blumsack

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Cynthia Blumsack, widow of Charles “Chuck” Blumsack ’64, made possible the return and re-dedication of the original Kingsley Laboratories telescope, a 6-foot long brass instrument with 5-inch refractor, manufactured by Alvin Clark. Once housed in the Kingsley tower, the telescope is now on permanent display in the Kingsley lobby.

Worcester Academy

Members of the Class of 2004 who attended their 10th reunion included Dan Adams, Kathy Arias, Erin Barry, Laurie Boland, James Ciociolo, Lauren David, Elise Durgarian, Charlie Fuentes, John Glowik, Brad Greenberg, Jessica Gusar, David Heiniluoma, Allison Johnson, Tim Massarelli, Sarah Metz, Arielle Pastick, Kali Patrick, Courtney Pelley, Elizabeth Pinto, Inna Reytblat, Jonathan Salter, James Scola, Nicholas Shirman, and Eric Silverberg.

2 3

Ralph ’64 and Matthew ’94 Dworman.

Too many to name! The Class of 2009 set a high standard with 43 members of the class participating in Reunion Weekend.

Soon to be retired faculty members Elisabeth Cotton (English) and Pam Lefferts (Global Alumni Relations) at a reception in their honor prior to the Reunion Gala.

Brad Greenberg, Jessica Gusar, and Sarah Metz, all Class of 2004.

Tori Bentkover ’09, Albert Feldman ’09, and Jordan Fontana ’09.

Class of 2009 Class Leaders, Allie Ford and Evan Fonseca, kick off the Class Addresses at the Reunion Gala.

Class of 2004 members Charlie Fuentes, Sarah Metz, Jessica Gusar, James Scola, and John Glowik enjoy the reunion lounge.

Later in the afternoon, Elisabeth Cotton and Pam Lefferts, each retiring after nearly 30 years of service to the Academy, were feted by alumni, parents, and staff from those three decades.

There’s a seat for everyone in the lounge at the Reunion Gala.

scan this page for more photos from alumni weekend

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24 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

Class of 2004 Class Leaders Arielle Pastick and Brad Greenberg.

Jesse Ritz ’69 opens the Reunion Gala Dinner with a ring of the 1834 school bell.

And then the party started! The Reunion Gala brought alumni of all ages to the dance ﬂoor in celebration of friendship and a love of Worcester Academy. 10

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If your class year ends in a “5” or a “0,” we hope that you will make plans now for Reunion Weekend 2015 on May 1–2, 2015!

The Class of 1999 took to the podium en kristen halus ’99 and Justin rubinstein ’99 masse. Members of the Class of 1999 reenact their 1999 yearbook photo poses. who attended their 15th reunion included Michael Canty, derek giuliana, kristin halus, rebekah laCoste, Valerie Mclaughlin, rebekah laCoste ’99 and Valerie barbara richter, and Justin rubinstein. Mclaughlin’99 emerge from the photo booth.

reunion

Weekend

2015

Worcester Academy

Alumni News Legacy Profile:

WA: the right school choice for every generation! by Jody P. McNamara P’09, ’12

We’re always happy and proud when the son or daughter of an alumnus chooses to attend Worcester Academy, but when three generations within the same family make that choice, it’s time to stand up and take notice! We think it’s our ability to grow and change as a school, blended with a reverence for our storied history, that makes us the right choice—but let’s ask the experts: Ron ’49, Chris ’85, and Christopher ’14 Capozzoli. The Capozzoli Family’s 65-plus year connection with Worcester Academy begins with family patriarch, Ron. “I grew up in Medford and played basketball at St. Francis School and then at Medford High. I graduated in 1946 and began working in construction. It was Henry Hormel (Worcester Academy ’26) who convinced me to become a postgraduate at WA, and that experience changed my life. I gained the confidence to continue with my education. I played football and basketball and, honestly, I didn’t want to leave. Between

“It was Henry Hormel ’26 who convinced me to become a postgraduate at WA, and that experience changed my life. I gained the confidence to continue with my education. I played football and basketball and, honestly, I didn’t want to leave.” Ron Capozzoli ’49 and his grandson, Christopher Capozzoli ’14, a current WA postgraduate. 26 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

School Nurse Ma Nagle encouraging me to class and Headmaster LeRoy Campbell putting up with my ducks on the quad, WA was really my home away from home.”

alumni news

Wait a minute: Ducks on the quad? “Do you believe it?” Ron exclaims. “I was on campus over Easter and I took a walk downtown. Someone was selling ducklings, so I bought them and brought them back to campus. When Headmaster Campbell found out I was raising ducklings in my room, he called me in to his office to reprimand me. I pointed out to him that the Code of Conduct stated that dogs and cats were not allowed in the dorms. There was no statement about ducklings. Head Campbell just said ‘OK. You got me,’” Ron laughs. “I’d take the ducks out on the quad for a walk! Can you imagine that happening now?” It must have been stories like this one that kept Worcester Academy in son Chris Capozzoli’s mind. “My experience was a good one, but it certainly wasn’t filled with the same high jinks my dad enjoyed,” jokes Chris. “As high school graduation approached for me, I really didn’t have a plan. After listening to my dad all those years, I thought I’d follow in his footsteps. A post-grad year at Worcester Academy allowed me that extra year of growth,” continues Chris, now president of BSS Properties Inc. in Burlington, MA. “I gained the direction to pursue Electrical Engineering at UMass-Lowell and, ultimately, the confidence to join my father’s real estate development business.” Chris was named president of BSS in 2006. “My dad thought that his year at WA helped him learn how to be away from home,” muses Christopher, this year’s Capozzoli family graduate, “And I guess I’m the same, because I know it absolutely helped me. Last year, as a senior at North Reading High School, I was absolutely avoiding the college process. This year, at WA, I was the first person to talk with my college counselor.” And Christopher is ready. After a great year of academics, varsity basketball, and varsity baseball, he’ll be attending Florida’s Lynn University in September and can’t wait to get started. “I would take 15 Christopher Capozzolis into my program if I could,” says Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Jamie Sullivan. “He is a selfless, hardworking, committed teammate and person. After spending time with his parents and grandfather this spring (during baseball training week in Florida), I can see where Christopher’s work ethic comes from. The Capozzolis are a great family.” We couldn’t agree more! Best of luck to the entire Capozzoli clan and we look forward to the next generation. Class of 2044, perhaps?

from the director of alumni relations The 144 members of the Class of 2014 have graduated into a highly competitive world. Fortunately, they are a talented group armed with a first-class education and the promise of support from the Worcester Academy alumni network. Please help me deliver on that promise! Attend alumni events. Answer the call to be a resource in your field of expertise. If you live in a college town, bring a young WA college student to breakfast. Want to organize a meet-up with other WA alumni in your area? I can help. Just let me know. Alumni Relations exists to serve you, our alumni. Please consider how you can support our youngest alumni, and, together, we will deliver on the promise and power of a network that is 7,000 alumni strong. I look forward to our work together in the coming year! My best,

Greg Cappello

the Tien student impact award Worcester Academy recognized two esteemed faculty members in awarding its inaugural Tien Student Impact Awards for the 2013–2014 School Year. The faculty recognized were English teacher Sarah Getchell and longtime Instrumental Director Al Vaudreuil, each of whom received a monetary award. The Tien Student Impact Award was established by Michael Tien ’68 to honor the life-changing

positive influences that outstanding teachers, coaches, dorm parents, and other adult mentors had on his life during his time at Worcester Academy. Any current employee is eligible for the Tien Award based upon nominations received from students, parents, or young alumni (Class of 1999 or younger). Nominators are asked to submit a short letter by outlining the personal impact and lasting positive

influence that the teacher, coach, or adult mentor has had on their lives (or that of their child). For more information, contact cindy.sabik@worcesteracademy.org. Congratulations Al and Sarah, and thank you Michael Tien for partnering with us to recognize the ways that Worcester Academy is impacting students and transforming lives! Worcester Academy

events close to home DALLAS

A spirited group of Worcester Academy alumni, friends, and a former faculty member joined in for a first-in-a-long-time gathering in Irving, TX. The group would like other Dallas/Fort Worth area alumni to know that it was great fun and that they look forward to welcoming even more people to future gatherings.

seated: amanda Morin ’03 and Carly Morin ’05. back row: lt. Col. Peter Webber ’50, James st. louis (former Wa spanish teacher), david bockhoven ’55, Chuck rudnick ’70, and ken Cohen ’66.

SARASOTA

dan adams ’04, Tim Massarelli ’04, and nick bollus ’02 at Wa after hours at Mezcal in february. Wa after hours events are scheduled on the third Thursdays of odd-numbered months. Please stop in if you’re in town!

SAN FRANCISCO

Worcester After Hours

AFTER HOURS

Dallas Area Gathering

yohei sato ’92 and Taka adachi ’92.

hosts bob ’76 and shana arello in sarasota, fl.

This spring’s san francisco gathering.

MIAMI

EASTCHESTER

Victor fields and Pamela lefferts. bob ’61 and diane reagan hosted alumni from greater los angeles at the Jonathan beach Club in March.

Victor sierra ’90 and his wife, anna, hosted a gathering at their beautiful home on the water in eastchester, ny. attending the reception were Jeffrey halbreich ’59, arthur ’74 and Mary kentros, ivan brightly ’93, ron Cino with ken sadowsky ’80, host of the Miami alumni reception in february. 28 the HILLTOPPER : summer 2014

alice Constance newton ’94, Jonathan salter ’04, and Chelsea graves ’09. retiring faculty members lis Cotton and Pam lefferts were featured guests.

SANTA MONICA

alumni news

Worcester Academy worldwide alumni susan Wong ’90, Pamela lefferts, sandy ip ’98, and sharon ng ’92.

Jimmy sze zhou ’04 was happy to join the

SHANGHAI

HONG KONG

Wa parents’ dinner in shanghai. Jimmy is working

BEIJING

in shanghai for deloitte in the financial department.

HONG KONG

alumni William Tsang ’98, george Tsang ’96, adam najberg ’86, Pamela lefferts, Joel li ’00, and ron Chan ’98.

HONG KONG

Parents and alumni at the Wa gathering in hong kong.

ron Cino and Mrs. Xinxia niu, mother of susan Ting zhang ’17, in beijing.

new and current parents enjoyed meeting each other at a dinner in beijing.

BEIJING Worcester Academy

e h t on

Hilltop

high praise for retiring faculty

Elisabeth Cotton and Pam Lefferts by Jody P. McNamara P’09, ’12

From left, Ron Cino, Lis Cotton, former head of school Ben Williams, Pam Lefferts, and Dexter Morse, at a recent reception honoring Lis and Pam on their retirements.

We have heavy hearts this summer as we say a fond farewell to two faculty members who, through their hard work and wonderful warmth, have achieved the near miraculous with scores of Worcester Academy students. Elisabeth Cotton and Pam Lefferts went above and beyond over the past 29 years: They made the Hilltop feel like home. 30 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

Both Pam and Lis were, are, and always will be “about the students,” says Dexter Morse, former head of school and current advisor to OnWArd: The Campaign for Worcester Academy. “They were both student-centered before we ever set that as an institutional goal, and especially supportive of our international students. I will always

remember Lis as a teacher first and Pam as the residential life director who saved our boarding program.” Lis Cotton joined the Worcester Academy English Department in 1985, after teaching in Holden, MA, and at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). “At WPI, I taught an intensive English language program to international

students that covered composition and public speaking. That was where then-Head of School Ben Williams found me,” says Lis. “I came over to WA and immediately began teaching English 1F and 2F to our international students. It’s been a joy. My students have brought the world to me! I learned so much from each and every one of them. “As an example, I actually studied Japanese language and culture during the 1990s. My Japanese students made me crave more information and I realized that if I understood more about both their lives and how their language was structured, it would help me in presenting the English language to them. That impetus to study a language outside of the romance construct came straight from my students and I think it absolutely helped me in my teaching to all of our Asian students.” It’s no wonder that Mrs. Cotton was the 1988 recipient of the O’Connell Award for Excellence in Teaching. “I also had a great run, from 1988 to 2003, teaching World Literature II,” exclaims Lis. All of this, plus Mrs. Cotton’s advisory positions to The Lance and to the Dexter Prize Speaking Contest kept her plate full. In 2003, Lis was appointed Studies Coordinator and AP Coordinator in addition to her English as a Foreign Language responsibilities. “I’ve loved it. I’ve loved my students.

on the hilltop

“Pam and Lis may be moving on, but they are and will always be part of our WA family.” I’ve loved my colleagues. Worcester Academy has given me 29 years of joy. I’ve honestly looked forward to every single day. When you’re at the same school for 29 years, you’re bound to experience a few life changes during that time. The inspiration and support that I’ve received from colleagues has made all the difference. So many are now lifelong friends.” Pam Lefferts, R.N., joined the academy in 1985 as well, first as a consultant who worked with faculty, parents, and students on issues of substance abuse. It didn’t take long, though, for Head of School Williams to recognize a standout, and by the 1986-1987 school year, Pam was not only running her substance abuse program, but also living on campus as our evening nurse and dorm parent. From that vantage point, she could spy where she was needed, so over the course of the next 15 years, Pam proceeded to rack up an impressive number of academy “firsts.” Pam instituted Worcester Academy’s first health class for students. After sitting on the Kellner Student Center’s planning committee, Pam was our first-ever activities director. She instituted our first Grandparents’ Day, and was our first community service coordinator. That list of “firsts” might be enough for some, but not for Pam. She went on to become WA’s first female Residential Life Director. “Res Life Director was the

hardest but most satisfying job of my life. I think I made a real impact on the boarding program.” Pam was set to retire 10 years ago, but pushed the date off to institute another WA “first.” Pam proposed and was awarded the position of director of global alumni relations. “I can’t think of a better way to end my career than in this position,” Pam says, choking back emotion. “How lucky am I to have had the opportunity over the past 10 years to go back and continue great relationships with our alumni.” Pam sums it up beautifully. “When you live with, play with, travel with, and teach kids, you grow to love them each as an individual. You get to know their families and friends. It’s a lifetime relationship. I’ve been truly blessed to spend the last 10 years in Alumni House, and to see so many of my kids grown, with kids of their own. I know this sounds hokey and it’s hard to explain, but WA is my extended family and that is forever. I may be retiring but I’m not letting go.” And what does the future hold for these two Worcester Academy veterans? Pam is absolutely right. For her and for Lis, WA is a lifelong commitment. “It’s farewell, but never goodbye to these two people who have contributed beyond measure,” says Head of School Ron Cino. “Pam and Lis may be moving on, but they are and will always be part of our WA family.”

new academy trustee:

Matthew Finkle ’87 Matthew Finkle, a member of the Class of 1987, has been elected to the Worcester Academy Board of Trustees. Mr. Finkle is president of Related Affordable, a division of Related Companies that develops, acquires, and preserves affordable housing throughout the nation. During his tenure at Related, where he began in 2003, he has been responsible for closing nearly $1 billion in affordable housing transactions nationwide, and helping propel Related Affordable to become one of the largest owners of affordable housing in the country with more than 30,000 units in its portfolio. Prior to joining Related, Mr. Finkle was with Booz Allen Hamilton’s Operations Management Practice where he helped Fortune 500 clients reduce more than

$500 million in cost from their operations and General Electric’s Consumer Finance businesses, both domestic and abroad. Mr. Finkle holds an MBA with Honors in Finance from Columbia Business School and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Georgetown. While at WA, Mr. Finkle was Senior Class President, a member of the Vigornia student newspaper staff, as well as the wrestling and cross-country teams, and a member of the ski club. Worcester Academy is proud to welcome the first recipient of the Matthew K. Finkle ’87 Scholarship in September 2014. This scholarship, recently established by Mr. Finkle, funds the full cost of a deserving post-graduate student’s WA experience. Worcester Academy

James Allard

memorial music prize established

“…his legacy as a cherished colleague and dedicated teacher— something that you hear faculty and students saying again and again today—will impact lives for many years to come.” Worcester Academy brothers Edward and Richard Reynolds, both Class of 2003, have established the James Allard Memorial Music Prize, a cash award, to honor James R. “Jim” Allard, the longtime WA music teacher who passed away unexpectedly in February. “We were stunned by Jim Allard’s passing but hoped to ensure through this prize that Jim was honored for his spirit, generosity, commitment to his students, and extraordinary talents,” the brothers said, announcing the prize at a musical celebration of his life held in Warner Theater in March. Otherwise known as the J.A.M. Prize (in homage to Mr. Allard’s passion for jazz and jam sessions), the prize will be given annually to an Upper School music student. The men, both former music students of Mr. Allard, have also invited alumni and others to contribute to the fund in his memory. “Some of our fondest memories of Worcester Academy are those shared with Mr. Allard. To be sure, he had a profound impact on our personal and academic development as well as our understanding of and lifelong interest in music,” the Reynolds brothers noted. 32 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

Richard and Edward Reynolds, Class of 2003

Mr. Allard, a noted regional jazz saxophonist, flutist, and woodwinds specialist, taught in Middle School and Upper School at Worcester Academy as well as having taught in several area college and community programs. Head of School Ron Cino thanked the Reynolds brothers for their generosity in recognizing the contributions made by a man who was an esteemed teacher and friend to so many students and colleagues. “His passing has been a tremendous loss for the entire Worcester Academy community,” Mr. Cino said. “At the same time, his legacy as a cherished colleague and dedicated teacher—something that you hear faculty and students saying again and again today—will impact lives for many years to come.”

To contribute to The James Allard Memorial Music Prize: >> Go to the Online Giving form on the Worcester Academy website at www.worcesteracademy.org/givenow >> Type in the dollar amount of your gift into the Restricted Annual Fund field in the Gift Details section >> Type the words “James Allard Prize” into the Fund Restriction field located at the bottom of the form in the Other Details section

on the hilltop

renaissance girls

WA Sisters Rowen ’15 & Fiona Price ’19

by Jack Chase ’15

As a local school with an international reputation, Worcester Academy actively seeks out the best students from all over the world. Students from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Kazakhstan, Korea, and 20 other countries join as one in this academically rigorous and accepting environment we call WA. In all cases, students are lucky to find Worcester Academy; and in just as many cases, Worcester Academy is lucky to find them. The latter is true with Slivers1 Rowen and Fiona Price (or Fiona and Rowen Price, depending on whom you ask!). Rowen is a junior, just beginning her college search, and Fiona is a seventh grader. Each of the Northborough sisters began her career on the Hilltop in the sixth grade in WA’s Middle school. That means they are “lifers,” or will be, when they graduate. What that does not tell you is that they are quintessential Worcester Academy students who have found their many passions through diverse opportunities at the Academy. And, although the two have uncannily similar interests, Fiona makes it quite clear that she is “all Fiona” and most definitely not “Little Rowen.” “I play tennis,” the pint-sized Middler will tell you, feigning indignation. “So, let’s get that straight.” Still, the siblings share interests in friends, a capacity for academic rigor, and the pursuit of athletic excellence. They are well known on campus, especially for their wildly successful participation in WA’s Dexter Prize Speaking Contest. They are also top members of the Middle School and Upper School swim teams, respectively, and participants in the Academy’s many theatrical productions; Rowen is a member of the Upper School Theatre Council. Another similarity they share is studying the Mandarin language, which is offered in the Worcester Academy Middle School. According to Rowen, it’s surprising that students can study Mandarin beginning in seventh grade. “It’s pretty unusual for Mandarin to be offered as

Photo by Emily Isakson ’15

early as seventh grade, but it eventually led me to go on the school’s trip to China, and I plan to pursue Mandarin studies in college,” Rowen said. In fact, Rowen recently placed Third Place in the “Chinese Bridge” speech contest held at UMass-Boston’s Confucius Institute. The contest included 24 finalists from 11 states. Clearly, both Rowen and Fiona Price exemplify the Renaissance-girl demeanor that Worcester Academy most appreciates. For all that they have accomplished,

however, it is academics that come first. Rowen sums up that sentiment by stating: “It’s encouraged to work hard here at Worcester Academy. As you walk around campus, you find yourself surrounded by intellectual conversation. Effort here is encouraged, and, of course, necessary.” Jack Chase, a Hopkinton resident, is a member of Worcester Academy’s Class of 2015. He is head editor of the Academy’s Lance literary magazine and has been a contributor to the Vigornia student newspaper.

1 Slivers is a reference to Worcester Academy’s Chips and Slivers Club for “legacy families” having had two or more members attend WA. Founded in 1934, Chips (for “chips off the old block”) refers to parent and child graduates; Slivers refers to other familial relationships (siblings, cousins, etc.).

Worcester Academy

the

middle:

news from Worcester Academy middle school

arts café

tradition is a fun learning experience for Worcester Academy middle schoolers by Neil Isakson P’15, ’19

The Worcester Academy Sixth Grade held its most recent Arts Café experience in April. The theme for the event—the culmination of a popular interdisciplinary learning experience—was a Renaissance Italian market. The so-called “Mercato Italiano” featured merchant shops, kiosks, and food booths as they may have appeared in Italy at the time. The Arts Café is a Sixth Grade interdisciplinary course combining social studies, art, math, English, drama, and technology, over the period of one trimester. The students work in teams and

run the Café with a distinct international theme. They endeavor to serve up both meals and cultural understanding. While completing Arts Café studies, students research the culture and foods, prepare menus and art, and then cook and serve Café-style delights. Afterward, they handle bills for customers, who include parents, faculty members, and fellow students. This year, in keeping with the “Mercato Italiano” theme, students cooked and served Italian bread with home-made butter, roasted chicken,

roasted pork Florentine, pasta with olive oil and parmesan cheese, and ricotta cheese with herbs, honey, and berries. Entertainment featured an Italian Renaissance court dance, as well as traveling bands of masked and costumed “commedia dell’artistes” (troupes of artists who performed in streets and marketplaces during the Renaissance). The Arts Café supports the Worcester Academy mission, core values, and goals to promote diversity, encourage technology integration, and to offer experiences that teach students

real-world entrepreneurial skills. The Worcester Academy Arts Café program, a signature experience of Sixth Grade at the Academy, was designed by Visual and Performing Arts Department co-chairs Eliza Hale and Elizabeth Bowles, and Middle School math teacher Peg McCarthy. The three have presented the program at various independent school conferences as a model interdisciplinary and project based-learning experience. The Arts Café program has also been featured in SchoolArts Magazine in an article authored by Elizabeth.

scan this page to visit the Arts Café 34 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

the middle

Snigdha Allaparthi ’18 wins

national science bowl championship Snigdha Allaparthi ’18 and four area teammates won the 2014 National Science Bowl Championship in Washington, D.C., in April. The win followed Snigdha’s success at the New England Regional National Science Bowl in January. Snigdha’s team, an independent entry in a largely-school-based competition, beat out regional teams—culled from an initial field of 4,600 middle school students—from across the country to take the National Championship. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Science Bowl is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Middle and high school student teams from diverse backgrounds are comprised of four students, one alternate, and a teacher who serves as an advisor and coach. These teams face-off in a fastpaced question-and-answer format, being tested on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy, and math.

Dr. Ernest Moniz, U.S. Dept. of Energy Secretary, poses for a photo with Greater Boston Science & Math Team’s Ravi Sambangi, coach, Abhi Sambangi, Snigdha Allaparthi, Michael Ren, Justin Chang, and Alice Ren.

seventh grader wins

science and engineering grand champion award Worcester Academy 7th Grade Middle School Student Brianna Fisher won the Grand Champion Award at the 2014 Worcester Regional Middle School Science and Engineering Fair (WRSEF) held at WPI in May. Brianna’s project

was about so-called “supertasters” and the relationship between tasting ability and dietary preferences and nutrition. Her project earned her the top spot as well as a trip to state and national level competitions. Worcester Academy

Varsity Club

“We are so pleased to honor a person who has truly ‘Achieved the Honorable’ in sport, in life, and in her professional calling.”

Jen Kadis, second from right, with her partner, Cate Kadis, Worcester Academy Director of Athletics Ed Reilly, and former WA coach and athletic director Dee Rowe ’47.

Worcester Academy varsity club honors

Jen Kadis ’92 The Worcester Academy Varsity Club honored educator and Worcester native Jen Kadis ’92 at its annual Varsity Club Dinner on April 24. Jen, a Special Education teacher at the Gates Lane School of International Studies in Worcester, was a standout athlete both in high school and in college. During her time at WA, she earned 15 varsity letters in four sports—Soccer, Basketball, Track & Field, and Tennis—before heading off to St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York. At St. Lawrence, she was a four-year letter winner, co-captain of the basketball team, and an AllConference performer as well. According to Ed Reilly, director of athletics at Worcester Academy, the characteristics that fueled Jen’s desire to excel and propelled her to success in athletics have been “honed

36 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

and tailored and put to good use each and every day as she devotes her life as a special education teacher.” “Dedication to cause, exemplary performance, role model, and mentor are all strong adjectives that the very best in any profession would love to have as their calling card,” Ed said, as he presented Jen with the Varsity Club Bowl. “We are so pleased to honor a person who has truly ‘Achieved the Honorable’ in sport, in life, and in her professional calling.” Nearly every year since 1965, the Academy has honored a graduate who, while at the Academy, excelled in sports, and then went on to success in his or her chosen profession. The honoree is selected from nominations submitted by alumni or other members of the school community.

a wa lifeR Jen Kadis, a Paxton resident, is a Worcester Academy “Lifer” who began her career at WA in the 7th Grade in 1985. Her athletic abilities and drive for excellence were apparent from the start. As an 8th grader on the undefeated Girls Varsity Soccer Team in 1987, Jen was the 2nd leading scorer as she posted 11 goals. She amassed 15 varsity letters in four different sports during her years at WA, including 6 letters in both Soccer and Basketball, two letters in Track & Field, and a letter and team captaincy in Varsity Tennis during her junior year. In her senior year at WA, she was the recipient of the Harold W. Presson Trophy as the school’s most outstanding athlete. Jen was also a Goodwill Ambassador, Big Sister, and vice president of the Senior Class.

varsity club

2013–14 scoreboard fall 2013 team

wins

losses

Varsity Football

Junior Varsity Football

Varsity Boys Soccer

ties

winter 2013–14 team

wins

losses

Varsity Boys Basketball

Junior Varsity Boys Basketball

Freshman Basketball

Varsity Girls Basketball

Junior Varsity Girls Basketball

Varsity Wrestling

Varsity Boys Swimming

Junior Varsity Boys Soccer

Varsity Girls Soccer

Junior Varsity Girls Soccer

Varsity Field Hockey

Junior Varsity Field Hockey

Varsity Volleyball

Junior Varsity Volleyball

Varsity Boys Cross-Country

Varsity Girls Hockey

Varsity Girls Cross-Country

Varsity Boys Hockey

Varsity Girls Swimming

ties

Varsity Boys Skiing

Mt. Wachusett League – 3rd place overall NEPSAC-Mt. Sunapee – 4th place overall

Varsity Girls Skiing

Mt. Wachusett League – 2nd place overall NEPSAC-Mt. Sunapee – 6th place overall 2

spring 2014 team

wins

losses

Varsity Baseball

Junior Varsity Baseball

Varsity Softball

Junior Varsity Softball

Varsity Boys Track

Varsity Girls Track

Varsity Boys Tennis

Varsity Girls Tennis

Varsity Golf

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

Junior Varsity Boys Lacrosse

Varsity Girls Lacrosse

Jamie Sullivan joins

Galaxy of Stars past honorees Past Varsity Club honorees include: Dave Gavitt, former general manager of the Boston Celtics; Donald E. “Dee” Rowe ’47, director of athletics and basketball coach; Bill Toomey ’57, Olympic decathlon champion; Armand LaMontagne ’58, noted sculptor; Steve Adelman ’64, Boston College hall of famer; Bill Reynolds ’64, longtime sports writer and columnist; Chet Gladchuk ’69, U.S. Naval Academy director of athletics; Yvonne Goldsberry ’78, pioneer of women’s athletics at WA and a member of the Brown University Hall of Fame; Rick Carlisle ’79, head coach, Dallas Mavericks; Stephanie Abodeely Carlson ’80, former head women’s soccer coach at WPI; Joe Philbin ’80, head coach, Miami Dolphins; Donn Nelson ’82, general manager, Dallas Mavericks; and Mike Malone ’90, head coach, Sacramento Kings.

Worcester Academy health & wellness teacher and varsity boys basketball coach Jamie Sullivan was honored by Friendly House in December at its Galaxy of Stars Gala and Fundraiser. Friendly House, a nonprofit neighborhood center in Worcester, serves families pursuing self-reliance and an increased quality of life. Mr. Sullivan, a longtime area youth basketball coach and community volunteer, helped run the basketball program at Friendly House from 1994–2004. The organization honors community leaders annually at its Galaxy of Stars event to recognize those whose efforts exemplify the Friendly House mission. “I started my coaching career at Friendly House and I got to work with

a lot of great people,” Mr. Sullivan said. “It has been an honor to be a mentor to so many wonderful kids and to be recognized in this way.” Mr. Sullivan was named head coach of the Worcester Academy Boys Varsity Basketball Team in 2011 after having served as assistant coach since 2000. He has been an integral part of the school’s success in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC). He first joined the Academy as head coach of the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team in 1998. In addition to his work at Friendly House, Mr. Sullivan was the head coach of the Holy Name Boys Freshman Basketball team from 1996–1997. He also founded and ran

the Worcester Frontcourt Fire AAU Basketball program, which operated from 2004–2009 out of Daniels Gymnasium at Worcester Academy. A graduate of Holy Name Senior High, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Curry College in 2006. His son, Sean, graduated from Worcester Academy in 2010. Worcester Academy

varsity club

REUNIONs

1 3

1 alumni football

In attendance at the June event were. Alex Collins ’06, RJ Depietri ’06, Jeff Scola ’06, Mike Gentili ’08, Gordie Lockbaum ’08, Jack Donovan ’11, and coach Tony Johnson.

2 alumni hockey

Alumni hockey players played a spirited game and then watched a WA victory from the luxury suite at the New England Sports Center in January. Alumni players who participated included: Mike Allen ’05, Michael Barton ’12, Nick Blanchette ’08, Jim Boudreau ’04, Sam Butler ’11, Nico Candelmo ’09, Bryan Carpenter ’11, Mike DiMaggio ’05, Zack Gehring ’12, Colin Hackett ’06, Joe Jenkins ’13, Billy Kasper ’05, Billy Lane ’11, Steve LaRoche ’86, Dave Lockman ’86, Mike Mortimer ’05, Kevin Mortimer ’08, Matthew Mortimer ’12, John Resnick ’93, Brian Reynolds ’09, Bill Richard ’87, Mike Rubino ’07, Matt Schultz ’12, Brandon Sinnery ’08, Dennis White ’09, and Tim White ’05.

38 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

4 6

5 3/4 alumni soccer

The following participated in the Alumni Soccer Game during Reunion Weekend in May: Kofi Abankroh ’13, Noah Altimarano ’14, Ivan Bazitya ’17, Frankie Bianco ’09, Alex Botazzi ’16, Austin Britt ’08, James Ciociolo ’04, Terence Ciavarra ’08, Vinnie Ciavarra ’10, Ben Clifford ’09, Cam Clouse ’15, Alex Danais ’09, Kyle de Klerk ’10, Chris Devine ’06, Jamie Doherty ’10, Riley Doherty ’15, Matt Flaherty ’08, Pat Flahive ’14, Charlie Fuentes ’04, Seth Goldberg ’01, Ethan Graham ’08, Sam Groves ’07, Chris Hadfield ’03, Shane Hardie ’14, Sam Hayward ’64, Brian Kee ’14, Jeff Kilday ’15, Sam Klippel ’14, Graham Koval ’14, Zach Kumin ’09, Kyle Leavitt ’09, Matt Leibowitz ’09, Tim Massarelli ’04, Josh Ocel ’13, Coach James Proctor, Clay Reynolds ’02, Alex Sanchez ’14, Coach Derek Segesdy, and James Watkins ’12.

5 alumnae soccer

Attending the May reunion were Meredith Davis ’03 (as well as her husband Seth Rosen ’03 and her parents), Lizzie Amorello ’05 and Maggie Amorello ’07 (and their mother), Courtney Talcott ’08, Kenzie Heman ’10, Emily Barbato ’11, Danielle Fournier ’11, Emily Doherty ’12, Zoe Eth ’12 (and her mother, both in town from Baltimore just for the game), Jill Marois ’12 (and her mother), Marny Stankiewicz ’12, Maddy Ojerholm ’13, Julia Piwowarski ’13, Liv Dalton-Hoffman ’14, Jackie Feraco ’14, Carly Heman ’14, and Caroline Kelleher ’14, as well as coaches Jen Marino and John Liller (with Kim Kastler, daughter Kristy, grandson Micah, and 3 dogs). Mike Kaczynski (father of Kristen ’97 and Stephanie ’00) refereed the game and Stacey (Jones) Mulligan ’92 stopped by at halftime.

6 alumni basketball

The June basketball reunion brought back Sam Hayward ’64, Bill Littleton ’73, Thomas Cavanaugh ’74, Matt Ramon ’02, Mickey Lidonde ’08, Anthony Weeks ’08, Sam Martin ’09, Edward Reilly ’09, Sean Collins ’10, Jose Cruz-Solla ’11, David Mack ’11, Josh Peter ’11, and coaches Jamie Sullivan, Ed Reilly, and Dan Sullivan.

varsity club

the 16th annual

division I signers

2014

The following members of Worcester Academy’s Class of 2014 have received athletic grant-in-aid scholarships and/or signed letters of intent to attend colleges and universities with Division 1 NCAA athletic programs.

basketball

> Matt Cimino of Falmouth, ME, will attend George Washington University.

football

> Mark Clements of Mays Landing, NJ, will attend Temple University. > Basit Dennis of Worcester, will attend the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. > Romeo Masuku of Manchester, NH, will attend the University of Rhode Island. > Oseh-Lie Saine of Lincoln, RI, will attend Boston College. > Quron Wright of Worcester, will attend the University of Rhode Island.

Two hundred dinner guests, including 140 golfers, participated in the 16th Annual Rowe Scholarship Classic at the Worcester Country Club on June 9. A beautiful day for golf transitioned to a memorable evening of celebrating the legacy of the Rowe Family Scholarship. This year’s scholarship recipients included juniors Lillian McNeil, Maddie Evangelous, Keelan Calderwood, and Nick Correia. The four were welcomed by previous recipients of the scholarship, James Fucillo ’08 and

Michelle Boland ’05, who talked about the importance of their WA experience. Peter Gardner ’63 introduced former athletic director Dee Rowe and described the profound influence that Dee and other WA faculty had on his life. Dee’s words of family and community were heartfelt and, as always, inspirational. He and Ginny thanked all those who have contributed to the scholarship fund and are looking forward to introducing the 49th through 52nd recipients at next year’s event, June 8, 2015.

soccer

> Sam Klippel of Aukland, New Zealand, will attend Fairfield University.

Worcester Academy

connecting planned giving with personal passions and financial goals

by Caroline reich P’06, ’08

Did you know that “planned giving” is not just for folks in their 50s, 60s, and beyond? Donors of any age and giving level can maximize their impact at the Academy by planning each gift in a way that syncs philanthropic intentions with personal financial goals. To do this, you can use online resources or guidance from Worcester Academy development staff or trusted financial planners, tax advisors, and attorneys.

Planned giVing TerMs Charitable gift annuity: A contractual agreement between one or two donors (e.g., a husband and wife) and a charity. The donor transfers assets, usually a minimum of $10,000, as a gift to the charity, and in return the charity is obligated to pay a fixed annuity to one or two annuitants, of the donor’s choosing, for life the donor.

highly appreciated securities: A donor may be able to reduce taxable income by gifting highly appreciated securities, held for at least one year, to charity. The donor could claim the current fair market value as a tax deduction (up to the allowable limits) without having to realize the gain as income on a tax return.

bequest:

insurance Policy:

The property or money that you promise in your will to give to another person or organization after you die.

Policies can be used in a various ways to make significant gifts to a charity, ranging from simply making it a beneficiary to more complex strategies using policies to fund CRTs and irrevocable trusts.

Charitable remainder Trust (CrT):

40 the HILLTOPPER : summer 2014

Mike Grenon ’88, a principal with Grimes & Co., Westborough, MA, and an Academy trustee, says that one of the simplest gift planning tools available to donors right now is highly appreciated securities because tax benefits can be significant (see box at left). Many people whose portfolios lost value in 2008 and “stayed the course” may now find themselves with highly appreciated stock as the market has strengthened. “If you are one of those who say, ‘Hey, that’s me … I have appreciated stock,’ this is an easy way to do something great for WA in a smart way for your personal financial position,” Mike says.

irrevocable Trust: A trust that can’t be modified or terminated without the permission of the beneficiary. The grantor, having transferred assets into the trust, effectively removes all of his/her rights of ownership to the assets and the trust.

graphic: atibodyphoto/Shutterstock.com

A trust that provides for a specified distribution, at least annually, to at least one noncharitable income recipient for a period specified in the trust instrument, with the remainder of the trust being paid to at least one charitable beneficiary.

an easy Planned gifT: aPPreCiaTed seCuriTies

Planned giVing for life’s sTages For Ed Shaw ’61, CFP, a wealth advisor and co-founder of Planning Alternatives in Bloomfield Hills, MI, his own life experiences and philanthropic activities help him advise clients in their charitable planning. Ed encourages WA donors nearing or in retirement to ask themselves a few basic questions: 1) Do you have enough money to sustain your standard of living? 2) How much do you want to pass along to your kids, and how? 3) What do you want to do with the rest of your money—what will your legacy be? 4) Do you want to see the start of that legacy while you are still alive? Ed and his wife, Felicia, for example, generously support the Academy’s Neighborhood Scholarship program and enjoy meeting and following the progress of student Scholars in the program each year, seeing the impact of their giving in action. Another WA donor makes significant annual gifts to support a named scholarship each year and has made a bequest to fully fund that scholarship, thus providing much needed benefits for students now, in addition to the legacy of endowment support for the scholarship when he is gone. Other donors with a need for income may choose to set up a charitable gift annuity that generates income for the donor and/or spouse and then the entire gift goes to the Academy at death. Annuities can be a win-win for many.

giving news

parent spring social In March, the Megaron was magically transformed into a tropical retreat for more than 80 parents who gathered to enjoy a “tropical evening” of great food and friendship. It was nice to get so many people together to catch up after what was a seemingly endless winter. Head of School Ron Cino topped off the event by announcing the Bob ’58 and Jan Weissman $50,000 Annual Fund Challenge. A special “thank you” shout-out to the committee for putting together a really fun evening!

Kate and Sean McShea P’19.

Now and later planning strategies For younger donors still in incomegenerating years, the philanthropyrelated questions are “now and later” focused, Ed and Mike say. “You need to look at what you are currently giving and what you envision your role will be as a donor in the future and at your death,” Ed suggests. Current giving for younger donors is usually asset-based, such as cash or stock gifts. Giving during retirement is often some combination of planned giving vehicles, such as charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) and annuities, which generate income; and at death—bequests, life insurance policies, and irrevocable trusts. At the time he joined, Mike Grenon was the youngest member of WA’s 1834 Society, whose members include the Academy in their wills. “I wasn’t even married at the time, but I come from a family that takes charitable giving seriously. If anything happened to me, I wanted to know I would be making a difference at WA, so I put WA in my will,” Mike explains. Mike and his wife, Brittany, make Annual Fund gifts and have supported WA’s Capital Campaign initiatives, as well. How will you start you own planning process? To start a conversation about the many giving possibilities available to you at WA, contact Frank Callahan at 508-754-5302 x109 or email him at frank.callahan@worcestercademy.org.

June Carroll P’16, Janine Dallas P’17, Irene Polito P’15, ’16, ’20, Erica Driscoll Ribeiro P’20, Erin Lundgren P’19, ’20, and Nancy Osborn P’13.

Melissa Kline P’15, Danna Peterson P’15, Kim Doherty P’15, and Dana McAllister P’15.

$50,000

Weissman Annual Fund Challenge Many thanks to Bob Weissman ’58 and his wife, Jan, longtime supporters and friends of Worcester Academy, for challenging the WA community to increase the number of gifts to the Annual Fund in the last 3 months of the 2013–2014 school year. The Weissmans’ challenge, matched by a $50,000 gift, increased the number of gifts overall to the Fund, and helped the Academy reach its historic $1 Million Annual Fund goal.

Doug and Eileen Potter P’15, Ann-Meg White Padgett P’13, ’15, ’20,

THANK YOU Bob and Jan for your continued generous support of Worcester Academy!

Howard and Val Price P’15, ’19, and Paula Dwyer-Isakson P’15, ’19. Worcester Academy

giving news

Jackie Abodeely ’93

gift honors father, as well as multi-generational legacy by Jody P. McNamara P’09, ’12

“… some people can be taught … but I had to be learned. Fortunately, Worcester Academy ‘learned’ me. I owe to Worcester Academy a great deal of gratitude, for there I developed an ability to learn.”

Roots are more than a little important to any organization, and Worcester Academy is no exception to that rule. We appreciate and nurture our Grafton Hill connections (among many!) and, as a result, those very strong roots support new growth. With that in mind, the Academy couldn’t be happier or prouder to tell you about Jackie Abodeely ’93, and the gift that honors both her wonderful father, George Abodeely Jr. ’58 and their combined connection to Worcester Academy. The Abodeely family connection to Worcester Academy is multi-generational and broad, and it began right here on Grafton Hill. George Abodeely Jr. was one of eight extended family members to attend WA in the 1950s and ’60s, no small feat in any age and a testimony to the Abodeely family’s devotion to education. George, like his brothers 42 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

and cousins, thrived at WA, moving on to Columbia University and eventually establishing himself as a successful Worcester-area business owner. Such was the Abodeely Family commitment to Worcester Academy that 13 of its next generation attended WA, including Jackie, George Abodeely’s only daughter. Jackie, eventually settling in Saratoga, NY, is a retired law enforcement officer. Despite Jackie’s considerable distance, she remained connected to Worcester Academy through her very active dad until George’s unexpected and untimely death in 2012. After George’s passing, Jackie made a wonderful discovery among her father’s belongings. It was a biographical piece that George had written while attending Columbia University. In the piece, George reflected on Worcester Academy’s significant influence in his life and his debt of gratitude to his own father for making such a significant investment in his future. George, so very astutely for a college student, observed that “… some people can be taught … but I had to be learned. Fortunately, Worcester Academy ‘learned’ me.” He goes on to state his intentions: “I owe to Worcester Academy a great deal of gratitude, for there I developed an ability to learn. I still take part in alumni functions, and someday I

hope to repay them partially.” It was reading these words that sparked a new idea for Jackie—a way to honor her roots and her dad in a significant and lasting way. Thus, the George Abodeely Jr. Neighborhood Scholarship Fund was established. The fund will be the first endowed fund that operates as part of WA’s Neighborhood Scholars Program and will be awarded to a deserving student of need from the Academy neighborhood. Jackie, always conscious of her roots,

tells us her thoughts: “I started this scholarship to honor my father’s fondness and deep appreciation of his time at WA. As someone who has been dedicated to public service for over a decade, I wanted to support students in the neighborhood program by providing them with the opportunity to overcome challenges and ‘Achieve the Honorable.’” Jackie, you honor Worcester Academy and your dad’s legacy with this remarkable gift!

Ursula Arello ’85 joins Advancement team Worcester Academy is pleased to welcome Ursula Arello ’85 to the position of Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship. In her role, Ursula will oversee grant writing campaigns, research foundations and corporate giving, recruit alumni speakers and academic competition judges, develop the Board of Visitors program, and coordinate the annual Rowe Scholarship Classic. Since graduating from WA, Ursula has been actively engaged with the Academy as a longtime class leader, reunion chair, and special projects volunteer. She received her bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and holds an M.B.A. from Anna Maria College. She is involved in the Greater Worcester business and cultural community, and has served in various volunteer roles throughout Central Massachusetts. To contact Ursula, email her at ursula.arello@worcesteracademy.org or call 508-754-5302 x181.

class notes daVid hale reports that 2013 was a year of travel. He traveled to St. Lucia with Global volunteers; spent a week in New Hampshire; attended a family reunion in Williamsburg; and spent three weeks in Russia, Finland, and Norway.

diCk WoTruba is retired and living in Santa Barbara, CA. He and his wife, Pat, took five years and sailed around the world on their own sailboat.

Teammates (l–r) bill

1947/64/65

abodeely ’64, skiP olander ’64, bill reynolds ’64, sTeVe adelMan ’64, and daVid forsberg ’65 gathered on campus to wish dee roWe ’47 a happy 85th birthday.

1947

1954

In January, on the occasion of dee roWe’s 85th birthday, Providence Journal sports writer bill reynolds ’64 published an article about the life lessons he learned from Dee. Bill wrote that “if you once played for him, you were his guy for life. For that’s Rowe’s great gift … And the lesson he gave me … had nothing to do with basketball, and everything to do with trying to help people … he always makes the people around him feel special. A coach in the best sense of the word. A coach for life.”

ToM CurTin, who lives in Dayton, OH, would love to hear from his buddies from the Class of 1954. You can contact him at tom.curtin@irongaterealtors.com

1948 Wendell Carduff of West Springfield, MA, reports that he’s “still hanging in there!”

1955 Congratulations to bob kelley and his wife, Priscilla, who celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on Sept. 8.

dr. Carl lieberMan says he is happy to see WA’s success. He is still practicing Ear, Nose, and Throat medicine in Framingham, MA. He spent a fall weekend in Nantucket with karaM skaff ’46.

1958 The reV. JosePh basseTT is retired and is working on a marionette play to be performed at church suppers and coffee houses. The story is based on St. George’s Cross in The 1636 Flag (not on Hawthorne’s story).

niCk CoTsidas was delighted to welcome his fourth grandchild, Nicolette, on Nov. 7, 2013. Nick lives in Carlsbad, CA.

1964 ken Payson reports that after 44 years of racing cars, he has won the Driver of the Year Award. It was awarded by the Sports Car of America Association.

1965

50th reunion MarTin glaser writes that he and his wife are busy traveling and enjoying retirement. The Glasers live in Turners Falls, MA.

1965

1956

gordon e. Muir ’65 visited Worcester academy recently and marveled at the many updates and changes that have been made here in recent years. he encourages his classmates and others also to make a return trip to the hilltop, especially if they have never done so.

1966 MiChael reidy and horTon kennedy ’48 met for lunch and good conversation at a French restaurant in London in February. In an art competition with more than 20,000 student entries, Michael’s son, Harry, won the Deutsche Bank-Saatchi Gallery prize for a mixed media sculpture, earning both Harry and his school in Suffolk (England) a cash prize. Harry wasn’t the only winner in the Reidy family though, as Michael won a public speaking competition in February.

1967 Robin Hill Farms Inc., a residential treatment and rehabilitation company serving adults with brain injury, has announced the promotion of bud elkind to vice president, Clinical Operations. He has served as clinical director there for the past seven years. Bud holds an M.S. in Human Service Management, is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer, and holds a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. He is also active in a leadership capacity on a number of boards and associations that deal with brain and spinal cord injuries. Bud and his wife, Lynda, live in Keene, NH. Their daughter, Sharon, is a doctoral student at the University of Sydney in Australia. Worcester Academy

1968 Worcester lawyer Warren yanoff was named one of Lawyers Weekly’s 2013 Lawyers of the Year. He was recognized for representing a deceased woman’s $5.5 million estate in a case involving one of the Northeast’s largest financial institutions.

1970

45th reunion Mark fosTer and his wife, Terry, of Cleveland, OH, have two daughters, each of whom graduated 2nd in her high school class. Their daughter, Carol, is finishing her master’s in public administration at American University, and daughter, Gail, is majoring in computer science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

JiM o’leary, St. John’s Prep (Danvers, MA) athletic director and former football coach, was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in April. He coached the Eagles football team for 30 years before stepping down in January to concentrate on his expanded athletic director’s duties as St. John’s Prep adds a middle school. “It’s a nice honor,” said O’Leary. “I’m getting the award, but it really should go to all my coaches and the kids that have gone through our program. It has always been a team effort.” A UNH grad, Jim ended his coaching career with a 207–110–2 record, with nine Catholic Conference championships and Super Bowl wins in 1997 and 2012. Jim was named Coach of the Year in 2009 by the Association of New England Football Officials, an honor given annually to a coach displaying the highest ethical standards and promoting those qualities in his players.

get connected Worcester Academy has a variety of social media channels to help you stay up to date with the latest news from the Hilltop. Whether you still live in the area and want to know about upcoming events, or you live overseas and want to see what is happening in our classrooms through videos, social media is our way of bringing the Hilltop to you. Here are just a few ways that you can stay connected: Become a fan of the Worcester Academy Facebook Page. See posts about upcoming events and connect with the Worcester Academy Online Community. Visit Worcester Academy on Flickr to see the latest photos from games, performances, and school life. www.ﬂickr.com/photos/worcesteracademy Watch videos of students, faculty, alumni, and parents experiencing a real-world education. www.youtube.com/user/WorcesterAcademy Catch breaking news about events, lectures, and more when you follow @WorcesterAcdmy on twitter.

44 the HILLTOPPER : summer 2014

1976

1973 Massachusetts State Rep. JiM o’day was honored in February at a breakfast held at Elder Services of the Worcester Area. As House chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Elder Affairs, Jim has been one of the Legislature’s strongest advocates for seniors and home care services. He received the Peggy Munro Home Care Advocate Award from The Home Care Aide Council for his work to ensure that $11.5 million was added to the state’s budget for the Direct Care Worker’s Salary Reserve, ensuring home care for 2014 to elders struggling to make ends meet.

1974 The Mark fidryCh foundaTion awarded more than $35,000 in grants in 2013. The grants were made to organizations that enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities. The Foundation’s 4th annual “Make Your Mark Softball Tournament” will take place on Aug. 23, 2014, in Northborough, MA.

Phil gossel lives in Providence, RI, where he has taken a position at Brown University in Facilities Management.

1975

40th reunion JiM gossel, who is disabled from MS and is living in St. Albans, VT, would enjoy hearing from his WA classmates. Seeing a need for special services for those with disabilities, Jim created www.disabilitysavior.com for disability advocacy and disability dating, all at no charge. Helping others has given Jim’s life new meaning, and he offers advice, friendship, and help to others in a similar situation. Classmates can contact the WA Alumni Office for Jim’s contact information.

bob arello Jr. ’76 won a gold medal in the 55-plus age category for shot put and a silver medal for weight throw at the Masters Track athletics indoor World Championships in budapest, hungary, in March. World Masters athletics is an organization designated by the international association of athletic associations to conduct the worldwide competitions for Masters (veterans) and athletics (track and field) for women and men aged 35 and older. bob’s extraordinary accomplishment was achieved after months of rigorous training and competition. bob has competed in track and field since his years at Wa, and also at utah state university. a longtime resident of the Worcester area, he now resides in lakewood ranch, fl, with his wife, shana. bob is president of hydrograss Technology of north oxford, Ma, and sarasota, fl.

1977 The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. announced the promotion of roberT roy to vice president for its Transportation Division. “Bob Roy is a tremendous asset at Ex-Im Bank and has devoted his professional career to ensuring that U.S. jobs are not put at risk due to a lack of export financing,” said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “We plan to take full advantage of his dedication … and expertise to lead the group of professionals at the Transportation Division and continue to increase U.S. exports and support jobs here at home.” After graduating from WA, Bob went to Bryant University, where he received a B.S. in finance. He completed his post-graduate studies in international business at Georgetown University.

ChuCk Vassallo is the director of performing arts at the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City. He says they are sending the next generation of students to Broadway, both on stage and in the audience.

class notes

1978

1985

susan JaCobson has been honored with a 2014 Philadelphia SmartCEO Brava! Award. The Brava! Awards program recognizes the accomplishments of female CEOs who combine their entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for giving back to the community. Susan is CEO of Jacobson Strategic Communications, a firm serving clients nationwide.

Did you know that the late NASA engineer Donald H. Trussell ’51 created, designed, built, and installed the Theater of Electricity exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston in the 1970s? The theater houses a 2.5 million-volt Van de Graaf generator that is still used to demonstrate lightning, conductors, insulators, electricity, magnetism, and storm safety. With daily shows, the exhibit has thrilled and captivated both children and adults visiting the museum for the past 40 years. See the notice on Mr. Trussell’s passing on Page 50.

30th reunion

Chris aThanas ran in the Boston

JaMes loCkMan still lives in Maine, where he is enjoying a technical sales job at Adobe, based in New York. His oldest son, Arthur, is a freshman at WPI this year; Teddy is a high school freshman; and Zeke is in second grade. James says his wife Rori (WA faculty, 1992) “manages the chaos.” The Lockmans look forward to spring each year when they make maple syrup at their house. In February, James served as the announcer at the FIRST Robotics Granite State District Competition, where WA’s team won the Rookie Inspiration Award.

dan Merlin and Kimberly Jaffar, both of Cocoa Beach, FL, have announced their engagement. Both Dan and Kimberly are natives of Cape Cod, attended rival high schools, and graduated in the same year. However, prior to meeting in Florida, they had never met. Dan works for Smith & Nephew, a global medical technology business. Kimberly is a Certified Personal Trainer as well as a professional violinist.

Marathon in April. His wife, Carrie Webb, and children, Ally and Cam, had a great day cheering him on.

Mason Cook resides with his wife, Monica, and twin sons, Harry and Spencer, age 8, in Halifax, MA. He sends greetings to old friends. henry dorMiTzer served on a panel in Worcester in November, hosted by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, then headed by Roberta Schaefer, a former member of the WA Board of Visitors and the mother of two WA alums, naoMi riley ’94 and rebeCCa CyPess ’96. The topic under discussion was the high cost of benefits for retired municipal employees and the ways municipalities can honor their commitments without serious financial repercussions to their towns and cities.

1992 Jen kadis was the Varsity Club honoree in April. See details on page 36.

1986 douglas hare ’86 has been the ranch manager at

The red rock ranch in Jackson hole, Wy, since 2004. doug is responsible for the day-to-day operations of this summer seasonal guest ranch, while his wife, addie, is the ranch pastry chef, hiking guide, and photographer. Their children, ellory and Paedon, also enjoy the beautiful summers on this authentic family-friendly dude ranch.

1998

did you know

1988

1993

JaCkie abodeely ’93 stopped by alumni house and visited with dee roWe ’47, who was a good

friend of her father, george. Jackie made a gift to Worcester academy in her dad’s memory, establishing the george M. abodeely ’58 neighborhood scholarship fund. see details on page 42.

MiCkey broWn ’97 and eriCa sobel ’98,

above, both attended the sochi olympic games. unfortunately, they were unable to get together there because they were in different venues, and security would not permit it. erica says it was an amazing experience and she is so thankful that she had the opportunity to experience the olympics first-hand.

1999 shane early is now assistant corporation counsel for the City of Boston. CUNY School of Law magazine reported that kelly Marie fay rodriguez, a 2012 law school graduate, was named one of 15 Leadership Institute Fellows for 2013–2014 by the Center for American Progress. This program aims to identify and assist the next generation of policy experts who have an interest in issues related to people and communities of color. After graduating from Trinity College in Hartford with a B.A. in international studies and Spanish, Kelly worked for several years as a bilingual labor case assistant at the Labor Bureau of the NY State Attorney General’s Office. After graduating from CUNY Law, Kelly joined the AFL-CIO political department to work on community partnerships for the 2012 national elections. She now works as an immigrant rights activist and legal advocate at the AFL-CIO. She says she has begun to see the impact she could have as a social justice lawyer. Worcester Academy

2000

2004

15th reunion daVid hoWland is scheduled to open the 3cross Brewing Company in Worcester this summer. When the brewery, named after the arrangement of spokes on a bicycle wheel, hits its peak, it will have 12 beers on tap, producing 3,000 to 6,000 gallons a year. “My idea is to be an ever-changing brewery. I certainly will have beers that I brew year-round, but I want the market to pick that for me rather than me picking them,” said Howland, who has been homebrewing for five years. A Clark University grad, David was inspired to brew after experiencing the variety of beers at different bars in the city.

2001

2003

Pastry Chef CaTriona kalManoViTCh ’03 participated in the Career lunch series for members of the Classes of 2014 and 2015 this winter.

MarCo CharaMella and Kelly Jean

2002 Craig sMiTh is in China, playing for the Hong Kong Xinda Bulls of the National Basketball League. Said Craig, “From day one, I got to understand my teammates and that’s been really cool because I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of how we were going to communicate on the court. At the end of the day though, we all speak the same language: basketball.” 46 the HILLTOPPER : summer 2014

1971/04/05

Congratulations to dennis fang ’03 and Wei Ting (lin) fang ’04 on the birth of their son,

lucas fang, on aug. 23, 2013. The fangs live in Taipei.

2005

Congratulations to anna baCChioCChi ’05 and Colin fitzgerald, who were married on new year’s eve at The barn at gibbet hill in groton, Ma. anna is the daughter of kim kastler and the sister of Colin baCChioCChi ’12.

2005

10th reunion billy CaTher is the head baseball coach at Lesley University.

2008 After completing a teaching fellowship with Urban Prep Academics in Chicago, aaron fauCher returned to Massachusetts to devote his energies to music production. He recently released his first full-length album “Pride & Joy,” which can be downloaded at pride-and-joy.bandcamp.com.

2003/04

Fitzgerald were married on June 29, 2013, at OceanCliff in Newport, RI. The bride is a 2008 graduate of Boston College, where she earned a B.S. in biochemistry. She is in her sixth year of the eight-year joint degree M.D./Ph.D. Program at Yale School of Medicine, focusing on cancer research. A 2005 graduate of Bates College with a B.A. in psychology, Marco received an MBA from Assumption College in 2009. He is employed by Northeast Utilities in its corporate real estate department. After a honeymoon to Greece, the couple is residing in New Haven, CT.

Boston Comedy Festival contest winner alingon MiTra surprised the crowd at the Somerville (MA) Theatre in November when he announced he would be giving away his $10,000 prize. Half went to One Fund Boston, and the rest he split among the 95 comedians he competed against in the weeklong competition. Iggy says he was inspired by a quote he read from comic Shane Mauss. “He said something like, ‘Instead of one person winning $10,000 and calling it a contest, why don’t we divide the money equally and call it comedy?’” Iggy said, “That kind of stuck with me.” His dream is to do stand-up comedy full-time, but his day job as a tax consultant allows him enough financial freedom to pursue comedy in his free time. Iggy was also a semifinalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”

eriCa henderson is teaching Algebra at The English High School in Boston.

Worcester academy director of Planned giving frank Callahan ’71 visited alan Pandiani ’05 and a.J. sCola ’04, left, during a trip to atlanta in May. a.J. has a law degree from the university of Connecticut and within the past year joined the atlanta braves organization in team operations. alan is the manager for new business development for the aspire group, a global sports and entertainment firm. he has been with the firm since 2011 after obtaining his Mba from Providence College.

2009 Manny asaM, senior safety and captain of the 15th-ranked University of New Hampshire football team, was named to the 2013 FCS (formerly known as Division I-AA) All-New England Team in December. The All N.E. team is selected by the New England Football Writers’ Association.

class notes

2007

since graduating from boston College, Jason feldMan ’07, center, has worked for outward bound as a field instructor. last year, he worked at outward bound boston on Thompson island. This spring, he was working at outward bound new york City when the Wa Class of 2018 participated in the program.

Facing a nine-point deficit with 5:37 remaining in the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship game, the Bentley Falcons went on a 19-5 run that lifted the top-seeded, undefeated club to its first-ever championship title with a 73-65 win in Erie, PA. Led by All-Tournament seniors Lauren Battista and Courtney Finn, along with Caleigh CroWell, Bentley employed a full-court press with just under three minutes remaining that disrupted West Texas A&M University and sparked the Bentley rally that earned it the title and completed a perfect season at 35–0. In December 2013, alberT feldMan graduated magna cum laude from Boston College. Next year, he plans to continue his studies and earn a Master’s of Public Health.

allie ford is a program assistant for the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, the Commonwealth’s premier legal charity, working to increase access to justice for all in Massachusetts. She previously completed a seasonal position in marketing and event planning with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Middlebury College in May 2013, kiM kneeland is now looking to change the future of food as part of the local food and sustainable farming movement. In January, saM MarTin was selected as a guard for the Plymouth Raiders in England. While at Yale, Sam captained the basketball team.

Having played his last football game for Columbia, luke eddy has racked up some impressive statistics. He has six all-time records at the 123-year-old program: most points after touchdowns (PAT), PAT attempts, and field goals in a season; most consecutive extra points made and attempted in a career; and most consecutive extra points in a career. He was also freshman player of the year in 2010 and the leading scorer in 2012.

A junior at Johns Hopkins, roberT loCke visited WA in January and had lunch with faculty member Dan Dagenais, who had been Robert’s advisor in WA’s Model United Nations Club. Robert has remained very involved in Model U.N. at Johns Hopkins, where he has helped organize a large Model U.N. event each year. In fact, this year, Robert will serve as Secretary-General, running the conference. In addition, Robert spent last semester in Geneva, Switzerland.

2011

Congratulations to MaryClaire PelleTier, zoe eTh ’12, and the Herons

kaThryn andreoli, a student at Clemson University, is working for Clemson’s Sports Information Department and for Clemson Football Creative Media Services. She also hosts a weekly video segment called “Tiger Talk” on www.ClemsonTigers.com and writes player features for the Clemson Football game programs. When bryan harMaT and aleXandra WilliaMs visited campus in January, frank Callahan ’71 gave them a tour of the renovations in Walker Hall and also a ride in the new elevator. Both of them attend the University of Rochester, where Bryan is majoring in computer security. Frank reports that they were astounded by the changes in Walker.

of William Smith as they are now the Division III National Soccer Champions! The Herons beat Trinity (Texas) University 2–0 to win it all. MaryClaire was been named to the NCAA Divison III All-America 3rd Team.

aleX siViTskis is a junior at Johns Hopkins University, where he is double-majoring in Classics and in Earth and Planetary Science.

2012 In April, Jill Marois won the Big South Women’s Pole Vault Championship with a vault of 3.57 meters (11’8.5”). Jill and her sophomore teammate finished 1–2 in the event, helping High Point University to a third-place finish in the Big South Championships.

sean sWeeney is playing professional soccer for the Puerto Rico Bayamon Football Club. A graduate of the School of Business Administration at the University of Vermont, Sean played soccer there for all four years and captained the team in his senior year.

2010

5th reunion adrienne anderson will attend the Yale University School of Public Health for a Master’s of Public Health in Health Policy with a concentration in Regulatory Affairs starting in August.

tell us what’s new with you! To submit a class note, please send note and/or image to Greg Cappello at greg.cappello@worcesteracademy.org Here are some tips for sending us digital photos that will look fantastic in print: > set the photo size to 4 x 6 inches or larger, in 300 dpi > set your digital camera to the best photo setting > save files as JPG or TIF > identify everyone left to right in the photo and provide a caption

Worcester Academy

passings 1935 Clifford F. Sollows of Tiverton, RI, formerly of Natick and Marion, MA, passed away on Aug. 26, 2013. His wife, Alice, predeceased him. Mr. Sollows is survived by two sons; three step-grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. His son Bill, of Napa, CA, wrote to let us know about his father’s passing. Mr. Sollows was a World War II Army veteran.

1937 Richard Frederic Cottrell passed away in Danville, CA, on Aug. 17, 2013. An M.I.T. graduate with a degree in chemical engineering, Mr. Cottrell served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the aircraft carrier

USS Altamaha in the South Pacific and also during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Commander. His 20-year career at Aerojet, a rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer in Sacramento, began in 1956, during which time he served as chief project engineer for Polaris in 1959; and chief engineer for Minuteman in 1961. Mr. Cottrell received an award from NASA for his pioneering work in a sector of the propellant field, the large solid propellant rocket motor—the “260.” From 1976 to retirement, he was president of Imotek, a cogeneration company. Mr. Cottrell enjoyed sailing with his family and friends in San Francisco Bay and Southern California, as well as photography, tennis, gourmet dining, and a wide variety of music. He leaves Jean, his wife of 66 years; seven children; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and his brother, J. Thomas Cottrell, WA Class of 1942. Mr. Cottrell was a legacy at WA, having had a number of other relatives attend the school, including his father, James, a member of the Class of 1908.

1938 Robert “Bob” Temple of Jackson, NH, died on March 16, 2014. He attended Dartmouth College. His association with the White Mountains began at an early age and continued throughout his life. Mr. Temple worked for the Appalachian Mountain Club for years while living in Jackson with his wife, Virginia, and their daughters. Though his family moved to Foxboro, MA, in 1953, where he was employed at the Foxboro Company, he never forgot his New Hampshire roots, always maintained a home in Jackson, and eventually retired there. Mr. Temple is survived by his three daughters, Ann, Karen, and Christy; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and his best friend, Digger. His wife, Ginny, died in 2006.

1939 Iver Freeman, a resident of Harwich, MA, died on Nov. 22, 2013.

faculty member Music Department Faculty Member James R. Allard of Hubbardston, MA, died unexpectedly on Feb. 10, 2014. Mr. Allard was a noted jazz saxophonist, flutist, and woodwinds specialist who had taught at Worcester Academy since 1999. He will long be remembered for his musical talents, for his gifted teaching, as well as for his kind and gentle manner. He is survived by Donna, his wife of 36 years; four daughters; one granddaughter; a brother and a sister, and many nieces and nephews. For the past four and a half decades, Jim has been an ever-present contributor to the regional music scene. He touched the lives of many through his music compositions, his teaching, and by performing locally, nationally, and internationally. His love for jazz and music in general was evident through his decades of contributions to the music programs at Clemente Studios, Kurlan Music, the Joy of Music Program, Worcester Academy, Clark University, WPI, Cushing Academy, the Worcester Jazz Orchestra, and various jazz ensembles. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and students. Two WA alumni, Jim’s former students, Ed and Rich Reynolds, both members of the class of 2003, have established a music prize in his memory at the Academy. Named the James Allard Memorial Music Prize, it is a cash prize, which was awarded this spring for the first time to a student of exceptional character and generosity, with a creative spirit exemplified through outstanding music improvisation skills. Donations to fund the prize are now being accepted by Worcester Academy’s Annual Fund office in Alumni House. A musical tribute to Jim was held in Warner Theater’s Ross Auditorium in March.

48 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

1943 Raymond J. Hmura of Shrewsbury, MA, died on Feb. 22, 2014. After attending Worcester Jr. College, where he studied to become an electrician, he eventually took over his father’s business, Shrewsbury Electric Services, where he worked until his retirement at age 62. Mr. Hmura proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed tending his rose gardens with his wife, Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. Hmura also spent 20 years in Naples, FL. He is survived by Mabel, his wife of 65 years; his niece, Julie Richard, with whom he lived and who looked after him; and her son, Nikolai, of Shrewsbury; and many nieces and nephews.

passings

Dr. Robert C. Shoemaker of Claremont, NH, died on June 15, 2013. He was a 1946 graduate of Williams College and a member of the Class of 1949 at Boston University School of Medicine. He did his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 1952–1953. Dr. Shoemaker was a Lieutenant in U.S. Navy and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism in action during the Korean War. During his service, he also spent a year working at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. His medical career took him to hospitals throughout New England and New York. Though he retired from active practice in 1994, Dr. Shoemaker continued to perform independent medical exams until 2002. Dr. Shoemaker was active in numerous professional medical organizations, serving on the board of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and also as the president of the Claremont General Hospital staff. His success as a surgeon was largely due to his philosophy, “I treated all patients as if they were my own family.” His hobbies were woodworking, gardening, tennis, golf, fly fishing, history, playing bridge, and listening to music. Dr. Shoemaker was the author of the book, “A Surgeon Remembers, Korea 1950–1951 and the Marines.” He is survived by his wife, Betty; three children; three step-children; and his sister.

1944 David S. Kushner of Hollywood, FL, passed away on April 22, 2013. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he attended Brown University, graduating in 1950. Returning to Worcester, Mr. Kushner joined his father in business. In 1955, he married Betty Nore and two years later became the proud father of twin sons, Michael and William. In 1959 he moved his family to Florida, where his son, Jon, and daughter, Rachel, were born. In 1960, Mr. Kushner bought a small manufacturing company, TACO Metals Inc., that grew into an internationally known company. He had a passion for his work and a keen business intellect. Mr. Kushner was very proud when his sons joined him and the company grew while remaining a family business. He was an ardent golfer throughout his life. In retirement, Mr. Kushner

faculty member Longtime Worcester Academy athletic trainer and special assistant to the athletic director William C. “Doc” Samko died at the age of 95 on June 20 after 47 years of service to the Academy. He leaves his sons, William P. Samko ’69 and Philip W. Samko ’72, and an extended family. Doc’s wife, Justine, died in 2013. Known as “Bill” to some, though “Doc” to most, Mr. Samko began at the Academy in 1967 and only recently stopped coming into the office in the last year. A pioneer among athletic trainers, he developed some of the first molded padding to protect players, as well as having established some of the first state and national standards in his industry. He was a charter member of the National Athletic Trainers Association. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where he worked prior to coming to WA, he had a master’s degree in education and served as associate professor in orthopedics and physical rehabilitation at UMass Medical School. In the early-1970s, he was a partner in one of the country’s first sports medicine teams with his friend, Dr. Paul V. Shannon ’31, Among the accolades Mr. Samko earned over the years were induction into a half dozen halls of fame, including the National Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame and the Worcester Academy Hall of Fame. Those wishing to honor Doc Samko’s 47-year legacy at Worcester Academy may make a donation to the William “Doc” Samko Scholarship Fund at Worcester Academy, 81 Providence St., Worcester, MA 01604. A story celebrating Doc Samko’s life and the impact he had on generations of Worcester Academy students will appear in the next issue of The Hilltopper.

and his wife traveled extensively and loved dividing their time between homes in Hollywood and Cape Cod. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his sister, Michelle Berry; seven grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Stanley L. Miller of Paxton, MA, passed away on Jan. 11, 2014. He served as a PFC in the U.S. Army during World War II. After his honorable military discharge, he attended WPI, where he played football while earning his degree in mechanical engineering. For more than 30 years he dedicated his career to the Wright Line Co. in Worcester and retired as a production engineer. In 1954, Stan married the love of his life, Dora Mae Eddy, and together they raised their family in their Paxton home. He was a senior deacon at the

First Congregational Church of Paxton. Mr. Miller was an active member of the Paxton community; he was often seen delivering Meals on Wheels or enjoying Silver Sneakers at the sports center, along with walking countless miles on Route 56. He volunteered many hours building the Mass Central Rail Trail, Wachusett Greenways. He enjoyed woodworking, skiing, sailing, and tennis, and he coached basketball, baseball, and hockey. In fact, he started Paxton’s first girls softball league. Dora, Stan’s wife of 59 years, predeceased him on Oct. 27, 2013. He leaves a son and two daughters; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Worcester Academy

1945

1949

Richard W. Ulian of Mashpee, MA, died peacefully

John Remele Lyman Jr. of Wilson, NY, passed away on April 15, 2013. In 1955, after attending Babson University, he was drafted into the Army, serving in Korea for two years. Mr. Lyman was employed in the family business, Culligan Water Conditioning, eventually becoming its owner. In 1972, he opened The Craft Center, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. During his retirement, he worked part-time as a picture framer, later opening his own picture framing shop. Active in his community, Mr. Lyman served as Master of the Masonic Lodge and Patron of Eastern Star. He and his wife, Laura, served in leadership roles for Marriage Encounter, and Mr. Lyman was an active member of Lewiston Assembly of God, serving on the board for several years. Above all, Mr. Lyman enjoyed reading, playing computer solitaire, spending time with his family, and spending summers in Dwight, Ontario, at the family cottages. In addition to Laura, his wife of 53 years, Mr. Lyman is survived by four children; and four grandchildren.

while traveling in Israel on Oct. 14, 2013. He is survived by his four children and 10 grandchildren. Mr. Ulian served in the U.S. Navy in 1945–1946 as seaman first class, before graduating from Yale University in 1950. After working as a writer for the Minneapolis StarTribune, he entered the family retail clothing business in 1955, where he served as president until 1975. Mr. Ulian moved permanently to Cape Cod in 1976 to pursue his writing and his passion for sailing. He was a member of the Wianno Yacht Club for more than 35 years and spent as much time as possible on or near the water, sailing his Wianno Senior Tirza with friends and family. Mr. Ulian published “Sailing: An Informal Primer,” in 1981 and continued to publish articles and updated editions of “A Sailor’s Notebook,” originally published in 2001.

1948 Richard C. Boutiette of Wakefield, MA, died on May 31, 2012. After graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1952, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and then in the reserves for the next seven years. He was a resident engineer for the state of Massachusetts from 1955 to 1956, specializing in roadways and bridges, and then joined the private firm of Edwards and Kelcey from 1956–58, working on the design of a segment of Route 93. After becoming a registered professional engineer in 1958, he worked as Reading’s town engineer from 1958–61. Mr. Boutiette retired in 1992 after 31 years as Wakefield’s Director of the Department of Public Works. Under Mr. Boutiette’s leadership, improvements were made to Wakefield’s downtown and to Lake Quannapowitt; and he is credited for starting the town’s recycling program in the early 1990s. Mr. Boutiette also published articles on water disposal, recycling, and the removal of snow and ice. An avid golfer, Mr. Boutiette belonged to many professional organizations. He received awards from the New England chapter of the American Public Works Association and was honored during his career by American City magazine and the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex Highway Association. Mr. Boutiette was predeceased by his wife, Helen, and is survived by a daughter and a son.

50 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

Barry F. Wartenberg of North Truro, MA, died Jan. 6, 2014. His wife, Geraldine, predeceased him in 2011. A graduate of the Carnegie Institute of Technology, a part of Carnegie Mellon University, Mr. Wartenberg was a mechanical engineer for the J. M. Huber Co. in Edison, NJ. After serving in the U.S. Army, he served as a Major in the New Jersey National Guard. Upon his retirement 27 years ago, Mr. Wartenberg and his wife moved to North Truro, where he was active in town affairs and served as a member of the Building Committee for the Truro Public Safety Building. He also enjoyed woodworking, making many pieces of furniture for his home. He is survived by three sons; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

1950 Edward Masters Blodgett, a longtime resident of Hyde Park and Canaan, NY, died on Jan. 14, 2014. A 1954 graduate of Harvard College, Ed proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He then worked at IBM for 34 years until his retirement in 1991. Mr. Blodgett was well known for his community involvement, especially for his work with organizations that benefited the blind, for which he received a

number of awards, including the Life Member of Lions Club International in 1988; the DeWitt Clinton Masonic Award for Community Service in 1993; a Knight of the Blind, from the Lions Eye Institute at Albany in 1997; and the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award for Volunteer Service in 2000. Since 1973, Mr. Blodgett had also been very involved in two local programs that were also very important to him, Hyde Park’s summer concerts in the park and the city’s Christmas tree lighting at Town Hall. Survivors include his son and daughter; three grandchildren; and his sister. He is also survived by his partner in life, Gert Trani, and her family.

1951 Willard E. Hicks Jr. of Needham, MA, passed away on May 8, 2013, after a long battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his sister, Anna Hicks, of Needham, and his sister, Cornelia Smith, and her husband, Leslie, of Champaign, IL. He is also survived by a niece and a nephew. Donald H. Trussell of Burlington, MA, passed away on Feb. 1, 2014. His wife of 57 years, Sylvia, had predeceased him in 2013. Don attended WPI and Worcester Junior College before graduating from Boston University in 1956. He married Sylvia shortly after graduating, and they both were employed in the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory. Mr. Trussell was an engineer, and his wife was an administrative assistant. It was an exciting time to be with NASA, and Mr. Trussell took part in the “Space Race” as an engineer, designing heat shield re-entry materials for the spacecrafts. After living in Virginia for five years, they returned to Massachusetts and settled in Burlington in 1960. Mr. Trussell worked at Avco in Wilmington for 10 years and then started his own engineering company. He created the Theater of Electricity exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston in the 1970s (see “Did You Know?” on Page 45 for more information on the theater). Mr. Trussell was known as a great thinker, who loved challenges and innovations. He was proud to have helped the United States send the first astronaut to the moon. Mr. Trussell is survived by a large extended family. Thank you to Don’s classmate, Robert Frank, for notifying the Academy of Don’s passing.

passings

1952 Edward R. Plante of Feeding Hills, MA, passed away on Nov. 13, 2013. He was a graduate of Sutton (Massachusetts) High School and a Sutton Sports Hall of Fame Inductee; a graduate of Becker Jr. College; and a Korean War Veteran. Mr. Plante worked for more than 24 years for Moore Business Forms before he went into business for himself, founding Epco Business Forms. After retirement, he found himself missing his favorite customers, so went back to work one day a week. Mr. Plante was a founding member of the Agawam Athletic Association, a much-loved coach, and a longtime avid Red Sox, Bruins, and UConn women’s basketball fan. He also enjoyed golfing and weekly card games with his buddies. Mr. Plante is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dottie; four children; and eight grandchildren.

1956 Philip W. Bolster of Hilton Head, SC, formerly of Pittsfield, MA, passed away on March 2, 2011, in South Carolina. He is survived by Deborah, his wife of 50 years; a son and a daughter. A graduate of Babson College, Mr. Bolster worked as a union negotiator, and then started a retail sporting goods business based in Pittsfield. The Bolsters retired to Hilton Head Island in 1999, where they enjoyed living within a seaside community.

1958 John “Sam” Samborski of Lake Lure, NC, passed away on Sept. 21, 2013.

John Arthur “Jack” Stockhaus of Marstons Mills, MA, passed away on March 22, 2014. A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering. After graduation, Jack was commissioned in the U.S. Army and served as a Lieutenant in the Civil Engineer corps, volunteering to serve two combat tours during the Vietnam War. While serving in combat, his most memorable assignment was serving as the commanding officer of the B Company, 8th Engineer Battalion,

1st Cavalry Division. During his 30 years of honorable military service, he earned multiple awards and medals for valor and achievement; a Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf clusters, a Purple Heart, an Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf clusters, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf clusters, and a Combat Infantry Badge. He retired from the military as a Colonel in 1993 and subsequently retired from federal service in 2009. In retirement, Col. Stockhaus enjoyed boating, carpentry, history, and reading. His love for the ocean drew him to the Hyannis Yacht Club, where he was an active member and ultimately served as Commodore. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert G. Flodman, WA Class of 1970, and by his son, Eric. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Rebecca; a daughter; two sons; his mother; a sister and a brother; and two grandchildren.

1960 Brian G. Goodness of Shrewsbury, MA, passed away on June 24, 2013. In recent years, he was living in a cottage on the shore of Lake Quinsigamond. WA classmate and friend John McGowan recalled that years ago the two of them had built a darkroom under the stairway in the basement of Kingsley. John also recalled that Brian had scored a perfect 800 on the Advanced Algebra SAT and had been a member of the varsity swim team, and then attended Clark University. Mr. Goodness was retired from service in the Massachusetts Air National Guard. He is survived by his brother, Paul, also of Shrewsbury. Robert Jon Swanson, MD, FACS passed away on Dec. 7, 2013, having suffered from the rare disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, he received his M.D. from the University of Miami in 1969. After serving his internship, residency, and specializing at hospitals in California, Dr. Swanson practiced Vascular Surgery at Alta Bates Medical Center, Berkeley, and served as Chairman, Department of Surgery, there. He chaired numerous boards and physician groups, and wrote and published textbook chapters as well as multiple peer-reviewed papers in the medical literature. In 1997, he co-founded The MRI Centers of New England, a network of MRI imaging facilities in Massachusetts

and Rhode Island. Retiring from his surgical practice in 2003, Dr. Swanson trained to become a specialist in skin rejuvenation and founded NewSkin Clinic in Marin County. He was a lifelong sailor, both in the Northeast and on the West Coast, and took part in many races, as well as in sport fishing. Dr. Swanson was a wine enthusiast; enjoyed travels to Italy and France; and was an avid black diamond and heli-skier. Dr. Swanson is survived by his wife, Sandra; two daughters; two brothers; and his father, Robert.

1961 Terence J. FitzGerald Esq. of Barre, MA, died on Nov. 17, 2013. He leaves three children; a granddaughter; his brother, Dr. Denis J. FitzGerald, WA Class of 1958; two sisters; and many nieces and nephews. His brother, Dr. Arthur L. FitzGerald Jr., WA Class of 1957, died in 2007. A graduate of Worcester State University and Boston College Law School, Mr. FitzGerald was an attorney in private practice in Leominster for many years. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed bird watching near his home. Mr. FitzGerald believed in being kind to animals and was devoted to his Cairn Terriers.

1962 William R. Schaefer of Pueblo, CO, passed away on Nov. 23, 2013. Mr. Schaefer received his B.S. and M.S. in education in 1967 from the State University of New York, Oswego. He was a teacher of history, geography, psychology, political science, and also a counselor of junior high school students in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, NV, for 25 years. He was a runner, who placed first, second or third in many 5K races and ran half-marathons as well. Mr. Schaefer’s hobbies included golf, oil painting, and cooking, with Italian dishes his specialty. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Donna Schaefer; three step-children; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his best friend Alan Clabeaux, who delivered the eulogy at the family celebration of his life. Bill was the son of Victor Schaefer, WA Class of 1937, who predeceased him.

Worcester Academy

1963

1969

Douglas L. Burwick, aka “Dougie Fresh,” of

George J. Corey Jr., a lifelong resident of Worcester,

Shrewsbury, MA, died on Sept. 20, 2013. He leaves his wife of 37 years, Tina; two sons; two daughters; his mother, Muriel Burwick of Worcester; two brothers, David Burwick, WA Class of 1969 and Carl Burwick, Class of 1967, both of Worcester; and two grandsons. He was predeceased by his brother, Jeffrey Burwick. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Boston University Law School, Mr. Burwick was a partner in the law firm of Burwick and Dynice in Leominster. He served on the executive board of the Worcester County Bar Association for many years. Mr. Burwick had a unique sense of humor and was a Boston sports enthusiast. He loved spending time on Cape Cod with his family, especially his grandchildren Ryan and Nate, who were his inspirations in his courageous battle against cancer.

passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 13, 2013. A graduate of UMass-Amherst, he worked alongside his father, George, in management of real estate properties in the Worcester area. Mr. Corey is survived by his sister, Lynn M. Corey; his aunt, Adele Nabhan; many cousins, and extended family. His brother Forest Corey, Class of 1970, passed away in 2011. A quiet family man, he was a member of St. George Orthodox Cathedral.

1967 Hampton “Trio” Ballard, of Gibsonia, PA, passed away on July 1, 2013. He worked as a physician assistant. Mr. Ballard and his wife Melanie were married for 31 years, and had five children and three grandchildren.

Eric G. Layton of Glen Cove, NY, passed away on June 29, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Hali Layton; his children, Stacy and Laurie Layton, Jori Layton and Zach Paz; and two brothers and their families. Mr. Layton will be remembered and missed by many for his funny, quick-witted banter, his generosity of spirit, and his love for family and friends.

52 the Hilltopper : summer 2014

1970 David H. Pearson, a lifelong resident of Holden, MA, passed away on Jan. 12, 2014 after a long illness. Mr. Pearson owned and operated Pearson Electric in Holden for many years. His interests included boating, fishing, and gardening. First and foremost, he was a devoted father. Mr. Pearson was predeceased by Linda, his wife of 29 years. He is survived by his daughter, Erika; his brother, Dennis C. Pearson, WA Class of 1966; his dog and faithful companion, Lexie; and a large extended family.

1971 Keith D. Merrick of Scotch Plains, NJ, passed away on Nov. 17, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Jan; two children, Kelly and Peter; his mother, June; and two brothers. He attended Lehigh University, earning a degree in metallurgy and material science, followed by an MBA at Loyola University. Mr. Merrick worked at Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point, MD, for 15 years and then entered the medical field, where he remained for the rest of his career. He worked at Pfizer as a consultant for Johnson & Johnson and, at the time of his death, was manager of manufacturing at a biomedical company making Stryker Knees.

George Carroll Shenk Jr. of Edgewater, MD, died on Dec. 1, 2013 after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Shenk retired from the printing industry after he and his brother, Steve, sold the Whitmore Group in April 2012. Mr. Shenk started at Whitmore Printing in 1968 as a part-time, seasonal worker while attending WA. His father, George Sr., purchased Whitmore in 1970 and passed the business on to his children in 1982. Pursuing his childhood love of photography, Mr. Shenk attended the Rochester Institute of Technology. After two years studying photography, Mr. Shenk switched to business and in 1976 graduated with degrees in fine arts and business administration. Mr. Shenk’s love of photography never waned. He took photos for several years for the U.S. Boat Shows and traveled the country taking landscape photos used in calendars he produced at Whitmore. Mr. Shenk’s passion for arts and his knowledge of business helped him create the Maryland Hall Foundation and later the Cultural Arts Foundation. He also served on many civic, cultural, and trade association boards. Mr. Shenk and his wife, Margaret Hawco, were married for 15 years and had one child, Timothy. Mr. Shenk and his second wife, Carolyn Tonty, traveled to China in 1998 to adopt one-year-old Emma. He is survived by Carolyn; his two children; his parents; his brother and sister; and four step-brothers. Thanks to classmate Mike Scully for letting us know about George’s passing.

1972 Michael Edward Lisieski Esq. of Medford, MA, died on Nov. 4, 2013. A 1976 graduate of Clark University, he earned his J.D. at Boston University Law School. Mr. Lisieski joined the Massachusetts Bar in 1981 and practiced law for more than 30 years. He found joy in sharing the simple pleasures of life with family and friends, and his quiet courage during 44 years of dialysis and two kidney transplants inspired those who knew him. Mr. Lisieski was past president and trustee of The Kidney Transplant/Dialysis Association. He is survived by his wife, Johanna Freeth, and his siblings, Cheryle Dymek, Peter Andrew, and Joseph, Edward, Maria, and Patricia Lisieski. His sister, Judith Anne, predeceased him. Mr. Lisieski will be greatly missed by many family members and friends.

we’d love to see you! Want to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and other friends?

Visit us during one of our upcoming alumni events! The schedule below includes many fun opportunities to share memories and rejuvenate fond friendships. For additional details, updates, or to register, go to worcesteracademy.org/register.

October 18

hoMeCoMing gaMe

November 26

log on & log in to WA’s new website! Check out the all-new design and streamlined visitor experience. find everything you want—athletic scores, news, event calendars, and more! access our alumni directory, manage your alumni profile, submit a class note, and join our resource database.

To log in > Visit WorcesterAcademy.org. Click on myHILLTOP to log in. > Enter the username and password you previously used for Campus Connect. > Enjoy the ride on our new website! For assistance or for more information, contact Greg Cappello, Worcester Academy Director of Alumni Relations, at 508-459-6933 or email greg.cappello@ worcesteracademy.org.

Thanksgiving Eve

Wa afTer hours

May 1–2

reunion Weekend (Classes ending in 0s and 5s)

June 8

roWe sCholarshiP ClassiC To host an event or to suggest an event location, or for more information, call Director of Alumni Relations Greg Cappello at 508-459-6933, or email greg.cappello@worcesteracademy.org.

WorcesterAcademy.org

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Holliston, MA Permit # 20

81 Providence Street Worcester, MA 01604 U.S.A.

Parents of Alumni: If this issue is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of his or her new mailing address.

Inspired to share the Worcester Academy experience with a new generation? Visit WorcesterAcademy.org/Admission for the full schedule and to register.

Experience WA Visit Days > Tuesday, October 7 > Tuesday, October 21 > Tuesday, November 4 > Monday, November 17 > Friday, December 5

Special Interest Nights > Thursday, October 9 Athletic Interest Night > Thursday, October 23 Academic Interest Night > Thursday, November 6 Arts interest Night > Thursday, November 20 Middle school interest Night > Thursday, December 4 POst-graduate interest Night

Open Houses

> Visit the website for dates and other details

Worcester Academy alumni are an invaluable resource to Admission. Share your WA experience with prospective students as we work together to enroll the next class of incoming students.