Greens Farms Academy Magazine Fall 2010

Greens Farms Academy Magazine 43Fall 2010

GFA Launches its World Perspectives Program Inside:

…the culmination of years of planning…—see page 16 Commencement 2010—see page 4

Peter Baker Studio

College Matriculation CLASS of 2010 Greens Farms Academy salutes the members of the Class of 2010, who will be attending the following colleges and universities: Amherst College

Drew University

Princeton University (3)

Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University (2)

Elon University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Emerson College

Sewanee: The University of the South

Furman University

Skidmore College

Bentley University

George Washington University (2)

Stanford University

Boston University

Georgetown University

Bowdoin College

Hamilton College (2)

Tufts University (2)

Brandeis University

Harvard University

Brown University (4)

Ithaca College

Clarkson University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Colby College

New York University

Colgate University

Northeastern University (2)

College of Charleston

Oberlin College

Colorado College (2)

Ohio State University

Columbia University

Oxford College of Emory University

Connecticut College (2)

Pennsylvania State University

Dartmouth College

Pratt Institute

Bard College (2) Bates College

Trinity College (3) Tulane University University of Denver University of Rhode Island Vassar College Washington College Wellesley College (3) Wesleyan University (2) Wheaton College Whitman College

Brian Hirschfeld ’12

editorial

Greens Farms

Academy

Greens Farms Academy Fall 2010 Volume 20 The GFA Magazine is published twice a year for parents, alumni and friends of the school by the GFA Development Office.

Editor Alison Freeland

Associate Editor Natalie Heller

Editorial Assistant Nancy Fishkin Features

Alumni Editors Susan Ball ’71 Matt Hintsa ’06

Features 4

Embracing the Unknown

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GFA's World Perspectives Program

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GFA and Builders Beyond Borders

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Departments Editor's letter

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Head's letter

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GFA News and Events

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Arts

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Athletics

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Alumni Events

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Alumni news

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Class notes

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Design © Plaza Design www.plazadesign.com

Photo Contributors Galen Hass ’10

Commencement 2010

In an effort to streamline our mailing list, we are sending one magazine per household. If you would like extra copies, please email afreeland@gfacademy.org.

Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor are welcome and may be edited for clarity and space. Please send all correspondence to Alison Freeland (afreeland@gfacademy.org).

Alumni News We welcome news from alumni, parents and friends of GFA. Please send your news and labeled photographs to Alumni News at GFA, or email them to alumni@gfacademy.org.

The following minimum digital file size is required to produce a high-quality image 2.5" x 3.5" • # pixels 375 x 525 pixels • 550KB/ .tif • 100KB/ .jpeg

printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks

Natalie Heller Mark Hintsa Matt Hintsa ’06 GFA Photo Students Greens Farms Academy 35 Beachside Ave. PO Box 998 Greens Farms, CT 06838-0998 (203) 256-0717 www.gfacademy.org Greens Farms Academy is dedicated to guiding students through a rigorous course of study encompassing academics, arts and athletics.

Cover: GFA students participating on a Builders Beyond Borders service trip walk through Tapajós National Forest near Santarém, Brazil in March 2005.

Photo by Matt Hintsa ’06

editor

A Letter from the Editor Dear Readers, As GFA plans the launch of the World Perspectives Program this fall, I find myself asking what global thinking looks like outside the academic arena—in the real world, so to speak. Since many of our students will no doubt be engaged in global careers, what are we actually preparing them for? To help with this, I visited Sara McCalpin (parent ’08, ’10, ’13), President of the China Institute, to see how “global thinking” is woven into her life’s work.

© Naru Photography

The China Institute is a bicultural organization that has been in operation for over 80 years and exists to teach Americans about Chinese culture and thought. It occupies a narrow brownstone with a bright red door in central Manhattan. Sara comes down the stairs, exchanging information with an assistant, both speaking Mandarin. After college, Sara took the ahead-of-its-time path of living and working in China. She still stands by the advice she received before she left, “Be a sponge. Don’t look for the differences, look for the similarities. Start there and eventually deal with the differences."

Knowing the ambitions of GFA’s World Perspectives Program, I asked Sara her own “globalism” goals. She answered immediately, “The most important aspect is to help people understand other cultures. We want to open the door wide enough not just to tolerance, but to knowing and appreciating another culture.” She thought a moment and added, “We want to build bridges of understanding.” She thought again, “Actually the reason I get out of bed in the morning is to advance global understanding as a means to world peace. That’s the ultimate goal—that people will understand other cultures to the point of not going to war with them.”

Talk about ambitious. At GFA, we’re encouraging our students to step into other peoples’ shoes, to gain an appreciation of other cultures and to be comfortable working on a global stage. After that, who knows...maybe world peace.

Below: Sara McCalpin in her office at the China Institute with a Confucian scholar Right: The garden at The China Institute, Manhattan

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Alison Freeland Director of Communications

head

From the Head of School I have long been fascinated by explorers, especially those intrepid women from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, who traveled to unmapped areas of the world. The borders tended to be artificial, the result of western governments and their geo-political interests. Desert Queen, a biography of Gertrude Bell, offers revealing insights into the last days of the Ottoman Empire, the world of Lawrence of Arabia, the Sykes–Picot Agreement and the creation of Iraq. This summer I read Passionate Nomad, a detailed biography of Freya Stark, whose travels led her to discover an unknown fortress in Persia that had belonged to the ancient cult of the Assassins. She also won the Royal Geographical Society’s Back Grant for her cartographic accomplishments and worked as an undercover agent for the British Foreign Office during World War II. These women, and indeed many of their contemporaries, spoke several languages, knew history, geography, math, astronomy and understood the cultures of the countries in which they traveled as well as the larger geopolitical landscape of the day. These explorers exemplified cross-cultural awareness, and their knowledge and understanding were deeply connected, giving them insights and profound understanding- they were true global citizens.

Travel and learning about other cultures is fundamental to understanding our world, and I believe in our responsibility to educate students to become global citizens. Yet without an overarching coherence, knowledge can be disconnected and lie in discrete packages, which we have become sufficiently conscious of to name “sound bites”. Students can all too easily skip from one topic to another, lacking depth and understanding in their studies. We are looking for our students to make connections across our flattened world and to see the connectedness of human existence, not simply economically and geopolitically, but also in the experience of daily life as the early explorers did. More than at any other time in history, we depend on the fate of other nations, and this requires that the leaders and citizens of tomorrow have a cross-cultural awareness and knowledge that previous generations of Americans have lacked. Richard Levin, the President of Yale, when addressing a group of Connecticut Heads and Trustees of schools said, “To an unprecedented extent, the careers of the next generation will be global in scope, whether in business, law, health care or education. Our students will need to be prepared for interaction around the globe, in the personal challenges they confront as well as the public challenges that we face together.”

If our students are informed about the world through their studies and daily reading, if they develop cross-cultural awareness and knowledge, if they learn a language (or two), if they travel abroad, and if they learn to interact with students of different backgrounds, they will be more fully educated people. As Richard Levin concludes, “They will be far better prepared for college and eventually for the global careers that will be possible and indeed inevitable for their generation.”

© Naru Photography

Dear Friends,

The World Perspectives Program at GFA, launching this year, seeks to give our students a heightened cross-cultural awareness, emulating that of those explorers from earlier centuries. The SEED project in the Lower School is where fifth grade students will learn about food and its role within cultures across the globe.

For the United Nations project in Middle School, eighth graders take on global issues, such as water shortage and de-forestation, and present position papers from the perspective of a particular country. In ninth grade, the three major global themes of climate, heath and population are integrated into World History Foundations and Biology courses, and all tenth graders will take the World Literature course.

Juniors and seniors will take a required International Relations course, and those students who are passionate about global and environmental issues may apply for a

Kind regards,

Diploma with a Concentration in Global Studies, which will involve additional course work, international service learning, and a Senior Global Thesis. We also provide sev-

Janet M. Hartwell Head of School

eral travel opportunities for students to expand their appreciation of cultural differences and the globalizing forces at work today.

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graduation

Commencement 2010

Valedictorian, David Schmidt-Fellner

Commencement 2010 took place outside once again, and seventy seniors were graduated on the front steps with the wisteria vines and brass quintet familiar to so many classes. David Pogue, technology writer for The New York Times, entertained the crowd with his mix of humor and insight about technology in our personal lives. Excerpts from the class valedictorian and salutatorian addresses follow: David Schmidt-Fellner, Valedictorian: I’d like to ask all of you to take a moment to observe the landscape around you, and try to find the part of this scene that is most interesting to you. What do you see? Mathematicians, were you looking at the geometry of the building, or trying to comprehend the number of blades of grass on the lawn? Historians, did you see the weathered stone, and think about the Vanderbilt family, who walked and whispered here a hundred years ago? Musicians, did you listen to the sounds around you, the sea breeze, or the chirping birds?

One of the great joys in life, I think, is being able to see the world from multiple perspectives as an individual, to view life as you would a Picasso painting. Greens Farms Academy teaches us to live this way. It cultivates in its students a deep-seated open-mindedness and a belief in the inherent validity of all views; thus, we end up with students with highly diverse passions and interests. We see this every day. We see it in the athlete who shows up to jazz night in a full sweat from his or her Varsity basketball game just in time to take a solo. We see it in the artwork painted by math whizzes hanging on the walls of the school. We see it when the entire student body claps for a

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successful fund-raiser for India, a victory for the Challenge Team and for the winner of a poetry competition all in the same announcements period. It is this constant synthesis of ideas that gives us rich minds and the ability to make well-informed choices.

Granted, it is small in size, but at Greens Farms Academy there is a myriad of experiences to be had and perspectives to be gained.

The Black Box Theater is next to the band room, which is just down the hall from the Coyle Gym, which is one elevator ride away from the English, math, history, and language departments, and just down a single flight of stairs are the science labs. So many angles from which we can view the world, such a diversity of perspectives in one tiny community. From these we gain open-mindedness, judgment, and a unique spin on the world.

Albert Einstein once said, “Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of the Truth is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.” Thus, aim not to observe one truth but all truths. Let us challenge ourselves to view life from multiple vantage points, so we can begin to revel in the world’s ambiguity, celebrate its subjectivity, and bask in its mystery.

Retiring math teacher, Charlie Dietrich

Head of School, Janet Hartwell

Commencement speaker David Pogue, technology writer for The New York Times

Top Row left to right: Alexandra Flecha-Hirsch ’10; Evan Bieder ’11; Anne Hoover Second Row left to right: Jeffrey Velez ’10; Madison Leonard ’13; Nikhil Lai ’11 Third Row left to right: Ben Gott; Sarah Tarika ’10; Travis Miyashiro ’11

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Matt McCalpin, Salutatorian: The opening lines of my speech today are the same I used to introduce myself at a language competition in China last fall. They literally mean, “Hello, Greens Farms Academy welcomes you!” If I have learned anything from Chinese, it is that one character can have many different meanings. In the phrase that literally translates to Greens Farms Academy, the last two characters mean school, and the first character means green. However, the second character, farm or garden, can be more broadly interpreted as a field of study, or the scope of literary creation. The ability to interpret Chinese phrases in many different ways has always kept me interested in Mandarin. It allows for freedom within the language so that the phrase Greens Farms Academy can mean a place of comfort and creativity, which is exactly what this community has meant to me.

My Sun Why does the rain fall?

Where is happiness?

I can’t find it Because I can’t find the sun.

A solitary figure traveled the world, saw many people, discovered many things.

North, south, east, and west, he traveled them all, But he still wasn’t happy Because his happiness Could only be found in the days spent at home.

Don’t walk too far, Because the sun is right there on your doorstep.

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We at Greens Farms Academy have recently launched our World Perspectives Program, offering summer trips and semester-abroad programs around the world, and a concentration in global studies. This is an outstanding achievement for our school, and I am proud to be a part of a community that will allow a student to miss two full weeks of school to travel to China. However, I think in looking forward and reaching outward, it is also important to look back and inwards at what we have here.

After all, this community, and strong sense of home about this place, has allowed us to “go global.” The laughter and intellectual atmosphere created here travels with us everywhere we go.

After spending a good amount of time in a country where I represent a minority, I have acquired an important skill: laughing at myself. Whether it is hearing young Chinese boys use words like “big nose” or “round eyes” in a language they think I can’t understand, or noticing the giggles that rippled through the Bedford gym last week when I read my Chinese poem, I have found that taking myself too seriously, being too prideful, doesn’t do me any good. Laughing at ourselves is an important skill for all of us seniors as we leave this community for new ones. I would like to end my speech with a poem I wrote in Chinese. (see left bar)

Seniors enjoy their day.

Commencement Awards 2010 Faculty Prize 9th grade—Madison Leonard • 10th grade—William Picoli • 11th grade—Evan Bieder

Class Prize 9th grade—Graham Bacher • Caroline Vanacore 10th grade—Sisam Archarya • Kathleen Tomlinson 11th grade—Nikhil Lai • Travis Miyashiro Charles H. Dietrich Teaching Award Benjamin Gott Goldenheim Award for Excellence in Teaching Anne Hoover David K. King Scholarship Award David Schmidt-Fellner ’10 Christopher Friend ’10 Francis Burr Hardon Award Emily Blum ’10 Head of School Award Zachary Huffman ’10 Lucie B. Warren Award Matthew McCalpin ’10

Class Day Awards 2010 College Book Awards

Brandeis:

Fred Mezidor ’11

Brown:

Elizabeth Woodson ’11

Dartmouth:

Emma Frank ’11

Harvard:

Kaitlyn Morio ’11

St. Lawrence University:

Alexandra Damianos ’11 & Michael Hintsa ’11

Wellesley:

Allison Kruk ’11

Williams College:

Jake Becker ’11

Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal & Scholarship Award: Zev Battad ’11 Angela Van Acker Award: Joseph Filgueiras ’10, Kevin Gonzalez ’10 & Amy St. John ’10

Edward J. Denes, Jr. Outstanding Athlete Award:

Thomas Ross ’10

Barbara Hellwig Rose Outstanding Athlete Award:

Emily Blum ’10 & Grace Bomann ’10

Marijane Beltz Sportsmanship Award:

Alexandra Flecha-Hirsch ’10 & Grace O’Connor ’10

David M. Perry Sportsmanship Award:

William Boudreau 10 & Nicholas Pavlis ’10

Visual Arts Award:

Sapna Patel ’10 & Rebecca Stock ’10

Music Award:

Andrew Glicklich ’10

Theatre Award:

Dorothy Vickery ’10

Susan Conlan Award:

Christopher Friend ’10

GLaD Prize:

David Schmidt-Fellner ’10

Elizabeth Woodson ’11

Computer Science Award:

Arash Kani ’10

Fatima Mohie-Eldin ’11

Barbara Conlan Award (Biology):

Grace O’Connor ’10

Ian Schottlaender ’10

Roger B. True Science Award:

David Schmidt-Fellner ’10

Cum Laude Society:

Roger B. True Science Research Award:

Allison Kruk ’11

12th Grade

11th Grade

Andrew Glicklich

Emma Frank

CT Jr. Science and Humanities Symposium Award:

Arash Kani ’10

Elizabeth Kjorlien

Allison Kruk

Jane Jessup Award (Latin):

Ellie Monroe ’10

Ellie Monroe

Travis Miyashiro

Ramzi Nimr

Kaitlyn Morio

Joan Loomis Award (French):

Andrea Argenio ’10 & Kevin Gonzalez ’10

Nicholas Pavlis

Abigail Steckler

Martha Laffaye Award (Spanish):

Sapna Patel ’10

Charles Proctor

Spencer Traver

The Mandarin Award:

Matthew McCalpin ’10

Whittle Award History:

Matthew Steinschneider ’10

Keller Award (Most Improved in English):

Stephanie Garofoli ’11

Creative Writing Award:

Sara Abbasi ’10 & Amy Kubie ’10

Upton Award for English:

David Schmidt-Fellner ’10

Jane Kentnor Dean ’52 Alumni Award: Future Global Leader Award: Wagner Award:

Class Athletic Prize: 9th Grade:

Kenner Clark & Meighan Grady

10th Grade:

Emily Caldwell & Charles Ross

11th Grade:

Evan Bieder, Jenna Pittleman & Alexa Sullivan

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© Naru Photography

GFA news

GFA launched an ad campaign last year using single black & white portraits of students along with a quote from each. This year the photos have been taken by GFA junior, Brian Hirschfeld, who has been an avid participant in Mr. Hafey’s photo courses.

Janet Hartwell has been appointed president of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) for a two-year term. CAIS serves approximately 100 independent schools in the state, representing about 30,000 students.

A women’s cooperative in Uganda is now making GFA uniform kilts. School Outfitters Ltd. employs Ugandan women and uses local cloth and materials. A traveling GFA family came across the enterprise and made the initial connection. The dragon appears on the outside waistband of each kilt, and “Twiga” appears on the inside—the Swahili word for giraffe and the brand name of the women’s line of clothing.

GFA has announced new Trustees appointed in spring 2010. We welcome parents Roger Ferris, Shelley Goldsmith, Richard Holzinger and Molly McGrath, and also Brian Lizotte, assistant provost at Yale University, to the Board. Retiring co-chair, Deirdre Daly Pavlis, has been recently named deputy U.S. prosecutor in Connecticut.

Westport Country Playhouse Event

GFA’s Parents’ Association held a spring fundraiser at the Westport Country Playhouse in May. Outgoing PA Co-President Molly McGrath, Co-President Lynne McAlevey and event chair Jane Preiser are pictured at the cocktail party preceding the play, “She Loves Me.”

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Faculty Farewell Students in the constitutional law class were able to sit with Chase Rogers ’75, chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, last spring. Rogers posed questions from an actual case she had worked on to see how the students would have ruled compared to what actually happened.

Mr. Alfred Pavlis, attorney and parent of three GFA sons, teaches the course.

Faculty and Staff Milestones

Development News: We are completing the next phase of our outdoor athletics, with eight new tennis courts and a permanent baseball diamond ready for play in the spring.

Our fall athletes are already enjoying the new varsity soccer field completed last fall.

Among retiring faculty this past year were two long-time teachers, Charlie Dietrich (US math) and Diane Reardon (kindergarten). Between them, they have taught at GFA for 45 years and influenced over one thousand GFA students. Charlie has the Dietrich Teaching Award named in his honor, and will always be famous at GFA for among other things overseeing two students who discovered an alternate solution to one of Euclid’s classic theorems, bringing national attention to the school and mentions in hundreds of articles and Web sites.

Five Years:

Ten Years:

Fifteen Years:

Twenty-five Years:

Jay Blau Russ Friedson Teresa Furegno Natalie Heller Deidre Hynes Bruce Main Marion Mapstone Matt Norko Diane O’Connor Sherry Rago Erin Thorkilsen Nicole Yates

Rex Cadwallader Connie Ennis Nancy Fishkin Jim Fitzpatrick Chris Hisey Jon Matte Paul Shapiro

Kate Morrison

Charlie Dietrich

Twenty Years:

Thirty Years:

Neil Champagne Rosa Esposito Diane Reardon

Kathleen Raby Amy Schwartz

Grace Backe ’11

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GFA news In May, the Parents’ Association held two of its popular events for the GFA community and beyond.

Spring Market Day brings vendors to the lawn outside the senior wing, where shoppers can buy clothing, jewelry, flowers, plants and other reminders that the weather is getting warm. Later in the month, the PA hosted a Spring into Spring Race, open to the public, that winds along Long Island Sound.

Horizons 2010 Horizons at GFA began in 2000, and has grown over the last decade to serve over 150 students from Bridgeport each summer for six weeks. The program is designed to help close the achievement gap for underserved students by providing academic enrichment classes. Many GFA students and alumni have been volunteers and teachers with the program. Pictured is the 8th grade, graduating class 2010.

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Embracing the Unknown

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1. Andrew dancing in the park in Chengdu 4. Annabel on the Sacred Way in Beijing.

2. Andrew at a restaurant in Beijing 5. A ndrew narrating a show in Mandarin at the Shanghai Grand Theater.

3. Annabel holding a panda at the Panda Breeding Center 6. Annabel and Andrew learning Kung Fu

Kate Ruben Roth ’90 “That’s out of my comfort zone” was my immediate response when my husband Erik first proposed the idea of moving our family of five to China. However after many discussions, Erik and I agreed that if we turned down this opportunity, we would forever be discussing “what if….” Soon thereafter we sold our house, shipped our belongings by sea in a container, and packed eighteen large duffel bags, including a year’s worth of diapers and a sense of humor. Looking something like a small tour group, we arrived in mid-summer 2009 in the middle of a typhoon, and with great anticipation we drove through flooded roads to our new house in the middle of Shanghai.

The beginning weeks required a life make-over. We had to rethink everything: what we eat, how we communicate, how we get places. My son Andrew headed off to a Chinese kindergarten, and my oldest daughter Annabel started second grade at an international school. We took regular family field trips around town to find necessities and our bearings. For food we went to a traditional “wet market” that is part farmer’s market, part pet store, and part butcher shop with tanks of live eels and caged chickens killed upon purchase. Amid thousands of Chinese people, we shopped at Carrefour, a Walmart-esque super store that sells 53 types of rice steamers, bikes, pea flavored ice pops, pig feet and pet chameleons. We each had a different bank of Mandarin words. I knew the phrase “I want,” Annabel knew “to go,” and Andrew knew “train station.” It took me almost three months to feel like my tippy toes were on the ground.

Every night at dinner we played a game with our kids called “How do we know we’re in China”: Our new couch was delivered on the back of a bicycle; there were live fish swimming in the pots at a kitchen accessory store; grown-ups danced in the park. And what reminded them of America? Papa John’s delivers anywhere in Shanghai.

Still every challenge teaches us how to adapt. For my younger daughter’s first birthday, I wanted to bake carrot cupcakes. I found organic carrots and opened the baking staples we had brought with us. I plugged in the Cuisinart from America and used a borrowed adapter. I am not sure why I ignored the initial burning smell, but the machine soon exploded with a dramatic bang and smoke. Apparently I needed a transformer not an adaptor. I chopped the rest of the ingredients by hand, used what I assumed was corn oil because of the tiny picture of corn hidden in the Chinese writing and then set out to use the oven for the first time. All the writing on the oven was in Chinese. I thought I was doing okay until the cupcakes came out with burned tops and liquid middles. I chopped off the tops, re-heated and covered my mistake with frosting. When I returned the adaptor, my neighbor explained that I had used the wrong setting. We still affectionately refer to it as the time I broiled cupcakes from scratch with a bang.

We learned early on that trying to recreate family traditions was frustrating and disappointing. Creating new traditions was energizing. Instead of turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving, we passed the soy sauce and dumplings and feasted with new friends continued on page 25

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Arts at Greens Farms Academy arts

Julliard Jazz Ensemble at GFA

Westport Country Playhouse photo: Robert Benson

The GFA Performing Arts Department has announced a cooperative residency program with the Julliard Institute for Jazz Studies. It began last winter when a GFA parent helped to arrange a performance of the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble for Middle and Upper School students. Dr. Rex Cadwallader, Chair of the Performing Arts Department contacted Julliard to explore the possibility of a more long-term relationship. Executive Director Laurie Carter and Musical Director Carl Allen were enthusiastic about helping to create a residency program that would bring performers and teachers to GFA several times during each school year.

GFA and Westport Country Playhouse

The program for 2010-2011 includes a day of clinics and workshops

in New York City. The theatre stars who have graced this stage include

with Institute Musical Director Carl Allen, an internationally

Ruth Gordon, Bert Lahr, Laurette Taylor, Eva LeGallienne, Paul Robeson,

acclaimed conductor and drummer, and two days of performances

Helen Hayes, Ethel Barrymore, Jose Ferrer, Henry Fonda, Julie Harris,

and workshops with the members of the Julliard Jazz Ensemble.

Tallulah Bankhead, Tyrone Power, Alan Alda, Cicely Tyson, Geraldine

One of those days will also culminate in an evening concert featuring

Page, Richard Thomas, Robert Morse, Colleen Dewhurst, Jane Powell,

GFA students along with the Ensemble. Additionally, music students

Sandy Dennis, Liza Minelli and the playwright Thornton Wilder who

from GFA will spend a day at the Julliard School, where they will

played the Stage Manager in his own American classic Our Town—a

observe rehearsals and classes and attend an evening concert.

role portrayed at the Playhouse in 2002 by the great Paul Newman.

And finally, Julliard and GFA will combine forces to host an

Please plan to join us in November, as our students perform on the

intensive summer jazz camp at GFA.

same stage that has hosted so many luminaries from American theatre

This fall, GFA Theatre has an exciting new opportunity for both students and our audiences. Our upper school fall play, George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s 1939 comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner, will be performed at one of the most celebrated theatres in the theatrical firmament.

Thanks to a generous GFA trustee, our cast and crew will head to the Playhouse for performances on November 12, 13 and 14. Opened in 1931, Westport Country Playhouse has always enjoyed a special place in the hearts not only of Westport residents but also of the theatre elite

history. Ten dollar reserved seats are on sale now and can be ordered by phone or online: 203.227.4177 or www.westportplayhouse.org. We expect these tickets to go quickly and hope you will join us for this historic event of GFA Theatre!

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Silkscreen by Natalie Birinyi ’06

We checked in with a few of our alumni artists this summer and found them thriving.

Natalie Birinyi ’06 (Columbia University): Pursuing printmaking and currently working for the Neiman Center for Print Studies at Columbia. Pictured (above right): “Mandala” 5’ x 5’ collage, silkscreen, monotype and etching Egan Frantz ’05 (Hampshire College): Working at the Miguel Abreu Gallery in New York City and exhibiting at the Essl Museum, Vienna. Pictured 1: Revision 1: All Quiet on the Western Front Cueto Project, New York, 2010

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Katrina Franzen ’05 (Savannah College of Art and Design): involved with Artists for Charity. Starting at Columbia University this fall in the post-bac premed program. Pictured 2: Self portrait with a glass of O.J. oil on canvas, 30” x 40”2008 Kelly Laukee ’09 (Carnegie Mellon): Pursuing a double major in Industrial Design and Human and Computer Interaction. Pictured 3: Space Design Medium: Marker, pen and charcoal. Concept for an entrance to a residential building in Pittsburgh, PA. Kiersten Wakeman ’05 (Bucknell): summer internship at Artisan Works, a gallery/museum in Rochester, NY. Looking to pursue a career in theatrical costume design. Pictured 4: Outfits from Bucknell’s spring fashion show designed and sewn by Kiersten

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Palma Blank ’97 (RISD, Yale) Abstract painter living and working in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Pictured 5: Tipping Point 39”x33” acrylic on canvas Lauren Rouatt ’08 (Tulane University): Double-majoring in Studio Art and Philosophy. Summer internship at The Museum of Modern Art in the education department. Pictured 6: Self-Portrait, 2008, acrylic painting Nick Ford ’07 (Mass Art): summer internship with Arnold Worldwide in the Brand Experience Department. Completing a degree project on greenwashing (making brands look more environmentally friendlier than they are). Pictured 7: “Food, Inc.” Movie Poster Design, Digital Photography/Adobe Photoshop

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athletics

GFA Alumni Shine Oliver Van Zant ’09, Bowdoin College GFA’s Oliver Van Zant has already made his mark on the baseball field at Bowdoin College in his first season. As a pitcher, he was named NESCAC Pitcher of the Year in addition to the NESCAC Rookie of the Year. He was named to the ECAC All-Star Team (Eastern College Athletic Conference) and was named the ECAC Rookie of the Year. Van Zant was also named Bowdoin’s Outstanding First Year Male Athlete.

Van Zant became the first freshman in league history to be named Pitcher of the Year after a stellar rookie campaign. Although he was limited to just seven appearances, Van Zant managed to average a remarkable 11.77 strikeouts per game as he retired 51 batters over 39 innings. At 5-1 with an even 3.00 ERA, Van Zant limited opponents to a .194 average. He is the first Polar Bear to be named NESCAC Pitcher of the Year and is Bowdoin’s first Rookie of the Year since Jared Lemieux won the award in 2003.

Marc Powers ’09, Yale University Freshman Marc Powers was named the Ivy League Player of the Year after a stellar tennis season that included a 7-0 Ivy League record. Powers also won Ivy League Rookie of the Year and became the first player to ever win both awards in the same year.

Powers posted a 29-10 record for the year and went 18-5 in the spring season at No. 1 singles for Yale. The freshman started off his Yale career in the fall by powering his way to the ITA Northeast Regional Finals. He also competed in the ITA Indoor National Championships hosted by Yale University.

Powers capped off his stellar freshman campaign by dropping only one set en route to a perfect 7-0 Ivy League record at the No. 1 singles spot. His incredible season earned him a unanimous First Team All-Ivy Singles selection, unanimous Ivy League Rookie of the Year, and Ivy League Player of the Year.

Lauren Gesswein ’07, Bowdoin College Gesswein was named to the NESCAC First-Team in squash, after being a NESCAC Second-Team All-Conference choice in 2008-09. After returning from a fall semester abroad, Gesswein posted a 13-4 mark at the number one position for the Polar Bears, including a seven-match winning streak in Bowdoin dual matches late in the season. The Bowdoin College women’s squash team improved their national ranking by one spot, earning 21st in the nation at the College Squash Association National Tournament’s Walker Cup "C" Division. The Polar Bears went 2-1 overall and finished their year with a record of 8-12.

Alli Rago ’06, Penn State University Rago graduated last May from Penn State University where she was a four year member of the Women’s Soccer team, which is responsible for twelve consecutive Big Ten Championships. A two year starter, Rago was a four time Big Ten Champion (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009), two time Big Ten Tournament Champion (2008 and 2006), and three time Academic All Big Ten selection (2007, 2008, 2009). She was also a four time NCAA participant and advanced to the Elite 8 in 2006 and Sweet 16 in 2007 and was elected by her team during her junior year to be a member of the team’s Leadership Council.

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Water Dragons In the spring, with great weather and strong winds, GFA’s co-ed sailing team sailed its way to the top of the Fairfield County League. The season highlight was winning the Connecticut State Championships held at the Coast Guard Academy. The team, only in its fourth year, trained at Southport’s Pequot Yacht Club in three new 420’s purchased in 2009 by GFA, and enjoyed great parent support led by Judy Proctor ’70. Made up of mostly seniors, the Water Dragons excelled at team racing (three boats from one team against three boats from another), and called on the extensive experience of the sailors.

GFA ended 2nd overall in the Fairfield County League, with an impressive 8 - 3 record, ahead of Greenwich HS, Brunswick, Greenwich Academy, Staples HS, Fairfield Prep, Fairfield Warde, Fairfield Ludlowe and behind Darien. They ranked 15th overall in the New England Scholastic Sailing Association out of seventy public and independent schools.

Coach Ginny Worcester ’75 said, “It was exciting to be near the top in a group of large New England schools and to travel outside our home waters. Our team executed good boat handling skills and aggressive maneuvers, and they made good tactical decisions on the racecourse. They showed leadership, responsibility and sportsmanship, representing GFA well.”

Among other honors, the team won the coveted Gold Cup in the Fairfield County Sailing League Team Racing Championships, beating Darien, Greenwich and Fairfield High Schools.

GFA has benefited from the sailing families in its midst, not the least of which is the Perrys from Southport. Coach Ginny (Perry) Worcester grew up sailing at Pequot Yacht Club and went on to represent the United States in the Womens’ Singlehanded Division in the Worlds. Her brother, Dave Perry (former GFA Athletic Director), has led hundreds of sailing instructional seminars, authored best-selling books on the rules of racing and is currently coaching Olympic teams. Ginny confesses to consulting her brother from time to time on the rules and strategies of racing. It’s been a winning relationship for GFA.

College-Bound

Team members: Seniors Charlie Proctor (Captain), Christiana Whitcomb, IG Schottlaender, Sam Fitzgerald, Amy Kubie, Wyatt Gordon, Chris Buonanno; sophomores, Emily Petno, Sarah MacDonell and freshman Liz McDermott.

College-Bound Athletes

Class of 2010

Francis Herman:

Christiana Whitcomb:

Baseball, Trinity College Tommy Ross: Cross Country, Trinity College Emily Blum: Volleyball, Whitman College Matt Steinschneider: Fencing, Vassar College Kathleen Soriano-Taylor: Crew, Georgetown University Nick Newhouse: Tennis, Brown University

Squash, Bowdoin College Galen Haas: Golf, Wellesley College Charlie Proctor: Sailing, Tufts University Sam Fitzgerald: Sailing, Washington College (MD) Amy Kubie: Sailing, College of Charleston IG Schottlaender: Sailing, Connecticut College | 15

world

The World Perspectives Program (WPP), launched in September 2010, is the culmination of several years of planning on the part of Janet Hartwell and members of the faculty and greater GFA community. As citizens of the future, GFA students will need to understand the global issues confronting our world and demonstrate a commitment to creating a more sustainable future, both at home and internationally. The mission of the program is to encourage crosscultural connections, inter-disciplinary knowledge and modes of thinking that will help students succeed in our connected world.

As part of the WPP, courses throughout the GFA curriculum from kindergarten through twelfth grade expose students to global topics and perspectives. The Upper School in particular addresses the three themes of health, climate and population, and all Upper School students are required to take International Relations. Students with a further interest may apply for a Diploma with a Concentration in Global Studies, requiring additional study, a global thesis and international service learning.

In addition to the curricular elements of the WPP, GFA is developing on-going relationships outside of the United States to augment the program.

Relationships with schools in China and India allow students to compare their lives and academic studies with those of students on the other side of the globe. We are also establishing Global Partnerships in which the cultural exchanges for students extend throughout the year—well beyond the duration of a particular trip or joint project.

Beginning with the class of 2012, all GFA graduates will have been exposed to ways of thinking as well as practical experiences that prepare them to live with an awareness of other cultures and to pursue future careers on the global stage.

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On xenophilia…

by Jason Cummings Ph.D., Director of Global Studies

When students can connect to people all around the world with the click of a mouse, is there really a need for globalized courses of study like GFA’s new World Perspectives Program? You may wonder: isn’t awareness of the world simply floating in the ether these days, didn’t Tom Freidman declare the world effectively “flat” in 2005, aren’t young people going to make the connections necessary to solve the world’s problems simply because they’ve grown up in a globalized world?

Ethan Zuckerman, Technologist and senior researcher at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society, addressed this question in his analysis of the media that we consume. According to Zuckerman, we have built the infrastructure for globalization but many connections remain unmade. He notes that 95% of the news read online in the developed world is published in the reader’s country. In his view, as our problems have become increasingly global in nature (health, demographics, climate change etc.), our news media has become increasingly myopic. In fact, according to a Public Radio International study, throughout the 1970’s, 35% of mainstream American news media was made up of international stories, while in 2009 only 12% of our news pertained to the world beyond our borders. As Zuckerman puts it, “We look at the Internet, we think we’re getting this wide view of the globe, […] we decide that we do in fact have the greatest technology for connecting us to the wider world and we forget that most of the time we’re checking Boston Red Sox scores.”

To bring this back to our workaday GFA world, most of our Upper School students probably have several hundreds of Facebook “friends,” but how many of them look different from our students, speak other languages, live on other continents or come from markedly different socioeconomic situations? In addition to mastering a certain body of content, a GFA education has always been about acquiring the skills necessary to be successful in college and beyond. Much in the same way that we teach students to arrive punctually, meet deadlines and work well

with classmates, the interconnected nature of the new century necessitates that we teach students to work effectively in foreign settings, to understand and appreciate cultural differences and to collaborate successfully with partners on the other side of the world. As we develop the World Perspectives Program, students and teachers will work together to define and embrace the impact that the rapidly flattening world should have on what goes on in our classrooms. It isn’t, perhaps, too futuristic to think that an Upper School student might go from a Biology class in which she compares water samples with those collected by a partner in Shanghai to a Spanish class in which she discusses biodiversity loss with students in Costa Rica.

For many years, schools have sought to snuff out xenophobia. We have worked tirelessly to shape young people’s minds and attitudes in such a way that they will be accepting of otherness. The fact of the matter, however, is that it is one thing to eradicate xenophobia and quite another to foster an environment of xenophilia. Instead of simply helping students to be respectful of anyone with whom they might cross paths, we must take the next step and teach them to build the very paths with which they will actively pursue points of view and realities that are different from their own. In an environment that fosters xenophilia, a fascination with otherness, not only will students create the connections necessary to approach the problems of the future, but through their study of difference, they will develop a richer, more introspective understanding of themselves and of their own communities.

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Examples of World Perspectives Program throughout the curriculum:

Lower School 3rd grade New World Explorers & Geography 5th grade Ancient World Cultures SEED Project (Student Education on Edible Diversity) Organic Garden

Middle School 6th grade World Explorations Model UN conference

Upper School Global themes of Climate, Health and Population studied in: 9th grade Foundations of World History and Biology 10th grade World Literature and Cultures 11th or 12th grade International Relations Course Global Electives: French West Africa Film and Literature, Topics in SpanishSpeaking Literature and Film, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Examining the Global Environment through Mathematics, Nature Writing, Greek Literature in Translation, Latin American Literature in Translation, New World Voices, History of Oil, 20/20, Art History, AP Modern European History, Japanese History and Contemporary Culture Diploma with a Concentration in Global Studies: Senior Global Thesis International Service Learning Global Partnerships

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Faculty Enrichment Travel Grants Two years ago, the generosity of a GFA family foundation enabled us to set up a faculty enrichment initiative that deepens the mission of our Global Program. These grants allow teachers to travel over the summer, providing them with opportunities for the close study of countries and cultures to broaden the scope of their curriculum and pedagogy, and in some cases to aid in the design and execution of new courses.

Our 2010 summer travelers were: Elizabeth Cleary, Chair of the English Department: Inspired by Jose Ortega y Gasset’s words, “Show me the landscape in which you live, and I will tell you who you are,” Elizabeth traveled to Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and California witnessing the scenery that fueled the writing of such authors as Erdrich, Doig, and Stegner.

Marion Mapstone, Chair of the Language Department: Marion gained valuable experience in Senegal and Mali, whose history and culture are at the center of her eaching units. She began in Dakar, followed by a trip to Saint-Louis, Senegal to scout possibilities for a trip for GFA students in 2011. During the final leg, she immersed herself in Malian culture, experiencing contemporary Dogon village life.

Amy Colbert, Third Grade: Amy traveled to England to pursue a study of Sir Walter Raleigh and King George III through a range of site visits to the places where these men lived, worked, and died. She also spent the final days of her trip in St Albans, Hertfordshire, tracing her own ancestral roots.

Martha Russell, Kindergarten: Martha is a self-proclaimed “China Watcher” since her days studying Chinese history in college. Martha has now traveled by train and bus across China, eventually arriving in Lhasa, Tibet, her ultimate destination.

LaRee Delahunt, Fifth Grade: LaRee traveled to Greece for an in-depth investigation of the country’s history and mythology.

The foundation of her experience was in Athens, and the second stage was on the Peloponnese where she also immersed herself in the rhythms of life in Tolo, a small, coastal town.

Nicole Yates, LS Art: Nicole spent several weeks in Austria and the Czech Republic studying the Art Nouveau movement and the versatility of such artists as Klimt, Schiele, and Mucha. In addition to visiting museums, she was also able to explore the artists’ influences in architecture.

Amy Foster Colbert with her husband, Don, at their wedding ceremony in Mongolia during Amy’s Faculty Enrichment Travel Grant trip, Summer 2009.

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Greens Farms Academy and Builders Beyond Borders have developed a thriving relationship over the last ten years. One hundred and sixty-eight GFA students have traveled at least once with B3 since 2001, and many students return multiple times during their high school life. The trips to South America typically take place during GFA’s spring break, allowing students to undertake service learning projects with other students, build camaraderie and see their work make an immediate difference. In the words of one GFA student, “Traveling with B3 gives me such great perspective. I like to think what that week of my life would have been like if I had been back home at my house. After helping to lay a pipeline in Peru, I’m amazed at how much water we use at home.”

Dominican Republic Guatemala Costa Rica

Ecuador Peru

Photos by Natalie Birinyi ’06, Lexie Herman ’07, Matt Hintsa ’06, Mikey Hintsa ’11, Web Leslie ’08, Ali Rouatt ’11, Lauren Rouatt ’08, Dustin Schur, Craig Skinner and Sarah Verrill ’10.

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Dominican Republic 2004 Los Jaquimeyes: Built new homes after hurricane damage

Brazil 2005 Santarém: Constructed a dining facility for a school for challenged children

Costa Rica 2006

Brazil

San José: Renovated a daycare center in the barrio of San Sebastián

Ecuador 2007 Ballenita: Constructed a six-room trade school Sabanilla: Doubled the size of an existing school; added running water

Guatemala 2008 Panajachel: Built homes for refugees of a mudslide Jocotenango: Renovated a home for a free, after-school program Los Patojos

Dominican Republic 2009 Tierra Blanca: Constructed a multipurpose community center Los Mangos and Agua Larga: Implemented gravity-fed municipal water systems for two villages

Peru 2010 Coayllo: Constructed a two kilometer pipeline San Antonio: Constructed hygiene facilities

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Photo by Conner Downey ’11

alumni Dear Alumni/ae and friends, After working for three years in Alumni Relations, Rachel D’Agostino ’03 has left to live and work in Boston. She has a wonderful new job at a social service organization called Heading Home and promises to stay involved with alumni events both in Boston and Connecticut. Please join me in wishing Rachel well.

We are happy to welcome Matt Hintsa ’06 to the position of Alumni Relations Associate. Matt brings an impressive amount of experience (despite having just graduated from college) and has already hit the ground running. I am sure you will enjoy working with Matt.

The year just ended was busy and productive and we look forward to continue strengthening connections in the year to come.

Best,

Susan Ball ’71 Director of Alumni Relations Associate Director of Development

Quisque Pro Omnibus Legacy Society After considerable research and reflection, we have officially named Greens Farms Academy’s bequest society the Quisque Pro Omnibus Legacy Society. The school’s motto has remained consistent for all three incarnations of our school, and the spirit it expresses, Each for All, is exactly what these generous members of our community have committed to in including our school in their estate planning.

Jane Kentnor Dean ’52, former Trustee, past parent Margaret Field ’60, former Trustee, past parent, former faculty Margie Filter, past parent Nancy Fishkin, former Trustee, past parent William G. Harriss ’83 Wenche Wollmar Johnson ’52

Chuck Klink ’83 Nancy Lauber ’51, former Head Barbara Omohundro, former Trustee, past parent Michael Rintoul ’84, current parent Henry Von Kohorn, former Trustee, past parent Lucie Warren, former Trustee, past parent

Leaving a bequest is a wonderful way to maintain GFA’s tradition of excellence for the generations to come.

Please let us know if you should be included in this list in the future.

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alumni calendar of events october Friday and Saturday, October 15th & 16th

Jazz at the Farm Saturday, October 23rd

GFA Homecoming Fall Fair November Friday & Saturday, November 19th- 20th

Youth Service Opportunities Project Work with current students volunteering at different homeless shelters in New York City

Greetings!

After four years of being away from the apple trees and sea views, I am back at 35 Beachside Avenue, having taken on the role of Alumni Relations Associate.

In May, I graduated from Cornell University, where I studied international development—a field that brought me places from Chile to China over the course of my undergraduate career. Outside of the classroom, I was involved with student media, serving as photography editor of The Cornell Daily Sun and writing for the university’s student blogging project. Through work as a student ambassador and as a reunion clerk, I remained in touch with both prospective students and alumni. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to return to “the farm” to apply the lessons learned from all of my collegiate endeavors and to give back to the school that prepared me so well for those pursuits. I look forward to reaching out to the alumni community through a variety of events and media over the coming months.

Friday, November 26th

Thanksgiving Gathering at SBC JANUARY Friday, January 7th

Denes Classic For the most up-to-date schedule of events, please go to www.gfacademy. org and click on “Alumni,” or call the Alumni Relations Office at (203) 256-7523.

(The most difficult part of coming back to work at GFA? Calling my former teachers by their first names.)

Matt Hintsa ’06 Alumni Relations Associate

Calling All Authors!

The GFA library is establishing a special section of books by alumni and current and past faculty. If you have a book in print, please send us either a copy or the full title and publisher information so that we can order it. Thanks so much!

Susan Ball, sball@gfacademy.org.

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alumni

Martha introduced Deirdre by saying: “Deirdre has done a lot of good work for the board and the school, much of which has been in the wings, so to speak, as she does not seek the limelight. She is a consensus builder and an articulate advocate of GFA, its programs, the teachers and the students. She is deeply committed to a diverse student body and is a champion of financial aid. Deirdre, we honor you for your strength, conviction, courage and your continued inspiration to the entire GFA community through your roles as friend, parent, sibling, volunteer, philanthropist and humanitarian.”

Excerpts from Deirdre’s speech: I remember my time at GFA vividly. Like now, the school struck me as an exceptionally beautiful place. The kind of place that gets into your bones, sticks to your ribs—the expansive lawn, the stone and the ivy, the ancient apple trees, the cobblestone courtyard, the reflected light and the sweet smell of the sea. It is one of those places that you carry with you long after you leave.

But what moved me most about GFA—then and now—is the teachers.

When I was here, there were four teachers that made the difference for me. They are all gone now—but their voices, the diligence and care with which they mastered their craft, and their heart and humanity still resonate.

For me, the teachers were Mr. Keller, Christopher W. Brown, Burr Hardon and Ed Denes. Mr. Keller lived in a tiny apartment where the Business Office now sits. Every wall of every room floor to ceiling was covered with books—old books, novels, slightly outrageous books. In the corner of the main room was a brass cage and inside a large and rowdy parrot.

In the center of the room stood a grand stone statue of a naked woman spouting water.

If you were very lucky, he invited you up for tea and many years later still wrote you postcards which started “Dearest Thou” or “Noblest one” in exquisite calligraphy. In 9th grade I was in remedial English with

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The 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award was presented

by Martha Gates Lord ’74 to Deirdre Daly ’77 during reunion in June. Deirdre was invited to join GFA’s Board of Trustees in 2001, was elected vice president of the Board in 2003, and served as Co-Chair of the Board for four years before retiring last spring.

Mr. Keller. He began with the basics of grammar, but soon enough captured my imagination and left me with a deep interest in books.

Chris Brown taught English and Philosophy. He was young and handsome, just out of Yale, and even taught yoga classes in the gym. He poured his heart and soul into lectures, discussions and endless notations on papers. But even more, he taught you to dig deep—to question yourself and the world—to recognize what you could know, to respect that which was unknowable, and to hope for greater understanding.

Math teacher and Dean, Burr Hardon always wore bow ties and tried to be stern. But he couldn’t suppress the twinkle in his eye. He would have been a formidable prosecutor for if he ever caught you doing anything, you would immediately cave. And you might even be happy about being caught because it would give you an opportunity to spend more time with Mr. Hardon which was always a joy.

And then, of course, there is the legendary Ed Denes whose devotion to this school and its students is beyond words.

Much here has changed at GFA. The place has grown in so many ways.

Not only are there many more students, facilities, sports, and courses, it has also grown in breadth and depth. Through a small international alliance, some of the girls here wear skirts made by women in a small village in Africa. Seventeen percent of the students are students of color. And the fact that the leader of the school, Janet Hartwell, is no less than a visionary, has had the most profound and positive effect on this school.

If you are very lucky a few times in your life, someone really believes in you. And that may be the greatest gift one human being can give another. The teachers at GFA believed in me, they believed in my sons and they believed in all of you, and that has made all of the difference.

cont from page 11:

Embracing the Unknown Kate Ruben Roth ’90 from around the world. December 31st was low-key, but Chinese New Year in February was an extravaganza. At the same time, we are sensitive to things we have in common. I will never forget my kids’ faces at the Chinese circus.

They appeared to be the only non-Chinese children in the audience, but they laughed as loudly as anyone else at the clowns. Some things are just universal.

I am a planner. I love to know the next step. However, as I’ve watched my children integrate effortlessly into a new culture, they have taught me to embrace the unknown. I do not know how long we will live in China. I tell my extended family “for a while but not forever.” I also don’t know where in the world we will move next. I do know, however, that the challenges of the past year are far outweighed by the benefits of leaping out of my comfort zone and raising my children to become citizens of the world.

Alexandria snuggles Haibao, the jolly mascot of the World Expo currently in Shanghai

Java Jam Java Jam 2010 was an incredible night of music. Six alumni returned to GFA with their college a cappella groups to sing to a packed house of parents, students, alumni and faculty. Funds raised for the evening went to the Faculty Enrichment Fund, which was established to support and encourage professional development among faculty.

It was a truly memorable evening. Many thanks to all of those involved in making this event happen!

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1 The Beachside Express 2 Mark Warburg ’09 and Connecticut College’s Vox Cameli

3 Alex Perry ’06 and the University of Rochester’s Midnight Ramblers 4 Deepali Gupta ’08 and Brown University’s Higher Keys

5 Bernadette Jamison ’06 and Northeastern University’s Downbeats 6 Mark Warburg ’09 and Connecticut College’s Vox Cameli

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NYC Event Thank you to those of you who attended the NYC event! More than 70 alumni, faculty and staff gathered at PS 450 on Wednesday, April 7th for a wonderful evening.

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Ed Denes and Michael Gallagher ’04 Paul Hiller, Joey Moffitt ’82 and Jane Dean ’52 Karima Hassan ’92, Rebecca Brock Dixon ’95 and Prash Akkapeddi ’92 Nikhil Ramchandani ’95, Sarah Hoffman ’95, Rebecca Brock Dixon ’95, Richard Del Bello ’02 and Charlie Schilling ’96 Michael Gallagher ’04, Richard Del Bello ’02 and Matthew Carter-Tracy ’03 Matthew Carter-Tracy ’03, Lauren Tennant ’03, Lynne Laukhuf, Lauren Weeks ’04 and Jim Fitzpatrick Erica Atkinson Applestein ’95, Nico Richardson ’01, Willy Jayson ’01, Melissa Barnes ’02 and Richard Del Bello ’02 Sarah Brandon ’99 and Katie Chapman ’00

9 Katherine Dolan ’05, Dayna Foudy ’04, Michael Gallagher ’04, Jamie Kendall ’04 and Peter Bergschneider ’04 10 Gerry Braun ’05, a friend and David Cole ’04 11 Prash Akkapeddi ’92, Allen Hall ’84 and OJ Burns 12 Adam Laukhuf ’95 and Charlie Schilling ’96 13 Rebecca Brock Dixon ’95 and Karima Hassan ’92 14 Charlie Schilling ’96, Sarah Hoffman ’95, Rebecca Brock Dixon ’95 and OJ Burns 15 Michael Gallagher ’04, Matthew Carter-Tracy ’03 and Tim Cerabino ’03 16 Jenny Satinover ’09, Josh Sebastian ’02, Alex Neury ’01 and Katherine Dolan ’05 17 Gary Anderson ’97, Jane Dean ’52 and Jeff Morrison

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Zombie Jam On Saturday June 12, the Beachside Express and Harbor Blues gathered family and alumni for the traditional end-of-the-year Zombie Jam. Notable Beacher moments were the recycling of the Senior Prank green-people costumes, a serenade to Bernadette Jamison ’06 and a tribute to Dave Perry and Dave Costantino. Blues alumnae joined the Harbor Blues for a couple of songs. Particularly memorable were their performances of “Mercy” and “Hide and Seek,” the latter enhanced by some pretty funky attire.

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1 Jon Matte catches up with Anna Birinyi ’09 and Ethan Peritz ’09

2 Members of the Beachside Express perform a skit 3 Bernadette Jamison ’06 is serenaded by the Beachers

4 Bernadette Jamison ’06 is serenaded by the Beachers 5, 6 Current members and alumni of the Beachside Express sing together

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Reunion 2010 Saturday, May 22nd was the perfect evening for Reunion 2010. More than 150 alumni returned to campus with their spouses and children for the festivities.

Current parent, Co-chair of the Board and alumna Deirdre Daly ’77 was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award and Charlie Dietrich, introduced by Ed Denes, was honored for his 25 years of service to GFA. The Super Duper Weenie Truck served delicious meals as Rex Cadwallader and his trio played jazz. Alumni lingered on campus well into the night, exploring the new wings of the school and reminiscing with old friends.

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Jim Hennessy ’76, Ann Clark Mileti ’77, Abby Johnson Dodge ’76 and Elizabeth Ulrich ’76 Barbara Rose ’51, Loring Threshie, Deering Rose ’83 and John Threshie Class of 2000: Catesby Handler, Betsy Lewittes, Katie Chapman, Megan Heck, Catherine Foster and Ellie Bonner Guests mingle in the Lower School courtyard.

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Abby Johnson Dodge ’76, Ann Clark Mileti ’77 and Kendall Crolius ’71 The Rex Cadwallader Trio provided music for the event.

Allison John ’00, Brian Stephanak and Roz Koether Stephanak ’82 Lynne Laukhuf, Nikhil Ramchandani ’95, Matt Mulhearn and Sarah Hoffman ’95 Susan Ball ’71 and Nick D’Addario ’04

10 Janet Hartwell and Katrina Franzen ’05 11 Karima Hassan ’92, Sirisha Akkapeddi ’00 and Michelle Cole ’01 12 Emily Von Kohorn ’96 and Rachel D’Agostino ’03 13 Isabelle Von Kohorn ’93 with husband Josh Rising and family 14 Aaron Eduard Stolpen ’05, Janet Hartwell and Grif Peterson ’05

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15 Carlos Guzman ’04, Stephen Tyler ’05, Martha Gates Lord ’74, Chase Barrette ’05 and Aaron Eduard Stolpen ’05 16 (L to R) Back row: Kim Cooper Owades ’70, Susan Ball ’71, Kendall Crolius ’71, Catherine Schou ’70, Daryl Lochridge Hornby ’70 and Olivia Munroe ’71. Front row: Janet Carter Persen ’70, Laurie Wright ’70, Cynthia Exton Von Oeyen ’70, Addie Walsh ’70, Sinikka Kasko ’70, Susan Butler ’70 and Judy Chapman Proctor ’70

17 Class of 2000: Ana Maria Choy, Catesby Handler, Margaret Stocker and Betsy Lewittes 18 Class of 2009: Bobby Corroon, Marc Powers, Matt Flynn and Corey Freeland 19 Susan Hood Kueffner ’72, Susan Ball ’71 and Paul Kueffner

20 Jill Greiner ’05, Elizabeth Cleary, Katrina Franzen ’05, Andrew Boughrum ’02, Cassie Herman ’05 and Bridget LaCroix ’05 21 Ian Campbell, Andrew Ogletree ’02, Stephen Haskell ’00, Laura Israel Sinrod ’00 and Daniel Sinrod 22 Chris Von Kohorn ’03, Carlos Guzman ’04 and Jonathan Rotner ’03

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Reunion 2010 23 Class of 2000 24 Krystian Cieplucha, Cordelia Cieplucha, Michelle Lin Cieplucha ’90, Steve Jones, Abigail Jones, Liz Emery, Mary Varilla Jones ’90, Christopher Jones, Tony Herring, Sarah Lippman, Lisa Ostermeuller Coster ’90, Adam Lippman ’90, Nicole Marchese ’90, Bob Pescod ’90, Erika Rosen Di Paola ’90, Tiberio Di Paola and Adriano Di Paola 25 Del Auray ’80, Roz Koether Stephanak ’82 and Nina McHale Hudock ’80 26 Lauren McEnery ’00 and Ashley McEnery ’07 27 Rachel D’Agostino ’03, Christian Wakeman ’03, Jill Greiner ’05, Andrew Boughrum ’02, Katie Flynn ’05 and Liz Rutledge ’05 28 Ann Clark Mileti ’77 and Abby Johnson Dodge ’76 29 Charlie Dietrich and Rex Cadwallader 30 Catherine Foster ’00, Allison John ’00, Phil Osgood ’05, Megan Heck ’00, Katie Chapman ’00 and Jim Killian ’00

31 Class of 2000: Megan Heck, Katie Chapman and Allison John 32 Class of 2000: Jim Killian and Allison John 33 Andrew Ogletree ’02, Michelle Gallagher Backus ’00, Chris Backus, Daniel Sinrod and Laura Israel Sinrod ’00 34 Ed Denes welcomes Charlie Dietrich to the podium 35 Janet Hartwell introduces Martha Gates Lord ’74 36 Martha Gates Lord ’74 introduces Deirdre Daly ’77 as the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award 37 Deirdre Daly ’77 delivers her acceptance speech for the Distinguished Alumni Award 38 Class of 2005: (L to R) Back row: Peter Connelly, Chase Barrette, Aaron Eduard Stolpen, Matt Garofalo, Jill Greiner, Katie Flynn, Elizabeth Rutledge, Caroline Tobey and Courtney Heck. Front row: Bridget LaCroix, Cassie Herman, Alexis Teofanov, Cathy Passeri, Husein Otajagic, Katrina Franzen and Brad Auerbach

39 Class of 2005: (L to R) Back row: Cathy Passeri, Katrina Franzen, Jill Greiner, Katie Flynn, Caroline Tobey and Courtney Heck. Front row: Alexis Teofanov, Cassie Herman, Bridget LaCroix and Elizabeth Rutledge 40 Katrina Franzen '05 and Olivia Munroe '71 41 Susan Factor Dorr '76, Abby Johnson Dodge '76 and Michele Orris-Modugno '76 show off their youthful necks 42 Suzi Powel Parks '76, Susan Factor Dorr '76 and Jim Hennessy '76 43 Class of 2005 at an off-campus reunion. Back row (L to R): Aaron Eduard Stolpen, Chase Barrette, Brett Aresco, Jill Greiner, Katherine Dolan, Alexis Teofanov, Elizabeth Rutledge, Courtney Heck, Cassie Herman, Bridget LaCroix, Katie Flynn, Matt Garofalo, Husein Otajagic. Front row (L to R): Brad Auerbach, Cathy Passeri, Katherine Cissel, Katrina Franzen, Parker Noren.

Many thanks to our roving photographers Sara Glidden, Meghan Biro '89 and Elizabeth "Blitz" Ulrich '76!

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Brittany Walker ’11

A few words from the trenches about the college process

Over the years, veteran parents have offered advice regarding the journey through the college admission process.

It comes as no surprise that similar reflections and recommendations surface every year, such as: On college visiting and finding the right match “It’s never too early to start the process of researching schools, and if you stick to a timetable and don’t do everything last minute, you can maximize the fun and minimize the pain.”

“Your child will know which schools are right for him; trust his instincts.”

“My son and I had a great time driving around upstate New York schools last summer, and visiting Gettysburg and the battlefields this fall. I found it to be a great opportunity to chat one-on-one. My wife had the same experience. It’s a personal choice, but I would recommend that the parents take turns touring colleges with their child, rather than making it a family event. Also, leave any whining siblings at home!”

“Be sure to spend time on the college and university Web sites as well.

It helps to add substance to the place so you are not making decisions solely based on the quality of tour guide, school architecture and the weather the day you visited.”

“Trust in the system; it does all work out in the end.”

On the application process “Early Decision adds to the stress if you don’t have a clear first choice. It is easy to decide to use it to get a strategic edge with a school, followed by second-guessing regarding whether you picked the right place. My son picked one school for early decision for various reasons, but I think he was actually relieved he didn’t get in since he liked other colleges just as well.”

“It will all work out in the end (yes, everyone said that to me...). The huge disappointment of not getting in early can go away quickly for most kids (my son was fine the next morning). Don’t be more involved or stressed than your child is. And if he/she is stressed, help them to de-stress; be realistic about what is possible and what is a reach.”

In general “None of our highly successful and happy friends went to an Ivy League school!”

“Don’t talk about college all the time! They hear it all day at school.

When you must discuss, set up a meeting at a specific time to do so.”

And from students to students….

“I was not aware of how high the workload and stress level would be during senior fall. I would have appreciated some prior knowledge of the intensity. Also, for rising seniors, if you want to get into a good college and not get your acceptance rescinded, it’s possible to have fun during your senior spring, but you still have to work if you want everything to go as planned.”

“Write your essays during the summer! You don’t want to be stuck writing them when you have lots of school work. Also, look at the different colleges’ supplement essay questions early so you have plenty of time to think of good ideas and have time to edit, edit, edit before submitting.”

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