GSB Alumni Magazine: Winter 2012/2013 by Gill St. Bernard's School

T H E

M AG A Z I N E

O F

G I L L

S T.

B E R N A R D ’ S

Education Beyond the Classroom Delivering the Future: New GSB Strategic Plan Board of Visitors Established

S C H O O L

•

W I N T E R

2 0 1 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM THE HEADMASTER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FEATURES Education Beyond the Classroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GSB Singapore Math Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delivering the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . China Unit Scholarship Honors Tom Kelly . . . . . . . . . . . . . COLLEGE CORNER Music Enthusiast: Caitlyn Dougher ’10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOMECOMING/FAMILY DAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALUMNI NEWS Alumni Holiday Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Young Alumni Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GSB NEWS Turkey Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Founders of Turkey Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plaza Suite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stone Soup Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fashion Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Schmidt Wins Contest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GSB Establishes Social Media Presence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performing Arts Shine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ATHLETICS GSB Awarded “ShopRite Cup”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chimes Ends 33-Year Coaching Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . Slackman Named Head Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Athletic Round-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coach DeFalco Earns 100th Win . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jared Hammond Named New Varsity Fencing Coach . PATRONS GSB Golf Classic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Addition to Founders Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindabury-Thomas Trustee Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trustee Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Giving Back to GSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starr Foundation Establishes New Scholarship. . . . . . . . . Board of Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALUMNI NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Funding the GSB Unit Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FACULTY NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Furthering Their Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Former Faculty News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . .

. . . .

2 3 6 8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

16 17 18 19 20 21 21 22

. . . . . .

24 25 26 26 28 29

. . . . . . . . . . . .

30 31 32 32 33 33 34 36 37 40 40 40

Board of Trustees Gill St. Bernard’s Alumni Magazine is published three times a year by the Communications and Marketing Department. Sid Rowell, Headmaster Allyson B. Daly, Director of Communications and Marketing Michael LaBrie, New Media Specialist Megan Zakrzewski, Communications Specialist James F. Diverio, Director of Development Michael Liddy, Associate Director of Development Ginny Needham-Doyle, Director of Parent Relations and Special Events Juliana Ruby, Data Manager Chanelle Walker, Director of Alumni Relations Gill St. Bernard’s School P.O. Box 604, St. Bernard’s Road Gladstone, NJ 07934-0604 908-234-1611 www.gsbschool.org www.facebook.com/gsbschool Photography in this issue by Becky Bedrosian P ’11, Alex Cena, ©DeBalko Photography, Stephen Taylor P ’14 and GSB staff photographers, unless otherwise noted. Captions provided by Admission Office Manager Ann Marie Blackman. Design by Vision Creative Group. Some freelance writing by Alice Roche Cody.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Harry Chowansky III Matthew Clark ’94 Samuel Corliss, Jr. Gia Dunn Elizabeth Fucci Donald Fuentes Robert Hemm ’46 Judith Fulton Higby ’65 John Howard Adrienne Kirby Douglas Matthews Edmond Moriarty III Elizabeth Nametz Sandra Niccolai James O’Connor Robert J. O’Leary Patricia Hallett Muchmore ’66

Todd Ross ’94 Marianne Saladino Robert Sameth, Jr. ’89 Maureen Stefanick Lori Taylor Vlad Torgovnik Janine Udoff  HONORARY TRUSTEES Patricia Aresty Joseph Behot Miguel Brito Laurie Brueckner Brandon Clark William F. Conger Richard Emmitt Barbara Evans Nelson Ferreira Michael Golden Jeffrey Gray

Michael Mandelbaum Richard Markham Mary McNamara Ellen Nardoni Mark Paris Katherine Smith Jayne Vespa Michael Weinstein ’87

FROM THE HEADMASTER

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L

Recent editions of the GSB Magazine have focused on our many achievements in the arts and athletics. However, as an academic institution, the quality of teaching and learning that takes place inside the classroom at Gill St. Bernard’s is even more noteworthy. Many of our teachers have written books and articles; several present regularly at conferences and workshops on a variety of educational topics. All are experienced professionals, constantly working on the craft of teaching. There are many outstanding and unique programs at the school—the Scientific Literature Review and the Unit immediately come to mind—and we continue to introduce innovative curriculum such as Singapore math in the Lower School. Our college list provides ample testament to our academic quality. Pat Bassett, president of the NAIS, believes that the great schools of the future will integrate the following skills and values, which he refers to (for obvious reasons) as the “Six C’s,” into their curricula: • Creativity • Critical Thinking • Collaboration • Character • Communication • Cosmopolitism/Cross Cultural Competency Pat is retiring in June from his position at the NAIS, but Gill St. Bernard’s had the honor of hosting him as the keynote speaker for NJAIS Trustee Enrichment Day, which was held on our campus on January 12. After listening to Pat, and considering the “Six C’s” at GSB, it was clear to me that our school is doing a great deal in all of these areas and becoming a school of the 21st century. One other strength of our school is its community service program. At GSB, such service is not required, as it is at most independent schools. Yet the majority of students (and faculty) participate in, with all supporting, a vast array of service projects and initiatives intended to make a difference beyond the boundaries of our campus. This too, is a story to be celebrated. In all of these activities, inside and outside the classroom, Gill St. Bernard’s provides tremendous educational and life opportunities for all of its students. On our bad days, we are just like every other school. But on our good days (and there are many more good than bad), ours is a great school. S.A. Rowell

FEATURES

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

Education Beyond the Classroom

Unique academic and co-curricular programs successfully prepare alumni for college and career Sydney Sherman ’11 definitely had an advantage over her fellow first-year classmates last fall when she started at Penn State. After spending four years developing close relationships with her teachers at Gill St. Bernard’s, it came naturally for her to sit in the front row of large lecture halls and visit professors during office hours for a quick chat. With experience juggling sports and community service coat drives, time management was a breeze. Already comfortable presenting her work in class, whether a short story or a math equation, she was at ease offering her opinion, even as the only undergraduate, in a research group. But Sherman’s greatest advantage came from GSB’s Scientific Literature Review (SLR), a semesterlong research project completed her junior year, when she investigated the plausibility of a mission to Mars. In the process, an interest in astronomy was fueled and she became familiar with navigating scientific papers. “At college, the first day of my research, my professor said: ‘Read these and try to understand them and ask me if you have any questions,’” says Sherman. “She was pleasantly surprised that I had questions on the content but not on the reading. I was able to get straight to the information and came to the research with a running start.” That quick jump out of the gate has translated to success for Sherman. A double-major in astronomy and astrophysics, and physics, she is the third author on a published research paper that examines the evolution of galaxies. What’s more, she was one of three Penn State undergraduates who attended an American Astronomical Society conference in California, where she presented a poster. Still a sophomore, she has been awarded a grant from Penn State’s Eberly College of Science for a paper she is authoring and will present her research at an upcoming exhibition. Stories like Sherman’s are hardly unique for GSB graduates. In the past 12 years, under the leadership of Headmaster Sid Rowell, GSB has experienced enormous growth, which has in turn led to stronger academic programs, more competitive athletic teams and an increase in co-curricular offerings. Each year GSB sends its graduates to elite universities across the nation. In fact, last year, 14 percent of graduating seniors attended Ivy League and top-tier institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, MIT, Georgetown, Northwestern, The University of Chicago and Amherst. While striving for academic success, GSB fosters balance, so that its students also receive an education in the arts and athletics, while learning the value of serving others beyond campus borders. Peter Schmidt, director of studies, who started at GSB 35 years ago as a history teacher, has witnessed tremendous transformation in his tenure. In 1992, total enrollment in all three schools was at 394 Emilia Williams ’14. students and today there are more than 300 students in the Upper School alone. In turn, advanced placement (AP) offerings have grown in the past decade from eight classes to 16. He sees the implementation of the Upper School’s 9th Grade Seminar (formerly called the Writing & Research program) as a significant academic addition. By graduation, students are adept at interfacing with electronic databases, distinguishing source materials and conducting independent research, in both science and the humanities. The 9th Grade Seminar is the first in a three-year series for Upper School students focused on the critical skills necessary for research and writing success in college. In their sophomore year, students take an American Studies program followed by the SLR, from which Sherman benefited.

FE AT U R ES

GSB Singapore Math Program: Right on Track  A major challenge faced by all teachers as they welcome dozens of new students to their classrooms each school year is the fact that every child learns differently. Many math teachers know that the inability of one child to find a solution using old-fashioned algorithms can hinder the effectiveness of lesson plans and ultimately impact the rest of the class. As a means of overcoming this issue at Gill St. Bernard’s, while still providing a thought-provoking mathematics curriculum for all students, the Lower School began its transition to Singapore math in 2005. Beginning just seven years ago with Mary Tuohy’s second grade class, the school’s Singapore math program now extends to Lower and Middle School classrooms.

Len Grabowski discusses current events with students taking Gill St. Bernard’s history of the future elective.

“We desire all students entering high school to have a common experience that grounds them in research writing, note-taking and organizational skills–tools students need for success in high school and beyond,” said Schmidt. “Year after year, I hear graduates say that the overall program at Gill enabled them to make a smooth and effortless transition to college. Our students are already doing college research in high school, something students at other high schools aren’t doing.” At Penn State, Sherman found this to be true. “A lot of my classmates didn’t understand citing sources,” she said. “I was already comfortable using databases and knowing how to attribute work to the appropriate authors. I ended up helping other students because they never learned this.” In order for students to acquire excellent research skills, GSB must continuously fine-tune its technological offerings. This is such a high priority that the school’s strategic plan, Delivering the Future, emphasizes the importance of providing students and teachers increased technological opportunities. “We have a continuing effort to keep classrooms and other spaces well-appointed technologically to help prepare our students for college and beyond,” said Michael Chimes, director of academic technology. To that end, GSB installed a campus-wide wireless network that provides a strong wireless infrastructure for the campus. “Whether in a classroom, the library or the café, students have full access to research tools,” he said. In addition, computers in all three laboratories are dual-booted so users have flexibility to use a Windows-operated or a Mac system. Other advancements include the installation of desktop iMacs in the photo lab; 35 updated iMacs in the computer labs; eight SMART Boards in Lower School classrooms and the library; and the introduction of 22 iPads for kindergarteners.

A three-step program that covers concrete, pictorial and abstract learning, Singapore math differs from typical American math programs that skip over the concept of using visual models as learning tools and, in turn, lose students when making the jump from concrete to abstract methods of teaching. To make certain that Gill St. Bernard’s Singapore math curriculum accurately portrays the program developed in the 1980s, Lower School Director Peggy Campbell-Rush visited more than a dozen classes in seven primary schools throughout Indonesia and Singapore in March 2012. Through the Singapore Ministry of Education and a connection with internationally recognized leader in Singapore math Yeap Ban Har, Ph.D., Campbell-Rush was allowed an insider’s look at the math program in Singapore schools. “My visit reassured me that we are on the same page and in the same sequence with Singapore,” said Campbell-Rush, who has since shared her experience with math teachers in the Lower and Middle Schools. “It was so validating to see that the quality of our Singapore math program continues to be in-line with the program from which it was founded.”

Campbell-Rush (center) interacts with two kindergarteners from the Pelangi School, while also exploring how primary mathematics is taught.

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

While technology on campus is certainly important, nothing replaces live interactions between students and teachers. The people skills that Sean Johnson ’08 learned served him well at Gettysburg College and beyond. “Relationship building with my teachers is what drove my success and these skills have grown at every stage, in college and in my job now,” he said. Today Johnson is a natural, talking with his insurance clients about financial planning, with a confidence that he traces back to Gill. His teachers there shared one common element: “Passion, all the teachers at GSB have it,” he said. “This is what sets Gill apart from other schools.” One such notable teacher, Kristina Lasher, who teaches Middle School math, was selected as one of two New Jersey finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. At Gill for eight years, Lasher was nominated by Matthew Huber, Middle School director, who recognized her for helping to implement Singapore math. “I feel like there are many teachers at Gill who could be in the same place. Our teachers are committed to the craft of teaching,” Huber said. Top: (L. to r.) Jenna Arasim ’13 and Natalia Sachs ’13; Bottom: (L. to r.) Michael Christie ’08, Naomi Brown ’08, Madeline Finkel ’08, Patrick Shaw ’10 and Conor Sjogren ’09 on a Unit trip to Israel.

By far the most unique academic offering at GSB remains the spring Unit, a twoweek immersion program in the Upper School that focuses on civic engagement. “The Unit is a strong endorsement of how learning shapes citizenship,” said Schmidt. “It’s not enough to acquire educational benefits for oneself. As citizens in a democratic society we have a role to play in the world, and GSB stresses learning how to make the world a better place for others.” Today’s spring Unit harkens back to 1973, when St. Bernard’s School for boys in Gladstone merged with The Gill School for girls in Bernardsville. At that time, all classes were taught under the Unit Plan, one class at a time for six or seven weeks. While this overall structure of learning ended in the mid-’80s, the present spring Unit remains its legacy. “There’s an emphasis on field trips, guest speakers and meeting people in the community connected to a field of study,” said Dr. John Ripton, spring Unit coordinator since 1990. For a Unit on the ecology of Cape May, for example, students will talk with marine biologists at Rutgers; spot birds with Audubon Society guides; and kayak through the Pine Barrens. A Unit on Americans and World War I, available in the May 2013 program, will feature war documentaries and field trips to military sites and museums, such as the New Jersey Naval Museum and New Jersey Veterans Memorial. Students will also talk with WWII Veterans who meet regularly at a vacuum repair shop in Glen Gardner. This year, a travel Unit to Guatemala will help build homes for needy families in highland Maya communities. “The impact can’t be measured,” said Ripton. “The Unit is an opportunity to learn about a profession or shed light on an area that a student might want to focus on in college. Many graduates say the Unit played a role in helping to determine a future professional course or personal pursuits; it introduces students to a world they might not have had the opportunity to experience.” Ripton shared an experience with one student who completed a Unit on acting and was subsequently 4

FE AT U R ES

recruited by theater director Paul Canada for dramatic productions. “In college, this student transferred to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he directed and starred in Amiri Baraka’s (Leroi Jones) The Dutchman.” Cultural experiences through the Unit program make such an impression on students that they choose country-specific studies in college. “Another group traveled to Japan where it engaged in workshops with an internationally-renowned No Theater master mask carver and actor, met with printmakers practicing 16th century Japanese printing, participated in tea ceremonies, visited Shinto and Buddhist temples, and attended puppet theater, traditional music, ink painting demonstrations and dance performances. In college, two of these students minored in Japanese and several others continue to pursue a variety of interests related to Japan.” While Bruce Easop ’09 appreciated Units on museums, creative writing and emergency medicine, it was his experience with Voting Opportunities for Teenagers in Every State (VOTES) that really made a difference. VOTES is a nationwide mock election process that GSB has participated in for the last seven consecutive presidential elections. In fact, GSB is one of only two high schools in N.J. that participate in the program. In 2008, Easop portrayed presidential candidate Barack Obama while another student assumed the role of Senator John McCain and three other students represented other political parties. Behind the scenes, Easop constructed a detailed campaign plan, crafted a stump speech and crammed for a debate. At a rally outside Founders Hall, Easop and the other candidates gave speeches Top: Stefan Lambert ’15; Bottom: (L. to r.) Bruce Easop ’09, while students gathered below waving Chloe Cotoulas ’09, Nicole Wisler ’09, Alexis Nedd ’09, William campaign signs. “It was commanding and Stone ’09, Jacob Friedman ’10, Patrick Shaw ’10, Jonathan Ramsay ’09, Tom Plate ’10 and Carolyn Murray ’09 at a 2008 intimidating, pitching something to the audience to get them to see your point of VOTES campaign rally. view while emphasizing a developed, persuasive argument,” said Easop. “There was a debate in the gym and it was a lesson on how to think about your position, relate to the opposition, and bring people around to different positions. We did it responsibly by engaging in a discussion, not a battle. At Gill it was about discussion and engagement.” Even though Easop’s candidate lost to John McCain’s in the school-wide election, his experience helped him choose political theory as his major in the politics department at Princeton. “My experience with VOTES made me look at the issues and examine different values–what you take to be right and wrong–and gave me a framework for making decisions,” he said. “Political theory questions the moral components that a decision should be based on and looks at justice and equality.” In all, what Easop gained from GSB was a sense of community and his place within the larger world. “I had a chance to go beyond the campus and see how learning in the classroom applys to and impacts the outside world,” he said. “Gill encourages you to not only serve your community but the greater community. I’m excited to continue that mindset. My experiences speak to the motto, ‘The World is Our Classroom.’” 5

Delivering the Future

The strategic plan identifies six core areas of focus to ensure the school’s continued growth and success. Throughout the past decade, Gill St. Bernard’s School has grown significantly—accomplishing much that was established in the 2005 strategic plan. That plan brought to life many achievements and milestones that at one point were only goals put to paper. The growth of the Upper School and the additions of the Athletic Center, Hockenbury and Todd Quad to the campus are among the physical changes to GSB’s 77-acre campus. But even more important are the achievements that continue to build the school’s reputation as a major player in today’s highly-competitive independent school environment. Such accomplishments include an increased percentage of students accepted to top-tier and Ivy League colleges and universities, the steady rise of GSB’s athletics program as one of the best in the state, as well as the tremendous recognition the school has received for its performing arts program. Confident in and committed to the continued growth of GSB, the board of trustees recognized the 6

need to not only gauge the school’s accomplishments against the 2005 strategic plan, but also set forth the next phase to ensure success for today and for the future. In November of 2011, the board appointed a strategic planning committee that subsequently began an extensive planning process. This involved assessing the current internal and external environment of the school, refining and reaffirming the GSB mission statement, articulating the core values of the school, creating a shared vision of the future and developing six core areas of focus. The committee, made up of trustees Janine Udoff P ’16, ’17, ’21, ’23, Samuel Corliss, Donald Fuentes P ’14, ’16, ’24, John Howard P ’17, ’21, Adrienne Kirby P ’09, ’13, Mary McNamara and Edmond Moriarty P ’11, ’14, ’16, ’22, facilitated multiple focus groups, goal development workshops and surveys of students, parents, employees and alumni throughout the 2011-12 school year and, this past fall, set forth the new strategic plan—Delivering the Future. The plan, which recognizes six core areas of focus— curriculum, diversity, community, environmental sustainability, technology and financial stewardship—was launched in late September.

GSB Strategic Plan Progress Report Already Meeting Significant Milestones The GSB strategic planning committee has already made significant progress against the goals and objectives of the plan, especially in the areas of community, diversity, environmental sustainability and a 21st century curriculum. Community: 1) Hired director of communications and marketing, web specialist and writer to enhance internal and external communication for the school; 2) Re-launched the GSB website and KnightSite as well as official Facebook and Twitter pages to increase online integration and visibility of GSB. Diversity: Launched the GSB International Student Program (ISP) for the 2012-13 school year and enrolled six new Chinese students. Environmental Sustainability: 1) Completion of the Founders Hall addition; 2) Continued beautification of the campus with addition of several brick walkways, trees and shrubs. 21st Century Curriculum: Continued improvement and update to evaluation process for all members of the GSB faculty.

“The process to develop this new plan involved a tremendous amount of support from our entire school community,” said Udoff, who led the committee. “Surveys provided valuable feedback and insight into the clear strengths and most valuable attributes of the school, and also, of course, identified areas where improvements still need to be made.” Through the six core focus areas, the plan defines the primary objectives and initiatives the school must implement over the next three to five years in order to continue its successful growth. While the plan does provide some specific direction within each of the areas, Udoff emphasized that it is a “living” document that will undoubtedly evolve as the school works toward its current goals. “The plan is essentially a roadmap that will guide us as we continue to gain new insights, identify additional opportunities and, inevitably, encounter unforeseen challenges along the way. It will help set the framework to keep us on track,” she said. With the committee already making significant progress toward the goals and objectives of the plan (see Progress Report), board Chairman John Howard shared his confidence in the plan. “We are confident

in the continued growth and success of GSB and this plan will ensure our path forward,” he said. Howard also reiterated the importance of community to ensure the success of the school. “It will take the continued commitment and support of the entire GSB community as we undertake these key areas of focus and work to make this school the best it can possibly be,” he said. “In much of the same collaborative way the plan was developed, it will take our entire community—students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and trustees—to help us realize the future the plan has set before us.” To read or download The Strategic Plan for Gill St. Bernard’s: Delivering the Future, please visit the About GSB section of the school’s website.

New GSB Mission Statement Gill St. Bernard’s provides a diverse, balanced environment where individual potential is nurtured, mutual respect is understood, excellence is pursued and students are prepared academically, socially and ethically to thrive and lead with honor and responsibility in an interdependent and changing world. 7

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

China Unit Scholarship Created in Honor of the Late Tom Kelly ’87 While sitting atop the Great Wall of China during a 1987 Gill St. Bernard’s Unit trip, Tom Kelly ’87 announced to his classmates and teachers—at the “ripe old” age of 17—that he would return to China one day. Discovering an affinity for the Chinese people, their culture and the environment during that spring trip, Tom did indeed do what he had proclaimed. He not only studied the country’s unique language and culture in college, including a semester at Beijing University, but also, after graduating from The George Washington University, continued his studies at the University of Fudan (Shanghai). After this course of study, he began his professional career in the pharmaceutical industry in Shanghai. Tom lived the dream he had envisioned on the Wall. The China he was introduced to in 1987 was nothing like the country it is today. But even then Ivan Matviak ’87, one of Tom’s closest friends who traveled with him at the time, said, “He saw that this closed country was about to transform itself. Tom was Alumnus Tom Kelly ’87. captivated and had a sense that something dramatic was on the horizon. He saw it as none of us did and it offered a prospect for adventure that he couldn’t resist. Tom was always bigger than life.” On October 21, 2011, Tom’s “magnificent life,” as described by Matviak, ended suddenly in the country he so easily came to love. At the time, he was senior vice president, Asia and China, for Sanofi, one of the premier international pharmaceutical firms in the world. In the month following his death, several services were held to remember Tom. In China and later in Mountain Lakes, N.J., a common thread of the memorials was a celebration of a man with commitment, vision and respect for all people and for his work. Ed Greissing, vice president of corporate affairs and Tom’s colleague, wrote, “Tom was a leader of people with an exceptional capacity to listen, to teach and to respect the ideas and opinions of others. These skills and his personality allowed him to make emotional connections with everybody he touched. His ability to always do the right thing for the business, the patients, his team, and the Chinese people are a special statement about his character. At Sanofi, we will remember and talk about him for many years.” Early in 2012, through discussions among Tom’s family, friends like Matviak and Michael Weinstein ’87, Sanofi executives, and members of the GSB community, a plan emerged to celebrate his life in a special way—supporting the very program that introduced him to his passion in life. “Understanding and learning more about China is a fitting tribute,” said GSB Director of Development James Diverio, “and based on conversations with Tom’s classmates, friends and 8

FE AT U R ES

family members, the Unit should be available to any student regardless of a family’s ability to afford such an international experience.” To that end, GSB will plan a Unit trip to China at least every three years, making it possible for any student to apply to participate during his or her time in the Upper School. To make the Unit affordable for students who, due to economic realities, are often excluded from international experiences, Sanofi executives, with a significant gift to GSB, have created an endowed scholarship fund to honor their late colleague and friend. The endowment is to be used specifically for financial assistance for the China Unit trip. It will be distributed to those who apply and qualify for need-based aid. Upon announcing the Sanofi gift, Greissing said, “Tom is a wonderful role model for the students of Gill St. Bernard’s, and we are proud to provide this support to cultivate the development of future leaders.” It is the hope of his family that Tom’s friends will add to this scholarship fund in any way they can. The Thomas Patrick Kelly ’87 China Unit Scholarship will offer students, regardless of means, an opportunity to explore the economic, cultural and educational components of China that Tom loved so dearly. Visits within the country itself will enable GSB students to return home with a greater understanding of and appreciation for the diverse nature of China. Tom’s brother, Ted, worked tirelessly with his brother’s colleagues at Sanofi and members of the GSB community to honor his brother in a special way. Thrilled by Sanofi’s interest and financial commitment to this effort, and knowing that in the spring of 2015 the first China Unit of many will be planned by GSB which any student might be able to attend, he said, “It was important for my family to find a way in which we believe Tom would want to be remembered. Giving others the opportunity he had early in life, to possibly experience something that can create a passion in life as the trip to China did for him, or to possibly change a life for the better by having such an experience, is perfect.” Those interested in being part of this inspiring program by making a gift in memory of Tom Kelly can donate online at www.gsbschool.org, or call James Diverio in the development office at 908-234-1611, ext. 210. All donations should be directed toward the Thomas Patrick Kelly ’87 China Unit Scholarship.

From Left: Tom Kelly ’87 (top, left) with his fellow classmates at the Summer Palace in Beijing, China; The Great Wall of China; (l . to r .) Ivan Matviak ’87, Michael Weinstein ’87 and Tom Kelly ’87 [before departing from Gill St . Bernard’s and boarding a plane to China .]

COLLEGE CORNER 10

Music Enthusiast: Caitlyn Dougher ’10 Alumna Caitlyn Dougher ’10 has been no stranger to Iceland over the past several years as she not only visited this beautiful country through a Unit trip in 2009, but also returned to fulfill her passion for music this past summer. According to Dougher, who is currently pursuing a degree at Northeastern University in the music industry and a double-minor in ethnomusicology and creative industries, it was Iceland’s prominence in the music business, producing bands like Björk, Sigur Rós and GusGus, that Caitlyn Dougher ’10 kayaking in prompted her return three years later. “I want to work in Ísafjörður, Iceland. the music industry internationally, so I made it my focus to find a co-op abroad,” said Dougher, who spent seven months working with the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, an annual musical festival established in 1999 and held in Reykjavik, Iceland last year. During her time as a public relations and marketing intern with Iceland Airwaves, Dougher’s daily duties included updating social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, uploading content to Instagram, writing newsletter articles and managing the attending press. “It is amazing to say I worked for such an important event,” she said. When not at the office or working concerts for big bands like Of Monsters and Men, Dougher could also be found visiting several of the same places she once explored while in Iceland with GSB. At the time, Dougher was recognized as one of several students behind the ‘green’ movement on campus. Appropriately, Dougher and her fellow classmates focused on the environmental aspects of Iceland by touring a geothermal plant, several wind farms, the Blue Lagoon Spa and numerous waterfalls with teachers Edward Brown, Judy Jerolaman and Takisha Sulton. Additional Unit trips attended by Dougher throughout her high school career also included England and Scotland, France and Seattle, the latter of which was a blues, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll-focused trip. Aside from participating in the Seattle Unit trip to Washington, Dougher also explored her interests in music while attending the School of Rock Chatham as a singer in high school, enrolling in a music business course at New York University (NYU) the summer of her junior year and lobbying for the introduction of a music theory class for all interested Upper School students. Now in its fourth year as a daily course at GSB, music theory is available today to all students in the Upper School. Dougher recognizes the Unit program as having a huge impact on her life. “I really embraced GSB’s motto ‘The World is Our Classroom,’ and got the chance to visit some truly amazing countries that inspired me to see what else the world has to offer,” said Dougher. “I have

learned a great deal about myself, Iceland, the music industry and people in general, which I wouldn’t have been able to do if I hadn’t taken that risk to make the world my classroom.” Although not required by Northeastern University, as many as three international and domestic co-ops are offered to students of all majors throughout their college career. In an effort to broaden her cultural outreach as well as explore her potential career path, Dougher also studied music in Bali, Indonesia during the summer of 2011 through the co-op programs offered by Northeastern. Opposite page: Gullfoss; This page top: Gullfoss; Bottom: All participants in the Unit trip to Iceland.

HOMECOMING

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L

Homecoming/Family Day Crowds of parents, students, alumni, and faculty and staff enjoyed a day of fun activities, entertainment and sports at GSB’s Homecoming/Family Day on September 29. While Upper School students manned various booths consisting of face-painting, a dunk tank and pie throwing, the Parents’ Association also offered samples and sold baked goods from Griggstown Farm. When not indulging in the many activities or tasty treats provided, many could be found cheering for the Knights near the GSB athletic fields. With a total of 13 matches held throughout the day, the athletics program saw a remarkable 11 victories from its Middle School, junior varsity and varsity teams. Many thanks to all volunteers—including event co-chairs Karen Orazietti P ’16, ’18, ’21 and Cheryl Fritzlo P ’19, ’21 and members of the Athletic Booster Club—for making GSB’s 2012 Homecoming/Family Day such a success. Top: (L . to r .) GSB’s Director of Alumni Relations Chanelle Walker with alumnus and alumni council member James Maynard ’76; Alumnus Daniel Herr ’84 with his family, including daughter and current GSB student Elizabeth ’24; Bottom: (L . to r .) Athletic Booster Club volunteers Linda Osterman P ’13, Amanda Wentworth-Ping P ’13 and Lisa Dadouris P ’07, ’17; (L . to r .) Parents’ Association event co-chairs Karen Orazietti P ’16, ’18, ’21 and Cheryl Fritzlo P ’19, ’21 .

HOMECOMING

Top: The GSB “Blue Crew” cheers for the varsity girls’ soccer team; Middle: (L . to r .) Upper School faculty members William and Jennifer Diamond introduce their newborn son, Billy, to alumna Hayley Diverio ’11; Skylar Macak ’20; Bottom: (L . to r .) Sarah Hassett ’13 and Julie Roettger ’13 .

ALUMNI NEWS

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

Alumni Join Together at Holiday Party in NYC Nearly 40 alumni representing the St. Bernard’s School and Gill St. Bernard’s School, as well as trustees Matthew Clark ’94, John Howard P ’17, ’21 and Robert Sameth, Jr. ’89, gathered in New York City for a holiday party on December 12. With assistance from alumni council member and trustee Robert Hemm SBS ’46, the event was held at the world headquarters of The Explorers Club. Founded in 1904, The Explorers Club is an international, multidisciplinary, professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the idea that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. “I feel the mission of the club has a natural affinity for the GSB motto ‘The World is Our Classroom’ and I also feel that it resonates with the past, present, and future of the school,” said Hemm, who joined Headmaster Sid Rowell in an opening address. As a member of The Explorers Club himself, Hemm was kind enough to provide guests with a tour of the club’s facilities, which archive many treasures brought back by voyagers over past centuries. Among some of the most impressive artifacts on display were a famous polar bear that stands at the entrance, Vasco de Gama’s 15th century desk, flags carried by explorers from Thor Heyerdahl to the Apollo 11 crew, and a trophy room with contributions from expeditions over the last one hundred years. Overall, the venue was a wonderful setting for everyone to enjoy good company and conversation with fellow alumni. Top right: (L. to r.) GSB alumni Jennifer Parsons ’02, Elizabeth Parsons ’00, Jaime Goodrich ’01, P ’27 and Naomi Ages ’01; Bottom row: (L. to r.) Andrew Gedrich ‘99, Sean Johnson ‘08, Robert “Tyler” Merck ‘08 and Kris Goodrich ‘99, P ’27; Trustee Robert Hemm SBS ’46 with GSB’s Director of Alumni Relations Chanelle Walker.

ALUMNI NEWS

Former Students Return to GSB for Young Alumni Night Alumni from the Class of 2008 through the Class of 2012 were invited to attend Gill St. Bernard’s annual Young Alumni Night on January 10. While catching up with former classmates, teachers and friends in Brueckner Hall, alumni cheered the varsity boys’ basketball team to a 74-48 victory over Hillsborough High School.

Top right: A former GSB cheerleader herself, alumna Alanna Noll ’12 (l.) says hello to fellow squad member Emily Buynak ’14 (r.); Middle: (L. to r.) Jack Markham ’12, Joseph O’Dowd ’12 and Andrew Ramey ’12 enjoy cheering for the Knights at a varsity boys’ basketball game held during Young Alumni Night; Bottom: (L. to r.) Hayley Diverio ’11, Betsy Swartz ’11 and Mark Small ’11.

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S

GSB NEWS

Turkey Day

10 Years–75,000 Pounds of Turkey Gill St. Bernard’s School hosted its 10th anniversary celebration of Turkey Day on November 16, resulting in the donation of 8,100 pounds of poultry to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. A treasured tradition amongst faculty, staff and students at the school, each division has played an important role in the success of GSB’s annual Turkey Day over the past 10 years. Whether showing spirit while dressed in turkey costumes and hats, creating posters to advertise the event or volunteering to carry turkeys for younger students each year, Turkey Day is recognized for promoting a sense of community within the school and raising awareness of hunger issues that exist just miles away from students’ own homes. An event that has grown significantly, Turkey Day has led to the successful donation of more than 5,000 turkeys, weighing in at a combined total of approximately 75,000 pounds, to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey since 2003. Last year’s turkey count included more than 600 turkeys totaling approximately 9,150 pounds, the overall second highest number donated by any non-profit organization covering more than 40 sites statewide in 2011. Gill St. Bernard’s donated 563 turkeys this year and is thankful for the help it received from the local, organic and sustainable restaurant Ninety Acres, part of the Natirar Resort in Peapack-Gladstone. This partnership not only cross-promoted donations on campus and at the restaurant, but also led to the introduction of a special GSB Turkey Day Stuffing recipe—containing fresh vegetables and herbs from the 10-acre farm at Natirar—to Ninety Acres’ menu for the month of November. Aside from appearing on the Ninety Acres menu last November, Turkey Day Stuffing was also served during a Turkey Day luncheon at GSB on November 16. Additional activities that took place throughout the day included a third through fifth grade reading of Sarah Gives Thanks, led by the book’s author Mike Allegra, among other holiday readings completed by Upper School students, and a welcome ceremony at the Thomas Court with “Thanks,” the GSB turkey mascot. Allegra, a Scotch Plains resident, later visited the Upper School’s creative writing class and two Middle School history classes. This page: (L . to r .) Garrett Rowe ’15, Alexander Rowe ’13 and Scoey Young ’13 dress in turkey costumes at GSB’s 2012 Turkey Day celebration; Opposite page top: (F .) Aaron Markowitz ’11, (b .) Jesse Alexander ’11, Alden Corbett ’11, Dominic Hoffman ’12 and Thomas Aquilina ’10 load a Community FoodBank of New Jersey truck at GSB’s 2009 Turkey Day; Opposite page middle: Staff member Joe Winchock counts turkeys at GSB’s 2010 Turkey Day; Bottom row: (L . to r .) Liam Jones ’21 and Zoe O’Connor ’21 enjoy 2008 Turkey Day; Chelsey Puglisi ’11 delivers her turkey at GSB’s 2010 Turkey Day .

GSB NEWS

About the Founders of Turkey Day Peter and Randell Schmidt Now in its 10th year at Gill St. Bernard’s, the annual tradition known as Turkey Day began when two longtime faculty members learned that a Community FoodBank of New Jersey truck had overturned on the N.J. Turnpike enroute to Hillside. To make up for turkeys lost during the accident, head librarian Randell Schmidt and Director of Studies Peter Schmidt established GSB’s first-ever Turkey Day, which led to the donation of more than 400 turkeys in just a few days. The Schmidts remain at the forefront of all Turkey Day operations and continue to exemplify a compassion for giving. “As human beings, it is who we are,” said Peter Schmidt. “It makes us happy to be part of something that involves so many people working together to alleviate a growing concern over hunger in New Jersey.” While Gill St. Bernard’s continues to practice several of those traditions that first took place at GSB’s inaugural Turkey Day in 2003—the singing of a turkey song, the creation of Thanksgiving-themed decorations and costumes, and the reading of a turkey story by Lower School librarian Hope Preston—additional activities now include participation from Upper School seniors who carry turkeys for and read stories to Lower School students each year.

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L

The GSB Players Present Plaza Suite Since 1990, the Gill St. Bernard’s stage has been home to nearly three dozen comedies, mysteries and musicals, as well as numerous Middle School and summer presentations. The GSB Players continued a longstanding tradition of excellence and artistry as they proudly presented Neil Simon’s 1970s production, Plaza Suite, from November 15 through 17. This comedic production, set in room 719 of a New York City hotel, consisted of nine cast members depicting three sets of occupants from Forest Hills, Hollywood and Mamaroneck. As the final fall performance for six seniors, characters included a not-so-blissfully married couple Sam (Xauen Zirpolo ’15) and Karen Nash (Katherine Giordano ’14) who revisited their honeymoon suite, movie producer Jesse Kiplinger (Robert Anderson ’13) and his old flame Muriel Tate (Jessica Kundla ’13) who reunited after many years, and parents Roy (Andrew Devine ’13) and Norma Hubley (Jana Bernard ’13), along with their daughter Mimsey (Emily Fischer ’13), who suffered cold feet on her wedding day with Bordon Eisler (Mycroft Zimmerman ’16). From the first act until the last scene, this production, which was referred to as both “outstanding” and “hysterical” by followers of the GSB Facebook page, left audience members roaring with laughter. Nicholas Bilynsky ’13, who assumed the role of a waiter in the play, also regarded Plaza Suite as “the fall production of a lifetime.” Plaza Suite was directed by Performing Arts Department Chair Paul Canada, who has earned a total of eight Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Awards throughout his 23-year tenure with the Gill St. Bernard’s School. Among these were five for “Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design,” two for “Outstanding Overall Production” and one for “Outstanding Direction.”

From left: Nicholas Bilynsky ’13 writes an order for champagne; Top row left: (L . to r .) Robert Anderson ’13, Nicholas Bilynsky ’13, Emily Fischer ’13, Mycroft Zimmerman ’16 and Xauen Zirpolo ’15; Jessica Kundla ’13, Jana Bernard ’13, Andrew Devine ’13 and Katherine Giordano ’14; Top row right: (L . to r .) Robert Anderson ’13 discusses the movie-making business with Jessica Kundla ’13; Bottom row left: (L . to r .) Jana Bernard ’13 and her husband Andrew Devine ’13 read a note written by their daughter Emily Fischer ’13, who has barricaded herself on the opposite side of the suite’s bathroom door; (L . to r .) Xauen Zirpolo ’15 and his secretary Emily Fischer ’13 review important documents; Xauen Zirpolo ’15, Katherine Giordano ’14, Andrew Devine ’13 and Jana Bernard ’13 take a bow .

GSB NEWS

Stone Soup Day Spreads the Spirit of Community Service to Students for 30 Years An annual event set to remind all that even the seemingly impossible can be accomplished when everyone makes a contribution, Stone Soup Day marked its 30th anniversary last October. The GSB tradition was originally established in 1982 by former Lower School librarian Pauline Lurie and Early Childhood teacher Jan Hays. Hays, who retired from GSB in 1995, returned to celebrate Stone Soup Day with Upper, Middle and Lower School students and faculty members on October 3 in the Athletic Center. Following a formal introduction from Headmaster Sid Rowell, Hays addressed the audience, explaining that the creation of Stone Soup Day was inspired by an age-old fable about a traveler looking for food during a great famine. “Stone Soup is a wonderful story about sharing and being good neighbors,” said Hays. Aside from providing soup and monetary donations to various local organizations since its inception, Stone Soup Day continues to foster an everlasting sense of community, with all divisions participating

in this service activity year after year. In keeping with the legendary tale of Stone Soup, GSB’s youngest student is asked to place a soup stone in the cauldron each fall. There to pass down this tradition, and the stone, to Primary 3 student Ariana Isusi ’27 at this year’s event was Alexis Molnar from the Class of 2013, who also placed a stone in the cauldron as a primary student in 1999. Once the soup stone, along with other ingredients including carrots, potatoes and noodles, had been added by Lower School students in Pre-K through grade four, GSB’s soup was then sent to the Dining Hall, where it was cooked and donated to the Plainfield Senior Citizen’s Center, along with monetary donations. GSB Stone Soup was also served in the Dining Hall on October 4. (L . to r .) The school’s youngest member, Ariana Isusi ’27, drops a soup stone in the cauldron at GSB’s 2012 Stone Soup Day; The co-founder of GSB’s Stone Soup Day, former Early Childhood teacher Jan Hays .

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L

GSB Parents’ Association Hosts 17th Annual Fashion Show Models from Saks Fifth Avenue, dressed in this season’s hottest fashion trends, were greeted with cheers from more than 200 GSB parents, alumni and friends at the 17th Annual Parents’ Association Fashion Show “Destination Fashion: The World is Your Runway” on December 4. The event, which took place at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., included a buffet lunch, boutique shopping and “Not-Just-Baskets.” The latter, a collection of baskets containing luxurious items, ranged from electronics to this year’s BLING item “Why Cook Tonight?” a selection of gift cards for area restaurants valued at over $1,200. In addition to shopping for clothing, accessories, jewelry and more at boutique vendors (L . to r .) Headmaster Sid Rowell with fashion show co-chairs Ellen Herrlin P ’18, ’19, Cheryl Devine such as Simply Fabulous, P ’20 and Michele Johnson P ’18, ’20 . 5 Diva Girls, Jo Malone, J. McLaughlin and Windswept, event-goers also tried their luck, and their keys, at the ever-popular Pandora’s Box. Those fortunate enough to open the lock to Pandora’s Box selected a wrapped gift, not knowing its contents, and walked away with items from Coach, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Saks, Neiman Marcus and the like. Thanks to all who registered, donated and supported this year’s fashion show, the event was able to raise more than $30,000 for the Parents’ Association, an organization that helps to fund special programs and events aimed at enriching the lives of members within the GSB community.

GSB NEWS

Peter Schmidt Named Winner in The Chronicle of Higher Education Contest The Chronicle of Higher Education recently requested proposals from its readers to describe, in 500 words or less, concepts for a new kind of college that they would create if they could start from scratch. Director of Studies Peter Schmidt, who was among scores of professors, administrators, undergraduate students and others to enter a proposal, was named one of five finalists to be voted on by other readers. Schmidt’s proposal, entitled “College of the Global Village,” was chosen as winner and appeared in The Chronicle of High Education on November 23. Upon reading his proposition, President Royce C. Engstrom of The University of Montana also asked that Schmidt appear as keynote speaker during “Celebrate Academics”, a university-wide festival that recognized UM’s Charter Day on February 13.

GSB Establishes Social Media Presence to Enhance Communication In an effort to enhance communication with families, faculty members, students, alumni and the general public, the school broadened its online reach when it launched an official Facebook page this summer . “The need for organizations to establish an online presence has become increasingly important, as first impressions are often formed based on what others see on the web,” said New Media Specialist Michael LaBrie . Within one month of launching its official Facebook site, GSB earned approximately 175 followers, and now holds more than 400 . Through the use of social media, the school can now provide both news and feature-like content to the public in a timely manner, with the simple click of a mouse . Information shared via the GSB Facebook page includes division updates, alumni news, athletic stats and more . What are you waiting for? Like us at: www.facebook.com/gsbschool today! 21

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

Performing Arts Shine This Holiday Season With more than seven theatrical performances and musical concerts at GSB this winter, it was an exciting December, as families gathered to celebrate the spirit of the holidays from the comfort of Gill’s Chapel, Evans Hall, the Theater and Aresty Pavilion. Included throughout the month were Lower School performances of Annie and The Nutcracker, numerous events featuring Lower School piano and guitar students, as well as Middle School jazz band students, and three separate choral concerts hosted across each division. GSB’s winter concert series also concluded with a winter concert from The Gill St. Bernard’s School Strings Ensemble on December 20.

Top row this page: Ava Roslund ’25 plays the role of a reed flute player in GSB’s Early Childhood production of The Nutcracker in Evans Hall; The cast and crew of GSB’s Lower School theater production, Annie, with Directors Amy (l.) and David Southerland (r.); Bottom row this page: Lucas Zuanic ’20 ready to perform a song with the Wild Knights at Gill St. Bernard’s Winter Jazz Band Concert in the Chapel; (L. to r.) Matthew Steinbaum ’20 and Daniel Heo ’20 play the violin at the strings ensemble’s winter recital; Top row opposite page: Approximately 40 chorus members performed for family and friends during the Upper School’s Neglected Holiday Concert on December 19; Bottom row opposite page: Liam Brown ’24 showcases his piano skills at GSB’s December 3 Lower School Recital; Natalie Sturman ’21 leads her fellow classmates on the xylophone during a Lower School Holiday Concert; (L. to r.) Kennedy Hayes ’18 and Nicole Johnson ’18 perform with their peers at the Middle School Holiday Concert.

GSB NEWS

ATHLETICS

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L

GSB Awarded “ShopRite Cup” at Special Assembly Gill St. Bernard’s School was officially awarded the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) “ShopRite Cup” at a special assembly attended by Middle and Upper School students on September 10. The GSB Knights qualified for the 2012 “ShopRite Cup,” an award presented annually to six schools from each state classification, following numerous championship victories at the state and sectional level. According to NJSIAA Assistant Director Jack DuBois, nine points were also awarded to Gill St. Bernard’s for demonstrating ideal sportsmanship throughout more than 500 contests over the course of the 2011-12 school year. After speaking on behalf of the NJSIAA and ShopRite, DuBois and local Chester ShopRite store manager Glenn Cunningham formally presented the “ShopRite Cup” to Headmaster Sid Rowell, Upper School Director Sue Petrone and Athletic Director David Pasquale (see photo below). In his acceptance speech, Pasquale commended all GSB athletes for such an outstanding accomplishment and asked each team to rise for a round of applause.

Andrew Margolis ’20 races the Knight.

AT H L E T I C S

Chimes Ends 33-Year Coaching Career with Historic 2011 XC Season While for many the thrill of coaching comes from securing a crucial win, for Gill St. Bernard’s longtime coach Michael Chimes it was the opportunity to work with countless student-athletes. According to Chimes, their lives had a monumental impact on his own, and kept him returning to the sidelines for more than 30 years. Chimes began his career with the Knights as a varsity soccer coach in 1979. Since then, he has coached approximately 60 high school seasons including varsity basketball, tennis, golf and cross country. As the school’s first-ever girls’ cross country coach in 2005, Chimes went from two runners in his inaugural year to nine athletes in 2011, the final fall season of his coaching career. In what proved a remarkable year in the history of GSB’s cross country program, Chimes’ team not only garnered a New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non Public B State Championship in 2011, but also won the Prep B Championships and Shore Coaches’ Invitational. In addition, the girls ranked top-10 at the Meet of Champions. “I knew we’d be good, but I had no idea we’d be winning groups and have a top-10 state ranking,” said Chimes, whose expert guidance and success also led him to be named “Coach of the Year” by the New Jersey Courier News and The Star-Ledger that same season. “Mike has had immeasurable success in several sports over all three seasons throughout his tenure,” said Director of Athletics David Pasquale. “His 2011 state championship cross country team and the well-deserved ‘Coach of the Year’ honor that followed were the culmination of a prolific coaching career.” Other championships acquired by Chimes during his 15 years as a cross country coach for the GSB Knights include four Prep State Championships, as well as a Prep Championship during the 1992-93 varsity girls’ basketball season. Looking to continue the recent success seen by GSB’s varsity cross country program will be coaches David deWolfe and Amy Ulto. DeWolfe came to GSB as a Middle School math teacher and spring track and field coach in 2011, and later became assistant coach for winter track. Ulto, who joined the spring track and field team with deWolfe in 2011, now serves as assistant coach across all three running seasons. Prior to joining Gill St. Bernard’s as a history teacher 34 years ago, Chimes also coached a youth soccer league from 1966 to 1969, and played tennis and basketball at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and St. Andrews, Scotland. Now in his fourth year as director of academic technology at GSB, Chimes also served as Gill St. Bernard’s director of college guidance for 23 years. Former Gill St. Bernard’s coach Michael Chimes.

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

Slackman Named Head Coach of GSB’s Varsity Girls’ Basketball Program

assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh (Bradford), where his every day responsibilities involved designing and implementing practice routines, developing game strategies and coordinating recruitment efforts.

Gill St. Bernard’s announced John Slackman as its new head varsity girls’ basketball coach for the 2012-13 winter season.

Slackman holds a Master in Sports Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Pittsburgh (Bradford), where he was also a member of its Division III men’s basketball team. “He is a tireless worker whose passion for the game will be a significant asset to the girls’ program,” said Pasquale.

While Slackman may be new to Gill St. Bernard’s varsity girls’ basketball program, he is no stranger to the school’s Athletic Center where he has served as assistant coach to GSB’s nationally ranked boys program since 2010. “John has done a terrific job helping our boys achieve success at an unprecedented level,” said Director of Athletics David Pasquale. “Our girls have been equally strong, as evidenced by last year’s Tournament of Champions run, and I’m confident that John will help continue that success.” In discussing the expectations of his new role, Slackman said, “I understand there is pressure to get back to that final game. If I didn’t feel I could handle it, I wouldn’t have applied.” Aside from serving as manager and head coach of a girls’ AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball clinic in Whippany, N.J., additional experience held by Slackman includes

Varsity Boys’ Soccer  The varsity boys’ soccer team had a very successful 2012 season, complete with participation in the Somerset County Tournament (SCT), a Valley Division crown, and Non Public B South Sectional and Prep B Championship victories. With a first round bye in this year’s SCT, GSB’s #5 seeded varsity boys’ soccer team first defeated Rutgers Prep 2-0 on October 6. The boys then faced the SCT’s #4 seed, Bridgewater-Raritan, in a quarterfinal match held October 13. Despite a 1-0 loss to Bridgewater-Raritan, Gill St. Bernard’s quickly recovered and continued its rise to the top of the Skyland Conference for the second time since joining in 2009, as it shutout rival opponents from Bernards, Belvidere, Manville, North Plainfield, Bound Brook and 26

Head Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach John Slackman.

South Hunterdon throughout the fall. Among those shutout victories obtained was a 3-0 win over Bernards High School on October 18. While goals were scored by James Reiner ’14, Jae-Chiang Wong ’13 and Justin Durcan ’14 who saw assists from Theophilus Timothy ’13 and Timothy DiBisceglie ’13, a strong defensive effort by Stark Kirby ’13, Matthew Decker ’16 and Ryan Osterman ’13 also kept Bernards’ offense at bay to preserve the win. Shortly after taking the Valley Division crown with a record of 11-0-1, GSB began state tournament play with yet another shutout, this time over Moorestown Friends School on November 13. The winning continued on November 15, when goalkeeper Michael Renna ’13 earned a school record 15th shutout of the season during the Non Public B South Sectional semifinals against Wildwood Catholic. From there, the Knights

AT H L E T I C S

earned a dramatic double overtime shootout win over Trenton Catholic in the Sectional finals. In the shootout, Bijan Eizadkhah ’13, Wong, Jack Lowe ’15, DiBisceglie and Durcan all converted penalty kicks, while Renna sent the Knights to their second consecutive state final. The boys later fell 2-0 to North champion Montclair Kimberley Academy during the Non Public B State Championships at The College of New Jersey on November 26, bringing their final record to 20-3-1. GSB’s varsity boys’ soccer team also defeated Newark Academy 2-1 in double overtime to claim its first outright independent school Prep B Championship since 1997. It was Reiner who scored off a pass from Wong three minutes into second overtime for the win. Meanwhile, Lowe assisted a Nicholas Blackman ’13 goal late in the first half to open scoring.

Bijan Eizadkhah ’13.

Varsity Girls’ Soccer  Gill St. Bernard’s varsity girls’ soccer team garnered its fourth straight winning season, finishing with an overall record of 9-7-1 Aside from earning conference victories over opponents from Belvidere, Manville, Bound Brook High School and North Plainfield throughout the fall, also noteworthy was a 2-0 win over Rutgers Prep in this year’s Somerset County Tournament (SCT) on September 29. Down 1-0 in the first half, forward Amanda Greenberg ’13 evened the score when she

Kathryn Bednarsky ’14.

chipped in an assist from defenseman Brianne Adornetto ’13 at the 21-minute mark. Kaila Gong ’15 then sealed the Knights’ 2-1 victory, as she scored off a cross from Greenberg with just five minutes left in regulation. Despite sincere effort from each Knight during round two of the SCT, GSB’s #10 seeded girls fell to the tournament’s #7 seed, Hillsborough High School, on October 6. The Knights quickly recovered with wins over Bernards High School and Manville, however, and eventually concluded their regular-season with an 8-0 victory over Bound Brook on October 23. The girls also advanced in the Non Public B State Tournament following an 8-0 shutout from goalkeeper Jessica Ferrando ’13 over Benedictine Academy. Leading the girls on offense was Kathryn Bednarsky ’14 with four goals, Margot Chowansky ’13 with two, and Adornetto and Renee Turner ’16 with one each. While 2012 signified a milestone year for head coach Jonna DeFalco who secured her 100th career victory (see article on Page 28), also impressive throughout the season were players Kelly Stefanick ’13, Elizabeth Prins ’13, Andrea Jablonskyj ’14, Kelly Staples ’14, Kimberly Lindquist ’13, Carly Meyers ’14 and Elizabeth Todd ’15. Bednarsky truly stood out as well, as she not only became the Knight’s 11th all-time leading scorer with 36 career goals, but also the school’s 6th all-time leader in assists with 30.

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

Head Varsity Soccer Coach DeFalco Earns 100th Career Win Head coach Jonna DeFalco earned her 100th career win with Gill St. Bernard’s varsity girls’ soccer team following an 8-0 victory over Benedictine Academy in the first round of the Non Public B State Tournament on November 9. According to DeFalco, earning her 100th win could not have come at a better time, as this fall proved a very sentimental season. “I have been coaching most of the juniors and seniors on this year’s team since they were in fifth and sixth grade,” said DeFalco, who has served GSB’s varsity girls’ soccer program for the past

nine years. “So being able to share this milestone with them, as upperclassmen, is truly special.” DeFalco, who holds a M.Ed. in athletic counseling from Springfield College in Massachusetts, and a B.A. in psychology from Rowan University, where she played Division III intercollegiate soccer, is also Gill St. Bernard’s Middle School basketball and softball coach. In addition, she teaches Middle School health and assists with Early Childhood physical education.

Varsity Girls’ Tennis  The 2012 season was nothing short of spectacular for the varsity girls’ tennis team, which earned its second consecutive Raritan Division Championship, going undefeated in conference play, and its first Non Public B South Sectional Championship since 2007. Following a 5-0 victory over Our Lady of Mercy in the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA Non Public B South Sectional Tournament on October 9, the girls then traveled to the #2-seeded WardlawHartridge School for a semifinal match, where they secured a 4-1 win on October 11. In continuing on in the tournament, GSB next hosted Moorestown Friends School on October 15, not only securing a 4-1 victory, but also a Sectional Championship. Individual success was also seen by first singles player Krishna Patel ’16, who competed in the Somerset County Girls’ Tennis Tournament finals and advanced in the NJSIAA State Singles Tournament this season. Patel faced a top-seeded Lexi Borr of Westfield at the NJSIAA State Singles Championships on October 21, and later qualified for the final round of the Prep B Tournament, which was played at Edison’s Garden State Tennis Center on October 22. Bethany Valentine ’13 and Lydia Dey ’13 also excelled at second and third singles throughout the season, while Carolyn Najarian ’16, Jacqueline Fuentes ’16, Laura Wood ’13, Kendall Dunn ’14 and Stephanie Fuentes ’14 all posted impressive victories at Kendall Dunn ’14. doubles positions.

Varsity Cross Country  GSB’s varsity cross country program made big strides this fall, beginning with the Randolph Invitational on September 7. As last year’s Non Public B State Champions, the varsity girls’ cross country squad placed third overall and first amongst all New Jersey high schools at the 2012 Randolph Invite, where Dana Klein ’14 (21:13), Emily Quinn ’13 (21:14),

AT H L E T I C S

Alexandria Benoit ’14 (21:15), Emily Iannaconi ’13 (22:13), Madeline Quinn ’15 (22:41) and Rebecca Richardson ’14 (22:53) each posted top-25 finishes. The girls continued their rise to success with the Shore Coaches’ Invitational approximately one month later, during which they secured an overall third place team finish in the day’s “Varsity F” race. Among the race’s top10 finishers was Klein who took fourth place in 19:57, Benoit who placed seventh in 20:20, and Emily Quinn who crossed the line 10th in 21:20. Also, taking sixth place overall in the boys’ race was Patrik Andersen ’15 who finished the very tough Holmdel Park course in 17:35. Next, helping to defend an overall first place team finish at this year’s GSB Cross Country Invite was Klein, who took first amongst a field of 53 female participants from such schools as Blair Academy and Lawrenceville Prep, and finished the Gill St. Bernard’s course in a time of 18:49 on October 10. Klein continued to excel at the team’s next major meet of the season, the Somerset County Cross Country Championships, finishing ninth out of a field of 92. She was backed by teammates Emily Quinn, Benoit, Madeline Quinn, Sahara Ensley ’16 and Natalia Sachs ’13 who also contributed to an overall sixth place team finish and the fastest total time by any GSB girls’ team at this event. Similar to the girls’ squad, the boys’ team also saw unprecedented success at the Somerset County Championships, as GSB’s top-five runners Andersen, Brian Steck ’13, Peter Johnson ’15, Jacob Kruger ’15 and Andrew Provines ’13 all posted times below the 20-minute mark. The boys’ freshman team comprised of Michael Iannaconi ’16 (13:39), William Metzler ’16 (13:41), Mycroft Zimmerman ’16 (13:45), Paul Kruger ’16 (13:57) and Sebastian Pampalone ’16 (14:31) earned an overall eighth place finish as well. Meanwhile posting a top-10 finish in the freshman girls race was Morgan Margolis ’16 who placed second in a time of 13:55—just seven seconds short of breaking the all-time course record—and Amanda Leonhard ’16 who took ninth in 15:18, respectively. Shortly after earning its second consecutive Prep B Championship at Blair Academy on November 13, the varsity girls’ cross country team also

finished runner-up at the Non Public B Group Championships in Holmdel Park on November 17. While the girls’ squad was led by Klein (3rd/19:22), Emily Quinn (4th/19:28), Benoit (5th/20:17), Madeline Quinn (23rd/21:58) and Ensley (25th/22:04), also leading the boys to its best finish ever (7th) were Steck (17:17) and Andersen (17:26). The girls’ cross country team later went on to finish its 2012 season by attending the Meet of Champions (MOC), where it placed 13th amongst participating New Jersey high schools. Also qualifying for the Brian Steck ’13. MOC were Steck and Andersen.

GSB Names New Varsity Fencing Coach The Gill St. Bernard’s Athletic Department welcomed head varsity fencing coach Jared Hammond to its program this winter season. Hammond joined GSB from Haverford College in Haverford, Penn., where he helped lead his team to the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association Championships as an assistant coach.

Jared Hammond.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Hammond fenced for both Bernards High School and later New York University (NYU), where he earned much success for himself and his teams. Shortly after being named a two-time All-State fencer and guiding his high school team to its first-ever NJSIAA State Championship, Hammond went on to become a two-time captain at NYU where he still remains an all-time record holder in career fencing wins. While attending NYU, Hammond also trained with national and Olympic coaches to become a Division III National Champion in sabre.

PATRONS

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

GSB Golf Classic Hits $1MM Mark

life the opportunity to learn and succeed,” said Niccolai, who co-chaired the event for the past several years with board of trustees Chairman John Howard P ’17, ’21. 2012 proved a groundbreaking year for the GSB Golf Classic. Proceeds from this Due in part to supporters of the GSB Golf Classic over the past eight years, the school year’s outing pushed the net total raised is now able to provide approximately 15% in the eight years since its inception to of students, grades K to 12, with some more than $1 million—a goal initially amount of financial support. “I’ve worked set to be achieved by the Classic’s on these events at other organizations and 10-year mark. The GSB Classic raises nothing compares to what we’ve been able to funds solely for endowment to support accomplish here at GSB,” said Niccolai. “Yearneed-based financial aid. Established by past parent Joseph Vespa in and year-out, the community has been so generous and we’re really appreciative of that.” P ’07 and current parent Gregory Details pertaining to the 2013 GSB Golf Niccolai P ’16 in 2005, the GSB Golf Classic, which will be held in September, Classic helps provide the opportunity will be announced later this year. Continued for a GSB education to students whose success in upcoming years will further increase families may otherwise be unable this endowed fund and make it possible for to afford it. “We’re helping to make more students to become a part of the Gill St. Bernard’s a better place by GSB community. offering children from all walks of

Top row: Eighth Annual GSB Golf Classic committee members (l. to r.) GSB Director of Development James Diverio P ’11, ’15, Ronald Pilla P ’14, ’17, John Castrucci P ’17, Robert DeCarlo P ’26, Golf Classic co-chair John Howard P ’17, ’21, Kevin Giordano P ’14, ’19, GSB Headmaster Sid Rowell P ’08, ’14, Richard Magee P ’19, alumnus Todd Ross ’94, Golf Classic co-chair Gregory Niccolai P ’16, Douglas Matthews P ’16, ’18, ’24, Brian Kramer P ’16 and Kevin Carey P ’23. Other committee members not pictured include: Christopher Clayton P ’14, ’16, Anthony Davino P ’18, ’22, Cameron Gateman P ’17, ’20, Anthony Lake P ’18, ’21, GSB Associate Director of Development Michael Liddy, James O’Connor P ’21, Marianne Rafferty P ’16, Robert Sameth, Jr. ’89, Paul Sturman P ’21, ’22 and GSB Director of Alumni Relations Chanelle Walker.

Bottom row: (L. to r.) Eric Lazar P ’17, ’18, ’20, Douglas Udoff P ’16, ’17, ’21, ’23, Keith Richardson P ’17, ’23 and 2012 GSB Golf Classic committee member John Castrucci P ’17; 2012 GSB Golf Classic committee member and alumnus Todd Ross ’94.

PAT R O N S

Addition to Founders Hall Officially Complete   Founders Hall renovations are officially complete! Construction began in May 2012 and came to a close in early October, the final result being a 2,400 square foot, two-story addition that expands the school’s Dining Room, and provides new art studios and gallery space. This project marks the school’s second addition to the 103-year-old Founders Hall. In addition, the building houses a conference room and several classrooms. The expansion of the dining area has made room for a larger serving area, upgrades to the kitchen and the addition of an industrial dishwasher (to be installed later this year). Special thanks is given to board of trustees members Donald Fuentes P ’14, ’16, ’24 and Harry Chowansky P ’09, ’13, ’15, ’22 for their outstanding work on this project. In addition to working very closely with the architect and building contractor on plans and construction details, both shared their expertise and resources to complete site work and final landscaping details. Two leadership gifts were given to complete the project. Board of trustees Chairman John Howard P ’17, ’21 and his wife Fran gave the lead gift for the new Dining Room. To be named in honor of Fran’s late father, Louis Verdile, the room will be dedicated later this year. And, The Kenneth and Claudia Silverman Family Foundation helped significantly with a leadership gift for the project, specifically to support the completion of fine arts studios and gallery space on the lower level. Many others have supported the effort with major gifts, including the Conger, Corliss, Matthews, Moriarty and Nametz families. Fundraising was kicked off last April during the annual GSB auction, when $1,000 donations were accepted. Name plates recognizing these donors will be placed on chairs in the new dining area this coming spring. The development office continues to raise money to complete the funding, including accepting donations for name plates as well as other naming opportunities that are still available. Please contact Director of Development James Diverio for a tour of the renovated space and to learn more.

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L

Richard Emmitt P ’02 Honored with LindaburyThomas Trustee Award At a formal dinner held in the newly built Dining Room of Founders Hall this past October, the board of trustees named Richard Emmitt P ’02 the recipient of this year’s Lindabury-Thomas Trustee Award. This award, established three years ago, is given to a former or honorary trustee who has significantly benefited the school by the strength of his or her service. The honoree is recognized for providing leadership, creativity and inspiration while serving on the board and contributing, in a significant manner, to achieving the school’s mission. Emmitt has been an active member of the school community for over two decades. His biggest impact has been over the past 10 years. As an honorary trustee, Emmitt has been instrumental in the growth and advancement of GSB’s athletics program. “I knew Gill St. Bernard’s could provide not just an experience for higher level sports achievement, but an opportunity,” said Emmitt who not only established and spearheaded the Athletic Booster Club to support and promote all Gill St. Bernard’s teams, but also funded the initial creation of a sports information director position within the athletic department.

In addition, Emmitt was responsible for encouraging GSB to join the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), and helped identify, as well as find, solutions to those scheduling and budgetary concerns raised as a result of this new athletic initiative. “What truly amazes me is that Dick did all of these things, giving the gifts of time, talent and treasure, long after his youngest child, Meg, graduated in 2002,” said Headmaster Sid Rowell. As current president of the Athletic Booster Club, Emmitt and his wife Judy still play an active role in supporting the GSB community. Aside from their continued interest in athletics, the Emmitts have also supported the GSB Friends of the Arts program, and remain committed to raising endowment for need-based financial aid. “This is one remarkable family and a very special man,” said Rowell. (L . to r .) Honorary board member and former GSB parent Richard Emmitt P ’02 receives the third annual LindaburyThomas Trustee Award from board of trustees Chairman John Howard P ’17, ’21 .

GSB Hosts Trustee-Former Trustee Dinner Gill St . Bernard’s recently completed Founders Hall addition officially opened on October 12, when Headmaster Sid Rowell hosted an annual dinner for current and past trustees in the new Dining Room . After giving guests a sneak preview of a new GSB promotional video, Rowell introduced members of the school’s newly created Board of Visitors (see page 34) and other special guests of the evening . Later, he and board Chairman John Howard P ’17, ’21, presented the Lindabury-Thomas Trustee Award to Richard Emmitt P ’02 . (See story above .) (L . to r .) Honorary trustee Brandon Clark P ’02, ’06 with trustee Samuel Corliss .

PAT R O N S

Giving Back to Gill St. Bernard’s “Why wait? My feelings about the school are not going to change,” said alumnus Michael Weinstein ’87, who recently named the Gill St . Bernard’s School as a beneficiary in his will . Michael’s decision on naming GSB in his will was shaped, in part, by the unexpected passing of his good friend and fellow classmate, Tom Kelly ’87, for whom Gill St . Bernard’s recently established the Thomas Patrick Kelly ’87 China Unit Scholarship fund . This program helps highlight the unique love for Chinese culture that Tom first discovered while traveling abroad with GSB’s Unit program in the 1980s . This interest soon grew, as he later made China the site of his professional career and home as well . Similar to Tom, many of those experiences encountered by Michael while attending GSB have also had a significant impact on his life and future . “I was fortunate to have benefited personally and professionally from Gill St . Bernard’s,” said Michael, who began his legal career with the U .S . Department of Justice in Washington, D .C ., where he initially worked as a trial

attorney and later as a federal prosecutor . “I want others to have a similar experience, and in my mind, the most effective way to accomplish that is through the school’s Planned Giving program .” After becoming the first-ever U .S . Department of Justice attorney to receive a prestigious Pegasus Trust Fellowship with the British House of Lords in 2000, Michael then lived and worked in London where he handled international criminal prosecutions under the British legal system . Now employed at the private New Jersey law firm of Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P .A ., Michael not only acts as chairman of the firm’s nationwide White Collar Criminal Defense Litigation Group, but also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the American University School of Law . When not in the courtroom, Michael can also be found actively participating within the GSB community, both as a former member of the board of trustees for eight years and as a current member of the alumni council . It was during this period of volunteerism that he decided to include Gill St . Bernard’s in his estate planning—an endorsement of the hard work and dedication he witnessed first-hand at the

school . “I believe the earlier the better . You just never know what is going to happen and one of the ways to be prepared is through early estate planning .” It is Michael’s hope that his gift will lead others to give as well . “Whether you leave a gift, money or a personal item, it’s always good to give back to those who have played an important role in your life,” he added . “I strongly believe in the mission of GSB and I hope that others will consider making a planned gift to further that mission, no matter whether they graduated in the ’50s, ’80s or 21st century .” To learn more about the Legacy Society and about creative ways to plan a gift to Gill St. Bernard’s, please visit the “Planned Giving” section of the GSB website. Each of these gifts has its own benefit—some cost nothing now, others pay one’s income and others protect one’s assets. Please contact Michael Liddy in the development office at 908-234-1611, ext. 205, to further discuss or inform GSB of a gift intention. Michael Weinstein’87 .

The Starr Foundation Establishes New Scholarship at GSB The Starr Foundation, based in New York City, has chosen Gill St . Bernard’s School as one of the recipients of a newly established scholarship fund . A letter to Headmaster Sid Rowell, including a gift of $250,000, read, “We are pleased to advise [you] that our directors have authorized the establishment of a Maurice R . Greenberg Scholarship Fund at Gill St . Bernard’s School as a permanent endowment . This is a program we set up in 2012 as a tribute to our chairman, Maurice R . Greenberg… at selected institutions of learning .” The Starr Foundation has been a longtime supporter of GSB . Over the past 10 years, the foundation has given more than $3 .5 million to the school, almost exclusively for endowment dedicated to need-based financial aid . The C .V . Starr Scholarship Fund, offered at more than 100 colleges or universities and select secondary schools, is Gill St . Bernard’s single largest endowment fund restricted to need-based aid . The Maurice R . Greenberg Scholarship Fund, as directed by The Starr Foundation, will be used to provide financial assistance for GSB students based on merit and need . “We are grateful and also humbled by the continued confidence in GSB expressed by the directors of The Starr Foundation . Their financial commitment to support our school is remarkable,” said Rowell, upon receiving the recent gift . “I believe the success of our C .V . Starr Scholars made it clear that we are worthy recipients of this new scholarship program . We will not disappoint them .” 33

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

Board of Visitors Established This past October, Headmaster Sid Rowell and the Committee on Trustees welcomed seven members to serve on the school’s inaugural Board of Visitors. The new board was created to engage a diverse mix of people with the life of the school, and to assist in the continued growth and success of GSB. The initial group includes local business leaders, public officials, longtime education leaders and important friends of the school [see bios]. Alumni, past parents, and both current and former grandparents will also be considered to serve as the board is further established. In a welcome dinner on October 12, Rowell shared that the GSB community will greatly benefit from the individual and combined experience of the group. “We invite you to become part of our community, participate in our events and stay abreast of our many school highlights and successes,” he said. “I’m confident that as you become more engrained into our community, the external perspectives and expertise you bring to our school will be invaluable and you will truly be ambassadors for Gill.” While Board of Visitors members will be encouraged to become active participants in the school’s many major events and activities, there are two specific events held each year when the board will gather, including the annual Trustee-Former Trustee Dinner in the fall and a Board of Visitors annual meeting held each spring. Members to the board can be nominated by current members, members of the board of trustees and GSB administrators, but must be approved by the Committee on Trustees. According to the Committee on Trustees Chair Janine Udoff P ’16, ’17, ’21, ’23, the goal is to have eight to 12 members on the Board of Visitors who have varying backgrounds and experiences. “We are very excited for this group to provide an external perspective to our school through topicspecific discussions with each other and members of the school community,” she said. “The level of experience and expertise that the new Board of Visitors brings to GSB will help provide strategic input to the trustees and administration as well as offer students, faculty and staff insights that can serve to enhance the GSB community overall.” 34

With Headmaster Sid Rowell, GSB’s inaugural Board of Visitors: (l. to r.) Miguel Brito, John Reeves, Virginia Moriarty, David Farris, and The Honorable Thomas H. Kean. Other Board of Visitors not pictured include: Edward E. Matthews and Blair MacInnes.

Miguel Brito first joined the Gill St. Bernard’s community in 2001. He was a member of the board of trustees until 2012, when he became an honorary trustee. Brito has many years of experience and knowledge in the private school sector, and has served as head of school at St. Philip’s Academy, an independent, co-educational K through eight institution in Newark, since 2000. John Reeves retired last June as the first commissioner of the Division III Landmark Conference in 2006. He served as director of physical education and intercollegiate athletics at Columbia University for 14 years. Prior to his tenure at Columbia, Reeves served as professor of physical education and director of athletics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and as director of sports and recreation at the University of Rochester. He has also served as a professor of physical education, director of athletics and head soccer coach at Drew University. Virginia Moriarty has extensive experience in education and has served 12 years on the board of trustees at both the Delbarton School and St. Peter’s Prep. Along with her

PAT R O N S

current position as emerita trustee at Bucknell University, Moriarty participates on various non-profit boards. Among these are the TriCounty Scholarship Fund, Harding Library and Impact 100 Garden State. Moriarty is a GSB grandparent to alumna Meaghan Moriarty ’11 and her siblings Cole ’14, Kaitlyn ’16 and Shane ’22, as well as Matthew Parisi ’18. David Farris served as the chief operating officer of the Beneficial Company, LLC (now HSBC) beginning in 1987 and as a member of the office of the president before retiring in 1998. Farris also served for 14 years on the board of directors at Beneficial, and was a member of the board of directors at Foster Wheeler. Farris currently serves as chairman emeritus of the Cancer Hope Network and is also a trustee emeritus with the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center. He is currently co-chair of the Pediatric Philanthropy Council, which supports the Goryeb Children’s Hospital Center. Farris and his wife Jill have two daughters and seven grandchildren including GSB alumna Sarah-Louise Moss ’11 and current students Bethany ’13 and Gunnar ’15 Valentine. The Honorable Thomas H. Kean was New Jersey’s 48th governor. Following two terms as New Jersey governor between 1982 and 1990, Kean became president of Drew University. While at Drew, Kean was named by President George W. Bush as co-chair of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, better known as “The 9/11 Commission.” Kean led this bi-partisan group, which was responsible for the thorough investigation of and reporting on this tragic event. Following the conclusion of the group’s work, he helped establish the 9/11 Public Discourse Project to educate the public about 9/11 and follow through on its proposals for reform.

New York, and managing director of the Starr International Company. He first began his career with Morgan Stanley where he eventually served as partner and then managing director for more than 15 years. Matthews became vice president of finance at the American International Group (AIG) in 1973, and retired as senior vice chairman of investments and financial services in 2002. He is chairman emeritus of the Princeton HealthCare System and an emeritus trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, McCarter Theatre Company, Princeton Day School and Princeton University. He is also a GSB grandparent to Catarina ’16, Amity ’18 and Bradley ’24. Blair MacInnes is a founding trustee and director of N.J. SEEDS, a statewide nonprofit organization committed to providing educational opportunities for high-achieving, financially-limited students. Prior to founding SEEDS in 1992, MacInnes worked as a second grade public school teacher in Trenton for three years and later developed a reading program for children grades four through eight at the St. Columba School in Newark, N.J., where she also taught for 10 years. MacInnes is a former trustee for Drew University, the Community Foundation of New Jersey, The University Hospital (UMDNJ) and the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation, as well as a member of the Morris Township Juvenile Conference Committee. MacInnes ran for the New Jersey State Senate in 2003 and was New Jersey State Finance chair for the group, “Women for Kerry,” in 2004.

Edward E. Matthews is the current president and director of C.V. Starr & Co., Inc., a private insurance and investment firm in 35

FACULTY NEWS

T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L

Furthering Their Education Brittany Casser, now in her fourth year teaching Upper School Spanish, recently obtained a M.A. in Spanish linguistics through Middlebury College’s Spanish Language Graduate Program. She also holds a B.A. in Spanish education from the University of Delaware. Sarah Martin, who joined the GSB community as a Middle School English teacher two years ago, recently completed a Master of Arts in English at Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. She earned a B.A. in English from Hamilton College as well. Cynthia Orr, an Upper School math and AP psychology teacher for the past 10 years, earned her second master’s degree, a M.F.A. in creative writing with a specialization in poetry, from Ashland University last summer. She also holds a B.A. in psychology and math, and a M.A. in counseling.

Former Faculty News Patricia Lee Gauch

A former Gill St. Bernard’s teacher and current children’s book author, Patricia Lee Gauch held a lecture entitled “The Picture Book as an Act of Mischief” at the New York Public Library on September 15. Using examples from some of the world’s best-loved picture books, Gauch’s presentation brought new understanding to what continues drawing readers to this ever-popular genre. There to see and, more importantly, thank Gauch for providing guidance during her time as an English and creative writing teacher at GSB was alumnus Christopher Cochrane ’78. Gauch later shared, “I am the one who would love to thank every Gill St. Bernard’s kid I ever taught. What a joy they were in my life.” Gauch’s success as a writer and editor of children’s literature includes editing three Caldecott Medal-winning books, being honored by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass., and writing a total of 39 books for young readers.

Patricia Lee Gauch and her husband, Ron.

save the date! Reunion of The Gill School Graduating Classes of 1960-1969 June 1-2, 2013

, 20 4 3 y

â&#x20AC;˘M d n eke e W ni

Alu B S G

1993 1988 1978

Class of 1963 50 Anniversary Reunion GS and SBS June 2, 2013 th

alumni.gsbschool.org

Gill St. Bernard’s School P.O. Box 604 St. Bernard’s Road Gladstone, NJ 07934-0604 (908) 234-1611 www.gsbschool.org

Non-Profit Org U.S Postage PAID W. Caldwell, NJ Permit No. 55

The newest addition to Founders Hall.