Views from the Hill | Summer 2021 by Hopkins School

HOPKINS SCHOOL MAGAZINE Summer 2021

V I E W S FRO M T HE HILL Views from the Hill is published biannually by Hopkins School for the purpose of fostering ongoing engagement with and among alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of Hopkins. Hopkins School does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, athletic and other school-administered programs. The text body of this issue of Views from the Hill is printed on 100% recycled paper.

HEAD OF SCHOOL Kai Bynum DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Dan Altano CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Thomas Diascro, Jr. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS Lauren Reichart

DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP AND ANNUAL GIVING Kimberly Portis DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT AND STRATEGIC MARKETING Pamela McKenna EDITORS Donna Vinci Jemma Williams Nussbaum

inside

Summer 2021

VIEWS

3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 20 24 25 26 28 30 32

F EATURES An Introduction from the Head of School

Hopkins: Beyond the Hill

Student Inventors Take on Facial Recognition and Privacy Problem Solving + Innovation = Waeve! The Farmlink Project: Collier Brothers Team up to Fight Hunger Power Couple’s Shared Goals Drive Their Unique Ambitions Meet Our Donors: The Evans Family

Hopkins: On the Hill Guiding Young Writers While Forging New Bonds The Arts in an Unprecedented School Year Athletics 2020–2021: A Season of Change, Perseverance, and Triumph Senior Projects Offer a Spectrum of Innovation Faculty and Staff Retirements Prize Day Awards 2020–2021

Live theater returned to the Hill in May 2021 as the Hopkins Drama Association presented the original musical Killing Time in the Thompson Amphitheater. Read more about this unique musical and other ways the Arts Department adapted to a challenging year on page 16.

Commencement Hopkins Legacies Alumni Weekend & Golf Tournament

DEPA RTMENTS

DESIGN Marcellino+ Inc. COPYEDITING Lyons Graphics PHOTOGRAPHY Johnathon Henninger OFC, IFC, 18, 20, 21, 22, 29, OBC John Galayda 2, 17, 26, 27, 28, 29 Highpoint Pictures 25, 30, 31 Matt Vinci 12, 33 Steve Walter 19 Jemma Williams Nussbaum 5

34 78 82

Class Notes In Memoriam Milestones

F OLLOW US facebook.com/HopkinsSchool

hopkinsschoolct

@HopScores

hopscoresct

linkedin.com/edu/school?id=164078

drkaibynum

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

A N I N TRO DU C T I O N F RO M TH E H EAD O F SCH O O L

The Spirit and Sparkle of Hopkins By Kai Bynum This edition of Views from the Hill is about the spirit of forward thinking and innovation at Hopkins. It is a collection of students and alumni moving beyond the classroom and applying what they have learned and what they love to all aspects of life. It is about taking their creative passions to new places of intrigue and wonder. These stories of Hopkins are emblematic of the positive energy we share and the collective desire we have to impact the lives of others. It is a reminder for many of us to examine why we love what we do and how our paths have taken us on these journeys. This edition is also about celebration. We celebrate the careers of departing teachers, coaches, advisers, and friends who have helped cultivate this spirit that has made Hopkins special over the years. Furthermore, we are invited to celebrate the accomplishments and experiences of those students who continue to define Hopkins today. After a year where so much has felt disconnected, it is important for us to acknowledge the full beauty of this school. For generations, hopeful youths have come to our campus and found something that connects them to the spirit of Hopkins. This connection may start from being introduced to beautifully crafted prose or from being absorbed in a live theater experience in Lovell. It could be from a soccer team that blended together at just the right time or from a scientific discovery that can have a positive impact on how we live. Some may find that connection through an inquiry into a mathematical theorem, while others feel it from the emancipating nature of art. The spirit of Hopkins is all of these things, and we should all feel a sense of gratitude for the sparkling mosaic of diverse experiences in this community. Recently, I have pondered the depth and beauty of that sparkle. I have thought about the energy that brings this community of learners together, to create, and then go forth into the world. I then smile, with gratitude, when I think about the positive impact the people of Hopkins have had on my life, and I am thankful for the privilege of having my own piece of that mosaic connected to the history of our school. This Views brings forth the people of Hopkins at a time when we need that sense of connection. In many respects, this edition should encourage all of us to look forward with optimism and hope as we approach this new year. This fall, our community will come together to recapture and reignite the spirit and sparkle of Hopkins, and I can’t wait to watch our community shine.

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

H OP K I N S : B E YO N D TH E H I L L

opkins is committed to fostering those qualities that come from a liberal arts education: learning how to learn, how to think clearly, how to express ideas effectively, and to work independently. This is truly the core of Hopkins’ educational mission, as is the promise and expectation of service to the greater good. In that spirit, the following pages provide a glimpse into the ways that the Hopkins experience has manifested itself in our students beyond the Hill as they work to create their own vision.

Evan Alfandre ’21 and Will McCormick ’21 used their own faces to test the Invisclip’s effectiveness in facial recognition software. This photo shows a test of standard and infrared images of Evan’s face in three instances: wearing nothing, wearing sunglasses, and wearing sunglasses and Invisiclip. 4

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

STUDENT INVENTORS

Take on Facial Recognition and Privacy

id you know that the United States has the most surveillance cameras per capita in the world, ahead of China and Russia? Were you aware that if you have a driver’s license, passport, or government-issued I.D., your photo is likely already in a police database? Would you feel comfortable knowing there are companies scouring the internet for photos of you and selling their collected data to anyone willing to pay? Recent Hopkins graduates Evan Alfandre ’21 and Will McCormack ’21 were not okay with it. Will had spent the summer abroad in Beijing, China, after his sophomore year, and during his stay, observed the number of surveillance cameras everywhere. It made him realize that individual privacy was being encroached upon. Evan and Will had partnered up for their independent project for HARPS (Hopkins Authentic Research Program in Science) during their junior year, and decided to take on the growing problem of privacy and facial recognition software for that project. The duo researched what was being produced in the industry of wearable facial distortion innovations, and found most of those solutions complicated, costly, and even ineffective. Through HARPS, Evan and Will connected with Professor Isao Echizen of the Japanese National Institute of Informatics, a leading researcher in the field of information security, content security, and privacy. Echizen gained international recognition in 2015 when he developed a pair of privacy glasses that use light to interfere with facial recognition software. His mentorship helped Evan and Will develop a simple and effective solution: the Invisiclip, a universal clip-on that attaches to sunglasses or eyeglasses. The Invisiclip is a 3D-printed plastic rectangle attached to a generic glasses clip-on. When worn, the Invisiclip covers the wearer’s nose, and renders them undetectable to all facial recognition software, both infrared and visible light technologies. “We wanted to create something that was cheaper and easy to reproduce,” said Evan, “as well as something less invasive to wear.” Through trial and error, they tested different materials in various colors and reflectivity, as well as what placement on the face was most effective. Their research led them to the conclusion that to block a wearer’s nose is the most effective way to render them unrecognizable to any software. Changes to privacy policy on a government level is one way to address this problem, but not necessarily attainable in all countries worldwide. Both Evan and Will are more interested in returning power over their own image to the individual, to “reclaim personal liberties by democratizing technology.” After developing their Invisiclip prototype, they sought out companies who shared their mission. Facial recognition was widely used in 2020 to track people who attended protests, and activist organizations have been fighting back in Congress to change policy. Evan and Will reached out to the group Fight for the Future, among others, who were the first to respond. Fight for the Future was impressed with Evan and Will’s product and mission, and partnered with them to distribute and sell the Invisiclip on their website for several months, as well as educate their members on the benefits of facial-blocking devices. So far, Evan and Will have obtained a provisional patent for the Invisiclip and are pursuing a full patent. They are still making the Invisiclip themselves, with the help of Price Connolly ’24 and his 3D printer. The two plan to continue spreading their mission, and handy personal protection devices, as they move on to college in the fall.  If you'd like to order your own Invisiclip, they can be purchased for $25 by emailing invisiclip@gmail.com, or via Instagram DM @invisclip. VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

Problem Solving + Innovation = WAEVE!

hen most people search for a product online, only to find it either nonexistent or just not right, they toss up their hands in frustration and move on. Mary Imevbore ’14 took a different track—she started her own company. Waeve (pronounced “wave”), co-founded by Mary and her Williams College classmates Tiiso McGinty and fellow Hopkins alumna Susana Wilson Hawken ’13, is “a Black woman–owned beauty brand offering high-quality, beginner-friendly wigs.” It provides a stylish, increasingly popular, and in-demand product in a rapidly growing segment of the beauty market. THE PROBLEM: COMBINING STYLE AND PRACTICALITY As with most entrepreneurs, Mary and her co-founders saw a problem as an opportunity for growth and went for it. Mary said the idea was born out of her own personal experience, going natural and learning how to take care of her afro-textured hair during her years at Hopkins. “My hair was just a really big part of my Hop identity,” she said. “I actually wrote my college application essay on my hair and how it became this thing that defined my identity as a person!” When she got to Williams, Mary found that the hairstyles that worked well for her at Hopkins were no longer practical, and began wearing wigs as a way to style her hair without too much fuss. “I realized that I didn’t have the time I had before to spend on my hair—it was just not conducive to my lifestyle.” Once she incorporated wigs into her personal wardrobe, she quickly caught on that they were becoming the hairstyle-du-jour among women of color in her age group. “All of a sudden, I was seeing them everywhere! Women were wearing wigs in a fashion sort of way.” THE SOLUTION: CREATING YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES Dilemma solved! Not quite. Wigs could only be purchased on a couple of websites; there was very little selection and poor customer service. “I was seeing literally the same pictures of women with the same wigs, over and over,” Mary said. It was a disappointing experience that might have made someone else give up. But it got Mary fired up. She approached Tiiso with her idea for starting a beauty company, and the two began researching anything and everything about the wig market,

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

including the intricacies of wig-making and manufacturing, the cost of materials versus quality, and more. That was the summer of 2017. By that winter, the two had approached fellow classmate Susana with their idea. “They were wondering if there was a way to grow hair in a lab (I was doing biology research at Williams College at the time),” Susana recalled. “I said ‘not quite,’ but as we got more to talking about it, I realized what an amazing idea [Waeve] was and knew I needed to be a part of it!” The three developed a business plan that they subsequently entered into the Williams College Business Competition, and ended up winning $15,000! While not a huge amount of money in terms of starting a business, it added fuel to their fire. Within the next two years, the three partners pitched their ideas and product to several potential investors and raised more than $2 million in seed money to start the company. Each woman brings her unique background and expertise to Waeve. Susana, who is currently working on a Ph.D. in computational biology at M.I.T., is Head of Product, responsible for overseeing all the products, both physical and digital. As Head of Brand and Community, Tiiso is in charge of interfacing with the women in the Waeve community in order to drive brand awareness and engagement. Mary is the CEO, overseeing all aspects of the business. Mary credits her Hopkins experience as one of the primary reasons for her success in raising the funds needed to get Waeve off the ground and turning a three-and-a-half-year dream into reality. While the skills she learned at Williams certainly helped, she said it was the self-confidence and resourcefulness she developed at Hopkins that made the difference. “Hopkins helped me feel like I was important enough to say and ask for the things I wanted. I felt people cared about my opinion.” Mary, Susana, and Tiiso did a beta launch of Waeve in March and are officially launching their website, thewaeve.com, this summer. Their Instagram page can be found at @thewaeve. As the world continues to open up post-COVID, they are also planning to host community-building events. “There is no company like what we’re starting, and we are super excited to bring it to people,” Mary said. “People are so excited about having their world open up!”

Top Left (L–R): Tiiso McGinty, Mary Imevbore ’14, and Susana Wilson Hawken ’13, co-founders of Waeve, a Black woman–owned beauty brand offering high-quality and beginner-friendly wigs. All other photos showcase some of the Waeve products available on thewaeve.com. VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

THE FARMLINK PROJECT: Collier Brothers Team Up to Fight Hunger

he Farmlink Project, a grassroots hunger relief movement founded in March 2020 by brothers Ben ’17 and Will ’16 Collier along with six college friends, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. The company continues to evolve as it seeks to implement systemic change in the fight against hunger. In the spring of 2020, while the coronavirus raged across the country, the idea for Farmlink was born. As more and more restaurants shut their doors in the face of an escalating health crisis, and the local farmers who supplied them sat with warehouses overflowing with fresh food, Ben, Will, and their college friends found the opportunity they’d been looking for to help those most affected by the pandemic. They immediately set about finding ways to bring the unused produce to hungry families in need, in the process extending a helping hand to farmers who had lost most, if not all, of their revenue. Over the next several months, the team brought on board more college student volunteers, or “team members” as they are called, and began taking monetary donations, with 100% of the profits going toward paying the wages of farm workers and truckers to deliver the produce to food banks nationwide, even renting vans and trucks to deliver thousands of pounds of produce themselves. Farmlink’s efforts soon gained national attention when a New York Times article, published in May 2020, led to more coverage on multiple news outlets. “It’s not coincidental that Farmlink came about during the pandemic,” said Will. “The pandemic brought food insecurity and food waste to the nation’s attention.” Over the course of its first year, Farmlink helped deliver more than 30 million pounds of food to food banks across the nation, raising roughly $6 million in monetary donations, and partnering with Uber Freight to facilitate delivery of goods, as well as Food Finders to help manage donations. One year in, Farmlink is a community of 150–200 team members, mostly college and university students with an average age of 21, as well as some recent graduates and high school–age students. They have obtained their 501c3 status, and beginning in July, three members of the core team began being paid full time, including Ben, who will serve as Chief Operating Officer.

Now, Farmlink has eyes on expanding its mission. The organization’s vision is twofold: First, to create an effective, efficient, and stable food delivery system that can operate long term, rather than only as a band-aid during a crisis. Second, to attempt to solve the systemic problems that contribute to food insecurity. In recent months, the group has expanded its initiative to include policy, tax and carbon credits, education, sustainability efforts, and all the micro-pieces that contribute to the macro problem. “If we’re able to connect hundreds of really motivated, smart college students with each other, and the resources and understanding of how systemic change could be made,” said Ben, “when they go off into the world, some may go into policy, some may go into agriculture, or the supply chain, or serving food insecurity. We hope they will always be thinking, how can what I’m doing make an impact to improve these problems that we want to see changed. This is how we really believe the work of Farmlink will lead to a long-term systemic impact.” In that vein, Will recently graduated from Brown University and has since taken a position at Accenture, a corporation for social good. He is still closely tied to Farmlink and has connected Farmlink with opportunities through Accenture. Other Hopkins connections have also come in handy in the last year. Noah Slager ’19 joined the Farmlink team in September 2020 and is now working on the food placement team. Ben and Noah were members of the improv group Peaches together while they were Hopkins students. Josh Ip ’18, who is working at MainStreet, a startup helping other startups connect to tax credits and deductions, recently met up with Ben, who is working on a similar program for farmers. “Consulting with Josh was a great networking opportunity and sharing of ideas,” said Ben. At Hopkins, Will was on the water polo team with Josh. In December 2020, Ben and Will presented to the Hopkins Student Council (StuCo), sharing the mission of Farmlink and the importance of their work, during StuCo’s annual Connecticut Food Bank Fundraiser. Following the presentation, several StuCo members joined a Farmlink “power hour” research event that helped to rescue 2,000 pounds of food per hour.

 To learn more about Farmlink, the impact they have made, or to get involved, visit their website: farmlink.org VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

Sara Nadel ’98 and Marshall Cox ’98: Power Couple’s Shared Goals Drive Their

UNIQUE AMBITIONS

hen two dynamic forces converge, the results are unpredictable. For Hopkins “power couple” Sara Nadel ’98 and Marshall Cox ’98, diverging career paths have nevertheless accomplished mutual goals. Sara is the Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of StellarEmploy, a start-up that provides a reliable, unbiased way for companies to hire workers who are a good fit, promoting greater workplace satisfaction, less turnover, and on the other side of the aisle, stable employment. Marshall, Founder and CEO of Radiator Labs, is in another sphere altogether, having invented a product that increases heat efficiency in buildings, reducing carbon emissions and at the same time, improving quality of life for thousands of mostly low- to moderate-income apartment dwellers. As they talk side by side about their unique entrepreneurial visions, one realizes quickly that Sara and Marshall are excited about each other’s dreams and motivated by the same ideals: empowering people to live better lives and making the world a much better place. A FAIR HIRING SYSTEM StellarEmploy, which Sara founded in 2015, is geared specifically to employers who are seeking to hire large numbers of people for “deskless” hourly wage jobs, for example, a warehouse needing to hire multiple workers to fill positions “on the floor.”

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

As hiring gathers speed in the post-COVID economy, companies who employ in high volume need an optimized hiring method that doesn’t require sifting through hundreds, if not thousands, of individual resumes. To accomplish that, many of these companies opt for “automatic filters” that make hiring more efficient by eliminating applicants from the pool who don’t meet basic criteria. Sara points out, however, that these basic criteria are often arbitrary and inherently biased. One example Sara uses is the college degree—a requirement that pops up often during the online application process. Candidates who don’t check the “education box” are subsequently

knocked out of the hiring pool, even though, in many cases, particularly for entry-level type jobs, a degree is not essential to the task. This creates unnecessary barriers to finding a job for the very people that, arguably, need that job the most. It also removes a whole set of people who could potentially be a great fit for a company—not exactly “efficient” hiring! “Relying on education knock-out questions isn’t just sloppy hiring. It’s biased,” wrote Sara in a July 2020 commentary for webzine Quartz at Work. “Finishing high school and attending or completing college is driven as much by geography and the economic situation of one’s parents as by one’s intellectual horsepower. And when companies only hire applicants who meet an unnecessary education requirement, they put an unfair burden on minority applicants.” Sara says she first became interested in creating successful career pathways in frontline jobs when she worked several food service jobs while traveling during a year off between Hopkins and college at Stanford University. “Education, SAT scores, had nothing to do with success in these roles,” she says, “and the people who excelled eventually became managers, directors—it’s possible to carve out a terrific career path starting in these roles.” Marshall adds, “At my company, you put a job application out and a billion applications come. I need filters, but those are

enormously discriminatory. The mission for Sara is to show that algorithmic evaluation of employees doesn’t have to be biased. You can make algorithms fairer than people.” COMFORT, EFFICIENCY & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Marshall’s company, Radiator Labs, produces Cozy™, an insulated, “smart” enclosure, designed to fit over the old-fashioned column radiators that populate thousands of buildings in cities across the country. For anyone who has ever experienced this type of radiator, “unrelenting” might be a descriptor. There is little way to control the amount of heat that pours out, which is uncomfortable, not to mention inefficient. Cozy solves that problem by trapping heat in the radiator when rooms are comfortable, and blowing it out with a fan when the room cools down. This “thermodynamic manipulation” pushes heat to where it’s actually needed in a building. It not only increases comfort and well-being for thousands of people who live in buildings with radiator-style heating systems, but it also saves energy. The idea for Cozy grew out of Marshall’s personal experience while living in an apartment in the Morningside Heights section of New York City with his brother, who would often complain about the heat. “I built the first version (of Cozy) to shut him up,” he jokes. After finding a few investors and filing a patent for his invention, Marshall entered and won the Clean Energy Prize at MIT, which came with seed money totaling $220,000, enabling him to launch his company. Cozy is now installed in about 100 buildings in New York City, and that number continues to grow. Both Marshall and Sara have experienced even more adventures, changes, and challenges in their lives as of late: two young children, a 2019 grandparents-inspired move back to Connecticut after years living in New York City, telecommuting, and sharing parenting responsibilities all under one roof. It’s a lot to juggle, but the shared mission that fueled their fires continues to burn brightly. A passionate environmentalist not content to sit on his laurels, Marshall is now on to another project he says can reduce carbon emissions by 50%: Hybrid Electrification. The system works in tandem with radiators in apartment buildings to electrify heat, and is based on a simple, inexpensive type of heat pump that can be easily and cheaply installed in any window. “It is like your air conditioner that has a reverse,” he explains. The pump efficiently provides sufficient heat when needed for 80% of the winter, and the radiators kick in for the last 20%, making an enormous dent in carbon emissions for far less cost than any alternative. Marshall is working with several large organizations on the project, partnering with stakeholders focused on serving low- to moderate-income communities. For her part, Sara is excited about being able to help people struggling to get jobs, and companies needing to hire workers. “It’s been a really exciting time because the economy is recovering,” she said. “Sixty percent of (entry-level) workers had been laid off during COVID. We are now helping companies rebuild.” She added that StellarEmploy announced a strategic partnership with the research lab Learning Collider, and will be working with academics who are focused on using algorithm technology in an unbiased way, to get America working again. VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

MEET OUR DONORS:

The Evans Family Robert ’54 HGS, David ’81, and Gwen ’84 Talk About the People and Principles That Inspire Their Giving

“T

o whom much is given, much will be required.” It is a simple, yet powerful call to action that has always guided members of the Evans family. “There are several people who have touched my life who are a shining example of that,” said David Evans ’81. “The first would be my mother (Joyce Evans), who continues to imbue us with a deep responsibility to care for those less fortunate.”

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

That sense of responsibility, and a desire to honor the people who embody and model that ideal, was the inspiration for the Evans Family Scholarship Fund. Established in April of this year, the fund supports three full scholarships: the Joyce Evans P’81 ’84 Scholarship, the Rebecca West P’81 Scholarship, and the James Calcagnini ’80 Scholarship. David ’81, his sister, Gwen ’84, and their father, Robert ’54 HGS, sat down recently to answer a few questions about the scholarships, the people they honor, and the principles that drive the family’s philanthropic goals.

Tell us about the Evans Family Scholarship Fund and the three people it honors. Taking inspiration from his beloved Hopkins history teacher, Kenneth Rood, David takes a broad perspective to introduce the thinking behind the Evans Family Scholarship Fund. “Hopkins is an institution that predates the U.S., and that means many people who went to Hopkins have guided our nation throughout its history. All Hopkins alumni are stewards for our nation, and the ultimate responsibility of a steward is to give back more than you take.” At this time in our history, he adds, such efforts should help make our society more equitable and inclusive. Key to that goal is providing greater access to high-quality education that can change lives. The Evans Family Scholarships are focused on addressing that need by providing significant financial assistance to New Haven City and County students who wish to attend Hopkins, and Joyce Evans is a big part of why the family chose education as a focus for their giving. “Our mother taught us that education is the pathway to life – the tool for building a better society for everyone, but particularly to help people less fortunate than we are. All children deserve that same support, and creating this scholarship in honor of her personifies her most cherished guidance to us.” David cites another mother who inspired the family’s second scholarship: the late Rebecca West, parent of his close friend and classmate, Arnold West ’81 and an inspiration to David throughout his Hopkins years. “She taught me one of my core beliefs: ‘You will never be great in life if you do not believe in something more important than yourself.’ Rebecca lived that every day, and we are in vital need of more people like her.” He hopes the Rebecca West P’81 Scholarship will go a long way toward filling that need. David and Arnold’s wives, Joan and Nadine, shared this desire to recognize Rebecca’s inspirational impact. James Calcagnini ’80, David’s “brother from another mother” both at Hopkins and to the present day, is the inspiration for the third scholarship. “He was the best kind of friend to have growing up – always pushing you to see the positive. He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.” David recalls a very sad day when James called to tell him he had Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). Since then, David has marveled at his friend’s continued strength, resilience and positivity. “James has shown courage, grace and that believing in the worthiness of something more than one’s own life is the true meaning of greatness. Those values are the building blocks of a just and fair society.”

Why did you feel it was the right time to establish this fund? Gwen, a member of the Hopkins Committee of Trustees, says the timing for creating the Evans Family Scholarship Fund was serendipitous. The year 2021 marks David’s 40th Hopkins Reunion; at the same time, she has been very involved as a Trustee in the development of Head of School Kai Bynum’s Strategic Plan for Hopkins. “One of the pieces of that plan is reaffirming Hopkins’ connection to New Haven; another is growing our financial aid budget. Knowing that these are priorities for Hopkins, we discussed creating a scholarship that could provide opportunities to students from New Haven City or County as a way of strengthening those connections.” David believes that at this point in the life of the School, inclusiveness, access and affordability should be key focus points, and now is the right moment to lead by example. “We need to do this [support financial aid], and we need to do it many times over. If we are collective in that action together, we can make a change. Children need that opportunity, and this is a good place to start.”

If you could paint a picture of the Hopkins of the future, what would it be? Gwen: “An inclusive place that fosters a love of learning and community engagement. I hope Hopkins is able to imbue future generations with those ideals.” David: “Let’s make Hopkins a place where more are able to receive the same educational opportunities we were so fortunate to have. If you really want change in our society, this is how we get there – by giving more people the cure for educational inequity. My message to the Hopkins community is that whether you realize it or not, Hopkins made you stewards of our society, and it’s important that together we help those who need it most with the gift of a Hopkins education. We all need to do this for future generations, and the time is now.” Robert adds that giving back isn’t just about donating funds. It is also important to give service – something we should all strive to do. Describing his own philosophy of giving, he refers to tzedakah, the Hebrew word for “righteous living.” Tzedakah points to one’s ethical obligation to better the lives of the less fortunate. The same, he says, should be true for Hopkins. “In order for Hopkins to carry out its mission, and to be the place we all want it to be in our society, we have to give service by mentoring younger, less fortunate people. Tell and show them experience, love and caring about what is right, what is good, and how we can all get there by being one group of people. If we can get there, we can have a better world, and Hopkins can be an even better place than it is today.”

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

H OP K I N S : O N T H E H I LL

GUIDING YOUNG WRITERS While Forging New Bonds

trengthening our bonds with New Haven while creating new opportunities to enhance our relationship with the vibrant community we call home has been a longstanding goal at Hopkins School. Traditionally, that goal has been realized through our many clubs and service programs in collaboration with Greater New Haven organizations, through educational outreach programs such as Pathfinder Hopkins School, and by bringing visitors to the Hill. This year, Hopkins took that goal a step further by creating two new programs that, in addition to deepening community ties, are helping to enrich our writing curriculum by tapping the incredible talent that exists in our own backyard: the Hopkins Writer in Residence, and the Young Apprentice Writers’ Program, an exciting summer mentoring opportunity for Hopkins students. Both programs are currently in the pilot stage; Hopkins is seeking funding partners who can help us to establish each as a permanent part of the English curriculum. MENTORING YOUNG WRITERS YAWP! Sound familiar? If you’re a fan of Walt Whitman, you might recognize it as a word out of his famous poem “Song of Myself.” Fittingly, it is also the acronym for the Young Apprentice Writers’ Program, a new summer mentoring program for Hopkins students who have a passion for the pen. Developed and championed by Hopkins English teacher Brad Czepiel, YAWP pairs aspiring student writers from Hopkins with published authors from the Greater New Haven community who can offer mentorship, support, and guidance. It is designed to both complement the excellent programs in the Hopkins English curriculum and to offer a deeper dive into the writers’ art. “We have a resource in New Haven County of these amazing world-class authors,” says Czepiel. “Why not get them together so that the kids can learn from someone in the business?” YAWP provides an exceptional opportunity for students who are drawn to the craft, who, he says, simply can’t NOT write. “A lot of what the kids are learning from their mentors is practical stuff. ‘How do I develop this scene? How do I structure this part of my book?’” Czepiel added that YAWP can give students a deeper sense of what their writing can do or be, and how it can fit into their life picture. At the same time, he wants to highlight the students’ work. “Hopkins has an awesome English department and the writing the kids produce is amazing. I want to draw some attention, both on campus and off, to some of the great writing kids are doing.” The program will culminate in October with a reading on campus by students and their mentors. Five authors are mentoring in the program this summer, each working one-on-one with a student for a total of 20 hours. Hopkins is actively seeking additional writers/mentors to be able to expand the YAWP program to more students next year. Current participants include Mexican-American poet and novelist Jenn Givhan, author and SCSU English Professor Rachel Furey, author and Hopkins Faculty Emerita Christine Jacox, writer/poet and Quinnipiac University Professor Jason Koo, and poet/novelist Sarah Strong. Hopkins is thrilled

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

to be able to provide these authors with a stipend in exchange for the significant time and effort spent mentoring our young writers. Maisie Bilston ’21, who is working with Christine Jacox, said the experience has been wonderful so far. “I’m really excited to be working with Ms. Jacox! She and I share a similar taste in poetry, which is really nice since she has a sense for the kind of writing I do and understands my goals for the summer… She’s given me some incredibly helpful comments on my work and has made some suggestions for both future reading and projects I could start working on, and I look forward to seeing how my writing evolves over the summer.”  Anyone interested in participating should contact Brad Czepiel at bczepiel@hopkins.edu

Rachel Furey

Jenn Givhan

Christine Jacox

Jason Koo

Sarah Strong

WRITER IN RESIDENCE: REGINALD DWAYNE BETTS In March 2021, Hopkins announced that award-winning poet and nonfiction writer, New Haven resident, and Hopkins parent Reginald Dwayne Betts P’26, would serve as the first Hopkins Writer in Residence. Like YAWP, Writer in Residence is designed to deepen our connections with the New Haven community while enriching the student experience and expanding our English curriculum. “The goal of the Writer in Residence position is to have someone who is local and who, through literature, commits to community engagement in the classroom and on the page,” says English Department Chair Joe Addison. The responsibilities of this yearlong position, made possible this year by the Fund For Social Justice, include teaching Hopkins English Department courses, offering office hours and workshops to all Hopkins students, working alongside student-run literary groups, connecting Hopkins students to other writers in the New Haven community and beyond, and lastly, involving students in their own artistic projects. This spring, Betts taught the Further Studies in Poetry elective for juniors and seniors and focused the course on post–World War II African-American poetry. Since beginning his tenure, he has also hosted a virtual poetry workshop that brought together Hopkins and New Haven Public School students, as well as a presentation of his book of poetry, Felon, and Q&A for alumni, parents, and faculty this June as part of Hopkins’ Virtual Alumni Weekend. “The spirit of this position follows the spirit of the written word as defined by Mr. Betts: Poetry is ‘part of trying to be alive in the world’ and writing more broadly is an attempt ‘to figure out what it means to better yourself in the face of a history that troubles you,’” added Addison. “Literature can bring together the breathing, dynamic bodies of school and city, and it can offer our shared communities a chance at mutual discovery and deeper mutual understanding.”  For information on becoming involved with the Hopkins Writer in Residence program, kindly contact Joe Addison, English Department Chair, at jaddison@hopkins.edu VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

The ARTS

in an Unprecedented School Year Robert Smith, Arts Department Chair, shares in his own words the triumphs and challenges faced by the Arts Department in 2020–2021.

hen the pandemic first took hold in the spring of 2020, Hopkins shut the doors to a physical school and opened its doors to a virtual one—a radical shift in perspective and learning that rendered much of what the Arts Department normally offered through its programming close to impossible. As they worked to develop new ways to teach and distribute materials, our teachers began to experiment with various forms of virtual performances, notably through Zoom and pre-recorded audio and video. Ultimately, our ever-resourceful Hopkins faculty pulled together an eclectic arts website and dynamic set of video performances to end the 2020 school year, successfully maintaining the community spirit and inclusion that our shows and concerts have always reflected. Yet, as we congratulated ourselves on a successful and creative end to the school year, the uncertainty of the 2020–2021 school year, and the possibility that we might not have any live events at all, loomed heavy, prompting much creative thinking and reimagining.

Boxes 16

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

One decision made early in the summer of 2020 was that we would not trim our arts offerings, nor would we prohibit students from engaging in rehearsals or collaborative work, as long as we could do so safely and within state and federal CDC guidelines. Our focus first fell on our popular drama program, where the absence of a stage, lights, sound effects, sets, and the dubious nature of internet connectivity threatened to prevent us from having any productions at all. Undaunted, drama teachers Hope Hartup and Michael Calderone wholly reimagined theater at Hopkins, and absolutely nailed it! In July 2021, the drama department received three HALO awards for their productions of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play and the original musical Killing Time! The program was nominated for a total of 19 awards in one of its most lauded seasons ever. “KEEPING IT REAL”

It started off with the Hopkins Drama production of Boxes in the fall of 2020, an original show of student accounts of the previous six months in quarantine. To cover up the requisite COVID face masks the students had to wear while delivering their lines, Calderone had character masks custom made in the U.K. for the production. Since no more than four actors were allowed on the stage at any one time, Boxes was recorded and shared online, preserving a key element of live performance in a small, but special way. Photos and rehearsal clips of the production can be found on the Winter 2020 Arts Festival video, but the production itself did not have a chance to conclude due to the virtual transition Hopkins made around Thanksgiving break. While we weren’t able to complete the Boxes production, we learned some important lessons that would set us up for successes down the road. Following Boxes, Hope Hartup directed Tony Palermo’s radio-on-stage adaption of It’s A Wonderful Life, just in time for the winter holidays. Still masked and on the Townshend Auditorium

stage, Hartup was able to bring together a larger cast, musical instruments, and sound effects to create an experience not too far off from a televised presentation. The camera work, Hammond organ introduction, and the experience of live theater, though without a live audience, brought to mind a time when we were all together under one roof, enjoying the holidays and celebrating student performances. A video recording of It’s A Wonderful Life still lives online at hopkins.edu/life. Following a similar format, Junior School students pushed their own Zoom creativity for their production of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds. Released in April of 2021, Calderone went to tremendous effort to create a believable world, complete with sound effects and background images, and the intensity of the show belies the fact that Zoom was in the equation at all. Taking the model of pandemic theater even further, we pushed our previous efforts to include live, interactive one-act performances in Hope Hartup’s Short Stuff on Zoom, in two parts. In this production, students acted their parts from home with costumes and virtual backgrounds in an effort to recreate the beloved magic of the theater. Audiences were also treated to a live Q&A after each show, giving students an opportunity to highlight all the twists and turns that this Zoom theater production threw at them. It was a resounding success, and it proved that we could come very close to replicating live theater. Deep down, however, there was always a longing and a need to have a live audience in front of live performers, for that is the reality and soul of theater. While all of this wonderful experimentation in staging plays was underway, our music department was also trying to navigate its own public spacing restrictions, airflow considerations for instrumentalists and singers, and the need for students to collaborate as an ensemble. For all our classes, hybrid learning forced teachers to rethink their profession, especially how students receive and respond to course material. Leading up to the start

It’s A Wonderful Life VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

of the 2020–2021 school year, many of our faculty discussed this critical pivot with colleagues from other schools, theaters, and local colleges and universities. It was clear that the data concerning music rehearsal, especially indoors, pointed to necessary caution. Our band courses thus became a fixture outside under the Pratt Field tents, and our choir moved to the open-air safety of the Thompson Amphitheater. The orchestra moved to the cavernous gym, creating an odd couple of arts and athletics in an ad hoc pairing that was becoming familiar in schools around the country. When winter approached and the weather was too cold to support outdoor rehearsals, the orchestra moved to the cafeteria, while the bands and chorus switched to the athletic center. This “musical chairs” of musical ensembles tested the nerves and resolve of the students and teachers alike, though all were intent on ending the year with a live performance, audience and all! Leading up to the holidays and for a few weekends thereafter, our musical ensembles were allowed to have a few Saturday rehearsals on campus to prepare for video performances and festival recordings. For a few hours over the course of the fall and winter, the hybrid model was set aside for friendship and bonding. It was a gift, to be sure.

LIVE THEATER MAKES A COMEBACK WITH KILLING TIME

As the end of 2020 approached and our winter festival video was released on hopkinsarts.com, eyes were already on the spring of 2021 and the possibilities that a vaccinated Hopkins School might bring. The next big event on the Arts Department calendar was the spring musical. After much conversation and exploring, it was decided that the Thompson Amphitheater would serve the purpose for which it was built. The School had never produced a main stage show in the amphitheater, much less anything the size and scope of a musical. And this wouldn’t be just any musical. Our very own faculty members Ian Melchinger and Erika Schroth had been working together, composing and writing a musical of their own, titled Killing Time. The amount of time and planning that went into Killing Time was immense, with Hopkins bringing in a stage, sound system, LED lighting, and all the usual supporting crew of a choreographer, sound engineers, lighting designer, musicians—you name it. The stars and the weather aligned for five straight days, and we had standing-room-only performances, marking our first foray back to real live theater on the Hill! Photos and recordings of the show continue to live on the school’s website.  Watch a full-length recording of Killing Time on hopkinsarts.com

Killing Time

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

Orchestra

Spring Arts Festival

Choir

Spring Arts Festival

PERFORMING ARTS COME ROARING BACK

As the musical was nearing the end of its run, the music faculty received word from Baldwin Hall that our immense commencement tent would be installed two weeks ahead of graduation, affording us a stage, lighting, sound, and enough seats to finally have a traditional spring concert! With the Jazz Band fresh off its national first place award and the copious repertoire that the Concert Band, Choirs, and Orchestra had prepared throughout the spring term, this concert was a joy to plan. Despite a sharp downturn in the weather that brought us driving rain, wind, and temperatures in the upper 40s, the show went on with spectacular performances from ensembles large and small, chamber groups, and soloists. The dedicated audience weathered the storm and stayed to honor the seniors at the end of the choral performance, thus concluding over five hours of music in two concerts that involved more than 120 students and their families. It was a profound statement that the performing arts were roaring back on the Hill!

To put a celebratory finishing touch on the reopening of campus, our visual arts faculty created a pop-up show for our first ever Spring Arts Festival. Student artwork was reproduced and proudly displayed on lamppost banners throughout campus. On Wednesday, June 2, the Thompson Quad gained a tent for a one-day showing of video productions, and the prototype chairs and animal-inspired ceramics created by students in the spring term were set out for all to see. The interior of Thompson Hall was adorned with artwork from all of our Junior, Middle, and Upper School Arts courses, while cutting boards from Mr. Sayler’s woodworking class were set out in the servery line, beckoning hungry denizens. It was a creative and colorful end to a school year that changed how we think of and value education and our school community. The experience of having to change everything, from class content delivery to performances and shows, reaffirmed to our faculty that if they can imagine it, they can do it—a wisdom they have always shared as dedicated teachers of the Arts. VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

ATH L ET IC S 2 02 0 – 2 02 1

A season of change,

PERSEVERANCE, and TRIUMPH

020–2021 was a school year like none other at Hopkins, during which everything from the classroom to the lunch line looked and felt different; when all the “givens” were suddenly in question, and the community was compelled to reimagine itself to navigate the “new normal.” In true fashion, with the support of our community of parents, alumni, faculty, students, and friends, Hopkins rallied, evolving new ways of teaching and learning and staying true to our ideals, while maintaining health and safety for all. For its part, the Hopkins Athletics Department continually offered opportunities for students to flourish during an abbreviated season. As September 2020 rolled in, though competitive sports were not taking place, other important elements of the Athletics Program such as fitness, social interaction, and intramural games, were maintained as much as possible. The department installed outdoor volleyball nets for safe play and moved fitness training equipment to the 5,000-square-foot wrestling room to allow for greater physical distance while enabling athletes to stay in top form. Heading toward spring, as COVID vaccines became available and state health protocols relaxed, preparations began during March break to bring students back to campus full time. In April, along with welcoming all students back to the Hill, Hopkins celebrated the much-anticipated return of competitive sports! The new season kicked off on April 10, with games in tennis, lacrosse, softball, and baseball. FAA league play began on April 17. Saturday, April 24 was an historic day for Hopkins’ Girls and Boys Track Teams, which competed for the first time ever on their home turf, hosting meets on the School’s new 400-meter track. The following is a summation of notable achievements and accolades earned by Hopkins varsity athletes throughout the course of the 2021 spring season.

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

BASEBALL

Captains 2021: Jason Chung ’21 Teddy Glover ’21 Dylan Matchett ’21 Christopher Wanat ’21 Captains-Elect 2022: Nolan Brant ’22 Ethan Piazza ’22 Matthew Spenner ’22 Baseball Award (for Leadership, Dedication, and Sportsmanship): Teddy Glover ’21 OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

All-FAA: Dylan Matchett ’21 Christopher Wanat ’21

All-FAA Honorable Mention: Matthew Spenner ’21 Southern CT Diamond Club No 1 in Team Award: Christopher Wanat ’21 New Haven Register All-Area Team: Christopher Wanat ’21 New England Baseball Journal All-Prep Second Team: Christopher Wanat ’21 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award 2020–2021 Record: 8–5 SOFTBALL

Captains 2021: Annie Burtson ’21 Ava Pfannenbecker ’21 Captains-Elect 2022: Hannah Ceisler ’22 Piper Dove ’23 JJ Drummond ’22 Softball Award (for Dedication and Sportsmanship): Ava Pfannenbecker ’21 OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

All-FAA: Piper Dove ’23 Ava Pfannenbecker ’21

GOLF

Captains 2021: Cyrus Chemery ’21 Milan Yorke ’21 Captains-Elect 2022: Owen Lamothe ’22 Dev Madhavani ’23 Ralph A. Mertens Golf Award (for Achievement, Leadership, and Character): Milan Yorke ’21 OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

All-FAA: Ryan Coffey ’24

All-FAA Honorable Mention: Milan Yorke ’21 5th place, NE Prep Golf Championship: Milan Yorke ’21 Record: 1–6 WATER POLO

Captains 2021: Brooke Lane ’21 Prairie Resch ’21 Captain-Elect 2022: Leela DeSilva ’22 Lara Jasaitis ’22 Girls Water Polo Award (for Dedication and Love of the Game): Brooke Lane ’21 OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

Academic All-American: Prairie Resch ’21 Record: 0–3 TRACK AND FIELD

Captains 2021: Will Cooper ’21 Jasmine Simmons ’21 Kaila Spearman ’21 Yash Thakur ’21 Varick D. Harrison Award (for Ability and Leadership): Jasmine Simmons ’21 Kaila Spearman ’21 Yash Thakur ’21

All-FAA Honorable Mention: Annie Burtson ’21 Record: 5–6

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

BOYS TENNIS

Captain 2021: John Hui ’21

Captains-Elect 2022: Jeremy Pennington ’22 Andrew Toft ’24 David Sears Memorial Tennis Trophy (for Perseverance and Determination): John Hui ’21 Lovejoy Memorial Tennis Award (for Sportsmanship): Emmett Dowd ’21 OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

All-FAA: Jay Dusza ’24 Teo Horton ’24

All-FAA Honorable Mention: John Hui ’21 Record: 6–2 GIRLS TENNIS

Captain 2021: Victoria Ye ’21

Captains-Elect 2022: Allison Fehmel ’22 Ellie Medovnikov ’22 Megan Yi ’22 Most Improved Award: Kiersten Brennan ’24 HGDPH Girls Tennis Trophy (for Excellence, Leadership, and Sportsmanship): Victoria Ye ’21 OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

All-FAA: Katie Driscoll ’25 Sebaga Kombo ’23

All-FAA Honorable Mention: Amy Metrick ’23 Record: 8–1 Share of FAA title

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

ATHLETICS AWARDS

BOYS LACROSSE

Captain 2021: Cooper Bucklan ’21

Walter Camp Award for Sportsmanship, Leadership, and Loyalty: Munib Kassem ’25

Most Improved Award: Nicholas Hughes ’22 Peter H. Newcomb Lacrosse Award (for Sportsmanship and Character): Cooper Bucklan ’21 OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

All-FAA: Zach Bleil ’22 Cooper Bucklan ’21

All-FAA Honorable Mention: Chris Babyak ’21

DPH Junior School Award for Sportsmanship, Leadership, and Loyalty: Violet Wich ’25 John A. Doughan Award for Outstanding Contribution as a Manager: Clay Reiferson ’21 and Alex Yuen ’21 (managers for Varsity Softball in 2021) The Jordan W. Sebastian ’11 Award, presented to athletes who best exemplify Jordan’s qualities: relentless, brave, competitive, principled, and proud: Cooper Bucklan ’21, Brooke Lane ’21, and Maeve Stauff ’21 Outstanding Female Athlete: Jasmine Simmons ’21

New Haven Register All-Area Team: Cooper Bucklan ’21

Bill DeGennaro Outstanding Male Athlete Award: Gonzalo de la Mora ’21

US Lacrosse High School All-American: Zach Bleil ’22

Robert Wyant Award for Perseverance in Men’s Athletics: Spencer Cipriano ’21 and Dylan Matchett ’21

Single Season Point Record Breaker: Zach Bleil ’22 (64 points, 37 goals, 27 assists in 11 games) Record: 6–5

Jerri Trulock Award for Sportsmanship in Women’s Athletics: Ella Zuse ’21 The Charles Dorrance Award for Achievement, Leadership, and Character in Men’s Athletics: John Stanley ’21

GIRLS LACROSSE

Captains 2021: Fiona O’Brien ’21 Addie Priest ’21

The Hopkins Award for Achievement, Leadership, and Character in Women’s Athletics: Fiona O’Brien ’21

Captains-Elect 2022: Marin Ciardiello ’22 Caroline Meury ’21

SENIORS WHO WILL BE CONTINUING THEIR ATHLETIC CAREERS IN COLLEGE:

HGDPH Girls Lacrosse Award (for Achievement, Leadership, and Character): Fiona O’Brien ’21

Gonzalo de la Mora ’21: Men’s Squash, Columbia University

OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

All-FAA: Marin Ciardiello ’22 Shoshana Epstein ’23

Cristin Earley ’21:

Swimming, the University of Delaware

Poppy Hanson ’21:

Crew, St. Lawrence College

Riley Lipman ’21:

Women’s Soccer, Vassar

Craigin Maloney ’21: Men’s Squash, The University of Chicago

Record: 4–5 Captains 2021: Ella Fujimori ’21 Clara Goulding ’21 Joseph Hutchinson ’21 Greysen McCormack ’21 Tommy Wimmer ’21

Men’s Lacrosse, Swarthmore

Brooke Lane ’21: Women’s Swimming and Women’s Water Polo, Macalester College

All-FAA Honorable Mention: Fiona O’Brien ’21

CREW

Cooper Bucklan ’21:

Katie Park ’21: Coaches Award (for Leadership and Dedication): Clara Goulding ’21 Joseph Hutchinson ’21

OTHER HONORS/ACCOLADES:

1ST place Boys 2000M 4+ boats, Fab 5 Conference Championships

Women’s Soccer, Brown University

Ava Pfannenbecker ’21: Softball, Wesleyan University Prairie Resch ’21:

Women’s Crew, Williams College

Nick Wilkinson ’21:

Men’s Squash, Bowdoin College

Drew Williams ’21:

Women’s Tennis, Bates College

Ethan Woolbert ’21:

Men’s Swimming, Washington University

Ethan Yan ’21:

Men’s Squash, Wesleyan University

Milan Yorke ’21:

Women’s Golf, Wesleyan University

Record: 1–0 VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

Senior Projects Offer A SPECTRUM OF

INNOVATION

opkins’ annual Senior Project Fair held some fascinating and ambitious projects this year, with a total of 37 seniors participating. Projects spanned a range of interests and topics, from bread baking to music production, and the final Virtual Assembly of the year offered a glimpse into the hard work, imagination, ingenuity, and innovation that went into each. Senior Projects is a special program open to Hopkins seniors in good academic standing, who elect to substitute one (non-required) course during the spring semester with a project of their choosing. Students must submit a formal, detailed proposal, which is then reviewed by a faculty committee. Over the course of six weeks, faculty mentors work with each student throughout the creative process, offering practical advice, guidance, support, and encouragement. Congratulations to these seniors for their hard work, and for a diverse and exciting final show!  For a closer look at some of the senior projects, check out the story by Razor Assistant Arts Editor Rose Robertson ’24, at hopkins.edu/seniorproject21.

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

FACU LTY A N D S TA F F RETI REMEN TS

ive members of the Hopkins Faculty and Staff have “graduated” from Hopkins this year, along with the Class of 2021. Student reporters for The Razor interviewed each retiree, and wrote wonderful tributes in their June 2021 issue.

 Read more about each retiree in these thoughtful articles online at Hopkins.edu/retirees2021

DAVE MCCORD is retiring after 27 years of teaching in the Hopkins

Mathematics Department. During his tenure he served as the Math Department Chair twice, from 1997–2006 and 2010–2014, as well as serving as assistant coach to the Girls Varsity Soccer team from 1995–2012, and coach of the Boys JV Lacrosse team in 1995 and 1996. In addition to being a beloved math teacher, he was a thoughtful adviser and coached the Mathcounts and Math Teams. Head Librarian FAYE PRENDERGAST is retiring after 23 distinguished years at Hopkins. During her tenure she helped to plan the redesign and reopening of the Calarco Library, completed in 2008. Faye has kept the library’s mission focused on serving the whole school community. She has also been the key force behind the Celebration of Poetry program, which has brought a multitude of nationally renowned poets to Hopkins to engage with the community.

Partners at home and at Hopkins, GERARD and CATHERINE CASANOVA are leaving the Hill after 28 and 22 years, respectively. A respected and devoted teacher, Gerard has been a key member of the Hopkins History Department, teaching everything from Atlantic Communities to Military History. On the field, Gerard coached Girls Varsity Soccer for more than two decades. English teacher Catherine has long been recognized for her skill, devotion, and consistent efforts to maintain an inclusive classroom in which differing views were always encouraged.

ANTHONY BARBARO , a beloved member of the Mighty

Maintenance team, retired in January 2021 after 27 years at Hopkins. Anthony served a critical role at Hopkins, and was involved in everything from building repairs to event set up, always with a friendly demeanor and a helpful attitude.

CAROL BROUILLETTE , an integral and much loved member

of the Advancement Office, is retiring after 13 years on the Hill. During her tenure, Carol processed millions of dollars in pledges and donation gifts to the School. She also served as Class Notes Editor for Views from the Hill for several years, and was a familiar and friendly face at Reunion.

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

P RIZ E DAY AWA R DS 2 02 0 –2 02 1 The annual Hopkins Prize Day Ceremony was divided into two events this year. All Grade 7–11 Prizes were awarded on June 4, 2021, and all Grade 12 Prizes were awarded on June 9, 2021. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PRIZE RECIPIENTS! GRADE 12

GRADE 10

Norman L. Stone Award Ranease Brown

Stanley Daggett Award Sciana Vertusma

Mary Brewster Thompson Scholar Evan Alfandre

Donald Ferguson Award Daniel Barber and Sophie Sonnenfeld F. Allen Sherk Award Julia An John A. Wilkinson Award Alexis Chang Michael J. Theobald Prize Ella Zuse Gerald F. Stevens Memorial Scholarship Noam Benson-Tilsen GRADE 11

Mary Brewster Thompson Scholar Cameron Murray George Blakeman Lovell Award William Blumenthal Andrew Rossetti Prize Nati Tesfaye Harvard Book Prize Ava Cho Smith Book Award Fiona Li Yale Book Award Will Cooper Wellesley College Book Prize Mykaila Meunier Mount Holyoke Book Prize Nana Dondorful-Amos Ellen Patterson Brown ’62 DPH Award Owen Lamothe The University of Chicago Book Award Saraswathi Navaratnam-Tomayko St. Lawrence University Book Award Felipe Perez William & Mary Leadership Award Pearl Miller

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

Mary Brewster Thompson Scholar Joy Xu

GRADE 9

Mary Brewster Thompson Scholar Florence Polak Stanley Daggett Award Preston Parker GRADE 8

Lydia von Wettberg Award Kainda Nzinga Simeon E. Baldwin Leadership Award Yuki Heeger Kristin Ridinger Taurchini Award Josie Lipcan GRADE 7

Lydia von Wettberg Award Kofi Ward Simeon E. Baldwin Leadership Award Sam Ridky

THE ARTS

George Gillespie Prize for Excellence in Literary Scholarship Jack Keegan, Grade 12

SCIENCE

Drama Award Ranease Brown, Grade 12

The Susan E. Feinberg Prize for Excellence in Critical Thinking Through the Written Word Jacob Ragaza, Grade 11

Harold Shelton Kirby Science Prize Nicholas Lee, Grade 10

The Karen Lee Pritzker Prize for Creative Writing Maisie Bilston, Grade 11

Josiah Willard Gibbs Prize Jessica Hensel, Grade 12

Paul W. Schueler Prize for the Visual Arts Zane Franz, Grade 12

The Charles Ives Music Prize Noah Stein, Grade 12 Choral Music Award Samuel Brock, Grade 12 Louis Armstrong Jazz Award Ramey Harper-Mangels, Grade 12 Scholastic Art Award National Gold Medal in Photography Annika Sun, Grade 11 THE CLASSICS

Clare McNamee Latin Prize Warren Jaffee, Grade 12

HISTORY

Kenneth Hopkins Rood History Prize Julia DiMiceli, Grade 8

Jeremiah Peck Greek Prize Cyrus Chemery, Grade 12

MATHEMATICS

Baldwin Prize Essay, Middle School Aisha Nabali, Grade 10 Baldwin Prize Essay, Senior School Maisie Bilston, Grade 11 John B. Smith Prize for Excellence in English in Grade 8 Eleanor Lee Brown University Book Award Sophia Cerroni, Grade 11 Elizabeth Tate Prize for Excellence in English in Grade 11 Olivia Duan Elsie Church Award for English and Dramatics Samuel Brock, Grade 12 Elizabeth Lewis Day Prize for Excellence in Imaginative Writing Alexander Yuen, Grade 12 Helen Hope Barton Prize for Excellence in English in Grade 12 Abigail Fossati

ATHLETICS

For all Athletic Awards given this year, please see page 23.

DeLaney Kiphuth Prize in History Milo Sobel-Lewin, Grade 11 Gerald F. Stevens Award Thomas Lasersohn, Grade 12

Major James Dudley Dewell Letter Writing Prize Liliana Dumas, Grade 7

Rensselaer Medal Amy Zhang, Grade 11

Julia B. Thomas History Prize Ingrid Slattery, Grade 10

Junior School Latin Prize Claire Billings, Grade 8

ENGLISH

Aracy Belcher Biology Prize Vittorio Montresoro, Grade 9

Edgar M. Babbitt Junior School Mathematics Prize Kyle Zhang, Grade 8 Edgar M. Babbitt Middle School Mathematics Prize Amy Metrick, Grade 10 Clayton Hall Mathematics Prize Hannah Szabo, Grade 12 John M. Heath Mathematics Prize Nora Schmitt, Grade 12 MODERN LANGUAGES

Edward R. DeNoyon French Prize Jasmine Simmons, Grade 12 Denise M. Katz French Prize Emma Cahill, Grade 12 The Spanish Literature Prize Julia Davis, Grade 12 The Spanish Letters Prize Nicholas Wilkinson, Grade 12 The Chinese Letters Prize William McCormack, Grade 12 The Italian Letters Prize Giovanni DiMauro, Grade 12

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

C 0 MMEN CEMEN T

n the morning of Friday, June 11, 2021, at a beautiful ceremony on the Hill, 144 members of the Class of 2021 graduated from Hopkins School, surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and staff. Head of School Kai Bynum began the festivities, followed by an Invocation by Rev. Dr. Jeffrey D. Hutchinson, ECO Presbyterian Church in New Haven. Senior Class President Sophie Sonnenfeld gave a lovely Salutatory address, touching on the Class of 2021’s experiences during their Hopkins careers, and later presented Dr. Bynum with the Senior Class Gift, wooden Adirondack chairs for the Thompson Quad. Senior Hannah Szabo delivered a deeply personal Valedictory Address to a standing ovation under the tent. Vince Calarco, President of the Hopkins Committee of Trustees, accompanied by Head Adviser Marie Doval, delivered diplomas to each graduating senior.

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

COLLEGE MATRICULATION OF THE CLASS OF 2021 Babson College Bard College Barnard College (2) Bates College (2) Boston College (2) Boston University (2) Bowdoin College Brown University (4) Bucknell University (2) Case Western Reserve University Colby College (2) Colgate University (3) Columbia University (5) Connecticut College Cornell University (4) Dartmouth College (2) Emerson College Fordham University Georgetown University (7) Hamilton College Harvard University (2) Indiana University (Bloomington) Macalester College Marist College Maryland Institute College of Art McGill University (2) Mount Holyoke College New York University (3) Northeastern University (6) Northwestern University Occidental College Oxford College of Emory University Pomona College Princeton University (2) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2) Southern Methodist University St. Lawrence University Swarthmore College Syracuse University Trinity College Trinity College Dublin Tufts University (4) Union College United States Naval Academy The University of Alabama University of California (Berkeley) University of California (Irvine) University of Chicago (4) University of Cincinnati (Main Campus) University of Colorado Boulder (2) University of Connecticut (9) University of Delaware University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Miami (4) University of Michigan (2) University of Pennsylvania (2) University of Rochester (2) University of Vermont (2) University of Virginia (Main Campus) Vassar College Wake Forest University (3) Washington University in St. Louis (3) Wesleyan University (6) Williams College Yale University (8)

H OP K I N S L EG AC I E S HOPKINS ALUMNI AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO BECAME ALUMNI IN 2021.

ALFANDRE

Evan Alfandre 2021 and father Victor Feinberg 1984

BARBER

Daniel Barber 2021 and parents Lisa Anderson Barber 1982 and Jerald Barber 1981

BERCHEM Aidan Berchem 2021 and father Jonathan Berchem 1988

LITTMAN Spencer Littman 2021 and mother Tara Cook-Littman 1993

D EL MONICO Lauren DelMonico 2021 and father Bruce DelMonico 1987

FRANZ Zane Franz 2021 and Burvee Franz III 1989

GALINOVSKY Yahn Galinovsky 2021 and father Aron Galinovsky 1985 30

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

HARRISON Chase Harrison 2021 and father Randy Harrison 1981

HANSON Poppy Hanson 2021 and mother Tracy Costigan Hanson 1980

JAFFEE Warren Jaffee 2021 and father William Jaffee 1987

IACCARINO Michael Iaccarino III 2021 and father Michael Iaccarino, Jr. 1987

LOURENCO Dexter Lourenco 2021 and mother Natalie Burns Lourenco 1991

KOSINSKI Julia Kosinski 2021 and father Peter Kosinski 1982

PFANNENBECKER Ava Pfannenbecker 2021 and parents Brie Dellacroce Pfannenbecker 1994 and Jason Pfannenbecker 1993

MELCHINGER Isabel Melchinger 2021 and father Ian Melchinger 1988 VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

A LUMN I W E E K E N D & GO LF TO URN AMEN T

he weekend of June 4–5 was full of smiling faces over Zoom for many Hopkins alumni, as they reconnected with longtime friends, former faculty members, and the School during Virtual Alumni Weekend. Featuring ten separate Zoom events, the virtual format was certainly not the same as gathering in person under the big tent on campus, but it allowed alumni as far away as Singapore and Japan to participate in the festivities. In total over 140 alumni participated in one or more of the weekend’s events, with the 35th Reunion class of 1986 reaching the highest participation. Friday evening included gatherings of affinity groups, providing time for alumni across class years to share their Hopkins experiences and connect on a variety of interest levels, including the Hopkins Black Alumni Network, LGBTQ+, The Razor Staff Alumni, and the Hopkins Drama Association. (If you are interested in forming a new affinity group or in joining one of the above groups, please email Katey Varanelli at kvaranelli@hopkins.edu). Highlights of Saturday were a presentation by 2021 Distinguished Alumna Phoebe Ellsworth ’61 DPH and her classmates celebrating their 60th Reunion; a performance and Q&A with Hopkins’ first Writer in Residence, Dwayne Betts; a faculty hour where faculty emeriti members Dana Blanchard and Clay Hall, among others, received enthusiastic greetings from former students; and of course the reunion class sessions, where classmates had the opportunity to catch up with one another. We remain committed to providing time for classes to gather in person, so please save the date for an oversized Alumni Weekend to celebrate reunions for classes ending in 0s, 1s, 2s, 5s, 6s, and 7s on campus next year on June 3–4, 2022!

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

GOLF TOURNAMENT The Hopkins Golf Tournament, held on Friday, June 18, 2021, at Orange Hills Country Club in Orange, Connecticut, was a much-anticipated opportunity for alumni, parents, and faculty to gather in person after a year of virtual-only events. More than 100 golfers and friends enjoyed a spectacular day on the course, with a delectable lunch from the Big Green Pizza Truck. Congrats to this year’s winners: AJ Kelleher ’93, Dana Merk ’93, and Chris Slawsky ’93, who shot a 63 in the scramble-style tournament.

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

C L A S S N OTE S

HOPKINS GRAMMAR

1660–1972

MRS. DAY’S

1916–1938

DAY

1938–1960

1948 HGS Marvin Arons msarons@optium.net Marvin Arons’ son, Dr. Jeffrey Arons ’79, submitted the following on the occasion of his father’s birthday: “I write you no obituary for my father, Marvin Arons, M.D., but a celebration of his 90th birthday! The Town of Woodbridge, Connecticut, proclaimed February 13, 2021, as Marvin S. Arons, M.D. Day with a cavalcade of cars led by the local police and firemen, even with fire engines. He is the Town Historian, a director of our local historical society, for whom he has written numerous articles, and a member of the Emergency Medical Commission. Honorable Rosa DeLauro, 3rd Congressional District and fourth-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, stopped by the procession to present another proclamation to him. He remains a Clinical Professor of Surgery (Plastic) (Ret.) of Yale Medical School and Yale New Haven Hospital, where he had practiced for 45 years, and remains a fellow of Saybrook College. Tragically, he was predeceased by my stepmother, Moira Fitzsimmons, who died of cancer after only 10 years of marriage, and then by Gloria McLennan, who passed away from cancer after 30 years of marriage to my father.”

1949 HGS Robert Archambault thearchambaults@optonline.net Hopkins’ Donna Vinci tells me that none of their publications mailed to our classmates have been returned by the post office. That’s good news; you’re all alive! Hopefully, you are healthy also! I talked to Bob DeFeo ’50 HGS recently and he had some input relative to our missing classmates. He thinks our Joe Aitro is related to the Aitro brothers who ran the softball/hardball league in New Haven, but does not know the connection. As to Bob Miles, he had more info. Bob married Betsy Smith from Westville (New Haven), and they had three children. Don’t know where the children are today. Bob and Betsy got divorced; she remained within the area and he moved to Vermont. I agree with Bob DeFeo, except somebody told me that Bob Miles moved out west. Betsy recently died, but I don’t have any details of her obituary. Time to move on to more positive info on our classmates. I have coffee every couple of weeks with John

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

PROSPECT HILL

1930–1960

DAY PROSPECT HILL

1960–1972

HOPKINS SCHOOL

1972–PRESENT

Doheny. He and his wife, Nancy, have recently moved into an assisted living facility here in Orange, Connecticut. A big change from doing everything yourself to having it done by a third party and having to pay for it. I’m very familiar with the location and they will adjust and enjoy it. As for myself, (Robert Archambault) my three grandchildren have each been accepted at their college of choice. One received a full scholarship and the other two received large partial awards, saving me some money in our 529 Account. Otherwise, my wife, Marilyn, and I are doing okay and looking forward to our 60th wedding anniversary in September. Hope all is well with you and look forward to hearing from you by way of a telephone call or email.

1950 HGS Robert DeFeo rhdefeo@gmail.com

1950 DAY & PHS Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1950 DAY or PHS correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1951 HGS John F. Sutton johnfsut@aol.com It is our 70th Reunion year. Amazing! Read on to learn what some of us have been up to during that nearly three quarters of a century. Dick Lunt writes of his life: “After 1951, I served in the army. Later I taught at Rochester Institute of Technology, painted watercolors, and told stories. However, in my old age, I concentrate on seeing family and taking care of my body.” I am surprised to learn of Dick’s painting, but not at all surprised to learn that he is devoting a significant part of his life to taking care of his body. I do a lot of that too. We have excellent healthcare in Maine, and I spend a good deal of time involved with it. I am blessed that my Parkinson’s disease is under control, but I continue to struggle with a wound on my foot caused while I recuperated from a fall. Dick Wilde reports that a year ago or so, Carla fell and broke her hip. It was successfully repaired but exacerbated a non-Alzheimer’s cognitive decline. Dick wonders whether any of us would enjoy compiling our thoughts on the Hopkins teachers whose impacts we have felt in our lives since 1951. If you’d like to participate in such a project, let me know.

Don Scott and Gale have lived in Naples, Florida, for 41 years and are still enjoying the area and its weather. They have moved from their single-family home to a condo in the north area of Collier County, which has grown from 80,000 to 350,000 residents. Don is no longer active in his church nor the Naples Yacht Club, where he was commodore 20 years ago. The Scotts enjoy looking out over the Gulf, watching the birds and the boats, and waiting for the COVID pandemic to wane so they can travel to New England and to Seattle, Washington, where Gale’s family resides. Don has two daughters, as well as four granddaughters who are just graduating from college. The second is finishing medical school, and the third is going on to get her M.B.A. Commenting on his Hopkins career, Don states, “Hopkins was my best education experience primarily because of Miss Carver.” Barbara Bartlett reports that she and Hal Bartlett are still living on their farm in New Gloucester, Maine. Years ago, Hal had an accident while responding to a fire call—he was deputy chief of the local fire department—and he practiced dentistry only a short time thereafter. Hal says that he misses the patients, but not the practice. Now he and Barbara watch the farm activities and enjoy their leisure with the rest of their family. Dan Case, who was with us in Forms 2 and 3, spent his working years as an actuary. After his wife’s death, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to be near his daughter, his two sons having also moved far away from his Maryland home. He is now planning to move from his present apartment to a smaller one nearby, where he will be on a single floor and will have a walk-in shower, thus avoiding having to step over the edge of a bathtub. He comments, “Like many at our age, I am concerned about the risk of falling.” And, furthermore, “For many years I have preferred to get places by any means other than driving, and so in 2019, I gave up driving altogether. I can still do errands by bicycle or on foot. In my home, I conserve energy by washing most things, including my hands, in cold water and set my thermostat at 64 in winter, 77 in summer. My best wishes to my classmates. Take care, even after

John Sutton ’51 HGS stands next to the Class Banner

getting vaccinated.” Touching on the same subjects, John Youmans checks in from Oslo, Norway, where he has lived for many years. “We’re still under COVID lockdowns but are looking forward to opening up gradually in the next few months as the vaccine rollout continues and the warmer weather allows us to get outdoors again to meet with family and friends.” Recently, your editor became the custodian of the HGS 1951 banner. I worked on it in that graduation year, so it is special for me. The banner, you The 1951 Pantagraph may remember, consists of a large H and the names of all of us 1951ers. It measures 54 by 28 inches. Since some of the names are nearly illegible because of old age, I dug out my 1951 yearbook (called Pantagraph). I counted the pictures of all of us seniors and found that there were 40 of us. The latest list of living HGS 1951 members contains 15 names, one of which, Parry Larsen, is faulty because he died three years ago. Our numbers are dwindling, not surprising for a group our age, who, if you are like me, are old enough to have children who are retiring. Let’s stay in touch. Keep sending me your news, and I’ll keep editing it and sending it to Hopkins for publication.

1951 DAY Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1951 DAY correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1951 PHS Joan Haskell Vicinus joanvicinus@yahoo.com There was a gathering of local Lavine family members and friends on May 23 to honor Gladys Lavine’s birthday, and to say goodbye to the family house. How poignant this must have been. Among the guests were Sukie Hilles Bush and Ira and Ann Coleman Mandelbaum. Earlier in May, I (Joan Haskell Vicinus) had sent a note to all classmates asking them to respond with words about their experiences in coping with COVID. Perhaps by the time these notes are published, this whole pandemic issue will be passé. My intention behind the question was to spur a simple response by return mail; here are their responses. Sukie had stayed with her son, Andrew, in Cambridge, but intended to move to her home in Westport, Connecticut, for at least part of the summer. The Mandelbaums’ report of their pandemic adjustment was a bit more complicated. Ira and Ann’s son and his wife and daughter moved into the house in Woodbury, Connecticut, as soon as New York City locked down. This meant creating a study and computer/TV spaces in the basement and in the upstairs hall. With six adults in the house, cooking three meals a day had to be worked out with creative scheduling. In late winter, their granddaughter moved out to join her astrophysicist partner, and their son and his wife moved back to Manhattan in April. Ann rather enjoyed the experience, loved having family around, and was sincerely sad to end the group experience. Susan Adams Mott answered my query by saying that times were pretty quiet. She spent much of each day typing emails and texts back and forth discussing themes specific VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

to each recipient. She and Paul twice had visits from their sons and children, socially distanced, in their backyard. Now as the rules are being relaxed, the thought is to repair the roof. It has been such an unusual year that the thought of such a project sounds strangely exciting! In the Washington Heights, Manhattan, neighborhood where Susan Myers Jacobs lives, masking is in a bit of flux. In her building, masks are required on elevators and in public areas. On the street, where the rules are more relaxed, some people look askance at a bare face, while others openly criticize mask-wearers as being anti-social! It is going to take some time to adjust to a new day. Meanwhile, the city of Manhattan is gearing up for the election of a new mayor, taking focus away from COVID news. Across the ocean, in France, Lavinia Schrade Bruneau reported on re-opening in her neighborhood. Schools, restaurants, the theater, and the cafés are all available, providing you participate outdoors. There is only one problem: it has been raining for weeks, in comparison to the drought that we are experiencing here. Lavinia sends greetings to all. Nancy Mueller Holtzapple passed on some happy news that her granddaughter’s wedding was finally able to take place. In fact, she had two weddings, one in the town where her granddaughter’s future husband lived, and one in California involving Nancy’s friends and family. In the second one, Nancy’s great-granddaughter was the flower girl, who, Nancy noted, weighed only one pound at birth. She is most decidedly a miracle child. Elizabeth DeVane Edminster and I live in comparable retirement communities, she at Ingleside in Washington, D.C., and I at RiverWoods in Exeter, New Hampshire. We have been closely guarded throughout the pandemic, carefully watched, and proudly have had no deaths from COVID. Unless the pandemic rears up in force, we are free to live our normal lives. Lizzie was planning on a flight to Martha’s Vineyard for 10 days in June. I traveled to New York City to help my daughter celebrate her 50th birthday. I had been to Manhattan on three other occasions earlier during the pandemic, to visit my sister Judy Haskell Auchincloss ’57 PHS, ailing with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Because I can no longer drive, my sister Anne Haskell Knight ’55 PHS is my means of transport. On the earlier occasions, we both had to quarantine for two weeks. Let us hope that the world doesn’t have a resurgence of the pandemic. May we all be safe and well.

in Connecticut).” Dan Ruchkin spotted the reference in the Spring 2021 HGS ’49 Class Notes to brothers, Joe ’49 HGS and Pat Aitro of our class, not heard from since graduation. Dan recalls running into Pat at the Paramount Theater around 1954–55. The brothers did apparently run a very successful baseball league in New Haven for some years.” Roy Wells reports continuing to play golf with a partner even (a little) older than we are! This was back in early spring, when temperatures were still challenging. Roy and I go back 80-plus years, to preschool days. Our parents were friends before we were born! Roy David Steinmuller ’52 HGS with learned of Burt Brockett’s his senior (electric!) wheels. passing in December 2020 from Burt’s wife, Linda. I believe Donna Vinci has forwarded Burt’s obituary to our classmates. Finally, your correspondent, Matt Smith, whiled away six or eight weeks of isolation by installing a five-speed gearbox conversion in the couple’s 1953 MGTD. We bought this car from its original owner in 1956 for $900 and drove it to Montreal, Canada, on our honeymoon. The following year, it brought our first child home from Boston Lying-in Hospital (now Brigham & Women’s). See how easy this is? Please stay in touch!

1952 DAY & PHS Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1952 DAY or PHS correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1953 HGS, DAY & PHS

1952 HGS

Alumni interested in serving as Class of 1953 HGS, DAY, or PHS correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

Matthew Smith elmatt56@msn.com

1954 DAY & PHS

John Higgs reports, “Helen Platt Higgs ’52 PHS and I survived the pandemic in Vero Beach, Florida. The John’s Island Club is a residential club located on an island in the Atlantic. It had strict COVID rules and still managed to provide meals in its restaurants, grocery delivery, pick-up dinners from a restaurant, and many other features that made it as safe and comfortable as possible during the crisis. Most golf, tennis, and bathing facilities were open on a somewhat modified basis. We’re fortunate and very grateful.” From Dave Steinmuller: “It’s been more than a month since Patti and I received our second COVID vaccinations, but we’re still being very careful, like masking when shopping and going to our favorite coffee bars. Bozeman, Montana, where we live, has done well until recently, when there’s been a spike in infections because some folks are letting down their guard. Recently, I bought a great electric road bike (see the photo) which has made it easier for my 86-year-old body to enjoy serious riding again (I first did a ‘century’ ride when I was a teenager 36

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

Alumni interested in serving as Class of 1954 HGS, PHS, or DAY correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1955 HGS Woolsey S. Conover, Jr. woolcon@aol.com With invaluable assistance from Messrs. Kidney, Lewis, and Keeley, the class’s current status and whereabouts have been significantly updated. In summary, of the 40 of us who graduated on that fateful June day in 1955, we have e-connectivity with 19; 14 (Clarke, Davis, Devlin, Dimenstein, Eliason, Hay, Linsley, Nelson, Preisner, Rogers, Sgro, Symons, Tibaldeo, and Whelahan) have passed on; and six (Arovas, Clapp, Gesmonde, Harris, Pikorski, and Rabinowitz) are unaccounted for despite best efforts to reach them. Sadly, we have learned that Hank Powell, hale fellow, fencer par excellence, and more recently a well-respected teacher at Hopkins, is now residing at a memory

care facility in North Haven, Connecticut. But happily, one of our flock who had gone missing, Fred Williamson, has been found and recently had this to report: “Hard to believe 65 years have passed since we left the Hill. Just for information, I am an ‘in between’ HGS grad. By that, I mean I graduated in 1954, but decided to attend HGS for one more year since I had just turned 17 and thought another year would better prepare me for college. HGS lists me as a Class of 1954 grad, but I am also a member of the Class of 1955. I have always considered my high school grad date as 1955. Where have I been for the past 65 years? The answer would take forever, and my typing skills are limited, plus I don’t want to bore you. Suffice it to say, I attended Brown University, was commissioned a Navy Ensign upon graduation, loved the sea and served 30 years, commanded a minesweeper, guided missile destroyer, and naval base among many tours afloat and ashore, and retired as a Navy Captain in 1989. At that time, I went to work for an international security company as executive vice president and retired from that job in 2008. I have consulted since then, but now consider myself pretty much retired. I have been married to a wonderful wife for the past 55 years, have three great children and grandkids. We have been living in McLean, Virginia, for the past 30 years. Look forward to hearing more about/ from classmates of HGS Class of 1955. Warmest regards and best wishes.” With regard to Dick Linsley, Jim Golden recently passed along this highly noteworthy news: “My sister, a Day School graduate, called me recently to tell me that Dick’s wife was in a terminal state in hospice in Mobile, Alabama. Reviewing some of your emails about classmates, I pulled out my copy of the 55th Reunion Class book that Joe Sgro inspired. In it, I referred to Dick, who passed away as a Navy Lieutenant Commander in June of 1972. What I

didn’t know, as my sister, Edythe Linsley ’58 DAY, related to me, was that Dick had a peninsula in Antarctica named after him (Google ‘Linsley Peninsula Antarctica’ for details). As noted, an ‘Advisory Committee on Antarctica Names designated Lieutenant Commander Richard G. Linsley, U.S. Navy, a pilot of LC-130 Hercules aircraft who made flights in support of the United States Antarctic Research Program geological party working at Thurston Island in the 1968–69 season.’” Since you fellows who served our country in the military so valiantly and courageously are, in essence, my heroes, I plan a short retrospective of who you are and what you did to guard and protect the rest of us. I have heard from some of you but would like to hear from others who have served in this way. And from your scribe (Woolsey Conover): For the past 30 years, instead of meditating and being mindful, I have been pushing paint around on paper and canvas with mixed results. One of my latest efforts appears here… a person you might recognize along with his good frau of 63 years (Okay… it’s Bill Branon with wife Lolly). Also, hard to believe, I will have two granddaughters attending Bulldog U. this fall… a rising senior and her older sis who starts at the School of Management. Tigers lose again. Lastly, I am fervently hoping that COVID soon goes away sufficiently for us to have an in-person reunion at the Old Grammar School. If you haven’t been back to the Hill for a while, you will be totally blown away by the changes. And, as always, please keep in touch, tell us how you are and what you are up to. We all… well, most of us… have an interest in learning about what’s going on in your life. Thanks for doing that.

1955 DAY Alice Watson Houston alice.houston@yahoo.com I, Alice Watson Houston, in Stonington, Connecticut, did a huge amount of spring gardening after an absence during nine springs of enjoying professionally tended Paris gardens and parks. Our quiet winter of social distancing provided time for rearranging my attic manuscript files. M.L. Sibley Scudder wrote that she read a great number of books from her shelves that she had never found time for. Anne English Hull wrote that she now looks forward to choir practice that finally restarted. Pam Mack Young related that it was nice to have two of her three children living nearby in the Toronto, Canada, area. Sadly, she told me that Barbara “Barbie” Babb Read, our childhood neighbor and classmate through eighth grade, had died a couple of years ago. In our amazing internet-connected world, Pam does crossword puzzles on Wednesdays and Sundays with her sister Sara “Sari” Mack ’57 DAY, living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and their brother, Sandy Mack ’59 HGS, living in Seattle, Washington. In our interstate highway world, Nancy Kushlan Wanger, retired after 42 years as conductor of the M.I.T. Women’s Chorale, travels from her home in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, to visit her D.C. daughter’s summer place in Delaware. On the way, she plans to visit me in Stonington. I hope all classmates, both DAY and PHS, will do the same.

1955 PHS Lucie Giegengack Teegarden teegarden_lucie@comcast.net

Bill Branon ’55 HGS with wife, Lolly. Portrait by Woolsey Conover ’55 HGS.

Dear classmates: I expect it has been a year-plus of watching and waiting for most of us, and I hope we have all come through relatively unscathed. Vicki Meeks Blair-Smith wrote after she received VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

the last issue of the Hopkins magazine and noted that she had overlapped with Louise Christian when both were at Simmons, but they hadn’t managed to connect. Vicki was then doing her M.L.S. in the Simmons Library School. She and Bear are fine and have been relatively isolated in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He is writing book #2, and Vicki is continuing to sleuth ancestors and has been prepping family albums and photos for posterity. Daughter Caroline is Safety Officer for Outward Bound USA; son Rob is with T-Mobile. Both families are working from home and/or studying remotely. Anne Haskell “Pickle” Knight has been sorting, tossing, and packing for her move June 8 to Exeter, New Hampshire’s RiverWoods retirement community, where her sister Joan Haskell Vicinus ’51 PHS lives. Each of Pickle’s kids—Chris, Catie, and Julie—will be there to lend a hand with the packing and moving during the final week. Pickle says her new apartment is lovely and sunny, and near Joan’s. Judy Bassin Peknik writes that almost everyone she knows has been vaccinated, and the world seems to be opening back up (in mid-May). Some of the art associations she belongs to are now having actual shows, but when she wrote it was still unclear when the off-off-Broadway world would reawaken. Meanwhile, she says: “We’ve been talking: As we age, do we want to continue to participate in that kind of endeavor or focus on new ventures? The outer world and the inner world have changed, and we’ll have to see how we adapt. But there’s a new sense of living and breathing and hope.” For me, Lucie Giegengack Teegarden, that was recently underscored by my first trip out of state in at least a year and a half. I was able to spend five days in North Carolina celebrating granddaughter Becca Supple’s graduation from Duke. Lovely gatherings, warm hospitality, visit with my brother Bob and his wife, who drove over from Winston-Salem, and okay air travel. Family members are also gradually making their way up to Maine again. I continue editing art books, currently for the Monhegan Museum, which adds some structure and interest to everyday life. And I’m trying to get the gardens weeded, planted, etc. Judy Buck Moore is doing more of that in Woodbridge, Connecticut, and is looking forward to a possible birding trip to Texas in November. When you receive this issue, please think about sending a brief message for our next column. Just email me at the address above.

1956 HGS Stephen Raffel raffel@post.harvard.edu Owen Cylke and his wife, Nancy, are vaccinated. Our COVID year was better than it might have been, since we now live just two houses apart from our son and his family here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Most curious experience. We were fully vaccinated in January; I fell and pulverized my shoulder in March. After being admitted for surgery, and gowned, at the hospital, I was told to leave the hospital immediately as I had tested positive for COVID. I immediately took an independent test—negative. And two weeks later tested negative at the hospital. Shoulder replacement completed. Doctors say many of us carry stray COVID cells in our noses without symptoms or disease. So much we don’t yet fully understand. Three weeks after their second Moderna shot in March, Peter Knudsen and his wife, Pidgie, celebrated their good fortune by spending eight days in Florida. “We landed in Fort Lauderdale, where we had lunch at Nancy and Owen Cylke’s home. That first evening, we traveled west on I-75, so that the next day we could tour Corkscrew Swamp, which we highly recommend. The last couple of days were spent in St. Augustine, and 38

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

with friends on Amelia Island, both places that we visited for the first time, a great way to cap off our first trip outside of Connecticut in a year.” Dick Walton practices his tai chi and when he can stand it, he even does his physical therapy exercises. When he and his wife go out for a walk, they put on masks. “We haven’t been able to sufficiently steel ourselves to clean out the basement or garage, and those are the only two spots that actually need some cleaning out. Looking back on it, we weren’t in much pain. There were times we could have used a bit more variety, but truthfully, we didn’t suffer much.” Reminders: We hold a Class of ’56 lunch twice a year in the New Haven area. It is an informal gathering with no politics and no fundraising. Also, I am missing some email addresses. If you do not get occasional reminders, please email your address to raffel@post.harvard.edu so I can add you to the list.

1956 DAY & PHS Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1956 DAY or PHS correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1957 HGS Alan Cadan alancadan@mac.com Ted Westbrook: “I am still too busy, and I am not getting done all the reading that I had planned before The End! I am still attending one afternoon a week in the neurology resident outpatient clinic at University Hospital of Cleveland (Case Western Reserve). Forty-nine years of experience still allows some significant contribution, and as long as that is reported back to me, I will continue to do so. It is still fun to see the lights come on in the eyes of very bright residents in training. I am the president of the Board of Directors at One Bratenahl Place where we live. It is one of the more difficult things I have done in life. The building is a small version of the polarized political situation in this country. Some days I feel that I am herding cats. Susie and I are beginning to travel again. Just came back from Richmond, Virginia, where our oldest son, Charlie, and his family have a row house in Old Richmond. Lovely. Will go to California in the middle of June for 10 days. Really appreciate all the communication of classmates with all their contributions. Best to everybody and we look forward to a real meeting of all again soon.” Peter Hart: “Went to the grocery store today without a mask. Haven’t felt so liberated since I passed my driver’s test! Saw our granddaughter’s graduation from College of Wooster… virtually. She graduated cum laude and received the prize as the outstanding senior in Art and Photography. Now she is off to Europe and an arts program on the Canary Islands! All our family, children and grandchildren, are fully vaccinated, and we have had two sets of visitors. Hope to plan a full family gathering for this summer. Will be registering for my virtual Yale Reunion but am really looking forward to a real one for HGS in 2022. Carole and I hope you are all well and getting back in the game.” Dexter Johnston: “Anne and I have both gotten both shots (Pfizer) as of February. In April, we drove down through Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina into Georgia for a week at Little St. Simons Island. That’s an 11,000-acre wildlife preserve that accepts 31 paying guests (only 27 allowed per COVID rules when we were there). We were seriously outnumbered by armadillos and alligators, saw 72 avian species, many raising chicks or in breeding plumage. Come August, we’ll try the airlines and go to New Orleans to take a boat

up the Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. At least for this year, no international trips.” Ford Daley: “Still working as a supervisory aide at Hanover High School. We go four days live and then Wednesday is remote. We have had only a total of three cases, all not contagious in school—what luck. But the kids are really good at wearing their masks. Elaine is semi-retired, but taking care of her new baby granddaughter, and of course, loving it. So life goes, moving along, but I wish spring would hurry up. Best to you all.” Steve Ryter: “We recently bought a larger but still small house in a Gold Canyon (near Mesa), Arizona, resort complex. We’re heading back to Oregon for the summer, where we’ll be living in our small RV ‘down by the river.’ I mourn the passing of Jim and Howie, and getting old sucks if you hadn’t noticed. Keep the faith, guys. Remember, you’re only as old as… something or other.” Dana Murphy: “During this pandemic period, expenses for only gas and groceries, food and fuel. A number of projects completed around the house but… need to get all my organizations re-activated. My name is being given/ referenced across the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as a source of information as to active trail shuttles, as I retired from that service in 2018. Vaccinated December 2020, January 2021. Moving slowly back to semi-normalcy. See you for our 65th!” John Lunt: “The past winter proceeded with dull regularity. Most days were identical with meals, house chores, occasional ‘expeditions’ in the car to places within a few hours of home generally accompanied by walking a different Land Trust trail, and our continued work at our local food pantry on Fridays. Certainly, getting the first vaccination shot in February with the appointment for the second in March made things look a lot brighter, enough so that in April we did drive to Annapolis, Maryland, to visit with our daughter and family for a few days, stopping at both Longwood and Chanticleer Gardens to get a further glimpse of full spring (in Maine, we were weeks behind). Now with our daughter and her husband, who live an hour away, also both vaccinated, we are enjoying the opportunity to, once again, sit at the same table, inside, and enjoy a meal. It has been a very memorable year!” Doug Fitzsimmons: “News from Boston: we’ve been jabbed!” Joe Schwartz: “I earnestly hope that you are all being blessed with good (decent?) health, are double vaccinated, and are looking forward to the gradual ‘re-opening’ and normalization of society. It’s been quite the year!” Alan Cadan: “COVID did make inroads in our family, with two of our sons—one in Fairfield, Connecticut, the other in Atlanta, Georgia—falling prey early in the pandemic, and they were really sick! Fortunately, both recovered completely, despite the frightening experience for them and us. Both of our twin sons and our daughterin-law work in hospitals and were on the front lines relating the horror stories that took such emotional stress on them all. Now, with vaccines mitigating the impact, all our lives are slowly returning to some sense of normalcy. We are now completely vaccinated with the series of Pfizer jabs for Lynn and me done at the Griffin Hospital in Derby, my old hometown. Coincidentally, while waiting the 15 minutes after the shots, I looked around, eager to see if I could recognize anyone from my old 4th grade class at the Irving School. Man, has that crowd aged! Hopefully, destinations and related flights may soon be opening up for COVID-free locations, so we’re thinking positively about travel planning for 2022 to resume checking off spots on Lynn’s ‘Bucket List’! Until now, we really haven’t ventured far from Milford, Connecticut; needless to say, we’re looking forward to spreading our wings again!”

1957 DAY & PHS Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1957 DAY or PHS correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1958 HGS Dan Koenigsberg dkoenigsberg14@gmail.com Little to no news to report on members of 1958. Our semi-annual get-togethers have been on hold for the past two years with the pandemic, but hopefully we will figure out a way to rekindle the flame soon. The dearth of activities we have all experienced over the past year has been matched by the dearth of news items emanating from Hopkins classmates. Doug Sperry did check in from Germany with a new email address, but I have not heard from anyone else. Time to pony up with some news. Yours truly (Dan Koenigsberg) spent most of the winter in Palm Springs, California, and left when the temperature got above 105. Managed to get in some skiing in Vermont beforehand and then hiking in the Sonoran Desert amongst the cacti. So let me hear from y’all. No item is too trivial.

1958 DAY & PHS Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1958 DAY or PHS correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1959 HGS William F. Dow III wdow@jacobslaw.com Well, a spate of emails from 986 Forest Road reminds me that it is time once again, Dear Friends, to create gossamer news about our octogenarian classmates. I am, as usual, without even a wisp of anything that comes close to qualifying even as “information,” forget about news. Vaccines have come and, hopefully, been received by all. Masks and social distancing are waning. Socializing of some sort or other is possible. And we are now presented with the challenge of either returning to the normalcy we had or creating and adjusting to a new one. Change, for most of us, isn’t easy and that difficulty is, I feel, exacerbated by our present chronological stations. It is not within my portfolio as correspondent to our class to provide advice or counsel on matters of such significance. Nor could I do so if so required. One thought, however, I might look to the wisdom of others to assist. There is no shortage of great minds—intellectuals, philosophers, writers, and religious—whose wisdom and insight can benefit us all. The one I found, though, most helpful and easiest to understand and accept is Satchel Paige, whose observations I list below: • Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you. • How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? • A ge is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. • A in’t no man can avoid being born average, but there ain’t no man got to be common. • I f your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts. • S ometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits. Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines. Stay safe. Pax. VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

1959 DAY & PHS

1961 HGS

Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1959 DAY or PHS correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

Bob Kessler bobkesslerib@gmail.com

1960 HGS

Al Caldwell: “I forget when I last communicated with the Hopkins Alumni Office and what I said, but at all events, after living 22 years in Miami, Florida, and working with Mexicans as a private banker focusing on their investment strategies, I’ve decided to move to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My wife of 35 years passed away three years ago, and while I have a number of friends here in the Pittsburgh area, I also have five cousins with whom I grew up. I have two stepkids in California, but don’t especially want to move back there, and one in Spain, and while my Spanish is good thanks to Gil Evans (remember him?), I prefer not to retire surrounded with other retirees whose memories basically are of the Franco era. Furthermore, I have three grandsons in Spain, and the middle one, who is 17, wants to finish high school in the U.S. and go to college here, and in Pittsburgh he can hang out with the children of my cousins while he makes other friends. I will continue to work with my Mexican clients since it has now been proven that working from home works just fine, and I hope to find a teaching job in the investments area to try something different.” Mike Giordano: “Bob, thank you for taking the lead in keeping the spirit of ’61 alive and well. Surely, there are many among us, like you I am sure, who continue to be amazed that we have achieved such a milestone. Sitting in class and thinking about where we might be in 2021 might well have taken the full capacity of our imagination at the time. Yet here we all are: husbands, fathers, grandfathers… and yet believing the best is yet to come. I for one believe that. You guys played an incredible role in my life. I was a local from Branford who was suddenly a freshman at Hopkins. For God’s sake, how did that happen? What a great group of guys I had the privilege to become compatriots with. We were lucky young men to have had the benefit of such a broad intellectual and social experience at such a young age. I suppose that goes naturally with the objective, but who knew it then? Not me for one. The best to you all and too darn bad we had to get shortchanged from our reunion. More are coming!” Bill Hart: “We are in Ojai, California, having spent an extended time here at my wife, Connie’s, family place, where the first house was built in 1915. Our two daughters will be the fifth generation of women to inherit it. They and their husbands were here with us during this unexpected year that we have all experienced. Otherwise, Bill Hart ’61 enjoys time with his they live and work in 18-month-old grandson, Nico. Washington, D.C., and New York City. We also have our first grandchild, Nico (see photo). I still get materials and invitations to board meetings of the National Trust and the American Academy in Rome, a courtesy provided to former chairs, but I am no longer an active trustee. Sorry we won’t have our 60th reunion in person, and hope we’ll have another occasion to get together.” Sam Hunt: “I was born a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. I often think of my days at Hopkins and how much I learned and how much I appreciated being there. We had a wonderful, engaging, varied, and interesting class. One of my most treasured

Alumni interested in serving as Class of 1960 HGS correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1960 DAY & PHS Tricia Swift TSwift@grubbco.com tswift@lasell.edu First, an apology for an error in the last issue of Views from the Hill. I reported with sadness the death of Liz MacKenzie’s daughter, Christine Kaestle, 48, suddenly in July 2020. Christine is survived by her husband, Louis Madsen. They had no children. Again, my apologies and our condolences to Liz and her family. Liz writes that Chrissie’s life was one of “abundance of human love, intellect, respectfulness, grace, adventure, and humor.” On a happier note, a good number of us from Day and Prospect Hill 1960 have been taking advantage of the miracle of Zoom to gather and cohere. Regulars have included Carole Pfisterer Hart, Ann Hummel Hoag, Ursula Goodenough (who shared with us an article that she wrote some years ago for Seventeen Magazine, thinly disguised as autobiographical), Roberta “Bobbie” Garson Leis, Tita Beal, Ruth Osterweis Selig, Mary Whitney Renz, Mary Louise “Weesie” Long, and we have found Jane Preston Rose! In addition, although they have not joined us on Zoom yet, I have received a current email address from Georgianna Burbridge Wilson, and I have even heard from our wonderful foreign student classmate Aurelia Debenedetti in Milan, Italy. Aurelia would love to join us but doesn’t have Zoom access. Phyllis Rose, Gail Lowman Eisen (who has expanded her New York City co-op and continues her piano studies), and Catherine Milton (in Stanford, California) join in as they can. Weesie Long continues to paint and show her work, and Tita is working on honing a new play. Ursula was my first visitor, a month ago, as COVID restrictions began to lift. She was traveling from her home on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, to New Hampshire to see her brother, Dan, and I was delighted to host her for a night. Ruth Selig has also visited with her partner, Mark Matthews, stopping in for tea as she was heading for her daughter’s home nearby to be grandmother for a weekend. New York City and Washington, D.C., are on my soon-to-travel-to list as well as Martha’s Vineyard. Being fully vaccinated and “marinated,” I have been able to visit my son, Geoffrey, and his family in Maine. Museums in the Boston area are opening carefully, and I have been taking advantage as well, and felt very safe. Bobbie Garson and I were intending to have coffee out of doors this morning, but the weather is rainy and we have postponed. Bobbie and her husband are heading to Maine shortly to open their camp there. We will reschedule our coffee when they return in a couple of weeks. Our conversations have ranged over catch-up news to COVID vaccination experiences and deeper and richer conversations about the value of long friendships, many of us knowing each other’s families of origin, and deeply personal issues that we all dealt with in school and college years. If I have not contacted you, I may not have your current email address—please catch me up to date with your current email so I can incorporate you in our next Zoom. And as always, please send me news that you would like to share! Cheers, Tricia Black Swift 40

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

activities was all 110 pounds of me blocking Jack Carroll when he was playing linebacker during football practices. I got to like being on my back looking up at the sun. My wife, Cynthia, a pediatrician, and I have not been significantly adversely affected by the pandemic. We are both retired and found that we often were able to talk with friends and family more on Zoom than we did in real life. I do note, however, that I am getting a bit older. They warned me that I would eventually have to deal with a banged-up body from a lifetime of sports, but I’m still hanging in there pretty well—working out, walking miles a day, biking, swimming, playing bad golf, and engaging in other low-impact activities. I got a new hip in August of 2020, which was delayed from March 2020 because of the pandemic. My body apparently didn’t feel I had done enough for it, so I got a steroid injection in my lumbar spine to deal with a bulging disk. There’s more, of course, but you get the gist. I took up competitive bridge about seven years ago and am now a Bronze Life Master (one rank up from basic Life Master) and am working on getting more masterpoints to achieve higher ranks. Unless you are a professional bridge player, it’s not about money, it’s all about bridge status. The International Bridge League has done a wonderful job creating a top-notch competitive bridge online playing system. It has kept many of us sane over the last year. Our daughter, Christine, after getting a master’s degree in Public Health, became a lawyer and now works as an attorney for the Federal Food and Drug Administration. She loves her job. The FDA is one of the few federal agencies that was not eviscerated by our former president. Christine got assigned to the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel COVID team, which required many hours of manning the phone and the FDA email system at all times of the day to respond to internal FDA questions, in addition to her regular work. Everyone works hard and long hours there. Cynthia and I are spending more time at our house on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, particularly in the winter. I had the pleasure one fall of having Bob Kessler and Stillman St. Clair come down for a week of golf a few years ago. I no longer practice law, but still give presentations from time to time about legal topics. I got excellent practice making announcements with Bill Christian at our daily morning school assemblies at Hopkins. I sing in a retired men’s a cappella group. We have about 20 concerts a year, primarily at retirement communities, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. I still haven’t been able to figure out how I can be retired yet not have time to do everything I want or need to do. It is very nice to hear what my Hopkins classmates are up to. I wish everyone well and will miss gathering in Paul Jacobson ’61 HGS skiing person for our 60th. Amazing.” This at Haddam Meadows, in from Paul Jacobson: “Hello all. Connecticut. Hopkins seems like ancient history because it is. But below is a capsule summary of what I have been up to over the years. In 1965, I graduated from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. In 1970, I graduated from UConn with an M.S. in Aquatic Sciences. My master’s work was a study of the introduction of American shad into the Farmington River: Truth? a fishing pole in one hand, oxygen meter in the other. In 1970, I joined the Essex Marine Lab, studying the ecology of the Connecticut River with respect to the construction and operation of

the Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Plant. A monograph of that work was published in 1976. In 1974, I began work as a biologist for Northeast Utilities (NU)—yes, I was asked to provide oversight for long-term marine ecology studies occurring at the Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut. That morphed into management of the NU Environmental Department and finally back at Millstone as site environmental manager, including the marine sciences laboratory. I retired from NU in 2000, consulted at Millstone until 2004, and began an odyssey of consulting until last year, mostly for various consulting companies, but all ecological impact stuff. In 2004, I also edited and published a monograph sequel to the Connecticut River Study, summarizing 35 years of ecological information on the lower Connecticut River. My most recent non-paying gig over the past two years included mobilization of a long-term ecological study of the Housatonic River in conjunction with Western Connecticut State University and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. I got married in 1970 and have three children: the oldest boy, Paul, in Florida; middle son, Dana, in California (a hydrogeologist, what else); and daughter Elizabeth in Clinton, Connecticut. Three grandchildren. Divorced in 2018. Took residence in a family cottage on the Housatonic River in Shelton, Connecticut… yes, that started the studies there. Over the years, hobbies have included waterfowl hunting, fishing, and boating. That would make sense, right! But most important, recently I met a bunch of old preppies at the New Haven Rowing Club on the Housatonic River and am now into rowing shells. I am living in East Lyme and rowing on the Connecticut River at the Pettipaug Club in Essex. Back on the river where I started. I am incredibly lucky as I’m still able to enjoy my hobbies and visit children. The ski picture was cross-country this winter at Haddam Meadows.” Bob Kessler: “There hasn’t been any news about anyone in our class for quite some time. I guess the double shock of the coronavirus and 60 years since our graduation (really!?) has been a wake-up call. I retired from the position of VP finance and administration at Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates two years ago after 40 years of service. KRJDA was an architectural firm of 100 people and had major commissions worldwide. Headquarters were in Hamden, so I didn’t get far down the road from where I grew up in North Haven. Over the course of the last 60 years, I was able to do a fair amount of travel, did some coastal cruising in our 32-foot sailboat, and enjoyed skiing in Vermont. My wife, Lois, and I have one son, a physician in Boston, Massachusetts. Josh and his wife, Maggie, have three kids, Sam (15), Caroline (13), and Ellie (11). It’s a challenge keeping up with them. The memories of our Hopkins years with a great group of guys, some of whom I have the privilege of seeing from time to time, have been sustaining and affirming for me. I hope you all stay well and look forward to seeing you at the next reunion, whenever that is. Hopefully next year.” George Lowman: “What a treat! Bob Kessler, Dave Hawley, Ron Delfini, Mike Giordano, Paul Jacobson, Dan McNulty, ‘Saint’ St. Clair, Sam Hunt, and I (George Lowman) Zoomed together as part of our 60th high school reunion. There are 32 email addresses on the list that Bob Kessler circulated; having learned fractions in the good ol’ Hopkins days, it was about one-third of our class. Not bad for 60 years. We shared great memories of our time at Hopkins. Members of the ’61 football team reminisced about the undefeated season they achieved. We talked about favorite teachers and eccentric teachers, the ‘punishments’ for minor infractions (scrapping gum, moving rocks, etc.), the lunch room with all of its rules, and much more. More than anything, we looked pretty good VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

for a gathering of old guys. We send special thanks to the Hopkins staff, especially Katey Varanelli and Donna Vinci, who did a masterful job in managing our reunion. We appreciate the support.” Daniel McNulty: “Alive and well in Boston, actually Winchester, Massachusetts. Made it through the pandemic, thankfully. Missed my kids and grandkids, of course, but Zoomed them every week from Boston to Copenhagen, Denmark; Los Angeles, California; Grand Junction, Colorado; and Atlanta, Georgia. Favorite sport is going to Red Sox games again and watching golf on TV, even though I don’t play the sport. Learning so much as I get older. Regretfully, they didn’t teach us how much we would forget. 1961 at Hopkins is a wonderful and lasting memory for me thanks to classmates, teachers, and coaches. I stay in touch with Sandy Wilmore and Bob Lee. My sister Bonnie married Randy Erich ’66 HGS, Buddy’s son. My sister Jo-Ann has three grandkids who have graduated from Hopkins, including Madi Mettler ’21 this year. All the best and would love to catch up with anyone visiting Boston. Miss you all.” Andrew Rudin: “I have been interested in energy in buildings since the late 1960s, when I learned how to wire buildings for electricity. I started a construction business and soon realized that I was fascinated by wires, pipes, and ducts. I sold my company in 1978 and have been an energy management consultant ever since. I have studied energy use in thousands of buildings from New York City to Phoenix, Arizona, learning from each one of them how to control its use more effectively. I serve nonprofit community service organizations.” Stillman St. Clair: “Okay… I have to agree with Mike. I’ve met some good people along the way but never as a group did I meet people like we had at Hopkins. Memories I had there are still some of the best of my life. And, if it hadn’t been for Mike and Bob Kessler’s wife, Lois (they were dating at the time), I never would have met my wife, Sandy. Sadly, I lost her nine years ago. Most of my adult life was in St. Louis, Missouri, so I wasn’t able to maintain Hopkins relationships too easily and I missed the last reunion, but I have been able to at least touch some people along the way. Bob and Lois Kessler… I still see Bob Lee… Jack Carroll (even saw him when he was with the FBI in New Orleans, Louisiana) then again in Richmond… Sam Hunt for golf in Florida… Bill Hitchcock… Mike, Ron Delfini, Zeke Faye, and Harvey Eckhardt… exchanged some notes with John Mitchell in Ohio… saw Fred Auletta in Georgia a couple of times. Not living in the New Haven area precluded any more than that. But I remember everyone in our class and the memories are important to me. Now I’m retired and living in Southport, North Carolina, which is in the southeast corner of the state, just north of Myrtle Beach. I agree with Mike—77 is pretty advanced. The muscle tone is gone, my arms have that old-person-crepey feel and look to them, and I forgot my phone number when I called Bob Lee today. And I can’t believe that you guys and I are in our upper 70s now. I can’t believe I’m this old! Okay, I got that off my chest. So, if you’re in the neighborhood… 2781 Cedar Crest Drive, Southport, NC, 910-253-7038 (sometimes I remember). I hope all of you are well and functional.” Thomas Scaramella: “Hi all you fellow 77+/- year-olds. Nice to hear from my Hopkins classmates. I continue to live in Providence, Rhode Island. Moved back to my college town (Brown University) to take a position on the Brown Medical faculty in 1975 as a psychiatrist (now emeritus). I have such great memories from my three years at Hopkins, coming in as a 4th former (when’s the last time you heard that term?) and being immediately accepted into the Hopkins family. I’m glad I started a family tradition with my younger brother, Bob Scaramella ’68, nephews Matt Carrano ’87 and Frank Carrano ’89, and 42

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

nieces Evelyn Scaramella ’97 and Allison Scaramella ’04—all Hopkins graduates. I am keeping busy playing golf in summer (could use some of Freddie Auletta’s pointers). I have been fortunate to have both my kids marry and remain in Rhode Island so I can be involved in my grandchildren’s lives. Jackie and I have now been married 56 years, which boggles my mind! I took her to our senior prom! I am sad to see the loss of some of our class members, and still shocked about what we learned about Ronnie Wilmore, one of my closest friends at Hopkins. I am hoping we can hang in there for another gathering but would suggest we lower the increment to three to five years. Hope all stay well and enjoy good health and life.”

1961 DPH Valerie Banks Lane capecodwoman43@gmail.com The first order of business is that Dr. Phoebe Ellsworth was honored as the “Distinguished Alumna of the Year” in our last issue of Hopkins Views. It is a beautiful article about her. She is going to give a Zoom presentation on June 5 and lots of us have signed up to see it. Much news this time: First of all, in November 2020, right around Thanksgiving, I (Valerie Banks Lane) got a phone call from Clare Daley Howick wondering about the alumnae magazine. She hadn’t gotten one in the mail last fall and wanted to know if it had been sent. I found out that it had been put online on the Hopkins website, so if you want to see it go to: issuu.com/hopkinsschool/docs/views_ spring2020_class_notes to read the news that was in the column from the pandemic year. Anyway, it was good to talk to Clare. She had some questions about the Day School girls, what had become of them and what kind of transition they had had both before and since graduation. I assured her that everyone has been included from the merged DPH School in the email mailings and the news. Clare said that she is a “Victorian” and doesn’t do email nor use computers, preferring to write things out by hand. Clare lives in Belmont, Massachusetts, not more than an hour and a half from me, with her husband, Richard. I do have an email address for Richard to which I send things for her. Clare said that she has been having some health issues in the past few years but is still able to travel to a warmer climate each winter. I was so glad to hear from her. I’m sure she would love to hear from her Day School/DPH friends via Richard’s email: richardhowick@msn.com. In trying to see what we should do for our 60th reunion, I sent notes to all our 28 classmates in March. I got many responses back, maybe 18 or so, and the majority wanted to get together in New Haven for dinner in September. I have chosen the weekend of Friday, September 24, and Saturday the 25th, for the date, but it is tentative because COVID-19 and its variants have put a damper on planning. We will see what transpires. I will report on that in the next column. Martha Porter Haeseler wrote, “After wandering in the wasteland for so long, I am beginning to adapt to the new, ever-changing normal. My puppy is turning into a responsible dog. I am back selling my crafts and plants at the (Guilford, Connecticut) Farmer’s Market, and best of all, my daughters have come to sleep over in the house, what a big deal. I haven’t yet been able to see my youngest grandson (14), but I know that will happen. The garden is burgeoning, and I have rekindled my love of fabrics, with my new passion being sewing small crossbody bags and baby hats, as well as felting. I am incredibly lucky in many ways, one of them being that I am never bored. There is always something new to be tried, experienced, or created as well as just being.” Malitta Knaut wrote that

she would love to get together with me sometime this summer. She may not be able to come to the reunion in New Haven on September 25 because she is hoping to be going to the Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that week. It will be the first time she will be going, and she has high hopes that two of her horses will get ribbons. Malitta says, “Congratulations to Phoebe. Actually, I’m pretty proud of all of us if you stop and think about it.” Joy Haley Rogers wrote that she will be coming September 24–25. “It will be nice to get together,” she says. “I have had good family visits this past year and plan on going to San Jose, California, for (her grandson) Nick’s graduation from Santa Clara in June.” Carol Miller Rand wrote that she and her husband, Larry, had rescheduled a trip from last fall to Australia and New Zealand for September of this year, 2021, but it is still possible that New Zealand and Australia will continue their lockdown if they can’t get enough vaccine, so she wasn’t entirely sure that they would be making the trip. She will come to the dinner in New Haven if they aren’t away. She said, “We still aren’t traveling and haven’t much changed our daily schedule yet, even to seeing the grandkids. I’ve enjoyed being here for the winter for a change! But I miss the kids. I read and walk a lot and enjoy cooking, so all has been okay for us.” Phoebe Ellsworth wrote that her older daughter, Sasha, has just had a baby girl, Phoebe’s second grandchild, and she is thrilled. Now both of Phoebe’s daughters have had babies. A blessing. Phoebe’s onehour Zoom presentation on June 5 is part of the greater Hopkins reunion. She is not sure she will be able to come in September because of travel and COVID variants, but she would enjoy a face-to-face get-together if possible. She says, “We’ve been vaccinated but continue to be very cautious because as of this writing (April 2021) Michigan is the worst state in the nation for COVID.” Donna Caplan Pressma emailed that she is still using every basic precaution against the virus but would love to come in September. She thought we could start the dinner with cocktails and appetizers and a brief three-minute update from each of us with highlights of the past few years, a great idea. Donna, an LCSW, is the President and C.E.O. of The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey. Saving children’s lives and building healthy families since 1894. She is still working 70 hours a week and going strong! She wrote, “We must grab every chance to enjoy moments in life as we now can begin to do again. Not having to worry about basic necessities makes us blessed compared to the children and families my staff and I work with. But there are remarkable resilient moments I see every day. My energy comes from the children.” Anita Fahrni Minear wrote from Switzerland that her plans are on hold. It may be that she will be able to go to Mongolia in September and to Vermont in June or July. She is fully vaccinated, so going to the States should not be a problem. Therefore, we are not sure if she will be able to come to our dinner in New Haven. I invited her here to see me at the Cape if she comes to Vermont. Her brother lives on the Cape too so she could come for lunch. We’ll see! Nancy Newman Feldman wrote a nice note to me saying that she preferred corresponding by mail rather than email. She can come to the reunion in New Haven. “Count me in,” she says. She reports that she was in Arizona for seven weeks with a friend and is still working as an interior designer. Wendy Shull Rittweger wrote that her life has stayed pretty consistent for the past eight years. Eight months in Naples, Florida, and four months in Connecticut. “I have been an active member in Habitat for Humanity for four years, which I really enjoy, and during the winter season there are many artistic events of every kind and all of high quality. I have made a lot of new friends from all walks of life who have the time and desire to get involved in new

enterprises that enrich our lives in our advancing years. I will be home in September and available. We are celebrating my youngest son’s 50th birthday that month. Cheers!” I hope to see Wendy in New Haven. Flora Dickie Adams said she can get a direct Amtrak train Richmond to New Haven for our reunion. Eight hours each way. She suggested that we all try to stay at the same hotel. Rives Fowlkes Carroll (who is married to Dickson Carroll ’58 HGS) wrote that she loved my idea of a September dinner together in a New Haven restaurant, but she was reluctant to commit this far in advance. “Put me on the wait and see list” re COVID variants, she wrote. Rives sent me a copy of a talk that was given by one of her mother’s friends at a gathering of women who used to write papers and deliver them to each other at the Fortnightly Club. “The paper is an amusing and informative history of Prospect Hill from 1930 when it began until it moved up the Hill in 1956, with a page or two about the years before its merger with Day in 1960.” It is really fun to read, full of details, and gives such a wonderful picture of life at the school in the 1930s. The first students loved the school and had fabulous teachers, lots of Yale students and faculty and even an Olympic coach for a gym teacher! Julie Allen Thiele responded to my note, saying they are in Florida for most of the winter and would be happy to attend a dinner in New Haven, but can’t guarantee that she could be there. Julie didn’t stay at DPH to graduate, having moved on to another school, but I hope she can make it. Lots of us remember Julie! Mary Deutsch Edsall wrote, “I’d be absolutely thrilled to come and have dinner with you in New Haven in September. We have had a quiet lockdown year.” Mary and her husband, Tom Edsall, write an excellent and thought-provoking column together for the New York Times each week. Ellen Powley Donaldson wrote that she would try to come to the reunion. She will be coming to Falmouth at the Cape in July. Hopefully we can get together for lobster rolls! And she plans a trip to New Haven at the end of October for an architectural tour. I hope she can squeeze in another trip for the reunion! She wrote, “I went back to Cape Cod as a renter in 2020 and had a great lunch with Valerie in her lovely garden patio. It is a summer ritual for us, one I love. Returning to Palm Springs, California, in August was tough with temperatures reaching 115 degrees and even higher. I continue to work on a program to prepare high school students for college and on projects for our local wonderful museum. I got the vaccine as early as possible in California and am happy to have it.” Maureen McKeon Peterson sent a nice long email in response to my note. “I have been in the process of moving again to be closer to our daughter Kirsten’s family. It has been an arduous task to say the least. Although Lee has more ongoing medical issues, my somewhat serious bout with COVID scared all my kids. They wanted us closer to Kirsten. I was hospitalized for two days, then released on oxygen 24/7 to Kirsten’s house for two more weeks. Her husband is a cardiologist. I’m much better now, but I was on oxygen for two months and now have a daily inhaler for COPD. I returned to my winery job in mid-March, a job I love. I will try to come back, but can’t promise at this point. I have had both shots!” Gosh. What a horrible ordeal for Maureen and her family. I hope she can make it to New Haven, but I’m just glad that she made it through the illness. Sally Hendrickson Shaw said that she would love to come to the reunion dinner. She reported that her husband, David, turned 80 in January and they celebrated with the family as their son-in-law and grandson had birthdays all within 12 days of each other. She wrote that Debbie Bassin Fletcher ’59 PHS’s husband passed away January 1. Sally lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and sees Debbie in the area now and then. I sent VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

condolences to Debbie for her loss. Sally wrote, “Congrats to Phoebe. You always knew that she was going to go places.” And now, I have to point out that in the last issue of Hopkins Views, in my column, I called Phoebe Ellsworth, Phoebe Erickson! Now Phoebe Erickson was a children’s book author who wrote Black Penny, a favorite book of mine as a child. I have to wonder where that comes from, something like that, a name from the past, popping up from deep within the recesses of childhood memory. I didn’t even notice it when I was reading the column in the Views a few weeks ago! I apologize to Phoebe. Is that what they mean by having a senior moment?! Now I will have to go back and reread Black Penny. I have always loved horses because of that book! And since this is already the longest column in my history of writing long columns, I have been meaning to tell you that a few years ago, in November 2017, I was visiting Highfield Hall in Falmouth with a friend for their annual Christmas Fair, when I recognized a face from the past, from my Glee Club days at Prospect Hill. It was Nawrie Meigs Brown ’59 PHS! She was a lofty upperclassman when I was a mere freshman, so of course I don’t think she remembered me. I was so surprised to have run into her! It was busy and we didn’t get a chance to talk for more than a minute, but she looked the same with the same face as she had way back then! That’s how I recognized her. She used to be our soloist. She sang in the all–prep school concert in the Bushnell Memorial in Hartford the year all the schools’ glee clubs, men’s and women’s, met there, probably 1958. I still have a recording of that concert. Moshe Paranov was the conductor, and he would stamp his foot with the beat as we all sang Vivaldi’s Gloria. It was thrilling to sing in such a big group. My own (Valerie Banks Lane) news is that as I write this in May, I am planting the window boxes, my perennial garden has new compost on it and is flourishing, and Jim just planted the tomatoes in our raised bed. The weather is warming up and the days are beautiful. Jim and I have been participating in a “herring count” in our Herring Run here in Craigville, Massachusetts. We haven’t seen any herring yet, but we saw a cute little frog sitting in the shallows, a muskrat swimming, some glass eels, a couple of nesting mallards, and a beautiful yellow bird, as yet unidentified, maybe a pine warbler, sitting on a tree branch, singing. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. Like Martha, I am never bored and am grateful for this beautiful life that we live. I am however saddened by the tragic effects of COVID on the poor communities. Such suffering. Thank God for the stimulus money and the food banks and school meal programs. And for organizations like Donna’s. We had our second vaccine on March 2 and our children (all in their 50s!) are vaccinated. It is a great relief, exhilarating almost. We only worry about the variants now but hope for the best. I am working on getting the 60th reunion underway, and I do think it will happen after so much cautious wondering. I’ll let you know all about it in the next column. Travel plans are underway! Ciao!

1962 HGS Marshal D. Gibson mgibtax@aol.com From Tom Fiorito: “I’m not sure that I have ever submitted Class Notes, so here goes and please, classmates, forgive me if my memory is failing me (again) and I’m going over old ground (pun intended). I’ve had three careers: first, investment banking and next, money management, both in New York City. Then third, in a complete departure, I created a sports video boutique based in Darien, Connecticut. We produced sports highlight reels for high school 44

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

scholar-athletes who aspired to play at the varsity level in college and wanted to use their demonstrated high school athleticism to leverage their chance of acceptance to their college of choice. This last foray was the most fun. It was the first time I’d had the opportunity to tap into my creative juices. My clients were mostly prep school parents in the Connecticut, New Jersey, Westchester County, southern Massachusetts, and New Hampshire areas, who were at a good time in their lives because they were doing something, probably the only thing they could do, to directly help their children achieve their college dreams. (A lot more rewarding than calling on CFOs who invariably strove to show that they knew more about the capital markets than I did.) I filmed most sports, but my favorite was lacrosse. I wish it had been a popular sport in Connecticut when we were kids, because I definitely would have played. As you probably know, now New England, Long Island, and Maryland are some of the most prolific hotbeds of the sport. I had a high success rate with my hundreds of athletic clients. Virtually all of them were accepted to their first or second choice college. My favorite part was doing pro bono work for kids whose parents could not afford my fees. Without exception, every one of them got full rides to their first-choice college. Some were heavily recruited by college head coaches who had never seen them play live… all the coaches had to go on was the athlete’s highlight reel that I’d created. I’m now retired and living in southern New Hampshire near my two daughters from two marriages, the first of which ended in divorce and the second lost to cancer. My older daughter has three children. She had had a money management career in New York City before starting her family, and now is doing graduate work in order to reenter the workforce as a forensic accountant. The younger daughter is finishing up her bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire and working as a bartender. My eldest child, a son named after me, is practicing radiology in Zurich, Switzerland. He also has two daughters, giving me a total of five grandkids. I don’t see Tommy and the girls very often, but that will change now that he has bought a house on the Cape, where they will spend a good part of each summer. On a more sober note, my health has been a challenge. I won’t bore you with details, except to say that I am intimately familiar with the inside of more hospitals than I knew existed, and have experienced two serious surgeries, one of which brought me close to death. As with most of us, I suppose, other parts of my anatomy continue to provide unwelcome surprises by not cooperating as well as they used to. Annoying at best. I don’t get back to New Haven often, so I haven’t seen our transformed school in person. I hope to change that this fall, COVID permitting, to see the new ‘HGS’ firsthand and perhaps watch a Yale football game, where I went to school next. I didn’t continue sports at Yale, but I did continue singing. I was lucky enough to be tapped for the Whiffenpoofs and was a soloist in the Yale Glee Club, which I’m delighted to say traveled literally around the world during the summer between my junior and senior years. It was awesome. My recollection is that it cost each of us $1,000… Imagine that to get you completely around the planet! That’s all for now, folks. I hope you and yours are faring well during this challenging time. Cheers.”

1962 DPH Judith Parker Cole judithparkercole@gmail.com Pam Gimbel Lehman has an amazing story about her travels to keep safe during the pandemic: “Arnold and I have survived the pandemic—so far, at least. Spent several months never leaving our

apartment in Brooklyn, New York, last year, until we finally took the elevator down to our car that was parked outside (started weekly by the doorman), loaded it up and went to our unheated house in Maine. Stayed there four months—longest ever—but our kids came and we quarantined them in one of the cabins and made them cook for themselves for a week or two. Then it got too cold to keep the water running, so we headed back to Brooklyn. In January we headed to our apartment in Miami Beach, Florida, which we share with my twin sister, Pat Gimbel Lewis, and her husband, Randy. We drove—twice! Stayed there a combined 11 weeks—another longestever stay! But it was nice, and we had some quality time with Pat and Randy. Headed back to Brooklyn for a month or so and am heading to Maine next week. Hooray! We are very lucky and exceedingly grateful to have had such wonderful options during this totally crazy time. I retired from my job after 20 years administering a small foundation in New York City. Arnold retired five years ago from directing the Brooklyn Museum, but he is working hard for Phillips Auction House as a senior advisor and also on mutual funds boards. Big news is that he has a book coming out in September—Sensation: The Madonna, The Mayor, The Media, and The First Amendment—a personal memoir about the Sensation exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in 1999–2000 that then-mayor Giuliani tried to shut down. It’s a fascinating story—you can pre-order it on Amazon. Other than that, two sons, five grandchildren—one graduating from college, three in college, one a senior in high school. All wonderful, amazing kids, of course. One son works for ASCAP in New York City; the other one is the headmaster of the Hill School (boarding school) in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Life is good, thank goodness!” Terri Petrillo Connolly sends good news: “Fortunately, we all stayed pretty healthy during this iffy year. Frank kept very busy with his volunteer work with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and I kept busy as chairperson of our community Architectural Review Board, church gardens, and Middlesex Hospital Hospice, where I recently received training as an end-of-life doula. Each of these ‘hobbies’ kept me out of trouble during COVID. However, the highlight of our year was the birth of a new granddaughter in Florida in February. As this was an adoption and Florida requires the adoptive parent to stay in state for at least two weeks, our daughter, Kim, stayed with us in Estero, giving us ample time to cuddle, enjoy, and spoil Elise. They returned to Alexandria, Virginia, in mid-April. As three of our five children live in Alexandria, it was a great place to spend a few nights on our way back to Connecticut from Florida.” From our class dance maven, Joya Granbery Hoyt: “I have loaded 12 of my dance films onto YouTube for your viewing pleasure—if you want to see what we have been up to over the years, have a look at Joya Granbery Hoyt in the YouTube search.” Classmates… your turn to send news next time!

1963 HGS Ron Groves groves18@gmail.com While most of the Western world coped, sheltering in place this past year, it appears that our classmates did not buck the trend—to the point that nothing much happened. After a year of not seeing them except through Zoom, Alan Silberberg’s two daughters flew in from Germany to celebrate with the family in person. Now that granddaughter Lauren Sklarz ’02 plays lacrosse for Hopkins, Mark Sklarz has become an avid follower of the lax team. As of this writing, HGS ’63 will field a “flexible foursome” at the Hopkins

Golf Tournament of Dana Blanchard, Vining Bigelow, Sklarz, and Ron Groves, with Dick Ferguson the designated driver—not Callaway or TaylorMade mind you, rather golf cart driver. Of course, we’re hoping that age has its privileges, as this group has never won a damn thing. Personally, the low-profile atmosphere brought about due to COVID produced a banner year for collecting classic Blanton’s bottle stoppers. But it took some work to empty the bottles. It was a very merry and unforgettable Christmas for John Crowther and family: “Spent the Christmas holiday, with most of our family, up at our home in the Tennessee Smokies,” he wrote. “First time we’d done that in over 35 years. Settled in on Christmas Eve, with snow falling, in great anticipation of a ‘White Christmas.’ And then… about 7:00 p.m., we lost all power and telephone service! Temperature outside dropping to 12ºF. I got a fire started in the fireplace and figured that power would back on in a couple of hours. Not to be! With the temperature inside dropping below 45ºF, a foot and a half of accumulated snow (no snow tires or chains on our Florida vehicle), and running out of firewood, we called 911 on our cell phone and were told that they couldn’t get to us—we’d have to ride it out on our own. After many telephone calls, it looked like there were no rooms in any of the local motels, down the mountain in Pigeon Forge, until LaQuinta said they had one ‘pet friendly’ room for $300 a night! At LaQuinta? No choice, so we booked it. But now, how to get there. Called our longtime friend and neighbor Nate, who volunteered to give it a try in his four-wheel drive, ‘Dooley.’ So we bundled up Margaret’s 95-year-old mother, the two parrots, the cat, and Margaret, and off they went on the six-mile jaunt to town over unplowed mountain roads that no other vehicles had been able to traverse. I stayed behind. About an hour later, Nate was back to take me down. Along the way, we saw abandoned vehicles and one that had gone off the side of the road and over the edge.”

1963 DPH Carol Stock Kranowitz carolkranowitz@gmail.com In April, nine of us gathered via Zoom for a delightful mini-reunion (see photo). At the next gathering, we plan to discuss Holly Conklin Fitzgerald’s book, Ruthless River: Love and Survival by Raft on the Amazon’s Relentless Madre de Dios (amazon.com/Ruthless-RiverSurvival-Relentless-Departures/dp/0525432779). Ellen Smith and Sarah Robbins Coate sent their regrets. We hope they and everyone else will be able to join us. Robin Isakson Martin and her husband, Paul, became grandparents in June 2020. Malena Spasova Martin is their son and daughter-in-law’s baby. Robin writes, “We met her for the first time, once we were vaccinated, in late February 2021. She’s perfect, of course!” Nancy Bussmann Van Natta writes, “A year ago, I retired from my design practice, but COVID brought a landslide of wonderful, challenging projects, and Nancy Van Natta Associates is full speed ahead. Everyone on the team works from a home office using Zoom to communicate several times a day. It has been wonderfully efficient, and we all enjoy it much more. John and I love where we live in Santa Cruz, California, and have weathered the burdens of COVID quite well. We both serve on the board of our local symphony, and we are hopeful that the orchestra will be able to perform for part of next season.” Pat Fiorito Oakes is still working part time at New Canaan Country School, in her 28th year, and loves the connection without a 24/7 position. She writes, “With months of planning, the school has successfully managed in-person learning all VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

Ginny Hart Thomas ’63 DPH

From left, 1963 DPH Alumnae Nancy Bussman Van Natta, Carol “Bonnie” Stock Kranowitz, Meg Bluhm Carey, Pat Fiorito Oakes, Lynne Davis Lyons, Ginny Hart Thomas (present behind the green phone), Holly Conklin Fitzgerald, Robin Isakson Martin, and Valerie Knox Carter. year. Some of us, the older set, chose to work remotely, but we’ll all be back on campus in the fall. My son and his wife had a baby girl in June of 2020, and their son, six at the time, is a terrific big brother. Since they live an hour away, thankfully we were able to visit often— outside—during the pandemic. Living alone, I surely needed this for my sanity!” Meg Bluhm Carey is enjoying a return to some semblance of “normal” life. She writes, “After all the adults in the family were vaccinated, for the first time in fourteen months, all 10 of us were able to get together in person to celebrate my recent birthday. It was a joyful occasion for many reasons. We expect to enjoy several weeks over the summer at our family homestead in Wilton, New Hampshire.” Carol “Bonnie” Stock Kranowitz continues to publish materials with colleague Joye Newman to help kids get “in sync.” The In-Sync Child Program webinars are for parents and teachers (in-sync-child.com/program-fundamentals), and A Year of MiniMoves for the In-Sync Child, which offers 52 weekly schedules of fun activities for kids, is in English, French, Greek, Italian, and Spanish. Check it out! upbility.net/collections/new-ebooks/products/a-yearof-mini-moves-for-the-in-sync-child.

1964 HGS Michael Adelberg mga@aya.yale.edu Various stalwarts have reported in. Steve Barrett: “No matter how much 986 Forest Road has changed—from the perspective that I spent four-plus pre-Hopkins years at another Connecticut boarding/prep school (then called by many ‘the Episcopal West Point’) the ‘old’ HGS in its time was already a better place than most old guard New England prep schools. In fact, in our rear-view mirror, I think we can all agree that it has become a true national leader. Our two boys both went to what is considered very good day prep in the greater Los Angeles, California, area in the 1990s, a participant in the same 46

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

Sarah Robbins Coate ’63 DPH

national Malone-inspired STEM collaborative. Hopkins of our era was a good deal better in the usual measures of college acceptances, National Merit Scholarship awards, average Board scores, etc. But the boys’ school was immeasurably more diverse than the HGS of the 1960s, as my boys had lots of Black, Asian, and Hispanic classmates. It was California, after all, where Whites are already less than 50% of the population. As an aside, two of the founding name partners at the Los Angeles firm that recruited me west were Yale alums and took pains to note that my resume included graduating from HGS. The sole downside to our 10 years in California is that both boys stayed there after college when we returned to New England. Of late, Hopkins’ comparative endowment has grown dramatically, as well. Obviously, HGS/HS owes very much to the late David Swensen, John Malone ’59 HGS, Bill Kniesel ’65 HGS, Barbara Riley, and its Trustees for the last three-ish decades of far-better-funded expansion. Of special significance, I feel, is Hopkins’ far-improved diversity compared with our 1960s era, from headmasters Riley and Dr. Bynum, down through the many photos we see in alumni publications. Those aren’t hired models, but real kids of many colors. The spring Views from the Hill is a must-read for those who wish to see all schools successfully diversify. Hopkins’ efforts to deliberately expand educational opportunity for those nearby is so heartwarming, both from financial support, plus the summer Pathfinder program and the many DEI programs listed. I only wish that DPH/HGS had merged while we were there, but that’s another story altogether. Since graduating Hopkins, I only regret not having gone there for my entire secondary education… I’ve had a few surgeries: spinal fusion 1968, broken left hip pinned 1984, left hip replacement 1997, right hip replacement 2006, left foot/ankle rebuild/repair 2008, right knee replacement 2014, left hip replacement ball and socket 2020. I still ski, bike ride, play tennis (no running permitted). All osteo-arthritis, aggravated by athletics. Should have been a swimmer! Twin bro never has had any OA…”

William Sarris, Part I: “Reporting in from Bonita Springs on the west coast of Florida. Now that Dana Blanchard ’63, Jim Nowak ’63 and I are in this area, are there others? We’ve been pretty much locked down since COVID hit, although our brilliant Florida governor allowed maskless and vaccination-not crowds of young’uns down here for spring break. And what a surprise! A large insurgence of COVID on the East Coast, here, and in some parts of the U.S. I had been tutoring 1st and 2nd graders with learning deficiencies up to COVID, and then kaput. Now, though, I will be teaching English (Miss Barton style, of course) as a Second Language to the large, immigrant, farm-picking community down here. Should be fun. I am learning to play golf and bocce. It’s slow going, but relatively painless. The wife and I also bike and do water aerobics two to three times a week. We are in Palmira. It is a very heterogeneous community; a small village really and the driveway social distancing parties kept us engaged, slightly tipsy, and made for many new friends. We are leaving here around the end of May to start north. We are stopping in the panhandle of Florida to visit with our son, a Green Beret, and his wife and new baby for a couple of weeks, then up to Annapolis, Maryland, to daughter Noelle and two grandkids. Noelle and her husband work for the government. Then we will head up to Hamden and North Haven, Connecticut, to daughter Stefanie and two grandkids. We’ll stay up north for about two to three months, and then head back down. On tap for next year is the Greek islands with the kids and grandkids for two to three weeks. Lots of gyros, octopus, wine, dancing, and some limited hiking. Very limited hiking. Love to see anyone coming down next year or when we get up there.” Robert Guthrie, first item: “Things have gone well for my wife, Helen, and me over the last year. We are both introverts, which means we saw only modest changes once the pandemic hit. Lots of reading, lots of outdoor walking. We’ve both received the Moderna vaccine and are venturing out more. One benefit of COVID was that I’ve finally written a small book about Helen’s Frederick, Maryland, ancestors that I’ve been threatening to write for years. I’ve also continued with genealogical work and lots of Zoom courses. Our daughters are nearby, and they make everything better. All in all, we can’t complain and the fact that we all seem to be thriving despite personal and societal challenges makes me happy.” Fred Southwick: “I love hearing about everyone’s journey. I hope all have received the vaccine for COVID-19. I have been administering vaccines to our community over the past three weeks. We have used Lean principles to design a highly efficient system that allows each person to check in and receive the vaccine within seven minutes. To date, our center has vaccinated more than 30,000 people in two weeks. I am hoping we will reach 70% vaccinated by mid-May so that the epidemic will disappear, and we can focus on the rest of our lives. Speaking of other parts of our life, Kathie and I now have five grandchildren: four boys and one girl, ages 4 months to 5 years. I am presently building a little lake cabin that will have a loft where they can all play. I discovered that you can purchase a 10x10 genuine foam wrestling mat for $600, and I plan to install this in the loft. Who knows—maybe we will end up with one or two wrestling champions? I am looking forward to rolling around with the grandkids.” Paul Thim, Sr.: “Whenever I talk with friends my age, we often have what I call organ recitals—those are conversations in which we report on the various ailments that are afflicting different parts of our bodies. I’m happy to skip over that here and, instead, report the much happier news that my wife, Sandy, and I have become grandparents for the first time. The parents, our son and his wife, live in Atlanta, Georgia, only 20 minutes away,

which is a joy for us. In addition, our daughter and her husband have moved here from France and plan to live in Brooklyn, which will give us an excuse for frequent trips to New York.” John “Bearcat” Walker: “Nothing much to report here—been social distancing (nothing new for me really, been social distancing all my life). Plans to move out of California are on the back burner but may pick up again after my girlfriend retires in June, but for now still firmly planted in San Diego, California—I’ve heard that there are worse places to be stuck. So I’m building a new kayak with a big open cockpit—the old one that I built about 20 years ago demands too much of my arthritic knees now. Still motorcycling a little bit (my big BMW kept getting heavier, so I sold it, now do my riding on a dual sport—translates to street legal dirt bike—much lighter and easier to handle). Still doing some bicycle riding. No major life events lately—it’s good to be bored sometimes, I suppose. I did get vaccinated so my immortality remains intact for now. Trying to watch and read less news—too gloomy most of the time. Hope everyone is doing well; looking forward to seeing you all in 2024!” Fred Smith: “You go, Bearcat! You’re still the Man! The things you’re doing at 70-plus are inspiring to us all. I’m back in the U.S. and six hours removed from having had my first Pfizer vaccination shot. My left arm’s a little sore, but I am so thankful to have taken the first step. I’m one of thousands of expats all over the world who are returning to the U.S., like spawning salmon, to get protection that’s fairly elusive for most of the people in countries we’re living in. My love for Portugal continues to grow. Each morning I look out my eighth-floor windows at the Castelo dos Mouros, the 11th century Moorish castle built at the crest of the Sintra Hills about seven miles from me. It’s a reminder of one of many ancient cultures that have colonized the Iberian Peninsula, including the Phoenicians, Celts, and Romans, and reaffirms how magical this land is. For the longest time, we have been a pretty moribund group, slightly related to one another by a connection that mostly terminated over 55 years ago. But in the last year or so, I have seen that change, and I am experiencing a greater sense of brotherhood than ever existed when we were in class together. I’m happy that it finally emerged and transformed a dead spot in many of our collective lives into an emerging presence of compassion, humor, and vitality.” Bill Ablondi: “Hello all—ah yes, it’s that time again. I recently received a copy of the alumni magazine and enjoyed re-reading all your contributions from last year. Here’s mine for 2021: My wife, Nancy, and I recently got vaccinated so the best way to describe our mood is one of anticipation. Anticipation of seeing our family more regularly, friends once again, traveling… at least domestically, and living a more normal life. I’m a technology analyst following the advancement of various digital technologies. But I am amazed at the tremendous advances in medical/biological technology that brought us the COVID vaccine in record time. Much more impressive advancements than those I regularly track. Nancy and I are grateful for being fortunate enough to have had a safe and healthy 2020. We have spent a lot more time playing golf than we had previously and met many new friends as a result. We’re not planning any major trips in 2021 but have already taken a few ‘local’ trips and are planning a couple of visits to the Adirondacks with family and friends. Our grandchildren are growing up faster than we can keep track of.” James F. Early: “I joined the class very late as well. Although not from the South, I was from Derby, which almost was in a different solar system. But for one classmate, I found everyone in our class to be very welcoming from the beginning. And, that one classmate and I became friendly as the year progressed. You guys VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

were great and helped make a challenging year easier for me. It was a year that helped shape my future and I have nothing but fond memories of my Hopkins experience. I continue to support Hopkins so others from similar backgrounds will have the opportunity to be similarly enriched by the school.” The next segment shares some personal recollections and reflections on the final semester debacle. Jack Weir: “I recall discussions, at the time of our 50th Reunion planning, with Betty Monz about Hopkins’ perception that the members of the Class of 1964, in contrast to the Classes of 1963 and 1965, had remained significantly aloof from Hopkins after graduation, which she attributed to some dysfunctionality in our class, but which I instead attributed to a specific series of FAS administrative events during the last stormy semester (more on this, below), which have haunted many of us ever since. Looking forward, I think we all should make a special effort to not only reconnect with Hopkins, but to express, in whatever way you each deem appropriate, your appreciation for Hopkins and the very fine education we all received long ago. We have seen in recent times guys like Fred Smith, Bob Guthrie, Jim Early, Bill Ablondi, and Bearcat Walker make such an effort, and it is not too late for others, including Jon White, to do so as well. Our 55th Reunion in 2019 was a total washout, but it is not too soon to plan for an exceptional (and in-person) 60th Reunion in 2024.” Robert Guthrie, responding: “Some classes were said to have been more cohesive than others; 1964 less so. Perhaps some of our fracturing was due to the death of Jack Kennedy in 1963. I know it was for me, just as MLK’s and RFK’s deaths in 1968 were—not to mention the war. Being a sexual abuse survivor also made me less willing to trust anyone and to join in community. Things are different now and we are all different.” Bill Sarris, Part II: “It was late fall of 1963 and college applications were mostly in. I had gotten home late from an away football game. I was beat and tired. I hadn’t completed my English vocab assignment and called Ken Winer for his assistance. My answers were frankly too similar to Ken’s. I handed in my paper and within a few days, my parents and I were called into FAS’ office. It was a very short meeting. FAS alleged I had gone to a drinking party in Essex and cheated on the homework paper. (Matt did go, but neither he nor I even had a beer—it didn’t matter.) There was no discussion, no negotiation. I was expelled. At the time we lived in a rental and my dad was working three jobs to pay the tuition and keep the family afloat. Shock and bewilderment were an understatement. I had let my parents down. I was ashamed, devastated, and never felt more alone. I was an abject failure. I made up my mind to pack up a few things and leave home. Just before I was on my way out the door, Karl Crawford called. He spoke with my mom and told me to come over to his place. He was livid (expletives deleted) with how FAS had unilaterally handled all of us. One of the students involved got suspended for a week or two and the rest of our infamous group were expelled. It was overkill. Karl had been in the Navy and had been around the block. Karl believed in me, told me to get a job, go to night school and read books. Read read read. ‘Keep in touch with me and I will do what I can to get you back to Hopkins.’ Long story short: I worked at First National Bank as a runner, a restaurant as a dishwasher three nights a week, and attended classes at New Haven Technical College. Never saw Seth Pearson again. (Class correspondent Michael Adelberg: Seth Pearson was my good bud from chemistry class; if anyone knows what became of him, please advise. Harvey McGill and I hung out the final semester, class attendance no longer being required. Harvey showed up in Berkeley some months later, working for an outfit installing escalators. Whereabouts unknown 48

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

to me.) Kept in touch with Chris Fenger, Jimmy Walker, and Matt. Otherwise I just kept to myself. Well, I was asked back and graduated with the Class of 1965. Some of the guys in the Class of ’64 were there from 7th or 8th form. We were a normally dysfunctional, loose knit, genuine family, and happy. We survived the tempest and each of us will always be brothers. Class Correspondent: Mr. Karl Crawford was cited as Favorite Teacher by Steve Barrett, responsible for steering him into the Poli. Sci. major at Syracuse’s Maxwell School. Mr. C. had a highly supportive relationship with Mike Kreiger, and tied for first with Rolfe Lawson by Class Correspondent Adelberg: “Based on the above, events of the final semester of ’64 resonate strongly and negatively more than five decades later. There was definitely more than one episode because the one affecting Michael Kreiger (deceased some while back) was not, per him, connected in any obvious way with others. Except for a very explicit accusation that anti-Semitism was involved, I never did learn the details of what happened. It did, at the very last minute (when all colleges had completed admissions) divert him from Yale to Syracuse. Eventually, he did very well and did major service to Hopkins. In my own case, I know exactly what my own provocation had been (I embarrassed the school at the Mock Republican Convention, which nominated Barry Goldwater, in the presence of Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.). But I naïvely did not figure out until way later how that diverted me to UC Berkeley instead of presumed Yale. Berkeley worked out for me much better than undergraduate Yale ever could have. My own event was chronologically much earlier, but as it happened, FAS took the occasion at the time to explain to me what later turned out to be his side of the story as it relates to the whole later series of events. Not my purpose to excuse or judge anything; anyone wishing to hear his side of the story is welcome to contact me.” John Morgan: “I grew up in West Haven and, aside from my weekday attendance at Hopkins, I did not spend very much time with classmates. I got along well with everybody up on the Hill, but my social associations were sparse. After my graduation from Hopkins, I attended Colby College, then served in the Peace Corps, then spent two years at the Journalism School at the University of Missouri, then accepted a newspaper job in Colorado Springs. I have lived in the mountains of Colorado for nearly fifty years. My visits back to New Haven have been sporadic, especially after my mom and dad passed away, and I haven’t attended Hopkins functions, but that’s not because of bad memories of my four school years there. I enjoy reading about classmates and I do not sense ‘fracturing’ as Bob Guthrie suggests in his comments. I’m convinced that some Hopkins classmates have remained close friends for years, but we must remember that the school has always drawn its students from a wide geographical area and that diverse group is spread all over the world in this year of 2021. Indeed, some classmates have died. Are we more aloof than some other Hopkins alumni? Who knows? I send my (small) donations once in a while, so I suppose I am not too aloof.” Honorable mention: Mark Blumenthal and Carl Woody Hobbs reported in, but recent events were deemed below the reporting threshold. Chris Fenger is out there; if I missed comments intended for publication, I apologize. Steve Winkler is said on good authority to be out there but was not contacted in time for the present edition. Respectfully submitted, Michael G. Adelberg.

1964 DPH Mary Stevens Rider gringastevens@gmail.com

1965 HGS Tom Delaney tfed3rd@gmail.com Jeff Alderman: “Shizuko and I have been living in San Francisco, California, now for about one and a half years. We arrived from our former Portland, Oregon, home just about in time to see the world shuttered by the virus. One bright spot during the dark period has been our class meetings, hosted on Zoom by the good Dr. John Mordes. Anyway, having now reached the one-month postvaccination point, we are eager to stick our noses out again and are busy making plans to advance our exploration of California. One thing that will have to wait is a return to Japan, thanks to the government there barring all international visitors until well after the Olympics. Shizuko is dreadfully disappointed. Hopefully, the ban will be lifted in the fall. The good part is, both our families are doing remarkably well health-wise, as are we.” Tom Burkhard: “Nothing of note from here (North Carolina). COVID-free. Zoom meetings were good.” John Cherniavsky: “We’re looking forward to being able to travel again. I haven’t seen my grandkids for more than a year, and Maria has not seen her family in more than four years—probably in the fall for her European family and my California grandkids. Besides that, we have some favorite local places that we visit—Canaan Valley, West Virginia, and a B&B near Charlottesville, Virginia, to give us some relief from staying locked down. We did get vaccinated in March, which is a relief. Other than that, I still stay involved with the National Science Foundation, but as a reviewer rather than a program officer. One final note, our son Peter graduated from George Mason University with a computer science degree and actually has job offers.” Gordy Clark: “Things have jazzed up significantly around here (Yarmouth, Maine) since our younger son’s family moved in with us from Denver, Colorado, while they look for a place. I thoroughly enjoyed the telephone conversations I had after our last class Zoom session. I look forward to connecting with some of the Zoom call participants later this summer!” Gregg Cook: “Our Mayflower 400 project (we at Promare.org, and our partner IBM at Mayflower400. com; see ibm.com/case-studies/mayflower/) hit a snag for our April 19 departure plans, as the British officials decided that although we are British flagged, we cannot sail the AI-controlled fully autonomous boat other than in the harbor at Plymouth, U.K., or beyond the 12-mile limit (with no way to get there other than to tow it), because of the designation assigned to the boat. The official would not listen to reason, so we are flagging the vessel in the U.S., which entailed some time. We are now planning to sail from Plymouth, U.K., legally without a tow around the 15th of May.” Late addendum from Gregg: “Twelve-meter seas have been forecast off the south coast of the U.K., and no end in sight. At this point, May 17 looks not only doubtful, but flat out impossible. All in due time.” Tom Delaney: “The last 15 or 16 months for me have been devoid of any exciting trips or other outdoor adventures. I’ve gone through the internet, Netflix, and Prime Ticket. I’ve started and finished several e-book series downloaded from Amazon. The biggest adventure I’ve experienced has been trying to tame a very stale tennis game. Since it’s an outdoor activity year-round here in SoCal, I’ve been able to socially distance properly while playing. At this point, I’m fully vaccinated, but will continue to be cautious.” Sal DeMaio: One night in mid-February, Sal awoke to find that his left hip was making noise like someone cracking their knuckles, but much louder. His left hip, like his right hip, had already been replaced once. X-rays determined the ceramic

ball in his left hip had shattered into many pieces that would have to be replaced. The resulting four-hour surgery was a success. Fortunately, the titanium shaft in his femur was salvageable. Both cups that supported the ball were replaced. After a month-long recovery and rehab, Sal was finally able to go home. He’ll say now with conviction that recovery from this operation has been quite a bit more difficult than 20 years ago. Peter Ewell: “I was sorry to miss the ’65 HGS Zoom call, and I hope that another one will be organized.” Peter and his wife, Helga Recke, have been doing well through the pandemic at their home in Berkeley, California. Dick Hutchinson reminded me that there are only four short years until our 60th class reunion! Thanks, Hutch, for that sobering reminder. Yikes. On a more personal note, as a single guy, not that he wanted to be after 50 years of marriage, Hutch found that he didn’t have to go home every night because there was no one to go home to. His solution is to be a nomad. Over the past months, he’s been to Newport and Providence, Rhode Island, and New York City, as well as Austin and San Antonio, Texas. His plans also include driving from home to Tampa, Florida, and back, and then on to San Diego, California, to see the Padres and the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Then, on the road again to Philly, Pennsylvania, and Cleveland and Cincy, Ohio. It’s great to be on the road with COVID at least partially under control, with some credit due to our classmates Jeff Alderman and John Mordes.” Bob Jose: “Winter sports have pretty much finished up as we move into springtime, and summer sports have just started to creep out from under the snow. However, COVID is obviously still around. With luck and disciplined behavior, we hope it won’t be here for much longer.” Bill Kneisel: “Recently, Hopkins lost a very strong and stalwart supporter. David Swensen served as Chair of the School’s Finance Committee and reshaped our endowment, which is now about $190 million (versus about $2 or $3 million when we attended in the 1960s, my best guess). He was Yale’s Chief Investment Officer and parent of two former Hopkins students. As a school Trustee, David was instrumental in the appointment of Barbara Riley as Head of School, our first woman in that role since our founding. In addition, David facilitated the acquisition of his home on McKinley Avenue by Hopkins as the permanent residence for the Head of School. Few individuals have ever made such significant contributions to the financial strength and governance of our School. He will be missed.” Dr. John Mordes: “One of the highlights of 2021 was the mini delayed virtual 55th reunion that we held on Palindrome Day, 1/21/21 (see hgs65.org/55th_Reunion/HGS65Reunions55.htm). Hearing Sal and Dave play and speaking with many of us brought a ray of sunshine into the pandemic. With everyone getting vaccinated (I trust), the summer and fall of this year should see our re-emergence into normalcy and, for Sunny and me, travel to faraway places. I was amazed that the story of my dad’s ’59 Oldsmobile having found its way to Jay Leno’s garage, found its way into the last issue of the Hopkins bulletin. I hope those of you who saw Jay’s video and the story of the car enjoyed it. I am still working half-time, but the increasingly burdensome demands of electronic health care and increasing arthritis are making me think more seriously of retiring, despite the rapid acceleration of medical discovery. I find our country in an increasingly perilous state. The death of truth and facts and ethical responsibility in some quarters is hard to countenance. As a counterpoise, I plan to set up another mini-Zoom reunion for HGS ’65 sometime this summer (with more music) and look forward to seeing and talking with many of you again soon.” Roger Poor: “I spent the last year-plus in suspended animation like everyone else. I VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

did update my personal info on hopkins.myschoolapp.com. Joanne and I are fully vaccinated now and starting to get out and about. We are getting a new puppy in two weeks.” Ken Ralph had Whipple surgery (look it up) in January at Duke Medical Center to remove the tumor in the head of his pancreas. Fortunately, they were able to get it all with clean margins. A CT scan and blood work recently looked good. Ken began a new round of chemo in late April to catch any remaining cancer cells that might still exist. It took a while for him to recover from the surgery, but he’s feeling good at the moment. He’s able to resume gym workouts and motorcycle riding again. Fingers crossed for the future! Steve Scully: “Sweet news: my stint as Chair of the Department of Classical Studies (Boston University) comes to an end June 30 at 11:59 PM (but who’s counting?). Thrilled as I was to receive an award for creating and nurturing the community in the College of Arts and Sciences, I’m really looking forward to being free of Zoom meetings during my upcoming sabbatical, when I plan to visit Greece again and take long hikes in the mountains, including Mt. Helicon, where the Muses visited Hesiod, about whom I’ve written two books recently: Hesiod’s Theogony: From Near Eastern Creation Myths to Paradise Lost (Oxford University Press, 2015) and co-authored, The Oxford Companion to Hesiod (2018). Also, I am looking forward to getting back to extended time with my children and feisty grandchildren.” Billy Walik: “We booked a flight to the E.U. this September. Our boat Sterna is still afloat in France, and with luck, she (and we) may be in Paris this winter.” Billy is still trying to sound intelligent on Zoom! His wife, Kathy, has been so helpful in that regard. Bob Wintsch likes reading other classmates’ reports. In addition to aging in place (they call it sheltering), his professional/ geological expertise was auctioned off silently by the local library to lead a geology hike. Bob didn’t think that he was worth much, now at 74 years old, but ladies of a certain age bid on his services for $177, and he gave them a good informative workout for their money. Another adventure for Bob was to be interviewed on an early morning local radio station broadcast by the Connecticut state geologist. Other (Tom Delaney): “I’ve been the Class Correspondent for several years now, and I usually hear from a relatively small core of faithful contributors with periodic comments for this publication. Still waiting to hear something, anything, from such classmates as Jim Cirillo, Mark Esposito, Fred Ross, Hugh MacArthur, Jim Nippes, Michael Feldman, Peter Nagle, Tim Cunningham, Rich Cole, Greg Jones, Jan Lindquist, Tom Hadley, Rob Pulleyn, Harvey Wooding, Nick Doob, Dean Yimoyines, Ben Brown, Larry Lane, and Jim Durfee. There are likely a few names that I’ve missed and should have listed above. If you see these names, and know how I can reach out to them, please let me know.

he seems to have gotten through this COVID-stifled period with a lot to show for it, including an engagement to a beautiful woman after losing his first wife six years ago, and getting a new knee (as of two weeks ago). Based on his description of the torture he is enduring in physical therapy and the athlete we know John to be, I suspect he will be fully functional by the time you read this. Bill Fogle writes from Arizona that as the self-proclaimed “nation’s foremost investigator of gullibility,” he is speaking with the legislative correspondent to an Arizona congressman to “determine if the U.S. Congress is making any attempt to get engineering advice of the feasibility of CO2 capture/sequestration” as proposed by the Biden administration. Amazingly, he says “the National Academy of Engineering has not been asked by Congress to provide a formal judgment on the technical feasibility of regulating tropospheric temperature to any given level.” Another classmate, Fred Schueler (living in Canada), who at one point collaborated with Fogle to hypnotize a chicken, has stayed in touch with Bill, but I suspect sees the world very differently at this point. Bill Simon is now living in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and dealing with 100 to 180 inches of snow each winter. He practiced law for 45 years, first in Atlanta, Georgia, then in Ohio, and now serves on several boards and follows his granddaughters’ athletics—one is a nationally ranked swimmer, and the other is a candidate for the U.S. Junior Women’s Hockey Team. Rod St. Clair, on the other hand, “was made an offer he couldn’t refuse,” and has gone back to work full time and says that travel during the lockdown is a challenge. I am sure he rose to the challenge, but I hope he has survived mixing with the great unwashed. Dan Kops has retired after two stints, totaling 21 years, as the Town Planner for Hamden. Tom Warner and his wife are touring the U.S. (and Canada when the border reopens) in their Airstream; hiking, biking (on new gravel grinder bikes), and paddling the rivers and oceans. Jeff Burt finished his ski season at the end of April (he actually had a ski season) after being fully vaccinated. He has been living in New Hampshire for eight years and has been on the Board of Advisors to the Appalachian Mountain Club for 10 years. John Turnier writes from Burlington, Connecticut, still remembering that he was voted “most absent” in our graduation yearbook. He has been very much present since that time, successfully completing eight years of postgraduate study becoming a veterinarian, a board-certified veterinary pathologist, and full Colonel in the Army Reserves. You may remember his wife, Jane, because he brought her to Hopkins dances. They have been married for 53 years, have three children and five grandchildren. And Brad Benedict brought the conversation full circle back to our days at Hopkins by remembering his English courses and geometry, taught by Michael Luther.

1965 DPH

1966 DPH

Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1965 DPH correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

Elisa Reisner reisnercpa@aol.com

1966 HGS

The DPH Class of 1966 is eagerly awaiting its 55th Reunion! (OMG!) We’ll get together by Zoom and are sure to have a lot of fun! Hopefully in attendance will be Susan Fellows, Ellen Warren Faller, Lisa Korsi Reisner, Jess Rostow, and others! We have all been taking it slowly this past year, perhaps watching the blue jay on our back deck, or recoiling in horror at the excesses which have been going on. We all still yearn for our little original “school on a Hill,” so the pictures of Hopkins in all its glory are inspiring and beautiful, though perhaps we find it hard to relate to all of them. But we rejoice

Charlie McClure cnmjr132@gmail.com The good news is that everyone in our class that I heard from is well and has been vaccinated. Billy Walik is even going back to France in September with his wife, Kathy. I suspect he wants to spend some time on his canal barge. John Hershey writes from New York City that 50

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

in the success of a wonderful school and are happy for the lucky students who attend! It’s certainly a far cry from when we had gym in the garage of the big mansion on Prospect Street and we played field hockey on the big field next to the main school! And they don’t wear uniforms these days; we all remember the “tartan and grey are the order of the day.” We sang a hymn in the morning assembly and were all set for the day—until morning graham crackers and milk. I’ve had the good fortune to be in touch recently with Barbara Maltby, happily living up in Vermont, Martha Clark Todd, and Katharine Holt, and hope to hear from each of you soon! Our love, prayers, and best wishes to Kris Boyd Gilman, we’re sure she’s in a better place and laughing down at all of us! Until next time… Go, DPH!

disorder, Wegener’s granulomatosis, is in remission, and my bladder cancer was eradicated—caught early. Now I’ll see if I can catch up to Stowe and lose some weight.

1967 HGS

Richard Pastore rpengri@gmail.com

Paul Higgins phiggins07@att.net As most of you are aware, I have assumed the duties of being our class correspondent, replacing George Keating, our classmate and my friend since the third grade. Along with George, we lost several of our classmates in a short spate of time: Peter Cook, Andy Harvard, and Skip Atkins. We’ll miss them all. Skip had a lovely memorial service at a church in Harvard Yard, pre-COVID, and several of us were able to attend—Dave Newton, Dan Milikowsky, Dan Wasserman, Geoff Robinson, and, of course, Bill Glenn. George’s death had an impact on me, and I want to thank Dave Newton and Jim Plunkett for their counsel and friendship in helping me deal with my grief. One more sad note, Seymour “Brad” Bradley recently lost his wife, and we send our condolences. I just heard from Carl Spatz, who lives in the Washington, D.C., area with his husband, Tom Hesselbrock, and sees Ellen Keating, George’s wife, with some frequency, as they compare notes over lunch on various nonprofit boards they sit on and how each entity is dealing with COVID, respectively. Carl is also co-chair of The Children’s National Hospital Emeritus Board, and in his spare time is a member of his co-op board. Dave Newton writes that he remains busy volunteering on several nonprofit boards dealing with health, education, and the arts, living in downtown New Haven. He is in regular contact with Matt Walton, Pete Halsey, Dan Milikowsky, John Lapides, Ed Nolan, and me (Paul Higgins). Ilene, Dave’s partner of 23 years, has retired from Vassar and his son is a tennis pro based in Weston, Massachusetts. I heard from Jim Stowe: He and Barbara are doing well. They recently traveled to Savannah, Georgia, and Beaufort and Charleston, South Carolina, and can’t wait for it to be safe again to travel outside of the U.S. During COVID hibernation, Jim had his knee replaced on March 6, 2020, and had previous procedures for his shoulders. He is doing well and walking as part of his rehab—losing 50 pounds in the process! Jim, you put me to shame. Mark Ardis checked in, retired and living in North Carolina. He and Cheryl are looking forward to seeing his granddaughter again, now that vaccines have been received and visits will be safer. From Oregon, I heard from Joe Cone, who has posed an interesting idea: inviting those of us who may wish to, to “reflect” on our life experiences, rather than just report on our recent comings and goings, as is the traditional format for these class notes. I find the idea intriguing and will forward his email to everyone to get your feedback. As for me, I am working part time at a small insurance agency in North Haven, Connecticut—the second oldest employee is 36—and am enjoying it immensely. In addition, I am experiencing the best health, feeling better than I have for years. My auto-immune

1967 DPH Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1967 DPH correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu..

1968 HGS Stewart Nickerson snicker0349@yahoo.com

Jack Coyle reports that he and his wife, Diana, are vaxxed and healthy. He’s reveling (as am I) in the Donaldator being out of office, stating that he “is the most despicable human alive.” I hear you, pal. Meanwhile… Breaking News Dateline: “The Port of New York, New Jersey—A container of Trumpy Bears has sat unclaimed since January 20, 2021. In an effort to recover unpaid storage fees the Port Authority has sold the container to an undisclosed third party who is going to repurpose the contents as hemorrhoidal pillows.” And now back to the Class of ’68 Notes: Roger Stancliff is living in Forestville, California, with his wife, Rickey, and his daughter, Erica, where, in 2010, they started the Trombetta Family Winery (trombettawines. com). They make some acclaimed pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot noir rosé. I think that Rickey (Trombetta) is the ragazza Italiana simpatica. They also grow some beautiful vegetables that are shown on the website. Check it out and drink up. After I made the comment in an email about Florida trying to limit mail-in voting, Gerry Langeler wrote me the following: “Dick: Congratulations or condolences, whichever fits, now that you are fully engaged. So, you pulled the string on the Chatty Cathy doll (remember that?) with your mention of Florida’s attempt to cut back on mailed-out ballot voting. As I’ve been winding down my venture capital career over the last few years, I was looking for something I was passionate about to fill the void, and that thing is voting rights. I don’t care how you vote (well…) but I think every U.S. citizen should be able to vote with the lowest obstacles possible. Turns out this is an easy position to hold living in Oregon, where we have for over 20 years had a process whereby every registered voter gets a ballot mailed to them for every election, automatically. You do nothing, it just comes. And then, after spending whatever time you want researching the candidates and measures, you can mail it back or drop it in one of over 700 secure drop boxes across the state, even ones that are outside your ‘precinct.’ Most of us in fact do ‘vote in-person’ into those drop boxes. We’ve long since handled the bugbears (SAT word!) of any potential fraud, with robust voter list management, tracking of death records, 100% signature verification with opportunities to ‘cure’ any that are questioned, ballot tracking like a FedEx package, and risk-limiting post-election audits. Oh, and add in really nasty penalties for anyone who would try to cheat ($25,000 fine and five years in prison for each ballot tampered with). The result is turnout near the top of the nation, and no material fraud after more than 100 million ballots cast in the last 20 years. So, almost four years ago, I joined forces with our former Secretary of State to spin up a not-for-profit, the National Vote at Home Institute (voteathome. org). I ran communications and research, discovering that besides VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

Colorado and Washington State at 100%, interesting tidbits such as Utah was well on its way to now 100% mailed-out ballots. Arizona and Montana were at about 75–80%, and North Dakota had 30 counties on the 100% model (Nebraska now has 11, as well). So, for those who think mailed-out ballots are a ploy of the political left, I urge you to reread that list. We worked with many state legislatures and elections officials to improve their mailed-ballot access, even well below universal use, leading up to January 2020, when it became clear that my avocation had turned into a full-time job. So, I told the ED we had hired that I would work through the legislative sessions ending June 2020, and ‘retire.’ Then, a month later, COVID hit and suddenly we were front page news as states scrambled to make sure people could vote in a pandemic. However, I stuck to my schedule and was pleased to see the work we did (and the team did after my departure) paid off in November. Sadly, some states are now trying (and succeeding) to make it harder to vote by mailed-out ballot. But the good news is there is also momentum in the positive direction that doesn’t get as much press. Hawaii and California went 100% in November. Nevada and Vermont have bills in flight that look like they’ll pass, taking them to 100%. Virginia and Maryland passed permanent absentee laws (the way Arizona and Montana work), with Rhode Island and Maine with bills in process. Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, and others not already there are moving toward ‘no excuse’ absentee. Our little group had a hand in most of these. So, we know how this movie will end, with or without passage of HR-1, S-1. Over the coming years, more and more states will make it easier to vote via mailed-out ballot. And those that do not, or backslide, will become more and more out of step with our democracy. Hopefully, at that point the voters of those states will demand their elected officials serve them, rather than the other way around.” I wrote back that Gerry “made my day.” I am sure you all remember our international friend from across the pond, Malcolm Chapple. He sends his best and signs off as (my) associate discus thrower and 880 runner. We were on the track team together. Phil Grout wrote me the following: “I am still teaching, mainly because I have several nice skaters with whom I enjoy working! I am still climbing and actually built a climbing wall in my basement during the COVID lockdown as I was desperate for something to do! Also biking as much as possible. I love the Chester County, Pennsylvania, back roads where I see mostly horses, cows, and a few Amish carts. Liz has a grandson graduating from Ursinus in May and another grandson graduating from Marin (California) in June; he will be going to ASU. Her eldest grandson is the brand manager for STX, a lacrosse gear company in Baltimore, Maryland, and he, too, is into biking so we have had some nice rides together. Happy to report I am feeling good and trying to stay in shape and really enjoyed seeing everyone at our Reunion in 2019.” I speak to Steve Carroll once or twice a year. He and his wife have been living in Florida for quite a while. He has children in Connecticut and elsewhere. He’s a big golfer and usually comes up to play in the annual HGS golf tournament. A couple of years ago, I tagged along just to experience the drudgery of the game and I wasn’t disappointed. Funny story, that night we attended the dinner “under the tent” and we bought a bunch of raffle tickets. Damned if Steve didn’t win a nice golf bag and I won a sand wedge. Not being a golfer, I thought it was a combination of capicola, prosciutto, and provolone on a hard roll. Anyway, I’m (Dick Pastore) still working as a civil engineer from my home office for 33 years and not about to stop. My 37-year-old middle son, Joseph, who is a civil and mechanical engineer, just joined me full time. Cathy is 52

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

retired for about seven years from teaching foreign languages and is chasing our five grandchildren. All three sons and wives live very nearby in Rhode Island, which is a wonderful thing. My property is officially Bel Fiasco Farm, where I make artisanal red wine and fruit vinegars (commercially). I inherited my mother’s green thumb, so the property is populated with flowers, vegetables, and fig, apple, nectarine, pear, peach, pawpaw, and persimmon trees. I’m fishing offshore during the summer and making furniture during the winter. If you’d like to see some offshore pictures of macro fauna and/or furniture, go to the “about us” section of the website rpengri.com. Wish I’d heard from more of you. You can call me at 401-524-1229 or email me at rpengri@gmail.com and we can reminisce about the lousy hockey pucks for lunch. Here’s raising a glass to Art Woodard and Andy Buck. Hope to see you guys at a reunion—55th is coming up in a bit. Take care and keep your game face on. Ciao. —Dick Pastore.

1968 DPH Alumnae interested in serving as Class of 1968 DPH correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1969 HGS Bruce Jacobs bjacobs@jacobs-jacobs.com There’s nothing like a year-plus pandemic to add to the degree of difficulty of getting classmates to submit news. To my surprise, I got some responses, which I have combined with some of the nonprivileged information I have gleaned from emails and Facebook, which should make for a pretty decent—even lengthy—submission. What has been most gratifying are the emails that I have received from people who I had all but given up on ever hearing from again. For example, I had a wonderful email exchange with Charles Whitaker, who lives in beautiful Santa Monica, California. I’ll try to get more details from Chuck for the next issue of Views, but the best news is that he is planning on returning for our 55th reunion in 2024! I am really looking forward to seeing him and the rest of you. How about some more early commits? Another delightful surprise was hearing from Michael Palmieri, whom I have not had contact with since a phone call years ago. Mike writes: “Hope you are well, safe, and taking time to smell the roses. This is my 46th year in Colorado, where I met my wife, Free. We have been married 41 years, raised our kids here, and are now loving on our three granddaughters. We are both teachers; in May I retired after 30 wonderful years in Denver Public Schools, working with and loving amazing kids. I taught 7th grade English for 11 years, modeling much of what I did on the amazing Mr. Gillespie. Followed that up with 19 years in high school. In my fourth year in high school, my students asked me to direct them on stage. I said ‘Okay,’ but they needed to know the last theater I did was the 7th grade play when I was in 7th grade—a Gillespie-written production on Achilles and Agamemnon. (I remember facing off with Vince Chiappinelli with David Demerest refereeing.) The students said we could figure it out together (we did), and we were off on a new adventure. We did two Shakespeare mashups, August Wilson’s Fences, and Jose Rivera’s Marisol at Manual. The kids were amazing. The district closed Manual (could write pages about that), and I became theater director at TJHS. Their format was fall play/spring musical. We did two Ken Ludwig productions and my rewrites of Midsummer and Macbeth, Chicago, Footloose, Little Shop of Horrors, Rent, and In the Heights, among others. (Google Rent Price Worth Paying for a

Kami and Birdie, granddaughters of Michael Palmieri ’69 HGS write-up on the TJ crew.) A great run with unbelievable actors and tech crews. Free was my costume director/AD for all 25 shows. Now pursuing my first artistic love—photography. If you would like to see my work, my website/gallery/store is michaelpalmieri.smugmug.com. (Editor’s note: I strongly recommend that you check out Mike’s work. I was even able to coax him into sending the photos of his three beautiful granddaughters, Kami, Birdie, and McKenzie.) Best wishes for joy and peace.” Even better than getting this submission was making plans to have dinner with Mike and his wife, and crash at their home on my next drive out to Colorado, at the end of August. While the trip may occur before these notes are published, you will have to wait until the Spring 2022 issue to see any pictures from our get-together. Can’t wait! And here’s another surprise—the first submission to Views from Charles Herr. Charlie writes: “I have not previously submitted anything to the alumni magazine, so whether due to the tendency to reminisce that accompanies aging or Bruce’s annoying emails, I decided now would be a good time. (Editor’s note: Only around 40% of my emails are annoying.) After college, medical school, and residency, I spent all but a few years of my medical career seeing patients and teaching at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire. I retired at age 62 and we still live in Hanover. I met my wonderful wife, Judy, during residency and we have been married for 42 years. We have two daughters. The oldest (apparently having taken a vow of poverty) is a farmer living just a few miles from us, and the youngest is a clinical psychologist living in Chicago, Illinois. No grandchildren yet, but we’re hopeful. As I’m fond of saying, retirement is a wonderful invention and I’m enjoying it immensely. There is just so much more time for my lifelong hobbies and interests, including woodworking, hiking, gardening, fly fishing, and cross-country skiing. I’ve even attempted to learn to play the violin, though I’ve begun to think this is a futile and misguided endeavor. We live very much a country life, grow most of our vegetables, make maple syrup, and heat our house with wood that I cut from our land. As you might imagine, the pandemic has had very little effect on our lives. As I reflect on my years at Hopkins, I’m grateful for the dedicated teachers and the atmosphere of discipline, hard work, and high expectations. Even the work scholarship program was an important experience as it taught the dignity and rewards of physical work. As I also recall the oddities of Michael Palmieri ’69’s other life at Hopkins—the all-male student granddaughter, McKenzie.

body, singing hymns at morning assembly, Mr. Rood saying Grace before Junior School lunch, student waiters bringing food to the tables, giving speeches at junior assembly after lunch—I’m reminded that we attended Hopkins in a very different era. During the 50th reunion, when I asked our student tour guide about the tradition of senior speeches at morning assembly, she had no idea what I was talking about and looked both perplexed and shocked. I must confess that I never envisioned myself returning for a high school reunion, but then I attended the 25th only because it marked the dedication of the scholarship fund in memory of Dave Kreis, whose loss still saddens me. I have since been to three other reunions and greatly enjoyed them all. Bruce, thanks for the encouragement to write and many thanks to the 50th reunion committee.” The submission I got from Bob Klatskin was more along the lines of what I was expecting from this difficult year (which is why I’m so grateful to Mike and Charlie for the longer submissions about their lives since Hopkins). Bob says: “The only news here is that after both of us getting our vaccinations, and Riverside County, California, starting to open up, we sat at an indoor bar for the first time in a year!” Bob, we are all starting to revel in those baby steps towards normalcy. Thanks for responding to my badgering. But alas, not all the submissions made me feel great. This one from Bob Koster hit me hard: “It is with profound sadness that I report that my wife of 45 years, Kate Bell, died in October 2020 after a brief battle with an exceedingly rare and aggressive type of lymphoma. One of our fondest memories, early in our retirement, was our trip to New Haven in May 2019 to celebrate my 50th reunion. She really enjoyed meeting so many of my classmates and seeing the beautiful Hopkins campus. Of note was visiting with Ben Benedict and his lovely wife and discovering that his mother, Betty, and Kate’s mom, Nancy, were classmates at Vassar ’44. It is a small world.” I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and talking with Kate (and Bob) at the last reunion. Kate was such a warm and friendly person: one of those people who, after talking with them for 15 minutes, you feel like you have known them for years. I spoke to Bob the day after I got this, and he is doing okay. I’m sure I speak for all of you by sending our deepest and most sincere sympathies to Bob and Kate’s family—especially their sons and grandchildren. In other news, John Russo wrote to me that he retired on his 70th birthday, at the end of April, and his newly constructed home in Branford will be ready soon, after which he will be accepting visitors (please call first). John Goldenring is rather smug about being the last one in our class to turn 69, which will happen in August. I am begging anyone who can prove him wrong to let me know as soon as possible! Michael Milone, like most of us, had no news to report, but promises a submission for the next issue. Michael, I’m holding you to that. And finally, congratulations to Mike Tobin, whose son, Kirby, is not only engaged to be married, but is a newly minted doctor, graduating from med school in May, along with his fiancée, Dr. Katie Brown. Thanks to all of you who submitted news and who connected with me. I look forward to hearing from you any time. I’m available year-round!

1969 DPH Susan Ward jcnynlnds2@aol.com My weeknight routine includes watching the PBS NewsHour. Maybe yours does, too. But in case you missed it, on March 22 and 23, the program ran a two-part report on the immigration crisis at our southern border. The story began in McAllen, Texas, and continued VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

on the opposite side of the Rio Grande, in Reynosa, Mexico, which is where human rights attorney and activist Jennifer Harbury was interviewed. She is a member of the group Lawyers for Good Government. She also volunteers with Angry Tias and Abuelas of the Rio Grande Valley, which seeks help for refugees who are stuck between their native country (usually El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras) and a new home in the U.S. Stopped at the border, the would-be immigrants are fingerprinted, photographed, and driven back across the bridge between the two cities and countries. They fill the few shelters available to them, and many are forced to camp in a dangerous city park in Reynosa, where gangs lurk nearby. As Jennifer explained, returning to their former homes usually “is not an option” because “there was a really good reason why they left in the first place.” And “they have nothing left. They gave their last cent to the coyotes to get them across… They have no clothes, no food, and no transportation—nothing.” These NewsHour programs are still available on YouTube, and the transcripts from them are on the PBS website. Jennifer’s ties to Central America are long and deeply personal. If you have not heard her story, you may be interested in reading her books: Bridge of Courage (1994); Searching for Everardo (1997); and Truth, Torture, and the American Way (2005). Crossing the aisle, so to speak, I’d like to recognize a member of ’69 HGS (who is also their class correspondent) for his generosity. Bruce Jacobs matched all gifts from members of both classes of 1969 on the Hopkins Day of Giving, in April. Thanks, Bruce!

1970 HGS Brian Smith bcsmitty@gmail.com Rev. Dr. Isaac Deas continues his private counseling practice in Florida and is the senior pastor of the New Bethel Community Church, in Summerfield. Isaac gets back to the Connecticut area as often as possible to visit his son Dwan in Norwalk. Tim Minor is now semi-retired from his stock brokerage business in Eatonton, Georgia, which frees him up to play golf 12 months a year! Brook Reams and his wife, Rochelle, welcomed their fourth grandchild in December 2020. Their two boys each have a boy and a girl! Brook and Rochelle have a spring 2022 river cruise planned from Paris, France, to Zurich, Switzerland. Brook continues to restore vintage motorcycles and tours the country on them! Dr. Edward Koh lost his wife, Carol Mastromauro, after a four-year battle with cancer, in January 2021. Bryant Boyd and wife, Marie, continue to reside in Madison, Connecticut, and to travel back to Marie’s native country of Sweden. Bryant keeps busy with photography, and I can attest to his ability, as I have been a recipient of a calendar or two of his. He has granddaughters Clementine, Charlotte, and Sierra, who reside close by in Massachusetts. Bryant’s daughter, Nina, is expecting her first child in November! Brian Smith: My son Riley ’17, graduated from Southern Methodist University in May 2021. My son Griffin ’15, works and lives in New York City when he is not working and residing in Orange Connecticut. My daughter Chloe ’20, finished her first year at Boston College and like all of us, is looking forward to a normal 2021–2022 year! I continue to work in the insurance business for New York Life and will soon be starting year 40 with them. My wife, Elizabeth, continues to work at Yale New Haven Hospital as a clinical social worker in the Psychiatry Department.

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

1970 DPH Anne Bennett studentstrategies4growth@gmail.com

1971 HGS Brian Smith bcsmitty@gmail.com

1972 DPH & HGS Richard Hehre richardhehre@gmail.com

1973 Michael P. Finnegan mfinnegan218@gmail.com

1974 Anne Sommer anne.sommer.editor@gmail.com Hello all. Hoping that this past year has been mostly kind to you and yours. Here’s some news from Tony DeLio: “A crazy year. We are all turning 65! Geezers! At least we got priority for the vaccine. I can also ride the train into New York City for half price. I retired from Ingredion in February; I have accepted a position at a private equity firm in NYC and will sit on the board of a plant protein company, but no more full-time work for me! Free at last. We have sold the house in New Jersey and are getting rid of 40 years’ worth of stuff. Will move to Naples, Florida, but also have a condo in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Both of my two sons are married, and my eldest has a son himself, so I am a granddad! We will have a chance to spend more time with them (once this COVID situation settles down). My dad sold his house in West Haven (adjacent to Hopkins on Forest Road), so I have one less tie now to Connecticut. A lot of change right now. It is true what they say—as you get older, change becomes more challenging to accept.” Take care, everyone!

1975 Alumni interested in serving as Class of 1975 correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1976 Alumni interested in serving as Class of 1976 correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

1977 Diane Kolligian Shannon dshannon925@gmail.com Thank you to those who responded to my emails. Whether with news or no news, it was great to hear from you. Jim D’Angelo sent this: “Things with COVID were getting better in Japan, but now we seem to be into a fourth wave. They are very late here with rolling out the vaccinations. Our first week of classes just finished online, and the plan is to go face-to-face beginning week two. It has really

changed the face of education, along with so many fields. I will do a large Zoom session with Philippines master’s and Ph.D. students, as well as in-service teachers and faculty in late April.” Trey Crisco wrote: “We’re all doing great as time flies by. Rachel, my oldest, is engaged and turning 30, Casey is finishing her master’s in nursing at Yale, and Cami is graduating from Fordham—all this week! My research in orthopaedics at Brown University is busier than ever, and I’m still chasing grants and collaborating on medical devices. MJ is very busy in clinical research here too. I try to spend as much time as I can at our cabin in Hyde Park, Vermont. No running water so it’s not really glamping, but still absolutely beautiful. I hope to catch up with others soon! Joe Cogguillo sent this update: “Hello classmates. I hope everyone is doing well. As I’m sure everyone is, I am ready for summer. Steadily chugging away at work where I am senior counsel at Travelers, working out of the Hartford, Connecticut, office, specializing in workers’ compensation. My wife, Shelly, is a financial analyst, also for Travelers in Hartford. Son Jake is an administrator at Boston University. Son Isaac is working full-time in the construction industry in Connecticut. We are looking forward to some time up in New Hampshire this summer, where trout-fishing season has already begun in earnest.” I’m happy to report that Cindi DeLuca Gagnon is a grandparent, but don’t call her grandma—she’s Gigi! Her daughter Tiffany ’09 and husband, Vincent, had a baby girl in May. Congratulations to Cindi and all the other grandparents reading this! As for me (Diane Kolligian Shannon), I spent my first winter in Naples, Florida, and love it here. Please say hello if you’re in the area. You have my email address!

1978 Robert Yudkin rbyudkin@gmail.com Okay, Class of ’78. I volunteered as our class rep for two years. Please help me out. Share what’s going on in your life with regard to work, family, or simply what you do for fun. A huge “Thank you” to everyone who responded. Richard Bernstein continues to practice hand surgery in New Haven in the largest private orthopaedic group in Connecticut. He deserves an award for being the last member of our class to have a child matriculate to Hopkins—his 11-year-old, Ayla, will start Hopkins in the fall. His 12-year-old continues at Foote but plans to apply to Hopkins next year for 9th grade. Richard remains active in the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and serves as chairman of the Scientific Meetings committee. He is currently the president of the New England Hand Society. When asked what he does for fun, he replied “Fun? Hard with an 11- and 12-year-old.” He skis at Okemo in the winter and enjoys the water at his summer place in Clinton, Connecticut. Rich says he used to get together pre-COVID with Steve Falcigno and Jud Smith and looks forward to doing it again soon. Andrea Boissevain writes, “Who knew that my years of training for mass dispensing would pay off? Working at a local health department amidst a global pandemic has been challenging. We are in our 62nd week of our COVID response: conducting surveillance, providing health education, enforcing mask mandates (the worst!), communicating to the public about the ever-changing sector rules, doing contact tracing, and now, thankfully, vaccinating! Not going to lie—it’s all very exhausting. The saving grace is that I work with an incredible team of enthusiastic staff and a dedicated cadre of Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. We are at 11,700 shots in arms and counting. I try to keep my sanity in

check by walking ‘remotely’ with my daughter Emma Fox ’08, who is a consultant with Industrial Economics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. We have great convos on the consulting industry (which I did for 18 years). My other daughter, Sarah Fox ’10, is on Mountain Time in Salt Lake City, Utah, and does not join our walks at 6:45 am (4:45 am for her)! She manages the Title Nine SLC store and scales tall mountains in her spare time. I ventured out at the end of March, fully vaxed, to be with her for wisdom teeth extraction (all four!). I missed being out in the world.” Tim Chieppo reports that he has been quite busy. As COVID hit the bus transportation business hard, he had time to help a friend do some projects with his business. He also caught up on many of his own business and house projects. He also has a property in Vermont that takes up time. It has more than 900 lilacs and his dad told him many years ago that it is possibly one of the largest privately owned lilac walks in the world—a hidden gem. Tim recently went to Kevin Maloney’s birthday party, and heard from Bernard Confrey in Arizona. He also reports that he saw Birchie Sise. He writes, “I miss the old gang.” Gerald “Jerry” Etkind writes, “I’m living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I enjoy volunteering for a weekly shift at a very cool independent community radio station. We’re WYCE and we play an eclectic mix of blues, jazz, world beat, folk, and rock. My shift is Wednesdays at noon Eastern, but really, we’re full of great music programmers so any time you listen is the right time. You can stream us by telling your smart speaker ‘Play WYCE,’ or with most streaming apps, or directly at WYCE.org.” Steve Falcigno still lives in Woodbridge, Connecticut, with his wife. His son, Stephen ’12 (Trinity College ’16), is finishing his first year at UConn Law School. His daughter, Sabrina ’14 (Fordham ’18), is finishing her second year at NYU in Speech Pathology. Steve plays a lot of golf and is active in commercial real estate. Cliff Felig moved to Israel in 1992. He lives just outside of Tel Aviv with his wife, Minna. They have four children: Noam (28, married to Shani), Yair (26), Daniella (24, married to Liam), and Maayan (22). He writes that, “Probably the biggest difference in our lives from moving to Israel is that our kids did not go to college after high school, but instead all joined the Israeli army. The three older ones finished their service after terms of three to five years and are now in university, but still get called for reserve duty, and our youngest is still serving. When I’m not working as a lawyer during the week, I am very active in cooking meat with my Weber smoker—it seems to work in getting the kids to come visit us on weekends. I enjoy keeping up with many classmates on Facebook and would love to come in for a reunion at some point.” Keith Giarman reports that he and his wife, Casey, were fortunate to purchase a second home in Sonoma (Glen Ellen), California, in February 2019, not knowing it would be their savior and sanctuary during a pandemic! The pool is open, the flowers are in full bloom, the wine is flowing. Their daughter, Cece, came home for spring break from college (Notre Dame) in 2020 and took over the guest house. Keith writes, “that worked great after a significant bandwidth upgrade for online classes courtesy of tech support manager (me). She returned to class in August for the fall semester, and we dropped her back at Notre Dame in February for spring. Since they have a shortened semester and get no vacation, we rented a house and traveled to South Bend, Indiana, where we had a wonderful Easter with Cece and her friends. I am proud of her and the Fighting Irish for their steadfast discipline making school and campus life a priority for the students. We are grateful. I sincerely hope all my Hopkins classmates have weathered this difficult time well and hope you see, like I do, some light at the end of the tunnel. Hopkins was a special and formative place for me VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

and my family, and I do my best to stay in touch with the school.” Keith welcomes hearing from classmates. Janet Granger writes that she had some time on her hands during the pandemic, so she wrote her second book, OK Boomer! Revelations of a Baby Boomer Working with Millennials. She says, “For all my classmates, in despair about the Millennial generation, I’ve shared my secrets with you (hint: brain science).” She reports that her mother and sons have been healthy and fine. Her son David Sacci ’09 lives in Los Angeles, California, and works for Tesla. Her other son, Scott Sacci, lives in Brooklyn, New York, and works as a software engineer at Handy. Janet and her husband, Len, live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She says that last year gave her and Len an opportunity to enjoy being home. She says that anyone in the area is welcome to stop in for a swim. While I did not take her up on the swim, I did enjoy having dinner with Janet and Len when I visited my parents, who live nearby. Lois Hoffer touched base for the first time since leaving the Hill. To summarize her last 40-plus years, she received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Bryn Mawr and a master’s in optics from the University of Arizona. While working on a Ph.D., she met her future husband, an Italian named Gian Luca Lippi. They left for a postdoc in Germany. Lois says that she took one solid first year in German with the undergrads before they left the States, which helped a lot. She now has Italian citizenship. At the age of 40, Lois had a daughter who is now fully bilingual in Italian and English. They also introduced her to French, and she is learning German in high school. Lois is working on an interesting and challenging project—translating Hahnemann’s book. She says “My scientific background and knowledge of Latin and Greek from high school and BMC helped too. I have a little more to translate and I really enjoy the work. It is very useful to people from the U.S. to the U.K. to India!” Unfortunately, Lois experienced some major health problems. She almost died in January of an auto-immune problem of the brain that afflicts only 50 other people in the world. Thankfully, she is recovering and working hard to get back to “normal,” which will take time, effort, and patience. We wish her and her family good luck and a speedy recovery. Frank Huckaby writes from Anniston, Alabama, where he has lived since 1990. He shared that he is a two-time divorcee with a daughter. He proudly says that he has been clean for 18 years. He is trying to get a BBQ business off the ground. While it is a slow process, he is confident that he can make it happen. He said it was great to attend our 40th reunion, but he hardly recognized the school with all the changes. Mary Krigbaum sent the following: “I live in Beverly, Massachusetts. After many years in jewelry design and a shorter stint in IT, I currently work for the Unitarian Universalist Association in credentialing and compensation. I am grateful to live 20 minutes away from my mother and stepfather, Warren Stone 1950 HGS, down the street from my sister, and a 10-minute walk to the ocean. My daughter, Jennie, will graduate from American University in December. Her plans include hiking the Appalachian Trail, followed by graduate school in the fall of 2022.” Kevin Maloney lives in the Stony Creek area of Branford, Connecticut. He recently went to Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Grand Canyon—his first trip since COVID. He also recently celebrated his 60+1 birthday (60 got canceled due to COVID). Tim Chieppo and his wife attended. The other news that he shared is that he has two grandchildren with a third on the way. Christa Weil Menegas writes that she has lived in London, England (for over 25 years), with her husband and two wonderful boys. One will work in astrophysics and the other is just starting college life in the U.S. She does a just-for-fun art group on Facebook (Guess the Artist, 56

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

all welcome!). Christa comes back to Connecticut frequently to visit family but has not seen the Hopkins campus in over three decades. She hopes to make it to a reunion and catch up with old friends. (Editor’s note: Perhaps “friends from long ago” would be better than “old friends”?) Steven Newton has worked as a hospital administrator while living in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, for the last 17 years and prior to that, 15 years in Kansas City, Missouri. He currently serves as president/CEO of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and is incredibly grateful that the worst of the COVID pandemic is over. He writes, “Teresa and I are empty nesters, with our oldest son living in New York City and working on an investigative journalism team focused on Pharma. Our daughter and youngest son are a senior and a sophomore in college at Washington and Lee in Virginia. Glad to be heading toward retirement!” Pat O’Regan lives in Redwood Shores, California, with his wife, Cecily (who according to Pat, is his better half ). She is a patent attorney working with entrepreneurs. Pat is with the University of San Francisco teaching entrepreneurship and business law, among other subjects. He says it would be great to reconnect. His email is poregan8@gmail.com. Bill Schrier and his wife, Micheen, live in Monterey, California, with their dog and cat. He is finishing up his 17th year teaching at Carmel High School, where he also coaches the mock trial team and serves as president of the local teachers association. He writes that “I’m happy to say that Carmel is back to in-person instruction after a year of Zoom classes!” Mary Shea and her husband live in Netanya, Israel. They moved there about four years ago after living in Russia. Welmoed Bouhuys Sisson has done a wide variety of jobs since leaving the Hill, including newspaper ad manager, cartoonist, graphic artist, computer consultant, drapery workroom owner, and theatrical costume designer. It looks like she finally found her passion as she celebrates her 10th as a home inspector in Frederick, Maryland. She and her husband, Bob, own Inspections by Bob, and they do inspections in central Maryland. She writes, “This is a career I never would have imagined myself getting into, but once I got started, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. There’s never a dull day; I’ve inspected houses dating back to the early 18th century all the way up to brand new construction.” She is an adjunct professor at Frederick Community College teaching a home inspection pre-licensure course. She says that “being an instructor for this class showed me that my true passion lies in teaching, and I am currently working on creating classes geared not only to aspiring home inspectors, but also teaching homeowners about the importance of home maintenance, and how to identify potential problems so they can be addressed.” She published her first book in 2018: 101 Things You Don’t Want in Your Home. Her second book, How to Build a New Home Without Losing Your Mind, is due to be published later this year. When not inspecting, teaching, or writing, she does crafting—sewing, weaving, knitting, woodworking, 3D printing, laser etching, or paper crafts. She and her husband are also involved in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and took part in the two-week-long Pennsic War in 2018 (as observers, not combatants!). As someone who does long distance events to raise money for charity, I smiled when I read that she did a bicycle ride in 1998 from Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C., to raise funds for the American Lung Association. She says, “It was an amazing experience to see the country at 10 miles per hour; one of the highlights of the trip was spending the night in a teepee as a guest of the Crow Nation in Montana.” Welmoed and Bob have been married for 35 years and have two children. Ian, born in 1989, works for a tabletop gaming company. Diana, born in 1991, is

married and expecting her first child (Welmoed’s first grandchild); she works for the Cement and Concrete Reference Lab. Welmoed writes that “both kids live nearby, so we are lucky enough to see them often.” She also asks anyone traveling in the vicinity of Frederick, Maryland, to get in touch. She also plans to attend our 45th in 2023. Robert “Bob” Yudkin: “I still live in Dallas, Texas, with my wife, Joan, of 34 years (amazing she put up with me for that long). I have the ‘tiring’ part down but working on ‘retiring’—not quite there yet. Younger son lives in New Hampshire and Boston, Massachusetts. He will get married in November. Older son is working on a Ph.D. in epidemiology and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in Colombia this fall. I’m still running the Rotary Eye Clinic in Mexico. We will open in August for the first time since COVID. For fun? We like to travel. We recently and unexpectedly purchased an African safari at a charity auction, although we have no idea when we will go. Also doing three half-marathons and a half-Ironman this summer in Wyoming, Montana, Ohio, and Virginia that will bring my total to 26 states in which I’ve done an event. The last, South Dakota, was 20 months ago in the pre-COVID world.” Carlos Zilveti retired in 2018 after a 35-year career in wealth management. He says that “he is not looking back.” He shared that he “just got back from two lovely weeks in Maui for a belated 40th anniversary with my bride! We finally got somewhere to celebrate after three tries since having to cancel a trip to Italy (all COVID-related travel stuff ). The only problem with travel is all the catch-up when you get back!”

1979 Jeffrey A. Arons, M.D. jeff@jeffreyaronsmd.com Have you all turned 60 yet?! Despite the challenges, I hope our class has emerged from COVID relatively unscathed and that everyone is healthy, as I have received no reports of misfortune. I have only good news to report. Scott Fisher sent the following: “Yes, it has been a challenging year. Leading the church I pastor during this turbulent year has been filled with various dilemmas, but I am thankful that overall our congregation has remained healthy and unified in spirit. My wife and I had the joy of welcoming into the world two grandchildren: Leo Alvan O’Brien (our daughter Kara and husband Luke’s second child) and Jonah David Fisher (our son Ryan and wife Jenna’s first child). We now have four grandchildren and another due in September! If any of you get to the Philly area for any reason, contact me! Dr. Hugh Taylor is serving as the president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a most distinguished honor, in addition to being chairman and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale Medical School and Yale New Haven Hospital. And recall that Dr. Ken Yanagisawa served as national president of the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; so that’s two members of our class with distinguished honors of heading national societies with national and international acclaim. Well done. It is no small undertaking to be the president of a national medical society. It is a huge time commitment as well as an extremely high honor. We applaud you both. Howard Etkind contributed more about life in Tennessee: “Very little has changed in the last year. Bought and redoing yet another house… now I control an entire ‘holler’ in the hills of Tennessee. Progress is slow due to availability of labor and building materials, and quality/supply issues of appliances, pumps, compressors, and related mechanical systems components.” And

nationally respected classical music author and critic David Hurwitz unfortunately missed the celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday: “After a year’s delay due to COVID, my next book (Beethoven’s Orchestral Music: An Owner’s Manual) is due out from Amadeus Press on April 15. I never thought it would happen, especially after the imprint got sold to a new publisher, and the industry is moving swiftly to digital-only formats. This was actually supposed to come out during the Beethoven year, which was 2020, that is, the 250th anniversary of his birth—but better late than never. On the brighter side, I now only have to wait six years for the bicentennial of his death in 2027. If the book is still in print, maybe I’ll sell a few then!” Jane Sikand Edelstein provided the following saga: “We seem to have survived COVID, though our home did not. During renovations last spring, our contractor accidentally set fire to the house while sanding off the last remnants of lead-based paint on one side of the house. We spent three weeks in a hotel with three dogs, two cats, and two of our three daughters before moving to a rented house just over the Hamden, Connecticut, line. After nearly eleven months and many negotiations, we are looking forward to being back in the newly rebuilt and renovated house by late June. Our daughters are doing well. Sophie, the youngest, is completing her second undergraduate year at Yale, though she has now spent more time off-campus and online than she has at Pauli Murray College, thanks to COVID. She will be returning to campus in the fall. But Steve and I will not return to empty-nester status as Kiran, our oldest, who has been running the COVID response on campus at the George Washington University, will be moving home to complete an accelerated bachelor’s-to-B.S.N. program at Quinnipiac. She also holds an M.P.H., which has provided her with the expertise to do what she’s been doing for the past year, but has decided she wants to pursue a master’s in midwifery and become a women’s health practitioner and educator. We’re very proud of the recent recognition GWU gave her for her work of the past year in bestowing on her the highest staff award that the university gives. Our middle daughter, Sarah, who lost her job fairly early in COVID, took a job with Wayfair last November in their Boston, Massachusetts, office. She remained with us in Hamden until February, when she moved up to an apartment in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. She is still working remotely but seems to be enjoying Boston immensely. This summer, I will be closing out the federal grant I have been working under in Bridgeport for the past five years and am seeking a new gig. I hope to move further into the health policy arena, but need to remain in Connecticut, at least for the time being. Steve worked remotely before the pandemic so he can pretty much go anywhere I need to go. Hoping all our classmates have managed all of this well and that most have remained healthy and unscathed by COVID. It has certainly been an eye-opening experience for us all, I’m sure. It wasn’t something I could ever have dreamed of back in 1979, except maybe in a sci-fi film!” As for me (Jeffrey Arons), it has been an eventful year. My daughter and son both got married within three months of each other, one in California and one in Alabama. My son graduated from George Washington University Law School and will be working at Withers Bergman in downtown New Haven. We celebrated my father’s (Marvin Arons 1948 HGS, one of the last surviving members of that class) 90th birthday with a spectacular drive-by celebration of more than 40 vehicles including the police and fire departments, and many dignitaries, including Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. So all good here it seems. I hope turning 60 this year treats you all well. Who would have thought it, back in the early 1970s, that here we’d be—60? Stay well. VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

1980 Pierce Tyler ptyler@gmail.com It was great seeing everyone last November at the virtual 40th reunion on Zoom. In attendance that night were Beth BellavanceGrace, Chris Cogguillo, Kate Higgins, Guy Iaccarino, Peter Maretz, Samir Pandiri, Martha Russo, Scott Soloway, Deborah Stern, myself (Pierce Tyler), and Jeff Yoon. Even though remote meetings aren’t perfect, they are convenient for those of us who don’t live near New Haven anymore and have a hard time getting back to campus. Speaking of travel, it’s so awesome to be able to make travel plans again now that the pandemic is easing up and vaccinations are more widespread. Bob Carangelo writes that he is heading to climb the Grand Teton in July. Bob has been “quite busy with doing hip and knee arthroplasty at the Bone & Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital. Playing catch-up after COVID shutdown. My son, Christopher, is finishing his master’s in engineering and business at Notre Dame University. Haley will be a senior at Bentley in Boston, Massachusetts, working at Travelers Insurance this summer. My youngest, Graci, just completed her first year at Quinnipiac University, on her way to becoming a P.A. My better half, Mary, works as a Fashion Therapist.” One of our classmates got married this spring: Edith Houghton (Ilmanen) Lindblom married her best friend, Jacob Lindblom, this past April, in Jamaica. Ede has continued to be active with her mission work. She writes, “Spent half of December in Malawi actually living in the refugee camp with our friends at the Sowing Hope Center. Over the past few years, we have cultivated a great relationship with some amazing friends there who, after running for their lives from the tribal wars in Congo, made their way (on foot) over the course of eight years through Rwanda to Burundi to Tanzania to Malawi, where they were finally granted refugee status. We first met John (who is now in his mid-20s) in 2017 when we went to share hope with those in his church. Our friend Bruce felt led to become a spiritual father to him and helped him to understand that none of us is actually his solution, but we know the One who is and began praying with him for provision to attend the university. Long story short, several people jumped in and sponsored John, and he is now in his third year at the African Bible College, where he has switched his focus from computer studies to community planning. He has brought teams of students out to the refugee camp to encourage others living there and has also built a school where the orphans are being taught English and has at least 80 students who are orphans along with the 150 paying students. What a gift! I have been deeply blessed by being able to travel to Malawi several times and am believing that the miracles unfolding there will lead to all refugees there being able to shift from simply trying to survive to where they have meaningful experiences and actually thrive in the face of adversity.” Ede adds that she also “managed to publish four books in 2019, two of which are a children’s series about Sheldon the Pelican. Free electronic downloads are available by going on UnleashedPublishing.net.” She welcomes feedback! Samir Pandiri writes that he and his wife “are back in New Jersey from London and working virtually due to COVID. We are planning to go back to Europe in the fall. Our three adult children will be in New York City, working, and we are excited about that. Sujata and I are celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary this year and looking forward to the milestone. It was great to see a few classmates in our class reunion Zoom call.” I heard from Holly Pruett that she and her spouse, Amber, “are celebrating 58

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

our 25th anniversary this year. We were grateful that sheltering in place started after we’d moved to a quiet home bordering a wooded park with a creek below our covered deck; an idyllic sanctuary in the midst of mega-wildfires, burgeoning tent cities, and Trump’s designation of Portland, Oregon, as an ‘anarchist’ city. My consulting practice is split between social justice advocacy and supporting families and communities with ceremonies honoring bereavement, remembrance, and transition. Hard to believe we so quietly passed the 40-year mark since graduation and, for me, moving to Oregon. My mom still lives in New Haven and I’m starting to plot a trip back to see her. Best wishes to all in this time of re-emergence.” Last, but not least, Georgia Bruggeman is fully vaccinated and feeling “very happy to be able to get out and enjoy being outside.” She also notes that her financial services firm is hiring, in case anyone knows someone looking for an opportunity. She writes, “Meridian Financial Advisors, LLC, is looking for a paraplanner to add to our team in Holliston, Massachusetts. Job is in ZipRecruiter for more info.”

1981 Priscilla Scherger pjscherger@gmail.com

1982 Diane Lifton lifton.lewis@verizon.net

1983 Andrew Levy alevy@wywhp.com Hopefully by the time you are reading these Class Notes the pandemic is in our rear-view mirror and there is much more that is back to normal. I’ve been living up in Connecticut during the pandemic and have seen a few classmates such as Carla Murray, Seth Stier, David Amendola, Lesli Greenberg, and Diana Lawson Goldman. There are still many whom I have spoken to but have not been able to connect with in person, but would like to, now that we can take off the masks and pop our heads out of the ground. It was one long year! The Class of 1983 continues, however, to generate plenty of interesting news to share… Karen Stevens Helene writes, “Time has been strange for me during the pandemic: Sometimes it feels as though no time at all has passed; at other times, my pre-COVID life seems like a different lifetime altogether. Like other schools, Benhaven School (where I’m in my 21st year as director) shut down in March 2020 for four and a half months. We’ve been back since August and all mostly healthy! My family rescued a supermutt puppy right before everything shut down. Thank goodness for Remi! I don’t know how we would have survived without him. He brings such joy and unconditional love. Lucy graduates from Cheshire High School in about four weeks. I can’t believe it! She’s off to Davidson College in North Carolina, which was her first choice and seems a great fit for her. Bill and I will experience instant ‘empty nest.’ I finally got my own Instagram account, now that I’m not monitoring Lucy’s. Sorry, still not on Facebook, Steven S.!” Carolyn Tesh O’Doherty adds, “My newest novel, Reckless, is finally out! Reckless is the final book in my Young Adult sci-fi trilogy that started with Rewind. It’s been 10 years since I started on the first book, which is kind of crazy, and I’m really happy to see the whole story completed. Details on my website

carolynodoherty.com.” Bob Bua shares, “Wishing good health to everyone. With my daughter’s high school graduation in May 2021 (and my son already in college), I soon enter the empty nest phase. I stay very busy each summer running my homemade ice cream shops in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.” Nora Colliton writes, “I got very used to working remotely and can’t imagine if I would ever want to go into an office building. My family has been very lucky, though, as my husband’s family is very close by, and we’ve been able to continue life as normal, with masks. As we could not go out of state without quarantining, my family got together with Mandy (Burwell)’s family a couple of times, skiing once with her kids, as I introduced our daughter to skiing. For the same reason, I discovered other parts of New Hampshire I likely would not have explored without a pandemic. All in all, I’m still working, raising a teenager, and looking forward to traveling this summer.” Sara Thier adds, “My life has been relatively status quo over the past year. Oh, well, except for my daughter’s major jaw surgery… that made her into a TikTok star (very weird learning that kids of friends old and new follow her). Thankful for vaccines and the opportunity to see my parents this summer as I start the college tour circuit… and hopefully a few Hopkins pals! Washington, D.C.; Ithaca/Syracuse, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts, area, here I come. Hoping all of you and your families are healthy and seeing the flickering light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s hope it continues to grow brighter and warmer!” David Keck contributes, “I am continuing to serve as chaplain at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. I’m proud of the way our students dealt with the pandemic restrictions on campus. The family is doing well, especially our pit bull mix, Milo. The focus of my professional energy these days is preparing for the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this September. As a university focused on all things aviation, our faculty, staff, and alumni have some amazing stories to tell. One faculty member was the air traffic manager in New York City that morning, and an alumnus was the pilot of Air Force One. Like each of us, these men and women all have memories to share and lessons we can pass on. Our incoming students were not yet alive back then, so we are gathering our community’s stories for both remembrance and research. As I do this work, I often think of our fellow Hilltopper Chris Murphy ’84, who was killed that day.” Stephen Weisbrod writes, “As part of my empty-nest planning, I’ve doubled down on practicing law. I took (and thankfully passed) the Florida, California, and Washington state bar exams with the goal of expanding my firm’s plaintiff-side practice nationwide. I also recently had the pleasure of working with Ken Lee ’85, who is now a successful defense lawyer—a bank represented by Ken hired me to help get an insurer to fund a class action settlement negotiated by Ken. My wife, Liz, still works as a civil rights lawyer at the Justice Department, where civil rights enforcement has become great again. My daughter, Nina, has moved to California, where she works as a COVID-19 contact tracer. And my son, Nathan, will be going to college in Connecticut, so I’ll be spending more time in Connecticut than I have since 1983. Sadly, my father died in December, but my mother is going strong and is still a professor at UConn Law School.” Marva Jeffery Walting adds, “Not much new here. Buying all of Carolyn O’Doherty’s books might be the highlight. Managed to get both kids off to higher education last fall but only one stayed away. Hoping to get the younger one launched someday, but he’s not in a hurry. Like many others, we started home renovations. The family room was minor and should have taken a month; four months later and it is still not completed (had to fire the contractor and rework

plans). We are now about to embark on a kitchen/mudroom project, so I am steeling myself for more months of disruption. I expect my pandemic attitudes will come in handy: It will be over someday, so don’t stress too much! Hope everyone weathered the past year safely!” Peter Harlan writes, “These days I am gardening in Wisconsin with my classic car–restoring wife… enjoying (mostly) an empty nest… helping a company called Innodata grow (we do all kinds of advanced data engineering, content moderation data sourcing and annotation, etc., using AI and humans)… and making a little music, hoping to get to a festival or two this summer. Anyone going to summer camp in Chilicothe, Illinois? Would love to collaborate with any musicians out there.” Phil Johnson shares this very important class note: “I struggled a little with writing this class note until I thought about my ability to help a classmate potentially. This time last year, I was diagnosed with pretty aggressive prostate cancer. The path to diagnosis started with a slightly elevated PSA and my PCP referring me to a urologist. Rather than getting into the details, I am going to make a request and an offer. For the men of ’83 (or other Hop alums that may read class notes), you are of the age when this can happen. Get your PSA checked at your next physical. This is code-speak for get a physical! Another heads up: A digital prostate exam has nothing to do with numbers for those of you who had exceptionally high math SAT scores. Fear not, you will survive it! Finally, my offer, should you be diagnosed and want a friend to speak with who has been down this path, do not hesitate to call or email. I wish I could be Dola at the door of cancer party crashers, but I can help you by sharing my journey if you need it.” Steven Sneideman gives us a reminder that we can look at two ways, “I’d like to remind everyone that by the time they are reading these class notes that our 40th! Reunion will be only 18 months away (2023) and I hope everyone can plan to make it!” While there is no official date yet, reunion weekend has been trending toward the first weekend of June, if you want to tentatively pencil something into your calendar. Adam “The Pearl” Perlmutter writes, “Tell Rich Ridinger that my wife, Erica, has been starving me during the pandemic and I’ve finally made weight again for wrestling.” Phil Johnson replied to Adam’s note, “I see a fundraiser in the future. Can Adam fend off Rich for two minutes? ‘Pin the Judge Challenge.’ I fear the thought of them both in tights. I could endure this challenge only because of my infamous running away skills. Y’all make me smile.” Rich Ridinger adds, “Lakehouse Tavern is busy as heck, but it’s kind of surprising, considering the attendance I used to get at my keg parties that Sara Thier is the only classmate that has visited. Sam DeGennaro ’84 has made it, as have Franz ‘Eagle’ Frechette ’85 and Mark Fawcett ’84.” While so much has changed over the past year and a half, I am very happy to announce that Seth Stier is still not a banker in Boston! Stay safe and healthy, Class of 1983! Hope to see you in person soon!

1984 Kathleen Hager Tasonis Oogg66@yahoo.com Katalin Horvath writes, “Nothing new from me! Still in London after 25 years. Currently studying for a diploma in Enterprise Risk Management and helping to plan my 25th M.B.A. reunion (Wharton). I’d love to hear from anyone in our class who happens to be passing through.” From Susan Luedee: “I am happy to report that my kids will be attending Indiana University in the fall. Alex is going to the Kelley School of Business and Abby is going to the School of VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

Arts and Sciences for biology.” If you have not connected with your classmates on Facebook yet, please like the “Hopkins Class of 1984” page at facebook.com/hopkins1984.

1985 Cristina Benedetto lucysmom1@optonline.net Hi, everyone. Not a lot of news this time around for our class. Hopefully, that is because you are all returning to life as we knew it and are enjoying time with your family and friends. I do have a couple of happy notes to share. Bethany Schowalter Appleby wrote in to let us know that her new law firm is doing well. However, her biggest news is that her youngest son, Aidan ’14 (who attended Hopkins for Junior School), just got engaged to his girlfriend, Katherine Peter. They are planning for an August wedding, probably in their backyard. The Applebys are excited to welcome Katherine into their family! Nick Phoenix wrote in to let us know about his new website, nickphoenix.com, which highlights some of the cool things he has been up to. Check it out if you have the chance. So good to hear from him! Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2021!

1986 Jennifer Hulford Odell jhodell2@yahoo.com Hello from the Class of ’86! After weathering a very unusual year, the end of spring and the beginning of summer will hopefully bring some relief with the COVID vaccine and the opening up of businesses and schools, etc. For us, it has been a year outside; full-time all-year online school; working from home; Zoom time with family and friends; horses, chickens, etc.; crafts and cooking; house projects; insane and very close-to-home wildfires and smoke; and seemingly endless layers of outdoor clothing and seeking the perfect outdoor heating sources. 2020 went relatively smoothly, but with the beginning of 2021 came a string of passings, including Turner’s Dad; a dear friend who was also our kids’ teacher; a former work colleague of mine; other extended family members; and of course, our classmate Tremaine Cooper. Tremaine passed away following an accident while working on his property in Virginia. He was a wonderful person and dear friend to many of our classmates, and a warm, kind, and creative presence. A lovely obituary and donation option was sent to all of us via the Hopkins Alumni Office and was also posted on the United States Eventing Association’s (USEA) website. useventing.com/news-media/news/ in-memoriam-tremaine-cooper-1968-2021. Kate Ruddle started an email thread about Tremaine’s time at the Mountain School, and a flood of warm responses and memories followed, from Alex Lewin, Helen Breitweiser, Nushin Ghofrany Sayfie, Jenny Lytton, Zach Silverstein, Annie Boyer Bourne, Michelle Gottlieb, Laura Marks, Julie Polka Zellner, Andy Chepaitis, Julia Moffett, Kristen Demir Wilson, Kim Hart, Lisette Dorsey, Dan Reitman, and Matt Greene. Zach Silverstein wrote about carpooling memories with Tremaine. Jenny Lytton wrote, “I was very moved by the obituary and enjoyed seeing his work. Beautiful jumps and courses.” Michelle Gottlieb wrote, “Memory is such a strange thing. I remember almost nothing from what I think was an 8th grade science class, except the part when we went around the room and said what we wanted to be someday. Tremaine wanted to be a farmer. His is the only response I remember... and he really 60

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

stayed true to his early rural dreams and life.” Laura Marks wrote, “I hadn’t seen Tremaine in ages but caught up with his brother a few years ago. (For those who don’t know, Elisha Cooper ’89 is a wonderful children’s book author/illustrator.)” Lisette Dorsey wrote, “I have very fond memories of chemistry class with Tremaine and our other Hopkins peeps at the Mountain School and many other shared experiences that semester.” Thank you to all who shared their thoughts, and our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to Tremaine’s family and friends. In other news, Julia Moffet writes, “My family and I had spent last year in the U.S., but have now committed to making Nairobi, Kenya, home again as I am launching the Future of Learning Fund, which will invest in new models of education and learning in Africa. My twin daughters are at school at Sevenoaks in Kent, England, so I also spend a lot of time there.” Jason Lichtenstein writes, “I am still living in Hanover, New Hampshire, and offer an open invitation for a personal tour for anyone visiting Dartmouth with their kids. My oldest child just finished her first year of college and has returned to work for the summer. My other daughter is a high school junior winding up her track season and working the college process—we will spend Memorial Day weekend driving south to visit some schools. And my son, who is 15, is focused on his sports (hockey, soccer, tennis) and his busy online gaming scene. My wife, Mimi, started a travel advisory business in 2019, and I can tell you that there is some serious pent-up travel demand. As for me, I am just looking forward to a long golf season! I hope everyone is well.” Jonathan Chen writes, “I am incredibly indebted to Billy Fearon, whose expertise I unfortunately had to call on in 2020 to help sequentially manage both of my parents at Stanford, where Bill is Director of Interventional Cardiology and a titan in the field of cardiac cath in the nation. You all may not know, but Bill and I were medical school classmates (Columbia) as well, and it was a huge comfort to know that he could be there, if needed, to quarterback (ha ha, wasn’t he a quarterback at Hopkins?). While it’s hard to watch our parents grow old (and complicated with COVID restrictions) it’s inspiring to know that the longstanding friendships connect us still.” During my email exchange with Jon, he also wrote, “I practice pediatric cardiac surgery, and practiced in New York City from medical school until 2013, then was at Seattle Children’s for five years, then came to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) in 2018.” Our conversation also turned toward our fantastic 8th grade class trip to Washington, D.C., with Cilla Kellert, and a favorite memory: a 6- to 7-mile nighttime run we took around the monuments of D.C. Jon wrote, “The D.C. trip still lives large for me too! The epic nighttime run around the Washington monument!” I remember that run and definitely list it as one of my top 10 ever. The light on the Lincoln Memorial and adjacent pool was just beautiful. Nushin Ghofrany Sayfie writes, “Beth Maher Leonard was just elevated from circuit court judge to Superior Court in New Hampshire. She was unanimously confirmed yesterday. I was elected to be the next chief judge of Miami, Florida. I will begin my term on July 1.” Mercedes Sherman writes, “I have added to my master’s collection—I just completed a two-year M.S.W. program at Fordham.” Michelle Gottlieb writes, “I was in New Haven briefly this week… to visit my parents, sister, and her six-month-old baby before heading up to Colby College for my son Sam’s graduation. I drove by Hopkins and thought wistfully of the reunion not to be this year… But I am all in for the back-up plan to have a ski weekend reunion in Park City, Utah! We are still living out there, on hiatus from Marblehead, Massachusetts, and liking the mountains. Hopefully Rob Lattanzi will also be back out there to host the reunion.” I also

had a text exchange with Kim Wilson Nieto, and she shared that they are living in Savannah, Georgia. She writes, “I continue to love being an educator and learning support professional, who specializes in students with diverse learning needs. Additionally, I am also an independent wine consultant with Scout & Cellar, featuring clean crafted wine (no synthetic pesticides or added sugar). I’ve been cancer free for two-plus years and I’m continuing to live life at 50-plus and loving it. Alex (16 and a sophomore in high school) and I have been in school (in person) since August. I teach at the same school he attends. I love it. Olivia (21) is in college outside of Philly (Langhorne) and will graduate with her M.B.A. degree next year. She is doing a 4+1 program. My middle child, Natalie (20), is living with my parents in Charlotte, North Carolina, and taking college courses. She completed her first year at Charleston Southern, didn’t like it, and is now at Central Piedmont Community College. They have a really good program with multiple campuses, and thankfully, she took dual enrollment classes in high school and is therefore not too far off-track. Nat is getting her A.A. in business and then plans to complete her degree to become an esthetician. Craig retires from the Army this week with his official date being in August. He and two other retired first sergeants are opening a BBQ restaurant. We are just awaiting the submission to the city from planners and build-out. Our summer will be busy with five camps and some mini-vacations. I am looking forward to our class reunion on Zoom.”

1987 Megan W. Holbrook meganwh@gmail.com What a year this has been. I hope all of you have come through the pandemic, if not unscathed, then unbroken (and vaccinated!). Bill Jaffee sent a tribute to two teachers we lost this past year, writing, “I was saddened to hear recently of the passing of Mrs. Leighton and Mrs. Benedict. Back in the mid-1980s, the only vintage cars in the parking lot were my 1970 Ford Mustang convertible and the circa 1966 that Mrs. Leighton drove daily. She walked over a few times to tell me about ‘warming up’ the car on cold days. One afternoon, I was in the parking lot and her powder blue convertible was gone, and to my surprise, had been replaced with a new Mustang convertible in the same or very similar colors. That was pretty neat and surely others would remember her cars.” Jen Howland writes, “In addition to my work in the cath lab, I’ve been working at COVID-19 vaccine clinics at my hospital and in the community. It is more upbeat to be part of this phase of pandemic management, telling everyone I’m instilling superpowers! Most are so excited and appreciative, and others need reassurance and education to dispel non-scientific myths. Just getting back Lorrice Grant ’87 with grandson, from a 1,600-mile, five-state Isaiah.

road trip out west with two college friends. An utter delight to be out breathing the fresh air, enjoying car picnics, and hiking in the Tetons, Canyonlands, and Rocky Mountains.” Lorrice Grant writes, “Hello, classmates, I found myself commuting to Harlem, New York, working at Foodbank throughout the pandemic. I can’t begin to articulate how surreal it is to get off the train in the city that never sleeps and be the only person getting off the Michael Neuss ’87 in Rome, Italy. train. We made it! All of us—and I am very grateful for each and every one of you. In happier news, I became a grandmother two months ago. I’m encouraging him, Isaiah, to call me Big Momma instead of Grandma. I’ll keep you posted. I also have a grand-dog, Levi, who is a cavalier poodle. Enjoy your summer! Hopefully I will run into you soon at the beach.” Shareef Antar writes, “Still living and working in Germany and dealing with the lockdowns. In terms of work, I am developing automated methods for biochemical testing, including COVID-19.” Michael Neuss writes, “Well, what should I say. Last week, a German federal law was passed which basically closes all of the stores, introduces a dusk-to-dawn curfew and reduces the number allowed social contacts for counties with a seven-day coronavirus infection rate greater than 100 per 100,000 inhabitants. Basically, almost the entire country has been shut down, since the average infection rate in Germany is above 150. I hope this will be the last German shutdown. Basically, my wife and I have been working from home since March 2020. The only real highlight out of the last 12 months was our trip to Venice and Rome, Italy, last fall. My family and I are doing well and are waiting for the end of the pandemic and the corresponding German governmental restriction.” Ilyssa Frey writes, “I’m about to hit the two-year mark as director of admissions at the Rashi School in Dedham, Massachusetts. It’s been a wild ride with COVID but challenging in a good way! My twins were lucky enough to be on campus for their freshman year of college—my daughter at University of Vermont and my son at UChicago. They’re both loving it, and my husband and I are still adjusting to the quiet house. Thinking about retiring to the coast of Maine in a few years…” Nicky Weinstock has spent the pandemic traveling back and forth between Los Angeles and New York City, where he’s producing a new television series for Apple TV starring Christopher Walken, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette. He wishes everyone a safe and speedy emergence from all our tunnels and bunkers and into the brave new world. Dan Tamarkin writes, “While our 50s may be the new 40s indeed, Dan Tamarkin insists that 10 p.m. is the new midnight, by gum. Nonetheless, Dan realized a lifelong dream when he both contrived and won medals (tin, he suspects) in the decidedly non-Olympic events of snow swimming, drift diving, shovel vaulting, and urban mountaineering.” As for me, Megan Holbrook, I’m currently on a month-long, postVIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

vaccination driving trip with Eric from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Montecito, California, and back for my dad’s 90th birthday, with a number of fun stops along the way. Since Dad has Alzheimer’s, it was a bittersweet celebration, though not without some inadvertent hilarity—Dad still seems to have his sense of humor intact, which comes out at unexpected moments. We’ll also be spending time with Mom on Martha’s Vineyard this summer—luckily, she is still hale and hearty at 83. I’m sure many of us are now dealing with our parents’ health and well-being. Thankfully, vaccines are letting us see them again in person! Best wishes to you all for a better 2021.

1988

Jordan Schwartz jordan@hive-mind.com My enticement of bonus points for literary flourishes in class notes nudged a couple of classmates into compliance. Asked how the end of the pandemic was treating her, Kristen Tsolis haiku’d about the upcoming summer: “Bluefin Bay, Concord / Sun Valley, Portland to see / family and friends!” for 10 points. Michael Shanbrom had an easy time working a magic phrase (five points) into his update, noting that he “lives in the New Haven area with his wife and three children, recently retired after a 20-year career with the FBI and has taken a position with the University of Connecticut. Mike is excited that he no longer has to concern himself with police blotters!” Ian Melchinger, who serves in the Hopkins English Department, provided a more detailed update, but earned no bonus points, as he omitted both haiku and “police blotter”: “We’re celebrating the return of live theater with a musical being produced in the outdoor amphitheater of Thompson Hall, a building that replaces the soccer field that used to be near the parking lot that used to be DPH. Because the theater directors didn’t know how we’d be able to adjust to a COVID-protocol musical—distancing, masks, microphones, rain, contact tracing—they decided to produce a show that I wrote with musical director and choral teacher Erika Schroth. We will have run the show from May 20–23, with YouTube Live simulcasts: there are lots of ‘firsts’ attached to this adventure. Erika and I wrote this show, pre-COVID, to make a show that would work with any 10 performers, regardless of gender/ ethnic/body-type markers. We’ve been rewriting it on the fly, between classes, to make room for an extra dozen chorus members, so more students can be involved. I’m humbled and thrilled to see how inventive and resourceful our Arts Department can be. Some sort of video and pictures will be on the hopkinsarts.com website. Hoping for no rain that weekend!” As I submit these notes, that’s just days away, so break a virtual leg, cast of ’21! For me (Jordan Schwartz), it’s been an epic year: Last update, I mentioned that I sold my software company to a private equity–backed firm. At the end of March, as apparently happens with these things, I was unceremoniously shown the door (well, there was a ceremony, but it was a short, ‘here’s a cardboard box, you have five minutes to collect your personal effects’ kind of ceremony). It’s actually better than it sounds, as it frees me up to start planning Act III of my life. I’m looking into impact investing and philanthropy, noodling my next venture and, more immediately, learning to sail. Al Bruno, on the other hand, declined entirely to submit an update with information about his recent activities, family, comings or goings, but instead issued a lengthy and scathing rebuttal to the shade I threw on “two spaces after a period” in the last Class Notes. While his arguments were clear and cogent, each sentence in his missive was habanero eye drops to me, concluding again and again with the dreaded period-space-space. I cannot, in good 62

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

conscience, quote his entire argument, with its intricate dissection of the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) and nods to scions of the Chomsky family, because it makes a mockery of typesetting, despite his declaration that “my use of two spaces after a period is therefore not the practice of a heretic, but rather that of a faithful and humble CMOS disciple. If you remain unmoved by this brief history of spacing after a period, in arguendo, I submit that I am not a lone voice, crying in the wilderness. This is not a case of too little, too late; toothpaste out of a tube, a bolted horse, a dollar short. No metaphor can express how disappointing this situation truly is that single spacing has passively become an embraced practice by a peer. I will never look for a silver lining in the single space. I will fight the good, visually appealing fight. Long live double spacing after a period!” [Note to the printers of Views from the Hill: for the love that all that is good and holy, I beg of you, do not preserve his spacing. Fie on thee, Al Bruno!]

1989

Curtis Groves curtis.groves@gmail.com Frank Carrano and his wife, Katie, both work on the front line in emergency medicine, and said “COVID made the last year a sobering, rewarding, and sometimes terrifying experience, for our patients and ourselves and our coworkers.” Many thanks to both of you. In other news—and Frank packed all he could into his first update in many years—he and Katie have been married since 2017, when they sneaked off to Vermont, shortly before Frank’s mother passed away after a short but difficult struggle with recurrent breast cancer. They still live just outside Boston, Massachusetts, with their dogs, Darwin and Eleanor, and Frank’s stepson, Dylan. His stepdaughter, Maggie, is finishing college this spring. And Frank was the donor for his best friend and her wife, “who have three amazing and hilarious children all under five, who have all of my good qualities and none of my bad ones, if I even have any.” When they have been able, Frank and Katie have escaped to their house in Newport, Rhode Island, for a change of scenery, Zoom game nights, sourdough bread making, remote family parties, and outdoor movie nights in the yard. Greg Schneider is still working as a global security and intelligence consultant in Silicon Valley and has been making the rounds on national podcasts and webinars, speaking about national security, crisis response training, and protective operations. Greg is a featured lecturer on spylegends.com, and he said his 10th grade paper about terrorism in Mr. Parr’s class led him on his interesting career path. By now Greg’s kids, Matan (14), Arel (10), and Sarai (6), like many other students, “will have successfully completed a year of remote learning, and I most likely will have finished another bottle of bourbon.” Greg’s wife, Doreet, is a food entrepreneur. Her business, The Ma’lawah Bar, offers authentic Yemenite Jewish cuisine and is a celebration of recipes passed down the generations going back to the days of King Solomon. Peter Decherney describes himself as a “sometime documentary and virtual reality filmmaker,” and his most recent film, Dreaming of Jerusalem, premiered in May on Discovery+. It tells the story of the Jewish community in Gondar, Ethiopia, today. More information at dreamingofjerusalem.org. Kate Vavpetic and her family returned to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, last summer after four years in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Kate said, “We had an amazing time, traveled to all sorts of places and countries and grew incredibly close as a nuclear family, but it was time to come home and be near family.” Kate has retired from her career as Head of School/CEO and

is enjoying being a full-time mom for the first time. Kate’s husband, Joe, also is retired, and they are focused on their boys and family. Blaz, 16, is in 10th grade, and Niko, 13, is in 7th, both busy with baseball, hockey, rowing, debate/public speaking, student council, and choir. And they are for the first time living in their own home, after more than two decades of school housing. Phil Piazza waited until the Phillies were in first place before writing his update (I waited until they fell out of first to respond, which didn’t take long). After 14 years as a principal in North Haven, Connecticut, in April Phil took on a new position as assistant superintendent of Groton Public Schools. Sad to leave North Haven, but excited for the new opportunity, Phil would welcome visitors in the Groton or Mystic, Connecticut, area. And Sondra Lender is also on the move. Sondra has lived in Ojai, California, with her family for the last two years, “loving small town life and being grateful that we got stuck in this idyllic spot for the year of crazy.” Sondra has been busy moving her professional organizing business to more online services, including an e-book and some courses for organizing families. And this summer she and her family are packing up and moving to Northern California, where Sondra’s husband will be starting as the head of a middle school in Mill Valley. Best part? “I’ll be reunited with Stan Ades!” Finally, the Class of ’89 extends its sympathies to the family of our classmate Bob Seashore, who passed away in May 2020. In addition to our time together at Hopkins, many of us knew Bob through scouting, athletics, and from the Beaver Hills neighborhood of New Haven. We will miss him. To read his obituary, kindly visit beecherandbennett. com/obits/robert-seashore/

1990 Brock Dubin bdubin@ddnctlaw.com Ona Alpert-Josselyn onaealpert@hotmail.com From Brock Dubin: “Hello Hilltoppers, I hope you have all safely navigated your way through the COVID pandemic. My wife and I are still living in Milford, Connecticut, and we have three children. For some reason, I volunteered to coach them all in multiple sports, and it seems that I have now become a part-time coach. Thankfully, I was blessed with learning from some of the best coaches at Hopkins, and Sandy McMullen has graciously given me some terrific skills lessons for my 5-year-old daughter’s lacrosse practices. Recently, when coaching my daughter, I ran into Matt Martino at the Milford baseball fields. He is doing well and says hello to everyone.” Adam Kligfeld had a mini-reunion with Jared Goetz just prior to the pandemic and met for lunch near Century City in Los Angeles, California. Adam also reports that he is an avid bicycler and biked 4,000 miles in 2020 and is hoping to bike 5,000 miles in 2021, along with biking tours of Ireland and Scotland. Adam’s eldest daughter, Noa, finished her freshman year at Harvard and his daughter Ayden recently finished her junior year of high school. His youngest, Lev, is in third grade. Adam would be happy to host a Los Angeles–based reunion for any 1990 graduates. I am happy to report that Ona Alpert has graciously agreed to assist me with this column. Once Ona’s involvement was announced, we received a flood of news from our classmates. This leads me to the inescapable conclusion that Ona was far more well-liked than I. In all seriousness, please

continue to send in any news and updates you might have. From Ona Alpert: “Thank you to everyone who wrote with updates! I was like a kid at Christmas checking my email inbox. Please keep the updates coming; I can tell from your responses that you are as curious about fellow classmates as you are happy to share news from your lives.” John Pfannenbecker writes: “After a 15-year career at Subway headquarters as deputy general counsel and a 15-month hiatus mastering my fishing, boating, and culinary skills, I am on to a new career adventure, returning to the world of private practice, working for a law firm on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Connecticut. I will still be focusing on transactional and corporate/business/franchise law. Nothing better than living and working by the Caribbean Sea, enjoying the beaches and mother nature, watching amazing sunsets with a cold painkiller. A thank you to Ona Alpert and her husband, Todd, for the introduction to St. Croix island living. In a testament how time flies for all of us, my youngest daughter, Viviana, is now 13. Her older sister, Isabella, will be graduating high school and choosing not to follow in her parents’ footsteps, heading to Fairfield University’s nursing program. Couldn’t be prouder of her pursuing this calling. While I am not a social media junkie, I have been using Facebook to stay connected, which is always a welcome distraction. It is great to stay connected; feel free to reach out! Hopefully, we can get together again in 2025!” Suzy Lesser Wolfson reports: “I live in Weston, Connecticut, with my husband, Shaun, my daughter, Chloe, in 5th grade, and son, Leo, in 3rd grade. We love it here. Happy to be emerging on the other side of the crazy COVID world. Fortunately, we have stayed safe and healthy. I work in early-stage venture capital and luckily am able to do that remotely. I spent much of 2020 working with 4-CT (4-CT.org), a newly formed nonprofit founded by a Weston, Connecticut, friend and current Hopkins parent, Don Kendall. 4-CT is a relief organization doing great work to help people in the state who need COVID-related assistance. Check them out!” Marc Friedman writes: “I'm still living in Denver, Colorado, with my wife, Elissa, and two daughters, Chloe (16) and Hadley (14). I was recently in Tahoe with Chris Chernock and Tony DeFronzo (and Chris’s son, Spencer). We had a great time skiing Squaw, Northstar, and Alpine Valley. I also skied with Jared Goetz, along with Chris and Tony, at Vail/Beaver Creek in January of this year. Chris lives in Dallas, Texas, with his son, runs his own commercial real estate business, and was an early investor in Bitcoin. Jared lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, Wendy, and two sons, Andrew and Jack, and is a major movie mogul. Brady D’Elia is still in New York City with his wife, Robin, and two sons, Jesse and Coby, and runs his own jewelry business. Tony continues to live in Miami, Florida, but we’re not quite sure what he does. We do know he’s got several Porsches, lives in a mini-mansion right on the beach, and plays a lot of pool.” From Katie Applewhite Caspar: “Life has been hectic and full and lovely. I transferred to Stanford University after two years at Smith College and remained in California for a year after I graduated. I then moved to western Connecticut to begin a career teaching and administrating in independent schools like Hopkins. After a number of different roles in several schools, both boarding and day, I am currently the associate head of school at The Winsor School in Boston, Massachusetts, where I have worked for the last seven VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

years. I live in the Boston area with my husband and three children: my son Cannon, who will be a freshman at Brown next year; my son Joey, who will be a sophomore at Middlesex School next year; and my daughter, Kennedy, who will enter 8th grade in the fall. I still count Melinda Vaughn Wright and Karin Thomas Minter as two of my closest friends.” Karl Schmidt relays: “I left my position as the assistant nurse manager of the emergency department at Baystate Medical Center and was the nurse manager of the ED of Milford Hospital for four years. I just left to become the trauma program manager at UConn Health. If I’m successful, UConn Health will become the first new trauma center in Connecticut in over 15 years. Familywise, I just celebrated my 21-year anniversary with my wife, Marlene, also a nurse. We have lived in Shelton, Connecticut, for the past 22 years and our youngest, Karleigh, will be a freshman at Shelton High this fall. She is an expert marksman, and we have become a father/ daughter team in the shooting community. She is much better than I was at her age; I just don’t let her know. Our two older children, Breagh (28) and Katilyn (26), attend Changing Images for Special Needs.” Matt Martino, Doug Melson, and Morgan Fine all live in Connecticut. Doug and Matt, or “Meltino” as we refer to them, live about four minutes from each other and everyone will be happy to know that they have not changed one bit since high school. Morgan is an Iron Man, literally, as he has done about 10 triathlon races, most recently the big race in Hawaii. Christopher Spencer writes: “I have a little row home in South Philly, Pennsylvania, that was built in 1813, four floors with one room on each floor, but also a fireplace on each floor. But the kitchen is in the basement. So just getting coffee can be a workout; Ona, you’d love the training possibilities. I have been teaching drawing and fencing at Haverford College, just west of Philly, for nigh on a decade. My neighbors and I founded a magazine, Root Quarterly, in 2019, that is kind of blowing up. I am the ‘chief illustrator,’ which means that in addition to regular contributions, when somebody else flakes out, I get to do their work, too. We were named one of the Ten Best New Magazines by the Library Journal, which is the legit arbiter of such things (also there were probably only 10 new magazines in 2019, let's face it). You can find it here: rootquarterly.com/our-team. Recently, I purchased all the equipment necessary for fly-fishing, but I’ve never actually done it. Any of our alumni live in Montana?” Kate Stanton updates: “I’m Associate Dean of the College and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Princeton University. After 10 years in Cambridge, Massachusetts, we moved to Hopewell, New Jersey, about eight miles outside Princeton, in a mid-century ranch house that we like to think looks like a California bungalow. Our son, Hugo, is nearly 11 and entering middle school next year, which I’m finding hard to believe. He’s much better at math than me. We have some local trips planned for the summer—to the North Fork for my husband John’s 50th; to Middlebury, Vermont, where I’ll get to see my oldest friend, Anne Mansfield Linehan; and to Bailey Island, Maine, with longer trips planned for next year. I recently got to see dear friend Laurel Blatchford on her travels through New Jersey!” Amy Catalano writes: “Hope the Class of 1990 has been safe and well! I am living in Woodbridge, Connecticut, with my husband, Christian, and son, Max, age 15. I have a psychology practice and, for the past 64

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

year or so, have been doing teletherapy from my home. Walking my big, sweet dog on the trails in town has kept me sane during these remarkable times, along with at least weekly take-out. I am eager to return to my office in New Haven, Connecticut, next month and meet with folks in person again!” Jody Schurman shares: “My wife, Kristi, and I still call Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, our home. Living here for 30 years (same house) does that. Great neighborhood and city. My business partner (college classmate) and I started Lab|8 Designs back in 2007 and continue to successfully complete residential and light commercial architectural projects throughout the region. It’s just the two of us, so the big one on the boards right now is an 11,000-square-foot bourbon distillery down in Washington, Pennsylvania. We also do a lot of adaptive reuse of historic structures around the area (primarily converting to residential), as well as loads of home additions and renovations, and a decent amount of fit-out work for two major banks in the area. Since my wife and I sold the yoga studio back in 2018-ish, Kristi has built up her own sole proprietor design firm, which is doing quite well, too (kitchen and bath work mostly).” Kim Carson Slavin writes: “I live with my husband, Jim, and two boys (ages 12 and 2) in Canton, Connecticut, and work as a doctor of physical therapy. My youngest son is a lucky mid-life gift after we lost our only daughter as an infant five years ago to a rare disease. It is fun and challenging chasing after a toddler at this age! I work in geriatrics in the nursing home setting and worked all through the pandemic, including some time spent on a COVID unit. I am happy to see things are getting back to normal for so many nursing home residents and that they can finally visit with their families. We enjoy spending some free time on a sailboat we keep in Westbrook, Connecticut, and sail locally. We are looking forward to spending more time with Ona and Todd since they are living so close to where we keep our boat! I also enjoy golfing in a local league. I hope to see everyone at our next, hopefully in-person, reunion!”

1991 Amy Caplan avcaplan@gmail.com Suzanne Rutstein suzanne@rutstein.com Jeff Morris: “A quick update from the Morris family: After 25 years of living in New York City, we decided it was time for a change. So we traded the Upper West Side for the suburbs and settled in Darien, Connecticut. Everyone, especially the girls and the dog, are enjoying all the extra space inside and out.” Natalie Burns Lourenco: “I’m still in the New Haven area. I’m a physician assistant and Director of Wellness at the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center. It’s hard to believe I’ve been a PA-C for almost 20 years now! We have two grown boys who also went to Hopkins and are now off doing their own things. Both share (five years apart) our reunion interval so maybe we’ll all be up on the Hill together in five years and they can meet you all!” Amy Campagna Punchak: “Hi all. This September here in Providence, Rhode Island, my daughters entered high school and my son is finishing up his last year. This is an interesting stage of life; I’m feeling lucky to see it. Wishing good health and much laughter to everyone this year.” Rachael Moses Schatz writes, “I hope that

Chris Hays ’91 during a family tour of the national parks. In the rear, Calvin (10), Chris and his wife, Carly Crouch, with Maddie (15), in front. everyone has made it through 2020 and is healthy. As difficult of a year as it was, I adjusted well to working from home, and doing pretty much everything in the confines of my house. Luckily, I like my family. I am still working for New Haven Public Schools. It is so cool to work with the youth of New Haven who come from vastly different circumstances than many Hopkins students. I love it. Life is good. I’ve got two girls who are 15 and 17. The older one is headed to college this fall, which is fantastic but also crazy that I have a college-aged student. My husband and I have been busy planning lots of trips, making up for lost travel time.” Mary Diette Onacilla: “Lacrosse revived our family post-lockdown as the boys were able to play travel last summer and it gave us a semblance of normalcy. We have been thankful to spend a lot of time with Tyra Dellacroce and her family as Kyle and Michael play travel lax together and have become close friends. The boys and I are looking forward to invading Camp Rutstein this summer for a long-awaited repeat of the summer of 2019.” Suzanne Bull Rutstein: “My family and I spent much of the pandemic up in New Hampshire—enjoying the peace and quiet and (relative) safety it afforded us. We celebrated our daughter’s high school graduation (Millbrook), welcomed our pandemic puppy, Luna, and reconnected as a family on the shores of the lake. My husband’s new work-from-home life has given us a tremendous amount of freedom and we love being able to bounce between New Hampshire and our home in Concord, Massachusetts. It’s a silver lining we couldn’t have expected. I’m still running my store, juju—I can’t believe my ‘hobby’ has gone on 10 years and expanded to almost 3,000 square feet of retail space! When I’m not at juju, you’ll find me up in New Hampshire tending my 23 (as of this writing) chickens, two dogs, two kids (19 and 21), one husband, and trying to keep my hive of bees happy! I was fortunate to be able to escape twice during the pandemic to enjoy some surfing in Costa Rica and can’t wait to return!” Amy Caplan: “Although I missed making travel plans during the pandemic, I picked up my paintbrush and watercolors and have enjoyed painting scenes of places I’ve visited (while attempting to tune out my teenage children at the same time). I’m also excited and honored to be the incoming president of the Hopkins Alumni Association Board, which means that I’ll make sure that our class gets together a little more often!” Andy Huszar: “Having left Manhattan three years ago, my wife, Siyana, and I and our two

children (Teya, 4.5, and Justin, 1.5) now live in Northampton, Massachusetts. It’s a longer and quite improbable story, but Siyana and I left our jobs in corporate America several years ago to start a socially motivated women’s fashion brand called Marcella, and we now find ourselves running a fast-growing start-up with almost 50 employees. Actually, for those of you who remember the fancy (tie dye) shirts I wore back in the day, maybe it’s not such a surprise, after all! Looking forward to seeing you all in person at a reunion sometime soon.” Tyra Dellacroce Rabel: “I don’t have much to add but I am checking in to say hi to everyone and to hope that our class is as healthy and happy as we can be. It’s been a crazy year for us all. Pandemic highlights included my husband, Jeff, being home from work in New York City for the first time in our 15 years together. We adopted a dog from Arkansas named Star, and learned how to balance full-time work with distance learning and so much more. We are officially expert multi-taskers! We survived COVID—our entire family became ill at Christmas, but we are blessed to have made it through. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for our good fortune, but it has also filled us with compassion for families who have struggled and lost a loved one this past year. Blessings to all.” Chris Hays: “We kept our sanity (more or less) during the pandemic by getting outdoors, including a tour of the western national parks. Ken Burns was right: ‘America’s best idea.’” Darren Apfel: “I’m writing this from the runway of Charles M. Schulz airport on my way back from Napa Valley. It’s our first post-vaccine airplane trip, and the first time since the pandemic that Emily and I have had the opportunity to see my sister Alison Apfel Rogers ’94 and her husband, Aaron. It was so much fun having amazing dinners and drinking wine together. Here’s a ‘very pandemic’ masked-up pic of us in the kitchen of The French Laundry while the chefs plan the next day’s meal in the background. In other news, I recently started a new role as vice president and general manager at Twilio. Nathan, 18, is graduating this spring and will be heading to New Haven to attend Yale in the fall. Owen, 15, is finishing up his sophomore year and is excited that he gets a track season, even if it’s abbreviated. Emily is playing regional competitive tennis, which has become an almost full-time job (obsession?) since our pandemic shutdowns have ended. Our newest addition is Hazie, a blue Frenchie. She joined us as an early Christmas present and is eight months old now. This last year has

Darren Apfel ’91 and his wife, Emily, in the kitchen of The French Laundry, along with his sister, Alison ’94, and her husband, Aaron. VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

brought us a lot of stress and change, but I’m very thankful to have found such peace and harmony in our family during the pandemic. This extra ‘together time’ has brought us all closer together than ever, which has been a blessing as we enjoy our last months with the whole family under one roof. We are looking forward to a sunny, vaccinated summer, so if anyone is in the Seattle, Washington, area don’t hesitate to drop me a line at darren@theapfels.org for some outdoor fun!” Judith Rosenbaum: “I’ve been living in the Boston area for more than 20 years now (though I don’t feel old enough for that to be the case!), after brief stints in Jerusalem, Israel; New York; and Providence, Rhode Island. My husband, Or, and I have 14-year-old twins who keep us on our toes. After getting my Ph.D. in American Studies, with a focus on women and social movements, I was lucky to find work that I love in the field of public history, running the Jewish Women’s Archive, a nonprofit organization at the intersection of gender, history, and Jewish culture. None of that is probably very surprising; what surprises me (but shouldn’t, since I married a Canadian) is that I’m also a hockey mom: our son, Aviv, is a very serious hockey player who will be attending high school in Canada next year. Our daughter, Ma’ayan, lets me thaw out in theaters and dance studios. It’s been a rough year—we all had COVID and I’ve been a long hauler—but I’m hopeful that the new year will bring many opportunities to reimagine the world and live with even greater purpose and clarity. Hope you’re all well! Thirty years?!” Ethan Hugo: “My 14-year-old daughter ski races, which presented a fairly interesting challenge during COVID, as we had to use cars as ‘the lodge.’ In order to create warm food for lunch, I used a camp stove inside my truck several times for cooking—once while in a Zoom meeting with my boss. Since college, I’ve cut my own hair. A few years ago, I decided to go back to a professional, but COVID has motivated me to revert to self-grooming. Two years ago, we moved from the South Shore to the North Shore of Boston, Massachusetts, which I’ve come to find out is like crossing the Mason-Dixon line. It’s worked out really well, as part of our motivation was school for our daughter, and she’s going to Philips Andover next year. I don’t miss social events all that much, but I haven’t heard ‘Baby Got Back’ in quite a while, so if anyone’s getting married soon, please invite me.” Sue Naci: “My family and I decamped to Connecticut for what was intended to be a brief COVID respite last March. Now over a year in, working remotely, two kids in Connecticut schools (Fairfield Country Day School and The Southport School)—not to mention summer quickly approaching— the stay has been extended and Brooklyn, New York, will have to wait one more year. In the meantime, I would love to hear from old Connecticut friends and spend lots of time this summer catching up over drinks by the lake at Beaver Dam.” Aaron Milstone: “What a year indeed. My career in pediatric infectious diseases had been low key going into 2020. I have a great research team and together, we identify and implement strategies to protect hospitalized children from getting antibiotic-resistant bacteria or other infections as a complication of their medical care. Then, January 2020 came, and I found myself helping lead our health system’s response to the pandemic. The last 16 months have been an amazing and unforgettable experience (for good and bad). I am grateful to so many people and for so many things. I most look forward to how we emerge socially and culturally over the next few years. Not sure whether it is harder to believe we are celebrating our 30th reunion or that I have a daughter going off to college in a year. I miss the days on the Hill and look forward to catching up with everyone at our virtual reunion.” Rebecca Burwell: “We are in Nova Scotia this year—an 66

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

extended sabbatical, working as a psychologist locally, and living close to family. We will return to Northampton, Massachusetts, in January and will be back to teaching at Westfield State University (in person!), in my 16th year. Miss our friends back home, but otherwise thrilled to be here. Sending our best to everyone.” Scott Magrath: “We are fortunate to be in a state like Vermont during a pandemic. I have been teaching in-person for the entire year and my two girls are in class four out of five days, so life, while masked and with strict quarantine protocols, has gone on without much change for us. We swam in the river in the summer, hiked in the fall, and then most importantly got a full season of skiing in, Thanksgiving to mid-April. My two girls, ages 11 and 8, even got to learn new sports like hockey and now lacrosse. Speaking of lacrosse, I really miss the alumni game and lament that it was canceled again this year. I did finally find some local adult (=slow) men’s lacrosse to keep the rust off until I can face off again against the even-yeared teams next June. If you are one of those that moved or are thinking of moving to Vermont (particularly southern Vermont), please let me know. There are not many Hopkins alums in the state, but I am guessing that may have changed. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy!” Andrew Whitley: “I moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in fall of 2019 when I took the head lacrosse coach job at Bellarmine University, which is a small Division 1 school. I just finished my second season there and it’s a wonderful spot. If I can figure out how to win some games, it could be the last job I ever have. I had breakfast with Scott Magrath prior to COVID when he was in town for a conference. If anyone is ever in Louisville for any reason, let me know as it would be great to catch up and show off the city a bit. The restaurant scene rivals any northeast city for quality of food and diversity of options!” Dan “VDA” Van Der Aue: “Greg Tanner ’92 and I just watched Varsity Men’s Hop LAX play well in a hardfought game, away at GFA, who ultimately won (12–10 or 13–11?). My daughter, Julia ’26, also came along to show her Goat Pride! I’ll miss being in person with you all at our 30th reunion, but it’s a great feeling to be ‘back on campus’ and I must commend the entire Hop community for an amazing job well done throughout a challenging year.” Jessica Roberti: “2020 started off with a bang when I accepted a new job leading the product development and sourcing team at Alo Yoga in Los Angeles, California, with the plan to commute each week from New Jersey. I was two weeks into my new role when we closed down due to COVID—definitely not what I had planned when I accepted the position. Regardless of the challenges presented by working from home, I am loving my new role and feel incredibly fortunate to be with a company focused on health and wellness. If anyone is ever out in Los Angeles, please give me a call!”

1992 Sam Ozeck samhome@juno.com Gavin Becker is very glad to have spent the quarantine in New Zealand. Although they faced pandemic difficulties like everywhere else in the world, they experienced a return to closer to “normal” much sooner than other developed nations. Speaking of earlier return to “before” times, Cori Gabbard continues to teach at NYU’s Shanghai (China) program. Due to some may say intrusive health monitoring, Shanghai resumed many activities earlier in 2020. Cori notes that even though she is half a world away, in many ways she feels more at home than she did in rural Arkansas. Cori teaches students from throughout China, the United States, and around the

craziness—feels good to see some light at the end of the tunnel.” She is excited to report that their oldest daughter, Eloise, will be an 8th grader at Hopkins in the fall. “I am very excited to rejoin the Hopkins community (even though I am a bit terrified of the commute from Darien to New Haven!).” David Ponet reports that his “twin girls, 6 years old, are suffering through hybrid 1st grade with too many interruptions and too little time in actual school. All things being equal, we’re well. Living in Brooklyn, New York, imagining a postpandemic world.” David is working at UNICEF and is appreciating life without constant international work travel.

1994 Christian J. Sauska cjs.nola@me.com Adrienne Betz Oliver adriennebetz@gmail.com

From left, Owen Littman, Tara Cook-Littman ’93, Spencer Littman ’21, Ava Pfannenbecker ’21, Brie Pfannenbecker ’94, and Jason Pfannenbecker ’93 world. Cori asks if anyone is coming to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing to let her know, because she would love to meet up! Nim Tottenham moved a little uptown, and while everyone in the family has a longer commute (when not working or going to school from home), they are all happier in their new abode. Congratulations to Shay Dvoretzky, who has moved to a different large law firm and is now head of Skadden’s Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation group. Greg Tanner welcomed his (gulp) late 40s by celebrating another fantastic birthday soon after starting his new job at iCapital Network. Monica Brenner wrote to say that she, her husband, Tom, and their three children were all surviving pandemic times, and although (as for everyone) many plans were upended, after spending much time together, they created lots of new memories. Most of our class had Mrs. Donna Fasano ’68 DPH for English in 7th grade, for freshman English, or in senior school, and we all offer our condolences on the untimely passing of her husband, Roland. We hope to see her in person and the rest of our former teachers and ’92 classmates at the 30th reunion on June 3 and 4, 2022!

1993 Tara Cook-Littman taracook.littman@gmail.com Hello, Class of 1993. As always, I, Tara Cook-Littman, love hearing from everyone. Next quarter I hope to hear from more of you. In the past I’ve mentioned that my son, Spencer ’21, and Jason and Brie Pfannenbecker ’94’s daughter Ava ’21, have been friends since Junior School. So, I thought you’d all appreciate that they just went to prom together, as friends of course! It was really special to see the seniors getting to enjoy the last weeks of their senior year after a year of separation because of COVID. And to celebrate the world beginning to open up, I’m going to plan a class gathering in the New Haven area before 2021 ends. Stay tuned for details. Eliza Woolston Sheffield says that she hopes “everyone is continuing to manage through all this

Dora Chen is the associate general counsel for public affairs for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a position she described as her “dream job” in a recent article in Washington Jewish Week. To read it, go to washingtonjewishweek.com/pursuing-justicewith-dora-chen/

1995 Michaelangelo Palmieri michaelangelo_44@yahoo.com Luretha McClendon Tolson Lmctolson@gmail.com Hello Classmates! Luretha and I (Michaelangelo) were happy to hear from several of our Class of ’95ers. Neil Batiancila checked in and reported that his family is doing well—three kids and two dogs (including a new pandemic puppy). Neil has been focused on helping Philadelphia Zoo withstand the challenges of the pandemic by overhauling their fundraising operation. This has been a stressful time for many of us and Neil has found some joy watching his boys on the baseball field and also being the ultimate girl-dad to his daughter, dancing with her and making videos whenever they have a moment together. I’m in the same boat as Neil and my family also added a new addition with a pandemic goldendoodle puppy. Koko Bear Palmieri has been a great companion and offered my family lots of love and laughs since he joined the household. My kids have been quite resilient throughout the pandemic and all of the curve balls thrown at their daily routine. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with some of our classmates from the Class of 1994. I had a mini-reunion with Julian Paris ’94, Steve Testa ’94, and Sean Clarke ’94 in New Haven. We did the full New Haven pizza tour and caught up with each other after almost a decade. It was a really nice treat to see all of them and reminisce on our days at the Hop and beyond. Rabbi Ahud Sela checked in with our Class of ’95 Football group and reported that he too is doing well. He is still enjoying being a rabbi in sunny Los Angeles, California. Ahud’s oldest two kids will be high school seniors and will begin college hunting this summer. He is also looking forward to celebrating 20 years of marriage and celebrating his younger son’s bar mitzvah in the fall. Ahud’s son aspires to follow in father’s footsteps and play football. Congrats on the 20 years of marriage, Ahud! Pete Scalletar dropped us a line and he continues to be doing big things in the filmmaking industry. Pete is currently VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

producing documentaries of two of his idols, Estevan Oriol and Nas. Can’t wait to see the final product. We’re all proud of you, Pete! Pete’s wife is also killing the game in the reality TV world, making The Hype and the new Magic Mike show. Pete’s two daughters managed well through the pandemic and are looking forward to returning to high school in the fall. Ahud, Pete, kids in high school?! Time sure does fly! I’ve had regular contact with Jon Carl, who is still in the Washington, D.C., area, and he is doing well. It was great to hear from everyone and we look forward to getting more updates for the next edition.

1996 Ellyn Black ellyn@campfernwood.com Sarah Damelin sarahdamelin@gmail.com

I am living in Washington, D.C. (shockingly, going on a decade here). I’m a journalist, entering my fifth year of covering the White House, now for Bloomberg News, and am mom to 6-year-old Isabelle, or Izzy for short. I still see many Hopkins friends in the area, including Emily Cohen Nestler, who is working as a reproductive rights lawyer for a nonprofit after spending several years at the Department of Justice. Emily’s boys are now 8 and 10. Emily and I spent one of our first fully vaccinated Sundays together, going for brunch and catching up in-person. It was such a treat!” Rafi Prober lives in the area too and recently moved into a new house his family built in nearby Maryland. He is a partner at the law firm Akin Gump, where he has represented clients in recent high profile congressional hearings involving GameStop as well as litigation involving the former President Donald Trump. His kids are now 8 and 11, and his wife, Bonnie, works as a social worker. They are all doing well and say hello to everyone!

1997

Nancy Cook nanmcook@gmail.com

Theo LeCompte theo.lecompte@gmail.com

I hope you are all doing well during these crazy times! I (Ellyn Black) am thrilled to have help with our class notes! Sarah Kreiger Damelin and Nancy Cook have agreed to jump in and help! In the summer of 2020, I am proud to say that Camp Fernwood was one of the few camps in the United States that was able to open and successfully operate. We are proud of what our community of staff and campers were able to accomplish last summer. Our summer 2020 accomplishment received worldwide attention and recognition, and was chronicled in this CDC press release, published on September 4, 2020: cdc.gov/mmwr/ volumes/69/wr/mm6935e1.htm. We are now gearing up for summer 2021 in Maine. I have recently heard from a few other classmates as well: Richard Chung writes in: “We have been doing well. I am still at Duke, in charge of our adolescent health services. The pandemic has been a rollercoaster, but things seem to be normalizing at least to some extent. Our family has stayed healthy, thankfully. Our boys are now 8 and 13. Our older son got to participate in one of the vaccine trials and has been advocating for greater vaccine awareness among families in anticipation of pediatric vaccines arriving soon. Overall things have been pretty steady, which we are thankful for given all of the craziness of the past year and the turmoil so many have experienced.” Ann Schwartz told me that she decided to end 2020 with some happiness, and she got married over Thanksgiving. (See photo) “Nancy Cook here.

This spring, the Class of ’97 lost one of our own, Chris Langbein. Chris had been battling sarcoma since 2018. Chris was very much himself to the end, and we talked a lot in the time we spent together these last few years about the highlights of our time at Hopkins. The Langbein family wrote lovingly of Chris after he passed away: “Christopher Hiekka Langbein died on May 5, 2021, in Chicago, of sarcoma cancer. He is survived by his wife, Becky, whom he married in 2016, and by their daughter, Elin, 3, and by a son due to be born in early June. He is also survived by his parents, John and Kirsti Langbein, his sisters Julia ’99 and Anne ’01, and by many members of his extended family. His ashes are interred in the family gravesite in Finland. At Hopkins, Christopher was an especially keen English student, devising and teaching a science fiction elective for his senior project. He was a member of the fencing team and the yearbook, but was particularly committed to the Hopkins Razor, which he joined in his freshman year, rising to editor-in-chief in his senior year. Many younger writers, editors, and photographers have described Christopher’s mentorship at the Razor. His generosity in teaching, mentoring, and nurturing others remained a consistent aspect of his subsequent academic and professional life. In 2001, Christopher graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a double major in economics and English and worked for a Washington, D.C.–based consulting firm before beginning a joint degree program in the business and law schools of the University of Virginia in 2005. He received the M.B.A. and J.D. degrees in 2010. He then joined the Chicago, Illinois, office of the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, specializing in bankruptcy and corporate restructuring. In 2013, he moved to the Chicago office of the international investment banking firm Lazard, where he continued his career in restructuring troubled companies. Christopher, a strategic thinker, was adept at making teams, institutions, and organizations work more efficiently. But his analytic abilities were matched by an uncommon command of language, humanistic depth, and a sense of responsibility to others. His curiosity and creativity have been cited as essential contributions to the culture of success at Lazard’s Chicago office, and could be seen in his restless mastery of one art or skill after another, from photography to billiards to baking. Christopher became a father in October 2017. While managing the effects of the cancer treatments that began in 2018, he reveled in fatherhood, bringing to it not only deep devotion but a characteristic playfulness and humor.

At the wedding of Ann Schwartz ’96 in November 2020. 68

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

Over the course of Christopher’s illness, his colleagues and friends, including many members of the Hopkins community, mounted an extraordinary fundraising effort to drive the development of new treatment options for sarcoma. Those who wish to join those continued efforts can find more information at curesarcoma.org/ chris-langbein/.” Chris’ passing has been a good reminder for me of the value of friendship over the years. Graham Gibson, Maura Leary, Eric Hersh, and I (Theo LeCompte) had an opportunity to connect in person and share some memories of our Hopkins hijinks with Chris. And we know how much Chris always enjoyed hearing about what amazing things our classmates have gotten up to in the years since we left the Hill. Graham continues to lead the pack on fun jobs—in addition to supporting the Obama family, he is now head of IT for all of Higher Ground Productions, which was recently nominated for a second Oscar and recently released the widely acclaimed Waffles + Mochi on Netflix. Maura is juggling her new puppy, Stevie—named after Stevie Nicks among others—with her communications work focused on sub-Saharan Africa at the World Bank. Stevie is currently winning the game of tug-of-war between life and work, and Maura is perfectly okay with that. Eric and his wife, Danna, are on the verge of a move to Boulder, Colorado, along with their new son, Benjamin. Rich Mauro was one of those people you read about who escaped New York City during the pandemic and he wound up living in the enemy of Connecticut, Long Island! His excuse is that his in-laws live there. He’s used the opportunity to become obsessed with surfing—a good chance to get the occasional break from trying to keep up with his “insanely hyperactive” two kids—boy and girl ages 7 and 5. But he’ll be hanging up the longboard and back in the city this fall. Gabe Zangari, on the other hand, stuck out COVID in New York. He lives in Chelsea with his wife, Anna, and their 14-year-old twins. The twins are in 9th grade, and now he worries like high school dads do. During the day, he runs a design studio, and in his free time he likes playing sports with his kids, drawing, and searching the city for the latest street food. Laina Cox reports she made it successfully through a year of “Pandemic Principaling.” Since March 2020, she had been running a virtual homeschool for her own two children and running a school from home for her 330 students! She has been busy speaking on educational podcasts and facilitating virtual workshops for leaders around the country. It has been a year like none other, but one filled with many lessons, and she looks forward to being back in person with her students and staff in the fall! Thanks to Laina also for being a reliable correspondent and keeping us posted on what’s going on. Rashanda McCollum is working to further develop the “Anti-Racist Teaching and Learning Collective” through her work with Students for Educational Justice. Earlier this year, she moderated a teaching workshop hosted by the Gilder Lehrman Center at Yale entitled “Separate by Design: Teaching the History of Residential Segregation in Connecticut.” Risë Nelson has been super busy leading a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Af-Am House at Yale University. Due to COVID, the original celebration had to be postponed, but she has been hosting virtual events and is looking forward to hosting in-person events for this huge milestone in the fall. And lastly, but certainly not least, congrats to Candice Norcott and Aneesh Garg, who were each selected as Hopkins Alumni Fellows for 2020–2021, and are set to visit campus to share some of their career accomplishments with students. Candice is a Ph.D. and licensed clinical psychologist as well as an internationally recognized expert on issues related to trauma, gender, and race. Aneesh is a sports medicine and non-surgical orthopaedic physician and also

serves as the team physician for USA Hockey and U.S. Soccer. With the selection of Candice and Aneesh, the Class of ’97 has had more Alumni Fellows than any other class since the program started. Nice work ’97ers! And they have barely scratched the surface of all the amazing things you all are up to. Drop me a line anytime—I always enjoy hearing from folks.

1998 Misha Body mishabody@gmail.com Tina Chen tina.chen02@gmail.com Eamon Griffin grifbear@yahoo.com Greetings from Philly! I (Tina Chen) have been getting used to working from home, as have many of you. I do have some good news to share on the work side of things. I have been promoted to an Analyst II position at Epic@Jefferson. Aside from that, I am hoping to do some traveling later this year. Michael Fasano is currently performing in New York City in The Boy Band Project on Sundays at The Green Room 42. This fall, Michael will be in the Rocky Horror Show with Phoenix Theatre Company in Arizona. Beth Birenbaum has been working from home since the pandemic began and is enjoying the extra time she has to spend with her family now that she does not have a long commute. She and her husband and two daughters are looking forward to spending weekends at the beach this summer. I hope everyone continues to stay safe. Hi everybody, Eamon Griffin here wishing everyone well and hoping you all have come through this pandemic happy and healthy. Despite having had to learn how to teach remotely, then in all sorts of hybrid models of instruction, quarantine multiple times from school and deal with the sort of fallout that comes from a social isolation that very few of us, if any, could have imagined, my lovely wife, Colleen, and I managed to come through the other side just fine (thanks to her!). We are here in Fairfield, loving our home more and more after the house projects that helped us keep our sanity during the dregs and darkness of COVID. We enjoyed our dog, Murphy’s, company maybe more than he did ours, and welcomed another fur baby, Franny, to our happy home in August. She is a daddy’s girl! My students at Staples High School impressed me in their ability to adapt and overcome adversity, and learn and grow in such difficult times. The athletes whom I coach on the JV lacrosse team did the exact same, as they never lost focus on their goals, trained hard physically but especially mentally, and in fact, allowed me to lead them to an historic 16–0 season as their head coach. It was a dream season in which we managed to beat teams the likes of Fairfield County and Connecticut powerhouses Darien (twice by one goal, the first in a four-OT instant classic), New Canaan (twice), Wilton, Cheshire, and Glastonbury. I could not be prouder of the toughness and character they demonstrated throughout the season and now the work they are doing to help the varsity team on its current playoff run. Anyway, enough about me and my stuff (can you tell it’s been a while since I wrote up these notes?). I had the good fortune to speak to Jesse Parley, who called me amidst his busy day going back and forth selling life insurance (he and a partner have begun their own firm that looks to be taking off—nice work, Sir Parles!) and being #1 dad to his daughter, Alden, and son, Grant, and #1 husband to his wife, Ryan. Jess is so good a dad that when Grant VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

turned 1 recently, he threw the boy his first kegger! What a guy, right!? Anyway, it was so good to talk to you and hear that things are going well for you and your family, Jess. Best to all! Amy Pawlak is a ski and swim mom like you read about. Sam and Cate are killing it racing in the pool and downhill. So weird that Amy’s kids took to ski racing— can’t figure it out! Amy is also still a super nurse, actually even more so now, having made herself available to fill any job or task necessary in the hospital to help people get better and to save lives during the pandemic. On behalf of all of us, I’ll say thank you to you and your colleagues… you are superheroes! Casey Paul is living in Hawaii, still with his lovely wife, Heidi, and their two sons, Nolan and Logan. Last I spoke to Case, he was brewing organic ginger beer that is going like hotcakes. Can’t wait to have a taste of that sweet nectar, buddy! Rocco DeMaio ’26, son of Karla Heczkova DeMaio ’96 and Rocco DeMaio ’86, has wrapped up his first year at Hopkins. Hope it was a good year for you, despite all the outside challenges! Anyway, I know this is a little long-winded, but everyone deserves the press this issue! I miss you guys and am looking forward to the next time we can celebrate all the great things you are up to… Until then, give me a call, send me an email or Facebook message, would love to hear from you all! Best, Eamon

1999 Allison Grady alligrady2@gmail.com Erica Schwartz erischwa@gmail.com From Sophie Woolston: “My family and I live outside of Portland, aine. I am an infectious disease expert at Maine Medical Center. It’s been a busy last 15 months. My wife is a dentist at a local practice, and our daughters are 5.5 years old and doing great!” Kevin Colleran shares: “I spent most of the COVID lockdown living with my wife and our 5- and 3-year-old sons (Andrew and Brandt) living on the seacoast in Southern Maine, staying safe and away from our home in Boston, Massachusetts. We are now fully vaccinated and looking forward to starting to get back to normal life and eventually doing some travel this summer. Despite COVID, my venture capital firm, Slow Ventures, has been more active than ever as founders continued to start new companies over the last 18 months at a faster pace than ever before. In total, we invest in about 25 startup companies every year and have been fortunate enough to back some great teams including Slack, Postmates, Airtable, Robinhood, Citizen, Allbirds, RO (Roman), Pinterest, and many others.” Laura Abbot writes: “My husband and I welcomed our second child to the world on May 6, 2021—a daughter named Sabine Avery Abbott Miner. We live with our 2.5-year-old son and 4-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Oakland, California.” As for me, Erica Lynn Schwartz, and my family, we are heading back to New York, as I take on the role of Vice President of Theatrical Programming, North America, for Ambassador Theatre Group. I am thrilled to share that at this year’s Tony Awards, David Byrne’s American Utopia, of which I am a co-producer, will be receving a Special Tony.

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

2000 Robert Curry rccurry01@yahoo.com Erica Spector Wishnow recently collaborated on an event with Hopkins alum Jeffrey Einhorn ’98. Aside from being a criminal defense attorney, he is an avid car aficionado and is the founder of two companies that produce events for car enthusiasts. Erica is the CEO and founder of Southpaw, a private equity company that owns and operates franchises (Dunkin’ Donuts, Taco Bell, and Jersey Mike’s). Together they sponsored an event Jeff and Erica named “Dunkin’ Drives,” where he produced “a national day of drivin’ and Dunkin’.” It was a moment to safely bring people out of their homes after a long year of isolation. Fantastic collector cars came and went at the same time in Dunkin’ parking lots all morning, as we rallied through the Northeast and Arizona on a gorgeous spring day. Along the way in putting this event together, Jeff and Erica were able to reconnect to make this a success.

2001 Marissa Black blackmarissa@gmail.com Daniel Zlotoff zlotoff@gmail.com Isaac Pattis and family left Seattle, Washington, for England just as Sarah Mansourian and family did the opposite! Isaac now chases two boys named Monty and Dougie. His work involves lexical data engineering for Oxford University Press. The family lives in the Cotswolds to the west of London. Clara Moskowitz and her wife, Sarah Woodbury, moved last year to Croton-on-Hudson, New York, with their daughter and son. Clara is a senior editor at Scientific American magazine, where she covers astronomy and physics. Josiah Kaplan: “I am still based in Florence, Italy, where I work for UNICEF as a research advisor on child migration, labour, and protection issues. (Pleased to report that Sal’s pizza absolutely holds up to the best Italy can offer.) It’s been a busy and challenging year due to COVID, but things are finally beginning to normalize. Looking forward to returning home to Connecticut more often in 2021.” Hilary Blaker Johnson: “My husband, Brad, and I continue to live and work in Washington, D.C. During the pandemic, we took the opportunity afforded by a myriad of canceled plans to buy a house, where we’ve been for one year this July! I recently hit my three-year mark at Mathematica, a social policy research firm, where my work focuses on Medicaid policy improvement. We are lucky to report all is well!” Dan Slotnik: “I’m living in New York, New York, with my wife, Ae, and son, Hugo, who’s almost 2. Still working as a reporter at The New York Times, on the Metro desk this past year as a Times reporting fellow and now as a reporter for the Live team, mainly working on coronavirus coverage. Grateful that we’re all safe and that I got to cover the city during the craziest time in recent memory.” Ariane Vinograd: “I moved to Austin, Texas, last year, I lost my Great Dane, Bentley, in September, but have a new puppy, George, also a Great Dane, whom I brought home in February. He is pretty awesome and will be six months old this week. My news is that I started a nonprofit—Our Shared Kitchen, Inc. I’m just getting it up and running—we prepare and hand-deliver fresh meals to feed those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Austin. I deliver the food and water a couple times a week to tent encampments here

in town.” Vanessa Soto: “I’ve returned to New Haven, Connecticut, after living between Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles, California, for about a decade. Happy to be back and working with the League of Women Voters of Connecticut at their central office in Hamden and reconnecting with family and friends who still live and visit the area. Hope to see you at the virtual reunion! I can’t believe it’s been 20 years; we’re officially old.” Allison Yale Strochlic lives with her husband, Dave, and two daughters, Julia (7) and Eliza (3), in Lexington, Massachusetts. Allison is still with the same team she joined after graduating from Tufts in 2005, and now serves as a research director and co-lead of the Human Factors Research & Design consulting team, which helps ensure medical devices are designed to be user-friendly, safe, and effective. She and her family have weathered the COVID year well, all things considered, and have enjoyed lots of outdoor activities, puzzles, and bread baking. Allison’s family just welcomed 30,000 honeybees into their yard, starting up their fourth beekeeping and honey harvesting season, which has been fun. Marissa Black: “I live in Seattle, Washington, with my husband, Cimarron Wortham, and son, Luca, who is almost 3. I am a geriatric care physician at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland, Washington, which unfortunately had some of the first documented cases and deaths of COVID-19 in the United States. It’s been quite the year and a half, but I am hopeful for the months to come. I hope everyone is healthy, vaccinated, and seizing the opportunity to connect with loved ones.”

2002 Aaron Zelinsky Aaron.Zelinsky@gmail.com

2003 Courtney Hart courtneyleigh.hart@gmail.com Arielle Traub arielle.traub@gmail.com We are so happy to begin to see light at the end of the COVID tunnel. Amy Schoenfeld Levin and her husband, Jon, welcomed their second child, Benjamin Hugh, in July 2020. Their daughter, Erika (now 3), is loving being a big sister and Amy is enjoying her new job working at Lahey Medical Center (outside of Boston) as an allergist. So happy to share the news of another new addition. Courtney Hart, her husband, Paul, and Shea welcomed Rhiannon Hope Hart-Roberts on February 12, 2021. Shea was thrilled to be present for his sister’s birth and is loving his role as big brother. He has quickly become Rhiannon’s favorite Benjamin Hugh, son of Amy Schoenfeld entertainer and person. Levin ’03 and Jon Levin, was born in Courtney is beginning July 2020.

the pathway to becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife this fall and is looking forward to being able to support birthing people wherever life takes her family (possibly Washington, D.C., in a few years, or New York City, or farther afield!). Zerennadi Umeugo celebrated his daughter, Simone, turning 16 months! Alison DeSimone published a monograph, The Power of Pastiche: Musical Miscellany and Cultural Identity in Early EighteenthCentury England, with Clemson University Press (April 2021). Rhiannon Hope Hart-Roberts, Cam Cross has been working daughter of Courtney Hart ’03 in outpatient primary and Paul Roberts, was born on care during the COVID-19 February 12, 2021. pandemic at Leaf Medical in DUMBO Brooklyn, New York—thank you, Cam! Andrew Soberman has less than a year left of military service! He recently completed a camping trip circumnavigating the Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula. Alexandra Lieberman Cooley writes, “In April, I sold the company I started in 2015, Greenworks Lending, to Nuveen, an asset management subsidiary of TIAA-CREF. Greenworks finances renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades on commercial buildings. I am staying on with the company and adjusting to corporate life after running a start-up. On a personal note, along with my husband, Ben, our 2-year-old, Claire, and our dog, Welly, I’ve been splitting time between New York City and Lyme, Connecticut. We bought and are renovating the house in Lyme that my husband grew up in, after quarantining there for most of 2020—we’re happy to host visitors if you find yourself in the area! I’ve been lucky enough to hang out with Aaron Silidker in Connecticut and Bara Lane in New York City now and then!” Keep the news coming—we love hearing from classmates!

Lauren Umeugo, Zerennadi Umeugo ’03, and their daughter, Simone. VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

the Hill’s Spring 2021 issue). The final update for this installment of the ’04 update comes from co-secretary Kimmy Lewis. Like many New Yorkers, Kimmy moved out of New York City during the pandemic and joined the migration to South Florida. After 13 years in the Big Apple, she now calls Boca Raton home, where she lives with her husband, Darren, and their new mini-poodle, Phil. We know it’s been a challenging year for many people, and we hope that by the time this column is published, the “better days ahead” will have arrived. Until then and our next column, take care, stay safe, stay healthy, and don’t forget to send us your news.

2005 Courtney O’Brien Yakavonis erin122@gmail.com Pamela Soberman pamela.soberman@gmail.com

2006 Corey Briskin corey@coreybriskin.com TiffanyAnn Johnson tiffanyannjo@gmail.com Lucas Kelly-Clyne lukekellyclyne@gmail.com Bill Lane ’04 with his wife, Katie, and daughter, Catherine.

2004 Erin Johnson erin122@gmail.com Kimberly J. Lewis kimberlyjlewis@gmail.com Greetings, classmates. This column may be short, but it’s also sweet, since it includes updates from four classmates, including two whose names you haven’t seen here in a while. Bill Lane is living in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife, Katie, and their 7-month-old daughter, Catherine. He wrote us on the day of an important professional milestone: “I left my job as counsel to the assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice’s Civil Division in January, and today I just started a new job as an attorney at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, D.C., where I’ll work on appellate and commercial litigation. Everything is going well.” Billy Ryan is also keeping busy. He told us, “I just finished my 11th year with the Connecticut State Police and I am training for my third marathon in the fall (hopefully the NYC marathon), which really helps when trying to keep up with my 2-year-old, who runs all day long! When I’m not doing that, I coach football at Branford High School and volunteer with the track team and the local library.” Steven McDonald, who calls New York City home, said: “I am now vaccinated, so I was able to enjoy some time in San Francisco, California, where I met Clara Voigt’s new baby, Simone, and went on a hike with Becky Rubenstein and her new dog. I also managed to get some spring skiing in with Sophia Lear. Also plenty of FaceTime sprinkled in with Barrie Segal. It is a wonderful transition from life this last year in the emergency room.” (ICYMI, Simone made her debut in Views from 72

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

In the midst of COVID, the Class of 2006 has kept busy and is looking forward to brighter days ahead. Ben Vinograd helped oversee the Nasdaq IPO of cannabis company Clever Leaves, for which he runs operations as head of Europe. Anson Wang is entering his third year as a senior engineer at tech startup Artsy. Luke Kelly-Clyne debuted his latest TV show, Double Cross with Blake Griffin, on truTV. Doug DeLuca’s clients have had several major popular music releases where he works at Lineage Music Group. Zoe Black is now the VP of Product Marketing at a publicly traded company as Vimeo has spun off from its parent company Interactive Corporation (IAC). Corey Briskin and his husband, Nicholas, took a road trip down to Kentucky in October to pick up the cutest Frenchie puppy. Hercules has adjusted well to the urban lifestyle and is much loved by Alex and Cleo, his partners in crime! James Ringold has continued his legal practice at Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C. Darius Bittle-Dockery is a seventh-year doctoral candidate pursuing the joint degree of Ph.D. and M.P.H. in Medical Anthropology and Behavioral & Community Health Sciences. Matthew Carpenter is an associate at New York law firm Wachtell, Lipson, Rosen & Katz. Jessica Lifton is an associate at San Francisco–based biotechnology private investment firm BVF Partners L.P. James Hao is head of Forwards Trading, New York, as a director at Deutsche Bank. Annie Svigals is a senior portfolio lead at design consultancy Ideo.

2007 Becky Harper bharper@hopkins.edu Eric Emanuelson eric.emanuelson.jr@gmail.com After an exceptional year with countless ups and downs, we find ourselves back here, for some semblance of normalcy, sharing positive and uplifting news from our amazing classmates. Full disclosure, we were a bit tardy with our request for submissions, but we will be back in full swing next round. Thank you to those who were able to quickly respond to be included in this issue. Love ya! Wishing everyone in the ’07 fam all the health, wellness, and love. The amazing and elusive Ariel Fein, after seven years of traveling and conducting research across Sicily, southern Italy, and North Africa (Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco), completed her dissertation on Arab-Christian art and architecture in Norman Sicily and graduated with a Ph.D. in Byzantine and Islamic Art History from Yale University. Ariel and husband Rabbi Simeon Cohen welcomed their first child, Amalya Shachar, on April 24. “We can’t believe she’ll be one month old tomorrow! We’re exhausted, but absolutely in love.” In the coming months, Ariel is looking forward to enjoying time with Simeon, Amalya, and their dog, Ophelia, before beginning a research fellowship at the Bard Graduate Center in January, where she will be researching the circulation, production, and consumption of woodcarving in Fatimid, Egypt, based on the Met’s collection—too cool! Our jolly friend Corey Schwartz and his wife, Carolyn, welcomed their corona-baby*, Romy Schwartz, on March 19, so she’s two months old as of this writing. (*corona as in COVID-19, not the light beer). Corey shares that paternity leave has been just like COVID quarantine, except instead of watching Netflix they watch Romy looking at stuff. Phineas Palmer, with some quick hitters, shares that he is in Chicago, Illinois, for an HBO show for the next few months. He saw Jordan Voloshin and Matteo Gomez before he left, and added that Matteo just won the Blacklist & Google Assistant Screenwriting

Katie D’Souza Wardowski ’07 and Tom Wardowski at their October 2020 wedding in Greenwich, Connecticut. Dottie the goldendoodle, recently adopted by Katie ’07 and Tom Wardowski.

Fellowship, so he’s kind of a big deal. Jordan is similarly killing it. This comes as no surprise—Class of ’07 = the best. Our lovely and former StuCo prez Katie D’Souza Wardowski is officially a COVID bride and will forever have an anniversary year that’s easy to remember! Katie and her husband, Tom, got married on October 17, 2020, in Greenwich, Connecticut, and shortly after, welcomed their goldendoodle puppy, Dottie. Katie is fulfilling a decade-long dream of training her dog to be a therapy dog so she can bring her along when she volunteers at a nearby hospice. Katie, not Dottie, is working as a nurse practitioner at a Yale walk-in clinic and enjoying suburban life in Southbury, Connecticut. “I’m so grateful to be vaccinated and hopeful that ‘normal’ will return soon!” —Ditto! Finally, but certainly far from least, Ross Hicks was super excited to share that he got married to Christina Biasiucci Hicks in a small COVID wedding on October 18, 2020, in Lake George, New York, which is also where they have relocated until this fall. “We look forward to having a larger celebration in August with some Hopkins people in attendance!” Congrats, Ross and Christina!

2008 Marguerite Paterson margueritewp@gmail.com

Amalya Shachar with proud parents Ariel Fein ’07 and Rabbi Simeon Cohen, was born on April 24, 2021.

Janay Sylvester (UPenn ’12) has published the second edition of Climbing Vines: A Collection of Short Stories. Climbing Vines features 19 narratives from Black alumnae and undergraduate women about their undergraduate experiences at the University of Pennsylvania. The book spans many topics, including sisterhood, self-love,

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

importance of diversity in the classroom, mental health and wellness, healing from sexual assault, and more. The collection is meant for all audiences; however, the hope is that through reading these stories and inspired dialogue among students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members, the informative piece will guide and positively influence Black undergraduate women as they navigate their first years of college. The book is available for purchase (eBook and print) on Amazon. Visit cvines.org for more information. Ben Sperling graduated with his M.B.A. from NYU Stern School of Business and was honored to be selected as the graduation speaker for his class this year! He and his wife have enjoyed their time in New York City, but are excited to be moving to Jersey City as Ben prepares to start work at Mars Wrigley. Kristen Cothran has been working with the CDC Coronavirus task force in health communications. Jay Brett has been having a great time finishing up life in Honolulu, including learning a little ukulele. This summer, they will be transitioning to a senior staff scientist position at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Maryland! In their new role, Jay will continue to do oceanographic research, now to answer scientific questions for government clients. Doug Prusoff is coming up on two years working for LinkedIn selling its LinkedIn Learning product. Normally, he would be based in the Empire State Building, but he hasn’t been to the office since March of last year. Once things get back to normal, feel free to reach out if you’re in midtown and want to go to the top! Last August, he moved across the Sound to Long Island (Garden City, New York) with his wife, Kristen, and their 4-year-old labradoodle, Beasley. Gigi Clark and her fiancé are relocating to southern California, where he’s been named the executive producer of The Jim Rome Show. Gigi will be continuing to work remotely for MLB and NHL Networks for the time being, but is looking forward to new adventures and finally getting married! She was also nominated for two more Sports Emmys, which is a huge honor. She would love to connect with any Hopkins alums in the greater Los Angeles area! Christopher Pagliarella is working at a nonprofit law firm, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and has been there since February 2019. He taught a clinic class in spring 2020 and again this spring at Yale Law School on free exercise law, in which students assist lawyers in writing briefs in active cases on the First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. He’s coming up on his second year of marriage to his wife, Jungbin, who works at John Laing, a private equity firm in New York City. They are currently living in Stamford, Connecticut.

fellow resident is Joe Serino ’11. He has the pleasure of being taught by orthopedic oncologist Alan Blank ’02. Becca Bagnall is wrapping up an unconventional year at Marblehead High School with remote, hybrid, and full in-person learning all rolled into one year! Ted Clark, Lizzie Granata ’10, and Becca all play on the same softball team in Boston.

2010 Allie Briskin alliebriskin@gmail.com Molly Levine mollyhl@gwmail.gwu.edu Norah Wallace is graduating from her clinical psychology Ph.D. program in May 2021. She will be starting a postdoctoral position at a private practice in Manhattan, New York, and recently celebrated an engagement to Connor Maher ’11! Allie Briskin is an associate within J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank. She lives in Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn, New York, with her fiancé, Jack. She enjoys meeting up with Hopkins ’10 alums whenever she can. Morgan Greer bought a farm. It’s the old Movado farms in Durham, Connecticut, which she plans to rename Whispering Willow Equestrian Center. She also has multiple clients within the Hopkins community, including Erika Chapin’s daughter

2009 Allison Lyons allison.c.lyons.1@gmail.com Rajeev Mehrotra rmehrotra@wustl.edu Luke Lamar is finishing up his pediatric residency at Dartmouth and plans to start his pediatric hematology oncology fellowship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this summer. Elizabeth Roberge lives in New Haven and works as a custom framing specialist at Hull’s Art Supply & Framing, the only independently owned art supply and custom framing shop in Connecticut. She’s enjoying exploring East Rock with her fiancé—they are getting married in October. Gilah BensonTilsen is working as a data analyst in the Boston, Massachusetts, area and will be visiting Hopkins this June to attend the graduation of her youngest brother. Nabil Mehta is currently a third-year orthopedic surgery resident at Rush University in Chicago, Illinois, where his 74

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

From left, Morgan Greer ’10, owner of Whispering Willow Equestrian Center, with Eliza Chapin and Eliza’s mom, Hopkins faculty member Erika Chapin.

Eliza. Erika is one of the college counselors. Sarah Levine got engaged in Oaxaca, Mexico, in November and is living with her fiancé in Brooklyn. She works at luxury travel company Indagare and scouts destinations for them across the globe. In this tumultuous year, she received an award for crisis management in her industry. Molly Levine is living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and started a new job as communication manager at digital experience agency Huge. In her spare time, she also works as the director of communications for Ki Smith Gallery in the East Village. Katie Schaffer is working at a market research company called Remesh—they partner with the United Nations to drive peacekeeping initiatives in war-ravaged countries, like Libya. Katie works on the consumer insights side with CPG brands. James Havlicek finished his first year of Columbia Business School and will be spending the summer interning at McKinsey. He is looking forward to catching up on some travel in August. August Prum is teaching high school English at Achievement First Amistad High School in New Haven. He lives in East Rock with his fiancé, Hiann. In his spare time, he enjoys taking care of his orchid and reading JFK assassination theories. Ashley Reidy moved back to Elegran Real Estate & Development in early 2020, at which point she made partner for her team. She also hopes to run the New York Marathon for the second time, this fall. Mike Iannotti is living in Manhattan and just started a new role in enterprise sales at Red Hat, an IBM company, following the successful acquisition of his last start-up, StackRox.

2011 Matt Pun poonee_11sbcglobal.net Cailin Gillespie cgilles1@nd.edu Despite not having the opportunity to celebrate 10 years together in person, the Class of 2011 have a number of exciting updates. After serving as communications director for U.S. Senator Cory Gardner, Jerrod Dobkin recently started a new position as a media consultant at a political advertising firm in the Washington, D.C., area. At the time of writing, he is looking forward to getting married in June in Vail, Colorado, and is excited to have his Hopkins classmates Sam Greco, Dan Ross, and Peter Rosiello in his wedding party. Sam Greco is an attorney in the Navy JAG Corps, currently stationed in Washington, D.C. Last year, he was promoted to Lieutenant (O-3). He is looking forward to joining Dan and Peter in Jerrod’s wedding party. Callie Ferguson is still working as a local investigative news reporter for the Bangor Daily News in Maine, primarily covering accountability stories about law enforcement and criminal justice. But really, there’s been no shortage of news in the last year. Luke Jenusaitis graduated from the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine and will be pursuing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Natalie Daifotis just graduated from graduate school at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with an M.A.T. in Latin and Classical Humanities. Alexa MacMullen is finishing up her fourth year as the Middle School Latin teacher at Moses Brown in Providence, Rhode Island. The last year of being a teacher has had many highs and lows, but the Middle School at MB was lucky enough to be teaching and learning in person for the entire school year. This year, she also worked on two outdoor theater productions with the Upper School, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the musical Mamma Mia! She is looking forward

to a restful summer, including being a bridesmaid in Kendall Post’s wedding. Matt Pun married his college sweetheart and best friend, Molly Kuo, at a sunset ceremony by the ocean on the coast of South Carolina.

2012 Luke McCrory lukemcrory16@gmail.com Amanda B. Fath amandafath@yahoo.com Despite the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hopkins Class of 2012 has stayed busy throughout the past year and is looking forward to getting things further back to normal in the summer and fall of 2021. After working on the Biden-Harris campaign last fall, Sanam Rastegar has joined the new administration and is now working in the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs. Luke McCrory will be moving to New York City and starting the M.B.A. program at Columbia Business School in the coming months. Jay Sullivan has enjoyed mentoring a cohort of current college students in the Clinton Global Initiative University Program, which he participated in during his undergraduate years. Additionally, he defeated Nolan Paige in an exciting final matchup for the Class of 2021 Fantasy Basketball League. Over the past year, Dylan Cutler has been working on Google Chrome, specifically helping out with the Chrome Privacy Sandbox, a new ad targeting initiative that does not require the use of third-party cookies. Jordan Girasole will be starting at Tulane University Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the fall. After college, Will Vranos and Sam Rosen founded a cryptocurrency trading company, Green Key Partners. They have been in business together since 2017 and work with a small group in Midtown New York City. Personally, Will has been competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and kicking himself for not purchasing Dogecoin. David Beam and his wife recently moved from San Francisco, California, to Phoenix, Arizona. They are loving it so far, working remotely and enjoying having more space and warm weather.

2013 Leili Azarbarzin lazarbarzin17@gmail.com Alex Dillon alexbaileydillon@gmail.com Eli Lustbader e2lustbader@gmail.com

2014 Jack Greenberg jbg3@williams.edu Two updates this round from the Class of 2014. Dan Kluger writes that he is continuing to pursue his Ph.D. in statistics at Stanford. He engages in theoretical research on multiple hypothesis testing as well as applied research on statistical methods for fusing agricultural datasets. He frequently finds himself grateful to his math teachers at Hopkins who taught him relevant material in a memorable way and who also taught him how to patiently explore an unsolved problem. Their lessons have frequently been valuable to his research and VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

studies. Meanwhile, Precious Musa recently received her M.F.A. in creative writing from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In February, she launched a virtual art installation titled Listen, Look: A Reconciliatory Journey Through Black Grief and Joy as a way to meditate on and contribute to the national dialogue occurring around the precarity of Black life. The installation can be found on YouTube under “Listen, Look installation.” Precious is currently living in St. Louis, working at The Griot Museum of Black History, where she hopes to expand on her cross-genre artistry, fusing the visual with the power of the written word.

2015 Griffin Smith smithgriffin96@gmail.com The Class of 2015 continues to impress across the globe, with many great accomplishments from all its members. Rachel Kaufman’s first book of poetry, Many to Remember, was just released by Dos Madres Press. The collection unravels the histories of New Mexican crypto-Jews and the Mexican Inquisition alongside the poet’s own family histories, entering the archive’s unconscious to reveal the melodies hidden within the language of the past. Rachel’s poetry has been exemplary since her time on the Hill, and we highly recommend that everyone checks it out. After a brief stint on the west coast, Alex Liu has made the return back east, transferring to his Bank of America team’s New York City office as a newly promoted associate. Alex is also excited to get back into CrossFit with many of their locations reopening. Still enjoying their time living together, despite Mairead O’Brien wishing Courtney Gilroy would do the dishes more, both have had exciting career moves. Mairead recently started a new job as an investor relations associate at ICR and Courtney has gotten involved in internal sustainable finance work, as well as beginning to value derivatives. The lifelong lover of learning Walker Schneider has enjoyed his first year at New York University Law School and is excited to continue his time there next fall. After receiving her M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Lexi Phelan started in May at a corporate communications PR firm in Tribeca, New York City: M Group Strategic Communications, as an account coordinator. Helene Collins began her career as a registered nurse in the Medical ICU at Tisch Hospital. Michael Leone and Griffin Smith will be testing out their golf prowess at the Hopkins Golf Tournament; some have compared this duo teaming up as the greatest combination since The Match between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. A couple more career moves in New York City: Alex McMahon started as an investment banking analyst at Dowling Hales and Will Pitkin moved to Roc Search as a technical recruitment consultant. Hopefully, the Class of 2015 will be able to reconnect at an in-person Hopkins event soon, but until then it is always great to hear from classmates and we always encourage more to reach out with updates.

2018 Leigh Melillo kmelillo@fordham.edu To start us off strong: Jason Alfandre took a semester off college and has been working with alligators and venomous snakes in Texas since early February. Will Badrigian went to the NCAA Fencing Championships and finished 22nd in the country and was also named Division III All American. Emily Calderone has been practicing cutting and dyeing her own hair. Samantha Dies was inducted to the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and is looking forward to a second-year data science internship with Pitney Bowes. She is hoping that pools will open up again soon so that she can get back to water polo with her team. Colin Flaumenhaft mounted a successful premiere of his oneman show at Rollins College this spring, which involved smashing a mirror with a meat tenderizer and pouring off-brand maple syrup on himself in nothing but a morph suit. He hopes to rework the show and perform it at the Orlando Fringe Festival in the future. Kiarra Lavache will be working as a strategy and equity intern at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai this summer. Leigh Melillo doesn’t have anything spectacular to report but would like to take a moment to commend both herself and all her former classmates for making it through online classes for such an extended period of time. Drew Mindell recently received the David L. Shelton Award through the American College Theater Festival at the Kennedy Center for his play, The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare (or at least our best approximation). He will spend the summer interning for the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. For his 20th birthday, Lionel Louis wished for a better America. On May 31, 2020, one day removed from his birthday, Lionel took to the streets in New Haven to protest police violence and shout “Black Lives Matter” alongside hundreds of people from around Connecticut. Then, after a moving call to action in an open letter shared on his Instagram page, Lionel played a big part in organizing carpools and supply runs for a protest

2016 Emmanuel C. Chinyumba emmanuel.chinyumba@uconn.edu

2017 Sanaea Bhagwagar sanaeazb@gmail.com 76

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

Jason Alfandre ’18 working with alligators in Texas.

MI LES TO N ES

BIRTHS 1999

Laura Abbot and Jay Miner welcomed Sabine Avery Abbott Miner on May 6, 2021.

2003

Courtney Hart and Paul Roberts welcomed Rhiannon Hope Hart-Roberts on February 12, 2021. Amy Schoenfeld Levin and Jon Levin welcomed Benjamin Hugh in July 2020. Lionel Louis ’18 on May 31, 2020, in New Haven, where he participated in demonstrations protesting police violence, alongside people from across Connecticut.

2007

Ariel Fein and Rabbi Simeon Cohen welcomed Amalya Shachar on April 24, 2021. Carolyn and Corey Schwartz welcomed Romy Schwartz on March 19, 2021.

MARRIAGES 1980

Edith Houghton Ilmanen and Jacob Lindblom in April 2021

1996

Ann Schwartz and Michael Drobnis in November 2020 Lionel Louis ’18 and Hopkins students from the Classes of 2018 through 2022 in West Haven, Connecticut. in West Haven a few days later. Members of the Hopkins community (parents, faculty, and students from the Class of 2018 all the way to members of the Class of 2022) marched with him and his community in the West Haven streets on June 6, 2020, in protest of police brutality and white supremacy. When asked to share his thoughts on this day and the work he did, Lionel expressed endless gratitude. “I just wanna give a huge thanks to everyone who showed up to make their voices heard and supported me in other ways during this demonstration of solidarity with the intersectional movement.”

2007

Katie D’Souza and Tom Wardowski on October 17, 2020 Ross Hicks and Christina Biasiucci on October 18, 2020

2011

Matt Pun and Molly Kuo in 2021

2019 Alumni interested in serving as Class of 2019 correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

2020 Alumni interested in serving as Class of 2020 correspondents may contact Donna Vinci at dvinci@hopkins.edu.

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

IN ME M O R I A M Hopkins Faculty, Alumni, and Former Faculty Remember DAVID SWENSEN

avid Swensen, Hopkins past parent, Trustee, member of the Hopkins Investment Committee, and cherished friend of our school community, passed away on May 5, 2021. A 1980 graduate of Yale, he was a profoundly talented investor whose innovative style revolutionized the world of endowment investing. In 1998, David brought his prodigious talent to Hopkins as a member of the Committee of Trustees, and his masterful stewardship of our endowment over more than two decades placed us on strong financial footing and enabled us to grow and thrive as a school. Yet it is David’s warmth, kindness, wisdom, and grace that we miss the most. The 2007 recipient of the Hopkins Medal, David’s generosity went well beyond his service as a Trustee. He established two scholarship funds at Hopkins to provide financial assistance to deserving students. A visionary philanthropist, he was instrumental in supporting Breakthrough New Haven (now Pathfinder), a campus-based enrichment program that has prepared hundreds of academically talented New Haven public and parochial school children to enter competitive secondary schools. His generosity helped to realize the Kneisel Squash Center in 2010, and two years later, in 2012, he conveyed his home in New Haven, now known as Swensen House, to Hopkins School. David’s impact on our community is beyond measure, and we will be forever grateful for his friendship and incredible devotion to our School. Below are words of remembrance from faculty, alumni, and former faculty who were fortunate enough to work with and learn from David during his time at Hopkins.

Remembering David Swensen Kai Bynum, Head of School

Alex Banker P’10, ’13, Trustee, 2007–2017

“David Swensen cared about Hopkins and committed himself to doing what he could to ensure that we had a financially sustainable future. David’s sound vision and steady leadership have helped us become a healthy school, and I truly thank him for that. In addition to his endearing kindness, I will miss his sage counsel, his keen perspective, and his determined spirit. He was a special person. Thank you, David.”

“David Swensen introduced me to Hopkins and served as a role model for my term as Treasurer of the Committee of Trustees. The investment portfolio he created for the School’s nascent endowment at the start of this century has thrived across market cycles and helped to grow the School’s endowment from next to nothing to approximately $162 million today. Hopkins was always close to his heart and his impact on the School was extraordinary.”

David Baxter, Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer “The notion of in perpetuity is a difficult one to grasp, even for a school that has existed for over 360 years. An endowment is a school’s financial expression of in perpetuity. An endowment’s investments must balance the conflicting goals of preserving the purchasing power of assets into perpetuity against the needs of the present. There is no one, and I mean no one, who has mastered that balance better than David Swensen. Hopkins has been a direct beneficiary of that mastery as he led and shaped the School’s endowment for years. For decades and decades to come Hopkins students will say tibi gratias ago at commencement, likely never knowing how they have benefited from David Swensen’s work. His legacy in perpetuity. Tibi gratias ago, David.”

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

William J. Kneisel 1965 HGS, Trustee, 1992–2005 “David joined the Hopkins Board in 1998, and we soon began working together on the Finance Committee, particularly in regard to overseeing the School’s endowment investments and annual budget. At that time, David was already acknowledged as one of the foremost investors among all those leading major university investment offices. Although the Hopkins endowment then was only about $15 million, and very conventionally structured (having been composed of listed stocks and highgrade bonds in a 60/40 ratio), David became fully engaged in every aspect of the portfolio. His views were insightful, strong, and always collegial. Still, nothing prepared us for what would come next. “In 2000, when he became Chairman of the Finance Committee, David did something unprecedented in Hopkins’

Barbara Riley P’94, ’96, ’99, History Faculty, 1996–2000; Head of School, 2001–2015 “In his inscription for Hopkins’s copy of his Pioneering Portfolio Management, David Swensen wrote: ‘For Hopkins School, with gratitude and humility.’ Gratitude, for David, had to do with his children’s experience at Hopkins and, also, for the fact that there are schools like Hopkins. Humility was, I think, a reference to David’s sense of service and mission, along with the reverence he felt for institutions where learning, culture, integrity, and good governance are paramount. In a foreward to the second edition of Pioneering Portfolio Management, Charley Ellis, a past chair of the Yale Investments Committee, noted: From left, Bill Kneisel ’65 HGS, former Trustee; Barbara Riley P’94, ’96 ’99, Former Head of School; and David Swensen.

long history, and perhaps in the annals of all secondary school finances. He sold, for cash, the entire endowment. His thinking was that Hopkins should create a ‘micro-Yale endowment,’ and he did just that. He chose a mix of diverse asset classes similar to Yale’s, including illiquid asset classes such as absolute return, real estate, and commodities, particularly timberland. And he recruited distinguished investment managers from the Yale portfolio to manage these investments for Hopkins. “Since that time, Hopkins has benefited from one of the highest-performing secondary school endowments in the country, today approximately $162 million. To put this amount in perspective, the Hopkins endowment currently provides roughly $5.5 million per year, or about 13% of the School’s operating budget. That original Yale endowment model is very much at the heart of David’s Hopkins legacy. There are numerous other examples of his great and lasting gifts to the School, including his former home on McKinley Avenue, now known as Swensen House, being just one aspect of his deep affection for Hopkins. “For my part, I will miss David very much. He was far more than a gifted mentor and colleague; much more than a fierce competitor on the Payne Whitney squash courts or at Ingalls Rink watching a Dartmouth/Yale hockey game; to me, he was more than a rare example of high ideals, noble purposes, and great investment prowess. He was my friend. For that, more than anything else, I shall always be grateful.” David Newton 1967 HGS, Trustee, 1990–2000, 2002–2012 “During my tenure as a member of the Committee of Trustees, I had the opportunity to serve on the Finance and Investment Committee chaired by David. Attending these meetings meant participating in a master class on investment theory and management led by the preeminent chief investment officer of our time. David’s advice, insight, and influence provided Hopkins with access to investment managers and alternative opportunities, which resulted in consistent strong annual endowment performance and growth essential for supporting Hopkins’ priorities. David brought his intelligence, grace, humor, and enthusiasm to Hopkins—a school he loved and loyally served, laying a financial and moral foundation that is his enduring legacy. Tibi gratias ago, David.”

‘Along the way, David has done more to strengthen our educational and cultural institutions than anyone else on our planet—and he’s still developing and sharing his best thinking with everyone in a genial and inspiring illumination of how much good one very fine man can do. Not too bad, David, not too bad.’ “You might read more… than anyone else on our planet as hyperbole, but it’s actually the simple truth. Charley’s words were right on the mark, and I wish I had written them myself. But, in my opinion, there are a few other, even better, words to describe David because they get to his essence. Those words are commitment, devotion, and loyalty—not coincidentally words we use to characterize those awarded the Hopkins Medal, which David received in 2007. Commitment can be measured in longevity, David’s long tenure on the Committee of Trustees; devotion had to do with his attachment, reverence even, for schools (he did, after all, in an Assembly Address, veer off into a reverie about old schools and their purposes and traditions, where he lined up Oxford, Cambridge, Yale… and Hopkins); loyalty meant that his allegiance was abiding and unshakable. If you are lucky—really lucky—institutionally and personally, you experience commitment, devotion, and loyalty done the Swensen way: always smart, whole-hearted, fueled by conviction, backed up by an unerring sense of right and wrong, and completed with the courage to act. “And, so, I think of David’s great gifts to Hopkins in this way: For those of us who know and love Hopkins, there is really nothing better than the thought that something we have done will help to perpetuate the good work of the School. David represented and furthered, in very tangible ways, everything we value most about our school on the Hill. He was at the top of his field and, at the same time, David stood for that combination of intellect, accomplishment, and integrity we came to call a rich and purposeful life. “Some years ago, when I was asked to describe David Swensen’s and the Yale Investments Office’s relationship with Hopkins, I characterized it as a friendship—not formal or contractual, but rather something freely given and born of mutual respect, affection, and commitment to a shared purpose. For David, much as he loved his institutions, there was always the intangible, the human, and the personal. To paraphrase Charley Ellis once again, there is really nothing on this earth like having David Swensen as a friend. “Here’s to you, David, and to friendship.” VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

SARA “SALLY” BACKES LEIGHTON 1948 PHS

opkins Faculty Emerita Sara “Sally” Backes Leighton 1948 PHS, a beloved chemistry teacher, administrator, and parent to Jonathan T. Leighton, Katherine B. “Katie” Wolfe ’79, James L. “Jim” Leighton ’82, and Elizabeth K. “Bissy” Leighton ’83, passed away on March 6, 2021. After graduating from Prospect Hill School and Connecticut College, Phi Beta Kappa, she received her Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1953 from Johns Hopkins University. Sally served in many roles at Hopkins School. She began her tenure in 1976 as Administrative Assistant to then Headmaster John Wilkinson. She joined the Science faculty in 1978, later serving as Master Teacher and Department Chair. During that time, she created and developed both the Experimental Chemistry and Science 8 courses. It was said that as a teacher, she combined a supreme knowledge of her subject matter with a keen sense of how to draw out the best in students. Sally later served as Director of Studies and Associate Head of School, before retiring in 1998. Head of School Thomas Rodd said on the occasion of her retirement, “To describe what Mrs. Leighton has done is something of a disservice, because what she has done reflects who she is—a woman of rare intelligence, compassion, dedication, and commitment as well as a leader of broad and thoughtful vision.” We are honored to take this opportunity to announce the establishment of the Sara Backes Leighton, Ph.D. ’48 PHS Fund, which will provide permanent support for faculty and staff. Sally’s children, Jonathan, Katie ’79, Jim ’82, and Bissy ’83 have created this fund to honor her legacy, and we invite all who are interested to join them. “We received a letter from a former teacher who was mentored by my mother. It was a lovely note, and I know that my mother cared deeply about faculty. That is how my family coalesced around the idea of directing this fund toward faculty support and development,” said Jim Leighton ’82. “We are all so grateful for the incredibly dedicated and inspirational teachers we had at Hopkins, and are delighted to honor our mother’s legacy and her passion for faculty mentoring and development in this way.”

VIRGINIA “GINNY” CONNOR WRIGLEY

aculty Emerita Virginia “Ginny” Connor Wrigley, of Falmouth, Massachusetts, a longtime member of the Day Prospect Hill and Hopkins School faculty, wife of former Hopkins Assistant Head of School Leslie M. Wrigley, and parent to Catherine Wrigley Lincoln ’76 and Leslie M. Wrigley, Jr. ’78, passed away in April 2018. In addition to her husband and two children, she leaves behind six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Wrigley was a much-loved teacher and administrator, and very special to the Hopkins community. A graduate of the Gateway School in New Haven, she received her A.B. from Bryn Mawr College and her M.S. in chemistry from Yale University, where she met her future husband, Les, in chemistry class. After five years at home raising her children, she began teaching chemistry and physics at Day Prospect Hill School, and continued in that role through the 1972 merger with Hopkins School, where she also served as a Department Head, Middle School Principal, and 9th Grade Head Adviser. In addition to being a member of the science faculty, Ginny later transitioned to the Mathematics Department. “Ginny taught in the Science Department at Hopkins for many years, but my prejudice will show when I say that I was very happy when she finally switched over to teaching in the Math Department!” recalled Hopkins Mathematics Faculty Emeritus Clay Hall. “She was a very dedicated and hardworking educator, and as a head adviser, she had high standards and expectations for students and colleagues alike. At the same time, she knew how to empathize with students in the difficult (and sometimes awkward) situations involving them and their parents and their teachers. She had a way of skillfully and diplomatically resolving issues, arriving at the best and most honorable conclusion for all those involved.” In addition to being an administrator and teacher at DPH and Hopkins, Ginny also worked with special needs students after a sabbatical spent studying Les Wrigley, Former Assistant Head of School, and special needs. She continued this work after retirement in 1996, serving in the his wife, Mathematics Faculty Ginny Wrigley VIPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) program in the Falmouth schools. 80

Summer 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL

MARILYN ZUCKERMAN

arilyn Zuckerman, a long-time member of both the DPH and Hopkins mathematics faculty, former chair of Hopkins’ Financial Aid Committee, and parent to Deborah Zuckerman ’74 and Arthur Zuckerman ’77, passed away on May 14, 2021. Marilyn had the respect of all who knew her at Hopkins, and has been described as thoughtful, meticulous, and thoroughly logical, traits she embodied in all aspects of her life. “Marilyn was a valued asset to the Hopkins community,” said former Hopkins Assistant Head of School Leslie M. Wrigley. “She was an excellent teacher, a bright woman who loved working with her students and who was able to make mathematics a fascinating study for so many. I know that my late wife, Ginny, greatly enjoyed working with Marilyn as part of the Mathematics Department and respected her ‘math-ability’ to the fullest. Marilyn was a gracious lady who made Hopkins a better place.” Marilyn received both her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brooklyn College. She taught math, first at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan and then at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where her husband, Bernard, was a medical student. They moved to New Haven in 1953 and Marilyn taught at North Haven High School until 1956, when her first child was born. In 1963, Betty Friedan’s influential book, The Feminine Mystique, gave Marilyn permission to return to the classroom. “She applied for a job at Day Prospect Hill School within 24 hours of finishing the book!” said her daughter, Deborah. “She felt extremely strong about educating women, especially in math and sciences.” At Day Prospect, Marilyn formed close bonds and long-lasting friendships with her colleagues, many of which lasted until her death. When DPH merged with Hopkins, Marilyn became a long-term member of the Hopkins community, both as a faculty member in the Mathematics Department and then as chair of the School’s Financial Aid Committee, a position she held until her retirement in 1999. In that role, she was known for her skill and integrity. “Marilyn was thorough, precise, compassionate, and fair,” noted John Roberts, Assistant Head of School. “She treated our Financial Aid families with enormous respect and upheld the School’s highest values in her stewardship of our financial aid resources.”

IN MEMORIAM John Peter “Jack” Barclay, Jr. 1948 HGS d. February 6, 2021

Gladys Bozyan Lavine 1951 PHS d. June 7, 2020

Katrina Fiedler Kujan 1981 d. May 31, 2021

Harald W. Ingholt 1948 HGS d. February 7, 2021

Burton S. Brockett 1952 HGS d. December 1, 2020

Tremaine Cooper 1986 d. March 13, 2021

Robert S. O'Brien 1948 HGS d. July 22, 2021

Naomi Powers Thornton 1952 DAY d. April 24, 2020

Robert Seashore 1989 d. May 25, 2020

Sara “Sally” Backes Leighton 1948 PHS, Faculty Emerita d. March 6, 2021

Thomas Wayne Downey 1953 HGS d. March 11, 2021

Christopher H. Langbein 1997 d. May, 2021

Lauren “Larry” Spencer Williams 1955 HGS d. June 19, 2021

David Swensen P’05, ’06, Former Trustee d. May 5, 2021

Julia Rogers Schen 1948 DAY d. December 26, 2020 James Dana English 1950 HGS d. February 3, 2021

Judith Lightfoot 1958 PHS (former Hopkins Trustee) d. May 19, 2021

Richard A. Levin 1950 HGS d. February 14, 2021

Lois McGuire Dillon 1959 PHS d. April 27, 2020 Jennifer Hunt 1967 DPH d. November, 2020

Virginia “Ginny” Connor Wrigley, Faculty Emerita d. April 26, 2018 Marilyn Zuckerman, Faculty Emerita d. May 14, 2021

VIEWS FROM THE HILL

| Summer 2021

A Gift Anyone Can Make. Looking to make a gift that can impact the lives of students for generations to come? A legacy gift to Hopkins can help meet your current philanthropic goals and extend your generosity well into the future. Give through your will and give more than you thought possible.

Give through an annuity or trust and receive income for life.

Give through your retirement plan or life insurance plan, the easiest and cost efficient way.

Give through appreciated securities and avoid capital gain tax.

To learn more about gifts anyone can make and become a member of the 1660 Associates, visit www.hopkins.giftplans.org Contact Us Beth Ann Semeraro | Associate Director of Leadership Giving | 203-397-1001 ext. 425 bsemeraro@hopkins.edu | 986 Forest Road | New Haven, CT 06515

T HAN K YO U !

Over the past academic year, more than 1,800 donors generously contributed more than $3.64 million in gifts and pledges to Hopkins School. Your support helps sustain every element of the Hopkins experience—providing robust academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs; attracting exceptional faculty; and ensuring much-needed financial aid for deserving students. Whether you attended an event, mentored a student, or made a gift, thank you!

Hopkins would not be Hopkins without you.

Hopkins School engaged in Search for Next Head of School On June 15, 2021, Kai Bynum, Hopkins Head of School since 2016, announced he would be leaving Hopkins at the conclusion of the 2021–2022 academic year. Vincent A. Calarco, President of Hopkins Committee of Trustees, announced that a search committee has been formed to name Hopkins’ next distinguished leader. It is the intention of the Committee of Trustees that a new Head of School be named in time for a seamless transition of leadership to take place on July 1, 2022. The search committee, listed to the right, has begun its work, and is assisted by the nationallyrecognized firm, Spencer Stuart. In order to inform the Hopkins Community of the progress of the search and to assist candidates, updates and helpful information on the process are available online at hopkins.edu/headsearch.

SEARCH COMMITTEE Committee Co-Chairs Gwen E. Evans ’84 Aaron Sack ’89, P’22, ’24 Committee Members Eleanor C. Babbitt ’76 Vincent A. Calarco P’93, ’96 Marvin Chun P’17, ’20 Erin Johnson ’04 L’Heureux Lewis-McCoy ’96 Mark H. Lynch ’62 HGS Zehra Patwa P’17, ’19 Carrie Shea P’22, Faculty Representative Lisa Takoudes P’20, ’22, ’25

Candidate nominations, comments and requests for information may be directed, in confidence, to hopkinshead@spencerstuart.com. Members of the Hopkins community can also contact the Search Committee Co-Chairs directly at SearchCommittee@hopkins.edu.

Search Consultant Spencer Stuart

Save the Date!

Join the Hopkins Community at a variety of events for parents, alumni and friends this fall!

October 9

Parent Pizza Social, on campus

October 16

Homecoming, on campus

October 23

Open House, on campus

December 9

NYC Alumni Holiday Gathering

December 14

New Haven Alumni Holiday Gathering

Alumni from classes ending in 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7, mark your calendars for a MEGA Alumni Weekend to celebrate current reunions and ones missed during Covid. The weekend will feature class gatherings, family events, speakers, alumni sports, and more! To update your address or email information to stay apprised of all the festivities, email alummail@hopkins.edu. See you in June!

986 Forest Road • New Haven CT 06515