Northwood Magazine - Spring 2022

HONORING OUR PAST. INSPIRING OUR FUTURE. The Alumni Magazine of Northwood School

The Allyn Family Father-Daughter Duo Talk Northwood Legacy CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF NORTHWOOD WOMEN NOC RETURNS RAUL VALDES- FAULI ’61

Spring 2022

Reflections

HEAD OF SCHOOL

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michael Maher

Michael Aldridge

ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS & DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING

MANAGING EDITORS

Thomas Broderick

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Stephen Reed

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT SERVICES

Vision Team Works: Christine Ashe Stephanie Colby DESIGNER

Julie Hammill, Hammill Design

Stephanie Gates

Northwood Magazine has been made possible by the financial support of Bradley A. Olch ’69, Board Chair.

Northwood

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The Alumni Magazine of Northwood School

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92 Northwoood Road Lake Placid, NY 12946 alumni@northwoodschool.org 518-523-3357 northwoodschool.org

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Spring 2022

HONORING OUR PAST. INSPIRING OUR FUTURE. The Alumni Magazine of Northwood School

School spirit abounds at Northwood events.

Join us for the next one!

See pages 28–30.

ON THE COVER: Trustee Lew Allyn ’57 and his daughter Trustee Tanya Allyn Dillon ’86.

Photo by Hana Snajdrova

Fea tu ring:

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Celebrating 50 Years of Northwood Women

2021-2022 marks 50 years since Northwood officially went coed, and Northwood women have been blazing trails ever since.

Honored Legacy Family

Bill Allyn ’28 began a tradition that still thrives today.

Read about Northwood’s first Honored Legacy Family.

From Cuba to Northwood Trustee Raul Valdes-Fauli ’61 shares insights on his journey from Cuba to Northwood to six-term Mayor of Coral Gables, Florida.

Northwood Outing Club Makes a Comeback

Northwood and the outdoors have always made a great team. Hear about the relaunch of the legendary Northwood Outing Club.

INSPIRING OUR FUTURE 10 16 26 27 28 32

Dynamic Learning STEM Research Program Grows Letters from Tanzania Sole Searching Events Elevating Our Future

ACHIEVING AND LEADING 34 35 36 37 38 42 44 45

Coaches’ Corner – The Year in Sports Northwood Dancers Bloom Boldly Breaking Barriers One to Watch Northwood Siblings: The Simmons Honor & Tradition Leading the Way Pathways: Alumni Connections

HONORING OUR PAST 46 Remembering Dr. Vanderlyn Pine ’55 47 In Memoriam 48 From the Archives

Northwood magazine is published by the Advancement Office at Northwood School. This magazine is produced for and circulated to Northwood alumni, parents and friends. Please send us your comments and ideas for future issues.

Drop us a line and let us know how we can improve your magazine. alumni@northwoodschool.org

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Best, Bradley A. Olch ’69 Board Chair, Northwood School Board of Trustees

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In the relatively short time since I became Northwood’s Board Chair in 2020, the world has changed dramatically in ways that few could have imagined.

Masking and social distancing, PCR and antigen testing, and variants and quarantines have become a part of daily life, but no group has handled this shift better than our Northwood students and faculty. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new normal, the Northwood community has pressed forward, embracing our motto of “Strength through health and knowledge” as we strive to distinguish ourselves as the finest small boarding school in the country.

Together we’ve made incredible progress. We’ve brought back the Northwood Outing Club, better known as NOC, to allow students to immerse themselves in all things outdoors. Our curriculum continues to expand to include more student-directed coursework such as the Advanced STEM Research program, the Advanced Humanities Research program and a new robust Independent Study program that taps into our remarkable alumni network. Our athletic teams continue to dominate on the hill, on the rink and on the pitch, earning elite individual and team accolades in every sport. Our faculty members continue to impress us both in and out of the classroom (read an excerpt from Noël Carmichael’s forthcoming book on page 26), and our alumni continue to get involved with the School and their communities in impactful ways (get to know Trustee Raul Valdes-Fauli ’61 on page 18). And, most importantly, our students continue to grow and thrive while pursuing their passions in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

This issue proudly celebrates the 50th anniversary of co-education at Northwood School — arguably one of the most significant and positive changes in our history — and the women who have defined this period of evolution from 1972 to today. It also recognizes the Allyn family, whose connections and contributions to Northwood span nearly 100 years. On top of that, these pages also unveil our ambitious plans to shape the next 50 years at our school. We hope you find these stories inspiring and that you too will stay connected and involved in the Northwood community for years to come.

Now that we are once again open to visitors, I hope to see you back on campus one day soon.

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MESSAGE FROM BRADLEY A. OLCH ’69, NORTHWOOD SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR

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ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD

A new Alumni Advisory Board has been formed with the mission to nurture and sustain alumni relations, support problem-solving efforts, and provide counsel on the strategic plan. The Advisory Board aims to increase alumni engagement and satisfaction amongst the alumni, students, faculty, and the greater community. Trustee Erik Berg ’92 will be the liaison from the School’s governing board and Steve Reed, the liaison from the Alumni Office. The group will meet twice a year. The members are: Luke Daniels ’14, Terence Durkin ’12, Matt Hendison ’85, Darren Johnston ’95, Siobhan Fitzgerald Koch ’10, Kirsten Kortz ’00, Rob Merrill ’90, Monique Rafferty ’06, Bryan Taylor ’04, and Lou Usherwood ’84.

NORTHWOOD IN THE MILITARY:

We strive to correctly acknowledge those alumni who have served or are currently serving in the military. Drop us a line to inform us about your service.

Thank you.

We have identified fourteen graduates who served in the Vietnam War. Col. David Husing ’62 is the impetus for this endeavor to accurately report their service. Dave Gibson ’65 has been instrumental in helping us create the following list of Vietnam Veterans: Robert Hanke ’56, Rosbin Whedbee ’58, Bart Green ’60, Bill Wanner ’61, A. Jacques Wullschleger ’61, Dave Husing ’62, Beachamp Carr ’63, John Donovan ’63, John Lockhart ’63, Ralph Spaulding ’63, Ed Righter ’65, Tom Smith ’66, Steve North ’66, Gil MacDougald ’66, and Edward Tyree ’66.

We have no reason to believe that our list is complete. If any of you out there know of others, kindly let us know.

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TO THE NORTHWOOD FAMILY: Every school head is responsible for overseeing current day-to-day operations, of course, but also for guiding the institution into its future. The latter task is a collective effort, made possible by both the openness to new ideas and the unselfish dedication of its faculty, board, and alumni. I have been fortunate in my seven years at Northwood to have had wise support and counsel from all these groups who plant the trees from which the next decades of students will savor the fruit of a modernized campus and curriculum. To all, my gratitude.

This year, the Board has spearheaded the strategic planning process that will shape Northwood’s near and long-term goals, offering input from a variety of professional perspectives, to be followed soon by broad-based involvement from the faculty. At the same time, I have been privileged to work with a dynamic academic task force, focusing on new ways of approaching teaching and strengthening the learning experience at Northwood.

In meeting with dozens of alumni in my travels, I have been delighted to hear of Northwood’s impact on their lives and humbled by their generosity.

Last year’s Northwood Fund broke the million dollar mark for the first time, an incredible achievement for a school of our size. With the help of these committed former students, of our board, of philanthropic parents and of grants from foundations, we are confidently preparing for a robust comprehensive campaign.

As we plan for the future, a nod to the past: we bear in mind the need to maintain Northwood’s traditional strengths — the extraordinary care of the faculty for students, the exceptional athletic and other co-curricular offerings, and the chance to take advantage of our magnificent Adirondack setting.

Another important thanks — to our present — Northwood’s student body, whose energy, ambition, and humor make them a joy to work with.

I hope that you enjoy this issue of the Northwood Magazine, published on the 50th anniversary of the admission of women to Northwood, which celebrates the legacy of co-education. My final hat tip goes to those young women from 1971 and 1972, whose intelligence, spirit, and determination set the standard for those who followed.

Sincerely, Michael Maher Head of School

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50 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF NORTHWOOD WOMEN

By September 1971, the sign at the entrance reading “Northwood School for Boys” was removed and the social landscape of the Northwood School campus was about to be transformed with the addition of seventeen girls. The School needed to grow its enrollment or risk some very lean years, so the transition to coeducation began, first with female day students, then boarders and international students the following year. While former Headmaster W. John Friedlander freely admitted that Northwood’s decision to open its doors to female students was far more economical than philosophical, he also asserted that he truly believed in coeducation.

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“I didn’t believe in single sex schools. Coed schools offered a much better atmosphere,” Mr. Friedlander said in an interview before his passing in 2013. “I think, and thought, it was very important to have girls in the classroom because it prepares all students for coed colleges — which most of them attended.

And it’s simply more natural, more like a family.”

Despite Northwood’s identity as an all boys’ school prior to 1971, there were a handful of girls who attended as day students in the decades before. Yearbook records show that four female day students graced the School’s campus in the 1942-43 academic year. These were war years, so it was

financially beneficial to admit girls at that time, many of whom were affiliated with the Lake Placid Club. The following years would see a return to an all boys’ school.

When the 1970s rolled around, the world was markedly different. The passage of Title IX legislation in June 1972 requiring gender equity in all educational programs and activities receiving federal funding was largely heralded for its positive impact on women’s rights and the role of women and girls in education and the workforce. At Northwood, the School’s first female students chose the School for much the same reasons as their male counterparts — tradition, size, and winter sports. To that end, many of Northwood’s first female studentathletes were highly competitive figure skaters and alpine skiers seeking the opportunity to pursue their athletic aspirations. The flexibility that the Northwood academic schedule offered was considered a significant benefit to their training.

Darcy Prime ’73, a Lake Placid native and avid ski racer spent her first two years of high school unhappily at a private all girls’ boarding school. She remembers her mother calling John Friedlander, a family friend, at the end of her sophomore year to ask if he would consider enrolling her at Northwood as a day student. When he agreed, she was so excited that she called up her best friend since elementary

school, Gay Longnecker ’73, to share the news. Gay’s mother in turn called Mr. Friedlander and asked if she too could enroll, and the pair arrived together in the fall of 1971.

“As one of Northwood’s first girls, I can only say the School had a profoundly positive effect on me and my future,” wrote Darcy.

“The School did an amazing job of welcoming us with open arms and respecting our minority status. It encouraged freedom to explore and develop life-long interests as well as encouraging me to think out of the box.” Gay added, “When I reflect on those long-ago days, I smile on how lucky I was: without a doubt, my Northwood experience influenced and guided my path forward.”

Five decades later, Northwood women continue to blaze new trails, making names for themselves in government, athletics, business, and the nonprofit sector. “Coeducation reflects the real world,” said Linda Friedlander, one of the few female faculty members on campus when Northwood became coed.

Throughout the year, we have shared stories that celebrate the mark Northwood alumnae have made on our school and the world beyond, and we continue those stories here with just a small sample of our many notable alums. “I’m very proud of these women and the role Northwood has played in their lives,” Mrs. Friedlander continued. “They serve as excellent examples for Northwood students today.”

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“AS ONE OF NORTHWOOD’S FIRST GIRLS, I CAN ONLY SAY THE SCHOOL HAD A PROFOUNDLY POSITIVE EFFECT ON ME AND MY FUTURE. WHEN I REFLECT ON THOSE LONG-AGO DAYS, I SMILE ON HOW LUCKY I WAS: WITHOUT A DOUBT, MY NORTHWOOD EXPERIENCE INFLUENCED AND GUIDED MY PATH FORWARD.” —DARCY PRIME ’73

Gay Longnecker ’73 and Darcy Prime ’73 pose with faculty member Linda Friedlander, advisor to The Mirror.

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PHOTO: AKWESASNE.CA

50 Jackie Benedict ’80

JACKIE BENEDICT ’80 DISTRICT CHIEF

At reunion last June, Trustee Gregg Heineman ’80 caught up with some classmates who had come down from Canada. Jackie Benedict and Karen Sunday, both from the Class of 1980, were among the first students in the 1970s to come from the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation to Northwood. Jackie’s arrival at our gathering coincided with her recent election as Chief for the District of Kawehno:ke under the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. She was one of four elected among eleven candidates. We caught up with Jackie to talk about her ascension to her new position.

Prior to her recent election, Jackie had been Manager of the Office of Vital Statistics for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and most recently worked as Recruitment Clerk for Statistics Canada for the 2021 Census. Now she works full-time as a member of the Mohawk Council. Her second cousin, Abram Benedict serves as Grand Chief. Now that her seven children (four girls and three boys, ranging in age from a 41-year-old daughter to twin 24-year-old sons) are adults, she feels it is an ideal time to serve her community. Some of her primary goals include encouraging economic development, working toward a more environmentally sustainable community, and continued preservation of the Mohawk culture and language.

Jackie’s educational path was an

interesting one. In our conversation, she mentioned how glad she was to attend Northwood for her freshman and sophomore years. She was only thirteen when she arrived, and her relationships with classmates and teachers led to new perspectives on the world beyond her home. After Northwood, she attended Massena High School for part of a year but dropped out. In 1984, she got into Mater Dei’s Hogansburg campus via testing despite having no diploma. After two years on the Dean’s or President’s List, she earned an associate degree and in 1997 enrolled at Potsdam State University, graduating with honors and earning a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Writing. She noted she’s had a lifelong interest in creative writing. We wish her the best of luck with her fellow council members and her constituents.

ANDREA KILBOURNE-HILL ’98 PRINCIPAL

Olympian Andrea Kilbourne-Hill ’98 speaks with pride about the Silver Medal she won with the U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey team in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

“It represents years and years of hard work and sacrifice. It also represents a goal, achieved.” But she stresses, “It’s just one part of my life. As big of an achievement as it was, it’s still just a small part of who I am.”

Andrea has recently taken the helm as

Andrea Kilbourne-Hill ’98

Northwood experience as both a student and faculty member: “As a student, I really loved my Northwood teachers. I appreciated that each teacher had a sense of humor in addition to the high standards they held for their students. As an educator, I learned a lot from the approach Mr. Mellor would take with students. He never took things personally and had a long-view perspective of personal growth. Working with Tim Weaver for years in Admission, helped me appreciate his type of leadership. He made sure his admissions team felt respected and valued, and I saw how important a positive work environment is. I really learned about the importance of being flexible and finding creative solutions from all the faculty.”

BEATRICE SCHACHENMAYR ’09 ART THERAPIST

Beatrice Schachenmayr ’09, founder of the nonprofit Frame Your Story, recently received her Master of Arts in Art Therapy.

We caught up with her this spring as she was settling into her new position with IsraAID in Greece.

She is no stranger to living abroad. After graduating from Syracuse University, Beatrice has lived in Turkey, Germany, Thailand, and in Cork, Ireland, where she completed her master’s degree last year. “Studying in Ireland during the start of the pandemic elevated an already intensely introspective study and it

was one of the most grueling experiences I have had but it was definitely a worthwhile adventure. I came out of the program more myself, with a strong foundation to continue working in the mental health field and I gained valuable first-hand experience as an art therapist.”

After a brief return to her hometown of Lake Placid in 2021, Beatrice accepted a position with an organization that supports people affected by humanitarian crises. She tells us, “Once I completed my degree, I reconnected with an organization that I first worked with in 2018. IsraAID Germany is a humanitarian relief organization whose objectives include emergency response and psychosocial support for vulnerable people, which includes, of course, displaced people here in Greece. I am leading groups of art therapy interventions with children, adolescents, and young adults in four locations around Greece. I just started a group with Ukranian children, too.”

Beatrice’s focus has been working with displaced youth for many years now. In 2015, she started the nonprofit Frame Your Story while living in Istanbul, Turkey.

FYS offers opportunities for displaced youth to cultivate self-expression through photography, journaling, and exploration.

“From Istanbul to Berlin, Beatrice has collaborated with numerous organizations, received several awards, and has engaged over 100 youths using photography as an approach to self-expression,” states her

PHOTO: FRAME YOUR STORY

Principal at St. Bernard’s School in Saranac Lake where she lives with her husband and their two children, Stephanie and Thomas.

Andrea knew early on that she wanted to become an educator. Upon graduation from Princeton, she was teaching locally at St. Agnes and coaching the Lake Placid High School girls’ hockey team when she learned that Tom Broderick was in his last year of heading up the Northwood girls’ hockey program. “It was a good transition time for me because it would give me more flexibility (Stephanie was born the April before I started) plus it would allow me to return to a place I loved!”

As a student athlete at Northwood, Andrea played on the boys’ hockey team.

Asked what challenges she faced during that time period Andrea responds, “I had a bit of a challenge with forging my own path. It was mostly little things, like finding my own locker room at visiting rinks and trying to balance what my friends were doing with my hockey schedule. But I never felt anything but support from my teammates and the NWS staff.”

Andrea relished coming back to her alma mater to coach the girls’ team, “It was refreshing to see the progress in terms of numbers of female students and programs offered.” Andrea believes it is important for the school culture to have “teams” of female athletes — whether it’s hockey, skiing,or dance. “Having a big group of girls on campus who are bonded by a common interest, such as a team, really helped balance the culture that was pretty male and sports heavy when I was a student. However, I will say that even in the 90s, Northwood was a special place; I really felt like everyone was respected and appreciated for their own skills. When I returned as a coach, it was fun to see some of the students who might not be part of a big team shine in interesting and unique ways.”

After years of coaching at Northwood, it was once again time for a change, “Once both my kiddos started doing their own things, it became trickier to manage being away on the weekends.

I was happy to be able to return to another one of my alma maters, St. Bernard’s elementary school, to teach there and find a new balance.” Now, in her role as principal, she reflects on her

Beatrice Schachenmayr ’09 pictured (center) with student.

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PHOTO: KRISTEN MENDIOLA

website. “Creating a space where young people can share their perspectives and develop their own solutions to challenges really inspires me,” she says. While Frame Your Story is not very active at the moment, Beatrice does utilize a photobook created through years of FYS efforts along with the donated cameras in several of the groups she currently facilitates. The book, This Is My World: A Photobook By Refugee Youth serves to draw connections between photographs to portray a meaningful story as a way to link and share perspectives. “Phototherapy is a growing passion of mine, and now that I am a qualified art therapist, there is much to uncover, integrating photography and visual arts materials as tools for self-exploration.”

On her chosen profession, Beatrice says, “I do this work not because I have a bigger heart than the next person but because I truly believe in the magic of what art can reveal to us and its forgiving nature that can support one’s well-being. Many things in life are difficult to put into words; using materials as a form of expression is a powerful tool for communication with others and oneself. You can push, pull, squeeze, rip, soak or burn a piece of paper and it will ‘allow’ all the above because it is just so forgiving. Art therapy is largely about

Annie Xiang ’11

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the process and what it’s like to engage with the materials, to experiment with them; it’s learning a new way of experiencing art through making marks. My role is to support people in a secure space, so they become comfortable enough to begin to create.” She continues, “I am honored to hear people’s stories, to witness them doing art and to accompany them for a short while on their journey.”

ANNIE XIANG ’11 ENTREPRENEUR

Last spring, Annie joined us for Pathways, Northwood’s Alumni Career Series, a monthly talk to introduce students to careers in a variety of fields. At the time, Annie was an accountant working long hours at a Big 4 accounting firm. But there’s been a major shift in her life since then: Annie is now Founder and CEO of Volition Tea, a company that specializes in sustainable single-origin, loose-leaf Chinese tea.

We asked Annie how this major pivot came about. She said, “The pandemic allowed a space for introspection, and when facing the vulnerability and unpredictability of our lives I realized that I wanted to do something that actually makes an impact on the communities I care deeply about. Hate crimes against my AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) community were catching the national spotlight, and I discovered that my passion for tea could be turned into a business to highlight the stories of tea farmers who have been rendered invisible by major tea companies for centuries.”

When asked why she chose tea, Annie responded, “Growing up as a firstgeneration Chinese American, I drank whatever tea my parents had, and they were always so good. Then, throughout college and my accounting career, I switched to drinking coffee. I got to witness how the third wave transformed the coffee industry with a genuine focus on quality, singleorigin, and farmers themselves. When I switched back to tea after giving birth to my son, I noticed the stark contrast between the coffee industry and the tea industry. The majority of tea companies do not disclose

any farmer information, nor do they include a processing date. The lack of transparency and accountability was shocking to me.

That’s when I saw there could be an opportunity to transform the tea industry.”

Annie explained, “Some of the best advice I received when considering whether to quit my full-time job and start this business was defining two things. First, ‘What is the ‘North Star’ for the business? And second, what does failure look like? The ‘North Star’ will serve as a compass to navigate through tough decisions. Defining failure will eliminate the arbitrary fear in our minds when thinking about making such an enormous change to our career/life.” She adds, “Lean on people. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey but there are so many people ready to offer support in tangible and intangible ways.”

She has also learned to pace herself.

“When I first launched Volition Tea, I was trying out a lot of different channels and that process burnt out my energy. However, if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t necessarily do it differently because I learned very quickly what works and what doesn’t.”

Annie credits her time at Northwood for giving her a well-rounded experience, one that has laid a foundation for life-work balance. “Besides focusing on academics at Northwood I really enjoyed spending hours on art class and photography class, even during non-school hours. That experience embedded a seed in my mind to always have hobbies and passions outside of work, as they help me restore my energy level.”

Annie admits she’s a little homesick for how close she was to nature here every single day. “I so wish that I still had easy access to mountains, forests and lakes.”

Aside from telling them to take full advantage of our incredible Adirondack location, Annie would give the following advice to Northwood students, “VERY FEW people actually know what they would like to do in their life. It’s okay to not know what major you would like to study in college, it’s okay to not have something that you are deeply passionate about. Just keep trying new things, put your phone down and go explore the world. The answer will find you if you keep your eyes open.”

MARY HARDY SCHOOL NURSE

BY STEPHEN REED

As I look back on my 51 years at Northwood, my pick for the most beloved person ever to work on our staff would be Mary Hardy, our school nurse from 1977-2000. If the Guinness Book of World Records could quantify compassion, patience, and benevolence, she would be a contender for number one in every category.

Now 86 years old, she joined me at Starbucks recently for coffee. Just back from a vacation in Florida, she spoke of the fun she’d had swimming, walking, and kayaking with her nephew. Post-retirement, Mary has found plenty of outlets for her energy and compassion. A skilled AEMT, (very few knew that she was not actually a registered nurse) she worked with Lake Placid’s emergency medical services for a decade after leaving Northwood. When she is at home nowadays in Lake Placid, she enjoys hiking and snowshoeing. Numerous friends and relatives keep her busy as a host and guest. She noted that perhaps the best part of her retirement was the 20 years of time unfettered by work obligations she had with her husband, Bill, who passed away two years ago at the age of 93.

Many of her happiest memories are of her duties as the trainer for the hockey team. She had a great relationship with legendary coach, Tom Fleming, and took much pleasure in following the college and professional careers of Mike Richter ’85, Tony Granato ’83 and others after they left Northwood.

Mary Hardy

Mary Hardy surrounded by her 80s and 90s grads at Reunion 2018

As we spoke, she complained about her memory, but she regaled me with stories of people and events for an hour. Every tale offered evidence of her love of the kids and Northwood. She talked also of how well Headmaster John Friedlander treated her despite the occasional jokes he made during school meetings (he once said that when the diminutive Mary went missing as a pre-teen, her picture appeared not on a milk carton but a half pint of cream). However, he knew that, more than any faculty member, Mary had the students’ trust. They felt safe and comfortable confiding in her.

Her care and understanding provided a lifeline for scores of our students.

Mary earned the yearbook dedication twice. A couple of passages are worthy of inclusion here: 1985: Mary finds our best qualities even during our most traumatic experiences.

Somehow, she brings sunshine into our lives and heals our wounds miraculously with merely a band-aid or one tablet of Vitamin C. 2000: She is barely five feet tall, and as she runs down the hallway, she waves her key chain in the air for balance. Waiting at her office is a throng of students, some in pajamas, others in baggy sweats, all with that “I don’t want to go to school look” on their faces. She sticks her little flashlight into the mouth of a senior boy, her hand

“IF THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS COULD QUANTIFY COMPASSION, PATIENCE, AND BENEVOLENCE, SHE WOULD BE A CONTENDER FOR NUMBER ONE IN EVERY CATEGORY.”

Mary Hardy (left) with Isabelle de la Bruyere ’89 at Reunion 2018

pressing his forehead while she gazes at his throat. “Go to class, hon, you don’t have a temperature.” The other kids in line knew he was faking all along, and there are a few furtive grins as he shuffles past and out the door. “Go right to bed, hon,” she tells an ashen-faced-girl, “and stay away from the other kids.” To a third she says, “Take two Tylenol and try to make it to second period.

I’ll write you a note.” Hers is a mother’s face, eyes wrinkled from a lifetime of loving smiles. Last in line is a freshman with watery eyes, staring at the floor. She waits until others have turned the corner and are out of sight. She takes his wrist and closes the door behind them.”

Mary, it is never too late to remind you how much your colleagues and students loved you.

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / INDEPENDENT STUDIES

Dynamic Learning

Caroline Harrison ’22 has developed an independent study project on Canadian landscape artists known as The Group of Seven under the guideance of talented faculty member Ingrid Van Slyke.

BY HEATHER ODELL

The newly designed Honors Independent Study Program recognizes and celebrates the unique perspectives and approaches to learning that shape our student body by providing students an opportunity to work dynamically with an expert in their field and develop relevant solutions to contemporary issues. Partnerships between students, parents, alumni, and members of the greater Adirondack region facilitate the exploration of these students’ particular topics of interest. Sixteen students were involved in a study this academic year. It seems fitting that as our school celebrates 50 years of women at Northwood, twelve of these participants were female. These young women have set the bar for their peers by taking ownership over their learning and demonstrating a tremendous work ethic. A few have even had the good fortune of partnering with Northwood alumnae.

Iva-Amanda Nelson ’23 is exploring the world of neuroscience thanks to her mentor and Northwood alumna Madison McCarthy ’19. “Working on my interest in neuroscience independently has allowed me to grow immensely. Having not only a Northwood alum who shares similar experiences as a former student, but also a woman to further empower me in my studies has made my independent study a class of pure enjoyment. Madison McCarthy, Northwood Class of ’19 is a strong-minded intellectual and I do look up to her in regards to the path her career is taking and her work ethic. The networking Northwood has promoted with my study has allowed me to fully engage not only in my immediate community, but with a broader community that despite being a part of, I never knew.” It’s clear the respect for one another is mutual. When asked about her

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work with Iva-Amanda, Madison shared, “When I first heard about Amanda’s passion for science and medicine, I thought back to my time as a Northwood student, when I first became excited about medicine but did not know where to begin. In working with Amanda, I have helped shape her independent study to be focused particularly on research skills that will sustain her over her entire career in medicine, and that I wish someone had taught me when I was a Northwood student. Particularly, I think developing a research question — and being able to execute that research question — through the use of tools like EndNote and PubMed, and concepts such as the creation of a PRISMA flow diagram, filtering a corpus, and doing a literature search have been particularly important in her project and to her development. To be able to work with Amanda on such skills within the

Having not only a Northwood alum . . . but also a woman to further empower me in my studies has made my independent study a class of pure enjoyment.”

—IVA-AMANDA NELSON ’23

context of her text mining project is one of the ways that I have always hoped to give back to Northwood as an alumna.”

In addition to Madison’s involvement in the program, alumna Alex Harden ’04 has been guiding Marie-Jeanne Prince ’22 in her study of the impact of climate change on snow sports while Hannah Feinberg O’Neal ’13 is assisting current senior Ella Fesette ’22 in the research of nutrition for athletic performance.

Ella has also collaborated with former Olympian Andrea Henkel-Burke. Of her study, Ella says, “I’ve loved learning more about nutrition and how important it is for athletes. Being an athlete myself, I’ve

learned a lot about what foods you need to fuel your body. Working with Andrea and Hannah has been really helpful. Working with people that specialize in what I want to major in helped me gain a real sense of what nutrition and fitness is all about.”

Other impressive studies led by Northwood’s young women include Kate Broderick’s (Class of 2022) internship with attorney and Trustee Allison McGahay. McGahay, who is running for New York State’s Supreme Court, has welcomed Kate into her office on a weekly basis. Caroline Harrison ’22 has been working with talented faculty member Ingrid Van Slyke to learn more about

mid-century modern Canadian landscape artists, The Group of Seven. Caroline will host an opening at The Hub to showcase the paintings she has created throughout the year.

The intellect and drive of the women involved in the Honors Independent Study Program, whether students or mentors, have undoubtedly fostered this program’s early success. These studies reflect the diverse interests of Northwood students, and the work that has been accomplished in one year alone is quite remarkable. The legacy of the next 50 years of women at Northwood is sure to be a tour de force, empowering generations to come.

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HONORING OUR PAST / HONORED LEGACY FAMILY

2022

HONORED

LEGACY FAMILY

The Allyn Family Northwood school’s rich history and traditions date back to its founding in 1905 and the early years of the Lake Placid Club. The family-centric Club founded the School for sons of club members and as the School grew and developed, siblings, children, and grandchildren were welcomed into the Northwood family. We celebrate this tradition as we recognize Northwood School’s Honored Legacy Families.

Each year, Northwood School will recognize a family or families who have made a Northwood education a family tradition and continue to remain active in the life of the School. The honored families may have generations of Northwood alumni or alumni siblings. The first Honored Legacy Family may also be the first with three generations of Northwood alumni represented by Bill Allyn ’28, Lew Allyn ’57 and Tanya Allyn Dillon ’86.

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THE ALLYNS: THREE GENERATIONS OF TRUSTEES

William “Bill” Allyn ’28, P’57, GP’86, Trustee

Lew Allyn ’57, P’86, Trustee

For nearly a century, the Allyn family has been involved with Northwood School. Let that sink in for a moment.

When William G. Allyn ’28 stepped onto campus as a teenager in the fall of 1926, the School was barely beyond teenager-status itself and had only recently ceased spending its winter term in coastal Florida. Calvin Coolidge was President. Locally, the Palace Theatre had just opened on Main Street (talking pictures had not yet been created), the bustling Lake Placid Club was making Lake Placid a world-class destination, and it would still be six years until our village would host its first Winter Olympics.

In the 1932 Epitome there is a photo of Bill Allyn, beaming and proud, along with several other young alumni who returned to campus for a visit during the Olympic period, proof positive that he wished to stay connected to his beloved alma mater from the very beginning. Bill quickly established a pattern for remaining involved with his school, one that would last his lifetime and beyond. Little did he know at the time, but his loyalty to Northwood School would be passed down for two more generations. Eventually Bill would go on to serve on the Board of Trustees for two decades, and his son

Tanya Allyn Dillon ’86, Trustee

Lew ’57 and his granddaughter Tanya ’86 would follow in his footsteps. (And the cedar-shaked building in the background of that 1932 image we mentioned earlier?

We now call it the Allyn Building.)

This spring we sat down (virtually) with Lew ’57 and Tanya ’86 shortly after they learned the Allyns are to be Northwood’s first Honored Legacy Family.

It was a warm conversation about family, the love of Northwood, and the bonds shared between the generations. It was more of an oral history really, one rich with stories as we discussed the School, the impact it had on them, their roles as trustees, and how each of the Allyns chose to be at Northwood in the first place.

But before we reveal how the younger Allyn generations came to be at Northwood, we have to talk about how they actually came to BE. And that, dear reader, has everything to do with the far-reaching impact of Northwood connections.

Specifically, it has everything to do with Bill Allyn’s close friendship with his classmate and roommate Tom Leavenworth ’28.

Tanya, who refers to her grandfather as “Bompa” or “Bomps” explains, “Bomps and Tom were friends for a lifetime.

From Northwood on they were best buddies, they were really close. Tom

“My father thoroughly enjoyed his time on the board. He was always committed to developing successful ventures, and he would be thrilled today to see the plans that are underway for the campus. The Hub would have particularly pleased him.

It is a creative addition to our academic offerings — providing important skills for students interested in pursuing careers in technology,” said Lew. “Northwood is a very special place in so many ways, and it plays such an important role in developing young people. It has been successful, and its future under Head of School Mike Maher is very promising.”

Lew hopes that this message comes across to other alumni. “It is a new generation of the School and hopefully alums will be supportive and get involved with the School — visit and be part of its growth, because the next several years are going to be exciting,” he says.

On joining the board, Tanya says, “I think that as I start, I will try to do a lot of listening in order to come up to speed.”

One of her priorities is to highlight our location and the surrounding community, “The community of Lake Placid is such a great asset, it makes you feel like you aren’t just holed up somewhere.”

Lew is extremely happy that Tanya is joining the board: “She loves the School and is committed to its success.” He thinks the School is at a pivotal time and that, “She’ll find her niche and enthusiastically meet the challenges and opportunities.

She’s a creative thinker who will participate and enjoy the experience.”

As Lew prepares to retire from the board after more than 25 years, Tanya pays this tribute, “As busy as my mom and dad are, the passion that my dad has for Northwood really shows. When you have spent that much time on the board, have that much interest, that much love of it, that says a lot to me.” She continues, “Both my dad and my grandfather have always stood by Northwood. The School needs to stay, it needs to be there, it needs to flourish, and I feel like they helped to make that happen in a lot of ways.”

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lived in Amsterdam, N.Y. and so did a young woman named Sonya Finch. Well, when my grandfather would drive back to Skaneateles, he would stop in and stay overnight at Tom’s house, and Tom introduced Bomps to Sonya. They went out dancing one night, and Bomps stepped all over her feet and she wanted nothing to do with him. Fast forward to his years at Dartmouth when he finally got her to go on more dates with him, and that is how that worked out. Sonya was my grandmother, Mimi.” Worked out indeed: Bill and Sonya Allyn would celebrate 62 years of marriage before Sonya’s passing in 1996.

Hailed as the “Scintillating Skater from Skaneateles,” the 1928 Epitome opines, “Let it be said that Bill is one of the finest boys we have here.” We asked Lew how his father came to be at Northwood, “My grandfather (William N. Allyn — founder of Welch Allyn, manufacturer of medical devices) would visit the Lake Placid Club from time to time and my father, who loved the outdoors and sports, came to love Lake Placid too. With his goal of going to Dartmouth, Northwood was the natural next step.”

As an only child at a time when people were terrified of polio, Lew explains, “You didn’t congregate. He wanted to play baseball, but his parents were worried about him.” Instead they sent him off to their camp at the end of the lake in the summers where he could be isolated. He read a lot and loved to fish, but it was a lonely life and he missed his buddies, “So going to Northwood was very special for him — to suddenly have a whole group of family to be around. I think he thrived, absolutely thrived at Northwood,” says Tanya and Lew agrees, “Yes, having a Northwood family was really important.”

On the topic of Northwood friendship and that sense of family, Tanya muses, “I’ve always thought that my time at Northwood — and I know my grandfather was that way — the friends you had at the time there were part of your life experience and your growing experience. You may not keep in touch with your prep school friends as much as you might with your friends from college or beyond, but the experience that you had

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together was probably the most important thing that you took away from school. The friendships were great, but they were a little bit bigger than just a friendship — because you were maturing together, you were learning how to live together. I find it was the best thing that I did — besides marrying my husband Blake and having my kids Hanna, Nolan, Nathan and Lucy — the best thing I did was go to Northwood. Far above and beyond going to college.”

As to why Lew enrolled at Northwood, he says that he was struggling with dyslexia in school. His dad was on the local school board at the time, and the principal, who was a good friend, told him, “Get Lew out of here…get him where he can be in a smaller environment, where he could have the extra attention,” Lew shares, “I was very fortunate, Northwood gave me the interest and confidence in learning.”

“When I first got there (as a freshman in the fall of 1953) my parents dropped me off and drove out the driveway. As I was looking out the main window in the living room, I saw someone walking across campus with a big beautiful German shepherd, and it was the legendary Jim Fullerton.” Lew loves German shepherds, so he thought, “That’s a guy I want to get connected with.” For Lew, Jim Fullerton was “probably one of the most memorable individuals that I had contact with while at Northwood — he was an outstanding teacher, mentor and coach. He was always fair, always helpful — he was the real thing. The entire Fullerton family, dog included, were a very important part of the Northwood family.”

“Do you remember the name of the dog?” we ask. “Jaunty,” Lew says without missing a beat. Tanya laughs, “Ha, you would remember that.”

For Tanya, attending Northwood was the natural choice and she didn’t look anywhere else. Their family had been hiking in the ADKs in the fall forever as they loved being in the mountains. “I was very fortunate to have had two people that I think so highly of ahead of me at Northwood. It made me feel like I was coming home.”

When asked about some spots on campus that make them particularly nostalgic, Lew

PHOTO: HANA SNAJDROVA

HONORING OUR PAST / HONORED LEGACY FAMILY

Trustee Lew Allyn ’57 and daughter Trustee Tanya Allyn Dillon ’86

remarks, “Every day you walked by that picture window (in the living room) and you would be able to look at the mountains, and they were always different. For me that was something very special.”

But as the conversation continues, we discover there’s another location on campus that’s very dear to Lew, one that played a key role in the next generation of Allyn romance. When Lew was in college, he took a special someone back to Lake Placid to ski at Whiteface. He says, his voice a little giddy, “Dawn and I went up to go skiing one weekend. She stayed over in the Howards’ (Headmaster at the time) apartment, and outside that apartment was the first time I gave her a kiss. That started our whole relationship. Sort of sacred ground.” They have been married for 59 years now.

Tanya’s favorite spot at Northwood is the entrance. “I love the entrance. I love the driveway. I remember Mom and Dad dropping me off. For some reason they parked at the end of the drive and I remember watching them with their arms around each other walking back down the driveway.” Visibly emotional, Tanya struggles to get the words out, “That’s a great memory for me, bittersweet, but a great memory.”

She tears up and Lew adds, “On that day, we

were the ones with tears in our eyes …”

According to Tanya, Mr. Friedlander, who was the headmaster at the time, did a great job welcoming her to the Northwood family.

“He had made a deal with me that I could stay at my local high school until after the soccer season. Even though I came in a little late, I never felt uncomfortable. I loved it every day after, I just loved it. I didn’t want to go off to college. I just wanted to stay at Northwood.”

On Friedlander, Lew says, “He was a character. I can remember coming up for the interview with Tanya. And I asked John how many students do you have here now and he replied, “We have two students, and 80 kids attending the School — something like that — it cracked me up but that was typical John.

He had a great sense of humor in addition to being a great educator.”

Together, the Allyn family’s Northwood experience has literally spanned the entire arc of our Head of School lineage. From Ira Flinner, Moreau Hunt, John Howard and Ted Welles to John Friedlander, interim head David Burnham, Ed Good and Mike Maher, every single Northwood School Headmaster has interacted with an Allyn family member in some capacity as either a student, alumnus, a parent, or trustee.

“Over the years we’ve witnessed outstanding leadership that has kept the School relevant and successful,” says Lew. “There were some challenging years, but dedicated leadership saw the School through.”

In summary, Lew says, “We are very proud to have had three generations at Northwood. It has provided a special bond between us, not only to have a special family bond together, but to share the interests of the School. That was something my dad and I had, and something I’m sure Tanya and I will share as she joins the Board.

Northwood is very important to us.”

Tanya’s reflection, “Northwood is a great legacy for our family” perhaps captures the spirit of the Allyn family, doesn’t it — at a moment when their family is being honored

by Northwood, to turn it around and make it about the School they love so dearly instead, speaks volumes.

As Lew Allyn ’57 prepares to retire after more than 25 years on the Board of Trustees, two of his colleagues and our Head of School share the following sentiments: “I would be hard-pressed to name a more generous supporter or anyone who appreciates the special essence of Northwood and its story more than Lew Allyn ’57. He stands as a giant among our alums — a Distinguished Alumnus Medal recipient, a trusted advisor to me as Head, and a quiet and respected leader among his fellow board members.”

Michael Maher, Head of School “The first time I met Lew, I knew that he was someone special. Though it has been about ten years now, I feel like we have known each other for a lifetime. Lew is fun, caring, devoted, and adventurous. He is as gracious and humble as anyone I know and so passionate about making Northwood the best school possible. When I joined the board in 2011, I quickly realized that he was going to be a trusted friend and mentor.

While he is often quiet and reserved during the board meetings, he takes in every morsel of conversation, distills it, and comes up with thoughtful solutions. He has such a talent for effective communication and problem solving that it has been an immeasurable resource for all of us. Now, I simply cannot write about Lew without mentioning his incredible wife Dawn. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. The devotion that both Lew and Dawn have for our school is amazing!”

Trustee Karen Miller, Vice Chair “Anyone who has crossed paths with Lew Allyn is better for it, and those who can call Lew a friend are fortunate beyond measure. He is a man of few words, a dry, sneaky wit and immense talent and varied interests.

We are all blessed this interest includes carrying on the Allyn legacy at Northwood. Even in his ninth decade on the planet, he is actively engaged in pursuing his unique and far-ranging curiosity, intellectual and otherwise, about people and the world around him. He is a traveler and a seeker, who remains engaged with a lifelong pursuit of learning. In so many unselfish and anonymous ways, Lew supports the causes that are important to him. He is a doer. It is difficult to find a more modest, faithful and committed steward, with extraordinary common sense, judgment and an egoless approach. He is easy to be with and around. His focus is outward. He finds time for everyone, is universally liked and respected and is the consummate family man in all its roles. If pressed the only thing one might say that could be construed as critical is that his wedge and putter sometimes betray him. This leads to a frank discussion with each on the range or practice putting green and a Welsh resolve that he will have another go at it soon and the results will be better.”

Trustee Shawn George ’73, Secretary

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / STEM

Sebastian Green ’22 investigates the applications of thermal drone technology as part of his STEM research project.

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STEM Research Program Grows

BY JILL WALKER

What is the effect of road salt run-off on aquatic animals? How can thermal drones improve building construction? How does dehydration affect athletic performance?

Now in its second year, Northwood School’s Advanced STEM Research program continues to grow by providing students with a platform to engage in independent research in the biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences and engineering and seek answers to questions such as these. This year-long honors-level course challenges students with a passion for scientific discovery to design and implement research projects based on their own interests.

Students enrolled in the program have used their work to lend strength to their college admission applications. Having distinguished themselves through their research, these students were granted admission at highly selective institutions including Cornell University, University of Virginia, Villanova University, Colgate University, Stanford University, and University of Notre Dame. It is also worth noting that ten out of sixteen students who have enrolled in the program are female.

After a very successful first year, the Edward E. Ford Foundation and The Uihlein Foundation awarded Northwood generous matching grants to help expand this program and to create a public-private partnership with area public schools and universities to share research equipment, data, and mentors with expertise in students’ chosen areas of research. The purchased equipment and established

partnerships will allow a greater number of students to collect high-quality data, and gain experience with first-hand research.

The program will also continue to use the Adirondack Park as a laboratory to carry out

research that will foster a deeper connection between these young scientists and their environment and potentially have a positive impact on the health of the communities and ecosystems surrounding our campus.

In year two of the program, eight students carried out the following research projects: n Effects of photoperiod on growth of baby romaine lettuce using

ebb and flow hydroponics. n Investigating the applications of thermal drone technology. n The effect of varied nutrient concentration on the growth of baby

romaine lettuce using an ebb & flow hydroponic system. n Determining the effects of calcium chloride and sodium chloride on

the evolution of salt tolerance in Daphnia magna. n Cutibacterium acnes infection in total knee replacement surgery:

a case report and literature review. n Using trail cameras to determine activity of deer based on climate

and lunar phases. n Testing hydration levels in athletes and creating a rehydration plan

for optimal performance.

This year students shared their work by presenting their findings as

scientific posters at a symposium held at Northwood’s Innovation Hub on Main Street during the final weeks of school.

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / ALUMNI

From Cuba to Northwood Trustee Raul Valdes-Fauli ’61 Shares His Story

BY RAUL VALDES-FAULI ’61

In the course of my 50-year career, I’ve been privileged to experience many settings: from Harvard Yard where I completed my law degree; to corporate boardrooms where I practiced international law; to Commission meetings in the City of Coral Gables, where I was proud to serve as its six-term Mayor. But as I look back fondly after all these years, there is no doubt one of the most formative of all settings was my time at Northwood School. I consider my years at Northwood a critical part of my formation as a man, a professional and contributing member to society.

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I am Cuban by origin and lived in Cuba during my time at Northwood. This is important because the Cuban political situation determined my stay at Northwood and my abrupt departure from the School.

Fulgencio Batista, the former Cuban dictator, assumed power in Cuba through a coup d’ etat on March 10, 1952. During Batista’s last years in power, from 1957-1958, Fidel Castro started his revolution and the situation in Cuba became dire, specifically for young men. Batista’s police would harass young men in the streets thinking they were revolutionaries, many imprisoned first and asked questions later. Imprisonment meant torture and a very difficult time. This political situation and the dangerous conditions for young men in Havana convinced my parents that it was best to send me to study abroad in the United States.

Raul with his wife Francia, daughter Daniella, sonin-law Jorge and 3 of 15 grandchildren, Isabella, Tomas and Lucia

From 1953-1956 my parents sent me to summer camp in Lenox, Massachusetts, to learn English. In the summer of 1957, they picked me up and we subsequently spent two weeks in Lake Placid, New York, to enjoy the atmosphere, weather, and leisure. Having made the decision to send me to prep school in the United States, they started looking in late August for schools and the nearly unanimous answer we received was mocking laughter at a new applicant who was applying far too late for the September school year. Schools encouraged me to apply for the following year, which was not my parents’ intention.

While in Lake Placid, they discovered Northwood School, with all its beauty and strong reputation; they inquired and decided that it would be the perfect place for me. I took an entrance exam at the School and miraculously passed since my English was based on summer camp experiences, e.g., “pass the ball, kick it harder” and not academic in nature at all. However, mercifully, I passed the test and started the school year in September as desired.

I welcomed the opportunity for this new experience, attending an American boarding school, learning the language, learning about new cultures, discovering new sports and living in such a unique town as Lake Placid. I was very eager to live this new stage in my young life and thus took advantage of every opportunity. In my first year, I played American football for the

first time and our little known school went undefeated that season and won the league. When winter arrived, to my great delight, I discovered skiing, another new experience which I welcomed.

At the end of my first school year, I was invited back, having barely passed the subjects I had taken. I went back to Cuba for summer, where I studied the second year of “bachillerato“ (aka high school).

I came back to Northwood in September and a new year started. Again, boarding school, and although it was not new this time, those were still new experiences.

Castro forcefully grabbed power in Cuba on January 1, 1959. I was there at the time, and it was an incredible experience because Batista was a very unpopular person.

“Fidelistas,” Fidel followers, ransacked houses having belonged to government officials, and there were hundreds of thousands of people on the streets celebrating what they thought at the time was the liberation of Cuba. I arrived late in January at Northwood to start classes because of the difficulties in travelling.

While enjoying my second year at school in April, my parents informed me that I had to leave Northwood because Castro had forbidden the purchase of dollars with Cuban pesos. Without access to American dollars, my parents could not pay the school tuition, room and board, travel, etc. Cuban pesos were, of course, not welcomed anywhere. I left Northwood

My experience at Northwood was invaluable in myriad ways. It made me aware of the possibilities and opportunities available outside of Cuba, and showed me a new way of life, a new way of doing things.”

—RAUL VALDES-FAULI ’61

After Fidel Castro took power in 1959, holding foreign currency was a crime punishable by fine or imprisonment, making Valdes-Fauli’s return to Northwood impossible.

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / ALUMNI

RAUL VALDES-FAULI ’61:

An Impressive Resumé LAUNCHING PAD EDUCATION: Tulane ’65 Harvard Law ’68 A LEADER IN BANKING, LAW AND POLITICS LAW CAREER: Founder, Raul J. Valdes-Fauli, P.A. Partner and Managing Partner, various national law firms in South Florida Senior Tax Counsel, Creole Petroleum Corporation Tax Counsel, Standard Oil Company DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE POLITICS: Six-term Mayor, Coral Gables, Florida (1993-2001 and 2017-2021) Member, City Commission (1985-1989)

that April during Spring Break. I went back to Cuba to finish high school.

My experience at Northwood was invaluable in myriad ways. It made me aware of the possibilities and opportunities available outside of Cuba, and showed me a new way of life, a new way of doing things. I embraced these experiences wholeheartedly as they made me a richer person.

In 1960 when Castro confiscated businesses under threat of imprisonment or worse, closed all of the schools, expelled religious teachers, and the like; my family and I left Cuba in July as exiles to Miami, Florida. I graduated from Archbishop Curley High School in Miami, Florida, a Catholic school, in 1961. Due in large part to what I learned at Northwood, my grades were superb at that time and so was my English.

After graduation I matriculated at Tulane University, which granted me a full tuition, room and board scholarship, which made it possible for me to advance in my studies. At Tulane I spent junior year abroad in Paris, another new cultural and living experience

AN ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS BOARD MEMBERSHIP: Dante Alighieri Society Florida Memorial University Centro Cultural Español South Everglades Restoration Task Force Coral Gables Museum Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Miami Symphony Orchestra Lowe Art Museum Florida Board of Medicine Doctors Hospital of Coral Gables Northwood School Caribbean Central America Action Committee Ransom Everglades School Florida Bar, International Law Section University of Miami International Lawyers Exchange Program BUILDING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS ORGANIZATIONS FOUNDED: US-Argentina Council Venezuelan-American Association of the United States Spain-US Chamber of Commerce RECOGNITION FOR DEDICATION AND SERVICE HONORS: Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and Officer of the Order of National Merit, France Ufficiale nell’Ordine Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, Italy Orden del Libertador San Martin Gran Oficial, Argentina Encomienda de la Orden del Merito Civil, Spain Dante Alighieri Society Award Lawyer of the Americas Award, University of Miami School of Law Top Lawyer, Florida Legal Guide

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Top: First time winning the Coral Gables Mayoral race in 1993; Bottom: Raul with Ronald Douglas Johnson, United States Ambassador to El Salvador from 2019 to 2021 and the Ambassador’s wife Alina

True Blue: Gary Green ’55 enriching my person immeasurably.

After 50 years, I still practice law at my own firm, Raul J. Valdes-Fauli, P.A. a boutique firm serving U.S. and international clients. I reside in Coral Gables with my wife Francia. We are the proud parents of six children and have fifteen grandchildren.

I have had a satisfying life, so far, and attribute my stay in Northwood, albeit brief, for contributing enormously to my success.

I discovered a new world which made me a richer, more intellectually curious person having lived in Lake Placid, New York in a boarding school and with new sports and new subjects and a new language which made me curious to learn new things. My advice is to be curious, try to discover new things and do apply yourself intensely to whatever you like. You will become a better person for that. In addition, when you do find a passion, a new profession, a new venture, the secret of success is “show up, on time, and dressed to play.”

Whenever I reflect on my time at Northwood, visceral memories come flooding back in waves. These include tumbling down the mountain as I was learning to “ski” (and that’s putting it charitably), and other times staring out my dorm window at the falling white snow, so foreign an image for a Cuban boy more accustomed to palm trees and blue ocean.

That was the paradox of Northwood. For me, it combined two seemingly conflicting things: exciting novelty, yet comfort in a sense of place and belonging. That feeling is ingrained in my psyche, and contributed greatly to my confidence and will to succeed in life.

Northwood is fortunate that many graduates have been willing to serve the School for decades on its Board of Trustees. The School is truly appreciative of the service of Gary Green ’55, who transitioned to Trustee Emeritus status in June 2021 after 36 years. A staple on the Facilities Committee, Gary has helped to shape Northwood’s most significant campus building projects.

Gary graduated from Northwood in 1955, later earning a Bachelor’s degree from RPI in 1963 and a Master’s from Wharton in 1969. He spent two years as an enlisted man in the 82nd Airborne, noting, “I acquired a more mature perspective and an understanding of the importance of service to our country.” In his career, he has worked on major real estate developments and managed recreational community developments and several high-rise office structures.

He has been married for 58 years to his wife Avalin, with whom he has three children and six grandchildren. Beyond his work and family, Gary is a passionate woodworker and fine furniture craftsman. He is the generous creator of Northwood’s custom college signet plaques which adorn the dining room walls and several of his furniture pieces dot the Northwood living room.

In 1986, he became a Northwood trustee, feeling that his diverse interests, love of the School, and specific knowledge in facilities development would be assets to Northwood. He remarked that “Northwood has always had an interest in finding a student’s strengths.”

Asked what advice he had for Northwood students, he responded, “Use this opportunity to broaden your experiences. Try new things. Enjoy fellow students from other countries and abroad.” To encourage students to do just that, Gary has volunteered his time for several years to teach a wildly popular L.E.A.P. course in woodworking, sharing his passion for the craft with the next generation of the Northwood family.

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / CLUBS Finn Donahue ’23 crosses the Flume on a recent NOC adventure.

Northwood Outing Club Makes a Comeback

BY BOBBY O’CONNOR

Rebirth. Revitalization. Reincarnation.

Whatever you choose to call it, the Northwood School Outing Club — better known as NOC — is back, and we have big plans! We are officially nine months into the 2021/2022 academic school year and NOC has been busy.

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In March, we surpassed 100 adventure outings since the start of classes.

That’s 100 trips learning hands-on, building leadership/decision-making skills and honing in on a craft within a natural environment. A few of the more innovative trips consisted of rock

climbing in Red Rocks, Nevada during Thanksgiving break, a backcountry ski off Mount Marcy, ten days of backcountry skiing and avalanche awareness/safety in Utah, and a week-long wilderness first aid certification here in the Adirondack Park.

All this action hasn’t left much time to consider the most important happenings here in NOC. As I reflect, memories are being made, friendships are sprouting, and love affairs with the natural world are blooming. Many facets of Northwood School make it a perfect fit for a robust outdoor program. The location and its students are probably the two most obvious. The School is located in the heart of the Adirondacks, a six-million-acre outdoor recreational playground, and these students are motivated, dynamic, and psyched to utilize this playground as a classroom/learning venue. There are endless opportunities!

NOC is already thinking about next year. As Director of the program, I can’t emphasize enough how excited I am for what lies ahead. This School is unique and exciting because every employee cherishes the School and its students. I’ve never been a part of a workplace in which people care so deeply for the success of others while also pushing themselves to be the best educators/coaches they can be.

Working closely with the Northwood administration, we have worked out a few changes for next year that will build upon this year’s success. Most significantly, NOC will have a large block of time to run its academic courses. These academic courses are different from the co-curricular component of NOC and

Treasured Legacy

BY DON MELLOR ’71

will allow for more students to receive various certifications and expose a larger number of students overall to the outdoors. Second, Carter Day ’23, one of our upperclass NOC student leaders, will participate in a NOCfocused independent study. Carter will develop a course manual on specific adventure sport disciplines and then instruct members of the surrounding communities in these skills.

We are also planning to expand our trips to international travel. Itineraries such as backcountry skiing in Iceland, trekking to Everest base camp, paddling in Patagonia, or climbing in British Columbia are all on our radar. Finally, we are hoping to plan and execute an alumni-focused ski trip.

Whether we decide to search for deep powder in Japan or take to the sky for heliskiing in Alaska, the premise of this trip will be reconnecting with members of the Northwood community.

There is a quotation from professional ice climber, Will Gadd, that we take seriously here in NOC, “Days on the couch should be a welcome anomaly, not a way of life.” So with that, if you are looking for us, we will be out in the mountains or perhaps floating down the Colorado River. Wherever we are, rest easy knowing that NOC lives on!

I had always known that the Northwood Outing Club was one of the School’s most treasured legacies, and as director for more than 40 years I had watched more kids than I can count set up a tent for the first time, brave their first night out in the woods, or lean back into the terrifying void of their first rappel.

Still, the scope and value of that legacy hit me hard when I introduced Naj Wykoff ’67 to Bobby O’Connor at a little coffee shop down in Keene Valley last summer.

Naj has long been one of NOC’s most vocal cheerleaders.

And Bobby, newly hired as the incoming NOC director, was just beginning to understand that our boasts about NOC weren’t just a bunch of words in a brochure. NOC wasn’t just a regular school’s regular outdoor rec program. It was NOC. I stayed mostly silent as I listened to Naj talk about the program’s history and to Bobby as he envisioned where he might take it. It was an emotional moment for me, watching Naj and Bobby shake hands, a symbolic gesture of continuity and promise.

The old days of NOC were marked by mud and rain, sweat and triumph. During the week, the upperclass students would plan the trip, and come Friday, the group was off in that wobbly cutoff bus we all remember so dearly. Naj laughed when one of us asked what they’d do if Friday was rainy. “We got wet.” When the troops would return from their trip — hunting, camping, climbing one of the 46er peaks — they’d be cold, tired, and proud.

That’s just what I saw in my years at Northwood. OK, maybe we wimped out from the weather once in a while (Sorry, Naj). But we came home proud. The kids had a little strut. They had shared an experience more intense and intimate than they would have gotten had they stayed home and gone to the Palace Theatreon Saturday night.

Check out the old yearbooks and you’ll see a lot of team photos. You can count the decades by looking at the evolution of the gear and the design of the uniforms. Yet in a way, the pictures are all the same. NOC happened out of the camera’s eye. The pictures of the Outing Club’s adventures aren’t hanging on the wall. They are seared for all time in the hearts and memories of the kids. The cold, the wet, the uncertainty.

The smell of the campfire and the sting of the fingertips chaffed raw from the rock.

The pride they’d feel when someone asked, “How high was that cliff?”

Most kids are probably fulfilled by the shared goal of some kind of team — soccer, robotics, drama. But there are some — me, for example — that really need some shivering, some fear, and that indescribable feeling when you’ve overcome the challenges and the van is pulling back onto campus. You don’t need a trophy.

Longtime Northwood educator Don Mellor ’71 is the author of Climbing in the Adirondacks (editions 1983, 1996, 2004), Blue Lines and Blue Lines 2 (2006 and 2016), Rock Climbing: A Trailside Guide, American Rock and Adirondacks Alive. He is a regular contributor to publications such as Adirondack Explorer, Alpinist and Adirondack Life. Upon retirement from Northwood, Don established a guide service, where he continues to share his outdoor knowledge and enthusiasm with others. He also assists with the NOC climbing program. More info can be found at donmellorguiding.com

NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / CLUBS

NOC Memories

BY NAJ WIKOFF ’67

I participated in the fall and spring Outing Club every year I was at Northwood.

Even though I was raised in Lake Placid, the Outing Club took me to parts of the Adirondacks I’d never been to before and provided me with a wealth of new experiences and skills. It also challenged me in a multitude of ways that have shaped how I approach life and relate to others.

In the late 1950s and 60s, the Outing Club was a popular activity for students who liked hiking, camping, and canoeing and who were not particularly interested in participating in organized sports teams like football and soccer. The Outing Club had a fall and spring program; the fall’s focus was on hiking and camping, and the spring was on learning how to canoe in rapids and conduct overnight canoe trips. A significant focus of the Outing Club was leadership skills development; the highest achievement was receiving the coveted NOC Guide Badge.

During weekdays, after-class activities ranged from learning how to sharpen and safely use tools like axes, clearing and maintaining the School’s cross country ski trail around Cobble Mountain, and yard work. In the spring, the students spent their afternoons on the Ausable River, putting in near the ski jumps, learning the basics of reading and navigating a river, and becoming proficient in the various paddling strokes required, such as the draw and crossbow rudder.

Weekends were about camping, no matter the weather. Fall trips included summiting one or more of the Adirondack 46ers, often camping out in snow later in the season.

The NOC Guides and Guide aspirants planned the trips, developed the menu, loaded student packs, cooked the meals, and led the trips. Generally, students bought their gear: usually, Army surplus, which included ponchos, used to fend off the rain and rigged as individual tents out in the woods. The Guides were responsible for the health, safety, and wellbeing of everyone on the trip.

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In the spring, the early trips generally went down rivers like the Schroon and, when possible, shifted to lake trips, many trips included portages. The culminating test of the aspirants was leading a three-day, two-night overnight trip. Overseeing these activities and teaching the various required skills were the “sports,” our faculty mentors such as E.C. Welles, “Uncle” Harry Fife, and the very popular Ellsworth “Yockie” Jackstadt.

We at Northwood are blessed to live, at least part of our lives, in the largest park within the continental United States, a park bigger than the state of Vermont — a region filled with an incredible diversity and interdependent manifestation of life. Through the Outing Club I acquired a profound respect for nature in all its

moods and the beauty of this region even while slogging through mud in a heavy rainstorm. Being out in nature can soothe and rejuvenate your spirits in ways no other experience can. I gained all that, as well as friendships that are as vital to me today as they were then.

Two-time Fulbright Senior Scholar Naj Wikoff ’67 is the Vice President of the National Organization for Arts in Health and the marketing director for Aesthetics, Inc which uses the arts and design to assist medical centers and other organizations in expressing their vision, mission, and values. Founder and president emeritus of Creative Healing Connections, he founded the Lake Placid Institute and co-founded the Adirondack Film Society-Lake Placid Film Forum. Naj has served as director of arts and healing at the C. Everett Koop Institute, Dartmouth Medical School and Director of Arts and Productions for the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Naj is a columnist for the Lake Placid News and is a regular contributor to Adirondack Almanack.

Reaching New Heights

BY CARRIE WARDLAW

The Outing Club has had an enormously positive impact on our family.

A ski racer since the age of seven, our son Wyatt began his Northwood career as a member of the alpine ski team. He sustained a catastrophic injury in December 2019 which would lead to multiple surgeries. As he was healing, he realized that perhaps ski racing was not in his future.

I was nervous about what he could find to fulfill his athletic goals at Northwood. Enter Bobby O’Connor and the revitalized NOC program — Wyatt is absolutely thriving and enjoying every minute of participating in NOC. He has had the opportunity to try multiple activities I don’t think he ever would have even thought about before. One highlight has been the rock climbing/camping trip to Red Rocks in Nevada during our Thanksgiving break. The pictures he sent to us were breathtaking and he said every day was more fun and exciting than the one before.

Through my work in the Admission Office, I notice that students who are participating in our other co- curricular offerings are also now participating in NOC more than ever before. It’s also brought a renewed interest in our outdoor program from our applicant pool. We are receiving applications from families looking specifically at our outdoor program and realizing that living and going to school in Lake Placid while surrounded by the Adirondacks is a pretty unique opportunity.

As a parent and faculty member I am so thrilled to have NOC back!

I’ve learned so much while participating in the NOC program. It’s fun and exciting every day.

I’ve learned to reach new heights figuratively as well as literally. Every season brings a new adventure!”

—WYATT WARDLAW ’24

NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / FACULTY + STUDENTS

Letters from Tanzania

BY NOËL CARMICHAEL

Noël Carmichael, Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, joined the Northwood faculty in 2017. She teaches Humanities and Drama, and lives on campus with her family in the Bergamini dorm. Noël is currently at work on her first book. We caught up with her to get this special preview.

Prior to joining Northwood, I spent a decade living in Tanzania, East Africa. I hadn’t intended to live there so long. In fact, I expected the project I went for (establishing local production of therapeutic foods used to treat malnutrition) to last three to six months.

However, from the moment I started learning Swahili, the language and the culture it expressed quickly consumed me. From then on, Swahili culture became a part of my own. In 2010, I married Chisondi Mzese atop the highest peak on the African continent, Uhuru Point on Mount Kilimanjaro. I adopted my first daughter in Dar es Salaam, and gave birth to my second in Nairobi, Kenya.

While in Tanzania, I worked in the international aid sector, in the performing arts (theatre was my major at NYU) and began to dabble in what has now become my career in education. I also wrote. A lot. I returned home with a crate full of journals and a record of 200 letters I sent home to family and friends over my nine years abroad.

Now, five years after returning home, I find myself kneedeep in the process of turning those letters into a book.

Since I have historically written smaller pieces such as

essays and poems, tackling what is currently a 300-page work has been quite a learning experience. I initially expected to use the letters as fodder for a cohesive narrative of my experience, but as I spent time with the letters, I realized that the voice I wrote in originally (which I have termed “unexplainably confident”) was too valuable to throw out. I have thus decided to retain the epistolatory form and have focused my energies on curating the collection of letters and framing them with annotations from my present perspective which provide additional context and sometimes reveal my often hilarious and sometimes embarrassing naiveté at the time of writing.

The working title is Letters from Tanzania: 2008-2018 and I aim to get it off my desk and into the hands of a publisher by the fall.

A JOURNAL ENTRY FROM JUNE 10, 2008: Working our way, meter by meter, through the clouds. About to have my first glimpse of the African continent. My first sight of land below the equator… The 6-by-9-inch oval through which I get my first glimpse of the continent reveals a thick haze over brown land, dotted with globs of deep green. An impressionist painting from this distance. The flight attendant is welcoming us to Nairobi first in English, then in French, then in Swahili. I try to understand all three and make some sense of my new geographical perspective as the concept of Africa leaves the domain of my imagination and begins to take shape through my senses...

In 2019, I had the pleasure of returning to Tanzania with a group of Northwood students as part of our annual L.E.A.P. (Learn, Engage, Apply, Perform) Program. It was an amazing opportunity to share my love of this country, culture and language with these students and my colleague John Spear ’88, Assistant Head of School.

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IN THEIR COLLEGE ESSAYS,

Sole Searching

BY LILY SPIEGEL ’22

All the places I have been and all the things I have learned have one thing in common: I was wearing shoes. Each pair of shoes I own has a different memory embedded in its sole.

Here are a few that I feel represent me the most.

Converse: A new adventure, I am attached by a harness to a long cord, standing on a small wooden platform in my Converse sneakers. Once white, they are now covered in various shades of brown from the expeditions. They have given me traction. Each time I lace them up, I think of the different adventures I’ve had wearing them. This time, I am 147 feet above the rainforest in Costa Rica; with my sweaty palms, I grip the harness holding me to the zipline before I jump and go flying over the trees. These shoes symbolize my love of adventure; while wearing them, I have learned that I just have to make the jump and never look back.

Birkenstocks: It is about 6:00 p.m., and I am standing on the beach. The sky is scattered with multiple shades of orange, pink and yellow. Waves are softly waterlogging my Birkenstocks. My Birkenstocks are light brown sandals made from natural cork and latex, jute and suede.

All renewable and natural resources, a staple shoe for tree huggers. These shoes symbolize my love for the environment.

They remind me to stand tall in my shoes and to protect what I feel is important.

Formal Heels: Black three-inch block heels. My school holds a formal dinner every few months, and for the formal dinner everyone is required to wear a suit or a dress and has assigned seats. During the first few years at my school, I was annoyed with the assigned seats. I just wanted to sit with my friends. My heels are slightly

uncomfortable to wear, similar to how I feel when I am meeting new people.

Eventually, I learned to take advantage of the fact that I would get to talk to new people. Making new friends is now one of my favorite parts of formal dinners. I love discovering new people, whether friends, family or strangers. Every encounter I have had with others leaves an impression on me. I collect their experiences to learn from and apply to mine, like putting myself in their shoes.

Barefoot: I know I said everything that I have learned was done while wearing shoes, but there are some things that must be done barefoot. For example, I am a gymnast which is always done barefoot. The times I have tried to do gymnastics with shoes on or even socks I would always be afraid of getting hurt or slipping. Being barefoot is liberating because it connects me to the earth and limiting because I must move with care.

If I were to go for a walk in the woods barefoot, I would be more aware of my surroundings because walking barefoot forces me to think about each step I take.

our seniors must accomplish two things: convince the college admissions counselors that they are good writers and project a personality and character that suggest they will be desirable members of the college community. I work with dozens of our seniors as they prepare their essays. Some, like the author of this piece, Lily Spiegel, work cheerfully through multiple drafts until their work represents their best effort. Choosing an uncommon topic, as Lily did, is a significant plus. I am sure this essay helped her earn her early decision acceptance to Providence College. —Stephen Reed

Whether I realize it or not, wherever I go and whatever I do in life, I am leaving a trail behind. It’s important to make sure it’s a good trail and learn from each step I take, whether it’s big or small. I have learned from others’ paths, but more importantly I have learned to forge my own way and go after what I want despite my fears or doubts.

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / EVENTS

Reunion 2020 & 2021 A combined Reunion 2020 & 2021 was held the weekend of June 25, 2021. The event saw an eager crowd of alumni and friends excited to return for two years’ worth of celebrations as Covid-19 restrictions began to ease.

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Highlights of the weekend included The Fullerton Wall inductee ceremony of Kevin Drury ’06 and Northwood faculty member Matt Roy (see page 43), the cruise on Lake Placid, and a newly featured clambake which was a terrific hit. The ever-popular True North Dinner, which is held in honor of the 50th Reunion class, was double the fun as it celebrated both the Class of 1970 and the Class of 1971. The dinner also honored the two Distinguished Alumnus Medal recipients Tony Pell ’54 and Reed Miller ’72 (see page 42) and paid tribute to Don Mellor ’71 upon his retirement after more than 40 years teaching at Northwood School. We are deeply grateful to Johnny Woods ’71, Dill Driscoll ’70, Gregg Heineman ’80 and Laurie Colon ’80 for motivating their classmates to get back for their special milestones.

Reunion 2022 will be occurring around the time of this publication (and we know they’ll all be having a fine time!). Congratulations to the Class of 1972 on celebrating their 50th this year, and to Bernie Curry ’71 for being the 2022 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Medal. Look for highlights from Reunion 2022 in the next issue of this magazine.

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1. The Class of 1971 celebrates their 50th Reunion year.

2. Enjoying reunion: Chip Bissell ’71, Former Trustee Reed Miller ’72, Trustee Karen Miller, Mike Butler ’81, faculty members Marcy Fagan and John Spear ’88 3. The Lake Placide Boat Cruise is a perennial Reunion favorite.

4. Trustees Kathy Nguyen, Shawn Grange ’73, Lew Allyn ’57, Dawn Allyn, Former Trustee Diane Scholl, and Head of School Mike Maher 5. Class of 1980 members: Gretchen Dailey, Robyn Sunday, Laurie Colon, Trustee Gregg Heineman, Former Trustee Eleanor Powell, Eileen Wikoff, Jackie Benedict 6. Join us next year under the Reunion 2023 tent!

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Commencement Celebrating the Class of 2021!

During the 114th Northwood School Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 22, 2021, 75 graduates received their diplomas. Due to Covid-19, three tents equipped with large video screens provided a socially distant viewing experience.

A live stream was available for those unable to attend due to capacity limits or travel restrictions.

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Let’s Celebrate!

JUNE 2023 WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT — start making plans to get back to Lake Placid! Reunion 2023 will highlight the class years ending in 3 and 8, but all classes are welcome. Come back to your campus and let’s celebrate!

Seniors and faculty were led to the tents with Northwood’s traditional bagpipe processional. The Opening Invocation and Benediction were read by Stephen Reed, Senior Master. Noël Carmichael presented senior awards and prizes, and Head of School Michael Maher presented graduates with their diplomas. Don Mellor ’71, longtime faculty member (retired), gave the Commencement Address. The class speakers were Adelia Castillo ’21 and Lars Kroes ’21 (pictured). Following the ceremony, each graduate triumphantly rang the Northwood Bell and received their alumni pin. Congratulations, Class of 2021!

NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / EVENTS

New York City Holiday Celebration The New York City holiday celebration has established itself as a treasured highlight on the Northwood School event calendar. This year, generous hosts Bernie ’71 and Cynthia Curry welcomed Northwood alumni, families and friends to the esteemed Racquet & Tennis Club on December 13, 2021. Guests enjoyed an evening of great company, music, delicious food and holiday cheer while sharing old Northwood stories, making new connections and hearing exciting school updates from Head of School Mike Maher.

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1. Holiday party hosts Bernie’71 and Cynthia Curry 2. Greg Harden, Lorie Harden, Diane Scholl, Karen Miller, Bernie Curry ’71, and Reed Miller ’72 NYC event is a favorite of our young 3. The alumni professionals.

4. Garth and Paula Sinclair P’20,’23 5. Former Trustee Reed Miller '72, Board Chair Brad Olch '69, Head of School Mike Maher, and host Bernie Curry '71 3

MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US IN NYC DECEMBER 2022!

We promise you won’t regret being in the City during this festive time of the year while celebrating your own connection to Northwood School. Stay tuned for details in a future Northwood News and on our social channels.

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BOSTON GOLF In late October, Trustee Dr. Erik Berg ’92 once again hosted a group of Northwood alumni, parents, Head of School Mike Maher and members of the Advancement Office for a round of golf at the Charles River Country Club in Newton, Massachusetts. Over the last few years the event has become a great chance to play a terrific course, meet up with old friends, and enjoy excellent food and drink in the clubhouse after the round. Look for notice of next year’s outing on Northwood’s Facebook page. Joining Host Erik Berg ’92, and Head of School Mike Maher were: Bill Stewart ’69, Jerry Buckley ’91, Matt Kuzniar ’96, Jason Lumsden ’96, Chris Selkirk ’99, Terence Durkin ’12, Former Trustee Lorie Harden and Greg Harden P’04,’05,’07, Pete Ticconi, P’99, Associate Head of School for External Affairs Tom Broderick, and Director of Alumni Relations Steve Reed.

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Future Events!

WE WANT YOU TO GET THE INVITATION!

As we hope for a return to a full slate of events, please make certain that the Northwood Advancement Office has your current contact information including email address.

Please reach out to: Steve “Reno” Reed at reeds@northwoodschool.org | 518-524-8692 or alumni@northwoodschool.org | 518-523-3357

Northwood has left an indelible mark.

What will be yours?

What is it about Northwood School that has remained with you all these years? Was it the lifelong friendships you made with roommates, classmates and teammates? Was it the thrill of climbing your first High Peak or playing your first game on Olympic ice? Or was it a teacher or headmaster who influenced the person you are today? If you find yourself reflecting back on the role that Northwood has played in your life, we hope you will consider helping to secure the longterm future of Northwood School by becoming a member of the Second Century Society.

The Second Century Society recognizes those individuals who have made a bequest intention or other planned gift which includes Northwood School. The men and women who are part of the Second Century Society are loyal donors who have positioned Northwood School as one of their most important priorities. We hope you will too.

During John Howard’s time as headmaster, I was fortunate to receive enough scholarship assistance to be able to attend Northwood School, as did many of my classmates. I have never forgotten the School’s generosity and that is why I support the Northwood Fund each year and have included Northwood School in my estate plans.”

Mike Devlin ’60 Former Faculty Member

If you are considering a planned or deferred gift, you are encouraged to consult with your financial advisor or attorney before making a gift to Northwood School. For more information or to add your name to the list of Second Century Society members, please contact the Head of School’s Office at 518-523-3357.

NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

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INSPIRING OUR FUTURE / CAMPAIGN

Elevating Our Future Comprehensive Campaign Takes Shape in 2022

With rich academic and co-curricular programming in place, Northwood School leadership believes now is the time to turn its attention to its endowment and facilities to ensure the School’s future sustainability.

“The first six years of my tenure at Northwood were focused on strengthening the School experience with robust programs in a number of areas,” said Head of School Mike Maher. Those programs included new co-curriculars in soccer and dance and the revitalization of the Northwood Outing Club (NOC). On the academic side, an invigorated L.E.A.P. program, the addition of Olympic Physics, the Advanced STEM Research Program, the Advanced Humanities Program and the Independent Study program have enhanced the School’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum and have given Northwood students an edge in the college admission process.

“The next chapter of Northwood’s history is focused on growing the endowment and creating state-of-the-art facilities that support the mission of the School,” Maher continued. To that end, the School has announced its plans to embark on a multi-phase comprehensive campaign, with $9 million in leadership gifts already in hand. The first three phases of the campaign include construction of an outdoor turf field, new Allyn Building entryway, learning commons, and dining hall, as well as plans to grow the endowment to support people and programs through financial aid, faculty development and operating support. Future phases under consideration include a girls’ dormitory, arts center and athletic complex. The final campaign goal will be determined at the June 2022 Board meeting.

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Phase I: Turf Field The first phase, a pro-level turf field constructed parallel to Northwood Road, saw its inaugural matches hosted by Northwood’s elite boys’ soccer squad in November 2021.

Measuring 220 ft. by 360 ft., the field utilizes FieldTurf’s Revolution 360 system which is widely considered to be the premier product in the turf industry. It features 9 lbs. of infill per sq. ft., a mix of rubber and sand placed between the synthetic grass blades that provides both cushion and footing. Studies published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine have shown FieldTurf’s surface leads to significantly fewer injuries and concussions as compared to natural grass. The field is maintained with an Avant loader, a small tractor specially designed to sweep, sift infill to remove debris, and even plow turf. Bleachers for spectators were added this spring, and a press booth and netting behind the goals are planned for the coming months.

A new pro-level turf field was completed in the fall of 2021 as part of Phase I.

The new dining facility planned for Phase II features seating for 300 and magnificent views.

The floor-to-ceiling native stone fireplace is the focal point of the new dining hall.

The next chapter of Northwood’s history is focused on growing the endowment and creating stateof-the-art facilities that support the mission of the School.”

—MICHAEL MAHER, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Phase II: Dining Hall

Phase III of the campaign features a redesign to the Allyn Building entryway, allowing for more light and open space.

Phase II of the campaign includes construction of a new dining facility attached to the rear of the existing Allyn Building overlooking the Academic Center quad. The space will feature a mix of large tables and booths to accommodate 300 people highlighted by serving stations, a wood-fired oven and an all-day café. A fireplace will sit at the center for warmth and ambiance, and three walls of windows will bring the outdoors in while capturing incredible views of Cobble and the McKenzie Mountain Range from dawn to dusk.

Phase III: Entryway and Learning Commons

The Steve Reed Learning Commons places learning at the heart of the School.

The entryway of the Allyn Building will be opened up to allow for additional light and a more spacious feel as you enter this iconic building. The stairway to Second Floor East will become a floating staircase and glass-walled conference rooms lining the area below will lead students into the new Learning Commons, named for legendary Northwood faculty member Steve “Reno” Reed. The Learning Commons is designed to be a quiet space with areas where students can work in small groups or independently throughout the day and during evening study hall hours. With a central resource desk and the Learning Center relocated to this space, it will be a hub of academic support services. The Steve Reed Learning Commons and its location at the center of the Allyn Building reinforce the idea that learning is at the heart of Northwood.

NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

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ACHIEVING AND LEADING / ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS

Coaches’ Corner — The Year In Sports ALPINE SKIING

GIRLS’ HOCKEY

TOM BIESEMEYER

TREVOR GILLIGAN ’03

With Covid restrictions loosening and race organizers adjusting, the ski team experienced a more “normal” season. I was encouraged to see great success at U16 State Championships, Easterns, the U18 Nationals, and FIS competitions. I am proud that our skiers managed the stresses of being elite athletes while maintaining a high level of academics and becoming leaders within the Northwood community. Being on the Northwood ski team is not just about landing high on the result sheet but about carrying oneself and leading as true student-athletes, thus preparing for the next chapters in life.

The girls’ hockey team had a productive season on the ice and in the classroom.

More than half the players earned honor roll, high honor roll or Dean’s list. On the ice, we captured the Cushing Academy Christmas tournament title and won our first NAPHA league championship. All six graduating seniors will be heading off to play college hockey this fall: Ella Fesette (RIT); Iliana Smith (UNH); Kennedy Wilson (St. Lawrence); Evelina Sheridan (Hamilton); Airika Penney (Hamline) and Paige Melicant (Hamline).

PREP HOCKEY

SOCCER

MARK MORRIS ’77

JON MOODEY

This year’s construction of a state-of-theart turf field provided the players with a top-level surface for training and matches, allowing them to play outdoors more easily during the late fall and early spring. More than 30 college coaches from across the nation attended the field’s inaugural event, the Northwood Invitational Showcase, which featured many top clubs from Canada and the USA. The team won key events in Vermont, New Jersey, Vermont, NYC and Las Vegas. Seniors committed to many top colleges: Brandeis, Stanford, Notre Dame, UNC at Chapel Hill, Coastal Carolina, Kenyon, Lafayette and NC State. The school will host multiple residential Black Rock FC programs this summer as part of our continuing partnership.

The Northwood boys’ team had another strong season, finishing with a record of 41-19-2. We made it to the championship game of all but one of the tournaments we entered, winning the St. Sebastian’s and Northwood tournaments. The team beat every team in the Prep Hockey Conference (made up of some of the top teams in North America) at least once and knocked off many of the top teams in New England as well. On many occasions, our competition told us that we were the toughest team they faced all season. Our returners look forward to carrying on Northwood’s storied tradition of excellence next year.

VARSITY AND HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY JEFF MILLER

The varsity and high school teams played a combined 66 games this year with both teams having a winning percentage of over .500. The teams practiced together all year, with the majority of practice time focused on player development. It was great to see the boys playing their best hockey in February and March, culminating in the varsity’s tremendous 4-3 overtime shootout victory versus South Kent on Senior Day in the 1980 Olympic Rink.

CREW HOWARD RUNYON

This year’s crew has evolved, over the winter, from a mostly-novice fall group including two capable single scull racers (a boy and a girl) into a similar boys’ squad accompanied by a group of eager, ergometer-trained female athletes. We can boat a girls’ squad this spring but can’t take that boat to States, since the loss, last year of our old shell trailer. So our 2022 trip to States — the first such regatta since 2019 — probably will be another smallboats assault.

Connect with us!

FOLLOW NORTHWOOD ATHLETICS

for schedules, scores, and results! @northwoodathletics

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Northwood Dancers Bloom

BY MANDI MAIORI

The creative process for this trimester’s dance elective, The Choreographic Mind, began with questions: What are you passionate about? What have you discovered about yourself while here at Northwood? If you could do any dance piece, what would it look like?

These questions evoked a beautiful response from three students doing a group choreography project.

In answering these questions, junior Jillian Clark ’23 and seniors Ruby Maiore ’22 and Rubin Lewin ’22 saw correlations amongst elements of their learning experience since arriving at Northwood as part of a new dance program. These local students had chosen Northwood to develop their passion for dance. Developing this project, they realized that they had all struggled with confidence during their high school years. Their proposal stated, “We are passionate about each of our personal journeys to confidence and finding ourselves as individuals, standing on our own, and embracing the confidence it takes to be independent, strong young women. We feel this journey is one of the most important things we are doing at Northwood."

Being where we all are in life, female high school students in a new arts program at a predominantly athletic and male school, every girl is trying to figure out who she is and where she stands. We would like to create a dance trio that showcases how each dancer has journeyed towards confidence, how we have struggled and been supported along the way and how we each have taken different pathways to move toward independence. We will start out dancing together, relying on one another, just as we did especially over that first year, but then we will break out into different solo movements showcasing different dance genres and steps that match our unique personalities and pathways toward growth, showing us standing on our own and being truly comfortable in our own skin.

Just as flowers can stand tall together supporting one another in the wind, we need to grow deep roots of strength. Even the leaves and petals of the same species can have different rates of growth or different shades of color; however, the blossom is always beautiful and unique. We will title this work Bloom. As three young women, we are proud to dedicate this piece to the Northwood celebration of 50 years of women. We aspire to have the confidence and perseverance that our predecessors had and to continue the legacy of strong and brave women at Northwood.”

As a dance teacher, I am always encouraging students to think about the movement. Dance is about finding something to say and connecting with others. Dance can express feelings and emotions in a way that words often cannot. These three amazing women are doing just that.

Note: The piece was performed on April 27 during Northwood’s Spring Arts Showcase (a collaboration of our music, dance, and arts departments) at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

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ATHLETICS / ALUMNI ATHLETES

Boldly Breaking Barriers A Q&A with Blake Bolden ’09

BY STEPHEN REED

Back in 2005, you chose Northwood as your prep school. Why? I don’t believe in accidents or coincidences. When I was playing AAA boys’ hockey in Cleveland, I was trying to find a place to play so I could get recruited. My family and I had not found the right fit. Soon after that call, my mom and I drove ten hours north for an official visit. I fell in love with the Adirondacks, the lakes, the quaint village, and its hockey history. I turned to my mom after the visit and told her I wanted to be here.

What were the highlights (athletic and otherwise) of your time here? Oh gosh, SO many highlights. Mainly the teachers and staff who became family. I have many fond memories of Mountain Day, senior pranks, playing hockey on the 32 and 80 Rinks (especially NSA vs Northwood), -20 degrees and sliding down the hill to Bergamini or the science building in my Uggs. Donny telling me to RICE it every time I stopped by the training room to complain about

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PHOTO: MILES LEVINE & BLAKEBOLDEN.COM

Over the last couple of years, Northwood grad Blake Bolden '09 has been featured in articles in Sports Illustrated — (“The Unrelenting” about the 100 most powerful women in sports — and SI’s media partner, Empower Onyx — “100 Influential Black Women in Sports.” Blake’s hockey career after Northwood has been full of impressive achievement: at Boston College she was a Hockey East Defensive Player of the Year and All-American. She is the first black woman to play professional ice hockey and the first to scout for an NHL team and recently has been added to the “NHL on ESPN” team. Blake last visited campus in 2019 when she was inducted into our Fullerton Wall of Recognition. We recently caught up with her and asked the following: Blake Bolden '09

something that hurt. Having first period off, sleeping in and hanging out with Tom in the kitchen. Miserable 2Ks with the Runyons and 6 a.m. jogs around Mirror Lake. Formal dinners, taking pics by the fireplace. Trying not to get in trouble during the egregious two-hour study hall.

As a young athlete did you have any role models? I admired Manon Rheaume, my first female coach; she took my team to Quebec for the world-renowned PeeWee tournament. She was the first woman to play in the NHL. Seeing her made me believe in my dreams. She broke barriers, and I wanted to learn from her experience and take my love of hockey to the next level.

What led you to choose BC as your college?

I remember watching the Women’s Frozen Four my first year at Northwood. I was fourteen, and it was the first major women’s

If I had quit out of fear of failure, I wouldn’t be here. So keep going.”

—BLAKE BOLDEN '09

tournament I’d ever seen. BC played UM-D in the semi-final, and the game went into three overtimes. I felt that I could learn so much from BC’s coaches (Katie KingCrowley and Courtney Kennedy, who who both had played in multiple Olympics) and that I could help bring further success to the program. I had travelled to Boston for youth hockey tournaments and fell in love with Beantown, its rich history, and the rivalry with BU, with whom we

shared Commonwealth Avenue. I bought every BC sweatshirt I could find, wore them everywhere, and achieved my dream in 2009.

What did you major in there? I double majored in human development and psychology. I had NO idea what I really wanted to do, but I knew that anything I DID do, would be with and in service of people. I thought if I could understand people, what made them tick, and maybe unpack some of my own personal truths, I could use that knowledge and be successful in life.

Between your pro career, your work with the non-profit Black Girl Club Hockey, and your role as an NHL scout, you have carved out a great career in hockey. Do you see a life-long commitment to the sport? What future do you aspire to? I am so fortunate to have used hockey as a vessel to bolster my career. Hockey was a gift given to me at a young age, and it changed my life. The game will ALWAYS hold a place in my heart.

To me, it’s important to share a gift with the world. I have never had a five-year-plan; I always knew that if I stayed close to the sport and followed my passion, everything would fall into place. Now I’m ready to make a real impact, drive change, not only in hockey, but as a woman in sport. I take pride in all that I do, whether playing, scouting or reporting with ESPN. I can only hope the game continues to share with me all it has to offer.

What is your advice for young women who are thinking of a career in sports?

If it scares you, do it! I almost quit playing hockey in 2013 when I graduated because I was feeling sorry for myself after I got cut from the national team. I sometimes think back and wonder where I would be now if I had. I wouldn’t be the first woman of color to play professional women’s hockey or the second woman to scout in the NHL or a mentor to young girls and boys in hockey. If I had quit out of fear of failure, I wouldn’t be here. So keep going. Get more comfortable being uncomfortable. Only good comes out of it. You learn how much you can take, who are, what you stand for. That’s empowering.

One to Watch Sarah Bennett ’19 Named to Canadian Alpine Ski Team

Recently named to the Canadian Alpine Ski team, Sarah Bennett ’19 has successfully juggled several responsibilities while excelling on the slopes. She has taken a reduced course load and with the flexibility to take classes asynchronously, she has managed to excel on and off the hill. She has also recently signed on as social media manager with Thrival, a company whose product allows athletes to access and release numerous muscle groups using their manual therapy tools. The company was founded by former skiers at Burke Mountain Academy, and Sarah has used their product successfully. She is much enjoying her work with the company.

When asked what she misses most about Northwood, she responded, “Spring and fall, a time to make connections with people who weren’t part of my team. Going to the beach or into town, even just hanging out in front of the School was always a lot of fun.

I miss my ski coach and advisor, Katie Haggerty ’09 (now Gilligan), who was always there for me in the highs and lows of my academic, athletic and personal life. I also learned a lot from my peer Magnus Sheffield ’20, now a professional cyclist.

We shared similar goals and development paths.”

Her favorite Northwood memory was making the senior video as a senior project (with Michael Aldridge as advisor) for graduation: “Interviewing the seniors gave me a chance to get to know my classmates better. People were touched and took the time to tell me how much it meant to them.”

WATCH FOR SARAH IN THE TECH DISCIPLINES OF THE WORLD CUP (giantslalom and slalom) in this new Olympic cycle as she works for the chance to compete in Milan-Cortina in 2026.

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ACHIEVING AND LEADING / NORTHWOOD LEGACIES

Northwood Siblings: The Simmons

BY STEPHEN REED

The Simmons family from Williamsville, New York — Ian ’05 and Andrew ’05 and Emily ’08 — contributed in countless ways to Northwood during their years at Northwood. Smart, athletic, and witty, they led on the fields and ski slopes, in the classrooms, through a host of positions in student government and the judiciary board. They raised the level of everything from living room conversations (often arguments about politics or sports or the worth of a class) to the level of respectfulness on their dorm corridors and the tightness of the teams they played for. I had all of them in my AP Lit class, and their curiosity and insightful, forcefully expressed opinions made me a better teacher for sure. After Northwood they gravitated to some of the best New England colleges (Ian — Williams; Andrew — Boston College; Emily — Brown). Their success at those schools led them to careers in law and business. Their answers to our questions reveal their impressive energy and positive perspectives.

Emily Simmons ’08 What exactly is the nature of your work in your current career?

Currently, I am based in San Francisco, working as Chief Marketing Officer for a startup air conditioner brand called July.

Like many roles in startups, my role is full of variety and “wearing many hats.” I work with our supply chain partners to develop our packaging design and new product features, manage sales partnerships, run creative direction for our brand imagery, run our performance marketing and advertising channels, and manage our inhouse customer support team.

What led you to choose the field you have entered?

I’ve always found myself drawn to activities where I could be creative and hands-on. At Northwood, this meant planning school events, creating Halloween costumes, or decorating my dorm room walls. In college and graduate school, I again found myself gravitating towards jobs where I could work on tangible products

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— art galleries, magazine publishing, hotel management, interior design. Building a consumer brand combines this love of creative work with the innovation and fast pace of the startup world.

What is the most interesting aspect of your work/study?

I think the most interesting part of my work is living at the intersection of business and aesthetics. In the earlier years of my career, I worked in management consulting and analytics. Now, I’ve transitioned to running the creative and qualitative sides of the business. This background has given me a unique perspective in connecting the creative work to business results. Thinking about the ROI of design, what creative concepts drive performance, or questioning what qualitative factors impact a brand’s success — this is the fun stuff!

How well did your college serve you in preparation for your career?

My college coursework — first focused on Mechanical Engineering, then English Lit — gave me a solid groundwork in approaching both analytical and creative

projects. More broadly though, college was a chance to build confidence in having particular interests. Coming in as an athlete, where so much of my life had oriented around one sport, I found college to be revealing of just how broad and diverse others’ interests could be. Some classmates obsessed over woodworking and silk-screen printing; other classmates were deep into computer programming or international politics. By seeing so much diversity of thought, I came away more aware and embracing of my own unique interests.

What advice do you have for Northwood students relative to choosing a college and career?

1. When choosing a college, follow your gut in picking a school where you believe you’ll be able to be your full self, and explore widely. There is no other time where you will have unbridled options to let your curiosity run risk-free.

2. Don’t assume that your first job will define your career outright. Choosing a career is a multi-year journey. It is smart to start your career by getting hard skills to give you a foundation, but constantly

Emily ’08

Don’t assume that your first job will define your career outright.

Choosing a career is a multi-year journey.”

—EMILY SIMMONS ’08

be working to assess where your “zone of genius” lies. While your first job won’t be where you end up long-term, it is a very important stepping stone to help you get into the right lane when your future opportunity arises — you need to do the hard thinking on what opportunity you’re looking for though.

3. Finally, think of every experience you have as a chance to learn something about yourself. I’m continually surprised how many casual activities and distant memories come to mind when I reflect on formative experiences. Write everything down!

Andrew ’05 Andrew Simmons ’05 What exactly is the nature of your work in your current career?

I am a tax lawyer and a Managing Director at KPMG LLP, one of the “Big 4” accounting firms (along with Ernst & Young, PwC, and Deloitte). I advise clients and other KPMG tax professionals on complex tax issues arising primarily in connection with corporate mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

I am part of the Washington National Tax practice at KPMG, which is generally a collection of subject-matter experts in various areas of tax law. My particular area of expertise is cross-border mergers & acquisitions. Many of my colleagues joined the practice from large law firms, the Treasury Department, and the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to advising clients and other KPMG tax professionals, I do a lot of work around “practice development,” which includes delivering firm-wide training, writing articles for tax publications, and working with the New York State Bar Association and American Bar Association in drafting comment letters to the Treasury Department.

Ian ’05

What led you to choose the field you have entered?

They say the only things certain in life are death and taxes, and I didn’t have the stomach to become a mortician for the sake of job security.

Now that my sarcastic answer is out of the way…

When I started college, I enrolled in the pre-med program but quickly discovered that I didn’t love science as much as I thought I did. I remember feeling a bit rudderless at the time, as all through high school I wanted to be a physician.

I met with my advisor for guidance on what major to pursue when he asked me “what section of the bookstore do you go to first?” Based on this advice, I switched my major to history at the end of my freshman year. My studies as a history major involved a lot of argumentative writing, to which law school seemed like a semi-natural extension (not as natural as a historian, obviously).

Once at law school, I wasn’t completely sure what field of law I wanted to pursue. A friend had been encouraging me to give tax law a chance, believing that it is too quickly dismissed NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

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The Simmons family at Commencement

by most law students. Even though it is a field that is characterized (somewhat unfairly) as dull, I found it extremely interesting. It didn’t hurt that I took to it pretty well either. After finishing law school, I did a Master of Laws in Taxation, and from there I joined KPMG.

I think the combination of being a history major while still having access to some “career-driven” types of courses really helped in giving me a sense of direction.”

—ANDREW SIMMONS ’05

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What is the most interesting aspect of your work?

Of all the areas of law in the United States and around the world, no area changes as often or as dramatically as tax law. In the last 100 years, there have been four major overhauls of the tax laws in the United States (1939, 1954, 1986, and 2017); no other area of law has had that frequency of change. Even in years where there are no wholesale changes, almost every budget reconciliation act of Congress includes some tweak to the tax law.

With all of this change, “knowing the tax law” is only temporary, requiring practitioners to understand the new rules and how those rules interact with other rules. It is a constant process of learning.

It also provides a lot of opportunities to take part in developing tax policy through writing articles and submitting comment letters to the government.

Also, being in my particular practice, we

tend to see some of the more complex or novel tax issues. It is certainly exciting (in a tax law sense) to come across these issues, as it requires a lot of critical and creative thinking (it is not as simple as pointing to the applicable rule).

How well did your college serve you in preparation for your career?

What I found most beneficial about Boston College was the willingness of professors to assist me in my development as a writer. One of the keys to being a good lawyer is an aptitude for reading and writing (I credit my reading skills to Reno). If you sought out their guidance, the professors were more than willing to help. There were a number of professors in particular who genuinely took an interest in my development. All I had to do was go to their office hours and seek their guidance.

I also think that Boston College had an excellent variety of courses. While some colleges focus solely on liberal arts (which, as a history major, I appreciate), Boston College also had a school of management.

While I was not enrolled in the school of management, I was free to take courses such as business law, employment law, and environmental law to gain exposure to

what law practice might be like. I think the combination of being a history major while still having access to some “career-driven” types of courses really helped in giving me a sense of direction.

Maybe most importantly, Boston College was just a good fit for me. It was just what I was looking for in terms of size of the school, class size, environment, location, athletics, and overall student life. It put me in a position to succeed, setting me up well for law school and my career.

What advice do you have for Northwood students relative to choosing a college and career?

For college choice, find the best fit. It should be a place where you can succeed while still being challenged intellectually.

It should also be a place where you can see yourself living for the next four years. Don’t get too wrapped up in things like rankings or the prestige of your college choices. After a couple of years into your career, nobody will care where you went to college. What matters a lot more is what you did with your time there. While it is always good to want to go to the best school possible, it has to be the best school for you.

For career choice, if you had told me while I was at Northwood that I would be a lawyer (let alone a tax lawyer), I would have been gobsmacked. At that time, I couldn’t conceive of an alternative for my career other than becoming a physician. It was an incredibly difficult decision to decide that my future was not in medicine, but I don’t regret it at all. You will experience a tremendous amount of personal growth through college and even beyond, so keep an open mind about what you are looking for in a career.

I have really enjoyed every step in my career. At each stage, I feel that the one thing that has remained constant is that problem solving has always played a role.”

—IAN SIMMONS ’05

Ian Simmons ’05 What exactly is the nature of your work in your current career?

Like Andrew, I also work at KPMG in Washington DC (in the same group too).

I am a Senior Manager in Corporate Tax at the Washington National Tax office.

I help people plan and understand the tax consequences of business decisions they make.

What led you to choose the field you have entered?

My path to my current career was a bit circuitous. While I was in law school, I took a Federal Income Tax class and I really enjoyed the subject. I ended up taking every tax class that the school offered. However, I did not immediately start my career working in tax law.

During law school, I spent time working for a law practice that was primarily focused on criminal and family law. It was a very interesting experience, and I loved creating persuasive arguments and going to court. After law school, I began working for a start-up company as their general legal counsel. I learned a lot from this; how to be independent and do the work required to grow professionally. After a few years, I had an opportunity to join KPMG and pursue my passion from law school.

What is the most interesting aspect of your work/study?

I have really enjoyed every step in my career. At each stage, I feel that the one thing that has remained constant is that problem solving has always played a role.

The reason I really enjoy my current

career in tax law is that the work is very much like a puzzle or riddle. You have to understand the rules, identify the key facts at play, and be ready to look at the issues from different perspectives. It is surprising how much outside-of-the-box, creative thinking tax law requires. It is also fun to work on transactions that end up in the news. Most importantly, I really enjoy the people I work with; they are extremely supportive both personally and professionally.

How well did your college serve you in preparation for your career?

While law school was a very important part of where I am today, college was really the launchpad. College was where I really honed my critical thinking skills, and learned how to approach new and challenging things with confidence.

The skills I developed in college serve me extremely well to this day. I would certainly not be where I am today without my college experience.

What advice do you have for Northwood students relative to choosing a college and career?

My advice to current Northwood students would be to try new things. You may go to college thinking that you know exactly what you want to do. I went to college confident that I was going to be a doctor, and I quickly realized that I did not enjoy Biology and Chemistry nearly as much as I did Economics, Math, and Art History. Be open-minded.

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ACHIEVING AND LEADING / HONOREES

Honor and Tradition DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS MEDAL Northwood’s Distinguished Alumnus Medal was established to recognize those alumni who have contributed to our school and our world in meaningful and courageous ways. It is awarded to an alumnus or alumna who typifies the Northwood School tradition of excellence and has brought credit to the School through their personal accomplishments, professional achievements or humanitarian service. This is the highest honor to be bestowed upon a Northwood School graduate.

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ANTHONY “TONY” PELL ’56

REED MILLER ’72

2020 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS MEDAL RECIPIENT

2021 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS MEDAL RECIPIENT

A graduate of Northwood’s Class of 1956, Anthony “Tony” Pell’s professional life has focused on investment counseling, as founder of Pell Rudman and later Pelican Investments.

His personal passion, however, lies at the site of the first Colonial victory in the Revolutionary War — Fort Ticonderoga — just 70 miles south of campus. Purchased by a family member 200 years ago, Tony’s grandfather opened its doors to the public in 1909 after leading an extensive renovation. It was one of only a handful of historic sites in the nation to be preserved at the time, and among the first to become a tourist attraction. Tony remains on the board of the non-profit that runs Fort Ti and has tremendous pride for his family’s gift to the American people. Tony serves other preservationoriented groups as well, including Historic New England and the U.S. Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites. Tony is also a former member of the Northwood Board of Trustees and a lifelong champion of Northwood School, staying involved through projects large and small for decades.

Reed Miller ’72 is the founder and managing partner of Hanover Real Estate Partners, a private real estate company as well as a private investor and lender to numerous start-ups and early-stage companies. He has given his time to a long list of organizations over the years including Youth Inc., Westchester Country Club, NYSEF, and Greenwich youth football, soccer and lacrosse. Gratefully, Northwood School is also one of the organizations that is closest to Reed’s heart, and he served on the board for seven years before turning that role over to his wife Karen, the current Vice Chair. When enjoying time in Lake Placid, it is common to see these two strolling around campus inspecting the latest project or chatting with faculty and students. When Head of School Mike Maher began talking about turning an iconic building on Main Street into a center for innovation and entrepreneurship, Reed absolutely lit up. It’s safe to say that without Reed’s enthusiasm and leadership support for the project, Northwood would not have such an incredible space to offer our students and community today.

Tony Pell ’56 with his family, Kitty Pell, grandson Quincy Pell ’19 and son Theodore Pell

Honoree Reed Miller ’72 with his wife Trustee Karen Miller and her parents Ann and Michael Adair

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JAMES H. FULLERTON WALL OF RECOGNITION Northwood School’s James H. Fullerton Wall of Recognition is named in honor of the legendary Coach Jim Fullerton, who served as Athletic Director of Northwood School from 1931 to 1955 and coached ice hockey, crew and football. He went on to become head coach of the ice hockey team at Brown University from 1955 to 1970, earning countless accolades along the way. The Fullerton Wall recognizes those alumni, faculty and coaches who have reached the pinnacle of their athletic pursuits through hard work, commitment and sportsmanship — standards embraced by the late Jim Fullerton.

FULLERTON WALL INDUCTEES

KEVIN DRURY ’06 Kevin Drury ’06 was a standout alpine ski racer during his years as a Northwood student, and he went on to earn many titles at the collegiate level as a member of the University of Vermont’s ski team. After his successful NCAA career, he transitioned to ski cross, part of the freestyle skiing discipline in which multiple racers compete on a specially designed terrain course. Since then Kevin has earned thirteen World Cup podiums with the Canadian Ski Cross Team and finished 4th in Men’s Ski Cross at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

In 2020, he became the first Canadian man to win the Overall FIS SX Crystal Globe and also won Alpine Canada’s Ski Cross Male Athlete of the Year. And most recently, at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Kevin single-handedly secured Northwood’s long-standing run of an alumnus competing in every Winter Olympic Games since 1952. Thank you for keeping the streak alive!

MATT ROY, FACULTY A decorated bobsled driver, Matt Roy won the Bobsleigh World Cup combined men’s event in 1986-7 and the unofficial four-man event that same year. He went on to finish 16th in both the two-man and four-man event at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. He later served as Executive Director for the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, playing a critical role in the addition of women’s bobsled and skeleton to the Olympic roster and a new round of medals for the U.S. team. In 2004, Matt made his way to Northwood School where he has taught Physics, Physical Science, Biology and Rocketry, but his newest addition to the Northwood curriculum is a class called the Physics of Winter Olympic Sports. His labs use Lake Placid’s world-renowned Olympic venues to teach students about the concepts and fundamental laws connected to things such as slap shots in hockey, spins in figure skating and g-forces in bobsledding.

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ACHIEVING AND LEADING / TRUSTEES

Leading the Way We are grateful to the men and women who serve or have served on the Northwood School Board of Trustees. We thank them for dedicating their time to this special place called Northwood and for sharing their expertise and wisdom for the betterment of our school.

KATHY NGUYENLE P’21,’23 Educated at Stanford, Harvard, and UChicago, My-Khanh “Kathy” Nguyenle, is a physician with a background in entrepreneurship. Her work over the last two decades has focused on projects and business initiatives in the areas of education and health. She lives in Redmond, Washington, with her husband Anh and their children Andrea “Q” ’21 and Kirk ’23.

Why did you choose to serve on the Northwood School Board of Trustees?

When I accepted the position in 2019, Northwood was embarking on a new path.

I spoke with Mike Maher and the Chair of the Board and they had just started building the Innovation Hub. I thought with my background, I could be impactful in assisting the School develop its vision going forward and help take it into the 21st century while still preserving the essence of Northwood.

What are you most excited about at Northwood currently?

We have new leadership under Brad Olch and under his leadership the board has been invigorated. As a result, we’re marching forward with a cohesive vision for the School. I think the pandemic has in fact had a real silver lining for Northwood.

First, it pushed the board and the School leadership to really look at ourselves and think about not just how to get through the pandemic but how to succeed on the other side — to home in on what we’re really good at. It also helped Northwood get in touch with many alumni. So often we talk

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Trustee Kathy Nguyenle at Northwood’s Alumni Reunion last June

about connecting forward, but in order to make connections forward we have to connect with our history and our alums a such a critical part of that.

I appreciate the championship mentality — the elite sports mentality — at Northwood which has seeped its way into academics. This year Northwood’s robotics team made the World Championships.

That’s a huge deal! Just 10% of teams in the world make that competition. To have that

culture of competition, that mind set apply to academics as well as athletics is the path forward for Northwood.

And in the future?

What I’m most looking forward to seeing at Northwood is the development of the programs at the Innovation Hub. The experiential learning that we’re embarking on at the Innovation Hub, which I’m hopeful will also tie into the L.E.A.P. program in some ways — that’s the most exciting for me.

Why is philanthropy/giving back important to you and your family?

I believe one teacher can make a difference in a student’s life, but they can’t really do that without the support of the School. Giving back is important to me so that Northwood teachers can continue to impact each student and continue to see the worth of every student.

In high school, one of my teachers really went the extra mile for me. My schedule was very tight and he made a Period 0 for me so that I could come in and do research before school actually started. He saw my potential and he told me I belonged at Stanford. Prior to that I had never even considered it. I didn’t realize I was Stanford material.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I am certified in Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging.

Alumni Connections

Pathways: Northwood Alumni Career Series was established in the fall of 2020 by Alumni Council members Emily Roy ’08, Christopher Zuk ’09 and Luke Daniels ’14, to introduce students to careers in a variety of fields.

This popular virtual forum invites students to ask questions of our alumni panelists so they can dig deeper into fields that might be of interest to them. Thank you to the following alumni: OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

FEBRUARY

Law Enforcement

Nursing

Darryl Knight ’03 Lt., NYPD Internal Affairs

Molly Babcock ’08

RN, Saratoga Hospital

Sustainability & the Environment

Kimberly Ellis ’17

Diego Gagnon ’14 Regional Manager, AIM Recycling

Cailey Hutchison ’15

Jaime Goode ’98 Geomorphologist / Project Manager, Sustainable Streams

Justin Painter ’08

Alex Harden ’04 Doctoral Candidate in Geography, UConn

Andrew Orringer ’75 Secret Service Agent, US Treasury Dept Austin Orzulak ’11 Special Agent, DEA Bill Stewart ’69 Probation Officer, Massachusetts District Court

The Pathways Alumni Career Series has been tremendously successful in connecting students with alumni across the decades, with many alums serving as mentors for Northwood’s new Independent Study program in addition to providing great educational and professional insight. But in at least one instance, the one-hour discussion had a much different, but no less exciting consequence: a job change for one of our alumni panelists.

Megan Bagg ’08, at the time an associate producer with the NHL, was flattered to be asked to participate in the Pathways panel on marketing and communications last February.

“I always hoped to be asked back,” she said.

“But I also wanted to be a straight shooter.

Working in sports, I wanted to talk about the cool parts of the job while also providing a realistic view that it’s a lot of work and you’ll

Doctorate of Nursing Practice Candidate, Emory RN, Cohen Children’s Medical Center RN, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital

make a lot of sacrifices.” That approach instantly resonated with Northwood students, but also with fellow panelist Pamela Scheideler ’90, US head of digital for Edelman, who announced to the group, “I want to hire Megan Bagg immediately.”

Participants laughed at the time, but Pam did reach out to Megan following the event, and the rest as they say, is history. Megan is now a producer at Edelman and is enjoying hockey season as a fan from her new home on the West Coast.

Hunter Smith ’08 Project Manager, Atlas High Purity Water

Meg Bagg ’08 (left) with Pamela Scheideler ’90

Working in sports, I wanted to talk about the cool parts of the job while also providing a realistic view that it’s a lot of work and you’ll make a lot of sacrifices.”

—MEGAN BAGG ’08

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HONORING OUR PAST / IN MEMORIAM

Remembering Dr. Vanderlyn Pine ’55

Many alumni have done remarkable service to Northwood, perhaps none more so than Dr. Vanderlyn Pine ’55, an eloquent, witty and wise trustee. His leadership leadership and work with Head Ed Good left his lasting imprint on the School. For this tribute, an old classmate and fellow board member, Gary Green ’55, and Ed offer their memories of Van. Gary tells of his time together with Van as a student and, much later, as a fellow board member: “I met Van on the first floor of Northwood’s West Wing in 1952. We were fifteen-year-old sophomores. He was one day younger than I, and we joked about the coincidence many times over our long friendship. I recall that Van was an early riser. To avoid waiting tables (In those days students had two-week assignments at tables of eight students and a teacher; all except the waiters wore ties and jackets), Van cannily took the role of waking the waiters. Van excelled in the classroom and was an eager athlete, our football center and hockey goalie.

I often visited his house in New Paltz when we were students. His mother smothered us with good food, including my first pizza. Our mothers lived to 106 and 102 respectively.

After we left Northwood, he to Dartmouth and I to RPI, we stayed in touch with occasional phone calls and visits. When Van was a sophomore in Hanover, his father died and he left to take over his father’s funeral 46

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business. He later completed his Dartmouth degree and earned a Ph.D from NYU before becoming a sociology professor at SUNY New Paltz and a prolific author.

Van joined the Northwood Board in the mid-80s and asked me to join about two years later. Over the years, he, Ed Good and I worked closely together on planning and development of facility upgrades for the School. In the next few years, $15,000,000 was raised, and many projects were completed as the student body grew from about 140 to 170.

In 2021, Van developed health issues. About a week before he died last November, I had lunch with Van and his companion Lorry, and we reminisced about our time as students and Board members. I miss him greatly.”

Ed Good talks of his collaboration with Van, who served as Board Chair during Ed’s tenure: “Van Pine enrolled at Northwood in 1951 and remained deeply involved with the School until his passing — an incredible span of seventy years. A Northwood alumnus, a Northwood parent, and a Board member from 1985-2021 and Board Chair from 1996-2016. I rather doubt that anyone associated with the School served with a greater love for his alma mater over such a lengthy period.

We all knew Van as bright, articulate, sociable and funny. As a trustee, Van wanted to be informed of the most mundane of school happenings, and we agreed right off that there would never be any surprises between us and that we would build a partnership founded on trust. As Board Chair, Van was keenly interested in and involved with the New York and National Associations of Independent Schools. It mattered to Van that the School complied with all standards: he was an active participant in all of the School’s recurring accreditations.

He was fully invested in the strategic plan that led to the comprehensive renovation

of the School’s buildings and grounds. He also led the Board to improve faculty salaries and benefits, helping us attract and retain the best and brightest minds. All the while, Van collaborated on institutional fundraising and assisted in balancing the School’s budget for eighteen consecutive years.

I knew no finer independent school trustee in my 42 years in the school business. There is no doubt as to Van Pine’s legacy of dedication and commitment to his family and his beloved Northwood.”

Roger Loud 1938 –2022

Beloved teacher and colleague Roger Loud passed away on April 29. A brilliant and witty teacher of mathematics, Roger joined Northwood’s faculty after a distinguished career as Head of North Country School. Beyond the classroom, he was a celebrated climber, card player, and square dance caller. He leaves behind his wife Pat and four children: David, Jennifer, Patrick ’99 and Brigit ’00.

A full tribute was published on Northwood’s Facebook page in May.

In Memoriam Since 2015, Northwood has held a memorial service during reunion to honor the alumni, trustees and faculty who have passed away during the year. Fittingly, this ceremony is held beside the Living Room fireplace where we gather to read their names aloud. Attendees are then invited to say a few words if they wish. We hope this brief but poignant ceremony provides some comfort to families and friends. If you are in town, please take a moment to join us for this important annual tribute.

James Morley ’39 W. Bradley Morehouse ’42 Russell Ames ’47 Ronald Boardman ’48 James Todd ’49 John Tuttle ’50 Charles Leach ’52

Donald S. Edmunds ’53 Vanderlyn Pine ’55, Trustee John Phillips, Jr. ’64 James Cluett ’65 Michael Madden ’66 Romney Colson ’67 David H. Brumder ’71

Michael Quinn ’74 Robert Steven Thropp ’77 Clement Devlin ’78 Robert Lenney ’82 Jeffrey Volmrich ’82 Christopher Panek ’85 Simon Russell ’95

Albert “Chip” Lamar Wheeler, Jr. ’01 Byron Finnegan ’02 Roger Loud, Faculty Mike Nugent, Former Faculty Patricia “Lady” Stewart-McCormick, Former Faculty Dorothy “Dot” Taube, Former Faculty

(The above list represents those whom we learned have passed away since the last publication of this magazine and reflects information that the Advancement Office had by press time. In the electronic edition, links to obituaries are provided.)

NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

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From the Archives We’ve seen the team photos. Taken on an Adirondack peak, in the thick of the woods or out on the lake with paddle in hand. A special patch, but no uniforms here. Just fresh outdoor faces and the gear of the day. Nature is Northwood Outing Club’’s arena, those millions of inspiring ADK Park acres surrounding our campus. NOC goals are not of the scoring kind — there is no end zone to aim for. Instead, the outing club offers horizons of exploration, self-discovery, and group accomplishment outdoors. This is where life is learned, shoulder to shoulder with your peers, and confidence is built along the way. Camping, skiing, climbing, paddling. Lessons, the quiet and solid kind, arrive through doing. NOC wisdom and NOC friends are things that both stick around for a lifetime.

We’ve seen the patch. Legendary, earned, coveted. A symbol of true achievement, of taking a different path. Fiercely independent, yet belonging to a special band, NOC patch-wearers stand tall. At one

time there was a special NOC/Ski team patch. For former Trustee Reed Miller ’72 this prized NOC patch “meant everything.” He says, “It was considered by all to be a really big accomplishment to have that patch! It was recognized everywhere you went.”

Reed recalls a time in 1971 while skiing in Aspen. He was in a restaurant on the mountain ordering lunch and the manager “saw my patch and asked if I went to Northwood. He immediately bought me lunch!”

Trustee Mark “Dill” Driscoll ’70 also emphasizes how renowned the NOC patch was. Dill gets clearly emotional when speaking about his patch, “As a fifteen-year-old kid who had nothing when Mr. Friedlander took him in, my NOC patch meant the world to me. It was a rite of passage. Since 1966 when I received that NOC jacket, I have been the proudest guy.”

What is your NOC patch story? Tell us. We want to learn from you as we build the next generation of Northwood Outing Club memories.

NOC. THE LEGEND LIVES ON.

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Northwood Magazine

| SPRING 2022

When you support the Northwood Fund you are investing in the next generation.

You are leading Northwood students to the top, walking alongside them and supporting them on their journey to adulthood. Become a steward today and help us all Climb Higher Together.

Ways to give: P Online www.northwoodschool.org P Recurring monthly gifts of any size online* P Mail in the enclosed envelope P Gifts of appreciated securities *Cobble Hill Society: set up your monthly recurring gift online and join our Cobble Hill Society! Monthly gifts of $25 or more will receive a Cobble Hill Society t-shirt.

* A SPECIAL NOTE TO OUR

YOUNG ALUMNI TEN YEARS OUT:

Did you know we have a GOLD giving level within our 1905 Society?

Graduates of the last decade can become a member of the 1905 Society with a gift of $100 (alumni 1-5 years out) or $250 (alumni 6-10 years out).

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Non-Profit Org.

Northwood School 92 Northwood Road Lake Placid, NY 12946 alumni@northwoodschool.org

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Parents of Alumni: If this magazine is addressed to a child who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please email us at alumni@northwoodschool.org with an updated address.

Seventeen young women arrived on campus in the fall of 1971 and Northwood women have been blazing new trails ever since. READ MORE ON PAGE 4! Picture from 2021 Commencement

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