Class Notes

2008

Tai Nixa Peterson 603-731-4055 nixatai@gmail.com

Zach Dayno, Sarah Roberts, and I attended our KUA 15th Reunion on campus in June. We look forward to seeing more of you at our 20th Reunion in 2028!

2015

Alyson Young (603) 443-2107 aly.e.young@gmail.com

In honor of Shannon Walsh, who passed away on March 20, 2023, members of the KUA community shared their remembrances and reflections. Her parents, Kevin and Kim Walsh P’15, shared, “Shannon loved KUA, and she cherished the friends and relationships that she made. Thank you to all for the many great memories of her. Peace.” Some of the submitted memories from the Class of 2015 are shared here and more can be found online at adobe.ly/44cKQvQ.

Jaime Hier writes: “Shannon was an incredible light and a beautiful, dear friend. Watching her dance was always awe-inspiring; her athleticism on the stage and on the field was truly something to behold. Shannon was always kind and never had a bad word to say about anyone. The love she showed for her sisters and her parents always made my heart warm. The world is dimmer without her, and I will miss her very much.”

Mamadou Moustapha says Shannon was “one of the sweetest hu-

DISPATCHES NEWS FROM ALUMNI man beings I’ve ever known. I had the privilege to know and share a lot of time with her as we shared the same passion for soccer. After KUA, we both went to play at UConn. She knew I was an international student, still adjusting to life in the United States, and she’d constantly message me to see if I was doing well or knock on my door and hit me with her usual, ‘Do you need anything, Moumou?’ That’s Shannon—a genuine and kind person. Thank you for being there for me. I do believe the most important thing for a person is to have a positive impact on the people they come across. Well, that she did. I’ll never forget you. All my condolences to her friends and family. Shannon, may you rest in paradise, where you belong.”

Taylor Ong wrote: “Shannon was a wonderful friend. She always knew how to make you feel heard and accepted. She cared and always took the time to show her support and, boy, did she know how to make you laugh! She had this knack for telling the funniest stories—she could brighten any day. I am forever grateful I got to be a teammate and friend to such a beautiful soul. Shannon, you will always be loved and missed.”

Morgan Sebor wrote: “Shannon was my first friend at KUA. We were neighbors in Kilton and shared a tent on our freshman camping trip. We bonded over our love of food and comedy. Shannon kept me laughing through our four years together at KUA. I am so lucky to have been roommates and friends with Shannon. Her kindness, incredible sense of hu- mor, and commitment to arts and athletics always inspired me. I will cherish our time together and am forever grateful to have met her.”

Brandon S. wrote: “When I first got to KUA, I had a hard time finding my way around and fitting in. Shannon was there to lend a helpful hand or even just sit and talk. She always had a kind thing to say and made friends with everyone she came across. Shannon was one of the nicest and purist souls I have even known. This world is worse with Shannon not in it.”

Aly Young wrote: “Shann was a safe haven for me pretty much from the start—our friendship came together early freshman year in the way that the best ones do: quickly, with lots of laughs, and where everything feels comfortable. I was recently explaining this to a friend, and they reminded me that finding such a friend is so special and not everyone finds a person such as this in their lifetime, much less so early. I’ve said it a lot and mean it every time: I am lucky to have all the memories of Shann, that I’ve had her as my cheerleader and confidant and advice-giver, and that I have her family as my own. Thank you for carving out the space in your heart and your life for me for so many years—and being able to do that for so many of the other people and experiences that brought you joy. You’ve changed my life and played such an important role in shaping who I am. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that. My biggest love to you; thank you for having the kind of soul that makes a once-in-a-lifetime best friend.”

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Deaths

Anthony J. Abbondanza ’04

Carleton F. Auer ’62

Craig Benware ’65

John W. Blodgett ’59

Wilbur W. Bullen Jr. ’50

James C. Carver ’50

Phillips Carter Cooke ’50

David J. Dean ’49

Lane Durgin ’54

Charles Frederick Geiger ’57

Ian A. Inverno ’96

Margaret Kurth H’10

E. Ted McNamara III ’50 P’02

Terence Prout ’74

Timothy Sample ’58

Shannon Clare Walsh ’15

Charles David Winslow ’81