Brewster, Fall 2016 by aldeia

BREWSTER THE MAGAZINE OF

BREWSTER

ACADEMY FALL 2016

THE MAGAZINE OF

BREWSTER

ACADEMY FA L L 2 0 1 6 H EA D O F S CHO O L Craig N. Gemmell, Ph.D. DIRECTO R O F A D MIS SI O N A ND EX TER NA L A FFA I R S Lynne M. Palmer EDITOR , DIRECTO R O F CO MMUNICAT IONS Marcia Eldredge

CO N TR IBUTO RS Alana Albee, Jen Dumont, Craig Gemmell, Ana Gonzalez ’18, Beth Hayes ’81, Matt Hoopes, Kristy Kerin, Doug Kiley, Danielle Krause, Julianne Lopez, Lynne Palmer, Shirley Richardson PH OTOG R A PHY Steve Allen, Boston College Athletics, Brewster Academy Archives, Steve Burgess, Gabriel A. Cooney, Marcia Eldredge, David Fox, Meighan, Garnsey, Scot Hampton, Beth Hayes ’81, BG Hodges ’66, Chris McIntosh, Lynne Palmer, Phil Stiles, Mike Travis, Kyle Williams D ES IGN Lilly Pereira Brewster, The Magazine of Brewster Academy, is published twice a year and mailed to alumni, parents, and friends of Brewster Academy. Brewster Academy 80 Academy Drive Wolfeboro, NH 03894

BOA R D O F T RU ST E E S 2 0 1 6 – 2 0 1 7 Roy C. Ballentine (Susan ’94, Brian ’97) Chair

Karen Boykin-Towns (Jasmine ’13, Trinity ’19)

Karen W. Fix (Will ’11, Keenan ’13)

Steven R. Webster (Brooke ’08, Tori ’11)

brewsteracademy.org

Arthur W. Coviello Jr. Vice Chair

Beverly Bruce

Gabrielle “Bri” J. Gatta ’05 President, Alumni Association

Dr. Craig N. Gemmell (Teddy ’20) Ex Oﬃcio

Robert J. Mueller (GP, Grant ’17) Treasurer

C. Richard Carlson Estate Trustee

Michael Keys (Matthew ’04)

TRUSTEE EMERITI

Carlos Noble ’70

P. Fred Gridley ’53 (Deborah ’81)

ON TH E COV E R : Academic Dean and Dean of Students Marilyn Shea

Ronn Bronzetti ’92 Secretary Richard W. Blackburn (GP, Kate ’19) Estate Trustee

David L. Carlson ’54 (GP, Chris ’15) Candace A. Crawshaw ’64 James C. Curvey George J. Dohrmann III (George ’05, Geoﬀrey ’12

The Reverend Nancy Spencer Smith Estate Trustee

Daniel T. Mudge (Tapley-Ann ’98, Ashley ’02)

02 HEAD LINES 03 CAMPUS NEWS 32 A LOOK BACK 34 ALUMNI NEWS 39 CLASS NOTES 48 REMEMBER WHEN?

FEATURES

16 Work. Now. Locally.

In an on-demand economy, alumni AJ Brustein ’98 and Yong Kim ’96 connect workers and employers within a moment’s notice.

22 A Lasting Legacy

On the eve of her retirement, Dean Marilyn Shea talks about the “secret” that binds the BA community.

28 Location. Location. Location.

The Admission Office moves to the heart of campus.

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS

02 CR A IG G E MMELL HE A D O F SCHO O L craig_gemmell@brewsteracademy.org

Head Lines

(even though his generalizations inevitably eclipse the strength and integrity of many of the people I’ve known who work and learn in such institutions). But as I turned my attention to Brewster, the school I’m proud to call my home, I came to an answer I wish I had been armed with while standing in line for ice cream. What Brewster does and the values it reinforces would not by any means qualify Brewster as an elite institution. Here’s why.

I met an older man toward the end of summer as I stood in a line at Bailey’s Bubble, one of Wolfeboro’s famously delicious ice cream places. I soon learned he was visiting from New York, and after I gave him my advice about flavor and size selection, he asked me what I did in town. I explained that I worked at Brewster Academy, the boarding school up the road. He looked askance at me and then asked a great question: ”Is that one of those elite schools?” I was initially struck dumb and then did what any teacher uncertain about how to answer would do: I turned the question back at him. “What is an elite school?” I asked. He tried in vain to answer as I tried to think about how to respond; we were both saved by the server asking for his order. In the weeks since, his question has been gnawing at me, and I’ve been struggling to think through my response. Is Brewster an elite school? What is elite? Musing over these questions, I was reminded of a 2008 article by William Deresiewicz published in The American Scholar titled “The Disadvantages of an Elite Education” and through the wonders of technology, I had a copy printed and in hand within a few moments. Reading Deresiewicz’s article again after several years, I was frustrated at first because Deresiewicz never explicitly defines what an elite school is. Rather, he does so subtly by focusing on what elite schools do and the values they reinforce. To Deresiewicz, an elite school selects for a narrow band of intelligence, gathering a cognitively homogeneous population, and teaches in a manner that cultivates a singular type of intelligence – the analytical. The elite school, moreover, reinforces a sense of entitlement that grows from the profound selectivity of the institution and the culture of exclusivity that is a natural consequence of this selectivity. Consequently, those who imbue the values of an elite education assume that success and authority are theirs for the taking and that failure is both unlikely and to be avoided. Having attended and worked at a few educational institutions Deresiewicz would argue are elite, I saw his point, perhaps stingingly

BREWSTER ACADEMY is selective, but we select for kids who possess a range of cognitive profiles. Given how our academic program functions, cognitive diversity is critical. We believe in the central importance of having students work alongside students who are truly and deeply different from each other. Of course, we have racial and cultural and socioeconomic diversity in our community, and we embrace and celebrate these differences, but even within this diversity we also have a remarkable range of learning types, and we select actively for all of this diversity in the admission process. BA understands that students (and the world) need more than just analytical strength. The evolution of our program is driven by a simple question: What do we need to do to prepare our students ever more fully to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the communities they enter? Everything we do speaks to our desire to serve the totality of student needs. In particular, we explicitly emphasize collaboration, structuring our lessons so that students practice this skill in the classroom each day, while implicitly reinforcing this commitment in our residential, athletic, and arts programming. We are also explicitly committed to teaching the affective skills necessary for healthy growth through our emotional intelligence curriculum and residential life programming. BA challenges students to know and trust themselves. Given how student-centered Brewster is – how Brewster teachers know their students so well and the program is so thoughtfully engineered that each student’s education is customized to support and challenge appropriately – Brewster students are less consumed by both competition and its consequences. Given the opportunities here to both fail and succeed, students become ever more themselves here. And

A DEFINING MOMENT

continued page 10 ... BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

CAM P US N EWS

CAMPUS NEWS

IN THIS SECTION: 04 NEWS 09 ARTS 12 FIELD & GOALS

FA L L 2016

CAM P US N EWS

04 For the speakers full remarks, more photos, and to learn what colleges and universities members of the Class of 2016 are attending, go to: www. brewsteracademy.org/ commencement2016

VA LE D IC TO RIAN

I learned here that the goal of life is not to find yourself, but to lose yourself. … the world is busy and structured and forces us to feel like we always have something to do and somewhere to be. I encourage you to defy this. Get lost in exploration of your own adventures. Look at the stars. Daydream. Our lives are meant to be more than a to-do list. Allow yourself to become and be LOST. HANNAH COULTER is now at The George Washington University

CLASS OF 2016

Words of Wisdom 2 0 16 CO M M EN CEMEN T SP EAKER

DEAN KAMAN, founder of DEKA Research & Development Corp., began his remarks by saying how pleased he was with the messages of gratitude and giving back expressed by the salutatorian and valedictorian.

P O STG R A D UAT E IVY S P E A KE R

I had to leave everything that I spent 18 years with behind and start to walk on the unfamiliar path alone. … Brewster taught me how to walk for a year. My strong legs are ready to walk upstairs. Now I am still on the ground but the way forward is changed to a stair, and my destination is above the clouds. CHAYAPUNTIKA “TOOP” INDOUNG is now at Clarkson University

They [other speakers] tend to say ‘you earned it, it’s time now for you to go out and conquer the world’ … The world does not need conquering. Go to college, learn to out-perform others, but don’t use these skills to conquer, use your education as a tool. … Kamen went on to explain how historically humans have often used their intellect to degrade and destroy each other and the environment. He posed the question: “What if we teach all the next generation to build and to use their intellect to address our needs for energy and an improved environment? Now that we can get a generation globally connected, maybe we are moving past the self-inflicted wounds we have created.

Clockwise from top: (1) Ivy Address speakers Toop Indoung and Mike Tan are flanked by senior prefects Hannah Coulter and Sam Kiley at the Ivy Address (2) Ronald Toney with his Mom (3) Graduates (4) Craig Gemmell and speaker Dean Kamen (5) faculty member Brad Cook

SALUTATORIAN

Being at Brewster for two years taught me a lot … and exposed me to a new culture, tradition, and way of living. I had the opportunity to get involved in matters related to social justice and attend national conferences … But it also provided me with a chance to clear some stereotypes that some people had about the Middle East. … not every place in the Middle East is either a desert or a war-zone. For me, I come from Oman, a safe country in the Middle East. I Iive in the middle of the city, and I have all what I need. In fact, my neighborhood has all sorts of fast food chains such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Dominos pizza, and even Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts are near by. That’s even more than what we have here in Wolfeboro. ABDULLAH AL FARSI is now at University of Washington

Headmaster’s Prize: Hannah Coulter Postgraduate Award: Chayapuntika Indoung Athletic Director’s Award: Teagan Meehan, Darby Morris Faculty Community Service Award: Madeline Mahoney, Hannah Coulter Ronald “Buzzy” Dore Memorial Award: Tony Kwon Jill Carlson Memorial Award: Jill O’Leary Faculty Growth Achievement Award: Kentaro Kawanishi Mabel Cate Tarr Award: Abdullah Al-Farsi David Sirchis School Service Award: Alexa Sido Arthur J. Mason Foundation Award: Gunner Found, Darby Morris Burtis F. Vaughan Award: Chelsea De Luca Arthur M. Hurlin Award: Sam Kiley

S E N IO R IVY SP EAKER

Coach [Matt] Lawlor you were my biggest motivation in basketball … I remembered that you played me for 19 minutes in total for the whole season back in my sophomore year. I almost quit basketball. But I know I am not a quitter. So ever since then, every time I walked into the Smith Center, getting ready for my practice, your voice “you can’t shoot the basketball” always resonated in my ear, which gave me that competitive fire and drive I needed to become a better player. I did become a better player and I have this year’s Lakes Region All-Star selection to show for it. Thank you for challenging me as my coach.

Darby Morris accepting one of two commencement awards from Craig Gemmell

FANGZHANG “MIKE” TAN is now at Emory University

FA L L 2016

CAM P US N EWS

Commencement Awards

CAM P US N EWS

MEET… JULIANNE LOPÉ Z World Language Department Chair

You’ve been teaching at Brewster for 18 years. What do you appreciate most about your work here? Without a doubt, what I appreciate the most are all the students I teach and have taught. Walking into the classroom at Brewster every day is dynamic, and I am guaranteed to learn something new. I also appreciate my colleagues and the fact that I can laugh and find so much enjoyment in what I do that every day never seems like a job or hard work. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge how much I appreciate the opportunities I have had over the years to contribute in diﬀerent ways as an advisor, teacher, parent, department chair, team leader, and club advisor. Finally, as a parent of four Brewster alumni – James ’04, Stephen ’06, Jonathan ’08, and Daniel ’12 – I am grateful for the education they each received here. What is the World Language department up to these days? As a department we are looking to bring greater clarity around promoting communicative competence in both Spanish and French and the global competence that comes with learning about the cultures where these languages are spoken. Teaching language out of context is always as much of a challenge for the teacher as for the students. I would love to see Brewster embrace the opportunities to build a global education program and to promote and support immersion programs for both students and teachers alike.

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

How do you spend your summers? I am fortunate to spend my summers working in the Royal Thai Scholars Summer Orientation Program. Working side-by-side with Christine Brown ’87, we direct the program, which hosts 50 to 70 of the top students in Thailand who come to study in America. We work with talented teachers and teaching assistants to prepare the Thai scholars for success in prep school and higher education, to teach them the English skills necessary, and build a

sense of community among the students. It is an incredibly rewarding experience and an honor to be part of this program. You have four sons. Are any of them teachers? Yes, my oldest son James has followed the family tradition in academics and is currently teaching at the Perkiomen School in Pennsylvania where he is a dorm parent and coaching soccer and basketball.

Favorite Latin American singer? I would have to say it is a toss up between Placido Domingo and Ricardo Arjona, depending on my mood. What is the last book you read? The Vital Question by Nick Lane. This book presents a thesis about what might possibly be the origins of complex life as we know it. It was not an easy read but it pushed me to revisit some concepts in biology that had been resting dormant in the recesses of my mind.

Art Coviello

Lynne Palmer

Marilyn Shea

Peter Hess

Kristy Kerin

Brewster trustee Art Coviello received the RSA Conference Award for Lifetime Achievement last March. He was recognized for his leadership and expertise in the international cybersecurity field and for striving to advance the industry as a whole. A member of the board of trustees since 2009, he has served as vice chair of the board since 2012. Read more about Coviello’s accomplishment at In the News at brewsteracademy.org. In September Lynne Palmer, director of admission and external aﬀairs, was a panelist at The Enrollment Management Association’s (formerly SSATB) annual conference in Baltimore. Palmer’s presentation focused on how and why schools work with consultants, the impact of data and success, and included advice to school administrators just beginning relationships with independent educational consultants. Learn more in Lynne’s blog post Validating Our Work at brewsteracademyblogs.org. Academic Dean Marilyn Shea and Dean of Campus Aﬀairs Bret Barnett will present Choices and Consequences at the TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools) annual conference In Washington, D.C., in December. The deans will share how Brewster’s Choices and Consequences approach can transform a school community into a positive environment where students buy-in to values that help set high standards for behavior and academic achievement.

See all our Newsmakers online at brewsteracademy.org/news

At the same conference, Assistant Head of School Peter Hess will present The Power of Cooperative Learning: What it Takes to Make it Work. Attendees will learn about Brewster’s 20 plus years of successfully implementing consistent, school-wide strategies for cooperative learning and how these methods can enable students with diverse academic abilities to deepen their learning through collaboration. In January, Advancement Director Kristy Kerin will present at the Council for Support and Advancement of Education-National Association of Independent Schools conference in Austin, Texas. Kerin will present on a new model for independent school campaign planning. Former Head of School Dr. Mike Cooper will co-present with Kerin in his new role as an independent consultant. Last March, Head of School Dr. Craig Gemmell and former Head of School Dr. Mike Cooper spoke to a group of educators, current and past Brewster parents and grandparents, and interested parties about the burgeoning field of emotional intelligence and what Brewster is doing to answer the call to action to teach students why emotions matter to their educational outcomes and personal success. Thank you to hosts Dan and Karen Davis (GP ’18) and Suzie Scanlon-Rabinowitz and Dan Rabinowitz (P’18).

CAM P US N EWS

N E W S MA KE R S

BO O K S HELF The Professor and the Housekeeper Yoko Ogawa This summer, I read The Professor and the Housekeeper by Yoko Ogawa. The book dives straight into the life of a housekeeper set in Japan, working for a retired mathematician. When she begins working at the professor's house, she quickly realizes that his memory only lasts 80 minutes. This becomes an obstacle for the housekeeper because she must remember that he believes he is still in the year 1975. Without much in common, the professor begins discussing diﬀerent math concepts with the housekeeper (who had nothing more than an elementary math education). Quickly he introduces her to findings she would've never found on her own. While the plot line is riveting on its own, the math intertwined with the story makes it all the better. Personally, I love math but I always viewed it as a concept and nothing more. This book has introduced me to abstract dimensions of thinking mathematically that has truly changed my point of view. Whether you are barely familiar with multiplication or have already mastered Einstein's String Theory, I strongly recommend this brief, yet unforgettable, read. – Ana González ’18 Cambridge, Massachusetts Note: The Professor and the Housekeeper is a recommended summer reading book; recommended by Bret Barnett, dean of campus aﬀairs.

FA L L 2016

CAM P US N EWS

Honored Teachers T E AC H E R S E M I LY JA M E S A N D JA N I S CORNWELL ARE R ECIP IE N T S O F A RT H UR M O R R I S K E NI S O N AWARD S

At the opening assembly of the year, Head of School Craig Gemmell began by celebrating the accomplishments of two faculty members with the presentation of the Arthur Morris Kenison Teaching Awards. In describing the recipient of the Career Growth Award, he spoke of a teacher who is highly reflective and always wants the best for her students. “Her teaching philosophy and methods lead to a thoughtful approach to communicating a difficult subject to students in a way that allays their fears and channels their energy toward a hands-on practical understanding with fun activities, labs, and demonstrations. The time this teacher gives to her students is endless. She can often be found in the library on weekends tutoring students, giving make up assessments, or in the lab re-doing activities that students missed due to a hectic boarding school schedule. The recipient of the Arthur Morris Kenison Career Growth Award is Emily James.” Janis Cornwell and Emily James Senior Angela First (Houston) praised James for her guidance. “Mrs. James knows that for a student to learn the most, they will need to struggle, but she stands by your side and takes each step of the way with you, and I’m grateful for this.” Gemmell described the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award as “exceptionally perceptive in her understanding of student needs. She treats every student individually and celebrates their strengths and accomplishments without exception. Many students’ successes can be attributed to the investment she makes into her students lives. She has a gift for making the student feel safe and confident. … She inspires us all to be the best that we can be, and it is a long, long line of students and faculty who can attest to her remarkable contribution.” The Arthur Morris Kenison Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to Janis Cornwell.” “Ms. Cornwell has been a significant influence in my academic performance at Brewster as well as my overall well-being and ensuring that I am comfortable, healthy, and happy,” Chloe Simon ’17 shared. “She generously invested her time and effort in my success, and I honestly would have been trailing another path without her guidance. I owe so much to her intelligence, benevolence, and venture.” – Marcia Eldredge

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

Q+A WE ASKED :

What class are you most looking forward to this year?

SHEMAR JOSEPH ’19, BROOKLYN

I am most looking forward to chemistry class to explore how matter forms and changes to make what we know exist.

MAYA GOMI ’18, SAN FRANCISCO

I'm most looking forward to my AP Language and Composition class because I enjoyed the summer reading for that class very much. I hope that this course will be just as interesting.

JAMES O’LEARY ’17, WOLFEBORO

AP European History! It’s going to be a lot more intriguing and in-depth in art than other history classes. I’m looking forward to learning about the time and the era and what was happening when artworks were made.

The ARTS P RO F ILE

J ENNA BURGESS A tour of the New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA) last year led to a scholarship for a pre-college art intensive this summer for Jenna Burgess ’17 of Wolfeboro. “While touring the Institute I had the pleasure of meeting one of the people in the admissions oﬃce there, and he happened to have a particular talent in illustration, which is the subject in which I have the most interest,” Jenna explained. “He oﬀered to have an informal portfolio review session with me, and gave me really great advice on how to advance and further develop my portfolio. After my visit to NHIA, I won a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art show, and this, combined with my portfolio review at the college, got my name out into the art world a little bit more.” A few weeks before the end of school, Jenna received an e-mail from NHIA informing her she had received a scholarship to attend pre-college program. “This was incredible news for me, because the only reason I had not taken more serious interest in the program prior was that the price was quite steep,” she said. Biggest Takeaway? “[Being] around people who have the same interests as me, and learning from them. I had never had the opportunity to live with and go to class with people who all enjoy and appreciate art. … The kids around me truly inspired me to keep working on and developing my art, and to learn everything I can, whenever I can, from whoever is around me.” – Marcia Eldredge

<< FLASH FICTION “Our assignment was to choose a character and a genre, and to put that character into this genre. We came up with what their outfits would look like, what their backstory was, how they would use weapons, how they would move and stand. I chose the character Robin Hood and placed him in the genre of Steam Punk, hence the goggles and weird outfit. I gave him a dramatic backstory in which his mother dies (I'm not familiar with the real story, I just made one up) and that's whose grave he's walking away from.”

FA L L 2016

CAM P US N EWS

10 V E R BAT IM

“Let this school make you think who you are and how you need to act, not just for yourself, but for your family, for your friends, for the people in the community, for those you don’t know in the broader world. That’s your real work this year.” Head of School CRAIG GEMMELL at the first All-School Assembly of the year.

O N V IE W As Craig Gemmell concluded his opening assembly remarks on September 11, he asked students if they knew for whom Palazzo Field was named. And then he shared “Tommy Palazzo ’75, who died in the World Trade Center; and Fry Field is named for Peter Fry ’83, who suﬀered the same fate. “Why am I bringing this up? It’s not just an abstract concept that exists in the broader world. This is us. This is our world.”

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

Head Lines continued ...

when the college admission process rolls around, a calm purposefulness seems to be the defining tone – not a relentless scramble by the seniors for places at just a very few of the literally thousands of exceptional colleges and universities around the globe. BA is inclusive rather than exclusive. Using Deresiewicz’s definition, Brewster would not be considered elite. However, Deresiewicz surely doesn’t have exclusive claim on the word. Here is the Oxford dictionary’s definition of elite: “A select part of a group that is superior to the rest in terms of ability or qualities.” In this way Brewster Academy is, I contend, an elite school, one so very different from many other exclusive ivy-covered institutions. John Brewster committed the Academy to an ethos of inclusion early on when he stipulated that “No restrictions shall be placed upon any person desiring to attend and receive instruction from … the Academy on account of his or her age, sex, or color, provided only he or she is of good moral character” … “Good moral character” continues to be a driving factor in our admission process, and we continue to work on ways for our students to connect with, not separate themselves from, the larger local and global communities. This type of commitment to inclusion and collaboration is distinctive – an “elite” of which we can all be proud. / BA /

11 CAM P US N EWS

T R IBU T E

BARBARA SANDS NARAMORE August 20, 1958 – August 19, 2016

A Life Well Lived By Kristy Kerin

On August 19, the Academy unexpectedly lost Barbara Sands Naramore, mother of Maya ’16, member of Brewster’s board of trustees, and an influential member of the town of Wolfeboro. Barbara joined Brewster’s board of trustees in 2008, filling a vacancy left by her husband John who had passed away unexpectedly in 2006. A well-known and beloved entrepreneur and restauranteur in Wolfeboro – she was the owner of Wolfe Den American Bistro, Wolfecatch Fish Market, and other associated businesses in Wolfeboro – Barbara was devoted to the Academy and the town. Head of School Craig Gemmell reflected: “I knew Barbara for just shy of two years and admired her breathtaking ability to reach out and connect so easily with a range of people. She was my spouse's first friend in town; she was the first person I had a deep and meaningful conversation about the relationship between Brewster and Wolfeboro. She was particularly magical with my kids, who were new to town last year, and figured out quickly how to connect with each of them and on their terms. I will miss her deeply.” Former Head of School Mike Cooper added to this sentiment: “One of the things that was always evident to me about Barbara was how much she cared about Brewster's role in the community. We would often talk about how we could bring the community and Brewster closer together. I remember when we were transitioning from the Shamrock Open (a local charity golf tournament started by her late husband John) to the Naramore Tournament – in tribute to John and designated to raise funds for a Brewster scholarship for a local student – and how the community took to the event in such a big way. Golfers from both communities, Wolfeboro and Brewster, came together to raise money to honor a local person because of how important the community and Brewster were to

Barbara, and she knew, to her husband John. Barbara worked tirelessly on the tournament and used her restaurant for a dinner and auction to help make the event successful in every way. She loved her husband, community, and Brewster, and wanted to leave a lasting legacy that would help a local student aﬀord attendance at the Academy. That was the kind of person Barbara was, always looking for how to make life better and always thinking about how she could benefit a cause. The community, Brewster, and I will miss her but her memory will last forever. What a great way for a life well-lived to be remembered.” As a trustee, Barbara originally served on the board's facilities planning committee and then moved to the trustees and governance committee. In her active advocacy for Brewster, Barbara was instrumental in introduc-

Barbara and Maya Naramore ’16

ing many local friends to the Academy. Some even joined her on the Brewster board, including Beverly Bruce, who reflected: “She was unique in her approach to life, her love for and dedication to Maya, the way she touched so many people from all walks of life, her love of animals, her involvement in the community, her strong commitment to political activities and her passion for the “Wolfe” brand. She was truly unique … a legacy in Wolfeboro!”

FA L L 2016

12 CAM P US N EWS

Field & Goals

Crew Shell Dedicated to Lynn Herrick Snyder Above: Head of School Craig Gemmell applauds as Lynn Snyder unveils the newest racing shell donated in her honor. Below: Rowers Meghan O’Hearn (left) and Catherine Kelly with Lynn Snyder.

See all the latest on our sports teams at brewsteracademy.org/ athletics

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

Founder of the interscholastic crew program and former faculty member Lynn Herrick Snyder returned to campus in September for a ceremony in her honor – the dedication of the Lynn H. Snyder, a Vespoli Ultralite II. “Having Lynn back to campus is great for our community,” Director of Athletics Matt Lawlor said. “She did so much for the program in getting us started and making us competitive in crew; it’s fitting to have her name on this shell and an awesome opportunity for our students to hear from one of the pioneers of the program!” “It was amazing to see how far the program has come,” Synder said. “Seeing it in person was tremendously powerful, and I’m so grateful for this chance.” Snyder’s rowing career began at Northfield Mount Hermon School and continued at Connecticut College where she rowed for four years. “The program was very competitive in the pre-NCAA era, and we had opportunities for national competition without NCAA regulations,” she shared. “Despite some

13 ultimately failed attempts to make the national team, I knew that I wanted to continue my involvement in the sport.” At a blue-sky waterfront ceremony, she told past and present members of the community, as well as current rowers and coxswains: “I was 25 years old when I got to Brewster in 1987. For reasons I still don’t understand, [former Headmaster] David Smith seemed to think I was qualified to get a rowing program going. I was thrilled and terrified. What I feel today is gratitude for that opportunity,” Snyder said. Two decades earlier, a rowing club had been started at Brewster after former faculty member James N. Ramsey secured a used eight-seat racing shell no longer needed by the Dartmouth (College) Rowing Club. It was Snyder, though, who would transform what she called the “controlled chaos” of the early planning stages into what would eventually become the Academy’s formative rowing program. FOND MEMORIES OF COACHING Snyder recalls many fond memories of coaching at Brewster – most are about watching students experience the sport for the first time. “The enthusiasm with which they embraced the considerable extra work involved was very contagious,” she said. “Rowers didn’t just show up to play rowing – they painted oars, learned how to assemble and disassemble the sectional boats, and without being told, took instant pride in their program.

They rigged, they washed, they fetched, they fixed. It made them a team well before their first races.” She continued, “there are a thousand little things – being ridiculously proud at a coxswain’s perfect landing on the first try (and I think this was Sue McLean ’91), the reasoning behind being the first Vespoli customer to request sectional fours … Kate Turner [associate athletic director] was tremendously involved and deserves endless credit for her support, detail work, and good humor with me. I know that I was quite obsessed with safety issues. She helped us get through safety compliance for US ROWING and in general kept me sane.” Eventually a new teaching position would take Snyder to Baltimore where she would later become the women’s varsity crew coach for Johns Hopkins University. Synder now lives in Florida and works for a UK-based online security company on a kids’ app. “My job involves working with a lot of different elements – image analysis, predictive behavior, legal compliance, and various moderation tools. My participation in the original Brewster Model certainly put me in a position to be working toward the goal of creating a kinder, gentler next generation of internet users.” Bobcat fans are invited to come out and watch the Lynn H. Snyder in competition. – Marcia Eldredge

COACH SNYDER’S ADVICE TO ROWERS. Why do we get so drawn into the sport? I suppose this varies, but all of the platitudes about teamwork, hard work, delayed gratification – they’re all true – but you have to learn that yourself. If sharing glory and disappointment with others appeals to you – keep rowing. If you want to understand that your human limits and boundaries are way more than you thought they were – keep rowing. If you start feeling superior as a team because rowing is so hard and nobody understands and the other sports are just playing games – don’t worry, you’ll get over that, too, – if you keep rowing. Unless you’re currently a member of the US women’s 8, there is always someone just a bit more successful or harder working than you are, so – keep rowing. You will win and you will lose, and laugh, and cry, and even if those life lessons fade in and out, you get something no one can take away – spoiler alert, it’s not glory, that’s a bonus – you have had the great privilege to go fast backwards in beautiful surroundings. If you row for 10 years and just one time get those 10 magic perfect strokes with your crew, you’ve experienced magic.

Girls’ Alpine Skiers Earn Athletic Director’s Prize At the end of the school year, the girls’ varsity alpine ski team was awarded the prestigious 2015–2016 Director’s Prize. The Director's Prize recognizes the interscholastic team that exhibits excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in the community. The award is given to the team with a winning record and the highest cumulative grade point average and recognition scores for the year. “Girls varsity alpine is an excellent group of students who are ambassadors for Brewster Athletics,” noted Lawlor. “They are all exemplary citizens on campus and fierce competitors on the snow; the award is very fitting for this team!” Last season the team captured its third consecutive Class C New England Championship, and this year moves to the NEPSAC Class B division. “The program has a positive and winning culture, and head coach Matt Found has done an impressive job with both the boys and girls’ programs,” Lawlor added. The competition is on for the 2016–2017 prize! With coaches Jonathan Brower (left) and Matt Found are Megan Panier ’19, Kyleah Meehan ’19, Brooke Samora ’19, Rylee Hanson ’16, Ally Reed ’16, Catriona Lennon ’17, and Shayla Meehan ’17

FA L L 2016

CAM P US N EWS

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

CAM P US N EWS

SCHOOL SPIRIT 15

FA L L 2016

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

WORK. NOW. LOCALLY. AJ Brustein ’98 and Yong Kim ’96 are helping people to find work – whenever, wherever and for whomever they want – and companies to fill immediate needs with great people doing a great job, all within a moment’s notice. BY DOU G K IL EY

FA L L 2016

S 18

omething I love about Brewster graduates is the creativity and originality that shows in their life stories. Like Brewster, its graduates make a unique stamp on the world. During a trip to San Francisco to visit with current families, education consultants, and alumni, I had the opportunity to visit the home base of Wonolo – the entrepreneurial endeavor of AJ Brustein ’98 and Yong Kim ’96. I thought I had a pulse on technology. I am adept at all things laptopish, and I have even used Uber. In San Francisco my lack of technological experience showed in plain view, and I quickly realized that in the race for technology innovation, I was like a political candidate – overall fairly capable but currently trying to dress the part. Outside a coffee shop, I dialed in my third Uber ever. I tried to look like this was something I do all the time, but I’m guessing I looked more like my grandfather staring ever closer at the Polaroid snapshot, his nose three inches from the photo. (Yes, my nose was three inches from my screen staring at the little car icon coming for me.) How did two Brewster graduates go from the lakes and mountains of central New Hampshire, to dense urban environments in Asia and then to the eclectic islands of entrepreneurial pursuit in San Francisco? FROM KOREA TO THE SHORES OF LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE I was a new instructional support teacher at Brewster when I first met Yong Kim. He was an intense senior who did not smile. Rumors began spreading in the middle of the year that he had applied to the University of Chicago. His acceptance was an early indicator to me of what Brewster graduates were capable of. Having re-connected with him over the past few months has shown me he is capable of far greater than graduating from a highly competitive university. Like many students coming to Brewster from foreign countries, Yong faced challenges incomprehensible to most of his classmates. From the seemingly simple task of navigating unfamiliar meals in the dining hall to contributing at weekly dorm meetings, Yong worked tirelessly to learn English and became an intent listener. A tremendous amount of self-reliance is required of students coming from far away. Korean students in particular were expected to exhibit total self-reliance and embrace the steep learning curve that comes with living and studying in a foreign country.

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

While at Brewster, Yong was tempted to return to his loving family in Korea, but like many innovators and entrepreneurs, challenge (and sometimes failure) is the goal. After his undergraduate studiesin Chicago, Yong returned to New England to continue his education at Harvard where he earned both a master’s in statistics and an MBA. He then headed to Wall Street where he started a career in technology investment banking with Deutsche Bank. Here he helped companies raise capital and advised them in the process of building a financially sound business. Then in 2013 an opportunity with Coca-Cola’s “Founders” program presented itself. FROM THE SHORES OF LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE TO JAPAN AJ Brustein took a circuitous route to Wonolo. After taking a gap year in 1998–1999, AJ began his post-secondary education at Boston College. In that first year, AJ remained connected to Ippei Takahashi ’98 who was in school in Japan. Ippei convinced AJ to spend not just one year abroad but two. AJ had been scheduled to go to Spain, but Japan proved to be more enticing to him than Spain. AJ worked on his Japanese language skills while studying at Sophia University in Tokyo before returning to Boston College to finish his bachelor’s degree. It’s likely that the innovative environment in Japan started fermenting the seeds of AJ’s future as an innovator himself. He worked briefly with American Tobacco before moving over to CocaCola around 2006 where he worked in brand marketing. By spring 2013, AJ’s success at Coke had earned him a spot in the company’s “Founders” program. Like many global companies, Coca-Cola is finding a place for itself in the start-up economy as a requisite exercise in survival. In describing the

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The work that goes into maintaining a job is unnecessary if the job market is flexible. All that matters is that workers perform well on the job.â&#x20AC;?

FA L L 2016

The Wonolo app helps fulfill and oﬀer thousands of employment opportunities a day.

relationships, resources, and reach – all before they create a start-up, with Coca-Cola as the lead backer, eventually becoming a minority shareholder. With the backing of one of the world’s largest private employers, all AJ needed now was a co-founder.

Founders platform, AJ explained, “Coca-Cola provides seed money and tells founders to create an idea for a billion dollar business … and find a co-founder.” COCA-COLA FOUNDERS PLATFORM The Coca-Cola Co-Founder Network matches experienced entrepreneurs around the world with senior level

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

advisors in different divisions of Coke. The purpose is to tackle major problems faced by the different divisions of Coke worldwide. Ideally, other industries with the same challenges then would be able to adapt the “fix” to their business with the help of the new start-up. The huge advantage for the entrepreneurial co-founders is that they have access to Coke’s business resources – their

THE BREWSTER CONNECTION The night before Yong’s formal interview for a co-founder position, AJ and Yong met at the Hard Rock Cafe in Atlanta. It was over dinner that Yong reviewed his list of academic credentials: Harvard University, University of Chicago, and a boarding school in central New Hampshire – Brewster Academy. A skeptical AJ thought the Brewster reference might be bait. After sharing anecdotes about Maria Found’s superior teaching ability, however, AJ knew the two had in fact attended the same boarding school in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire – Brewster Academy! AJ credits Brewster with cultivating his competitive drive. “At Brewster I had great teachers and realized school could be a competition. I don’t know why I didn’t learn that before Brewster. At home I

didn’t care, but at Brewster I became competitive,” he explained. “I think Brewster should try to make that happen as much as possible.” WORK.NOW.LOCALLY. Once on board as co-founders, AJ and Yong set out to find a workplace solution for whom they saw as the most in-demand worker profile in the workforce today. With nearly three-quarters of a million employees in roughly 200 countries, Coke needed a way to better manage unpredictability. “The solution to unpredictability is flexibility,” according to AJ. He continues, “How do you make flexibility? You democratize work … the work that goes into maintaining a job is unnecessary if the job market is flexible. All that matters is that workers perform well on the job.” AJ and Yong’s solution would eventually become Wonolo (Work. Now. Locally.), a virtual on-demand staffing company charged with hiring and supplying some of the most sought-after members of today’s labor force: warehouse and delivery personnel, merchandisers, and event and administrative staff. While workers with these profiles are in demand, they also are at the mercy of a modern economy that ebbs and flows quickly. This is where AJ Brustein, COO, and Yong Kim, CEO, believe Wonolo stands out. An important dimension of Wonolo is its mission to help match new millennium workers with the new millennium landscape in the workforce. Yes, benefits and labor protection are as important and complex as ever. Similarly, companies like Wonolo that understand those two elements are as important as ever. Both alumni concede Wonolo is designed for a wide range

of workers: a focused teen looking for supplemental work opportunities, a recent college graduate wanting a flexible schedule, a stayat-home parent, or a retiree – all of these profiles can and do benefit from the design and implementation of Wonolo. And companies need these temporary workers. A base description of this creation could be the Uber of temp agencies, yet that would not be accurate. Uber has forever transformed the taxi industry while Wonolo is transforming temporary work placement agencies, but Wonolo differs in subtle and important ways from Uber. Through their on-demand staffing platform, Wonolo provides “Wonoloers” – talent – to businesses that need to fulfill hourly or daily jobs in minutes. There are tens of thousands of Wonoloers and more than 400 companies across the nation that utilize Wonolo, according to Yong, who works in Wonolo’s San Francisco headquarters along with 27 employees or “members”. Like any entrepreneurial endeavor, there is competition for this market. TaskRabbit and Fancy Hands are two competitors that are working to change the face of temp work. What sets Wonolo apart from these other companies, however, is its purpose. Wonolo is not attempting to find permanent work for Wonoloers. Several times in our discussion AJ and Yong referenced the unpredictability of supply and demand in the retail and service industry. As a result, distributors and companies of all stripes find themselves unable to sustain optimum commercial success because of staffing shortages or excess. This is where Wonolo shines. With their legions of carefully vetted Wonoloers, they can fill specific personnel needs in a matter of minutes

rather than days or weeks, the latter the domain of more traditional temp agencies. Wonolo shows signs of the “gig economy” – an environment where independent workCOMPANIES across the nation ers are hired by utilize Wonolo. companies for temporary, short-term employment – but with heaping doses of the Brewster Principle. As I have gotten to know Yong, AJ, and Wonolo, it is an inspiration to see Brewster Academy alumni building a company that has as its core philosophy the tenets of the Brewster Principle. AJ clarifies: “Wonoloers have certain character traits – the five P’s – punctual, prepared, polite, professional, and positive.” It is safe to say their former Headmaster David Smith might have considered those suitable as a Brewster Principle! By their nature, boarding school environments promote independence, self-reliance, and diversity and can foster unknown strengths and provoke passion in young people. However, I like to think the story of Wonolo is a uniquely Brewster story. AJ and Yong would be successful anywhere they ventured, but it takes the environment of Brewster Academy to create something as collaborative and forward thinking as Wonolo. / BA /

400+

Doug Kiley taught Instructional Support from 1995–1999. He crossed over to the History Department in the Fall of 1999 and became History Department Chair in 2002. He is now a major gifts officer in the Alumni and Development Office.

FA L L 2016

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

Doing What is Genuinely Good for Kids

A Lasting

Legacy BY J E N DU MON T

FA L L 2016

arilyn Shea’s 1987 arrival at Brewster Academy predated the Smith Center, Anderson Hall, and Lamb Green, and the Pinckney Boathouse existed only in blueprints. But, she says, the spirit of the place, and the “secret” that binds it together – that makes it a place where children come to learn and grow and find acceptance for who they are – that was already here. Shea felt immediately at home. “It was that way when I got here 30 years ago,” Shea said, speaking from her office on a beautiful June day in Wolfeboro. “Had it always been that way? Heaven only knows. But it was very apparent the first year that I was here, and it was part of why I knew by the end of my first year that I would probably never leave Brewster.” That “it” is what makes Brewster special – a little gem of a school sitting on the shores of this beautiful lake. For nearly 200 years, this has been a school where dedicated teachers believe that all students have potential and have guided students according to that core value. Before “studentcentered” was a buzzword in education, it was being practiced at Brewster Academy.

“I think all schools with the best of intentions want to do things that are right for their kids. But doing things right usually means going the extra mile, you know, like running a marathon,” said Shea. “Brewster is a place where adults take it to heart – they really, really live it.” To come close to appreciating the person and the contributions of Marilyn Shea, one must understand the evolution, the rather radical evolution, of Brewster Academy. Former Head of School David M. Smith recalled Shea’s passion and leadership in the implementation of the “Brewster Model” more than 20 years ago. Shea was an English teacher and dorm parent when the school began this new initiative. As this multi-faceted program was being developed, it was implemented at first with only the

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

freshman class. The following year, the sophomores were added, with the junior class and finally the senior class being integrated during the subsequent two years. At first, administrators asked the teachers who would be willing to work within this new program and teach using methods that were being identified as best practices. “So who’s going to sign up for this thing? Who’s going to say ‘Take Me’,” David Smith remembers. “And it was Marilyn who said ‘Me. I will.’ Her very nature is A. I want a challenge; B. I believe I am capable to meet a challenge; and C. I demand excellence from myself and from others. “Because of people like her – she was probably Exhibit A – it was illegitimate for the rest of the faculty to say ‘This doesn’t work,’” he says. “She was a good teacher – she was

invested in her students,” said Smith. “She was bright and she was aggressive for them, not at them, but for them.” But Shea’s future at the Academy called for her to take on a new role and one in leadership and administration. Once the model and its practices were implemented across all grade levels, and the entire school was on board, it was natural for Shea to step into the position of academic dean. “Part of the reason she took on the deanship is because she doesn’t like to do repetitive things – she loves the challenge – she has confidence in herself and she is truly committed to the program,” Smith explained. AN AUTHENTIC DEAN “The epitome of student-centeredness is a school that lets kids be who they really are and not what they need to appear to be,” said Head of School Dr. Craig Gemmell. “And Marilyn is totally who she is. She is an authentic creature through and through.” The evolution of the school and its program has been driven by that core value of putting students and their needs first, as well as by the principles espoused in the Brewster Pillars: Respect, responsibility, and investment. Serve yourself and others with your best in all you do. Add to these ideals Shea’s strong belief – backed by research – that students cannot learn when they are afraid. First and foremost, students need to feel safe and secure.

The addition of the Emotional Literacy Program over the past several years has introduced the idea of the “best self,” which provides students with a way to visualize their goals and their beliefs. Shea’s hope is that the program can help students to become self-aware in how they impact others and how their behavior impacts their own lives and future. Her message to students: “Wherever you go be the person who, when you leave, you will be missed and when you come back, people will be glad to see you.” POSITIVE DISCIPLINE AND CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES Shea’s more recent contribution to the Brewster program, and one she is most proud of, is a newly evolved approach to building community and to establishing guidelines for student behavior and discipline. Over the past two years, Shea has worked tirelessly to develop this program, titled “Choices and Consequences”. “As long as I have been here, I have been interested in how can we do more to deliver on that thing that drew me to Brewster in the first place: doing what is genuinely good for kids,” said Shea. “What draws me to it [positive discipline] is my own experience with kids – my own understanding of different schools of thought about human behavior, and a lot of compelling research that has come out of American schools that have forced us to look at ideas that are not brand new, that basically challenge the notion that you can

“Wherever you go be the person who, when you leave, you will be missed and when you come back, people will be glad to see you.” create a better school by punishing kids when they misbehave.” Grounded in the work of educational philosophers such as Alfred Adler, considered the godfather of the humanist movement, Abraham Maslow, and the more contemporary Carl Rogers, the program espouses beliefs of “positive discipline” and “restorative justice.” Students are encouraged to examine their own feelings and motivations and to put themselves in others’ shoes, to understand when their behavior

has negatively impacted others, and to attempt to make amends and re-build relationships. This program dovetails nicely with the anchors of the Emotional Literacy Program. “My whole life has been about how to understand human emotions and how to deal with them,” said Shea. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this produces a better school. It’s the way I ran my dorm; it’s the way I ran my classroom. Observations and experience tell me this is the way to go.” Dr. Michael E. Cooper, former head of school who worked closely with Shea for 12 years, couldn’t agree more that she gets kids. “Marilyn knows what makes kids tick and has a great way of connecting with them. It’s clear in watching her interact with students that her years in the classroom, in the residences, and on the playing field provided her with a special knowledge and understanding of how to relate to them in a way that reaches them and provides them with every opportunity for success. She cuts to the chase on things and

DEAN SHEA IN THREE WORDS Caring, Intelligent, and Committed. She CARES a great deal about the success of students and works hard to assist them in managing their lives while they are in attendance. She is an INTELLIGENT person who understands boarding schools really well and knows how to successfully help students navigate things, whether they are new to the experience or experienced. She is COMMITTED to her work and is incredibly dedicated to the school. – FORMER HEAD OF SCHOOL DR. MICHAEL E. COOPER

FA L L 2016

Right: Marilyn Shea (standing on left) with a 1994–1995 Model team. Far Right: Marilyn Shea and Craig Gemmell lead the 2016 Moving Up Day procession.

works toward resolution in a manner that reflects her years of experience.” After implementing some of these approaches to discipline over this past year, Shea has updated the Community Handbook that outlines the program in detail. The faculty will work to refine the program and to define it more specifically, perhaps even changing some elements of what Shea has developed. She welcomes this collaboration as well as any possible dissent. “It’s really important to give faculty a voice and give them an opportunity to reflect and ask questions,” Shea says. “No school change should be forced from above.” As she has written in the handbook, Shea believes that this new program will allow for students to understand the value of social justice, mutual respect, and the importance of community. Through positive relationships with the adults in their lives, students will be able to build empathy and to better navigate their own growth and learning. “At core, everything that Marilyn does has as its focus the needs of students,” said Gemmell, speaking of the legacy that Shea will be leaving. As an example, he cited students who have been involved in the new discipline program this year. A group of them spoke to the board of trustees this past spring. “All of these kids talked with great eloquence about how at the end of the day what mattered most to them was the fact that as a consequence of their bad decisions, two things happened:

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

they understood themselves better, and they built a better relationship with an adult,” Gemmell shared. “And that is really the cultural legacy that this remarkable woman will leave.” HER NEXT ASSIGNMENT At the conclusion of the 2016–2017 academic year, Dean Shea will retire and will step down. Current English teacher and department chair Matt Butcher will take her place. For many faculty members, and for generations of students, it’s sort of difficult to imagine a Brewster without Shea. What does she hope for the school and its future? “I hope it always retains those qualities that make it special, while continuing to commit to the idea that we are always growing and evolving, so that we can just get better and better as new things come to the forefront,” Shea says. “That we never become that school that says that’s not how we do it. But always be that school that says we were willing to make changes if it’s good for kids.” Shea has many plans after retirement. And though she will be dearly missed, the school will continue to follow her considerable and admirable example.

“I am looking forward to having the time to do things that I haven’t for 40 years, like write, paint, spend time with my family,” said Shea. “I don’t have a particular social service thing in mind, but I know myself well enough to know that I will get bored if I don’t find ways to invest in what is good for other people. I kind of have a need to feel like I am doing good for somebody else.” / BA / Jen Dumont is a writing, journalism, and English teacher at Brewster. She taught from 1997 to 2000, left to earn a master’s in English education, and returned to Brewster in 2012.

19 87 19 93 19 95 19 96 “All of these kids talked with great eloquence about how at the end of the day what mattered most to them was the fact that as a consequence of their bad decisions, two things happened: they understood themselves better, and they built a better relationship with an adult. And that is really the cultural legacy that this remarkable woman will leave.” – CR A I G G E MME L L

THREE DECADES OF SERVING STUDENTS

Throughout her tenure, Marilyn Shea has taught English and AP English courses and instructed faculty in Brewster Summer Institute. She has been a faculty mentor and a curriculum writer and served on the school management team, the school community directors, the resource team, and the counseling team. She has coached sailing, served as a dorm parent, and was an advisor to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program and the Peer Counseling Program. She also served on three Head of School search committees and has presented at professional conferences.

Hired as a Brewster English teacher

Taught on the first Brewster School Design Model Team

Academic team leader

English department chair; became one of the first Brewster teachers to achieve senior master teacher

19 97

Appointed interim academic dean

19 98

Appointed academic dean and director of the upper school

20 14

Appointed academic dean/ dean of students

FA L L 2016

LOCATION. LOCA

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

29 BY LY N N E PA L M E R

After Decades of Residing Across the Street, the Admission Oï¬&#x192;ce Moves to the Heart of Campus

TION. LOCATION.

FA L L 2016

It was July 1, 2015, Craig Gemmell’s first day on the job as head of school. In what is now a customary activity, Craig was making connections with people to learn about their history with Brewster, listen to their perspective in thoughtful conversation, and build his awareness about the place and the people. In one of our first conversations he asked why the Admission Office was located across Main Street. I knew that since my husband, faculty member TJ Palmer, and I arrived in 1987, the Admission Office had been at 176 South Main Street. It was the little white clapboard house that welcomed people into a kitchen with great beams and lots of character. Over the years, there were some renovations to transform the garage into office space, the faculty apartment into one office (followed by two), and add a much needed bathroom that didn’t feel like it belonged in a kindergarten. Families always appreciated its warmth when entering the kitchen space but its limitations and location were always a challenge. When the follow up question came, “If admissions could be anywhere on campus, where do you think it should be?” I didn’t hesitate with a response, and I could tell from his cheerful smirk that consensus was not an issue on the subject. The second floor of the Kenison Library has the most breathtaking and persuasive view of our remarkable campus. The “wow factor” is unmatched. I secretly thought, could this really happen? Would the school make this a priority and what would it take? One of the most sensitive areas of discussion around the possibility of this becoming a reality was the fact that it was a space for our John Brewster Scholars (JBS) – students who had earned the privilege of access and who had over the years spent time studying or relaxing in this space. Over the years, the main floor of the library had evolved, with comfortable seating and more open spaces. We recognized that students often preferred this location to upstairs and, in fact, the JBS Lounge actually had limited visitors most weeks. As the community absorbed the concept of this opportunity, the project became a reality and the firm of Lavallee Brensinger Architects was hired to adapt the space to the needs of the Admission and Communications Offices. In the high season of interviews in the fall and winter, admissions can host up to 15 families a day. The existing space had one drawback – it had an open view to the library

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

level and thus not enough floor space for our visitor needs. Project manager and CFO Lisa Braiterman, Facilities Manager Dan Noyes, and the team of architects and engineers from Milestone Engineering & Construction Inc., explored the possibility of adding a floor and creating the optimal area needed to give people the freedom of moving through the space openly while allowing our extended community to participate more actively in these visits. The intent of the new reception area was to create separate and unique spaces that will allow some privacy for individual families and an opportunity for a coach or arts faculty member to sit and discuss their programs with an interested student. Each receiving space is designed for us to intentionally integrate media through tablets and other devices with electronic surveys of their visits, interactive maps and puzzles, and other marketing materials that will help our visitors understand the Brewster experience. Attention to design and branding was a clear priority of the project. The focus of the design team was to create a contemporary, clean look and feel that allowed for an effortless flow to the space, comfort and quality in appearance, and a place that would complement the panoramic view and Brewster’s brand. The new entrance and reception areas celebrate our outstanding student tour guides with dedicated wall space for their photos while incorporating Brewster’s latest

branding effort in a compelling and creative way. The result is an elegant and sleek style that showcases Brewster’s personality and extends a warm welcome – an essential hallmark to any Brewster campus visit. The six office spaces for admission associates are located in the center of the room on both sides. The floor to ceiling windows that face the lake provide more than just a magnificent view – they bring in considerable natural light that streams through the glass-walled interior offices. The architectural film for these entrance walls was designed to balance the much needed privacy for interviews and the brilliant natural light. Relocating to the heart of the Wilson Center gives us access and advantage to student and faculty life at Brewster and allows our visitors to immerse themselves in our active community. With this move, we expect to grow the community participation in our marketing and recruitment efforts in seamless and creative ways. We plan to engage our student volunteers more comprehensively – exposing them to marketing and communications strategies and efforts that will build their skill sets. Marcia Eldredge, communications director, and Mary Roetger, director of integrated media and marketing, are excited to expand on the collaborative work they do with students and faculty in our integrated marketing efforts. Additionally, we will be looking at the innovative ways we can promote the compelling advantages of a Brewster education in a space designed for optimal outcomes. As we look forward to celebrating our upcoming bicentennial at Brewster Academy, we open a new chapter in admissions that will honor our rich history of student centeredness in a location that will inspire excellence. Come and visit us! / BA / Lynne Palmer is the Director of Admission and External Affairs and has worked at Brewster since 1987.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS The only oďŹ&#x192;ce space on campus that is purposefully designed to support the optimal campus visit. A conference space that can be used by community members with an adjustable table that can be configured for small groupings or a larger meeting structure. Second phase will integrate our archives work incorporating a timeline of the history of the school in the main hallway of the Academic Building leading to the new space.

THINKING AHEAD Downstairs from the new OďŹ&#x192;ce of Admission, new Head Librarian Tom Madden is learning about the resource needs of students and faculty while looking ahead to necessary revamping of current library space. His vision and previous experience with library design will serve Brewster well in making another beautiful space with a magnificent view work even better for its users. And, we remain committed to honoring the earned privileges of our John Brewster Scholars in new, innovative ways that reflect their needs.

Intentionally designated reception areas that allow for faculty and student interaction with visitors. New media and concierge center that will integrate customer service and customized marketing information for visitors.

FA L L 2016

A LOOK BACK BY SHIRLEY RICHAR DS O N

The Legacies of

Lamb Court Below Left: Sarah Lord Lamb ’27. Left: In 2009 Nick Harris was posthumously awarded The Brewster Medal. His wife Penny Harris, son Lamont Harris ’84, and grandson Nicholas Harris, here with David Smith and Mike Cooper, accepted the award on his behalf. Above: Lamb House today. Right: Principal Burtis F. Vaughan and wife Virginia with students.

y 1987 it was time for a second group of three colonial faculty homes and dormitories to be constructed on the south side of campus on what would become known as Lamb Court. Initial plans called for these dorms to mirror the first three built on the north side, including a single faculty apartment in each house. All six of these dormitories were designed to support student growth centered in a home and family-like atmosphere. One night after the project began on the south side construction, then Headmaster David M. Smith wandered over to the construction site and stood on the foundations. As he looked out toward the lake, he realized that under the existing plans “this beautiful view would have been enjoyed by trash cans in the basements.” He returned to his office, took out his copy of the plans, and sketched in lower level apartments, which were subsequently incorporated into the design so that two faculty families could reside in each dormitory. VAUGHAN HOUSE The first of the Lamb Court trio is dedicated to former teacher and principal Burtis F. Vaughan Jr. and his family. Vaughan arrived on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

aboard the M/S Mount Washington in 1939. A recent graduate of Columbia University, where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees, Vaughan immersed himself in the life of the school, serving as a Latin and English teacher and as a football, baseball, and soccer coach. A gifted musician, he directed the glee club and bands. Through their mutual love of music and teaching, he and English teacher Virginia Paige Whiting became fast friends and married in December 1952. Following a national search, the board of trustees named Vaughan the seventh principal of the Academy on March 7, 1959, a position he would assume upon the retirement of Principal Vincent David Rogers at the end of that school year. During that summer the Vaughan family, which now included children Janna ’62, Jo Anne ’65, and David, moved across campus from Sanborn House (now Richardson House) to Lord House.

The most pressing issue of Vaughn’s tenure was the formation of a regional school district and ultimately the construction of a local high school, leaving the Academy to transform from a quasi public/private school to a completely independent academy for boarding students and a small contingent of day students whose families preferred an independent education. The steady hand of Principal Vaughan and the strength emanating from his reputation as a teacher and administrator in both the school and the local community proved invaluable to the trustees and the town leaders during a challenging time for Brewster. After bringing the Academy through the transition and driven by his desire to return to the classroom, Vaughan retired as principal on July 1, 1965. The Vaughans moved to Hampton, New Hampshire, where he became chair of foreign languages at Winnacunnet High School. Vaughan stayed connected to Brewster, serving as a trustee from 1986 to 1997. He passed away on September 3, 1998. LAMB HOUSE Lamb House was built during the spring and summer of 1988. Herbert Lamb, retired from the field of finance, joined the board

and Turkey. Lamb was particularly active in class discussions, and after class he often engaged the students on topics of current affairs. Herb Lamb never lost his curiosity about history or the importance of understanding international culture. When he died in 2004, he was a man young at heart. HARRIS HOUSE Harris House, the last of three houses built on Lamb Court, was completed in the fall of 1989. After Nick and Penny Harris’ sons had graduated – Lamont in 1984 and Henry in 1988, Nick Harris stayed connected to his sons’ school. As the Brewster master plan neared completion, Smith sent a copy to Nick, and shortly after, Nick called David and inquired, “If I sent you a check for $100,000, what would you do with it?” David simply said, “I’d put it in my back pocket.” “What do you mean?” Nick asked. Smith explained that he was about to go to the board of trustees with a $10 to $12 million master plan, noting that $300,000 was the

A LOOK BACK

of trustees in 1978 and served until his death in 2004. Throughout those years Lamb was a source of balanced, sound advice, as well as generous support, especially when the Academy faced the challenges of realizing the full potential of its vision. It was Lamb’s wife, Sarah “Sally” Lord Lamb, a 1927 alumna, who fostered her husband’s interest in and support of her school, which held a special place in her heart. The Brewster Trust had recognized Sally as the type of young person that John Brewster and Arthur Estabrook wanted the Academy to serve. She valued the opportunity afforded to her and her classmates through the generosity of the Brewster Trust and so before she passed away in 1986, Sally and Herb established a scholarship fund for deserving students. Lamb’s enthusiasm for the community led him, at age 90, to enroll in faculty member Robert Richardson’s course, America Since 1900, taking his place among the 14 students from the United States, Japan, Canada, Thailand,

largest yield any campaign to date had produced. “The board is going to look at me and ask, ‘Are you crazy?’ and I’ll pull your check out of my pocket, put it down on the table, and say, ‘Here’s someone who doesn’t think so.’” And, according to Smith, it played out exactly that way. A soft-spoken gentleman, Nick Harris recognized and appreciated the special nature and mission of Brewster and was grateful for what the school had meant for his sons. He generously supported the master plan in life and through his estate, thus encouraging the school to continue to stay true to its vision. In June 1990, the house was dedicated with deep appreciation to Nick and Penny Harris and with fond and special memories of their sons Lamont and Henry. / BA / Shirley Richardson, along with her late husband Bob, are the authors of The Brewster Story: A Definitive History of Brewster Academy (2011).

FA L L 2016

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

ALUM N I N EWS

ALUMNI NEWS

IN THIS SECTION: 39 ALUMNI NEWS 41 HOOPLA 43 CLASS NOTES 48 REMEMBER WHEN?

Left to right: former faculty members David Pollini â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;57 and Mal Murray with members of the Class of 1966: Jay Somers, Donald Leach, Will French, Brad Walsh, and BG Hodges (current faculty member). Seated, former faculty member Shirley Richardson

Not long after the last graduate walks across the stage to receive his or her diploma – about 48 hours to be exact – summer oﬃcially begins at Brewster. The truth is summer never really ends or begins for Raylene Davis, director of global and summer programs, and her staﬀ, who ensure that the 15 weeks of “summer” on the Academy’s half-mile of shoreline are enjoyed by a host of groups who come from around the world to live, learn, and play in this idyllic setting. For perspective, here are some numbers from summer 2016:

part- and full-time STAFFERS were hired.

diﬀerent entities and

900

individuals RESIDED ON CAMPUS at diﬀerent times.

WEDDINGS

were celebrated. Housekeepers completed

92 20

DORM TURNOVERS compared to

during the school year!

ALUM N I N EWS

BY T H E N U MBE R S S U MME R

BY BETH HAYES ’81

In Appreciation:

Harry G. Widman Jr. It’s not uncommon for people to offer up their favorite teacher. For Brewster alumni from 1972-1981, the answer is often Harry Widman. He was certainly one of my favorites – one of the teachers forever intertwined with my Brewster years and memories. Those who had Mr. Widman for U.S. or British history may recall his large, sun-filled classroom at the end of the hallway in the Academic Building. It was a beautiful room with hardwood floors and high ceilings, ivy draped windows, and chalk dust piled in the wooden trays of the blackboard. Harry Widman was passionate about teaching. He loved history and he loved teaching history. And style – did he have style! Tweeds, flared plaid pants, trench coats, and his famous scally caps were a part of his panache. And who could forget that dry sense of humor that infused a bit of fun into every lesson. For Harry, part of teaching his beloved British history was to bring the students back in time, literally. For years, Harry and his wife Anne led the annual British study trip in March. From London to Wales, from cathedrals to country teas, the Widmans shared their love and knowledge of everything British with those of us fortunate enough to travel with them. The Widmans treated us like their own children – they were ever mindful of our manners, our dress for each occasion, and our role as Brewster Academy ambassadors in another country. We were required to write in our journals each day. On the first night of

the trip the Widmans handed my journal back to me and asked that I include more details of what I had seen, heard, tasted, and learned that day. They gently suggested that the journal be a point of pride for me. They encouraged me to see that writing in the journal was about capturing the thoughts of an 18-year-old girl on an adventure of a lifetime. I think of Harry and Anne Widman whenever I read that journal. The Widman family lived just minutes from Brewster in a big comfortable house that welcomed all and that was constantly filled with kids, including their own four children: Jean, and Brewster graduates Sara ’76, Greg ’78, and Kristianne ’80. I can’t tell you how many alumni stories involve a visit to the Widman’s house, but I can tell you it was always a fun place to hang out. After Harry “retired” in 1981 he became the most versatile and active substitute teacher in the Academy’s history – teaching nearly every subject over the next 20 years to many more Brewster students. In addition to substitute teaching, Harry held another key position in the community, although no formal title accompanied this role. As a retired reverend who had been active in Congregational churches, Harry served as the campus chaplain, presiding over countless events – saying grace, giving thanks, and sharing guidance. From formal dinners in the Estabrook and Reunion Weekend banquets to the invocation and benediction at Commencement, Harry led and inspired us for decades. His wit occasionally continued >>

FA L L 2016

ALUM N I N EWS

He taught us, he listened to us, and for so many years, he shared his wisdom and generous heart with the Brewster community. found its way into his blessings when he would give thanks for each menu item by name or simply announce, “God’s Neat, Let’s Eat!” Harry Widman knew his audience. He was nimble and thoughtful in his messaging whether he was addressing a dining room of hungry students, teaching a class, opening a formal ceremony, or taking the time for a quiet conversation in the library. He taught us, he listened to us, and for so many years, he shared his wisdom and generous heart with the Brewster community. We will miss our dear friend but his bright spirit will remain. At the end of the hallway in the Academic Building is a plaque that dedicates his classroom to him. Harry was proud of this honor, yet it was our honor to have him be a part of the Brewster family. His legacy will continue in our memories as well as through the scholarship fund established by his family. Once endowed, the Widman Family Scholarship will support student financial aid in perpetuity, giving back to the students just as Harry always did. Harry passed away in February at age 88.

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

37 Eli Carter ’11 is playing professional basketball for Promitheas in Greece. Carter graduated from the University of Florida in 2015 and played at Boston College last year as a graduate student.

ALUM N I N EWS

A LU MN I IN T H E N E W S HO O P LA A note from MATT HOOPES, former faculty member and alumni correspondent, helping keep alumni connections alive from his home in Eleuthera Bahamas.

STAY IN TOUCH: Contact Matt Hoopes via email at islesman@batelnet.bs

Changing Education in Japan

Last spring the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honored University of Notre Dame men’s lacrosse standout rookie attackman Ryder Garnsey ’14. Garnsey led all ACC freshmen in scoring, contributing five goals in Notre Dame’s win at Syracuse and three in the Irish ACC Championship semifinal match against Duke. The former Bobcat was rated third on the Irish goal-scoring list in 2016, second in assists, and fourth in scoring. Jenny Cooper ’03 was the subject of a September article in Wicked Local Boxborough. As the director of the Acton (Massachusetts) Community Chorus, Cooper talked about her passion for community singing and bringing inspiring people together to share their love of singing and music. Following Brewster, Cooper earned a degree in vocal performance and pedagogy from Plymouth State University and a master’s degree in music in choral conducting at the University of Southern Maine.

Nominate a Bobcat! We are accepting nominations for the Brewster Academy Athletic Hall of Fame until January 15, 2017. Nominate a former Bobcat at brewsteracademy.org/halloffame. Selections will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during Reunion 2017.

Recently I received a letter from former student, Mayumi Nishijima Hayakawa ’95, who apologized for missing her reunions. Distance (she lives in Tokyo), raising a family, and starting two schools have kept her far from her alma mater. “When I was at Brewster I was not seeing myself as a school founder,” she said. In fact, at college she majored in interior design. It was not until she had a child that she realized that most Japanese parents don’t realize the value of technology in learning. “I started these schools to create a cross-cultural environment I wanted for my son and could not find in another school in our area,” she explained. “The 21st century is one of globalization and birth of new technologies that is undergoing rapid changes. … Although my dreams of flying cars and cleaning robots have not been realized yet, that technology is coming.” My son is still in elementary school, but he loves science and technology, she said. “He wants to develop his skills and learn more about technology, especially coding, programming, and robotics.” Mayumi launched her first school, FunShine Academy, six years ago. FunShine focuses on retaining an individual’s Japanese identify while offering a comprehensive international curriculum while learning English. Her latest endeavor, Unicul Academy, is a cross-cultural school that promotes the growth of children through introducing multiple languages and providing experiences beyond their own To learn more about culture. Technology integration and a STEM curriculum Mayumi’s schools, visit: funshine-eng.com and – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – uniculacademy.com are also a focus at Unicul. Additionally, her approach values education outside of work. “We are not merely interested in raising ‘studious children.’ We are interested in raising ‘international citizens’ who can contribute to the world.” “I am striving for my schools to fill the need for early education in advanced technology. However, we are still very small schools and have a lot of growing to do. While striving to grow, I can’t help admire all that Brewster is. Using it as a model, we want our students to have a strong foundation and are trying to help them to be industrious, accommodating, and strengthen their moral fiber.”

FA L L 2016

1889

REM EM BER WH EN ?

BRE WSTE R ACADE MY

HITTING THE BOOKS Some members – perhaps all – from the Class of 1889. Photo: a gift from Arthur Fraumeni ’35.

SUPPORT THE SCHOOLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TOP PRIORITIES BY INVESTING IN:

Our People, Our Programs, Our Place

GI F T S CAN B E MADE BY: CHECK

Using the selfaddressed envelope in this issue of the magazine

C R EDIT C AR D

Using our secure online giving link brewsteracademy.org/ givenow

C ALL

The Alumni and Development Office at 603-569-7485

Thank you for your support of Brewster Academy. 2016 Tax benefit deadline: December 31

80 Academy Drive Wolfeboro, NH 03894

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Manchester, NH Permit #724