Reconnecting: Alumni Weekend 2018

Celebrating a 50th reunion

Celebrating a 25th reunion

ALUMNI WEEKEND 2018

A Celebration of Millbrook Friends and Family

The second weekend in June was full of memorable moments, from small conversations on the quad between former classmates to cheerful processions across the quad to handshakes and hugs on the chapel steps.

Making the most of their time on campus were the classes of 1968 and 1993, who came to celebrate their 25th and 50th reunions. They enjoyed golf, dinner, music and dancing, and terrific company during their three days on campus. The class of 1968 also participated in a variety of special 50th reunion class activities including a tour of the solar field with Dr. Tousignant, an architectural tour of campus with alumnus Phil Ross ’68, and a tour of the beautiful gardens at nearby Wethersfield.

On the morning of June 10th, all other alumni were welcomed to join master classes with History Chair Mark Clizbe and Arts Chair Sarah MacWright, tours of the Trevor Zoo, and the Annual Rick McWilliams Alumni Soccer Game. The traditional alumni parade brought the entire community into the Flagler Memorial Chapel, where Bob Anthony ’65 presented awards to very deserving recipients. The Edward Pulling Community Service Award was presented to The Very Reverend Arthur V. Bennett III ’68, an Alumni Achievement Award in Fine Arts was presented to Caroline Bozorth Sayan ’90, and a Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award in Theater Arts was presented to Theodore S. Chapin ’68. Two Millbrook Medals were awarded this year.

Trustee Gilbert P. Schafer III ’80 received his award during the alumni assembly, and Alumnus C. Dana White ’60, who was unable to attend these festivities, was presented with his Millbrook Medal during a school assembly in May.

Alumni always look forward to updates on the school’s progress, and Headmaster Drew Casertano did not disappoint. He addressed the financial, physical, and programmatic health of the school and provided more specific details on the successful completion of the Koenigsberger Challenge, major renovations to Schoolhouse to be completed over the summer, and plans for a new baseball field. Director of the Annual Fund Deborah Vanecek also recognized alumni classes for their growing support, naming the winner of the Callard House Cup, the class of 2003, with the greatest number of donors, and the 2018 Headmaster’s Challenge decade winners—the classes of 1941, 1955, 1960, 1978, 1988, 1997, 2003, and 2013—each with the greatest percent of participation in their respective decade.

Two special gatherings brought faculty, alumni, and friends together to celebrate longtime faculty members Cindy McWilliams and Steve Siktberg, who retired in June. In the new Class of 2018 Meeting Room in Prum Hall, many were on hand to honor Cindy and to celebrate her 41 years at Millbrook. Former Millbrook faculty member Kevin Soja, Bob Anthony ’65, Zoe Chapin ’03, former faculty and board member Anne Putnam ’95, and Cindy’s children, Carly ’05 and Trevor ’01, all spoke to Cindy’s tremendous dedication and impact on our school. Later in the evening, faculty and alumni gathered in the Barn in a coffee house setting, joining Steve Siktberg to sing and perform a variety of tunes, honoring his inspiration and mentorship to so many aspiring musicians at Millbrook over the past 42 years, including the last 17 as full-time director of instrumental music.