Spring 2009
THE MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY •
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IN THIS ISSUE: Giving Back: Spotlight on A/IKA alumni, parent and student volunteers
Grandparents' and Special Friends' Morning Service Learning Through the Campuses Homecoming and Reunions A/IKA Celebrates an A/ILK "Day On" The Gathering, The Book Fair and more...
Parents vote M K A B e st NJ Private S ch o o l in
BusinessWeek
T he M o n tc la ir K imberley A cademy MISSION STATEMENT The Montclair Kimberley Academy is a Pre-K-12 coeducational day school with an exceptional college preparatory program unified by the concepts of our school motto: Knowledge, Vision, Integrity. An MKA education is defined by the following commitments: KNOWLEDGE: To cultivate a love of learning in each student To develop independent and autonomous learners To establish a foundation of academic excellence VISION: To engage each student intellectually and personally with the world To graduate students who will excel in college and in their lives beyond MKA To recognize complexity and value empathy INTEGRITY: To strengthen each student’s intellect, character, and confidence To promote each student’s full and active citizenship and leadership To secure a life-long sense of honor through academic, athletic, and artistic achievement With traditions dating back to 1887, MKA was formed by the merger of Montclair Academy, Brookside School, and The Kimberley School in 1974.
COVER: Artwork by Dominick Fedorchak, Grade 3, inspired by Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Morning at Brookside.
Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley ’76, Alumni Director Thomas Nammack, Headmaster
BACK COVER: Former Upper School faculty member Robert Jeremiah's twins Andrew and Caitlin.
PHOTO CREDITS Susan Dunn Steve Frantz David Hollander Debbie Kozak Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley ’76 Megan Murray Sarah Rowland
REVIEW EDITOR Debbie Kozak, Director of Communications ASSISTANT EDITORS Diane Lundy, Class Notes Secretary Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley ’76,H Alumni Director Judy Polonofsky, Director of Special Events and Projects CONTRIBUTORS Susan Dunn Regina Elberg Monica Elmore Brian Kelly
MKA complies with all state & federal anti-discrimination laws. Entered as third class matter at Montclair NJ 07042 Design: Gemini Studio, Inc. West Caldwell, NJ Printed on recycled paper
CONTENTS From the Headmaster: Who We Are ..................................................1 Trustee News: The 2008-09 Board of Trustees...................... 3 A Lifetime of Service: An Interview with Aubin Zabriskie Ames ’5 4 .................. 4 Around MKA: Student Laptop Program ................................ 5 The Gathering ................................................ 6 Homecoming and Reunions .......................... 8 Book Fair Safari .......................................... 10 Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ M orning...........................12 Academy Forum .......................................... 13 MKA MLK “Day On” ...................................14 Service Learning through the Campuses: Brookside S chool........................................ 2 The Middle School.................................... 16 The Upper School...................................... 17 Student News: The Headmaster is Pleased to Announce . . . 18 Cougar Sports .............................................. 19 Senior “Service” Snapshots.......................... 22 The House System: Year 2 .......................... 27 Faculty News: Faculty Photo Album.................................... 28 Alumni News: Letter from the President.............................. 29 Giving Back: An Interview with Denise Sarkor ’0 3 .............................. 30 MKA On the Road in New York C ity ...................................... 32 and D enver................................................ 33 Alumni Hockey Game .................................. 34 Young Alumni Lunch .................................. 34 Encore Weekend .......................................... 34 A Parent’s Perspective on Volunteering . . . .35 Class N o te s .................................................. 37
Who We Are What is it about our school community that inspires parents, friends and alumni to serve in vital roles as volunteers and to make MKA one of the highest priorities in their lives? As I approach the end of my fourth year at our school, I have some answers to those questions and some observations about our remarkable school.
Congratulations To All -
MKA Named “Best Great School”! The January 15 edition of BusinessWeek named The Montclair Kimberley Academy the “Best Great School: Parents Choice (Private) in New Jersey. This award, administered by the San Francisco-based Great Schools website (itself voted the 2007 Best Family and Parenting website) is based on the ratings of visitors to their site - go to this address to read more!
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/01/0115_bestschools/32.htm First, an observation: MKA is a place where people say, “yes” when their help and leadership are needed. Volunteer service for the school is a is not a zero-sum enterprise in which children robust tradition that characterizes the strength of compete for a fixed number of opportunities and our Board of Trustees, our parent association rewards. Just one Book Fair is enough to convince (PAMKA), as well as Alumni events, admissions anyone of how powerful it is when parents freely open houses, fundraising, and many school give their time and hard work in an effort on behalf projects, such as strategic planning, that depend of everyone’s children. All students also share in upon the leadership and participation of members the benefits of financial resources given over time of every school constituency. In my time at MKA, and in the present. Our student body is more no prospective volunteer has ever declined to step talented and interesting because it includes up and serve the school when I have asked for help. exceptional students for whom the MKA experience is made possible by financial aid. How and what Years ago I heard a funny story about another our sons and daughters learn is elevated by teachers school at which an alumnus was asked to consider a whose expertise has been enhanced through volunteer role. He expressed interest in helping out professional development opportunities such as the and said that what he really wanted was a high Blauvelt Faculty Advancement Trust Awards which profile committee without a lot of work involved. are funded through a lead charitable trust. At MKA, we are deeply fortunate to have a culture of voluntarism distinguished by superb Service within and outside of the school community organization, and a mature sense of purpose and is an increasing part of the program and each reward in knowing that every effort serves the student’s experience at MKA. You can read more students who are here now. I am in awe of the way about developments in service learning at MKA in in which MKA volunteers embrace the work and this edition of the Review. I just want to note that acknowledge one another’s efforts. opportunities to reflect and educate others by Year after year, and generation after generation, reporting back to classmates and the school MKA parents discover the small miracle that school community, as well as the experience of affiliating with a worthy cause or organization over time, are among the “learning” ingredients in service work at MKA. We begin with some of the Brookside projects that fall under the umbrella of “The Littlest Volunteer” program of which we should all be extremely proud.
Brookside performs at Senior Care.
The importance of the Brookside service opportunities is unmistakable. A colleague of mine was once ushering at a student concert. Some latecomers demanded entry after the concert had begun and were annoyed that they would not be allowed to take their seats until the conclusion of the first part of the program. “What do you think this i s || said
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one of them, “Carnegie HalU’fgN o,” replied my colleague, “but this is where it starts.” The Brookside Mitten Tree, the children’s Handbell performances at the Montclair Senior Center, and their food and coin drives are all examples of where intellectual and personal engagement with the world through service starts. The quality of educational excellence, which is much discussed and rarely defined, depends upon a relationship of integrity between what we know is right and what we see in the world.
This spring’s Review provides evidence that the words of our school seal, “Knowledge, Vision, Integrity” are at work. Warmest regards,
Thomas W. Nammack Headmaster
Community service is alive and well at MKA. Students from Pre-K on up are actively involved in service learning projects that benefit both their immediate and extended communities. Activities can take place on an individual, class, grade, campus or school-wide basis, frequently with the input, guidance and assistance o f PAMKA, MKA’s Parents ’Association. In this issue you can read about service learning initiatives at each campus, the move that makes community service an Upper School graduation requirement and some new service opportunities. You will also gain insight into a popular volunteer opportunity fo r MKA parents, and meet an MKA Trustee and an MKA alumna who exemplify the concept o f “giving back. ” Brookside students, often under the direction and with the support of PAMKA, participate in many community service learning projects throughout the year. A campus-wide food drive for the Human Needs Pantry, a holiday hat and mitten tree and a book collection for the less fortunate are just a few examples of how some of MKA’s youngest students are introduced to community service. On a grade level, “Kindness Projects” can involve decorating flower pots for nursing homes (Pre-K), completing chores at home to raise Dimes for Ducks through Heifer International (Kindergarten) and assembling gift bags containing books, crayons and stickers for children in the hospital (first grade.) A new opportunity for even more hands-on volunteer work started at the campus last year with the creation of an after school club for second and third grade called the Littlest Volunteers. Ten enthusiastic helpers meet on a weekly basis to perform a variety of community service activities. Some of the services they provide are at Brookside, such as cleaning up the school grounds and restacking the library shelves, and some extend to the community, such as helping to clean up local parks. And the work of the group doesn’t stop there. Spearheaded by the Littlest Volunteers, an organized coin drive at Brookside raised over $1,400.00 last year for an adapted playground at Edgemont Park in Montclair that now gives handicapped children the opportunity to play on equipment they previously were not able to use. This year, the group has Committed to collecting “Pennies for Puppies” to assist a Seeing Eye Dog program in Morristown, NJ. Littlest Volunteers can
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also be seen in front of the Kings supermarket in Upper Montclair collecting food for the Human Needs food pantry in Montclair. Connecting with Senior Care, a local day care center for senior citizens, was another highlight for the group. More than once, the Littlest Volunteers visited, played games, made crafts or just chatted and shared a snack and some life stories with their new friends. Because of this new relationship, Brookside’s third grade Bellringers opted to play their annual winter concert at Senior Care rather than at their former venue in the Short Hills Mall. The concert was such a hit that they have been invited to return to give a spring concert as well. The busy third graders, who also volunteer at a local Head Start school, are preparing a spring bake sale to benefit a West Orange animal shelter. The idea for this came about while they were studying the election process. Rather than canvassing for a politician, the students nominated several non-profit organizations to help. They then campaigned and voted on which organization would win the election and receive the profits from a bake sale. In these myriad ways, MKA’s youngest students can begin to understand the impact that their own volunteering can have on the community around them, and have a foundation upon which they can build a lifetime of community service learning. Regina Elberg Brookside Service Learning Coordinator
The 2008-09 Board of Trustees In her welcoming speech to students at the All-School Gathering, Alice Hirsh, President of the Board of Trustees, articulated the mission of the Board to her young audience: “It is my pleasure to bring greetings to you on behalf o f the Board o f Trustees. MKA has a proud tradition o f volunteerism and leadership, and it is my hope that the Board o f Trustees sets a good example fo r the MKA community. Our Board, comprised o f thirty men and women, many o f whom you know as your parents or your friend’s parents or as past MKA parents, devote countless hours to work on your behalf to further the mission o f the school and to ensure that students attending MKA both now and in the future, continue to have the best possible educational experience. ”
The MKA Board of Trustees 2008-09. Back row l-r: Dan Carson ’83, Steven Milke, Philip McNeal, Rick Andlinger, Michael Friezo, Bob Tortoriello, Joe Amato, David Turock, Alex Nolan, Kate Logan, Aubin Ames ’54 (Honorary Trustee), Newton Schott, Jr. (Honorary Trustee), Peter McMullen ’77. Front row l-r: Michael Frasco (Treasurer), Karen Dias-Martin (Secretary), Eric Pai ’79 (Vice President), Alice Hirsh (President), Tom Nammack (Headmaster), Michael Johnson (Vice President), Denise Wagner. Missingfrom photo: Trustees Elisa Bildner, Tim Bozik, Reg Hollinger, Rick Jenkins '77, Keith Phillips, Jon Strain, John Weisel. Honorary Trustees John Garippa and Susan Ruddick, Advisory Trustees Barry Ridings ’70 and Michael Rodburg. Former MKA Headmaster Peter Greer, his wife Terry and their pet Yorkie Violet stopped off to see oldfriends at the Middle School on their way back to Washington D. C. after spending the summer in Maine. Seen here, they met with former trustees Shelley Phillips (l) and Penny Finkle and President of the Board, Alice Hirsh.
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A Lifetime of Service: An Interview with Aubin Zabriskie Ames ’54 Perhaps no one defines what it is to be a volunteer better than Aubin Zabriskie Ames. A member o f The Kimberley School class o f1954 (during which time herfather was President o f The Kimberley School Board o f Trustees), a parent o f alums in the MKA classes o f1981, 1985 and 1989, sister to Gail Zabriskie Wilson TKS ’56, sister-in-law o f Hyla Ames Troxell TKS ’49 and daughter-in-law o f Anna Lincoln Ames TKS ’23, Aubin’s knowledge o f the school, past and present, is unsurpassed. The volunteer time that she has given back to the school is also unsurpassed, and was publicly acknowledged when she received MKA s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1988. Aubin recently took a few moments o f her valuable time to answer some questions from the Editor. Tell us a bit about yourself: We moved to Montclair when I was 9 years old. I attended the Montclair Public Schools until 1Oth grade, when I transferred to The Kimberley School Ours was the largest class Kimberley had ever had - 40 girls in the Class of ’54!
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When did you start becoming involved with the School as a volunteer? As a young person, I did some volunteer work through Girl Scouts and my church, but I really became involved in volunteering when I graduated from college and returned to Montclair. I joined the Junior League and the Smith College Club, but I also worked in the Kimberley Alumnae Office sometimes for pay, but mostly as a volunteer. I then got involved in the Kimberley Alumnae Association, eventually becoming President, which put me on the Kimberley Board of Tmstees from 1972-74. When the schools merged, I went on the MKA Board, became President of the Board in 1977, and after my stint as President, became Finance Chairman from 1981-87. In 1989,1 was elected an Honorary Trustee of MKA, and I continue to be an active member of the Board. One of the things I most enjoyed doing as an MKA parent volunteer was working in the Survival Shop (which is still going strong!); it was really fun, and I grew very fond of the Dunkin Donuts we served the students! Which organizations have you volunteered for? Over the years, I have been involved in many other local volunteer organizations. I have served on the Boards of The Montclair Public Library, The Montclair Junior League (for which she received
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the “Sustainer Volunteer of the Year Award” in 1983), The Community Nursing Service, The Smith College Club of Montclair, the Montclair Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Florence and John Schumann Foundation, The Montclair Foundation, The Helm Foundation and Van Vleck House and Gardens. Presently, I serve on the Schumann Fund for New Jersey, on The Montclair Foundation Board, and as a deacon of my church. What is it about the experience o f being an MKA Trustee that you enjoy? Having been an MKA Board member for so many years, I have to say it has been a wonderful experience, and just as interesting and challenging as the first day I became involved. It’s so nice to see how this school has grown, strengthened, adapted to change, and always remained a first-rate place to learn. The dedication of the faculty, parents and alumnae has never faltered, and has been a source of the school’s greatest strength. The school was always good, and it keeps getting better! Needless to say, it is very satisfying to have been a part of the school through these times. Why do you think it’s important to “give back?” In my “era,” few women worked, so volunteer service was an outlet for many of us to use what talents we had. In that respect, we were very fortunate that our families were not depending upon us to help support the family financially. And working in the community was/is very satisfying on many levels. How can one live in this world or this community without reaching beyond ourselves to do something for others? It’s a way of life. And you always get back more than you give!
Student Laptop Program Putting the same laptop and software into the hands of every MKA student from grade 4 on up is soon to be a reality with the implementation of a student laptop program in September 2010. MKA has consistently been in the forefront of independent schools embracing technology as a meaningful tool for learning. The formal integration of technology into the MKA curriculum began over ten years ago, and the school’s commitment to effective faculty professional development in technology has been recognized by NAIS. With the implementation of a hugely successful tri-campus faculty laptop program in November 2007, the move to instituting a unified student laptop program is just the next step in maximizing all the advantages that technology can bring to the classroom. While actual implementation is still eighteen months away, MKA has already been invited to send faculty as presenters to the cutting-edge Lausanne Laptop Institute in Memphis this July. In essence, access to individual laptops gives students a private library, editing tools, and creative resources at their fingertips. Research indicates that, among the benefits of an individual student laptop program, are increased access to a wide variety of up-to-date informational resources, enhanced opportunities for interactive and collaborative learning, the ability to optimize “teachable moments,” greater possibilities for individualized student learning styles, increased student motivation, improved student organization and overall improved quality of student work. While the prospect of students learning on laptops may still seem innovative to some adults, most MKA students in Pre-K and up can barely
remember a time in their life when this did not occur. Currently, 80% of MKA Upper School students already bring personal laptops to school, and over 50% of sixth through eighth graders do the same. Recognizing the remarkable technical facility that many of these students possess, a Student Technology Leadership Committee has been established to enable students to assist and support in the implementation of the laptop program. To have student representatives from fifth grade on actively engaged in the process of planning and trouble-shooting is perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the process. “The faculty laptop program demonstrated just how effective shared technology can be in enhancing successful teaching strategies and increasing collaboration and collegiality,” notes Jenny Zagariello, MKA’s Director of Technology Education, “and we are thrilled that these advantages are soon going to be available to our students too. To be able to harness all the knowledge, skills and creativity that our students possess by giving them equal access to unified hardware and software is just so exciting in terms of student learning, the sky really is the limit!” r
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Members o f the Student Technology Leadership Committee at work.
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The Gathering Question: What do you get when you mix together 1035 students, the full MKA faculty, tradition, spirit and recognition? Answer: The annual MKA AllSchool Gathering! Once again, the Gathering had all those essential ingredients that combine together to make a lively and celebratory start to the new school year. Tradition was in evidence from the portraits of the Montclair Academy and The Kimberley School’s founders, to the MeVicar cane held by MKA’s longestserving faculty member George Hrab (embarking on a remarkable 40™ year of teaching here!), to the Brookside Bellringer’s rendition of the School song “Oh M K A .0I In addition to the Bellringers, music and entertainment was provided by the Upper and combined Upper and Middle School Jazz bands, the Upper School dancers, the Middle School Chorus and the Upper School Mastersingers. Spirit was in evidence as the MKA Cheerleaders and Step Team performed their routines, and recognition came in the form of the presentation of the Founders’ Cup for Teaching Excellence from Alumni Association President Dan Carson ’83 to Upper School English teacher Patty Forbes, and from the awarding of the MKA sweater to those students who have excelled in academics, athletics and the arts.
In the audience was Montclair’s Mayor Jerry Fried, who encouraged eligible seniors to vote in their first election. A more lighthearted moment came when Senior Class President Tom Mazzeo read out what Kindergarten would do if they were in charge of the world (“No Spinach,” “There would be no motorcycles because they make polar bears extinct” and “I would let everyone in school only do gym” were among the most popular). The seniors’ reflections on leadership were read by third graders Dominic Flocco and Miles Farmer, and included the name of this year’s Student Council President Chanya Winograd who gave the closing remarks, using the medium of Disney films to connect to her young audience as she described the life and character lessons they contain. As always, a highlight of the event was the presentation of toy Cougars from members of the senior class to the Kindergarten class, but perhaps the biggest cheer of all was reserved for Noelle Osborne who, as the youngest member of the class of 2021, got to ring in the new school year with the Academy Bell and the assistance of Headmaster Tom Nammack.
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Homecoming and Reunions Gray skies and pouring rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the reunion classes as they gathered together for lunch at the Upper School campus and later for dinner at the Montclair Golf Club. Guest of honor at the lunch was beloved faculty member Frank “Poncho” Brogan who returned to campus at the invitation of the MA Class of 1953. Dinner saw the presentation of The Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Rick Doerr, Jr., ’78, whose speech, life story and accomplishments had enthralled Upper School students at an assembly earlier in the week. Both current and alumni families dodged the rain and enjoyed a feast of offerings and activities from student clubs, while Cougar support was strong in the stands.
“We have so much pride for Rick and for our school. You are a tremendous inspiration and proof to us all that you really can accomplish anything in life. ”
Former President of the Alumni Council Rob Gardner '78, flanked by Joe Alessi '68 and Scott Rumana '83.
-State Assemblyman Scott Rumana ’83 on presenting a Resolution to Rick Doerr ’78 on the occasion of his receiving The Montclair Kimberley Academy Distinguished Alumni Award for 2008.
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Special guest Frank Brogan poses with his wife Maia in I front o f a special “Welcome Back”sign. “I felt tremendous gratitude that I had spent almostfour decades of my life sharing the essence of the human experience as it has been felt and recorded by the most sensitive of men and women, sharing it with those who are young, impressionable, and idealistic enough tofeel they would remember itforever. ” —Frank D. Brogan’s speech, taken from a letter he wrote to The New York Times in following his retirement from teaching in 1989.
Classmates from 2003, Stevie Sharpe Jones, Katherine Crosland, Emma Barnett, Morgan Fisher and Cionna Almeida.
It’s never too soon to become a Cougarfan!
Avie Kalker ’68 resplendent in her Kimberley School uniform!
Frank Sweeney, Al Soria and Dick Angus from the Class o f1943 enjoyed each other’s company.
Michael Chodorcoff ’58 shows off a perfectly preserved Montclair News from fifty years ago.
Members of the Class o f1988 came back inforce: (l-r) Wiemi Douoguih, Nicole Leonard, Mark Sapiertza, Javier Salabarria, Lauren Polonofsky Garfield and Jonathan Fairchild.
The weather didn’t deter Cougar Spirit! This year has been notablefor a remarkable level offan support and spiritfrom Upper School students, described by Campus Head Dr. David Flocco as being “as high as I can remember. ”
“This was my first time back. The new school was impressive with its changes and improvements and the enthusiasm o f the student body. It was interesting to learn what everybody has been doing over the years. Frank Brogan’s presence reinforced the quality o f the teaching during our time, and reminded me why the education we got has been so useful and meaningful to us. ” -Van Judd ’58
Book Fair Safari “Soma! Ota! Kua!” “Read! Dream! Grow!” “Soma! Ota! Kua!” (which is Swahili for “Read! Dream! Grow!”) was the theme for this year’s PAMKA Book Fair, and throughout the course of this remarkable five-day event, MKA students got the chance to do all three. As early November saw the return of Scholastic’s largest Book Fair to the school, the question became how to choose from among the highlights of this incredible Book Fair Safari? While the images of campuses transformed, students clutching precious signed books, boys reading in a safari tent and parent volunteers everywhere remain powerful, perhaps the most enduring images were of some of the best-known names in children’s literature engaging with MKA students of all ages. The image of John Lithgow “howling” along with Pre-K’ers as they sang I Got Two Dogs together. The image of Judith Viorst, complete with stylish hat, reading her iconic Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to a rapt young audience. The image of Ishmael Beah transfixing his high school audience with living proof that the human
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spirit can survive the most unimaginable adversity and horror. The image of Sue Miller moving her adult audience with her presentation about motherhood, marriage and life choices. The image of Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket channeling the persona of Count Olaf as he mesmerized the Middle School campus. The image of Jeff Kinney bringing his beloved “Wimpy Kid” Greg Haffley to life in front of an auditorium of adoring students. The image of David Adler in the Brookside library, informing and entertaining as he described the process of creating a book. The image of Lisa Yee’s smile, charm and humor as she explained the difference between being a writer and being an author. All these and many more added up to an unforgettable Book Fair that truly celebrated both a love of literature and the power of parent volunteerism. As Headmaster Tom Nammack noted, “In uncertain times, familiar and welcome landmarks become even more important to the morale and direction of the school... it felt to me as if the level of voluntarism, support and generosity of spirit exceeded everything that PAMKA and the school could have expected.”
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Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Morning “My mother, mother-in-law and father couldn’t stop raving about the day ... They said everything was just so wonderful ... They kept saying the atmosphere was warm and nurturing and how glad they were that they had the opportunity to be there!” So wrote one happy parent following Brookside’s Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Morning, held the Friday before Thanksgiving. This extremely popular event, which takes place every other year, drew capacity crowds as over 350 grandparents and special friends enjoyed watching a concert in the packed gymnasium before going to classrooms to share in crafts and activities with the Primary School students. Another happy parent noted, “My mum (who is 83!) flew in from Toronto to participate ... and she was so glad she came ... she thoroughly enjoyed the concert... sharing in the classroom activities, seeing some of her grandson’s writing and meeting some of his friends.”
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Academy Forum There was stanciing room only at The Montclair Kimberley Academy when the MKA Parents’ Association sponsored “Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children” an evening for the community featuring leading child development experts Dr. Michael Thompson and Rachel Simmons. The audience of close to 600 listened intently to words of advice on topics ranging from bullying to friendship, enjoying anecdotes, insights and the opportunity to ask questions from the authors of such notable works as Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Lives o f Boys and Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture o f Aggression in Girls. This event was the conclusion to a remarkable day at the MKA Middle School, where Thompson and Simmons had addressed groups of 6 , 7® and 8^ grade students Bdivided by sex. Following these talks, the students split into smaller single sex groups led by faculty and administrators, to discuss what they had heard and to share some of their own experiences of middle school social life. They then participated in a variety of activities designed to promote bonding and build trust. Before retuning for the evening event, Thompson and Simmons addressed the entire MKA tri
campus faculty for a discussion on how best to deal with parental concerns and anxieties around social and learning issues. “This was a remarkable experience for the entire community and a terrific day for our students,” noted MKA Middle School Campus Head Dr. Randy Kleinman “Both Thompson and Simmons have appeared at MKA before, but to have them share the stage and offer their insights and expertise to every section of the MKA family was an incredible honor and will have tremendous payoff, for both our students and for us as professionals.”
Have you visited MKA’s new website yet? Go to www.mka.org and log in to the Community Login section o f the site to get the information you need and send Class Notes online! Can’t remember your user name or password? Contact Review Editor Debbie Kozak at 973509-7997 or dkozak@mka.org
Guess what? MKA is now on Facebook - join our fan page and make new friends! Find us at The Montclair Kimberley Academy —Alumni or go to http://tinyurl.com/MKAFanPage-Facebook
MKA MLK “Day On”
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is. “What are you doing for others?” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Honoring the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., over 150 parents, students, faculty and staff from all three campuses gave up free time on their day off from school to bring food donations and attend a hugely successful first annual MKA MLK “Day On” morning of service, reflection and celebration on January 19. |“I am so moved,” commented Sue Reiter, Director of Student Services and one of the organizers of the event. “Seeing so many adults and children of all ages come out and support one another has exceeded our wildest expectations.” I
The morning began with the showing of two age-appropriate videos, one for Brooksiders and their families, and one for Middle and Upper School families, about the 1963 Children’s March in Birmingham, Alabama. Discussion for Brookside was facilitated by senior Kelly Froelich and junior Suzanne Abuhadba, both members of MKA’s Student Diversity Committee, while Dr. Louise Maxwell, Upper School History Department Chair gave the older audience an insight into the findings of her doctoral research that had centered on this event.
The MKA community had participated in weeklong food drive for the Montclair Human Needs Pantry, and Executive Director Deanna London not only accepted the bags of donations on behalf of the organization (currently feeding 900 people a week) but also spoke about her own experiences as a teenager attending the March on Washington and hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech first-hand. The morning, jointly organized by the school’s service learning and diversity coordinators and the MKA Parents’ Association, concluded with rousing performances from the MKA Step Team and singer Max Jefferson, an MKA junior, as well as an invitation from the Upper School Diversity Coordinator Nate Burroughs to contact him with ideas for MKA’s second annual MLK “Day On” next year. “What a great day!” said Burroughs, “I’m thankful to be part of such a generous and active school community.”
The Middle School Jazz Band entertained students, parents and friends at their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Lunchtime Concert.
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James Johnson, MKA Class of 1979 Addresses MLK Assembly at the U pper School Former Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement in the Clinton administration, member of the Obama transition team, MKA Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and member of the MKA Athletic Hall of Fame, James Johnson ’79 was able to give his young audience a unique insight into what might be going through the mind of President Obama during the Presidential Inauguration. With responsibility for the oversight of, among other things, the Secret Service, Customs and Security departments in the 1990’s, Johnson had the opportunity to stand with Ray Kelly at the Presidential Podium prior to the Clinton Inauguration. Looking out from the podium at the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Jefferson Monument, the Vietnam Veteran’s memorial and the site where Dr. King addressed thousands, “gives you a vast sense of the transfer of power,” explained Johnson. “President Obama will see millions of people in front of him, and among them he may see the ghost of Lincoln and the ghost of Dr. Martin Luther King. Indeed, but for King’s speech that urged us to judge people not by the color of their skin but rather by the content of their character, he wouldn’t be taking the oath of office today. I imagine it will be a hugely powerful moment for him, and it represents a real change in opportunity for each person in this room.”
Johnson went on to explain that Dr. King spoke not only of opportunity but also of service. “MLK Day could have been one more day of store sales but that would have been totally antithetical to what MLK was about. The best way to honor him is in service ... Take the moment that this represents for all of us ... We are all facing huge, huge challenges, but don’t say “How can one person make a difference? The problems are too big for one person.” You can alleviate local pain by working in your community in food pantries and in schools. You can come together and inspire others ... act your age, act now and don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t make a difference.” After taking questions from the floor, Johnson had a final question himself: “Why doesn’t George Hrab age?” he asked, recalling that science teacher Mr. Hrab is the same weight, has the same hairline and is wearing similar clothes to when Johnson started at Brookside as a first grader in 1967! It was a question that no one could answer.
Art rjou Music LcVtrf Will you be in the M ontclair area on Wednesday, A pril 29th?
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Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a unique chorale concert featuring the MKA Chorale together with the world-renowned Schola Cantorum Leipzig girls’ choir at 8:00 p.m. in the Upper School Weiss Auditorium. For more information, contact MKA Music Director Randall Svane at rsvane@mka.org.
M K A R eview ♦ S p r in g
2009
iSiM Service learning is a vital component of preparing Middle School students to be active participants in society, and every grade is involved in community service activities that the students find both meaningful and fun. Starting with fourth grade, our youngest students volunteered their services at Head Start in December, where they spent a morning reading children’s stories to the pre-school children, and they also donated some of their own books to the Head Start Library. As a result, the fourth graders were able to share their literacy skills with the Head Start community and provide mentoring relationships with the pre-school students. Also in December, Fifth grade visited Van Dyk Manor and spent quality time with the senior residents and staff members. The students had the opportunity to socialize by reading acrostic poems and sang songs in both English and Spanish to the Van Dyk residents. They also shared “Turkey Hands wishes” that they had made in an advisory period. This was a beneficial and rewarding experience for both the Van Dyk residents and fifth grade students. Sixth grade started their school year by visiting the Essex County Environmental Center where they learned how items are recycled and how long it takes to recycle various types of materials. The sixth graders spent the whole day in service teaching groups where they learned more about the importance of recycling and the positive effect it has on our environment, in preparation for their year as the Middle School’s recyclers. The seventh grade will also volunteer their services at Head Start where they will help the pre-school children with their learning centers and school curriculum. Eighth grade Community Service Projects include visiting the New Jersey Food Bank and the Goodwill Rescue Mission. In October, the class ventured to the New Jersey Food Bank where they packaged nonperishable items to be shipped to families in need in the New Jersey
■ <çM T T ■HÆ rw i T/v /1 ' H Wfw
m region. This activity provided them with a sense of pride and fulfillment, and many of the students expressed interest in returning in the spring to offer further assistance. Throughout the school year, eighth graders also participate in community service and service learning at the Goodwill Mission in Newark. Goodwill provides 15,000 meals annually to citizens in need and also provides educational and spiritual workshops for Newark residents. While at Goodwill, students participate in kitchen prep, assemble toiletry kits for the homeless, assist the administrative office by organizing the “Hope Tote,” assist with database entry for monetary donations, and help organize Thrift Shop items and resources. Our students particularly enjoy this service-learning project, as it allows them to leam first hand how a charitable organization operates on a day-to-day basis. These experiences shape the lives of our students and allow them to stay connected to the larger community while building positive relationships at the same time. We hope that, by providing enjoyable service learning opportunities, we are laying the foundation for a lifetime commitment to service and helping to create a community in which our students can thrive. Monica Elmore Middle School Service Learning Coordinator
MKA is gou/ug greeiM In an effort to reduce printing and mailing costs, many MKA publications and communications are now sent via email rather than snail mail. Alumni and parents can read various MKA newsletters and letters from the Headmaster by logging into the school website.
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M K A R eview ♦ S p r in g
2009
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As will be seen in the Senior Snapshot pages later in this magazine, there are numerous service learning opportunities, both formal and informal, for students at the Upper School. Following the Middle School model, freshmen and sophomores participate in organized grade-level service projects. In October, 107 ninth grade students and sixteen ninth grade advisors traveled to the Community Food Bank of Northern New Jersey to sort, clean, box and stack food donations. The first of two planned service opportunities for freshmen, the trip to the Food Bank began with an educational video that informed our students about the working poor and put a face on the people for whom they were volunteering. After a brief question and answer period, the students and teachers were divided into groups to perform their various tasks. This March, the freshmen and sophomores again took part in a morning of service. Last year on this day, the entire MKA community participated in volunteer activities, including work at the Food Bank in Hillside; Babyland Family Services, St. Rose of Lima School, the Domestic Family Violence Shelter, and Goodwill in Newark; and Head Start, REAL House, Senior Care, and Van Vleck House and Gardens in Montclair. Many of the same activities (and several additional ones) were available on this spring’s day of service. Beginning in the 2009-10 school year, MKA will continue to provide ninth graders with one service opportunity each semester, and tenth graders with a service learning experience in the spring.
Additionally, MKA’s eleventh and twelfth grade students will begin the school’s inaugural Community Service Learning program. Over the course of their eleventh and twelfth grade years, MKA students will be required to complete and log ten hours of service per year to non profit organizations. We began tracking student service hours this year and concluded that while ten hours of service over a twelve-month period is a minimal amount of time to require, it is still long enough to provide students with a significant opportunity to serve and learn in the local community. Additionally, MKA will also institute a separate, voluntary service learning program that recognizes student achievements above and beyond the required ten hours. This program, called Pro Vita (Latin for “for life”), will have three levels (50, 75, and 100 hours of service) and will provide students with the opportunity to participate at the level with which he or she feels most comfortable. Students who successfully complete any level of Pro Vita will also be nominated for a U. S. government Presidential Volunteer Service Award. By formalizing service learning requirements at the Upper School, we hope to be even more effective in promoting the school’s mission of engaging students intellectually and personally with the world and in promoting each student’s full and active citizenship and leadership. Brian Kelly Upper School Director of Student Life
M K A R eview ♦ S pr in g
2009
r The Headmaster is Pleased to Announce ... National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar - Joanna Capela Honorable Mention Hana Jiménez National Merit Finalists Mary Labowsky Giri Nathan
National Merit Commendations Joanna Capela Nathalie Cemasov Catherine DeKeizer Gokul Krish Amanda Munyon Emma Shepard Lily Shepard Christopher Stavitsky
Congratulations to senior Miriam Grossman who had two pieces of fiction published. In The Claremont Review’s (a magazine that showcases inspiring young writers) 2008 Annual Writing Contest, her piece “Miles and Miles,” received an Honorable Mention and another essay, “A Story Called Joey,” was published in the October 2008 edition of “Nu O n lin e ^ a magazine by and for teens published by the New Jersey Jewish News. Congratulations to senior Giri Nathan who was named a semi-finalist in the prestigious MoreheadCain Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is the first time since being approved as a referring school that a candidate from MKA has made it so far in the rigorous selection process. In making their selection, the Program seeks students who show outstanding evidence of leadership, scholarship and character, and Nathan, an MKA “lifer”, demonstrated ample evidence in all those areas.
MKA R eview ♦ S pr in g 2009
Edward ]. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars Alyse Amato Kristy Ashmawy Nathalie Cemasov Catherine DeKeizer Madeline Frank Kelly Froelich Miriam Grossman Mary Labowsky Giri Nathan Emma Shepard Lily Shepard
Congratulations to William Wagner ’06, who continues to gain academic recognition at Princeton University. For the second year in a row, he has been named a recipient of the Shapiro Prize for Academic Excellence, one of only 35 members of the entire Princeton class of 2010 to be so honored. Wagner, who is now a Woodrow Wilson School major, spent his summer as an intern at the federal courthouse in New York where he had the virtually unprecedented opportunity to write eight full-length opinions of the court. With an avid interest in the Middle East, Wagner is spending this semester studying at the AUC-Cairo in preparation for focusing on foreign policy towards the Middle East (specifically Afghanistan) for his senior thesis. We apologize that the accomplishments of the following students were inadvertently omitted from the Fall 2008 Review: Jennifer Crowley ’08 - recipient of the Senior Visual Arts (Photography) Award Andrew Wagner ’10 - a 2007-08 Faculty Scholar
Cougar Sports
2008 - 2009 Cougar Athletic Awards & Honors
Congratulations to Paige Barrett ’09, Captain o f the Field Hockey Team and recipient o f the MKA Fall Captain s Award, which is given to a fa ll team captain who demonstrates leadership, a strong work ethic and is a role model fo r their team. Boys’ Cross Country Head Coach: Tom Fleming (9th Year, 4td Grade teacher) Record: 4-10 Michael Lewis ’09 - Capt.; Team Coaches’Award Yanick Couture ’12 - Team Most Improved Runner Award Billy Lennon ’12 - Team Coaches’ Award Girls’ Cross Country Head Coach: Tom Fleming (9th Year, 4td Grade teacher) Record: 3-7 Nicole Nelson-Ogaard ’10 - Team Most Improved Runner Award Field Hockey Head Coach: Inioo Han rH Year, Assistant Director of Athletics) (3IU Congratulations to Coach Han on being named The Star-Ledger’s 2008 Essex County Coach o f the Year! Record: 9-10-4; NJSIAA North 1 Group 1 Sectional Finalists; Prep B State Finalist Paige Barrett ’09Capt.; Honorable Mention AllCHC; 3rd Team All-Essex County, ECCA; 1st Team, All-Prep B; Fall Captain’s Prize Recipient Jane Stanton ’09 - Team Coaches’Award Katie Arena ’10 - 1st Team All-CHC; 2nd Team AllEssex County, ECCA; Honorable Mention All-Prep B; 2nd Team All-Essex County, Star Ledger Devon Barrett ’10 - Honorable Mention All-Essex County, ECCA Mallory McDonagh ’10 - 1st Team All-CHC; 2nd Team All-Essex County, ECCA; 1st Team All-Prep B; 2nd Team All-Essex County, Star Ledger; 3rd Team All-State Group 1, Star Ledger Marion Nammack ’10 - 3rd Team All-Essex County, ECCA; 3rd Team All-Essex County, Star Ledger Savannah Freed ’l l - Team Most Improved Player Award
Kerry Fusco ’l l - 2nd Team All-CHC; 3rd Team All-Essex County, ECCA; 1st Team All-Prep B; 3rd Team All-Essex County, Star Ledger Meredith Moran ’l l - Honorable Mention All-CHC; Honorable Mention All-Essex County, ECCA Becky Smith ’l l - Team Rookie of the Year Award Football Head Coach: Lance Ramer (1st Year, Upper School Math teacher) Record: 2-8 Frankie Mayer ’09 - Capt.; Team Offensive Player of the Year Award; 2nd Team Offense, Hills Div. CHC; NJ Football Coaches Association Super 100 All-State Team John Meyer ’09 - Capt.; Team Defensive Player of the Year Award; 1st Tm Defense, Hills Div. CHC; Essex County Football Coaches Association Team; NJ Football Coaches Association Super 100 AllState Team Dan Sweeney ’09 - Team Joseph J. Weiner Award Co-recipient; Honorable Mention Hills Div. CHC Kaan Yarar ’09 - Team Joseph J. Weiner Award Co recipient; Honorable Mention Hills Div. CHC Alex Bourgeois ’10 - 2nd Team Defense, Hills Div. CHC Jerome Froelich ’10 - Team Cougar Pride Award; 2nd Team Offense, Hills Div. CHC Patrick Livesey ’10 - 1st Team Offense, Hills Div. CHC Boys’ Soccer Head Coach: Jordan Raper (1st Year) Record: 5-12-2 ArmandAmico ’09 - Asst. Capt.; 1st Team Hills Division, CHC; 2nd Team All-Prep B Andrew Kiman ’09 - Capt.; Honorable Mention All-Prep B Jeff Zak ’09 - Asst. Capt.; 2nd Team Hills Division, CHC; 2nd Team All-Prep B; Team Most Valuable Player Award Stanton Fields ’10 - Honorable Mention All-CHC; Honorable Mention All-Prep B Jesse Schwimmer ’10 - Honorable Mention AllCHC; 2nd Team All-Prep B Travers Nammack ’l l - Team Most Improved Player Award Stephen Piela ’12 - Team Rookie of the Year Award
M K A R eview ♦ S pr in g
2009
Former NY Giant Bart Oates Former NY Giants player and three-time Super Bowl champion Bart Oates provided insights, experience and inspiration when he met with the MKA Football Team recently. Oates, who played center for the Giants from 1985-1993, was member of their Super Bowl XXI and XXV teams, as well as being a member of the San Francisco 49er’s Super Bowl XXIX team. With the equally impressive record of never having missed a game in his entire professional football career, Oates, who is now a successful lawyer, explained the importance of being prepared and committed to his attentive young audience. “Anybody can be successful in this game, “ he explained, “It’s all about what’s in your heart, what is your enthusiasm and what is your passion.” Acknowledging that the friendships made on the young MKA team may last the players a lifetime, Oates provided them with the encouragement to “Be willing to make sacrifices and give it your best effort, regardless of how good that is. All that
matters is that you all give 100% for your Team; then you can all walk off the field with your heads held high.” The message resonated with the Cougars, who faced a tough start to their season meeting first Verona and then Cedar Grove, and, for new Coach Lance Ramer, his message couldn’t have been more perfect: “Bart showed the players that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard and dedicate yourself to the cause. He touched on exactly what our program is made of - family, camaraderie and accountability.”
Girls’ Soccer Head Coach: Todd Smith (8^ Year, Director of Athletics) Record: 14-8; Prep B State Finalist Jessica Gonzalez ’09 - Capt.; Co-Player of the Year, CHC; 1st Team All-Essex County, ECCA; 1st Team All-Prep B; Team Total Points Leader Award; 1. Team All-Essex County, Star Ledger Page Harbeck ’09 - Capt.; Honorable Mention AllCHC; Honorable Mention All-Essex County, ECCA; Team Coaches’Award Rebecca Hirsch ’09 - Capt.; Team Coaches’Award Laura Placentra ’10 - 2nd Team All-Essex County, ECCA Stephanie Tramutala ’10 - 2nd Team Hills Division, CHC; 2nd Team All-Essex County, ECCA Alana Carpenter ’ll - 1st Team Hills Division, CHC; 2nd Team All-Essex County, ECCA Crissy Nasti ’l l - 2nd Team All-Essex County, ECCA; 1st Team All-Prep B Alex Kelly ’12 - 2nd Team Hills Division, CHC; 1st Team All-Essex County, ECCA
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M K A R eview ♦ S p r in g
2009
Kim Kiman ’12 - 2nd Team Hills Division, CHC; Is* Team All-Essex County, ECCA; 1st Team All-Prep B Tess Meyer ’12 - Honorable Mention All-CHC; Honorable Mention All-Essex County, ECCA Girls’ Tennis Head Coach: Bill Wing (11 *d Year) Record: 18-7 Melissa Wong ’09 - Capt.; Honorable Mention All-CHC Laura Polding ’10 - Capt.; I s* Team 2nd Singles, Hills Division, CHC; Team Most Valuable Player Award Adriana Calandra ’l l - Honorable Mention AllCHC; Team Most Improved Player Award; 2nd Team All-Essex County, Star Ledger; 3rd Team All Non-Public, Star Ledger Lauren Martin ’12 - Honorable Mention All-CHC; Team Rookie of the Year Award; 2nd Team AllEssex County, Star Ledger; 3rd Team All NonPublic, Star Ledger
Soccer Superstar Tulie Foudy “Follow your dreams” was the potent message delivered by soccer superstar and Title IX activist Julie Foudy, the surprise guest at a recent MKA girls’ varsity soccer practice. Foudy was USA National Team captain for 13 of her 18 years on the team, is a two-time World Cup Champion, and the holder of three Olympic medals (1996 Gold, 2000 Silver and 2004 Gold) in addition to being the third world all-time capped player among men or women. She has recently moved to New Jersey, and knows MKA Athletic Director and girls’ varsity soccer coach Todd Smith through his work with her girls’ soccer and leadership Academy. The MKA soccer players were joined by the field hockey team and provided a rapt audience as they heard about Foudy’s soccer experiences and insights into life. “Even if people disagree with you, tell them your ideas anyway, “ she said. “Find a support group, smile and tell them you’re going to keep on going ... You can make a difference if you have the courage to take steps, and sometimes the hardest thing to
Volleyball Head Coach: Mike Tully (4^ Year) Congratulations to Coach Tully fo r being named New Jersey State Volleyball Coach o f the Year! Record: 21-5 Alyse Amato ’09 - Honorable Mention All-CHC Blair Bell ’09 - Capt.; Is* Team All-CHC; Team “Players’ Player” Award; 1st Team All-Essex County, Star Ledger; 1st Team All Non-Public, Star Ledger
do is to take those steps.” Describing the long journey of establishing women’s soccer as a respected addition to the world of sports, Foudy also taught her young audience the importance of using adversity to make a difference in life. “Julie’s visit with our teams was fantastic,” said Smith. ’’She understands the value that sports plays in one’s life and talked to the girls about the different styles of leadership and being a role model both on and off the field.. .she is truly inspirational.”
Leah Cerf ’09 - Capt.; 2nd Team All-CHC; 2nd Team All-Essex County, Star Ledger; 2nd Team Non-Public, Star Ledger Danielle Donatiello ’09 - Honorable Mention All-CHC Kelly Froelich ’09 - 2nd Team All-CHC
Congratulations to freshman David Frankl who was selected to represent the United States in gymnastics at the Maccabiah Games in July. The Maccabiah Games (also known as the Jewish Olympics) are held in Israel every four years following the Olympic Games and attract thousands of the best Jewish athletes from around the world. David, who has been participating on the US Gymnastic Development Team since he was 7 years old competes all over the country. Last year, he earned 2nd place overall in the State, and made the semi-finals in the pommel horse event at the Nationals.
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2009
Senior “Service” Snapshots The Class of 2009 has demonstrated some of the most visible and active school spirit in recent memory. A close-knit group, they are supporters, joiners and activists, not least in the field of community service. While space prevents us from listing every senior Spurred on by her mother’s fight with the disease, Carly Abramson (House: Strong. Favorite Subject: Art - Because it’s my favorite thing to do and I ’m going to college fo r art. Favorite Movie: The Curious Case o f Benjamin Button) has helped raise significant funds for breast cancer relief both as President of the MKA Breast Cancer Awareness Club, and as President of the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, two organizations that she herself founded. “7 got involved when my mom (a two time breast cancer survivor) was diagnosed fo r the first time when I was 12.1felt the need to give back and raise,; money to help find a cure. All funds raised by my foundation are donated to Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Centerfo r breast cancer research. I design and make key chains to sell and am now planning the 2nd annual go lf outing. My foundation’s first golf outing last year raised almost $800,000. In addition, I helped to create the Foundation s web site, www. curebreastcancerfoundation. org. ” The AIDS Awareness Club, led by President Madeline Kahan, (House: Monjo. Favorite Subject: French - Probably because o f my inspiring teachers. Favorite Food: Caesar salad) together with the £ Varsity Girls Tennis Team, of which Madeline is JV Captain, visited the Eric Johnson House in Morristown, an HIV/AIDS housing and
M K A R eview ♦ S pr in g
2009
contribution, here are some snapshots of just a few of the individual, club and team efforts that have enhanced the Upper School’s commitment to service learning both on and off campus this year.
supportive services facility for homeless men and women. “7 brought my club, as well as my tennis team, who like all sports teams at MKA, must complete a public service activity, to EJH. We toured the facility, learned basic information about AIDS and listened to Harry, a man who is HIV positive, speak. Then, we cooked dinner fo r all o f the residents and ate dinner with them. This experience brought a new perspective to all o f those who attended.” Morgan Booker (House: Monjo. Favorite Subject: Math - 1 am a person who likes solving challenging strategic and logic problems. Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese) is the Teen President of the Northern NJ chapter of the Jack and Jill of America organization. “7 have been involved with it since I was very young. Since becoming president, I have learned the skills it takes to be a leader... I have also learned how fortunate I am to be in a position where I am able to give back to other people. My family has always taught me how important that is and I really enjoy doing it and knowing how happy it makes those I help. Recently, we had a community service event at the church down the street from where I live and we served food at the soup kitchen. I had never seen so many people that were so grateful fo r what we were doing... The most devastating part about it was the fact that I saw so many children, but they still seemed so happy. Then I realized that they were happy because we were helping them. ” The Girls’ Volleyball Team selected the Friends of Jaclyn program as their service commitment. Building on team member Leah CerFs (House: Monjo. Favorite Subject: English - Because I love reading, analyzing and discussing books. Favorite Movie: 10 Things I Hate About You) summer experiences at Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening conditions, the team became involved with the program that is dedicated
to improving the quality of life for children with brain tumors, and “adopted” a young child, Valeria, who was a frequent presence at games during the season. For Leah herself, the experience of
working with terminally ill children has been transformative. “When Ifirst began working at Camp Sunshine, I was really disturbed by the thought o f a child having to embrace thoughts o f death and mortality so early in their life. What Camp Sunshine and foundations such as Friends o f Jaclyn do is to help children get back the life o f carefree abandon that they deserve. One really memorable experience was when our team went to visit Valeria in the pediatric cancer center at Memorial Sloane-Kettering while she was getting a dose o f chemotherapy. As we sat with Valeria, she was so incredibly upbeat and talkative, requesting things like McDonalds, playing with toys the team had gotten her, and letting me paint her nails. Seeing a young girl refusing to be defeated by such a virulent disease was really inspiring to both me and my teammates. ” MKA’s Habitat for Humanity Club has a loyal and active group of senior members who have spent their spring breaks working in Mexico, Mississippi, North Carolina and Guatamala and their weekends in Newark, Paterson, the Raritan Valley and Bergen. Those students who have been active volunteers for Habitat for the majority of their high school years include club president Giri Nathan, Jeremy Kaufman, Kaan Yarar, Charles Bozik, Phil Reisen, JT Todd and Rachel Weller. Giri (House: Bradley. Favorite Subject: None, I like them all pretty equally. Favorite Movie: The Life Aquatic) so enjoyed his international volunteering experiences with Habitat that he spent a summer volunteering on a construction project in Vietnam with Putney Student Travel. “This sort o f
service always appealed to me because it ’s so tangible: you see buildings rise from the foundation and you actually see the results o f your work. That’s satisfying. Also, it lets you see cultures on a more genuine, wholly non-touristy level. You really get to know the families you’re workingfor. You work, eat, (and occasionally arm-wrestle) side-by-side with the locals, and learn the sort o f things that you can’t find in handbooks or guided tours. Kids would just flock around us, playing games or teaching us their language; that was a nice feeling, a feeling o f immersion that’s hard to replicate.” Other seniors have also been bitten by the travel bug: Samantha Brazill participated in a YMCA International Camp program in the Dominican Republic last summer, helping to build and refurbish three homes and renovate a school and community centre. Miranda Saylor (House: Strong. Favorite Subject: Spanish - I love the idea o f being able to communicate in another language. Favorite Movie: Almost Famous) spent last summer working in rural Honduras with the Amigos de las Americas program: “My project last summer was to construct a library in the town where I lived fo r 6 weeks. On our last day, we held an Inauguration to celebrate its opening. Everyone from the town came including teachers, students, and members o f the local government. After speeches, the children entered the library. I will never forget seeing all their noses buried in books or examining a map o f the world and the other colorful posters on the w all... Since I returned to NJ, I have talked to my Honduran sister who told me that the library is very popular and people from the neighboring towns use it. As an Amigos volunteer, I had the opportunity to introduce a sustainable project to a rural village in Latin America. Kaan Yarar (House: Walden. Favorite Subject: Math - 1 really enjoy problem-solving and the satisfaction you get from finally getting the answer. Favorite Food: Fried Dumplings) spent three weeks in rural Fiji
MKA R eview ♦ S p r in g 2009
helping villagers through the Global Works program. For Kaan, who is also involved with Habitat for Humanity, TEAM Academy and The Children’s Institute, the idea to volunteer with Global Works came from his teachers. “Through the whole trip I was seeing and doing things that most people will never have the privilege o f seeing or doing. In community service trips, you get to see your work pay offfirst hand. Whether it’s seeing a smile on a new homeowner’s face or getting a first grader to read a fu ll book on their own, the feeling is the same, and while all o f my service experiences have taught me something new, the trip to Fiji definitely stands out. We had to construct a path around a village and the day we finished it, it rained. The rain caused mud pockets, and without our path, the villagers would have been forced to walk through them. Actually getting to see our work pay o ff was the one o f the most gratifying feelings ever. ” Lily Walter (House: Strong. Favorite Subject: English. Favorite Food: Chocolate Cake) and Paige Barrett started an Operation Smile chapter at MKA, raising funds through successful jewelry sales where 100% of the proceeds (matched by a local oral surgeon) go to the organization. Selected as one of only thirteen high school seniors and college freshmen to serve a two-year term on the Executive Leadership Committee of Operation Smile, Lily spent ten days in Guadalajara, Mexico on a mission trip with the organization, directly assisting doctors who were operating on children there. “This was my most memorable volunteer experience, ” explains Lily. “/ worked with the children before and after their surgeries and helped nurses in the Recovery Room. It was truly an unbelievable experience. I volunteer because it allows me to step outside o f my life and my concerns and lets me focus on what others need, and I love working with Operation Smile because it gives me the chance to directly impact the lives o f children internationally.” Tom Mazzeo (House: Strong. Favorite Subject: Astronomy - The subject is awesome. Favorite Food: Com on the Cob) has been teaching in his 3rd grade teacher’s classroom since he was in 6th grade: “Istarted helping out at my old
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school because my 6th grade teacher there (Mr. Adubato) was the first teacher who I really developed a strong bond with. When I visited him once, he told me I could come in and entertain the class. So I started coming in whenever MKA had a day off... My main focus is teaching chess. I remember one day after I finished chess class and everyone was getting ready to go to the library. It was a stormy day outside, and it was really thundering and lightning. Mr. Adubato was urging them to leave, yet no one moved, and both o f us were a little puzzled... One o f the students named Javier walked up to Mr. Adubato and me, and very shyly, said, “Can we stay here with our friend, Mr. Mazzeo? I t’s scary outside. ” We both started to laugh but I fe lt very moved by what he sa id ... I really ju st felt honored that he thought o f me as a friend. ” Isidra Myricks (House: Monjo. Favorite Subject: I don’t have a favorite subject. I love them all equally. Favorite Movie: Crooklyn) is a mentor in the Sisterhood: Rites of Passage program for adolescent girls. “I ’m in leadership development, which means that I teach and mentor the girls. I ’m kind o f like an older sister I ’m an only child, and I always wanted a little sister, and this program has given me about twelve younger sisters! It means so much to me when they callfor advice because they are confused about something, or to chat because they trust me. Many o f the girls live in urban areas, so life fo r them is a daily struggle in school and on the streets ...A t the end o f the year, we have an initiation ceremony for the girls who are ready to
move up and possibly join leadership development. One year, we were trying to decide if this one young lady should move up and the choice was left up to me and she knew that. I ultimately decided that she wasn’t ready, and trust me, she was so mad at me. She spent another year in the program but at the next year’s initiation, she came up to me and said, “I knew I wasn’t ready. Thanks. ” She moved up to Leadership development that year and is now a great friend o f mine. I was so proud o f myself and o f her. I am so glad that I didn’t cheat her out o f getting all she needed in the program. ” All-round MKA volunteer Jeremy Kaufman (House: Walden. Favorite Subject: English Because I enjoy creative writing. Favorite Movie American History X) is one of fourteen students chosen to be on the Upper School Community Life Committee and received the Faculty Community Service Award last year. Involved with Habitat for Humanity, TEAM Academy, Achieve Tutoring, and the Children’s Institute through MKA, he has also spent two summers in a Landmark Volunteer program that took him to the Adirondacks to do environmental service and to the Pathfinder Village in upstate NY where he worked with the mentally handicapped. “I volunteer because I love the feeling when someone truly thanks you fo r something you have done fo r them. I enjoy helping people and they are often very grateful. My most memorable experience volunteering was this summer at Pathfinder Village, a centerfo r people with Down Syndrome. All o f the residents were very excited ju st to have high school kids there, and they thanked us countless times even though the work we did there was active and fun. ” Many Upper School students volunteer their time to tutor at TEAM Academy. One of the “stand outs” is Aylse Amato (House: Walden. Favorite Subject: English - Because there are no right or wrong answers. Favorite Food: Anything Mexican) who has tutored there since her freshman year and was one of only three students, in her class to earn The Community Service Award during both her sophomore and junior years “I t’s very rewarding to
see that you’ve made even the smallest bit o f difference in a child’s life. Plus, I have so much fun while I ’m tutoring, I ’m barely conscious o f the fact that it is “volunteer work. Last year, one o f my tutees from the previous year came back to TEAM’S after-school tutoring room and was able to help me teach my current student. Although I obviously don’t take fu ll creditfo r her progress, it was still awesome to see how much she had improved. It made me realize that my efforts were really worthwhile. ” Twin sisters Emma and Lily Shepard (House: Strong, favorite movie [for both] Little Miss Sunshine, favorite subjects - Math [Emma] and Science [Lily] who tutor at TEAM Academy also tutor at a local Boys and Girls Club. “We started volunteering because the need fo r our help was so evident. On the first day, we brought coloring books and crayons as a way to break the ice and entice the kids to come over and chat with us. When we saw both how much the kids enjoyed even just sharing some coloring books and how empty the supply cabinet was, we decided that we would continue to bring arts and crafts projects each week. Emma: What I enjoy about volunteering is the gratitude o f walking into the cafeteria and being greeted by a clump o f kids. I also enjoy actually making the craft with the kids. Also, I think its funny when they call me the art teacher or Miss Emma; They think I ’m much older than I actually am. Lily: / love seeing the kids get so excited when we come. I t’s nice to know that they all look forward to Fridays not only because o f the craft but also because they love to hang out with me and Emma and tell us about their week. The relationships w e’ve made through volunteering have been very rewarding.” And, going full circle, Jane Stanton (House: Walden, Favorite Subject: English Because I love to read and write. Favorite Food: Pizza) has been a volunteer student intern at Brookside since she entered the Upper School. “I volunteer at the Primary School because I love returning to my MKA roots. ” (Jane entered Brookside in first grade.) “I love working with children, and hope to be a teacher one day, so this is an exciting experience. Because I have two younger sisters and so many cousins (30!) I have been around kids my whole life, so I am always looking fo r opportunities
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2009
to work with children. I learned so much from volunteering because each experience affords me the opportunity to learn new things and learn how to work most efficiently to help those around me. i
These senior snapshots demonstrate not the exception, but rather the rule. For the majority of MKA students, community service learning is as much a part of their lives as participating on a team, performing on a stage or studying for a test.
I T H E MONTCLAIR
KIMBERLEY ACADEMY
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The House System: Year 2
The House System Takes Root!
In its second year of inception, the Upper School House system has gone from strength to strength. The school year kicked off with the Gathering Games, and Van Brunt was turned into a sea of yellow, red, black and purple as the MKA Upper School Houses participated in an afternoon of spirited fun and competition. From flag football and hoola hooping contests won by Bradley House to a faculty relay race won by Walden House and a house cheer contest won by Monjo House, the entire Upper School community participated in the event, cheering on their respective Houses and enjoying the opportunity to come together. New activities this year include a badminton tournament, a spring field day and some fundraising for charities, and the competition is heating up as Bradley, Strong and Walden do their best to claim the 2009 House Cup away from Monjo!
MKA R eview ♦ S p r in g 2009
S S B u im S iM
Faculty Photo Album
Undeterred by the student's record o f successes in the annual M iddle School Faculty MKA phys ed. teacher, varsity coach and member o f the MKA Class o f 1998 Leon Shade brought the house down with his rendition o f “Lean on Me ” at a special M artin Luther King, Jr. Assembly held at the M iddle School.
vs. Students Basketball Game fo r Charity, M iddle School administrators, faculty and sta ff bravely took to the courtfo r the fifth year to take on their younger, sw ifter and better coached adversaries, the M iddle School girls' and boys' basketball teams. This year's recipient charity, selected by Student Government, was the Juvenile D iabetes Foundation, and as the jubilant students retained the trophy after a hardfought contest, over $ 7,000 was raised fo r this worthy cause. "The annual basketballfundraiser is a highlight o f the school year fo r m any," noted H ead o f Campus Dr. Randy Kleinman, "and the rollicking, deafening crowd was testam ent to what a special event it is fo r all o f us in the MKA M iddle School community."
Some things are ju st too hard to give up! Retired faculty members Linda Stark (l) and Nancy PiSunyer returned to the PAMKA Book Fair as volunteers!
Once again, a large contingent o f MKA faculty and sta ff participated in the Race fo r the Cure Walk in support oft, breast cancer relief.
MKA R eview ♦ S pr in g 2009
Former faculty, friends and colleagues Ken Gibson and D ick Rodin return fo r Homecoming.
Letter from the President The Alumni Council has been hard at work since the New Year commenced, preparing for a new event, a “friendraiser” held at the Montclair Art Museum on March 11^1 and the annual Golf Outing and reception, coming up on Thursday, June 18 . Following on the heels of a very successful Career Day earlier in the day, (which you’ll be able to read more about in the fall edition of the Review) the museum provided an elegant backdrop for a well-attended evening where alumni and friends enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres together before perusing the latest exhibition. Backing up a bit, September 17th saw the reprise of MKA’s Young Alumni Happy Hour at the West 79^ Street Boat Basin Café in NYC. The gathering was a huge success, with over 130 alumni from the classes of 1994 through 2004 coming out to network and see old friends and teachers. The word is now out that this is a young alumni event “not to be missed.” Homecoming in October was once again a rousing success, with 200 alumni and friends enjoying the reunion lunch at the Upper School. The Academy class of 1958, back to celebrate its 50^ reunion, invited former faculty member Frank D. Brogan as its special guest. His brief address to the luncheon crowd was heartfelt and captivating, and his words struck a chord with both young and older alumni. Mr. Brogan was a gifted teacher who felt honored, throughout his career, to bring the great works and characters in literature to life for his students.
nomination form located under Alumni Council/Awards on the Alumni portion of the website. You’ll also find the nomination forms for AHOF and Founders’ Cup under the same tab. Remember that the Founders’ Cup recognizes excellence in teaching, and goes to a current teacher who has made a difference in students’ lives! The Alumni Council’s New Year’s resolution is to continue its mission to keep alumni informed about MKA today and help them remain connected to their alma mater - disseminating word about current events and orchestrating local and regional events that will continue to reunite old friends and faculty. We can always use more help to accomplish our mission and goals, and I encourage any of you interested in getting more involved with the Council to contact either me or Alumni Director Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley and make your desires known. As always, we need you and would welcome your help! Best regards, Dan Carson ’83 MKA Alumni Council President dcarson@carsonroberts .com
The Council is currently researching and exploring candidates for the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame and the coveted Founders’ Cup. If you know of an alumnaAis who has achieved distinction in some field, endeavor, or through outstanding character or dedication has made a special contribution to humanity, please complete and mail in the DAA nomination form provided in this magazine, or go online at www.mka.org and complete the
M K A R eview ♦ S pr in g 2009
Giving Back: An Interview w ith Denise Sarkor ’03 IfAubin Ames defines a lifetime o f service to MKA (see pg.4,) Denise Alvina Sarkor ’03, defines the concept o f “giving back. ” Like her two brothers before and after her, Denise was recommended to the NJ SEEDS* program by her 7 ^ grade teacher, and through the program, was able to attend the MKA Upper School. Her experiences at MKA and subsequently at the University o f Pennsylvania instilled a debt o f gratitude, and she is now an active volunteerfo r the organization. Can you tell us about your current role with SEEDS and what it involves? Today, I am a member of the Young Leadership Committee (“YLC”) of New Jersey SEEDS, a volunteer group consisting of young professionals. The Committee was formed early this year with the goal of advancing the mission of SEEDS and engaging the next generation of leadership. We are structured into several committees with each member contributing according to their interests and capabilities. I am a part of the mentorship and events committees. On October 23, 2008, we hosted Casino N ight—Gaming fo r a Cause, our Is* annual fundraising event in New York City. The event, sponsored by Coach, Inc. and Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, was very successful with over 200 individuals in attendance. All proceeds went to benefiting New Jersey SEEDS and its programs. Were you active in community service when you were at MKA? While at MKA, I was involved with a number of student organizations. I served as president of my class sophomore year and president of the student body my senior year. I was also a varsity athlete on the Cross Country and Outdoor Track teams, a member of the Step Team during the winter season, and a Mastersinger in Chorale. In my junior and senior years, I served as a Peer Leader to underclassmen. I was also a member of the International Club and Shades of Color. Through many of these organizations, we raised money for different causes or volunteered time, and I learned how to make a positive impact on my community, something I continued when I was at college. At UPenn, I was a dancer for African Rhythms, Penn’s first and only African drum and dance troupe, for all four years, and served as the troupe’s Historian, Secretary and as Director during my senior year. While I was involved with AR, I volunteered as an Denise (l) with Am y Ziebarth, Executive Director o f N J SEEDS.
M K A R eview ♦ S pr in g 2009
African dance and step instructor to local middle school students. What are some of your best memories o f being a student at MKA? Some of my best memories include Cross Country/Track meets and Step Team performances with great team members and great coaches, my homeroom, the Washington, DC trip junior year, beating the seniors in Powder Puff Football junior year (I scored 3 of the 4 touchdowns!), yellow bus rides home with great friends, Chorale concerts, and spending time with DBA in her office. I thoroughly enjoyed my classes, especially Algebra with Mrs. Speed, Calculus with Mr. Herforth, British Literature with Mrs. Forbes, Advanced Biology with Mr. Hrab, History with Mr. Wolfson, AP Chemistry with Dr. Fossett and of course, French with Mme. Mamchur and Dr. Houston (Without them, I’m not sure I would have had the confidence to study abroad in Lyon, France during my junior year of college; I did not study any language before high school, and all my business classes in Lyon were in French!). What are you up to in life now aside from volunteering your time with SEEDS? I am currently in Washington, DC, working as a Consultant in the Global Financial Markets Department at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private equity arm of the World Bank. Our
team provides investment and advisory services to financial institutions in developing countries. While gaming professional experience, I am preparing applications for graduate school as I plan to pursue a masters in International Development. In my spare time, I attend French language and Afiican/AfroCuban dance classes in Washington, DC and explore the city with family and friends from college and high school. Why do you think it is important to give back? This year I attended Homecoming at MKA, two days after the YLC event for SEEDS in New York City. For me, those few days signified the importance of remembering the events or times in my life that have shaped me. Attending MKA was an amazing time for me. For the first time, I was in an academic environment that challenged me, and I was afforded the opportunity to equip myself for the college admission process and for life. I went from feeling uncomfortable in an environment where most of the students came from financially well-off households to growing confident in my ability to adapt to new environments and, most importantly, in my ability to achieve far more. Who would have thought that an immigrant from Liberia, raised in a single-parent household in one of the most difficult parts of East Orange, would have graduated cum
laude from MKA or received a full academic, leadership scholarship to the Wharton School? The SEEDS-MKA Partnership made these opportunities my reality. So many individuals have worked so that I might become a better me, from my mother, Alvina Clinton, to my SEEDS English and Math instructors during those Saturday classes of Phase II (Mrs. Newman at MKA, for example). We should all give back, not only because we have been blessed by the good deeds of others or for the sense of fulfillment we experience, but simply because it is our duty as human beings. When you give, you touch someone’s life and from the seed of kindness you sow, all of humanity benefits. *NEW JE R SE Y SEED S (Scholars, Educators, Excellence, Dedication, Success) provides educational opportunities for motivated, highachieving students of modest means. SEEDS programs include advanced academic classes, cultural enrichment opportunities and leadership training to help students gain admission to top schools and thereby realize their full potential. We encourage our alumni to be leaders, who give back to the community. NJ SEEDS is a privately-funded, statewide, nonprofit organization. For more information visit http://www.njseeds.org/.
save the date
Homecoming & Reunions 2 0 0 9 R euniting classes in the 4 s and 9 s Saturday, O ctober 24, 2 0 0 9
T he G o lf O u tin g retu rn s! Players and friends are invited to enjoy a day on the links at the M on tclair G o lf Club
followed by dinner and cocktails on Thursday, Ju n e 18, 2009
MKA On the Road: in N.Y.C. Once again, Manhattan’s 79“1 Street Boat Basin Café was the venue for a hugely successful Young Alumni Reception. Over 200 guests from the classes of 1994-2004 attended the event, together with MKA faculty and administrators.
Ruben A tlas '97 and Lesleigh Gennace '98
Yasmin Deshe '03, D irector o f Adm issions John Zürcher and M onique W olkoff '03
Alexandra Slous '9 9 , Priya Krishana ’99, Morgan Weiner '99 and Jessica Gerstein '99
Julie Fefferman '02, M argeaux Ulmer '99 and Alan Davson '99 M argot Wilensky '99, Kevin Koenig '01, Jessica Simpson '99 and Klaudia Pryz '98
M embers o f the Class o f2001: Danielle Claudio, Ricardo Reithmuller, Steve Jacobs and Alex a Kaiser.
M K A R eview ♦ S pr in g
2009
and in Denver A small group of Alumni met for a reception at Peaks Lounge, overlooking the city and mountains from the 27th floor of Denver’s Grand Hyatt. Attendees, including Peter Miller ’57, Phyllis Stadler ’59, Alex Miller ’61 and MKA Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Bill Hall ’82 and JJ Lonsinger Rutherford ’92, enjoyed the opportunity to meet, catch up and reminisce about their days in Montclair, while hearing about what is new and current at their alma mater. Keep your eyes open for “MKA On The Road” when we come to your neck of the woods, or, if you would be interested in hosting a local Alumni gathering, please contact Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley in the Alumni Office (lmcfeeley@mka.org / 973-509-7939).
B ill H all ’82 and J J Lonsinger Rutherford '92
Save the Date Thursday; A p ril 2n d
We’re On the Road in Washington, D.C.! Please join us at The Hotel George, 15 E Street NW from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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_ RSVP to lmcfeeley@mka.org
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IMKfi IS The A nnual
Alumni Lacrosse Game is sch ed u led f o r
Saturday, June 6, 2009 D on't m iss out on the fu n on Van B runt F ie ld !
MKA R eview ♦ S p r in g 2009
Alumni Hockey Game In a hard-fought game, MKA alumni won the annual Thanksgiving Hockey game vs. the current varsity team (now coached by Gary Kramer ’80) 4-3 in overtime. A post game reception was held at the rink, with pizza, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, coffee, pitchers of soda and cookies provided to the players, their families and friends.
Returning for the alumni team were: Michael Pierri ’06, Brian Thompson ’05, Anthony Gray ’02, Dwight Jackson ’08, John Ciardi ’08, John Dantzler ’08, Danny Smith ’06x, Alex Voinov ’96, Gary Murphy ’99, Chris Johnson ’08, Matthew Brown ’03, Billy Levering ’08, Rob Fortunato ’08, Hal Garrity ’04, Will Boss ’04 and Dan Marrazza ’05.
This year’s Young Alumni Winter Break Luncheon for members of the classes of 2007 and 2008 brought out the largest crowd of returning students yet. 27 alumni returned to share their college experiences, see old teachers and enjoy another meal in the Cougar Dining Hall!
Young Alumni Lunch
Encore Weekend
34
MKA’s highly acclaimed 2001 movie Postcards From The Road, originally produced as a fundraiser for Operation Tribute and the Memorial at Reflection Court was the recipient of the 2008 Deetjen’s Most Memorable Award, presented at the third annual Encore Weekend in September. Attending the ceremony were Deborah Dotoli and Evelyn and Gary Kabler, parents of 2005 classmates Anthony Guerino and Michelle Kabler.
M K A R eview ♦ S p r in g
2009
5 ^ 7 s 'v < 2
The obvious task of a parent’s association is to support a school and the students. A not so obvious task is to help students at another school. Even less obvious is to participate over an extended period of time. However, for six years PAMKA volunteers have helped students at TEAM Academy Middle School, a charter school in Newark. As much as we have had the satisfaction of helping students develop their skills during this time, we have also enjoyed getting to know them and to develop friendships with students, teachers and fellow MKA tutors. The relationship between MKA and TEAM started with College Counseling Office Director Alan Fraker’s work for the KIPP Foundation. Alan taught a class at the UCB Haas School for KIPP school leaders and met Ryan Hill who was in the process of founding TEAM Academy. Alan kept track of TEAM’S first year, and when then Headmaster Peter Greer wanted MKA to partner with a Newark school, Alan recommended TEAM. Greer, Fraker and faculty and Board members rode an MKA bus to TEAM, and that’s when PAMKA’s journey began. Everyone saw, but couldn’t really believe, the building conditions (roofs that seemed to let in more water than they kept out) but they also immediately admired the way the school slogan “Work hard. Be Nice.” came to life in the classrooms. On the bus ride home Greer recruited Trustee and MKA parent Denise Wagner to organize parent volunteers for TEAM. A successful and rewarding arrangement was worked out with parents coming weekly to work one on one with a fifth grade student for the year, usually in math. Now, six years later, the basic routines that were established early on continue, this year for two-dozen PAMKA volunteers. New TEAM tutors are recruited at the Back to School coffees and through friends. In October, interested volunteers carpool to Newark to tour the school, which TEAM has since bought and renovated. PAMKA visitors love
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seeing an urban school with the same aspirations that we have for our own children: a safe environment, dedicated faculty, challenging curriculum, ethics education, college preparation. Most of the PAMKA volunteers continue to tutor one-on-one at lunchtime. Whether it’s reviewing area and perimeter or finding the lowest common denominator, we enjoy being part of the solution! What has changed over time is that opportunities for volunteers have expanded. A growing number of parents stay on for “second lunch” with the seventh and eighth graders during which time they lead book groups or provide academic support for additional students. This year we are piloting a program that puts PAMKA volunteers in the TEAM classrooms. Eight parents received training as writing coaches and work twice a week in a fifth grade classroom. We continue to be passionate about providing meaningful support for TEAM and about developing relationships with “our” students. It is a fulfilling volunteer activity, so much so that Melissa Mintz has continued at TEAM long after her sons have graduated from MKA (Ben ’01 and Thomas ’05.) Denise Wagner, who helped to get the relationship started, sums her experience up succinctly, “It’s one of the best things I’ve done as a parent at MKA.” To leam more about volunteering at TEAM, please contact Lisa Amato, the PAMKA TEAM Academy Coordinator (lamato5@aol.com). Susan Dunn is the PAMKA Community VP. She began volunteering with TEAM when she taught third grade at Brookside inspired, in part, by her daughter Ellen ( ’07) who was an Upper School volunteer at TEAM. She will continue even after her son Michael graduates this June. TEAM Academy is part o f the TEAM Schools Network www. teamschools. org which now includes a second middle school, a high school and, in the fa ll o f 2009, an elementary school.
Interested in seeing photos o f what’s going on at MKA?
Check out the media galleries in the Resources section of the MKA website at www.mka.org
M K A R eview ♦ S pr in g
2009
Alumni Awards 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award Nomination Form NOMINEE _ CLASS _ ACHIEVEMENTS _ (Please include additional information or resume on a separate sheet.) Submitted by: NAME _ CLASS _ ADDRESS _ TELEPHONE _ Detach and mail to: The Montclair Kimberley Academy Alumni Office, 201 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042 or email lmfeeley@mka.org NOMINATION FORM FOR MKA ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME NOMINEE _ CLASS _ SPORTS _ ACHIEVEMENTS _ (Please include additional information or resume on a separate sheet.) Submitted by: NAME _ CLASS _ ADDRESS __ TELEPHONE _ Detach and mail to: The Montclair Kimberley Academy Alumni Office, 201 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042 or email lmfeeley@mka.org DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD CRITERIA To all alumni, parents, trustees, faculty, staff and friends of The Montclair Kimberley Academy: The Distinguished Alumni Award Committee is hereby accepting nominatpns for the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award. • The recipient should have achieved distinction in some field of endeavor, or through outstanding character or dedication made a special contribution to humanity. Race, creed, sex or contribution to the school should have no bearing on the choice of recipient. The purpose of the Distinguished Alumni Award is “to bestow recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement.” This award will be a Meritorious reflection on the school and will provide inspiration and encouragement for our young people. It is hoped that the recipient will come to MKA and address a gathering of alumni and of students. You may nominate more than one alumna/alumnus. There will be one Distinguished Alumni Award recipient each year; all nominations will be maintained in confidential files for consideration in following years.
MKA ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME AWARDS CRITERIA The Montclair Kimberley Academy Athletic Hall of Fame was founded to honor those who have made telling contributions to the school’s athletics. Its purpose is to perpetuate the memory of those persons who have brought distinction, honor, and excellence to Montclair Academy, The Kimberley School, The Brookside School, and MKA in athletics. • Nojfiimee must have been an outstanding varsity athlete, coach, Athletic Director, trainer, or major contributor (financial and/or participant) at MA, TKS, Brookside, or MKA and or brought distinction to the school through related and subsequent athletic accomplishments. • Student nominees must have attended MA, TKS, Brookside, or MKA for at least two years, and have graduated from MA, TKS, Brookside, or MKA. Student nominees must have graduated at least five years prior to the year of nomination. • Nominee must have conducted his or her liflin keeping with school standards and in ways which reflect positively on MKA. • The nomination can be a posthumous award. • N om inal may nominate themselves, be nominated by alumni or others. • Each year, a minimum of one qualified male and one qualified female will be selected. Nominations will be kept on file for subsequent years’ review. • A team may be inducted.
Class Notes Editor’s Note
We use one “official” yearly mailing to obtain news that then appears in the FALL MKA Review, and the deadline is May 1. SPRING magazine Class Notes are taken from reunion, holiday, and Phonathon newsB newspaper clippings, the flap on the Annual Giving remittance envelope and letters or emails to the Alumni Office, and the
TKS Caroline Thompson Lathrop writes: Still living in my own house on Nantucket Island - still driving my own car (carefully). I’m an independent character! See some of the younger graduates who spend summer on this lovely island.
deadline is January 1.
Although the items might seem “old,” we have found that people love to read news whenever. The time lapse is unavoidable as the processing of Class Notes from Alumni Office to printer can take three months. Please remember that you can send a note, email news to your class secretary or to the Alumni Office anytime (lmcfeeley@mka.org), or send notes online at www.mka.org. We keep ongoing files for
each class, and we welcome family photographs. To those without a class secretary, how would you like to volunteer? The job has been simplified to the point that you will probably enjoy it immensely. The position of alumni class secretary, like those of class agent and reunion chair, is absolutely essential to the vitality of the school. Please consider it. MA - MontSir Academy TKS - The Kimberley School
f8 TKS Virginia (Gina) Stoutenburgh Svigals
writes: Please don’t count me out just yet. I’m in good health (knock wood) and living in Connecticut with my little brown poodle, Mocha. I take Mocha for walks 5 or six times dails*- good for my circmation. My advice to the elderly —keep moving! I had a great Thanksgiving with my two children, Linda and Barry, my seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and another will arrive next month. Barry, notes that his mother “can still sing and dance and is always ready to laugh - that may be her real secret!”
9 TKS M iss Charlotte Fitch 24 Cape B ial Lane, P. O. Box 45 Westport Point, MA 02791
Class Notes • Spring 2009
TKS Mrs. Stewart Carpenter (Josephine Fobes) Crane’s M ill, Apt. 249 459 Passaic Avenue West Caldwell, NJ 07006
MA Josephine M errick and Audrey Ayers Burgess ’32 at the wom en’s eastern clay court doubles championship in M ontclair on May 28, 1930.
Mr. John Graham 1129 K ing’s Ranch Road Bandera, TX 78003
TKS
Mrs. Josephine M urray Schmid 501 E. Campus Avenue, Suite Office Chestertown, MD 21620-1600
TKS Mrs. Albert F rell (Irene Burbank) 580 Adm iralty Parade Naples, FL 34102
TKS TKS Audrey Ayers Burgess celebrated her 95^ birthday with friends and family at her new home in Franklin, NH. Fondly remembering her days at Kimberley and playing tennis for the school team, Audrey avidly follows the pro circuit. In 1930, Audrey was ranked 19^ nationally, while she attended Kimberley. Her favorite doubles partner was Josephine Merrick, a player from Montclair High School.
Mrs. William Young (Peggy Klotz) The Village at Duxbury 290 Kingstown Way, Apt. 253 Duxbury, MA 02332
Many thanks to Jane Rinck who sent us a copy of her recent book, Exercising with Imagination. Bored with gyms and exercise machines, Jane explores how to soar like S eagle and pick stars from the sky.
Recently, Audrey moved from Westhampton, N.Y. to be closer to her son, Rep. Frank Tupper, who resides in Canterbury, NH. Audrey was recognized by the State House of Representatives when she attended Frank’s inauguration as a State Representative. Audrey has two grandsons, Glenn in Minnesota, and Zack, who resides in Colorado and a great granddaughter, Skylar, from Minnesota. Audrey would be more than pleased to receive correspondenc®/o Peabody Home, 24 Peabody Place, Franklin, NH 03235.
Page 37
With entertaining text and vibrant illustrations, the book received rave reviews such as “Jane’s book is pure poetry in motion!” Her book is a gift of life and love from one who knows and shares the true meaning of both. Incidentally, Jane was voted Citizen of the Year for the Town of Pawlet, VT in 2006.
then. She was a good athlete and a popular member of our class - fun to be with. I’m doing quite well, I think, and am enjoying seeing Young family and friends and relatives in Manomet during the summer. Love and best wishes, Peggy
Congratulations to Janet Gaylord Newsome who writes: My first great grandchild - a, boyH Grey Thomas McGuinesSkyas bom last May.
TKS
Peggy Klotz Young writes: Sally Jennison Riter died on May 2, 2008. My friend, Sally Bausher Littlefield, heard from Sally Riter’s
son, Mike, and let me know. Sally Riter had had a stroke several years ago and had not been able to speak or do much else since
9 We send our deepest sympathies to the family of Elizabeth “Betty” Perry Gleason who passed away on October 26, 2008. Joan Bayne Williams was kind enough to notify us of the sad news. Joan mentioned that Nancy Kluge Rumery’s frequent visits to Betty were a great comfort to her.
140 TKS
Margaret Richards Chapman
shares a Class of ’37 memory:
Sally Young Shertzer became a close
friend in my senior year at Kimberley and, with Dee Vondermuhl Young, we formed a triumvirate. At recess, we would walk half a block away and share a cigarette.
Mrs. Alfred D. Williams (Joan Bayne) 15 Piper Road, Apt. K310 Scarborough, M E 04074 Summer Phone Number at Belgrade Lakes (May-September) is 207-495-2617 Class agent: Mrs. Iris Flournoy 900 H ollinshead Spring Road, G203 Skillman, N J 08558-2066
Joan Bayne Williams writes: Living in a
After graduation, we spent three weeks together. First Sally and Dee came to my family’s summer home on Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire for a week. We swam, rode in our mahogany speedboat and, best of all, quietly sneaked out to paddle beyond the bay on a “moonlight excursion” where we skinny-dipped and ate goodies. Now, I wish Peggy Klotz Young had been able to be a part of that. The second week, we visited at Sally’s summer home on Manomet on Cape Cod. It was so different. I liked the long stairs down the cliffside to the sandy beach. We went out to Wellfleet and went through the canal on Tom Young’s big sailboat. The third week, we spent with Dee on Martha’s Vineyard. Again, so different. Everything was funny to us. A ferry strike caused us to cross to the island in a very small boat. When the strike ended, the ferry arrived with my car still on board, unmoved for the whole week. Upon docking, there was much confusion as there was a fire in the hold and a car with a dead battery was holding up the unloading. It was MY car...we thought that was funny. Our three weeks were over, but the memories and closeness of good Kimberley classmates remain.
Page 38
fantastic life-care facility on the ocean, buM still spend the summers in Belgrade Lakes and hope when classmates (’40) are in New England, they come by! My news is limited, buj’.nty grandson, Rob HSt, is now a member of the Maine House of Representatives.
\41 TKS Mrs. James F.C. Hyde Jr. (Enid Griswold) 5402 D uvall D rive Bethesda, MD 20816-1872 MA Mr. D avid Baird Jr. 9 Parkway Montclair, N J 07042 Class agent: Mr. Lewis Townsend 2801 New M exico Avenue, Apt. 303 Washington, D C 20007-3913 LTownsend((wahoo. com
William Hall writes: Where have all the
flowers gone? Riding my bike to and from Montclair Academy on the opulent South Mountain Avenue. Playing kick the can from our porch steps. Climbing the KlugeHcherry tree: Oh, bring back the flowers. We send our deepest sympathies David Baird whose brother, Robert Baird ’46, died on August 22, 2008.
m TKS Eleanor Watt Shull writes: I have recently
had an exhibit of my paintings. MA Mr. Richard L. Charlesworth 27 Whipple Farm Lane Falmouth, M E 04105 diknan@maine. rr. com
We send our sincere condolences to the family of Stuart Keebler who died on June 14, 2008.
■ TKS M iss Lucile G. Mason 142 North M ountain Avenue Montclair, N J 07042-2350
MA Class Secretary and Reunion Chair: Mr. Edward S. “Ted” Olcott 23 Argyle Court Summit, N J 07901 mertedolcott@ yahoo. com
Ted Olcott reports: Word from Naples, Florida about the passing of Perce Hill last
November. Perce was the master of dry humor, two-way excellent lineman on our undefeated 1942 football team and a really good guy. Our condolences to Perce’s family. While we didn’t break any attendance records at our 65™ Reunion in October, those who were able to make it had a great time. Those present included Dick Angus, Bob Brown, A1 Soria and Frank Sweeney, all local except for A1 from the Albany, NY area, heading south to visit his son in Florida. I planned to attend but came up lame the previous day, and couldn’t make it, regrettably. Hope the news from MA’43 keeps coming. [MKA sends its condolences to Percival Hill IH’s family.]
mm 65th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 MA Mr. W interfordJ. Ohland 39A Cambridge Court Lakewood, N J 08701-6225
\45 TKS Anne Feagley Wittels (Mrs. Jerome L.) 3970 Sepulveda Blvd., #403 Torrance, CA 90505 wittels@ socal.rr.com
Class Notes • Spring 2009
see allO foot outdoor mural painted by our son, Gordon Carlisle ’69. Titled “Proud Past, Bright Future,” the six panels depict the town’s past and hopes for the future. Gordon interviewed local citizens, asking what they would like to see on the wall. Almost every day, people stopped to share memories with him as the work proceeded. The project took four months to complete. The mural is on his web page at www.gordoncarhsle.com. Christa Arnold Buergin writes: A1 and I are enjoying the golden years in Monmouth County, NJ. As retired military folks, we will miss Ft. Monmouth when it closes in 2011. Volunteer work at church and Garden Club keep me busy as we look forward to another Florida vacation in February. Hi to all ’46ers.
In honor of the Kimberley Class of 1948’s 60th reunion at Homecoming on October 25th, classmate Helen Montgomery-Drysdale graciously shipped many photos from her exhibition entitled “Augenblick” to hang in the Weiss Gallery at the Upper School. The exhibit met with rave reviews, and many alumni, back for various reunion years, as well as current students, parents and friends of MKA, admired Helen’s art which depicts the human face - both celebrity and anonymous H with honesty, pathos and humor. “Augenblick” was on display from September 8th until November 5th, and we greatly appreciate Helen’s sending her work her work and spirit from California when she couldn’t be here in person to celebrate her milestone reunion. Leigh Berrien Smith reports: Recently had
Richmond Hopkins, shows him and his wife
my annual Vineyard get-together lunch with Florence “Pete” Lamborn Peters. I am again enjoying golf games with Ellie Helm Ketcham ’46 when she’s vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard and not busy with family and other guests. I also love seeing the other year-rounders on Martha’s Vineyard, members of the Sanders family, Kit Sanders ’41, Kim and Chuck Sanders ’41 and their daughters, Deb Sanders Lewis ’67, her cousins, Terry Appenzellar ’66 and Kate Appenzellar Hancock ’68. Those 1960s alums live here but are far from retired; environmental, theatrical and musical causes all benefit from their presence!
surrounded by eight children and grandchildren sitting or standing on what looks like a beautiful New England mountain. So, all looks well with the Hopkins family.
MA Mr. William B. Grant 7330 Westmoreland Drive Sarasota, FL 34243 grantwb@tampabay. rr. com
Richard Adams reports all is well for him in
Jersey Shore’s Lavallette. The former yacht club commodore has sold his boat but advises that the buyer thinks he had bought a lifetime guarantee on it. Richard sounded like he enjoys attempting to keep his former sailboat in shipshape condition. Your class reporter lost his wife of 43 years this past summer. Support from our 6 children and 13 grandchildren has helped ease the pain. A 10-day bus trip to Mexico got me away over the holidays. I’d welcome a Sarasota visit by ’45 MA or TKS classmates. [MKA sends its heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Grant on the loss of Pat.]
William Grant reports: Our classmate, Bud Tieje, has moved form Florida to Falmouth
Budget now for our 55™reunion in 2010!
on the Cape to be near his 5 grandchildren. Bud and his children still own waterfront on Falmouth Harbor including a marina, the Crab Trap restaurant and his Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard express, passenger only, ferry service. He and his wife stay healthy by bicycling on the Cape.
Bob Nebergall reports: Alive and well!
A Christmas card from our Head Boy,
Class Notes • Spring 2009
\4 6 TKS Joan Denney Carlisle sends this update:
Recently, my husband, Rob (a former Trustee), and I drove to Somersworth, NH to
We send our sincere condolences to Abby Keebler Ryan whose brother, Stuart Keebler ’42, passed away on June 14, 2008. MA Dr. P eter B. Lawrence 4802 Olympic Lane N #D Wilson, NC 27896-9148
Our deepest sympathies go to the family of Robert Baird who died on August 22, 2008.
mz TKS Mrs. D avid Hannegan (Louise Rudd) 49 Canterbury Lane Lakeville, CT 06039 weezieh@ sbcglobal. net
Comer Fisk Polak writes: I have moved to a retirement community.
\48 TKS Mrs. Sibyl Lewis Lotterle P.O. Box 3254 Hayden Lake, ID 83835-8148 sibstoy@ icehouse. net Reunion Chair: Mrs. Joan Lucas Brandley 25 D orset Circlejim Caldwell, N J 07006-6123
Fran Lane Miller came up from Florida to
celebrate her Kimberley 60th reunion. She and Janet Mason attended both the reunion luncheon and dinner at Montclair Golf Club and had a grand time reminiscing. Patricia Onderdonk Pruett writes: So sorry not to be with classmates for this reunion! We have recently moved from Bryn Mawr, PA to St. Louis, MO to be with our children/grandchildren. This was a major move!
Page 39
MA and TKS '48, ’53 and ’55. Back row l-r: H ank Leonhard ’48, Norma Leonhard, Fran Lane M iller ’48, Janet M ason ’48, Front row l-r: D avid Pinkham ’48, Henry Williams III ’53, Robert Weinmann ’53, Stephen Weinmann ’55
MA Reunion Chair: Mr. J. H enry Leonhard 51 Fromm Court Mahwah, N J 07430-295M g
We send our heartfelt sympathies to Arnold Rosenberg whose brother, Theodore Rosenberg ’50, died on June 5, 2008.
\49 60th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 TKS Jane Lockwood Scovil reports: Dick and I
are well, praise the Lord, and though I am not giving horseback riding lessons anymore, I am still riding and enjoying it more, because my daughter, Beth, is riding with me. We are fortunate to have beautiful trails adjacent to our property and can trailer to nearby facilities. We send our deepest sympathies to the family of Nancy Klaas Pape who died on April 22, 2008. Jane Lockwood Scovil was kind enough H notify us of the sad news. \5 0 TKS Class agent: Mrs. Richard Lewis (Audrey Maass) 4551 G ulfShore Blvd. N, Apt. 804 Naples, FL 34103-4601 rd l^M a B l com
Audrey Carroll McBratney-Bittner writes:
From the Class o f ’48: Fran Lane M iller is pictured with a Florida neighbor and Ginny H all Cameron sitting to her right.
are members of the same country club here in Naples. We see each other often. Our time in Maine is with family —our 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Louise Green Dunham reports: I have been
blessed with good health. I’m lucky that both my sons live in NJ, and I see their families often. My older daughter lives in Atlanta, GA, but my younger daughter has lived in Katmandu, Nepal for 20 years. I haven’t seen her or her family in over 2 years. They are coming for Christmas, and I’m wondering how to amuse, in the NJ suburbs, a 12-year old and a 9-year-old who have climbed palm trees along the Arabian Sea and galloped across the steppes in Mongolia? MA Mr. Rudolph Deetjen Jr. 12 Ledge Road, Cottage 74 Blue Hill, M E 04614 rudyandpatti@ gwi. net Class agent: Mr. Jay B itting 299 River Edge D rive Chatham, N J 07928-3104
George Weilepp writes: This year was
speciaLSontacted important people in my life in [classes c>Jj| ,40s and 50s. Those who affected my life and career decBons and emotional structure when I was young, free and over 16 years old. I hope they enjoyed the contact so many years later. Margaret Jones Steuart remarks: “I certainly did!”
Our grandchild graduated from Wake Forest. Three other grandchildren are at UNC (North Carolina), Furman and Amherst. The other five are working hard in high school - All are children of our MKA grads - Bonnie ’74, Sally ’75 and Bruce ’78.
We send our sincere condolences to the family of Theodore Rosenberg who passed away on June 5, 2008.
Audrey Maass Lewi|iwrites: Dick and I are
Mrs. Lloyd M arentette (Gail Robertson) 93 Glen Avenue, Llewellyn Park West Orange, N J 07052
residents of Naples, FL and spend about 4-5 months in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. We both are interested in golf and play quite a bit. Gay Clarke Perry, her husband, Al, and we Page 40
New Jersey, getting together with my classmates, going to the theater in New York, being able to get to the shore easily and being active in Llewellyn Park. The best thing is seeing old friends making new ones. Nancy White writes: I thoroughly enjoyed taking my grandson, Max (age 8) to camp Sagamore for an Elderhostel week of camping. Max and I stayed at the main lodge that was once the Vanderbilt’s camp/lodge. I recommend this experience highly. MA Mr. Ernest F. Keer III 459 Club Drive, P.O. Box 1030 Bay Head, N J 08742-1030
52 TKS Mrs. Clark Moran (Martha Gilbert) 8011 StraujfR oad Baltimore, MD 21204-1834 mmoran@iopener. net
Nancy Booth Kelly writes: David and I
received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce. David received a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) from the Queen at an Investiture Ceremony at Buckingham Palace on November 21st for Business and Sports. I received the Award for Excellence from the Sir Lynden Pindling Foundation this past July. On November 5^, we leave for our Annual Shooting Trip to Scotland. We have a new granddaughter, Katie Marie, bom November 17, 2007. Fay Taft Fawcett writes: Nothing new. Just
51
another wonderful 5 months in Nantucket with all the kids and grandchildren.
TKS
MA
Gail Marentette writes: I love being back in
Class agent: Mr. Charles Sage 435 Welch Avenue Arnes, IA 50014-7302
Charles Sage reports: Received holiday Class Notes • Spring 2009
greetings from Joyce and Mike Ellinger, Bette and Bob Kim, Carmen and Dan Read and Lois and Bob Werner. Mike is settled into his new home in Silver Springs, Nevada. He previously lived in San Antonio, Texas. He reports “the kids and grandkids are all well. We have 5 Jack Russell terriers, so there is no lack of activity around here.” The Sage’s and the Kim’s got together in Myrtle Beach, SC last spring and had an “educational outing” at the Aquarium and Priscilla Sage’s sculpture exhibit with the Kim grandchildren. Dan Read is enjoying retirement in southwest Virginia. He reluctantly agreed to a six-month political email truce with me last summer and hostilities have not resumed. All is well with Bob & Lois in Avila Beach, California. [Editor’s Note: Charles’ wife, Priscilla Sage, is the recipient of the 2008 Christian Petersen Design Award from Iowa State’s College of Art and Design.)
Koustenis, an attorney, a graduate of the University of Virginia (1987) and Georgetown Law School (1991). She practices intellectual property, trademarks and copyright law.
owner of the dearest little house with a lovely garden in Kennett Square, and she has her family nearby. She has been spending many hours every week helping to care for seniors in a program called Homelnstead.
54
In September, I got a delightful email from Lynn Homeyer Ramshaw with some of her news. Lynn, an Episcopal priest in the Chicago area, is serving as a replacement priest from time to time in local churches and has had a few articles published in “Lutheran Woman Today.” She finds time to enjoy the Symphony and the Goodman Theater and, of course, her children and seven grandchildren are always a source of delight and inspiration.
55th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 TKS Ms. Georgia Carrington 38 Silver Spring Lane Ridgefield, CT 06877-5604 carrgeo@ aol. com
Jacqueline Kaveny Cestone writes: I am a
Florida resident now and playing a lot of golf. This is going to be my third year as head of the women’s golf at The Breakers Hotel. I am blessed with four grandchildren, two of whom are attending MKA in kindergarten and third grade. Best wishes to all. Our sincere condolences go to the family of
\53
Marilyn Towner Dodd who passed away on
TKS
September 29, 2008.
Sally Maxson Jones writes: Dave and I are doing okay. We are still traveling quite a lot. The years go by faster and faster as I get older. Dave and I plan to move into a retirement home in the Washington area.' ' sometime in the next year or so.
MA
Leigh Berrien Smith’45 was in touch with Lorna Peters Garron recently and reports:
.. .After 55 years of staying in touch (letters, phone calls, emails), she and Kimberley classmate Anne Barclay Holmes finally had a week together at Loma’s Martha’s Vineyard vacation home last August. Jean Fairgrieve Granum ’52, also a childhood neighbor of Anne’s and Loma’s in Montclair’s Brookwood Drive area, joined them during the reunion as did Anne’s cousin Arthur Brown ’65, now of North Chatham, whom Anne hadn’t seen since childhood, and his wife, Betty Ann. (The death of Anne’s mother prompted the family to move to the West Coast. Anne now lives in the Seattle area where two of her three young people are located, the other being in Sun Valley, Idaho.) Loma regrets not being able to attend the reunion but reports that her two young people are fine and live near her in Weston, MA, a daughter with a health care company, and a son [who has four sons of his own, with two now in college] who is Director of Engineering and Utilities at Harvard. MA Mr. Peter Cockshaw 1264 Oakmont Court West Chester, PA 19380-6836 pcockshaw@ comcast. net
Congratulations to Howard Beilin who writes: I have become engaged to Kandis
Class Notes • Spring 2009
Class agent: Mr. Sheldon Buck 51 Cornell Road Wellesley, MA 02181-7408 sheldon. buck@comcast. net
Philip Donlin, Jr. ’54 writes: Went up to Montclair and saw Ted Jorgenson ’53; he took me down to his Horse Farm, and it was nice. Gloria and I went down to the University of South Carolina to my 50™ reunion recently. I could not believe how large it has grown. Good thing we had name tags with our graduation picture on them. My mother died last year. She lived a full life of 91 years. [The Montclair Kimberley Academy community sends its sincere condolences to Philip and his family.]
55 TKS Mrs. Cecily Wilson Lyle 432 W right’s N eck Road Centerville, MD 21617 ceci@ dvm.com
Cecily Wilson Lyle sends this update: Last
month, I had some wonderful visits with Kimberley friends. Barbie Ives Riegel came for an impromptu stay E-we had years of catching up to do—and a few days later Nancy Joyce Buckley drove down from Greensboro VT. She and I took a day to drive up to the Riegel’s house in Montchanin, DE where we lunched together with Diney Brown Donaldson. We all talked at once recounting stories, past and present. Barbie is busy on all fronts with far-flung kids and grandchildren and lots of projects including a glorious garden, a room full of orchids, and a summer place at Fishers Island. Diny is proud
I chatted with Marguerite Ramee Kaiser and Carol Hanschka Traenkle just before New Year’s Eve, and they were both full of good holiday spirits. Marguerite is still living in NJ,||u| is looking forward to moving to Spartanburg, SC before long to live closer to her kids and to escape the North Jersey winters. We had a great chat about the joys of “scaling down.” In recent years, Carol has participated in two major walks to raise money for breast cancer. A 2007 snapshot that Susie Forstmann Kealy passed on to me shows Carol and her daughter, Wendy, both looking extremely fit on a raft in the Grand Canyon. And, still a musician, she has been singing with a chorale for many years. MA Mr. Lawrence M artin P.O. Box 1058 Lexington, VA 24450-1058 martin@ intelos. net Class agent: Mr. Robert Brower 131 E ast 6 6 ^ Street, Apt. IOC New York, N Y 10065-6129 rereadclassics@ aol. com
56 TKS Mrs. Carol Ottenberg 1420 41st Avenue, E Seattle, WA 98112-3804 ottenbergc@ aol. com
Carol Barnard Ottenberg writes: We’ll
celebrate the 100™birthday of my mother, Louise Stauffen Barnard ’27, in January
with a family dinner at her retirement community outside Philadelphia. Simon and I have also taken a unit at a Seattle retirement home. Right now, it’s a pied-a-terre with a city view, 10 minutes from our “country” home in a Seattle neighborhood. MA Mr. Eric Jaeckel P.O. Box 20153 Boulder, CO 8030& 153 efiaeckel@ hotmail. com
Page 41
MA ’58 Back row l-r: M elee Agens, H y Agens, Rosalie Roth, Jerry Roth, John Wellington (formerfaculty), D avid Will. Front row l-r: Franklin Sachs, Frank Brogan (former faculty), M aia Brogan, James Zage IClass Agent: Dr. Lawrence Nazarian 29 Surrey Place Penfield, N Y 14526-1221 LFredN@aol. com
57 TKS
We send our deepest sympathies to Joan Wallace Bryant whose husband, Augustus Hagar Bryant III, died on September 12, 2008. MA Class secretary and agent: Dr. Edward T. O ’Brien Jr. 3376 F em cliff Lane Clearwater, FL 33761-1411 eohl0726@ msn. com
Nina Carter Rosselli Del Turco reports:
Our international lives continue between the U.S. and Rome, Italy. My husband, Duccio, and I are downsizing in Rome in the spring, hoping to simplify our lives since we spend a lot of time here in the U.S. visiting our large combined family of 7 children and 17 grandchildren! We saw Drika Agnew Purves and her husband in Rome in June.
\58 TKS
MA '58 Back row l-r: Peter Grieves, M ichael Gennet, Christine Gennet, Janet Judd, Van Judd. Front row l-r: Donna Grieves, Fred Kramer, Kathleen Stroming, D avid Stroming
MA Class Secretary and Reunion Co-Chair: Mr. H enry Agens 86 Eagle Rock Way Montclair, N J 07042-1629 hymelee@ earthlink. net Class Secretary and Reunion Co-Chair: Mr. D avid Stroming 82 H alsted Drive Manchester, N J 08759 KStroming@aol. com Reunion Co-Chair: D avid Will 184 New State Road, Apt. 33 Manchester, CT 06042-7945 D ave.w illl @ sbcglobal.net
Without any further bloviation from me, let’s read what some of the attendees had to say about our big day. [Editor’s note: Space restrictions didn’t allow us to print all the comments - contact Hy for more!]
Reunion Co-Chair: Mrs. Jean Eaglesham Davis adavis3 6@earthlink. net
To get together and renew old memories with so many form er classmates was fantastic. It proved to be a delightful afternoon and evening. Jim Zager
Page 42
Jack Roth It was a blast! Reconnecting with so many o f the guys was very special. It was especially nice to see Frank Brogan and John Wellington again. Dave Black It was a special evening fo r me to see everyone after such a long time. I was really surprised by how little we all changed, and was impressed by how much this group accomplished with their lives and careers. I hope we continue to keep in touch.
Marty Rosen
We’ll agree Pm sure that something wonderfully unexpected and special happened during the day and evening of Saturday, October 25, 2008. To watch our group of 17, along with our wives, easily interact with each other, as we did once upon a long time ago, was a genuinely moving experience. No exaggeration. Having Frank Brogan and his wife with us at our 50th Reunion added immeasurably the aura. Great speech! Great teacher!
Class Secretary and Reunion Co-Chair: Mrs. Diana Bethell Little 1-K Buckingham Rd. West Orange, N J 07052-2703 littlecorp@ verizon. net
We send our heartfelt condolences to Helen Bryant Perry whose brother, Augustus Hager Bryant III, died on September 12, 2008.
though he taught hundreds o f others. Thought I should attend the 50th reunion because, i f I waited fo r the 100th, gasoline would cost a million dollars a gallon.
It was a wonderful day ...G reat to be with our chums ...surpassed my expectations. Brogan was Broganesque, by which I mean ever changing yet eternally the same.pipcactly as I remembered him to be. H e was our guy even
I was impressed by the friendly and upbeat nature o f everyone. It seems w e’ve led good, happy, productive lives, and it was easy to p ick up from where we left o ff so many years ago. Dave Stroming The whole affair, the luncheon, the dinner, talking with so many old friends, was really wonderful. June and I were impressed with the new schoolfacilities. What a difference from the old days. Mark Jaffe It was enjoyable to see so may o f the guys again. I chatted with everyone. M illie and I both had a lot o f fun. H aving a meaningful, personal conversation with Frank Brogan meant a lot to me. Rick Ellis To have so many ...classm ates attend...m ade it very special. It gave me pause to reflect on that wonderful, innocent time 50 years ago, before we went our own w ays...to make our lives. The school gave us a...warm welcome and did not miss a thing. Dave Will How great it was to see everybody again. Frank Brogan was a special teacher. I remember his ffu r guidelines when writing, be Clear, Concise, Coherent and Correct.
Class Notes • Spring 2009
MA ’58 Back row l-r: Jack Roth, Rita Roth, M ichael Chodorcoff, June Jaffee, M ark Jaffee. Front row l-r: M arie Black, D avid Black, R ick Ellis, M ildred Ellis Cassie and I enjoyed the dinner. Jim DeBow I was delighted to see the new campus and the school’s dedication to the arts. That’s missing at so many schools. The program fo r the day was idealfo r classmates to meet, reminisce and socialize; ' Christine remarked that it was fascinating to see friendships rejuvenated after a 50-year separation without without any showing off. Brogan is am azing...still so sharp. Mike Gennet Heartwarm ing... wonderfully nostalgic...beyond my greatest expectations... a lot a fu n and memories. Every time I would come across my old ’57 Baseball Championship ja cket in the closet, I wondered why I kept it. Now, I know. I was obviously saving it to wear at the 50th.
Jerry Roth A fter 15 minutes with the guys, it fe lt like only two weeks had passed instead a h a lf a century! An exceptionally nice touch was having Mr. Brogan with us. An added plus was to m eet the wives. Jean loved it. B est o f all was seeing Jerry Roth in his old championship baseball ja cket... still wish I had mine. Mike Chodorcoff How great everybody looked! I liked talking to Jim Zager about cardiac matters. H e gave me a lot o f insight. Mr. Brogan was excellent. He looked the same. It was terrific to talk to him. H e p u t me right at ease. By the way, my daughter is pregnant. I ’m going to be a grandfather in July. Peter Grieves What a great thrill it was to see so many o f our group once again. Some o f us go back to the Brookside days, and, in effect, we have spent more time together than we did with our siblings. This created a real bonding. I frequently think about our teachers and the MA learning experience. See you at our next reunion! Fred Kramer
Class Notes • Spring 2009
TKS ’58 M arty Kjelson, Lockey H arvey Kjelson, M ary Ann Lawrence Decker, Gail Garnar Jacobus
High school reunions are generally ho-hum affairs. N ot ours. Cajoling so many o f us to return and bringing back Frank Brogan made this truly an event to treasure. Sharing memories o f our undefeated baseball team and Coach Van Brunt with Jack and Jerry Roth, remembering the Nassau cruise with Grieves, Chodorcoff and Black, and appreciating the impact Frank Brogan had upon us w ill stay with me fo r a long time.
Frank Sachs
Wow! Thanks for all your comments. Until that time, keep punchin’. H y Agens
5 9 50th REUNION OCTOER 24, 2009 TKS Ms. Jarvis Reilly Nolan 15612 ViaM archena San Diego, CA 92128-4420
Susan Wechsler Rose writes: My husband and I had the travel experience of a lifetime this year when visiting Papua, New Guinea. Our weeklong tour was like being in the National Geographic!
60 TKS Class agent: Mrs. M ary Anne Coursen Doty 21 Juniper D rive Queensbury, N Y 12804
Mary Ann Coursen Doty recently heard from Sally Alice Unkles whose “.. .recent
adventures included ballooning in January in the Swiss Alps; seeing tulips in Holland in April; riding a wicker sled down a mountain; and the Jefferson Family Reunion in May in Virginia.”
61 TKS Mrs. Winifred Sage Wilson 13819 Vidal Place, NE Albuquerque, NM 87123-4729 wmsw98@msn. com Class agent: Mrs. Suzanne Scanned Hardy 47 B artlett Parkway Winthrop, MA 02152
62 TKS Mrs. C. D. Creed (Barbara Bywater) 1769 Forest View Avenue Hillsborough, CA 94010 bcreed@ truckerhuss. com
MA Dr. John J. Farrar PO . 114 2069 Warren Creek Road Ovando, M T 59854 sharknose@ starband. net
63 MA Mr. Bronson Van Wyck Arrowhead Farms, Box T Tuckerman, AR 72473
Joseph Hare reports: Elizabeth and I remain
in Hingham, MA. We both work less and travel more now that our 3 sons are out of the nest (sort of).
64 45th REUNION OCTOER 24, 2009 TKS Mrs. Lynn R itter Henneman ’64 M ariner’s Cove 3920 M ariner’s Way, Unit 321 Cortez, FL 3421W 529 lhennema(g)tampabay. rr. com
Page 43
Nicholas Jefferson Coolidge and Sally Alice Unkles ’60 at Poplar Forest, the home Thomas Jefferson designed as his personal retreat.
65 TKS Ms. M arilyn "Lyn ” Schultz Blackwell 3779 Center Road E ast Montpelier, VT 05651-4103 IblackÊiezcloud. com
We send our deepest sympathies to Kate Bonniwell whose mother, Lucy Clagett Bonniwell, died on February 28, 2008. Leigh Berrien Smith ’45 was kind enough to notify us of the sad news.
66 TKS Vicki Fisher Patino reports: I just celebrated
my 41st wedding anniversary. Luis and I continue to be happy and in love. Our oldest daughter, Cristina, is married and living in Woodstock, NY. She is a yoga teacher and artist. She and her husband, Joshua, have two amazing boys. Noah is almost 12, and Sascha is 4. Our youngest, Veronica, has her 17™birthday next week. She was my 43r^ birthday present, and it is hard to imagine what life would be without her. She is truly a gift. Life is good, and I have learned to celebrate the joys and to remember that each day is precious amd comes around only once. We have a handsome cat named Sylvester, and he lives up to his namesake. I am an avid animal lover and wildlife rescuer. I have been designm||sterling jewelry and continued with my art. Both daughters are talent®*^ artists and musicians, a talent they inherited from Luis.
TKS ’68 Back row l-r: Carol Schmitz Callahan, Sally Kimball Petito, Wigton Zamore M A’68, Nancy Plummer Gordon, Angela Steggles Nevius, Jean Sperling Catherwood. Front row l-r: M aggie Johnson Sliker, Avie Kalker, M ike Yamashita ’67, M aggie Yamashita
Class agent: Mr. A. Craig Cameron 11 Bay P oint D rive Ormond Beach, FL 32174 ccameron@ cameronhodges. com
Reunion Chair: Mrs. Nancy Plummer Gordon nancy295@ optonline.net
67
Debby Sanders Lewis ’67, Leigh Berrien Smith ’45 and her daughter Pam Smith Brock ’72x were all on hand in August at the
TKS Ms. M argot Escott 1818 Im perial G o lf Course Blvd. Naples, FL 34110-1010
We send our sincere condolences to Polly Smith whose mother, Elsie Winslow Smith, died on August 18, 2008. MA Class agent: Mr. Craig Perry 3467 Pinestream Road Atlanta, GA 30327 Craig.perry@ rutherfoord. com
68 TKS Ms. Avie Claire Kalker 10 Knolls Road Williamstown, MA 0126m akalker@ aol.com
Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair to see a highly entertaining, short musical with g|W, environmental message written by fellow Kimberley alumna and Vineyard resident Kate Appenzellar Hancock. Kate’s sister Terry Appenzellar ’66 also lives on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard and serves as vice president and treasurer of a non-profit group called Friends of Sengekontacket. Its members work hard to preserve an endangered coastal pond area located immediately landward of the Joseph Sylvia State/Edgartown Beach. Avie Kalker reports: Postscript to all of the
clicking camera owners present and shooting during our 40^ (ouch!) weekend. Remember the pledge made/discussed to mount a website for us to exchange photos, hold discussions trade secrets and “cure” the world’s ills? Will the volunteers please step forward? Better yet.,, launch the site?
MA Mr. D. Carter F itzpatrick 49 B ell Rock Plaza, Suite A Sedona, A Z 86351 fitzlaw(cOsedone.net
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Class Notes • Spring 2009
MA Mr. Burton M. Webb Box 29 Free Union, VA 22940 bmw@ freeunities. com Reunion Chair: Mr. Joseph Alessi, Esq. jalessi@ alessilaw. com
We send our deepest sympathies to Charles Bonniwell whose mother, Lucy Clagett Bonniwell, died on February 28, 2008. Our sincere condolences go to Christopher Kluge whose brother, John Perry Kluge, died on December 14, 2008.
69
MA and TKS ’68 Back row l-r: Scott Brown, Bob Sessa, Jack O ’Neill, Bim Webb. Front row l-r: Fred Hancock, Kate Appenzellar H a rS ck, Susan M cIntosh Awerdick, Joe Alessi
40th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 TKS Phyllis La Touche Rawlins 11 Penobscot Road Natick, MA 01760 pdlat@ att.net
MA Dr. Edward A. Griggs.Jr. 1218 Williams D rive Shrub O ak N Y 10588 eariggs@ optonline. net
An exhibit of William Ahearn I ll’s photographs was held an Union Congregational Church in Montclair, NJ. Bill received a BA in English from Villanova University and currently lives in Eugene, OR and works at the University of Oregon. We send our heartfelt sympathies to the family of Karl Nudelman who died on November 14, 2008.
70 TKS Ms. Leslie Bryan 844 E ast M orningside Drive, NE Atlanta, GA 30324 lbryan@ dsckd. com Class agent: Ms. Kim Kolbe 38 K ent D rive Roseland, N J 07068
We send our heartfelt sympathies to Katharine Powell Cohn whose mother, Maria Powell, died on ©me 4, 2008. We send our sincere condolences to Anne Bonniwell Gale, whose mother, Lucy Clagett Bonniwell, died on February 28, 2008.
Class Agent: Mr. Peter Webb M ile Slip Farm 48 Mason Road Brookline, NH 03033 pwebb@ winerbennett.com
Garret Roosma retired in May 2007 from
Smarte Carte, Inc, an international provider of baggage carts, lockers, and strollers to travelers and shoppers. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) when he retired and was CFO since 1994. The MKA community sends is deepest sympathies to Garret whose mother, Emma S. Roosma, died on November 3, 2007.
71
MA
MA
Mr. V. James Castiglia 3 Lark Lane Oak Ridge, N J 07438 vjc@ vjamescastiglia. com
We send our sincere condolences to Geoffrey Close whose father, Donald Close, died on September 21, 2008. Our deepest condolences got to the family of Douglas Brown Crawford who died on June
Siebens Becomes London Bureau Chief (Editor s Note: Following are excerpts from an article dated A pril 11, 2008 mediabistro.com announcement o f Jennifer Siebens’appointment as vice president and London bureau ch ieffo r CBS News.)
Siebens will be responsible for CBS News’ editorial and logistical coverage of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. In addition to overseeing CBS News’ editorial and logistical operation in the Western United States for the past 20 years, she also served as Paris bureau chief (1984-86) and has covered Latin America extensively. In Los Angeles, Siebens coordinated coverage of many big news events, including natural disasters (the 2003 California firestorms, the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill), major trials (Michael Jackson, O.J. Simpson, Rodney King), the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the 1996 Republican and 2004 Democratic conventions. Siebens was a producer for the CBS MORNING NEWS (1978-79) after having joined CBS News as a weekend news producer in January 1976. Before that, she produced the 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. newscasts at WBAL-TV Baltimore (1974-75). Class Notes • Spring 2009
W , 2008.
We send our heartfelt sympathies to Anthony Vitale whose father, Mario Vitale, passed away on September 3, 2008.
72 TKS Class agent: Mrs. Linda Finney Williams Box 1446 6 South Pasture L anm -f Nantucket, MA 02554 czarina@ nantucket. net
MA Class agent: Mr. Peter Perretti 86 E ast Bracebridge Circle The Woodlands, TX 77382 perretti^frbcglobal.net
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Vincent Mascia reports: .. .fellow classmate Mike Cassatly is doing well down in Jupiter,
Florida where, on regular visits to see my parents, we catch up on good old times. Randy Ryan is living near Newark, Delaware and practices radiology. He has two fine boys, one in college and the other preparing to attend next year. For myself, spending a year as a congressional fellow on Capitol Hill in the Senate Finance Committee trying to be helpful where possible for the 111^1Congress. Keeping busy to say the least. Thomas Brueckner writes: I recently had
lunch with Carmen Mamell at Pal’s Cabin. It had been over 30 years sinaf we had spoken, so we had a lot of catching up to do. Most of all, I thanked him for all he did for me while coaching me in football and basketball. His organizational skills and commitment to the team have had such a positive effect on my professional career in sales. Thanks again, Mr. Mamell.
73 TKS Ms. Susan Read 38 G&llegeiCircle . Staunton, VA 22401-2375 billdavick@ aol. com Class agent: Mrs. Edward Skibiak (Ellen Wahl) 56 Hamilton D rive East North Caldwell, N J 07006 eskibs@ optonline.net
MA Mr. Gregory Lackey 138 Paupukkewis Trail M edford Lakes, N J 08055 gregory. lackey@ usps.gov Class agent: Mr. Thomas C. Galligan 504 M ain Street New London, N H 03257-7818 tgalligan^golby-sawyer. edu
Reunion Chair: Mr. J. Dean Paolucci godpd@ aol. com
William Kovacs writes: I was sorry to miss
MA
our 35th reunion - unavoidable. Probably the only 5-year reunion I have missed since graduating. My wife, Karen, and I continue to be proud of our two wonderful children. Our daughter, Lauren, got married in October - it was a wonderful celebration. She is in her third year of medical school after previously graduating from Lehigh as a chemical engineer and working for a year. Our son, Bill, is working for JB & B, an engineering consulting firm in NYC having graduated from Lehigh in 2007 as a mechanical engineer.
Mr. Rudolph Schlobohm 7 Sutton PlaceHm Verona, N J 07044 rudyschlobohm@ gmail. com
74
Rudy Schlobohm reports: Following my nine years as an MKA Board member and 14 years as MKA parents, Vicki and I celebrated our 25th anniversary with a motorcycle trip to the Grand Canyon. Along the way, we caught up with Zach Richardson ’73 and his wife, Jill, at their gallery, Modem Masters, in Sedona, AZ. Zach and Jill will be joining us for our 35™ reunion in October.
35th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 TKS
We send our heartfelt sympathies to Jeffrey Crawford whose brother, Douglas Brown Crawford ’71, died on June 17, 2008.
Class agent: Ms. Erin Cuffe Crawford 102 Buckingham Road Upper Montclair, N J 07043 erincrawford@ verizon. net
Our sincere condolences go to Robert Powell whose mother, Maria Powell, died on June 4, 2008.
Adrienne Crowther has created and is marketing a collection of unique, personalized memorial art at www.shineonbrightly.com. This online company features artist-designed, hand crafted products to memorialize and celebrate the lives of loved ones including friends, family or cherished pets. While the cremation industry grows, the products for containment of remains are limited. Shine on Brightly fills this void by providing unique art pieces made with love and fine craftsmanship. Martha Bonsai Day performed with The
Kitchenettes at a dinner theater fundraiser at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair, NJ last November. The group, comprised of soup kitchen volunteers at the church, performed popular tunes with lyrics changed to explain how the soup kitchen works and
MA '73 B ack row l-r: Skylar Richardson, Lee Cohn, Steven Bekelman, Zach Richardson, George Hrab (MKA faculty):. Front row l-r: Leeza Richardson, Jill Richardson, Tricia Paolucci, Dean Paolucci
Page 46
the rewards of volunteering. Proceeds benefited the operation of the kitchen.
75 Class agent: Mr. Paul Zukerberg 1 p 0 Lanier Place N W Washington, D C 20009 pzuk@ speakeasy. net
Ralph LaSalle sends this update: Just left a position as the CEO of Gore Hospital to take over the National CEO position for St. John of God Healthcare in New Zealand. Reference www.sjog.au
Our deepest sympathies go to Foster Cooper III whose father, Foster Cooper, died on December 3, 2008. We send our sincere condolences to Anna Crawford whose brother, Douglas Brown Crawford ’71, died on June 17, 2008.
(L-R): Vicki Schlobhom, Rudy Schlobohm ’74, Jill Richardson and Zach Richardson ’73 at the Richardson’s gallery in Sedona, A Z
Class Notes • Spring 2009
We send our heartfelt sympathies to Meredith Smith whose mother, Elsie Winslow Smith, died on August 18, 2008. Our deepest sympathies go to Janet Kluge Wiggin whose brother, John Perry Kluge, died on December 14, 2008.
76 Mrs. Paul M cFeeley (Laurie Hoonhout) 238 Devon Road Essex Fells, N J 07021 lmcfeeley@ montclairkimberley. org
Class agent: Mr. Robert Hubsmith 16 Warren Road Maplewood, N J 07040 robert. hubsmith@ mountsinai. org
We send our deepest sympathies to the family of Robert Post who died on August 3, 2008. Bob was the victim of a tragic accident at the New Jersey shore last summer. He brought his great spirit and enthusiasm to MKA as both an active alumnus and active parent of Bobby ’07 and John ’14.
78
Class agent: Dr. Charles Read 1918 N. D aniel Street Arlington, VA 22201 readca@ gunet.georgetown. edu
Ms. Pamela Zeug 250 M ercer Street, D502 New York, N Y 10012 pzeug@ downinggroup. com
An exhibit of artwork by Marina Adams was held at CUE Art Foundation in New York City from October 16 - November 29, 2008. On view were 5-6 examples of her most recent work. Marina received her BFA from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University, in Philadelphia and her MFA from Columbia University’s School of the Arts in New York City.
Class agent: Ms. Jane Lugaric Burkhard 299 Crown Road Kentfield, CA 94904 janeburkhard@ comcast. net
Our sincere condolences go to Christopher Cooper whose father, Foster Cooper, died on Decembers 2008. We send our deepest sympathies to Sara Close whose father, Donald Close, died on : September 21, 2008.
77 Mr. Andrew Pedersen 1 Washington Avenue Rumson, N J 07760 andrewpedersen8@ aol. com
Reunion Chair: Ms. Susan Cole Furlong sue.furlong@ endeavorny. com
We send our deepest sympathies to the family of Peter Scialli who passed away on June 15, 2008. Our heartfelt condolences go to Steven Dodd whose mother, Marilyn (Lynn) Towner Dodd ’54, died on September 29, 2008. We send our sincere condolences to Harriet Fitzpatrick whose father, Craig Fitzpatrick, died on October 1, 2008. We send our heartfelt sympathies to Anne Hochwalt Naumann whose father, Ted Hochwalt, Jr., died on November 4, 2008.
MKA ’78 Back row l-r: Judy N esbit (former faculty), Susan Felber Durkin, Susan Cole, D ick Rento, M arilyn Faden (formerfaculty), Rob Gardner. Front row l-r: M ichael Bevvy, Linda Bevvy, Susanne Brunner, Curtis Brunner
Class Notes • Spring 2009
79 30th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 Dr. John Brink 1246 Beach Haven Rd. Atlanta, GA 30324 Drjack2020@ aol.com Mrs. Carlos Ortiz (Shawn Mahieu) 2163 Gilbride Road M artinsville, N J 08836 csaortiz@ optonline. net
Gwendolyn Boeve-Jones sends this update: Time flies by and my oldest son, Tristan, now is beginning to tower over me. Ryan, his younger brother, is still my baby (at 12 years old!) My husband is very busy with his work in the health care sector, but we still manage to take some vacation time around the world such as our three weeks in Argentina for horseback riding and fly-fishing last year. This year, we were mostly in Tuscany and Greece for vacations. These last years have been very productive and interesting for me with conservation and restoration on a group of paintings including, for example, one of Picasso’s - P ortrait o f Dora M ar Hffom 1947, a late Pierre Bonnard Landscape and Gaughin’s H ead o f a Tahitian Girl. I havdi!® also been in charge of the restoration of three large-scale Royal State portraits from the Dutch parliament in The Hague, which has been rather fun because of the press interest. This year will be equally exciting with my work on Salvatore Dali’s Couple with the Clouds in Their Heads from 1936 and, next year, a Still Life from Vincent Van Gogh from his Paris period formerly from the Gachet collection. All in all, a great time. My horse, Big, and our dog, Pip, are also part of the family.
Gwendolyn Boevé Jones at work restoring a painting.
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Lisa Godlewski Westheimer recently
donate! her time and talent to A rt from the ashes, an exhibition and si^it auction benefiting the Cisco Brothers South Central Los Angeles furniture warehouse that was destroyed by a fire in November 2007. In the months following, independent artists utilized raw materials gathered by the fire site to create one-of-a-kind works of art that were displayed and auctioned at the inaugural event. Lisa was also featured in a recent article in the September 14, 2008 issue of the Newark Star Ledger with her two-seater electric Zenn (Zero Emission No Noise) vehicle she calls Sluggo. We send our sincere condolences to Stephen Dodd whose mother, Marilyn Towner Dodd ’54, died on September 29, 2008. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Barbara Kluge Hickox whose brother, John Perry Kluge, died on December 14, 2008.
\80 M ary L. Cole, Esq. 1 Ferrous Court Chester. N J 07930 M ary_Cole@ wellsfargois. com
81
\8 3
Class agent: Mrs. Laura Itzkow itz (Laura Reisch) 37 Nottingham Road Manalapan, N J 07726 howardandkaura@ optonline.net
Ms. Am y Felber Trapp 229 Cardinal Road M ill Valley, CA 94941-3618 amy@ jhevents. com
Pamela Berkowsky updates: Still living in
paradise (St. Thomas, USVI) with husband Adam and kids, Benjamin (8), Zara (5) and dog, Frizzle. Had a great visit from Rosanne Pennelia and her husband, Don, last month they were on a Caribbean tour. Still working as Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor of the USVI. All classmates are welcome to visit. We send our sincere condolences to Craig Fitzpatrick Jr. whose father, Craig Fitzpatrick, died on October L 2008.
\82 Cheryl M cCants 7 H olly Court Bloomfield, N J 07003 cmccants@ eimpactconsulting.com
Ms. Maureen Towers Natkin If Riverview Road Irvington, N Y 10533 motowers@ aol. com Class agent: Mr. Walter J. Davis 66 Oakwood D rive New Providence, N J 07974 davisteam@ comcast. net Reunion Chairs: Mr. D onald Cussen Donald. Cussen@Rbcdain. com Mrs. H olly Jervis Felber hdfel@ comcast. net Kristine Hatzenbuhler O ’Connor khoconnor@ verizon. net Mr. Scott Rumana srumana@ hjslawojfi.ce.com
Thomas Robbins 6 Bradford Terrace Newtown Square, PA 19073
Ian Fryer writes: My wife and I are
Our heartfelt sympathies go to Lise Cooper whose father, Foster Cooper, died on December 3, 2008.
Scott Silodor has been practicing ophthalmology in Wayne, NJ since 1994. He and his wife, Michelle, enjoy visits to MKA several times each week. Their children are students at the Middle School and Upper School.
We send out heartfelt sympathies to Alison Lochhead Sacknowitz whose father, Roger Lochhead, died on August 2, 2008.
We send our deepest sympathies to Peter Dodd whose mother, Marilyn Towner Dodd ’54, died on September 29, 2008.
We send our deepest sympathies to Susan Schlactenhaufen whose brother, Robert Post ’77 died on August 3, 2008.
Class Agent: Mr. George Reimonn, Jr. 199 Winter Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 George@padsmLom
enjoying parenthood with the birth of our first child, Christopher.
\84 25th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 Mrs. Jennifer Jones Ladda 110 Glen R ock Road Cedar Grove, N J 07009 jjones@ dm jadvisors, com Class Agent: Mr. William Stone^k 99 Larch Road E ast Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818 bstonSM utsidegcfbbm
Our deepest sympathies go to the family of Tracey Adams who passed away on
December 13, 2008. Tracey was the Director of ChSch Membership and Development at the historic Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond, VA. Even in her very brief affiliation with Centenary, she developed new friends and touched lives. We send our sincere condolences to David Fehnel whose mother, Cynthia Fehnel, died on October 22, 2008.
MKA ’83 Back row l-r: Am y Felber Trapp, Scott Rumana, Brad Kramer, Dan Carson, K ris H atzenbuhler O 'Connor, Jody Underwood. Andy Voss, Suzanne Halm Locke. Andrea Cestone Conmy, Maureen Towers Natkin. Front row l-r: Gary Powell, Jay Wecht, Dan Cassen, H olly Jervis Felber.
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Class Notes • Spring 2009
MKA ’88 Back row l-r: Tiffany Ricker Wellman, D avid Haight, Alyson Beasley, Jody Booth, Sheba Douoguil, Wiemi Douoguih, Clarice Douoguih. Front row l-r: M elissa Maddox Barnes, Kimberly Ray Januszewski, M itchell Januszewski, Aaron Douoguih
\8 5
MKA ’88 Back row l-r: Jody Booth, D avid Haight, Lauren Polonofsky Garfield, Tiffany Ricker, Nicole Leonard, Karen Bodner, Alyson Beasley, Jonathan Fairchild, Kimberley Ray Januszewski. Front row l-r: M ark Sapienza, Javier Salabarria, Gretchen Godwin, D avid Devejian
Paul Voltmer writes: After living in Austria
Mrs. Alexis Polonofsky Zebrowski 33 Glen Road Verona, N J 07044 mmzebo@mac.com
for most of the past 17 years, my family and I decided to move back to the US this past July. We’re still in transition, but have landed back in Essex Fells, where I am working as the Associate Pastor at Calvary Church. One of the biggest surprises of our move back was to find that my son, Mattias, was in the same 5“1grade class as Amanda D’Alessandro, the daughter of my best friend from my MKA days, Rob D’Alessandro. It’s been fun to get caught up after all these years.
Patti McConnell writes: My husband,
8 7
Class agents: Mr. Jeffrey Schackner 1435 Lexington Avenue, Apt. 3E New York, New York 10128 jeffrey. schackner@ citi. com
daughter and I live here in Montclair with our dog...soon to be two dogs. My husband is the owner of Doin’ Dishes on Church street and I’m the director of production for the ad agency, Ogilvy in NYC. I’m not in touch with too many people...Lisa Bronfman ’84 remains my dearest friend and I see Lauren Bronfman ’85 once a year when we’re all together in Florida. I do run into Alexis Polonofsky Zebrowski in Kings at least once a year. Gina Maria Goldberg sends this update: I
am a happily married full-time mom with two children, Harper (3 years) and Zachary (2 years).
\86 Ms. Sherry Ahkami P.O. Box 3187 Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 shirin@ lajollaspine, com Ms. Jennifer Remington-Knodel 44 Hamilton D rive East North Caldwell, N J 07006 jenremknodeKfffaol. com Class agent: Mr. P atrick Sweeney 1750 Scarlett D rive Pittsburgh, PA 15241 p sweeney @ml.com
Class Notes • Spring 2009
Mr. Dennis Rodano 14 Wayland Drive Verona, N J 07044 rodanod@ verizon. net Class agent: Mrs. Lynne Y. Krest (Lynne G. Yellin) 7408 E ast M ain Street Lima, N Y 14485 LynneGY@aol. com
Jonathan Venezian update: After graduating
from McGill University in 1991, majoring in chemical engineering, he pursued two master’s degrees; taught; managed a programming operation in Morristown, NJ; served as designer-architect of programming for faculty at MIT; worked as a consultant; and is now an independent consultant. Jonathan has also developed strategy games and marketed them through museum shops, select bookstores and prime “toy” emporia. We send our deepest sympathies to Susan Fehnel Ferrara whose mother, Cynthia Fehnel, died on October 22, 2008.
\88 Ms. Susan Bartlett Rankin 721A Liggett Avenue San Francisco, CA srankin@ microsoft. com
Class agent and Reunion Chair: Mrs. H illary Johnston (Hillary Windolf) PO . Box 35 New Vernon, N J 07976 hillaryjohnston@ mac.com
Kim Uddin Leimer reports: I am still living
in Providence, RI and working as the Director of School Partnerships in the School of Education at Roger Williams University. Sage (9) and Jesse (6) keep my husband, Paul, and me busy. Karen Rimmele Connors and I see each other frequently, and trade book recommendations and child rearing tips.
\89 20th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 Mr. Louis L e s s ig ^ 158 Thunder Circle Bensalem, PA 19020 llessig@ brownconnery. com Class agent: Mr. Josh Raymond 303 Kensington Lane Livingston, N J 07039 jraymond@ trenklawfirm. com
Congratulations to Deb Hemsley Schultz and husband, Keith, who welcomed their 4*^ daughter, Jenna Elizabeth Schultz on October 17, 2008. She joins big sisters Emily, Lauren and Jillian. Congratulations to Alisa and Josh Raymond on the birth of their daughter, Hailey Maribel on July 11, 2008. Josh writes: She is very calm and quie^Blike her brother Max who still is not sure what to make of the whole thing. Sarah Lane Sproha reports: Life is just moving along. My daughter, Amanda, is in third grade, and Tara started kindergarten. We are still in Wyckoff. I am still the CFO
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91 Ms. Dara Marmon 127 E ast 30th Street, # 15A New York, N Y 10016-7381 wackohead@nyc. rr. com Class agent: Mr. Luke Sarsfield 400 Chambers Street, PI York, N Y 10282 luke. sarsfield@ gs. com
Dana Holwltt recently joined the Montclair
Caroline, Grace and Kate Krouse, daughters o f Geoffrey Krouse ’89
of a company in Lodi, and my husband, Jeff, still runs his own landscape company. Congratulations to. Anne and Geoffrey Krouse on the birth of their daughter, Katherine Sophia on April 22, 2008. Geoff writes: Grace and Caroline (4 and a half) are really growing up, too fast! They are in thensecond year of 5-day a week pre-school at a Montessori school here in Raleigh, which has been great for them. Kate had been a great baby, and her older sisters love her like crazy.
\90 Class Secretary and Agent: Ms. M eredith McGowan Zengo 383 M iddlesex Road Darien, CT 06820 mczengo@aol. com Ms. Lorelei M uenster Leia9sioux@ aoLsom
Breast Center in Montclair, NJ having completed a Fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at Washington University in St. Louis. A cum laude graduate of Colgate University, Dana earned her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Medical Honor Society. During her residency, also at Virginia Commonwealth, Dana was elected Surgical Intern of the Year and won the Basic Science Research Award.
92 Mr. Enrique Neblett 718 Ainsley Court Durham, NC 27713 enrique. neblett@ gmail. com
Raghuveer Vallabhaneni reports: I just wanted to give the class an update since I was not able to make it to our reunion this year. I am currently a chief resident in General Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and will be finishing in June 2009. I finished a 3year research fellowship sponsored by the American College of Surgeons. On November 15, 2008,1 got married to my beautiful wife, Adrianna Gilkey, in Pittsburgh. In attendance was Raghu Kunamneni ’93, and my siblings, Krishna Vallabhaneni ’90 and Devasena Vallabhaneni ’97. Adrianna and I will be moving to St. Louis in July where I will be starting a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Washington University, and she will be pursuing a Masters Degree in Education.
Congratulations to Kristen Brondo Jaffe who married Issac Jaffe in Marina Del Ray, CA on June 7, 2008. Congratulations to Damien Vena and his wife, Wanda, who welcomed daughter Marilyn last spring. Marilyn joins big brother, Rocco, who was 2 years old in August. Stephen Maddox reports: I was married to Nicole Stewart of Randolph, MA in 2003. We have two beautiful children, a daughter Jordyn (3) and a son, Bryce, who was bom
Ms. Tamar Safar Radfar 876 Aztec Trail Franklin Lakes, N J 07417 tsafer5400@ aol. com Class Agent: Ms. Anne M arie Verdiramo 2030 South Street, Unit D Philadelphia, PA 19146 amverdiramo@gmail. com
Congratulations to Amy Bressler and her husband, Eric Shuffler, who welcomed another boy, Brody Hudson Schuffler, on May 4, 2007. Brody joins big brother, Madden, who is four years old.
93 Ms. Renee M onteyne 10 Lookout P oint Trail Totowa Borough, N J 07512 monteyne@ yahoo.com
M arilyn Vena, daughter o f Damien Vena ’93
Class agent: Mr. Damien Vena 385 Grand Street, L#90 New York, N Y 10002 venad@j,yßhoo.com Reunion Chair: Mrs. Jam ie Streit D ecter jldecter@ hotm ail. com
Jason Barr writes: I’ve taken a new job as a H ailey M aribel Raymond, daughter o f Josh Raymond '89
Page 50
morning news anchor for the NBC affiliate in Myrtle Beach, SC. Rocco Vena, son o f Damien Vena ’93
Class Notes • Spring 2009
MKA ‘93 Back row l-r: Keith Vitali, Jeremy Kahn, Paulo Heyman, Stephen M addox and Bryce, Chad Brown Subhadva Ayyagari Siegel and Maya. Front row l-r: Alexis Lury Vitali, Jennifer O ’Dea, Lauren Hyman Kaplan and Lola, Rapali Ghani and Jaya
on June 23, 2008. I live in Sandy Hook, CT and work in New Haven, the city of my alma mater, Yale (’97). I graduated from Columbia University in 2001 and did my residency, fellowship and served on the faculty for one year at NYU Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital.
94
MKA ’98 James Larsen, Lauren Moses, Anastasia Lambert Norman, Josh Franlrfort
relocated us to the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Overall, everything is well. Life is good. Congratulations to Parul Agarwal who writes: I married Robert Harley on October 4, 2008. We had an Indian/Irish wedding! It was great to see Laura Hardman Stanfill and her husband who flew in from Oregon for the festivities.
15th REUNION, OCTOBER 24, 2009 Ms. Dana Fiordaliso M artin 102 E ast 9 ^ Avenue Conshohocken, PA 19428 difiordaliso@ yahoo. com Class agent: Mr. Jason Awerdick jasonawerdick@ gmail. com
Jaime Bedrin is now teaching at Columbia
University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She is an adjunct in the broadcast department where she teaches radio skills and can be heard reporting on NPR. Joshua Rozan reports: Ellen and I moved
Kiwitta Paschal sends this update: After
marrying my college sweetheart in 2002, my wife and I moved to Atlanta, GA. We had a daughter, Kennedi, who is now two years old. Having spent five and a half years in Atlanta, our employer (Lockheed Martin) decided to expand our responsibilities and have
into our first house after spending the first four years of marriage in a small cottage in downtown Chapel Hill. We have so much room, we’re not sure what to do with all the space.
Kristen Brondo ’93 and her husband, Issac Jaffe, with their wedding party in M arina D el Ray. A t right is Ed Brondo who attended Brookside and the M iddle School
Class Notes • Spring 2009
95 Class agent: Mr. M atthew Drukker 660 Washington Street, Apt. 26A Boston, MA 02111 mdrukker@yahoo. com
Congratulations to Vanessa Mizzone Pellegrini who writes: I am a little late in getting to this, but I would like to announce my wedding to William James Pellegrini last year. MKA alumni in attendance were bridesmaid Karen Lawton Paty, Julie Porter, and Beth Scura. Will and I live in Los Angeles where I am acting and working in arts education with The Actors’ Gang, and® Will is a director working in TV. If you are on the West Coast or planning to visit, please say hi: vmizzone@gmail.com. Justin Blanes has returned to MKA, working
as a recess aide at the Primary School campuSS
’94 alums Laura Hardman Stanfill and Parul Agarwal H arley at P arul’s wedding in October 2008.
Page 51
engagement to Jayne Dellon. An August 2009 wedding is planned. After teaching theater and dance at MKA’s Upper School for five years, Karson St. John moved to San Diego where she is acting professionally with such theater companies as the Ion Theater Company and the San Diego Repertory Theater. While she misses her family and friends, former colleagues and students, Karson loves living on the West Coast and feels like she’s living her dream. Congratulations to Amanda Wallace on her engagement to Patrick Filoso. A June 2009 wedding is planned. Arnold Pranckevicius writes: After
96 Ms. Tanya Barnes tbarnes@fas. harvard, edu Erica Hirsch 10 West 1 5 Street, #902 New York, N Y 10011 ehirsch 77@yahoo. com Class agent: Mr. Lee Vartan 700 F irst Street, Apt. 17P Hoboken, N J 07030 ldv@ alumni.princeton. edu
Congratulations to Lizzie O’Brien Halstead and her husband Eric who welcomed daughter Sydney Elizabeth Halstead on November 10, 2008. Elizabeth joins big brother Simon who was two years old on
November 28, 2008. Thanks to Stephanie O’Brien ’93 who notified us of the happy news.
97 Steven Raab’s barbecue team, Fat Angel, was featured in the September 2008 issue of New Jersey M onthly. In its first eleven competitions, Fat Angel has racked up eleven top 10 finishes, including three first places in brisket, one in pork ribs and one in chicken. Winners are determined by blind tastings by a panel of judges following KCBS (Kansas City Barbecue Society), the sanctioning body of the competitive barbecue.
Congratulations to Jennifer Fink who married Evan Oppenheimer on November 23, 2008 at the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Jennifer teaches Spanish in the Middle School at MKA. Congratulations to Ben Posluszny and his wife, Cherie, who welcomed son Elijah Sky Posluszny, on November 10, 2008. Ben’s sister, Thea Posluszny ’99, was kind enough to notify us of the happy news. Jennifer Platt is a resident in psychiatry at
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
98 Class secretary and agent: Ms. Gemma Giantomasi 170 Devon Road E ssm Fells, N J 07021 gemma.giantomasi@ shearman.com Reunion Chairs: Ms. Lesleigh Gennace lesleigh.gennace@ trinityschoolnyc.org Ms. Lauren M oses laurenmoses3 @yahoo.pom Jennifer F ink ’97 and Evan Oppenheimer at thp wedding in St. Thomas/US Virgin Islands
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Congratulations to Chad Dinzes on his
finishing my undergraduate studies at Colgate University and graduate studies at Paris Institute of Political Science, I returned to my native Lithuania where I served as domestic policy advisor to President Adamkus. For three years, I have been working at the European Parliament in Brussels, where I am responsible for relations with Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Marc Berger writes: Living on my own in
Florham Park, coming up on one and a half year working for Lexus. Two of my clients in the past year have been my former gym teachers - Patty Sullivan and Sandy Lonsinger! - as well as many other parents/alumni. Congratulations to Garret Bedrin who writes: I just got married on October 12, 2008 to Jessica Rosenthal, now Jessica Bedrin, at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, NJ. Michael Halchak and Andrew Scura were the best men, and it was great to see old MKA’ers Sarah McCormack Getnick, and Matt and Alyson Rosenthal Waldman ’99. We honeymooned in Maui and The Big Island of Hawaii and ran into Doug Green ’96 and his new wife, Avery, who were also on their honeymoon. The wedding was magical, and Hawaii was stunning.
99 10th REUNION, OCTOBER 24, 2009 Class agent: Mr. Alexander Holz 605 E ast 14^ Street, Apt. 2C New York, N Y 10009 alexbhlz@ gmail. com
Thea Posluszny sends this update: I moved to Italy in 2005 for an adventure and to leam the language and culture. I lived in Florence for a year and had a fantastic time. Now, I live in Venice with my husband, Alberto Aidone, who is from Venice, and it seems like I’ll be staying in Italy indefinitely! We got married in Venice on May 24, 2008, and I
Class Notes • Spring 2009
1999 alums Leslie Cafferty, Edward Hayes, Lindsay Pisani, Kimberly Trabka, Liza Boutsikaris, Robyn Pruzansky and Jenevieve Duron gather at K im berly’s wedding at the Tribecca Rooftop in NYC last August. Thea Pozluszny '94 and her husband, Alberto Aidone, at their wedding in Venice last May.
had about 10 family members from America attend, in addition to our friends and family here in Venice. We had a second wedding reception for all the family and friends in NJ in August 2008. There were even some MKA alums in attendance (Josh Ramos, Jessica Natal, Lauren Hooper ’00, Alan Davson, Lizzie Renner ’00, Erica GrampCerutti, Ben Bernard ’97, and of course my brother Ben [Posluszny ’97], who just got
married himself and is expecting a baby in November!). In Venice, I teach Kindergarten at the International School of Venice anfflove the challenge. Life is good! Congratulations to Kimberly Trabka who married Brian Kilfoyle in New York City on August 16, 2008
Congratulations to David Newman who married Johanna Greenbaum in Chicago on September 6, 2008. Congratulations to Mary Beth and Neil Grabowsky who were married on June 26, 2001 . * *
We send our deepest sympathies to Leslie Cafferty whose mother, Carol Cafferty, died on September 5, 2008.
00 Mr. John Garippa 8157M adison Lakes Circle South Davie, FL 33328 Ms. Anna Labowsky 5 Highview Court Wayne, N J 07470 anna_labowsky @yahoo.com
Class agent: Ms. Jaclyn Latzoni 58 Burnham Parkway Morristown, NJM7960 jaclynlatzoni(a$a.hoo. com
Duncan Currie ’00 returned to MKA as a visiting speaker for the Upper School History Department Hemmeter Lecture series last October. Currie is Managing Editor of The American, the business and public affairs magazine published by the American Enterprise Institute. Prior to joining The Am ericanSyi spent more than three years writing for The Weekly Standard. Currie graduated from Harvard in 2004 and has been a “Publius” fellow at the Claremont Institute and a Phillips Foundation journalism fellow. His articles and essays have appeared in a variety of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Sydney M orning Herald, National Review, The Claremont Review o f Books, The American Spectator, and The Washington Examiner, and he has provided
commentary for numerous TV and radio stations, including Fox News, CNN, the BBC, and C-SPAN. Together with Marcia Marley, the President of BlueWaveNJ, a grassroots organization dedicated to public education, community mobilization, direct advocacy, and electing progressive candidates, Currie took part S ‘A Political Forum” an evening of topical discussion on politics and the (then) upcoming Presidential election. Craig Fleischman writes: I’m teaching history and coaching lacrosse at Delbarton School in Morristown, NJ.
MKA alums from ’99 celebrate the wedding o f M ary Beth and N eil Grabowsky. (L-R): Alison P latt Silverman, D aniel Blake, P hil Mazo, M ike Trainor, Inga Emigholz ’01, James Varkala, N eil Grabowsky, M ary Beth Grabowsky, D anielle Claudio ’01 and Jennifer P latt ’97.
Class Notes • Spring 2009
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Upper School history teacher D avid H essler enjoys the company o f his form er student Duncan Currie’00 p rior to the start o f the Hemmeter Lecture.
01 Ms. Dana Pisacane 219 E ast 89^ Street, Apt. 4e New York, N Y 10128 dana.piscane@ gmail.com Class agent: Ms. Lindsay Braverman 340 E ast 34 ^ Street New York, N Y 10016 lbraverman@ gmail.com
Congratulations to April Molloy Bernstein and her husband, Daniel who welcomed daughter Dara on November 26, 2006. Congratulations to Chad and Melissa Branco Bowman on the birth of their son, Aidan Ryan Branco Bowman, who was bom on June 28, 2008, the 50™wedding anniversary of Melissa’s paternal grandparents. Aidan was 71bs. 4oz. and 2Hnches long. Congratulations to Ali Roberts and Benjamin Feldman who were married on June 21, 2008. Ali writes?;!, ..”We honeymooned in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. We are currently living and working in South Florida; I am a fifth grade teacher at the Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, and Ben is. a
Back row l-r: Precious Eboigbe, Josh Gerber, Chris Glenn, Fiona McCarthy, M onique Wolkoff, Bonnie Gill. Front row l-r: Yasmin Deshe, Nithya Nathan, Suchi Agarwal, Ivbaria Akhabue.
Director of the Miami Worldcenter Group in Miami, Florida.”
M iss Katherine Crosland katherineacrosland@ gmail. com
The wedding party included Josh Berg, Samantha Braverman ’02, Alex DeOteris ’03x and two other former MKA students,
M iss Morgan Fischer mo.fisch22@ gmail.com
James Joyce and David Genova. The best man was Jared Cook ’01 and the maid of honor was Cari Roberts ’05. Kevin Devine ’01, Adam Kessler ’02 and Katie Joyce also attended.
In July 2008, Denise Sarkor started a new position as a Consultant at the World Bank in Washington, DC. She works in the Flousing Finance Group, helping to underwrite loans in emerging economies to fund the development of affordable housing abroad. She likes the work environment very much and finds the work very interesting. For more of what Denise is up to, see page 30.
02 Class Secretary: Ms. M elissa Fortunato 40 Holten Lane Essex Fells, N J 07021 melissa.fortunato@ gs.com Class agent: Ms. Lauren Tortoriello 112 H eller Way Upper Montclair, N J 07043 lauren. tortoriello@ gmail. com
Congratulations to Samora Noguera who has been selected as a Beasley Scholar at Temple Law School.
Megan Clark sends this update: “I
graduated from the University of Rhode Island in May of 2007 with a B.A. in psychology. After working as head of the mentoring program for new students with special needs at URI, I was inspired to pursue a post-graduate degree in school psychology. I am now attending Rhode Island College and will be receiving a C.A.G.S. (Certified Advanced Graduate Studies) degree in School Psychology in the spring of 2010. It is a 3-
We send our sincere condolences to Michael Fortunato whose grandfather, Angelo “Butcii Fortunato died on June 27, 2008.
03 Ms. Judith Ferreira 819 Clifton Avenue N ew ark N J 07104 jferreir@ pratt. edu Class agent: Ms. M elanie Braverman 484 South Parkway Clifton, N J 07014 mel. braverman@gmail. com Reunion Chairs: M iss Emma Barnett emmaybarnett@ gmail. com Aidan Ryan Branco Bowman, son o f M elissa Branco Ho'wman '01
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2001 alums Benjamin Feldman and A li Roberts at their wedding in June 2008.
Class Notes • Spring 2009
year, 64-credit program; after 30 credits, I get a masters in counseling, then continue with two more academic semesters, and the third year is a full time full year internship in a New England school system as a school psychologist. (Right now, I am in my practicum year, which is 200 hrs. a semester, applying the skill sets we are learning academic achievement testing, cognitive assessment, counseling, consultation, interventions and more). I work at an elementary school in the Providence RI school district under the supervision of the acting school psychologist in that school. I work part-time as a counselor at Disability Services for Students at Rhode Island College.” We send our sincere condolences to Leigh Cafferty whose mother, Carol Cafferty, died on September 5, 2008.
04 5th REUNION OCTOBER 24, 2009 Ms. Kate Santoro 364 H ighland Avenue Upper Montclair, N J 07043 Class Agent: Mr. D avid Endo P.O. Box H M 3302 Hamilton BERMUDA H M P X david.k. endo@ gmail. com
Drew Jennings graduated from Dartmouth
College in the Spring of 2008. Brandon Jones is making strides in Europe
as he continues his basketball career by playing professionally for BBC White Devils Cottbus e.V. (Cottbus, Germany). During the 2007-2008 season, he was third on his team in scoring (12.0 points/game) and second in rebounds (5.3 rebounds/game). The high water mark for the season came during a 30point outburst in which he made 6 three point field goals in one half. His performance was good enough to earn him the honors of: Most Valuable Player during the Ken Wright Invitational, First Team during the Pioneer Valley Classic, and a spot on the New England Small College Athletic Association All Sportsmanship team. During his four years at Amherst College, the psychology major was a part of three Division III Final Four teams; including the 2006-2007 National Championship team and the 2007-2008 National runners-up. His class amassed a cumulative record of 111-12 (64-3 at home) which makes them tied for the winningest class ever in the history of Amherst. Further team accomplishments include being inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Class Notes • Spring 2009
Enrique Noguera is a senior at Rutgers University and has switched to the Urban Planning School.
Congratulations to Lauren Sarti on her engagement to Devin Mesanko. The couple is planning a September 2009 wedding. [Editor's Note: Following are excerpts from an article in the August 23, 2008 Bergen Record about Andrea Piela ’04.]
Piela Plans an Italian adventure .. .Andrea Piela figured her softball career was over after playing for Siena University (having starred at Montclair Kimberley before that), but her .. .coach “got a phone call from a friend who coaches a professional team in Casserta, Italy and they were looking for a catcher,” Piela said. “She gave them my name and they looked me up and they thought my name looked Italian, which it’s not. But Piela, 22 is Italian on her mother’s side, and if Piela could get together all the proper paperwork, she could apply for dual citizenship, making her eligible...The team is paying for her to fly to Italy next month and sending her to the Italian embassy. Then they want to see her play a bit.. .The job sounds like a dream to Piela, who has never traveled to Europe.. .”1 really thought my career was over the first week in May, but when I heard about this, I thought, what a great opportunity.”
05 Mr. M anav Lalwani 132 Blue Heron D rive Secaucus, N J 07094 201-617-5312 mlalwani@ princeton. edu Class Agent: Mr. Edmund Kozak 17 Summit Street Glen Ridge, N J 07028 973-748-7016 ekozak@ comcast. net
Cari Roberts started an organization at
Syracuse called SAVE (Student Association for Voter Empowerment). Headquartered in Washington, DC, the organization has 26 chapters nationwide.
06 Natalie A zzoli 60 Lloyd Road Montclair, N J 07042 nat6888@ aol. com Class Agent: M iss Angela M cCaffrey 93 Rensselaer Road Essex Fells, N J 07021 angelamccaffrey@ aol. com
Congratulations to Lisa Marie Vuono who was named to the Dean’s list at Smith College for the 2007-08 school year. Alexis Levingood is on track to graduate with a double major in Marine Biology and Environmental/Coastal Studies. She is on the Dean’s List and is a varsity swimmer on Connecticut College’s Swimming and Diving Team. She plans an internship this summer in mammal rehabilitation.
07 Mr. Brian M ay 22 Bayard Lane Mahwah, N J 07430 bmay88@gmail. com Class Agent: Mr. H arry Raymond 120 Ridgewood Avenue Glen Ridge, N J 07028-1121 hraymond@ mail.colgate.edu
Peter Nolan writes: I helped turn around
Kenyon’s soccer team from the mess they were last year - NCAC conference champs and national ranking. We send our deepest sympathies to Robert Post Jr. whose father, Robert Post ’77, died on August 3, 2008.
08 Ms. Cara Placentra 125 Upper M ountain Avenue Montclair, N J 07042 caraduck@aol. com Class Agent: Mr. M atthew M etzger 707 E ast Saddle River Road Ho-Ho-Kus, N J 07423 metzgermd@gmail. com
Freshman Alayjah Watson represents USC as one of 120 Troy Counselors, tutoring and camping with inner-city children. She is also an Associate Producer for the USC television channel (Trojan TV).
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Marriages 1993 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 1999 1999 2001
Kristen Brondo and Issac Jaffe Raghuveer Vallabhaneni and Adriana Gilkey Parul Agarwal and Robert Harley Vanessa Mizzone and William Pellegrini Jennifer Fink and Evan Oppenheimer Garret Bedrin and Jessica Rosenthal David Newman and Johanna Greenbaum Thea Posluszny and Alberto Aidone Kimberly Trabka and Brian Kilfoyle Ali Roberts and Benjamin Feldman
June 7, 2008 November 15, 2008 October 4, 2008 2007 November 23, 2008 October 12, 2008. September 6, 2008 May 24, 2008 August 16, 2008 June 21, 2008
In Memoriam 1939x 1942 1943 1946 1949 1950 1954 1969 1971 1977 1978 1984
Elizabeth Perry Gleason Stuart E. Keebler Percival Hill III Robert B. Baird Nancy Klaas Pape Theodore M. Rosenberg Marilyn Towner Dodd Karl Nudelman Douglas Brown Crawford Robert D. Post Peter Scialli Tracey Adams
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION COUNCIL 2008 -2009 Keshia Trotman-Amaldy ’92 Christopher Bellapianta ’97, Treasurer Geoff Branigan, Director of Development & External Affairs Michael Braun ’01, Network Vice President Lindsay Braverman ’01 Daniel Carson ’83, President Erin Culbreth ’02 Mitchell Decter ’94 David DeMatteis ’95, Secretary Clifford Finkle ’92 Barbara Flessas ’72 Janine Garland ’82, Executive Vice President Angela Garretson ’94 Bret Hirsh ’00 Jonathan Hirsh ’95 Jaclyn Latzoni ’00 Victoria O’Kane ’02 Cheryl McCants ’82 Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley ’78,|jB Alumni Director William Martini ’98 Thomas Nammack, Headmaster Mark Politan ’91
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October 26, 2008 June 14, 2008 November 17, 2008 August 22, 2008 April 22, 2008 June 5, 2008 September 29, 2008 November 14, 2008 June 17, 2008 August 3, 2008 June 15, 2008 December 13, 2008
Dennis Rodano ’87 Jessica Simpson ’99 Richard Stanton ’87 Lee Vartan ’96 Jay Wecht ’83 ADVISORY COUNCIL Lori Windolf Crispo ’78 J. Dean Paolucci ’73 Joshua Raymond ’89 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2008-2009 President Alice M. Hirsh Vice President Michael V. Johnson Vice President Eric F.S. Pai ’79 Treasurer Michael P. Frasco Secretary Karen A. Dias-Martin MEMBERS Joesph V. Amato Merrick G. Andlinger Elisa Spungen Bildner Timothy J. Bozik Daniel B. Carson ’83 Michael P. Friezo Reginald J. Hollinger Richard G. Jenkins ’77 Kate M. Logan
Peter S. McMullen ’77 Philip W. McNeal Steven C. Milke Thomas W. Nammack Alexandra K.Nolan Keith D. Phillips Jonathan M. Strain Robert L.Tortoriello David L. Turock Denise G. Wagner John T. Weisel HONORARY TRUSTEES Aubin Zabriskie Ames ’54 John E. Garippa Susan H. Ruddick Newton B. Schott, Jr. ADVISORY TRUSTEES Barry W. Ridings ’70 Michael L. Rodburg
Class Notes • Spring 2009
L ast chance to help u s Open D oors to Open M inds! Time is running out to support MKA’s 2008-2009Annual Fund. In this time of economic challenge, the importance of supporting MKA students becomes even more critical. As an independent school, MKA receives no state or federal funding and relies upon the generosity of alumni, parents, faculty and friends to contribute to the Annual Fund. Your support ensures the continued growth of programs and facilities and enhances the educational experience of each student, from the youngest to the oldest, in the classroom or studio, or on the stage or field.
This year, in addition to recognizing the ongoing hard work o f the Board of Trustees, we would particularly like to thank those volunteers who have given countless hours of their time on behalf o f the Annual Fund: Overall Chairs: Ken Barrett (Paige ’09, Devon ’10, Kendal ’14) and Denise Wagner (William ’06, Andrew ’l l ) Alumni Chair: Larry Duca ’79 (Kyle ’ll, Erin ’15) Campus Chairs: Brookside -Joe and Donna Wilson (Trey ’19) Middle School - Shelley and Keith Phillips (Derek ’07, Katherine ’09, Mark ’13) Upper School - Desiree Watson (Alayjah ’08, Sheridan ’10) Faculty Chair: Tom Fleming (4thgrade teacher, Varsity Track and Field coach)
Callers: Kris Bromley (William ’16, Michael ’17) Pat Connell (Jimmy ’10) Susan Dunn (Ellen ’07, Michael ’09) Angus Gephart (Alex ’06, Charlie ’08) Paul Helleren (Eric ’10) Deborah Hirsch (Tim ’05, Becky ’09) Cindy Ingoglia (Matt ’07, Ryan ’09) CliffLindholm (Caroline ’13, Christine ’21) Shelley Phillips (Derek ’07, Katherine ’09, Mark ’13) Laura Rode (Kristen ’05, Danielle ’08) Peggy Santoro (Katy ’04, Maddie ’09) Rudy Schlobohm ’74 (Karl ’06, Melissa ’08) Terry Soroko (Nicole Crilley ’13, Briana Crilley ’14) Linda Sterling (Emma ’12, Aaron ’14)
T he M ontclair K imberley Academy 201 Valley Road Montclair, New Jersey 07042 www.mka.org
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