[ R E F L E C T IO N S ] THE ANNUAL MAGAZINE OF MANLIUS PEBBLE HILL SCHOOL
Y E S T E R D AY, T O D AY, A N D T O M O R R O W
WINTER 2019
May 29 - 30
Featuring the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Induction Ceremony Weekend events will include: Golf outings A celebration of the Manlius School Class of 1970’s 50th reunion The Alumni Memorial Service The Manlius School BBQ The Pebble Hill School Luncheon, celebrating the Class of 1970’s 50th reunion Class and affinity group gatherings The Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Alumni Weekend events are still being planned... Stay tuned for more information!
Head of School David J. McCusker
[
TABLE OF CONTENTS
]
Thoughts from
the Head of School
2
Thank You, Jim Dunaway
4
Contributing Writers Kristin Loop, Annual Fund Associate
150th Gala Celebration Recap
8
Kelly Gillis-Rose, Director of Development
eMPHasis Program
Student Profile:
Editor Jennifer Neuner, Director of Communications
Erica Toyama, Alumni Relations Associate Madison Neuner, MPH Intern
2
2019-2020 Board of Trustees John D. Mezzalingua ’85, President
Candace Campbell Jackson, Secretary
Jonathan Howard ’25
11
The MPH House System
12
Faculty Profile: Jon Mangram ’10 16
Gap Year
Portrait of a Graduate:
18
Amanda Zubek, MD, PhD ’97 24
Evan Dreyfuss, Treasurer David J. McCusker, Head of School
Shannon Magari Leggat, Vice President
10
12
MPH Alumni
in the Medical Field
26
Athletic Hall of Fame
30
Alumni in Sports
32
Jeremy Schwimmer
MPH Sports: Varsity Golf
34
Erik D. Smith
2019 Distinguished Alumnus
35
Commencement 2019
36
Alumni Weekend
38
Alumni Events
44
Out of the Archives
47
Student Voices: the Pebble
48
Lenore Gift
50
What Will Your Legacy Be?
52
Why I Give
53
Legacy Families
54
Alumni Notes
56
Final Roll Call
63
Alex Epsilanty Eric Fung Steve Herron ’03 Peter Maier Don Saleh
Eric Spina David Temes ‘97 Kimberly Townsend
26
OUR MISSION is to inspire our students to think critically, act responsibly, and discover a passion for lifelong learning.
30
Thoughts from the Head of School Happy Squeals! It’s 7:40 a.m. on Thursday, October 10, and I’m in front of the Phoenix, ready to welcome MPH students and their parents as they arrive. In doing so, I get to play traffic cop, helping to coordinate vehicles and pedestrians at this final intersection in front of the School. On this particular morning, there are clear skies, and while the sun is yet to become visible from my vantage point, I know it sits sleepily, about to awaken, on the eastern horizon. It’s chilly, and I’m not dressed appropriately; time to bring my winter hat and gloves to work — a reality I’ve wanted to delay for just a while longer. I can feel the crisp, refreshing air on my skin; I can see the mostly green leaves on the trees, some dashed with hues of yellow and orange; and I hear the exuberant sounds of our early-bird Lower Schoolers who are hard at play before the school day begins. Savoring these sensations, I begin to think about the day ahead of me, the meetings on my schedule, certain “to do” items that need my attention, including getting started on this, my first article for Reflections. I lose myself in the contemplation of some near-future initiatives and the imminent new endeavors of my colleagues…all plans being hatched in the interest of forward progress and growth. Momentarily transfixed by mental-checklist meanderings and visions of the future, I return to the present when the first car pulls up to the crosswalk. My focus shifts to the here-and-now of this daily ritual. “Good morning” greetings are offered and returned, as just more than 400 individuals — some younger and some older, some MPH veterans and some as new as I — arrive for this day’s edition of new adventures in learning, growing, and experiencing. I count my blessings that I am at MPH, in the midst of palpable positive energy — even in the face of oncoming traffic! Much of my summer was dedicated to learning as much as possible, as quickly as possible, and thus I engaged in countless conversations about MPH today. I was interested to learn insights and perspectives about our school’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as about goals (whether easily attainable or bold) for the education we provide. Members of the administrative team played significant roles in these important conversations, as did various trustees, parents, alumni, and our frontline educators who, to a person, exuded a passion for teaching and an enthusiasm for expanding their repertoire with thoughtful new ideas in
2|
W I NT E R 2019
Dave McCusker, Head of School
The future starts with a good conversation. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about a new initiative that we’ve launched this year called MPH Conversations. I’m eager to get to know you, learn more about this remarkable school, and benefit from your feedback and advice. With MPH Conversations, I hope to engage alumni, current and former families, students, employees… everyone, in a dialogue about where we are today and where we’re headed. We’ll do this by creating short surveys, hosting listening sessions on campus and around the country, using video to keep you informed, and employing other new strategies yet to be determined! The next chapter of MPH starts now, and I’m excited about the future of our school.
the classroom and beyond. If my head of school role can be likened to that of a “conductor,” then wow, what an orchestra I’m privileged to be leading. Reconciling past, present, and future remains central to many of our discussions today. As the saying goes, if you don’t learn from history, you’re doomed to repeat it. While appreciating the valuable (and cautionary) lessons of our experience, we are also well served to heed the good advice of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety. …This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.” The most influential mentor in my life, a person who is still a dear friend today, said something more than 25 years ago to the faculty I was part of and whom she was leading; “be where you are when you are there.” I have not forgotten those words or what they mean. Who is this education for, after all? The whole enchilada is for these Upper Schoolers I watch ambling into the building with their backpacks or their spirited game-day attire; for the Middle Schoolers who are exiting parent vehicles, occasionally offering their parents a swift, half-embarrassed, kiss good-bye; and for the gleeful Lower Schoolers as they are being handed off to their trusted school day adults. Our students represent our “present”— and their morning greetings, along with those of their parents, remind us to be present, to treasure what’s right here in front of us, and to remember for whom we actually do what we do.
Dave seeks advice from long time history teacher Ted Curtis.
I am an optimist, and the future tugs at my attention like a magnet, with greater energy than the past. I subscribe to Henry Ford’s theory that “if you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Based on everything I’ve experienced and everyone I’ve met at MPH, we are an outstanding school today, and the prospects for an even brighter future are excellent.
Dave at his first Handshake Ceremony in September.
Steff and Dave McCusker at the MPH Harvest Festival.
[ REFLECTIONS ] | 3
The 2019 Commencement Ceremony marked more
In the years to follow, Jim’s calm presence
than one milestone for MPH. It not only celebrated
and thoughtful leadership not only “steadied
the accomplishments of 38 graduates and the 150th
the ship,” but set us on a course to, as a
anniversary of our school’s founding – it also marked the retirement of then Head of School Jim Dunaway. Jim,
we are and where we’d like to see MPH go in the next 150 years. In preparation for
with his wife, Libby, first joined the MPH Community
his last day, all employees were invited to
as parents, enrolling daughter Jordan ’16 in 2013. With
share messages to be included in a farewell
the resignation of the previous head of school in 2015,
scrapbook for Jim. With permission to publish
MPH was in a fortunate position to have an experienced independent school professional in our community. Due to
granted by each author listed below, we hope the following few notes help to capture for readers our community’s deep gratitude for
his significant professional experience, holding leadership
Jim’s dedication and leadership throughout his
roles at two other prominent independent schools, Jim
tenure. He will be missed.
was approached and asked to consider taking on the position of head of school at MPH. He said yes!
4|
community, think more broadly about who
W I NT E R 2019
You have been such a steady hand to help MPH through rough waters. Thank you for your calm and thoughtful leadership. I appreciate your interest in the college admission process and issues of access to higher education generally. I will miss all the enlightening articles you sent me so regularly and the thoughtful discussion they engendered. I hope you continue to contribute your incredible knowledge and remarkable talents to education in
Thank you for everything that you did to carry us through the last four years. You came in during a difficult time for all of us and I know that couldn’t have been easy. I am grateful that MPH is now shining bright due to your leadership and wisdom. I appreciate the opportunity you gave me to join the Division Office and to work alongside Kendall Hoekstra and John Stegeman. Best of luck in New Hampshire and this next chapter of your life. All the best to you, Jim! Thank you for everything!
Juhee LaHaye Assistant to Division Heads
some form during these critical times.
Will Cardamone Director of College Counseling
Thank you for your steady leadership of our school for the last four years. You have put us on a path to continued success. I appreciate all that you have done on behalf of the students, staff, and faculty of MPH. Best of luck to you as you move on to new endeavors! Sincerely,
Thank you for dedicating yourself, at a really difficult time, to this school that I love so much. I appreciate all the effort you’ve invested in restoring the institution’s health and stability, and I wish you all the best as you move on to whatever new and unexpected experiences and challenges await you in New Hampshire!
Amy Hogan English Teacher
Pat Bentley Hoke English Department Chair
¡Buena suerte en sus futuros! Les deseo lo mejor del mundo. Hasta siempre,
Silviana Medina-Dooher Spanish Teacher
Jim participating in the 2018 Handshake Ceremony.
[ REFLECTIONS ] | 5
Jim presenting at the 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Although you were not the head of school when I was hired, for me, you are the only head of school I came to know. I think in a way you helped the school remember itself. Your balanced, measured, and dedicated approach towards the leadership of the school, in my mind, is why the school is still standing, and why I am not only still employed (whew) but appreciated and supported to do things like the Museum Studies class. I have had to work under several principals in my teaching career, but you have been the best, and the one for whom I have a great deal of respect. I wish you all the best in your retirement years. You will be missed.
Sarah Chhablani History Teacher Thank you so much for everything you have done to support MPH, its students, and its employees over these last few years. Your leadership and guidance have meant more to me than you may know, and I will always be appreciative for the many ways you helped me to grow, challenge myself, and think differently about my role at MPH. I hope you know how many people recognize the many ways you have supported and loved MPH, first as a parent, and then as head. The fact that you answered the call when you were asked to step into your position is nothing short of admirable, and you have served in your role with dedication, perseverance, empathy, and humor (the latter might be the quality I am most fond of). You will be remembered fondly as part of MPH history, particularly for those fortunate enough to have worked alongside you. Thank you for everything you have done, everything you have given, and wisdom you have imparted that is sure to serve MPH many years to come.
Amy Abdo Interim Head of Lower School Thank you for leading our school through difficult times, for setting it back on a path to success, and for being a good colleague and an honest friend.
Alex Leclercq Dean of Students
6|
W I NT E R 2019
Thank you for your leadership and honesty over your tenure here at MPH. I will always be thankful for the opportunity you gave to me. Best of luck in your “retirement,” even though I think you will find ways to keep yourself busy.
Jim Ryan Director of Athletics
Thank you so much for believing in me, both as an educator and soon-to-be administrator. I will fondly remember our conversations about education and our favorite pastime, baseball. Hope to see the Mets and Braves battling it out at the top of the division in the years to come. Thanks for all that you have done for the school. Best wishes!
Matt Spear Interim Head of Middle School
When I reflect on my time at MPH I feel as though the school that hired me is not the same one for which I now work and much of that can be credited to your leadership. While I know you are not one to easily acknowledge your accomplishments or take your share of the credit for how far MPH has come, you should! We still have a mountain to climb, problems to solve and a future to more clearly design, but none of that work would be possible without the work you’ve done over the last 4 years, calming the waters and “righting the ship.” I will remain forever grateful for the personal and professional support you’ve given me over the course of the last four years. I have learned a great deal from watching you navigate some tough challenges calmly and thoughtfully. Thank you for challenging me, asking the tough questions, and holding me to a high standard, yet never making me question your support for my work. It has been appreciated more than you’ll ever know.
Kelly Rose Director of Development
Jim and his wife, Libby, at the 150th Celebration Gala.
Meilleurs voeux de reussite. Je vous souhaite beaucoup de Bonheur. Au revoir.
Albertine Cadin French Teacher
It has been a pleasure getting to know you these last few years. I appreciate your support and interest in getting to know our Trustee Scholars. I will think of you as the first batch walk across the stage in two short years! Best wishes for much happiness in your newest adventure with Libby! Warmly,
Rachel Smorol Admissions and Parent Engagement Associate Jim visiting a booth at the annual Middle School STEM fair.
[ REFLECTIONS ] | 7
RECAP
The 150th Gala The 150th Celebration Gala was held on Friday, April 5, 2019, at Sky Armory in downtown Syracuse, led by co-chairs, MPH parents, Mark and Diane Wladis. We are thrilled to announce that this was a recordbreaking event for MPH, generating the most revenue at a fundraising event in the School’s history! Thanks to our guests, sponsors, advertisers, and donors, over $185,000 was raised to support the students, faculty, and programs of MPH. Guests enjoyed gourmet cuisine, a lively auction and paddle raise, and a wide variety of silent auction items. The highlight of the evening, however, was a live performance by MPH alumna, Broadway star, and singer/songwriter Carrie Manolakos. The crowd was awed by Carrie’s dynamic and mesmerizing vocals as she performed her original songs along with memorable Broadway covers. Special thanks to Carrie for making the 150th Gala one to remember!
Over $27,000 was raised in our silent and live auction, featuring trips, gift baskets, and oneof-kind experiences.
MPH parents and Gala Chairs Mark and Diane Wladis accept a gift for their support and generosity.
8|
W I NT E R 2019
Over 250 people attended the 150th Gala at Sky Armory Syracuse.
MPH faculty member Ted Curtis leads the Paddle Raise, a new Gala tradition that generated over $30,000 of support for faculty and staff development.
MPH Parents Angela and Jefferey Pu with Board President John Mezzalingua ’85 and Kim Mezzalingua.
MPH parents and Gala Committee members Sophia Battaglia and Amy Wildhack.
MPH parents Jason Smorol and John Wildhack (top right) had lots of fun leading the live auction. Steve Heron ’03 (board member and 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient), former Alumni Director Maureen Anderson, and then Head of School Jim Dunaway. Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72 and Gala Underwriter Had Fuller ’66A.
Lower School teacher Kate Berry and her husband, Brian, and Gala Sponsor and MPH parents Anthony and Melissa Marrone.
Interim Head of Lower School Amy Abdo with her husband, Jonathan, and Lower School teacher Maria Riciardello with her husband, Peter.
MPH parents and Gala Committee members Jake and Jennifer Hafner.
MPH alumna Carrie Manolakos wowed the crowd — a perfect way to end our celebration!
[ REFLECTIONS ] | 9
eMPHasis: The Run-Down At MPH, there has never been a shortage of opportunities for students to discover, learn, and engage in unique ways. The introduction of the eMPHasis program this academic year is a mere extension of this trend. Former Head of Upper School John Stegeman described eMPHasis as a means for students to “tell a story about their time here at MPH”; the program allows them to explore their interests, become involved in the community, and synthesize their studies with a sense of purpose. The program is broken down into four components:
capstone can be started earlier than the typical STP
application, coursework, community engagement, and
proposal process, students may reap the benefits of both
capstone. Students in the spring of their sophomore year
the deeper, more meaningful engagement inherent in
may fill out an application form for eMPHasis; Stegeman
the lengthier timeframe and a chance to share their
explained that similar programs at other schools allow
reflections about this special experience in college
students to apply in the spring of their freshman year and
interviews and applications. Stegeman would assert
that MPH may move to that model in the future.
that eMPHasis helps to broaden the profile of an MPH
In their application, students state which interest they would like to pursue: Citizenship and Global Engagement; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Design, Performance, and Creative Expression; or Sustainability and STEM. With the help of an eMPHasis advisor, students then describe their intended coursework, indicate how they would like to engage in the community, and submit a capstone proposal. The entire application is drafted with and reviewed by the eMPHasis advisor before submission.
college applicant beyond grades, standardized testing, and extracurriculars, which provide limited views. The program provides a more holistic means for students to demonstrate their interests, academic proficiencies, and values, as well as an opportunity to build an individual foundation for learning and discovery that will allow them to gain skills in a broad array of subject matter. It “pushes kids out of boxes,” Stegeman stated. “It formalizes the narrative of who they are.”
When admitted into the program, students will be working on a specific topic within the field of their choice. Stegeman referred to the program as a “process of discovery” for students; while some may be unsure of
to a transdisciplinary approach
what their core interests are, eMPHasis gives students
to learning and exploring. Every
access to a transdisciplinary approach to learning and
student will have a different
exploring. Every student will have a different experience in the program, as every component is based on the
experience in the program, as
curiosity and interests of each individual.
every component is based on the
eMPHasis is an opt-in program to which any student
curiosity and interests of each
may apply, and it is meant to fulfill the requirements of the standard Senior Thesis Project (STP) that closes every senior’s high school career. Because the eMPHasis
10 |
eMPHasis gives students access
W I N T E R 2019
individual.
Who inspires you? Aidan Kelly (2014 men’s single at Sochi, Russia), Chris Mazdzer (Silver Medalist at 2018 Winter Olympic games at Pyeongchang, South Korea), and Emily Sweeney (2017 World Cup Gold Medalist at Winterberg, Germany).
Can you explain the class you’re in on Team USA? (What is Class D?)
STUDENT PROFILE:
Jonathan Howard ’25
The Junior “D” Team is the first level of the USA national luge team, and one of our nation’s Olympic feeder teams. Once someone has reached the age of 14 and shows sufficient skill, they can advance to the C Team. From there, the next step is the Junior National team and then the National Team. The US Olympic Team is chosen from members of the National Team.
What are your other outside interests/hobbies? I enjoy Alpine skiing, cyclocross biking, flying light aircraft, and tennis.
Meet current MPH student Jonathan Howard, Class of ’25, who has been selected by Team USA to compete on the Junior D Team for the luge. Luge is the fastest and most technical on-ice sport. It is timed to 1/1000 of a second, while
What other extracurriculars are you involved in at MPH?
I participate in Model United Nations, and I play the alto saxophone in the band.
skeleton and bobsled are only timed to 1/100 of a second. How did you discover this sport, and what drove you to pursue it to this level? When I was in the third grade, I had to write a small story as an assignment. I chose to write about luge, and I have been in love with the sport ever since. Last year, I finally had the opportunity to try out for an on-ice screening camp, got lucky, and did well.
What are your goals? Have fun, improve my technique, and advance up the national team hierarchy.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 11
MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS
The House System MPH has undergone several changes recently, from implementing the eMPHasis Program to building new facilities to welcoming a new head of school. Among the most dramatic recent changes at MPH, however, is one that falls under the purview of student life: a new house system that began with the 2019-2020 school year.
PANTHER 12 |
W I N T E R 2019
TROJAN
The names of the houses are derived from the history of the School, and each will have its own respective core value on The Plan Behind the System
which it focuses every year. The values
So what is the impetus here? It is no secret for many of the upperclassmen at MPH that the dynamic of the community that existed not many years ago has changed dramatically. Upper School students who have been at MPH since middle school can recall the sense of closeness among students in different grades through sports and walking through the same halls every day. While these connections are still present, it was becoming evident to faculty in recent years that the particularly tight camaraderie among the grades had diminished to some degree. “We have been losing the sense of community between the Lower School and the Middle and Upper School,” says Interim Head of Upper School Fred Montas.
are on a one-year rotational system, so
Matt Twomey-Smith, an Upper School history teacher and coach for Varsity Track and Field, agrees with this sentiment, and when asked for his opinion on the causes of this change, he stated that faculty couldn’t identify specific reasons. “It could be a bunch of different things. The bottom line was it was changing.” The House System has been introduced as a means to combat this and restore the close connections among students in all grades.
How It Works There are four houses into which all students and faculty have been placed through random selection. At the end of the 2018-19 school year, faculty and staff “picked out of a hat,” Mr. Montas explains. At the beginning of this new school year, every student received a T-shirt that shows which house they have been placed in: Phoenix, Trojan, Panther, or Knight. “I think it’ll help to create a better MPH community even before people have actually joined it,” said senior Nathan Sonnenfeld, during the summer. “For new students, even before they have potentially seen the campus, before they’ve met their class, before they’ve gotten any homework or anything, they already have a
PHOENIX
every house will have the opportunity to experience each one.
little subsection of the MPH culture that they can partake in.” The names of the houses are derived from the history of the School, and each will have its own respective core value on which it focuses each year. The values are on a one-year rotational system, so every house will have the opportunity to experience each one. The initial organization and planning for the House System was done by a committee made up of students, faculty, and staff. “There was not one person driving this … [it] was very collaborative,” said Mr. Twomey-Smith, as he reflected on the process. He went on to say that it was a beneficial experience for students and faculty alike to be a part of an environment in which they were “talking as equals,” with every member of the committee being a part of the process. The planning was then carried forward by student-and-faculty design and research committees. Students, Mr. Twomey-Smith says, will be the main drivers of how the House System pans out over time, with faculty taking the backseat. “We’re trying to both create a framework and also allow individual houses to make decisions for themselves about how they want to build this. They’re building this legacy. We’re giving them the bones and guidelines; [students] within each house can create the traditions that make them.” Nathan Sonnenfeld is a member of the Design Committee,
KNIGHT [ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 13
which took notes from the Research Committee and used them to create the logos and spiritwear for each house. “They had created opportunities for us to help push it in any direction that we wanted,” he says. “I decided that I wanted to be a part of it so that I could have my say in what form it took to make sure that it was something that I agreed with and that was worthwhile and functional for the School.” Students on the committees are seeing an opportunity to be at eye level with teachers throughout the entire process of creating the House System, a beneficial experience that Sonnenfeld adds will “presumably increase the connection between administration and students.” As a part of the initial process, the Research Committee compared the MPH goal with that of other independent schools touting longstanding house systems. Many independent schools across the nation have implemented house systems and have seen success, but in gathering inspiration from other school programs, the main goal of the Research Committee was to find schools that shared the same programmatic purpose as MPH, and in the end, no particular school’s program was exactly mirrored by the MPH program. “Part of what we were interested in was the motivations for their doing it,” says Mr. Twomey-Smith. “And the ones that we were the most interested in were the ones that had the same goals as us, which was to create more cohesiveness, as opposed building in a point system, which might build kind of the opposite of that.” So why is the faculty splitting up the grades if the goal is to make everyone closer? Faculty are emphasizing the new connections that the houses will create among grades. “That’s just another point of identity,” Mr. Twomey-Smith explains. “It’s not going to cancel anything out.” The purpose of the system in its essence is to foster friendships among students in all grades — relationships that they likely wouldn’t have had the opportunity to make otherwise.
Now, the Most Important Part: This Is Not a Harry Potter Movie Unfortunately, the introduction of the House System will not turn the members of the MPH community into wizards and witches or give them tickets to Platform 9¾. While students and faculty alike have certainly sensed a magical vibe that is hard to ignore, faculty emphasize that this Hogwarts vibe was not the intention of the system. “That’s really not what we’re going for,” said Mr. Montas. “The Harry Potter houses are really driven by, you know, these different personality types. There’s the ‘cool house’ and the ‘not-so-cool house.’ That’s really not at all what we want to foster here.” The MPH houses are organized
14 |
W I N T E R 2019
by random selection, and they will rarely compete against each other. The only exception will be during Winter Carnival, where houses (not grades, as has been the case in previous years) will compete. On the other hand, Red and White Day, which faculty had previously considered modifying to accommodate the houses, will remain a separate entity. As a student driver of the House System, Sonnenfeld saw the similarities between the MPH house system and the Hogwarts houses, but he also noted the distinctions that break MPH away from that initial perception. “I think fairly quickly it became different than that. It was more about improving the culture at MPH and providing a more inclusive environment, and I think that although it may have distinct connections to Harry Potter … one, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and two, the differences become more apparent the more and more you work with it and the more you’re a part of it, so I don’t think it’s a huge issue.” Mr. Montas made it clear that students at MPH are not sorted into houses for any specific characteristics. “I think the houses will probably take on personalities of their own, but they won’t be predetermined.” He believes that the houses will adapt and change each year in accordance to the students in them. Mr. Twomey-Smith recognizes the seeming similarities to the Harry Potter houses as well and sees an opportunity to capitalize on them. “We tried very hard to distance ourselves from that, but at the same time not discourage people that are excited by it.”
The Endgame Based on the idea’s initial reception and collaborative participation of students and faculty in its planning and implementation, the future of the House System looks bright. The hope that faculty have is that students will be open to the initiative and excited to create new connections, and that this will get the ball rolling for future possibilities. The system, and the School as a whole, has the potential to benefit greatly from the encouragement of the MPH community to take the blueprints and run with them. “Coming back in five years or ten years to see what it’s become then will be interesting,” says Sonnenfeld. “We’re thinking we want it to be here in 20 years,” Mr. Twomey-Smith adds. “We want it to be a legacy.”
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 15
FACULTY PROFILE:
Jon Mangram ’10 At the MPH Commencement in the spring of 2010, Jonathan Mangram closed the ceremony by taking the stage and leading his fellow graduates, his teachers, and guests in the singing of the MPH Alma Mater. As he exited the big tent and walked past his teachers, he never imagined that nine years later they would be his colleagues. When readers see “Mangram,” in an article heading, the first thing conjured up in many memories might be a booming voice and infectious laugh. Well, that would certainly be accurate. But now that voice and laughter are coming from Jon, not Jeff, Mangram. Having recently joined the MPH faculty as a Middle School history teacher, Jon now walks the same hallways of MPH that his father did for many years before him. When Jon’s sister showed him the job posting, he was hesitant to apply. All he could think was, “that would be so weird.” But, as a long-term sub in the Port Byron school district, he knew it was time to make a move, so he applied for the job. When he arrived on campus for New MPH faculty member Jon Mangram ’10.
his interview, he immediately saw the facility changes on campus. Gone were the breezeway, the modulars, and the small gymnasium. He knew immediately that it was just the right amount of familiar and unfamiliar. Most importantly, he felt right at home.
“The new kids feel right at home, even on the first day. I’ve been at schools where if you were new, you were the new kid for months.
16 |
After accepting the position, he came into school ready for his first day of faculty meetings. Eager to say hello to his new colleagues, he paused. How would he address
That would never happen here. No one will fall
them? Would he call Mr. Ridall “Don”? No — he would
through the cracks.”
stick with “Coach.” There were a few awkward moments,
W I N T E R 2019
but it was going relatively well until he saw Mr. Preston.
Mr. Preston was the teacher who made Jon want to become a teacher. He was a role model and a mentor to Jon in many ways. As a Middle School student, Jon hadn’t exactly been a model student. He chose a soccer ball over a textbook most the time and was more social than studious. He even recalls a time when he hid in the bushes to avoid going to After-Hours. Still, it was Mr. Preston who took an interest in Jon. He talked to him frequently and always cared about whatever Jon was going through at any given time. Those moments with Mr. Preston compelled Jon to want to give back in that same way. He wanted to be somebody’s Mr. Preston. So, when Jon walked into that first day of faculty meetings, he got a bit teary-eyed when he saw his mentor. And when the meeting concluded, Jon sought out Mr. Preston and said, “Thank you for helping me achieve my dreams.” And he called him Bill. Jon’s first few weeks on the job have been smooth sailing. He’s getting to know his students well, he’s been assisting Coach Ridall with the Boys Varsity Soccer team, and he is loving lunch in the Dining Hall. “The food is so much better than the other schools I have worked at,” he says,
Mr. Mangram teaching 8th-grade history.
and apparently even went into the kitchen after the first day of lunch to thank the staff! He enjoys sitting with students at lunch, especially when they notice his name on the Martha Heer Citizenship Plaque on the dining hall wall. “They think it’s so funny that my name is there.” Jon is overjoyed to once again be part of the close-knit community. Because he has spent several years in larger public school settings, he can easily recognize the MPH difference. “The new kids feel right at home, even on the first day. I’ve been at schools where if you were new, you were the new kid for months. That would never happen here. No one will fall through the cracks.” Jon knows his dad was an MPH icon. He led the MPHMUN team to many victories and coined his own version of the 5C’s for that team (Character, Caring, Chemistry, Commitment, and Competence). Jeff Mangram led passionately, assertively, and — many would say — loudly. But Jon is ready to make his own mark. “I want to live up to all that my dad established here, but in my own way,” says Jon. “It’s a different time at MPH — I
Longtime MPH faculty member Bill Preston with Jon.
want to build my own legacy.”
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 17
THE GAP YEAR
A Road No Longer “Less Traveled” (and for Good Reason!)
With abundant and diverse experiences at the ready, and with the “timing” just right for some high school seniors, the idea of taking a “gap year” between high school and college has, for a variety of reasons, become an increasingly popular one. In fact, MPH Director of College Counseling Will Cardamone wishes every student would seriously consider doing a gap year. After the rigor of an MPH senior year and all that goes into the college application process, Cardamone avows that it’s “sometimes healthy to take a break from that kind of routine.” In addition, students taking a gap year nearly always discover a great deal about themselves and often surpass their own expectations of anticipated inner growth. Inherent in this kind of experience is a leg up in selfconfidence, independence, and maturity, which certainly colleges will look upon favorably. “Students that go live independent of their home for a year before they go to college arrive on a college campus more mature, more selfassured — and maybe more like ‘global thinkers’ — because they’ve lived beyond their home school and maybe beyond their own country,” says Cardamone. Cardamone also explains that one doesn’t necessarily need to be in an existing “program” to do a gap year. There are plenty of colleges that will be supportive of an admission deferral for a self-created gap-year program. On a related note, he would add that he recommends students go through the college admission process regardless of potential gap-year considerations; “apply to some schools that make sense to you, hopefully you get into a school that seems like a good match, and then just say, ‘I’m going to come a year from now; I’m going to seek a deferral.’” Most colleges will look favorably on this decision, perhaps with
18 |
W I N T E R 2019
the assumption that the student will arrive that much more ready and add that much more to the makeup of its student body. “One caveat to that,” Cardamone says, “is that there are some large state universities that have very strict rules about their enrollment practices, and those schools can’t offer deferrals. But they’ll certainly encourage students to reapply the next year, and they would probably waive the application fee.” Cardamone also acknowledges that doing a gap year requires some initial leg work on the student’s part — a barrier for many, having just put so much effort into the college process. He recognizes that hurdle but would assert nonetheless that “the rewards are phenomenal for kids who do it.” With this perspective in mind, former MPH student (Class of 2019) Madison Neuner reached out to some young alumnae who decided to take the leap in recent years and do a gap year. While their reasons for having pursued this unique experience differed — as did their hindsight perspectives — common themes are evident in the summaries and reflections that follow. And, to a person, there seem to be no regrets about their road less traveled.
Mariah Storie ’18 … … admitted that her gap-year decision had been prompted by a case of “ongoing senioritis” toward the end of her final year at MPH, despite having committed to the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse. With encouragement from her parents, who were especially supportive and who helped her overcome her concern about others’ possibly perceiving a gap year as a sign of laziness, Mariah deferred her enrollment for a year and paid attention to her inner desire to take a break from the Syracuse area, to find time for more self-reflection in a nonacademic setting, and to work. She also set a few concrete and personal goals for herself for the special year that lay ahead: to do a lot of reading, to brush up on her Mariah with a student in the Cross-Cultural Solutions program. Spanish, and to meet new people. Mariah told us her year consisted of two parts. The first half was not without its challenges, but it provided her the opportunity to struggle independently and gain a sense of autonomy, as she participated in a Spanish immersion program that took her to three countries (one month each in Peru, Guatemala, and Costa Rica) with an organization called Cross-Cultural Solutions. Her experiences in these countries included teaching English (and providing emotional, therapeutic support) for preschool children from disadvantaged homes, painting a mural in a nursing home, painting bookshelves for a middle school, and providing access to and helping administer a free vision test for impoverished children. Part two of Mariah’s gap year consisted of an internship in the Worcester (MA) area through a program called Dynamy. She was able to choose a communications-based internship, working with “Chef Alina,” a food blogger, running the chef’s Pinterest page, assisting with photo shoots, and shooting and editing recipe videos for Chef Alina’s various social media pages — all of which provided
a glimpse of future professional possibilities. “I learned a lot about how you can make a name for yourself through social media and how technology plays a part in the world that it didn’t before.” It seems Mariah’s gap year helped her achieve some of her early goals. Her experience abroad not only provided the opportunity to tune up her Spanish, but also the chance to reflect and get to know herself better. And her internship allowed her to take a deep dive into one facet of communications (digital media), which she enjoyed, and thus helped her narrow down her interests in the field. She indicated this summer that she’d be heading to college this fall feeling “as ready as I’ll ever be … a lot more secure … not as anxious about it [and] more excited.” When asked if she anticipated feeling strange about being a year older than the other freshmen, she replied, “I think that it’s less about being older and more about the fact that I have this experience under my belt.” With the gap year now behind her, Mariah can refute one particular misconception with more confidence: Deciding to take a gap year, she said, “doesn’t mean you don’t have a plan for the future. It could actually just mean that you care enough about that plan that you want to take the time to really consider it and to plan it out rather than jumping right in.” She would encourage seniors considering a gap year to “go for it. . . . I think that all of us could really, no matter at what point we are in our lives, use a pause, and a time for reflection and breathing, and stepping out of a life that moves so fast around us.”
Mariah at her internship with Dynamy.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 19
Caroline Gleason ’07 … … would also vehemently refute the idea that a gap year is wasted time. “Being an exchange student made me braver, more independent, more open-minded. Taking time off to learn a new skill, meet new people, or go new places can help prepare you for the future in ways that school never could.” Caroline serves as an example of an MPH graduate taking advantage of a Rotary International program; her year was spent in Olsztyn, Poland, where she lived with a host family and attended a Polish high school (albeit without rigorous academic requirements due to her alreadyearned high school diploma). Although she had initially envisioned spending only the summer overseas, she says it was the Rotarians who convinced her she might regret not taking advantage of an opportunity for a longer-term exchange. They were “totally right,” she explained, because it takes a couple of months to get your bearings and become proficient in a new language. “I’m
so glad that I took the risk and committed to a full year abroad.” In hindsight, she is grateful to have been placed in a European country, as it made travel easy; in fact, she visited 13 other countries during her exchange. She also described how easy it had been to defer her college enrollment; for her, the process itself was very straightforward, requiring really only an explanation of what she planned to do and why that plan would be worth postponing her college matriculation. Further, she acknowledged that having the college acceptance tucked away — with an agreement that the offer would still be honored a year later — allowed her to fully enjoy her gap year, to be present during the experience without the stress of the looming collegeapplication process. And what advice might she dispense to current students considering a gap year? “Do it! College (or whatever your next step is) will be there waiting for you when you get back. The older you get and the further you progress into your education or career, the harderit
Caroline in her Rotary blazer in the Syracuse airport upon her return home.
becomes to put your life on hold to go on an adventure.” And finally, Caroline would say that, during her time overseas, she grew and matured a lot as a person, learned a new language, and made friends from all over the world, many of whom she’s still in contact with today. “I still look back on my year in Poland as one of the best years of my life, and I wouldn’t trade the experiences I had there for anything.”
Caroline on a ski trip with her host family.
Rotary International Youth Exchange students in Poland, 2007.
20 |
W I N T E R 2019
Meg with fellow Rotary program students in Mexico.
Marguerite (“Meg”) Curtis ’17 … … participated in a Rotary International youth exchange program as well — a decade after Caroline did. She described the program as one that sponsors high school students who wish to experience a year of high school abroad, live with a host family, and work with that country’s Rotary on local service projects. Meg was admitted to the program and assigned to spend the year in Mexico, where she completed the equivalent of a senior year in a Mexican high school. She says the complete language immersion led to her picking up Spanish very quickly (though she had been studying French at MPH) and she appreciated the chance to meet and travel around Mexico with fellow student participants in the program from all over the world. One focus of the Rotary Club of Xalapa that year was the provision of food and supplies to people affected by the earthquakes that had occurred that September, so that became Meg’s service project. When asked what prompted her choosing to take a gap year in the first place, Meg attributed her decision to her appreciation for her foreign language experience at MPH. “I loved that [Madame Cadin] required the classroom to be a strictly noEnglish zone — and how quickly
my classmates and I progressed because of that.” Additionally, a friend recommended participating in a youth exchange program, and the timing was optimal. “I thought a gap year would be a great time to go abroad because it would allow me to fully embrace the experience without worrying about missing a year of high school and having to catch up on academic credits.” In addition, she felt ready and eager to breach the walls of familiarity of MPH, having been a student at the School for 14 years. “I was eager to step out of my comfort zone and meet new people before going off to college.” And without the academic rigor she was used to, she felt the gap year allowed her to take time to “simply reflect and embrace the experience.” Following her year abroad, Meg headed to the University of Rochester and is now beginning her sophomore year. She has said definitively that her gap year positively influenced her first year at U of R and continues to affect her life in general. “Being an exchange student made me so much more open to new people and new experiences.” Furthermore, she has decided to double major in Spanish and public health because she would like to continue studying Spanish while also finding a way to incorporate
that into a real-world setting. And she hopes to return to Mexico during her junior year. Meg offered this final reflection for current Upper School students considering the idea of a gap year: “I would encourage students, and the school community as a whole, to challenge the idea that one needs to go to college immediately after graduating. . . . Whether traveling, working, or simply taking some time for yourself, a gap year is an amazing time to learn and grow in new ways.”
Meg (back row, far left) at her high school in Mexico.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 21
Rachel coaching.
Rachel Comfort ’18 … ... decided to take a gap year after being accepted to college but feeling like she wasn’t really excited to go. Rachel felt that, while MPH had certainly prepared her academically and she was fond of school and of learning in general, she needed a break and wanted to do something different. She decided to defer admission from a college to which she had been admitted but was not entirely excited about and create a gap year for herself. By the end of her gap-year journey, she had done so much exploring of other places in the U.S. (particularly on the West Coast) and had engaged in so many new experiences, she was ready — and excited — to go to college ... and her school choice changed entirely, both in terms of type and in terms of geography. One prevalent focus in Rachel’s self-created gap year was soccer, a sport about which she remains passionate. Through a program called Woza, which organizes service/ leadership trips with soccer as its backdrop, she kicked off (no pun intended) her gap year with a 12-day service trip to Costa Rica. The group traveled to different parts of that country, coaching and playing soccer alongside
22 |
W I N T E R 2019
disadvantaged children in various communities and orphanages. At times the Woza group even played pickup soccer in the street “and random people would just come and join us and play ... It was an incredible experience,” she said. Rachel also pointed to the “no cell phones” rule for the program as a factor in some of her personal growth; while initially she found the rule challenging, she ultimately recognized the benefit of being completely present for this overseas service-oriented experience. The next leg of Rachel’s literal and figurative journey came during a two-month trek around the western United States on her own, staying with family friends in Park City, UT; Bellingham, WA; Truckee, CA; and Portland, OR. She was eager to simply experience things and places impossible to truly experience in a classroom — and with no set agenda. During this stretch, the challenges, and consequently areas of personal growth, included staying organized, creating a schedule (“not just sitting there doing nothing all day”), and learning to manage her time and money.
After her stay in Portland, Rachel volunteered in Sacramento, CA, for a nonprofit called Street Soccer USA, which brings street leagues to cities around the nation to underserved kids, individuals in recovery, and the homeless population. She helped set up the playing areas and to oversee games. “And it was just so cool,” she recalled. “Everyone there was just like ... even if they lost, they were just so happy to be there.” Her experiences further fueled her passion for soccer and prompted her to think more long term — as in “what I want to do with the rest of my life,” she said — so upon her return home, she earned her U.S. Soccer Federation coaching license and in January began doing some assistant coaching with Syracuse Development Academy soccer. Additionally, through an organization called Sports Management Worldwide, Rachel took an online course on soccer analytics and scouting, which intrigued
her enough to explore whether putting it into practice might be “something I would potentially want to do,” so she procured an internship with the Colgate men’s team during their spring season. The experience of recording statistics and analyzing data for the Colgate group ultimately led to a summer internship with the semiprofessional Syracuse Football Club. In reflecting on it all, Rachel expressed how happy she was to have made the decision to take a yearlong break from academics — and she marveled at just how much she had learned. The experiences “changed my perspective on the world around me, and I learned so much about myself.” The year also gave her some more insights as to what she might like to do in the future, and, perhaps even more important, she said, “having the gap year made me feel like it’s OK to not know exactly what I want to be doing.”
Rachel (back row, third from right) in Costa Rica.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 23
An interview with Amanda Zubek, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine Dr. Amanda Zubek ’97.
Portrait of a Graduate
At what age did you develop an interest in medicine? I always had a love for animals, and as a young child I wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up. Once I reached high school, I had the opportunity to work in a pharmacology laboratory as a summer research assistant at Upstate University Hospital. Over the next three summers, my experience in the lab, as well as in biology classes at MPH, fully solidified my interest in science and gave me an introduction to medicine. Since I did not have any family members in medicine, I shadowed physicians to see what various fields of medicine were like. I found that pursuing scientific questions and working toward a deeper understanding of complex mechanisms in cell biology piqued my career aspirations.
Were there any classes or faculty members at MPH who played a role in helping to foster your love of science? Freshman Biology and AP Biology with Mrs. Loedel were my favorite classes. The material just made sense to me, and the hands-on lab exercises gave it relevance. Mrs. Loedel had a calming demeanor, and her love for the material was evident to me. Mr. Stewart’s chemistry class was also instrumental, as I found his sheer enthusiasm for chemistry and the scientific method quite engaging.
What was your path after graduation and how did it lead to where you are now? After graduation from MPH in 1997, I went to Boston University, where I majored in biochemistry and molecular biology. I continued to work in the research
24 |
W I N T E R 2019
lab at Upstate over the summers while home, and then did a senior research thesis project in a biochemistry lab at BU. When it was time to apply for graduate programs, I had a lot of difficulty choosing between graduate school and medical school, so I applied for and was accepted to a Medical Scientist Training Program (combined MD/PhD dual degree program) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. I spent nine years in Chicago pursuing this joint degree. It was during that time period when my professional identity as a physician scientist solidified, and it was when I developed the intellectual and analytical skills that would be the basis for my future career. While obtaining my PhD I worked in a lab that studied the cell biology of the skin, which was my introduction into the field of dermatology. Once my medical training was complete, I matched into a dermatology residency program at Yale New Haven and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in hair biology research. After completing my postgraduate studies, I joined the faculty and am now a core faculty member in the Department of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
Tell us about the work that you do now and why it’s so important to you. Currently I am an academic dermatologist (physician who treats skin disease) at Yale School of Medicine. I am medical director of one of our clinics, where I see the majority of my patients and spend about 20 percent of my time teaching and mentoring dermatology residents and medical students. I wear many hats in my career and have a variety of responsibilities in medical education and patient care, serving as a leader in one of our clinical units, as well as pursuing scholarly activities (publishing case reports, clinical studies, giving seminars at national meetings). I love academic dermatology because of the collegial environment. I love the variety that my daily work provides. Every day presents a new and interesting set of patients and challenges. I am passionate about patient care and draw great satisfaction interacting with and caring for my patients as well as working with medical trainees. Dermatology is extremely rewarding for many reasons. I get to take care of a variety of patients with a wide range of diseases, and I can physically see the
results when patients get better. I am able to work with my hands and perform procedures, but I also take care of patients with severe medically complex disorders.
What lessons that you learned as a student at MPH are still useful in the work you do today? Time management is a critical skill that was introduced to me during my time at MPH, but I will admit I was not very skilled at it and continue to work toward achieving effective time management today. The farther along in your career you progress, the more responsibilities you have with less time available to you. I learned to follow the path towards that which stimulates my interest and curiosity. I also learned the importance of having a variety of interests and activities to help balance work and home life. At MPH, in addition to science, I loved French, music, and tennis.
What would you like girls and young women to know about pursuing careers in medicine? How can we better support them? If you have an interest in science or medicine, you should pursue it! Take every opportunity that arises to gain exposure to different fields of study and different experiences to find what speaks to you the most and piques your interest. Do not be afraid to ask questions and find mentors at every stage who can help guide your decision making. Do not be afraid to display your strengths! More and more women are becoming physicians and scientists now, yet even during this age of gender equity awareness, women have a unique set of challenges to face at different points during their careers. Prioritizing responsibilities, planning, and time management are critical skills to acquire to be successful. If you want to have a family, don’t wait until your career is fully matured. There is no “good time,” so do it when you are ready. Find time to pursue other interests that bring you joy, and spend time with your family and friends. They will help balance your life when academic or career challenges feel overwhelming, and they will help keep you connected to the outside world. Build a strong support network of friends, family members, and mentors, and support others as well.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 25
MPH ALUMNI
Making a Difference in the Medical Field With a significant number of MPH graduates currently dotting the landscape of medical professionals in a variety of specialties — or pursuing such roles — we were eager to hear what may have prompted their interests, how their various journeys unfolded, and whether their MPH experience may have played a role in these pursuits. Here are their heartening accounts.
Adam Castano ’01, MD, MS
Senior Medical Director for Tafamidis, U.S. Medical Affairs at Pfizer
I was very young, perhaps younger than most, when I decided that I would one day become a doctor. I was fortunate to have grown up with exposure to medicine within my family. My mother was a psychologist and my father, a cardiologist. Although my parents separated when I was young, I have distinct memories of visiting the hospitals where they practiced after elementary school. As a psychologist, my mother focused on the brain, while my father, the cardiologist, focused on the heart. The specific moment crystallized in my mind when I knew I wanted to become a doctor occurred during one of these after-school visits to my parents’ hospital. I remember thinking that beyond conventional anatomy and biology that inspires the study of the brain and the heart, was also a more transcendent cultural and anthropologic lens that moved beyond the brain to the mind and beyond the heart to the soul. I was fascinated and inspired that medicine could cross disciplines like biology, psychology, anatomy, culture, and anthropology
26 |
W I N T E R 2019
with ease, and I wanted to be a part this human profession. I studied molecular biology and Spanish literature in college at Princeton University. After graduating, I accepted a position working on vaccine development at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD, where I helped develop a novel vaccine candidate for parainfluenza, a respiratory virus affecting children and the elderly. I then attended medical school at the University of Michigan, during which I spent time at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, working on antimicrobial resistance global containment policy. I learned that my passion for medicine could be applied in a global setting through advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and population-level science. I graduated medical school with a passion for cardiology and was recruited to the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. There, I went on to complete my residency in internal medicine, fellowship in cardiovascular disease, and
Adam Castano ’01.
advanced fellowship in advanced cardiac imaging (nuclear cardiology and echocardiography). During my training, I met a patient with a rare inherited disease called cardiac amyloidosis, which led to severe heart failure requiring a heart transplant. This patient and his family story left a deep impression on me. I went on to study and publish about cardiac amyloidosis for a decade and helped develop a novel cardiac imaging technology to noninvasive diagnose this cardiac condition without the need for an invasive heart biopsy. I then joined the faculty at Columbia as an assistant professor of medicine in cardiology and became co-director of the Center for Cardiac Amyloidosis. Concurrent with my work on cardiac amyloidosis, several biopharmaceutical companies had developed promising medicines to treat this disease. Pfizer developed one such compound, the first oral medicine to treat transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, and recruited me to become senior medical director to help bring this breakthrough to patients. As a cardiologist, I am inspired to help bring about
breakthrough therapies that change patients’ lives. In the past, transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis was a rare disease that had no treatment. Now, there is a breakthrough medicine that can be offered to these patients. I work to advance the science of this disease to help bring about a better understanding of disease epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment paradigms. I feel that this work has purpose, and in living this purpose, I derive tremendous joy and gratification. MPH taught me to question traditional paradigms of thought. Furthermore, MPH taught me about the dedication of teachers, like Dr. Ostrander and Mrs. Meehan, who were impassioned by the work they do to inspire generations of students. My teachers were kind to me at MPH. I remember the joy of learning a new proof in Mrs. Meehan’s math class and understanding the organization of the periodic table in Dr. Ostrander’s chemistry class. The lessons learned in the classrooms, hallways, and tennis courts of MPH have stuck with me throughout my adult life.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 27
Dr. Nora Muakkassa ’03, MD
Fares Awa ’17
I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. I majored in biological sciences at Cornell University and went straight on to the New York University School of Medicine. I completed my ophthalmology residency and medical retina fellowship at Tufts Medical Center, where I stayed on as faculty Nora Muakkassa ’03. in the Department of Ophthalmology two years before moving to Denver, where I now work in private practice. I practice as an ophthalmologist and mostly treat retinal diseases and perform cataract surgery. I love my work and find it very rewarding to improve peoples’ vision, which is such an important factor in quality of life.
I am currently a junior at Brown University studying neuroscience and public health. This semester, I’m taking the dreaded Organic Chemistry II along with Physics II, Neural Systems, and Comparative Healthcare Systems. I am also doing research on fetal brain injury and cerebral palsy.
Ophthalmologist, Denver, Colorado
The most valuable lessons I gained from my time as a student at Manlius Pebble Hill were self-discipline and time management. MPH afforded us students a certain amount of trust and independence in managing our free time. That put the onus on us to be self-disciplined and productive. I continue to benefit from this skill to this day. MPH also taught me to ask the “why” instead of the “what.” I was encouraged to learn the reasoning behind a concept or equation rather than simply memorizing it as fact. This curiosity in learning was fostered in the MPH culture. I specifically recall Mrs. Meehan’s precalculus, Dr. Olsner’s calculus, Dr. Ostrander’s chemistry, and Mrs. Loedel’s biology classes encouraging this way of thinking. This approach to learning helped me enormously in my premedical coursework and throughout medical school. My advice to those seeking a career in medicine? I encourage everyone to consider all their career options before deciding on medicine because without being truly dedicated to the field, the road may seem too difficult at times. However, if you are committed and can’t imagine doing anything else (like me), it can be a very rewarding career. I would like to tell all young girls and women, specifically, to speak up in class and to be curious. Don’t downplay your intellect or underestimate yourself. And to the adults who support them: Encourage these girls to be confident in their intelligence and to dream big.
28 |
W I N T E R 2019
Pre-Med Student, Brown University
Science, and particularly medicine, has always played a pivotal role in my life from a very young age. Moving to the United States when I was in the first grade, my father sought to pursue the dream he had developed as a child in Syria: becoming a physician in the United States, a dream many considered ridiculous. When I was young, I was angry at this silly dream. I wished to spend time with my father who was busy studying, as it felt to me, all the time. However, as I grew older, I was astounded by my father’s passion for medicine and science. Frequently, I would sit quietly on the floor and watch him pace back and forth as he memorized some complicated words until, suddenly, even I could mumble whatever jargon it was (albeit I had no
Fares Awa ’17.
idea what it was I was saying). I would sit next to him as he solved practice problems, pretending to understand the question and then give him my two cents on what the answer was. Years went by until finally he saw his goal accomplished, at which point I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps. The determination and passion he had for medicine was contagious it seemed; I was enamored by the profession, the challenge was enticing, and the science was even more interesting and mysterious to me.
The MPH community is one dedicated to service and community involvement, something that has been a large motivating factor in my decision to pursue medicine. While my father planted the seeds for my passion in science, MPH cultivated it. The MPH community is one dedicated to service and community involvement, something that has been a large motivating factor in my decision to pursue medicine. Too frequently it seems, patients come into their doctor’s office and receive a prescription or a treatment plan for the physical complaint they presented with, when in actuality, there lies a much larger network of social factors that complicate their health outcomes. It is for this reason that I am so passionate about medicine. I hope to be able to care for patients beyond the patient room and rather treat people in the context of the socioeconomic determinants that underpin health behaviors, in hopes of not only increasing health equality but also health equity as well. The Science Department at MPH and the faculty I had the pleasure of learning from are some of my earliest mentors — Sue Foster, in particular. Ms. Foster had the power to make everything seem interesting. She was always ready to help in any endeavor I chose to pursue, scientific or not. Without her guidance and encouragement to become involved in science outside the classroom, be it in Science Olympiad, the county science fair, or some other program she had put together herself, I may have never chosen to study medicine.
Ramzi El Hassan ’06, MD
University of Rochester
I completed my MD right in Syracuse at SUNY Upstate and am now at the University of Rochester, where I am training in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, to become a physiatrist. The field generally takes people who have had some kind Ramzi El Hassan ’06. of impairment or injury to their function and attempts to maximize their recovery. The interactions I have with my patients are very unique in that I get to focus on what the patient’s goals are and how to get him or her to achieve them. The field allows me to use my background as a biomedical engineer to augment my training as a medical doctor to help patients reach their goals.
“MPH taught me to think creatively when problem solving and to pursue things without the fear of failure.” From a career-skills perspective, MPH taught me to think creatively when problem solving and to pursue things without the fear of failure. From a life-skills perspective, the people at MPH taught me to keep an open mind and to truly engage the people around me in any role or profession. All the faculty were amazing at pushing me to pursue my interests. One of the best things about my time at MPH is that there were no molds that anyone tried to fit you into. You were given full freedom to try many things and develop interests, passions, and skills through trial and error. See Ramzi’s class note and wedding photo on page 61!
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 29
ANNOUNCING THE
Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020 At MPH we are enormously proud of our athletic tradition and continue to recognize the importance of athletics as part of the student experience. We are proud to announce the athletes who will be inducted into our Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 30, 2020.
The John Lenore ‘47A Legend and Legacy Awards The John Lenore ’47A Legend and Legacy Awards honor the School’s greatest athletic and life achievers. The award is named in honor of John Lenore ’47A, a 2010 inductee. This lifetime achievement award is the pinnacle of the Hall of Fame ceremony.
The John Lenore ‘47A Legend Award
Hon. Norman Mordue ’61A
Norm Mordue ’61A .
The John Lenore ‘47A Legacy Award
John Joiner ’57
PEBBLE HILL SCHOOL
• All-sport participant at Pebble Hill School • Longtime trainer at Le Moyne College
LENORE LEGACY AWARD WINNERS ARE INDUCTED POSTHUMOUSLY John “Doc” Joiner ’57.
30 |
W I N T E R 2019
THE MANLIUS SCHOOL • Red Knights Football • Member of the 1964 Sugar Bowl team at Syracuse University • Member, Elmira, NY Sports Hall of Fame, 1985 • Letter Winner of Distinction, Syracuse University, 1990 • Inductee, Syracuse University ROTC Alumni Hall of Fame, 1999 • Winner, Distinguished American Award, The Central New York Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, 2002
• Gave generously to both Le Moyne College and Manlius Pebble Hill School, endowing a scholarship at MPH and providing MPH with an athletic training room, naming it in honor of his mother, a former Pebble Hill School employee
Athletic Hall of Fame 2020 Inductees Jim Beierschmitt ’60A THE MANLIUS SCHOOL
• Co-Captain, Red Knights Football, 1959 • Led the 1959 team to a 6-1 record, allowing only 17 points • Quarterback, U.S. Military Academy at West Point
2007 Girls Varsity Soccer Team.
2007 Girls Varsity Soccer Team MANLIUS PEBBLE HILL SCHOOL
• Record of 13-2-1 • Played in States as Class C Section III Champions
Jim Beierschmitt ’60A.
Brian Perry ’02 MANLIUS PEBBLE HILL SCHOOL • MPH all-time leading scorer with 130 goals, and single season record of 56 goals
To learn more about the 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony,
• Member of two Championship Boys Varsity Soccer teams (2000 & 2001)
and to see a list of all
• All-American athlete
past inductees,
• Division I athlete (Brown University)
visit mphschool.org/alumni Brian Perry ’02.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 31
ALUMNI IN SPORTS:
In the Big Leagues: Ian Harmand ’06 Summer intern and former MPH student Madison Neuner reached out to Ian Harmand ’06, who has been working for MLB Network and NHL Network. Tell us about your position and how you came to obtain it? I’m an associate producer in the graphics department with MLB Network and NHL Network. I’ve taken on various roles during my tenure, starting in the edit department in 2012 and then working on the ticker (the scrolling text of scores and news on the bottom of the screen) shortly thereafter. I got my master’s degree in broadcast and digital journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in 2011, and I received a recommendation from an SU alum that led to an interview with MLB Network.
What sparked your passion for athletics? I can’t point to a single moment, but I do recall going through some home videos a few years ago and seeing my grandfather and dad playing golf with me when I was three years old. I also had a lacrosse stick in my hand
around that time, and I carried a basketball around the driveway. I had a toy Green Bay Packers helmet that I would wear around the house when I was little, too. I’m also a huge Syracuse Lacrosse fan and have been going to games at the Carrier Dome for over 25 years. As for baseball, I played tee-ball and Little League but never advanced beyond that. I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but baseball became my favorite sport to watch as a fan. Seeing a game in person is a beautiful amalgamation of history, traditions, and Americana, and I have an overwhelming sense of being at home when I’m at the ballpark.
Did you play sports at MPH? Did that experience help lead you to pursue your current career? I was on the JV Basketball team and the Varsity Golf team at MPH. Those experiences were part of my connection with sports, but my passion was fueled by going to games, watching sports coverage on TV, and paying close attention to the
AND THE EMMY GOES TO … Ian is part of the production staff that produces MLB Tonight, the signature show on The MLB Network. The show has won the Sports Emmy Award for Best Daily Outstanding Studio Show five times since Ian joined the team as an associate producer.
32 |
W I N T E R 2019
Ian (right) with his parents, Bill and Kathy, and one of his Emmys.
Ian giving a presentation in Middle School at MPH.
storylines going on at a given time in each sport. I’ve been fascinated with sports media (print, radio, and TV) since day one, and my mom always brings up the fact that she encouraged me to watch as much coverage as possible, so that I could observe how the information was being presented and learn from it.
What was your major in college, and how did that shape your future career goals? I got my undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester in English, which gave me a strong foundation in writing. I understood that the ability to write, and to articulate one’s ideas in an organized fashion, are of vital importance. After I graduated, I moved on to grad school at Newhouse for a direct application of those skills in the field of journalism, ultimately leading me towards a career in sports TV production. I always knew that this was the field I wanted to enter, and I strongly believe that my education (from MPH, to U of R, to SU) helped shape my path.
Tim Goldman ’11 MPH senior Simon Hoke spoke with Tim Goldman ’11 about his career with U.S. Soccer Tim on the NYU soccer team.
How did you obtain your position with US Soccer? I started as an intern in the Referee Department at U.S. Soccer in July 2017 after moving from Colorado Springs to South Chicago. After completing 11 internships in sports, I was ready for one more stab at the sports industry. The Referee Department at U.S. Soccer manages the registration, certification, and education of over 140,000 referees nationwide, double that of any country worldwide. After three months assisting in the day-to-day business operations of the department, I finally became a referee operations coordinator and was tasked with managing and executing our large-scale national/regional events, managing our registration platform, and assisting in the revamp of our new online grassroots referee education program, which was recently launched
in July 2019. I also recently worked the 2019 Women’s CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Championship in Dallas, TX, which included working with our U.S. Women’s National Team and several other federations.
Did your experience playing soccer at MPH help lead you to pursue your current career? Playing for Coach Ridall at MPH with my best high school friends gave me memories that I wouldn’t take back for the world. It furthered my love for the game and was a contributing factor to me pursuing sports management in college. Above playing soccer, I think my education and the flexible structure that MPH gives its students really increased my creativity, the ability to think out of the box, and my attention to detail — skills that are invaluable in the sports industry today.
What was your major in college and did that shape your career up to this point?
I received my Bachelor of Science in
Tim playing for MPH.
Sports Management from New York University (NYU). After two years at Ithaca College, I transferred to NYU to pursue better internship opportunities in NYC. Really, it was the internships and networking that I’ve done that
helped my career. You can’t learn the specific skillset needed in sports in a classroom; that is done through your work experience, and boy if I knew that, I wouldn’t have gone to one of the most expensive schools in America! During my time at NYU, I interned at the New York Red Bulls, New York City Football Club, and the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee, and it really set me up for success in my post-graduate internships with USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs. Your success in sports also comes down to your network and how you can foster relationships to get ahead. I recently returned to Syracuse to be closer to family. I’m the soccer tournament director at CNY Family Sports Centre and the assistant boys varsity soccer coach at Liverpool High School. Also, I’m launching two new companies: 315 Elite Sports, which is a personal soccer training company, and Goldman Creative Entertainment, which is a wedding DJ/MC company. While coming home has given me the creative freedom to pursue my passions, my long-term plan is to return to U.S. Soccer and Chicago in the near future to continue to work in event planning with our Youth National Teams, focusing on developing young American players to be our next crop of U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team players.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 33
BOYS VARSITY GOLF
Team Success: Coach Will O’Malley Golf is a sport for which school size does not matter with regard to interscholastic competition. If a small school has six golfers within its student body, it may be able to put together a team that can hold its own against a school of any size. The golf team at MPH in recent years serves as just such an example ... and then some! We had a chance to catch up with Boys Varsity Golf Coach Will O’Malley to inquire about this phenomenon.
To what do you attribute the team’s recent success? I’ve been fortunate enough to have players who are very talented. And even when we’ve had fewer students enrolled, I seem to have retained a lot of the kids who could play golf, so it’s been fortunate in that regard. Then, if you can get some of those kids who are golfers who are also friendly, charismatic kids in school, other kids are going to come and they’re going to want to play as well. We’ve also been fortunate to have kids who have become year-round players ... either they’ve been able to go south in the winter or they take advantage of summer; they find indoor opportunities in Central New York. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t bring a team to the Sectional Qualifier.
MPH Boys Varsity Golf Team, 2019.
The only kids in school history who have ever made it to the State Championship are Johnny Gruninger ’21 and Grant Lewis ’19. In 2019 only nine kids out of the entire Section III made it to the State Championships and two of them were from MPH. Despite a loss to Marcellus at sectionals, the 2018-2019 season was our most successful season. Putting two kids on the State Team is almost unheard of. We also have outstanding student leadership. Johnny and Grant are standouts; one, because they’re very talented, but they also commit to golf year-round. Everyone else sees the success that Johnny and Grant have had and they’re aspiring to get to that level.
At what age do students normally start competing? Sometimes I’ll have kids who progress, progress, progress, and then they’ll be able to play at matches when they’re juniors and seniors; some kids, they’ll be able to contribute as seventh graders. If you can shoot a certain score then you’re playing.
How might you characterize your coaching style?
MPH Boys Varisty Golf Team, 2012.
“There’s a lot of things that kids can learn on the golf course that they can’t learn in the classroom, or when playing another sort of team sport. “
34 |
W I N T E R 2019
My focus has always been getting kids excited about golf at an earlier age, whether that’s through summer camps or just encouraging participation in middle school. The real benefit of that is that it gets them excited about playing over the summer, which is when they’re going to progress the most.
What makes golf different than other sports? Golf is something in which you’re competing against the course. You are responsible for every shot that you make, and you’re always trying to improve on the scores that you get. Golf is also a game that teaches etiquette, it teaches patience, it teaches honesty.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD 2019
Steve Herron ’03
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI THROUGHOUT THE YEARS… 2018
Barry Spevak ’78
2017 Alan Marcum ’74 2016 The Alumni Community 2015 David Temes ’97 2014 William Koss ’61C 2013 Emmett Greenleaf ’53HQ 2012 Eric Spevak ’77 2011 Russ Andrews ’64 2010 Josh Wells ’89 2009 Bob Cryan ’59HQ 2008 Fred Benedict ’58A 2007 Bob Theis ’67B 2006 Jay ’74 and
Sara (Deming) Wason ’74
2005 Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72 Steve Herron ’03 at the Everson Museum during Alumni Weekend 2019.
We are pleased to announce that Steve Herron ’03 has received the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award. Steve has been a dedicated, active alumni volunteer and donor since graduating in 2003. He made his first gift to the School in 2004 and has been a consistent donor ever since. He attended his first alumni event in 2006 and has remained a familiar face at alumni events near and far. He also graciously accepted a leadership position at MPH by joining our Board of Trustees in 2017. His energy, enthusiasm, and expertise have been assets to both the board and the School’s administrative team. He’s always willing to help in any way he can, which has proved invaluable to the board and to everyone who works with him. “Thank you” does not seem enough, but thank you and congratulations to Steve Herron, MPH Class of 2003!
WHO WILL BE THE
2020 RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD? NOMINATE TODAY!
2004 Chuck Leonard ’56 2003 Bill Goff ’59B 2002 Paul Clark ’52B 2001 Dick Doust ’61PH 2000 Had Fuller ’66A 1999 Steve Johnson ’62PH 1998 Jock Hengst ’61A 1997 John Ellis ’67HQ 1996 Charles Beeler ’54PH 1995 Mike Alford ’63PH 1994 Jack Wells ’60B
The Distinguished Alumni Award was created to recognize the many ways in which alumni contribute to the well-being of our school today, generously sharing their time, energy, talents, and gifts to strengthen our school and the alumni program. If you know an alumnus/a of the Manlius School, Pebble Hill School, or Manlius Pebble Hill School who makes a noticeable impact on the life of our school, please consider nominating him or her for this prestigious recognition. Simply email Erica Toyama, alumni relations associate, at etoyama@mphschool.org or call (315) 446-2452, ext. 136 and tell us why your nominee is an ideal candidate. We will announce the recipient during Alumni Weekend 2020.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 35 [ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 35
COMMENCEMENT CLASS OF 2019
1
3 2
4 36 |
W I N T E R 2019
5
6
7 8
1
Ren Brown takes a Class of 2019 selfie in front of the Knox Farmhouse.
2
Don Ridall serves as marshal, leading the Class of 2019 to the ceremony.
3
Jack Murray getting a final tassel adjustment.
4
Le Moyne College President Dr. Linda LeMura gives the Commencement address.
5
Members of the Senior Choir perform.
6
Head of School Jim Dunaway presents Maddy Mafrici with The Headmaster’s Cup.
7
Jacob Roy and Sarah Antonevich.
8
Malachy Reagan accepts his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
9
Charlie Mann, Claudia Cook, Lyla O’Hara, Taylor Germain, Grace Zhang, Eva Englich, and Brian Wood.
10
9
10
President of the Senior Class Charlie Mann addresses his classmates.
WE DID IT! [ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 37
Alumni Weekend Model United Nation Reunion, MPH Campus, Friday, May 31
MUN reunion on Friday, May 31.
Current MPH students, faculty, and alumni enjoyed the reception.
Former faculty member and MPH MUN founder Jeff Mangram made it back for the celebration!
The Class of 2009 10th Reunion Gathering, The Hops Spot, Syracuse, Friday, May 31
Kelly (Dew) Duncan ‘09 and MPH faculty members Sue Foster and Bill Preston.
Guest Keegan Healy with Meg Harrigan ‘09, Cody Stahl ‘09, MPH faculty member Liza Morrison, and Molly Gasparini ‘09. Ben Slutzky ‘09, Ciara (Murphy) Cunningham ‘09, and guest Chris Wolfe with Sophia McKissick ‘09.
38 || 38
WIINNTTEERR 2019 2019 W
20th Annual Golf Outing, Green Lakes Golf Course, Fayetteville, NY, Friday, May 31
Kent Schneider ’68A and Dennis Lutz.
William Bradford Roy ’72, Paul Shanahan ’76, Kent Schneider ’68A, and Dennis Lutz.
Melissa Davis ‘80 and Luke McKenney ‘80 tee-off!
Neil Ripley and Jeff Randolph ’69.
Melissa Davis ’80 and Luke McKenney ’80.
20th Anniversary Celebration for Annmarie Gregory and Michele Koziara, Friday, May 31
MPH alumni and friends gathered in the Coville Theater to celebrate two of their favorite MPH faculty members!
Michele and Annmarie.
Annmarie and former longtime MPH faculty member Jeff Mangram.
[[ RR EE FF LL EE CC TT II OO NN SS ]] || 39 39
150th Celebration at the Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, Saturday, June 1
Jessica and Patrick Danial ’98.
Attendees of the event watch the MPH 150th celebration video. Tom Rhoades ’59A.
Trustee Steve Herron ’03 accepts the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award. Trustee Eric Fung and Chantall Dalpe-Fung, parents of Maxwell ’21 and Alexander ’23.
Trustee Dave Temes ’97, Board of Trustees President John Mezzalingua ’85, then Head of School Jim Dunaway, Gen. Howell Estes III ’60HQ, and Sara Temes ’96.
40 || 40
W I N T E R 2019 W I NT E R 2019
Gen. Howell Estes III ‘60HQ.
The Manlius BBQ, The Phoenix Student Center, Friday, May 31
John ’59HQ and Ann Sullivan with retired Alumni Director Maureen Anderson.
Members of the Manlius School Class of 1959.
Peter “George” Thomas ’59B, Elwood “Woody” Obrig ’59C, and John Sleeth ’59C.
Tom Brandon ’66B and Michele and Mark McDade ’67B enjoy the festivities.
Gen. Howell Estes III ’60HQ visits with Rev. Suzi Harriff, Jim Inglis ’59B, and Jim’s guest, Alicia.
Singing the Manlius School alma mater.
Don Byles ’66HQ, Jerry Marturano ’66HQ, and Jack Draper ’66B share a laugh.
Carl Gibbs ’69C and Jon Tice ’69HQ.
Members of The Manlius School Class of 1967.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 41 [ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 41
Multicultural Festival, MPH Campus, Friday, May 31
Spanish teacher Silviana Medina-Dooher.
A beautifully detailed display.
Upper School students perform a dance.
History teacher Sarah Chhablani addresses the crowd.
Students enjoy the displays during the 2019 Multicultural Festival.
42 |
W I N T E R 2019
Xuanbo “Iris” Fan ’19 and Lyla O’Hara ’19 enjoy the fun.
Students enjoy learning about music in different cultures.
The Manlius School Class of 1959 60th Reunion Dinner, The Craftsman Inn, Syracuse, June 1
Members of the Manlius Class of 1959 with their wives (l-r): Ginny Raner, Suzanne Thomas, Merton “Mert” Raner ’59B, Peter “George” Thomas ’59B, Catherine Goff, Reunion Class Chair Bill Goff ’59B, John Sullivan ’59HQ, Elwood “Woody” Obrig ’59C, John Sleeth ’59HQ, Ann Sullivan, Tom Rhoades ’59A, and John Ramsey ’59A.
Catherine Goff, Reunion Class Chair Bill Goff ’59B, Suzanne Thomas, John Sleeth ’59HQ, Peter “George” Thomas ’59B, Elwood “Woody” Obrig ’59C.
Alumni Memorial Service at Verbeck Family Gravesite, Saturday, June 1
Rev. Guido Verbeck speaks during the Alumni Memorial Service.
Woody Obrig ’59C reads the names of alumni lost in the last year while Rev. Suzi Harriff looks on.
MPH faculty member Will O’Malley listens as son Brendan O’Malley ’20 plays Taps.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 43
Alumni Events
Coach Bentley Hoke.
MPH Homecoming and Alumni Soccer Game
Maggie SextonDwyer ‘18.
MPH Campus, October 6, 2018
Carla Torrillo ’03 and Tyler Greco ’12 battle it out on the field.
Team spirit! Coach Ridall with Jon Mangram ’10.
Senior Snack 2018-2019
150th Celebration in Philadelphia
The Class of 2019!
Chris Ellis ’68HQ, Joel Warburton ’94, former MPH staff Martha Cameron, Former MPH Division Head Andrea Danial, Alumni Relations Associate Erica Toyama, and John Danial.
Pyramid Club, January 29
Rochester Reunion
Horizons Restaurant at the Woodcliffe Hotel & Spa, Fairport, NY, October 18 Jim Inglis ’59B, Paul Shanahan ’76, Mike Compter ’68HQ, Kent Schneider ’68A, Ray Levato ’66B, and Kent Fellows ’62C.
44 |
W I N T E R 2019
Holiday Gathering
MPH in DC, The Front Page DC, February 27
1060 at the Genesee Grande Hotel Syracuse, December 23
Alumni reconnect at The Front Page. Jasmine Collins ’17, Nick Jerge ’18, and Isabella Casella ’18.
Right: Donaldo Hart ’61HQ and Alumni Relations Associate Erica Toyama.
College-Bound BBQ, MPH Campus, August 15 Steve Goldman ’09, Sam Goldman ’17, Brandon Bagwell, Tim Goldman ’11, Christine (Goldman) Bagwell ’06, and former faculty member Michael Salter.
Head of School Dave McCusker greets Jack Murphy ’19.
Joelle Rotella ’12 and Anna Rupert ’12.
Maja Cannavo ’17, Meg Curtis ’17, and Keerthi Martyn ’18.
Coach Don Ridall, history teacher Ted Curtis, and Director of Development Kelly Rose.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 45
Class of 1999 20th Reunion
MPH in NYC
PressRoom Pub, Syracuse, July 13
Hosted by Jared Balanoff ’91, AWOL Bar & Grill, New York, NY, February 28
Alumni enjoy a tour of the MPH campus. Lindsey Manolakos ’99, Mia Bott ’99, Danielle (Rutner) Holland ’99, and Andrew Greenwald ’99.
Pat Danial ’98, Coach Ridall, Darien Gregory ’99, and Danielle (Rutner) Holland ’99.
A large group gathered at AWOL Bar & Grill.
MPH faculty member, Michele Koziara and Mikayla Mason ’13. Alumni, faculty, and friends celebrate on the patio at the PressRoom Pub.
Current and former MPH faculty came out to celebrate with the class! Brian Hoke, Ted Curtis, Tom Denton, and Matt Spear.
Katia Koziara ’08, guest, and Will Buniak ’08.
Southwest Florida Reunion Luncheon Hosted by Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72 The Veranda Restaurant, Fort Myers, March 7
John Ramsey ’59A, Stan ’54A and Ann Wright, John Sullivan ’59HQ, Michael Goldsmith ’71C, Ann Sullivan, Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72, Director of Development Kelly Rose, Robert Miller, Lynn Miller, Carol Nigolian, Alumni Relations Associate Erica Toyama, and Tom Nigolian.
46 |
W I N T E R 2019
Out of the Archives Look what we found! A photo of an Upper School student taking first place at Pebble Hill’s annual Green & White Day in1952. This tradition now lives on at MPH as Red & White Day and is a great example of a long-lasting MPH tradition that began at Pebble Hill!
A pocket-sized Manlius School football schedule, donated by Had Fuller ’66A.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 47
Student Voices ...
Pursuing Her Passion Ashley Rath’s career as a chef originated in eighth-grade history class BY TAY LO R G E R M A I N ’ 1 9 originally published in the Pebble Magazine, Spring 2019
How did your education prepare you for your profession? Even though I’ve got a college education, since graduating, I’ve only cooked. I wrote my dissertation to graduate from St. Andrews on the relationship between food and conflict. I was studying international relations, and I’ve also always been into food. The first memory I have of being into cooking from a worldly perspective, because I didn’t think I wanted to be chef but understand how people cook, was in Mr. Jeff Mangram’s class in eighth grade, and I ended up cooking a Moroccan feast, basically. Mr. Mangram was always very supportive of learning about cultures, or history through different avenues. So, I think that was definitely the background for getting into being a chef.
How did you start working as a chef?
Education: MPH from preschool, Class of 2006. University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she received a Master of Arts. Career: Chef
48 |
W I N T E R 2019
In college, I studied international relations and I hosted dinner parties. We established a fine food and dining society at St. Andrews. It was good, and I wrote the dissertation on it. I got a job in New Delhi from my dissertation, and it won an award for my graduating class. And so, I thought I was going to go to New Delhi, and I thought I was going to stick with my degree, which I was very passionate about. But I got kicked out of the UK because by the second year, the student visa expires and they were like, “Please, go home.” And then I was waiting to get my visa to New Delhi, and I didn’t want to go back to Syracuse. So, I ended up in New York City. I had always wanted to cook, so I talked to my parents about going to the Culinary Institute of America. My parents and I discussed maybe it would be better to give the other thing in New Delhi a try because I could still do it afterwards if I wanted to cook. So, as I was waiting for the visa for New Delhi to come through, I started cooking, and then I never stopped.
What was your break in the cooking world? I worked at the Waverly Inn for a year and a half, and the sous chef there wanted to take me to a restaurant he was opening, which is where I met a very close friend of mine who gave me the name of a chef who was opening up this very avant-garde restaurant, Atera, that was going for a Michelin star. I ended up helping them. I worked with chef Matt Lightner, and I remember I had to trail. So “trail” is basically like a job interview, but you cook and work for the whole day without getting paid. This isn’t legal anymore, but I trailed there five times. So, you’re like there, helping, cooking. That was my break. Atera ended up within its first eight months getting two Michelin stars. It was the basis of teaching me how to work that fine dining system. From Atera, I ended up leaving and going to Gramercy Tavern, which is where I worked for Mike Anthony. I went on his cookbook tour, and I ended up going to Vetri in Philadelphia, Canlis in Seattle, Le Pigeon in Portland, Alinea in Chicago. I had to pack and prep the dinners. It was a huge opportunity for me.
What are you most proud of? That’s a hard question. I think I am most proud of defying the odds that you can still be a very intellectual person and still do something that people still think is a craft. One of my best cooks doesn’t even have a high school education and being able to give so much leeway to someone who wants to go to school but can’t work full time feels good. That’s kind of what I’m proud of the most. And also I’m proud that I can just do it in New York City. In one of my jobs, I got paid $5 an hour. It’s only been eight and a half years for me, so being able to end up with the Bon Appetit article and a few other things, that tells me if I really put my head down and really go, I can do whatever I want.
What was it like being featured in Bon Appetit? The most satisfying thing to me is cooking in a structured system and just getting it done. I wasn’t enthusiastic that I was getting recognition at the time, because all I really care about is getting the job done.
How did you wind up at The Grill? I helped a friend open a biscuit shop in the East Village for a little bit because I wanted to figure out what I wanted to do next. And then I got a job with Major Food Groups. I ended up opening three restaurants with them; they were very successful and through that time period I ended up getting a bunch of interviews and stuff done about me. The biggest one was The Grill. We took over the old Four Seasons space in the Seagram Building. It was a big deal because the old Four Seasons was the changing force in American dining in the sense of how people viewed seasonality, and also how people viewed fine dining. It also gave birth to the power lunch, which was a thing because powerful people went to the old Four Seasons to broker deals. So, taking it over was a big deal, and it went really well, which was pretty cool, too.
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM MPH STUDENTS AT THEPEBBLE.COM
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 49
Lenore Gift MPH CELEBRATED 150 YEARS WITH A $1 MILLION GIFT TO OUR ENDOWMENT!
In the spring of 2019, Manlius Pebble Hill School was the grateful recipient of a $1 million gift to our endowment, specifically to The John P. Lenore ’47A Scholarship Fund. This gift comes to us from Dorothy Lenore, the widow of Manlius School alumnus John P. Lenore ’47A, and will be added to the family’s existing fund, which is designated for various scholarships.
Dorothy and John Lenore ’47A.
As a young man, John Lenore, who passed away in 2015, saw an ad in his local Wheeling, West Virginia, newspaper about Manlius Military Academy and wrote a letter requesting a football scholarship. Having been granted the scholarship, Mr. Lenore joined a team that went on to be undefeated the following two years, often in competition against freshmen and junior varsity college teams. During summers he worked on the railroad and in coal mines. John and Dorothy (Dot) Marshall married in 1948 and, with $300 in their pockets, migrated west to California, where they sold their car to pay the hospital bill when their first child was born. Through hard work and perseverance, Mr. Lenore became a successful businessman, especially in the brewing, bottling, and distributorship of various beverages, specializing, among other things, in imported and craft beers. The Lenores began supporting MPH philanthropically more than 25 years ago, and because Mr. Lenore believed the School had shaped him and set a course for his life, he remained a consistent supporter of MPH until his death. In 2007, John and Dorothy made a gift of over $100,000 to endow The John P. Lenore ’47A Scholarship Fund.
50 |
W I N T E R 2019
During our biannual Athletic Hall of Fame inductions, two awards — The Lenore Legend Award and The Lenore Legacy Award — honor John’s leadership and his legacy on and off the athletic field, as well as his commitment to education in general — and MPH in particular.
John P. Lenore ’47A.
“Dorothy’s gift is transformative by virtue of its very size, its specific targeting of scholarship support, and the fact that it enables us to further support our commitment to serving a diverse population of talented students. We are so grateful to Dorothy Lenore for her generosity.” — Jim Dunaway Former Head of School
Lenore Scholars will be selected from Middle and Upper School applicants to MPH who demonstrate high academic achievement through current scholastic performance; who have special interests or talents that would be cultivated through our curricular and extracurricular activities; and who would enhance our learning community by providing greater cultural, intellectual, and socioeconomic diversity. Priority will always be given to those students and families who demonstrate financial need. Students named John P. Lenore ’47A Scholars will be funded through graduation, provided they maintain high academic performance and continue to be a positive member of the MPH community. In addition to increasing MPH’s endowment by over 18 percent, this gift will generate additional scholarship dollars annually to enhance our scholarship and financial aid budget, ensuring more qualified students will have access to an MPH education. Before his retirement in June 2019, then Head of School Jim Dunaway stated, “Dorothy’s gift is transformative by virtue of its very size, its specific targeting of scholarship support, and the fact that it enables us to further support our commitment to serving a diverse population of talented students. We are so grateful to Dorothy Lenore for her generosity.”
Interested in creating a named endowment fund or supporting an existing fund? Contact Director of Development Kelly Rose at krose@mphschool.org to discuss how you can support MPH students for generations to come with just ONE gift!
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 51
WHAT WILL YOUR
legacy
BE?
Make a lasting impact on the next generation of learners and leaders through charitable giving by joining the Tree of Life Society. “From the September morning in 1982 when our son walked into Mary Lee Muench’s kindergarten classroom, to the June day in 2012 when I processed under the tent for the last time, MPH was at the heart of our family. It was the place where our children grew to be lifelong learners — curious, confident, and engaged. It was the place where Ed and I, as educators, were challenged, inspired, and gratified. For all of us, wonderful relationships were at the core of our experience, and we hold dearly our memories of both people and place. Our choice to be members of the Tree of Life Society is simply our way to say ‘thank you’ and plant seeds for growth and excellence for years to come.“ That’s why Laura and Ed Jordan have included MPH in their estate Laura and Ed Jordan.
plans. Laura and Ed began their relationship with MPH in 1982 when their son, Brian, entered kindergarten at MPH, where he remained until he graduated in 1995. His sister, Jennifer, joined him at MPH, graduating in 2007. Over the course of nearly 30 years, Ed and Laura maintained a direct connection to MPH, first as parents, then faculty. That daily connection ended with Laura’s retirement in 2012, but MPH remains in their hearts and on their minds as they continue to attend alumni events and make philanthropic investments.
Creating a legacy at MPH is easier than you think! Contact Director of Development Kelly Rose at 315/446-2452 or krose@mphschool.org. To learn more, visit our website at mphschool.org/legacy.
52 |
W I N T E R 2019
Why I Give We’ve asked alumni, parents, and faculty to share their personal motivations for giving back to Manlius Pebble Hill School. Their generosity directly impacts all aspects of school life by supporting our students and faculty. We are grateful for their commitment to MPH and hope that you, too, will consider giving this year!
Matt Thomas ’01 Looking back at my time at MPH, I find myself grateful for the atmosphere of openness, and respect for the pursuit of knowledge and personal betterment that permeated the culture of the School. I was always encouraged to pursue my activities to the highest degree, and consequently they became my careers. MPH was a place where young people could be themselves, no matter how different or “weird,” and I have always appreciated that. I recently visited the School and was greeted by an incredibly friendly and enthusiastic staff. And, the School itself looks amazing! The new dance studio in the old arts wing is fantastic, the new library is wonderful, and the Phoenix is inviting. The teachers were mingling with the students after school during a fall festival before a soccer game. I was so happy to see that this level of connection and community between the students and staff is still highly valued. All this gave me reason to believe that MPH is continuing to offer the best possible facilities, staff, guidance, and care to its students, so that the young people it sends into the world are the open-minded, critical-thinking lovers of intellect and art whom we so desperately need in our society. That is why I chose to make a donation that day.
Meg Curtis ’17 I choose to give because it is a way for me to show my appreciation for all MPH has done for me. I am so thankful for the relationships and experiences I gained at MPH, and it undoubtedly shaped who I am as a person today; I know it is a place I will always call home. Even if I can only give just a small amount, it allows me to give back to the School and be a supportive member of the MPH community.
John and Amy Wildhack P’22, P ’23 We believe it is important to support good causes, and MPH is more than a good cause! It is an exceptional school filled with endless opportunities for every student, surrounded by the very best teachers and administrators. We also know that in order for MPH to not only maintain, but grow, it takes more than just our tuition. There are a variety of plans and goals for the School, and to be a part of supporting those is exciting. Since coming to MPH in 2016, we have seen growth in our own sons — academically, athletically, and artistically. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure to contribute both financially, as well as through volunteer opportunities. We believe that it’s not always the size of the gift or how much the time – It’s the contribution that matters!
Kate Berry, Faculty I give because Manlius Pebble Hill represents what I think education should be. As a teacher I am surrounded by colleagues who inspire me to grow as an educator. I give because there is constant thought to what will be best for our students. Small class sizes allow me to get to know every student and make school meaningful and engaging for each one. I give because as a parent I have seen the life-changing impact MPH has had on my own children. I give because I am thankful for all that MPH has given me both personally and professionally.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 53
Legacy Families At MPH, we define a legacy family as a family with multiple generations of alumni within one family. In recent years we have been pleased to see increased interest in our admissions applicant pool from the children or grandchildren of our alumni. Below we have featured just a few of our current legacy families at MPH.
Tom Hafner ’65C and grandson Jacob ’25.
Hafner Family
Kim, John ’85, Caroline ’24 , Daniel ’18, Katherine ’22, Kathleen, Christian, and Daniel ’56C.
Mezzalingua Family “My father and mother have always understood the difference an independent school education can make. They had five of their kids here at one time, so at an early age we saw them giving their time and money, acting on their belief in the School. Second to the home environment, school is probably the greatest influence on a young person’s mindset. It shapes how they define themselves and get ready for what’s next. At this school you learn to put in maximum effort, stretch, struggle, and ultimately grow. It’s the perfect preparation for everything else you will experience in life, for dealing with adversity as well as success. Kim and I both had the early advantage of attending excellent independent schools. We know the difference a school like MPH can make in students’ lives, and we are happy to be able to be able to pass that opportunity along to our children.” —John Mezzalingua ’85
54 |
W I N T E R 2019
“The MPH Jacob is experiencing is so different from the Manlius Military Academy I attended. Manlius was obviously a military school; you had military uniforms, codes of conduct, haircuts, drill instructors. You stayed at the School away from your family. Even though my family was right in North Syracuse, I only went home on holidays, except for one Thanksgiving, but that’s a story for another time! Since Jacob started attending MPH, I’ve spent some time looking back on my years at Manlius and I’ve realized just how valuable The Manlius School was for me and how it helped shape the person I’ve become. What Jacob is experiencing is just as valuable for this time in the world, and I can see the School shaping him into an intelligent, curious, well-rounded person. I couldn’t be happier for him. “I’m very proud that the School has been able to thrive and adapt from the military school that I attended, and that it’s retained the traditions of manners, respect, and the highest quality of education, to the school my grandson now attends. It’s overwhelming to think that 60 years later, Jacob is able to take advantage of a school that was such a valuable part of my life. I’m extremely proud of him and the School.” — Thomas Hafner ’65C, MPH grandparent
Murthy/Joshi Family
Swati Murthy ’01 and her daughter, Saanvi, who is in the Pre-Kindergarten program at MPH.
“I started at Manlius Pebble Hill when I was in Kindergarten. Looking back, I realize that it was almost like a second home for me, a community of students and teachers who supported my education from early childhood through my adolescence. Even though a lot of the School has been updated and some of the faces have changed since my days there, I still feel the same sense of community when I step foot on campus, and I’m delighted I get to share this experience with my daughter!” — Swati Murthy ’01
Temes Family “We are excited about having our children learn to love education, develop curiosity, and to quote Baxter Ball, the ‘life of the mind.’ For Sara and me to be able to watch our children make similar connections with their current (our former) teachers, coaches, and mentors has been awesome, and it’s given us a greater opportunity to reflect on our own MPH experience.” —Dave ’97 and Sara ’96 Temes
Ellis, Jessica, Remy ’34 and Patrick ’98.
Danial Family Our legacy with MPH is only a small part of our decision to send Remy. We believe the visual, fine, and performing arts are foundational to the overall learning and human experience. Beyond MPH’s stunning record developing future thinkers and leaders, it remains among the bold minority for its progressively integrated arts curriculum. We can’t wait to grow up with this fine institution. — Jessica & Patrick ’98 Danial
Sara ’96, Jacob ’25, Delia (member of the MPH English Department faculty 1996–2006), Lilah ’27, Delias’s husband, Sandy, and Dave ’97.
Interested in adding your family’s name to this list? Have a child or grandchild in Central New York and interested in learning more about MPH? Contact Director of Admissions Nicole Cicoria and schedule a tour!
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 55
[
ALUMNI NOTES
The Manlius School PETER L. AULT ’48B “I put U.S. flags up (with help) for Memorial Day and July 4th, and it reminded me of the years-ago duty of performing the same task at Manlius when serving on Guard duty with ‘reveille’ in the morning and ‘taps’ played at sundown. I’m slowing down with the advancing years but still driving and mowing the lawns (I mostly ride around). My two sons and other relatives are very helpful and we hope to enjoy life a few more years with the help of the medical profession.” VICTOR HANSEN, JR. ’51C “I was given a lifetime achievement award and elected to Marquis’s Who is Who in American Medicine 2018.”
]
JAMES W. SANDERS ’58B “I Just turned 80. I’m still semi-alert and on my 25th year of retirement. I currently spend time with our NY family. Atlanta, our home, is devoid of Manlius grads but there a few Hillsdale alums. Sharon and I travel a couple of months a year, a cruise, a condo in Naples, and a few weeks with other family members. I hope all is well with our class.” BILL GOFF ’59B “Our class enjoyed a well-attended reunion on June 1st for our 60th. My friends really surprised me with a unanimous vote to put a 65th on the schedule. There was acknowledgment that perhaps canes, walkers, and even electric scooters would be necessary, but that didn’t diminish their enthusiasm. For sure, we are a tough class year.”
Members of the Manlius School Class of 1959: Peter “George” Thomas ’59B, Merton “Mert” Raner ’59B, Reunion Class Chair Bill Goff ’59B, John Sullivan ’59A, Elwood “Woody” Obrig ’59C, John Sleeth ’59HQ, Tom Rhoades ’59A, and John Ramsey ’59A.
56 |
W I N T E R 2019
Donaldo Hart ’61C.
DONALDO HART ’61C “Just to keep up with any other ’61 Old Boys, or other close-by classes, I am formally retired from international consulting, live in Washington, DC, and have five children and six grandchildren. I’ve made most of the reunions in the past few years, missed 2019, and hope to come up in 2020. Always glad to hear news of Old Boys, and I am very proud of the terrific school that MPH has become.” DAVE CORCORAN ’67B “With the summer season winding down it’s time for me to finally admit that I’m a ‘snowbird.’ Summers are spent guiding fly fishermen and women here on the blue-ribbon trout streams of Montana, while winters are spent in Palm Desert, California, whacking the little white ball around, searching for the top margarita, and entertaining friends and family. I’ve been active volunteering for several golf tournaments during the winter. The Desert Classic (think
Bob Hope Desert Classic) is our big PGA Tournament and this year I was selected to be an announcer for the tournament. I guess all those mornings calling B Company to attention did have a lasting effect on me! The St Jude/Warburton Tournament followed by the Prestige Pac 12 Tournament round out my winters in the land of no snow. If any of my Manlius pals are heading in my direction, I hope you’ll reach out and let me know you’re coming. By the time you get here I just might have found the top margarita in the West.”
REV. SUZI HARRIFF (daughter of Manlius School Band Instructor David Bahner) Rev. Suzi Harrif Shares: “It was such a joy to meet him [NBA player Enes Kanter, of the Boston Celtics, who recently gave a free basketball clinic at MPH] and listen to his plans to be an inspiration and a champion, not just on the court but everywhere. A truly great guy.” Rev. Suzi Harrif and husband Jim with Enes Kanter.
GREG MURIN ’68C “My daughter Patti Murin currently plays Princess Anna in Frozen the Musical on Broadway and will be in a Hallmark Christmas movie titled ‘Holiday for Heroes’ premiering in November. I’m very happy for her.”
Zamboni driver at the rink. Perhaps next I’ll do a stint as a gondolier in Venice. There are infinite possibilities in life’s twilight.”
JON STATLER ’68A “After hiking, fishing, and birding in Iceland ... fishing, hiking, and birding in Montana, alas the dogs, Phil and Rip, don’t really participate. I’ve made a serious life goal of becoming a
JIM BARRETT ’69C “My wife Lynn had been out in Colorado visiting our daughter. As she was sitting in the airport in Denver, there was a couple seated next to her who asked her if she was
from Colorado since she was wearing a Colorado sweatshirt. She explained that we had lived there previously and were now living in Bluffton. As the conversation progressed, she mentioned that I was from Syracuse, at which time the gentlemen said that he had gone to a military school outside of Syracuse. Lynn said that must have been Manlius, and stated that I had also graduated from there. Turns out it was Randy Rippman, who graduated in 1970, a year behind me. He and his wife were on their way to Hilton Head for a memorial service for his and his brother Ray’s (Class of ’68), mother. When I picked Lynn up at the Hilton Head Airport, I spoke to Randy for about 20 minutes. It’s such a small world we live in.”
Pebble Hill School
The Pebble Hill Lunch Bunch: Chuck Beeler ’54, Hugh Gregg ’55, Dick Sargent ’60, retired Alumni Director Maureen Anderson, Martha Ives Williams ’57, Jackie (Mary Staley) Pickard ’55, and Susie Turner ’69.
THE PEBBLE HILL LUNCH BUNCH The Pebble Hill Lunch Bunch, organized by the incomparable Martha Ives Williams ’57, continued to meet monthly, undeterred by bad weather, busy schedules, or the closure of Murphy’s Law in Manlius. What a terrific Bunch indeed!
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 57
A SPECIAL NOTE FROM PABLO PICK ’61C A number of years ago my wife, Karol, and I got together with Ed Nathan ’61HQ and his wife, Sandy, for dinner in Naples, Florida. Ed and I met at Manlius 60-plus years ago, and during dinner we talked about our time at the School, recollecting memories and what we did after graduation. This is my story: I arrived at Manlius from Caracas, Venezuela, in 1956 as an enthusiastic 12-year-old, first time away from home, ready to learn a new language (after Czech and Spanish) and play sports. The first year, as an 8th grader, was rough, as I was picked on and very homesick. As the years passed, I adjusted and found respect by excelling in sports, learning to speak English, and keeping up with academics. By my senior year I was a Sergeant First Class, an honor roll student, and played first singles on the tennis team; I was captain and school’s champion. I also led the soccer team in assists and was second in goals. During graduation weekend, while nervously speaking in front of students and parents as part of the public speaking contest in Knox Hall, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment. I did not know at that time that some of the lessons learned at Manlius would be among the most valuable in my life. I applied to Adelphi College, then a small liberal arts school in Garden City, NY, only 45 minutes away from Idlewild (JFK) Airport. In 1965, I graduated with a BA degree. One year after graduation, I married Karol Bolin, my first date at Adelphi. It was the best decision I made in my life! Soon after, I attended The Wall Street Institute of Finance and was hired as a Financial Advisor by a New York Stock Exchange firm. In 1968 Karol gave birth to our son, Ted, and a few years later to Marisa. We then moved to Caracas. In 1976 we decided to leave Venezuela and settle permanently in the US. We bought a house in Brookville, Long Island, and lived there until 1996. During those 20 years I worked on building and running an international petrochemical plant based in New York City, was a member of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), served on the boards of school and church organizations, and traveled extensively (75-plus countries) for both business and pleasure. In 1993 we moved into Manhattan, and a few years later I sold my business. Since then, I have been involved in marketing, consulting, private equity, and real estate.
58 |
W I N T E R 2019
Pablo Pick ’61C.
I also got back into competitive tennis and in 2003 was ranked # 2 in the USTA Eastern Section and # 28 nationally in the 60s age group. I have been teaching International Marketing as an adjunct professor at a New York City college and at my alma mater, Adelphi University. I tell students to never, never give up and that international success is greatly dependent upon adjusting to survive and adapting to succeed. Karol is a volunteer archivist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and we spend as much time as possible with our four grandchildren, Annabel and Louisa in New York and Emily and Andrew in Los Angeles. We thank God every day for our blessings.
MARK ZILKOWSKI ’69 “We had eight of our nine children present for 2019 Spokane’s hoopfest (the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world)!”
Manlius Pebble Hill School SUSAN MOYER ’73 “I wrote and published my memoir The Lonely Child: The Journey of Search to Find My Biological Family. After discovering at age 16 that I was adopted, and after the birth of my own children, I made it my goal to discover where I came from and the story behind my adoption. I was born in Albany, New York, and placed in an orphanage. Because adoptees born in New York State are not allowed access to their original birth records, I had not one name to go by. But with a lot of determination, hard work, time, and many roadblocks, I accomplished the impossible. Growing up an only child, although it took me 30 years, I discovered that I am one of 10 children. I am an author, speaker, and adoptee’s rights advocate. I have lobbied in Albany to get a bill passed to obtain equal rights for adoptees — a bill which passed earlier this year in both the New York State Assembly and for the first time in the New York State Senate. The bill is now awaiting Governor Cuomo’s signature.”
Blair Frodelius ’82 with his wife, Kimberly.
BLAIR FRODELIUS ’82 Blair Frodelius and his wife, Kimberly, just celebrated their 34th anniversary by taking a first-time trip to Oahu. It was one of Blair’s bucket-list places to visit, since he performs Hawaiian music at area nursing homes and hospitals. This year marks his 22nd as a music therapist, and he continues to add new genres and songs every month to his repertoire. In addition, he was just elected as a director-at-large to the board of the International Wizard of Oz Club, which has been going strong for over six decades. Speaking of six, Blair and Kim’s six kids are now 23–31 years old. That’s a total of 162 years of parenting!
GENE SHAPIRO ’82 “ I was honored this summer by the University of Bridgeport’s Shintaro Akatsu School of Design (SASD) for a Lifetime Achievement Award. I have fond memories of MPH and owe much of my accomplishments to the faculty at MPH as they led me into the study of industrial design. Faculty such as Jane Carrol, Don Ridall, Tom Denton, Headmaster Songster, and so many more were supportive and helped me in so many ways. I hope all is well at the School, I think of MPH often.”
Gene Shapiro ’82.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 59
ADAM FRATTO ’86 “Cable network History has hired Adam Fratto to oversee its growing roster of scripted series. Fratto, a former Reel One Entertainment executive, joins the A&E Networks channel as vice president of scripted programming. He will take charge of development and production for History’s scripted originals, which include Vikings and Project Blue Book, and also develop projects for A+E Studios. Prior to joining History, Fratto was senior vice president at indie producer Reel One, where he launched a series division for the studio that included a multiplatform adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s Screamers. Before that, Fratto was head of drama development for Pukeko Pictures. He was an executive producer on Netflix’s Cleverman and a co-executive producer on Syfy’s Haven. History’s scripted roster currently includes Vikings — which will end after its sixth season — Project Blue Book and Knightfall, along with the upcoming anthology The Commanders. Vikings creator Michael Hirst is also developing a follow-up series.” Keir Weimer ’01.
— Hollywood Reporter, July 10, 2019 KEIR WEIMER ’01 After successfully starting and growing several businesses in the real estate field in luxury brokerage, boutique hospitality development, and commercial real estate investment, Keir is excited to start and launch his newest venture, Keir Weimer Multimedia, LLC. This new company is focused on empowering others with the skills, education, training, support, and leadership to take their business, their income, and their life to new levels and heights.
Adam Fratto ’86. Photo courtesy of History.
60 |
W I N T E R 2019
ERIC BRODIE ’01 Eric is currently studying at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL. He is pursuing his Master of Arts in psychology. Following that, he plans to attend another school for a PhD in psychology in order to become a professor in that field.
Lisa (Eade) Sonneborn ’06.
Andrew Carroll ’05. Photo Courtesy of JazzTimes online.
ANDREW CARROLL ’05 JazzTimes is honored to present the premiere of “Midnight Blues,” a track from Alliterations, the debut album by pianist Andrew Carroll, to be released this May on AndrewCarrollMusic. On this self-composed piece, as on the album’s 12 other tracks (a mix of originals and rearrangements of others’ compositions), Carroll is backed by bassist Michael Pope and drummer Jonathan Barber. — JazzTimes, March 8, 2019
Ramzi El Hassan ’06 and Diana Dunn.
RAMZI EL HASSAN ’06 Ramzi married his beautiful bride, Diana, August 10, 2019. The wedding ceremony was in Skaneateles, and the reception was held at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse.
LISA EADE SONNEBORN ’06 Lisa recently received an Excellence in Healthcare award, courtesy of the CNY Business Journal: “Congratulations to Lisa Sonneborn! She will be honored in the category of Healthcare Innovator at the 2019 Excellence in Healthcare Awards! Lisa is the Founder and Site Director of Clarity Clinical Research. Lisa pushes the boundaries, bringing physicians and experts from various organizations together to explore new diagnostics and treatments for some of the world’s most devastating neurological illnesses. Clarity Clinical Research is a dedicated research clinic specializing in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.”
Lizzie Klemperer ’05. Photo Courtesy of Playbill.
Lizzie Klemperer ’05 In February of this year, Lizzie was thrilled to join the national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock — The Musical.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 61
Joey and a collegue outside the White House. Akosua Osei-Bobie Kelley ’06. Photo courtesy of Boston Public Schools.
AKOSUA OSEI-BOBIE KELLEY ’06 In February, Akosua was named the recipient of the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) Pauline A. Shaw Elementary School Principal 2019 Administrative Advocate Award. According to their website, the award “honors administrators who made significant contributions to promote student learning through effective school library programs and services. It also recognizes administrators who develop successful school library programs within their own schools that influence the educational community at large.”
JOEY BINDER ’14 I graduated from MPH in 2014. Right after I graduated from Cornell, I interned at the White House during the fall of 2018. I was placed in the Office of Cabinet Affairs. The office’s main role is to help coordinate meetings between the different Secretaries. I had an amazing experience working with so many incredible people from around the country, and created friendships that will truly last a lifetime. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to work there. The experience I gained and skills I learned, will help me throughout my life.
TEVIN JOHNSON ’14 Tevin joined the Roxey Ballet for the 2019 season. In an article published online by Roxy PR on February 25, the company stated: “We are thrilled to have him with Roxey Ballet. He brings grit and talent to the stage. We are looking forward to seeing what he can do, performing in the upcoming productions, Carmina Burana, Cinderella, and We Vs. C. We are sure it will be magical.” Tevin Johnson ’14. Courtesy of Roxey Ballet.
62 |
W I N T E R 2019
[
FINAL ROLL CALL
The Manlius School ROBERT W. BARBER ’39HQ of Johnson City, NY, died July 20, 2019. REGINALD M. BALLANTYNE ’41HQ of Westbury, NY, died December 5, 2018. GEORGE M. BENAS, JR, ’43C of Adamstown, MD, formerly of Utica, NY, died April 8, 2019. MELVIN H. VIVIAN ’44A of Scott Township, PA, died February 28, 2019. ROBERT H. FEARON, JR. ’45C of Naples, FL, died February 26, 2018. WILLIAM E. LEFFINGWELL ’45C of Silver Spring, MD, died March 5, 2019. ROLLAND L. VOIT ’46 of Kirkwood, MO, died January 17, 2019. HAROLD R. DOWELL ’47HQ of Naples, FL, died January 5, 2019. WILLIS L. FORD ’48A of Painted Post, NY, died January 1, 2019. ALFRED L. GILMAN ’48A of Onancock, VA, died January 21, 2019. FRANCIS COUSINEAU ‘48B of Watertown, MA, died April 18, 2019. ERNEST O. BOCKLI ’48C of Mesa, AZ, died July 6, 2018.
]
GEORGE A. LEWIS ’48C of Westfield, NJ, died December 22, 2018.
ERNEST P. MASON ’56C of Plattsburgh, NY, died August 31, 2018.
HARRISON V. WILLIAMS, JR. ’50B of Fayetteville, NY, died January 8, 2019.
WALTER “RICK” SPOFFORD ’57HQ of Bedford, MA, died December 20, 2018.
WILLIAM A. WEINBENDER ’50B of Columbus, GA, died December 13, 2018. CHARLES E. G. HOAG ’50A of Ripon, CA, died October 13, 2018. ANDREW B. CRAIG ’50C of Naples, FL, died May 5, 2019. RALPH H. JANNINI III ’51A of Andover, MA, died January 1, 2019. HERBERT A. SLITER ’51B of Diamond Point, NY, died November 21, 2018.
WILLIAM N. BRYANT ’60B of Trumansburg, NY, died December 22, 2018. DAVID A. SMITH ’60HQ of Hamel, MN, died November 20, 2018. MARTIN J. HILDENBERGER ‘65C of Fountain Hill, PA, died January 6, 2019. JOHN A. SCIPIONE ’66A of Denver, NC, died September 14, 2018.
STUART F. JAQUAY ’51HQ of Crosby, TX, died January 19, 2019.
FRED R. MOHRMANN ’67C of Leavenworth, KS, died November 14, 2018.
PAUL R. CLARK ’52B of Nashua, NH, died January 28, 2019.
NICHOLAS J. INGALLINA ’67C of Bay City, MI, died August 8, 2018.
JOHN I. EDWARDS ’52HQ of Skaneateles, NY, died April 15, 2019. JOSEPH “JOE” STRUMPH ’53 of Honeoye Falls, NY, died April 8, 2019. THOMAS F. WILBUR ’53B of Murrells Inlet, SC, died December 5, 2018. BARRY R. MOSHER ’55HQ of Newark, DE, died March 11, 2019.
Goodyear-Burlingame School VIRGINIA W. YEAGER ’41 of Manlius, NY, died July 22, 2018. MARY JANET (BAXTER) BARGER ’46, of Winchester, MA, died March 27, 2019.
[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 63
Pebble Hill School
Manlius Pebble Hill School
BENNETT S. SIMONTON ’53 of Sun City Center, FL, died August 29, 2018.
DANIEL H. BEARSS ’72 of Washington, DC, died July 5, 2019.
WILLIAM V. STONE ’55 of The Villages, FL, formerly of Syracuse, NY, died December 19, 2018.
THOMAS C. HEVERON ’77 of Palm City, FL, died October 17, 2018.
NATHANIAL “NAT” CHRISTIAN REIDEL ’65 of Jamesville, NY, died September 14, 2019. GRETCHEN RALPH, of Fayetteveille, NY, parent of CHANDLER ’70 and JOHN ’74, and former president of the Pebble Hill Mothers Club, died September 12, 2019.
CHERYL E. GEIGER ’78 of Liverpool, NY, died July 9, 2018. ROSS D. MELVIN ’80 of Syracuse, NY, died December 20, 2018.
DIMITRI MISHKO ’08 Dimitri Mishko ’08 of Fayetteville, NY, died January 14, 2019. From the obituary: Our beloved Dimitri Mishko died January 14, 2019, at his family home in Lexington, Indiana, after a long fight with addiction and mental health issues. This was a hard-fought war against constant invisible enemies. In spite of help from many allies over the years, Dimitri’s final battle in this war has been lost. Like so many others he first experienced opiate pain killers when they were prescribed for him. Fighting addiction is like fighting cancer, often leading to death, never cured, and always the danger of recurrence and relapse. We are grateful that he was at home with his loving parents when he died and that he is now free of his struggle; his spirit is still with us all in great love and light. Dimitri was born May 19, 1990, in Nashville, Tennessee, where two years later he was joined by his sister Elena. He was a happy, curious child who loved to dance to the live music we so often encountered in Music City. The family moved to Floyds Knobs, IN, in 1994, where he attended Hayfield Montessori in nearby Louisville, Kentucky, and developed a life-long love of learning. In 2000, the family moved to Syracuse, New York, to be
64 |
W I N T E R 2019
near his Mishko grandparents and many family members. In Syracuse, he attended Montessori School of Syracuse, then graduated from Manlius Pebble Hill School in 2008. These inclusive, creative schools honed the intelligence, creative curiosity, and humanitarian instincts Dimitri shared with all those lucky enough to cross his path. Dimitri spent two years in the Japanese Studies program at Gettysburg College before starting a passionate love affair with brewing, bottling, and canning beer at Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, Maryland. He worked his way up to running the packaging line at Flying Dog, and eventually in 2016 became Brewmaster at Mackinaw Trail Brewery in Manistique, Michigan. Dimitri’s excellence in brewing came naturally as a result of his love of experimentation, and his dedication to the process yielded phenomenal recipes and brews.
Congratulations Class of 2019
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES - CLASS OF 2019
Enrollments appear in bold. Multiple enrollments are in bold and italics. Alfred University American University Amherst College Arizona State University Babson College Binghamton University Boston College Boston University Brandeis College Bucknell University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Cazenovia College Clarkson University Colorado School of Mines Columbia College Chicago Connecticut College Cornell University Daemen College Dickinson College Drew University Drexel University
Emerson College Emory University Finger Lakes Community College Florida Southern College Fordham University Franklin and Marshall College Grove City College Hobart and William Smith Colleges Hofstra University Indiana University at Bloomington Iowa State University Keuka College King’s College Le Moyne College Marist College Marywood University McDaniel College Miami University, Oxford Michigan State University Muhlenberg College
Nazareth College New York University Niagara University Onondaga Community College Pace University, New York City Pennsylvania State University Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Ringling College of Art and Design Rochester Institute of Technology Roger Williams University Rollins College Savannah College of Art and Design Seton Hall University Simmons University St. Bonaventure University St. John Fisher College St. John’s University St. Lawrence University
Stevens Institute of Technology Stony Brook University SUNY College at Geneseo SUNY College at Potsdam SUNY Fredonia SUNY New Paltz SUNY Polytechnic Institute SUNY, University at Buffalo Syracuse University Temple University The George Washington University The New School The Ohio State University The University of Arizona The University of Iowa The University of Tampa Trinity College Tufts University Union College United States Military Academy University of British Columbia
University of California, Santa Barbara University of Colorado at Boulder University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rochester University of San Francisco University of Washington Ursinus College Vassar College Wells College Wheaton College Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
Syracuse, NY Permit No. 1032 5300 Jamesville Road Syracuse, New York 13214-2490
ALUMNI EVENTS More details will be available at mphschool.org/alumni/alumni-events/ Alumni Holiday Gathering: December, Syracuse, NY MPH in Atlanta: January, Atlanta, GA MPH in LA: February, Los Angeles, CA MPH in San Francisco: February, San Francisco, CA Upper School Musical: March 27 & 28 on the MPH Campus Fort Myers Reunion Luncheon: March 12, Fort Myers, FL
S a ve t h e D a t e !
The MPH Gala April 17, 2020 Sky Armory • Syracuse, NY
Naples Reunion Luncheon: March, Naples, FL MPHGala: April17, Syracuse, NY MPH in NYC: April, New York, NY Goodyear-Burlingame Tea: May, Cazenovia, NY Alumni Weekend: May 30 – 31 on the MPH Campus Commencement and Alumni–Student Commencement Orchestra June 7, under the tent on the MPH Campus College-Bound BBQ: August, Farmhouse Lawn on the MPH Campus
May 30, 2020