Spring 2011 by Newark Academy

outreach N E WA R K A C A D E M Y

S P R I N G

Historic Gift to NA Kick Starts Construction! Celebrating 70 Years of The Minuteman Alumni Summer Adventures

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outreach SPRING 2011 Donald M. Austin Head of School Lisa E. Grider Director of Institutional Advancement CO-EDITORS Debra W. Marr Director of Communications Stacey Kaplan-Layton Communications Associate CONTRIBUTORS Blackie Parlin Joseph Kusnan ’89 Nancy McGaughan Kirsti Morin Bud D’Avella ’62 Anna Parlin ’06 David Griffin Elizabeth Parlin ’04 Colin Griggs ’01 Elana Snow Sue Karlin ’81 Neil Stourton BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jonathan D. Olesky ’74, Chairman Executive Board Nancy Baird Harwood ’75 Joseph P. McGrath Jr. ’81 Pamela Huttenberg David McGraw ’77 Wayne D. Kent ’85 Jeffrey J. Silverman ’82 Jane Wilf Trustees Donald M. Austin Robert Jett Betsy Dollinger Bernstein ’86 Jeffrey Kaplan William Bloom Tosan Livingstone Patricia Budziak Sandy Peinado Jeffrey Cohen ’81 Richard R. Redmond ’77 Maureen Diehl Ajay Sawhney Laura White Dillon Eric Sumner ’73 Leo M. Gordon ’69 Evangeline Tross Kim Hirsh ’80 Joshua Weinreich Emeriti Louis V. Aronson II ’41 K. Kelly Marx ’51 Paul Busse ’38 John L. McGraw ’49 Robert Del Tufo ’51 Robert S. Puder ’38 William D. Hardin ’44 Gary Rose William T. Wachenfeld ’44 A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N B O A R D O F G O V E R N O R S Leo M. Gordon ’69 President Van Stevens ’65 1st Vice President

Amanda Rubinstein Black ’97 2nd Vice President

John Bess ’69 3rd Vice President Lance Aronson ’74 Neal Buchalter ’84 Michael Carniol ’98 Patrick Ciccone ’62 Stuart Flaum ’73 Noah Franzblau ’86 Matthew Gertler ’90 John Gregory ’99 Matthew Haiken ’01 Thomas Hennigan ’77

Lauren Jacobs ’98 Kathy Loesberg ’95 Adam Rosen ’99 Jed Rosenthal ’93 Ben Purkert ’03 Lara Samet ’01 Kim Griffinger Wachtel ’85 Art Williams ’81 Art Wynne ’79 Brian Zucker ’84

MEDIA EXPERT TO SPEAK AT COMMENCEMENT 2011 Renowned journalist, professor and playwright Anne Nelson will present the keynote address at the 2011 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 12. Nelson specializes in international media development and has worked extensively as an analyst, evaluator, and practitioner in that field. A member of the faculty at Columbia University since 1995, Nelson works to integrate student online publications and their research. Nelson has written extensively on media, conflict and human rights. She was a war correspondent in Latin America, and reported from Eastern Europe and Asia, with work appearing in the “New York Times,” the ”Los Angeles Times,” ”Harper’s,” BBC, CBC, NPR and PBS. Her writing has won six awards, including the Livingston Award for international reporting. A widely produced playwright and screenwriter, Nelson is well known for her 2001 play, “The Guys.” The play explores the post-9/11 experience and has been produced throughout the United States and in 14 countries. Her screenplay became a 2002 feature film starring Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia, and received the National Board of Review Award for Excellence in Filmmaking. Nelson will address the Newark Academy community at the 237th Commencement Exercises, beginning at 1:00 pm on Sunday, June 12.

WINNING RESULTS! Newark Academy’s newly launched admission viewbook won a bronze award in the student viewbook category by the Higher Education Marketing Report’s 26th Annual Educational Advertising Awards. It was chosen for its superior ability to display exceptional quality, creativity and message effectiveness. The Educational Advertising Awards is the largest educational advertising awards competition in the country. This year, more than 2,500 entries were received from more than 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools from all 50 states and several foreign countries.

Emeriti J. Richard Beltram ’41 William C.H. Stroh III ’48 Richard M. Watson ’50 Newark Academy Office of Institutional Advancement 91 South Orange Avenue • Livingston, New Jersey 07039 Telephone: 973.992.7000, Fax: 973.992.8962 E-mail: dmarr@newarka.edu • Website: www.newarka.edu

Cover artwork: Faculty member Jay Torson (Arts) was commissioned to portray a symbolic image of Newark Academy on canvas. His oil painting of NA’s cupola now hangs in the Eberstadt Room.

CONTENTS SPRING 2011 1

FEATURES

29 Wish You Were Here!

4 Family Dynamic Jane & Mark Wilf and The Wilf Family Kick Start Construction with Historic $2.5 Million Gift!

All in the Family Generations Share Love, Laughter and Baked Goods on Lake George by Anna Parlin ’06 and Elizabeth Parlin ’04

17 Read All About It!

Shipping Out

Celebrating 70 Years of The Minuteman Newspaper

NA Alumni Travel the World Together by Bud D’Avella ’62

by Ashley Ulrich ’11, Louise Lamb ’11 and Delphine Slotten ’11

Fringe Benefits Sue Karlin ’81 Experiences Life on the Edge

The Editorial Page by Christopher Davis ’12

California Dreamin’ Young Alumni Head West in Search of Summer Fun

Stop the Presses!

by Colin Griggs ’01 and Nancy McGaughan

by Neil Stourton and Kirsti Morin

Paper Boy A special thank you to the current Minuteman newspaper editors, Delphine Slotten ’11, Ashley Ulrich ’11, Louise Lamb ’11 and Christopher Davis ’12, for their important contribution to this issue of Outreach.

by Joseph Kusnan ’89

DEPARTMENTS

3 NA News

Athletic Spotlight

26 From the Archives

Perspectives

Sports Report

38 Alumni News

Campus Initiatives

Advancement

Faculty Focus Club Initiative

41 Class Notes

14 Check out the latest Academy, arts, athletics and alumni news! www.newarka.edu

NA NEWS PERSPECTIVES 2

by Donald M. Austin, Head of School

...commitment to healthy risk-taking is a trait frequently found at Newark Academy, and it stays with students well beyond graduation...

uring spring break, 135 Newark Academy students traveled with teachers and coaches to northern India, to Poland, to Peru and to Florida. Each trip had a unique focus, ranging from broadening students’ understanding of a region’s culture and history to intensive preparation for the spring athletic season. The variety of destinations visited by our students reflects the healthy diversity of interests here, yet all these travelers share a particular Newark Academy passion to stretch beyond the boundaries of the campus in pursuit of education, adventure and challenge.

Reading about the Huber-Weiss’ summer trip to a South African school, the Parlin family summer activities on Lake George, and Bud D’Avella’s travels around the globe, I am struck by the shared enthusiasm for discovery that runs through different generations of Newark Academy students. For these intrepid students and faculty, the opportunity to pursue challenging travel and entrepreneurial projects trumps the allure of idle time at home. Their commitment to healthy risk-taking is a trait frequently found at Newark Academy, and it stays with students well beyond graduation, as many feature articles in this issue about alumni demonstrate.

Stretching Beyond the Boundaries

In this issue of Outreach, you will also read about the Wilf family’s leadership in supporting the first phase of our Campus Master Plan, a new addition that will transform and revitalize the academic spaces of our beautiful campus. The magnanimous spirit of the Wilfs places them in the company of a small group of families that have made a lasting impact on Newark Academy over its long and storied history. We are grateful for their generosity and for the example they set as we seek to meet our goals to improve the campus and build our endowment to assure that the current strength of Newark Academy endures for future generations.

NEWARK ACADEMY

(Ground) Breaking News! Newark Academy to Build Upper School Academic Center Construction on the new Upper School Academic Center is set to begin this summer with a completion goal of fall 2012. This will mark the first substantial expansion and improvement to NA’s academic spaces since the Livingston campus was built in 1964.

significant component outlined in Newark Academy’s Campus Master Plan, the Upper School Academic Center is the first in a series of construction and renovation projects designed to meet current and future needs. The overall vision for the campus is bold and carefully imagined, and includes future renovation and expansion of the Middle School, renovation to the Rose Auditorium and improvements to the outdoor athletic fields.

In addition to incorporating the committee’s recommendations into the plans, Newark Academy will address environmental concerns by pursuing LEED certification for the new space. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system which focuses on a structure’s energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

“I am thrilled to announce the upcoming construction of this extraordinary academic center as the first step in bringing our Campus Master Plan to fruition,” said Head of School Donald M. Austin. “The new space will add immense value to our campus, strengthening our curricular initiatives and expanding the ways in which we teach and in which our students learn. This center will profoundly impact our community in a very positive way.”

“Newark Academy is a school that prizes intellectual engagement, global citizenship and environmental responsibility. With the construction of the new academic center, our physical plant will now communicate these same values,” said Jonathan Olesky, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Learning in our community is unbound by schedules or defined spaces, and we look forward to an academic facility that conveys these ideas in the very near future.”

Construction and renovation plans for the Upper School Academic Center encompass 18,500-square feet of new construction and 2,500-square feet of renovated space, and will include 13 classrooms, two science labs, one multi-purpose area with capacity for approximately 100, three small group/collaborative learning rooms and a commons area. Design for the new building was guided by a school committee of four students and eight members of the NA faculty. The committee’s charge was to consider the ideal educational space for 21st-century learning. Citing the culture shift from industrialization to globalization, the committee defined the elements essential to modern classroom design, including flexibility, function, fluidity and technology.

Family

Dynamic

Jane & Mark Wilf and The Wilf Family Kick Start Construction with $2.5 Million Gift

Over the past 237 years a small number of families have had enormous impact on Newark Academy. The Farrands, a father-son duo (Samuel and Wilson, respectively), served as headmasters for a total of 66 years between 1859 and 1935 providing stability and unwavering commitment to education during some of America’s most turbulent times. The Hawkes (Stewart, the father, and son Richard) were among a number of families instrumental in moving NA to the Livingston campus in 1964. More recent times have seen families – the McGraws, the Simons and the Kirbys – give generously in order to ensure that Newark Academy students have exceptional facilities for the arts and athletics.

JanPress/PhotoMedia

ecently Jane and Mark Wilf, the parents of three NA students, and the Wilf Family joined that elite and historic list by making a $2.5 million gift that will enable Newark Academy to begin its most ambitious project since the school moved to the Livingston campus. The Wilf Family gift, the largest single donation in the Academy’s history, will address the needs for construction, renovation and expansion of NA’s academic areas as outlined in the school’s Campus Master Plan. “This remarkable gift from the Wilf family is allowing us to move ahead in creating dynamic teaching and learning spaces designed for the 21st century,” said Head of School Donald M. Austin. “Many of the students in the building today will benefit from Jane and Mark’s generosity because their gift enables us to get started on construction this summer. Beyond that immediate impact, their gift will affect the lives of our students for many years to come.” Jane and Mark are the parents of four children – Steven ’11, Daniel ’13 and Rachel ’16 all attend NA while youngest brother Andrew, age 9, is a student at Golda Och Academy. According to Jane, their children are the inspiration for their unprecedented support. “Mark and I believe that quality education is the best investment we can make – for young people and for our future. Our kids’ experiences at Newark Academy have been so positive. Our passion for education and our belief in NA’s mission and its future made it the right time for us to lend our support.”

it is only through Jane and Mark Wilf’s generosity that we are able to begin this exciting journey from vision to reality.” Jane and Mark are particularly enthusiastic about the expansion of NA’s Middle School. “Mark and I hope to see the Middle School grow and flourish. So many great things can and do happen in our Middle School. We think it’s important that the Middle School’s physical presence in the building reflects its quality and that it has the learning spaces needed to achieve its goals.

Both the Wilfs are active in a number of charitable causes. Jane, who has been a member of Newark Academy’s Board of Trustees since 2006 and is currently Secretary of the Board, has served NA as a class parent as well as being involved in the Newark Academy Parents Association (NAPA). “My

“This remarkable gift from the Wilf family is allowing us to move ahead in creating dynamic teaching and learning spaces designed for the 21st century.”

The Wilfs’ extraordinary gift enables NA to begin a series of construction and renovation steps that have been carefully considered over the past five years as part of the Campus Master Planning process. Construction of an Upper School Academic Center (see page 3 for more details), the renovation and expansion of the Middle School, refurbishment and renovation of the Rose Auditorium and improvements to NA’s outdoor athletic facilities (including two turf fields) comprise the project. “The entire community has been involved in creating this vision for Newark Academy’s future,” Mr. Austin notes, “but

– Donald M. Austin, Head of School

involvement at Newark Academy started from day one,” Jane said. “My advice for parents that are new to NA is to go to that first NAPA meeting in the fall and sign up for something. It is a warm and friendly community and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.” Jane also is involved in International Hillel and United Jewish Communities of MetroWest. Mark is a principal in his family’s real estate firm, Garden Homes Development, and serves as owner/president of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). As a volunteer, Mark has served as national campaign chair of Jewish Federations of North America, president of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey and co-chair of UJA’s National Young Leadership Cabinet. “The Wilf family’s loyalty and commitment to Newark Academy is truly remarkable,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Jon Olesky ’74. “They are taking their place in NA’s history as a family that – based on their own experiences at the Academy – is willing to enrich the school for the next generation. We are all so deeply grateful for their incredible support and, most important, for their belief in the mission and vision of Newark Academy.”

NA NEWS

FACULTY FOCUS

Head of School Donald Austin was recently named to the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS). NJAIS is a recognized accreditation program that offers professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators and trustees, and supports advocacy of independent education throughout the state of New Jersey.

NEW DEPARTMENT CHAIRS APPOINTED FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2011-2012 Elaine Brodie, Chair, Arts Department Lou Scerra, Chair, English Department Jeffrey Vinikoor, Chair, Humanities Department

FORMER FACULTY NOTE Ted Gilbreath (Humanities), boys varsity lacrosse head coach, was selected by the U.S. Lacrosse National Convention Education Committee to present at the 2011 National Convention. He was chosen for his commitment to the sport of lacrosse, as well as his expertise and hard work. His 2011 convention presentation focused on drills to develop close defensemen for youth and high school coaches. This was Gilbreath’s second time to present at the national meeting. In 2007 his presentation highlighted developing and sustaining a dynamic team culture. English chair and International Baccalaureate coordinator Neil Stourton and his wife, faculty member Kirsti Morin (Humanities), will be residing with the School Year Abroad community in Viterbo, Italy, for the 2011-2012 school year. They both have brought many contributions to Newark Academy over the last nine years, including serving as faculty advisors to the Minuteman newspaper. The couple plans to rejoin Newark Academy in September 2012. Jay Torson (Arts) worked as an IB visiting visual arts examiner throughout the spring 2011 term. He visited two IB schools in New York and New Jersey to meet with senior IB visual artists and review their artwork. In the process, he talked with students individually and examined their investigation workbooks. Torson said, “This experience has helped me to prepare IB visual art students at NA even more.”

NEWARK ACADEMY

Fred McGaughan, former Newark Academy Director of Admission and former Director of Institutional Advancement, has been appointed Director of Admissions and Marketing for Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches is a new independent school which opens in September 2011.

CUBAN EXCURSION 2011 The faculty international travel initiative will continue this summer with a muchanticipated trip to Cuba. A six-day itinerary has been created that will allow 15 of Newark Academy’s faculty members to meet with administrators from Cuba’s National Association and Teacher Training Program, visit urban and rural schools and study the Las Terrazas, an eco-community in the Sierra del Rosario region. Faculty member Lou Scerra said, “I feel fortunate to teach at a school that values the intellectual growth of the faculty as much as it values the intellectual growth of its students.” A majority of the funding for this trip was raised at the Newark Academy Parents Association’s Red & Black Gala which took place in February. Thanks to parents and friends of Newark Academy, the international travel initiative offers faculty members the opportunity to make Cuba another layer in the ongoing conversation about NA’s place in the global community. Faculty members traveling to Cuba this summer include Head of School Don Austin, Stephanie Acquadro (English), Joe Ball (Humanities), Dan Erlandson (Science), Ted Gilbreath (Humanities), Luis Gomez (Foreign Language) Scott Jacoby (Arts), Kirsti Morin (Humanities), Blackie Parlin (Humanities), Lou Scerra (English), Norm Schafler (Foreign Language), Jay Torson (Arts) and Tony Ungaro (Mathematics).

CONFLICT RESOLUTION ON THE GLOBAL AGENDA The 2010-11 Global Speakers Series has hosted inspiring presenters from around the world and around the block. COMMON GROUND In October, Faraj Faraj spoke to the NA community about his experience living in the Deheishe Refugee Camp in Jerusalem’s West Bank. His story was one of the subjects of the Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning documentary, Promises, which focused on seven Palestinian and Israeli children who lived only 20 minutes apart in Jerusalem and in a refugee camp in the West Bank. Faraj shared his experience and valuable perspective. He offered a message of inclusiveness as he discussed the common humanity of Israelis and Palestinians. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

HEART OF IT ALL In January, NA hosted the creators of the documentary film Heart of Stone. Filmmaker Beth Kruvant explored the use of history, identity and culture in the making of the film about the challenges facing Newark Academy’s neighbors at Weequahic High School in Newark. Before 1960, Weequahic High School (WHS) was known as one of the top schools in America. When Ron Stone became principal in 2001, WHS was one of the most violent schools in the country. Determined to restore the school to its former glory, Principal Stone resolved to work with gang members, creating a non-violence zone where grievances were solved through conflict-resolution sessions. The film team from Heart of Stone shared their thought-provoking story, demonstrating how disparate groups can join forces to give their old communities something that they have not had for generations: a future. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

IN THE EXTREME In February, Pakistani scholar Dr. Hassan Abbas, a leading expert on South Asia and the terrorist organizations based in the Pakistan-Afghanistan region, discussed radical Islam and fundamental groups, among other topics. Dr. Abbas is well-known for his book, Pakistan’s Drift into Extremism: Allah, the Army and America’s War on Terror. It has been on bestseller lists in India and Pakistan and widely reviewed internationally in publications such as the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Far Eastern Economic Review, The Hindu and Dawn. Dr. Abbas is an accomplished scholar, media commentator and author. He has appeared as an analyst on CNN, MSNBC and PBS, and as a political commentator on VOA and BBC. OUTREACH spring 2011

NA NEWS 8

AGENTS FOR CHANGE NA Celebrates Black History Month Newark Academy’s Umojaa club seeks to bring together students and faculty committed to learning about African-American culture. The club aims to promote unity among African-American students at the Academy and among members of all backgrounds. In honor of Black History Month in February, the Umojaa club hosted a thought-provoking presentation by guest speaker Derrick Gay. Derrick Gay, a scholar and educational consultant, shared how language shapes our reality and worldview. He focused on two principal objectives: heightening awareness around invisible embedded privilege based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, class and sexual orientation in American society, and legitimizing the rationale and need for special commemorative months such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month and Latino History Month. Gay discussed how diversity includes everyone and how the onus is on everyone to proactively work to make the community and society in general more inclusive for all. He challenged those in the NA community to become change agents, striving for social justice. According to Mia Hutchinson ’12, “This presentation showed an important shift in the Black History Month presentations from previous years. The focus wasn’t just on racial issues, but addressed how these issues can be expanded beyond African-Americans and beyond race in general.”

2011 IMMERSION EXCURSIONS Newark Academy’s immersion program continues to flourish this spring and summer with exciting faculty-led trips. From March 9-25, 15 ninth and tenth grade students traveled to India for a wilderness and cultural experience. After landing in Delhi, they traveled up to the foothills of the Himalayas, trekking through lush mountain landscapes and visiting local villages. Students also visited temples, interacted in family life, and even participated in service projects in a village. UPCOMING SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAMS INCLUDE: • Four Springs Farm in Vermont from June 9-23 • Pontevedra, Spain from June 13-July 14 • The White Mountains in New Hampshire from July 8-17

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADDS MANDARIN The curriculum committee voted to add a Mandarin Chinese language program to the Middle School beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. This addition to the curriculum stems from NA’s commitment to nurturing the growing interest in advancing Mandarin language learning in the United States and creating a pool of U.S. citizens who can communicate effectively in Chinese. “Adding Mandarin to the Middle School curriculum is a giant step forward in NA’s quest to be an innovative, global school,” said Tom Ashburn, Middle School Principal. “This is an extremely challenging language and requires more years of study than other Western languages to achieve the same level of proficiency. It’s also an extremely important language to know as our world grows smaller and more inclusive.” Head of School Donald Austin added, “Our students are getting a head start in a globally significant language, which is great, because studies indicate that the earlier students start studying Mandarin, the quicker they can learn to master it.”

NEWARK ACADEMY

A GREAT DAY FOR (D)NA Donation Allows Students to Explore the Human Genome Newark Academy is the beneficiary of wonderful gifts from alumni, parents, grandparents and friends nearly every single day. The inspiration for many of these gifts is a special relationship with a member of the faculty. One such gift, received this winter, was a grant of $15,000 from the Reddy Family Foundation. The Reddy’s gift was made in appreciation of the work of science faculty member Deb Tavares and was earmarked for biotechnology equipment. “I want to ensure that every NA graduate has the opportunity to work with extracting, visualizing and manipulating DNA, RNA and proteins,” said Tavares who has taught science at NA since 1993. “The generosity of the Reddy Family Foundation allows me to provide this type of experience for my students. It’s a tremendous and exciting opportunity for the kids … and for me!” Specifically, the gift has been used to purchase a gene cloning machine, a digital imaging system and a set of protein sequencers that enable students to explore the human genome and to engage in proteomics.

PAWS FOR A CAUSE Newark Academy students recently posed as hospital patients to assist with pet therapy evaluations at St. Hubert’s Animal Shelter in nearby Madison. The exercise earned them community service points and some canine kisses, too! NA students are encouraged to seek volunteer opportunities that are meaningful to them. Jennifer Mandelbaum, a current senior, said, “Helping the community has always been something I enjoy doing. Working with the pet therapy program was a different but great experience for me. I was able to watch the dogs be tested and trained to bring a smile to children in hospitals or grandparents in nursing homes. Seeing how passionate the owners were about having their dogs contribute to making other peoples’ days brighter made all of us who volunteered very happy!”

OUTREACH spring 2011

NA NEWS 10

Mind over Matter

hile learning together in classrooms, playing together on teams and joining together at alumni events is a big part of what makes Newark Academy a community, sometimes it is the separately shared experiences of our members that remind us that we are a family. There is comfort in knowing that others are going through the same life experiences and that we are able to come together to reflect, empathize, sympathize and console each other through our NA connection.

Watching my grandmother’s cognitive abilities slip away has frightened me in ways I never thought possible.

A recent topic of concern on campus has been that of caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. It affects memory, thinking and behavior, and has been diagnosed in approximately 5.3 million people in the United States. In the following reflections, Christopher Davis, a current junior, and Pegeen Galvin, NA’s Dean of Students, discuss how this disease has touched their lives and how sharing their experiences has made them feel less alone.

At the Height of Laughter Remarks by Christopher Davis ’12 at Morning Meeting, December 2010 I’d like to take this opportunity to speak to the Newark Academy community about three disparate things that I have learned through recent life experience: • Jokes • It is better to laugh than to cry • A mind is a terrible thing to waste

Jokes: We all like jokes, because they make us laugh, and in laughing we achieve a momentary escape from the world around us, and the failures and successes that are our lives. So here’s a joke told to me by an alumnus a few days ago: Question: How many Indie Rockers does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: A small group you’ve probably never heard of.

NEWARK ACADEMY

Why did I tell you that joke? Because in the words of Michael Shurtleff: humor is what keeps us all from jumping off of the 59th Street Bridge. This brings me to my next point: It is better to laugh than to cry. Those two emotions, laughter and crying, are on opposite ends of the spectrum of emotions. It’s really just like the political spectrum you learn about in 7th grade American Studies, when your mind is blown at the moment you realize that in the end, Communism and Totalitarianism wrap around and meet each other… And, after all, nobody likes a wet pillow. Circling back to jokes for a moment: the joke I started with was a good joke, but my experience watching the progression of Alzheimer’s has been one of the cruelest of jokes.

Memory Games Dean of Students Pegeen Galvin Reflects on Her Mother’s Struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease

As a person, like many of the people in this room, I am defined by my mind. I’m not a football hero or a “sweetsweet lax bro” – it’s what is between my ears and behind my eyes that makes me who I am. Watching my grandmother’s cognitive abilities slip away has frightened me in ways I never thought possible… seeing her not recognize herself or even recently, me, in the mirror. She was a woman defined, like me, by her mind. Now, she is often an intellectual being without a thought. Formerly, she was a walking encyclopedia, now she tries to call me on the phone using the TV remote control. When you hear things like this and you see them, you simply want to cry. But instead, I laugh about them, (afterwards, of course). It is about making the best of a terminal situation. Which brings us to the mind. An old slogan for the United Negro College Fund read that “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” White, black, rich or poor, this is true. We heard a great presentation last week about Thanksgiving and about being thankful for what we have. It’s easy to forget, even easier to snicker. But the opportunity to learn is real and it is every day. When discussing “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” or the utility of the Washer Method versus the Shell Method, or that crazy 7th grade science unit of volcanoes — it’s hard to think that it will all be useful one day. But I promise you, and I think every adult in the room will agree with me, that one day it WILL ALL be useful. Because of things like Alzheimer’s, we must learn to do what we can when we can; and laugh and make others laugh when we can, because the day might come when we may not be able to.

An alumni group has been created to facilitate the sharing of experiences for alumni dealing with senior caregiving and Alzheimer’s disease. Join the discussion at alumni.newarka.edu.

At morning meeting recently, Christopher Davis ’12 courageously shared his despair at watching his beloved grandmother lose her keen mind and the compulsion he felt, as a result, to use his own. Learn all you can; take the time for a well-told joke; and do laugh instead of cry: right here, right now. These were the lessons he was learning from his grandmother. How proud she would be if she could know. My own mother has had Alzheimer’s for 14 years. Often my friends have asked me how I am protecting my children from the pain. I never really have. My mother lived with us for eight years so my sons experienced directly what was happening to her. When she felt lost, they made funny faces to make her laugh. My oldest son discovered that she still liked to dance, even in a wheelchair, as long as he was there to mime the movements. My mother is in a nursing home now, and she has single words left: “sure” and “yes” and “no.” Sometimes, she will say a full sentence and I will feel 15 again. But most days, her words sound nonsensical and I can only guess at their meaning. It is a very personal journey having a loved one battle Alzheimer’s. Until recently, I had thought it was a lonely one. Instead, it turns out that my mother’s doctor, Joseph Lutz, graduated from Newark Academy in 1971 and had taken care of his own grandfather there years before. He is a solicitous ally. One evening at the center, I met a 93-year-old gentleman who, although nearly blind, is a marvelous conversationalist. His son is a graduate of Newark Academy as well. The NA “family” really is everywhere. I recently learned about another student’s grandmother. This young woman was traveling overseas early so that her grandmother could see an old friend before her dementia progressed. The sacrifice the student made — doubling up on exams several days in a row — was done in her grandmother’s honor. This was an achievement of an entirely different sort, and I grew in admiration for her. What I have learned from my mother and our students is that the elemental is what matters. We tend to get hung up on achievement as an end in itself, leading to pointless races or embattled parenting. It’s actually when there is nothing left to achieve that truth emerges: the sweetness of a smile, the beauty of a song sung for someone you love, the way classical music can transport old and young, the deliciousness of a fudge brownie; and, as I’ve learned from our students: using the mind because you can, gathering family and friends to celebrate even if it’s the last time that memory will serve. There are complicated issues worthy of discussion for another day, but, right now, these are the truer lessons on parenting, and living, that I hope can guide me.

NA NEWS

CLUB INITIATIVE

Out of Africa by Elana Snow, English faculty

In a small classroom, no larger than one typical to Newark Academy, 49 children squeeze in to hear their teacher give the day’s lesson. Space is sparse, so children get creative: some share a corner of a chair equitably with a friend; others hop onto an otherwise unoccupied lap of a classmate; still others find unopened cardboard Dell computer boxes — recently donated by the computer giant — and creatively utilize their appropriate size and shape for further seating. When asked to complete a math problem, students — devoid of notebooks that they cannot afford — rush to the board in search of a tiny piece of blank space to show their work.

his was the scene that NA sophomores Eliza and Zoe Huber-Weiss encountered last summer when they briefly volunteered at the Sam Nzima Primary School in South Africa. The school is funded by the Good Work Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth in rural parts of Africa. Both young women were struck by the composition of the student body. Many children were orphaned or had parents afflicted with HIV and AIDS. Those parents that were healthy (and still in the picture) often suffered from yet another affliction: unemployment.

The staunch contrast between the Sam Nzima School and Newark Academy was palpable. Here at NA we are blessed with small class sizes, one-on-one attention, and an entire department dedicated to technological support. Our parental influence is so strong that it has formed its own association. We take for granted that we never have to question our access to clean water or where our next meal will come from. We are privileged to have the necessary resources so that if a faculty member feels ill, we can quickly find a substitute. But at Sam Nzima, a school of approximately 500 children between the ages of one and 16, the faculty of

NEWARK ACADEMY

nine hardly seems to cut it. Eliza and Zoe volunteered in a class with a typical 1:50 faculty-to-student ratio; but during the time they were present, the teacher responsible for another classroom fell ill, hence coverage for that classroom was needed as well. Another teacher took over for her sick colleague, altering the ratio to a staggering 1:100. And those graciously donated Dell computers? They remained neatly stored in their original packages because the school had neither the resources nor the knowhow to properly use them. What struck Eliza and Zoe most about this experience was that despite their undeniably challenging circumstances, the students seemed content. “I saw their school and how happy they were with what they had,” said Eliza. “But I knew that there was so much more that was possible for them. These kids were so eager to learn. They wanted to tell us their names and tell us about their families. They yearned to be connected to another source

of information.” Eliza compared this experience to her own at NA. She and Zoe quickly decided they wanted to do something that would help benefit both communities. Last September, Eliza began planning a Despite, and indeed because of, their difficult new club: the Africa Initiative. The purpose circumstances, these children are bursting of the club was to at the seams with love for those who take the connect the South time to inquire about their well-being. African students she had met over the summer with Newark Academy students in order to open eyes – and hearts – on both sides. At the club’s first meeting, she and Zoe shared 50-some-odd letters, written by the students at Sam Nzima, and called for volunteers to write back, establishing a pen-pal partnership.

}

Throughout the school year, Newark Academy students have continued to share letters, pictures and stories with their pen pals in South Africa. A young orphan, Primval Nxumalo, is partnered with Nicole Jones ’13. Most of Primval’s letters revolve around topics like her love of gospel music and Justin Bieber. She draws pictures of flowers and asks about Nicole’s family, what she’s studying in school and what she wants to be when she grows up. One thing that sets these letters apart is the utter earnestness with which the students present their appreciation. In her letters to Nicole, Primval calls her “beautiful” and signs her letters “your best friend.” Despite – and indeed because of – their difficult circumstances, these children are bursting at the seams with love for those who take the time to inquire about their well-being. And through this two-way communication, these South African children have begun to develop an awareness of a culture beyond their own, an important concept for young children growing up in an increasingly globalized world to possess. But the South African students are not the only youth who have benefitted from exposure to cultures beyond their own. Entering Room 21 each week for the Africa Initiative meeting provides NA students with both a window into someone else’s existence and a deeper grasp of the changes we must strive for in order to create a more equitable world. NA’s Africa Initiative Club OUTREACH spring 2011

NA NEWS

ATHLETIC SPOTLIGHT

On the Right Course by David Griffin, English faculty

Senior Jake Goldenring, co-captain of Newark Academy’s excellent golf team, recalls the day he developed his passion for golf. “My dad took me to play pitch and putt the day before 7th grade began,” he explains, “and I played really well. I came back the next weekend, played horribly, and just couldn’t understand why I couldn’t repeat my performance. From then on I was obsessed with getting back to where I was and surpassing it.”

“

hat drives me to want to become a better golfer is the frustration of when I do not play well,” echoes senior Steven Wilf, another standout and co-captain of the team. Like Jake, Steven sees golf as a connection to his father, explaining that golf “has become a great way for my father and me to bond.”

Now these seniors are sharing the lessons they have learned with a new generation of golfers. Every weekend, Jake and Steven volunteer with First Tee, an organization that hopes to positively impact the lives of young people through the game of golf. First Tee aims to enable kids from every walk of life to learn the sport and, more important, the values essential to it. As Steven puts it, “When I am teaching these kids how to play golf, I am also teaching them how to become better people.” Steven and Jake might start by demonstrating proper form, from the appropriate grip on the club to the ideal follow-through, but what they find themselves ultimately teaching kids is patience. “The skill that I have to teach most is keeping a level head,” explains Jake. “Many of the kids just starting out get really frustrated when they don’t get it right. I constantly remind them that it is only going to be easier if they stay calm.” Indeed, Jake credits the sport with teaching him the virtue of patience, calling himself a “better, more patient person” because of his experiences on the links. Jake and Steven are no strangers to such frustrations with the sport, but they have channeled their frustrations into superlative play. The two seniors will lead a Newark Academy team that has developed into one of the top programs in the state. After going undefeated in its league schedule in 2010 and losing just once in headto-head play – by a single stroke to Delbarton – the Newark Academy golf team has returned most of its top golfers this season. Jake, for one, has been named conference player of the year, first team all-state NJPGA/ NJSIAA, and the winner of the W. Frank Hopping Award for a combination of academics and athletics.

NEWARK ACADEMY

IT’S MORE THAN A GAME! Rachel Newman ’06 Teed Up to Make a Difference 15

Rachel Newman can personally attest to

But these two driven golfers, despite their immense success, have stayed grounded. Their volunteer work has kept them connected to the experiences that first made them love the game of golf. Just as Steven has valued the time spent bonding with his father, he now recognizes the importance of bonding with the children at First Tee. He remembers golfing with a group of 9- and 10-year-old children who “were looking up to me as if I was their big brother, and at that point I knew that I was important to them.”

The First Tee’s ability to help young people transfer the life skills they learn in golf to school and home life. She’s been working as a communications manager at the nonprofit youth organization’s Metropolitan New York chapter since she graduated from college. She has witnessed firsthand how young

Jake and Steven volunteer with First Tee, an organization that hopes to positively impact the lives of young people through the game of golf. First Tee aims to enable kids from every walk of life to learn the sport...

}

Likewise, Jake asserts that his only goal for the children he mentors is to improve every day, and he identifies his most rewarding experience volunteering as “the clear look of excitement the kids get when they hit a good shot. I think seeing this takes me back to when I was just starting out,” he says. “It reminds me of all the hard work that I need to put in to get to where I want to go in the game, and it motivates me.” With such motivation driving these committed leaders of the Newark Academy golf team, there is surely much success ahead for them; but at the end of the day, Steven and Jake take equal pleasure in passing on that passion for the pursuit of perfection they learned when they were children playing golf with their fathers.

golfers learn skills like problem solving, managing time, controlling emotions, making friends with diverse peers and working well with others, both on and off the course. “The kids that come through our program gain a great deal of self-respect, respect for others and an understanding of the rules for etiquette as they pertain to golf and every other area of their lives.” Newman works behind the scenes managing communications functions such as the website, press releases, marketing materials and special events, but she also gets directly involved with the kids through The First Tee’s SAT tutoring program. She also cites First Tee’s college prep program — where alumni come back to talk students through the college application process — as one of the organization’s signature activities. “The First Tee goes beyond the usual sport-based youth development programs to offer students valuable life tools to help them succeed whether they are playing golf, studying for a test or applying to college. It’s also an extremely rewarding experience for our volunteers who experience leadership, patience, empathy and the shear joy of giving back to the community.” To learn more about The First Tee, please visit www.thefirsttee.org.

OUTREACH spring 2011

NA NEWS

SPORTS REPORT

MINUTEMAN PRIDE! Newark Academy’s successful winter athletic season ended with numerous victories in wrestling, fencing, basketball and swimming! The spring athletic season is now in full stride, and the Minutemen are covering their bases in softball, baseball, tennis, lacrosse and golf. Get the full rundown of current scores and athletic news by visiting www.newarka.edu and clicking on “Athletics.”

NEWARK ACADEMY

read all about it! The Minuteman Newspaper Celebrates 70 Years in Publication

by Ashley Ulrich ’11, Editor-in-Chief of The Minuteman, Delphine Slotten ’11, Editor-in-Chief of The Minuteman, and Louise Lamb ’11, Feature Editor of The Minuteman

(

this school year

marks the 70th anniversary of The Minuteman, Newark Academy’s official student newspaper. A true embodiment of the Academy’s tradition and lifestyle, the newspaper has sought to provide the members of the school community with the most relevant and engaging of news, opinion, arts, sports, and humor stories. Over the 70 years of its existence, the paper itself has changed considerably to account for and accommodate the changing ideas of the times and the evolution of the culture and expectations of NA.

he first edition of a student newspaper

young paper’s name to a more spirited title:

was published in October 1940, although

The Minute Man (which later became one word,

this was not the first student publication.

Minuteman).

Predating the newspaper was Newark Academy’s Polymnian, which is now the student yearbook

While covering relevant contemporary news for

but was previously a student literary magazine.

70 years at Newark Academy, The Minuteman has

The Polymnian began in the late 1890s but has

evolved with the changing nature of the school.

since then begun highlighting and honoring the

The earliest editions of the paper were fact-driven,

work of NA seniors and underclassmen and,

filled with news updates and few reflective stories.

thus, has morphed into the student yearbook

Respected NA faculty member and historian

as we now know it.

Blackie Parlin commented that the original student publication was conventional, filled

By the early 1940s the need for a true student

with articles about sports, the student council

newspaper was met by the Academy News,

and school news, but few portrait photographs,

published on October 25, 1940. The headlines

action shots or illustrations. Understandably,

were startlingly similar to contemporary ones,

nearly all of the references to national and global

boasting the quality of the new faculty members,

news at that time reflected military efforts and

introducing the new Chairman of the Board, and

situations relating to World War II.

encouraging students to cheer for the Minutemen athletic teams against rival prep school Pingry.

Significant developments in reporting and

While just four pages, the newspaper

style were noted in the late 1940s and by the

comprehensively covered the most

mid-50s, The Minuteman truly began to reflect

important news around the halls of NA

the cosmopolitan character of the school.

and advertised local retailers. Perhaps a

Expanding in length and content breadth, The

bit to the discomfort and even loathing of current NA students, the original student newspaper included the “Honor Roll.” By the spring of

Minuteman boasted student cartoons and drawings to complement reviews of the arts and social events at Newark Academy. Articles became more

1941, the student leaders of

similar to comparable local or

the Academy News changed the

national publications, following the

Celebrating 70 years of The Minuteman

trajectory of a story instead of focusing strictly

student opinion – a very different character

on facts. The Minuteman also developed a joke

from its original form.

column known as the “Slag Heap,” which included references that could be as pertinent

In the early years of the 2000’s, many Minuteman

today as sixty years ago. A 1954 column, for

articles began to take a slightly more negative

example, commented on the poor parking

view, critiquing the administration and

skills of a certain senior and the subsequent

demanding certain changes and improvements

difficulties these skills, or lack thereof, posed

to NA – an altogether new purpose of the paper.

for others trying to park in the lot. The sports

Articles proposed new additions to Newark

section, in particular, took on a spark by

Academy, or recommended alterations to the

including riveting action shots, predictions

dress code in spring publications of 2000. While

for upcoming events, and pleas for spectators

the quality of photographs decreased somewhat

to come out for the football games.

during these years, other images appeared,

The next few decades witnessed the continuation

had revealed.

including graphs of statistics that surveys of such progress as NA students sought to cover a wider array of material in the paper, including a deeper focus on pertinent national and international news. The opinion section in particular expanded rapidly from the 1970s to 1990s, incorporating drawings and illustrations to emphasize the paper’s growing student voice. Many of the dividing lines used to separate articles and pictures began to disappear by the 1990s, as illustrations and text intertwined and bent around each other in a less conventional but more visually appealing way. By the early 1990s, Newark Academy’s paper reflected the burgeoning cultural and international focus of the school. The entire cover of the fall 1992 Minuteman edition, for example, exclusively referenced clubs, diversity, and student activities

“

While covering

relevant contemporary news

for 70 years

at Newark Academy,

The Minuteman

has evolved with the changing nature of the school.

at NA. Articles highlighted Mock Trial, Indian

This year, during the 70th anniversary of The

Club, and a recent trip to a Soho gallery by the

Minuteman, the paper has made yet another

art classes – all articles that one could expect

change, although this one may seem more

today. Another student commented on the

drastic simply because it is a physical change.

lingering gender gap in the student body, in

The Minuteman moved to online publishing and

which male students continued to outnumber

has, to date, successfully completed six full

female students by a 3-to-2 ratio. In a different

online editions since the fall of 2010. While

article, censorship of an arts exhibit was being

the writers and editors of the paper have, as

addressed. The Minuteman had evolved into a

expected, faced complaints from students

very modern and reflective means of expressing

and faculty, the transition was a smooth one

”

and has proven effective in allowing more

more word into a line of print. While the lack

students to write for the online paper because

of a physical copy has drawn pangs of nostalgia,

layout restrictions and word limits no longer

the digital edition, which presents higher writing

apply. Turnover time for publication has been

quality and more vibrant, engaging pictures

greatly improved, and editors have been able

than before, stands as a reminder that there is

to spend more time working with their writers

still something vital in The Minuteman no matter

rather than worrying about squeezing one

what physical shape it may take.

the editorial page Former Editors Reflect on The Minuteman by Christopher Davis ’12, Managing Editor, The Minuteman

n many ways, being a Section Editor or Editor-in-Chief of a school newspaper like The Minuteman is the first “job” that many students have. Suddenly, the editor is responsible for managing a staff of writers, making (and enforcing) deadlines, and producing content that

they believe will be of interest to the community. Editors gain the opportunity to bask in the glow of a successful issue, and revel in the ideological debates over a controversial one as well. In honor of the 70th anniversary of The Minuteman, the editors of Outreach decided to talk to

some of the many alumni that helped to run the paper over the years. Robert Cronheim ’46 served as Managing Editor

that all their hard work had been recognized

of The Minuteman before being named Editor-in-

by professional journalists.

Chief in his senior year. He had always wanted to be a journalist so working on the newspaper

The idea that The Minuteman will now be

appealed to him, and he was well-suited for the

published online appeals to Bob for many

job because of his intellectual curiosity and his

reasons. In his days, the paper was typewritten

energetic nature. He enjoyed the camaraderie

and then pasted onto dummy boards which

of the staff and his friendship with Managing

were then sent to the printer. Many hours were

Editor Bob Grayson. Everyone on The Minuteman

spent revising articles to fit into the columns

staff was motivated by their love for Newark

and inserting them onto the boards. It was time-

Academy and they were meticulous in their

consuming and often stressful to be up against

reporting of school news and events. Bob was

a deadline and then have to rearrange the

thrilled when The Minuteman was chosen as

entire layout so that all their articles would fit.

“the best high school newspaper” in a contest conducted by The Newark News (the area’s

Bob recalls a memorable night when he and his

leading daily newspaper at that time). It meant

staff were working after hours on First Street.

Celebrating 70 years of The Minuteman

Their beaten up old typewriter finally died and they were desperate to get the paper finished. Because it was late, all the school offices were locked. Resourceful as ever, and a little panicked, Bob ended up climbing over the wall in the dining

to the newspaper office. Some seniors stayed

room into the dietician’s office to get her

in the corridor, some went to the arts wing,

typewriter. He passed it over the wall to his

but I would almost always be in the office –

colleagues and after they had finished with it

working on layout (which was always my

he climbed over again and replaced it. They were

favorite part of the paper), editing, and just

all relieved that Mrs. Drucker never found out!

hanging out with other staff members.” Now working on Columbia’s paper, Rex commented,

Chloe Miller ’94 currently works as a university

“Every mistake and success from my time at The

professor, poet, and private writing coach. Chloe

Minuteman has taught me how to be a better

attended Smith College, spent time abroad at

worker and leader, especially with The Columbia

the University of Florence, and earned an MFA

Daily Spectator. I’m currently the RetroSpec

in creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College.

Deputy of the alumni section and, while I don’t

When asked to reflect on her time at The

write as much as I used to, the interpersonal

Minuteman as Editor-in-Chief, and how it has

skills I learned at The Minuteman have been

shaped her life today, she asked the following

completely invaluable.”

question: “What do journalism, Italian and poetry all have in common?” Her immediate answer: “A necessary close attention to language and ideas of all sizes.” On her experience as a whole she reflected, “I loved working on the paper; it became part of who I was. I not only spent my time in that office, but I learned the

“

importance of writing regularly on subjects that weren’t assigned to me. I also learned to call myself a writer, which is not a small thing. It isn’t always easy to forge ahead as a creative

person, but my experience on the paper – writing and editing as initially solitary work, coordinating

with my peers and our advisor, Mr. Ball – helped to make that seem possible.”

Rex Macaylo ’10, current Columbia University student, also looks back fondly at his years on The Minuteman. “I must admit, it’s hard to describe exactly what The Minuteman meant to me. Basically it was my life in senior year.” Over the years the Minuteman office has offered like-minded newspaper staff a place to both

socialize and work: “I had a special attachment

Leading The Minuteman was

one of my best experiences

at Newark Academy. The faculty advisor

had just changed over for 1987-88, my senior year, and the new advisor, Mr. Ball, gave us

intellectual freedom

to play with the focus of our coverage,

how we told the stories of the school,

and how they were presented.

We had just started to use computers in production, putting us at the

technological cutting edge of the school’s extracurricular programs at the time.” Michael Waldorf ’88

Robert Lentz ’47

Some of the happiest

What drew me to work on the Minute Man?

afternoons of my life

I liked the Minute Man’s 1945-46 editors, Bob

were spent in the Minute

Cronheim and Bob Grayson. When they printed

Man Press Room, a long table

a little article of mine about a bus tour to

in a gloomy, dingy clearing at one end of the

Princeton to see Albert Einstein, I realized they

janitor’s room, below ground level next to the

were open to imagination, humor, and interpre-

cafeteria. Especially when we were pasting up

tation rather than just straight information.

the dummy, there was high excitement in the

When I got the job as 1946-47 editor, one of

challenge of filling the space attractively while

the enjoyable aspects was exploring these

racing the clock. Meanwhile, staffers such as

dimensions. We ran a gossip column, Around

Charlie Zehnder, “Harry” Wachenfeld, “Gringo”

the Tower, and an Inquiring Reporter column.

Hirsch, and “Zeke” Schubert lounged around

Also, Literary Editor Don Gold organized

the table trading jokes and wisecracks, which

some story-writing contests and we published

were so funny that we laughed ourselves off

the winners, including an Alaskan trapper

our chairs. Then there was the last-minute

adventure, Howard Rigby’s Sherlock Holmes

trolley ride to the printer in Caldwell, which I

satire, The Case of the Platinum Meatball, and a

recall taking one evening with my friend Ted

short story by a lower schooler, Ed Levin, called

Taylor in the midst of a blizzard. We slid the

Eddie the Eskimo Boy. Ed was so pleased by

dummy under the door of the Progress

seeing his story in print that 50 years later he

Publishing Company, then made our way

asked me whether I could find him a copy of

back through the storm to Ted’s home in East

that issue of the paper, which I was happy to

Orange, where his mother served us meatloaf

be able to do (I had saved all the old Minute

supper. To my amazement, the meatloaf had

Man newspapers lo those 50 years).

a hardboiled egg in the middle. Life was full of wonders in those days.

1947 Minuteman Staff

Don Gold, the outstanding literary talent among us, had won an interscholastic poetry reading contest with an expressive recitation of a very short poem, “When I Was One and Twenty.” For our last issue of the 1946-47 Minute Man, Don wrote a reflection about the thoughts of a senior serving detention, “Thirty Minutes,” which was one of the most moving and enjoyable pieces we ever published, along with a sonnet contributed by Head Master Kenneth O. Wilson, “To the Seniors.” I should note that our whiz business manager, Andy Kaufman, who never wrote for the paper, later as a Harvard Law Professor devoted decades to a landmark biography of Supreme Court

Celebrating 70 years of The Minuteman

Justice Cardoza, thus establishing himself as the most successful writer of us all. What I took away from the Minute Man, besides warm memories of some of the finest fellows I ever met, was a sense of can-do about creating a publication. Every student ought to have a chance to manage something during high school years – it is so empowering. Thus empowered,

stop the presses! The Minuteman Goes Online

I later brashly talked myself into

by Neil Stourton and Kirsti Morin, Faculty advisors of The Minuteman

jobs as a daily news reporter, a textbook copy editor for Prentice Hall, and a weekly auction columnist for the Hunterdon Review. I pasted up some of my columns into a dummy on my kitchen table and self-published a book, Secrets of the

s longstanding advisors of the Minuteman, we value the tradition behind the paper, and the responsibility that goes with guiding the student voice on what’s going on in the school, and in the

outside world. Nonetheless, in this 70th year of publication, we

Country Auction, on the strength

encouraged the staff to take the bold and painful decision to conquer

of which I was invited to write

sentimentality and move to an online format. Now, every three weeks,

a bicentennial history of

the Minuteman goes out to students, teachers and parents on the NA

Newark Academy. Since

intranet page.

then I have put together a number of privately

We pushed for this change for three reasons. The professional trend in

published novels,

newspaper publishing is moving away from print media; many schools

which I printed and

are following, and we wanted to teach marketable skills to the students.

bound on my kitchen

We can now turn around issues in a more timely fashion to ensure

table. At the core of my brashness in these endeavors is the can-do spirit engendered by those wonderful afternoons

that our stories are relevant. The new format is cheaper and more sustainable, yet reaches a wider audience. We were initially nervous about the reception, but students in particular have overcome their fear of change and welcomed the shift to what is to them a more familiar format. The product looks much more polished.

around the

Images are of infinitely better quality, plus we can now add video content

table in the

to traditional text. Comment options encourage genuine debate about

Press Room.

the issues raised. The writing is snappier, and the editing is much tighter. We miss the special pause where the entire school used to read and discuss the newspaper at the start of issue days, but we don’t miss the discarded issues in the recycling bin minutes later. Mr. Parlin will never forgive us for killing the “paper,” but we can’t imagine ever going back; perhaps getting to hold our upcoming print magazine will take some of the sting out!

paper boy

Reminiscences of a Former Editor-in-Chief of The Minuteman, 1988-89 by Joseph C. Kusnan ’89

joined The Minuteman by accident. I had

because it allowed for WYSIWYG (What-You-See-

broken my knee playing soccer against

Is-What-You-Get) and eliminated the guesswork

Dwight-Englewood my junior year. I was

of galleys, cut-and-paste, mechanical mockups,

rushing forward toward the goal with the ball

and the other practices that dated back to

when I was pushed from behind and my leg

Gutenberg in 1435.

snapped violently forward, ripping the ligaments in my knee. My soccer career was over. The date

We used a Compaq Portable computer. It was

was October 19, 1987. Black Monday. The Stock

the first IBM PC compatible computer of its

Market Crash. An inauspicious beginning for

kind. Suitcase-sized (28 pounds), the Compaq

this future Editor-in-Chief.

cost over $3,500 at the time when Newark Academy tuition was $8,200. I cannot remember

Faculty member Joe Ball suggested that I join

exactly how Newark Academy had access to

The Minuteman. Mr. Ball had been my World

something so technologically advanced. It was a

Cultures teacher in eighth grade. He was (and

treasure. I was already obsessed with computers

remains) a kind, wonderful and compassionate

and I would bring it home nearly every day to

mentor. He was one of the first people at

do layout work for The Minuteman and to learn

Newark Academy to believe in this short, shy,

more about how it worked. Laser printing was

sensitive kid who had transferred from Delbarton

so expensive we had to go to a printing company

and Pingry. Mr. Ball had recently taken over as

down Columbia Turnpike with our floppy disks

faculty advisor to The Minuteman and suggested

just to see what our work looked like.

that I try it out. I became layout editor. Michael Waldorf ’88 was Editor-in-Chief.

The Minuteman staff would meet during Club Period during the week. When I became Editor-

In 1987, personal computers were primitive but

in-Chief, I always remember the thrill of putting

ubiquitous – I had been using a computer since

the articles together and the satisfaction of

the Apple II in 1977 and had one of the first

watching people read them in the hallways and

IBM PCs in 1982. The idea of using a personal

talking about them. We had an all-star staff –

computer for newspaper layout was still revolu-

Iris Yen ’89, Melissa Shaner ’89, Jay Park ’89,

tionary. The first desktop publishing program,

Larry Levine ’89, Kwame Ivery ’89, Gary Walk ’89,

PageMaker, had been released in 1985. It would

Wendy Xa ’89, Jim Sorhagen ’89, Richard Worth ’90,

only become available for IBM PCs in 1987 on

and Irene Yen ’90 (a future Editor-in-Chief),

Windows 1.0. PageMaker was a major advance

among others. I don’t remember any ground-

Celebrating 70 years of The Minuteman

breaking articles or journalism. We were so

government without newspapers or newspapers

young. But I do remember getting the spark –

without a government, I should not hesitate a

for working on something intellectual, for being

moment to prefer the latter.”

part of a team, for connecting with an audience, and the insight that technology could be fun.

So many years later, people sometimes ask me what else I might be doing if I were not on Wall

Working on The Minuteman has stayed with me

Street. I always think that I might have been a

to this present day. First, journalism requires

journalist. I remain a journalist at heart. I will

the ability to write and communicate succinctly,

always be proud and grateful of my time as

which is immensely valuable in the real world.

Editor-in-Chief of The Minuteman.

Email, Blogging, Facebook, Texting, and Twitter

provides perspective, and enables civil discourse

“

and debate. Journalism allows us to aspire

Joseph Kusnan was Editor-in-Chief of The

toward civilization’s highest ideals. When the

Minuteman from 1988-89. He was president

world is wrong, journalism can stand up for

of his class from 1985-89. He graduated from

what is right. Journalism can speak the truth.

Harvard and has worked in money management

As Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “... were it

since 1993 in New York City where he lives with

left to me to decide whether we should have a

his family.

mean that we write more than ever – mostly poorly. It is essential to be able to craft an argument and dress it with literary style, vocabulary and punch. Second, journalism demands the discipline to research, write and think under time pressure. Journalism uncovers, reports and organizes facts cogently in order to distill them into their essence. The real world is full of deadlines, headlines and bylines. If I have one regret, it is that we never tackled any great issue, any great debate, any great controversy while I was Editor-in-Chief. One is always reminded from The Minuteman masthead that one is part of a great historical legacy. 1774. Ad Lumen. Journalism at its best informs,

In 1987,

personal computers were

primitive but ubiquitous. ..

The idea of using a personal

computer for newspaper layout was

still revolutionary.

2011

1940

1992

” )

from the

Archives by Blackie Parlin

Why I Support the Gap Year … but dislike the term I believe that a mature young person can benefit immeasurably from a year away from the academic routine, but I regret the term gap year. “Gap” has a negative implication. There is a gap in our Maginot Line — weakness. “Doctor, correct the gap between my front teeth” — imperfection. When Rocky says to Adrienne, “I got gaps; you got gaps,” he is suggesting inadequacies. I advocate that the mature, responsible, inquisitive young person step out of academia for a Mount Everest year.

n the year between high school and college I worked my way around the country in a series of shirt-sleeve jobs: harvest hand, assembly line worker on the can line in the Green Giant pea cannery, welldriller, circus roustabout for Clyde Beatty, grocery store clerk, and copy-boy at the St. Petersburg Times. I was shaped by that experience, learned more than in any other year of my life, developed interests that have carried through a lifetime, and clarified my goals. No year of high school, university, or graduate school had comparable value.

The year I visualize would have the following guidelines: One should not live with parents or be supported by parents. Communication with parents should be very infrequent. One should not be looking for ease or indulgence. One should have the sense and responsibility not to get into trouble with alcohol or drugs. One should not get pregnant or beget pregnancy.

actually, out of hunger, stole a bottle of milk from a door stoop. From a privileged upper middle class home, I learned what it was like to be despised because of exterior appearance. I saw the hurt of racial discrimination; hitchhiking in Mississippi, I had a well-dressed black man who was giving me a ride ask me to go into a diner to buy him a hamburger because, he said, “I’d be killed if I went in there.” I felt the slings and arrows myself – ME. A couple moved their children out of a church pew because my clothes, although clean, looked a bit shabby. One rancher fed me out of the back door. Another rancher for whom I’d pitched hay bales for twelve hours told me that I could bathe in a horse trough with a five-inch layer of green scum on the top.

In my Everest year, I was often very lonely and sometimes scared. I experienced poverty in one jobless period and

Each of my children had an Everest experience. One son worked for some months at a 7-11 to earn the

NEWARK ACADEMY

airfare to India and experienced a half-year of self-directed travel there. My daughter went on an academically oriented camping expedition around the country for an entire year with the Audubon Society. Another son worked on a dairy farm for 13-hour days with only two days off per month. On one of his days off, my son visited the college which had admitted him on a deferred matriculation basis. He told me later that the students seemed to him “like babies.” He was arrogant, yes, but he was right; his life experience had matured him so that he could not fit into that freshman atmosphere. (He found for himself a different university setting and arrangement in which he could take off.) The year I describe, outside the academic setting and prescribed curriculum, should not be a year of intellectual-artistic stagnation. While bull-dozing cow manure, my son reflected on classes he had had at NA – music theory with Mr. Tino, reading Crime and Punishment with Mr. Riley. My daughter sketched wildflowers. I read the Bible. I could carry one book in my small duffle, so I decided I would read the Bible from cover to cover. When I got to Leviticus and the details of sacrificing oxen to please God, I wrote home a sophomoric letter disparaging my mother’s faith. She sent me a copy of Edgar Goodspeed’s The Story of the Bible, recommended that I set the Bible against the history of the times, and recognize very different levels of spiritual maturity. The religious faith

of my mother never took for me, but a lifelong interest in the literature of religion stemmed from that year. The editors of Outreach could not give me the pages needed to describe how my life was shaped by this Everest year. Many lifelong interests were started – religious literature, farm equipment, sociological descriptions of tramps and on and on. I have never forgotten my loneliness of that year, a remembrance that always strengthens my bonds to family. I saw and experienced discrimination and economic hardship which has focused my mind on issues like the anti-poverty and health care crusades. The year made me eager to get to a university where I hoped to learn everything. Finally, my relationship to my parents. While I had always known the love of my mother, I now knew the pain of that love as she let me go adventuring with unknowns and dangers. As for my father, for the first time I felt I met my father as an equal and that he was not only respectful but proud that I was going to live my life according to my own lights. So, my encouragement to the best and brightest – drop out for a year and go for Everest!

OUTREACH spring 2011

ADVANCEMENT 28

Thriving During Challenging Times Match Challenge for Betty Newman Scholarship Continues Through October 31, 2011 Since announcing the Betty Newman Scholarship Fund gift challenge – in which an anonymous donor pledged to match all gifts made to the fund by October 31, up to $125,000 – Newark Academy is pleased to report that gifts totaling more than $45,000 have been received. When matched, this translates into nearly $100,000 for NA’s financial aid and scholarship program. When the matching challenge is met, the Betty Newman Scholarship Fund will be fully endowed and capable of providing a full scholarship to a designated student for the 2012-2013 academic year. The student selected will possess academic excellence, as well as a high regard for community service.

Betty Newman was one of Newark Academy’s most beloved faculty members. Her role at NA was far reaching – from the phenomenal track record she had with her Humanities AP students to the creation of the Community Service Program and the students’ Holiday Party for families in need – her impact on the NA community is immeasurable. If you are interested in accepting the gift challenge by making a contribution to the Betty Newman Scholarship Fund, please contact Lisa Grider, Director of Institutional Advancement, at (973) 992-7000, ext. 320 or lgrider@newarka.edu.

Pitch Perfect Generous Gift Benefits Baseball Field Before the season even started, the Newark Academy baseball team hit a home run in the form of a gift that brought major improvements to NA’s baseball field. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous family, Opening Day saw the Minutemen take their place on a field that was well-groomed and safer than it has ever been. “This family’s substantial gift to the baseball program enabled us to make dramatic improvements,” said Athletic Director Ed Manigan. “Our student-athletes can now proudly take to the field in a facility that is as good, or better, than any of our opponents. These improvements not only benefit the team, but our fans as well.” Work on the field began in the snowy days of January when the installation of a new irrigation system began. Throughout the winter and the very early spring, work continued as a new backstop (with windscreen), dugouts (with roofs), and baseline fencing went up. Refurbishment ensured that home plate, the pitcher’s mound and the bullpens were in tip-top

shape and the team benefited from pre-season work on the new batting machine that was also part of this donation, which totaled more than $50,000. “We are just delighted that this NA family put their financial support behind an area that they are clearly passionate about,” said Lisa Grider, Director of Advancement. “We are so grateful for this gift and doubly so because this family also supports the needs of the broader NA community through their loyal and generous gifts to the Annual Fund each year. NA baseball’s anonymous benefactor acknowledged that while improving safety was a factor in the decision, the primary motivation was the desire to honor and encourage Coach Frank Dasti and the Minuteman team. “Coach Dasti, his staff and the players all work so hard. We are delighted that we could make a gift to help the baseball program to continue to be one of the many strengths of Newark Academy.”

lumni A y m e d a c ewark A N r o f n u F e Summertim

Wish you were here! With the days getting longer, the nights shorter and the breezes warmer, our minds tend to drift to thoughts of summer. These precious 104 days stir something in us, perhaps more than other seasons, with nostalgia for golden smiles of years past or anticipation over wild adventures in the days to come. For Newark Academy alumni, summers often signify time spent outdoors, a trip to exotic locales, traditional family gatherings, or hitting the road with the best of pals. The following stories highlight NA alumni summer traditions and adventures that range from romantic to outrageous, and are sure to awaken the summer dreamer in everyone.

All in the Family

Generations Share Love, Laughter and Baked Goods on Lake George by Anna Parlin ’06 and Elizabeth Parlin ’04

Each summer, various six-, seven-, and eight-year olds dog-paddle the mile-anda-quarter lake swim hoping to finally be allowed to waterski or to take a boat out by themselves.

Our family spent every summer in a small town on Lake George, one of the largest lakes in the Adirondacks. Our great-grandparents Charles and Miriam – Mr. Parlin’s parents – bought land on the lake in the 1930s. They set out to establish a farm-like property complete with ploughhorses (Dot and Jack), chickens, a barn by a meadow, and a sugar shack in the woods for making maple syrup. Every summer they left their Englewood, New Jersey home and spent an idyllic few months in a house on the lake with their three children: Charles Jr., Camilla and Blackie. Over the years the property gradually evolved into a vacation spot for all of Charles and Miriam’s descendants. The barn turned into a residence for Charles’ cousins, part of the main house was winterized, and each of the three children moved into other houses on the property. By the time we were born (Anna, Liz and Turner ’02), generations of first, second, and third cousins were all spending at least part of their summers at the lake. With up to 20 people in some of the houses at any given time, all of the families grew used to sharing the same dock and raft that Charles had built. We passed many days and summers in outdoor heaven, playing capture-the-flag with cousins and rowing to islands on

Summertime Fun

the lake. Many of the rules Charles had established remained in place: no swimming without an adult, no dogs allowed on the dock, and every child had to earn lake privileges. Each summer, various six-, seven-, and eight-year olds dog-paddle the mile-and-a-quarter lake swim hoping to finally be allowed to waterski or to take a boat out by themselves. We have all spent many hours on the raft playing “rag tag” – a simple game of water tag that turns alarmingly brutal – and throughout the year everyone looks forward to the large Fourth of July picnic signaling the start of summer. For the three of us, Lake George quickly became our favorite place. We learned to drive in the meadow while sitting next to our grandfather in his truck, trekked through the woods every

Wish you were here!

winter in search of a Christmas tree, and transported friends from home up to visit every summer. Throughout the school year, Lake George was never far from our minds. When Liz was four years old and our family returned home to Belgium after the summer, she insisted upon wearing her swim cap to school, on playdates and to bed. When our family moved to Summit and we began attending Newark Academy, every school year started on a bit of a sad note.

One summer during high school the two of us, ever on the lookout for new ways to entertain ourselves, decided to have a booth at the local craft fair. Hague is a town with 700 permanent residents and businesses that at the time included a general store, a real estate agency, a post office, and a taxidermy (which for several years doubled as a cafe). The craft fair is held every summer at the Community Center. Booths feature homemade crafts ranging from evergreen stuffed pillows to cross-stitch patterns, and the average age of everyone there is well over 50. Unperturbed, we spent three days baking hundreds of cupcakes, decorating t-shirts with pink swirls, and digging up vintage aprons to create our “Sisterly Confections” booth. Our friend, Leah, came to help and, over the course of the next two days, we sold out of everything we had made. As the same people returned again and again to buy boxes of baked goods, it became clear to us that many people in Hague were looking for good food. At the same time, our parents learned that the taxidermy building – a run down building in the middle of town – was for sale. Built in the late 1800s as a general store, the building had served as the town’s post office, a boarding house, a private residence, and a taxidermy/ cafe (the logistics of which we have yet to understand). That weekend we all went to look at the building, a bit nervous as to what we might find. After seeing original wood paneling on the walls and a deck overlooking the Hague Brook, our apprehension soon gave way to excitement. Having always

thought about one day opening a restaurant, our parents decided to buy the building and open something seasonal in Hague. Over the next year they traveled back and forth from New Jersey to Hague to oversee the project, watching as a crew gutted the building, installed a commercial kitchen, and made it ready for the public. We called our new restaurant The Uptown, and opened it in the summer of 2004 serving coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch. Every summer we changed the format until finally, in 2008, we were serving only dinner and Sunday brunch. After the three of us graduated from Newark Academy, our parents moved up to Hague full-time, living in the apartment above the Uptown. We continue to return home to Hague for holidays and vacations, and all look forward to June when The Uptown will open for yet another summer season!

The Uptown

...we spent three days baking hundreds of cupcakes, decorating t-shirts with pink swirls, and digging up vintage aprons to create our “Sisterly Confections” booth.

Shipping Out NA Alumni Travel the World Together by Bud D’Avella ’62

right: At the famous

pyramids in Ghiza Bud D’Avella ’62 and Ken Fischer ’62 below: In Egypt at

the Valley of the Kings where King Tut’s tomb was discovered in 1922 Elaine and Bud D’Avella ’62

Summertime Fun

Who’s to say whether wanderlust first touched us in that fourth grade history class, learning about the Greeks and Romans, or in geography, studying the countries of Europe. There’s no doubt that the names Nelke and Parlin come up a lot on our trips. At any rate, Ken Fischer ’62 and I traveled with our families separately for many years before he, Barbara, Elaine and I decided to travel together in the year 2000. Since then we have taken seven extended trips together, mostly aboard ships, ranging from Australia to Russia, China to Egypt, England to Greece, and Ireland to Italy – and we’re still planning more! Finding people you enjoy traveling with is not easy, so we appreciate how lucky we are to have each other. Ken and I spent most of first to twelfth grades together at Newark Academy, and have lived in the same towns (Newark, Essex Fells and Mantoloking) our whole lives. We always got along well, but the real secret to our relationship is that our wives Barbara and Elaine get along, and each

of us gets along with each other. Ken says, “the more the merrier,” so we’ve added to the nomadic group from time to time. For both Ken and me, travel started as the best way to really get away from our working lives – to truly relax – and now it comes second nature. For those of you who have shied away from travel – don’t, especially while your health permits it. There is something about viewing life from such different vantage points that puts everything in perspective, which is why I’m sure we keep coming back for more.

Wish you were here!

At the Great Wall of China The D’Avellas, the Fischers and friends

At the Taj Mahal Barbara and Ken Fische r

In Xi’an, China standing before the Terracotta Army (with more than 6,000 figures)

Barbara and Ken Fischer

In Saint Thomas at the home of Barbara and Ken Fischer ’62 Celebrating Barbara’s birthday in style!

me At the Colosseum in Ro

rs and friends The D’Avellas, the Fische

In Shanghai The D’Avellas, the Fische rs and friends

There is something about viewing life from such different vantage points that puts everything in perspective...

Fringe Benefits Sue Karlin ’81 Experiences Life on the Edge

We were taken with the spectacular experience in community, participatory art, meeting like-minded creatives, stretching our values, engaging in a gift-economy mentality...

Summertime Fun

For journalist Sue Karlin ’81, summer traditions take an untraditional turn. Although she’s occasionally traveled (Egypt, Vietnam and the Arctic were summer trips), lately she’s been spending the warmer months in the alternative realities of the San Diego Comic-Con – the largest comic book and popular arts convention in the world – and Burning Man – an annual art event and temporary community based on radical self-expression and self-reliance in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Although she claims that these unconventional expeditions make living in Los Angeles seem eerily normal to her, she’ll be back at it again this summer, meeting up with fellow alums along the way. “In late July, I’ll be once again covering Comic-Con International in San Diego for Fast Company magazine and, I hope, moderate a panel on jobs in the comics, animation and gaming industries. I first attended three years ago as I became more serious about my artwork, and was charmed by the sea of joyous geeks dressing up as their favorite superheroes. The science

fiction overlap offered a ton of science stories, and I’ve since made a number of good friends in the arena. In late August, Brian Stroehlein ’80 and I will be making a return pilgrimage to Burning Man. Last summer we found ourselves undeterred by the heat, dust, frenzied partiers, and non-stop house music. We were taken

Wish you were here!

with the spectacular experience in community, participatory art, meeting like-minded creatives, stretching our values, engaging in a gift-economy mentality (i.e. no money or promotions allowed), and detaching from the world of cell phones and the Internet. On our journey we met a pilot who flew us over the area, and we biked around the 5-mile campus. We looked at art installations, jammed with other musician hobbyists, went to science lectures, participated in life drawing classes, and attended a cocktail party of academics, engineers, techies and PhDs. We found sanctuary at Hushville, a camp that doesn’t allow loud music or generators, and attracts older, mellower professionals with a dash of madcap. And best of all, we took a little piece of it back to the real world – which seems comparatively more ludicrous than men walking around in tutus and women with painted breasts!”

“Summer School” Alumni Return as Summer Session Interns Over the years, several Newark Academy alumni have chosen to return to the familiar halls, crossing the divide from student to teacher. According to Amy Sherman ’05, a summer session intern in 2007 and 2008, “I could not have asked for a more rewarding summer experience … there are no words to describe the satisfaction I felt while watching the students succeed!” Tom Jasterzbski ’08: Summer 2011 Anna Birnbaum ’08: 2009, 2010 Andrew Allocca ’07: 2008, 2009 Dan Petrillo ’06: 2008, 2009 Amy Sherman ’05: 2007, 2008 Emily Litwin ’05: 2006, 2007 Erica Stein ’01: 2005, 2006 Max Orsini ’99: 2004 Mario Costa ’91: 2002 Christina Ungaro ’97: 2002 Lillian Ball ’99: 1999, 2000, 2001 Elizabeth Strand Bell ’88 Lauren Lieberman ’91 David Lee ’94 Amanda Blaskopf Deaner ’95 Darren Burns ’86 (first official NA intern)

California Dreamin’

Four Alums Head West in Search of Summer Fun by Colin Griggs ’01 and Nancy McGaughan, Director of Alumni Relations

This less than auspicious beginning to their grand voyage was punctuated by an evening of pawing through garbage and sifting through storage bins for a $5 printer cord.

Think Road Trip meets Cannonball Run and you’re getting pretty close to the hilarious antics of four Newark Academy alums from the Class of 2001 who gave themselves 12 days to make it to California and back, and lived to tell the (tall) tale. In May 2004, Colin Griggs, Tom Hartley, Ben Loesser and Brian McGaughan set out from Randolph, New Jersey, in the wee hours of the morning in an attempt to see the Pacific Ocean and return less than two weeks later. While each participant has his own variation (i.e., fabrication) on the details of the trip, they all agree that – despite the objections of their parents and their own better judgement – they decided to cram together in a compact car for 12 days as the brilliant start to their summer vacations.

Summertime Fun

The first stop on the trip was supposed to be a quick swing through Franklin & Marshall College (where Brian, Tom and Colin went to school) to pick up a printer cord Tom thought he had left in his dorm room. This less than auspicious beginning to their grand voyage was punctuated by an evening of pawing through garbage and sifting through storage bins for a $5 printer cord. Finally giving up the search, the four young men were off to North Carolina to visit Tim Heckler, a good friend stationed at Fort

Bragg with the 82nd Airborne. After two sweaty nights in a cheap North Carolina motel, a tour through Fort Bragg (which gave them all a new appreciation for the rigors of military life) and one squabble that ended with one of the guys sleeping in the car, the group drove overnight to San Antonio, Texas. Do you remember the Alamo? After a grueling trip through New Orleans (pre-Katrina), the group arrived at Colin’s aunt and uncle’s house in San Antonio. Exhausted, hot, cranky and beginning to wonder whether any of this was a good idea, the group soon discovered that no one was home. After spending 21 uncomfortable hours in the car, these pioneers sprawled out and fell asleep in the front yard, horrifying the neighbors and endearing themselves to their hosts. After a night on San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the group travelled to Fort Worth to visit friends at Texas Christian University. On the way, they stopped at Schlitterbahn – the self-proclaimed

Wish you were here!

largest water park in the world. They spent four hours going down slides, riding on a lazy river, enjoying the warm breezes and soaking in the abundant sunshine. La Jolla, California, was the next destination (another 20 long hours in the car!). With the boring stretch of road from Fort Worth to El Paso behind them, the group trekked on watching the sun rise through the Arizona mountains behind them. The Pacific Ocean – their ultimate goal – seemed to be that much closer. Finally arriving in La Jolla (their final destination!), there was little fanfare as the long drive and early morning hours had taken a toll on the boys’ enthusiasm and they fell right to sleep. The next day, after enjoying a game of whiffle ball on the beach, they traveled to Los Angeles where Tom’s brother took them to a restaurant with one of the best Elvis impersonators they had ever seen. After days of fast food, it was nice to sit at a table with silverware, plates and entertainment that consisted of something other than watching how many French fries Tom Hartley could consume. The next day, the four hiked a mountain in the Pacific Palisades where, despite the smog, they were able to see Kobe Bryant’s house just over the next peak. The humidity was Tom’s excuse for his soaked through t-shirt, though everyone else thought it had something to do with all those French fries. Now the group faced the daunting realization that the ride home was eminent. This time, the goal was to make stops only to catch some sleep. A pass through a Las Vegas buffet was a quick food stop on the way to a campsite somewhere in Utah. While in Vegas, Brian put a nickel in a slot machine, immediately won $1.20 and left Vegas feeling lucky, convinced that the ride home wouldn’t be so bad after all. At a campsite in Utah, the group was rudely awakened by rain hitting their tent, so they got into the car at 5:30 a.m. and headed for a campsite in Kansas. Unfortunately, that little rain that started in Utah was a massive weather event that insisted on following them all the way. With it came 40 m.p.h. winds that made setting up a tent impossible. In desperation they grabbed the last motel room in a tiny Kansas town and spent the night gearing up for their first view of a tornado.

The faces from onlookers at the gas station next to the motel should have been a clear sign that the boys from New Jersey should not have been running around outside trying to fight the tornado. Eventually the group was persuaded to find some shelter by local authorities who had been alerted by concerned Kansas citizens. The next morning, Brian, Tom, Colin and Ben headed for Indiana on the final leg of their trip. Driving through Illinois, the group discovered that time zones were not friendly. Crossing from one time zone into another meant that the breakfast menu at McDonald’s was no longer available. They continued to fight the weather most of the way. After a brief visit to a friend’s home in Indiana, they made the final drive to New Jersey, arriving home dirty and exhausted, but satisfied. In conclusion, four friends spent a ridiculous amount of time crammed together in a small car and still managed to have a lot of laughs, as well as some lifelong memories. The friendship between them is a solid one, and all of the “road warriors” served as ushers for Brian McGaughan’s wedding in August 2010. They cleaned up very nicely!

While in Vegas, Brian put a nickel in a slot machine, immediately won $1.20 and left Vegas feeling lucky, convinced that the ride home wouldn’t be so bad after all.

ALUMNI NEWS 38

NETWORK SOLUTIONS Record Numbers Attend Networking Night! Alumni came out in large numbers for Networking Night in New York and the results were extraordinary. On January 6, The Penn Club was the place to be for young Newark Academy alumni looking for advice, guidance and connections, as well as for more experienced alumni looking to network with peers and mentor their fellow NA alums.

The evening started with a spirited panel discussion encompassing a wide array of topics of value in today’s job market. The importance of research, adaptability, and follow-up was stressed, along with the fundamentals of how to begin networking.

The esteemed panelists answered questions, took resumes and offered priceless advice to the alumni who approached them when the formal discussion ended.

panelists Peter Krieger ’74 and Rebecca Moll Freed ’94 NEWARK ACADEMY

Yair Riemer ’01

NETWORKING ONLINE The Newark Academy Networking Program is growing every day and now incorporates a job board on the new alumni website at alumni.newarka.edu. The success of this new program is due to the generosity of the members of our alumni community who are always willing to lend a hand to one another.

If you are interested in being a part of this important endeavor, whether by offering advice and mentorship, providing an internship, reviewing resumes, or making introductions within your company, we encourage you to contact alumni@newarka.edu and get involved. It is a rewarding experience to help someone get started on a meaningful career path, and you can tell by the smiles on the faces of those at Networking Night that everyone benefits from the connections they make!

Susan Goldberg â&#x20AC;&#x2122;79 and Jill Resnick Edwards â&#x20AC;&#x2122;85 OUTREACH spring 2011

ALUMNI NEWS 40

Newark Academy Alumni

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS THE OLD GUARD RECEPTION AT COMMENCEMENT 2011 Sunday, June 12 Honoring NA graduates of 50 years or more.

HOMECOMING & REUNION Saturday, October 15 (back) Nancy and Fred McGaughan, Molly McGaughan ’05 (front) Mary and Brian McGaughan ’01, Susie and Sean McGaughan ’99

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS This spring marks my last days as Director of Alumni Relations at Newark Academy. I am off to join my husband Fred in Florida where he has been appointed the founding director of admissions at Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches. Although I am very excited about this new adventure, especially after the winter we have all endured, it is hard to say goodbye. I have loved working with the wonderful alumni of Newark Academy for the last eight years. Your spirit, generosity and loyalty to your old school has always inspired me to work harder, and I have always felt personally enriched by getting to know so many of you. I am not only leaving more than 4,000 NA alums, but I am leaving people I consider to be my friends. My hope is that the work we began together will continue, and that all of you will remain close to Newark Academy and to each other. Thank you for giving me your feedback and your friendship over the years.

farewell

I will not forget you!

NEWARK ACADEMY

A full day of festivities for NA alumni and their families: • Class Representative Breakfast • Women of NA Luncheon • Schoolwide Tailgate Party • Alumni Awards Reception • Reunion 2011

Celebrate!

1’s

6’s

Check for details on these and more great activities at alumni.newarka.edu.

CLASS NOTES 41

1937

1947

1956

Dick Moffatt spent a week in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, then returned to Green Valley, Arizona, for the rest of the winter. He plans to return to Kimball Farms, his permanent home in Lenox, Massachusetts, for the summer. Are there any NA alumni in the Berkshires? If so, he would like to hear from them.

Jack Bier continues to write the class notes for the Wharton School classes of 1950-51 as he has done for more than 20 years. Some of his NA classmates will remember that Jack also wrote the class notes in the yearbook for the Class of 1947.

55th Reunion Everett Schuldt E.Schuldt@yahoo.com

1938 Albert Drake became a great grandfather on November 12, 2010. Tyler Drake was born in Montclair, New Jersey.

1944 Edward Atkins’ book, Flight Deck, A Pictorial Essay Of A Day In The Life Of An Airdale, is available as a Kindle Book (including audio). It can be reviewed at ship-n-planes.com, navy-wwii-memoir.com, our-hollowed-heritage and a-flight-deckodyssey.com.

1946 65th Reunion Robert Cronheim rdc@cronheim.com

Dick Grimley thanks Bob Cronheim for the golf plug he gave him in the last class notes section of Outreach. True enough, Dick does shoot his age or better on one of the Jupiter golf courses that he plays, but only from the Red, Ladies, Forward, Senior tees! He is 82 … but who’s counting! Arthur Halprin is retired and lives seasonally in Vero Beach, Florida.

1951 60th Reunion Kelly Marx nanlowmar@aol.com

1954 Michael Frankel still goes to his office most days but frequently travels to Italy with his Italian wife and to Florida for winter golf. He is happy to hear from classmates at MBFrankel@gmail.com.

1955 Gerald Seid retired from the active practice of corporate law seven years ago. Since then he has reinvented himself as a woodworker and is slowly forcing his existing furniture out of his home as he designs and builds new pieces. He also builds furniture for family and friends. Since Gerald retired, his daughter married and has two children with whom he spends a day each week. Gerald and his wife live in an old farmhouse on several acres in Hopewell, New Jersey, and though his wife still works, they have found that life has developed a peaceful and comfortable rhythm.

Art Block and his wife, Maria Elisa, visited their daughter Karin (a faculty member in the New York State University system) and their son-inlaw Chris (who is launching his own business in Brooklyn) to welcome their first granddaughter, Rose Elisa. Back on their farm in Puerto Rico, Art and Maria Elisa are enjoying their view of the sea, experiencing a super yield of papaya production, finding new uses for over-ripe bananas (such as very good barbecue sauce), planning their next sojourn to Florida and teaching their grandsons about gardening, math, history, and absurd translations of Spanish songs into English. Art and Maria Elisa’s semi-move to Florida is still in the planning stage and they have decided to keep their residence formally in Puerto Rico, though they will be spending much more time in the continental U.S. near Art’s brother and sister.

1959 Doug Slade and his wife, Nancy, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last October. They began the celebration with a trip to the Grove Park Inn Spa and Resort in Asheville, North Carolina in August and continued the celebration with a surprise party for Nancy on October 13.

Come shop with us online at the new NA Spirit Store! Visit www.newarka.edu/store to see our entire lineup of NA clothes and gifts.

CLASS NOTES 42

1961

1964

50th Reunion MacKinnon Simpson MacKinnon828@gmail.com

Bob Flaws retired in 2010 after more than 30 years working for Blue Poppy Enterprises, Inc. in Boulder, Colorado. Bob and his wife, Honora, were the founders of the company. Bob was editor-in-chief as well as head of research and development. He is now spending his time in retirement practicing Tibetan Buddhism, with occasional forays to Nepal to practice acupuncture in a volunteer clinic in Boudha.

Curtis Cetrulo recently published a book, Perinatal Stem Cells, with his sons, Curtis Jr., who is an assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, and Kyle, who is the chief operating officer of Autocell Labs. Scott Hunt and his wife, Pam, visited Mac Simpson and his wife, Lori, in Hawaii. They visited the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and explored the island. It was great fun to both reminisce and catch up. Scott is chief executive officer of the Endocrine Society in Washington, D.C., and Mac continues to write and design books about Hawaii.

1966 45th Reunion Jonathan Epstein Jonathan.epstein@dbr.com

Michael Wagner sends greetings from Tokyo. He is always pleased to hear news of Newark Academy and

DO THE MATH Robert Soare ’59 Robert Soare is the Paul Snowden Russell Distinguished

Service

Professor

Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Chicago. A special reception, in honor of Dr. Soare’s 70th birthday, was held at the university during a two-day workshop on Computablility Theory and Applications. This year is an important milestone for Soare. He recalls, “It has been more than 50 years since I graduated from Newark Academy, almost 50 years since graduating from Princeton, and more than 35 years since becoming a professor at the University of Chicago. This event gives me the opportunity to reflect on the path that led me here and the people who have helped me along the way.” Soare attributes the shaping of his career path to his wonderful math teachers at Newark Academy, Mr. Blake and Mr. Huddle.

Patti and Michael Wagner ’66

its continued reach throughout the world. His wife, Patti, teaches AP literature and AP language at Yokota High School. Michael is the college guidance counselor and history and humanities teacher at K International School Tokyo (KIST), an international baccalaureate school offering the IB curriculum from kindergarten through grade 12. They are one of only 134 IB schools in the world so designated out of the 3,800 schools with an IB curriculum.

1967 Leigh Bandekow and his wife, Sharon, live in Newark, Delaware, home of the University of Delaware and the “Fighting Blue Hens.” They both graduated from there in 1972 and Leigh was the president of the local chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha for two years. They have three grown children, no grandchildren, but they do have a big black dog named Butters. Leigh works for the Bank of America as a senior fraud analyst and Sharon is a deposit representative for Discover Bank. They began their married life in Newark in 1972 and moved to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in 1983 to manage their own mortgage company for 15 years. These days they enjoy time with each other and their dogs, and spend at least one week each year in Jamaica. Leigh’s brother, Richard ’65, and their father, Richard J. Bandekow ’37, are also NA alums.

Last year, Wayne Russell was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent two months of radiation treatment in Jacksonville, Florida, at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute. He is happy to report the treatments were successful and the cancer has been cured. Wayne returned to work at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in January. Frank Silverman and his wife, Margot, welcomed their fourth son, Spencer, in July 2010. He joins brothers Travers, Preston and Wiley.

1969 Bill Kaplan recently published a book entitled, Losing Your Minds: Capturing, Retaining, and Leveraging Organizational Knowledge, to address the growing challenges and risk associated with workforce turnover, and the ensuing loss of knowledge that occurs when this happens. It is a hands-on guide that both leadership and workforce can use to address this risk over the near and longer term. It has also been just over a year since Bill started his consulting practice in knowledge management. Visit his website at www.workingknowledge-csp.com.

1971 40th Reunion William Hardin whardin@ptd.net

Edward Bowser has relocated (with his business, Process Serving) to Glenn Dale, Maryland. Lloyd Flaum had a great time talking with Billy Hardin and is looking forward to their 40th Reunion in October 2011. He hopes to see many of their old friends back at NA.

1972 From Class Representative Daniel Cronheim: Welcome to my initial efforts at gathering more notes from the Class of 1972 (I am still trying to figure out how I became class representative and welcome everyone’s assistance with this irregular column.) If there is anything you would like to share with your classmates, please send it to alumni@newarka.edu and, absent an unexpectedly overwhelming response, it will be published in this section. In more frightening news, an event affecting all of us is imminent. Let me be the first to remind you that our 40th Reunion is a year away. It is not possible that we are this old, but it is better than the alternative. Our 40th Reunion will be in October 2012. More details are certain to follow from the school, but make your tentative plans to attend now. Joel DeFabio is practicing law in Miami. He works primarily in the federal courts representing defendants accused of white collar crimes and Medicare fraud. He does not miss the type of winter and snow we had in New Jersey this past winter. Cathy Gangemi Goode is a student development specialist at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey. Her job involves both academic counseling and assisting the students with their personal development. Cathy loves her longtime job and the broad range of help that she provides to students at the introductory college level. Cathy is married and lives in the charming town of Red Bank. She has two daughters, one of whom followed in her family’s tradition and is a varsity fencer at Boston College.

We Fondly Remember Edward Koos ’34 December 10, 2010 Raymond Dimm Jr. ’38 January 14, 2011 William Stickel ’44 February 9, 2011 Royal Davis ’46 December 18, 2010 Robert Sauer ’48 January 12, 2011 Arthur Cofano ’49 August 3, 2010 James Padula ’49 February 8, 2011 Barney Solomon ’73 February 15, 2011

1974 Sheila Cassidy is single and living in South Florida. She manages her own executive search/consulting company, Cassidy Consulting Group, which is a mid- to executive level search firm providing staffing services to corporations in North America. In addition, they provide services by contract to retained and contingent search firms. Sheila also writes two blogs, one on health and fitness, the other on sharing recipes with a healthy focus. Last November, she vacationed in Costa Rica with her sister who owns a condo there. They

CLASS NOTES 44

enjoyed the rest and relaxation, the family bonding, the beaches, the hot springs and the rain forest. It was a beautiful place. Sheila’s websites: cassidyconsultinggroup.com, sheilastrainingnotes.blogspot.com, ptbcooking.blogspot.com, linked.com/in/cassidy1.

auto dealer and her firm is now Burke Motor Group at the Jersey Cape Auto Mall, offering 15 car and truck franchises; over 1,000 vehicles in one convenient location just off the Garden State Parkway at Exit 10. The year 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of Burke Motor Group. Francey invites all NA alums, faculty and friends of the school to visit her.

35th Reunion Don DeFabio drdefabio@aol.com

reaching out to everyone in preparation for Reunion. In fact, I recently saw Jon Kanter who is with Northwest Mutual and even though he is busy, he always has time to meet for lunch over Indian food. Mari Lou Shuster hopes to make it, but Reunion falls on her birthday. I told her we would be happy to provide cake and sing Happy Birthday to encourage her to attend! As for me, I recently completed a corrective exercise and performance enhancement specialist course to add personalized exercise regimes to my patients’ treatment plans. When I’m not in the office I’m working on my TV show, The Natural Way to Better Health and Wellness that airs on public access TV out of Summit. We have two graduations this year: my oldest child will graduate summa cum laude from Drew University and my son from high school. I have three other daughters, a sophomore at Towson University, a freshman in high school, and an 11-year-old. So our house is busy! See you in October as I’m expecting everyone to make the effort to be at Reunion to pick up their t-shirts and shell necklaces in person!

From class representative Don DeFabio: It’s been a lot of fun

Francey Burke launched a new marketing venture with a neighboring

Justin Larkman wrote that he can’t believe that the Class of 1976 is approaching their 35th Reunion! He attended the recent NA networking event at the Penn Club in New York and ran into Grace Williams ’74 and Pete Krieger ’74. He also recently saw Alex Maturri. Justin is enjoying life on the Upper East Side and looks forward to seeing everyone in October.

1975 William York’s company, smallFEAT for Schools, continues to grow, offering sustainability services and programs to educational organizations. William will return to Brazil this summer for a second year to help host a conference and teach a course for EFL teachers, English Through the Environment and Arts. His family is well, and he has enjoyed connecting with some former classmates. William has also been hearing from his former students, mostly students he taught 20 years ago. In that spirit, he wants to say hello and thank you to his former teacher, John Limmer.

1976

PICTURE THIS The Newark Academy website is brimming with photos and videos of current activities and events. To experience global speakers, concerts, classroom experiments and more, click on the Photo/Video button on the bottom right-hand corner of the NA homepage at www.newarka.edu.

Alex Davis is self-employed as a designer and would love to see everyone at Reunion. Jim Fredericks lives in Ashland, Oregon, where he runs the Pacific Northwest’s premier outdoor music festival, Britt Festival. Learn more about this venture on Facebook. He welcomes NA alumni to join him for “mountains, lakes, four seasons and, of course, great music.” Louise Klebanoff recently completed a two-year term as president of the medical board at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. She was the first woman to hold the position and credits her experiences at Newark Academy for helping to prepare her for the challenge.

Peter Marx (Slutsker) is an accounts manager at Mindlance Inc. in Hoboken.

litigation throughout the United States. Melissa will assume a larger role in handling legal matters. The firm’s web address is www.flightinjury.com and, over the coming months, Abe plans to launch several new websites geared toward providing injured victims with helpful and informative resources.

Andy Mulvihill ’81 with daughter Alex ’08 (right) and Gen Geiger ’08 in Florence

1977 K.C. Nichols and Dillard Kirby are having fun swimming in a local master’s swim program held at Drew University. They swim together three to four times a week. K.C. is an accomplished swimmer and was recognized as the first person in the program to have swum at least one million yards annually for five years in a row! NA alumni are welcome to join them for their early morning swim. Swimmers at all levels are encouraged, and it is a sport that many master swimmers continue well into their 80s, so at age 51, Dillard and K.C. are on the “young” side.

1978 In April, Pamela Dennis was honored at “Party for a Purpose” to benefit the Cancer Centers at Saint Barnabas Hospital. Pamela, who designs fashions for the confident woman, is dedicated to raising funds and awareness in the fight to eradicate cancer. Katherine Weiss DiSabito is proud to announce the graduation of her son, David, from Elms College, with a major in information technology and a minor in business.

1980 Michael Melneck has lived in Atlanta since graduating from Emory University. He currently serves as the

management officer (COO) of NCHHSTP, one of the 10 National Centers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NCHHSTP has more than 3,000 staff members and a budget in excess of $2 billion.

1981 30th Reunion Andy Mulvihill amulvihill@crystalspringsbuilders.com

1983 It is with great anticipation and excitement that Abe Bohrer and his wife, Melissa, announce the opening of the new offices of Bohrer & Lukeman at 275 Madison Avenue in Manhattan and on Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Livingston, New Jersey. Since December 2000, Abe has served as Counsel to Dankner & Milstein, PC. Bohrer & Lukeman will continue to serve the needs of seriously injured accident victims in the state and federal courts of New York and New Jersey and maintain its focus on the representation of passengers injured during the course of commercial and general aviation, victims of construction accidents and those injured by defective drugs and medical devices in multidistrict

Stacey Kent has been on tour with her latest album RACONTE-MOI, an all-French-language album released by Blue Note/EMI in 38 countries around the world. It was listed on an NPR “Top Five” list for 2010 (npr.org/blogs). Stacey will be performing at Birdland in New York, June 7-11. Anne Catharine Strand Reeves lives in Selma, Alabama, with her husband, Allen, and their two daughters, Lizzie (16) and Anne Smith (14). She is co-owner of a real estate company called The Real Estate Gallery, LLC. A.C. thanks those who sent 80th birthday wishes to her father (former NA headmaster Allen Strand); it meant the world to him.

1986 25th Reunion Betsy Dollinger Bernstein betsy@bdbmarketing.com Noah Franzblau nfranzblau@cnsmail.com

Jonathan Eric Rosenberg resides with his wife, Amy, and their daughter, Emily (8), in West Orange, New Jersey and Bal Harbour, Florida. He spends 10 percent of his time working

Go to alumni.newarka.edu and log in to the vibrant, new alumni community — share your news and photos, register for events, and network with fellow alums!

CLASS NOTES 46

Annabelle Kate Marino (Jason Marino ’89)

Kalimah Phelps (Kanileah Phelps ’89)

Troy Powell ’90

as vice-president of operations for Rosenberg & Associates, Inc. and inFocus Litigation Support, Inc., his family businesses. The other 90 percent, he spends running a private equity fund which purchases hospital account receivables (medical debt) from hospitals, and in turn, has these portfolios managed and collected by collection companies and legal networks for an exponential return. He and his wife have been married for 13 years and enjoy spending time with their daughter and traveling. Jonathan’s wife also has a passion for exotic birds and takes care of many parrots in an aviary attached to their home.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker. She continues to work in the firm’s Shanghai office and manages a team of attorneys in both Shanghai and Beijing, with a focus on anticorruption and Chinese employment law. She invites NA alums to contact her if they visit China.

place in the Insurance Networking News Innovator Awards for the development and launch of their e-mobile services for which Jennifer was the project manager and requirements author. Jennifer keeps in touch with classmates, Sarah Coyne, Stacey Bradford, Rick Greenberg and Amy Slotnick.

1987 Lesli Karyn Ligorner has been appointed co-chair of the international employment law practice at

1988 Andrew Wayne lives in Livingston with his wife, Nancy, and their two sons, Jordan (9) and Justin (6). He runs a wealth management team at Wells Fargo Advisors in New York where they develop and implement investment plans for wealthy families and institutions.

1989 Jennifer Riemer Allen is the director of e-commerce for the Plymouth Rock Group. They recently won third

Jason Marino and Paula Dyche welcomed their daughter, Annabelle Kate Marino, into the world last November. Annabelle is looking forward to visiting NA soon! Last September, Kanileah Phelps was promoted to the position of supervising family service specialist at the Division of Youth and Family Services and is continuing to ensure the safety, permanence and well-being of New Jersey’s most vulnerable children. She recently attended the wedding of Shirrin Quddus Clark ’90 with her sister Kalenah ’87.

NEWARK ACADEMY ALUMNI WEBSITE IS A BIG HIT!

1990

Hundreds of alumni have logged in and registered on the NEW alumni website at alumni.newarka.edu. Have you? Now you can sign up for events, participate in surveys, submit class notes, update your profile information, and much, much more. What are you waiting for? Go to alumni.newarka.edu today and be part of this growing online community!

As a career firefighter in Montclair, Troy Powell has been serving as the treasurer of his union (Montclair FMBA Local 20) for six years. Last September, he was elected state treasurer of the parent organization, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association. This position gives him the opportunity to not only manage the finances but also to be involved in legislative matters, assisting in contract negotiations, and promoting his honorable profession. In other news,

Jimmi Kane and Suzanne Paragano ’93

Jessy Nash Kaber (Lisa Pellaton Kaber ’94)

Kabir, son of Shireen GianchandaniReddy ’94

every fall for the past three years, Troy has run in several 5K races in full bunker gear to pay tribute to the cause. The events include the Jimmy D. Memorial 5K Run in New Brunswick, the NJ FMBA Fallen Heroes 5K in Lake Como, the Carlos Negron Memorial 5K in Jersey City, and the Tunnel to Towers 5K in New York.

been recognized as one of “America’s Top Physicians” for 2009 and 2010 in nephrology by the Consumer Research Council of America. Currently, he is a partner in the medical practice of Cosette Jamieson, LLC. He has been practicing at hospitals in the District of Columbia and Maryland area since 2008. He specializes in treating patients afflicted with chronic kidney disease, difficult to control hypertension, lupus nephritis and renal stones. He also provides clinical instruction to medical students and internal medicine residents at Providence Hospital in the District of Columbia.

1994

1991 20th Reunion Richard Worth Richardworth2001@yahoo.com

1993 Kevin Orlando Griffiths is board certified in nephrology and internal medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and earned his medical degree and master’s in public health and administration at the University of Medicine and Dentistry – New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He completed his internal medicine residency and nephrology fellowship training at the same institution. Kevin is a Fellow with the American Society of Nephrology, an honor for those who have distinguished themselves through excellence in practice or research. Additionally, he was selected to serve on the Council of Practicing Nephrology Group for the American Society of Nephrology to provide recommendations for clinical care to nephrologists throughout the United States. He has

Liz Maccie is a writer on ABC Family’s Make It Or Break It. She was married last September to Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Suzanne Paragano is engaged to be married in September 2011 to Jimmi Kane, a professional drummer who has toured the country with numerous artists and has played a run of arena shows opening for singer Kelly Clarkson. After a season serving as special teams coach and interim offensive coordinator for the Southern California Bulldogs, a minor league football team in Burbank, California, Michael Rosengart has been hired as the offensive coordinator for the California Longhorns of the UFAL, minor league football, for the 2011 season.

Lisa Pellaton Kaber welcomed another son on November 23, 2010, Jessy Nash Kaber. Big brother, Jax (3), and the rest of the family are thrilled! They reside in Princeton, New Jersey. Shireen Gianchandani-Reddy and her husband, Sanjay, had a baby boy on December 31, 2010. His name is Kabir and they are so excited.

1995 Rasheea Williams Hall and her husband, Royce, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Bella Annemarie, on January 12 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.

1996 15th Reunion Andrew Slutzky andrewzky@gmail.com

Bella Annemarie, daughter of Rasheea Williams Hall ’95

CLASS NOTES 48

Cake by Archana Rao ’98

Michael Mestel ’99 and bride, Lisa

Allison Schwartz Pearlman ’99 with husband, Brett

1997

1999

Bret Ackerman married Lindsey Rae McOmber in September 2010. Bret is managing director of RMBS at Storm Harbour in New York. The couple resides in Manhattan.

Last September, Michael Mestel was married to Lisa Kulak at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey. The couple honeymooned in Greece and Turkey.

1998

Marsha Mormon’s fourth book, The Ballad of Grégoire Darcy by Marsha Altman (her pen name), was recently published by Ulysses Press.

wedding but caught up with the Pearlmans over Thanksgiving. In career news, after practicing corporate law for two years at a large international law firm in New York, Allison moved to law school administration. For the past year, she has been the associate in the office of student affairs at Brooklyn Law School, handling orientation, student programming, mental health issues and campus safety. Brett is a corporate associate at the Manhattan law firm of Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett.

Archana Rao is the chef/owner of Love Street Cakes in Manhattan (lovestreetcakes.com), specializing in delicious, custom-designed cakes for weddings and special occasions. Her creations have appeared on hit TV shows like Gossip Girl, The View and 30 Rock. In September, Archana made her own wedding cake when she married P.J. Calapa in a rooftop ceremony in New York.

Last October, Allison Schwartz married Brett Pearlman at Temple Emanu-El in Closter, New Jersey. Brett attended high school in Jericho, New York, attended the University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate degree at Wharton (2004) and Duke Law School (2007). Newark Academy alumni in attendance included her sister, Dara Schwartz ’01, Alexander Duff, Alec Flyer, Julie Jacobs ’01 and Nicole Ware Slavitt. Allison also remains close friends with Nina Kamp, who could not attend the

2001 10th Reunion Brian McGaughan bmcgaughan@gmail.com Colin Griggs cgriggs13@yahoo.com

Emilie Cobert is currently living in Baltimore, Maryland, while completing her second year of

ARE YOU STILL LIVING WITH MOM AND DAD? Well, according to our records you are. We know you have probably moved on, and might even have a family of your own by now, but we need you to update your address with us before we can move you out of your old room in our database. Lauren Jacobs-Lazer ’98 organized a successful 3rd Annual Walk for Vision New Jersey, held in Verona Park last October. There were 175 walkers at the event which raised funds for the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation.

Please take a few minutes and update your information with us by logging in to alumni.newarka.edu or by e-mailing the Alumni Office at alumni@newarka.edu.

residency in emergency medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center/Shock Trauma. Misa Dikengil married Colin Lindberg in July 2010. They had their wedding and spent their honeymoon in Vermont. In January, Misa spent a month studying yoga and Vedanta at the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas. She is a certified classical hatha yoga teacher.

NATURAL REACTION David Millman ’99 David Millman was recently awarded the Admiral Hyman Rickover Graduate Fellowship. This fellowship is designed to meet the needs of the Naval Reactors Division of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for appropriately trained personnel for the maintenance

Andaiye Taylor is completing her first year in Columbia University Journalism School’s two-year part-time program. In addition to her coursework, she is working on an interactive story about upheavals in the music industry brought about by the digital age. Andaiye is director of business development at MediaMath, Inc. in New York. She currently resides in her beloved hometown of Newark, New Jersey.

2002 Danielle Greco Panas and her husband, Gregory, welcomed their first child, Nicholas Alexander, in September 2010.

and development of science and engineering technology as it pertains to naval nuclear propulsion. The program assists in preparing students for roles in naval nuclear propulsion and supports the broader objective of advancing fission energy development through the research efforts of the fellows. The prestigious fellowship is presented to students who rank among the top two percent of nuclear-related areas.

The fellowship is named in honor of Admiral Hyman Rickover, who directed the development of naval nuclear propulsion and was a four star general of the United States Navy.

Millman is presently in his fourth year of the Ph.D. program in computer science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated from Colgate University (BA, 2003) and New York University, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences (MS, 2007).

2003 Brad Chernock graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College Physician Assistant Program in October 2010. After passing the boards, he began working at the Jersey City Medical Center as a trauma surgery/critical care physician’s assistant. Evan Sills and Katie John ’02 were named to the editorial board of the Public Contract Law Journal at George Washington Law. Katie will be serving as the senior articles editor and Evan will be an articles editor as well.

2004 Jessica Kaswiner is living in Chicago, having graduated from The School of the Art Institute with a master’s degree in art education. She is program manager for the Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship as well as the secretary for the Urban Gateways New Arts Forum Junior Board. Jessica loves Chicago and all of the arts and culture it has to offer. Zach Oates was formerly working with an online marketing company

in Utah called Leadgenix. In January, he received funding to start a company, IMPLY Labs, where he is now working full time. They have developed a predictive buying technology that analyzes an individual’s social media to identify what they would be willing to buy. They anticipate a launch in time for Mother’s Day with a gift idea website using their technology called GiveEmThis.com. Zach is also working with his nonprofit organization, Courage to Hope, which recently delivered its first grant to

CLASS NOTES 50

a women’s shelter in Ukraine. In addition to research projects and funding grants, Courage to Hope is working with local shelters on art and music therapy programs.

2005 Bridget Duffy recently became engaged to Aaron Raines, whom she met while studying abroad in Rome. They now live in Baltimore, Maryland, and are planning a summer 2012 wedding.

BREAKING BARRIERS Matt Reichel ’05 Reaches Inside North Korea In an effort to forge a new level of academic cooperation and cultural exchange between North Koreans and the Western world, Matt

Jamal Gorrick graduated from Wake Forest in December 2010 with a master’s degree in accounting. He has been working at PricewaterhouseCoopers since January.

Reichel ’05, along with co-founder Nicholas Young, started the P’yongyang Project in April of 2009. This is a non-profit academic project that pioneers a grassroots and humanistic approach to engaging the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Reichel firmly believes that peaceful engagement, dialogue and cooperation between citizens — American and North Korean — is the most direct way to build trust, promote mutual respect, and lay the foundation for peace and prosperity between North Korea and the global community. “As the first and only student-focused American program operating in North Korea, our journey has been replete with a plethora of logistical hurdles and drawn-out negotiations,” Reichel said. “Nevertheless we have also experienced unprecedented levels of cooperation and trust. We are now expanding the scope and influence of our programs in North Korea, South Korea and China as we prepare to launch the most in-depth and comprehensive academic and cultural exchange programs in the DPRK to date. We are confident that our efforts will have a lasting impact on all our program participants and the North

Joli McTerrell is enrolled at Rowan University Graduate School to pursue a master’s degree in higher education. Joli has a daughter, Sana’a (2). She is a very proud mom! Scott Simontacchi is leading wilderness expeditions across the country and conducting trail building service trips in the National Parks for high school students. When he’s not doing that, he’s rock climbing full-time or spending time with his family in New Jersey.

2006 5th Reunion Sarah Marcus Sarmar88@gmail.com Lani Mandelbaum Ilana.mandelbaum@gmail.com

Korean locals they encounter.” Reichel’s groundbreaking program has been making headlines and was featured by the BBC News on January 3, 2011. Visit bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12096490 to read the full article.

Devika Daga moved to San Francisco last August to work at Google as an analyst on the strategic partnerships team. She has had many visitors, including Christine

research project on maternal health care in western Nepal. She was happy to return to Kenyon for the spring semester of her junior year where she is majoring in women’s and gender studies. Meghan is currently exploring summer internship possibilities in public health, maternal health, or international health fields.

Devika Daga ’06 and friends

Coscia. Devika also recently visited New York and reunited with fellow classmates Michaela Tolpin, Leah Feuer, Clare McNeely, Dani Krumholz, Julie Cuccioli, Julie Appel, and Kelli Schleicher. Prashant Kaul is a medical student at St. George’s University and has completed his fifth year in Grenada. During his time there, he has met alumni from Newark Academy, Montclair Kimberly and Delbarton. Marissa Paragano graduated from Babson College with cum laude honors in May 2010, and was a runner-up in the commencement speech writing competition, having penned a piece in which each line rhymed. Post-graduation, she relocated to Ohio to begin GE’s financial management program with GE Capital Retail Finance. After six months, she moved back east to Connecticut for her next rotation with GE Capital Aviation Services.

2007 Brian Gerrard is excited to graduate from the University of Virginia with distinction and honors in May. He was recently awarded the Nelson Mandela Scholarship by the national black law student association and received his scholarship at the national convention last March. He plans to work for a couple of years and then attend law school.

2008 Natalie Friedman is in her junior year at Franklin & Marshall College where she is a joint biology and physics major. She plays in the college orchestra and is a member of the co-ed national honor fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi. She is currently taking a tropical field biology class and traveled to Belize during spring break to conduct research with her class. She is excited to go to Maine this summer, where she will be working with a professor studying the contractile properties of muscles in squid. Meghan Henshall has returned from Nepal where she was studying abroad with the School for International Training. She learned the Nepali language, and did a culminating

Joseph Longthorne recently made his professional debut in Boston in the renowned SpeakEasy Stage Company’s 2011 production of The Drowsy Chaperone. The show runs from May 6-June 4 at the Boston Center for the Arts. If you happen to be in Boston and are able to make the show, be sure to mention Newark Academy if you see Joseph at the stage door!

2009 Julia Bumke is a newly minted U.S. history major at Princeton, where she is a sophomore. She just finished directing Illyria, a 12-person musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, with Princeton’s student-run theater company, and was thrilled to have fellow alums Caroline Errico

Don’t Make Us Google You! We know that the first section of “Outreach” magazine that most readers flip to is Class Notes — and we’d like to have even more news to keep you connected with your classmates. To do that effectively we need to have your current e-mail and home address. Please contact the Alumni Office by e-mailing alumni@newarka.edu and update your information with us. We want to keep you up to date on all that is happening at NA and with the alumni community. And we don’t want to cyber-stalk you!

CLASS NOTES 52

and Aditi Nair come and cheer her on for the show’s opening night. She also toured the U.K. in January with the Princeton University Orchestra where she plays the French horn with Max Jacobson. She is also excited to be a contributing Arts and Leisure reporter to the Newark Star-Ledger as part of the Princeton Press Club’s freelance journalism program.

GET YOUR RED & BLACK ON! Come shop with us online at the newly launched NA Spirit Store. Look for sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts, shorts and more. Visit us at www.newarka.edu/store to see our entire lineup of NA clothes and gifts. The first 100 purchasers receive a special giveaway from NA – so don’t delay!

2010 Things have been going well at the University of Chicago for Blake Alex. This former president of Model Congress has become very involved with Model UN. He is also pledging a fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE). Blake did his best to survive the arctic freezes and blizzards this past winter!

Newark Academy Alumni

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS THE OLD GUARD RECEPTION AT COMMENCEMENT 2011 Sunday, June 12 Honoring NA graduates of 50 years or more

HOMECOMING & REUNION Saturday, October 15 A full day of festivities for NA alumni and their families: • Class Representative Breakfast • Women of NA Luncheon • Schoolwide Tailgate Party • Alumni Awards Reception • Reunion 2011

Celebrate!

1’s

6’s

Check for details on these and more great activities at alumni.newarka.edu.

Why give to Newark Academy?

Why? Because. • Because whether on First Street or South Orange

Avenue, the campus Cupola is constant. • Because the Polymnian was always there to capture the

images which accompany our memories. • Because our Minuteman spirit reaches beyond the

sidelines and around the world. • Because our dear friends at NA are our dear friends today. • Because our teachers are the memorable mentors whose

devotion to our enlightenment can never be repaid. • Because what we learned in school, we practice in life. • Because every gift makes a difference.

Please give to the Newark Academy Annual Fund before June 30, 2011. You can make a gift online at www.newarka.edu or you can use the postage paid envelope in this issue of Outreach to mail your contribution. For more information contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 973-992-7000, ext. 322, or email alaudicina@newarka.edu.

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June 20 — August 5, 2011

A Summer of Fun and Discovery at Newark Academy in Livingston An array of outstanding academic programs and sports camps promise an unforgettable summer experience!

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Features

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68-acre campus Talented, experienced faculty and coaches Engaging classroom environment State-of-the-art athletic center Large indoor pool

Life skills ing Teambuild Friendship ent Achievem y Communit

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Visit our website for all the details!

www.newarka.edu/summer- programs

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