31 minute read
Class Notes
(Pictured above) Alumni at the wedding of Caitlin Maguire ’04. Back row: Argo Caminis ’93, Caroline Nisenson ’05, Lucy Bostwick ’11,
Kit O’Brien Rohn ’78, Ryann Tookes ’04, Christian Tookes ’02, Tessa Tookes ’10, Alice Huck ’04, Averill Roberto ’02, Kesal Patel, Julia
Maguire Henderson ’05, Channing Tookes ’04, Honor Sargent ’12, Cam Sargent ’09 and Charlie Huck ’04. Front row: Caroline Downer ’04, James Maguire ’12, Charlotte Maguire ’10, Caitlin Maguire ’04, Laura Bostwick ’04 and Kathryn Bostwick ’05.
Editor’s note: Please keep in mind, as you enjoy reading these Class Notes, that they were submitted to the Bulletin back in late February, well before the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1942 Patricia Edwards Dennis, formerly of Old Lyme and New Canaan, CT, passed away on August 12, 2019. Please see In Memoriam.
1945 Ellen Wadsworth Vestergaard writes, “In August I had the rare treat of being with my three siblings (including Katharine Wadsworth Wilson ’43) for a family reunion in Dingle, Ireland. Most of our children and grandchildren and my two great-grandchildren were with us!”
1946 Ruth Shedden Crane visited campus in the fall of 2019 to share her memoir titled Kicking the Can on Frogtown Pond, which depicts her childhood spent in New Canaan and at New Canaan Country School. For more please see page 43.
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If not, please send your preferred email address to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net.
Virginia “Kip” Macdonald Farrell writes, “I am taking a 10-week course at the Silvermine Art School in abstract painting — really looking forward to it!”
1949 Pamela Miller Gerard of New York, NY, passed away on August 18, 2019. Please see In Memoriam.
1951 Louise Clark Smith writes, “Life at Kendal, a retirement community in Ithaca, NY, continues to be very busy, with concerts, lectures and movies. I am well.”
1953 Joan Abernethy Wright is still showing and selling work at the Art Space Gallery in Rockland. She is a member of the City Harbor Trail Committee, while enjoying small town living. Joan writes, “Daughter Eden Wright ’84 and her husband were here for Thanksgiving!”
1954 Edward Tuckerman Esty of Chevy Chase, MD, passed away on August 23, 2019. Please see In Memoriam. 1955 For information about Reunion please visit countryschool.net/reunion or reach out to Reunion Chairs Caroline DuBois Hutton (huttonbooks@hotmail.com) and Cathy Cody (clcody@webtv.net).
Susan Carr Pickett writes, “In love and charity with our neighbors in my home since 1976 — with my husband and my maid from Algeria. Have had great joy with classmates Cathy Cody and Caroline DuBois Hutton.”
1958 Late classmate and NCCS Alumni Award winner Hardy Jones Jr.’s final film, Dolphins in Danger, is now available through Amazon Prime Video.
1960 For information about Reunion please visit countryschool.net/reunion or reach out to Reunion Chairs Rick Ackerly (rackerly@gmail.com), Lyn Bremer Chivvis (lchivvis@earthlink.net), Peggy Hubby Heck (dandpheck@gmail.com) and Seeley Hubbard (dseeleyhubbard@sbcglobal.net)
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Lyn Bremer Chivvis writes, “I’m still doing my massage practice, and I’m still on the board of Staying Put in New Canaan — the organization that helps our elders stay safely
PLANNED GIVING
Did you know there are creative ways to support Country School?
Giving techniques called planned gifts allow you to create win-win solutions for you and Country School. To join The Welles Society or to ask a question about estate planning, please contact Associate Director of Advancement Diane Briggs at dbriggs@countryschool.net or (203) 801-5619.
and as long as possible in their homes — and I’m involved in a few things at church, as well as enjoying family and friends. Beecher is teaching MBA students at Baruch.”
1962 Susan “Susie” Gerli Smith of Old Greenwich, CT, passed away on December 16, 2019. Please see In Memoriam.
1966 Richard “Ben” Bensen writes,”Still trying to figure out retirement, staying busy and fully enjoy almost everything. Spinning wheels in all directions, including desultory attempts to keep track of the Class of ’66. Lots of volunteering, not enough travel, but some great hiking on the AT this fall. I’ve completed about a third of it to date; does that mean I only have to live to be 200?”
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The Chivvis clan in December 2019: Beecher Chivvis P’86, ’89, ’96, Usha Chivvis, Lyn
Bremer Chivvis ’60 P’86, ’89, ’96,Christopher
Chivvis ’86, Kiran Chivvis, Dana Chivvis ’96, Rachel Hammerman, Uma Chivvis, Sumona Chivvis, Devon Chivvis ’89
Alumni Spotlight
Ruth Shedden Crane ’46: Kicking the Can on Frogtown Pond
Even at 89 years young, Ruth Shedden Crane vividly recalls first grade in 1937. In fact, she remembers so many aspects of her childhood and the five formidable years she spent at Country School that she decided to commit all of it to print in her self-published book, Kicking the Can on Frogtown Pond. The thin paperback is chockablock with anecdotes and memories, some a bit foreign to readers today while others remain surprisingly familiar.
Ruth, a member of the Class of 1946, recounts for example, her fondness for woodshop classes with the warm and affable Harold Dean (1933–1944), who she discovered, in a delightful turn of events, to be the husband of her homeroom teacher, the seemingly stricter Margaret Dean (1933–1944). “Mr. Dean showed us how much easier it was when you first made a small hole with a nail and hammer and then switched to the screw and screwdriver. Sharing carpentry secrets like that endeared him to me forever.”
She goes on to share recollections of second grade teacher Margaret Lataday (1938–1941); her fashionable but slightly shocking dress and modern demeanor, shoulder-length hair (not worn in a bun!), shoes (with heels!) and her classroom on the second floor of the Main Building (currently Grace House’s Accounting and Technology offices). It was during this period that she fell in love with books, being located as she was in such close proximity to the Lower School library, then at the other end of the hall.
This being the age of aviation, she recalls running excitedly with classmates to the large windows every time they heard the noise of an aircraft approaching.
Fourth grade teacher Dorothy Upton (1937–1946) is remembered by Ruth as “absolutely forthright.”
“She didn’t put up with any nonsense, was totally fair and treated everybody the same. There was absolute control in the room at all times. A child of ten could feel safe in this controlled atmosphere,” she writes.
It was also during this time that organized games such as red rover, dodge ball and kick ball began to take precedence in Ruth’s life.
“I loved all these playground games, and I suppose I was about average in my ability to do them, but my great love in the fourth grade was the chance to run across the downsloping meadow from the main building to Frogtown Road and then across to Frogtown Pond (Hardon Pond). On winter afternoons, we would skate on the pond and play a wonderful game called Kick the Can. It was a simple but wonderful game. It just never got any better than that.”
(Pictured above) Ruth Shedden Crane ’46joined us on campus in the fall to share with Lower School students memories of her time at Country School and to drop off copies of her self-published book, Kicking the Can on Frogtown Pond, which we are pleased to make available in our Schlesinger Library.
Send Us Your Nominations!
We welcome your suggestions for future Alumni Award candidates. Please send nominations to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net. Please include name, class year and a short explanation of the candidate’s accomplishments.
New Canaan Country School Alumni Award recipients, visit www.countryschool.net/ alumniaward.
Sarah Andrews Brown
of Graton, CA, passed away on July 24, 2019. Sarah was the author of the Em Hansen mystery series and her books are now available on the Alumni Author bookshelf in the John Christophe Schlesinger ’89 Library. Please see In Memoriam.
Carl Rohde writes, “Life is great. Nora and I are moving this spring to 15 Teahouse Lane, Ridgefield, CT 06877.” To find out about previous
1970 For information about Reunion please visit countryschool.net/reunion.
1972 Will Speers and his wife, Heidi Rowe, after 40 years of teaching, coaching and administering at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware, have retired and moved to Center Sandwich, MA.
1973 Kendall Lione Gleason of Gwynn Island, VA, passed away on Sept. 29, 2019. Please see In Memoriam.
Tom Speers is an interim minister at Green Hill Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE, where his wife is Head of Tower Hill School, 700+ students from pre-K through Grade 12.
2 Ebit Speers ’77 and husband David McCormick at the Pan-Mass Challenge
ALUMNI AWARD WINNER
We are pleased to announce that Eric Woolworth ’80 is the recipient of the 2020 Alumni Award. Eric will accept the honor and share with students, alumni and guests highlights of his career in professional basketball and as a leader in diversity and inclusion initiatives in Fall 2020. The 2019–20 Miami Heat season marks Eric’s 25th year with The HEAT Group and 19th at the helm of the organization as President, Business Operations.
CALLING ALUMNI AUTHORS
We are restocking our bookshelves. If you have published a book, please send a copy to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04.
1975 Sam Speers continues as Director of the Office of Religious, Spiritual and Contemplative Practices at Vassar College, where his wife, Lisa Brawley, teaches in the Department of Urban Studies.
1977 Andrea Kahn Fisher writes, “I am still living in New York City with my husband, Ken, who pens the comic strip “Tom the Dancing Bug” under the pen name Reuben Bolling, and our youngest daughter Zoe, who is a junior in high school. Our eldest Katie graduated from MIT in June and our son Jake is a sophomore at Columbia. After having practiced law for over 20 years, I have moved on to my next career as a legal recruiter and am loving it.”
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Ebit Speers continues to volunteer. Her husband, David McCormick, who heads the Geology Department at Schlumberger, just bicycled in his third 300-mile Pan-Mass Challenge, raising money for cancer research at Dana Farber Institute.
1979 Sam Caulfield writes, “Greetings to my fellow NCCS-ers! We have recently moved to sunny San Diego and would welcome visitors if you find yourselves in the area. Would be great to reconnect! Email is samuel14@outlook.com.”
1980 Eric Woolworth will receive the 2020 Alumni Award at NCCS in Fall 2020. For updates and information about this and Reunion, please visit countryschool.net/reunion.
Caryn Antonini ’87,
mom to Cristiano Robertson ’25 and Nicholas Robertson ’28, presented a TEDx talk in November 2019, focused on the importance of children learning to speak multiple languages. To use Caryn’s words: “In our shrinking global world it has never been more important for our children to become bilingual. Learning another language not only offers incredible benefits ranging from cognitive to social to health, but it also creates a deep connection to another culture — their thoughts, their idea, and their perspectives. You can access Caryn’s full TEDx talk at www.countryschool.net/ alumni/antonini.
1981
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Lisa Dodd Callahan writes, “Debbie Murphey McFarland and I enjoying time together on Hilton Head! Double Trouble, as always!”
1986
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Josh Ziac continues to be Director of Safety and Security here at NCCS — while also serving as an EMT in Greenwich with his daughter, Catherine Ziac ’17!
1987 Caryn Antonini recently produced a TEDx Talk titled “Language Is the Key to the Future.” For more info, see above.
1991 Katie Bisbee is the Chief Marketing Officer at DonorsChoose, a NYC-based nonprofit that enables crowdfunding for public school teachers so they can fund additional resources for their classrooms. For more on Katie’s career, please see above right.
Alumni Spotlight
Katie Bisbee ’91: Connecting the Public to Public Schools
“The importance of education and social impact was a constant in my family and throughout my childhood,” says Katie Bisbee, a member of the Class of 1991. Katie is the Chief Marketing Officer for DonorsChoose, a nonprofit crowdfunding pioneer that connects donors with public school teachers in need of classroom supplies and funding. Since arriving at DonorsChoose in 2006, she has overseen revenue growth from about $4 million to $150 million.
In addition to her marketing responsibilities, Katie oversees the organization’s partnership teams engaging 2.5 million citizen donors and 500 corporate and foundation partners in supporting public school classrooms. Under her direction, each donor receives a handwritten thank you note from the teacher and students, offering a personalized expression of gratitude that has become a hallmark of the DonorChoose experience.
Katie is also proud of her work championing the I See Me program, designed to get books and educational materials that reflect the cultural diversity of students and their families into classrooms. Katie’s parents, Linda and Gary Bisbee, are not altogether surprised by her career path. Both of her grandparents taught in public schools and fostered in her a deep appreciation for education. “They saw education as a privilege and taught me to never take it for granted,” explains Katie.
Following Country School, Katie attended Choate Rosemary Hall and then Trinity College. After graduation, she worked for a time in public opinion research, but ultimately felt the undeniable call of the nonprofit sector and joined New York City’s Coalition for the Homeless. Realizing that an advanced degree would enable her to have greater impact in her nonprofit career, she returned to school, earning her M.B.A. from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and the Hyde Fellowship for her contributions to the school.
As a member of the DonorsChoose executive team and groundbreaker within the industry, Katie is passionate about empowering women aspiring to leadership roles and mentors many at work. In 2016, she was named to Direct Marketing News’ “Marketing Hall of Femme.” Katie says her time at Country School helped inspire her career path and to develop many skills she uses every day at DonorsChoose. In particular, Katie credits former teachers Al Perry (1982–2003), who “taught me how to write effectively and to outline first,” and Christopher Davenport (1966–1988), who “taught math in a new style that finally clicked for me.”
DonorsChoose is now providing educational supplies and resources directly to children nationwide during the COVID19 pandemic through a pilot program, “Distance Learning Projects.” You can learn more about this program at: www.donorschoose.org/coronavirus-how-to-help
3 Lisa Dodd Callahan ’81 and Debbie Murphey McFarland ’81 together on Hilton Head 4 Josh Ziac ’86 and his daughter Catherine Ziac ’17 working at a Greenwich EMS event at the Greenwich Hospital Health Fair in 2019
CALLING ALUMNI ARTISTS
To be included in an upcoming alumni art show, please contact Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net.
5 The family of Jennifer Bentley Rivera ’91 (see note opposite page)
Alumni Spotlight
Marine Veteran Zach Iscol ’94: Grand Marshal of 2019 NYC Veterans Day Parade
Entrepreneur and post-9/11 U.S Marine Corps Veteran Zach Iscol ’94 was one of five Grand Marshals chosen by the United War Veterans Council to lead the 2019 New York City Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.
Zach, who served in Iraq and on a number of other post-9/11 deployments, was joined by Medal of Honor Recipient Herschel “Woody” Williams (U.S. Marine Corps), Hiroshi “Hershey”Miyamura (U.S. Army, Korea), Former Senator Bob Kerrey (U.S. Navy, Vietnam) and Eddie Ray (U.S. Marine Corps, Desert Storm).
A member of the Class of 1994, Zach was born and raised in Pound Ridge, NY, and attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Cornell University following Country School.
He was commissioned on Aug. 11, 2001, as a U.S. Marine Corps officer. His wartime service began just one month later, following the 9/11 attacks on New York City. Zach served two tours in Iraq as an infantry officer and fought in the second battle of Fallujah, considered to be the heaviest urban combat involving U.S. troops since the battle for Hué City during the Vietnam War. He also served in the Marine Corps’ Special Operations Command, with assignments throughout Africa and the Middle East.
Since leaving the military, Zach has founded three different organizations dedicated to serving and giving voice to veterans: Headstrong, a nonprofit healthcare company partnered with Weill Cornell Medical Center, builds and manages networks of world-class mental healthcare providers in 25 cities around the United States to provide effective, cost- and bureaucracy-free mental healthcare to veterans suffering from PTSD, MST and other hidden wounds. Hirepurpose helps companies build talent acquisition pipelines to hire military experienced talent. And Task and Purpose is a military and veteran-focused digital media platform that reaches millions of readers each month. He is also active as an advocate and supporter of a wide range of other veterans’ causes.
“Through his military service, and through his tireless commitment to those who have served, Zach has dedicated his life to our nation and to our veterans’ community,” said UWVC Executive Director Mark Otto. “We are proud for him to represent not only our post-9/11 generation of veterans, but all those who actively continue to serve, even after hanging up their uniform.”
“I’m incredibly honored to get to walk alongside living legends on Veterans Day and humbled to represent another great generation of American veterans who have returned home from war to continue their service in their communities,” said Zach.
For more news on Zach Iscol ’94, see page 11.
6 Candace Fisch Hewit ’95 and Whitney
Talbot O’Connor ’95 in NYC with daughters Bailey and Grace
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Jennifer Bentley Rivera, parent to current Country School student Matthew Rivera ’22 shared a family photo!
1994 Zach Iscol was selected to serve as one of five Grand Marshals for the 2019 New York City Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2019. For more please see page 46.
1995 For information about Reunion please visit countryschool.net/reunion or reach out to Reunion Chairs Alyx Demou Esparza (demouesparza@gmail.com), Samar Jamali (samar.jamali@gmail.com) and Taryn Jones Laeben (Taryn.laeben@gmail.com).
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Candace Fisch Hewit and Whitney Talbot O’Connor recently met in NYC for a day of fun with their daughters Bailey and Grace, both 6.
7
Jason Mleczko hosted a group of NCCS 6th graders for a fishing adventure during the 2019 Nantucket Trip. Thank you, Jason!
1997
8 Josh Hanson married Meredith Talusan at Mount Tremper Arts in the Catskills on June 8, 2019. NCCS alumni in attendance included Josh’s sister Alex “Gillian” Hanson ’99 (who served as a bridesmaid), Nick Rees and Pajton Dauer.
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James Dunning and his wife, Katie, welcomed their third child, Juliette Isabella Dunning, on Nov. 22, 2019.
7 Jason Mleczko ’95 (in long-sleeve blue shirt, with sunglasses) and NCCS sixth graders fishing on the Nantucket trip.
8 Josh Hanson ’97 and Meredith Talusan married in June 2019.
10 Kennedy and Samuel, children of
Larry Waldman ’98
1998
10 Larry Waldman and his wife, Katie, welcomed their second child, Jackson Samuel Waldman, on Jan. 14, 2020. Larry and Katie are doing well, still living in Seattle — and daughter Kennedy is excited to be a big sister!
9 Juliette Isabella Dunning, daughter of Katie and James Dunning ’97
NO NEWS FROM YOUR CLASS? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Please submit your news and updates to Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net or on our website. You can also submit notes via mail using the enclosed return envelope. Share your own news, or tip us off to milestones, news and achievements of classmates, children or others in our community!
11 Alex “Gillian” Hanson ’99 and Erik Crooks married in September 2019. (above). Ryan Oakes ’93, Robin Lange ’00, Josh Hanson ’97, former faculty member Al Perry, and Nick Rees ’97 attended the wedding (right).
12 Helen Rose Weintz, daughter of Rebecca
Grant Weintz ’99
13 Hayden Patrick Shiver, son of Whitney
Martin Shiver ’00
14 Deborah Leah Abrams, daughter of Zoe Mindell Abrams ’01 and husband David 15 Will Bartholomew ’01 and Amy Young married in May 2019.
1999
11 Alex “Gillian” Hanson married Erik Crooks at Waveny House in New Canaan on Sept. 14, 2019. In attendance were Ryan Oakes ’93 (who brought the magic!),
Robin Lange ’00, Josh Hanson ’97,
Mr. Perry (1982–2003) (for all you sharpies!) and Nick Rees ’97.
12 Rebecca Grant Weintz and husband Alex were excited to welcome a new addition to the family on Sept. 27, 2019. Helen Rose Weintz (named after her great-grandmas) was 8 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches long. Big brother Matthew is having a great time learning to take care of his baby sister.
2000
13 Whitney Martin Shiver and her husband, Brian, welcomed Hayden Patrick Shiver on Aug. 2, 2019.
2001
14 Zoe Mindell Abrams and husband David are delighted to announce the birth of their second daughter, Deborah Leah Abrams, born Jan. 24. Big sister Evie is delighted, too!
15 Will Bartholomew and Amy Young were married on May 11, 2019, in Lancaster PA. They reside in Long Island City, NY. Will graduated from Hamilton College in 2008 and received his J.D., magna cum laude
from New York Law School in 2014. He is a litigation attorney in Manhattan specializing primarily in media, entertainment and sports.
16 Dick Colligan launched a second act as a stand-up. Catch him at clubs all over NYC and on @dicknoinstgram.
17 Rob Crane married Carola Lovering on Sept. 28, 2019 in Pawlet, VT. Rob’s sister Kelly Crane ’04 was in attendance, along with Carola’s mom and former NCCS staff member, Lisa Lovering (2007–2011) and Upper School Science Teacher Martha McAndrews, who is a close friend of Carola’s from Taft.
Lily Kelting has her Ph.D. in Theater and is teaching at a university in India.
18 Thomas Reed and Brooke Cavanaugh Reed welcomed their first child, Maeve Elizabeth Reed, on Dec. 22, 2019.
16 Dick Colligan ’01 doing stand-up in NYC.
17 Rob Crane ’01 and Carola Lovering married in September 2019.
2002
19 BZ Reed and her husband, Charles Altchek, welcomed their second child, David Louis Altchek, on Nov. 9, 2019.
2003
20 Peter D’Agostino and wife, Becka, welcomed their first son, Thomas Rowley D’Agostino, on Jan. 17, 2020. The family lives on the Upper East Side in NYC.
18 Maeve Elizabeth Reed, daughter of Thomas Reed ’01 and
Brooke Cavanaugh Reed ’01
19 David Louis Altchek and big sister Gwen Altcheck, children of BZ Reed ’02
2004
21 Eliza Kontulis Getz and husband Max welcomed George Firestone Getz on March 6, 2020.
20 Thomas Rowley D’Agostino, son of
Pete D’Agostino ’03
21 George Firestone Getz, son of Eliza
Kontulis Getz ’04
Matching gifts: LET’S ALL PULL TOGETHER!
Did you know that Corporate Gifts are a great way to increase your personal gift
to Country School? Please check with your employer’s human resources department
to see if it participates in a matching gift program. Obtain a form from your
company, send it to us with your gift, and we will take care of the rest. For more information, contact Diane Briggs in the Advancement Office at (203) 801-5619 or dbriggs@countryschool.net.
22 The Maguire family at the wedding of Caitlin Maguire ’04: David Maguire ’09, Charlotte Maguire ’10, Diana Maguire Parent ’04,’05,’09,’10,’12, Caitlin Maguire ’04, Kesal Patel, Tom Maguire Parent ’04,’05,’09,’10, ’12, Julia Maguire Henderson ’05, Luke Henderson, James Maguire ’12 (above). Caitlin Maguire ’04 and Kesal Patel at their 2019 wedding (below).
23 Xandy Peters ’04 and Victoria Manganiello ’04 in NYC
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK & TWITTER! @nccountryschool
22 Caitlin Maguire married Kesal Patel on Oct. 5, 2019, in Darien, CT. Over 20 NCCS alumni were in attendance, including Caitlin’s siblings, Julia Maguire Henderson ’05,
David Maguire ’09, Charlotte Maguire ’10 and James Maguire ’12.
23 After almost 15 years, Xandy Peters and Victoria Manganiello connected in NYC in January 2019. Victoria was finishing up six months in residence at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD). Xandy was spending the weekend teaching her knitting technique at Vogue Knitting Live New York. They had the opportunity to share about their interest and careers in textile design, art and teaching.
Alumni Spotlight
James Randon ’09: Runner Returns to Lead the Way
James Randon ’09 led Cougar Run participants in prestretch exercises and then paced them through the 5K race. At Yale University, James had the distinction of being the first student runner to break the 4-minute-mile barrier in the school’s history. He recently ran in the finals of the U.S. National Championships, 1500 meters, and is one of the founders of Recover Athletics, a new app that assists in injury recovery and prevention.
For more news on James Randon ’09, see page 34.
NCCS
GETTING MARRIED?
Let the Alumni Office know so we can send you an NCCS banner for photography! Holly Donaldson Casella ’04: (203) 801-5687 or hcasella@countryschool.net.
2005
24 Carter Jensen and Kelsey Sher were engaged on Jan. 27, 2020, at Casa De Campo, Dominican Republic. They met in New York City in the fall of 2015 and plan to marry in summer 2021.
Edward Kelting earned his Ph.D. in Classics from Stanford in June 2019 and is now teaching Classics and Egyptology at Colorado College.
2006
25 Ashley Jeffress married Adam Ladd on Sept. 12, 2019, at Beltane Ranch in Sonoma, CA. Bea Whitton Tufo served as matron of honor, and other Country School alumnae in attendance included Libby Whitton ’09, Lindsey Whitton Christ ’98, and Cricket Whitton Hammerschlag ’01.
2007
26 Ryan Giggi married former apprentice Jeannette Leopold (whom he met during his time as an NCCS apprentice) on Dec. 28, 2019, in Avon, CT. Ryan is attending law school at Boston University, where Jeannette is a lawyer.
2008 James Cottone is a student at Temple University in Philadelphia, enrolled in the ROTC program. In May 2020 he will graduate as an officer.
Sarah Cottone Davies married Ben Davies on July 28, 2018, in Endon, Staffordshire, in
24 Carter Jensen ’05 and fiance Kelsey Sher 25 Ashley Jeffress ’06 and Adam Ladd at their September 2019 wedding (above). Country Schoolers at the wedding included Ashley’s mom, Associate Director of Administrative Services Jacqueline Jeffress. (below).
England. Now living in Bristol, Sarah works at the SS Great Britain and Ben is with the NHS. Assistant to the Director of Studies Assistant to the Director of Studies Pat Oakes and her daughter Lauren Oakes ’96 recently visited England and met them for lunch.
2009 For news on James Randon, see alumni spotlight, page 50
26 Tyler Giggi ’09 with the bride and groom, former apprentices Jeannette Leopold and Ryan Giggi ’07 at their 2019 wedding
Alumni Spotlight
Q&A with Nellie Coffy ’10: Entrepreneur, Beverage Inventor, Brand Storyteller, Culture Changer
Sun Chaser was created by two friends in San Francisco, Jocelyn Stradiotto and Nellie Coffy ’10 (on right).
Director of Alumni Affairs Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 caught up with alumna Nellie Coffy, who left her job at Google in December to launch a non-alcoholic, caffeine-free beverage company called Sun Chaser.
Q: Tell me a bit about your educational and career path and what lead you to where you are today? Did you study anything in school that started you on this path?
A: Coming from public school, my time at NCCS was an amazing introduction to institutions of higher learning. There were so many opportunities that really challenged me as a student and a person. From there, I was well prepared for the rigorous academic journey I’d embark on at Hotchkiss.
I spent a lot of time at NCCS exploring who I was — it was such a fabulous place to discover what I really cared about in the world. I realized I was a creative person. I loved storytelling and history. I realized I loved numbers. I had an amazing French teacher named Maureen Sanders who helped me with confidence in French, and also as a person.
The whole time I was at NCCS and Hotchkiss, I firmly believed I would be a lawyer. I was even pre-law at Cornell! I majored in Government and International Relations and assumed I would be headed to Washington, DC.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
A: The 2016 election was a turning point for me. I began to realize how much more powerful business can be than government. Micro-impacts often come from businesses and the entrepreneurs who build them. All of those creative ambitions I had discovered while at NCCS, coupled with a deep desire to learn more about the world and make a big impact, I realized I would be stifled in Washington, unable to realize my full ambition.
So instead, I decided I want to build businesses that made an impact on culture. I quickly learned that if you want to build your own business, you need to know how to sell, which led me to a sales role at Google.
The old saying, “Rejection is your friend,” really helped me build confidence in myself and in my creative potential.
Q: What was your experience working at Google? And what lead you from there to Sun Chaser?
A: I met my Sun Chaser co-founder, Joce, at Google. We were very likeminded in pursuing sales roles as a transitionary step into business-building. We were ideating together for some time while still working together at Google. We discussed and researched all kinds of ideas.
One day, we came across a study that said that there was a significant decrease in alcohol consumption among the Millennial and Gen Z cohorts. Like a 25%–40% decrease year over year from 2015 to 2019… so we saw a growing space for non-alcoholic beverages. We also saw an increasing demand — a 200% increase in consumption — for low-alcohol spiked drinks. Drinks that are portable, ready-to-drink, mixed, easy to bring along.
Once we came across this data, everything just clicked. It matched our personal experience. We knew it to be true for us and for our friends. Joce is a kiteboarder. We both surf. We like to get up early and get out. But we can’t drink a ton the night before and then get up early and perform. My friends and I are diligent about health, trends around wellness and understanding what we’re putting in our bodies.
So we became the people at parties opting for a glass of water instead of imbibing alcohol. Choosing to make the albeit awkward decision to opt out of the status quo’s definition of fun. We just fundamentally believe it’s not a “fair trade” to give up health at the expense of having a fulfilling social life.
Q: Tell me about Sun Chaser, your new venture.
A: Joce and I officially left Google on Dec. 31, 2019, to start Sun Chaser. Before launching it, we had to do months of research. We had to create a recipe that people would love. We held tasting events with friends for the first iterations of our formula. It was important to have a good flavor and get the buzz right before taking next steps. Finally, we created a recipe they loved.
We launched Sun Chaser Feb 10. It’s an alcohol-free, caffeine-free drink designed to give you a buzz.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: I am inspired by several different entrepreneurs including Sarah Blakley (Spanx), Hotchkiss alumnus Tristain Walker (Bevel), Seth Goldman (Honest Tea) and Richard Branson (Virgin Atlantic), to name a few.
27 Members of the Class of 2011 skiing in Breckenridge, CO
2010 For information about Reunion please visit countryschool.net/reunion or reach out to Reunion Chairs Hadley Merrill (hadleymerrill@gmail.com) and Hugh McGlade (mcglade.h@gmail.com).
Nellie Coffy launched a new beverage startup in February 2020. For more on Nellie and her business please see previous page.
2011
27 Austen Tibbetts, Jack Hall-Tipping, Dawson Jones, Charlotte DeLana, Mollie Riegel, Matt Evans, Thomas Shafer, Avery Lowe, Caroline Frank, Kaitlin Ball, Alden
Woolford and Lucy Bostwick all met up for an informal ski reunion weekend in Breckenridge, CO.
28 Michelle Basta, along with her sister Maggie Basta ’13, brother Jeffrey Basta ’15, mom Suya Basta and boyfriend ran the Providence Marathon to raise money for kidney cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and her dad Karim Basta ran the 5K.
2012
29 Brianna Cummings graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, in May 2019 and now works as a technical designer at Macy’s corporate office in NYC.
28 Maggie Basta ’13, Michelle Basta ’11 and Jeffrey Basta ’15 at the Providence Marathon
29 Brianna Cummings ’12
30 Brendan Hoffman ’13 was named Preseason Player of the Year.
2013
30 Brendan Hoffman was named Preseason Player of the Year for 2020 in Div. III Lacrosse. He plays for Williams College.
2016 Cayden Brodnax recently signed his National Letter of Intent to attend and play lacrosse at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. He is currently a postgrad at Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Massachusetts after graduating from Salisbury School in 2019.
2017 Emma Hunter traveled to Cuba with St. Luke’s Parish in Darien in 2019, where she taught the campers they worked with how to play a tune on the 10 ukuleles they donated to the program. Emma’s love of music was born and nurtured at NCCS — where she also learned to play the ukulele herself! Emma will also continue diving at Denison University next year.
2018 Arjun Dayal received local recognition for his 3D printed masks and shields, which were sent to hospitals around the country to keep healthcare workers safe. To read the story, see page 10.
YOUNG ALUMNI NEWS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
will appear in our Fall 2020 Bulletin. Please send submissions to Holly Donaldson Casella ’04 at hcasella@countryschool.net.
31 Leila Pearson and Adrian Antonioli starred in St. Luke’s School’s highly acclaimed performance of Admissions in November 2019. Many members of the NCCS community turned out to see the play — including our own Admissions team!
32 Deyante Wallace-McKinstry starred as Puck in Choate Rosemary Hall’s performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in February 2020.
2019 Kaleigh Elizabeth Griffiths of New Canaan, CT, passed away on Sept. 17, 2019. Please see In Memoriam.
33 Brendan Keogh, JB Barr, Mason Zea,
Ella Zea and Bridget Keogh rang in the new year in Zanzibar, Tanzania!
31 Cast of St. Luke’s School’s Admission, including NCCS alums Leila Pearson ’18 and
Adrian Antonioli ’18
32 Deyante Wallace-McKinstry ’18
as Puck in the Choate production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
33 Brendan Keogh ’19, JB Barr ’19, Bridget Keogh ’19, Ella Zea ’19 and Mason Zea ’19 in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in 2019
