Hamptonia Fall 2007

H A M P T O N I A the magazine of new hampton school / annual report

spotlight on alumni: country star johnny napp ’02

fall 2007, volume 123, number 1

careful planning pays off if your life’s work and planning have enabled you to consider a planned gift to new hampton, the development office stands ready to help you meet your unique financial needs by: ó providing gift plans that benefit you and your family; ó bringing immediate and deferred tax advantages to both you and your heirs; and ó having a meaningful impact on new hampton school, our goals and interests, beyond your own lifetime and far into the future.

for a gift planning proposal tailored to your circumstances, please contact sandy colhoun, director of development, at 603.677.3413 or scolhoun@newhampton.org.

H A M P T O N I A fall 2007

advisory board Jamie Arsenault Cindy Buck P’01, ’05 Sandy Colhoun Alan Crocker P’04, ’07 Andrew Menke Peter Miller P’09 contributors Cindy Buck Matthew Cheney ’94 Sandy Colhoun Sarah DeBenedictis Peter Miller Brooke Pearsall Michael Vinci Germar ’08

volume 123, number 1

welcome

2

Letter from the Editor

heads up

3

Our Chrysalis Andrew Menke

in brief

4

Campus and Alumni Happenings

new nhs turf field

8

Million-Dollar Gift Seeds New Turf Field

9

School Calendar

1000 words

10

Student Art Amy Wilson

new nhs staff

11

Suzanne Walker Buck, Christopher Little, and Peter Miller

spring theatre

12

Little Shop of Horrors Joe Sampson

nhs dining services

13

Heart of the Family Home Peter Miller

faculty profile

16

Justin Freeman Peter Miller

alumni/faculty sports

17

Pictorial

an alumni adventure

18

Ocean Odyssey Peter Miller

trip to asia

21

Asia Connection: NHS Finds Friends, Opportunities Peter Miller

visit to kenya

24

A Plural Center Matthew Cheney

junior urban adventure

28

A Cultural Inquiry Michael Vinci Germar ’08

golden-tilton retirement event

30

Pictorial

commencement 2007

32

Pictorial

reunion 2007

34

Pictorial

athletic hall of fame

37

The 2006 Inaugural Ceremonies

winter and spring sports wrap-ups

38

Husky Sports Jamie Arsenault

Hamptonia is printed on stock of which a minimum of 50 percent is made of recycled >bers and a minimum of 15 percent is made from post-consumer >ber.

spotlight on alumni

40

Seven Pro>les Cindy Buck, Sandy Colhoun, and Peter Miller

class notes

45

Class Notes

50

In Memoriam

on the cover: John Naparlo, aka “Johnny Napp,” is among the New Hampton graduates featured in this special pro>le issue.

Photograph by Kris W.

annual report

53

Annual Report 2006–07

trustees

67

New Trustees

designer Clay Dingman, Barking Cat Productions Communications Design photographers Sandy Colhoun Matthew Cheney Jackson Coombs ’07 Clay Dingman Lori Du= Jon Gilbert Fox Andrew Gerlach/ Endurance Enterprises Glowimages/Getty Images Robert Harding/Getty Images J. Naparlo David Per>eld Portrait Design Photography J. D. Sloan Kris W Amy Wilson printer Penmor Lithographers © 2007 New Hampton School www.newhampton.org

welcome

detail from map of belknap county, new hampshire, circa 1860, from the library of congress

editor

Letter from the Editor

Peter Miller, Director of Communications alumni office staff Sandy Colhoun, Director of Alumni and Development Cindy Buck, Associate Director of Alumni and Development Sarah DeBenedictis, Director of Annual Giving Louis Gnerre, Alumni Ambassador Brooke Pearsall, Assistant Director of Annual Giving the hamptonia is published twice a year by New Hampton School. The magazine reports news of the school, its students, teachers, and alumni. We welcome submissions for publication, news from and about alumni, and letters in response to articles. Inquiries, comments, and letters may be directed to Director of Communications, New Hampton School, 70 Main Street, New Hampton, NH 03256.

603.677.3417 or e-mail

It is with pleasure that I introduce myself as the new director of communications and Hamptonia editor. I’ve been fortunate to arrive at a time of great promise for the New Hampton School community.

I came aboard in January, and the key word here is “aboard,” since joining an operation like this midyear is comparable to catching up with a train that’s under a full head of steam. It’s amazing how much there is to learn — and how fast you can do it! Notwithstanding the vital routines of independent school life, my most important discovery has been the great a=ection engendered by this institution.

Of course, some knowledge of New Hampton was handed down to me “father to son-in-law” as it were. My wife’s late father, O. Ward Bird ’53, used to speak highly of Headmaster Emeritus T. Holmes “Bud” Moore, and I naturally informed Mr. Moore of this at my >rst opportunity. Despite a half-century’s separation he clearly remembered “Birdie,” and I was even more impressed when others con>rmed Moore’s excellent memory and told me that this was in fact, par for the course. It really helped welcome me to the New Hampton family.

I came with many years in higher education on my résumé. New Hampton is a college preparatory school, and I have a pretty good sense of what students are “preparing” for. Other details of my “preNHS” life can be found on page 11.

I >nd New Hampton School to be an intriguing combination of tradition and innovation. Tangible manifestations of this blend include modern facilities that harmonize with more venerable structures, and the spectrum of experience that encompasses both longstanding faculty and sta=, and newcomers like me.

I attended June’s annual NHS outing to the Boston Pops, and what struck with me most wasn’t the jazzy trombone solo or even the rousing America! theme (the ?ag-draped Pops orchestra was accompanied by a youthful Navy band up from Newport, RI). Once again it was Bud Moore who stole the show, this time at the pre-concert reception.

Moore spoke with wit and obvious pride of his years at the helm, describing the highs and lows of administrative leadership. The struggles and worries that once kept him awake at night had receded long ago, because he and others had the foresight to embrace changes when they were called for. His remarks gave me a strong feeling of con>dence in the school and in those who so clearly love and believe in its ability to navigate the inevitable waves of change.

With this as my foundation, I look forward to working with you — and on behalf of you — to advance New Hampton School.

pmiller@newhampton.org New Hampton School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin in administration of its admissions and educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered activities.

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Peter Miller pmiller@newhampton.org

heads up

andrew menke

our chrysalis He came to the United States from Sudan. At the age of twelve his family ?ed its homeland for fear of political persecution. After two years’ exile in Egypt, his family landed in Manchester, NH, with a few bags and one prized possession: a soccer ball. His brother had an accident, leaving him paralyzed. His mother could not >nd a job. The family was dependent on the kindness of local families. At >fteen, a stranger in a new land and speaking only Arabic and Dinka, he began to learn English. And yet, despite all of this, the young man had an infectious smile and a deep passion for the game that he hoped would take him to college: soccer.

His name is Barnaba Madol and he graduated from New Hampton School this spring.

One of the great joys of working in a boarding school, in any school, is watching students grow and evolve. Like butter?ies emerging from their chrysalises — from their wooly adolescence and awkwardness to become young adults, con>dent, imbued with a sense of direction and purpose, ready to take on the world. At its core, this is our job as educators — to guide this process and lead students to achieve their greatest potential.

Barnaba’s emergence occurred quickly as he arrived in the fall.

Within weeks of school opening he had parlayed his commitment to soccer into a leadership position both on and o= the >eld, and before long college scouts took notice. The team led the region and Barnaba made the All-Star selection. His relentless work ethic, fueled by the kind of hardship most of us cannot fathom, inspired him to unprecedented gains. The result: a full soccer scholarship to American International College.

Beyond being a non-native speaker with a gulf of cultural di=erence, Barnaba beat the odds. In a recent study, reported in Tough Choices or

barnaba madol

by Andrew Menke

Tough Times (Jossey-Bass, 2007) by the National Center on Education and the Economy, only 18 percent of American ninth-graders will go on to receive a college degree. The authors of this report call our current educational malaise “America’s leaky education pipeline.” Nearly all educators and most analysts agree that a college education is essential to ensure success in later life, yet millions slip through the cracks.

“This is a world in which a very high level of preparation in reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, science, literature, history and the arts will be an indispensable foundation for everything that comes after for most members of the workforce,” wrote the Tough Choices authors. At New Hampton School, we are working to deliver fundamental skills, one student at time. From our graduates who go on to the Naval Academy, Northwestern, Cornell, Middlebury, the University of New Hampshire, St. Anselm, or Plymouth State University, we are deeply proud of each student. Our philosophy has long been to match the student to the college based on >t and that college or university which provides the right balance of challenge and support.

All of us at New Hampton can take pride in Barnaba’s story: his emergence as a young man. Eighteen months ago he was destined to become one of the nation’s most confounding statistics: a drop out. Today, he is enrolled in college with plans to study international business. We will watch Barnaba’s future with great interest and hope. His story, after all, is now part of ours.

Andrew Menke, Head of School

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in brief

christa mcauliffe planetarium event

alumni tour washington’s corcoran gallery On November 9, alumni were treated to a private tour of the exhibition rede>ned at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. The Corcoran is a major center of American art and rede>ned was the largest exhibition of modern and contemporary art from the permanent collection since the museum’s founding. Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art Sarah Newman led the tour, after which NHS alumni, parents, grandparents, and sta= enjoyed a reception at the Corcoran’s Café des Artistes while Head of School Andrew Menke updated them on school plans and progress. Friends in attendance included Stephen Bentfield ’91, George ’61 and Ellen Bierlin, Shawn Murray ’95, Alice Norris ’72, Hugh Spitzer ’54 and Dinah Stevens, Rodney ’66 and Ulrike Thorn, Nora Trochim ’01, Annie Rice P ’89, Valenka Jimenez ’91, Pierre ’79 and Cynthia ’79 Smith, Mrs. Donald Wilson GP ’09, Thomas Motley ’72, Leutrell Osborne ’79, and Jay Kimball ’72. Q “spirit of the wild” at boston’s museum of science On November 30, alumni, current parents, parents of alumni, trustees, and guests gathered for cocktails and dinner in the Skyline Room. The delicious meal was followed by an IMAX Theater presen-

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tation of Alaska, Spirit of the Wild. Head of School Andrew Menke provided an update on the state of the school and recognized New Hampton School legends Lou Gnerre, Harrison Golden, and Mark Tilton. (See separate articles on Gnerre further on in In Brief, and on Golden and Tilton, pp. 30–31). Q new hampton visits christa mcauliffe planetarium The stars were out not only in the February sky of Concord, NH, but inside the Christa McAuli=e Planetarium as well, as more than thirty New Hampton alumni, parents, and current and former faculty came together for a truly stellar event. Christa McAuli=e was the teacherastronaut from Concord whose young life ended tragically with the Challenger’s mid-air explosion in 1986. Head of School Andrew Menke compared Christa’s local and international educational objectives to those of New Hampton School, and he also recognized alumni ambassador Lou Gnerre. The reception concluded with “In>niti Express,” a fascinating reminder of how very small the earth is within our grander universe. Then attendees returned from the depths of space to a brutally cold winter evening in New Hampshire, warmed by the congeniality and sincerity of friends who gathered to reminisce, meet new faces, and celebrate their school. Q

in brief

the ira charitable rollover has arrived: a great way to support new hampton school! above: New Hampton School students enjoy Winterfest 2007.

washington chapter launched; new york alumni happy hour NHS now has an o;cial Washington, DC, regional chapter, created with the help of Hugh Spitzer ’54, who graciously hosted the inaugural meeting on April 19 at his home in Bethesda, MD. Attendees, included Megan Collins ’98, Sarah Rice Cutler ’89, Derek Kenney ’01, Thomas Motley ’72, Jami Obermayer ’91, Michael Reardon ’55, Nora Trochim ’01, and Mills Williams ’61, discussed ways to become more involved with the school today.

Chapter members invite fellow alumni to a DC United professional soccer game vs. the Chicago Fire on October 13, 2007, 7:30 pm.

Holly Toczko ’03 organized and executed a very successful New York City Happy Hour on June 21. Holly has been networking with other New York based alumni to increase awareness about New Hampton School in the Big Apple. Thanks to her outreach a strong group gathered at Duke’s restaurant for drinks and conversation, and to begin forming an o;cial New York chapter. Attendees included Steve Baker ’81, Kevin Blumenthal ’95, Brad Braun ’75, Joe Del Grosso ’71, Amy-Louise Murawski ’88, Matt O’Donnell ’87, and Phil Sawyer ’68. For more information or to become more involved in alumni events in your city, please contact the Alumni O;ce at alumni@newhampton.org or 603.677.3415. Q

A newly enacted law makes it possible for donors age 70H or older to make distributions directly to charities like New Hampton School from their IRA accounts. The advantage is that the donor does not need to report this distribution as income. Previously, making a gift from retirement assets required taking money out of the account, paying taxes on the distribution, then making the gift and taking an income tax deduction. The IRA Charitable Rollover can be easier because distributions are made directly to the charity and are not included in federal taxable income.

Donors eligible to make an IRA Charitable Rollover can also count the distribution to charity towards the required minimum distribution — the amount that normally must be taken from the account each year.

The IRA Charitable Rollover is a welcome addition to the different ways to give to worthy charities. Please note that there are certain conditions — there is a limit of $100,000 per year, and the opportunity is only available in 2006 and 2007. It is a new way at looking at charitable giving that you might have been waiting for.

Check with your advisors to learn if the IRA Charitable Rollover is a good option for you. We are also glad to provide basic information about this new way of giving; simply contact the Development OYce at 603.677.3413.

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in brief

New Hampton then.

New Hampton forever.

Lou Gnerre in his years as baseball coach, and today.

america! at the boston pops On Saturday, June 9, New Hampton alumni, current and past parents, trustees, and faculty and sta= gathered for an outstanding Boston Pops performance. This year’s program was America!, which celebrated American artists young and old. Guests arrived at the Back Bay Hilton for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres prior to the evening’s performance.

New Hampton family members in attendance included Karolyn Morigi-Armstong P ’07, Anna Armstrong ’07, Eric Buck ’01, T. Holmes “Bud” ’38 and “Jinga” Moore, Elibet Moore Chase ’75, Rob Moore ’73, Richard Smishkiss ’64, Phil O’Hara ’51 and his wife Pat, Charles Koutsogiane ’65, trustee Debby Leach P ’96, Jed Leach ’96, Trustee Bob Pollock P ’97, ’94 and his wife Chris, Bruce and Judy Maxwell P ’95, Molly Rogers ’98, Tamara Milne ’98, Beth and Earl Dodge P ’07, ’09, Director of Development Sandy Colhoun, Director of Communications Peter Miller, Associate Director of Alumni and Development Cindy Buck P ’01, ’05, Paul Buck P ’01, ’05, Director of Annual Giving Sarah DeBenedictis, and Assistant Director of Admissions Patrick DeBenedictis. Q welcome back, lou!

Lou Gnerre is no stranger to New Hampton School. With over >fty years of teaching, coaching, and administrative experience under his belt, he knows the school as well as anyone, and it is with great pride and excitement that New Hampton welcomes his return to the school as our alumni ambassador.

Lou arrived at New Hampton in 1957 as a math teacher. After stints as chair of the math department and dean of students, Lou became headmaster in 1972, a position he held for >fteen years.

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Visit the bookstore online at www.newhampton.org/store

Throughout his days at school, Lou coached the baseball team and today the school’s baseball diamond bears his name. Lou left NHS and headed to Fryeburg Academy in 1992 to teach math and serve as director of studies. In 2000 Lou returned as member a of the New Hampton faculty, and last fall he joined the Alumni O;ce.

“I am very happy to be back at New Hampton and I appreciate the opportunity to work with [Head of School] Andrew Menke,” said Gnerre from his o;ce in Berry Hall. “Andrew is a straightforward guy with a lot of vision, and he is bringing great changes to the school.”

When he isn’t at home with his wife of >fty years, Patricia, or cooking for his granddaughter, Brittanie, 13, who lives with him, Lou can be found working the phones for the school. “I love the idea of connecting with so many guys I taught and coached,” said Lou. “I haven’t seen these guys for a gazillion years, and I love hearing from them.”

You can reach Lou directly at 603.677.3530. He would love to hear from you! Q new hampton students take national history day honors A New Hampton School project was named National Finalist and an Outstanding State Entry at the National History Day contest, held June 10–14 at the University of Maryland. The competition culminated a nationwide program involving more than half a million middle and high school students.

This is the third time in >ve years that NHS students have competed in the National History Day contest, but the >rst time chosen as a National Finalist. The NHS team was the only one from New Hampshire to make it to the >nal round of fourteen, where it wound up >nishing seventh in the country in its category. The Outstanding State Entry award was given for coming in >rst statewide.

in brief

above: Keith Winkling ’07. at right: (L-R) Winking, as the character Mushnik, with Victor Gennaro ’07 as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors.

The New Hampton School team included Hillary Burrows ’09 (Moultonborough, NH), Kendall Storms ’09 (Meredith, NH), and Kiersten Williams ’09 (Bristol, NH). Their project, “Oskar Schindler: A Thousand Triumphs and the Tragedy of the Holocaust,” consisted of a six-foot-tall, rotating display with text, quotes, and photos on each side. Contest judges commented on the dramatic design and presentation. The students quali>ed for the national contest by winning >rst place in the Senior Division, Group Exhibit category at the New Hampshire state contest in March. Q strategic plan update In April, the New Hampton School Board of Trustees approved the school’s new strategic plan. The plan represents the culmination of a highly collaborative, yearlong e=ort by over 100 members of the school community. A board retreat was held in July to re>ne and prioritize action plans that stem from the school’s new strategic focus and to map out the implementation and monitoring of the plan.

Implementation will begin in earnest this fall. Details will be shared with the New Hampton community as this exciting new chapter in the school’s evolution unfolds. Q community service helps avert potential disaster New Hampton School and the Town of New Hampton share almost two centuries of working together on behalf of the community. This

spring, that collaborative spirit came to the fore yet again when the school pitched in to help save a ?ood-threatened neighborhood.

Almost three full days of pouring rain had the town working ’round the clock to help residents repair roads, save driveways, and pump water away from homes. Women’s JV Lacrosse Team Coach Kristen Reimold contacted the Emergency Operations Center and she and her team were put to work helping stack over 300 sandbags, which helped to save an entire neighborhood.

After the danger had passed the >re department sent Head of School Andrew Menke a letter of thanks, which said in part, “As always, we appreciate the services that New Hampton School students and faculty give to the community.” Q winking ’07 sings with all-state chorus For the >rst time in NHS history, a student was accepted into the New Hampshire Music Educators’ Association (nhmea) All-State Chorus. Keith Winking ’07 participated in April as a member of the tenor group, which sang under the direction of Dr. Alfred Calabrese at the highly competitive, annual festival, held in Concord.

NHS Chorus Director Kathleen Smith said, “The chorus is comprised of the best singers in New Hampshire.”

Winking received a faculty citation during this year’s commencement ceremony, and is headed to Connecticut College this fall. He is the brother of Andrea Winking ’08 and David Winking ’11. Q

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new nhs turf field

million-dollar gift seeds new turf field A $1,000,000 gift from Robert D. Kennedy ’50, and his wife, Sally, has elevated New Hampton School into the elite group of New England independent schools with synthetic turf >elds. To be installed on the school’s Upper Field, this state-of-the-art, multi-purpose athletic turf will be the home of the >eld hockey, football, lacrosse, and soccer programs. This generous gift comes on top of an anonymous pledge of four million dollars, which was made in 2006 to build a new science and mathematics facility. The new building, currently in the planning stage, will be central to New Hampton’s emphasis on sustainability and a globally relevant curriculum.

Kennedy, of New Canaan, CT, was formerly CEO of the Union Carbide Corporation. He played football, basketball, and baseball for New Hampton and served as vice president of the senior class. His devotion to the school has never waned, and he has been involved in numerous projects during more than twenty years as a school trustee. “It’s been my privilege to see the school improve in so many areas over the years,” he said. “I have great con>dence in our new Head of School Andrew Menke and in the strategic planning process that is pointing toward a curriculum that meets the challenges of the twenty->rst century,” Kennedy continued. “New Hampton School is entering a very exciting period, and I hope my gift might inspire other alumni, parents, and friends.”

Head of School Andrew Menke is equally excited about the project. “Bob Kennedy is one of New Hampton’s most steadfast friends and supporters,” said Menke. “His superior business acumen, great love for his alma mater, and remarkable generosity and energy have already helped the school in so many ways. We are very grateful for this extraordinary gift.”

The >eld will have the latest advancements, including in>ll that provides safety, grass-like steadiness, durability, and ?exibility; enhanced traction that allows athletes to play aggressively while minimizing the potential for injury; and low-abrasion >ber that mimics real grass. Explained Director of Athletics Jamie Arsenault. “We’ll be able to get out on the >eld much earlier in the spring and the lights will extend our practice and game times. It will have a signi>cant and positive impact on all of our teams.”

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school calendar new hampton school upcoming events 2007–08 September 4 Registration for Pre-season Athletes, New International Students, and Proctors September 7 Registration for all students not registered on September 4 September 9 Convocation September 10 Fall Trimester Classes Begin

November 1–3 Fall Theatre Production November 7 Headmaster’s Council Meeting November 13 Fall Sports Awards November 16 Thanksgiving Break Begins at Noon November 26 Boarding Students Return

September 26 Former Board of Trustees Meeting and Dinner

November 27 Winter Trimester Classes Begin

October 12 Grandparents’ Day

December 18 Holiday Dinner and Vespers Program

October 13 Alumni Event in Washington, DC DC United vs. Chicago Fire Soccer Game 7:30 pm at JFK Stadium

December 19 Winter Break begins at Noon

October 18–20 Parents’ Weekend October 20 Long Weekend/NHS Closed October 23 Boarding Students Return October 24 Classes Resume October 24–26 Board of Trustees Meeting at NHS October 27 Hall of Fame Induction and Homecoming Turf Field Dedication

January 7 Boarding Students Return January 8 Classes Resume January 16–18 Board of Trustees Meeting January 31 Mid-Winter Weekend Begins at Noon February 5 Boarding Students Return February 6 Classes Resume February 7 Winter Music Concert

February 15–16 Class of 2009 College Weekend NHS Basketball Invitational Tournament February 16–17 Winter Dance Performance February 22–23 Winter Theatre Production March 4 Winter Sports Awards March 7 Spring Break Begins at Noon March 24 Boarding Students Return March 25 Spring Trimester Classes Begin April 9–11 Board of Trustees Meeting May 3 Prom May 8 Arts Day May 8–10 Spring Theatre Production May 20 Spring Sports Awards May 22 Baccalaureate May 23 Commencement May 30–June 1 Reunion Weekend

February 8–9 Student-Directed Theatre Productions Winter Carnival

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1 0 0 0 words

sandwich fair, sandwich, nh, october 2006, by jackson coombs ’07

student art

by Amy Wilson

Jackson created this digital image at the Sandwich Fair, a longstanding fall tradition in the Lakes Region. He went tripod in hand to document the people and sights that are unique to fair life, and this image is one of several in a series by him that illustrates ?uid lights and elapsed time rather than a single moment.

Jackson has been active in creating and showing his work over the past few years. As director of the >ne and performing arts program, I had the honor of presenting Jackson with New Hampton’s coveted Mind’s Eye Award this spring. The award is given to a student of photography who continually strives to improve and explore his artistic vision from the inside-out.

Jackson’s ideas and vision are manifested in playful, successful exploration. He earned the award because he is self-motivated and independent in creating images. He has a personal dedication and desire for what he loves to do, which is to create photographically what he could not express otherwise. Jackson is an artist with his own vision and voice.

In May, Jackson submitted an Advanced Placement (AP) portfolio of his photographic work, which built upon his three years of >lm and digital photography study at NHS. This training has prepared him well for the highly-regarded Rochester Institute of Photography, where he is now majoring in photography.

Jackson was one of three 2007 graduates to submit AP photography portfolios; two received grades of “fours” and one received a “>ve” (out of >ve) from the College Board. While New Hampton studio art students have submitted AP portfolios for a long time. It is only in the last two years that the portfolio requirements changed to allow for portfolios exclusively of photographic art. This change corresponded with a change in our photography curriculum.

To see more New Hampton School student photography, please visit nhsphoto.blogspot.com and the gallery of current New Hampton School student artwork at newhampton.org/artsshowcase.

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new nhs staff

suzanne walker buck

New Hampton School has made three major additions to the senior administrative sta=: Director of Admission Suzanne Walker Buck and Dean of Students Christopher Little assumed their positions this summer, and Director of Communications Peter Miller joined NHS earlier in the year.

Buck, Little, and Miller came to NHS from the Fay School, Holderness School, and Vermont Law School, respectively. Head of School Andrew Menke said, “The addition of these skilled professionals represents a substantial step for New Hampton School. We are on the threshold of launching our new strategic plan and they are already playing key roles as the school moves forward in many areas.”

As director of admission, Suzanne Walker Buck is responsible for all student recruitment, >nancial aid, and enrollment e=orts, and works closely with students and families. She has considerable experience in marketing and managing >nancial aid and holds master’s degrees in education from Harvard and social work from Columbia. She received her BA degree from Connecticut College and is a graduate of Miss Porter’s School and the Fay School.

Buck’s graduate training in clinical social work and education enhances her abilities to assess students, counsel families, and analyze the essential >t between individual and institution. In addition, she brings her outstanding relationships with placement o;cers in junior schools. Her husband, John Buck, is a new member of the NHS art faculty.

Little brings extensive experience to his new position, in which he will be responsible for overseeing student life (both boarding

christopher little

peter miller

and day students). He came to NHS after seventeen years at Holderness, where he served as dean of students, director of outdoors programs, and chair of the discipline committee. He was a residential advisor to both men’s and women’s dorms and a chemistry teacher, and over the years coached varsity lacrosse, cross-country running, hockey, and football. He previously taught earth science and French at Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut, and was director of the Squam Lakes Association Day Camp.

Little received his BA degree in geology from Dartmouth College, where he played lacrosse. His MA degree in education, with a major in teacher leadership and a focus on schooling for boys, is pending from the University of New Hampshire.

Miller is responsible for coordinating New Hampton School’s publications and Web site o=erings, media relations, and various public relations/marketing projects. He joined New Hampton School after nine years as media relations director for Vermont Law School (VLS), where he worked with top-tier news organizations and regional press; helped the Law School win major awards for architecture, outstanding students, and legal excellence; and co-hosted a national environmental journalism conference.

Miller previously served in Colby-Sawyer College’s public a=airs o;ce and directed public relations for three museums in northern New England. He received his BA degree in economics and history from the University of Vermont and his master of studies in environmental law degree, cum laude, from VLS.

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spring theatre

victor gennaro ’07 as seymour, with audrey ii

little shop of horrors

by Joe Sampson

When I decided to direct Little Shop of Horrors as this year’s spring musical, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought, “It’s a fun show with a bunch of catchy songs, some great characters, and it can accommodate a cast that can be as small or as large as I need! Oh, yes, and I also have to >nd a set of man-eating plants.”

If you did not get the chance to see it, the picture can attest to the fact that we were able to come upon some great-looking puppets, which helped to make for a great-looking show.

The amount of talent that went into the production was staggering. We had a wonderful group of students who brought the play to life beautifully. Victor Gennaro and Alle Karol played Seymour and Audrey, the ill-fated couple at the heart of the play. Keith Winking played grumpy shop-owner Mr. Mushnik and John Westland played the sadistic dentist, Orin. Rounding out the cast as Ronnettes were Andrea Winking, Samantha Enescu, Amy Mathison, Ali Gennaro, and Katy Polimeno. Mike Ricci and James Horner played derelicts and Mike Helms played the hapless customer.

Of course, the big job in the show was playing the enormous man-eating plant, Audrey II. This was a job that no single actor could handle, so Warren Chao climbed into the plant puppet and Ben Higgins sat backstage with a microphone and together they brought the beast to life. Beth Grosart and Dave Gagne were musical directors and Rene Metzler was choreographer extraordinaire. We all had a great time, and I cannot wait to see what the coming school year has in store for New Hampton Theatre!

(Thank you to Amy Wilson for the above photograph. To see more, please visit www.newhampton.org/hamptonia.)

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nhs dining services

new hampton school dining services staff

heart of the family home Anyone who has recently moved can tell you how important it is to set up the kitchen. The room’s warmth, wonderful aromas, and mealtime companionship are true measures of family life, and these elements are perhaps even more important to boarding and day students who take their meals away from home.

Fortunately for students, and faculty and sta= alike, New Hampton’s superb food service provides nutritious and tasty meals in a welcoming atmosphere. Not only does the Dining Hall o=er remarkable variety and quality, it uses carefully selected produce that maximizes the sustainability and health of both the school and larger communities.

Director of Food Services Neal Shartar is a friendly but serious man, whose priorities are clear: “I’m into nourishment and nurturing.” He came aboard in 1995 after seeing a help-wanted advertisement that asked, as he recalled, “‘for someone to join our

by Peter Miller

NHS Family to be responsible for feeding the school community.’

That spoke to me because the kitchen is the essential room, the heart of the family home, and this is the case at NHS.” The family atmosphere is expressed by an “open door” policy for students who want a goodie or sheet of aluminum foil, or who wish to exchange in friendly banter with the kitchen sta=. “All of my sta= members have their ‘pet students,’” said Shartar, some of whom come in at o=-times to “cook and hang-out.”

New Hampton’s kitchen is 99 percent on-site prep, with food made from scratch rather than mixes. (The Hobart repairman commented on a recent visit that no other school uses its mixer as much as New Hampton does.) The inviting trays of cookies that faculty and students devour are typically baked with organic, whole wheat pastry ?our, and their butter content has been cut by 50 percent over the years. The result is 100 percent delicious.

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nhs dining services

A Here’s one of the Dining Hall’s healthy and delicious recipes. Additional recipes are available on Hamptonia’s Web site, www.newhampton.org/hamptonia.

A Moroccan Orange Walnut Salad 10 Servings 4 oranges 1 tablespoon honey H teaspoon cinnamon 1 pound mixed salad greens, or spinach H cup red onion, thinly sliced 1 cup radishes, thinly sliced 1 cup walnuts, toasted 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Peel and section oranges. Drizzle honey and sprinkle cinnamon over and let stand at room temperature for one hour. Clean greens and pat dry. Combine in a bowl with the onions, radishes, and nuts and toss lightly. Drizzle the olive oil over salad. Toss. Add oranges before serving. For more information contact Neal Shartar, nshartar@newhampton.org.

A neal shartar and sheryl anderson

Shartar takes great pride in his o=erings, whether it’s the organic, shade-grown co=ee, or milk from cows that weren’t subjected to growth hormones and mega-doses of antibiotics. Trans fats are of particular interest. When Shartar had read enough to conclude that they were dangerous, he immediately eliminated them from the kitchen. This action set New Hampton apart from many independent school peers, whose similar concerns hadn’t prompted such quick action. Shartar is proud to note that his wife and fellow employee, Sheryl Anderson, “makes a great pie crust” without trans fats.

“I try to use as pure a source as possible,” Shartar said. This imperative shows up throughout the menu in organic, free-range eggs from New Hampshire; French fries from Canada made without trans fats; and ground beef carefully processed by a relatively exclusive Boston supplier. All of this is done e;ciently, as waste would not be tolerated by Shartar’s sense of ethics or close watch over budget.

Teen favorites — hot dogs, chicken patties, pizza, and whoopee pies — are always in abundance, and they are served side-by-side with delicacies worthy of >ne restaurants. Kimchi rice (a nod to the school’s Korean students), couscous feta cheese patties, solyanka (a Slavic dish), and spicy shrimp creole provide an education of sorts to

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those who are used to more traditional Yankee cuisine. Shartar receives regular student feedback, which continues even after graduation: “After they leave here and go to college, when they come back they’ll say ‘now we know how good we had it.’”

Shartar aims to please all of his clientele, especially those who appreciate the >ner things. He noted, “The greatest joy in my job is providing the unusual, unique meal for those who have a re>ned palate.” He will also go the extra mile to help those with restricted diets, such as the student with celiac disease who couldn’t eat wheat. Special adaptations were made so the boy had no trouble >nding something to eat at every meal, which was a source of great relief to both him and his parents.

Director of the Academic Support Program Cecelia Cox is among Shartar’s many fervent supporters. She said, “I am more than just a patron of Neal...I am a FAN! A big thing I respect about him is his concern for humane treatment of food animals, and use of organic and local produce. I not only eat well but with a clearer conscience.”

Shartar considers the full range of environmental implications, as it’s not enough for him to just use local produce (which NHS does within the constraints of New Hampshire’s short growing season).

melody martel and jo fendley

kitchen crew, circa 1953

experience and enthusiasm are staff hallmarks A dozen full and part-time employees order, stock, inventory, prep, cook, serve, and clean-up three meals a day, and the quality and service is a re?ection of the sta= ’s many years of experience and genuine esprit d’ corps. The sta= also caters numerous functions on campus, from fancy hors d’oeuvres for intimate gatherings to all-school barbecues and o=-site picnics.

Dan Corey, Melody Martel, and Jo Fendley are chefs with a keen eye for food quality. Corey is unequivocal in his praise: “The quality here is incredible and surpasses that of good restaurants. I enjoy working with people who are highly quali>ed to do their jobs.”

Fendley and Martel both have thirteen years of experience, and both hail Sharter as one the “best bosses” they’ve ever had. Fendley said expansively, “This is the best restaurant in New Hampshire! We put out an awesome meal, it’s all number one, top quality. We get visitors from other schools and they all rave about it. We should be in Zagat magazine!”

Martel added, “Neal is very concerned with nutrition, and keeps sanitation very high on his list.” She enjoys getting to know New Hampton students and has learned a lot about the food customs of international students. !

He will tell you that “the average American meal travels 1,500 miles to the plate,” and then point out why it might make more sense to purchase grapes from Chile rather than California (South American grapes travel by boat instead of a more fuel-demanding plane).

The “think global, act local” mantra is clearly front and center in Shartar’s operation. He said with conviction, “I care about world hunger, nutrition, and the amount of water that we’re using. If we’re not sustainable then we’re going to undermine our existence.”

Shartar’s quest for meaning and purpose in life stems in large part from his family’s tragic circumstances. “The most important factor in my life is to be born to a mother who just barely survived the Holocaust,” he explained. She left Germany as a child in 1938 after experiencing Kristallnacht, the murderous “night of broken glass” that foreshadowed the coming genocide. Shartar’s grandparents were among his many maternal relatives who perished, and his father, although an American, also su=ered European family losses.

Shartar said pensively, “I am a product of that turmoil.”

Shartar was born in Atlanta and spent his early teen years in Andover, MA. He received a gymnastics scholarship to the University of Georgia (he’s still remarkably trim and full of energy at age 55), but left to pursue extracurricular studies of yoga and medi-

tation “before they were hot.” Shartar started cooking in college after becoming a vegetarian (there weren’t many other options at the time), discovering that he “really enjoyed sharing and breaking bread, and entertaining my friends.”

In 1974 he moved back to New England, where his sister worked at the Spaulding Youth Center in Tilton, NH. He took a job as a weekend cook and pot washer. It was an excellent >t. While at Spaulding he met his future wife, a former social worker who had switched to cooking.

Neal and Sheryl are the parents of two grown children, and their house in Sanbornton remains full with an extended family. They bicycle to work on their tandem nine months out of the year, twelve miles each way. (He’s biked to work his entire adult life.) When it comes to doing what’s best for the New Hampton and global communities, this couple not only walks the walk and talks the talk — they cook and pedal as well.

The Dining Service’s excellence is showcased daily in the form of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but there’s a lot more on display: a dedicated sta= enfranchised by an intellectually curious and creative leader. Though not on students’ formal curriculum, the food service program is a great lesson in and of itself. !

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faculty profile

justin freeman hometown: Andover, NH current home: Caswell Dorm (head) education: BS Mathematics and Physics (double major), Bates College; MS Physics, University of Colorado family: Includes wife Heidi and daughter Iris (almost one year)

left: Justin, competing for the Subaru Factory Team at the U.S. Nationals, January 2007.

e-mail signature: Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

– Confucius

above: In another guise, teaching AP physics.

What do you teach at New Hampton School? freeman: Precalculus and AP physics. It is a good combination. In AP physics I get the chance to work with students who are working at a college level, while in precalculus I get the challenge of making mathematics relevant to students who aren’t headed for careers in the hard sciences. The math department has some new ideas about how to do this and I will help implement them this year.

How did you decide to be a teacher? freeman: After grad school I worked temporarily as a teacher and sat tutor and found that I really enjoyed it. I remember one sat student in particular who I was able to push and reach in a way no one else had, and the feeling of making a diVerence was addicting.

Which co-curricular activities are you involved in at New Hampton School? freeman: I coach mountain biking and next spring I’ll coach road biking. I’ve also taught JV tennis, which I didn’t have a strong background in. I learned along with the students.

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You’re a champion cross-country skier.

When did you begin skiing? freeman: I started skiing at age two. I began organized racing when I was seven, and I haven’t stopped yet. I also played soccer for much of my childhood and I ran cross country and track in high school and college.

What are your skiing highlights? freeman: I’ve had a lot of small successes and

a lot of failures. I was left oV one Olympic team and three world championship teams by narrow margins. In the 10km classic event I was the top American at the NCAA championships in 1997 and 1998, and I won the national title in 2005. I made the world championship team in 2003 in Val di Fiemme, Italy, and Wnished in the middle of the Weld at the 2006 Torino Olympics.

What were the Olympics like? freeman: The cross country stadium and trails

for the Olympics were very well laid out, and it was wonderful to know that all this work had been done just for me and a few hundred other competitors. All of the mountains around Torino

are beautiful, which is a good thing, since the transportation was iVy and when you got on a bus you never knew quite which beautiful spot it was headed for!

What do you tell your friends about New Hampton School? freeman: It is a wonderful community, an ideal place to start a family. One neat thing about being here is that you get to know the students so well. If a student is in my precalc class I might see her artwork on display, or out playing soccer.

If you see someone succeed in one arena it helps you to imagine them succeeding in another.

What impresses you about the school? freeman: It’s a very egalitarian place. Russ

Brummer is the JV tennis coach and I’m the assistant, but there’s no “rank.” One time both of us were late to practice and our kids were already out on the court, organized, playing appropriate doubles, and doing everything that we told them to do. I was very proud to be associated with that team and this school. Q

alumni/faculty sports

clockwise, from above: New Hampton legends Harrison Golden and Mark Tilton with hockey alumni and current team members at the February 2007 Alumni Hockey Game in Lindsay Arena. Lacrosse alumni and current varsity lacrosse team played on May 19 at Palazzi Field. Jon Williams ’01, Mike Levine ’00, and Sean Kennedy ’01. Faculty and sta= vs. women’s hockey in a postseason pick-up game. Cody DuBuc ’05 in goal for the alumni hockey team.

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an alumni adventure

moorea, society islands, french polynesia

ocean odyssey It was an hour after daybreak on a perfectly clear day in the Caribbean Sea, one hundred miles north of Puerto Rico and two days out of St. Thomas, when disaster struck. Ellen Brown Bierlin and George Woolsey Bierlin ’61 were on the tail end of a twelve-year ’round the world cruise. George had gone below their thirty-eight foot Ingrid sailboat, Rags, for a cup of co=ee when he looked out his cabin portal, seeing a bolt of red steel >lling the window and hearing a penetrating, screeching noise. A 700-foot steel coastal tanker had collided with them.

“The top of our mast at >fty->ve feet wasn’t even up to the deck nearly seventy feet above,” said George. Fortunately, moments later the two ships separated and tragedy was averted. “It was a real close call but the overriding thing was, ‘Hey we’re not hurt.’ The boat wasn’t sinking; the mast was still standing — though a lot of the rigging was gone.”

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by Peter Miller

The tanker mishap was the Bierlin’s closest call but far from their only adventure as they wended their way around the globe from the summer of 1984 to the spring of 1996. Their travels introduced them to a great diversity of nations and cultures, and their warm and adventurous spirits fostered new friendships around the globe.

Both had learned about watercraft previously, albeit in much less dramatic fashion. George’s youthful summers in New Hampshire included tooling around Lake Winnisquam on powerboats, and Ellen caught the wind on a Hobie Cat that she bought in 1974. The two met in 1979 in Ellen’s native Florida, where bright waves and a gentle climate beckoned them o= terra >rma full-time in 1982.

Sailing became more than recreation; it de>ned them. First, they lived on the boat for almost two years before heading out to sea for long periods. “Boating was a great way to be a tourist,” discovered George, and travel to the Bahamas whetted their appetites for more.

george, visiting with soraya moko

george

the bierlins’ ingrid sailboat, rags

The Bierlins had their share of excitement during their ocean odyssey. A friendship kindled with a young Fijian of Indian ancestry led to an invitation to his sister’s wedding — all three days of it.

Komodo dragons, African elephants, and other exotic creatures were observed in their natural habitats.

Adventures at sea made landfall even more worth celebrating, and lengthy sojourns revealed nuances that would be missed on shorter vacations. “When you hop on a plane to a place like Paris for a twoweek visit,” George explained, “you’ll get to see the Louvre and other attractions. This is >ne but it doesn’t compare to visiting a country for several months, which allows you to really get to know the people and see things from their vantage points.”

“You live like they do,” agreed Ellen. She typically handled groceries, which dovetailed with her pleasure in learning languages.

“When you go to the markets that the locals do, you never know what you’ll >nd. That’s part of the charm and the challenge.”

The trip transformed the planet from an abstraction to an incredibly rich reality. The incomparable Galapagos Islands o= Equator, which inspired Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, are linked in the Bierlins’ minds with faraway French Polynesia, Gauguin’s artistic

ellen, selecting local produce

muse. That’s because despite being separated by 3,000 miles and dissimilar histories, peoples, and cultures, the two island groups were successive landfalls for the Bierlins.

The distances were also shortened by remarkable “small world” experiences. While in Greece the Bierlins befriended Soraya Moko, a young New Zealand woman. Ellen and George kept in touch with Soraya through her parents’ home address. Years later, with thousands of miles in their wake, they found themselves staying in the next town over from the Mokos and introductions were soon made.

“We got along very well with Soraya’s parents and they had us over any number of times,” George recalled with obvious pleasure.

He added with a laugh, “One area where we couldn’t connect was cricket. They made many attempts to explain it — unsuccessfully!”

New Zealand is their favorite nation, due to the friendliness and ingenuousness of its people. “Sometimes our mouths were left hanging open because of how nice they were,” said George with admiration. From the marina boat shop proprietor who, well aware that George was from the distant United States, kindly o=ered to open an account for him; to the South Island cattle and sheep farmer who dropped everything to give them a guided tour of his

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an alumni adventure

asia north america

Atlantic Ocean

yugoslavia greece turkey

gibralter canary islands

west palm beach

africa

Paci †c Ocean

panama canal galapagos islands

french polynesia

bali and komodo

south america

east timor fiji

mauritius

australia

Paci †c Ocean

Indian Ocean

cape of good hope

new zealand

antarctica The Bierlans’ journeys spanned the globe. The couple visited a country that today no longer exists (Yugoslavia) and one whose later, improbable birth was scarcely imagined at the time (East Timor). The trip transformed the planet from an abstraction to an incredibly rich reality.

5,000-acre spread; to the marine operator who thoughtfully called ahead on their behalf by telephone when a radio call didn’t connect, “New Zealand really is an exceptional place,” George said.

South Africa’s magni>cent scenery and unique mix of cultures (English, Dutch/Boers, and indigenous peoples) also stood out. The Bierlins had some “very exciting moments” observing big game while on safari at Kruger National Park and other locations.

The numerous ancient sites that they visited, such as Ephesus in Turkey, contrasted with relatively younger nations like Australia and New Zealand. The Bierlins saw similarities between these former English colonies and their own country, and the years away helped them appreciate the United States.

“Wherever we went people were very happy to see Americans,” George said. “All had a great respect for the opportunity that America o=ered.” George realized, “We could have lived anywhere but came home because here we fully understand how things work.

I’m glad that we went and glad we got back.” Back home, New Hampton School is an important element in their lives. “I enjoyed my time at New Hampton and recognized when I got to college what an excellent education I received,” George explained. Ellen con-

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curred, “Both of us really believe in education, and New Hampton gave George a great foundation for life.”

The Bierlins have generously supported campus needs and programs. The Mr. and Mrs. William Edwin Bierlin Sr. Trust, named for George’s parents, together with the Ellen Brown and George Woolsey Bierlin Trust, have helped to fund a faculty development seminar, equipment for athletics and arts programs, and the school’s Junior Urban Adventure (see p. 29 for more JUA information), among other programs and activities. George said modestly, “I’ve always felt that my contributions to NHS were important. New Hampton teaches a lot of people ‘how to >sh,’ and it certainly did plenty for me.”

After New Hampton School George went on to earn his BS degree from Parsons College in Iowa and his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania. He served with Rohm & Hass Company in Miami before setting out for their extended voyages.

Though the couple took a trip that most can only dream about, they never lost perspective on their undertaking. George humbly recalled advice from the man who sold them navigation charts before they set out: “Don’t get too carried away — you’re not the >rst ones to do this.” v

shanghai

The Asia Connection: NHS Finds Friends, Opportunities D

by Peter Miller E

Head of School Andrew Menke and Assistant Director of Admission David Per>eld traveled to Asia from February 23–March 5, enhancing New Hampton School’s ties to this booming and increasingly in?uential part of the world.

With the pace of globalization on the rise, it all but guarantees that international issues will impact the choices and opportunities available to today’s high school students. New Hampton’s hallmark strengths — a personalized, supportive learning environment set within a landscape of unsurpassed natural beauty and safety — are keenly appreciated by international students and their parents.

Beyond recruitment and parent meetings, the larger context of the trip was cultivating relationships with secondary schools in Beijing and Shanghai. This will lead to partnerships resulting in student/faculty exchanges, which are a cornerstone of New Hampton School’s global initiatives. In the next two years New Hampton School hopes to establish sister-school relationships in both China and India, to facilitate the sharing of ideas and cultural aspirations with these very in?uential nations.

Seoul, South Korea, was the >rst port of call. NHS has twenty-two Korean students, the school’s largest international contingent.

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trip to asia

changgyeong palace, seoul

(above, l-r): Mee Kyeong Lee, mother of Joo Hyeong Lee ’09; changgyeong palace, seoul

“The school has many friends and supporters in South Korea, and we were glad to visit with a number of them on this trip,” said Menke. “There is great energy and warm feelings for New Hampton School among our Korean community.”

Parents, alumni, and prospective parents and students joined the traveling administrators for a festive reception and smaller individual meetings. “Andrew spoke about each Korean student and the families really appreciated having their son or daughter recognized,” explained Per>eld. “Having the head of school come to Korea to speak personally about their children was reassuring.”

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Andrew Menke; and Hye Shin Cho, mother of Ji Hoon Shim ’08.

The hosts reciprocated with great kindness, traditional gifts, and hospitality, including >ne meals. “Spending time discussing New Hampton School and sharing meals gave us a chance to laugh and bond in friendship,” said Per>eld. “We became part of their families.”

The scholarly aspects of the trip, which included a short tour of the magni>cent Changgyeong Palace (originally built in 1104 and rebuilt in subsequent centuries), were balanced by working meetings with educational consultants who assist the connection between Korean students and American independent schools. Menke and Per>eld

used these get-togethers to further de>ne New Hampton’s criteria, emphasizing a preference for applicants with distinctive strengths and personalities.

Reaching out to China, cultivation meetings were held in Shanghai and Beijing.

“Going in, we had hoped to have at least one student applying for fall enrollment,” said Menke, “but our hosts were obviously impressed by New Hampton School and it appears we have >ve well-quali>ed students from mainland China this fall.”

Having worked in China for many years, Chris Szymanski ’66 helped to connect NHS with Ken Jarrett, the U.S. consul general in

trip to asia

building sculpture, tiananmen square, beijing

menke and perfield in tiananmen square, beijing

an international connection

mao tse-tung revolution memorial, beijing

Shanghai. Jarrett provided a detailed overview on visa requirements for Chinese students (this can be the biggest hurdle to study in the United States) and lessons to be learned from the experiences of other independent schools. (See companion article on Szymanski, page 42.)

It was the >rst visit to China for Menke and Per>eld, and both were impressed by the scale and vigor of the cities they visited.

“Shanghai seems like it’s growing by the second,” said Per>eld, and relatively more sedate Beijing was enlivened during their short stay by the >reworks and public merriment of Lunar New Year celebrations.

The value of an American independent school education is recognized worldwide, and in recent years New Hampton School has welcomed students from Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Cameroon, Canada, Germany, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Romania, Spain, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, Venezuela, and the West Indies. The bene>ts are substantial for New Hampton’s domestic students, who gain international perspectives in the classroom and learn about global culture through co-curricular activities and dorm life. "

“How is it that Americans and Chinese will be able to cooperate to create a more sustainable world?” Menke asked rhetorically. “Our connections with China and other Asian nations will help prepare New Hampton students meet one of the most important challenges of our time, which is to improve the prospects for sustainability of relationships between di=erent cultures.”

Plans are being made for return visits to South Korea and China during the 2007–08 school year, to again focus on meetings with parents, prospective students, and the building of programmatic relationships. A trip to India is also on the horizon.

“Global issues have become more central to New Hampton School’s overall mission,” said Menke. “It’s important for our students and faculty to have opportunities to exchange ideas and work collaboratively with other cultures. Our outreach is increasing our understanding of cultures around the world.”

This e=ort brings rural New England and the urban centers of the Far East that much closer together. At New Hampton School, students are truly bene>ting from the best of both worlds. "

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visit to kenya

nairobi

a plural center I have noted from a spell of teaching in the USA that Third World literatures tend to be treated as something outside the mainstream…

But the languages and the literatures of the peoples of Africa, Asia, and South America are not peripheral to the twentieth century. They are central to the mainstream of what has made the world what it is today. It is therefore not really a question of studying that which is removed from ourselves wherever we are located in the twentieth century, but rather one of understanding all the voices coming from what is essentially a plurality of centers all over the world.

–Ngugi wa Thiong’o “ Moving the Center: Towards a Pluralism of Cultures”

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by Matthew Cheney

Sometimes it’s good to be impulsive. I saw an advertisement for a writers’ workshop in Kenya and I applied, telling myself that if the short story I submitted got me some scholarship money, I would go.

A few months later I landed in Nairobi, and for the next two weeks I lived and worked with writers, editors, and publishers from around the world.

Not everyone would choose to spend their winter holidays thousands of miles away from anyone they knew, but the commercialism of the American holiday spirit had reached a point of toxicity for me, and I relished the idea of escape. A friend of mine, here in the states working on a master’s degree, is Kenyan, and he and I had talked a lot about Kenya, about Africa, about the manifestations and migrations of literatures outside the bounds of the U.S. I wanted to see some things >rst-hand. I wanted points of reference: sights, sounds, smells, temperatures.

visit to kenya

above: A view of a street from Lamu Fort. at right, top: Cell phones have triumphed on Lamu. Electricity, and other services, are erratic. at right: Beverley, a friend, at Lamu Fort.

For the >rst week, the sixty or so of us stayed in Nairobi and spent our mornings in workshops, our afternoons at lectures or roaming around the city, our evenings socializing back at the hotel.

I have been to various writing workshops since I was quite young, but I’ve never been at one with such a consistently high level of talent. My workshop was led by M. G. Vassanji, a marvelous novelist well known, it seems, everywhere but in the U.S. He was born in Kenya, grew up in Tanzania, and now lives in Canada; he had not been back to Kenya for some time and his return was treated by the literary community as a grand event. He was immensely kind and generous and he loved taking us under his wing, bringing us to a favorite co=ee shop and bookstore, to an exhibit of African art at the National Archives, to lunch one day at an Indian restaurant and another at the city’s oldest hotel, still redolent of colonialist privilege.

“This, too,” he said, “you should be familiar with.”

We heard lectures and readings from young stars of the African literary scene — the Nigerian Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie, the Ugandan Doreen Baingaina, the Kenyan Binyavanga Wainaina. We chatted with literary magazine editors from North America, Europe, and Africa. The moments I most cherish, though, are those where

a group of us sat down and talked about writing, about what and how and why. I’ve been part of such conversations before but never with people from so many di=erent places; writers from Spain and South Africa, Uganda and Angola, Harare and London, San Francisco and Montréal.

One Sunday, the family of my Kenyan friend drove me all around Nairobi and its outskirts, including places tourists wouldn’t normally see. My friend’s father, a life-long journalist, is currently a columnist for one of the two major newspapers in Kenya, the Daily Nation. His mother is a lawyer in Nairobi. Their perspectives opened up my experience of the country profoundly. Its history is complex, its culture vast and variegated, its terrors no less plentiful than its joys and wonders.

And then for the second week we ?ew to the coastal island of Lamu, north of Mombasa and near the Somali border. Nairobi has changed tremendously over the past decades; Lamu has hardly changed much at all in the last few centuries. There is only one car on the island, a Land Rover commandeered by the district commissioner, because the streets are mostly narrow alleys between the stone buildings.

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visit to kenya

above: A view from the sitting area of the hotel in Lamu. at right, top: A view of Lamu from outside the hotel room. at right: Awaiting a reading at Lamu Fort.

Life on Lamu is langorous. The smell of saltwater and donkeys >lled the air along with the sounds of boats being built or repaired, of Lamu’s famous ornate doors being carved, of men at the pier and along the busy shoreline o=ering rides on donkeys and dhows (elegantly simple and ancient sailboats) to tourists. Lamu has been a port of call for traders since at least the Middle Ages and the residents take pride in their friendliness, which was somewhat bewildering to a comparatively reserved New Englander. (Getting from one part of the island to another was di;cult, because everyone along the way insisted on saying hello.) Mostly, the conference set us free on Lamu to write, though there were some readings of works in progress, too. (My favorite was an informal one, late at night on a rooftop by lantern-light.)

We spent much of our time at restaurants, because it is rare to get a meal less than an hour or two after ordering it. Electricity is erratic and many restaurants do not have large refrigerators, so you place your order and then someone goes out to buy the ingredients.

We soon discovered favorite restaurants where we could show up in the morning, place our breakfast and lunch orders, and socialize or write while drinking thick, rich co=ee. After lunch we would wander

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around for a bit and >nd another restaurant and prepare for dinner, continuing the conversations or the manuscripts.

Lamu is primarily a Muslim island, which paradoxically led to a very enjoyable Christmas. While the local Christian minority did join tourists in observing the holiday, and the bigger hotels played carols in their restaurants, I actually felt comfortable on Christmas Day, not overwhelmed with debts and obligations and stu=. In the morning, I swam in the Indian Ocean and at night a group of us dressed up and went to a fancy and, for Lamu, expensive restaurant. A perfect holiday.

I returned home only a few days before spring classes resumed.

In many ways, I’m still adjusting. I’ve traveled plenty in the past, spending time in Europe and Nicaragua and a summer in Mexico, but Kenya dug into my soul, >lling me with contradictory feelings.

Aside from photographs, the only souvenirs I brought back were books. The publishing industry in Africa is not large, but nonetheless I found many novels, anthologies, and magazines that are unavailable in the U.S. I have taught classes in African literature at New Hampton a few times, always trying to stress how much I don’t know, and now that I have returned from Kenya I am even more

visit to kenya

view from the top of lamu fort

aware of all that remains to be learned, and all I will never know.

It’s almost ridiculous to even speak of something called “African literature,” because such an entity — even if we exclude the continent’s wealth of oral literatures — encompasses novels and poems and stories and essays from more than >fty countries, numerous languages, vastly di=erent traditions and histories. What unites the literatures is their invisibility to readers in the U.S. The Nobel winners are known in certain quarters — Soyinka, Mahfouz, Gordimer, Coetzee — and plenty of students have been required to read the favorite sentimental white liberal of South Africa, Alan Paton, and the most favored and in?uential black novel from the continent, Things Fall Apart, but to stop there would be like teaching North American literature as if it included only John Steinbeck and Huckleberry Finn.

My students read >ve African novels during the spring term of my Advanced Placement Literature and Composition class. We all read J. M. Coetzee’s Disgrace, Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s A Grain of Wheat, and Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions, and students also chose two books from the northern, southern, eastern, or western regions of the continent.

In the past when I have taught African literature it has been among my students’ favorite units, because most of them have little knowledge of Africa. (Indeed, what sparked my creation of a unit on works from South Africa a few years ago was the students’ complete unfamiliarity with the word apartheid.) I hope that it will spark curiosity and an awareness that Africa is a place of great variety and culture, and much more than what we see on TV (famine, war, disease).

My trip allowed me to get away, discover things for myself, and spend time with other writers. I hope that by sharing some of my experiences, I will be able to make my Kenya visit more than just something that I did for myself. There is still much of the continent that I hope one day to visit, and there are people there I’ve promised to see again. Until I am able to return, I have the words and images of those cultures and histories to learn from, and perhaps my curiosity and passion for them will inspire others to explore as well. We are, after all, our own best teachers. # Editor’s Note: The author, a member of the Class of 1994, taught English at New Hampton School from 1998–2007. He also served as director of the Fine and Performing Arts program.

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junior urban adventure

a cultural inquiry We, the American people, live in a society founded upon diversity.

This melting pot of cultures and opinions has been quite productive in our development of democracy. However, I believe that our ability to understand other cultures — in particular that of the Middle East — is limited due to some degree of ignorance and misinformation.

On our Junior Urban Adventure (JUA) trip to Boston we conducted a small, random survey. Most of the people we met said that they did not know much about the Middle East and could only make guesses about it. I think that this may be even more of a problem in rural settings like New Hampton, which is why New Hampton School strives to educate students about the diversity of our country and the world.

A prime example of this is the JUA, in which all juniors participate. We research an aspect of urban culture that goes along with a speci>c theme that changes from year to year. All groups focused on a global problem with a local solution. Ours was: “Why Do They Hate Us?” Early on we decided to concentrate mainly on the current con?ict in Iraq and our overall involvement with the Middle East.

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by Michael Vinci Germar ’08 Over two days we visited mosques, interviewed representatives of the Islamic Society of Boston, learned about the history of the con?icts in the Middle East, and got >rst-hand accounts about the war from a soldier who had just returned from Iraq. I also learned some of the major rituals and beliefs of the Muslim religion that would be hard to discover in my rural hometown.

By the end of this brief tour I discovered that the Middle Easterners we met don’t “hate us,” but some view our culture as overindulgent and aggressive. I think that traditional modesty, which Muslims believe is very important, might not be realistic for most Americans. This is why they may view us as indulgent. Our cultures need to become more educated about one another so that sweeping generalizations are not made about either side.

I was able to bring away from this trip a deeper appreciation for the Muslim religion and a better understanding of the American image throughout the world. I believe that the JUA was very worthwhile because it presented me with an amazing opportunity to learn more about cultures that are so close yet seem so far away. ¶

junior urban adventure

opposite: Exterior of a mosque in Boston, MA. above: The author. at right, top: Islamic Society of Boston’s o;ces. at right: Prayer at a mosque.

what is the junior urban adventure?

The JUA is a learning expedition in and around the city of Boston. JUA sta= and senior leaders decide on a theme to direct students toward meaningful outcomes. Juniors then ask questions relating to topics that they themselves care deeply about.

Students are grouped according to their questions. Under the guidance of a faculty member, students explore their topic by seeking out pertinent galleries, exhibits, performances, buildings, individuals, historical sites, and other destinations. Students collect multiple points of view and create their own meaning from these new discoveries. Finally, students share what they have learned with their peers in written, visual, and oral formats. Juniors come away from the adventure with the following experiences: r r r r r r

Investigated an area of interest in depth Interacted with professionals in their >eld of interest, opening up possible avenues of creative career exploration Directed their own course of investigation within a semi-?exible itinerary Re?ected on their own skills as independent learners before and after the urban adventure Learned a start to >nish research process using modern research methods, which is applicable to later research in the junior year Asked a meaningful question, formulated an answer, and backed up their answer with >ndings from their time in Boston

For more information, please contact Director of Experiential Learning and Summer Programs Hans Mundahl, 603.677.3572; hmundahl@newhampton.org. Âś

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golden-tilton retirement event

clockwise from left: Harrison Golden with Mike Cronin ’93, Matt Coyne ’92, and Geo= Downing ’93. Registrar and Lindsay Dorm parent Lara Arsenault with Katie Connolly, Jenn Austin, and Nicole Morse, all Class of 2006. Women’s Varsity Head Coach Mark Tilton and Assistant Coach Darren Redman with former and current women’s basketball players. Retirement Celebration emcee extraordinnaire, Larry Pimental, associate dean of students and men’s varsity baseball coach. Head of School Andrew Menke welcomes a crowd of over 500 guests at the retirement

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celebration honoring Harrison Golden and Mark Tilton. Mark Tilton with Patricia Sylvain ’04, Emma Kruskal ’04, and Angela Santa Fe ’04.

golden-tilton retirement event

clockwise from left: Harrison Golden shares a laugh with George Fearons ’92. English faculty Doug MacKinnon and Alicia Hammond ’04. Coach Tilton gets a well-deserved round of applause from current and former students and players. Former faculty Tom Diehl, Harrison Golden, former faculty Peter Bixby, Nancy Conkling, and former faculty John Conkling. Coach Tilton with Class of 2006 members Pat Dame, Ryan Thuma, Warren Wilson, Jaxon Leo, and Brady Morningstar. Greg Friel ’98, left and Jake Ottolini ’02, right, surround a favorite coach, teacher, and mentor, Harrison Golden.

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commencement 2 0 0 7

at top: Faculty welcome graduates. at left: Headmaster Emeritus T. Holmes “Bud” Moore and his wife, Jinga. above: Merservey Medal recipient Matthew Dodge holds the medal.

New Hampton School’s Class of 2007 continued the longstanding tradition of holding Commencement Exercises on the Meservey Hall lawn. One hundred and >fteen young men and women received their diplomas on Saturday, May 26, signaling the end of one educational era and the beginning of the next as graduates head o= to sixty->ve di=erent colleges and universities in the fall.

The Class of 2007 included students from sixteen states and international graduates from Cameroon, Canada, Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and the West Indies. The highlights of this special day included the presentation of the following awards: r The Ben Cecil Jury of His Peers Award is given to the student elected by classmates as the Commencement welcome speaker.

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This year’s award was presented to Benjamin Higgins, who will attend Temple University in the fall. r The Valedictorian Medal is awarded to the student with the highest overall GPA during his or her New Hampton School experience. The Valedictorian Medal and a Faculty Citation for outstanding contributions to the school were presented to Kelsey Berry, who will attend St. Lawrence University in the fall. r A second Faculty Citation was awarded to Keith Winking for his abundant contributions to NHS. Keith will attend Connecticut College in the fall. r The Citizenship Medal is awarded to the student who has unsel>shly contributed to making New Hampton School a more

commencement 2 0 0 7

top left: Harrison Golden attends his last New Hampton School Commencement as a current faculty member. at left: A proud Dodge family, Beth, Alex, co-salutatorian and Merservey Medal recipient Matt, and Earl. above: Jean Troiano and Nicole Hansen, awaiting processional line-up.

vibrant and productive community. The Citizenship Medal was awarded to Thomas Crocker, who was also co-salutatorian (tied for second-highest GPA) this year. Tom will attend Middlebury College next year. r The Academic and Personal Growth Medal is awarded to the student who, in the minds of the faculty has experienced notable academic and personal growth and, through energy and enthusiasm, has contributed signi>cantly to the life of the school. The medal was presented to Jean Troiano, who will attend Keene State College in the fall. r The Intellectual Curiosity Medal is awarded to the student whose academic interests carry him or her the furthest beyond the regu-

larly assigned classroom tasks and whose performance is marked by a true search for knowledge. This year’s medal was awarded to Jade Jung from South Korea, who will attend Abilene Christian University in the fall. r The Meservey Medal is New Hampton School’s highest award, given for outstanding contributions to the academic, co-curricular, and community life of the school. The Meservey Medal was presented to co-salutatorian Matthew Dodge, who is deferring attendance at St. Lawrence University for one year to pursue ski racing.

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reunion 2 0 0 7

sons of kristen whitey huta ’87

above left: Front, Bob Bennett, Bill Guardenier, Frank Dennen, Geo=rey Winters, Tom Mullen; back, Earl Lewis, Jim Buckley, David Heald, Joseph “Dal” Dalferes. top right: Front, Jamie McLaughlin, Abby Manchester, Ellen Perkins; back, Greg Cli=ord, John Pollock. bottom right: The popular historic Town of New Hampton tour.

Reunion Weekend 2007, June 1–3, was a rousing celebration of enduring friendships and fond reminiscences with former faculty and coaches. Over two hundred alumni, spouses, guests, and current and former faculty returned to campus, honoring alumni whose class years ended in “2” or “7.”

The Class of 1972 earned the honor of having the largest number of returning classmates (over thirty). The Class of 1957 had an admirable return of those celebrating their 50th Reunion with twentyseven classmates and spouses honored at a special dinner with T. Holmes “Bud” and Jinga Moore, hosted by Head of School Andrew Menke and his wife, Jennifer. The weekend culminated in a spectacular lobster bake on Saturday evening with live music.

2007 reunion awards marco polo award Given each year to the alumnus who has traveled the greatest distance, the award was presented to Alan Morgenthau ’72 who traveled from Istanbul, Turkey.

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most distinguised alumnus award Given each year to the alumnus who has returned to celebrate Reunion from the earliest and most distinguished class, the award was presented to Jack Max>eld ’37, celebrating his 70th Reunion. headmaster’s award Trustee Bill Guardenier ’62 introduced this award, which recognizes an alumnus for service to the school in a particular year. It was presented to a loyal and dedicated alumnus, Frank Dennen ’62, for his tenacity and hard work as co-chair of his 45th NHS Reunion. lifetime achievement award For his many contributions to the United States through his military service (and thus to all of us), and for his years of service as a successful business executive and steadfast supporter of New Hampton School, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Eugene Rainville ’57.