THE MAGAZINE OF NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL WINTER 2020
THE MAGAZINE OF NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL WINTER 2020
1821
On Monday, September 17, the school
New Hampton native and Boston
opens with forty students including
merchant, John Kelley Simpson,
thirteen boarders from Boston.
finances the establishment of the New Hampton Academy.
1827 New literary and social societies give students the chance to exercise their own voices and are celebrated by Horace Greeley in his New Yorker newspaper.
1777
1825
Incorporation of the
With Baptist sponsorship, New
town of New Hampton.
Hampton Academy becomes New Hampton Academical and Theological Institution, educating students to become ministers and missionaries.
1865 General Robert E. Lee
1853
surrendered his Confederate troops to the Union's Ulysses S. Grant, marking the end of
Dedicated townspeople and alumni move the school's buildings from their
the Civil War.
original location to the center of town and reconstitute the new entity as
New Hampton Literary and Biblical Institution.
1 8 61 Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor, marking the beginning of the Civil War.
1829 The female seminary in New Hampton is led by the dynamic school alumna Martha Hazeltine of the class of 1827.
1868 New Hampton graduate and Head of School Atwood Bond Meservey initiates a commercial curriculum alongside academics, arts, and athletics.
1883 The Social Fraternity
1889 Head of School Frank Preston paves a path for future campus innovations through the construction of Berry, Lane, and Draper Hall.
and Literary Adelphi publish the first
Hamptonia.
1875 Ralph Waldo Emerson addresses the school on June 30 and closes its Commencement ceremony on July 1.
Visionary Minds: While much has been written about our Heads of School in years past, since New Hampton School’s sesquicentennial celebration, a common thread we’ve seen is a strong commitment to the development of our students, programs, and people. Each head of school worked diligently to offer remedies for what the school and students needed, and in return the school’s alumni are faithful supporters of their classmates, faculty, and community members. We are grateful to recognize their lasting legacy and contributions.
Our Modern Heads of School
T.H. Moore '38
Louis Gnerre, M.Ed.
Bertram H. Buxton, III M.Ed.
Head of School:
Head of School: 1969 - 1988
Head of School: 1988 - 1990
1959-1969, 1990-1992 President: 1972-1990
1896 New Hampton alumnus Judge Stephen G. Nash (Class of 1834) funds the creation of a library to serve "residents, students, and sojourners" and bequeathes to it his extensive personal collection.
Jeffrey Pratt Beedy, Ed.D.
Alan Crocker
Andrew Menke, MALS
Joseph P. Williams, M.Ed.
Head of School: 1992 - 2004
Head of School: 2004 - 2005
Head of School: 2005 - 2016
Head of School: 2016 – Present
*Please note the years listed are their Head of School years in this timeline, and do not reflect prior or continuing years in faculty, staff, or administrative positions.
1919 By 1919, World War I has contributed to a radical decline in the local population and school enrollment drops drastically.
The School drops its Baptist affiliation and becomes
The New Hampton Literary Institute.
1918 World War I ends on November 11, 1918.
1921 New Hampton School celebrates 100 Years!
"It is a hundred years of work to be proud of. Thousands of
1918 Due to the flu pandemic, New Hampton closes twice: October 9-21, 1918 and December 14, 1918-January 6, 1919.
men and women from all over the world are glad to say that they got their early training in this old school." - Hamptonia, Vol XLI, Issue 4
1926 Head of School Frederick Smith, Class of 1910, transforms a weakened school into the vibrant college preparatory New Hampton School for Boys and the student body quickly exceeds 150 students.
1959
19 45
fresh vision of liberal arts and character development to
World War II officially ends
New Hampton. New programs and facilities expand and
on September 2, 1945.
enrollment builds to 300 students.
Head of School T. Holmes Moore Class of 1938 brings a
Frederick "Fritz" Robbins (1893-1974) was an American artist and, for much of his life, a resident of New Hampton, New Hampshire. He was well known for his etched prints and watercolors. His legacy continues at New Hampton School in the Fritz Robbins Scholarship which supports a promising visual arts student.
1970 Under the direction of Head of School Louis Gnerre, a storied teacher and coach, the school becomes
to our current name
New Hampton School
The School changes its name
co-educational. The 1970-71 Viewbook notes:
"Now, on our 150th Anniversary, we are once again returning to coordinate education, accepting girls as both day and boarding students."
1969
1998
The School acquired the remaining acreage on Burleigh Mountain. The frontside ski slope was purchased in 1969.
celebrates the first moon
1998
landing on July 20, 1969.
Construction is completed on
The United States of America
the Arts and Athletics Center, connecting to Frederick Smith Hall. Then Athletic Director Steve Fay called it a "dream come true!" in that fall's Hamptonia.
2002 New Hampton School is recognized as a National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership. This follows years of commitment to character-driven curricula and the development of our core beliefs of respect and responsibility.
2010 New Hampton School becomes the first boarding school in New England to offer the International Baccalaureate Programme.
New Hampton School celebrates its 200 year anniversary on September 17, 2021.
"We have an incredible opportunity to honor and learn about our past. At the same time, our current strengths allow us to imagine the opportunities before us as we look to the next two-hundred years." - Joseph P. Williams P'22
23rd Head of School
Honor Our Past, Imagine Our Possibilities.
2020 - 2021
WELCOME | FROM THE BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
Editor Alex Molloy Assistant Editor Tracey Sirles Design and Production Tarah Hursh Contributors Meghan Aronson, Jerrica Blackey, Kent Bicknell ‘65, Cindy Buck, Beth Osgood Dodge, Anna Koester, and Joe Williams Principal Photography Kaleb Hart with Michelle Larkin and Contributing Photographers Printer Flagship © 2020 New Hampton School www.newhampton.org Hamptonia is published once 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: Hamptonia, New Hampton School, 70 Main Street, New Hampton, New Hampshire 03256. Call 603-677-3417 or e-mail hamptonia@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. Hamptonia is printed on sustainably produced, chain-of-custody stock certified to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. Hamptonia is printed using only wind-generated renewable power, and inks derived from vegetable sources.
Two hundred years of New Hampton School–how is that possible! We are truly honored and excited to be a part of the dynamic group of volunteers charged with planning the bicentennial celebrations, exploring and collaborating on how best to honor and recognize an institution that has withstood two centuries of growth, prosperity, change, challenge, milestones, and success. Our Bicentennial Steering Committee was established in 2017 to include alumni, parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees. Three task forces (History, Communications and Programs, Events and Outreach) were created to work independently and collaboratively, researching and sharing all possibilities of what our bicentennial year should embrace and celebrate. A mission statement crafted during those initial Steering Committee meetings has guided our work, our goals, and our action plans. From the very beginning, through its founder John Kelley Simpson, New Hampton School has embraced an entrepreneurial spirit and an admirable respect for diversity that remains true today. New Hampton Academy was progressively ahead of its time as female students sat in the first classroom on September 17, 1821, a clear shift from societal norms of the day. International students have always been a valued part of the school community, even in its initial years as an institution. Additionally, Martha Hazeltine, the first principal of the female academy, was one of the school’s early philanthropists, creating a
foundation of giving back and paying forward that continues 200 years later. New Hampton School alumni served their country in several wars, launched their own businesses, became leaders of industry, joined public service as legislators and governors, returned to their alma mater as teachers and leaders, and volunteered as trustees to help guide and lead their school as external stewards. Alumni family legacies, too, are innumerable—individuals who chose to provide one or more family members with the unique New Hampton School educational experience that made a difference in their own adolescent life. The opportunity to collaborate on how best to honor our school’s history has been daunting, enlightening, and incredibly rewarding. Members of the Steering Committee and task forces worked tirelessly and enthusiastically, uncovering, sharing, and intertwining numerous pieces of our history into the planning process. There remains much work to be done between now and June 2021. Still, we remain optimistic that the Bicentennial Gala Celebration (part of Reunion Weekend 2021) will be a record-setting and memorable event. The weekend will encompass our bicentennial theme - Honor Our Past, Imagine Our Possibilities - through a multitude of events and activities culminating with a spectacular gala on Saturday evening. We hope you enjoy this inspirational bicentennial edition of Hamptonia.
Best wishes,
CINDY BUCK P’01, ’05 Bicentennial Steering Committee Co-Chair Bicentennial Coordinator Former Director of Alumni and Parent Relations
PETER W. GALLETLY ’73, P’09 Bicentennial Steering Committee Co-Chair Member, Board of Trustees Former Chairman, Board of Trustees
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 9
2020 IN EVERY ISSUE 9
WELCOME FROM THE BICENTENNIAL CO-CHAIRS
12
HEADS UP FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
127
TRUSTEES 2020-2021
HEADLINES 1 15 27 35
200 YEARS OF HISTORY MAIN STREET REFLECTIONS SIDELINE REPORT THEN AND NOW
CONNECTIONS 46 52
COMMENCEMENT
54
NEW HAMPTON ICONS
THE HISTORY OF REUNION
DISPATCHES
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106
CLASS NOTES
120
IN MEMORIAM
46
COMMENCEMENT
Finding and hearing our voice through mindfulness practices.
INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN 200 years of Global Citizens at New Hampton School.
ON THE AIRWAVES
54
NEW HAMPTON ICONS
IF WALLS COULD TALK
FEATURES
FILTERING THE NOISE
38
A brief history of our buildings and the lives lived inside them.
Page
SHAPING EXPERIENCES
Page
A LEGACY OF WOMEN
76 90
Crafting the student and community experience through innovation.
Highlighting several influential women of New Hampton School.
Page
68 Page
84 Page
98
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 11
HEADS UP | FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Heads Up There is a weight of responsibility we have felt building towards this historic bicentennial year for New Hampton School. Our planning and preparations began nearly five years ago and the one thing we didn’t account for was a global pandemic that could jeopardize all we have worked so hard to create and celebrate. Thankfully, our community is resilient, creative, and willing to experiment and adapt. These attributes were certainly tested last spring when we moved to a
12 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
completely distanced learning program to finish the school year. Some eight months later we continue to wrestle with COVID-19, though it feels very good to have everyone back on campus! A very successful summer hockey camp brought athletes to our campus, followed by the return of students to energize everyone. We are a community that thrives on being together, learning from and with each other, participating, being recognized for our contributions and
united in a common purpose. This is a year of reflection and forward progress. We are celebrating key moments, programs, and individuals in our history that have shaped New Hampton School. In doing so, we want our students to recognize the opportunities and obligations associated with membership in our community. We are grappling with a pandemic, racial tensions in the United States, and a highly controversial political election for the President of the United States. We,
OUR STORY
as a school, must be open-minded, fluid, and intentional in our curriculum and programming–for we are shaping the future leaders of our world. We must provide our students with safe opportunities to explore controversial topics, have hard conversations, and space to formulate their own opinions. New Hampton School students are endowed with a caring and talented faculty, a constantly evolving curriculum, and everimproving facilities to enhance program offerings and personal development. They have these things because of our alumni, parents, and friends who are engaged and supportive by serving in volunteer roles, sharing their talents and wisdom, and contributing the resources that help shape our identity and future. We celebrate our bicentennial this year telling our historical story with a variety of virtual programs and optimistic planning for an in-person gala celebration in June. We also set our sights forward on the next 200 years. The school theme for 2020, Our Story, unites us in our effort to advance our strategic offerings and initiatives to be the first-choice destination for families who are ready to be part of something special. It is also a call to action for our dedicated alumni. You carry an important voice in your communities and remain the most effective school ambassadors we have. This is a year full of challenges for our country and our School. We will face them optimistically, fueled by the collective strength of Husky Nation and the awareness that our students need our leadership and support more than ever. Appreciatively,
JOSEPH P. WILLIAMS P’22 Head of School H jwilliams@newhampton.org
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 13
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M A I N ST R E E T REFLECTIONS
Members of the Class of 1988 relaxing on Main Street.
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20
22
24
RISING VOICES
EXPLORATIONS AND CURATIONS
THE GORDONNASH LIBRARY
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Valuing voices and opportunities to listen.
Highlights from Galletly Gallery in the past few years.
Celebrating 125 years of this beloved town and school resource.
Digging into the New Hampton School archives. HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 15
O R ITE V A F R U O Y S? IS U P E M R E CA H W N O T O SP
A.
The hill to the lower field. You could overlook the whole campus, and in the winter we’d make jumps and trails to ski. - Alex Lederman '11
First base dugout! Nothing beats yelling "get off the dirt" during practices! - Riley Stone '16
There are so many unique spots around campus that it is hard to just pick one. Palazzi Field makes me feel like a kid again. It feels open and free there, but at the same time is densely surrounded by the woods. At Palazzi, you’re just far enough away from campus to forget about work, stress, and focus on having fun through competition. The tennis courts are another beautiful spot on campus. People passing by from Lewis and Small House will root and cheer for you as they walk back and forth to the dining hall. The tennis courts are the best place to catch a sunset on campus. Burleigh Mountain looms in the distant south and the fountain trickles in the pond to the west. You can feel revived, inspired, and peaceful from the tennis courts as you look down and across the campus. - Luke Tobin, English Faculty Member
The Upper Gym! A spot where a team becomes a family. - Nora Kent '21
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When I was a student, I had a lot of classes in Lane Hall so I would always make it a point to head up to Blueberry Hill for some relaxation and reflection. I liked the vantage point as you can pretty much see the whole campus from there. It’s beautiful and rocky and there’s always blueberries. - Robinson C. Moore '73, Board of Trustees Member
The Upper Gym.
My favorite place on campus is the big tree at sunset. - Michelle Cote, Staff Member
I used to love watching my husband coach. I still enjoy watching the talented basketball players and the spirit of the community as they cheer on their fellow Huskies! - Lara Arsenault, Staff Member
The caf ! So many great memories sitting around those tables! - Ellory Shackett '13 English Faculty Member
The art room always felt at home. - Sarah Snow '17
Nothing like walking down the hill by Kennedy for a game. - Ian Boisvert '20
Behind the booth in the theater! - JT Wheelock '18
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 17
HEADLINES | MAIN STREET REFLECTIONS
Rising
V O ICES Meaningful and consistent communication is the cornerstone of any school community. As a school, we value voices and opportunities to listen.
In the last academic year, we've learned that our lessons in listening are never complete. Our task of helping students find their voice is also never complete. Last September, in a reflection from Head of School Joe Williams, he shared the following thought: "If we boil down the journey of high school to one critical outcome, the attainment of an overarching goal, it is for each of our students to find their voice. That they have processed the formal and informal curriculum of our community to develop an awareness and position on the things that matter most to them, and develop the vehicles through which they communicate their beliefs." It perhaps fits then that many of the storytelling and voice-sharing opportunities we experienced together have come full circle. Our community is eager to provide equity to all voices. At community meetings, the storytelling series Voices of New Hampton plays a crucial role in thematic expression. The
18 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
speakers at these evenings carefully select an interpretation on a topic. The topic "I am thankful for..." brought with it stories of gratitude for learning moments, and lessons from regret and loss; while the evenings focused on "Finding a Home at New Hampton" and "Dear Me: A Letter to My Younger Self" brought humor, joys, and bittersweet reflections. Each event challenged students and adults alike to volunteer, to share, and to allow a level of vulnerability as they drew in their audience. In January, we listened and engaged as a community on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Students were challenged with the idea of courage and precisely what the courage to fight for change looks like in their lives. To help us with this guided discussion, former faculty and Director of Total Human Development (19931999) Steven Davis presented and led an engaging session on leadership, courage, and responsibility. He shared numerous images from history to connect these core ideas, illustrating the intersection of passion for change, leadership, and active protest through speeches, marches, and advocacy for one's beliefs. Throughout much of the '90s, spirited protests were a hallmark of this day in the capitol as citizens pushed for the holiday to be renamed from Civil Rights Day to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As Steve Davis recounted for a captive audience in McEvoy Theater, things started to gain traction. Davis shared that St. Paul's School helped lead the charge for a march on the capitol, joined by New Hampton School, to affect change.
Students made signs of protest, boarded buses to the Concord State House, and engaged in a passionate display in support of change. For three years, from 1997-1999, our students participated in these protests. A similar march would take place years later in the spring of 2020 in response to continued violence against Black individuals. During her 1999 inauguration, Governor Jeanne Shaheen is quoted as saying, "We cannot end this century without making Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a part of the heritage we leave to our children." Finally, in June of 1999, the state joined the rest of the nation to observe the federal holiday. And in 2000, New Hampshire celebrated the day officially. In late February, just weeks before our community departed campus without knowing when we would see each other again, we had one last communal experience in our Alumni in Residence series. This year's focus was on intersectionality, equity, and inclusion, highlighting four alumni panelist voices: Alicia Hammond '04, Chelsea Graham '04, Tracy Wright '04, and Marcel Johnson '15. Making a connection with an auditorium of over 300 students is no small feat. Our panelists were up to the task by offering ways in which they relate and share a history as members of the New Hampton School community. Connecting their own student experiences, with the additional perspective of reflection over time, they offered valuable insight for today's students. Reflecting on a number of themes from community privilege to microaggressions, this group's thoughtful answers and explorations helped guide student conversations throughout the day. Moments of inspiration also came out in the question and answer portion, as students further related to the panelists in seeking advice for their futures. Hammond shared, "Make your dreams so big that they scare you." This is a powerful challenge to be daring, not only to students, but to all community members. She also implored students to spend time getting to know each other as individuals, not as stereotypes—to not assume you know that person because of where they are from geographically, their language, what they look like, what gender you perceive, or other generalities. Reflecting on the cumulation of these moments, we pause to consider their interconnectivity. Though many of the topics were set in advance, the way they came together spurred deeper conversations and a more significant rising of voices on many fronts: individual students, faculty voices, and panelist voices among them. Though it may seem simple to state in hindsight, last year marked an essential preparation for what came after and is still yet to come. We remain committed to our core values of respect and responsibility, our beliefs in diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and leaning into the uncomfortable conversations and tireless action required to build understanding, trust, and an end to racism.
INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED? Contact our Assistant Head of School, Scott Parker at sparker@newhampton.org.
At a glance... Here are some of the offerings and current steps our community is taking to support our BIPOC community members and addressing our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and antiracism.
•
Equity and Inclusivity Committee.
•
Student Diversity Club for students of color and allies.
•
Ongoing professional development and training for faculty, staff, and administrators.
• All-school reads on diversity topics including The Hate U Give, Tears We Cannot Stop, Not Light But Fire, and One Goal. •
Joined the National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Project.
•
Held a Black student forum with some of our Black alumni to provide support and conversation about the experience of our students. Students and alumni worked to generate actions and initiatives for consideration.
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Approved the proposal for a new course from a current student titled Acknowledging Discrimination. This NCAA approved course is taught in an evening seminar format to provide greater accessibility.
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Updated the Student Life Handbook to include specific language regarding racist behavior and corresponding disciplinary ramifications. In the 2020-2021 school year, we are:
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Launching a comprehensive strategic plan for diversity, establishing long-term commitments spanning the full program of the school with input from the Board of Trustees, employees, students, parents, and alumni.
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Developing an Alumni of Color Committee, which will serve in an advisory capacity to the Head of School on issues of school climate, student recruitment, and hiring while also providing direct support to students.
•
Supporting the growth of the Black student affinity group, which was formed last year.
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Strengthening report mechanisms and avenues for students to come forward for support and to identify acts of racism within our community.
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Expanding upon issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our Student Life curriculum.
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Commencing a curriculum audit to include course offerings, content, and texts used.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 19
HEADLINES | MAIN STREET REFLECTIONS
E X P L O R A T I O N S AN D CU R AT IONS Galletly Gallery, located in the Moore Art and Science Center since 1987, hosts exhibitions throughout the academic year from artists including students, faculty, alumni, and practicing artists throughout the region. In the past year, the gallery welcomed artists such as Tom Driscoll, Maundy Mitchell, faculty member Charlie Smith, and a collaborative exhibit of eight artists from the New Hampshire chapter of Women’s Caucus for Art. Here are a few highlights from Galletly Gallery in the past few years.
1
2019 “I HAVE A DREAM”
2
2017 “CROSS CONNECTIONS”
3
2018 “FROM THE FORBIDDEN CITY”
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A unique exhibit from 2019 was held in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. An open submission for this curated exhibit went out in late 2018, inviting artists to interpret the speech and the idea of freedom, and what it would mean to be “free at last”, into works of art. Local artist Susan Wei writes of her mixed media quilt of babies behind wire, Children Are Not Criminals, “I have a dream of a world without artificial borders and people can move freely from place to place to find a life of meaning and abundance in which to prosper and grow. Where human spirits can deepen, and understanding is fostered in every educational institution in every village or city. No more imprisoning children in holding camps where they cannot see their families and have no one to care for them, plan their education, nutrition, and welfare.”
The opening exhibit in the 2017-2018 school year featured artist Dayna Talbot. Her then recent work investigated the dualisms between order and chaos and finding beauty in the imperfect and impermanent. Talbot stated, “Utilizing various formats which evoke both structure and fragility, the primary focus of my work is the process and the joy of working with materials. I use lines, marks, and fibers as a metaphor for the pathways in life; an ever-changing direction. The marks appear chaotic tempered by the pale muted palette. The process of ritual and repetition instills a sense of security and harmony which brings order to the chaos for me as a maker. As a result, the work investigates environment, memories, experiences, and objectives. In creating these relationships of various mediums and formats one becomes aware of the individual variations that heighten our consciousness of the fragility and peerless characteristics that exist within a space. My intent is to engage the viewer with the materials as well as with the visual aesthetics.”
A four-year student from Dalian Liaoning, China, Dorothy Li ’18 worked as an intern in the restoration department of the art museum in the Forbidden City in the summer of 2017. She was inspired from the experience and curated an exhibition to share some of her Chinese culture with her New Hampton School family. Dorothy chose the art works, purchased the reproductions, and arranged them in the gallery. Li shared in her curatorial statement: “Chinese culture appears to be well established in the US with Chinese restaurants everywhere. However, after staying in the States for four years, I realize that sometimes Chinese culture has been misunderstood in a strange manner. [...] Through this exhibition I exposed my classmates to an art style that uses a completely different ink, art paper and way to mount, which they might not be familiar with. The exhibition influenced them to view the meanings of everyday objects in different perspectives and think about how those meanings can be related to their lives. Interestingly, after the exhibition I wasn’t the only student at my school, who would eat oranges for good luck before tests.”
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3
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A prominent building on Main Street, the GordonNash Library is a familiar sight for New Hampton citizens and our school community. It appears in archived pictures familiar to our students and faculty alike. The Gordon-Nash Library was the only privately funded, public library in the state of New Hampshire. On January 1, 2020, the library officially merged with New Hampton School. New Hampton School, in agreement with the merger, will follow Judge Stephen G. Nash’s vision to be open to all residents, students, and sojourners. Our students, too, utilized the Gordon-Nash Library for many years before the construction of the Academic Research Center [ARC] in 1996-1997. Today’s students are learning more of the history of this historic library, its founders and namesakes, and have the potential to learn more from its archives, local history documents, and volumes from Judge Nash’s personal collections. The Library and the School share a rich history. Judge Nash graduated from New Hampton School at the age of 16, and from Dartmouth College in 1842. He briefly returned to New Hampton School to teach the classics before he began his law career in the Boston area. Though Judge Nash passed away before the library
doors opened in 1896, his legacy has generously contributed education, literature, history, and a place of community to the lives of many visitors. Throughout the spring and summer, our library staff worked hard to facilitate the merging of the collections of both the ARC and the Gordon-Nash. Renovations were completed this summer, and the library reopened in time for the start of the academic year. While the school begins its bicentennial celebration, the Gordon-Nash Library, too, is marking an anniversary—it’s 125th year. Library Director Jerrica Blackey and Curator of Special Collections Kent Bicknell ’65 now turn their eye toward utilizing the archival materials for displays both in the beloved library and on campus, while also preparing to welcome the greater community back to a newly refined space.
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
HEADLINES | MAIN STREET REFLECTIONS
Left: Students enjoy the updated facilities available just across Main Street. Top: Students in the 1950s hard at work in the Gordon-Nash Library.
LEARN MORE about the latest Gordon-Nash Library news and events. www.gordonnashlibrary.org
Unifying a beloved town resource and the school at this milestone provides an important time to reflect on history, honor our community, and imagine new possibilities ahead. And, yet, among this feeling of celebration also lies the air of change and becoming part of a greater whole. We look forward to the programs grown and created in the coming year, as well as sharing the archival items long stored in the Gordon-Nash Library. HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 23
HEADLINES | MAIN STREET REFLECTIONS
F R O M T H E A R C H IVES A S K T H E A RC H I V I S T Our Library Director and Archivist Jerrica Blackey experiences our school’s history in a manner and closeness that few experience first-hand— through the archives. From teaching a research techniques class to cataloging and storing individual items, her passion for creating a formal archive is evident in her day-to-day work. Blackey shares that there has always been a conscious effort to collect relevant historical documents. With the support of several alumni and staff, the Advancement Office holds its own basic archive as well. Early on in Blackey’s time at the school, she and others helped create a more formal version, combining physical articles of interest in one location. In preparation for the bicentennial, the work continues to itemize the entire collection, as well as celebrate the pieces within it. We asked her to highlight her current favorite pieces — which change frequently as more pieces are uncovered — and a few details about the archives.
Q. Where is the archive located? A. We have designated a space in the newly renovated GordonNash Library for the archive collection. Because we share the library with the Town of New Hampton, we will house Judge Nash’s books in that space as well. When the merger was completed in January 2020, we uncovered a significant number of historical items—both school and town related. We aim to create revolving displays from our collection to share with visitors.
Q. What is one thing you’d like the community to know about our archives? The archives are not simply stored away. They are living history pieces we use frequently. I teach a class called “Research Methods and Techniques: New Hampton School History.” Through this class, students learn about our school’s history with hands-on experience. They compare different parts of history through the eyes of past students who lived it. They get to look at our school history physically.
Q. What is your favorite piece from the archive? This is a tough one. Through preparations for our bicentennial, we’ve uncovered some significant items. I think it is a tie between two. The first is a letter from a boy named Evans Page to the very first teacher of our school written in 1825. It shows the class’ appreciation of Preceptor Richardson’s teachings. I instantly felt connected to Evans because he is from Tamworth, New Hampshire, which is where I live. I immediately went on a hunt to find more about him. I was saddened to learn he didn’t live to graduate from New Hampton. He died almost a year after he wrote the letter. The second item is the discovery of the Bradley sisters—Cornelia and Emily—as we have Emily’s memoir in the archive which includes details of her years here. Both had highly successful careers as popular authors. We know that they came to New Hampton because their uncle taught here for seven years. Cornelia attended from 1839-1841 and Emily from 1842-1846. I always find it fascinating and progressive that women were welcomed at school right from the beginning.
Jerrica Blackey has worked at New Hampton School since April 2008, serving as Archivist since 2014. Jerrica holds a BA in History and Religion from Granite State College and an MSLS in Library Science from Clarion University.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT OUR SCHOOL AND TOWN’S HISTORY? Contact Library Director and Archivist Jerrica Blackey at library@newhampton.org, and visit during Reunion Weekend 2021 for exhibits and conversations on history. 24 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
HEADLINES | MAIN STREET REFLECTIONS
MANITOU MOMENTS
There’s a great day coming sometime in the near future with what all the building, altering and re-modeling that is going on around campus. Everywhere you look someone is screwing seats onto floors, excavating, widening and leveling areas for construction of new additions to the dining hall, new athletic fields, extra study hall room, a new assembly hall and movie house. The reason for all this activity is the need for more room for the increasing number of students in attendance at New Hampton. Battle of the Bulge Those of you who are sitting in row 1 in the dining hall are familiar with the battle of the bulging canvas which will some glorious day be the entrance to the new section of the dining room. To Mr. LaBatt we extend the dubious honor of being the most popularly known casualty of the battle of the bulge. He has contracted a cold which he partially attributes to the sweetly singing breezes descending from the north and culminating in swirling eddies about his head. There are no other notables on the casualty list but on a windy night it is almost impossible to see row 1 under the billowing canvas surging in on that side of the room. The addition will be approximately 45’ by 35’ and will accommodate about 72 students and instructors. The Octagon Room has been pressed into service until the completion of the new section. It contains five tables and seats 28 students and a teacher. As soon as the addition is completed the Octagon Room will be used for the serving of coffee and cocoa in the morning and tea at lunch and dinner. This arrangement will ease the congestion in the kitchen. Meservey Assembly Hall Work was begun on the assembly hall in the basement of Meservey at the end of the summer term. It was predicted that the
hall would be finished by the middle of October and the estimation seems to have come true. For the first few weeks it has been necessary to show the moving pictures in the gymnasium and due to the lack of facilities the pictures shown have not been of the highest quality. A new 16 mm projector had been purchased for the presentation of movies in the new assembly hall until a booth can be built to house the 35 mm cameras. For those of you who don’t relish hiking the location of the chapel will be admirable. No longer will you have to tramp to the village church. All in the construction of the new chapel seems to be a quite popular project. Hockey Rink Improved Last year there was a great deal of trouble keeping the hockey rink frozen solid at the shallow end of the pool. Therefore, it has been decided to widen the pool and deepen it so that it will harden more readily. The water was so shallow last year that the thin ice cracked and left large puddles of water on top which froze and left bumps and hollows that interfered with the skaters. This year hockey will be played on smoother ice due to the alteration, and those who skate for the pleasure of it will also profit by the change. There will also be night skating under lights that were erected last year. A new football fields is under construction for the future use of the J.V. squad. This seems to be necessary due to the flood of students attending New Hampton. The field will, however, not be ready until next year. There has also been a new dorm bought for the accommodation of the new students. It is called Smith Hall and lodges the younger boys. ******* All these new facilities are molding New Hampton into a solid student body and campus. The average capacity of New Hampton in previous years has never exceeded one hundred and fifty-five students. But with the returning of many veterans and other students it makes it necessary for New Hampton to enlarge its capacity to one hundred and ninety boarding students, the largest enrollment in over fifty years.
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HEADLINES | MAIN STREET REFLECTIONS
John K. Simpson BY K ENT B I C K NEL L ' 6 5, ED. D
New Hampton School owes its existence to the vision, passion, and vigorous oversight of John Kelley Simpson (1787-1837).
Simpson departed his hometown of New Hampton when he was 18 and walked to Phillips Andover Academy. After a year at Andover, where he "found many acquaintances who have been valuable to me to this day,"(1) he continued to Boston to open a business. His successful import company operated out of the sumptuous John K. Simpson building next door to Faneuil Hall. As his children reached school-age, he offered the Freewill Baptists $10,000 to start a school in New Hampton. The Freewill Baptists, however, were opposed to formal religious education at the time and declined. Simpson moved ahead on his own. His uncle, William B. Kelley, and other prominent citizens were granted a charter for an academy by the State of New Hampshire. Simpson arranged for the construction of a school building and the hiring of a director. Relying on his three brothers to oversee many aspects of the school, Simpson recruited students to board with local families. On Monday, September 17, 1821, the new academy welcomed 40 students ages eight to eighteen, including 13 from Boston. The first instructor, or "preceptor," was George Richardson, an Episcopalian and recent Dartmouth College graduate chosen for his ability to deliver a diverse curriculum. While only one room was ready when the doors opened, the schoolhouse was a two-story wood-framed building, 24 by 32 feet. Judging from a surviving 1824 program of an "Exhibition at New-Hampton Academy," the curriculum was ambitious from the start.(2) The students presented orations in Latin, scenes from The Merchant of Venice, debates on religion vs. superstition, "the Greek Immigrants' Song," and "Hannibal's Speech to the Carthaginians," among other topics. Enrollment more than doubled to 87 for the second year. Harriet Lincoln Simpson was an equal partner with her husband in founding and sustaining the school. She spent a good deal of time in New Hampton over the years so that her young children could attend the school while her husband ran the business in Boston. (3) Until his death in 1837, Simpson funded the school, served on the Board, recruited students, and oversaw its development. This excerpt from an 1825 letter to his brother, James, offers a hint of his enthusiasm for its growth:
" You
need not crowd the students into one building when it would add so much to the appearance and respectability of the institution by having a neat and elegant set of buildings. Completing the additional building will add greatly to the reputation of the place." (4) [1] John K. Simpson to his parents, May 17, 1833, as published in The New Hampton Manitou, 1931 [2] Archives, New Hampton School [3] See Correspondence of the Simpson Family -Transcripts, Middlesex County Historical Survey, 1938, WPA Project 10538, Archives of Gordon-Nash Library at New Hampton School
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[4] Ibid.John K. Simpson to James Simpson, December 10, 1825
SIDELINE REPORT Sticks up! The 2017 Lakes Region Champions, Women's Varsity Lacrosse Team gathers in a huddle.
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CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS
THE BIG GAME
CL ASSMATES TO PACKMATES
Highlights over the last year in Husky Nation.
Two coaches reflect on especially memorable games.
The story of our husky mascot.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 27
2019-2020
CHAMPIONSHIPS FALL MEN’S VARSITY SOCCER NEPSAC Class B Tournament Quarterfinalist
WOMEN’S VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY NEPSAC Class C Tournament Quarterfinalist
WINTER MEN’S VARSITY BASKETBALL New Hampton Invitational Tournament Winner 2020 NEPSAC Class AAA Champions
WOMEN’S VARSITY BASKETBALL NEPSAC Class AA Basketball Tournament Semifinalist 2020 Lakes Region Champions
MEN’S VARSITY ICE HOCKEY NEPSAC Division I Small School Tournament Quarterfinalist Brooks/Pingree Holiday Tournament Champions
WOMEN’S VARSITY ICE HOCKEY NEPSAC Division I Small School Tournament Semifinalist 2020 Lakes Region Champions
WOMEN’S ALPINE SKIING NEPSAC Class C Championship Third Place Winner
Sadly, the spring sports season was suspended due to COVID-19. We look forward to seeing our Huskies back on the field in the Spring of 2021!
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS? Check out the athletics section of our website at www.newhampton.org/athletics.
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HEADLINES | SIDELINE REPORT
VICTORIOUS:
Huskies Embrace a Title and Legacy In a word, this past basketball season was electric. New Hampton School’s Men’s Varsity Basketball team claimed a title unachieved in the last 18 years of our school’s history during an intense game against Brewster Academy on Sunday, March 8, with a final score of 98-91. The journey of this season may not have been picture-perfect by the numbers, and with a coaching change between this season and last, many wondered how the year would play out. “We were not highly regarded in the preseason, and people thought that we were going to be a middle of the pack team,” shared Coach Andrew Gale. “These athletes didn’t have to come here, but they were committed to this school and me, even with the coaching change. They believed in me, the staff, and the program.” After sealing their trip to the championship in skillful wins during the quarter and semi-finals, the team traveled to Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts—a neutral court to tipoff against longtime league rival Brewster Academy. The Huskies worked the court, utilizing every member to their best advantage, with tournament standout performances from many players including championship game MVP Alex Karaban ’22, Jahmyl Telfort ’20, Evan Guillory ’21, Kerem Ozturk ’20, Christian Davis ’20, and others. With momentum on their side as they pulled ahead in overtime, the team played tough through to the final seconds to secure the program’s first NEPSAC title in 18 years. A strong foundation of exceptional players and coaches line the pages of history before this team, and this title secures a rarified place within our school’s basketball history. While we look forward to watching the team evolve over the coming years, we also reflect on the past. With 34 years of history in the Class A/AAA level, the
"This year’s team showed all the characteristics that the New Hampton School Basketball culture was founded on: toughness, teamwork, enthusiasm, and positive attitudes.” - Jamie Arsenault, Director of Athletics and Co-Curriculars
school’s team has been competitive, to say the least. Director of Athletics Jamie Arsenault notes, “We play in the most competitive league in the country and every game is a battle. We have built the program with great athletes who play a major part in the New Hampton School community.” Many players have gone on to compete in collegiate athletics, become professional basketball players in the NBA and other national leagues, and excel in careers as coaches and trainers. Other NEPSAC championship teams include: 1986, 1989, 1993, 1996, and 2002. The program also holds a large number of championship titles in the Lakes Region League. One such team was inducted into New Hampton School’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. Coached by Jeremiah Splain, the 1965 Men’s Basketball team holds a place in the program’s history as one of the most dominating teams, and many of the players remain fans, watching the games on livestream—especially the games against one of their favorite rivals: Brewster Academy. HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 29
HEADLINES | SIDELINE REPORT
SELECT YOUR AVATAR
Competitive Esports at New Hampton School This year at New Hampton School, a new co-curricular formed for esports—competitive gaming that highlights the strategic and stimulating fun sought after by many students. In the pandemic landscape this past spring term, the social and competitive connection that esports provides offered a small sense of normalcy and community. The growth in interest at schools led to, for the first time, a NEPSAC [New England Prep School Athletics Council] organized Esports championship tournament. Teams from Holderness, New Hampton, Proctor, and Tilton assembled their squads for an evening event in Fortnite, a game produced by Epic Games. Back in September, support for an esports co-curricular began with a call to action. One of the founding members, Ben Fridlington ’21, came up with the idea late in the spring of 2019 after playing games with many New Hampton School students. Fridlington shares, “I knew there were more people on campus who were interested, so I contacted Mr. Arsenault and got to work planning.” A quick email to the student population gained lots of interest, and with the help of the group’s
faculty advisor, Dr. Duncan, esports was underway.
making audible callouts help the teammates stay organized and oriented.
As a group, they set schedules and locations to come together and discuss strategies and play games. While popular games like Fortnite and Minecraft are among the mix, their favorite games to play include Overwatch, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Many of these games require intensive strategies in problem-solving and quick action. Furthermore, as they are online, the players encountered and environment can lack predictability. To be successful, players need skills, planning, and a little bit of luck.
Virtual competitions allow the opportunity to play with other schools, friends, and players from around the globe in any given session. For our area prep schools, the open collaboration between faculty advisors and coaches helped draw together events for students. Congratulations to the team this year on their competitions and in growing this engaging experience for New Hampton School.
Esports are similar to traditional sports in the need to utilize the strengths of your teammates, as well as the crucial qualities of focus and communication, to achieve the best result. And, also, practice is a necessity. Fridlington notes, “Being 100% focused on the game and the task at hand is essential. Esports, just like any other sport, takes an immense amount of practice to be successful. While the practice is not physically draining, it can definitely be mentally draining.” Experiential knowledge of the game and
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Above: Ben Fridlington '21 is a founding member of the esports team. 30 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
If you are someone looking to get into esports, Fridlington has advice:
Keep on practicing, and don’t listen to anyone telling you that you’re bad and should give up. Becoming good takes time, so just keep playing."
HEADLINES | SIDELINE REPORT
NEW HEIGHTS Our small, rural campus has vast outdoor resources with thanks to the exceptional climate and geographic features of New Hampshire. In the Lakes Region alone there are 273 lakes and ponds, and the state has 40 rivers, offering a wide range of water sports, recreation, and leisure options. When hiking calls, numerous hills and mountains abound—48 of them over 4,000 feet in elevation. It is no wonder that the Outdoor Club has been a mainstay in the New Hampton School community for decades. The opportunity to explore waterfalls, trails, forests, and shorelines would keep any Husky happy and engaged. This year, with the oversight of seasoned climber and faculty member Cody Heartz, students are embarking in a newly returning co-curricular inspired by a few weekend activity excursions last year: Rock Climbing. With world-renowned Rumney Rocks just a short drive away, in addition to the many climbing opportunities in White Mountain National Forest and other parks, Huskies are testing their grit as they accrue skills to safely ascend and descend the craggy rock faces of our Granite State. Left: A local climbing guide shows Sydney Marcus '23 the ropes at the Mount Washington Valley Ice Climbing Festival this past winter.
A HISTORY OF ADVENTURE Above: Earning the mountain views in 1954. Center: All smiles while at local climbing area Rumney Rocks in 1991. Right: A student enjoys indoor climbing in 1993.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 31
HEADLINES | SIDELINE REPORT
THE
BIG GAME
New Hampton School has been fortunate throughout its 200-year history to learn from many talented, competitive coaches. Two coaches, both of whom have been inducted into New Hampton School’s Athletic Hall of Fame, share their thoughts on an especially memorable game, acknowledging that selecting one game was a challenge.
O
n March 3, 1996, the Huskies made history by winning their first-ever New England Championship in Women’s Basketball defeating defending champions, Pomfret School, 46-38. “I remember our MVP Sherry Vestal ʼ96 cutting down the net like it was yesterday,” Coach Gara Field ʼ87 recalls. “Our team came together towards the end of the season and never turned back." With leading point guard, Kerri Shaughnessey ’96, injured, the team faced a daunting task. Hope Mathies-Raynor ʼ96 stepped up in Kerri’s place playing point guard for the first time all season, and rose to the challenge. Xina Caverly ’96, co-captains Erika Holmes ’96, Sherry Vestal ’96, and Shannon Miller ’97 rounded out the starting five and were all huge contributors to the winning game. Nancy Davis ʼ96 played her best game ever. Other members of the team included Jonelle Morrison ’96, Terre Parker ’97, Ashley Beznoska ’98, Melody Pescinski ’98, Alex Poh ’99, Manager Tiffany Barber, and Assistant Coach Bea Sponaugle. Knowing they were considered the underdog team, through their intensity in practices and mental toughness, they were able to realize their dream. “When we set our goals for the beginning of the season, winning the New Englands was one of them. I knew that we had the talent and the potential to win it all. But perhaps more importantly, the players came to believe in themselves and wanted to win for each other,” said Field. Three of the graduating seniors went on to play college basketball.
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This team was the catalyst for launching a consistently strong women’s basketball program at New Hampton School, as increasing numbers of talented young women joined Husky Nation and worked incredibly hard to develop a team and a program which earned two more New England Championships (1999, 2000) in a short period of time, moved the program from Class C to Class B level of competition, and in Coach Field’s words, “are the epitome of Husky Pride.” Gara is humbled by and proud of being a part of the foundation of developing a women’s basketball program. She credits much of her success as a basketball coach to her colleague and mentor Mark Tilton who spent countless hours offering advice and sharing the amazing depth of his coaching expertise so selflessly. When asked what goes into building a team, Gara relied on her Outward Bound training: commitment ceremonies, team meetings, organizing team activities off-campus that would bring her players closer together, helping them realize that they are part of something bigger than their individual selves. She emphasized words of inspiration from other successful athletes and coaches: former baseball player Bob Tewksbury, “Have a dream, make a plan, do the work;” and former Tennesee Coach Pat Summit, “My real victories and championships are not made of polished wood and metal. My victories are you.”
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ith over 20 years coaching experience at New Hampton, to Mark Tilton the football game at Belmont Hill for the New England Class B Championship stands out—a team guided by Head Coach Craig Kozens, and veteran assistant coaches includes Harrison Golden and himself. This game provided a second straight Class B Super Bowl title, launching the Huskies into the Class A level for subsequent years. Described as the underdog by The Boston Globe, New Hampton’s football team arrived at Belmont Hill on game day, November 20, 1999 with a successful 8-0 season and a week of consistently aggressive practice sessions behind them. They were warmly greeted by the Belmont Hill athletic director and coaching staff; nearby were a multitude of Belmont Hill tailgaters and students adding their own less-than-welcoming words. A huge tent was set up nearby as Belmont Hill fans anticipated celebrating their undefeated season with the day's impending victory. The Huskies came out strong with Jamaal Branch ’00 taking the ball all the way down the field, barreling through several defensive linemen, and scoring a touchdown on this first play of the game. The touchdown was called back, but the tone was set: New Hampton Huskies were here to play, and they completely dominated the entire game. Coming out of halftime with a score of 17-6, quarterback Mark Shedlock '00 led two separate drives resulting in two additional touchdowns by teammates. Two more touchdowns would seal Belmont Hill’s fate and the final score was 39-6. At the end of the
game, Belmont Hill fans, coaches and athletic director had mysteriously disappeared; the tent remained empty, void of a post-game celebratory reception. “It was the country boys versus the city boys,” Tilton noted, “and the country boys came out on top.” In fact, The Boston Globe article the next day captured the statistic that New Hampton School held Belmont Hill to fewer yards than running back Jamaal Branch logged himself that day. Branch ran 158 yards and scored two of the winning touchdowns. The game and, in fact, the entire season’s success was the result of a cohesive team that was physically and mentally tough and aggressive. The season was a team effort from the very start with an experienced group of senior lineman, a stellar quarterback, a strong postgraduate presence and a uniquely talented special teams whose contributions, perseverance and game domination were admirable. So much so that this team was inducted into the New Hampton School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. Reflecting on the 1999 football team, Tilton shares, “They were a very talented group. But above all, they were a team made up of individuals who cared about each other and who gave everything they had to help their teammates be successful. Ultimately their success is not measured in wins, but who they became after the games had been played.”
LEGENDS MADE HERE Established in 2006, the New Hampton School Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates the exceptional coaches, players, teams, and loyal friends of our athletics who have made great contributions both on the playing fields and in the community. Athletics at our school is about more than the score. It is about hard work and commitment, about relationships and teamwork, and about pride and humility. These individuals and teams have helped bring distinction, recognition, honor, and pride to New Hampton School. HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 33
HEADLINES | SIDELINE REPORT
E VO LU T I O N O F THE HUSKY
Classmates to Packmates
If you ask any alumni in the past quarter-century about New Hampton School's mascot, the answer is immediate: a Husky, of course! We are Husky Nation, and full of Husky Pride. But has the school mascot always been a Husky?
The Honorable Alford Dempsey '65 shares his story of how the husky was selected during his sophomore year. Growing up in the southern United States, Dempsey was very familiar with such animate mascots as bulldogs, wolverines, and other school spirit symbols. He convinced his fellow Student Council members that New Hampton School could benefit from such a mascot. With a blessing from Headmaster T. Holmes Moore '38, the Student Council created a contest and solicited suggestions from the student body. He recalls that faculty member John Conkling's family pet was an Alaskan Malamute pup at the time. It stands to consider: could this have influenced the selection of a husky as New Hampton's mascot? Dempsey speculates that this is the case. While there appears to be less emphasis on the husky mascot amongst a handful of '70s era alumni queried, by the late '80s, a costumed husky was present primarily at football and basketball games. As the athletic programs and teams continued to expand and strengthen in the '90s, the words "Husky Pride" became more frequent and common when describing school spirit. The arrival of Andrew Menke in 2005 as Head of School saw his strong determination to enhance and expand school spirit within the community. "Husky Nation" became a buzz-phrase. The fully costumed husky appeared more and more at games, school events, and celebrations. As an enduring symbol that now marks the campus, the Class
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1965
of 2007's class gift is the granite husky statue perched above the lower fields that keeps watch over the school. This statue was a gift nurtured in part by the tragic loss of their classmate Guy AlangNtang '07 who passed away earlier that year. In 2010, the Athletic Department sought to add a permanent name to New Hampton's beloved mascot and chose to honor a recently retired faculty member, Harrison Golden, with a formal presentation and recognition. Golden is a beloved and respected teacher, coach, and dorm parent who retired in 2007 after a 38-year tenure. The mascot is now affectionately referred to as Harry the Husky. This name is much to the delight of young faculty and staff children, who are honorarily called Husky pups with their own branded Husky pup t-shirts. They ask for Harry by name and get pictures taken with the mascot at campus events. After many years of use, the husky costume was in desperate need of a facelift. The Class of 2013 provided a much-needed, new Husky costume as their class gift to New Hampton School. Our Husky mascot encourages our community to exhibit the highest caliber of sportsmanship, as enthusiastic, but respectful spectators. Students arrive on campus each fall to begin another school year, eagerly greeting each other, their teachers, and coaches, but also look forward to a posed photo with the tangible symbol of Husky Nation—Harry the Husky.
1993
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THEN & NOW Lean, sit, create, or enjoy the view - how you use the bus is up to you.
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THEATER & LITERARY SOCIETIES
ON THE AIRWAVES
EVOLUTION OF THE HAMPTONIA
LESSONS FROM HISTORY
Our roots in literature and the creative arts.
Experience at WNHS inspires careers in radio.
Chronicling the stories of our institution.
A 20th century pandemic reminds us of the power of adaptation. HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 35
THE SHOW MUST GO ON For many years, theatrical performances at New Hampton School were staged by the social and literary fraternities on campus. Some performances included a full play, while others included an arrangement of scenes, poetry readings, or other dramatic readings. While theater today is part of the arts department, for many years it was a foundation within the English department as students read and performed dramatic literature. Historic firsts such as student-directed and studentwritten plays are in contention. The excitement fueling these student-driven productions serve to highlight the continuing passion and creativity of generations of community members. This past year, we experienced a grand fall production of Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice, an adaptation of the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The tale is an origin story of Peter Pan inspired by the 1904 classic play by J.M. Barrie. Our winter production was An Evening of One-Acts, highlighting three studentdirected one-act plays, one of which was born from collaboration by two students: Jake Schottenfeld ’20 and Magal Conard ’21. Magal and Jake created the concept together, leading Jake to write the piece, while Magal took the director’s helm. Eva Petschek ’20 and Gillian Bonin ’21 directed the one-act Sure Thing by David Ives and Scheherazade by Emily Roderer, respectively. By March of this year, the annual spring musical was cast just as the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. However, the show went on. Utilizing technology, homemade costumes and sets, the cast became their own personal crew as they recorded scenes remotely to bring the Broadway musical Once Upon a Mattress to life. This creative solution to staging a play at New Hampton School, needless to say, is an uncontended first. Left: Students explored the reaches of Neverland in the fall 2019 production of Peter and the Starcatcher.
Did you know? McEvoy Theater has been the home of our theater department since its construction in 1987. In prior years, performances lit up the stage in Meservey’s former gymnasium and in Lane Hall as shown here. 36 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
HEADLINES | THEN & NOW
SEEDS OF INSPIRATION Jabberwocky, Literati, and the student voice Creative expression allows us to consider, think, grow—to tell a story. Whether by camera, paintbrush, pen, or pencil, Jabberwocky and Literati picked up where our school’s prior literary societies and fraternities left off by expressing and elevating student voices. The resulting publications left behind each year grant us insight into each era as students often reflect on events around them and conventions on common themes of adolescence, student, gender, color, or humanity.
Jabberwocky rose in popularity as a club in the 1900s, named after the monstrous Jabberwock in Lewis Carroll’s 1871 novel Through the Looking-Glass. The dragon-like creature occasionally illuminated end-pages within the journals, or as inspiration for the artwork within. It continued into the early 2000s, completing its decades long journey of amplifying artist and student voices, and serving as the primary art journal of the school.
In 2015, students revived the initiative with a new angle, and a primarily web-based following. This new form, now known as Literati, is defined as the official literary magazine of the school and includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, artwork, and recorded performances from Voices of New Hampton. The Literati staff complete one full online issue each year with five years’ of publication now in its catalog.
STAY INSPIRED Visit literati.newhampton.org for current issues and to read the blog.
Above Left: The Walk by Kym Khoa 'Karina' Nguyen '18. Above Right: Self-Portrait by Madison Adler '17. Lower Right: Crimson Howls by Leopold Spieler '20.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 37
HEADLINES | THEN & NOW
Left: Officers Dan Taylor '69 (pictured) and Steve Cumming '69 transformed WNHS from a dormant student activity to the most active club on campus. Right: The members of the WNHS staff bring spirit to the radio booth in 1989.
BY BE TH OS G O O D DO DG E P ' 07, ' 0 9
There are several elements which contribute to creating a campus culture. One component at New Hampton was the unifying language of music coalescing students from all over the world around their love of pop records. Radio became a popular media in the 1920s in the United States, supporting an immediate delivery of newscasts, sporting events, weather reports, stories, commentary, and music. It was not long until it also became popular on school campuses across the country.
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WNHS was the student radio station from the 1950s until 2000, found at 640 on the AM band in the early days. It broadcast on a carrier current signal which meant the dorms could pick it up, but the signal didn’t extend much past “the island” of campus. Working at the radio station was a club activity that attracted several dozen students each year. Lou Gnerre, a faculty member who began at New Hampton in 1957, humorously recounted, “Don Wehde ’59 ran the radio station and gave me many sleepless nights monitoring the programs for indelicate content.” While there were a few years when WNHS fell out of service, it was a very popular co-curricular with an engaged campus audience. Dan Paradis served as the faculty advisor for the radio station for many of its active years. With a background in electrical engineering and a passion for radio, he is often the first name that our alumni reference when speaking of the station. Paradis remembers students being the driving force behind WNHS, even
HEADLINES | THEN & NOW
referencing one student, Jeff Prahm ’71, as he recounted the tale of selling “very professional sounding” advertisements. Since their time here at New Hampton School, several alumni turned the seminal experience into rewarding careers.
STEVE CUMMING ’69 Steve Cumming ’69, chose New Hampton School precisely because of its student radio station having known he wanted a career in radio since he was a young child. Shortly after arriving as a sophomore in 1966, he discovered the radio station hadn’t been operating for a few years. Thankfully, the following spring two seniors, Bill Ring ’67 and Brad Peakes ’67, got it up and running with the help of Physics teacher Dan Paradis who handmade the operating board that controlled the mics and turntables. The station was located in the closet under the stairs of Lane Hall complete with acoustic tiles on the wall, two turntables and a reelto-reel tape machine. Steve says the station played mostly music, but he remembers Ralph Walker ’69 would cover men’s basketball games, record his play-by-play, and play it back on the air after the game. After graduation from Miami University (Ohio), Steve worked at several major market stations and currently is a news anchor at three separate stations in Washington, D.C., Dallas/Forth Worth and Los Angeles. Steve says he has never forgotten that New Hampton gave him his start in a career he had long desired and is still enjoying 53 years later.
BILL MOYES ’66 Bill Moyes ’66, first became involved with the station helping with the engineering and maintenance of the equipment, but one day the DJ didn’t show, he was asked to take on the shift, and he caught the bug. He remembers it was a great time for music and WNHS was the only place for students to hear current hits. Following graduation from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, he was leading the radio division for a major broadcasting market researcher when a former Tuck student approached him to buy a radio station together. Simultaneously, he started his own research firm called The Research Group which he built into a worldwide leader. Steve owned 35 stations when he and his business partner launched a satellite-delivered radio network that grew to over 1000 radio station clients. His company then merged with a company owned by Dick Clark. Bill went on to start another research firm where he still
works with selected radio station clients to this day. Moyes says the value of New Hampton is that “you never know when a student will get excited by something and where it will lead them. New Hampton did that for me in spades.”
AJ VAZIFDAR ’89 AJ Vazifdar, ’89 better known as “Crozby” to his listeners on 92.5 The River, WXRV in Boston, remembers having a night show his senior year on WNHS. He was mostly into rap in those days, emulating the cool students on campus with their pulsating big boom boxes. AJ was a local kid, the son of a well-known Meredith doctor. He remembers the radio station being located in the cottage overlooking the pond. He says he left campus for a semester in England and came back to find the station had been moved to the new student center between the Moore Arts and Athletic Center and the dining hall. AJ has worked in radio for 30 years and is a fixture on Boston’s The River. AJ says New Hampton set him up to succeed in his radio career and he credits teachers like Mark Tilton and Dan Paradis who made all the difference.
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When I enrolled in New Hampton the location of the radio station had been moved around campus and ended in Lane Hall where English and languages were instructed. The room itself was really no more than a large broom closet. The signal was strong enough to cover the school buildings and the downtown area of New Hampton. A graduate with some knowledge of electronics came back and boosted the signal for about three days to the point that it was going several miles. There was some concern that the FAA would be upset with us if our signal caused trouble. Somehow we were put on the list of radio stations to receive singles to be played. The selection of records was not extensive so the singles were often played. These were Top 10 type songs so they were enjoyable. I remember “All Along the Watch Tower”, “Wedding Bell Blues” by the Fifth Dimension, “Age of Aquarius” from the Broadway play “Hair” and various Beatle songs. At college I earned my third class engineer license as a freshman. The college station needed plenty of people with licenses and so that meant I immediately had air time at the college station. Quite an improvement of facilities and equipment but the introduction at New Hampton was always kept in mind.
C U R R E N T LY ON CAMPUS
Learning the Art of Podcast Storytelling An idea started years ago to create a school podcast. After a successful podcasting class last year, co-teachers Anna Koester and Kyle Masterson collaborated with the alumni office and Cindy Buck, our Bicentennial Coordinator, to brainstorm an idea. In March, the idea became fully realized as Huskies embarked on a podcast adventure during Project Week. To accomplish the project’s goal, in addition to locating interviewees, the students enlisted their skills in public speaking, engagement, journalism, as well recording techniques. Their outreach was met with excitement as nearby alumni eagerly answered the call to meet and help their fellow Huskies. Interviews were conducted with a number of alumni including Collin Bray ’02, Elibet Moore Chase ’75, Chris Collins ’86, Eric Dean ’10, Freddy Petkus ’01, Eric Phillipi ’59, and Kaleigh Teague ’10. Koester shares, “We were excited to meet with alumni and get to know their stories; the more they told us, the more respect we all developed for what makes New Hampton School special.” The results are available to listen to online.
LISTEN TO BICENTENNIAL PODCAST #1 soundcloud.com/kwmasterson/bicentennialpodcast
- John Horton ʼ70
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 39
PAST MAGAZINE COVERS
1883
1917
1985
1987
1992
1997
2002
2006
2016
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HEADLINES | THEN & NOW
E VOLU T IO N OF TH E H AM PTON IA The Hamptonia first emerged on March 26, 1883. A yearly subscription fee for four issues was 75 cents, while a single copy cost 20 cents. The inaugural issue was prefaced by an article on the founding of New Hampton's Social Fraternity, by John Wentworth in 1830. The second issue highlighted the founding of the Literary Adelphi in 1827 by Dana Woodman. These two literary societies alternated responsibility for managing and editing each issue. Hamptonia was a student-driven publication under the purview of faculty advisors. It included editorials, lengthy articles addressing contemporary issues, campus news, alumni news, obituary notices, college news, and even news from other independent schools. Advertisements helped underwrite expenses. Clarence Burleigh '83, the first Chief Editor of Hamptonia, contributed an article on how the magazine got its start, published in 1883. While title contenders such as The Student's Gazette and The New Hampton Reporter were in the running, Hamptonia was the only suggestion unanimously endorsed by the students and faculty. It was recommended that the magazine be 25-30 pages in length and notably similar to the Dartmouth College publication. Individual profiles were common to celebrate the accomplishments of its alumni body, including those serving in New Hampshire's State Legislature, Judicial System, and the Governor's office. Richard Patee, Class
of 1899, wrote an article highlighting "Changes at New Hampton," taking the opportunity to chronicle important historical events such as the transition from long-standing Head of School Atwood Bond Meservey to the new leadership of Frank Wesley Preston. When Meservey passed away in 1901, faculty member Shirley J. Case wrote a thoughtful tribute to this contemporary, transformative leader. As the school struggled with enrollment in the early 1900s, Hamptonia also struggled to retain and grow paid subscriptions. More advertisements appeared, and the overall length of the magazine diminished. In Spring 1923, Hamptonia published its last issue for several decades.
THE MANITOU ENTERS With the departure of Hamptonia, the community soon embraced a new format for sharing school happenings. The first issue was published in August 1928 and called New Hampton News, and the second issue showcased a new school song entitled "Our Fighting Team." By November 1928, this publication had a professionally printed, newspaper format, and a new name—The Manitou. The name is linked to "The Great Spirit," revered by the Penacook tribe of indigenous people of the Wabanaki Confederacy known throughout the Merrimack River valley in New England. The name was selected then to instill greater readership, promote school
spirit, and develop enhanced respect for school traditions. Shorter articles and plentiful photographs depicted student life, athletic contests, the arts, and notable historical events such as the story of Randall Hall as it was being refurbished in 1929.
RETURN OF HAMPTONIA While The Manitou was the school's student voice for several decades, Hamptonia re-emerged in the early 1980s under the management of school administrators with faculty assistance. In this new iteration, the student's voice became less frequent. By the early 1990s, the publication exuded a strong marketing focus as a tool for admission recruitment. With the arrival of Head of School Jeffrey Pratt Beedy in 1992, the publication added a Head of School's message and research-based articles on educational methodology. Today, Hamptonia appears subscriptionfree in mailboxes, digital and physical, once annually, and is a celebrated and collectible publication among our alumni, parents, and friends. It showcases our community's depth and breadth through feature articles, event stories, news, community member profiles, and engaging images. In recent years, it has received several publication awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
BROWSE THE HAMPTONIA ARCHIVE ONLINE The past ten years of the Hamptonia are available for viewing online at www.issuu.com/newhamptonschool.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 41
LESSONS FROM HISTORY New Hampton School’s Life During a Pandemic and War-Time
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n the academic year of 1918-1919, New Hampton School, then known as the New Hampton Literary Institute, experienced several critical moments in step with the rest of society. Under the leadership of a new principal, Harold A. Smith, the year began much as it had for the few years prior. Classes engaged, new teachers welcomed, new
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courses introduced, and letters from alumni on the frontlines in Europe arrived frequently. The school also reinstituted the football team after a three-year break. Plans had begun for the Centennial celebration in 1921 with hopes for many alumni attendees and a campaign launched for a landmark $150,000 endowment.
HEADLINES | THEN & NOW
Reading the voices of our school through the Hamptonia offers a few lessons in hope, joy, persistence, and the idea of doing what needs to be done. The years of 1918-1919 and the next few that followed experienced challenges. The highs were grand, and the lows were overcome through care and hard work. World War I, also known as the Great War, had started in 1914. The school at this time was still co-educational, and students thrived in an environment where they were called to focus on their studies and to serve their country through volunteer opportunities. In the spring of 1918, the first wave of Spanish influenza began to spread, particularly in the war zones of Europe. This illness was an avian-borne influenza strain of unknown origin that gained its name due to the strong persistence of the Spanish media in reporting on the disease, while some other countries reportedly suppressed coverage due to the war. Here at New Hampton, the school was largely unaffected by the first wave, and instead continued their thoughts on the war.
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the boys and girls to counteract the demoralizing influence of such a war as is now going on.” — Hamptonia Vol. 38, Issue 3: April 1918
Students enjoyed a fall formal during the sixth week of classes as usual. On October 2, the school hosted a reception for New Hampton alumni who had served for ‘our great country’ and returned from the war. Within a week, on October 9, the school closed due to the second wave of influenza. They shared that “it is not known that any of the students had the pleasure of the disease.” Classes resumed on October 21, and shortly thereafter November arrived with tremendous diverting news.
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Because we are at war, student life has not decreased in importance, but on the other hand, the school is more essential than in times of peace. The tendency is to forget studies in our patriotic duties. But to study in preparation for life is as patriotic as to knit for the Red Cross, or to give to the YMCA. We must not minimize the great duties, neither must we forget our studies. There are several reasons why schoolwork must not be neglected. In the first place, we must be trained to do efficiently the work of the thousands of boys that will be lost in the great conflict. This is the more important because after the war there will come a reconstruction period, and it will be our duty as men and women to settle many difficult questions in a way to avoid needless suffering. We must make in the next few decades the most progress that has ever been made. It will require the united efforts of all
October, although no members of the school had it at that time. The second week of December the epidemic started among the students, and before December 14, when the school closed, there were nearly twenty-five cases. When school reopened on January 6, nearly everyone— teachers included—had at least a touch of the flu. The arrangement has been made to make up two weeks’ work by keeping ten Saturday mornings, and the rest by shortened vacations and lengthened lessons. It requires much labor on the part of both teachers and pupils to make this year a success, but with cooperation it can and shall be done.”
On Monday, November 11, N.H.L.I. celebrated the surrender of Germany. Bells pealed forth, whistles blew, and fireworks went off around and in the buildings during the day. There was no school in the afternoon, while in the evening a celebration took place. […] That the spirit has not yet departed is proven by the occasional disturbance which arises as the result of a stray cannon cracker.” – Hamptonia, Volume 39, Issue 1: November 1918
The war had ended. From these issues, we also learn from the reflections of many New Hampton soldiers through their submitted letters back to their alma mater. Days that were good, days that were bad, and small joys they found along the way—from viewing a herd of quiet Swiss cattle to finding a moment of peace and fresh air on top of a mountain. As fall wound down, the school was busy preparing for the holidays and its annual Reunion, hosted each January in Concord, New Hampshire. However, the second wave surged in New Hampshire in December, sickening many students and prompting another closure.
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Our school, like many others, has suffered much from the influenza epidemic. Still, we consider ourselves very fortunate that all of our members were able to return. Three weeks were lost when the episode was raging in
– Hamptonia Vol 39, Issue 2: March 1919
As influenza moved on, the attentions of the school returned to finding normalcy and they worked hard to make up for the weeks of lost classes. Before Commencement, the spring term brought the joy of a reinstated formal and the return of the School Walk in May, also known historically as Foliage Day or Mountain Day.
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Commencement is rapidly approaching and the school year is drawing to its close. It has been an extraordinary year for several reasons, first: the school has been twice closed because of the influenza and six weeks have been lost; again the beginning of the year found us with almost entirely a new staff of teachers and with a new principal and new courses installed. […] By shortening the vacations and utilizing our Saturday forenoons we have made up the six week’s work lost, and feel that the cooperation of teacher and student has brought about this result. […] All in all, New Hampton has made a very creditable record in a most trying year, and we may look forward to next year with the greatest hope for the further success of our grand old school.” – Hamptonia Vol. 39, Issue 3: May 1919
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 43
HEADLINES | THEN & NOW
A PANDEMIC MOVEMENT Porchraits at New Hampton School As the pandemic took hold of the world this spring, we paused many of the ways in which we tell stories at New Hampton School. Students, faculty, and staff experienced a definitive separation in March due to federal mandates on school closures and travel limitations. Similar to New Hampton’s closures during the 1918 influenza pandemic, the school adapted in new ways to complete the classwork needed to accomplish a full term. Technology was the bridge this time as it allowed coursework to continue remotely across many states and continents. The abrupt change in the semester also affected the way in which we accomplished storytelling within the community. One example arrived through media inspiration. In what is now an iconic and historical movement known as Porchraits, photographers around the world captured images of quarantined families outside of their homes—just steps outside of their front doors and relative safety. These images can be found throughout social media and news sites. Outside of our community, some of the porchraits evoke joy, humor, and togetherness, while some harvest the bittersweet moments of isolation, and others still evoke the need to slow down, hold on to one another, and take a family portrait to remember. Within our community, the movement offered familiar faces in familiar settings to connect through images and as a tender means of sharing community connection. By early summer, this movement largely faded from the media spotlight but the images remain as a global exhibition of the power of human connection through photography. Thank you to staff photographer Kaleb Hart for capturing these moments for New Hampton School. Top Right: The Schwab family outside their campus home. Center Left: Nicole Siciliano, Director of Counseling Services. Center Right: Faculty members Ryan and Sierra Henry. Bottom Left: Joe and Eileen Williams P'22 with their pups Bowdoin and Bentley. Bottom Right: Faculty member Meredith Brown with her family.
Keep up with Husky Nation from afar! Visit our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/nhshuskynation. 44 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
CONNECTIONS
Steve Wise addresses the parents and Class of 1961 at the New Hampton School’s 141st Commencement, held on Meservey Lawn.
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COMMENCEMENT
HISTORY OF REUNION
NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL ICONS
Celebrating the graduates of the Class of 2020 during an unprecedented time.
Reflecting on one of our favorite time-honored traditions.
Our alumni remember the community builders of New Hampton School. HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 45
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A Historic 199th
COMMENCEMENT On Saturday, May 23, 2020, New Hampton School’s Class of 2020 celebrated 105 graduates with classmates, families, faculty, and staff at our 199th Commencement. The now historical ceremony was held virtually, with attendees from 12 countries. Head of School Joe Williams acknowledged the interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic and identified compassion and empathy among the many emotions presented this spring. From feelings of disbelief and loss to moments of unexpected joy, our individual journeys have been unique. The lawn in front of Meservey, a familiar site for years of New Hampton School graduations, remained quiet under the maple trees as families turned to their laptops and televisions to partake in the virtual celebration. Among the speakers were Board of Trustees Chairman Karl Kimball ’74, Student Body Co-Presidents Zola Braswell ’20 and Tulio Tagliaferri ’20, Cum Laude Speaker Xinying “Sally” Wang ’20, and Ben Cecil Commencement Speaker Ian Boisvert ’20. Williams reflected on the class’ journey, highlighting the new tradition of senior dinners held at Smith House with he and Mrs. Williams. Each dinner brought with it new stories and insight into the relationships and bonds of this class. Williams also described the feeling of loss this spring. “This global pandemic that has undermined your spring is also bringing to the forefront both raw emotion and real fear for some, while others take things in stride. It is in these times of volatility that it is increasingly important for you to get to know people, to be aware, and to be involved. Be aware of your environment, your impact on those around you, how to keep yourself and those you care for safe, and how you can apply the skills learned at New Hampton to participate in positive change.[...] We all now play a more vital role in our efforts to return to a more normal life—one filled with health, happiness, and personal interaction.” Williams compelled the class to make service to others a regular part of their lives. To join organizations that mattered to them, to volunteer, and consider the possibilities of their future with open eyes.
A FRESH TAKE ON TRADITIONS Due to the pandemic, diplomas for our 199th Commencement were mailed in advance to each of our graduates along with caps, tassels, and other gifts from New Hampton School. One beloved tradition includes the presentation of diplomas by legacy family members—a brother, sister, parent, or other family relation, sometimes inclusive of many members over generations— who are connected to New Hampton School as an alumna/us. The legacy family members traditionally stand with the Head of School and Board Chair on stage and confer the diploma to the graduate. After facing many unavoidable compromises, our community did not yield on this tradition, but instead reinvented it. With heart-warming cooperation, the families shared congratulations to their graduates. Following the ceremony, graduates and their families shared pictures of their celebrations at home, helping to elevate the joy of the day over great distances.
The Class of 2020 and their families celebrated their graduation virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 47
C l a s s o f 2 0 2 0 Vo i c e s
CONNECTIONS | CLASS OF 2020
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The people that we have grown to love at New Hampton are going to be in our lives forever. Because of this, we know that the power in New Hampton’s community grows as every class graduates and the Class of 2020 is no exception.” — Zola Braswell ’20, Class Co-President
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We were separated too soon but, ironically, I believe that it made us realize how much of our heart is green. To New Hampton School, I will love you forever. You were there for the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. Thank you for turning a disgruntled boy into the man you see today. This global pandemic should serve as a reminder of why we are so lucky.” — Tulio Tagliaferri ’20, Class Co-President
A CLASS REUNITED The Class of 2020 plan to return to campus for a second ceremony in the spring of 2021. We look forward to welcoming them and offering closure to this historic class.
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SENIOR AWARDS CUM L AUDE SOCIET Y Davis Bone, San Diego, California Riccardo D’Agata, Bologna, Italy Tristan MacDonald, Meredith, New Hampshire Samantha Thomas, Great Falls, Virginia Xinying “Sally” Wang, Ningbo, China Alexander Bechard, Halifax, Nova Scotia Connor Campbell-Diehl, Jackson, New Hampshire Leopold Spieler, Bad Homburg, Germany Tulio Tagliaferri, San Anselmo, California William Wood, Franklin, New Hampshire JOE PL AIA OUTSTANDING MALE ATHLETE William Wood, Franklin, New Hampshire
CLASS OF 2020 MATRICULATION Amherst College Bates College Bentley University Boston University Bowdoin College Brown University Chapman University College of Charleston Cornell University Dartmouth College
JOE PL AIA OUTSTANDING FEMALE ATHLETE Anna Shelden, Kenai, Alaska
Drexel University
GOLDEN-TILTON POSTGRADUATE AWARD Robert Farrell, Wilmington, Massachusetts
Emerson College
VISUAL ARTS AWARD Tristan MacDonald, Meredith, New Hampshire
Embry Riddle Endicott College Harvard College Johnson & Wales University, Providence Lemoyne College
PERFORMING ARTS AWARD Eva Petschek, Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Maine Maritime Academy
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT AWARD Danielle Momoh, Lagos, Nigeria
New York University
HISTORY DEPARTMENT AWARD Zola Braswell, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Merrimack College Northeastern University Pennsylvania State University Plymouth State University Pratt Institute-Main
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT AWARD Francesco Colombo, Milano, Italy Samantha Thomas, Great Falls, Virginia
Providence College
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARD Xinying “Sally” Wang, Ningbo, China
Roger Williams University
WORLD L ANGUAGE DEPARTMENT AWARD Tulio Tagliaferri, San Anselmo, California
Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rose Bruford College Sacred Heart University Saint Anselm College Saint Michael’s College
THE RALPH S. O’CONNOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING PRIZE Charlie Smith, Visual Arts Faculty
Salisbury University
THE BARBARA GUARDENIER MASTER TEACHING CHAIR IN SCIENCE AWARD Dr. Kimberly Duncan, Science Faculty
St Lawrence University
Sewanee: The University of the South Springfield College Suffolk University Syracuse University The University of Tampa
COMMENCEMENT AWARDS MESERVEY MEDAL William Wood, Franklin, New Hampshire CITIZENSHIP MEDAL Zola Braswell, Portsmouth, New Hampshire INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY AWARD Tristan MacDonald, Meredith, New Hampshire Xinying “Sally” Wang, Ningbo, China ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL GROW TH MEDAL Ian Boisvert, Hampstead, New Hampshire
Trinity College Tulane University of Louisiana Universita Bocconi University at Albany, SUNY University College Dublin University of California-Los Angeles University of Chicago University of Denver University of Maine University of Massachusetts-Amherst University of New Hampshire University of Pennsylvania University of Rochester
BEN CECIL COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Ian Boisvert, Hampstead, New Hampshire
University of Utah
FACULT Y AWARD Noah Bolduc, Gilmanton, New Hampshire Hannah Hibbert, Center Harbor, New Hampshire Taze Thompson, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Waseda University
University of Vermont Westminster College Wheaton College Worcester Polytechnic Institute HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 49
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199 YEARS of COMMENCEMENTS Under the elms and maples, or in packed rooms, Commencements at New Hampton School have witnessed the success of academic achievement since 1822. Whether our graduates move forward to further academic studies, military service, careers, families, or other pursuits, this unifying experience common to them all marks the highest celebration of the student experience. 1. A horse and buggy rides down Main Street as graduates line up for Commencement in the early 1900s. 2. Newly graduated alumnae stand in front of Meservey Hall in 1898. 3. An indoor graduation during the 1920s. 4. Head of School Bud Moore presents John F. Bamman with the Meservey Medal in 1967. 5. Members of the Class of 1981 take their celebration on the road. 6. Senior Class President Patti Ann Germani leads her classmates in happy smiles at the 1992 Commencement. 7. The Class of 2005 as viewed from a Meservey Hall window. 8. Alumnae friends embrace at the close of the 2011 Commencement ceremony. 9. Shaojie 'Andres' Yang addresses his fellow classmates in 2018.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 51
TOGETHER IN TIME A HISTORY OF REUNITING ALUMNI
In a year without Reunion, reconnecting through stories, pictures, and print may at first seem odd. But in truth, this is one of the many ways our school has remained connected for decades.
CONNECTING THROUGH WORDS Very early in the Hamptonia's history, the literary societies shared that, “Each alumnus feels a deep interest in all others and is desirous of knowing their success in life. To assist the New Hampton alumni in obtaining such information we have purposed to use Hamptonia as a medium. In each issue as many columns will be devoted entirely to the interests of the alumni as can be filled with interesting facts concerning it.” (Hamptonia, June 1888, Vol VI, No. 4). These alumni columns shared news of people moving, returning to the area, getting married, graduating college, visiting their school, and even anecdotes of their adventures.
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Though they did not call them class notes as we do now, this important feature was added to the pages of the periodical as a means to reconnect alumni. A majority of alumni, even in modern days with advances in transportation, are not able to return to campus annually due to distance or otherwise. In this framework, class notes may be considered a reunion in words—a means of connection, networking, celebration, and, at times, mourning—while also sharing details among generations of alumni who share the school as their common bond.
ASSOCIATIONS AND REGIONAL EVENTS So, too, do we find traces of our new Alumni Association in our school’s past. In 1889, they report a regional association formed in Boston. “At the Revere House an organization was perfected to be known as the New Hampton Association of teachers and students residing in Boston and vicinity. Some 400 reside hereabouts who have
been connected with this Granite State institution. They adopted a constitution, provided for an annual reunion, and elected officers.” (January 1889, Vol VII, No. 2) At their reunion amongst friends in Boston, it is noted that music was provided by ‘the cadet orchestra’. The group also sang along to the piano with Vice President and Judge Stephen Gordon Nash who composed the alumni song. Other such regional gatherings have continued over the past century. From the early 1940s, the Manitou shares stories of the New York Alumni Association which held annual balls and galas as the New York City area alumni swelled in population. In more recent years, regional events are organized by the alumni office in locations such as Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., as well as international gatherings in Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai and Beijing, China; Seoul, Korea; Frankfurt and Munich, Germany; Madrid, Spain, and others. Our Bicentennial Committee is hopeful
to help alumni celebrate many satellite Reunions around the world in honor of the school’s 200 years.
RETURNING TO THE HILLS AND VALES Perhaps the most important opportunity to connect an alumni may be returning to campus. The familiar sights combined with the sounds of their classmates and former teachers creates an experience unlike any other. But it may surprise our young alumni to know that Reunion as we enjoy it now is not how it has always been. With the exception of 2020, Reunion Weekend is typically organized in late May or June after students have departed campus. Soon, the campus refills with hundreds of alumni, family,
and friends to stay in their former dorms, experience new facets of campus life, and to connect with familiar and new faces. Additionally, a handful of student volunteers help throughout the weekend with events, registration, and tours. Reunion Weekend may be hard to separate from the summerlike feel with the celebration itself. Historically, however, summer is not the rule when it comes to Reunion. Fall in New Hampton has witnessed Reunion gatherings, embracing the spirit of the season and school on campus. Alumni in this season could experience current student life on campus and meet future graduates of the school, while also cheering them on at games. A more surprising season to some may be that Reunion frequently
occurred during winter for many years. January Reunions were common in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and were typically held off-campus in Concord, New Hampshire. Early in the day, a contingency of students and faculty would load themselves into horsedrawn carriages—or sleighs, depending on the snow’s depth—and travel to the station in Tilton to catch the train to Concord. The assembled party enjoyed an extended holiday-like experience among alumni and friends before the long return to campus.
Top Left: The New York chapter of the Alumni Association host their second annual Reunion Dinner on December 14, 1948 in Manhattan. Top Right: Reunion Dinner in 1949. Bottom Left: Attendees at Reunion Weekend 2019 gather around the Class of 2017 firepit overlooking campus. Bottom Right: Jamie and Lara Arsenault P'13, '15 speak with Eileen Williams P'22 at Reunion 2018.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL'S ALUMNI COMMUNITY? Visit www.newhampton.org/alumni to learn more about opportunities, events, or to get in touch with the Alumni Office.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 53
NEW HAMPTON
ICONS
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HO IS A TEACHER, COACH, ADVISOR, HOUSE PARENT, STAFF MEMBER,
OR HEAD OF SCHOOL YOU CELEBRATE? This community survey question brought out many memories, joys, and feelings for alumni of New Hampton School. These pillars of the student experience emboss a lasting impact on those who knew them best, learned from their words, found hospitality in their company, shared meals with them, and, for some, were even lucky enough to call them friend in later years. Sifting through the celebratory words of our alumni, we are honored to share a handful of icons across the many generations represented. These relationships and memories are often grander than the word ‘special’ seems. It is no surprise to our community when Reunion time arrives each spring, the first question asked isn’t always which classmate will be there but which faculty or staff members. From the 1940s through present day, the New Hampton Icons within living memory serve to remind us of the persistent sense of strength and connection in our community. While we could not include every submission, and some of our years of service may be faulty based on old paper records and folk-tale like stories, we hope you will enjoy this tribute—in your own words—to some of the heroes of New Hampton School.
BUD MOORE YEARS OF SERVICE:
1946-1992
"Possibly the most inspirational person (nonfamily member) I have ever known. One part of my hypothesis as to "Why I attended NHS":
"Bud was the coach of the golf
At my interview, my mother swooned over
team and driver of the teams station
him...she (and my Father and I) decided, upon
wagon, my Sunday morning tennis
meeting Bud, that I would go to NHS. My
partner and my college advisor −
mother was the driving force. And my folks...
advising me to go on to his own
they were blown away by Bud. My Mother
Middlebury College which I never
then convinced me to get my haircut just like
regretted."
his ... at the Ritz barber shop in Boston."
- Eugene Dix '48
- William Turville '63
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 55
JINGA MOORE YEARS OF SERVICE:
1946-1990
"While New Hampton School is celebrating its 200th anniversary, imagine having been part of the school for almost half of that time. Norma Jean “Jinga” Smith Moore moved to the campus at age two when her father, Frederick Smith ’10, became Head of School in 1926. Upon Jinga’s graduation from Mt. Holyoke College, she married New Hampton alumnus T. Holmes “Bud” Moore ’38. She was involved in so many facets of the school, including as a Spanish teacher and then as the Chair of the World Language Department, as well as the town of New Hampton itself. She was an enthusiastic Husky right up until her passing in 2019 at age 95. Those of us who knew Jinga still hear the echo of her bright laughter accompanying memories of her unconditional support and commitment to life-long learning. The DNA of Jinga is inextricably mixed with that of New Hampton School, and alumni today still testify how much richer we all are for it." - Kent Bicknell '65
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DONALD ELLIS YEARS OF SERVICE:
1929-1933, 1940-1943, 1945-Unkown
"Mr. Ellis returned to NHS after serving in the European theatre during WWII to teach us French. He stressed speaking as well as reading and writing the language. We were well prepared to continue in college without any difficulty. Mr. Ellis also helped us edit the yearbook for 1948. He was a great teacher and a friend." - Bruce Marshall '48
DAVID (JOE) RICE YEARS OF SERVICE:
EDWIN S. MADAN YEARS OF SERVICE:
1944-1966
1954-1993
"His personality was friendly and
"Biology... top floor of Meservey Hall... small
warm. He had a sly smile and a sharp
narrow room. For those who remember Mr.
sense of humor. He seemed like one
MaDan, you could not minimize the power of this
of us so learning from him was a
voice. One fine spring day the windows were open
pleasant experience."
and we were enjoying his lecture. Unknown to us,
- Brandt Wax '57
but soon to be advised of, T.H. Moore was also listening to the lecture. T.H. was siting on the steps of the post office across the street. T.H. joined the class and mentioned that he enjoyed Mr. MaDan's lecture... word for word. In 1960, Mr. MaDan was almost a historical figure
"Joe Rice was self-effacing, humble, iconoclastic and patient and, most importantly, encouraging. All qualities of a great teacher." - Frank Motley '66
at New Hampton. He was the patriarch of New Hampton instructors. Age did not slow him down. He was a referee for soccer games − with ease and without breathing hard he kept up with the young athletes. Woe be to the player who disputed his
SUMNER HAWLEY
call. Out came the yellow card and chest to chest
YEARS OF SERVICE:
he increased the penalty. All knew what the penalty
"Sumner held his Saturday English class in his
was for. As mentioned before Mr. MaDan has quite
apartment. He created a music appreciation session
the booming voice. The penalized player was soon
where he played the music from Broadway plays,
headed for the side-line knowing that the coach
to get our attention. He then talked about operas,
would discuss responsibility and discipline. Mr.
symphonies, etc. I think he started the transition of
MaDan was extremely fair... he treated all players
getting out of the world called me, and broadened our
the same."
cultural interests."
- David E Smith '60
- Tom Callahan '54
1951 – 1964
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 57
JOE GAULD YEARS OF SERVICE:
DONALD MORTLAND
1951-1964
YEARS OF SERVICE:
1959-1966
"Joe was the football, baseball and basketball coach who was the most influential man in my life. He stuck with me during school and for a lifetime after New Hampton. He was responsible for my re-admittance to college and eventually obtaining a Ph.D. and spending my life helping others. He is my model for life as he continues his calling
"Don Mortland, our senior English
into his 90s!!!"
be forgotten."
- Gordon Plumb '60
- Arthur L. Buliung III '65
teacher, would assign many books for us to read and then would bring them "to life" in the classroom. He had that gift that is so rare − he allowed us to learn and have great fun at the same time. Our respect for him was immense and he will never
LOU GNERRE YEARS OF SERVICE:
1957-1992, 2004-2011
"Lou is the epitome of a leader, mentor, scholar, educator, confidant, career planner, source of inspiration/motivation, and more. He exuded every quality that New Hampton School could have possibly wanted of their Headmaster. And, in addition to mentoring and supporting students, he provided the same level of leadership and mentoring to his faculty and staff."
"Lou had the most meaningful impact on me and I am sure I am not alone in citing him as an important influence. I was hardly the ideal NHS student and left the school my sophomore year, returning as a junior. Lou recognized changes and growth in me, encouraging my participation on student council and in numerous campus activities and then making me a proctor. Thank
- William Schneiderman '77
- William (Bill) Ring '67
you for everything, Lou!"
"Remarkability to connect with students and inspire them to reach higher." - Christopher Klein '64
58 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
PETER STERLING "Peter Sterling was one of New Hampton's superstar teachers during my time there from 1964-68. In addition to designing an extraordinarily inventive and wide ranging AP American History class, coaching soccer and coordinating student social life, he was the adviser to the Cum Laude Society. During my last semester at NHS, Sterling decided that students in Cum Laude needed to meet a true exemplar of the life of the mind. He invited us to dinner with a man who lived in a shack off the road that led to Mailbox Hill; a home with no amenities or utilities. The man was the extraordinary artist and thinker, Frederick Robbins. Robbins, then 75 years old, had not been off his property for many years. He was delighted to accept the invitation. He joined us for dinner wearing a suit he had saved from the 1940's. It was an extraordinary conversation with an extraordinary man, a living Henry David Thoreau. Peter Sterling had the rare gift of a true teacher − the ability to discern what his students most needed and to make it happen." - Jeffrey K. Tulis'68
WAYNE HAMEL YEARS OF SERVICE:
1966-1974
"He took time out of his day to make the African American students feel wanted and loved. He hosted dinners for the African American students at his house and was always there for counseling and just to be heard." - Donnie Williams '72
JUAN PASCAL "He was my Spanish teacher and he created a life long interest in speaking Spanish. He also taught me more about Cuba in the 1958-1960 period than I ever could have gotten elsewhere." - Tom Greenbaum '60
PETER BIXBY YEARS OF SERVICE:
1966-1978
"Mr. Bixby was incredibly passionate about both coaching and teaching. He was great at both things. He was very good at explaining things, inspiring people and cared very deeply that you fully understood the concepts that he was relaying." - Steven Clancy '77
LARRY BLOOD, SR. YEARS OF SERVICE:
1969-1977
"My dad loved NHS. As the Business Manager during NHS’s trying times in the early 70s he tirelessly worked to keep NHS financially solvent. Few knew about his efforts or appreciated them. I loved him." - Larry Blood '74
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 59
SKIP HOWARD YEARS OF SERVICE:
1957-1968
"I will admit that I academically underachieved through much of my life. This was one of many reasons that my parents sent me to boarding school. Underachievers tend to be sloppy thinkers and do what they can to avoid the hard work that comes with excellence. Underachievers do the minimal activity that will allow them to get by. While this strategy works in the short run, it doesn’t feel very good to ‘just get by.’
"I had a hard time adapting to the academics at New Hampton when I arrived and he took me under his wing and taught me how to be a better student and person. He taught me a lot about the value of relationships which, as New Hampton knows, the class of 1968 is a testament to lifetime relationships." - Neil Stalker '68
THOMAS DIEHL YEARS OF SERVICE:
1965-1993
"A truly "transformative" teacher, Tom Diehl was my English (and philosophy) teacher after I transferred into his class when I had lost all confidence in my abilities. He was patient and thoroughly committed to the life of the mind and he was very demanding at the same time. It is telling that I became an English major in college, moved on to get my Masters in English, and later became a university English instructor, and any success that I had in that journey is a function of Tom Diehl's guidance, kindness, and rigor." - Philip Sawyer '68 60 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
Mr. Howard was my tenth grade geometry teacher. I did not believe that I was mathematically inclined and wasn’t prepared to try harder. Yet, Mr. Howard would not let me slip by. Through firm encouragement, humor and a sharp wit, he allowed me to discover something that I didn’t know about myself. I was actually good at math and, with effort, I could stay up with anyone in the class. I actually felt competent and began to gain confidence in my abilities. What a wonderful discovery for a somewhat lost 15 year old! Mr. Howard was a wonderful and caring male role model that respectfully offered me a chance to really succeed and, for that, I will always be grateful." - Ken Holbert '69
"In my junior and senior year at New Hampton, I took two transformational courses from Tom Diehl: a Black writers course and a philosophy course. Our classroom discussions — whether discussing the Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man or Plato’s Republic — were thoughtful, inspirational, and challenging. Tom Diehl would evaluate our papers with red marks, questions, comments, etc., and a five page essay would often garner an equal number of pages of comment and analysis. Tom Diehl is perhaps the best teacher that I ever had, providing fundamental lessons in critical thinking that have intellectually sustained me for nearly 50 years." - Thomas Motley '72
AWARDING EXCELLENCE THE RALPH S. O’CONNOR ’44 EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING PRIZE The O’Connor Excellence in Teaching Prize recognizes a faculty member selected as a strong contributor by demonstrating such attributes as; setting the highest standard for their students while not abandoning them to their own resources; nurturing students inside and outside the classroom; and demonstrating a commitment to the student, the school, and the art of teaching. 2020 – Charlie Smith, Visual Arts Faculty
MARK TILTON YEARS OF SERVICE:
1986-2007
"Senior Seminar: Quote
2019 – Bo Cramer, English Faculty
from class...
2018 – Luke Tobin, English Faculty
“The reason most people
2017 – Meredith Brown, History Faculty 2016 – Dan Love, Former Dean of Faculty
"I remember being a new
fail instead of succeed, is
2015 – Harlan Dodson, Former Math Faculty
student on the football field
they trade what they want
2014 – Jess MacLeod ’02, Dean of Faculty, Science Faculty
watching Coach Tilton pull
the most for what they
up some grass, chew on it
want at the moment.
and say "It's going to be
Remember what you
a good year!" Being new
want the most.”
to the school and unsure
- Rebecca Dearborn '93
THE O’HARA FAMILY EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING PRIZE
that and thought to myself:
"Mark Tilton always
Yes, it will be a good year.
used to say, “In life you're
This prize recognizes a member of the English department and honors the lasting legacy of the O'Hara family at New Hampton School. The award was established in 2011, with its first recipient following in 2012. It is now awarded every 3 years.
I was mistaken. It wound
either stepping up, or
2018 – B. Cornog, Former Faculty
up being the best year of
you're stepping down!”
2015 – Chelsea Woodard, Ph.D., Former Faculty
academia I ever had and
He would ask you, what’s
greatly shaped the rest of
it gonna be? Stepping
my life! Thank you coach
up with Mark Tilton is
for always being able to put
something I think about
everyone at ease."
to this day!"
- Gary Burke '97
- Joe Greeley '96
of how it would go I saw
"Mark Tilton was the reason I went to New Hampton. He was an incredible human being and pushed me as an athlete to dream BIG. Nothing but respect and admiration for him."
2013 – Matt Fisk, Former Director of Studies 2012 – Beth Grosart, Former English Faculty 2011 – Katerina Farr-Williams, Math Faculty and Director of International Support Program
2014 – Jennifer Berry ’83, P’07, ’09, ’15, H’19, Former Faculty 2013 – Eric McCollom, Former Faculty 2012 – Andrew Nagy, Former Faculty
BARBARA GUARDENIER MASTER TEACHING CHAIR IN SCIENCE The Barbara Guardenier Master Teaching Chair in Science is awarded once every 3 years to a member of the New Hampton School Science faculty. The Chair represents the very highest tradition of science teaching, as embodied by longtime faculty member Barbara Guardenier. 2020 – Dr. Kim Duncan , Science Faculty 2018 – Maura Veilleux, Former Faculty 2015 – Justin Joslin, Former Faculty 2012 – Jessica MacLeod ’02, M.Ed., Dean of Faculty
- John Blizzard '03
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 61
PETER GULICK YEARS OF SERVICE:
1970-1990
for him by calling him Uncle Peter."
"He was a mentor, teacher, lacrosse coach, and moral guide during a very rough time in my life. He introduced me to a lifetime of always giving something back to the community by helping me become a member of the New Hampton fire department during my time at NHS. His wife Ruth and girls also left such a positive family role model impression on me. Ruth was an inspiration in becoming a lawyer that served New Hampton and the lakes region for so many years. And of course he kept us laughing!"
- Cyrus Wyche '76
- Don Nary '77
"For those of us that remember, Mr. Gulick was in charge of what we called " The Rat Patrol". The "Rat Patrol" had the responsibility of making sure that students were where they were supposed to be during the late hours of the night. I had a girlfriend who lived in a dorm on the other side of campus. I knew that if I got caught outside my dorm it would mean suspension, so there was a fear factor established. Even though he was known for that and his strictness, it allowed me the opportunity to embrace authority and a development of respect for him that I still embrace to this day. As I wished him a Happy Birthday today, I showed my love
ADAM TYSON YEARS OF SERVICE:
1994- PRESENT
"No matter if it was an early morning practice, late night game, after athletic training hours or even now as an alumnus. I could go to Mr. Tyson with any of my athletic injuries and ask him questions about it and he would help me out with a smile on his face. Throughout my 3 years at New Hampton I was in the training room many times with different injuries and he was always there to help me get back out on the field. On top of that he is an amazing role model parent and all around person to look up too." - Matthew Dean '14
62 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
JENNIFER SHACKETT BERRY '83 YEARS OF SERVICE:
1987-2019
CARA & DEREK PARKER YEARS OF SERVICE:
2001-2007
"Mrs. Berry was my dorm parent my last two years at New
"The Parkers were literally second parents to me
Hampton and she made it feel like home. She pushed me
when I came to NHS as a 13 year old freshman;
to be my best and she still does to this day"
I wouldn't have made it through high school
- Megan Collins ’98
successfully without them. I could go on forever; I tell people all the time my life could have taken a very different path without my high school teachers, which is why I am currently a high school administrator." - Kaitleen Gillis '07
"The Parkers! They're a package deal. Mr. Parker was my World Civ History teacher my Freshman year and Mrs. Parker was my Advisor. I actually consider them my second set of parents. I love them dearly." - Brittanie Moyer '05
ROSEMARY BREWSTER YEARS OF SERVICE:
1997-PRESENT
JOHNNY BUCK "Mrs. Brewster was my biggest cheerleader. Her calm and compassionate nature allowed me the space to push myself even when I doubted myself. Mrs. Brewster always believed in me. Something I carried with me
YEARS OF SERVICE:
2007-2014
"Towards the end of the year, Mr. Buck taught and took me fly fishing. It was one of my favorite days during my entire PG year at New Hampton." - Jared Aiken '12
though college and beyond." - Kristen Eisner Guay '04
SUZANNE BUCK "Rosemary is a committed and compassionate teacher who has helped many students become more confident in their abilities and in reaching their full potential. I was very appreciative of her support and dedication to her work with me." - Lesley Robbins '01
YEARS OF SERVICE:
2007-2014
"Suzanne took a chance on me when I applied to NHS after getting expelled from another school. This was a pivotal moment in my life. I am so happy she took that chance because my NHS experience served as a cornerstone for my personal and professional development. My time at NHS made me the person who got into NYU and became an entrepreneur. Thank you, Suzanne." - Temirlan Nugmanov '15 HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 63
SUSAN FITZGIBBONS YEARS OF SERVICE:
1992-1998
"As my advisor she is still someone I think about when I go through tough times. When at NHS she was my sounding board and helped shape me." - Megan Collins '98
JENNIFER MCMAHON YEARS OF SERVICE:
1989-PRESENT
"Mrs. McMahon and Mr. McMahon took me in like I was their own child. I spent many weekends at their house with their family. I will always be grateful for them. They made me feel safe and at home." - Briana Cardwell '13
PETE HUTCHINS YEARS OF SERVICE:
2007-2016
"As a student moving from California who had never been away from home for a significant amount of time, Pete's mentorship on and off the basketball court was instrumental to my development. Pete was funny, relatable, and always went out of his way to make sure that I was having the best experience possible." - Jacob Liebert '10
KYLE MASTERSON YEARS OF SERVICE:
2011-PRESENT
"Masterson is one of the most caring and most honest teachers on the NHS campus. I loved having him as an advisor and teacher during piano class. Even though we didn’t go to as many advisee dinners as promised we always had an awesome time. Project Week in Belize and Morocco with him shaped me to the person I am today. I will always remember this unique person." - Leopold Kraus '19
64 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
MICHELLE COTE YEARS OF SERVICE:
2011-2014, 2016-PRESENT
&
KRISTIN MCCLURE YEARS OF SERVICE:
2005-PRESENT
"I always felt like I could be myself around Ms. Cote. She really saw me as a person. It was very clear that she cared about me as a person and Black student. It was evident when she and Ms. McClure took us to the student of color conference. They were both eager and willing to do it and that really meant a lot." - Briana Cardwell '13
HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OF YOUR OWN? Share it with the Alumni Office! Send your stories to alumni@newhampton.org
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 65
A.
I love when we find undiscovered talent on our campus. It usually comes from another student approaching me saying, “Mr. Masterson, you have to hear my friend …” I have a wonderful memory of Marcel Johnson, Class of 2015, being led by his friend, Krystina, to the music room. We brainstormed a song for Marcel to sing and then he blew me away with an unbelievable rendition of “Amazing Grace”. That moment led to many memorable performances by a very talented student. - Kyle Masterson, Director of Music
One event I will never forget was taking a group of students down to a Student of Color Conference. We had such mature and enlightening conversations mixed with so much laughter as we spent over 24 hours together.
"Beating Belmont Hill
After that event, my fondest memories are certainly from being a House Parent... Typically involving me thinking I have control of a situation, when in fact it was all the boys of Small House who were really running the show! In all seriousness, it is the one-onone conversations that you have late night, when a student wanders into the common room to just talk about life. Those are ingrained in my mind and heart!
Winning the Lakes
- Michelle Cote, Senior Associate Director of Admission 66 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
and The Gunnery in the NEPSAC Football Championships. Region Baseball League seven times. Dinners with Mark and Harry. Hanging out with Wash and Cullinan."
- Craig Kozens, Former Faculty
I was giving a chalk talk to my football team and some players in the back were talking; before I could say anything, Peter L. Pequignot ’61 our QB yelled “Knock it off! The meeting went on and the talking later arose again. Pete, wrongly thinking it was Bob Burke, said, “ Bob, take a lap!” Bob said “ But I didn’t…” Pete cut him off and said “take the lap or get off the field!” My heart was in my throat; I knew Pete had wrongly targeted our star lineman, yet to step in at this critical point risked losing the vital leadership of our QB as well as our star linesman. Bob stood up and silently took the lap, and I’m sure he and Pete straightened it out later. Peter went on to Captain the football team at Colby College and Bob eventually became Athletic Director at American International College.
- Joseph W. Gauld, Former Faculty
One of my favorite memories occurred one spring, just prior to graduation…don’t ask me the year, but I am sure those who participated will remember. I was living in Lindsay and heard some noise going on in the middle of the night. Concerned about the safety of the girls in my care, I quickly dressed and went to check the dorm. Interestingly, I found the dorm to be empty, with all first floor screens off the windows and windows open. They had all escaped! Looking out the window, I saw great collaboration occurring near the baseball diamond, where MANY students were moving the portable backstop to another location. Unable to halt the innovation of this senior prank singlehandedly, I decided to close the windows, lock them, and wait on the front porch for my girls to return home. They did, and I told them the door was made for a purpose. They entered and went to bed. Watching the community work together, completing a “prank” that was not destructive and creative actually made me chuckle….still does today. - Jennifer Shackett Berry ’83, P’07, ’10, ’15, H’19 HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 67
IF
WALL S TALK C O UL D
New Hampton School residences through the years and the lives lived inside of them. BY A N N A KO E ST E R
68 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 69
A
s we celebrate New Hampton School's bicentennial, it's essential to look back at some of its most prominent and renowned dormitories, to those places where alumni and faculty alike fondly remember the moments that made their experiences meaningful and special. New Hampton School is one of the oldest established boarding schools in New England, and much of its prestige is because of the strong boarding community that the School has built since its inception in 1821.
70 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
With the help of their house parents and the implementation of an intentional residential curriculum, students have developed and matured into socially adaptable adolescents ahead of their entrance into university. The boarding experience is essential outside of anything that's learned inside the classroom because of the social and emotional growth that students are exposed to as a result of living with their peers for an extended time. While they study, laugh, and live with their classmates, the walls that enclose each memorable experience have their own stories to tell over the years on New Hampton School's campus.
Randall Hall The Town House of New Hampton was the first building erected in the "Old Institution" portion of the village, and the official first structure of what would become New Hampton School. It was built in 1821, and just a few years later, Old Brick was raised as its neighbor in 1829. Constructed in the classic New England Federal style of architecture, it served as the dormitory for the New Hampton Academical and Theological Institution, a Calvinist Baptist school that eventually moved in 1852 to Fairfax, Vermont. Just over twenty years after Old Brick's construction, in 1853, it was dismantled brick by brick, piece by piece, and transported nearly a mile away by oxcarts from the Old Institution to what we now know as the Village of New Hampton. It was reassembled in the center of the newly christened New Hampton Literary and Biblical Institution's campus and re-named Randall Hall. Subsequently, it was reopened as a women's theological school. This association remained in an allocated section of Randall Hall until the department became a part of Bates College in 1870.
Until the mid-1990s, Randall Hall remained a dormitory for upperclassmen boys along with four faculty apartments: one on either end, one in the center, and the last on the fourth floor. These faculty apartments were spliced together from existing dorm rooms, giving it a quirky and unique charm. Most of the living quarters consisted of triples and doubles, but, eventually, singles emerged along the fourth floor's rows. Kent Bicknell '65 remembers his time as a proctor and living in Randall with his roommate, current Board of Trustee member Alford Dempsey '65. Bicknell recalls Randall's fourth floor as a scary place; "You were taking your life in your hands going up to the fourth floor." Because it was a hall made up of singles, things tended to get out of hand away from supervision. Board of Trustees member Peter Galletly '73, P'09 recalls things a little differently, speaking about
Before cell phones became a standard pocket accoutrement, students "secretly" communicated with one another by tapping out different codes to indicate all kinds of covert missions after lights out. Students built both a strong sense of community and purpose of self; a carefree, bracing brashness developed in the young men who were lucky enough to live inside Randall's ancient walls. Upon reflection, the building itself took on a personality of its own and passed that attitude through the generations. A certain kind of fortitude was required to make it through a year in Randall Hall. It was a fun place to live in its twilight years with a ski room in the basement, and during many snowy winter days, students challenged one another to jump from the second floor into the snowbanks plowed up against the granite columns outside. Eventually, the fire code made Randall's rooms uninhabitable for students. After its tenure as a boy's dorm, it housed the Academic Support Program as well ‒ Peter Galletly '73 as a daycare for faculty children in a converted apartment on the first floor. the old dorm with wonderment and Finally, the repairs on Randall became reverence: "It was legendary if you too expensive to justify its preservation. lived in Randall," referring to the rooms In March 2008, Randall Hall was razed beneath the gabled roof. He added with to make room for the Pilalas Center, a laugh after some thought: "The top a new building that would be the floor was like a zoo." Steve Fay, current permanent home of math and science math faculty and father of three alumni classes and the Academic Office. (P '12, '14, and '20), lived as a house parent in Randall during his first years employed at New Hampton and offers the faculty perspective of what it was Galletly House like to live in Randall Hall. He similarly remembers the ragtag, derelict feel that Pilalas Math and Science Center now many residents share when retelling stands where Randall Hall once was their building's memories. His narrow because of the generosity of Jason apartment spanned three floors and Pilalas '58 and his wife, Rena Pilalas. was cobbled together from dorm rooms But this is only one construction project joined together with a spiral staircase. A that benefitted from the financial dumbwaiter that transcended all four support of the Pilalas family; Galletly floors held hidden contraband that House was named for the Galletly finally came pouring out one night in a family after Pilalas was touched by the shocked student's room when a portion personal story of Peter Galletly's uncle, of the ceiling fell. And that was all part Don Galletly '41. An alumnus of New of the charm of living in Randall Hall.
“It was legendary if you lived in Randall.”
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 71
Hampton, Galletly joined the Navy as a pilot and was unfortunately killed during the Korean Conflict in 1951. In 1996, the Galletly family created the Donald R. Galletly Scholarship; each year, the scholarship is awarded to a current New Hampton School student that shows excellence in academic and athletic achievement. Touched by this proud connection to veterans like himself, Pilalas had Galletly House dedicated to the Galletly family to honor the legacies that many veterans have left on New Hampton School over the years. Any New Hampton student nowadays would gasp at the mention of a dorm such as Randall Hall, one that held upwards of 50 students at full capacity. Compared to the houses where students currently live, Randall would be enormous; O'Connor and Galletly are the two largest houses presently on campus. Neither one holds more than 34 students at maximum volume. Long before these dorms were built on campus, enrollment numbers remained strong. Consequently, however, there became less space to house students; dorm rooms were converted from double occupancy to triple, and it felt as if students had been shoehorned into rooms around campus. Then, under the leadership of headmasters Dr. Jeffrey Beedy and Andrew Menke in the 1990s and 2000s, a cultural shift took place concerning campus dormitories. Cozy dorms like Lindsay, Rice, Phillips, and Small intentionally housed fewer students. There became an insistence that the "living quarters" vernacular evolve from a mere "residence hall" to a "house," and provide students with a more comfortable and homelike experience while boarding away from their families. Houses with fewer students allowed their residents to identify more as siblings than mere classmates, living together with house parents under one roof. And livein house parents are just that: surrogate mothers and fathers in a new home at school.
72 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
Lara Arsenault fondly talks about the nights when students would gather in the Arsenault living room and watch Survivor back in 2000. Arsenault was a house parent in Lindsay House for 10 years, where she and her husband, Jamie, raised their two children, Ryder '13 and Dempsey '15. "We won the cleanest dorm and the costume contest every year!" Connecting with students on a more personal level allowed Arsenault to develop meaningful, lasting relationships with the girls who lived in Lindsay because of their proximal closeness and openness. Jennifer Shackett Berry '83 P '07, '10, '15 was the first faculty resident in Lindsay and recalls house duty six nights a week, with Saturdays off. After spending all that time with the girls in the dorm, it would be impossible not to develop close, personal relationships with students. Underclassmen girls first lived in Lindsay when it was built, and Berry was able to give them loving encouragement, wise advice, and helpful guidance during their formative years. Along with the THD model, or "Total Human Development," the replacement of Randall Hall as the Pilalas Math and Science Center communicated a purposeful New Hampton School, which emphasized the boarding experience as less of a large, institutionalized residential feel and more of a homelike atmosphere. Dormitories would now be called "houses" on campus, and soon after, Galletly House was constructed in 2005 on the west side of the campus under the THD model. Intentional consideration spurred the new houses' layouts for the most effective way to create the most refined residential space for both students and faculty. House parents would now live on either side of the students rather than in a building's secluded area. Students could congregate to study or socialize around a television and kitchen area with a common breezeway space in the center. Also intentional were the office-like spaces built as a buffer between the faculty apartment area and the student rooms; these spaces
acted as a place where students could ask questions or get advice without disturbing a faculty apartment's privacy. Peter Galletly remembers this time as a "building Renaissance" for New Hampton's campus, where the dorms primarily on the west side of campus and Small House on the easterly border, were built under the direction of the THD model. Similarly, more funds and priority went into the physical plant, grounds, and capital projects around campus. A master plan was needed and subsequently formulated to provide for new and improved residences and study spaces.
Berry Hall
In its day as a residence hall, Berry Hall had a reputation for housing the more studious students. Built in 1911, Berry was home to both male and female students over the years on the building's upper floors. Before the construction of our current dining hall, students and faculty gathered for meals in the basement of Berry Hall, called The Octagon Room. Bicknell remembers waiting for the bell's sound on the main level and entering the dining hall from one of the two curved staircases on the main level before taking a seat at his family's usual table. Steve Perry, current board member and alumnus from the Class of 1974, lived in Berry Hall for three of his four years. After his fantastic experience living in Berry during his first year, Perry lived in Lewis before eagerly returning to Berry as a proctor for his junior and senior years. "Lewis was the complete opposite of living in Berry," Perry says. He attributes this to the strong leadership and structure that living in Berry Hall provided. In its days as an underclassmen boy's dormitory, the population in Berry Hall was considered the antithesis to the typical crowd housed in Randall, Lewis, or Draper.
While Randall projected an image of a scene from the movie Animal House, a place that seemed like students lived
W
e were treated like family. It was as if he had 20 sons in addition to his own.” - Steve Perry '74
without a house parent, Berry Hall stood just two buildings away under a very different kind of supervision. Berry's atmosphere was serious—a dorm where boys went to bed early and woke up with the bell that was rung every morning outside their windows. Perry fondly remembers foreign language
teacher, Mr. Landry, as someone who created a unique and lasting experience for the boys that lived in Berry as "the quintessential boarding school teacher." Mr. Landry was someone students could trust with their troubles and growing pains, an attribute especially vital for a house parent in charge of freshman
boys. Mr. Landry took his charges to Manchester Monarch hockey games, welcomed them into his home for pizza nights, and mitigated roommate arguments with ease. "We were treated like family," Perry mentions. "It was as if he had 20 sons in addition to his own." Perry also remembers life before
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 73
T
he background and culture of Draper is unique; it’s always been a place where musicians, artists, and athletes – students from every environment – come together and create a home under one roof.” - Kevin Driscoll '10
74 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
the advent of widespread technology use; during his freshman year, he lived in the room adjacent to the ringing bell that indicated classes' start. While many students recollect Foliage Day as one full of surprise and excitement, Perry's memories of the day are tinged with a slight headache; the vibrations palpable around campus were somewhat dimmed for Perry and his roommate. That autumn morning, they were forced to endure ringing in their ears long after the bell's loud, sonorous chime outside their window lasted for 15 minutes. During her own time living (and now working) in Berry Hall, twenty years later, Alison Kirk '90 holds fond memories of her time between the old brick walls. The camaraderie felt crafted from living in Berry Hall was special and unique, a feeling that has stuck with her throughout her years as an alumna. She remembers staying up late to watch movies with girlfriends in the octagonal room on the fourth floor. Equally vivid are the memories of the clanging sound from pipes, loudly carrying steam to awaken the radiators each winter. Although Berry had its quirks (and still does while it remains the home of the Admission, Advancement, Business, Communication, and Technology offices), it was a place where students felt welcomed and cared for by one another and the adults that looked after them.
Draper Hall
Through the front windows of Berry Hall, students could peek at their friends living across the street in Draper Hall. "Draper was like one big family," remembers Kevin Bligh '89. "Everyone got along with each other. The building reminded me of a big single-family home." Built the same year as Berry, Draper was first titled Hamptonia Hall and was initially constructed in a white stick-frame style, and served as the home to the female students whom attended the New Hampton Biblical and Literary Institution between 1910 and 1911. It
was then rebuilt, rechristened "The Lodge," and housed students attending the Baptist school located in a portion of Randall Hall before its relocation. Unfortunately, The Lodge burned down in the middle of the 1930s. The building was finally constructed with a little more foresight after it burned down for the second time in 1937, and Draper Hall was erected within the original footprint, this time out of brick and mortar. In addition to its heartier reconstruction, Draper Hall has seen many iterations during its time as a residence hall. In the 1950s, when New Hampton School was an all-boys institution, the lucky girls invited to the co-ed dances at New Hampton were allowed to stay overnight in the open rooms in Draper. Before the 2000s, the only way to get from Draper's East to West wings was either through the common room on the ground floor or through a hallway on the third floor. Then, a couple of decades ago, the wall that separated East and West was knocked down to make a more cohesive floor plan and travel easier between the two halves of the building. Eventually, an addition of a third-floor faculty apartment provided for much-needed supervision on the top floor. Of all the current dorms on campus, Draper has remained the longest in its original footprint. Over the years, it has developed quite a reputation through to the present. Although Draper's final construction was planned long before New Hampton School considered the THD model of intentional residence hall architecture, there is still a communal feel among the students. Over each school year, the house builds and maintains a family-like feel. Current Head of House Kevin Driscoll '10 says of living in Draper Hall, simply: "It is a thrill." He comments on how fun it is to work with the wide diversity of students that live in Draper, and he feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to mentor and shape the students living there as a result of his position. "The background and culture of Draper are unique; it's
always been a place where musicians, artists, athletes—students from every environment—come together and create a home under one roof." Driscoll has been a member of both the English and Academic Support departments during his tenure at New Hampton, as well as a coach for the varsity men's soccer, snowboarding, freestyle ski, and men's lacrosse teams. A legacy himself (his father, David Driscoll '77 was awarded the Head of School's Service Award in 2017), Driscoll frequently expresses his gratitude at the opportunity to give back to a place that gave him so much during his time as a student and throughout his professional career. Driscoll's sentiments are not new; it seems that both house parents and students alike have had similar feelings over the years, and it speaks volumes that the first question alumni ask when returning for Reunion is: "Can I see my old dorm room?" Berry Hall seems to be the most popular request, and many others have asked to stay the weekend in Draper, Caswell, Lindsay, and Lewis Houses. Whether their former living spaces are two-hundred years old or less than a decade young, former boarding students recount many stories of the strange sounds, fun adventures, mischief, and laughs without which their residential experience wouldn't be the same. The privilege of living on campus is time-tested and appreciated long after students leave their cherished home. Although the dormitories have seen a multitude of changes and iterations throughout the school's two centuries, the touching reflections and memories provide vital color to the tableau that depicts the myriad cumulative experiences.
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FILT E R I N G THE NOISE Finding & Hearing Our Voice BY M EGH A N A RONS ON
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HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 77
Top: Sarah Tyson leads the Men's Basketball camp through a yoga session this past summer. Center Left: Makai Richards '21 attends an outdoor class. Center Right: Students attend a yoga session in the School's new Wellness Center. Bottom Left: Students study in the sunshine on campus. 78 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
approaches to establishing mindfulness, they are not the only way as there is a current debate over how exactly to define mindfulness today as the term “has also been used to describe a non-meditative state in which subjects set aside their mental distractions to pay greater attention to the here and now, as in the work of Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer.”1 Regardless of where one falls on the spectrum of defining mindfulness, Jon Kabat-Zinn deserves attention as he originally utilized mindfulness in clinical research through the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.2 He notes that some of the key components of practicing mindfulness include paying attention to your breathing, noticing all of the sensory details in any given moment, tuning into physical sensations you are presently experiencing, and finding “ ‘micro-moments’ of mindfulness throughout the day to reset your focus ad sense of purpose.” To sum all of this up in one phrase, Kabat-Zinn says in his “Greater Good” video, mindfulness is “about living your life as if it really mattered, moment by moment by moment by moment.” Therefore, whether or not we are in a meditative or non-meditative state, we are paying attention to the present moment when we are being mindful.
Mindfulness is much more than “going to your happy place” or unwinding after a hard day although these are reasonable places to start. Mindfulness can be used to help calibrate the nervous system and actually has the capacity to change our lives. - Sara Tyson P'21
“Breathe for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Hold at the top. Exhale for 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.” “Center yourself. Ground yourself. Be present.” “Let go of that which does not serve you.” “Acknowledge your thoughts and then let them float by like clouds in the sky.” These are just a few of the phrases and tidbits of mindfulness exercises that some of us may have heard. Maybe we have whispered them to ourselves, received a notification on a watch to “breathe,” or found ourselves puzzled as to what it means to “center oneself ” and how to even begin “letting go” of that which is not serving us. Phrases such as these, however, are not merely buzzwords in contemporary society and education. In recent years, mindfulness has received increased interest from the public as well as the scientific community with “the number of randomized controlled trials…involving mindfulness [jumping] from one in the period from 1995‒1997 to 11 from 2004‒2006, to a whopping 216 from 2013‒2015.” This growth in attention is because the aforementioned words and the concepts behind them have the potential to help individuals move through stressful
moments and to better savor the positive pieces of life. With origins in eastern traditions as well as Buddhist psychology, mindfulness can be cultivated through techniques such as yoga, tai-chi, and sitting meditation. These techniques both “help steady the mind and train its attentional capacity, while also increasing its breadth of focus” for the participant.2 While these practices differ in the types of movement they create and the shapes made with the body, they, like most meditation practices, “have four elements in common: a quiet location with as few distractions as possible; a specific, comfortable posture (sitting, lying down, walking, or in other positions); a focus of attention (a specially chosen word or set of words, an object, or the sensations of the breath); and an open attitude (letting distractions come and go naturally without judging them).” Meditation, a part of mindfulness, is essential to being present and while it can be separated from yoga and taichi, it is often a part of those practices with participants being led in a meditation at the start or end of class. While these formal practices are clear
These ideas around awareness, presence, and understanding are closely woven into New Hampton School’s ability to support community members. As New Hampton School continues to implement its Strategic Plan, mindfulness is at the heart of each of the concepts that empower students to solve the world’s toughest challenges. In order to develop students who are people of strong HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 79
Yoga has so many benefits for sports purposes, but also promotes a healthy lifestyle. Mindfulness is something that I, and I’m sure many others, have overlooked for years. Taking the time to be with yourself can do wonders in helping deal with stress and anxiety. - Adam Shuchart '20
character and can create both independently for emotional control when compared to and collaboratively, we must support them in what is necessary in adults.7 When looking quieting the noise that can sometimes make at negative emotions such as anxiety,7 we it difficult for them to hear their own genius see that mindfulness could potentially thoughts. This is where mindfulness comes be a tool for adolescents to use when in into play. a moment of anxiety during a test, for example. Furthermore, the NIH’s National Mindfulness occurs when we maintain Center for Complementary and Integrative a “moment-by-moment awareness of our Health notes that a “2014 literature review thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and of 47 trials in 3,515 participants suggests surrounding environment, through a gentle, that mindfulness meditation programs show nurturing lens” and this awareness brings moderate evidence of improving anxiety and with it acceptance of “our thoughts and depression.”4 Mindfulness can be a path to 3 feelings without judging them.” Easier easing anxiety during stressful moments. said than done, especially amidst the hustle of our daily lives. This, however, is Researchers state that mindfulness can exactly why mindfulness is crucial to the improve students’ self-regulation and developing minds of adolescents and why ability to pay attention, giving them the we see it becoming a greater part of the positive tools they need to “set them on well-being conversation at New Hampton. a better life trajectory.” Nicole Siciliano, Adolescents, whose “brain areas of executive Director of Counseling at New Hampton School, also mentions that aside from function—that is, the prefrontal cortex (PFC), where emotion regulation networks helping us regulate our emotions, practicing mindfulness can also improve “mood, anxiety, overlap with circuitry for attention control” 7 concentration, creativity, and sleep,” which require increased activation of this area
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are all cornerstones to life at New Hampton School. This win for the classroom also extends to the athletic field where we see mindfulness helping students focus in the moment of a play, being fully present and not distracted by that which happened in the past or is happening on the sideline. Dempsey Arsenault ’15, who went on to Boston College and was a 2019 Women’s Professional Lacrosse League championship winner, states that “As a professional athlete I am constantly working out and testing my body with a go, go, go mindset. I use mindfulness to put intention and focus on the little muscles that sometimes I overlook. Not only am I strengthening my smaller muscles, but I am strengthening my mind. I use mindfulness in this sense to slow down and focus….” To achieve the state of focus and awareness that Arsenault mentions, one can look to Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program, which uses exercises such as mindful breathing, a body scan, and
Above Left: Student-athletics integrate yoga and meditation practices into their overall training regimen. Above Right: Evan Guillory '21 and his basketball team focus on mental health as well as physical strength and conditioning.
walking meditation—all of these exercises are readily applicable to high school students but student interest and belief in the process is crucial to its success. Patrick Cook-Deegan mentions that the teacher of these exercises needs to make mindfulness relevant to what students are experiencing and this is why New Hampton School has been so successful in recent years at implementing mindfulness practices. Since our teachers are also coaches, advisors, and house parents, they often know exactly what a student is going through in the dorm, classroom, music room, and on the turf. Our educators, then, have the special ability to artfully incorporate mindfulness into classes in a way that students love and see immediate value in. Furthermore, the close-knit nature of a residential boarding school means that members of our community are more open with sharing what is going on in our lives—we have meals together and we are a family.
as Sara Tyson and Meghan Aronson have incorporated meditation into their classes, offering time to be present and cultivate a sense of knowing and calm. Recent Project Week offerings by Tyson and Aronson have also had a healthy and conscious living focus, with both faculty members developing project options that gave students time to self-reflect, strengthen their minds, and become more aware of how the world around them impacts them and how they impact it. Mindfulness, then, is blossoming on campus and as Siciliano explains: “I find it essential to incorporate mindfulness into my practice. Simple breathing exercises and guided mindful moments can help ground students who may be feeling especially anxious.”
These breathing exercises can be used before an exam, performance, game, or difficult conversation with friends. New In turn, recognizing the impressive juggling Hampton’s current Director of Studies and act of our students to manage co-curriculars, former Director of the Academic Support academics, and service learning, teachers such Program, Jennifer McMahon, notes the
science behind this: “When students are stressed and cortisol is released it impacts the prefrontal cortex of the brain which plays a part in working memory. Test anxiety is a real example of this! A student could have studied and learned all the material for a test, but once sitting in a testing environment that cause stress their working memory is no longer intact, and they are unable to bring forth all the information they have learned. I have seen teachers use mindfulness techniques in their classes to relieve stress, such as breathing exercises or playing 432hz music, with much success. In doing so, teachers are giving students tools they can use in college and beyond.” In recent years, Sara Tyson, a humble leader and champion for mindfulness, has been regularly working with athletic teams to cultivate mindfulness and stretch their bodies through the platform of yoga. Tyson has her M.Ed. and is a certified yoga instructor, and she marries these two backgrounds whilst teaching in both the
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Science Department and the Academic Support Program. Her training from Harvard Medical Schools Continuing Education program in the Relaxation Response, University of Massachusetts’ Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and the Mindful Schools Essentials course show her dedication to continuing her understanding of mindfulness and passion for bringing this practice to the students of New Hampton. Sophia Hausberger ’22, who plays two varsity sports at New Hampton and was a student leader for a recent Project Week endeavor with Aronson that focused on healthy living, mentions that she enjoys practicing yoga with Tyson because she likes being able to improve her “mental game” and well-being, all while doing this with her “best friends, teammates, and dorm mates.” For Hausberger, the deepest benefit of her practice was “digging deep into my gratitude. I learned how to take a moment, stop, breathe, and appreciate the ‘here and now’ and the people in my life. …It has
also made me feel more in control.” Robert Farrell ’20, another participant in Tyson’s yoga classes, mentions that yoga was a way to grasp the present moment, “slowing down the outside world which can be so complicated at times.” Furthermore, the ability to recognize how they are feeling at any given time puts students ahead at understanding what is going on in their bodies and how to address those emotions in a positive manner. These ideas of being more “in control” and slowing down directly tie into a student’s ability to reset their mind and apply that into other areas of their life, which Arsenault ’15 explains as “When I am doing a practice I tune everything else out and say to myself that ‘it can wait.’ By totally being in the moment during my practice, it has allowed me to do the same when I am applying it to other real life situations.” Bringing this mindfulness tool set into their daily, real life at New Hampton allows students to more easily transition to new situations and
to be flexible. Scott LeBrun, Director of Studies notes that “Mindfulness provides a great tool for anyone, but especially those experiencing the anxieties that naturally come with change. When a student enters a new environment such as boarding school and is working to build relationships with others around them, it is so beneficial to be able to take a step-back and just reflect, non-judgmentally, on what they are experiencing emotionally. Simply being able to acknowledge what is going on internally can help a student respond to everyday roommate conflicts or struggles to understand new expectations for shared living in a way that is productive, as opposed to in a manner that compounds the situation. The benefits of mindfulness— non-judgmental listening, recognition of one’s own emotional state, and empathy— are the foundations of strong interpersonal relationships.” Forging deep bonds between students and faculty also requires a healthy mindset
I believe that mindfulness is fundamentally essential for a fulfilled and happy life. Harvard research shows that we spend nearly 50% of our time either wandering around in the past or projecting into the future. That means that half our lives, the mind is somewhere other than where our are feet are. How can that be a good thing? We are missing half of our lives. - Sara Tyson
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for our educators at New Hampton. Teachers who received mindfulness training show increased compassion and empathy, lower blood pressure, and more effective teaching. Many faculty members and administrators engage in Tyson’s morning and afternoon yoga classes, showing a wholehearted dedication and interest in modeling these behaviors for the developing minds of NHS students. Siciliano, McMahon, and Aronson all credit Tyson’s classes as a way to remain engaged in mindfulness during the busy and chaotic moments of their lives. During one of the more trying times in recent years with COVID-19 and our school’s venture into distance learning, mindfulness became even more crucial to faculty and students. In addition to virtual yoga and mindfulness classes with Tyson, Aronson, who previously taught Pilates and yoga fusion classes in Boston, offered weekly Zoom classes. Aronson’s classes gave faculty, administrators, and students a chance to be together and present in their bodies while also stretching amidst the increased amount of sitting that Zoom required. In turn, COVID-19, while a drastic example, is a real life situation where we see how mindfulness immediately offers us a chance to create a better headspace to process what is going on in the world around us. Mindfulness, then, is an important part of a student’s education at New Hampton because if we can teach them how to focus on the here and now, we will equip them with a skillset that they can use in every facet of their lives both now and in the future. Ingrid Knowles, a member of our Science Faculty, Varsity Women’s Lacrosse Coach, and Assistant Athletic Director states that “I definitely think students can benefit greatly from mindfulness. A student cannot come into a space and be ready to learn if their mind is not ready for it. Mindfulness is a practice that allows for students to engage with their now. This will serve them well at New Hampton School, college, and beyond. If they can’t be in the right
headspace to do a task, then they won’t do that task well.” Therefore, in order to learn— right now—students must be present, and faculty must be present. In order to manage stress after “right now,” we need to have what Tyson describes as “tools to manage stress and bring embodied presence into our lives, will lead to a more successful life experience and more compassion for others.” If students can learn to “be present in the moment, both grounded in themselves and simultaneously present with others” then they will have the “capacity to grow and flourish and bring greater awareness [and wonder] to the world around them. Studies show that mindful people are more compassionate, empathetic and genuinely kinder. What school or workplaces wouldn’t want that?” Well put, Tyson. At New Hampton School, we are constantly striving to create individuals who are empathetic members of the global community and use their awareness of the world and knowledge to develop creative solutions to some of our most difficult challenges. Mindfulness gives them the edge to be just those people as they embark on their own journey of finding their voice in what can be a very loud world.
Alvin Powell, “Harvard Researchers Study How Mindfulness May Change the Brain in
1
Depressed Patients,” Harvard Gazette, Harvard University, Aug. 27, 2018, news.harvard.edu/ gazette/story/2018/04/harvard-researchers-study-how-mindfulness-may-change-the-brain-indepressed-patients/ (accessed June 5, 2020). C. P. Bankart, “Five manifestations of the Buddha in the west: a brief history,” in Psychology and
2
Buddhism: From Individual to Global Community, eds. K. H. Docket, G. R. Dudley-Grant, and C. P. Bankart (New York; Boston; Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Press), 45–69. 3
Charlotte Zenner, Solveig Herrnleben-Kurz, and Harald Walach, “Mindfulness-Based Interven-
tions in Schools-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” June 30, 2014, https://pubmed.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/25071620/ (accessed June 1, 2020). 4
NCCIH, “Meditation: In Depth.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, April 2016, https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ meditation-in-depth (accessed June 15, 2020). 5
“Mindfulness Definition: What Is Mindfulness,” Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley,
Mindfulness Tips Mindfulness is easier to fit into your day than you may think. And the benefits manifest in many ways, from increased memory and concentration to lessened effects of stress and anxiousness. Here are a few ways to integrate mindfulness into your routine.
1.
MAKE TIME FOR MEDITATION. Try an app, a guided meditation video, or a prompt to get started. Over time, it allows a greater feeling of connection to your thoughts. Even five minutes a day can lead to great benefits.
2.
TAKE A BREATH. Whether you take a moment to take deep breaths, close your eyes and focus on how your body is feeling, or go outside to get fresh air, the benefits of all of these are a great way to practice mindfulness. Yoga, similarly, offers moments of focused breathwork that are supportive of your mind and body.
3.
WRITE IT OUT. Taking a pen to paper to write out your thoughts, whether in your planner, journal, or notepad, can help clear your mind and offer focus and calm to your day (or night).
4.
SLOW DOWN. When was the last time you stopped to look around? Do you remember what you ate for lunch today? How about your commute to work? If you are experiencing moments of autopilot during your daily drive, cooking dinner, or other moments, it may be time to stop and consider how to be more present. Think about what activities you can tackle to appreciate in a new way and go for it.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition (accessed June 3, 2020). 6
Jon Kabat-Zinn, The Stars of Our Own. Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, 2010.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/video/item/the_stars_of_our_own_movie. 7
Sarah Wheeler, “Can Mindfulness Help Kids Learn Self-Control?” Greater Good Science Center
at UC Berkeley, April 28, 2014, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/mindfulness_help_ kids_learn_self_control (accessed June 3, 2020). 8
Patrick Cook Deegan, “Eight Tips for Teaching Mindfulness in High School,” Greater Good
Science Center at UC Berkeley, August 11, 2014, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/ eight_tips_for_teaching_mindfulness_in_high_school (accessed June 4, 2020). 9 10
Robert Farrell, Fall 2019 Student Survey conducted by Sara Tyson. Melissa Janson, “A Training to Make Teachers Less Stressed,” Greater Good Science Center at
UC Berkeley, March 8, 2012, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/a_training_to_make_ teachers_less_stressed (accessed June 1, 2020). 11
Tip:
Start small, but commit to change. Go where your motivation is highest when you are starting a new mindfulness practice. Make time for it each day, or whenever possible, to move your practice forward.
Sara Tyson, Spring 2020 Electronic E-mail Interview conducted by Meghan Aronson.
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PHOTO BY EILEEN WILLIAMS 84 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
SHAPING EXPERIENCES W E L L N E S S . R E S O U R C E S . I N N O VAT I O N . E X P LO R AT I O N . Once a new space opens on campus, it isn't long before it feels like it has always been there. The years of discussions, the groundbreakings, the sounds of construction quickly transition into the scents of landscape installations—the mulch and fresh plantings meeting sunshine and welcoming sprinklers—imbuing the site with a sense of place and commonality to the rest of campus and always in time for its dedication and a gathering of community members. The work entailed in crafting new possibilities in education, housing, and resources on campus begins with many considerations and voices on how we shape the student and community experience.
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WINDOWS INTO
WELLNESS
Until this year, when it comes to the lower gymnasium, also referred to as the field house, the facility's look has been largely unaltered since its construction in 1998. Twenty-two years is relatively young compared to most buildings on campus. It's served years of Huskies as a place for indoor practices, games, weekend activities, and even ceremonial events. In less favorable weather, it offers the necessary shelter to accomplish large events. It continues to fill this critical need for the school, even now, while now benefitting from new energy. The potential possessed by this large footprint to go further has been sought after for many years. In other years, it may have turned into a new wood-floored basketball court, a training center enveloping half the space with turf and CrossFit-like fixtures, and numerous other ideas. But timing, as we know, is everything. And in this vision, arriving after the launch of the school's latest strategic plan—The New Hampton Difference 2021—the goals of the new facility needed to meet a much more rigorous ideal. Not just a utility, but a functional community space. New Hampton School is committed to supporting healthy development in our community, physically, mentally, and socially. With an eye towards mindfulness and the need for a thoughtful space, construction became a reality this year. The resulting Wellness Center is a multi-use facility that provides a home for our strength and conditioning program, team athletic training, yoga, and dance
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programs. A dark utilitarian space once lacking for many students is now a sought after area. Natural light pours in through new windows, into the center, and across the second row of windows into the lower gymnasium. To the observer's sight, they are rewarded with one of the most covetable views on campus: Kennedy Field just ahead on the right, and the lower fields, west residential village, and hundreds of trees all around. For our student-athletes, this timely addition pairs with enhancements to the locker room facilities and a newly installed turf. While athletes gain much from this space, our entire community is utilizing this state-of-the-art facility as intended. The lower-level of the two-floor structure focuses on strength and conditioning; the second level contains a cardio room for spin classes and a studio—offering ample welcoming space for mindful moments, meditations, dance, yoga classes, and small group discussions. Measuring in at 10,000 square feet, the center opened in September after two seasons of construction. Students make frequent use of this lively hub of campus life, and its potential is only growing as the weeks continue. Visit our athletic facilities page on www.newhampton. org to view a video of this great resource in Husky Nation.
VOLUMES OF
RESOURCES
The historical value of the Gordon-Nash Library and its close relationship with New Hampton School and the town itself cannot be overstated. Likewise, merging the Gordon-Nash's resources with the school's Academic Research Center amidst a pandemic meant a lot of hard work, delicate decisions, and careful storage of precious materials—and all of this came before any of the renovations could begin. By late March, the community saw the library close its doors as work began to prepare the historic building for renovations. Of utmost importance in its renovation was maintaining the original library's overall feel and historic status. Likewise, restoring and modernizing many elements aided in the final look. By the time the doors reopened in September, and the library hosted an open house for students to become acquainted with the library, the pride of its fresh appearance met eager new patrons. The Gordon-Nash Library now serves as the primary library for both students and the town once more. Many of its programs continue in varying degrees during the pandemic, and the town patrons enjoy curbside pickups of the many offerings and resources. The library needs of students frequently extend beyond casual reading books, periodicals, and a steady wi-fi signal. The library needs resources for their classes and staff knowledgeable in their efforts. Our experienced Gordon-Nash team assists students in research tactics, and the space itself offers a quiet locale for studying and relaxing away from their houses. Library Director Jerrica Blackey serves as the school's IB Extended Essay Coordinator and teaches a class in research techniques. At the same time, alumnus and Curator of Special Collections Kent Bicknell's long history with the
library, which he utilized as a student, and as an educator, offers ample knowledge to answer any arising questions. The library's full staff includes members from the previous staff and the school team, balancing both communities' needs. While the school aims to expand programming, including the library's beloved children's program, and to become home to the school's service-learning program, one of the best new resources for our students is using this space to host the Writing Center. Launched for the first time this fall, Director of the Writing Center Meghan Aronson organized peer tutors and a helpful sign-up system early this fall. Students sign up online to work with their peers in constructive 30-minute sessions in critical areas such as brainstorming, citing sources, outlining, and proofing. Aronson shares helpful reminders with the hours for drop-ins and appointments, both in-person and virtual. The process in the Writing Center is valuable both for the tutor and the tutee. Aronson shares, "For tutors, it gives them the necessary time and space to begin mastering the writing process through their tutoring of peers. This application of knowledge through teaching really allows them to discover what they know well and need to spend further time studying. For our tutees, it gets them in the habit of seeking out help so that when they arrive at college, they know that these resources exist, how to seek them out, and how to use them!" The in-person experience helps establish the library as an additional collaborative space for students while they also gain new skills.
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RENEWED ROOMS OF
I N N O VAT I O N
Entrepreneurialism is entwined in the very DNA of New Hampton School. In addition to our founder John Kelley Simpson, an entrepreneur himself, there are alumni profiles throughout the years of success in self-owned businesses and enterprises. For students in a school that aims to teach them how to think, not what to think, the independence drawn from a self-sustaining business may be attractive. Likewise, lessons drawn from entrepreneurship and leadership education can help inspire and benefit lifelong learners in many career fields. From skills in perseverance to flexibility and cooperation, qualities found in leaders and entrepreneurs are vital tools for developing minds. Today, the Academic Research Center's [ARC's] main floor is open, free of furniture and faces alike. It's previous stacks and numerous volumes on display in Gordon-Nash, leaving an invitation for possibility. The freed, blank slate holds the opportunity to honor the spirit of one of the ARC's originating purposes—innovation. As part of the strategic plan, the in-development Entrepreneurial Studies program will find a dedicated space for the curriculum, creating an educational ecosystem enabling collaboration, flexibility, and creativity. The spaces themselves must be suitable for projectbased learning and flexible to the user to achieve this goal. It must be prepared for co-working and have technology-rich tools for idea exploration. The resulting space will empower students and lead to problem-solving skills and meaningful experiences.
NNOVATION LAB VIEW 1 | ARC Last year, Director of Strategic Initiatives Jonathan Schwab spoke at several sessions on this topic, including the annual fall meeting of the Parents Association. With the spirit of innovation in mind, the guiding
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principle of the discussion was how to empower students to solve the world's toughest problems. He posed the following question to parents as the jumping-off point for discussion: How might we prepare students to have the skills which allow them to be adaptable in a constantly changing world? Parents openly talked about needs, including quality communication skills, empathy, ability to disagree civilly, self-advocacy skills, adaptability, perseverance, and finding opportunities to stumble and 'fail' safely. Early success in the program arrived virtually in July as Schwab offered a summer session in entrepreneurship. The week-long introductory class's goal was to engage students and develop their collaborative and critical thinking skills. Course content described that students would "start and incubate a business of non-profit concept to address a current need during the Coronavirus global pandemic." The students also received guidance and consultations from professionals in New Hampton School's network. With the inspirational goals of this initiative, what, then, would it look like physically? With the ARC's high ceilings, ample natural light, and airiness, the program could help shape the space in myriad ways. Ideas focused on unconstrained, open-concept classrooms and small group meeting rooms illustrate the program's potential. Modular furniture could also quickly transform into useful arrangements, clearing the away barriers of a traditional classroom. Whatever the final design may be, the once-familiar space will take on a new feel and welcome our 21st-century learners when we reach the tentative completion date in the fall of 2021.
N E W E X PA N S E S A N D
E X P LO R AT I O N S Ahead of the school lies paths to additional renovations and goals to provide transformative experiences. As a school, we work to provide innovative educational opportunities for our students while ensuring that they remain supported—mind and body—and ultimately venture into adulthood. From student and faculty housing to academic and community spaces, the campus landscape is sure to change in the coming years just as it has in the past decades. Whether that is a new house for students and faculty or new green spaces, the intentional changes serve to support community goals in students' daily experiences. Critical community spaces like Memorial Dining Hall and McEvoy Theater, even in pre-pandemic times, look toward expansions to hold the full school body. Main Street houses and buildings, the face of our small community, seek potential ways to expand valuable green spaces. When each may come to pass, we'll again experience a feeling of commonality as it becomes a part of the
community as if were there all along. The English department's longtime home, Lane Hall, stands as the last unrenovated classroomfilled building on Academic Row but new life will be breathed into its beloved space soon. Lane will undergo renovations beginning in 2021 before reopening in the fall of 2022. As the school sets its course in physical spaces, angling forward in its Strategic Plan and Bicentennial Campaign, we remain focused on preserving history and tradition and securing the school's future while supporting the need for innovation, access, and equity. With each adjustment, we draw together those who made it possible and those who will experience it first-hand. And in times when we cannot be together, as with our bicentennial flags of celebration on Main Street, we will find ways to signal the community that we are still here, and we are always moving forward, shaping and reinventing our spaces for the next generation of Huskies.
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L LY Years Of Gl o bal Ci t i ze n s K N O W N 200 at Ne w Hampt o n Scho o l BY KENT BICKNELL ' 6 5, ED. D.
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From the early days of its founding, New Hampton School established a global presence that translated to a more vibrant environment for the whole community. In its first two decades (1821-1841), 15 international students journeyed from their homes to attend New Hampton while boarding with local families. Since then, thousands more have followed. Today, our alumni body holds within it members from six continents and 72 countries. Similar to our school's roots, today's students experience immersion in our mission of "global citizenship." Students and faculty explore and appreciate world cultures; connect to relevant economic, social, and political issues; gain compassion and empathy for different communities through engaging with real-world matters; build diverse relations through academics, athletics, artistic expression, and service; and build awareness of everyone's responsibility for global sustainability.1 A variety of alumni voices enhances this anecdotal reflection of international students at New Hampton School along the way.
As we look back at the school's international community, we start where our Class of 2020 ended—as the newest members of our alumni body, in a most unusual year. Cum Laude speaker Xinying Wang, a fouryear senior from China, shared a timely address to the community and her classmates about the New Hampton School experience from an international perspective.
Xinying '20
TO EMBRACE NEW CHALLENGES Good morning, Mr. Williams, Board of Trustees, faculty members, family and friends, and most importantly, my fellow graduates; I am honored to represent the Cum Laude Society in celebrating this important moment for the Class of 2020. This has been a difficult year, during which time we have all made significant decisions, including where we will be and what we will do over the next four years. The people who surround us, faculty and classmates, have played critical roles in these turning points, whether we were consulting teachers or our college advisor or receiving a simple piece of advice or word of encouragement from a peer. My journey at New Hampton School has been life-changing. As an international student who transitioned from a public middle school in China, I remember the challenges during my freshman year. I did not know how to write a hypothesis, I felt shy in my biology class; I would spend hours completing an English reading assignment, only not to dare share my thoughts in class; I felt acutely the cultural and language gap, which made me afraid to communicate. It was not easy. Now, I am graduating. I have written multiple full lab reports. I have successfully designed a lab and completed several IB Internal Assessments (even though teachers still wish I would "share out more often"). The support from teachers and peers has been indispensable in this learning process, as my teachers ignited my interests in various subjects, and my peers showed me how to be a leader as well as demonstrating what' diverse' and 'inclusive' mean. I have become a better person—a person who is more open-minded and capable of taking on responsibilities and who is much more mature and confident when encountering challenges and failures. Yet, I recognize I still need to improve. I want to give one piece of advice: try new things and embrace new challenges. I never thought I could be a student leader, but I became one; I never thought I would deliver a speech during my graduation, but I am giving one. The pandemic of COVID-19 is a unique experience for our class, and we are learning to be resilient and strong because of it. Even though the future is uncertain, our community has prepared us well to face the challenge and continue to develop under pressure. I believe every member of the class of 2020 will grow to be the best version of themselves and will walk into a bright future. Thank you, and congratulations to the New Hampton School Class of 2020.
- Ms. Xinying Wang '20
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T H E E A R L Y D AY S O F I N T E R N AT I O N A L S T U D E N T S : Jo hn K e l l e y S i m pso n & M i ssi o n ari e s Why would students sail halfway around the world to attend a new school in the woods of New Hampshire in the 1830s and 1840s? Two probable reasons were the missionary spirit of the times and the marketing skills of Boston merchant and key New Hampton School founder John Kelley Simpson. Even before opening day on Monday, September 17, 1821, Simpson was indefatigable in his efforts to recruit boarding students from Boston, and soon had arrivals from all over New England. Simpson was never shy about promoting the value of the school. His reach, built on his domestic and international business contacts, extended well beyond the northeastern states. His efforts drew students from Canada, Greece, Sweden, Peru, and Great Britain, in addition to domestic influxes from Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and the "Wisconsin Territories." Along with boarding students from Boston, New Hampton Academy opened with strong ties to the Baptist church and its global network of missionaries. Several academic courses aimed to train ministers and missionaries. In 1826 the school changed its name to the Academical and Theological Institution at New Hampton, and ensuing trustees, heads, faculty, and students
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came from Baptist congregations engaged in work for the church worldwide. Martha Hazeltine, a young member of the Class of 1826, was so capable that she was appointed to be the first head of the newly-formed New Hampton Female Seminary within two years of graduation. Halfway through Ms. Hazeltine's tenure, two well-known ministers from England spent several days on the campus, dividing their time between the "boys' academy" (next to the current Town House) and the "female seminary" located in the village. In a widely disseminated book about their 1835 travels, Rev. Hoby and Rev. Cox recounted many details of their visit to New Hampton Academy. They had particular praise for the female division and its head, noting, "Miss Hazeltine has risen to merited distinction. The powers of her mind, her attainments, and a happy facility in teaching early marked her as likely to excel in this arduous and responsible station. Two or three able associates take their respective departments, in most efficient and harmonious cooperation with the lady president. Many young ladies from Boston have received their education there; and its advancing celebrity has led to the intention of erecting a new and more spacious edifice."2 Hoby and Cox wished the United Kingdom could begin to model such centers of learning
for women, concluding that, "the great mass of females with us, grow up comparatively in ignorance of much that is taught at New Hampton."3 With such endorsements coupled with the sterling reputation of professionals like Martha Hazeltine and her successor, Sarah Sleeper, it seems likely that missionaries promoted the virtues of a New Hampton education around the world. Evidence of this is found in the published annual reports of The Young Ladies' Literary and Missionary Association of the New Hampton Female Seminary. Reports from 1835 to 1845 featured missionary correspondence from graduates and members living in France, India, Liberia, Myanmar, the Sandwich Islands, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, and all over the U.S. and Canada. In 1839, Sarah Sleeper, of the New Hampton Class of 1832, advanced from being an "able associate" of Ms. Hazeltine to become the second principal of the New Hampton Female Seminary. When she departed in 1847, she sailed to Bangkok to spend the remainder of her 42 years in missionary work. This time abroad likely further spread positive words about the value of the school to an international audience. She wrote, "It was my ambition when I came to Siam [Thailand] to have a school such as we had in New Hampton. This is the way it stood in my mind. New Hampton was a school for the middle class. It expended its strength on the workers. We sent teachers and ministers and useful men and women to influence society everywhere and to influence it for good… It was the spirit of the school to fire the pupils with an enthusiasm to be useful to their fellow men."4 Rev. Otis Bacheler, M.D. D.D., was a missionary in India for more than half-a-century. In 1856, he acquired a house in New Hampton (still standing) and then leased to the school as a boarding house for students when he returned to India. His son Albert, born and raised in Midnapore, India, came back to enlist in the Civil War, and the Bacheler family followed. During his father's service on the school's board and executive committee, Albert graduated with the New Hampton Class of 1867 and then Dartmouth College in 1871. He began a lengthy career as an educator, serving as principal in several schools, including in Manchester, New Hampshire. Professor Joseph W. Chadwick, 1857 graduate of New Hampton School who served as head of New Hampton from 1862-1866, described how he learned about the school: "I owe it to Dr. Otis Bacheler that I am here today. In one of his trips, he stopped at my father's house, and persuaded my parents to send me to
New Hampton to school. That was the opening of life for me.' Doubtless many others could give a like testimony [as] many date the beginning of their interest in missions to the stirring addresses of Dr. Bacheler."5 Chadwick continued, "A word should be said of Dr. Bacheler as a trustee and member of the executive committee of New Hampton Institution. First, last, and always, he was a missionary, but he was, at the same time, broad enough to embrace other worthy interests. He was always interested in the prosperity of the Institution, never sparing of his advice, time, or money, when the interest or prosperity of the Institution was in question. He was among her earliest and best friends."6 Upon retirement from missionary work, Dr. Bachelor, along with supporting New Hampton, practiced as a dentist and oral surgeon and gave the occasional illustrated lecture on "The Manners, Customs and Religion of the Hindoos." The archives also highlight the arrival of two students from Turkey in the early 1870s. While it is not immediately clear how Serope A. Gurdjian, of Kayseri, Turkey, and Hagop Buzdijian from Bresnia, Turkey discovered New Hampton at this particular time, it may have been through a missionary connection. Buzdijian lived for two years in Randall Hall, though he did not finish his education here. Gurdjian graduated in 1873 and went on to study at Bowdoin College, attaining a B.A. in 1877. On both campuses, he set up shop as a professional photographer, and the New Hampton archives hold portraits of students stamped on the verso, "SEROPE A. GURDJIAN - PHOTOGRAPHER - NEW HAMPTON, N.H." After graduating from Bowdoin College, he journeyed to Istanbul as a naturalized U.S. citizen to help start a university, among other enterprises. Sometime after his return, Gurdjian was illegally arrested and detained by Turkish authorities for assisting the Armenian freedom movement. While Turkey apologized for arresting a U.S. citizen, they then asked Gurdjian to leave the country. He settled in Athens, Greece, returning to photography for a living. As a Bowdoin Alumni article reported, "In the winter of 1890-91 Gűrdjian met Thomas Allen and William Sachtleben, two recent graduates of Washington University of St. Louis who were preparing for a 7,000-mile bicycle ride across Asia. The three met regularly for coffee and eventually all shared an apartment in Athens, where they would engage in philosophical discussions and political debates. Allen and Sachtleben described their newfound friend as "cerebral and charismatic," and they admired his fluency in English, Turkish, and Persian… If Seropé Gűrdjian had not been a revolutionary before his arrest (and torture, according to what he told the cyclists), he certainly counted expatriate Armenian radicals and anarchists among his close friends in Athens."7
The New Hampton connection with citizens of Turkey continues. The community was fortunate to witness the talents of Canberk Kavsuk '20 and Kerem Ozturk '20 as they helped secure the basketball program's first AAA NEPSAC Championship in eighteen years. Their talents on the court matched their positive presence as contributing members of campus life over the years they attended.
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SHIFTS IN CURRICULA AND DEMOGRAPHICS As societal and individual needs changed, so too did the school. It moved away from its established reputation as a training ground for ministers and missionaries by the late 1800s. In 1870, the Theological Division, housed where Draper House now stands, was relocated to Bates College in Maine, and the school, under the wise direction of heads such as Atwood Bond Meservey (1868 to 1898) and Frank Preston (1898 to 1923) added new subjects to the curriculum. Along with literature, the arts, music, world languages, math, science, and history, New Hampton offered vocational training in bookkeeping, banking, telegraphy, and surveying. A trickle of international students continued to matriculate during the latter years of the 19th and early part of the 20th century. By 1925, foretelling clouds on the horizon culminated in a dramatic change for the school. A series of external events, driven by the Great War (WWI) and changing demographics, led to an ever-shrinking enrollment, buildings in disrepair, and no endowment to safely harbor the school. Concerned trustees reached out to Frederick Smith '10 (Bates B.A., Harvard M.A.) with a plea that he lead his alma mater into the future. Smith, whose parents and six siblings were alumni, left his position as Superintendent of the American School Foundation in Mexico City and returned north to orchestrate a dynamic school rebranding—that of an "all boys" college prep school. With contagious enthusiasm and a commitment to finding financial aid for "worthy" students, Smith enrolled 100 new students for the opening term in September 1926 (in addition to the 10 slated to return) while renovating the campus and overhauling the curriculum. The program's transformation was soon emulated by several New England academies, including Tilton, Kimball Union, Proctor, and Vermont Academy. Given his connections in Mexico, it is no surprise to report a significant number of Hispanic and Latino students enrolled in the early years of Smith's rebuilding, including students from Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, and Spain. During his tenure (1926-1959), international and domestic students' enrollment continued to grow as the school increased its academic offerings, facilities, athletic programs, and other co-curricular activities. His successor, and son-in-law, T. Holmes "Bud" Moore '38, expanded all facets of the program, carrying the legacy of tradition, adaptation, and reenvisioning education forward. The 1950s through the 1980s witnessed a steady stream of international students, as they contributed in the classrooms, playing fields, on stage, and in clubs.
O N T H E P L AY I N G F I E L D S When you live in an international community like New Hampton, one of the many ways you become close is as teammates. In the fall of 1972, Rob Moore '73 was part of a very talented soccer team with four critical international players. In Rob's words:
Rob '73 "Our team was a convergence of athletes from all different backgrounds that came together to gel, then excel, compiling a 9-3-1 record while winning the Lakes Region Championship. Four students who hailed from other countries, three from Germany and one from Thailand, brought key ingredients to the team. Anchoring the team in goal and decisively directing the players in front of him was Guenter Stricker '73. At midfield were Peter Heil '73 and Todd Suvannachive '74. Peter could control just about any ball and distribute it adeptly. Todd was like an acrobat weaving through opposing players, then serving up a perfect pass. Up front, senior Egbert Zimmerman '73 brought ruthless grace and beauty to the field with runs that would stun and goals that would awe. Midfielder Karl Kimball '74 said of Guenter's goalkeeping, "I had played goalie before coming to New Hampton, so I knew a lot about the position. I was in awe of Guenter's positioning, grit, and how he would take control of the field." Defender Pete Galletly '73 remembers how these international students showed us how to play a different kind of game with a new dimension, opening the field, distributing the ball with patience yet just the right opportunism to score goals. New Hampton Hall of Fame Coach Dave Rice was a genius with positioning, directing us from the sidelines—an omnipresent cigarette hanging from his mouth—making small adjustments to tweak the lineup so the chemistry was just right. Assistant Coach Peter Bixby was a masterful motivator who could outrun most of us at practice and who pushed us hard to be better than we thought we could be. Co-captain and center midfielder Brad Boyce '73 remembers that he could rely on these adept and inspiring teammates to distribute, create, and accomplish with controlled composure, slowing the game down. Brad credits them with teaching us to pass the ball back to create space and slow the game down—a tactic that won us some games we would not have won otherwise, a tactic that American high school soccer generally had not yet evolved. We American boys learned lessons that played out off the field as well. About life and people, they taught us to broaden our horizons and not only to be curious about people who come from another culture with new ideas and perspectives, but to pay attention to and acquire new skills and understandings. About "the beautiful game," they taught us that a team is built on the alchemy of great preparation, the notion that each player has his role, and the certainty that a mistake is an opportunity to learn how to do better next time. When that chemistry is present, the results are both elegant and fun, no matter where in the world the beautiful game is played.
- Rob Moore '73, Team Co-Captain 94 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
QUA L I T Y E D U C AT I O N, S U C C E S S F U L C I T I Z E N S In connecting with Young Jun Kim '08, many of his words resonate with generations of students at New Hampton School with gratitude to its continuing commitment to quality education. Long before Kim arrived on campus in the fall of 2004, former Head of School Bud Moore outlined his thoughts about our school's experience. As Bud noted on first becoming head, "The educational experience shouldn't be a training experience so much as a broadening experience. No matter what happens in the world—no matter how selective you are—you can't get rid of human beings' diversity, and you shouldn't try. Let's help each student learn how he is different, then give him the maximum opportunity to capitalize on the differences while helping him deal with his weaknesses. When I was a student at New Hampton, the educational experience extended to all levels and all areas, the intellectual through the academic program: the personal, physical, emotional—all of it. We were thinking about producing successful citizens and making life a little better, moving the world along a little bit, and realizing that that wasn't totally an academic exercise. It was catering to different kinds of intelligences, though I'm not sure we knew that then."8 Many years later and under a different head of school, Kim's four years of experience in his own words contain many of the essences established decades earlier.
Young Jun '08
"I remember vividly the first day I came to New Hampton. It was my first time living away from home, and everything was unfamiliar. I was neither confident to speak in English nor did I understand social life in America. But the distinctive character of New Hampton allowed me to let down my guard with ease and helped me blend in as a member of the community. When people ask me what your favorite part of attending NHS was, my answer is always "the family-like community." While the people, food, language, and everything else was unfamiliar, the warm and welcoming community enabled me to feel like I had a second home in New Hampshire, though halfway around the earth from Korea. With the love and care of members of the faculty and friends, I began my journey at New Hampton and still keep in touch with those I met; in fact, they have become an indispensable part of my life. The educational philosophy in an ordinary Korean high school and that of New Hampton School is very different. In Korea, most high school curricula are pre-set to maximize scores on the national college entrance exam. This translates to maximum time for study and memorizing exam contents, and minimal time for sports and creative work. On the other hand, New Hampton offered a curriculum outside of the box, which led me to design my own courses. The program's flexibility encouraged students to find their fields of interest in academics and other areas. The freedom students were given promoted the excellent habit of studying on our own initiative, which helped me through college and through my Ph.D. New Hampton School helped make me who I am today, as it shaped my mindset in a positive way. I not only was able to find hope and opportunity but also realized that the time and effort I put in would make the difference in the future. After four years of life lessons from numerous faculty members and peers, I became a president of the student body. I learned that a "leader" is not someone with a fancy title, but someone willing to put in their best effort and contribute. Since that time, I have tried to be a leader in every aspect of my life. Attending New Hampton School continues to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
- Young Jun Kim '08
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AMERICAN & FINNISH REFLECTIONS O F F R I E N D S A N D T E A M M AT E S Eva Hodgson '18 and Ronja Orpa '18
Eva '18
"Coming from a tiny town in N.H. and a big family where all we knew was the small world of public schools, the transition to New Hampton was difficult but life-changing. I was able to form relationships with people from many different cultures— to eat lunch and sit in classes with students from 30+ countries. I have friendships with so many beautiful people who have such a wide variety of backgrounds, some of whom were basketball teammates.
In my sophomore year, Ronja Orpo came from Finland. We quickly became friends, and, as the friendship grew, she shared more and more of her culture and language with me. She taught me how to say certain things in Finnish and challenged me to help her with English. She spent that following summer with my family in order to play AAU Basketball. As she got a glimpse into my world, and I into hers, we were able to understand one another better. "
"I agree. Thanks to Eva and many others, my experience at New Hampton was amazing; I made a lot of new friends, learned all about American culture, and lived the life I had always dreamed about. As an international student, I was scared at first and curious about how people would accept and welcome a foreign student to their school. My fears were for nothing because everyone welcomed me better than I could have imagined. At New Hampton, everyone is so kind and always ready to help you. No one is left alone, and everyone is accepted just as they are, which is something I love about the school. I only have good memories of amazing experiences like Friday night football games, Saturday basketball, hockey games, hanging out with friends at the Dog Pound, and being outside during fall and spring. Members of the faculty were always so helpful and made sure you got the best grade you could. Being an international student made no difference for me as New Hampton School was a home with all the brothers and sisters I never had.
Ronja '18
Eva '18
"My time at New Hampton pushed me outside my comfort zone in so many ways that I gained perspectives I wouldn't have had otherwise. The school's diversity allowed me to feel comfortable and confident in being me as I grew into a person I didn't know existed. I know every person has a different experience coming in, going through, and after they leave NHS—and this is one of the reasons New Hampton holds such a special place in my heart. I won't always remember the person I was before, but I will always remember the challenges I faced that shaped me into the person I am today. "
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A C A L L TO AC T I O N A N D NEW CONNECTIONS In 2010, New Hampton School became the first boarding school in New England approved to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. The IB program is rigorous, the curriculum is interconnected, and there is a focus on analytically based learning and its applications—on the "why" of education. A student who completes the program earns an IB diploma that carries recognition and respect from universities worldwide. Embracing this dynamic program attracted eager international students who were keen to experience the ever wider-range of academics, visual and performing arts, athletics, service programs, and independent projects to be found in the hills of New Hampshire. Gaining international exposure in this manner makes ways in education and the student experience as they build relationships with friends from multiple countries. This invaluable exposure helps them live the school's mission as they reflect on their connections outside of their home country. One such friendship in recent years comes from Eva Hodgson '18 of New Hampshire and Ronja Orpo '18 of Espoo, Finland.
LIVING ITS MISSION Perhaps the most essential criterion for evaluating a school— whether deciding to apply, attend, teach at, donate to—is to determine whether it lives its mission. New Hampton School has embraced this vision and mission since its inception. In the words of Ms. Xinying Wang, Class of 2020, who opened this article's reflection: "Even though the future is uncertain, our community has prepared us well to face the challenge and continue to develop under the pressure. I believe every member of the class of 2020 will grow to be the best version of themselves and will walk into a bright future." And so, too, the school believes that this community, this nation of learners and collaborators, of artists, educators, and visionaries, will propel future generations into a bright future.
[1] Adapted from the New Hampton School website. https://www.newhampton.org/about-us/mission--core-values [2] Baptists in America; A Narrative of the Deputation from the Baptist Union in England to the United States and Canada by Rev. Francis A. Cox and Rev. James Hoby. London [1836]. Pp. 389-90. [3] Ibid, p.397. [4] J. C. Gowan, "Martha Hazeltine - Educational Pioneer" in Educational Horizons, Vol 34. No. 2 (Winter 1955) p.181. [5] Rev. Otis Robinson Bacheler, M.D. D.D. : Fifty-three Years Missionary to India by Rev. Thomas Hobbs Stacy [Boston 1904], pp. 462-463. [6] Ibid, p. 487. [7] Bowdoin Daily Sun July 21, 2014, "Whispering Pines: Discovering a Prodigal Son" by John R. Cross '76. See Whispering Pines: Discovering a Prodigal Son [8] T. Holmes Moore quoted in Kathy Neustadt and Tom Curren's New Hampton, New Hampshire: A Chronicle [2003]. p. 26.
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WOM E N Women have always been an important part of New Hampton School. Since the founding of the school in 1821, women have attended, worked at, and supported the School with enthusiasm and grace. In the midst of The Great Depression, the school’s enrollment was continuing to shrink and had a physical plant in disrepair. Headmaster Frederick Smith made the decision to transform the New Hampton Literary Institution into an all-boys college preparatory program called The New Hampton School for boys in 1926. This transformation led to other schools in the local area and across New England following suit. For a period of 46 years, women did not attend New Hampton School. Women returned to the institution in 1972 and have maintained a presence at the school ever since. The following pages highlight a few of the influential women who attended and supported New Hampton School throughout the last 200 years. There are many stories of influential women in the history of New Hampton School that we hope to share in the coming months and years–more than could grace the pages of the Hamptonia, showing the impressive reach of women throughout the years.
Martha Hazeltine ’27
One of the last students to attend New Hampton Academy before it became New Hampton Academic and Theological Institution, Martha graduated in 1827, stayed at the school and began teaching. She subsequently became head of the Female Department in 1829. In 1833 she formed the “Literary and Missionary Association” for young ladies to promote foreign mission trips and resigned in 1840 when she married Rev. Joseph Smith. She left a resonating imprint on students with her passion for teaching, strong moral foundation, and vivacious personality. She introduced the concept of physical education and was one of the first philanthropists for the Female Seminary. “She had the passion for acquiring knowledge, the knack of assimilating and retaining it which mark the genuine scholar. United to this was an unusual force of character, a welldeveloped ambition, and a clearly defined and exalted notion of the true mission of a teacher.” - Edwin Lewis, Memories of New Hampton.
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Sarah Sleeper ’32
Good friends with Martha Hazeltine and alumna of the class of 1832, Sarah Sleeper upon graduation became a teacher and, in 1839, the second principal of New Hampton Female Seminary. Sarah called students and graduates to not only promote the advancement of intellectual and moral faculties through The Young Ladies Association of the New Hampton Female Seminary for the Promotion of Literature and Missions, but also encouraged more than simply personal enrichment and rather, “the elevation of our sex universally” by dedicating their life to the transformation of the United States. “Were the ladies of our country to make appropriate efforts, the whole nation might be elevated in its physical and intellectual abilities, and its moral powers developed to an expansion and energy that would produce a more glorious revolution, than that which gave it existence.” [1] Sarah helped to write Martha Hazeltine’s memoir entitled Memoir of the Late Martha Hazeltine Smith published in 1843. In 1847, she departed New Hampton and sailed to Bangkok where she wished for a school such as New Hampton and to spend the rest of her remaining years in missionary work.
Their writing skills were honed at the school as both wrote and presented for the Young Ladies Literary and Missionary Association which was part of the Female Seminary. Emily’s classmates often challenged her to send her writings to publishers outside the school and she took that challenge writing–first as herself and then under a penname under her sister’s warning because she was “too young to write”. Her penname was Alice “Gordon” Lee. The popular Neal’s Saturday Gazette was one of many publications she sent her writings to. Joseph C. Neal gave a rave review of her writing and they instantly became pen pals. However, after her real identity was uncovered, Mr. Neal paid her a visit at her home in 1846 when he was so struck by her, he wrote to her after returning home and offered marriage. She would forever keep the name Alice, first as Alice Neal and then as Alice Haven. Cornelia outlived Alice and wrote her memoir in 1866.
[1]
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Cornelia ’41 and Emily Bradley ’46
The Bradley sisters, Cornelia and Emily, were two 19th century alumnae who forged highly successful careers as popular authors based on their years spent in the village of New Hampton. The sisters, from Hudson, NY, reached the school via their uncle, the Rev. J. Newton Brown, A.M. a professor at New Hampton Academical and Theological Institution from 1838-1845.
Literary and Missionary Association of the Philadelphia Collegiate Institution for Young Ladies Annual Report (1839), 34, 35.
Ina Bickford ’98
Ina, daughter of New Hampton Literary and Biblical Institution class of 1869 alumnus Reverend Lewis Page Bickford and Emma Grace (Fox) Bickford and granddaughter of alumnae Susan Woodman Fox, resided across the street from the Gordon-Nash Library in what was known then–as is now– “The Pillars” with her parents and siblings. The Pillars served as a guest house for tourists complete with meals when requested. Reverend Bickford worked as both janitor and librarian for over 20 years and was assisted by his daughters Grace and Ina as assistant librarians. Ina graduated from the New Hampton Literary Institution in 1898 and subsequently taught there from 1899 to 1910. She replaced her sister Grace, who assisted her father, as assistant librarian at the Gordon-Nash Library in 1899 and succeeded her father as caretaker and librarian of the Gordon-Nash Library from 1917 to 1949, dedicating over 50 years to caring for the library. During her time as librarian she taught herself library cataloguing, offered the first instruction in library use for grammar and highschool students ever given in northern New Hampshire, fervently suggested a separate children’s library, and received a scholarship for having the highest per capita book circulation in the state of New Hampshire. [3] She was also a founding member of the New Hampton Historical Society.
EMMA (FOX) BICKFORD ’68
New Hampton School alumna of the class of 1868 and town activist, Emma championed an effort to bring a “Clapp Fountain” to the center of the village in 1900 and it still stands today. [2]
She practiced law with her father at the law office of Swain and Swain in Bristol, served as trustee of Gordon-Nash Library and New Hampton School, acted as legal authority for the town of New Hampton, clerk of the town school district, served as a member of the School Board, was a lifetime member of the Garden Club, and unofficial town historian. [3] Pauline also helped author the book A small gore of land: a history of the town of New Hampton, New Hampshire from its beginnings through the early 1940’s.
Pauline Swain Merrill ’21
A native of New Hampton, Pauline was class valedictorian and class of 1921 graduate of New Hampton Literary Institution. She attended Northeastern University Law School where she graduated cum laude in 1928 and became one of the first women lawyers in New Hampshire and only the second to be admitted to the Bar Association in Grafton County.
HAZELTI N E -M E R R I L L L I F E T I M E ACHIE V E M E N T AWA R D Recognizes a member of New Hampton School alumni, former or present faculty who has demonstrated leadership in her community and her profession.
[2] Bringing the Presence of the Past into the Present, The Village Fountain (2019) by Kent Bicknell [3] New Hampton, New Hampshire: A Chronicle (2003) by Kathy Neustadt & Tom Curren HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 101
Kathleen Hiawatha Hilyer ’21 Perhaps because enrollment was dropping precipitously, Billie transferred to Cushing Academy where she became the first woman of color to graduate as Valedictorian in 1925. She went on to Boston University and Radcliffe, then the University of Paris, Middlebury College and the University of Quebec. She began teaching French and coaching drama at Bethune-Cookman College, later joining the faculty at Spelman College in Atlanta where she became Head of the French Department. Until her tragic death in an automobile accident in 1962, she was incredibly active in dramatic productions, starring in major roles year-after-year. As noted in a recent history of the famed Atlanta University Summer Theater, when the group began in 1934, Billie, “then a young and beautiful French teacher at Spelman with a background in dramatics... became the prima donna of the company.”
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Her middle name, Hiawatha, was almost certainly a reflection of her parents’ support and patronage of the talented British composer, S. Coleridge Taylor, who created and performed a trio of cantatas, Scenes from the Song of Hiawatha, right before Kathleen was born. Graduating in 1921, she went on to Howard University and prepared for a long career teaching high school English in the Chicago public schools.
William Bryan “Billie” Geter ’25
William Bryan Geter from Jacksonville, FL was one of the most talented alumnae to grace our classrooms, music rooms and stage in the 20th century. “Billie,” as she was known to her friends, excelled in academics, music and drama during her two-year tenure. In 1922 she was awarded the top academic prize for a female student along with honors in the Germanae Society.
Kathleen Hiawatha Hilyer came north to the New Hampton campus in the fall of 1917. Her father, businessman and attorney, Andrew F. Hilyer, and her stepmother, Amanda Gray Hilyer, were nationally recognized civil (and cultural) rights advocates in Washington, D.C. In Kathleen’s four years here, she was a strong contributor to the arts as well as academics, and served as an editor of the Hamptonia in her senior year.
Norma Jean “Jinga” Smith Moore NO R M A J E A N SM I T H M O O R E AWA R D
Norma Jean Smith Moore, known as Jinga throughout her life, grew up in New Hampton when her parents, Former Headmaster Fred and Grace Smith, led New Hampton School from 1926 through 1959. While Jinga did not attend New Hampton School, she did return in 1946 after marrying T. Holmes “Bud” Moore in 1944 when Bud, an alumnus of New Hampton School, returned as a member of the faculty. Bud became the Headmaster of New Hampton School in 1959 and so, she took on the role of headmaster’s wife. A role that entailed, during that time, playing hostess to dinners, school events and meetings. As women’s roles shifted, Jinga became a Spanish and Latin teacher, a coach and a dorm parent. Jinga went beyond her role as headmaster’s wife, coach or faculty member and was an everpresent role model and mentor to many students who passed through New Hampton School. Her loyalty to the school was most admirable even after her tenure. “I am in awe of her lifetime of service to her students and our community, and the incredible impact she had on so many people during her extraordinary life.” - Joe Williams, 23rd Head of School
Recognizes a faculty member for her service to New Hampton School.
Virginia McMaster
A vital part of student life at New Hampton School, Virginia was the school nurse for more than 25 years. Prior to joining New Hampton School, Virginia joined the U.S. Army in 1941 when the United States entered World War II as a nurse in General Patton’s Army and served in North Africa. She was with forces that established a beachhead at Anzio, Italy and eventually took Rome. Virginia was also with U.S. forces during the last German offensive, the “Battle of the Bulge”, where there were more than 100,000 U.S. casualties. Joining New Hampton School in 1955, she played an important role in the daily lives of students and, during a particularly trying year, brilliantly orchestrated a plan when nearly the entire school became ill with an avianborne influenza. She stayed at New Hampton School until she retired in 1981.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 103
Carol Brooks
Former faculty member Carol Brooks was a pioneer for contemporary science education and brought the first environmental science course to life in the mid-70s. A large component of the class was field work and land-use research. Carol was the first female dorm parent for Berry Hall in 1974, the founder of New Hampton School Earth Day celebrations, was instrumental in the continuation of environmental science classes, and offered wilderness and international trips that provided fond memories for many. Prior to New Hampton School, she served in the Peace Corps in Borneo and transitioned to work as in-house counsel for National Title Insurance companies after passing the NH Bar exam in 1983.
Jennifer Shackett Berry ’83 The start of a 40-year presence at New Hampton School, Jen began her tenure at New Hampton School in the fall of 1979 as a freshman. She was a fierce competitor in soccer, tennis, basketball, and softball during her tenure and after graduating from Colby College, she returned to New Hampton School as a teacher, coach, dorm parent and, eventually, Director of College Counseling. Jen was a recipient of the Faculty Medal, Hazeltine-Merrill Lifetime Achievement Award, Norma Jean Smith Moore Award, O’Hara Teaching Prize, and the Total Human Development Award–some more than once–showing her significant influence on the lives of thousands of New Hampton School students. Even after her recent retirement in 2019, she continues to be involved with the school and its bicentennial celebration.
T
C U R R E N T LY O N C A M P U S
A Bond of Sisterhood Today’s students connected with New Hampton School alumnae members in a special virtual forum in December. Organized by the Advancement Office as part of our Alumni in Residence series, the panel of speakers selected represent female voices from the early return to coeducation at the school. Students heard about the unique experiences and challenges of alumnae from 1970-2020. Additional programming opportunities to celebrate 50 years of women at New Hampton School are underway.
INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, OR HAVE AN IDEA TO SHARE?
Contact us at alumni@newhampton.org.
here are many more women who we will come to realize have had a greater impact on New Hampton School than we recognized at the time. It is often difficult in the moment, to comprehend the influence a person has until much time has passed. In 200 years, there will be women we know by name who will grace the pages of the Hamptonia and be recognized for their grand contributions to the school and its community.
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D I S PAT C H E S
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120
CL ASS NOTES
IN MEMORIAM
Accomplishments, adventures and milestones.
We remember the friends and alumni who have passed on.
Members of the 1964-1965 Student Council on the steps of Berry Hall.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 105
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Dean Jacobson ’68 hit the slopes with Head of School Joe and Eileen Williams P’22 and Sarah DeBenedictis in Utah this past January.
Beth and Rodney (Blood) Bascom '70 recently celebrated 48 years of marriage.
Class Notes 1958 JONATHAN GRANGER is living in Naples, FL and is looking forward to seeing classmates at Reunion 2021.
National Park recently. He would like to thank former faculty member NORMAN FARWELL for his support of his singing as a member of the Glee Club and The Greenbriars- he sends his best wishes to his classmates!
he is looking forward to reuniting with many of his classmates at the Bicentennial Celebration in 2021.
1960
1965
JAMES ST. ONGE retired from Freudenburg NOK Sealing Technologies in NH and moved to the Villages in Florida, but lives seasonally in Moultonborough, NH. Jim keeps in touch with fellow classmates, DEAN CHERTOK and STEVE HAENDLER and former faculty Lou Gnerre & Joe Merrill. James enjoyed being on campus for the 50th Reunion last summer to celebrate the Class of 1969 and hopes many of his classmates will return in 2021 to celebrate their 50th reunion! RODNEY AND BETH (BLOOD) BASCOM, enjoyed time on Newfound Lake after Beth's battle with leukemia. Beth and Rodney have 14 grandchildren and 1 currently lives in India. They celebrated 48 years of marriage and are enjoying their time raising a beef cow, hiking in the Shenandoah Valley and spending time
BOB FELDMAN reported that he is doing well and living in Miami during the winter months and sends his best to Husky Nation. SAMUEL NOEL BAXTER is enjoying retired life and thinks of his days at New Hampton School fondly!
1964 WADE CHASE celebrated with his wife their 35th wedding anniversary last December and has enjoyed traveling all around the country this past year. JOHN EHRLICH is celebrating his 40th anniversary season as the Music Director of the Spectrum Singers who perform in Cambridge, MA. John has enjoyed traveling to Toronto, Zihuatanejo, San Francisco and Glacier
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HOWARD FIELDS is a retired director from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Georgia and recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with wife, Eileen. Howard keeps in touch with fellow classmates AL DEMPSEY & LEWIS COHEN.
1968 DEAN JACOBSON hit the slopes with Head of School Joe and Eileen Williams P’22 and Director of Advancement Sarah DeBenedictis in Utah this past January.
1969 KENNETH HOLBERT shared that all is well, and
1970
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Mark DesMeules '71 visited Newfoundland where he summited the highest peak in the province, Gros Morne.
serving their local church. “When in NH we love to visit family and friends at the New Hampton Community Church and the school and Polly’s Pancakes and Petey’s Seafood!”.
1971 MARK DESMEULES visited Newfoundland where he summited the highest peak in the province, Gros Morne. DALLAS LANGEVIN has enjoyed traveling this past year to Phi Phi Island, Berastagi, Surabaya, Pulau Weh, Jakarta and Kuala Lampur. He shared, “retired life is very enjoyable!”
1973 DOROTHY ABBOTT LEVESQUE has four amazing grandchildren, Aiden (8), Caleb (6), Brendan (4), Bowie (2), and awaiting Baby #5! Dorothy and her husband celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last September and look forward to many more wonderful years together. She still loves to play the piano and sings daily. She also enjoys writing songs and poetry!
1974 BAKER YOUNG retired and is living in Lubbock, TX enjoying time with his two wonderful grandchildren Boston McGregor Young (6) and Harlee Hayes Young (3). Baker coached Lacrosse at Colleyville, TX for two years as a goalie coach and Head freshman coach – two of his goalies made it to All State in 2016 and
Class of 1978, hosted a virtual Zoom reunion to reconnect with their classmates. L to R: Cheryl Geerhold, Liz Hassinger, Joe Saturley, Susan Brooks, Laurie Wasielewski, Steve Corbally, Nora Ambrose, Rachel Mercer, Frankie Garcia, Pam Harbach Harley, Leslie Gladstone Restaino, Beth McNeish Peter Quilty, Susan Freeland, Ronny Sassano, Nanci Walker, Loring Stevens, and Phil Fukushima.
All American. In that same year his team went undefeated at 16-0; a record he is very proud of! Baker returned to campus for his 45th reunion last summer and was happy to connect with classmates and keeps in touch weekly with DAN BURCH. GEORGE FARAN is enjoying his job at Proctor Academy as the rink manager and planned a trip to Ireland last summer to find his family roots and explore the beautiful country.
1976 After taking the time to enjoy his family and friends, getting dirty in the garden, and even making time to catch a 150 lb tuna, FRANK MCCLELLAND is excited to share he is now focused on his new venture, Frank, in Beverly, MA. Frank offers farm to table cuisine in a restaurant setting or to go from the market and café.
1978 To cope with the difficult times we faced this spring the Class of 1978, hosted a virtual Zoom reunion to reconnect with their classmates. On the call were CHERYL GEERHOLD, LIZ HASSINGER, JOE SATURLEY, SUSAN BROOKS, LAURIE WASIELEWSKI, STEVE CORBALLY, NORA AMBROSE, RACHEL MERCER, FRANKIE GARCIA, PAM HARBACH HARLEY, LESLIE GLADSTONE RESTAINO, BETH MCNEISH PETER QUILTY, SUSAN FREELAND, RONNY SASSANO, NANCI WALKER, LORING STEVENS,
and PHIL FUKUSHIMA. Beth tuned in all the way from Australia winning the most different time zone award and Phil joined briefly while on the golf course in Hawaii! NANCI WALKER and LIZ HASSINGER put together a Spotify playlist for the group to enjoy together, taking them back to their days at NHS.
1980 JOE ARDAGNA of Rosewell, GA celebrated this past spring as son STEVEN ’20 graduated after four years at NHS and will play junior hockey for the Rockland Nationals in the Central Canada Hockey League next year. ROBERT HALVERSON will soon publish his first audiobook as narrator of “The Big Meat” by Carlton Mellick III. Robert keeps in touch with JOHN MORGAN and SAM CARR WALSH.
1981 NANCY WALSH ISAAC visited the NHS campus for the first time in 17 years. “It's changed a lot but it's nice to see that some things are the same - like Blueberry Hill, the GRC chairs in front of Berry Hall and the Gordon Nash Library. Thanks to the nice student for taking our photo!”.
1982 AARON HOOPES just had his 5th book published “Reconnecting the Earth: Reclaiming Our Relationship to Nature and Ourselves.”
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 107
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
L to R: Tim Legere '89, Billy Jackson '89, Chris Curran '90, Steve Rysz '89, Coach Harrison Golden, John Myers '89, Kevin Bligh '89, Jon Gallagher '89, Coach Mark Tilton, Mike Nicholas '90, PJ Hunt '89, and Mark Demaio '89 celebrating their 30th Reunion last summer.
L to R: Ryan King ‘90, Mike Nicholas ‘90, Carlton Yentsch '91, and Mike Katz '91 at Reunion 2019. .
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L to R: Brian Cox '92, Sean Duplessie '92, Alison Kirk '90, Brian Ahearn '91, and Renee Tocci '92.
Brian Cox '92 and his family at the 2020 Alumni Hockey games.
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Nancy Walsh Isaac '81 visited campus for the first time in 17 years.
Jennifer Shackett Berry '83, P’07, P’10, P’15, H’19, Kelsey Berry '07, Emma Berry '10, Hayden Berry '15 and the family enjoyed an evening celebrating July birthdays and summertime!
Billy O'Connell '89 with his wife and four daughters.
1983
1988
GREGG “CASEY” FOWLER, his wife Holly, and their 12-year-old son Carson recently moved to the woods of Barrington, NH. They are enjoying the peaceful setting and watching the turkeys and deer run through their yard. THOMAS LEHRICH was appointed as the Inspector General for the US Ability One Commission. He leads the oversight for a $3.3 billion dollar program. Tom resides in Washington with his wife, Debbie and three children. JENNIFER SHACKETT BERRY P’07, P’10, P’15, H’19 enjoyed a family filled evening on Gordon Hill celebrating July birthdays and summertime! Lots of Huskies and a future Husky in this photo! RICHARD HILFICKER celebrated the graduation of his son, WILL ’20 from New Hampton this spring.
MARK RAYMOND is the Head Designer/Project Manager at the Moore Brothers Company in Massachusetts. Mark recently celebrated his 17th wedding anniversary and has a 9-yearold daughter. PETER SMITH and husband Ryan along with their 13-year-old daughter Tiffany moved after 25 years in Seattle, WA for Valenica, Spain in July 2018. They have immersed themselves in the Spanish culture and language while managing the Seattle business remotely. The experience has shown them it is never too late to explore and experience something new! Peter has great memories of NHS and the friendships made there and would love to hear from more classmates!
and Coaches. JAMIE MAGLARAS welcomed second child Mia Sofia Maglaras on June 16, 2019 – now baby brother Nicholas James has a little sister!
1985
BILLY O’CONNELL lives in Walpole, MA and has been teaching at the Braintree Public School for over 26 years. He is the Head Baseball Coach and was selected as the Northeast Regional Coach of the Year by the National Federation of the State High School Association. Billy and his wife, Ann have 4 amazing daughters and he thinks fondly of his days at NHS as a PG with Coaches Golden and Tilton. TIM LEGERE, CHRIS CURRAN ’90, PJ HUNT, KEVIN BLIGH, MARK DEMAIO, JOHN MYERS, JON GALLAGHER, STEVE RYSZ and BILLY JACKSON had a great time celebrating their 30th Reunion last summer and catching up with friends and former faculty
SAM CONKLING’S daughter BRIDGET ’20, a fouryear student at New Hampton School graduated this spring and will attend Westminster College this fall.
1987 ERIK ANDERSON celebrated the graduation of his daughter, BONNIE '20 from New Hampton this spring. ANGELA BRASWELL celebrated the graduation of her daughter ZOLA ’20 from New Hampton this spring. Zola will be heading to St. Lawrence University this fall, studying Government with a Pre-Law track.
1989
1990 ALISON KIRK was happy to see so many attend the Winter Alumni Weekend at Husky Nation. It was a great turnout for the Alumni Hockey game that found many of our alums on the ice with their children playing in the game! STEVE PANICO ’90, TRACY JENKINS ’91, JILL ST. JEAN ’91, RENEE TOCCI ’92, BRIAN COX ’92, KEITH WHITE ’92, SEAN DUPLESSIE ’92, CAROLYN SANTAMARIA ’92 and NICOLE DREW CURRIER ’97. Alison enjoys her position as the Young Alumni Relations Coordinator at NHS and encourages all alumni to attend these great events and stay connected to your classmates! ALEX POLOMSKI ROSS is currently an IT Architect for IBM Watson and travels to NYC And San Francisco often.
1991 REED BEAUPRE’S son Dante ’20 graduated this past spring after two years at NHS! Dante will attend The Pratt Institute where he will play basketball and study jewelry design this fall. RYAN KING ’90, MIKE NICHOLAS ’90, MIKE KATZ and CARLTON YENTSCH had a great time catching up at Reunion 2019 with classmates and former faculty.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 109
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
George Fearons '92 and John Hinman '92 caught up in Boulder, Colorado.
Tarik Sheppard '95 with his wife Jasmine Yearwood Sheppard '98 in NYC.
Mandy Cronin '98 with spouse Mandy, daughter Logan and son Brody.
1992
1995
1997
GEORGE FEARONS and JOHN HINMAN caught up with each other while George was on a college visit with his son, Seamus in Boulder, Colorado. It had been many years since they had seen each other, and they enjoyed catching up and reminiscing about their time together at New Hampton. George’s other son, Patrick is a junior at Tulane in New Orleans. RENEE TOCCI is the Director of the Foxboro Parks and Recreation Department and enjoys connecting with classmates PATTY GERMANI FELLOWS, TRACY JENKINS ’91 and ABBEE HOYT ’91. Renee has three children, Tanner and Tucker attend the University of Alabama and daughter Gabby (12) is an avid hockey player. Renee enjoyed attending the NHS Powder Keg and connecting with former classmates! KAZ TAKIGAWA was in Boston visiting from Tokyo when he gathered with former classmates for dinner, KEITH WHITE, ALISON KIRK ’90, RENEE TOCCI, and BRIAN COX.
CHAD BARON and wife Michelle welcomed their first child last summer on July 7, 2019, Lucy Ann Baron. Chad and his family live in Gilford, NH and he is in touch with fellow Huskies MEL MCSHANE, LINDSEY COX, KEVIN BLUMENTHAL and BEN CECIL. MEL MCSHANE is living in the Lakes Region of NH and is currently working together as a Realtor with her Mother, Judy McShane with Coldwell Banker Real Estate. TARIK SHEPPARD is a Lieutenant in the First Deputy Commissioners Office of the NYPD. Tarik and his wife JASMINE YEARWOOD SHEPPARD ’98 live in NYC with their son. KEVIN BLUMENTHAL and wife Dana welcomed their first child last summer. Kevin and his family are currently living in upstate New York.
NANCY COLLINS and her partner Tara welcomed their second child, Rex Louis Collins on August 12, 2019, weighing 8lbs 11oz and measuring 22 inches long.
1993 MICHAEL HOPKINS recently moved to beautiful Colorado with his wife and daughter and is loving Denver!
1994 STEVEN JACKSON is a Senior Automation Engineer for Axis New England and recently celebrated his 10th wedding Anniversary. 110 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
1996 MICHAEL CLOSE, Massachusetts State trooper escorted the New England Patriots truck with 300k N95 masks to New York City during the height of the Covid crisis when it was a critical need for all the hospitals in the NYC area in early April 2020. DAVID LINDBERG recently moved to South Korea where he is the Director of Admissions at the Korea International School. David got his Masters of Education at Endicott College and often hears from JAY HAUSER ‘95 and Coach Tilton.
1998 TIM GLASSETT and his wife Laura welcomed their third daughter, Ainsley Elizabeth Glassett on August 29, 2019. MANDY CRONIN continues to follow her passion and works to develop and mentor youth hockey players and lives near Toronto with her wife and their daughter. She also recently started a new job at the General Manager for the Toronto Six, a team in the NWHL. Mandy and her spouse have a new son.
1999 JORDAN KAUFMAN and wife, Kristina were married last fall in Colorado. Jordan runs a real estate company where he develops and brokers commercial real estate properties nationally.
2000 ALICIA BURROWS and her wife Allie welcomed a baby girl, Theia Mae Burrows on July 3, 2020. She weighed 8lbs and 10oz and measured 20 inches long. Welcome to the Husky family!
Husky Pups
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Rex Louis Collins, son of Tara and Nancy Collins '97.
Theia Mae Burrows, daughter of Allie and Alicia Burrows '00.
Audie Steven, son of Stacia Jeroulis '02.
Eloise Mae and Zachary Michael, children of Michael and Amanda Herman '04.
Lucy Ann Baron, daughter of Michelle and Chad Baron '95.
Harper Kait McCabe, daughter of Whitney and Joe McCabe '09.
The Kibbee-Alleyne family with new baby Brooklyn.
Lyla Kae Zornow, daughter of Keil and Katie Koenig Zornow '12.
Malia Noel Falzarano, daughter of Mike Falzarano '15.
Noah James Liebert, son of Lizzie '12 and Seth Leibert '12.
Elizabeth Jayne, daughter of Dana Lenior '08.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 111
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
L to R: Riccardo D'Agata '20, Jack Wolf '20, Pierce Gomez '21, Scott LeBrun, Erika Lee, Michelle Cote, Jamie Holleran '20, Will Gilbert '19, Chris Simmons, Jamie Arsenault, Dempsey Arsenault '15, Lara Arsenault P'13, P'15, and Wes Miller '01.
Mark Baldwin '02 qualified for the Korn Ferry Tour.
2001
2005
A group of Huskies including DEMPSEY ARSENAULT ’15, JAMIE AND LARA ARSENAULT P’13, ’15 and former staff members Erika Lea and Chris Simmons, headed to UVM December 18, 2019 to cheer on UNCG Spartans lead by Head Coach, WES MILLER and former huskies basketball player BAS LEYTE ’19. The Spartans edged out the Catamounts for an exciting 54-53 victory. This spring, WES grabbed the number one spot on ESPN’s 40 under 40 Best Coaches in College Basketball. The 2020-2021 season will be Wes’s 10th season as Head Coach at UNC Greensboro.
2002 MARK BALDWIN was recently featured in Golf Week Magazine spotlighting his qualifying for the Korn Ferry Tour which began in the Bahamas in January 2020. Mark and his wife Sarah were married in 2017 and welcomed their first child Miles on March 14, 2020 weighing 9lbs 11oz. STACIA JEROULIS welcomed son Audie Steven to her family July 2019. Stacia received her Master's in Science Teaching– Earth Science and enjoys teaching in NY.
2003 DANA TURNER and husband Ben have a son Henry (2) and welcomed second son, Charlie on April 9, 2020. Dana is a Senior Manager at Fidelity Investments and lives in Londonderry, NH. JON BLIZZARD is an entrepreneur with an 112 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
interest in South Beach. He is currently working on a Master’s of Finance from Boston University. Jon and his wife Tara wed in Miami in January 2020.
2004 AMANDA HERMAN and her partner Michael have added to their family this past year, twins Eloise Mae and Zachary Michael born on July 17, 2019. They join sisters Isabella and Charlotte. ERIC TOCZKO founded ShineOn, a company that manages the logistics and supply chain for over 5,000 digital jewelry brands. The company happily shares that their employee base is 85 women, working out of locations in NJ and FL. MEAGHAN CERVINI THOMPKINS is married and lives in Bethel, ME with her husband Paul, and has two wonderful boys...Asher is almost 5 and Logan is almost 2! TYLER DONAHUE recently graduated with a PhD in Health and Kinesiology with an emphasis in Neuromechanical Sport Performance from the University of Mississippi. Tyler has accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg. Our community welcomed back four alumni to campus as part of our Alumni in Residence program in February. CHELSEA GRAHAM, ALICIA HAMMOND, TRACY WRIGHT, and MARCEL JOHNSON ’15 presented as a panel during school meeting with a focus on intersectionality, equity, and inclusion.
KIRSTEN KING married Joe Fiero on July 26, 2019 and on February 28, 2020 they welcomed a son, Dominic Robert Fierro. MICHAEL CHAMBERS and his wife Leila welcomed their second child in November 2019, a daughter, Ophelia Livingston Chambers.
2006 GREG HELMS and his wife Kristen are excited to announce the arrival of their second child, daughter McKenna Lane Helms born September 17, 2019 weighing 7lbs 5oz. KRISTYN POLUCHA recently graduated with her Master of Science and Nutrition from the University of Memphis in May 2019 with a 4.0 GPA. She is a Middle School Science teacher at the Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY. Kristyn enjoyed traveling to Europe for three weeks to France, Spain, Ireland and Portugal. LAUREN D’ALLESSANDRO, an ER nurse at the Plymouth, MA branch of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lauren has felt the weight of this Covid crisis. “I have never been scared of going to work – but I honestly and admittedly can say that I am full of anxiety and fear when I go into work…I am proud to be a nurse and lucky to take part in such a fulfilling position where I help others who are in need.” RADAR JONES ONGUETOU caught up with former student JEREMY MILLER ’15 on campus for the Winter Alumni Weekend and were all smiles seeing each other since it had been almost five years since they had seen each other.
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Chelsea Graham '04, Alicia Hammond '04, Tracy Wright '04, and Marcel Johnson ’15 presented at an Alumni in Residence panel.
Melanie Julien '06 and Alisha Gilbert '14.
Lauren D’Allessandro '06 a front line hero during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Radar Jones Onguetou '06 caught up with former student Jeremy Miller ‘15 on campus for the Winter Alumni Weekend.
L to R: TJ Bond '11, Steve Berry '11, Connor Gorman '11, and Dane Caracino '11 at the Winter Alumni Weekend.
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DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Kirsten King Fiero '05 and husband Joe on their wedding day.
Faculty members Dillon Estridge and Ellory Shackett '13 married on July 10, 2020.
Jordan Kaufman '99 and wife Kristina were married last fall in Colorado.
Joe McCabe '09 and wife Whitney were married in May.
Pat Saunders '08 and wife, Keeley were married in October 2018 in Laguna Beach.
Kayla Kommitt '13 married Dan Alliss on
Jon Blizzard '03 and his wife Tara wed in January 2020.
February 15, 2020.
Husky Weddings Congratulations to all our Husky couples! Mike Levine ’00 married Emily on August 22, 2020 in Stratham, NH.
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Sarah Kaiser Parker '12 married Sam Parker in Boston Harbor on June 20, 2020.
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Connor Gorman '11 and Cammey Keyser were recently engaged .
Steven Berry '11 popped the question to Christen Kruger and surprised her with an engagement ring this past June.
2007
2009
ROSA BENETATOS graduated from Eckerd College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, Minor in Visual Arts. Rosa graduated in May 2019 with a Master of Science degree in School Counseling from the College of St. Joseph. She earned a Divisional Award from the Psychology and Human Services Division at the College of St. Joseph.
JOE MCCABE and wife Whitney were married last May and welcomed another addition to their family on June 11, 2020 a little girl named Harper Kait McCabe. Congratulations! LEO NOCERA and his wife Katie welcomed a daughter Eloise James Nocera on September 18, 2019 weighing 8lb 2oz. and measuring 20.5 inches long.
Athletic Conference. This year there were three Division I committed players, two players drafted in the USHL, one player drafted in the NAHL, and many other players signed on to other junior hockey programs. STEVEN BERRY popped the question to Christen Kruger in Boston and surprised her with an engagement ring this June. They are planning the wedding for 2021. MARY PENNIMAN is an active duty Engineer Officer in the United States Army. This spring she was assigned to an emergency task force to assess, design, and determine the feasibility of existing convention centers, hotels, and dorms to be retrofitted into temporary healthcare facilities for COVID-19 patients due to overflow of ICUs. Mary said, “If you knew me as a student at NHS, this job is perfect for me. I enjoy complex problem solving and thinking outside the box. The job is very demanding, but I am so happy to be a part of the solution." She recently left for Afghanistan for a nine-month combat deployment. REIVA KIBBEE shared, the Kibbee-Alleyne family welcomed Brooklyn on May 12, 2020.
2008 PAT SAUNDERS and wife, Keeley were married in October 2018 in Laguna Beach, CA. They currently reside in Scottsdale, Arizona. SAM CIEPLICKI recently graduated with his master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He has since relocated to Phoenix, AZ where he is the Director of Development at Phoenix Country Day School, a private pre K-12 school in Paradise Valley, AZ. DANA BUCKLEY LENIOR is a Project Management Engineer for Toyota Motor Northbound R&D. Dana and her husband welcomed their first child last year, Elizabeth Jayne who is a fiery, smart, and very active little girl. Dana is also serving as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for AnnArbor non-profit Therapeutic Riding Inc- where she gets to utilize her passion for horses and community service! She recently saw classmate SAMANTHA MORSE over the holidays and enjoyed catching up!
2010 STEPHANIE KENNEDY HOMAN and her husband Stephen are excited to announce the arrival of their daughter, Charlotte Reed Homan on September 14, 2019. LYDIA GILL is currently a 4th-year medical student at Dartmouth. She is applying to residencies in OB/GYN and is hoping to remain in northern New England. She is very into outdoors activities such as running, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, etc.
2011 CONNOR GORMAN recently was engaged to Cammey Keyser and said, “We have postponed our wedding until August 2021 due to Coronavirus but can’t wait to celebrate with all of our family and friends next summer”. Connor finished his first season as Head Coach for the NHS Men’s Varsity Hockey team. The Hockey season record was 21-10-4. The team made the NEPSAC Tournament for the sixth year in a row. They cracked the Top 10 list for the best hockey teams in the New England Prep School
2012 SETH AND LIZZY LIEBERT welcomed their first son Noah James Liebert. SARAH KAISER PARKER married Sam Parker in Boston Harbor on their friends' boat, Carousel on June 20, 2020. Sam and Sarah always dreamt of getting married at their parents' house in Mattapoisett, MA with all their close friends and family, but HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 115
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
William Callif '12 got engaged to Ana Spone last March.
Matt Cole '15 spent much of this past year living and working in rural Kenya bringing water to the indigenous Samburu people there.
Allie Munroe '15 and Mallory Ruston '15 reunited for some fishing this spring in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
with the pandemic going on it was sadly unable to happen. With boating being such a large part of their lives, they decided there was no better way to do a socially distanced wedding than on the water! They were able to be on the same boat as their families and invited close friends to bring their boats in from Marblehead, MA. There were around 12 boats total surrounding them while they said I DO! “It was the most special day that we will never forget. And we can’t wait to tell our kids that we got married during a pandemic”. CONNOR GALLOPO is a Software Engineer for Doctible, Inc. He was able to start a code school within his company where he could train students to be software developers and as a company, they can hire them after completion. Connor has enjoyed traveling to Italy this past year and sends hello to Husky Nation! WILLIAM CALLIF is working at the Newman School in Boston as a high school Latin teacher and is in his second year of Law School at Suffolk University. He got engaged to Ana Spone last March. LYLA KAE ZORNOW and husband Katie Koenig Zornow welcomed daughter Lyla Kae Zornow, born on November 19, 2019.
Law school this past spring and was hired as a Legal Aid in Worcester, MA. Brianna will be studying for the Bar Exam and aspires to become an Immigration Attorney. Current NHS faculty members Dillon Estridge and ELLORY SHACKETT were married in a small ceremony on July 10, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will formally celebrate their wedding next summer at their alma mater, St. Lawrence University with friends and family. KAYLA KOMMIT married Dan Alliss on February 15, 2020.
Melanie and Alisha are members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, from different bases. One evening, Melanie saw Alisha come into the room wearing her New Hampton School hoodie. The two struck up a conversation, and discovered they were also both alumnae of our hockey program! In February of this year, the Canadian Forces held its annual regional hockey tournament to determine which team would represent the Atlantic region at the CF national hockey tournament. MELANIE '06 was playing for Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Greenwood, NS, and Alisha playing for CFB Gagetown, NB. Amazing that these two alumnae met on the ice as rivals two years later. ALISHA and her team took the gold and Mel's team took the silver.
2013 KAY MCMAHON is working at the Belmont Hill School in Belmont, MA as the Development Associate in the Advancement Office. Kay is enjoying being in Boston and sees her Husky classmates often in the city. BRIANNA CARDWELL graduated from Boston University 116 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
2014 MACKENZIE BREWER-LITTLE married John Paul Krol on March 28, 2020 on the beach at Bear Camp Pond. MATT DEAN shared “I took on a role with Callaway Golf as an Associate Engineer within their Operations Leadership Program (OLP). This program allows me to diversify my work experience by having the ability to take on 3 different roles in 3 different areas of Callaway. The 3 areas I will be exposed to are engineering, operations and project management. After the conclusion of this program, I will be assigned to a leadership role in an area that I have excelled in throughout the rotational process. I currently reside in the suburbs of Hartford, CT. I try to get out and play golf whenever I can find the time.” He wishes all well in Husky Nation and hello to classmates! It is a small, small world! MELANIE JULIEN '06 and ALISHA GILBERT met by chance two years ago in Nova Scotia.
2015 CARMELA CHIRINOS was excited to share in November 2019, that she accepted a job with Democracy Now and is living and working in NYC. MICHAEL FALZARANO is excited to announce the arrival of his daughter, Malia Noel Falzarano, who arrived just one day after her dad’s birthday, December 5, 2019. A group of Huskies including DEMPSEY ARSENAULT ’15, JAMIE AND LARA ARSENAULT P’13, ’15 and former staff members Erika Lea and Chris Simmons, headed to UVM December 18, 2019 to cheer on UNCG Spartans lead by Head Coach, WES MILLER ’01 and former huskies basketball player BAS LEYTE ’19. The Spartans edged out the Catamounts for an exciting
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Seamus Tully '15 and Ben Kumpf '15 caught up with each other in Montana.
L to R: Carol Thomas, Dominic Thomas ‘16, Christian Thomas '17 and Steve Thomas '82.
Augusta Truesdale '19 (left) completed (and loved) her first year at the University of St Andrews, Scotland’s first University.
L to R: Nick Healey '19, Ben Downing '19, Caleb Duggan '19, Chris Fridlington '19, JW Cantwell '19, and Kaya Suner '19 reunite at Powder Keg 2019.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 117
DISPATCHES | CLASS NOTES
Angela Braswell '87 celebrated the graduation of her daughter Zola ’20 with former staff, Barbara Plaia.
Alumni from many decades gathered in December after the Boston Holiday Reception to toast to their mutual love for New Hampton School.
54-53 victory. ALLIE MUNROE and MALLORY RUSTON reunited for some fishing this spring in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Both are continuing to pursue their passion for playing hockey professionally. MATT COLE spent much of this past year living and working in rural Kenya bringing water to the indigenous Samburu people there. Matt works as a Minerva Fellow at The Samburu Project, Samburu County Kenya. STARR-RENEE PHILLIPS was recently inducted into the National Collegiate Chinese Honor Society after graduating in May 2019 with a Double Major in International Affairs and Chinese Language and Culture. SEAMUS TULLY and BEN KUMPF caught up with each other in Montana. Our community welcomed back four alumni to campus as part of our Alumni in Residence program in February. CHELSEA GRAHAM ‘04, ALICIA HAMMOND ‘04, TRACY WRIGHT ‘04, and MARCEL JOHNSON presented as a panel during school meeting with a focus on intersectionality, equity, and inclusion.
2016 ASA GOLDSTOCK had a great lacrosse season at Syracuse. Asa was named the ACC defensive player of the week and hit the milestone of 500 saves! TORREY DOELL graduated from UNC Chapel Hill this spring and moved to Austin, TX to work for Oracle. DOMINIC THOMAS ‘16 and his brother, CHRISTIAN THOMAS enjoyed playing lacrosse at New Hampton School together for three years then went onto Merrimack College and played together for 118 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
another three years as dad, STEVE THOMAS ‘82 cheered them on. Dominic started working as a Technical Recruiter at John Galt Staffing in Burlington, MA this spring.
2017
MADISON ADLER met up with fellow Huskies this spring to share memories from their time at NHS with SARAH SNOW, TORRE DAVY and DJ LEARY at Newfound Lake in Bristol, NH.
2018 EVA HODGSON had an outstanding season at William & Mary. She led the Colonial Athletic Association in scoring, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. She also broke the teams single season scoring record that was set in the 1978-1978 season. KARINA NGUYEN recently completed her sophomore year at UC Berkeley and was profiled on their Instagram account. Karina cited her time at New Hampton as being very transformative and how grateful she was to her parents for affording her the experience. While at NHS she continued work with the European Youth Parliament and the United Nations. She is interested in startup culture at Cal and technology. LILI XU is enrolled in a five-year dual degree program at Lawrence University seeking Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees.
2019 KAYA SUNER is doing great things in hospitals in Rhode Island and New Hampshire to connect
loved ones with patients in the hospital during this pandemic of COVID-19. He and fellow classmate CHRIS FRIDLINGTON, who helped design the website for his non-profit called “Covid Connectors” were able to help those who needed the technology to talk to family members. KAYA will be attending American University this fall and CHRIS will attend Middlebury College. A group of Huskies including DEMPSEY ARSENAULT ’15, JAMIE AND LARA ARSENAULT P’13, ’15 and former staff members Erika Lea and Chris Simmons, headed to UVM December 18, 2019 to cheer on UNCG Spartans lead by Head Coach, WES MILLER ’01 and former huskies basketball player BAS LEYTE. The Spartans edged out the Catamounts for an exciting 54-53 victory. BAS was unable to make it home this spring amidst the pandemic but used his downtime on campus to focus on his studies and improving his game. JOHN BREWSTER and his girlfriend Kiana welcomed a son, Jaden on May 12, 2020. AUGUSTA TRUESDALE completed (and loved) her first year at the University of St Andrews, Scotland’s first University. TYSON WALKER impressed all as an incoming Freshman point guard playing basketball for Northeastern in Boston. This fall, fellow Husky JAHMYL TELFORT ’20 will join him on the court. MADISON WIILINGHAM has enjoyed school in Washington D.C with fellow Husky YANABI SIERRA this past year!
FORMER FACULTY ALISON KIRK ‘90 recently caught up with former
NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL’S
Alumni Association As part of our historic bicentennial year, we are excited to introduce the creation of an official Alumni Association at New Hampton School. Established to expand the alumni network and to encourage alumni engagement with the school, the Association will support alumni programs and services, facilitate communications with the alumni community, and seek to strengthen alumni bonds with the school.
MEMBERSHIP Any New Hampton School student that completes one year in good standing is considered a member of the Alumni Association.
Former pottery teacher Richard Sanderson and his wife Gladys.
pottery teacher RICHARD SANDERSON and his wife Gladys here in the Lakes Region in New Hampshire. Mr. Sanderson was at NHS from 1977-1992. He and his wife enjoyed living on campus, teaching pottery classes and traveling with students to amazing places all around the world for Project Week. RICK WINSOR published a book, Everything in its Season: Lyme, NH 1970-1985. A tribute to the residents of Lyme, NH. Currently, Rick is living in Surabaya Indonesia with his wife Kwee Liang Yien and their two dogs. He continues to write and paint and teaches English to local teachers one day a week and four days a week he teaches online to gifted students in China and to adult professionals in Japan. He still finds great joy in teaching, something that seems miraculous to him after so many years in the profession.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP We are excited to introduce you to the leadership team that will partner with the alumni office to help guide our work during our inaugural years. President – Megan Collins ’98, Baltimore, MD Vice President – Phil Sawyer ’68, Gloucester, MA Secretary – Kaleigh Teague ’10, Boston, MA
WORK OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
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Connects and promotes alumni within New Hampton Schools' internal and external networks to provide career mentoring and networking opportunities.
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The Alumni Association will serve as the conduit between alumni and New Hampton School to advance communication and outreach to strengthen the connection our alumni have to the school.
• •
The Alumni Association recognizes alumni for accomplishments, distinction in their fields, and as volunteers serving the interests of the school.
Will support our annual giving and campaign efforts.
Want to learn more? Visit www.newhampton.org/alumniassociation
SEND A NOTE OR TRIBUTE Class Notes reflect information received through July 1, 2020. To be included in the next issue of the Hamptonia, please send us news and photos of yourself or other alumni by July 1, 2021.
Want to get involved? We are still looking for alumni that would love to represent the community on the Association. Contact Katie Wardrop, Director of Alumni Relations for more details at kwardrop@newhampton.org or 603.677.3414.
FOR CLASS NOTES AND TRIBUTES, E-mail information and photos to alumni@newhampton.org. HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 119
DISPATCHES | IN MEMORIAM
In Memoriam
VICTORIA A. BLODGETT ’80 1961 - 2020
Victoria Alden Hamilton Blodgett, died of cancer on November 4, 2020. She grew up in Wilton, CT and graduated from New Hampton School in 1980. She received her BA in American Studies and her MA in Education from Keene State College in Keene, NH. Her life’s work was as a graduate school administrator and career advisor at Cornell University, Yale University, University of Connecticut, and most recently at the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies at Dartmouth College. Victoria was also a founder and president of the Graduate Career Consortium, and a founding member of the OutLoud Chorus in Ithaca, NY. Victoria is survived by her partner of 31 years, Susan Overton of Quechee, VT; her 3 siblings: William W. Blodgett, III of Palm Beach, Fl; Jean Blodgett Bruns of Boxford, MA; Edward W. Blodgett of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; and 8 adored nieces and nephews. Victoria will be buried with her family in Oswego, NY.
Victoria was an active and beloved member of the New Hampton School Board of Trustees for 11 years. New Hampton School is naming the reading room in the newly renovated Gordon-Nash Library in her honor.
JOHN PHILIP O'HARA ’51 1933 - 2020
John Philip O’Hara, known as Phil, passed away Sunday, October 18, at the age of 87, in Brooklyn, CT, with his children at his side. Born May 17, 1933, in Worcester, MA, O’Hara graduated from New Hampton School in 1951. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at Brown University in 1957 after spending two years serving in the U.S. Army in Korea. Phil retired at the age of 77 as the Director of Student Activities at Brown University. He was a founder of the Brown University Mediation Project and devoted himself to the use of mediation in the Brown and larger Providence communities. O’Hara spent his life in service to other people which included affiliations with Chicago Youth Centers, the Oak Park, Illinois District 97 Board of Education, as well as the Boy Scouts of America and Troop 16. He loved to travel–especially with his children or to visit his children– Alaska, the Boundary Waters, Illinois, Idaho, and California.
Phil maintained a lifetime relationship with New Hampton School where he served on the Board of Trustees and served as Chair. Phil’s granddaughter Kate O’Hara Logan is a member of the Class of 2006. Phil and his Family recently founded The O’Hara Faculty Prize in English.
120 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
DISPATCHES | IN MEMORIAM
ERIK ALFRED DITHMER ’50 1931 - 2020
Erik Alfred Dithmer died on April 16, 2020 at the age of 88 at his home in NYC. Born May 16, 1931, in Kobe Japan. Erik graduated from New Hampton School in 1950. From there he attended and graduated from the University of Colorado. He met his wife of 64 years in Colorado, Beryl Byers Dithmer survives Eriks passing. Erik had a 25 year career with Union Carbide, interesting is another New Hampton graduate Robert Kennedy also had a distinguished career at Union Carbide. Erik worked in Brazil and Costa Rica for Union Carbide before leaving them to join Right Associates where he worked closely with James Shattuck another NHS graduate, small world. Erik is survived by his daughter and son, plus 6 grandchildren. Living in NYC he always said he would never leave the Big Apple. He would also want you all to know - Let's Go Mets.
We are extremely grateful for the more than 20 years of Board of Trustee service Erik contributed to New Hampton School. We will remember his tireless dedication and most loyal support of the school throughout his lifetime.
GEORGE L. WINLOCK ’61 1941 - 2020
The New Hampton School community will remember George and his generous spirit in perpetuity and as we utilize the Winlock Conference Room in Meservey Hall.
George Winlock passed away on July 20, 2020. George graduated in 1961 and was extremely grateful for the education he received at New Hampton. In appreciation of George’s generosity through a $1M endowment gift, a conference room adorns his name in Meservey Hall. George continued his education at Northeastern University where the work-study program led to a tax accounting internship at Warren Brothers Paving Company. George accepted a full-time tax accounting position with them and when the company moved to the south, he became a tax accountant for UniFirst Corporation and eventually retired from there. During his working years he became a Big Brother to two boys and followed their progress into adulthood. He also sponsored children from third world countries. George loved traveling abroad and in keeping with his adventurous spirit, he learned to scuba dive so he could swim with and feed the sharks at the New England Aquarium in Boston. After retirement, he volunteered to use his expertise to help an elderly couple manage their financial expenses for several years. He then moved to West Virginia and finally to Cypress Cove in Kissimmee, FL, where he was actively involved with naturist societies.
We remember. ALUMNI: GABRIEL R. ACCARDI '94 GEORGE W. AHL, JR. '44 ALBERT W. BAILEY '51 VICTORIA A. BLODGETT ’80 CLIFFORD S. BONNEY '64 MAURICE W. BOYNTON '38 BRUCE W. BURNS '46 PETER C. CHARRON '54 ROBERT M. CHASE '37 JOSEPH R. CIANCHETTE, JR. '42 JOHN B. CLARK '33 LEWIS C. COHEN ’65 VINCENT B. COTE '48 RICHARD A. COTE '55 JAMES M. COZAD '69 HOOPER W. CUTLER '58 AUBREY P. DEVINE '36 JAMES H. DEWHIRST '46 ERIK A. DITHMER '50 GARY S. DUFTON '81 STEPHEN H. ERWIN '50 CORNELIUS FLYNN, JR. '32 PETER C. FRIEND '43 JOHN H. FULLER '37 FREDRIC H. GIDDINGS, JR. '67 FREDERICK W. GIFFELS '43 JOHN J. GILBERT, JR. ’41 LUTHER M. GOFF '47 ALFRED B. HILLS '41 RANDALL B. JONES '75 DENNIS M. KABELIS ’93 CARL W. KNIGHTLY, JR. '52 ANTHONY T. LECHERT '70 JACKSON E. LEWIS '49 THOMAS J. LOCHHEAD '66 JOHN P. MARKOS '75 WALTER MCKAY, JR. '63 KENNETH D. MORRISON '41 KEVIN T. MUTCH '81 ROBERT M. NEALON, JR. '00 OLAF NIELSEN '41 JOHN PHILIP O'HARA ’51 NELSON W. PERKINS '36 RICHARD O. PERRON '44 BRUCE C. PLUMER '69 CLARENCE H. PRAHM '44 DERRICK J. PURVES '95 DAVID N. REVIE '42 ORRIN RILEY '48 ROBERT J. RILEY '58 GEORGE S. ROBINSON, JR. '61 RAYMOND S. ROY '59 PETER C. RUSCITTO '67 CHARLES C. SCHLEY '42 GEORGE B. SCHOFIELD, JR. ’50 DANA E. SEBALD '47 FREDERICK SMITH, JR. ’45 JOHN B. STEVENSON '41 JEFFREY S. STRAW '72 ROBERT B. STYLES '47 JOHN C. TARGGART '49 ARTHUR F. TAYLOR '47 WILLIAM R. TAYLOR '67 RICHARD C. THALL '55 DEAN A. TURCO '75 WALTER W. UNGERMANN '60 ARTHUR W. VIETZE, JR. '50 PAUL A. WEINMAN '66 CHESTER W. WILLIAMS '47 GUY F. WILLIAMS III '70 BRUCE A. WILLIS '50 DEBORAH E. WILLIS ’07 GEORGE L. WINLOCK '61 ALDEN B. WOLFE '42 FORMER FACULTY CHARLES “SKIP” HOWARD
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 121
A geology class in the late 19th century poses for a photo on Blueberry Hill.
122 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 123
1821 1 $
3
BUILDING
HEADS OF SCHOOL
TUITION PER QUARTER
40 1
STUDENTS
BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS
7 Academic Buildings 12 Houses 9 Athletic Facilities 7 Other Buildings
333
STUDENTS
TEACHERS 124 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
1895
TEACHER
0 2 20 35
23
62
THE YEAR THE TILTON VS. NEW HAMPTON POWDER KEG TRADITION BEGAN
HISTORICAL COURSE OFFERINGS •
Latin Scientific
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Telegraphy
•
Stenography
•
Penmanship
SCHOOL MASCOT: HARRY THE HUSKY
7
SCHOOL NAMES:
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New Hampton Academy
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Academical and Theological Institution at New Hampton
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The Seminary (The Female Program at the School)
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New Hampton Literary and Biblical Institute
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New Hampton Literary Institution (NHLI)
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New Hampton School for Boys
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New Hampton School
G E T INVO LV E D in the
BICENTENNIAL
our Bicentennial webpage to learn • Visit more about our school’s 200-year history
www.newhampton.org/bicentennial
• Attend a Bicentennial event the date for our Bicentennial Gala – • Save Saturday, June 5, 2021
• Join your Bicentennial Decade Committee your favorite New Hampton School Story • Share bicentennial@newhampton.org Bicentennial-themed apparel at • Purchase the campus store store.newhampton.org
1903
• Follow our Bicentennial blog posts a piece of your New Hampton • Contribute memorabilia to the School’s archives collection the Alumni Office to become • Contact a volunteer alumni@newhampton.org
THE YEAR ELECTRICITY REACHED CAMPUS
2
Number of times New Hampton School celebrated the end of WWI. The first time was when they received fake news of the end of the war, followed by the real news the next month.
to The Fund for New Hampton • Give www.newhampton.org/giving
• Follow us on social media... @newhamptonschool
@nhshuskynation
@newhamptonschool
@nhshuskies
@newhamptonschool1821
@newhamptonschool
For further information and to stay up to date VISIT WWW.NEWHAMPTON.ORG/BICENTENNIAL.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 125
Our Bicentennial volunteers. Volunteers are critical to any successful event and New Hampton School is the grateful benefactor of countless volunteers committed to fulfilling the mission of the Bicentennial Steering Committee.
BICENTENNIAL STEERING COMMITTEE
HISTORY COMMITTEE
CINDY BUCK P’01, ’05, Bicentennial Coordinator, Co-Chair
CLARE ROTHSCHILD P’15, Trustee, Co-Chair
PETE GALLETLY ’73, P’09, Trustee, Co-Chair
KENT BICKNELL ’65, Curator of Special Collections, Co-Chair
RICK PEYSER ’68, Trustee
ALFORD DEMPSEY ’65, Trustee
CLARE ROTHSCHILD P’15, Trustee
ANDY MOORE ’65, P’95
JEN BERRY ’83, P’07, ’10, ’15, H’19, Former Faculty and Staff
KELSEY BERRY ’07
KENT BICKNELL ’65, Curator of Special Collections
JAMIE ARSENAULT P’13, ’15, Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities
ANDY MOORE ’65, P’95, '96
PETER GULICK, P’80, ’82, ’86, Former Faculty
JERRICA BLACKEY P’19, Library Director and School Archivist
MEREDITH BROWN, History Faculty
BETH DODGE P’07, ’09, Former Staff
AMY WILSON, Director of Visual and Performing Arts
JERRICA BLACKEY P’19, Library Director and School Archivist, Co-Chair
JILL DUNCAN P’04, ’06, Chief Financial Officer PETER GULICK, P’80, ’82, ’86, Former Faculty SCOTT LEBRUN, Director of Student Life ALEX MOLLOY, Director of Communications and Marketing TRACEY SIRLES, Creative Content Manager KATIE WARDROP, Director of Alumni Relations STACEY WILLS, Executive Assistant to Head of School
PROGRAMS, EVENTS AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE STACEY WILLS, Executive Assistant to Head of School, Co-Chair SCOTT LEBRUN P’22, Director of Student Life, Co-Chair CINDY BUCK P’01, ’05, Bicentennial Coordinator JEN BERRY ’83, P’07, ’10, ’15, H’19, Former Faculty and Staff PETE GALLETLY ’73, P’09, Trustee
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE ALEX MOLLOY, Director of Communications and Marketing, Co-Chair
PAM MULCAHY, Former Faculty and Staff JILL DUNCAN P’04, ’06, Chief Financial Officer JENNIFER MCMAHON P’12, ’13, ’16, ’21, Director of Studies KATIE WARDROP, Director of Alumni Relations
TRACEY SIRLES, Creative Content Manager, Co-Chair RICK PEYSER ’68, Trustee MATT CHENEY ‘94, Former Faculty BETH DODGE P’07, ‘09, Former Staff KALEB HART, Digital Content Manager
126 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL • WINTER 2020
‒— A heartfelt thank you to one and all.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2020-2021
MONA C. ADAMS '86 Greenwood Village, CO
PETER W. GALLETLY '73, P'09 Bondville, VT
FREDERICK M. PEYSER, III '68 Underhill, VT
RODNEY W. AMES, JR. '02 Milwaukee, WI
JEFFREY D. GLIDDEN '68 Boxborough, MA
CLARE K. ROTHSCHILD P'15 Chicago, IL
JOSEPH F. ARDAGNA '80 Roswell, GA
DEAN P. JACOBSON '68 Ocean Ridge, FL
WILLIAM B. VAN INGEN P'21 Rector, PA
VERONICA M. KENT P'21 Scituate, MA
ANDRONICA T. WHEELOCK P'18 Lincoln, MA
ERIC R. BUCK '01 Hopkinton, NH
KARL V. KIMBALL '74 Doylestown, PA
BRAD D. WINER P'19 Charlotte, NC
ALICIA M. BURROWS '00 Philadelphia, PA
EARL R. LEWIS, III '62 Boston, MA
JUN YAO Beijing, China
MICHAEL F. COYNE P'22, '23 Wellesley, MA
LORNA P. MENDELSON '87 Irvington, NY
STEVEN G. DELANEY '65 Harrison, NY
ROBINSON C. MOORE '73 Groton, MA
ROBERT D. KENNEDY ’50, TRUSTEE EMERITUS New Canaan, CT
ALFORD J. DEMPSEY, JR. '65 Atlanta, GA
STEPHEN H. PERRY '74 Greenville, SC
VICTORIA A. BLODGETT ’80 Quechee, VT
†
JASON M. PILALAS ’58, TRUSTEE EMERITUS North Palm Beach, FL
† DECEASED. See page 120 for a remembrance.
L E AV E A L E G AC Y. Choosing to include New Hampton School in your estate plan is an easy and creative way to make a difference and support our Bicentennial Campaign. With thoughtful planning, you can help to secure the next 200 years of our story.We would love to talk to you about how you can support the Bicentennial Campaign at New Hampton School through planned giving. For more information please visit www.NEWHAMPTON.ORG/PLANNEDGIVING.
HAMPTONIA • BICENTENNIAL ISSUE 127
U ND ER T H E S A M E S K Y When we consider our school’s history—its houses, classrooms, and people—much has changed, and yet some things remain constant to our memories. Trees come and go, buildings are lost and moved and rebuilt, generations of alumni, friends, and family move forward. But here, on this piece of land we’ve shared, the memory of a beautiful New Hampton sunset needs no explanation for the stories it brings to mind.
N, O T P M A MPTON H A NEW H W E N R FA I by Rupert Edward Blatchford
New Hampton, Fair New Hampton, I love thy hills and vales, Thy streams and all thy forests, Thy mountains, cliffs and lakes. Ye chapel bells at evening, Sweet praises ever sing; New Hampton, fair New Hampton, Thy fame forever ring.