Nobles THE MAGAZINE OF NOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL
FALL 2021
Victor ’12 and Monica ’14 Ordóñez: a vision for viticulture
PHOTO OF THE DAY May 21, 2021 Axel Fernando ’25 launches a pressurized water rocket during a Class V science lab to test how varying the water volume or pressure affects the resulting launch height. While the rocket is airborne, an observer tracks it to measure the angle at its highest point, and multiplies the tangent of that angle by the distance from the launch pad to calculate the altitude. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN HEIDER
contents FALL 2021
IN EVERY ISSUE 2
Letter From the Head
3 Reflections What Nobles folks are saying on campus and online 4
The Bulletin News and notes
13 By the Numbers Campus countings 14 Sports Spring teams back in action 16 Off the Shelf All about the books we read and write 18 Perspective Confronting the “white gaze” in art 42 Graduate Profile Dedication to DEI from the Class of ’64 44 Graduate News Nobles graduate updates
FEATURES 20 Ode to Joy Crisisinspired creativity and some lasting lessons for those in the arts at Nobles
28 Thinking Inside the Box A new generation of winemakers build on a family legacy
Cover photograph by Kathleen Dooher
34 Connecting Through Empathy Building a better world, one conversation at a time
38 The Value in Movement Working remote? Might as well move to Mexico
64 Archive Portrait of the painter
Nobles
letter from the head
FALL 2021
Time to Reconnect IN LATE AUGUST, it was such a joy to hold our opening employee
meeting in person in Lawrence Auditorium—for the first time since March 2020, almost 18 months ago. Lawrence Auditorium is a holder of our culture and our community and the place where our community comes together—to share experiences and lessons together, to laugh together, to grieve together, and to celebrate together. I remember so clearly the first time I walked into this space in 2016, moments before I was announced as the seventh head of school. Having heard about the importance of assembly at Nobles, it was so powerful to witness for the first time the palpable strength of the relationships across seats and aisles between and among students and faculty and staff. As we return this fall beginning our third school year impacted by Covid—I am again relying upon principles to guide our decision-making. This year, those principles are: n Physical health and safety n Mental and social-emotional health and safety n Reconnecting our community We continue to focus on ensuring we maintain a gold standard around physical health and safety, an enduring priority over the last 18 months. While we are benefiting from so much more evidence-based research around Covid than we had last year, there is also a great deal of murkiness we are still navigating in this latest chapter of the pandemic. We have been so fortunate to have the counsel of medical advisors and access to expertise to guide us along the way. We are returning this fall with a 99 percent vaccination rate, which is also deeply reassuring. In addition, we continue to focus on the mental and social-emotional health and safety of our community. Data around mental health over the last year, alongside many data points from Nobles parents, students, and faculty, have only deepened my concern about student wellness. The physical isolation forced by the early wave of the pandemic, and the subsequent and necessary reopening guidelines our students experienced (both in and out of school), posed steep challenges to students’ mental health. Wearing masks, sitting 10 feet apart at lunch, sitting at desks all facing forward, experiencing the cancellation of dozens of social events—these are not recipes for social-emotional success! As we return this fall, we are seeking opportunities for students to connect with one another and the school. I believe that focusing on student wellness and community connection early in the year will help many who struggled last year recover quickly, and will ensure that others get the early intervention should they need it. We are adding many fun events to our calendar, expanding class retreats to two days, and layering in many systems to provide checks on student wellness. With our focus this year on deepening relationships and reconnecting with the broader community, we will be opening our doors to all of you again. As we emerge from this challenging chapter in our school history, I look forward to finding opportunities for students, faculty and staff, parents and guardians, and graduates to connect with one another and with Nobles throughout the year. I also look forward to taking Nobles “on the road” to visit with graduates around the country and the world. We will be returning to so many of the cornerstones of the Nobles experience that have been impacted by Covid, starting with assembly and our return to our beloved Lawrence Auditorium. I hope you are able to deepen your connections to Nobles and that our paths cross very soon. —CATHERINE J. HALL, PH.D., HEAD OF SCHOOL
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Editor Heather Sullivan
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Assistant Editors Kim Neal
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Ben Heider
DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCER/WRITER
Anne McManus
WRITER/CONTENT MANAGER
Design 2COMMUNIQUÉ
www.2communique.com Photography Tim Carey Trinity Chase Sara-Mai Conway Adam DeTour Kathleen Dooher Michael Dwyer Ben Heider Anne McManus Leah LaRiccia Jared Leeds Kim Neal Richard Perry Heather Sullivan The Editorial Committee Brooke Asnis ’90 Casey Hassenstein John Gifford ’86 Tilesy Harrington
Nobles is published three times a year for graduates, past and current parents, guardians and grandparents, students and supporters of Noble and Greenough School. Nobles is a non-sectarian day and five-day boarding school for students in grades seven (Class VI) through 12 (Class I). Noble and Greenough School is a rigorous academic community that strives for excellence in its classroom teaching, intellectual growth in its students and commitment to the arts, athletics and service to others. For further information and up-to-the-minute graduate news, visit www.nobles.edu. Letters and comments may be emailed to Heather_Sullivan@ nobles.edu. We also welcome old-fashioned mail sent c/o Noble and Greenough School, 10 Campus Drive, Dedham, MA 02026. The office may be reached at 781-320-7268. © Noble and Greenough School 2021
The landing gear is down. —HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL MICHAEL DENNING, REFERRING TO THE CLOSE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AT ONE OF THE FINAL ASSEMBLIES
Even when you feel alone, defeated, helpless, I want you to know that there are so many people within this community who are wanting and willing to be there for you. You’re not burdening anyone by sharing how you’re feeling, or what’s going on; people are eager to listen and help. —NIKI APOSTOLICAS ’21 DURING HIS NED TALK ABOUT A HEALTH EMERGENCY THAT OFFERED HIM PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE
What do we do today to ensure that our entire student body is connected and has shared experiences? —HEAD OF SCHOOL DR. CATHY HALL, REFERRING TO HER CONVERSATION WITH “THE NOBLEST” DURING REUNION AS THEY REMINISCED ABOUT THE SCHOOLWIDE GEOGRAPHY TEST
Volunteering is one of the best ways to get outside of your comfort zone and to stretch yourself in some important ways. It connects you to new people and new ideas and can really help you to better understand how you fit into the world around you. —DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICE LINDA HURLEY, ENCOURAGING THE NOBLES COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS JUNE 3, 2021: Today marked the last class of Nobles’ 20+ year Japanese language program, which started under Dick Baker’s headship. Ayako Anderson (pictured) and current students were joined via Zoom by beloved longtime Japanese teacher Tomoko Graham and graduates. They played a trivia game, laughed and reminisced about moments spent in class and during the EXCEL program.
JUNE 7, 2021: Chidubem Chukwu ‘25 hoists the plaque for the Tim Carey Middle School Character Award and carries it back to his seat during the middle school Step-Up celebration.
It’s been a hard year for everybody. We don’t know what the person next to us is carrying. So just be thoughtful, be empathetic. Be good to one another, and maybe, most importantly, be good to yourself. —MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH FACULTY MEMBER EFE OSIFO, SPEAKING TO THE SCHOOL ABOUT POSITIVE BODY IMAGE
I hope this story helps you to think about your imperfections in a different light. We are all a little bit cracked in places, and we are all capable of creating beauty and connection. —DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING JEN HAMILTON, AFTER READING THE FABLE OF THE CRACKED POT AT ASSEMBLY FALL 2021 Nobles 3
the bulletin
Learning From the Master A group of 13 Class I students joined the outing club for a kayaking adventure down the Blackstone River in Rhode Island on May 16. After navigating through a set of rapids, the group pulled off into the shallows to watch senior master and longtime outing club leader Nick Nickerson demonstrate some more-advanced whitewater paddling techniques.
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NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN HEIDER
FALL 2021 Nobles 5
the bulletin
Showcasing the Heart of AP Art THE 2021 AP ART SHOW was a vibrant culmination of student work in a variety of media, including photography, ceramics, drawing and painting. While Covid restrictions disallowed the intimacy of the usual Foster Gallery opening, artists and their families gathered for a reception in Putnam Library, where the pieces were displayed. The installation engaged the community in daily interaction and elevated the space itself. Projects reflect-
ed deeply personal themes, ranging from the passage of time to grief, gratitude and the celebration of relationships. Visual arts faculty member and photography teacher Curtis Mann said, “We were so grateful and excited to have the 2021 AP Art Show back in physical form this year. The exhibition was a successful showcase of the students’ yearlong commitment to their creative visions, layered curiosities and individual processes. It
is the students’ chance to take the final important step of exhibiting their work, which is where it becomes a real and critical conversation with their peers, their community and all the viewers who are lucky enough to experience such inspiring visual art.” View more student work from the show on Instagram @fostergallery.nobles.
Visual arts teacher David Roane (far right, back to camera) talks to Carter Braxton ’22 and his family at the AP Art Show opening.
assembly highlights Funny Runners Carter Bartel ’23 provided comical commentary as he
6 Nobles FALL 2021
shared embarrassing photos from cross country meets with the entire school.
Composure Molly Hughes ’23 played the ukulele and sang her original song “Find the Sun.”
Reflecting on Reactions History faculty member Hannah Puckett spoke about reactive responding during the
pandemic and encouraged the community to “choose curiosity over fear” and “move closer to what is truly meaningful.”
The Spring of Spikeball An all-school spikeball tournament was announced, and Grace Taylor ’21 mentioned
enlivening tales of how two quick-thinking women and an amphibian outsmarted mighty mythical creatures and deities.
I SEE THE LIGHT (2021 MUSICAL)
Alexa Soto Sanchez ’26 as Princess Savitri in “The Princess and the God.”
THE SHOW GOES ON STORIES FROM THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
The Nobles Theatre Collective’s 2021 middle school play, Stories From the Edge of the World, directed by Adaire Robinson, brought to life a selection of far-reaching folktales. Like the upper schoolers did for the musical, middle schoolers performed live on an outdoor
stage. Following a year when travel was largely grounded, lively narrators simulated a global odyssey, satisfying their audience’s wanderlust by transporting them from Ireland (The Giant’s Wife) to Angola (How Frog Went to Heaven) and India (The Princess and the God). The versatile cast of seven nimbly rotated roles as actors and storytellers,
that she was looking forward to “complete domination” with her sister, Rory ’25.
running a clothing drive to benefit children supported by Cradles to Crayons.
A Drive From the Heart The community service team announced that it was partnering with Project 351 and
Let’s Have Some Fun Provost Bill Bussey encouraged all students to “be part of the fun” by taking a chance and participat-
The Nobles Theatre Collective capped off an extraordinarily challenging year with I See the Light, a joyful musical revue featuring numbers inspired by movies (ranging from La La Land to Purple Rain). To comply with health and safety guidelines, designer Erik Diaz created an outdoor stage at the foot of the Castle, framed by trees—a versatile venue that many hope will remain permanent. Director Dan Halperin explained that during a year of uncertainty and loss, the NTC was dedicated to a quality live performance, even though it needed to be smaller in scope and scale: “It was particularly important that there be light and laughs and hope and joy.” The possibility of performing for a live audience outdoors grew more likely as the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines approached. Halperin said the cast and crew ultimately recognized truth in the optimistic nature of the show. “It’s not like ‘let’s pretend that there’s light and hope’—there actually is now,” he said. Defying the heat of the day, they delivered three electrifying vocal and dance performances in a row, exuberant at being able to perform unmasked for the first time since the NTC’s 2020 epic production of Les Misérables. Read more about the resilience and creativity of the arts at Nobles in “Ode to Joy,” on page 20.
ing in assembly during the spring. Head of School Cathy Hall echoed that “be part of the fun” should be the mantra for spring.
Oh, Romeo Caitlyn FitzMaurice ’22 sang an original song called “Romeo Where Are You” from the perspective of Juliet.
FALL 2021 Nobles 7
the bulletin
Nobles Celebrates 155th Graduation— in Person! ON JUNE 4, Noble and Greenough gradu-
ated 131 members of the mighty Class of 2021. The final morning assembly— which seniors attended in person and other students, faculty and staff enjoyed via livestream—included an original song by Henry Patterson; a signature Justin Qin dance; a performance of Adele’s “One and Only,” by Caroline Fai and Angie Gabeau; epic guitar solo performances by Charlie Moore and Ben Clifford; and more. The Class of ’98 Award, given by the graduating class, was presented to School Life Council co-president Catie Asnis by her co-president, a moved Griffin Callaghan. Following tradition, the assembly culminated in a slideshow of special moments the class has shared. Asnis and Callaghan were among the first to address the audience. They recalled the day—March 11, 2020—when, as juniors, they were sent home for what most thought was just an extra day of spring break. “And then, Holy Covid, Batman, we became virtual seniors,” Callaghan quipped. “We couldn’t be more excited and proud to be under this tent with our fellow classmates,” Asnis said. In addressing the Class of 2021, Cathy Hall, whose appointment as head of school coincides with the Class IV year of the Class of 2021, told the audience that the class would always be special, as so many of them began at Nobles when she did. “I’ve grown so fond of this class as a group, and of each of you individually.”
Earth Day Feels EAC shared a video about how kids’ relationships have changed with regard to nature during the
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pandemic, from time away from screens to getting outside more, and an increased interest in studying nature and the environment.
Hall presented the Vernon L. Greene Award for excellence in teaching to Alden Mauck, who joined the faculty in 1995. He has taught in the English and history departments, coached hockey, and worked with Upward Bound. “A stalwart of our English department, he models what excellence in teaching can and should look like,” Hall said. The Class of 2021 invited history faculty member Oris Bryant to speak. He noted the unknowns, including global health, systemic injustice and political turmoil. Bryant described the climate he tries to achieve in his classroom: “mutual respect that garners and cultivates an environment that fosters shared discussion about many topics, and particularly challenging, difficult ones.” Encouraging students to find their passions and their voices so they can then “do for others,” he marveled at the many forms those passions take within the Class of 2021. From theatrical productions to athletic accomplishments and musical excellence, Bryant expressed his admiration for Nobles students. Kamran Bina and Avery Miranda were selected by their classmates to speak. Bina spoke of the power of connections with his classmates and how the full return to on-campus learning this spring strengthened and expanded them: “I hope that my classmates have all found a second home here at Nobles . . . whether it be through a screen or six feet apart.
Virtual Chess Vivian Tao ’21 and Vikram Konanki ’21 played a friendly game of virtual chess to celebrate the many
chess enthusiasts. Vivian admitted, “I am not that good at chess, so my strategy is going to be to win in time.”
“We’ve all grown so much. But over the past 18 months, we’ve had to adapt more than most juniors and seniors were ever required to in recent history. I try to take a step back and be grateful for what I have. . . . So let’s not focus on the loss today. Instead, let’s celebrate how our community adapted . . . how we made the most of a year that none of us expected.” Miranda shared an anecdote about how, since a young age, she was always fiercely independent: Her childhood catchphrase was “all by myself.” But since coming to Nobles, Miranda says she has learned from faculty and friends that asking for support was a sign of strength. “I found a way to do things on my own with the influence of others,” she said. Miranda reminded classmates that, as they pursue their passions, they should “find ways to add a little spice . . . and make sure that when you stand front and center, it is to the benefit of others.” Hall announced the awards that were accepted by students the previous evening, among them the Head of School’s Prize to Nicholas Apostolicas and Hannah Epstein; the Russell B. Stearns Achievement Award to Theo Kyenkyenhene and Sidnie Kulik; the Trustees’ Prize for Scholarship to Griffin Callaghan and Julia O’Donnell; the Bond Prize for Improvement to Stephen Gaskill; the Miller Medal to Sydney Asnis and James O’Connor; and the Gleason Award for Academic Excellence to Justin Qin.
A Marvel Kahoot Librarians Emily Tragert and Heidi Charles, along with Max Daniello ’24, hosted a Kahoot in
honor of free comic book day, asking challenging questions such as: What is the metal found naturally in Wakanda?
A Change of Pace Alex Janower ’22 paid a special visit (via video) from Idaho. Janower was attending the Alzar School
in Idaho this year to study Spanish culture and language and outdoor education.
Mind-Blowing Guitar Charlie Moore ’21 shared yet another brilliant electric guitar performance with the school, this
time performing “Blinding Lights,” by The Weeknd.
Lyrical Analysis Ava Neal ’23 provided a thoughtful and thorough explanation of the lyrics to her original song
“There Will Come a Day,” which she wrote during quarantine.
FALL 2021 Nobles 9
the bulletin
hosted by Hall. The 2021 recipient was John Gifford ’86, who was also celebrating his 35th reunion. Throughout the week, graduates met with their reunion classes over Zoom.
Amor Towles ’83
BAKER/TOWLES RECAP
THE 2021 NOBLES REUNION was like none
Highlights included two of the Leading Forward speaker series events, starting with a kickoff event with Young Graduate Award Winner Mariel Novas ’06 and Head of School Cathy Hall. The next night, bestselling author Amor Towles ’83 and former head of school and current English teacher Dick Baker were in conversation. Graduate Award winners as well as the recipient of the Coggeshall Award—given each year to honor a member of the extended Nobles community who served the school and was of particular importance to the current 25th reunion class while they were at Nobles—were celebrated during the Graduates Assembly,
Dick Baker, former head of school and current English teacher, who has been at Nobles for over 40 years, has a tradition of meeting in the Castle one-on-one with with his students, advisees and former students for lunch. While this tradition may not have started in the 1980s, his meetings with former student Amor Towles ’83 have occurred almost monthly for many years. The Nobles community had the privilege to share one of the meetings between Baker and Towles during the 2021 Virtual Reunion. The two old friends chatted about literature and life, and Amor’s career as a writer, and then they opened up the conversation to the community to continue the discussion. What may have come as a surprise is that Baker plays a part in the genesis of Towles’ bestselling book A Gentleman in Moscow. The two men traveled to Russia together in 1998, 25 years before Towles wrote the book. Towles shared: “There were many things that I saw when I was there that were buried in my head and later percolated up into the narrative of [the book].” When Towles had the idea to write the book and decided to set it in Russia at the Metropole Hotel, he shares: “Now at that point, the only time I had been at the Metropole Hotel was when Dick and I had a drink there!”
An A Cappella Morning The a cappella group Noteorious Sang “Rather Be,” by Clean Bandit.
live coffeehouse of the pandemic. The duo shared a video of their impressive musical and dance talents.
Petty, and shared a video that explained the different musical elements that he used to create the recording.
A Reunion Like No Other other in the school’s history in that it happened entirely virtually! From May 5 to 8, more than 500 graduates tuned in to catch up with classmates and enjoy reunion programming, all centralized on the reunion website. While it wasn’t possible to play games on the field, row on the river, gather in Lawrence Auditorium, or make a toast on the Castle terrace, it was thrilling for the community to gather. Reunion week consisted of “live events” as well as “on demand” activities, such as student-led campus tours and a link to the student art shows. Several student athletic contests were also live-streamed.
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Coffee, at Last Katie Pyne ’21 and Angie Gabeau ’21 started the day by getting the student body pumped for the first
Not Just a Petty Performance Director of Music Michael Turner played the piano and sang “Free Fallin’,” by Tom
Getting Sentimental Lily Bryant ’21 and Clark Saunders ’21 shared the top five things they would miss about Nobles
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX
Baker and Towles discussed the idea of purpose and the search for purpose in Gentleman, specifically, and novels in general. Amor shared a peek into his writing process—the brainstorming, outlining, and researching—before even sitting down to write Chapter One. Towles attended Nobles for six years and was on the Nobleman and SLC, and a senior prefect. He received the Wiswell Prize for English and the Dixwell Medal, as well as the Public Speaking Prize. He was also somewhat infamous for founding the Varsity Croquet Club. After Nobles, Towles graduated from Yale College and received an M.A. in English from Stanford University. Having worked as an investment professional for more than 20 years, Towles is now a full-time writer in Manhattan, where he lives with his wife and two children. His first novel, Rules of Civility (2011), was a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into more than 20 languages, its French translation receiving the 2012 Prix Fitzgerald. His second novel, A Gentleman in Moscow (2016), was on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year in hardcover and was named one of the best books of 2016 by the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the San Francisco Chronicle and NPR. It was translated into more than 35 languages, including Russian. In summer 2017, the novel was optioned by British director Tom Harper to be made into a 16-hour miniseries starring Kenneth Branagh. His next novel, The Lincoln Highway, will be on sale October 5.
2021 Freeman Legacy Dinner This year’s Freeman Legacy Dinner, named for former faculty member and artist Bob Freeman, celebrated the accomplishments of graduating students of color in the Class of 2021 and featured speeches by graduating seniors Olivia Cheung and Darnel Cineas, as well as recently elected trustee April Watson ’02. Cheung spoke of her dual passions: fighting for climate and racial justice. A core leader of Asian to Asian (A2A) and co-president of the Environmental Action Committee (EAC), Cheung’s first role model for sustainability was her Chinese grandmother, who grew her own vegetables and recycled. Nobles classes, clubs, conversations and affinity group experiences fertilized Cheung’s grassroots activism. Cheung has learned she can make a difference “without being the loudest in the room or the first to speak. I take my time to research issues and consider different points of view. I have appreciated how Nobles has supported me to dig deeper intellectually and to take action.” Discouraged by college and senior year uncertainty and global turmoil, Cineas reflected on a difficult year in which he also lost his beloved grandfather. But his loving wisdom gave Cineas hope: “He always told me to keep my head up or I’d miss all the blessings to come my way.” Among them, Cineas is grateful for being part of a group of students who “put in a lot of work to see this institution grow and be better, and hope that it continues to grow in our absence.” Watson encouraged graduates to listen to their “leader voices,” reminding them that good leaders “have a great work ethic, are willing to try even when scared, and operate with integrity.” Acknowledging different ways of showing up, Watson said, “You will not always be told how you’ve impacted someone’s life, but know that your voice and your actions matter. . . . Go after all the goals, but remember the generations behind you.”
Olivia Cheung ’21
Darnel Cineas ’21
April Watson ’02
—KATE TREITMAN BROWN ’99
from spikeball to the infamous Nobleman announcements, and one-on-one time with advisors, Friday Night Lights, and more.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month A2A shared a video to educate and inform about anti-Asian hate
and racism by providing some important historical context for the community.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM CAREY (LEFT), KIM NEAL (MIDDLE), TRINITY CHASE (RIGHT)
Thoughtful Books Chidubem Chukwu ’25 announced that he would be collecting books for a mobile library book drop.
“Think of this as a birthday gift you weren’t going to give me, and thank you in advance for your generosity,” said Chukwu.
Acoustic Mornings Kayla Henderson ’21 played guitar and sang “All I Want,” by Coldplay.
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the bulletin
Dan Matlack and Hannah Matlack ‘12 with a sign that reads in Latin “Excellent Teacher, Best Father”
A Classic: Dan Matlack Retires From Nobles IN JUNE 2021, 26-year veteran Dan Matlack prepared to embark on his next adventures—and there are sure to be many. Matlack joined the Nobles faculty in 1995. “Over the last 25 years, he has taught classics, coached soccer and crew, served
Technology of the Past Griffin Callaghan ’21 and Catie Asnis ’21 shared prophetic video clips of their
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classmates from their Sixie year about why they thought technology was important.
as a member of the admission team, and supported countless Nobles students as an advisor and mentor,” said Head of School Cathy Hall. “Dan’s impact on Nobles has been deep and broad.” “Whenever I visit his class, I always
Emotional Landslide Henry Patterson ’21 played guitar and sang “Landslide,” by Stevie Nicks, a tear-jerking and
timely song for his final official assembly performance.
walk away with some little nugget, a thought or connection that he helped me to see,” said colleague George Blake. Dan also played an important role in leading the classics department for many years. Mark Harrington interviewed him for a Latin teaching position: “I knew while I was interviewing him that he’d be a great department head and moved out of that job as fast as I possibly could—and he jumped right in and did a great job leading the department.” Matlack’s impact on students and the broader community has been profound. Ben Snyder, director of EXCEL, echoed Blake: “Dan is always among the first people to respond to requests for help with a ‘Yeah, sure, I’ll do that’—especially anything involving tools!” Outside of his work as an educator, Matlack is a carpenter, gardener, traveler, volunteer and friend. Jen Hines, dean of enrollment management, said that Matlack was the admission officer who went out of his way to engage every prospective family in the lobby. “He showcased the quality about himself that made him so great at admission work. He always took the time in our interactions to see me, just like he did every family he [met].” “He’s a reflective and wise man with a heart of gold—and his heart is always in the right place,” Blake said. Matlack and his wife, Allison, are the parents of Nathaniel and Hannah ’12. He said he first considered a career in teaching when he was traveling in Nepal and began to contemplate the impact of education. “[Now] I’m excited to think about and explore other ways that I can grow and learn,” he said.
Activism in English Angie Feng ’24 and Lulu Seeman ’24 presented their English activism project on Arctic climate
change, encouraging everyone to take action by spreading the word, reducing waste and maintaining a green footprint.
by the numbers
CAMPUS SIGNS AND SIGHTS
10
championship oars
76
7
benches on campus, many of them class gifts or memorials
four square courts
57
pennants in the college counseling office
21
606
20
gender-neutral bathrooms
1,000-point basketballs in the MAC (plus three 2,000point basketballs)
lockers
82 pins in the admission office map depicting each town a current Nobles student comes from
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sports
Spring Sports 2021 VARSITY BASEBALL Overall Record: 16–8 ISL Record: 13–4 Awards: John Eliot Cooke Award (for
significant improvement, devotion to the team and a genuine love for the game): James Kasparyan and James O’Connor, both ’21. The Lovett Medal (for excellence in baseball): Luca Danos ’21 and Matt Travisano ’22 2022 Captains: Jake Bollin, Peyton Rose and Marc Willi, all ’22 BOYS VARSITY CREW Summary: We had an excellent year
despite no NEIRA regatta. The 1V, 2V and 3V won vs. Belmont Hill, winning the Bassett Cup for the first time since 2008; 1V-6V won vs. Groton, winning the combined Cooke Family Cup; 1V-8V won vs. Brooks; 1V won Youth Nationals USRowing Youth National Regatta:
Varsity Four: 1st place
Awards: The Taylor Shield Award (for sportsmanship in rowing): Duncan Ayles ’21. The Watson Medal (for overall contribution to rowing): Yaro Mikhaylov ’21 2022 Captains: Chrissy Cadigan, Max Hall and Tommy Reynolds, all ’22
GIRLS VARSITY CREW Summary: We were able to participate
in significantly more racing than we could have hoped for at the beginning of the spring. Our crews recorded a 29–6 record with the 1V going undefeated in dual racing, alongside earning a bronze medal at Northeast Regionals and a very strong showing at Youth Nationals. USRowing Youth National Regatta: Varsity Four: 14th place; Hannah Peters (single): 4th place; Varsity Pair: 16th place Awards: The Janice L. Mabley Award (to the oarswoman whose spirit and dedication exemplify the ideals of Nobles rowing): Sydney Asnis ’21. AC “Clint” Allen Bowl (for competitive, tough spirit in
rowing): Morgan Kendall ’21. Jill Walsh Award (for exemplary leadership and mentorship): Hadley Winslow ’21 2022 Captains: Elena Guerra, Emma Skelly and Charlotte Walkey, all ’22 VARSITY GOLF Overall Record: 9–2 ISL Record: 9–2 Kingman Championship Tournament: 1st
place
Award: Dewey Golf Award (for overall
contribution to golf ): Andrew Lazor ’21 BOYS VARSITY LACROSSE Overall Record: 11–2 ISL Record: 11–2 Awards: Arnold Lacrosse Prize (to
the player whose skill, dedication and enthusiasm most reflect a love of the sport): Ethan Lung and Cole Van Meter, both ’21. Samuel P. Dawson Award (for significant improvement,
End-of-Year Awards he Greg Monack Passing of the Shield Tradition (recognizes T the long-standing importance of athletic camaraderie, competition and sportsmanship in the overall life of the school): Abby Roberts and Peyton Rose, both ’21 n The George Washington Copp Noble Cup (to athletes in Classes V and VI, for sportsmanship in athletics): Mack Smink ’26, Bea Trinque ’26, Caroline McCullough ’25 and Ethan Train ’25 n The Robert J. Agostini Award (presented with the support of coaches and captains of Nobles teams for the greatest contribution to the school’s athletics program other than as a competitor): Gwen Chiaranda, director of sports medicine n The Tom Resor Coaching Excellence Award: Steve Cedorchuk and Joe Day n
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he Davis Cup (to a member of Class I for sportsmanship T and consistent work in athletics): Sydney Jones and Andrew Kasparyan, both ’21 n ISL Award of Excellence (for exhibiting integrity, sportsmanship, fair play and good citizenship while participating as a multisport athlete): Duncan Ayles and Allie Yi, both ’21 n The Nobles Shield (to the most respected athlete whose skill, sportsmanship and competitive spirit have personified excellence and the ideals of Nobles athletics): Ellie Bayard and David Jacobs, both ’21 n Miller Medal (for excellence in scholarship and athletics): Sydney Asnis and James O’Connor, both ’21 n
sportsmanship and a genuine love for the game): Ryan Dretler and Tate Seeman, both ’21. McCrae Williams Award (to the player who displays the same fearlessness and love for the game that McCrae brought to the field): Chad Palumbo ’22 2022 Captains: Ben Clarke, Chad Palumbo and Roman Tacelli, all ’22 GIRLS VARSITY LACROSSE Overall Record: 13–0 ISL Record: 12–0 NEPSAC Division I First Team: Emma
Davis, Sophie Ensley and Abby Roberts, all ’22
NEPSAC Division I Second Team Honorable Mention: Ellie Bayard ’21, Katy
McCullough ’22 and Fiona O’Keeffe ’23 All-American: Emma Davis ’22 All-Academic: Grace Taylor ’21 Awards: Girls Lacrosse Bowl (for significant contribution in spirit and performance): Antonia Gomez and Grace Taylor, both ’21 2022 Captains: Emma Davis, Katy McCullough and Abby Roberts, all ’22 VARSITY SOFTBALL Overall Record: 10–2 ISL Record: 10–1 Award: The Bird Bowl (for the greatest
2022 Captains: Alexander Lee, Akash
Menon and Alex Yi, all ’23
Justin Qin ’21
GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS Overall Record: 10–0 ISL Record: 9–0 Awards: C.F. Olney Prize (for enthusi-
Sidnie Kulik ’21
asm, skill and sportsmanship): Abby Holding ’21 2022 Captains: Rebecca Janfaza and Lindsay Popeo, both ’22 VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD
Summary: We came back stronger than ever with a squad of 37 athletes and participated in six meets, bringing down our times, increasing our distances, and reaching new heights. We competed in 16 of the 17 events, adding the javelin and the triple jump to our repertoire, and were able to field relays in both the 4 x 100 and the 4 x 400. This was a year of growth, discovery, personal records and, as always, camaraderie and fun. Nationals: Sidnie Kulik ’21, 9th place in the 2-mile
Boys varsity crew 1V: Andrew Kasparyan ’21, Yaro Mikhaylov ’21, Max Hall ’22, Duncan Ayles ’21 and coxswain Olivia Hayward ’21
contribution to the softball team): Jordan Lysko ’21 and Cate Murray ’22 2022 Captains: Cate Murray and Sofia Samuels, both ’22 BOYS VARSITY TENNIS Overall Record: 10–1 ISL-Record: 10–1 Awards: The Rice Cup (for enthusiasm,
skill and sportsmanship): Justin Qin and Toby Welo, both ’21 FALL 2021 Nobles 15
my books...
IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THESE, YOU SHOULD
BY BILL BUSSEY, PROVOST AND ENGLISH FACULTY
What do these books have in common? Maybe they all speak to the human condition. Some of them confront our ideas about community and what it means, in the current vernacular, to “be an upstander.” One might appeal to a kind of intellectual nostalgia, while another explores the concept of “aesthetic bliss.” All five of these titles offer information and the kind of prose that sticks with you, even after you gently close the back cover, flip the book to consider its cover once more, and return it to its rightful forever-home on your shelf. So what do these books have in common? They pique our shared sense of history and what it means to be present, curious and kindred in this life. TRAIN DREAMS BY DENIS JOHNSON Ten years ago, I attended a discussion at the New Yorker Festival. The authors Jhumpa Lahiri, Jeffrey Eugenides and Nicole Krauss discussed who, in their opinion, were the “writer’s writers.” Their individual selections rested on largely unread authors who had influenced other writers. Eugenides cited Nabokov’s definition of “aesthetic bliss” as an additional measuring stick for his choices: “For me, a work of fiction works only insofar as it affords what I should bluntly call aesthetic bliss, that is a sense of being somehow, somewhere, connected with other states of being where art (curiosity, tenderness, kindness, ecstasy) is the norm.” Mavis Gallant, Gilbert Sorrentino and Bruno Schwartz were among the dozen mentioned. Still, it was Eugenides’ reading of a brief passage from Denis Johnson’s short story “Car Crash While Hitchhiking“ that resonated with me the most. This moment led me to Johnson’s fierce short story collection Jesus’ Son, his dark but loony crime novel Nobody Move, and his masterpiece and National Book Awardwinner Tree of Smoke. Yet, it’s his novella Train Dreams, a moving mini-epic, that tells the story of Robert Granier, a hardworking railroad laborer in the Idaho panhandle, and his solitary struggle to survive the hardships that fate in an evolving America dealt him. Train Dreams may prove to be a quick read, but its straightforward prose, free of maudlin manipulation, tells a story that I suspect will hang with you long afterward. I have never read anything quite like it.
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LINCOLN’S ASSASSINS: THEIR TRIAL AND EXECUTION BY JAMES L. SWANSON & DANIEL R. WEINBERG Once a year, my parents would take my brother and me for a weekend at the Parker House in Boston. We would cheer on the Sox at Fenway, but the real thrill was loading up with a year’s worth of havoc in the form of stink bomb vials, invisible ink and fake dog poo at Jack’s Joke Shop. One afternoon my mother dragged me a couple of blocks up the street from our hotel and into Goodspeed’s Book Shop, a treasure trove teeming with broadsides, antique books, maps and historical documents. I was drawn in by all the ephemera and have been ever since. A few years later, I picked up an old copy of Jim Bishop’s The Day Lincoln Was Shot sitting on a bookshelf, and that historical event, too, has fascinated me from that day forward. Most people don’t realize that Lincoln’s assassination was part of a much broader, complicated conspiracy that included failed murder attempts that same evening on Secretary of State William Seward and Vice President Andrew Johnson. So, my interest in historical ephemera and the John Wilkes Booth conspiracy came together with Swanson’s and Weinberg’s assemblage “of almost 300 contemporary photographs, letters, documents, prints…and artifacts…many of them unpublished… that took the authors decades to collect.” Their mind-bending visual record documents our country’s earliest steps into photojournalism. What lies between the covers of this book will fascinate even those folks who may otherwise have little knowledge or interest in history. However, if you wish to dig deeper, pair up Lincoln’s Assassins with Michael W. Kauffman’s American Brutus, generally regarded as the definitive account of Booth’s calculated conspiracy to avenge the South.
CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD BY GABRIEL GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ When I was a sophomore in college, I wandered into a Miami bookstore. I asked the guy behind the counter if he had anything a little different to read, something not Hemingway or Vonnegut or Bellow. He handed me Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude. I read the first sentence: “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant avenue afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.” The following week, I went on a magical ride that opened up a new world and culture that enthralled and confused me but left me wanting more. In truth, that novel changed my reading life. Six years later, García Márquez published Chronicle of a Death Foretold. The story centers on the actual 1951 murder of García Márquez’s close friend accused of deflowering a bride before her wedding. When García Márquez investigates the crime 20 years later, he finds that many knew that a murder was imminent but still went about their daily business. In Chronicle of a Death Foretold, García Márquez wrestles with understanding where destiny ends and personal responsibility begins.
THE MACMILLAN VISUAL DICTIONARY I’m not such a Luddite to believe that this selection will trigger Amazon to crash. Webster desk dictionaries have pretty much gone the way of slide projectors and blind dates. And besides, few of us take the time to look up words; instead, we depend too much on context to convince ourselves that we “get it.” So, I understand what a hard sell any desk dictionary, particularly a visual dictionary, can be—especially one that was last printed in 1992. Curious people will enjoy wandering through these pages the way they still like leafing through a world atlas. This is visual learning gold for folks who love understanding how things work, who are captured by the world of design, and are intrigued by the layouts and labeling of everything from ocean liners to machinery to cricket uniforms. You might be understandably indifferent to what Edith Wharton is “seeing” in Summer when she gushes about the “bursting of calyxes,” but on the off-chance you want to see the landscape, this gem has calyxes galore. An illustrated dictionary, with its grouped graphics and diagrams, can inspire creative writers and artists to sharpen the detail and accuracy of what hits their keyboard or canvas. Ultimately, this reference isn’t so much a source to confirm what a tapered-winged plane looks like but to remind you that such a thing as a tapered-winged plane exists. When I was a kid, I would have loved having this around. In fact, I like it now. 25,000 terms, 600 subjects. Plenty of used ones are still out there.
LEARNED PIGS & FIREPROOF WOMEN: UNIQUE, ECCENTRIC AND AMAZING ENTERTAINERS BY RICKY JAY In the ’60s and early ’70s, when the county fair rolled around every fall, people would gather for the oxen pull or marvel at the 1,000-pound pumpkin. But every kid knew that the real action sizzled at night in the tents, away from the Tilt-A-Whirl but near the rigged milk bottle toss. With glee, we’d cough up quarters, relishing the bizarre, inevitable cons. Yet, the world of eccentric entertainment examined in Ricky Jay’s Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women highlights history’s most incredible mind readers, rock eaters, daredevils, vanishing horses—you name it. It is surprisingly a book of genuine scholarship. If you know about the late Ricky Jay, you wouldn’t be surprised. He was often called “the most gifted sleight of hand artist alive,” but having seen him perform in Cambridge years ago, I’d say that accolade only scratches the surface. His feats with numbers and memory, not to mention his prowess as a card thrower (he could sink a playing card into a watermelon from 10 feet away) and illusionist, made him a legendary cult hero in the entertainment industry. Playwright and director David Mamet, among others, made sure to toss him into a few of his movies. Jay’s intellectual prowess as a historian and writer (“… a master of a prose style that qualifies him as perhaps the last of the great nineteenth century authors.” —Charles McGrath, New York Times) lifts what otherwise could be a shameless exploitation into a perceptive narrative of a slice of show business history that has long disappeared. The New York Times Book Review stated that Jay’s profiles “belong within the reach of anyone who wishes to rejoice over the strange quirks and glorious victories of our species. The folks who fill these pages are real, and they should invoke in us a great sense of wonder.”
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perspective
What Art Teaches Me
Examining two paintings and challenging the “white gaze” BY ALDEN MAUCK, ENGLISH FACULTY MEMBER In college art history courses, it is a standard task to compare two similar works of art from different eras to invite interpretation and analysis. Here is an example: These two paintings have so much in common—at least at first glance. In both paintings, the artists’ “characters” cannot resist the green space and blue water, time spent with friends or family, the lure of boating or a leisurely picnic, even bringing along the family pet. Whether we look upon Georges Seurat’s “Sunday Afternoon” in 19th-century Paris or at Kerry James Marshall’s “Past Times” of 20thcentury Chicago, folks gravitate to these open-air spaces in fine weather. As a college student majoring in art history, I took numerous trips to Chicago’s Art Institute to view Seurat’s painting, dotted with his thousands of “points” of light and color; it dominated a museum gallery full of other Impressionist landscapes. Seurat’s Parisians stand and recline in hazy stasis, looking out at sailboats, small tugs and a crew of rowers. Only a small dog is in motion, abandoning his fellow pet, a monkey, to advance on an unsuspecting dog. In Marshall’s painting, Chicago projects loom in the background above a banner that partially unfurls a message about work and play, practiced with heart, skill and will, as boaters and picnickers play croquet and golf and listen to music. There is more action and activity here; ironically, only Marshall’s dog is still. When I first saw Marshall’s painting, I immediately thought of Seurat’s. Mar18 Nobles FALL 2021
shall places his family and boaters in a familiar context and circumstance to Seurat’s visitors to the Seine. Yet Marshall’s figures are Black, painted in his characteristic darkest colors and hues, and to borrow from Dr. Cornel West, in Marshall’s painting, “race matters.” In America, race always matters, and so it appears Marshall is working from an art tradition that owes less to Seurat and more to Aaron Douglass, Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden, Marshall’s artistic forefathers, whose paintings are visual narratives that share, promote and immortalize the struggle and contributions of Black Americans as they survived slavery and reconstruction, set out upon the Great Migration, and reinvented American art, music and literature in Harlem. Marshall’s painting also draws from a purpose found in the stories and essays of James Baldwin, the drama of August Wilson and the novels of Toni Morrison, authors who move their characters beyond the traditional and assumed “white gaze” of American literature that employs stereotypes and prejudice to limit and dismiss the possibility of a notable and heroic African-American individuality. This white perspective, ingrained in American literature, renders Black truths and people “invisible,” in the language of Ralph Ellison. Or, as Morrison once responded in an interview: It is “… as though our [African-American] lives have no meaning, no depth, without the white gaze.” Baldwin, Wilson and Morrison, and many other Black authors, from Frederick Douglass to Amanda Gorman, strive to assert the “meaning” and demonstrate the “depth” of Black
lives by dismantling the presence and power of the “white gaze.” Marshall confronts the “white gaze,” also found in the canonical works of European and American painting. He deliberately invites a comparison of their works with his Chicago lakeside scene. There is an acute awareness of a “white gaze” by his family members on the picnic blanket, as they turn to look directly at those of us who look at them, to challenge our widely held American racist assumptions. “Yes, we go to the shore. Yes, we play golf. Yes, we play croquet. Yes, we are as American as you.” There is pride and confidence in their gaze, and there is persistence and resistance as well. Comparing these two paintings provides the means to discover and rediscover, see and review, and learn lessons beyond those regarding color, composition and brushstrokes. This summer, I will eagerly return to museum galleries full of European and American paintings, passing works of the “masters” housed in New York, Boston and elsewhere. As I do, I will remind myself that there are artists not included in some of those galleries. I wonder what I might learn should Henry Tanner’s “Banjo Lesson” be placed next to Vermeer’s “The Music Lesson,” or if Charles White’s field workers were near Jean-François Millet’s farmers, or if Edward Bannister’s landscapes were as accessible as those painted by his Hudson River School contemporaries, Thomas Cole and Frederick Church. Perhaps the 20th-century American artist Alice Neel was correct when she said: “I think art is history.” I hope art also holds lessons for me about the future, as well as the past.
Georges Seurat “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884,” 1884/86 oil on canvas 81 3/4 × 121 1/4 inches
Kerry James Marshall “Past Times,” 1997 acrylic and collage on canvas 108 1/4 by 157 inches signed and dated ’97 © KERRY JAMES MARSHALL. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND JACK SHAINMAN GALLERY, NEW YORK.
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PA RT 2 IN A SERIE S ON THE A F T E RN OON P ROGRA M D UR ING T HE PA NDE M IC
20 Nobles FALL 2021
ODE TO
JOY
Late this spring, as Covid restrictions relaxed, those in the performing and visual arts at Nobles cautiously hoped for a revival. Each day brought new opportunities—live rehearsals! an audience! no more masks! Crisis-inspired creativity amplified fresh voices and an appreciation for the artistic process. STO RY A ND PHOTO G RA PHY BY KI M N EA L A DDI T I O NA L PHOTO G RA PHY BY MI C HA EL DWYE R , BEN HEI DER A N D LEA H LA RI CC I A FALL 2021 Nobles 21
Michael Turner leads a Chamber Singers rehearsal in the Omni Rink.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MICHAEL TURNER stands
poised in his black guayabera, his first time in concert attire in 17 months. Singers’ voices ascend through their masks, rising to the rafters, and his eyes well with joy. Recalling that April evening, Turner says, “If you’d told me 17 months ago that I would be doing a recording session in the Omni Rink, and that the beauty of hearing the Chamber Singers in this space would move me to tears, I would surely have laughed—and yet it was magic. They transported me, reminding me more than ever of why I am so fortunate to do what I do and why I love it so deeply: making music with other human beings.” Almost overnight, in March 2020, art galleries and concert venues, black-box theatres and jazz bars shuttered their doors. The curtain fell on Broadway. Student productions vaporized as schools scrambled to teach remotely. Musicians contemplated recording in a vacuum. Dancers mapped out space at home, swaying in the glow of their screens, mimicking the movements of figures bound together by a Zoom grid.
A PIVOT IN PEDAGOGY
In 2019, the Brookings Institute made an appeal backed by empirical evidence: “Arts participation is related to behaviors that contribute to the health of civil society, such as increased civic engagement, 22 Nobles FALL 2021
greater social tolerance, and reductions in other-regarding behavior.” Visual and performing arts teachers at Nobles have clung to this axiom of truth and protected its practice. Remote teaching gave teachers “a literal window into students’ homes that [they] weren’t necessarily expecting,” says ceramics teacher Nora Bourdeau. During quarantine, the visual arts department considered materials everyone might have at home; she started with paper sculptures. When hybrid learning began in the fall, she and colleague John Dorsey agreed, “The clay is really important.” They assembled home lab kits; every student had “a whole little studio that could fit under their bed.” To teach remote students alongside those in person, Bourdeau learned to position three cameras: one for her face, one for her hands molding the clay, and the last to project on the TV behind her. Grounded by empathy, she thought: “What is each kid’s experience in my class? But also, what are they experiencing over the course of the day?” Head of the visual arts and photography teacher John Hirsch says connections with and between students, and concerns around equity, informed planning. Returning to the darkroom is important, but so are cleaning protocols that instill “the culture of community and how we build good citizens.” The visual arts’
greatest challenge has been the changed physicality of the critique process. Painting teacher David Roane says sharing is essential: “It’s apt to provide a voice for students who would otherwise remain silent, an empowering means for feelings of belonging within one’s community and ownership over a school’s success.” The music department mastered audio-video software to simulate live performances and thwart technical setbacks (as anyone who’s tried to sing “Happy Birthday” in unison on Zoom will understand). Gathering consistent high-quality recordings “without hearing a washing machine or a little brother in the background” was arduous. Turner would evaluate 18 to 40 recordings, giving individual notes—an exchange that traditionally occurs during one rehearsal. “It will make me cry if I think about the hours that it takes to produce three minutes of music,” Turner says. Then again, he says gratefully, their spring concert on YouTube was viewed by hundreds of households, something he’d like to hold on to. Paul Lieberman, director of wind and jazz ensembles, and Nobles’ artist-inresidence, says reuniting “is the heart and soul, the art and science, of what we do, and despite the necessity of special music PPE for our wind instruments and face masks with slits for insertion of mouthpieces, we appreciate it more than ever before.”
Helen Cui ’23
Ceramics teacher Nora Bourdeau used multiple cameras for hybrid teaching.
“ The creative potential that lies within all of us as human “beings is infinite.” —DAVID ROANE, VISUAL ARTS TEACHER
THE BEAUTY OF A LIMITED PALETTE Faculty members and students remember the bleakness of Covid’s regimented days but set their sights on light, beauty and meaning ahead. Resourcefulness is inherent to being an artist, says Roane: “That’s what we teach our students: Use whatever you inherit as material for building and creating meaning. . . . The creative potential that lies within all of us as human beings is infinite.” He intentionally limits students’ palettes. “If you give them all the colors, one of two things happens: They either mix all the colors together and create mud, or they’re simply overwhelmed by the number of possibilities that lie before them. When we limit the color palette, students are forced to invent or create within those parameters.” Most artists turned inward, making work about their everyday lives. “The world in some ways very much shrunk. The pandemic made us all acutely aware of the things we miss,” says Hirsch. The culture of the visual arts at Nobles helps students understand, “So much of what PHOTOGRAPHS BY BEN HEIDER
you experience, many other people do. And you actually have to get to that point because, when it comes [to issues around] equity and access and inclusivity, we’re all in this together.” Director of Theatre Dan Halperin was determined to uphold joy despite the obstacles to expression. “That’s just the crux of what we do. Almost every story is about relationships and eye contact, and that was just torn away.” The performing arts department had to decide what would be worthwhile given what they couldn’t do, a dodgy target. The fall play, Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, debuted live on Zoom. The winter musical switched to spring, outdoors—its only hope for survival. By that grace, dance enjoyed a rare winter season.
COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION
Rhodes Martinez ’22, a regular in the Nobles Theatre Collective (NTC), Nobleonians and Chamber Singers, looks forward to reconvening in the Arts Center for rehearsals, where he says, “We all sit in a circle so we can all hear each other
pretty dang well. That’s what I’m looking forward to, just being able to do some complicated pieces.” Turner agrees: “That’s the thing that I so desperately want to get back, is the circle, because we can’t be facing each other—and that is just profoundly sad.” He is optimistic about its return and continued collaborations with world-class musicians like beatbox champion Tiago Grade and konnakol artist B C Manjunath. Eleni Kolovos ’21, recipient of this year’s dance prize, sings with Greensleeves and the Chamber Singers, and in the NTC musicals, and she co-leads a cappella group Noteorious with Sidnie Kulik ’21. The arts at Nobles, along with therapy, helped Kolovos manage anxiety and find joy in performing, which she channeled into connecting with others. Noteorious rehearsals began with an icebreaker of “rose, bud, thorn” and social time. During winter dance, Kolovos and Roisin O’Carroll ’21 hosted cookie decorating. And in keeping with a senior tradition, at the strike of the musical, Kolovos and classmates Caroline Fai FALL 2021 Nobles 23
“ The second I step onstage...it’s a bliss that I’m in, like I’m floating... it’s just me, and the music and the dance, and it’s like, I’m where I’m meant to be.”
Alejandra Mendez ’22 in the spring musical
—ALEJANDRA MENDEZ ’22
Francesca Gennari ’25 and her sister cheered their neighbors with this driveway mosaic.
and Kathryn Cloonan wrote heartfelt notes to the underclassmen. “Those are the people I just love to spend time with in the end, and they always made me laugh, even when we were at school for nine hours,” says Kolovos. Middle school art prize recipient Francesca Gennari ’25 and her sister used art to uplift their neighborhood, mapping out a giant rainbow chalk mosaic in their driveway with duct tape. Gennari also studies photography and has enjoyed projects with middle school art teacher Molly Pascal, like a self-portrait. Dazzled by upper school visual arts offerings, she’s clamoring to try ceramics and painting. She says the arts round out the academic experience by helping students share their stories: “You’re just using different parts of your brain.” Halperin says theatre does that too, by empathizing with different characters: “We can put our own struggles into a 24 Nobles FALL 2021
context, we can draw inspiration, we can learn how we want to be or how we don’t want to be as ourselves and with others in our lives. We can understand that things are hard and at the same time recognize that we have much to be thankful for, even in the midst of the pandemic. And all of that, I think, is healthy.” Across the dance community, Director of Dance Jillian Kinard saw a shift to greater collaboration and trust, “knowing you’re not stealing, but you’re sharing.” Along with routine rigor, she includes time to connect and play, because “that’s how we stay creative and alive.” Kinard wanted a home for her dancers to feel, “‘Ah, I’m safe, and here, I want to explore what’s happening because I’m stuck everywhere else.’ Meditative qualities of dance offered an escape from everything that felt so heavy.” Aware of long-term chiropractic projections from laptop lockdown, she
urged kids to move. She is vigilant about positive body awareness and concerned about spiking eating disorders, when teens were consumed with social media, prone to anxiety and depression, and craving control. “I don’t want to be one of those teachers who perpetuates—and I think this is changing in the dance world—that there are only certain people who can dance,” she says.
EXPRESSION AND ESCAPE
In 2020, Susan Magsamen, executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab within the Brain Science Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, called the arts “exercise for brain development” that can lower cortisol and blood pressure. Theatre inspires empathy, choir supports socialization, and learning an instrument reinforces resilience. Other benefits range from stronger neural pathways to academic
Justin Qin ’21 performs a piece he choreographed at graduation assembly.
Bella Kong ’26 in the middle school play
achievement. “The arts also bring happiness—which can be in short supply during a global health crisis. You can’t learn if you don’t feel safe. You can’t learn if you’re depressed,” Magsamen says. When Justin Qin ’21 dances, he radiates joy. A self-described introvert, Qin says, “I almost become a different person when I start to perform. Once I can just smile and listen to music and move, I feel a lot more energetic and expressive.” That electricity was evident in performances like his half-freestyle/halfchoreographed graduation assembly sendoff to Kygo’s “Stole the Show.” Qin describes his style of dance, popping, as “contracting and relaxing your muscles on the beat,” eliciting both an auditory and physical connection to the music. “It feels good to be able to take a step away from life, which can be pretty stressful, especially during a pandemic, and be by yourself, in your basement with headphones on, moving to music and not caring what it looks like, as all of your body works together to express whatever you want to express.”
Singer, dancer, actor and writer Alejandra Mendez ’21 is transported when she performs. Despite pre-show jitters, “The second I step on stage, it kind of just releases, and it’s a bliss that I’m in, like I’m floating. I don’t even see the people around me anymore. It’s just me, and the music and the dance, and it’s like, I’m where I’m meant to be.” Mendez avails herself of every opportunity to sing, in Greensleeves, Chamber Singers, Imani and the musical. Recipient of the 2021 prize for creative writing, she appreciates the perspective that writing provides but says singing is the scaffolding to her wellbeing. “Singing and dancing and acting help take me out of myself to focus on the bigger picture and to find a new piece of myself. Becoming closer friends with people in the musical also played a big role in helping me find stability. Especially during the beginning of the year, that was something I really struggled with: ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so lonely I don’t know what to do with myself.’ Finding a good group of people that emulated that energy that I gave off was reassuring and rejuvenating.”
PHOTOGRAPHS BY (LEFT TO RIGHT) FRANCESCA GENNARI, KIM NEAL, MICHAEL DWYER, KIM NEAL
Bella Kong ’26 started playing piano at age 4, and played and sang in assembly several times this year. “Sometimes when I’m sad and I can go to the piano and sing, it really just lets out my feelings, like meditating or journaling. Music for me is a way to calm down, and that’s why it was really helpful during quarantine.” The middle school play, Stories From the Edge of the World, was Kong’s first with the NTC. “The people who you do it around really makes a huge difference. Everyone was superfunny, and I felt like I could easily connect with them.” Helen Cui ’23 and Dorothy Zhang ’23 co-founded the Nobles Drawing Club. When Covid hit, they sought to offer solace and space to people “grasping for a connection that wasn’t quite there.” For Cui, who took oil pastel breaks to calm herself during finals, “Art is the ultimate destresser. It helps me feel like I’m in control because everything I want to go on that paper goes on that paper. When the world is shifting and there’s very little of my own choice considered in the FALL 2021 Nobles 25
AP art piece by Dylan Cleverly ’21
“ The product isn’t the thing. Even though it brings so much joy and love in the moment, it’s what happens daily with the kids...I don’t want them to forget.” —JILLIAN KINARD, DIRECTOR OF DANCE
directions the world goes in, art helps me fix that.” When knifemaking and blacksmithing grew into a passion for Rhodes Martinez, he took over his carpenter father’s workshop. “It’s been a really big outlet for me,” he says. “One of the biggest challenges with Zoom was that there was nothing tangible about it. Being able to make stuff with my hands and push everything else away was really great.” Virtual assemblies allowed Dylan Cleverly ’21 to plan and design multilayered pieces, unlike those he could replicate live, like a video where three of his likenesses perform in one frame. He furthered his songwriting in creative writing class with “more story-based songs,” generating enough material for an EP. While he identifies more as a musician than a visual artist, he received this year’s Scudder Medal for Excellence in Fine Arts. His AP paintings honored his late grandparents, whom he lost to nonCovid-related causes only days apart in 2020, at the outset of the pandemic. “They were married for, like, 70 years, so 26 Nobles FALL 2021
Director of Dance Jillian Kinard leads warmups.
that was the most intense love story. Half a year later, I still hadn’t grappled with all that, and had so much to process. That was my way of grieving, and it’s been super, super helpful. People ask me, isn’t it hard to look at your own art, since it’s so touching? But that’s totally not how I feel at all; I’m drawn to it now. It was my way of documenting them; now it’s like they’re memorialized.”
PROCESS AND PRESENCE
Choral Director Nhung Truong, conductor of Concert Choir, Imani, the Nobleonians, middle school chorus, Halfnotes and the musical, networked with music educators worldwide. She brushed up on virtual choirs and passionately pursued audio-video editing. But fall 2020 was hard, with an influx of new faces. Happily, when students returned to the classroom, so did cherished conversations. Truong says, “I just felt this release, like, ‘This is who you are.’ I missed that a lot.” As someone who holds herself and her students to a high standard, she now realizes, “What matters is my students being
together and smiling and enjoying themselves. This semester, I was able to step back and be like, okay, there were a lot of imperfect things about these recordings, but it doesn’t matter, because they were having fun.” Mendez says the year’s most valuable lesson is the power of studentteacher bonds: “I noticed it a lot with my English teacher, Mr. Baker, who was adamant about having good relationships with students. They are what will help students succeed; that’s definitely what helped me carry myself through this year—knowing that there’s a teacher who cares about my success, who actively says it to me consistently so I know that I have that line of support.” She also praises that culture in Nobles dance. Kinard wants to nurture the authentic connections that Mendez describes. She says in a way they happened more organically in a year that felt “less like a race.” While Kinard’s CDC-compliant choreography of the spring musical was rendered moot by the day of the performance, she says it goes to show, “The
Ethan Lung ‘21 plays baritone horn during an upper school wind ensemble rehearsal
Choral Director Nhung Truong during an outdoor rehearsal for the spring show
product isn’t the thing. Even though it brings so much joy and love in the moment, it’s what happens daily with the kids. That is what we have to keep stressing to them, because I don’t want them to forget.”
THAT MASKLESS MOMENT
The months building to the musical presented a maze of Covid tripwires. Agonizing questions remained about the format of the performance—or if it would happen at all. Three days before the show, Halperin called a five-minute meeting for the cast and crew. He says, “We felt like Nhung [Truong] really
deserved to give everybody this good news. So she went in acting really serious and started doing a presentation about how important it was to wear the singer masks correctly. The kids were all sitting there, and then she ended it by saying, ‘Actually, you can just…’ and she just threw her mask aside, and they just jumped up and went crazy!” “The whole time, we had been saying, ‘Pretend it’s not there, continue to smile underneath it, take advantage of this opportunity to think about how your eyes can be so powerful.’” says Kinard. “But the second they could rip it off, Dan and I looked at each other and we started
PHOTOGRAPHS BY (LEFT TO RIGHT) BEN HEIDER, KIM NEAL, BEN HEIDER
crying. They were full of so much expression, every single kid.” Halperin yelled, “You all have such beautiful faces!” Kolovos, one of the dance captains, describes her favorite number, Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy,” as pure exhilaration. In one sequence, they all improvise and make wild faces at each other. “Just being able to actually see everybody’s expressions—they’re all smiling so much that entire dance—even though we’d all get to the end of that dance and we just could not breathe.” Here’s to seeing each other, smiling big, and taking a deep breath to appreciate what’s next. N FALL 2021 Nobles 27
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How Monica and Victor Ordóñez Launched a Label
THINKING
INSIDE THE BOX
BY H E AT H E R S U L L I VA N
PO RT RA I T BY A DA M DETO UR FALL 2021 Nobles 29
Siblings Monica ’14 and Victor ’12 Ordóñez grew up in the wine business and began working for their father, Jorge Ordóñez, after graduating from Cornell’s viticulture and enology program, one of the best in the world. But it wasn’t until they made a cold call last year to Justin Sternberg, president of Epic Wines and Spirits in California, that momentum for a new product in their portfolio—boxed wine— accelerated. The story goes that Sternberg accepted a meeting with Victor and Monica, flew into Logan during a Boston snowstorm, and, shortly after, accompanied them to the family vineyards in Spain. Victor and Monica were energized by Sternberg’s assessment of the potential to grow and diversify the business, building on their father’s reputation. “The industry has become very corporate,” Victor explained. “Epic is probably doing $110 million of sales a year, and Justin, for whatever reason, took us under his wing. Monica and I both see him as a mentor figure. He is a big reason why we did this. He was talking to us about the style of production that we do and about how we could do more business in the chains. He showed us the ropes of this side of the industry and pushed us to do something different.”
DAD HAS ALWAYS BET ON QUALITY If Sternberg nudged Monica and Victor into a new side venture, it is their father, Jorge, who centered their vision and ethics. Jorge, who grew up in Málaga, along the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain, is the wine expert who is widely credited with introducing quality Spanish wines to the United States. According to the family company’s website, his goal has been to champion and preserve his homeland’s grape varietals. The company was also the first Spanish wine importer to the United States to manage everything from blending to temperature-controlled storage throughout the shipping from winery to US wholesaler. With support from his wife, Kathy, whom he met at university in Spain, the elder Ordóñez launched Jorge Ordóñez Selections–Fine Estates from Spain in 1987. Today, the family also owns five wineries in Spain under the Grupo Jorge Ordóñez umbrella. The eponymous company includes vineyards in Spain as well Finest Estates, the import company. While the children always respected their father’s accomplishments, it wasn’t certain that they would embrace Jorge’s venture. In fact, Victor was hesitant. “I did not want to do this at all early on, but our dad said something that took the pressure off: ‘If you want to be a scientist or a doctor or a lawyer or an artist—do what you want. But if you are going to work in a business, you should try it here
[in my business]. . . . It’s ultimately more interesting because you’re not just working with widgets. You’re working with wine.’ He encouraged me to try a harvest in Spain. I helped out around the winery that summer, then, after junior year at Nobles, I worked a full eight-week harvest. I really fell in love with the production side of wine.” Monica was also unsure about her post-Nobles path. Both she and her brother credit the guidance of Director of College Counseling Kate Boyle Ramsdell for demystifying the process. Monica said she wrote her college essay—which helped land her at Cornell—on her family’s gazpacho recipe, which she featured in a project in Dr. Jen Craft’s molecular gastronomy class. “Something Victor said that resonated and made me excited about joining the family company was about how we might extend our footprint in Spanish wine around the whole country. Our company is just six employees. To have that [influence and reach] in the U.S. market with so few employees is kind of remarkable. “And while we are selling wine, what we’re ultimately doing is running a small family-owned company. We are so lucky that our father started it and that we are in a position to run and manage a company that has a lot of success historically. While our father is still super-involved, he now spends most of his time in Spain; the day-to-day operation is up to us. Luckily, our family is really close!”
“ While we are selling wine, what we’re ultimately doing is running a small family-owned company. We are so lucky that our father started it and that we are in a position to run and manage a company that has a lot of success historically.” — MONICA ORDÓÑEZ
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JORGE ORDÓÑEZ SELECTIONS
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Victor explained that there is a cliché in the European wine business: It glorifies the younger generation’s rejection of their parents’ approach to winemaking. Often, the story of breaking away is hailed for both its rebelliousness and the assumption of innovation. That’s not the case with Monica and Victor, who believe in their father’s focus on quality, respect and intentionality. But that doesn’t mean they shy away from making their own mark. “Because of our father, we have the opportunity to define the next chapter of this company,” Monica said. “How do we build off of that? Our dad’s philosophy is very much present in this product—in [boxed wine] Quadrum Wine Co.—even though it’s a forward-thinking product. This is the fastest-growing category in the U.S. wine market, with 30-35 percent growth nationally, and we are doing it differently.” Boxed wine certainly is having a moment. Sales skyrocketed during the pandemic. The appeal is based on price point, more sustainable packaging and a longer shelf-life. While the quality of bottled wine begins to lessen in a 32 Nobles FALL 2021
“ Because of our father, we have the opportunity to define the next chapter of this company. How do we build off of that?” — MONICA ORDÓÑEZ
day, boxed wine typically stays fresh for weeks. Shipping is also much more cost-effective. But the excellence isn’t compromised—their Quadrum Red Blend earned 89 points from Vinous, one of the industry’s most highly regarded publications. The siblings said they had been considering introducing a boxed wine for years, but ironically, Covid-19 is what offered the opportunity. “We always loved the idea of doing it; it just never seemed like it was the priority. Before Covid, we traveled a lot. We had played with potential package designs, which we saved on our desktops, and sent [the silliest ones] to friends. But the idea just didn’t come off the back burner until March last year.”
ANOTHER REASON QUALITY MATTERS
“We need the product to be good. That’s the key. We invest a lot of time and money and effort into making sure the product is world-class, because if it’s not, our system fails,” said Monica. “We’re very cautious when we bring on new brands, because the prices have to be correct, the wines have to be very, very good, the packaging has to be good. And we do that. And we maintain really good relationships with our wholesalers. And we maintain really good relationships with key accounts around the country, whether it’s independent retailers, or if it’s chains like Whole Foods or Total Wine or Costco. Over the last 34 years, people know if they see
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JORGE ORDÓÑEZ SELECTIONS (PORTRAIT), ADAM DETOUR (WINE BOTTLES)
our dad’s name on it, it’s a really good wine at a good price.” “That’s what we’re doing with Quadrum, too,” Monica said. “Right now, we are applying that quality philosophy to the boxed-wine category.” She explained that most boxed-wine companies blend the not-good-enough discards from other wines to fill their boxes. Not Quadrum, which Monica says is intentional and consistent and uses estate grapes. “We are super-proud of the boxed wine we are selling at $19.99. We are out there as top representatives of Spanish wine saying that this is produced from extremely good juice.” Quadrum is already available in about 180 Whole Foods locations nationwide and in all Wegman’s locations.
BUT IT’S STILL FUN, RIGHT?
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to meet other people in the wine industry,” Monica said. “We work hard, and we work a lot. But this industry also comes along with the food industry. We care so much about food, and that comes from our family. “We’re some of the youngest people in the industry, and we meet peers all over the country and all over the world. I mean, since we have family in Spain, we can connect with people from Europe and we travel to different states to sell our wines. It’s a really cool opportunity to meet people who have completely different stories. But you have this kind of common industry thing—which is wine— but it’s more than selling, like, printers or insurance. People who do this are passionate about it. It’s an honor to share this common interest and to share experiences with people who are so different than us but have this passion in common.” Victor said that when you visit winemakers or farmers whose hands and hearts are close to the vineyards—then drink their wine—there is resonance between the personality and the product. “You understand why that human
being would have created that wine,” Victor said.
IT’S IN THEIR BLOOD
“Our grandfather was the general manager of a cigar factory in Málaga, which was government-run. This is when Franco was in charge of Spain, so it didn’t pay very well, and he needed more money to support the family,” said Victor. The grandfather, Jorge’s father, took a side job distributing wine for a famous winery, which was the family’s first foray into the business. Years later, Jorge studied agricultural engineering at the University of Córdoba. There he met his American-born wife and Victor and Monica’s mom, Kathy. But after seven years, he had not graduated, and his parents pulled him out of college to help run the family business. Shortly after, he came to the United States to marry his sweetheart. He had no college degree, but he had learned a lot about wine and, with his wife’s support, established the business. “Our mom played a massive role, especially in the beginning, because she was in software engineering and was making a lot of money when my dad came over here. Without her, this business wouldn’t exist,” Victor said. “He was in the right place at the right time. And I think he was clearly smart and innovative and super hard-working,” Monica said. She also noted that other countries entering the U.S. market often started on the low end—Argentina and Australia are good examples—and that often tarnished the perception of quality. Jorge started with the opposite approach, introducing premium pricepoint, quality-driven producers and building from the top of the pyramid. “Our roots are really grounded in what we believe in. It’s what leads us and we always come back to. We are very happy about how it’s going with Quadrum. But we still think there’s a huge potential for growth,” Monica said. N
5 Things to Know About Spanish Wine New to Spanish wines or interested in a (refreshing) refresher? Explore what Spain has to offer through these indigenous grape varieties and regions that were introduced to the United States by the grads’ father, Jorge Ordóñez: “Ordóñez had made a name for himself... as an importer of Spanish wines, who elevated unheralded regions to international stardom,” wrote Ben O’Donnell in Wine Spectator in 2011. “The bodegas’ names are now familiar to many wine drinkers…largely from formerly comatose areas such as Jumilla, Rías Baixas, and Toro, once august but virtually unknown through the 20th century except to the farmers who toiled there.” Recommendations: variety/region/wine 1. Albariño/D.O. Rias Baixas/La Caña Albariño—Try this if you enjoy Pinot Grigio. 2. Txakoli /D.O. Getariako Txakolina/Txomin Etxaniz—Try this if you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc/Sancerre. 3. Godello/D.O. Valdeorras/Avancia Godello Old Vines—Try this if you enjoy European Chardonnay. 4. Garnacha/D.O. Calatayud/Breca Garnacha Old Vines—Try this if you enjoy Pinot Noir. 5. Tinta de Toro/D.O. Toro/Vatan Tinta de Toro—Try this if you enjoy Bordeaux or Napa Cabernet.
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Connecting Through Empathy Building a Better World, One Conversation at a Time
BY A NNE MC M ANUS I LLUST RAT I O N BY JULI A BREC KENR E ID
34 Nobles FALL 2021
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S
SECURING AN APPOINTMENT with a qualified therapist these days is akin to trying to buy a house in the 2021 market, and once the hour of therapy is finally added to GCal, the patient is faced with the added hurdle of trying to afford it. One idea, suggests Dr. Bobbi Wegner ’97, Psy.D., is that we take a preventative approach with a mental wellness mindset—one founded on empathy and connection. What if we were to get ahead of some of the crises facing our children and our culture—gender identity, consent, justice, the impact of stress in parenting and other facets of life—by addressing them preemptively? Wegner is teaching, writing, innovating, conversing and parenting her way to a tomorrow that offers inventive mental wellness to a broad range of individuals and fills our families, our classrooms and our workplaces with people raised on a nurturing diet of empathy and connection. Wegner is not sitting idly by watching our country’s mental health crisis develop. A clinical psychologist, she is also a Harvard lecturer in human development and psychology and industrial-organizational psychology, and a supervising psychologist at Boston Behavioral Medicine; she is an author, advisor, speaker, columnist, and regular contributor to Psychology Today and NBC News’ “Parent Toolkit,” and she has given several TEDx talks. This past year alone, Wegner taught a course to 250 Harvard students on motivation and what drives human behavior, cofounded a cutting-edge virtual mental wellness platform, and published the book Raising Feminist Boys, all while raising three children of her own. And how does she sum up the gargantuan work she has done during this already challenging year? With humility and relatability. “It all comes down to providing accessibility and tools for people to make life a little bit better,” she says. Simple as that.
36 Nobles FALL 2021
“We think about mental health in this very compartmentalized way,” says Wegner, explaining that we apply too many labels instead of “just letting it be about mental wellness and striving to make the best of our time while we are here, whether that’s parenting or just having real, honest conversations, and at the end of the day feeling connected.” In order to effect enduring change, Wegner aims to strip down evidence-based psychology and make it accessible for all. She describes herself as a “self-reflective learner” whose tendency is to “follow where the passion is.” Wegner first fell in love with psychology in college, when she began to see the power of mind-body preventative wellness—where taking care of yourself translates to taking care of your mental health—and went on to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology, specializing in health psychology. When Wegner became a mother herself, she realized the need for mental wellness in the ever-stressful job of parenting and began writing about bridging the space between being a psychologist and being a mom. “If you want to change anything,” says Wegner in the first few sentences of Raising Feminist Boys, “start with yourself. It then moves to your children, out to your communities, and through generations.” Wegner explains that the first step in raising empathetic boys is self-reflection by parents and a careful examination of their own biases. Wegner provides the reader with the language and developmental context to start the difficult conversations about gender, sex, identity, physical respect, consent, equality and justice. “The whole idea,” says Wegner, “is about just having conversations.” She hopes that the tools in her book will give squeamish or intimidated parents who default to the lone “birds and the bees” talk permission to move toward more frequent conversations with their sons. “When in doubt,” advises Wegner, “default to empathy, validation, uncon-
ditional love and acceptance,” assuring parents that from there everything will flourish. Raising Feminist Boys was written, says Wegner, “from a place of learning,” and it is evident that her suggestions within its pages come not only from evidence-based research, but also from the heart of a mother who is learning and parenting alongside the reader. Wegner defines feminism as “a belief in equality for everyone, but more specifically, all genders,” and explains that this is not only the lens through which she wrote Raising Feminist Boys, but through which she raises her own children. She points to the fact that over 90 percent of perpetrators of sexual assault are boys and men, and implores parents to put in the work early on with their boys. “The foundation of it is really empathy,” she says. “What motivated me to write this book was having enough self-awareness to realize I have two privileged white boys; they have all this privilege that is unearned, and the world tells them that they can take what they want because of the privilege.” Wegner repeatedly stresses the importance of recognizing who is not included in a situation—whether it is the girl on the playground whose voice is not being heard or the boy who is not being played with, she asks us to identify why that exclusion is occurring. “Teaching empathy, kindness and self-awareness is important for all kids and all people,” says Wegner, “but understanding positioning and privilege is also part of that. My boys are in a different position of privilege than my daughter is just by being boys, so it’s a bit of a different conversation.” In her 2020 article “How to Talk to White Children About Being a Better Ally,” Wegner states, “Parenting is the most important agent of social change. Period.” She challenges white parents to identify their privilege and biases around race, gender and class, and implore that they “own it” and “empathize with people who don’t have
that privilege.” By doing this work alongside our children, we begin the work of teaching them to be empathetic allies. “It’s all about connection,” says Wegner. “It’s really about having good, strong, attuned, connected relationships with our children, where they feel like they can come to us with thoughts and feelings, and then in turn can develop good relationships with other people in the world. We set the tone, so if we have good relationships, then they can go out in the world and be good allies, and be good advocates.” Connection is also a central component of Wegner’s latest venture—Groops—an online mental wellness platform. Wegner has found the group model to be the most effective way to help people live their best possible lives; shared human experience is the anchor for Wegner’s work and is at the heart of the Groops platform. In 2019, Wegner was on NPR in Minnesota discussing the current state of stress in parenting, and the head of a private equity incubator happened to be listening. He asked Wegner to meet with him, they hit it off, and they have spent the past two years identifying innovative ways to destigmatize mental health support. They held pop-ups around the Midwest and had great success bringing people together to have honest conversations. The cofounders were getting ready to launch their program when Covid hit, and they pivoted to the Groops model, instantly realizing that virtual group work could make an impact that extended far beyond their original plans. “Groops is kind of like a health club for your head,” says Wegner. “In physical wellness, you can go to the gym, and you look at a calendar, and there’s yoga and Pilates and you can do it for 60 minutes, you feel better, and you move on. That doesn’t really exist in mental health—but why not?” For a monthly fee that is at least half the cost of a one-hour therapy appointment, Groops offers a calPHOTOGRAPH BY ANNE MCMANUS
“ Teaching empathy, kindness and self-awareness is important for all kids and all people, but understanding positioning and privilege is also part of that.” endar with a variety of experts; whether someone is arriving at the platform with concerns about self, relationships, parenting or work-life balance, Groops has a space for that person to connect. Groops is based on the idea of universality, or shared human experience. “If you and I spent a little time each day having a real authentic conversation,” says Wegner, “we can get to the core feelings underneath, if we approach it with honesty, and with the help of a trained facilitator,” adding that the stories might share the universal emotions of pain, sadness, loss or love. “The universal,” says Wegner, “that’s really where the good stuff lives—shared experience and honesty. Let’s just have some real conversations.” Groops targets the atypical mental health consumer, as anyone can benefit from the approach, and they hope to reach that broader audience. In Groops, the psychology jargon is stripped down so that people can talk about what is real. “Instead of pathologizing people,” says Wegner,
“let’s just look at people as people with shared human experience.” Mental health issues are on the rise, with access and affordability proving to be more challenging by the day, and our children are growing up in a world where one out of six women is raped in her lifetime. While these problems feel insurmountable, innovative approaches to parenting and mental wellness, like those offered by Wegner in Raising Feminist Boys and Groops—and simply knowing that the Wegners of the world are standing at the front of the classroom—give us hope. If virtual “gyms” for mental wellness and consistent, honest conversations with our children start to become the norm, then we are getting somewhere. During a recent webinar on “The Policy Circle,” Wegner said, “One silver lining of Covid is that the stigma (around mental health) is waning a bit” because our shared experience of this cultural trauma frees us up to talk more openly. “Hopefully,” adds Wegner, “the tide is turning.” N FALL 2021 Nobles 37
BY B E N H E ID E R P H OTO G R A P H Y BY SA RA-MA I CON WAY ‘ 94
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The Value in Movement
When a pandemic forces you to reevaluate your career and work from home, but also gives you the opportunity to reestablish where that home is, where do you go? For Sara-Mai Conway ’94, the answer is the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.
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Ben Heider: How did you get involved with running yoga retreats in Baja Sur? Sara-Mai Conway: My life has been this series of things falling apart, and out of things falling apart, what’s really meant to happen gets a chance to rise. After coaching collegiate rowing in Los Angeles, my athletic career morphed as I looked for the value in movement that goes beyond trying to win and compete. I ended up moving to Texas and was still involved in rowing on an administrative level. That shifted into a more entrepreneurial career, where I opened an indoor rowing, cycling and yoga studio, but it was still very much all about making money and competing and winning. Then during a transition period in 2014, I hosted a retreat to Southern Baja for the studio that I owned, and it was just total magic. It was such a life-transforming experience for all the people who were there, myself included. I just thought, “I want to do more of this. Forget about the business in Austin. Forget about anything else that’s going on.” That drove me to pursue my own studies as a yoga teacher and continue to do retreats however I could. I went totally back to square one: became an employee, started teaching yoga for other studios. Then I just continued to invite my students to come to Mexico, and I now have this retreat business, Baja Surf Yoga. BH: Has surfing always been one of
your interests?
SC: I’ve always had a connection to the
water, but I was so deeply involved in the rowing community that the idea of surfing was not in my frame of mind. I married a surfer, so I thought, “Hey, I know I can do this too.” Learning how to surf is not an easy process. It’s almost like a spiritual experience of having to work through a lot of frustration and a lot of things that don’t work out the way you want them to, but you learn 40 Nobles FALL 2021
patience. It’s something I really enjoy, and I really enjoy putting other adults through that process. We tend not to learn new things as adults, and we rarely find ourselves in circumstances where we have no idea what’s going on and we’re totally out of control. So there’s a lot of value on a retreat of getting people in the water and watching them make fools out of themselves. BH: Do you think people expect that level of vulnerability? SC: I find that people want to come to the retreat just because they need a break from daily life. They want to have fun, and they’re looking to get some type of change and rest. But I think what they find that’s really unexpected is that Mexico and the adventure activities are not what they thought they were going to be. Even someone who considers themselves really openminded still gets to Mexico and realizes how many preconceived notions they have. And then they have this grounding presence of daily yoga and meditation, so I think they end up with a deeper experience. They thought it would just be a fun way to get some rest, but then they go home thinking, “Wow, I really changed as a person.” BH: What are some of the adventures you do in addition to yoga? SC: There’s surfing, obviously. There’s gorgeous hiking on the Pacific Coast of Baja. We’ll have a naturalist come and do a guided stargazing session at night. The visibility in Baja is something that most people have never seen before. There are so many stars, you can barely pick out a constellation. And because we normally run the retreats in January and February, which is when the whale sharks are visiting Southern Baja, we started adding in a “swimming with the whale sharks” adventure, which is a bucket-list activity. It’s really amazing.
Clockwise: Desert views while camping in Bahía Concepción, Mulegé; Sara-Mai Conway ‘94 prepandemic in her Austin studio; learning to surf at a recent Baja Surf Yoga retreat in Todos Santos
BH: What made you decide to ultimately move to Mexico full time? SC: We’ve had property here in the small town of San Juanico for a few years, but I was tied to teaching yoga in Austin and my husband’s full-time job, so I was pretty comfortable just doing the backand-forth thing. When Covid happened, all the fitness studios shut down, so all of a sudden I thought, “Oh, wow, there goes my job. What else can I do?” I had been doing a little bit of freelance writing for health and wellness clients—apps, websites, studios, blogs—so with a loss of income from teaching yoga, I really leaned into the writing. And in a weird way, because everybody was reeling from the stress of staying at home and worrying about getting sick, the demand for online content related to health and wellness skyrocketed, so I was able to pick up so many more clients in that freelance writing space. Overnight that just became my new full-time job. And with the freedom to work from anywhere, I decided, “What am I doing in Texas? Let’s go back to Mexico.”
BH: What has it been like there
during Covid?
SC: My experience with Southern Baja
future they can have a doctor who’s there all the time. We’ve paid people to help clean up the beach. We’ve given money for spay and neuter clinics. Currently, you have to drive at least two hours to go to a vet or a doctor, and that’s just not something a lot of the people can afford.
BH: Are you still teaching any yoga
yourself ?
SC: There’s a great little community here
where I teach in-person classes. I can teach yoga in Spanish, and all my yoga classes are bilingual. Learning a language through movement and through teaching other people has been amazing. And since my income is no longer dependent on teaching yoga, I am able to offer my classes for free. All of the donations I get go back to community projects. We don’t have a hospital or even a full-time doctor here, so most recently a lot of the yoga money has gone to installing a solar system at the local health clinic. If they can have 24/7 electricity there, then in the
BH: Is sustainability an aspect you consider when planning the retreats? SC: Yeah, it’s huge. It’s something you think about every second down here, not just on retreats. The infrastructure is nothing like it is in the United States. You’re hyperaware that every single thing you buy is going to a landfill that’s barely a landfill—it’s just going to get burned, or the wind will carry it to the ocean. And there’s no way it’s going to get recycled. So when you remove those options, you become hyperaware of how much you’re consuming. The town that we live in does not have power 24/7, so we live on 100 percent solar. Every day feels like a miracle. You literally take nothing for granted. Water is a huge issue because we’re in the desert. Water comes down to our property from a spring at a local ranch three times a week. And sometimes there’s water and sometimes there isn’t. I’m really aware of choosing retreat centers that also think about all those things. I also choose retreat centers that are Mexican-owned and employ Mexican citizens. We’re not talking about a big resort experience.
has been that people are taking care to prevent the spread much more than they were in Texas. When I first moved to Mexico in November, everybody was wearing masks. Life here is 95 percent outside. Even the restaurants are just some tables near the beach or some tables on the sidewalk. Covid or no Covid, your whole life here is outdoors. People don’t have climate-controlled buildings, so the doors and windows are always open. I think that that kind of life has kept people pretty well protected. It feels like a safe place to be. BH: What is it about yoga and meditation that you enjoy? SC: With Covid especially, I think we’ve all had this reminder that nothing is certain. I think yoga and meditation is the way to connect to the true source of stability, which comes from the inside. If I’m connected to my true self, then whatever happens with the job, or with Covid, or with the world around me shifting and changing and falling apart, I know I’m going to be okay, because I’m not getting my okayness from any of those outside things. BH: Did anybody from Nobles make
a big impact on you?
SC: Brian Ford was my rowing coach,
my advisor, my English teacher, and just a really steady mentor for me. He’s someone that I’ve kept in touch with, and I don’t know if I would have made it through Nobles without him. I’ll also say Bob Freeman, who taught painting. He really showed me by example that it was possible to live a creative life. There’s success and joy and satisfaction to be found in pursuing creative interests. That was really important for me to realize while I was at Nobles. N FALL 2021 Nobles 41
graduate profile
At the Class I Awards Night, Jeremy Rodriguez '21 (right) received the first James M. Ritvo '64 Award for his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and justice during his time at Nobles.
Jim Ritvo '64 (back) and Ken Morse '64 during their Class I year
Change Agents
How the Class of 1964 is leading the way BY CASEY HASSENSTEIN
T
o the outside observer, it may seem ironic that last year it was one of Nobles’ least diverse graduating classes that launched the first endowed fund specifically supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work with the aim of fostering a culture of belonging among all Nobles students. To those familiar with the Class of 1964, however, this will come as no surprise at all. One of the school’s most cohesive and engaged classes, the Class of 1964 read with profound interest Head of School Cathy Hall’s email to the Nobles community from June 18, 2020, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the personal testimonials on Instagram from many Nobles students and graduates of color. In the email, Hall acknowledged that Nobles had more work to do and 42 Nobles FALL 2021
vowed to commit to listening, learning and acting in order to build a stronger, more inclusive school community. Both her sense of outrage and commitment to improvement resonated particularly strongly with Alexander Caskey ’64, who immediately replied to Hall’s open invitation, proposing that she join a Zoom meeting with his classmates who were interested in starting a dialogue with Nobles to see how they could help. Caskey, a Peace Corps veteran, began his professional life in academia, teaching linguistics and Romance languages at several institutions, including the University of Chicago. He then joined the high-tech world, working as a software engineer and architect before branching out as an entrepreneur, creating industry solutions using natural language processing and speech recognition. Today, he is engaged in research in cognitive
science, with a focus on the psychology of aging. Along with classmate Rick Farlow ’64, he co-founded the Class of 1964’s website and serves as its webmaster. Caskey, Farlow and Mike Wiggins ’64 set out to learn as much as they could about DEI programming and the problems that today’s students are facing. “We just kept reading and absorbing a lot of material and reflecting on the Nobles of today and conjugating that with our memory of the school. The issue at Nobles in those days was antisemitism, and we were very much aware of that,” said Caskey. “It was often expressed through microaggressions and more subtle forms of exclusion. We wanted to understand how things were working now with a more diverse student population at the Nobles of today.” The trio began to research how current students who do not fit into the typical prep school mold were experiencing life at schools like Nobles. The value of the contributions made by Alda Farlow, Farlow’s adopted mixed-race daughter, who identifies as Black, cannot be stressed enough. Her proactive stance as a member of the Buckingham Browne
& Nichols faculty and DEI staff, as well as her experience working with students of color, enabled her to educate the group and answer their questions from firsthand knowledge. Caskey also sought the advice of his daughter, a New York–based psychotherapist who was raised and educated in northeastern Brazil before moving to the United States to study at Williams College. She not only shared her insights about her own experiences navigating an unfamiliar culture, but also set up interviews for the group with school DEI directors in New York City and graduates of color from private schools. After discussing their ideas with Edgar de Leon and Nahyon Lee, codirectors of the Nobles DEI program, they refined their proposal so that it would be of maximum value to the school both now and in the future. Ultimately, they decided to establish the Nobles DEI Resource Endowment Fund to support DEI initiatives at Nobles and to create an annual student award in honor of their classmate, James “Jim” M. Ritvo ’64. “To the Class of 1964, Jim Ritvo was very special. He was known for his antics, his group spirit and his irrepressible conviviality,” Caskey reflected. As an adult, Ritvo gained admiration for a different set of skills. During his 30-year law practice in northern Vermont, he became known as “Saint Jim” and the “Mensch of Montpelier” because of his work helping clients of small means negotiate the legal system. He also gained renown for his numerous good works on behalf of charities that addressed food insecurity, health care and other basic needs for disadvantaged people of all backgrounds and identities. As a college student, he joined the march from Selma to Montgomery. Despite his busy schedule, he still found time to produce a number of successful documentary films on social issues including One Family: An Ethiopian Adoption, The Red Wagon: Facing Hunger and On the Edge: Holes in
the Vermont Health Care Safety Net. Adding classmates Ned Lawson ’64 and Ned Bigelow ’64 to the team effort was critical to gaining 70 percent donor participation from the Class of 1964 for the Nobles DEI Resource Endowment Fund. These two offered valuable critiques of the project proposal and literally catapulted the fundraising effort forward. In the future, the hope is that other members of the Nobles community, outside of the Class of 1964, will be moved to get involved and support this effort. The fund, as Caskey stated, “is not only to support people of color, but any student who does not fit the tight, preppy definition, which in our perception still persists.” The description of the James M. Ritvo ’64 Award reads, “Given by the Class of 1964, this award is presented annually to a Nobles student or group of students whose actions and words have demonstrated a passionate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and justice by consistently honoring and uplifting all others, of whatever identity or origin, while nurturing in all a sense of fully belonging in the Nobles community and beyond, and giving inspiration to do the same for their peers.” During the 2021 Class I Awards Night, the first James M. Ritvo ’64 Award was presented to Jeremy Rodriguez ’21. Rodriguez was a Nobles prefect, member of the School Life Council, and a core leader of Brother 2 Brother and the Latinx affinity group; attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference; and participated in a sixweek workshop with the Social Justice Leadership Institute. Perhaps most notably, Rodriguez, along with other classmates, wrote a letter in response to the @blackatnobles Instagram page to highlight DEI areas he felt the school should focus on and work to improve. De Leon and Lee wrote, “When Jeremy arrived at Nobles, he struggled to find who he was in this new world. But as his journey
continued, his self-confidence grew and he began to see himself not just as a member of this community, but as someone whose voice needed to be heard.” For the Class of 1964, Rodriguez upheld their core values during his Nobles tenure and epitomized the esteemed legacy of their beloved classmate, who never stopped working for justice. For Hall, the engagement of the Class of 1964 was a ray of sunshine amidst such a stormy year. “For our least diverse cohort of graduates at the time—it was all white men when they attended Nobles— for them to be among the most enlightened, attuned, empathetic and eager to create a more inclusive culture was not so much surprising as it was inspiring,” said Hall. “To be thinking about and so deeply caring for the Nobles community nearly 60 years after they graduated and set a tone for how others can invest in the school was really cool.” Hall was impressed with how openminded the class was and how aware they were of the fact that to create an inclusive atmosphere, one must ensure that each and every student regardless of race, religion or socio-economic background truly believes and feels they belong at Nobles. “The Class of 1964 understood that when we talk about inclusivity, we are talking about every single student feeling a full sense of belonging and doing so not at the expense of others,” stated Hall. Elevating each and every Nobles student so that they can thrive in school and beyond truly was the impetus for so many loyal graduates from 1964 to establish the Nobles DEI Resource Endowment Fund. While the current Nobles mission statement was not part of their Nobles vocabulary during their time as students, the Class of 1964 continues to put its own twist on the phrase “Leadership for the public good.” They simply do not believe in sitting idly by while injustice is taking place around them. FALL 2021 Nobles 43
graduate news 1940
1951
1955
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Percy Nelson
Galt Grant
Bob Chellis
617-244-4126 percylnelson@comcast.net
781-383-0854 galtgra@gmail.com
781-237-9436 rdchellis@gmail.com
Percy Nelson, who turned 99 in
1952 & 1953
Disappointed we missed our 65th Reunion last year; Charlie Nichols organized our 66th Reunion this year. It was an excellent Zoom meeting with Wally Stimpson as a terrific host and moderator, and we coped fairly well with this innovation. Bob Chellis as scribe apologizes for the sketchy notes and all the clever comments lost in translation, but it’s hard to listen and write fast, and then he was delayed a few weeks before the final draft. So it may read like a disconnected mosaic, but at least we’re keeping in touch. Eight zoomed in and were actually seen onscreen: Chellis, Freeman Davison, Dave Fisher, Larry Flood, Sam Gray, John Harrison, Nichols and Stimpson. We failed to attract: Jim Lowell, Peter Nichols, Tim Horne and Frank Warner. Tim is in Naples and Sanibel, Florida, and Rye Beach, New Hampshire, during the summer. Charlie says Tim is traveling a lot and collecting some exotic cars. Bebo Gregg is at Hillside Village in Keene, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma, but unavailable. It was good to see Freeman Davison, who has been elusive for years. He seemed cheerful and is in the Sarasota/ Bradenton area.
March of this year and has the distinguished honor of being Nobles’ oldest graduate, was happy to celebrate at the wedding of his grandson, Nelson de Castro ’06. They held the ceremony at Percy and Toni’s backyard at 17 Plainfield Road in Waban. Fun fact: Percy was born at this house and has lived there most of his life. See photos and read more in the ’06 notes.
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
John Childs
johnchilds37@gmail.com
1954 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Peter Partridge
508-548-9418 bluechip7676@hotmail.com
Graduate Notes Policy ■ ■ ■
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Send graduate updates and photographs to class correspondents if you have one. Digital photographs must be high-resolution JPEG images (1MB+) to appear in print. Editorial staff reserves the right to edit, format, and select all materials for publication, to accommodate eight decades of classes in the magazine. We are a non-profit organization with no political or religious affiliation. For more information, visit the graduate notes online submission page, www.nobles.edu/community/graduates/ submit-a-class-note/. Please contact us if you’d like to volunteer as class correspondent, to collect and compile news of your classmates to share. Please note: If you do not have a class correspondent listed, you can submit your notes online at www.nobles.edu/community/graduates/submit-a-class-note/ … or volunteer to become the class correspondent by contacting Director of Graduate Affairs Kate Treitman Brown ’99, kbrown99@nobles.edu.
44 Nobles FALL 2021
Larry Flood in Maine is still in the middle of his architectural and totem pole expansions. In January he had started repairing and expanding his guest cottage—given winter and other delays, this is still a work in progress. The cottage was suspended in the air for several months, waiting for the new foundation and new lower level. Meanwhile, he’s building an additional guest house—a three-story stairwell tower will showcase a 20-foottall totem pole, a mate to the 12-footer out on the hillside. Green roof decks full of native plants, it will have great views, while eagles and ospreys soar overhead on their shoreline flight path during cocktail hour. Larry invites you to keep in touch and “come up for a visit.” We reported in November 2020 on Bob Taylor’s death, peaceful and at home with family. A planned dual birthday pig roast for Bob and his oldest son, Bill, a Peterborough selectman, was canceled. So this year, on June 5, the rescheduled pig roast was a memorial celebration. It would have been Bob’s 85th birthday. It was a beautiful day next to his big red barn with family and lots of friends. And in a tribute I suspect none of us will ever match, all three of Bob’s ex-wives were there at once: Barbara, Hope and Carolyn. A remarkable tribute. Dave Fisher lives in Pacific Heights; he can see the Bay Bridge! A back injury makes stairs troublesome, but he is enjoying life. Ellen died years
NOTES & ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLASSMATES
ago, and he has a lady friend. Wally said that when they were living in California, he and Susie visited Dave and Ellen there. Wally said that he is in a discussion group that meets weekly—just three months a year. Either Freeman or Wally, who was captain, reminisced on their last basketball season. With only six on the squad, also including Tim, they all got plenty of playing time! John Harrison is still playing some tennis and golf. He remembered winning a senior tournament one year and Wally beating him there the next year. Some general discussion of how hard it is to move, shedding/shredding a lifetime of clutter, but that’s where we are. Wally moved to the North Hill CCRC for the summer months several years ago and expects that someday it will be taking care of them. He’d enjoyed rereading our 50th Reunion book before our Zoom. It was scrapbooked together 16 years ago— not pretty—but there are loads of pictures and information. After the Navy and HBS, he had been a consultant, then started a computer-based operation that grew, was sold to Marsh & McClennan, and he retired early. He has 13 grandchildren, and the oldest granddaughter gets married next weekend on Fishers Island. He expects a wedding a year for the next 15 years or so. They have a family reunion every summer; this summer will be on Lake Champlain. They expect 23 family members and four others.
Wally noted that Sam and Bob were also in a CCRC, Fox Hill. Sam, who is rarely there, says, “Just an anchor to windward.” Larry and Tyler have also joined a CCRC, taking a cottage in Blue Hill, close to their summer house. Convenient service and safe serenity in the winter. Wally was in the Navy for three years, Sam two years, and he married Gerry in 1968. Bob was in the Artillery for eight years after ROTC, but only six months active duty at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Flood was in the Army, as was Finlay, Taylor and Pi. Chub was in the Coast Guard. Frank Warner was in the Air Force, stationed in the Far East, did some teaching in the military, and achieved some rank. Charlie reminisced about his first job, selling false teeth, with anecdotes of a whole year calling on dentists. Then he was 42 years with John Hancock. After successful years in the Midwest, he moved back to the Boston office and their Liberty Investment group. They sent him all over the world to report on the performance of their pension funds, from the Netherlands and the U.K. to Hawaii and Alaska. He saw much of the world and loved it. A fun sideline—starting with his 1931 Franklin, he and a group of friends incorporated Carvest. Buying, tweaking, and flipping, they peaked at 200 collectibles, and the partners always had a head-turner to borrow for the weekend. Charlie also collects American Federal period furniture.
It fit the big Federal period house c. 1813 he once had in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His wife, Linda, collects Southwest American Indian ceramics, was a sculptor, and is a horsewoman. He showed us a wonderful nude that graces his den, chiseled by Linda. They have remodeled their two-story house in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania—all they need is on the ground floor, the second floor is for guests. Before moving south, Charlie was on the Forest Hills Cemetery Board of Trustees in Jamaica Plain for years, a major Garden Cemetery from 1848, with outstanding memorial sculptures. Now in Pennsylvania, he takes his 1948 MG and 1934 Packard touring car to antique car shows and on errands. Linda has one child, and he has two, plus two stepchildren. He has always enjoyed architecture, and when in Newport, Rhode Island, he and Linda built a fanciful dream house with space for their art. I was there; it was a creative jewel box with a view over the pool to the ocean from the jacuzzi tub, and a custom-built studio for Linda. Charlie’s advice for all: Seek happiness and avoid anxiety. And he gets an A+. Dave Fisher went to Tufts Medical School after Harvard, and started at MGH. Then to California—UC Davis—and emerged a dermatology specialist. He’s been in California 40 years and has published more than 40 papers. He was in Hawai’i for a while.
He almost died of pneumonia once. Now he enjoys a second career tutoring youngsters; third, fourth and fifth grades; and junior high, and he likes it. Sydney Eaton was a favorite teacher. He also enjoys cooking. Freeman Davison finished HBS in ’63. For 40 years he worked for large public companies and then was a CFO for small companies, eight or nine, for some years. Chellis started at the State Street Bank, then left to buy and run a small printing company in the financial district. But after 1974 and a divorce, a volunteer interest in senior housing and health care became a career planning CCRC retirement villages. After an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health, he was a planning consultant and adjunct faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Planned from scratch: Carleton-Willard Village, Riverwoods at Exeter, Applewood at Amherst, the Overlook in Charlton and others. He organized and led four national conferences, issued two books, and represented the industry before the Special Senate Committee on Aging. Two marriages, one really good, and two children, both really good. Flood started his military career as an E2 and is delighted that he avoided reserve duty by changing his residence every six months. After HBS and the Old Colony Trust, he had a long run consulting Wellington Manage-
FALL 2021 Nobles 45
graduate news
Hoffman, John Raye, Tim Leland, Jon Turtle, Bob MacCloud, Ced Porter, Churchill Leonard, John Felton, Nim Marsh, George Waterman, Bob Bach, Fred Wells, Gren “Rocky” Whitman, Dev Barker, Newell Flather and John Fritts.
Left to right: Buzz Gagnebin '59 having a bit of fun with some new music; Al Van Dam and Brad Wilkins (both ’60) in April 2021 after golf in Bonita Springs, Florida.
ment on the oil and gas sector. He and Tyler are happily retired at Blue Hill. And they travel! By his 80th birthday—and a classic pig roast—they counted 30 trips, and are still going. They have been to all but two states and walked on all seven continents, including Antarctica. He wouldn’t brag about it, but I think their travels include the remote Faroe Islands, Svalbard, Reunion, Madagascar, Copper Canyon and a grand long list of remote spots. With education in their genes—Nobles and Winsor—they both support the local George Stevens Academy, one of those interesting privatepublic academies in Maine. It’s co-ed, and they take boarders, some from China. Tyler has been an active board member. They’ve given up tennis, but there is a small local golf course, and they climb Blue Hill and hike a lot. Fisher spoke of his Ukrainian roots. He has visited his ancestral town, once 9,200 residents, now very few. And in the 1930s, Stalin’s famine killed more than the Nazis. Charlie noted that for five years, Tim Horne hosted cruises
46 Nobles FALL 2021
on large yachts (100-foot +/-) to the Bahamas, Mediterranean, Croatia and the Maine Coast. Wally noted what a fine sailor Sam Gray is, for over 40 years: Nine Bermuda races with his late brother, Latimer Gray. Two transatlantic crossings. Cruising Club of America cruises on the Dalmatian Coast and the Baltic. And lots of coastal summer sailing, just Sam and Gerry, off the Northeast coast in their “nice sailing” boat. Sam is active with the non-profit Buzzards Bay Coalition. They achieved a conservation easement, and now the coalition owns 65-70 percent of Cuttyhunk Island, with a harbor and tiny village around it. He’s also helping a sailing/education organization in Wareham. Bob asked Wally about the moviemaking of Wally’s son John Stimpson ’79, whose filmmaking company has made two films already this year. And it’s fun to watch the filming. With offices in Worcester, they film locally. The website is johnstimpson.com. Winding up our meeting, Chellis noted his bathroom glory wall of school pictures
from 1949–1955. Your picture is surely hanging in his bathroom! From the 1949 fall all-school panorama, to team pictures, class pictures, sports, etc. . . . Also, Graham Shipman’s big Marshall Spleen cartoon page, for Charlie Nichols’ birthday— featuring that Evil Insurance Man Jeeves Jimson Dirty and his fiendish sidekick Coo-coo— and an ad for Putnam New England Whiskey. Sorry for whatever I missed or muddled, but it takes us all back to yesteryear.
1956 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Gren “Rocky” Whitman
443-691-9370 grenwhitman1@gmail.com
Thanks to the organizational efforts of Bill Weise and his son, the Class of ’56 had a fantastic turnout for their 65th Reunion. Classmates zoomed in from all over and shared life updates and memories. In the words of John Turtle: “Although it was virtual, it was probably easier for us to be there!” Present at the gathering were: Bill Weise, David
A special thanks to Tim Leland, who also created and shared a truly amazing video/ archive presentation with the class to get everyone ready for the meeting. Since this gathering, the class has lost a legend in Dev Barker. He will be sorely missed by his class and the Nobles community.
1957 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Eliot Putnam
etputnam@earthlink.net Bill Gallagher writes: “The sad news of John Valentine’s pass-
ing in April made the arrival of a Covid-diminished spring a much less joyful season for me, and for all of us who knew him. Much can be spoken and written about his intelligence, his talents, his loyalty to friends, his complex nature and his wry, yes sometimes bizarre, sense of humor, which no doubt paved the way for his future election to the Harvard Lampoon. His loyalty and thoughtfulness were a trademark. I will long remember his cheerful, unfailing support of my brother Dick ’58 during his terminal illness with a call, a note, an interesting article. John and I stayed connected throughout the years—my five years at Nobles, followed by four years as college roommates, followed by four months
in the same unit as naval officer candidates. Then after the Navy we spent a few months sharing an apartment in San Francisco in search of our future. All through those years, we got to know each other’s families, first as young men, and then after our marriages. I was John’s best man in his wedding. A year later, he was best man in mine. And though my mind has uncountable anecdotes and memories that filled those years, I think back on the situation at Nobles that in my mind truly cemented our friendship. That was when we played baseball together on the same team, the Juniors team, which was for younger class students, many of whom would ascend to varsity status in a year or two. But John and I gave full meaning to the word unexceptional when it came to baseball. We did not ascend. We spent four years together on that Juniors squad, John in centerfield, me in right, positions where I’m sure our coach determined that ineptitude would be least damaging to our defense. By the time we were Second Class boys, we had driver’s licenses, were 8 to 10 inches taller than most of our teammates, and probably the only Juniors players in the entire Independent School League who shaved. But thanks to John’s irrepressible style (when the coach offered a suggestion as to batting stance or field position, John would actually talk back or argue, which greatly impressed me), we had no sense of shame or mortification. Plus our longevity earned us a somewhat special status. As the two ‘old
guys,’ we rode to away games in the coach’s convertible. And John never got disciplined by the coach at practice when on a hot day he might occasionally deem the action too slow and lie down to bask in the centerfield sun. Undaunted, no matter how tense the action became in practice or a game, I could always count on John to be yelling over to me, not with strategy or game talk, but rather to tell me where his car was located and that after the game we should hustle over to the Apple Tree Diner for chocolate cream pie and coffee before its afternoon close. Our lifelong friendship was bonded forever in moments like that. But beyond similar frivolous and upbeat episodes, we went through the many lows and highs of life together, sharing our happiness or sorrows. I will miss him more than words can express.”
1958 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Chris Morss
knossos@aol.com Michael Whitman writes: “I guess I have finally arrived in my adopted town of Lyme, New Hampshire, having received an award that usually goes to a native-born townie: Citizen of the Year. You can read about it here: tinyurl.com/9z4wa65e.” Peter Norstrand writes: “My only news, hardly worth mentioning, is having cataract surgery in both eyes, depriving me of the excuse on the tennis court that I couldn’t see the ball. My dear bride,
Kathy, executive director and CEO of the Coolidge Corner Theatre, led the effort to keep the beloved institution afloat during the pandemic, when operating revenues dropped 90 percent. In a few days they will be back to full capacity in Movie House 1, and in July will break ground on an expansion, adding more seats and community and education space. In May she was the recipient of the Brookline Ethel Weiss Service Award, which she most certainly earned. I trust all are well, and like us, beginning to venture out.” Peter Horton writes: “These early June days have been edenic up here in Maine—birds chirping, flowers blooming, the sun shining, the outdoors stretching out its arms to welcome returning forms of life and even new arrivals, like the small blue bird who comes to our feeders at first light and sunset. “I am in the process of stacking newly delivered firewood for next winter. I had envisioned the usual week or so to complete the stacking, but, wouldn’t ya know? It’s taking me quite a bit longer. On these unusually hot days I tend to take frequent breaks, coming over to the garage and sitting down in the plastic chair and looking up our sandy driveway at the scurrying chipmunks and greening leaves and fading into what my wife, Helen, calls ‘lala land.’ I’ve been thinking a lot of those days long ago, when we’d be sitting in the study hall, the faculty lined up along the walls, and Mr. Putnam making announcements. Everything he
stood for reinforced the ethic of decency and how lucky we all were to carry with us that seed he planted, given what goes on now in the public arenas. “But, in a rare ‘lala land’ moment, I fade into a surreal realm. I hear someone walking down the driveway singing, and it’s Marvin Gaye crooning ‘What’s Goin’ On?’ And suddenly, there beside me in his stony presence, is Rodin’s The Thinker, deep in elbowed thought. As Marvin comes closer and his voice gets louder, The Thinker gets quite animated and finally throws his arms up in frustration and shouts, ‘I haven’t a clue.’ What’s goin’ on out there sure is beyond my ken.” Charlie Long reports that Jane and Rick Ruykhaver have moved back from Savannah, Georgia, to Naples, Florida. With Covid restrictions easing, Charlie looks forward once again to hosting his annual July Lobsterfest party in Chatham. Chris Morss writes: “By the time this is published, I’ll have had a second cataract op, like Peter Norstrand. I have rotated off the board of the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, becoming emeritus, but will continue close association with the college, which is moving in two years to Nubian Square in Roxbury. Covid kept Béa and Henry Batchelder from returning to Mattapoisett from Monaco last summer, but they have arrived back for this summer. He is recuperating from a knee replacement in January. We look forward to a happy rendezvous, to include Jay Johnson ’61 as well.”
FALL 2021 Nobles 47
graduate news
1959
1960
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Whit Bond
Albert Vandam
whit.bond@verizon.net
arvandam42@gmail.com
Buzz Gagnebin
We have turned up some interesting stories in thinking about Memorial Day this year. Ned Robinson shared an incredible Nobles story with us—that he is quite likely the last Nobles contact of Doug Crowe ’57, who died in the Vietnam War and was honored as a Distinguished Graduate Veteran in 2004. Ned writes: “After Bowdoin, with no life plan in place, I went right into the Army (ROTC trained). After basic school at Ft. Gordon, Georgia, and Crypto school in Monmouth, New Jersey, I was assigned to Germany, along with seven others trained as Signal officers. I arrived in [Vietnam] in early December 1964, and after finding the battalion out on a field problem, was assigned to my BOQ and taken to lunch at the Officers’ Club. “I went to the end of the line, heard ‘Ned Robinson?’ and there was Doug. We had lunch and several more over the next few months. He was working the Army system, like the shrewd Doug of old, and was loving Army life. He was in Intelligence (mostly at a desk) watching for troop movements by the Russians along the East German border. On top of that, for a few hours a month up in the air as photos were taken, he was drawing flight pay. More money. “At our last visit, his orders had come through for Vietnam. He was delighted to report he had chosen this, as it added to
imbuzz@me.com John Gibson
jgib1963@aol.com Buzz Gagnebin writes:
For over a year our neighbors so dear were hidden from site while Covid gave fright we’re now without masks as we do all tasks while inside and out with joy we can shout Whit Bond reports, “My wife,
Faith Wilcox, and I were able to visit our children and grandchildren for the first time since last fall. What joyful reunions! I presented the Bond Improvement Prize (Jack London’s Call of the Wild) to a member of each class on Awards Night, which took place at Nobles on Greene Field on June 3. "Faith and I are actively playing golf again, as well as adhering to a daily exercise program. We are both in good health. One major family development is the publication of Faith’s book, Hope Is a Bright Star: A Mother’s Memoir of Love, Loss, and Learning to Live Again. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and many independent bookstores. We hope to be able to see many of our classmates during the months ahead.”
48 Nobles FALL 2021
the funds, since he would now be drawing combat pay as well. Figured he’d get out with a nice nest egg to begin life. “The news of his death came through one of our school’s news publications, and I made sure to find his name on my first visit to The Wall in D.C. How sad! “Doug is always in my mind. He went from being an older kid preying on us younger ones (thanks, McLeod brothers!), to a familiar face several classes ahead at Nobles, to a shrewd Army officer, playing the system he knew too well. I am sure others knew him more closely, but he is etched in my memory. Spes sibi quisque, Doug.”
1961 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Peter Ward
peward@wyoming.com
Thanks to Peter Ward for taking over as the class correspondent for this great group of ’61— though I am not sure he had so much of a choice as he was unanimously voted “live!” during the 60th Reunion gathering on May 8, 2021. At that gathering were Bert Dane, Jack Lowell, Jim Henry, Jim Newell, Brad Willauer, Peter Ward, Sam Mandell and Pete Miles. And thanks to Jim Newell for his years of service in the position. Peter is a geophysicist and author living in Wyoming. Brad Willauer and wife Ann fled New Canaan in 1989 for Prouts Neck, Maine, with their three kids and now seven grandkids, all living within a 2.5-hour drive. They are busy watching the
A new Volkswagen Beetle for Tom Seiffert ’63 in Hamburg, Germany, complete with a Nobles sticker on the back window! Totally appropriate for a family with four Nobles grads: Tom and his three sons, Christian ’91, Stephan ’93 and Moritz ’99
grandkids’ games, skiing, enjoying the Great North Woods, and, most important, enjoying the best sailing grounds in the world. After 25 years in Indianapolis, Chris Schmid moved back to Maine four years ago. In 2019, his wife of 50 years passed away, but Chris is determined to cram as much into every day as he can. He rows four to six days a week, kayaks, hikes, gardens, and cross-country skis. He still does some work with Boynton Glidden, brokering lumber and keeping up on forestry issues. He muses, “I’ve done a lot of dumb things in life, but I have had a hell of a ride!” I think we can all relate to that. John Merrill, a descendant of a long line of New England Yankees, never imagined he would end up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, reduced to a mere 200 acres but protected by a couple of thousand they managed to conserve. He writes, “Nobles seems a long way off. But those six years of concentrated experience at a formative time of life will always be part of me.” Sam Perry and Melisa avoided Covid by sequestering in the Adirondacks at their sec-
ond home in Keene Valley near many of the high peaks where they can “appreciate God’s natural beauty” every day.
1962 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Peter McCombs
215-947-8017 or 516-629-7983 prm9244@gmail.com
1963 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Jim Lehan
508-520-1373 jblehan@aol.com
1964 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Ned Bigelow
781-704-4304 moe9817@aol.com
On June 3 of this year, the James M. Ritvo ’64 Award was presented for the first time. The award, which recognizes outstanding commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice to all others, of whatever identity or origin, both within the Nobles community and beyond, by a student or group of students, was presented to Jeremy A. Rodriguez ’21. For members of the Class of 1964, the decision to honor classmate Jim Ritvo came easily. While we all recall his irrepressible good humor and unforgettable antics while at Nobles, it is his dedication to causes of social justice throughout a 30-year career law practice in Northern Vermont—where he was known as the Mensch of Montpelier and Saint Jim for his numerous good works on behalf of chari-
1966
Top to bottom: The Class of 1966 met for dinner this summer at the Dedham Club. First row, left to right: Elliot May, Pat Grant, Steve Owen, Stephen Buchbinder, Steve Clark. Back row, left to right: Fred Curran, Dick Byrd ’67, Tom Paine, Skip Wood, Bill Peck, Bob Gray and Jon Canter (all ’66 unless otherwise noted); Jon Canter ’66 with his new novel, The Debutante (and the Bomb Factory).
ties that addressed food insecurity, health care and other basic needs for disadvantaged folks of all backgrounds and identities—that motivated naming the award after him. As many know, we lost Jim quite suddenly in 2011, so this tribute has special meaning for us. By funding this award, the Class of 1964 is also spearheading the launch of the Nobles DEI Resource Endowment fund, a schoolwide endowment intended exclusively to support diversity, equity and inclusion work at Nobles on an ongoing basis. Nobles will use the DEI fund to underwrite the annual expenses of the school’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program, as it evolves under guidance from Dr. Hall, working with faculty members and DEI Co-Directors Nahyon Lee and Edgar De Leon ’04. We are proud to announce that our class of 33 living members was able to present Nobles with more than $139,000, reflecting a contribution rate of 70 percent. Of that total, $50,000 was contributed by an anonymous donor, whose generosity we gratefully acknowledge. This project was launched in July 2020 by the team of Rick Farlow, Mike Wiggins and Alexander Caskey, and gained further impetus with the inclusion of Ned Bigelow and Ned Lawson in the spring of 2021. It arose in response to the open invitation by Head of School Cathy Hall in June 2020 to discuss themes of social justice at Nobles. We gratefully accepted that invitation, and following the initial conversation, asked ourselves
what action we might take to become part of the solution. The result was a series of conversations with Dr. Hall and her staff, most significantly Katie Coggeshall ’88, that culminated in the award and fund initiative described above. To learn more about Jim Ritvo, including his creative side as a documentary film producer, see https://nobles64. org/james-m-ritvo-class-of-1964. For more on the initiative, check out the article “Change Agents” on page 42.
1965 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Jim Summers
jimsummers@post.harvard.edu
The Class of ’65 had a great get-together over reunion weekend, sharing life stories and updates. Fourteen of us gathered over Zoom, including Roy Willits, Brooks Reece, Charlie Gibson, Ned Culver, Charlie Daloz, Rick Weinberg, Matt Schmid, Paul Bushueff, Ben Fox, Bill Sargent, Steve Fisher, Rick Railsback, Jim Summers and David Wickersham, who called in!
1966 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Ned Reece
773-213-0442 ned4047@sbcglobal.net
The Class of 1966 met for dinner this summer at the Dedham Club. In attendance were Elliot May, Pat Grant, Steve Owen, Stephen Buchbinder, Steve Clark, Fred Curran, Dick Byrd ’67, Tom
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Paine, Skip Wood, Bill Peck, Bob Gray and Jon Canter. (See photo
on page 49.) In other news, Jon Canter wrote a new novel, The Debutante (and the Bomb Factory), available on Amazon. Will Walker would like to add, “Jon’s book is a ripping good yarn.”
1967 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Drew Sullivan
781-461-1477 drewsull49@aol.com
1968 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Mike Sherman
msherm@att.net
The Class of ’68 had such a great time at their 50th Reunion a few years ago that we decided to get together over Zoom to reminisce and catch up. Thanks to Ham Clark and Mike Sherman, our new class correspondent, for organizing the effort! And thank you to Andy Lord, who has served in this role for the past few years. We are grateful for your work!
1969 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Peter Pach
860-267-9701 peterbpach@gmail.com Peter Pach writes: “In June, the fog of Covid-19 was thinning in Connecticut as rules about wearing masks and other restrictions were being lifted for those of us
50 Nobles FALL 2021
who are fully vaccinated. What a strange feeling to eat dinner with friends, inside, without precautions. We’ve even been shaking hands. For my wife, Kathy, and me, our first great adventure was a drive to Washington, D.C., to see our son, Sam. On the way back, we prevailed upon David Brown for a lovely night at his home in Baltimore and even managed a morning canoe expedition before leaving. I have a sister in Maryland, and we stopped there and added in a day at Gettysburg, which was even more interesting than I might have thought. A telephone app provides video commentary at notable sites on the battlefield. Leigh Seddon was experiencing the shifting tide of Covid in Vermont. He wrote, “Yes, the world is reopening and soon (even in Montpelier) masks will be optional, at least outside. Our oldest daughter, Emily, flew back from St. Paul for a visit last week—the first time Ann and I had seen her in nearly two years. It was a great reunion, and we realized it was the first time since last March that another person had been in our house! So we’re hopeful that gatherings with family and friends will be easier and less complicated now, but I’m not getting on an airplane or playing with the band at a bar anytime soon. “The one thing I have appreciated about the ‘lockdown year’ is how much more reading I have been able to do. I won’t try to impress you with the eclectic breadth of my reading habits, but I will suggest two recent titles that were great. Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro,
was a wonderful exploration of our humanity through the eyes of a robot. The Human Cosmos: Civilization and the Stars, by Jo Marchant, is an incredible walk through human history and our understanding of the universe. "I am thinking about [retirement] more these days but still enjoy working in the solar energy field too much to stop my consulting work. Some people like to do jigsaw puzzles to relax; I prefer a good spreadsheet :).” Steve Baker sent along a brief update: “Nothing has changed. I’m still taking care of my mom here in Florida, and the state has been open pretty much everywhere for weeks and weeks. Some people still wear masks when out and around, but most people have ditched them for almost every activity. Enjoy your summer—go to the beach!” Others in our class were apparently enjoying the relaxed restraints after months of limited freedom under Covid and spending less time answering email from their correspondent, a perfectly understandable decision (for the most part). I will close with a note on Neil Regan, who died late last winter (see full obituary on page 61). John Clark sent an email to let class members know of Neil’s death: “Our classmate Neil Regan passed away after a heart attack March 14, eight days after his 70th birthday. This was completely unexpected, as Neil was healthy and active, although he was on medication for high blood pressure. He was at home in Phoenix with his wife of 32-plus years, Maggie, when he died. ‘Regie’ and I became very
close after we left Nobles, and in our sophomore year at college became roommates. In addition to Maggie, he leaves two sons, Jack and Luke.” Neil grew up in Westwood, and after graduating from Harvard in 1973, according to the piece he wrote for the class’s 50th Reunion, headed west to explore under the influence of Jack Kerouac. He spent the winter of 1974 selling flowers on street corners in Tempe, Arizona. He was back in Massachusetts in 1974 working at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, but by 1975 was back on the road west and spent the next 46 years in Arizona. He worked at a number of jobs before beginning his 35-year stint working with a small, family-owned wholesale flower business. He met Maggie Sullivan in 1984. They married in 1988 and started their family. Clarkie’s email triggered a number of memories about Neil. Baker and Peter Gates remembered games of bumper pool in Neil’s basement. Wigs Frank wrote, “As I think back today, I can still visualize how Regie shot the basketball with a very distinctive—and effective—style, and how great the team was our senior year. What I remember even more at this moment, however, is Regie’s kindness.” Don Watson, another of Neil’s roommates at Harvard, was one of many who recalled his remarkable demeanor: “We have lost a gentle soul who never seemed to have a bad word to say about anyone.” Don also recalled some legendary late-night college trips to see Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels and Disney’s Fantasia.
Neil’s obituary talked of the things he liked best: “Neil loved nothing more than spending time with his family and friends, and could always be seen having a good time. He enjoyed hiking, camping, golfing, and listening to the Grateful Dead. He loved finding the path less taken, whether it was an unestablished hiking trail or some desert on the golf course you could only find with the yips. He was a caring father, a loving husband and a loyal friend who will be dearly missed.” Clarkie said Maggie put it best: “He was the most honest, moral and happy person I’ve ever known. Your secret was always safe with him. He wouldn’t want any tears. He’d want you to toast to him and tell a good story.”
1973
Rob Inches, Kevin Kehoe, Allen Gifford, Eddie Dow, Andy Goode and André Stark. Stay safe, stay
1974
well, and stay in touch!
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Kevin McCarthy
617-480-6344 kjmc.bc.msw15@gmail.com
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
Cell: 800-444-0004 Home: 508-358-7757 chreynolds@comcast.net
Jed Dawson
508-735-9663 jdawson711@gmail.com Doug Floyd
781-788-0020 dfloyd44312@yahoo.com
1976 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
+44 1908 647196 tom_bartlett58@hotmail.com
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Levy Byrd
Rob Piana
781-449-7555 levbyrd@comcast.net
617-491-7499 robert.piana@vanderbilt.edu
1971
We recently held our 45th Reunion online, and it was great to join in the fun, using the now-ubiquitous Zoom for an enjoyable conversation. There were 13 of us in the room, and although I tanked “Moms” Math freshman year, I put that at nearly a fifth of the Class. Nice effort, guys, and a number that I hope will be eclipsed at our graduatorial half-century in five years! Thanks for joining your faithful correspondent in being there, Jeanne Hilsinger, Cathy Gray, Lisa Wood, Rob Alevizos, Gino Borgo, Elliott Pratt,
CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
Harry Blackman
Harry.Blackman@skadden.com John Dewey
jrdewey@usa.net Nick Mittell
phred.j.dog@gmail.com Win Perkins
wperkins@mmuftc.com
1972
1978
1975
Tom Bartlett
1970
1977
Christopher Reynolds
1979 Dan Rodgers
212-423-0374 drodgers@wfw.com
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” This opening line from Dickens' classic A Tale of Two Cities is appropriate for this edition of the Adventures of the Great Class of ’79 and the year that we’ve all been through! I’m gonna start where I left off: Anyone up for a mini-reunion in Boston? Let’s make it happen. Oh, happy 60th birthday, everyone.
1980 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Martha Kittredge Rowley
martharowley@comcast.net
Deb Smith ’80 and her son, Nathaniel, on his graduation from Landmark
Neal Cousins reports: “I just completed my 23rd year as the director of college counseling at the Haverford School in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Being around teenagers every day certainly makes me feel younger!” And we also heard from Deb Smith: “Nathaniel and I are doing well. I have just completed my 21st year at Fay, and I am loving a new part of my job, which is the secondary school placement counselor for domestic eighth-graders applying out. I am also teaching two sections of seventh-grade English, so I am keeping my foot in that world, which I also continue to love, but the change has been great, and I am learning so much. Nathaniel graduated from Landmark and is off to American University in the fall. One silver lining of the pandemic was that he was home for more of his high school years than planned (Landmark had inperson classes but no boarding), but the daily commute of over 100 miles was extremely tiring! This summer he will be a counselor at Camp Burgess, where he was a camper for many years,
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and since he was so bummed when that was canceled last summer, he is really thrilled to be returning. I hope everyone is well. I was sorry to miss our reunion (I had dorm-based commitments at the time of each event) and look forward to our next one.”
1981 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
John Fiske
johnfiske@comcast.net
Our 40th Reunion took place on Zoom the evening of May 6, and 10 classmates, plus one faculty member, showed up. A few updates to share: Peter Damon lives and works in L.A. Sarah Bates Dolcino zoomed from Bow, New Hampshire, where she lives and works. Joan Alker lives in D.C., and is well aware that she is not represented in Congress. Barbara Swinton deButts and family moved from D.C. to Charlotte about two years ago. Jorie Ewald Blackwell still lives in Dallas, and with her eldest off to Bowdoin in the fall, is thinking of returning to New England. Linda Lynch zoomed from her dining room, where our 35th Reunion off-campus party took place. Elizabeth Ward zoomed from her part-time abode in Colorado, where her daughters were playing in a hockey tournament. Sam Smart joined in from his living room in Sudbury. John Fiske still lives in Beverly and teaches first-year writing at the college level. Laurie Bidstrup Knight, wearing a vest emblazoned with the name
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of her H-12 (Happy), spent her day before the reunion working on her 38-foot yacht, Optimist. Faculty member Nick Nickerson dropped in and gave us a report on Nobles. He, two or three times, called himself an “old guy.” The conversation centered exclusively on how each of us has weathered the pandemic. Laurie’s yacht should be our namesake, as we all are ready to get out and start living again! Back in March, Mike Connelly sent us this: “Hard to imagine it’s been four decades since we graduated! I’ve spent the last 28 years in beautiful Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the Christmas City. I work in marketing for B.Braun Medical, traveling to some amazing places around the globe and raising four very busy kids. Lots of running, golfing, cantoring, and taxiing teenagers. I look forward to seeing you all at our 40th Reunion!”
1982 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Holly Malkasian Staudinger
914-925-2340 hollyamalkasian@gmail.com
1983 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Nancy Sarkis Corcoran
nlsc3@me.com
Happy fall 2021 to the Class of 1983! Hope everyone is happy and healthy. Just a reminder that our 40th Reunion is only two years away! Congrats to our classmate Terance Perry, who is engaged!
1984
Left to right: Edward Fenno ’84 with wife Becky and son Eric, who will start at Princeton in fall 2021; Anne Grousbeck Matta ’84 on a recent visit to Boston with Dick Baker.
TP writes: “I reached out to Doug McLeod the other day, thinking he was still on Maui (my fiancé and I are visiting there in July), but he has moved to Portland, Oregon.” TP is still an attorney living in Montana. Thanks to Dan Tarlin for sending in his news: “As for pandemic doings, the Tarlin family has generally made it through pretty well. My big news is that my eldest son (who lives in Philadelphia and works for the Federal Reserve Bank) is getting married in October! My middle son is living in Boston and working for Liberty Mutual, and my youngest son will be a senior at Endicott College, looking forward to a non-pandemic baseball season there and studying accounting. Odd that my wife and I are both in social services and all our children are in business. I’m grateful for the end of the pandemic and the resumption of the singing group I’m in, Shir Rhythm, ‘Sharon’s
Premier Jewish A Cappella Group.’ I don’t think we’ll be concert-ready again for quite a while, but it’s fun to be making music again.”
1984 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Christine Todd
christinetodd@me.com Edward Fenno sent in some notes, including the exciting news that his son Eric was admitted to Princeton this year for the Class of 2025. Edward reports: “He is very smart, played varsity football and basketball in high school, was vice chair of Honor Council, and had various other activities and awards. We are very proud of him.” Edward’s media, entertainment and intellectual property law practice continues to thrive, and his clients include the Southern Charm TV show and Charleston’s
daily newspaper, The Post and Courier. He writes: “I continue to play semi-competitive tennis (our 40-and-older 4.5 team won the local league and is headed to the state championships). My son Brant had to withdraw from the Wake Forest tennis team due to ongoing back problems, but he has found that ‘regular’ college life (fraternities, etc.) is lots of fun. I had lunch with Sydney Cook in May and see her periodically. She lives here in Charleston. Always fun to see her!”
1985 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Neil Bleicken
neil.bleicken@gmail.com
1986 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
Heather Markey
617-365-3836 hsmarkey@icloud.com Jessica Tyler
781-934-6321 tylerjessica@me.com Eliza Kelly Beaulac
703-476-4442 embeaulac@verizon.net Craig Perry writes: “Everyone here in L.A. is doing OK despite Covid. My wife, Courtney, is teaching at the Naval Academy this fall. My son, Conner, is spending the summer doing musical theatre. And I am working on more sequels for both the American Pie and Final Destination franchises!”
1987
1988
1994
CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Emily Gallagher Byrne
Sasha Leland
Marni Fox Payne
781-721-4444 egbyrne@verizon.net
sasha@thelelands.com
mpayne@berkshirepartners.com
1989
1995
Elise Gustafson
elise_gustafson@yahoo.com
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Rachel Spencer Katherine Wood Fricke writes
some news from Harrisburg, Oregon: “My daughter Lydia, age 16, is driving herself to pole vault summer practices and her job at the local hardware store. Caroline, 14, is promoted from middle school to start high school in person in the fall. Both are fired up for summertime and less screen time! The parents are wondering where time went and looking forward to airplane travel again to head back east in the fall. If anyone visits Oregon, come on over for an alpaca hug.” Evan Falchuk writes: “I’ve been named to the executive committee of Lawyers Defending American Democracy, a group founded by former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger to galvanize lawyers to defend the rule of law. I’m still CEO of VillagePlan, which helps families caring for an aging or ill loved one. Post-pandemic, one of my challenges is figuring out how to balance the convenience of remote work with the need to get the people on my team together in person. I am definitely not going to travel as much as I was in the ‘before times,’ but I think more and more businesses will spend less on office space and more on travel so they can get their teams together in person for a few days at a time.”
917-921-5916 rachelwspencer@yahoo.com
1996 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Alex Slawsby
1990
alex.slawsby@gmail.com
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
1997
Lisa Donahue Rose
lrose90@nobles.edu
CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
Bobbi Oldfield Wegner
The Class of 1990 had our 30th Reunion via Zoom this past May. While it would have been nice to see everyone on campus, the virtual nature allowed classmates from near and far to join us. It was great to see so many smiling faces from 1990, even if they were over Zoom!
1991 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Amy Russell Farber
amy.farber.143@gmail.com
1992 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Lynne Dumas Davis
703-623-4211 lynnemddavis@gmail.com
1993 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Sam Jackson
978-409-9444 sambjackson@hotmail.com
617-980-1412 bobbiwegner@gmail.com Jessie Sandell Achterhof
781-990-3353 jessie.achterhof@gmail.com
Hi, Class of ’97! Can’t believe we will be celebrating our 25th Reunion next May. We want to know how you’re doing! Some updates from us: Jessie Sandell Achterhof has been working as the director of development at the Tower School in Marblehead for the past 14 years. “My son, James, just graduated the eighth grade and is starting at St. John’s Prep in the fall!” Bobbi Oldfield Wegner, who continues to lecture at Harvard as a clinical psychologist, has had a busy year, publishing a book in June, Raising Feminist Boys, a parent’s guide to having ageappropriate conversations with boys about sexual responsibility, consent, gender,
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empathy and identity. You’ll find practical tips and tools for talking with your son about feminism without shame, fear or judgment, and strategies to help them recognize and question gender norms and biases in culture and themselves. It’s never too early to start talking to boys about equality. This book will help you get the conversation started. Bobbi also launched “Groops,” an online mental wellness platform that brings people together to talk about real stuff, with the help of a Groop Guide. Read the feature about Bobbi on page 34.
1998 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Dave Klivans
dave.liquid@gmail.com Andrew Lamb writes: “I am now
working for my fifth (?!!) tech startup and still loving it, even if I do feel the need to dress like I am in my twenties to blend in. After several years of more managerial roles (chief architect and VP of engineering), I am back slinging code (Rust!) day in and day out on a new open-source database engine for InfluxData and loving every moment of it. If anyone wants to hear more about it or catch up, drop me a line at andrew@nerdnetworks.org!
Gabriela Herman
gabriela.herman@gmail.com Kate Treitman Brown writes: “We
bought a house in Sherborn and are excited to move in at the end of the summer! Thanks to our realtor Meg Lawson Hyde ’95, who helped us during the process . . . and even better that we bought the house three doors down from her, so we are now neighbors!”
2000 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Lisa Marx Corn
lisamarx@gmail.com Shefali Shah wrote in: “Last summer, my family and I relocated from Chicago, Illinois, to Baltimore, Maryland. We recently found a home right outside the city and are enjoying being back on the East Coast. Last fall I decided to join Upfront as a chief commercial officer and co-founder. Our mission is to bring pricing transparency to parent-related industries, with the first being day cares. We make prices public and searchable so parents
can easily find the best options in their budget and not waste time engaging with businesses they can’t afford. Upfront will become the go-to site for any parent wanting to know how much something costs. So far, the experience of building a company from scratch has been amazing and I’m excited to see where it takes me!” Kate Eisenberg also shared: “This month I am moving into the director of business development role at Mintz, where I’ll be responsible for firmwide BD initiatives. The timing coincides with my 15-year anniversary at the firm. And in the summer of 2020, I had the honor of becoming the chair of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. During the pandemic, the organization’s work has taken on an even greater significance, as so many people struggle with isolation, anxiety and depression.”
2001 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Lauren Kenney Murphy
Lauren.kenney1@gmail.com
Lauren and Justin Bain, along with their kids Henry (3.5) and Nora (1.5), were overjoyed to welcome Maclen Reid Bain to their family on March 29, 2021. Justin also managed to sneak away with Nobles classmate Ted Lubitz for a quick ski trip to Utah in February before baby “Mac” arrived (see photos on page 63).
2002 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
William N. Duffey III
617-893-1040 williamduffey@gmail.com
2003 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Laura Marholin Garcia
laura.marholin@gmail.com Laura Marholin Garcia writes,
“We welcomed our third boy, Tucker Martin Garcia, on May 5, 2021. Big brothers Spencer and Parker are enjoying their new sibling! We are taking our fuller house to the burbs and moving to Connecticut this summer— we would love to connect with any Nobles graduates living in the area!”
1999 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
Stephanie Trussell Driscoll
stephdriscoll32@gmail.com
54 Nobles FALL 2021
Left to right: Heather Summe-Aleksinas, Susannah Fogert, Margot Lynn Davis and Christine Kistner Bowe (all ’02) on Memorial Day 2021; Janna Herman, Erin Greene and E.B. Bartels (all '06)
2004 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Carolyn Sheehan Wintner
781-801-3742 carolyn.wintner@gmail.com Congratulations to George Sholley, who got engaged to John Mara Jr. in November 2020.
2005 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Saul Gorman
617-447-3444 saul.gorman@gmail.com
Congratulations to Sarah Parsons Wolter and her husband, Jon, who welcomed their first child, Sophie Sturgis Wolter, on May 9, 2021 (Mother’s Day). Also in baby news, Julia Spiro and her partner, Casey Elliston, welcomed their son, Winston Spiro Elliston, on February 21, 2021.
2006 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
E.B. Bartels
ebandersenbartels@gmail.com
Let’s play six degrees of separation! 1. Erin Bruynell got engaged to Sean Gallagher on March 14,
2021, a.k.a. Pi Day. Sean, who is a pediatric anesthesiologist and one of the kindest, most calm and thoughtful people I have ever met, managed to convince Erin to take a break from lawyering to go for a walk along Boston Harbor, where he popped the question. Amazing work, Sean! So happy for you, Erin! Turn to page 62 to see a photo of the happy moment, captured by Sean’s boss, who was hiding in the bushes with a camera. 2. Erin’s senior year prom date, Nelson de Castro, got married. In February 2021, Nelson and Sarah Straus got married in a snowy pine grove in Nelson’s grandparents’ backyard. The trees surrounding the happy couple were planted by Percy Nelson ’40, who turned 99 earlier this year. Congratulations, Nelson and Sarah! Check out page 63 to see a photo from the fairy-tale ceremony. Also, do you recognize that officiant? None other than our own Mike Shanahan! 3. Nelson lives in Los Angeles, which is where Emma Tall Bigelow will be moving with her family. In June, Emma wrote to me: “Robin and I are moving this month with our (newly) family of five (two kids, one very special dog) to the L.A. area. I just completed my
Stay connected ■ ■ ■
Send us your news and photos: www.nobles.edu/community/ graduates/submit-a-class-note/. Follow Nobles grads on Facebook (@NoblesGrads) and Instagram (@nobleandgreenoughgrads). Connect with Nobles graduates through our networking and directory platform at noblesgraduates.com.
Ph.D. in cancer immunology and machine learning at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. For the next few months, I’ll be a postdoc while looking for a health tech/biotech job in industry. Robin just completed his ENT residency at Hopkins and will be shortly starting a neurotology (i.e., ear/brain surgery) fellowship at the House Ear Institute in L.A. Our kids are Eddie (2.5) and Peter (seven weeks). Lots of professional and personal growth! We’re looking forward to the big change of exploring SoCal after 10 years in Baltimore City. Our time here has been wonderful and is summed up by my favorite bumper sticker—Baltimore: Actually, I like it.” Cute family photo of Emma & co. on page 62. 4. Emma’s mom is Deborah Nichols Tall, one of the diehard members of the parents-ofNobles-alumni book club. (Other parents include the moms of Emily Reid, Erik Peterson and Heather Peterson ’03.) Mrs. Tall is also a talented writer herself, and she took a virtual creative writing class with the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance this past April. 5. And that creative writing class was taught by . . . me! E.B. Bartels! I’ve been busy teaching virtually all through the pandemic for both the MWPA and Grub Street, but I’ve also added a new gig into the mix: I’m now a senior editorial writer for the Wellesley College communications and public affairs office. So, basically . . . getting paid professionally to write class notes? Sort of? 6. And finally, I connect back to Erin Bruynell, because we recently spent a weekend
together in the Catskills with Janna Herman and Erin Greene (along with the above-mentioned Sean, Greene’s fiancé, Greg, and my fiancé, Richie). If you look below, you will see an excellent photo of me, Janna and Greene wearing our supercool Nobles hats from Reunion 2021 while hiking in Saugerties, New York. (Bruynell had to miss the hike because she was lawyering.) Ta-da! Wait, is that not how that game works?
2007 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Kat Sargent
katharine.sargent@gmail.com
Hi, friends! Your fellow classmates have been busy recently, making the most of an otherwise tough 2020/2021. There have been bright spots: My husband, James, and I welcomed our son, Charlie, on April 1, 2021 (three weeks early!), in New York City. Here’s the latest from the rest of Team ’07: Congratulations to Anne Sholley and her husband, Peter Erhartic, who welcomed their daughter, Marlow, on October 13, 2020, in New York City. Anne, Peter and Marlow are making moves from Brooklyn, New York, to Providence, Rhode Island. Anne is looking forward to seeing former faculty member Vicky Seelen and any other Nobles grads in the area! She will continue her work in the green roof design/build world while also exploring opportunities to put her recent certification in horticultural therapy to good use.
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year teaching humanities at a remote experimental college in Alaska. She currently lives in Brooklyn, where she is involved with community-based art and education projects. In the fall, she will begin a faculty position in History & Literature at Harvard University. Rob Khederian ’08, former faculty member Kathryn Phillips and Donna Farizan ’09 out to dinner in NYC
2008 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Kat Tuckett and husband Pat
welcomed son Miles to their family in October 2020. They also are returning home to the Boston area after a stint in Nashville. Allie Palmer Baum and husband Jake welcomed son Ben in January of 2021. So exciting to see all these potential future bulldog pups! Save us some spots in the Class of 2039. Matt Karis and his wife, Jess, are returning to the ISL, this time as professionals. They have both accepted jobs at Tabor Academy. Matt will be teaching history and coaching baseball/hockey, and Jess will be teaching biology and coaching cross country/track. They are excited to be back in eastern Massachusetts and on the water down in Marion. Miriam Rodriguez Aubert
shared: “We recently moved back to New England from Austin, Texas, and welcomed our daughter, Eleanor, in April. Our son, Remy, is loving being a big brother.” Sasha Geffen wrote: “My first book, Glitter Up the Dark: How Pop Music Broke the Binary, came out from the University of Texas Press a little over a year ago. It’s now a finalist for a Colorado
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Book Award, which is a huge honor. Over the past year, I’ve also gotten the chance to teach writing at the Lighthouse Writers’ Workshop here in Denver. I’m very early in the process of sketching out a second book about Britney Spears and vocal production, and I’m continuing to freelance for places like NPR, Artforum and Pitchfork.” Sasha also was featured in the Nobles Graduate Author Talks last June with librarian Talya Sokoll. Check the Nobles Graduate YouTube or IGTV channels to listen! So great to see so many classmates returning to New England. Jake Tower shared: “I’m happy to announce that my wife, Lauren, and I are returning to Boston after many years. I’m finishing my fellowship this summer and will be starting a facial plastic surgery practice at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. I’ve been lucky to work with some world-class surgeons here in New York, and I’ll be offering both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery when I start at Lahey in the fall. I look forward to seeing everyone at the next reunion. Cheers!” And finally, Laura Nelson spent the beginning of this
Michael Polebaum
mpolebaum08@nobles.edu
Greetings, Class of 2008! Mazel Tov on our b’nai mitzvah reunion year. Hard to believe that we are now full adults in the Nobles graduate community 13 years after congregating on Greene Field for our graduation. This has been a year. I’m writing these notes moments after arriving home from the end-of-year employee party (this year held under the graduation tent). I trust I am not alone when I say that I am absolutely exhausted from a school year that tested not just the patience of all involved, but the strength of the Nobles community. Dr. Hall often mentioned how we cannot manufacture community in the midst of a crisis, but we can (and must) draw upon it when a crisis hits. There is no doubt that the Nobles community rallied together throughout this pandemic, and it has been heartwarming to hear about the ways so many have persevered through a very trying time. One way that people seem to be coping with a global pandemic is by getting
married. Congratulations are due to the incomparable Mike Griffin, who will be wedded to fellow Nobles graduate Sophie Mussafer ’13 in August. Be sure to check the next issue of Nobles magazine for pictures from this grand event. Jillian Anderson married a really wonderful Texas boy by the name of Kolin Loveless this past January. If you were in the Boston area in January and remember the coldest day imaginable, that was the day Jillian got married outside in the Boston Gardens. The date, January 23, 2021 (12321), was one to remember. As Kelsey Grousbeck Cosby said, “It was the ultimate planning test for the most organized person in existence, and scenario 432 of the wedding planning Excel document went off without a hitch.” Jillian was unflappable in the face of the cold, and I was quite comfortable watching the livestream while wearing my Comfy. And huge, unexpected and totally surprising news, but Amarilice Young and Joel Feske got married! Perhaps taking a note from Jillian, the two lovebirds tied the knot on what had to be the most frigid Memorial Day the region has seen in decades. The small ceremony took place in Joel’s parents’ backyard in Belmont. The two look forward to celebrating with more friends this fall (and she promises pictures for the winter issue of Nobles magazine). Friend to all, Katy Monaghan Berlenbach, moved back to Massachusetts this winter and lives with her husband, Tom,
and adorable new son, Jake, in Cohasset. Jake was born on February 23, and Katy is just over-the-moon happy! She’s now teaching special education in the Quincy Public Schools. Special shout-out to Rick Goode, who has never failed to respond to my request for news. Rick continues to love his job at CirKul, a beverage technology company in Watertown, and is moving to Weston with his wife, Hannah, and son, Colin, in August. I can’t wait to have Colin in my HHC class! Kelsey Grousbeck Cosby is continuing to thrive on Martha’s Vineyard. Kelsey has handled the stress of the pandemic in many ways (my favorite is when she sends me pictures of her hugging her cat, Marley), but perhaps the most impressive stress reliever was her full-throated embrace of baking. Kelsey is very proud of her sourdough starter, Snickersnack, who turned 1 year old this past week. She celebrated by eating pizza made of its flesh. And then we turn our attention to Emma MacDonald. In my last missive, I updated you on the joyous news of Emma’s six
lovely chickens that she was raising on Martha’s Vineyard. If you follow Emma on Instagram, you’ll remember the excellent content she posted with the chickens and her dog, Gus. It looked like a wonderful interspecies friendship was blossoming. But then the hawks came, and these hawks had eyes. Eyes for six beautiful chickens who only wanted to make this world a better place. Moira Rose herself could not adequately personify the misery that these hawks foisted upon not just Emma and her wife, but the entire island. The hawks are still at large, and I am posting a substantial monetary reward for anyone who can deliver me these ruthless killers. Emma, bless her heart, undaunted by the grief, decided that she needed to work through the tragic loss by investing in some bees. How quaint, she thought, as she entered her Martha’s Vineyard address into the shipping address. Who wouldn’t want 10,000 bees living in their backyard? Misery loves company, however, and the bees were not delivered to her Vineyard ad-
dress, but rather her brand new apartment in Back Bay. She was alerted to this disaster when her landlord of only a few weeks called to ask why a package for her was literally buzzing in the lobby. Worried that she would have to ask her landlord to murder 10,000 bees, Emma quickly asked around the vibrant Massachusetts apiarist community and thankfully found a kind soul from the Boston Bee Association to pick up the bees and give them a better life. I can only hope that kind soul turns out to be Deb Harrison. Emma is taking suggestions from all of you as to what animals she should raise next. Kelsey voted for snakes, but apparently Emma is currently dealing with a four-foot-long milk snake that lives under (and probably inside) the house, so my vote is for weasels. And finally, a quick update from me. I bought a condo in Jamaica Plain this spring and will be moving there at the end of June! Big thanks go to Robert Khederian, who “forced Michael to buy a house in order to diversify his income stream to include Boston-area sales.” It really was a win-win situation. Thanks for reading! If you recently have killed multiple pets like Emma, let me know. It makes for a fun evening writing up that kind of news. Have a great fall and come visit campus soon!
2009 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Maria Montes Coco Woeltz ’12 sporting a sports bra from her new company, Hummingbyrd
mcmontes14@gmail.com
Congratulations to George Tall, who married Emma Sarkisyan on April 10 in San Francisco!
2010 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Tori Goyette
tgoyette10@gmail.com Wallis Gaillard Goss married
Matthew Goss on May 7, 2021. Their family ceremony took place at the Gaillard family home on Fishers Island, New York. In a year full of changes, it came together even better than they’d imagined! In attendance were Nobles graduates Margaret Stimpson Gaillard ’82, Wallace Stimpson ’55 and Catherine Dickinson ’13.
2011 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Katie Puccio
508-446-0726 krpooch@gmail.com
2012 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Coco Woeltz
ccwoeltz2@gmail.com
Hi, Nobles! Coco here, with some professional news. In May, I graduated with an MBA from UVA’s Darden School of Business. I also recently launched my own company, Hummingbyrd—a direct-toconsumer brand focused on giving women runners and athletes better, more-functional sports bras. We just launched our latest sports bra model, Ohiyesa, which has a unique
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center pocket that safely and conveniently fits essentials like a phone, credit card and keys so women can run, hike, bike or walk hands-free. Through Covid, many folks have picked up running (either for the first time, or again), so Hummingbyrd has definitely benefited from that trend. Hope to get more sports bras in the hands of amazing Nobles women! Thank you to the Nobles community, including fellow graduates Hanna Atwood ’09, Eliza Loring, Zoe Huschle ’11 and Kate Treitman Brown ’99 for being some of my first customers. On that note, I would love to hear from more of our classmates and graduates in general on their career news. I know many people are doing fascinating things, starting companies, enrolling in grad school, networking globally, etc., and I know that people want to know more! One resource I highly recommend is the Nobles LinkedIn page, as well as the networking site noblesgraduates.com. For our next issue, I challenge everyone in our class to give a brief career update! We have some other exciting news from 2012, including that Taylor McKee Sanchez married Christopher Sanchez on April 23, 2021, in Miami, Florida. Guests included her brothers, Parker McKee ’14 and Chase McKee ’17 (see page 63 for photo).
2014
2020
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
Alexandra Charron
Drew Barry
alexandra.l.charron@gmail.com
andrew.t.barry.24@dartmouth.edu
2015
Hailey Brown
Natalie Hession
Noah Janfaza took a year off
Natalie.a.hession@gmail.com
before starting at Harvard in the fall. He became a certified EMT.
2016 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Caroline Thayer
carolinejthayer@gmail.com
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2021
Sabrina Rabins
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
srabins@gmail.com
Hadley Winslow
hadleywinslow@gmail.com Mariana Vega
vegamariana612@gmail.com
After graduating from Wellesley, Frannie Adams was accepted into the Yale School of the Environment and will be starting in the fall.
2017 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Harry Sherman
harry74sherman@gmail.com
2018 CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Jill Radley
jillradley22@gmail.com
2019 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS
Cyan Jean
cjean040@gmail.com
2013
heb4@williams.edu
CLASS CORRESPONDENT
Ally Guerrero
alessandra.guerrero@bc.edu
After a whirlwind, often hybrid, and always busy year, the Class of 2021 graduated on June 4, 2021. After a wonderful, full week of senior events (which included an outdoor, on-campus prom, Class I Night, field day, The Way We Were and Awards Night), seniors and their families gathered under the tent for a joyous ceremony. Highlights included two impressive speeches from student-elected speakers Kamran Bina and Avery Miranda, a moving, memorized address from Oris Bryant, the faculty speaker chosen by the class, and a live rendition of pop star Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” from the string ensemble. Best of luck to this talented, close-knit class as they move on to the next big thing! Looking forward to periodic updates from everyone. And a special thanks to Anna Perez for being the first one to share and kick us off: “Before heading to college,
I’ve decided to take a year off and have some experiences outside of the classroom, which I feel will better prepare me for school in the future. I plan on using my gap year to explore some different areas of interest through experiential learning. “In the summers, I will continue my regular job as a beach lifeguard. In the fall, I hope to travel to Peru and Bolivia and spend some time in cities and villages as well as hiking. I loved taking Spanish at Nobles and have done exchanges in the past, and this would help further my skills, as well as help me build some independence before college. “In the winter and spring, I hope to take some classes at a local community college in economics and public policy to see if these would be topics I would be interested in as a future career. I also hope to take on an internship of some kind in another area of interest. “Lastly, throughout the year I will be doing triathlon training. I’ve always been interested in doing triathlons and have been doing swimming and biking training for a while, so I am excited to continue this throughout my gap year. “For me, a gap year seemed like a great chance to step back and get some perspective as well as discover and explore different interests so that I can feel best prepared for college. I’m excited to see what this year brings and thank Nobles for helping me on my journey!” Who else took a gap year this year?
in memoriam Theodore I. Reece III ’54 Theodore I. Reece III ’54 passed away in Falmouth, Massachusetts, at age 84. At Nobles, “Ted” was a member of the student council and was on the board of the Nobleman. A member of the honor roll, he played football and baseball, wrestled, and was captain of the football team his senior year. His Classbook page stated, “Aside from the honor roll, Ted’s sparkle has also lighted the athletic fields and wrestling room. He captained the football team, played baseball, and pinned many rugged opponents. Ted will go far in whatever he does in the future, because he is one of the fellows who typifies Nobles.” Born in Dedham, Massachusetts, Reece graduated from Nobles and then went on to Yale University, where he earned a B.A. in English. A star wrestler at Yale, he won four New England Freestyle championships and received the Gleason Trophy in wrestling. Later, he received a master’s degree in education from Harvard and Brandeis, and he earned his Ph.D. in English from Brandeis in 1972 while founding the first wrestling team in Brandeis’ history. After a brief stint with the U.S. Marines post-college, Reece went on to a long and distinguished career in teaching and coaching wrestling. After working for several decades in prep schools in Massachusetts, including Nobles, Milton Academy and Tabor Academy, Reece and his wife, Lynn, picked up and moved to Maine in the early 1970s. There he continued to inspire generations of students at Camden-Rockport High School, George’s Valley High School and Bonny Eagle High School. He finally finished up his active career at the University of Southern Maine as head wrestling coach and founder of its wrestling program. After he “retired,” he continued to coach wrestling at Scarborough High School and Mount Ararat High School. He also taught in adult education/senior college programs throughout the Midcoast. Reece was more concerned with the growth and development of the individual
student and their contribution to the whole team rather than an individual win or loss. Although he was a scholar and dedicated classroom teacher, wrestling remained his first love. It taught him how to survive and thrive, and he taught that to others. Reece’s mission was always to assist any student, young or old, to achieve their greatest potential, not only through school, but also with self-awareness and confidence achieved through persistence and hard work. He believed it was acceptable to fail, if you learned from it. The coach and the team were always there to help you work harder, “to try and not to yield.” This was the life lesson particularly learned from the sport of wrestling and why Reece loved it so much—wrestling accepts everyone and so did Reece. Under Reece’s skillful tutelage, his teams won 42 state championships, while numerous individual wrestlers earned All-State and national recognition. He personally earned a myriad of honors and distinctions for his coaching prowess, including an award from the National Wrestling Coaches’ Association for 400 wins and head coach in 1994, election to the Maine Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1996 and multiple coach-of-the-year awards, among others. Reece also staffed several World Cup and Olympic Teams as an assistant coach and was recognized internationally for his coaching acumen and success. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Lynn Bernheim; his brother-in-law, Tom Bernheim; and nieces and nephew. Although he is the last of the Reece line, his name is carried on by the four children of former wrestlers named after him. Burril Devereux Barker III ’56 Burril Devereux Barker III ’56 passed away peacefully on June 16 at the age of 82. At Nobles, “Dev” played football, hockey and baseball, and was co-editor of the athletics section of the Nobleman. In addition, he was a member of the Drama Club, Glee Club and choir during his five years at Nobles. He is
remembered fondly by his classmates for his “genuine cheerfulness as a classmate and his gumption as a running back on the football team.” Barker spent his summers in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where he discovered his lifelong love of sailing at the Pleon and Eastern Yacht Clubs. After Nobles, he attended Harvard University and graduated in 1960. He then completed a two-year stint in the Navy. After the Navy, Barker was a member of the America’s Cup defense-candidate Easterner, a witch grinder. Even though the Easterner’s attempt was unsuccessful, the experience provided Barker with his first sustained exposure to larger boats and offshore sailing. In 1963, Barker joined the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) race committee, and in 1968 became its chair. During this time, he held a full-time editor position at Yachting Magazine, had two small children, and, in his mind, had barely enough experience to manage the America’s Cup in just a year’s time. Barker relished the challenge, however, and became the subject of a book he published later in life, which detailed how the then-31-year-old led the NYYC race committee through the controversial decision to disqualify Australia’s Gretel II from the second race in the 1970 America’s Cup Regatta. Throughout his life, Barker continually gave back in a myriad of ways to the places that mattered most to him. He served as his Nobles class secretary for many years, and as recently as this past spring spoke via Zoom to a group of current Nobles students about the polio epidemic during the 1955 school year. He stayed connected to Harvard as well and co-chaired several Harvard College reunions. He also provided invaluable leadership to the Triform Camphill Community, a residential community in Hudson, New York, for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Barker served as chair of Triform’s
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board of directors for six years and up until his passing. His passion for Triform grew out of his deep love for his daughter Holly, a longtime member of the Triform community. Barker will be remembered for his calm and steady presence, his ability to build confidence in others and his deep respect for the unique contributions and perspectives of those who joined him in upholding Triform’s mission. He was also the anchor of his closeknit family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jilda Breed Barker; his five children, B. Devereux Barker IV, Sara Barker Levensohn, William Lake Barker, Holly Gardner Barker and Breton Lamont Barker; and his four grandchildren. John Wadsworth Valentine ’57 John Wadsworth Valentine ’57 passed away April 20 after a brief decline in health at his home. At Nobles, Valentine played football, hockey and baseball. Additionally, he was class valedictorian and was a member of the Nobleman and a number of other clubs. He received the Wiswell Prize for English, the Wigglesworth Prize for Latin and the Little Memorial Essay Prize. In his valedictory speech, he addressed his fellow graduates saying, “We know that life’s greatest inspiration comes from those who have undergone such hardships, and we have learned to go in with the same determination and cheerfulness as before.” Valentine stayed closely connected to Nobles and served as the longtime class correspondent for the Class of 1957. Valentine was born in New York City and raised in Boston. After Nobles, he went on to Harvard University and graduated in 1961 with a B.S. in history. He then served in the Navy, traveling to the West Coast and Japan during his service. While Valentine was undeniably born of privilege, he always had a rebellious nature and a poetic heart. Inspired by his time in the Hasty Pudding Club at Harvard, he decided that his true calling was to become an actor. From that moment forward, he took the road less traveled. In pursuit of his dream, Valentine moved to New York City and was accepted into Joe
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Papp’s legendary Shakespeare in the Park Festival. It was there that he befriended fellow actors Tyne Daly and her then-boyfriend Georg Stanford Brown. Through them he met Tyne’s sister, Pegeen Michael Daly, the love of his life. After a short courtship, they were married in 1967 and had two daughters, Kate and Rory. They were married for 52 years until Pegeen’s death in 2019. Valentine and his family relocated back to Boston, where he received his teaching credentials from Tufts University and began a long career as a teacher, first of English, then of drama, at Beaver Country Day School. Several generations of students knew him affectionately as “Mr. V,” the man who instilled in them a love of theatre from the Little Red School House. During his summers off from teaching, he had a successful life in the theatre with dozens of credits on his résumé. These included long relationships with the Boston Revels and Tufts Arena Theatre. Notable productions included roles in Kiss Me Kate, The Fantastics, Deathtrap and The Mound Builders. In midlife, after his daughters graduated from high school, Valentine decided to pursue acting again full time. He created Tintypes, a one-man show based on the life of James Thurber, and toured with it around the country. Subsequently, he and his wife relocated to Los Angeles, where he enjoyed modest success in the television industry. After a dozen years, the birth of their first grandson brought them back to the East Coast. Valentine and Pegeen spent the last 15 years of their lives together in the rustic Pioneer Valley area of Massachusetts, enjoying their grandsons Casey and Jack, and later their granddaughter, Sophie, and youngest grandson, Theodore. In his retired years, Valentine took to writing short stories. He continued his avid gardening and was known to festoon his home with tiny cobalt blue vases of flowers. He dedicated himself to remembering every family member’s birthday—which included 14 nieces and nephews and their partners and children— and sending birthday cards to them all.
Upon his passing, classmate Eliot Putnam ’57 sent the following note to the class: “To remind ourselves just what an interesting and vital person Johnny Val was, I recommend rereading his entry in our 50th Reunion report. It’s all there. His life as an actor and his enduring love of the stage. His offbeat sense of humor. His disdain for the ordinary. His love of family. There was a reason that we, his classmates, asked him to give our valedictory address on that sunny June day in 1957 when we took our leave of Nobles." Valentine is survived by his daughters, Kate and Rory; his sister, Ann; and his grandchildren, Casey, Jack, Sophie and Theo. Edward Coggeshall Gray ’61 Edward Coggeshall Gray ’61 passed away April 4 in Waterbury Center, Vermont. At Nobles, “Ned” played football, soccer and tennis. He was captain and a star of the basketball team his senior year and also played football, soccer and tennis. He also was on the Nobleman staff and made the Class III and Class IV honor rolls. His father, John Gray ’26, was also a graduate of Nobles. Gray was brought up in Washington, D.C., before moving to Weston, Massachusetts. After graduating from Nobles, he attended Reed College. A year into his time at Reed, he left and served the following four years in the U.S. Army. After his service, he returned to the Boston area and decided to pursue a career in engineering. He earned a degree in civil engineering at the University of Massachusetts, where he endowed a professorship in the engineering school in honor of his favorite professor. He later received his master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from the University of Illinois. Gray spent the majority of his career working for major engineering consulting firms in both Chicago and New York. He had the good fortune to work on an array of fascinating and innovative projects, including the Alaska Pipeline; the Washington, D.C., subway system; and Battery Park City in New York. Outside of work, he loved the outdoors and all types of travel. He enjoyed the summers he
spent with his family in Hancock, New Hampshire, hiking, canoeing, picking blueberries, and just relaxing on the screen porch. In 1987, he married Cynthia Walker and moved to Bedford, Massachusetts, and then later to Waterbury Center, Vermont, for the great outdoors. Gray continued to enjoy all his favorite outdoor activities until Parkinson’s disease made it impossible for him to do so. Gray is survived by his wife, Cynthia Walker Gray; his brothers, John “Chip” Gray Jr. ’60 and Roger Gray; his ex-wife, Lyndell Wilkens; and many nephews and cousins. Harry Strom Precourt ’61 Harry Strom Precourt ’61 passed away May 31, 2021, after a long illness in Manhattan. At Nobles, Precourt played football, wrestled and rowed. He was a member of the Debating Club and Cercle Français, as well as the East Coast Model United Nations. Precourt was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and relocated to the Boston area with his family in 1947. Growing up, he spent his summers in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where he was a competitive sailor and also served as an instructor at Outward Bound’s Hurricane Island campus. After graduating from Nobles, he went on to Princeton University, where he was an assertive member of the Rugby Club and used his talent for cartooning both in the pages of the Daily Princetonian and on the cloth palette of white “beer jackets,” which remain popular today on campus. Upon graduating from Princeton in 1965, he taught for a year at the Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut, and then went on to attend the Naval Aviation Flight Training program in Pensacola, Florida. After two tours of duty as an intelligence officer in Vietnam aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, he reenlisted in the Navy to serve in that same capacity at the Pentagon. He received his MBA at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. The skills he had learned as an officer at both Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. and the Continental Illinois National Bank
and Trust Co. facilitated his transition to overseeing charitable interests. In recent years, Precourt was part of New York’s Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) outreach program and previously served as chief financial officer of the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. He was also a board member of Sheltering Arms Children and Family Services. In addition, he worked to rehabilitate the schooner Bowdoin and secure a safe harbor for the vessel at Maine Maritime Academy, and served as a Master of Russell R. Kane Masonic Lodge in Manhattan. He enjoyed whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon and train riding in Utah. Just in case the occasion ever presented itself, for the past 25 years he kept a rugged leather bespoke saddle in his Manhattan apartment. As he got older, his interests evolved to traveling to some of the world’s greatest cities, including Paris, London, Barcelona and Tokyo. Together with Arline E. Vogel, his life partner of 38 years, he spent many evenings attending theatre and jazz performances in New York City. They always closed out every year with the New York City Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker. For the last half-century of his life, Precourt embraced being a New Yorker, despite his native New England roots. He will be remembered for his astonishingly quick wit and sense of humor, his compassion for those who were not as fortunate as he, and his love and loyalty to the people close to him. He is survived by his wife, Arline E. Vogel; and his brother, Geoffrey M. Precourt ’66. Neil Gerard Regan ’69 Neil Gerard Regan ’69 passed away March 14. At Nobles, he was active in all aspects of student life. He played football, basketball and baseball, and was captain of the basketball team his senior year. He was on the honor roll each of his three years at Nobles and was a three-time recipient of the G.K. Bird Three S. Prize. He was a member of Cercle Français, the Chess Club and the Nobleman. In addition, he was a three-year
member of the Irish Boosters, president of Nice Guys and vice president of the Parachute Club. Raised in Westwood, Massachusetts, Regan went on to Harvard University after Nobles. Upon graduating from Harvard in 1973, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and resided there for the rest of his life. For Regan, family was everything. He loved nothing more than spending time with his wife, Maggie, and his two sons. Ever the outdoorsman, he enjoyed hiking, camping and golfing. Whether it was an unestablished, hidden hiking trail or a piece of desert on the golf course that you could only find with the yips, he sought the path less traveled. He was a caring father, loving husband and loyal friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Maggie; his sons, Jack and Luke; his sister, Lisa; and several nieces and nephews. Mary Bliss McGrath ’81 Mary Bliss McGrath ’81 passed away March 7 at age 57. At Nobles, Bliss was the manager of the varsity field hockey team. Bliss grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts, and was the youngest of four daughters. Before arriving at Nobles, she attended Dexter Elementary and Dana Hall. She graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1985 but spent her junior year at Harvard. After college, Bliss moved to Boston, where she worked in the financial services industry for Bay Banks and Harbor Capital, where she was vice president of operations. In 1995, she married Alexander “Sandy” McGrath at the Bliss family farm in Sherborn, Massachusetts. There were already a number of family members named Mary, so she was informally rechristened “Blissie.” The newlyweds lived in Boston on Beacon Street before moving to Hamilton, Massachusetts, in 1997. Even though Bliss was taken too soon, the years she did have were marked by the quality of her caring and commitment to others. She generously contributed her time and imagination to her children’s schools,
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including Notre Dame Children’s Class, Glen Urquhart School and the Pingree School, where she served two terms as a trustee. She also volunteered at the Acord Food Pantry. She will be remembered fondly by all who knew and loved her for her tremendous cooking, especially her salmon dip, her easy knack with flowers and her passion for birds. Her backyard was an avian Grand Central Station, as her four bird feeders were always full of color and song. Her smile was radiant and gave off as much pleasure as it reflected. Reflecting on her name, Mary Bliss, one might lovingly, yet truthfully, observe that rarely has someone been so fittingly named. Bliss is survived by her husband, Sandy; her children, Sarah and Cooper; her father, Edward P. “Ned” Bliss ’50; and her sisters, Molly Lee, Mindy McManus and Bonnie Fratini. Darryl Christian Sterling ’87 Darryl Christian Sterling ’87 passed away on January 2 at age 51 due to complications related to systemic lupus. At Nobles, he served as a prefect his senior year. He was also a member of the African Awareness Association and the Nobleonians. After Nobles, Sterling attended Yale University, where he majored in economics and political science and played rugby. Upon graduating from Yale, he began a more than 20-year career as a space industry strategist and astro entrepreneur. Sterling served as principal at Sterling Insights and provided market research and strategy consulting services for early-stage aerospace industry startups. More recently, he was head of corporate strategy at Lunar Station Corporation, a majority employee-owned Massachusetts Institute of Technology new space startup. Sterling was a longtime friend, former board member and former regional director of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Region 4. Through his dedication and commitment, he helped to revive the chapter in 2009 and created the foundation for what it is today. He will be remembered for his deep belief in the Latino community, specifically relating to STEM education.
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He also volunteered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay and was a member of the board of overseers at the Epiphany School in Boston. Despite the lupus that plagued him for decades, Sterling was a wonderful person with an exemplary positive outlook on life. He is survived by his parents, Harry and Diana; and his brother, Ian Sterling ’86.
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Paula Jessica Smith ’07 Paula Jessica Smith ’07 passed away on April 25 at home surrounded by family and friends after a brave fight with brain cancer. At Nobles, she was a member of the yearbook staff, as well as a member of the Gay/ Straight Alliance. Smith was the second of three children born to Lilias Blake and Paul Smith, both from Jamaica. She spent her early years in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before moving with her family to Jamaica Plain. Smith attended the Chestnut Hill School in Newton, Massachusetts, before attending Nobles. In 2012, she earned her B.A. in Italian from Wesleyan University. A gifted illustrator with a knack for foreign languages, Smith delighted her friends and family with portraits and witty cartoons. She loved to travel, spending her junior year of college in Italy and her 28th birthday in Ireland. During the final years of her life, she visited more than a dozen countries and devoted herself to writing and illustrating her children’s book, How to Hurry Up…Slowly, which will be published this fall. Smith was an enthusiastic hugger, an unpredictable cook and a gift to all who encountered her. She is survived by her parents; her brother, Randy ’03; her sister, Taylor ’13; and many relatives in the United States and abroad.
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announcements Engagements: Erin Bruynell ’06 got engaged to Sean Gallagher on March 14, 2021; Hanna Atwood ’09 got engaged to Anthony Finissi in April 2021; George Sholley ’04 got engaged to John Mara Jr. in November 2020.
Marriages: Wallis Gaillard Goss ’10 married Matthew Goss on May 7, 2021, in a family
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1. Emma Tall Bigelow '06 and her husband, Robin, with Peter (7 weeks), Eddie (2.5) and their dog. 2. Newly engaged Erin Bruynell '06 and Sean Gallagher. 3. Lauren and Justin Bain ’01, along with their kids Henry (3.5) and Nora (1.5), with baby Maclen Reid Bain, born March 2021. 4. Laura Marholin Garcia ’03 and her husband, Martin, welcomed a third boy, Tucker Martin Garcia, on May 5, 2021. Big brothers Spencer and Parker are enjoying their new sibling! 5. Julianne Bishop Zolnierczyk ’08 and her husband, Harry, welcomed Elizabeth (Libby) Mary Zolnierczyk on March 27, 2021. Big brothers William (3) and James (1.5) are so in love with their new baby sister! 6. Taylor McKee Sanchez ’12 with her brothers, Parker McKee ’14 and Chase McKee ’17. 7. Nelson de Castro ’06 married Sarah Straus in February 2021 in the backyard of his grandparents, Toni and Percy Nelson ’40. 8. Newly engaged Hanna Atwood ’09 and Anthony Finissi. 9. George Tall married Emma Sarkisyan on April 10 in San Francisco. 10. Wallis Gaillard Goss married Matthew Goss on May 7, 2021, in a family ceremony at the Gaillard home on Fishers Island, New York.
ceremony at the Gaillard home on Fishers Island, New York; Taylor McKee Sanchez ’12 married Christopher Sanchez on April 23, 2021, in Miami, Florida; Nelson de Castro ’06 married Sarah Straus in February 2021 in the backyard of his grandparents, Toni and Percy Nelson ’40; Jillian Anderson ’08 married Kolin Loveless this past January; Amarilice Young ’08 and Joel Feske ’08 got married on Memorial Day 2021; George Tall ’09 married Emma Sarkisyan on April 10, 2021, in San Francisco, California; Sophie Mussafer ’13 and Michael Griffin ’08 were married on August 6.
New Arrivals: Lauren and Justin Bain ’01 welcomed Maclen Reid Bain in March 2021; Laura Marholin Garcia ’03 and her husband, Martin, welcomed their third boy, Tucker Martin Garcia, on May 5, 2021; Sarah Parsons Wolter ’05 and her husband, Jon, welcomed their first child, Sophie Sturgis Wolter, on May 9, 2021 (Mother’s Day); Julia Spiro ’05 and her partner, Casey Elliston, welcomed their son, Winston Spiro Elliston, on February 21, 2021; Emma Tall Bigelow ’06 and her husband, Robin, welcomed baby Peter in
spring 2021; Kat Sargent ’07 and James Hogan welcomed baby Charlie Sargent Hogan on April 1, 2021, in New York City; Anne Sholley ’07 and Peter Erhartic welcomed their daughter, Marlow, on October 13, 2020; Kat Tuckett ’07 and husband Pat welcomed son Miles to their family in October 2020; Allie Palmer Baum ’07 and husband Jake welcomed son Ben in January 2021; Miriam Rodriguez Aubert ’07 and her husband welcomed their daughter, Eleanor, in April 2021; Katy Monaghan Berlenbach ’08 and her husband, Tom, welcomed their son, Jake, on February 23, 2021.
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INSIDE THE ARTIST’S STUDIO Circa 1972, Massachusetts governor Francis Sargent ’35 sat for a portrait by Norman Rockwell. In this glimpse behind the scenes photographed by Rockwell’s studio assistant Louie Lamone, you can see the Massachusetts state seal propped on the desk and the empty circle on the canvas awaiting Rockwell’s rendering of it. Sargent served as Massachusetts governor from 1969 to 1975, and his children Fay, Jay and Bill ’65 donated Rockwell’s original oil painting to Nobles in memory of their father. The painting hangs in the Memorial Room in Shattuck Schoolhouse next to this framed photograph. 64 Nobles FALL 2021
All a Matter of Perspective In late spring 2021, these students enjoyed a new view: that is, beside friends and atop the outcrop of granite at the center of campus. Doing a little homework never looked so good. Thank you for making this and so many other moments possible. To make your gift to the Annual Nobles Fund, visit nobles.edu/ giveonline or contact Director of Annual Giving Allie Trainor at allie_trainor@nobles.edu. PHOTOGRAPH BY BEN HEIDER
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Noble and Greenough School 10 Campus Drive Dedham, MA 02026-4099
Punch a Higher Floor The Nobles Theatre Collective’s spring musical theatre workshop, I See the Light, was performed on an outdoor stage behind the Castle. The revue featured numbers from movie musicals, including this large company dance break to Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” from Purple Rain. Read more about how the arts adapted during the pandemic on page 20.