Peddie Chronicle, Spring 2017 by The Peddie School

PEDDIE C

Spring 2017

“It is impossible to look into the wide arena of American life without noticing a real crisis in race relations.” 60 years later: A look back on MLK’s visit to Peddie Page 34

A member of the boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; track and field team (circa 1960) clears a hurdle.

Spring 2017

FROM THE HEADMASTER

Vol. 145, No. 2

Transitions

Residential Living at Peddie

Remembering Dr. King’s Visit

Three Peddie legends say goodbye

Life-long bonds and long-standing traditions

A look back 60 years later

Beer Careers Peddie alumni are contributing to the local brewing boom

2 From the Headmaster 50 Center Campus 54 Class Notes

Editor: Carrie Harrington Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications: Wendi Patella P’17 ’20 Contributors: Melanie Clements P’03, Patrick Clements P’03, Christian Giudice ’93, Deanna Harkel, Doug Mariboe ’69 P’10 ’14, David Martin, Ph.D. P’00, William McMann P’13, Patricia O’Neill P’13 ’15 ’17 ’20 Design: Carter Halliday Associates Photography: Jim Inverso, Conor McArdle Printing: Prism Color Corporation On the Cover: Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in the Ayer Memorial Chapel on February 20, 1957. Photo credit: Getty Images The Peddie Chronicle is published in the fall and spring by the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications for alumni, families and friends of the school.

Peddie School 201 South Main Street Hightstown, NJ 08520-3349

Tel: 609.944.7500 peddie.org/chronicle We welcome your input: editor@peddie.org

Throughout this issue, look for this icon for exclusive online content at peddie.org/chronicle.

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Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends, For more than 150 years, community service has been a fundamental part of Peddie life. Peddie alumni “of a certain age” remember when the entire student body took time each day to clean the school. Students routinely swept and mopped floors, raked leaves, shoveled snow and completed other tasks to help Peddie run. In the process, these students learned the importance of taking care of their community. They mastered what was required to make a community work, the value of all kinds of work and the importance of using everyone’s time well. Important values, alumni of this generation say, that followed them into adulthood. Driven by increasing demands on students and the nature of safety and insurance concerns, we rely

Continue the Tradition much less on student labor today. However, we still assign every student a job for each term. Since the early 2000s, and up until recently, Peddie also required students to complete 20 hours of community service. Over time, we observed that many students fulfilled the requirement by working with people in ways that did not develop the relationships implied in the title community service. We did not necessarily observe any emotional or philosophical investment in the idea of service to one’s community. Over the last several years, faculty committees explored various plans to address these and other concerns. This fall the faculty approved a new Community and Service program with three main elements. 1) We have made all community service voluntary. 2) We are committed to finding and promoting opportunities for service on campus and in the Hightstown/East Windsor community. 3) Rather than counting individual hours, we now report hours by grade and by the entire school. Under the direction of Jim Truslow, director of external programs, the reinvigorated Community and Service program prioritizes service for our neighbors and making a difference in our local community. It is our hope that Peddie students will experience the happiness of service during their secondary school years and carry that spirit forward to find ways to improve their communities for the rest of their lives — following Ambassador Annenberg’s charge to “strive for the highest quality of citizenship.” Ala Viva,

Contributions to the Peddie Fund help ensure the continued excellence of the Peddie experience. From the latest technology and classroom innovations to books, supplies, equipment and maintenance, your Peddie Fund gift supports every aspect of the learning experience. Did you know that many employers offer a matching gift program? You can double or triple the size -and impact- of your gift to Peddie at no addititional cost to you. Learn more at peddie.org/matching or make a gift online at my.peddie.org/give. You can also use the envelope in this issue of the Chronicle. Thank you for your support!

Together, we are Peddie Peter Quinn

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COM M U N IT Y Morike Ayodeji ’20 spends a Friday evening at St. Anthony of Padua in Hightstown helping area residents improve their English. Under the guidance of Spanish teacher Claudio Middleton and student leader Dan Newman ’17, Peddie’s English as a Second Language program is a mainstay for a reinvigorated community service initiative, which emphasizes service within the local community.

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AC A D E M I C S 6 Peddie Chronicle

When the temperatures are mild enough, Peddie classes are often held outside. Kurt Bennett preps his English students on the eve of exam week.

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ARTS The talented student cast, crew and pit band of “Les Misérables” shed blood, sweat and tears for the winter musical production and audiences showed them all sorts of love in return. Students rehearsed under the direction of Jay Jaski and a team of production staff, including music director Marisa Green, pit band conductor Alan Michaels P ’11 ’13 ’17, choreographer Ann Robideaux and technical director John Lucs ’90. Students also had an opportunity to learn from special guests Erika MacLeod, who played the role of Fantine in the Broadway production, as well as legendary Broadway music director, Kevin Stites.

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AT H L E T I C S 10 Peddie Chronicle

Boys’ swimming team members Joe Black ’18 and Michael Blank ’18 smile after a winning performance. The team earned its third-straight Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championship in late February, and boasted record-breaking performances in the 200-yard freestyle and 200 medley relays in the series.

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Transitions It is the end of an era at Peddie School. Melanie Clements, Patrick Clements and William McMann are retiring at the close of the school year. These esteemed members of the Peddie community have influenced and inspired countless students and faculty over the last four decades. Here Mel, Pat and Bill share their Peddie memories. Just as they helped shape the school, Peddie shaped their lives. These revered faculty are leaving behind a remarkable legacy, and one that will remain for years to come.

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Growing up at Peddie By Melanie Clements P ’03

pat introduced me to peddie when I was his girlfriend and he was a faculty member. During our first four years living on campus as a married couple, I didn’t know much about the school. My job as a petrochemical sales representative with Chevron Chemical required significant travel. Inevitably, I would return home from a trip hoping to spend time with my husband only to learn that Pat had dorm duty for the evening. We took a brief hiatus from Hightstown from 1980 to 1986 and returned to Columbus, Ohio where Pat worked as the development director for his alma mater, Columbus Academy. There I spent time doing market research on gasoline additives for Ashland Chemical. We had our son, Peter, in the fall of 1984. Soon after, Pat decided that development was not his long-term career goal and he began to look for a new teaching position. When Pat called Headmaster Ed Potter to ask for a reference, Ed persuaded Pat to return to Peddie. I intended, at least temporarily, to remain home with our young son. Sometime during the winter of 1986–87, “Is she funny? Of course she’s funny! I mean … if you’re somebody who has to talk about sex for hours in Community Life class, you have to be funny. She knows when to make you laugh, but she also knows when to be serious.” Allison Schaefer Language Department

class for freshmen and sophomores. During the first term, we discuss Peddie’s mission, values and our school rules. We then extend our conversation to how our values relate to the interactions we have within the Peddie community and beyond. Our focus during the second term of Community Life is solely on sex education. If anyone had told me years ago that I would be teaching sex ed to 14- and 15-year-olds when I was nearing retirement age, I would have told

Snapshot: Melanie Clements Years at Peddie: 30 Positions held: Math teacher, science teacher,

I was cajoled into tutoring chemistry. At the time, I could never envision myself getting along with teenagers. Yet that spring I signed on to teach six weeks of Algebra I. My career at Peddie had begun. I evolved from being a part-time teacher to a full-time teacher, and then added dorm supervisor to my list of responsibilities. In 1993, Head of School Tom DeGray offered me the position of assistant dean of students, and since then I’ve divided my time between the classroom and evolving responsibilities as assistant head for student life. I have been fortunate to teach varied subjects including math, science, psychology, marketing, economics, and most recently, Community Life, a required three-term

community life teacher, assistant dean of students, dean of students and assistant head for student life Next page in life: “After 40 years of marriage, I’d like to spend some time with my husband. After spending the summer at our house in Harvey Cedars, we plan to relocate this fall to Asheville, N.C. While I suspect I may find myself seeking regular employment sometime within the next year, I also hope to volunteer as an adult literacy tutor.”

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them they were crazy. Fortunately, my predecessor, Kate Higgins, had given considerable thought to the structure of the curriculum and the Answer organization at Rutgers provides resources to support teaching this material in an age-appropriate way. Teaching sex education has made me a better teacher — I have to be mindful of boundaries and yet push kids to explore their reasoning on some very sensitive topics. I have to be prepared to acknowledge when I don’t know an answer and follow up with them after doing research. Moreover, I have to be prepared to control my laughter when all I want to do is double over and laugh until I “I think what surprises a lot of people, since Mel is by most definitions a disciplinarian, is how closely she becomes attached to Peddie students. This is most obvious at Commencement. I always found it very touching to see students go over and hug Mel after they received their diploma, especially when it was a student who had difficulty during their time at Peddie.” Rosemary Gleeson Former Peddie Chaplain

cry. There is nothing more entertaining than when a ninth grader wants to share absolute truths about their knowledge of sex. I am challenged to debunk what they share, sensitively and thoughtfully. And yet at its core, I am astounded every day by the trust that students place in me to acknowledge their Former Art Department Chair Katie Graham with Melanie Clements on campus circa 1976.

Patrick and Melanie Clements relax on the Peddie campus circa 1980.

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Patrick and Melanie Clements relax on the front porch of their home in 2016.

Mel’s Picks Always the voracious reader (she once said that her Kindle is her favorite possession), Mel’s literary tastes include romance and mystery novels. As Mel looks forward to the next page of life, here she shares her top five books. 1. “Me Before You” by JoJo Moyes 2. “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter 3. “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese 4. “The Inspector Lynley Series” by Elizabeth George 5. “The Inspector Gamache Series” by Louise Penny

curiosity and help them find answers. Teaching sex ed has been an invaluable experience. The majority of my time over the last twenty-plus years has been spent meeting with our students and talking about why they’ve missed classes. Our idiosyncratic missed obligation (MO) system has been in place for well over thirty years. Quite simply, I’ve spent the last 24 years telling our students to go to class. On the surface it sounds incredibly boring and straightforward. In reality it is a mechanism for me to listen to our students’ wonderful and varied stories. They may be basic (“I forgot to set my alarm”) or they may be far more complicated (“my parents told me last night they are separating and I was up really late worrying and slept through my first period class”). I have at least 25 of these conversations during an average week and piece by piece I learn about our students and their lives.

“Mrs. Clements is by far the kindest and hardest working teacher I ever had. I think the world would be a better place if more teachers were like her.” Kelsey Bair Gross ’07

It is very common for alums to approach me during Reunion Weekend and ask, “Do you remember that MO meeting we had?” Given the sheer number of these conversations that I’ve had over the years it’s rare that I can recall a specific conversation. Regardless, I hope in that moment that that student (now alum) felt like someone listened to what mattered in their life when that meeting took place. What will I miss most about Peddie? I will certainly miss talking with ninth graders about sex and having those brief individual conversations about why a student missed class. I will also miss the sense of community we engender at Peddie. Pat and I have lived this charmed life where there’s always someone to call when your heat shuts off, where a package miraculously is delivered to your desk, where you can always find someone — right now — to share a joke with. I grew up at Peddie — as a wife and as a mother and as a teacher. While some of the lessons I have learned were painful, I am forever grateful for my career and for the life my family and I have lived at Peddie. It has been a privilege to work here.

Melanie Clements and her colleagues attend the Baccalaureate in 2015. Spring 2017 15

My Peddie adventure By Patrick J. Clements P ’03

it has been a life for us at peddie. A career for sure. A vocation in retrospect. Our lives as partners, teachers, parents, colleagues, followers and leaders have been shaped by this Peddie community. I hope we helped shape it a bit in the process. Mostly though, Peddie has been, and remains, our home. The trajectory of the school, and our lives, has been astonishing! I was first hired here in August 1976 after leaving a great teaching job in Michigan to come to Jersey to see if a relationship with college girlfriend Melanie Youderian might work out. After much of a drifting summer watching her work, I finally took her advice about checking out the prep schools in the area to see if there were any jobs available. (Actually, it was just to get her off my back). I walked into the Head’s office at Peddie, was told crisply by Headmaster Kerr’s assistant Bartella Brislin that the faculty had been set since the spring, of course, and thank you very much. The next day some new hire

Snapshot: Patrick Clements

bailed out by telegram. After a phone call from former faculty member Hank Keller, I interviewed the next morning and signed a contract by noon! So, forget law school! I proposed to Melanie, started coaching football, then teaching English, grading essays, writing comments, marrying Mel over Thanksgiving break, and then quickly drove back to Hightstown to start the second term! From the start, everything has been a happy adventure.

Years at Peddie: 36 Positions held: English teacher, English department chair, JV football coach, varsity baseball head coach, freshman baseball coach, dormitory master, dormitory supervisor, dorm council (head), A-Team, Mission & Philosophy Committee, Principio Project (chair), Prize Committee (head), Summer Signature Program (head), Sophomore Bike Trip (leader) and Trustees Head Search Committee Next page in life: “After a summer at the shore, Melanie and I plan to land in the Asheville, N.C.

“On one of the first days of his English class, Mr. Clements began to write the names of authors on the blackboard, ranking them by height on the board. When he reached the top of the board, he dragged a desk over, climbed on top of it, and wrote ‘Shakespeare’ on the wall, three feet above the board. That word, written in chalk, remained on the wall for the duration of my time at Peddie and always made me smile as I passed that room.” Richard Simmons ’95

area where I plan to ride my bike a lot, play my guitar with some new friends I haven’t met yet and find some communities to join. That’s a pretty full personal schedule, I think. More important, however, are our plans to spend some time together while we are strong enough to travel and enjoy each other’s company.”

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In many ways, my thoughts on Peddie at the end of this adventure deal with the growth and trajectory of the school and community, and the astonishing individuals within, including powerful, challenging and nurturing leadership. For me, early trust and leadership from former Headmaster Ed Potter and former teachers Mike Treese, Ray Oram and Anne Seltzer enabled me and the awesome

English teachers up in Annenberg to experiment with core courses, spring electives, dorms and residential life — all focused on the kids’ experience — and do so with collegial enthusiasm and institutional support. Later, after Melanie and I returned from a six year stay in Columbus, Ohio, with more experience and twoyear-old son Peter, I was able to be a teacher again, head baseball coach, English department chair, dormitory supervisor, husband and father. Then, after a challenge to the faculty from Head of School Tom DeGray, I led a group of colleagues and kids in developing the Principio Project at Peddie, an interdisciplinary, experiential, full curriculum pilot project in teaching and learning, and we did this with collegial support of faculty and trustees. And Peddie allowed all this to happen while Melanie was growing as a math teacher, dean and leader, and while Peter Clements grew up living in four dormitories, first as a little boy and then as a Peddie and college student. Peddie has a long history and deep culture of nurturing teachers, encouraging experimentation and collaboration, and supporting initiatives that focus on our kids and our mission. I am blessed to be part of that commitment, as a beneficiary and contributor. Most recently, I have been able to teach great colleagues and kids, help with new versions of some of the contributions of the Principio Project, work with kids in the Summer Signature program and lead many kids and faculty on the Sophomore Bike Trip, and still coach some young guys in football, too. I must acknowledge the powerful school leadership of Ed Potter, Anne Seltzer, Tom DeGray, John Green and

“Pat is always willing to try to become better. That’s a remarkable thing to do for 40 years … He is always trying to figure out how we can teach students in a better way, how we can have a more meaningful impact on kids. More than anything, I think he enjoys watching kids dream about their future.” Peter McClellan ’90 P’19 Dean of Students, History Teacher

Peter Quinn, the trustee leadership of many, especially Finn Caspersen ’59, Terry Christensen ’62, Chris Acito ’85 and Elizabeth Silverman, the architectural vision of Bob Hillier, and the staggering philanthropy of Walter Annenberg ’27, Finn Caspersen ’59, Mike Armellino ’57, Bob Kaye ’54, Ian Graham ’50 and thousands of others. All have helped, in just one generation, to transform a fiscally sketchy but good school blessed with fine people and strong bones into an extraordinary, powerful and handsome institution filled across the board with even better teachers, more curious and invested kids, more families that are “all in” and an institutional ethos built upon a clear mission and core values. To be a part of Spring 2017 17

Patrick Clements (second from right) and his siblings with their parents at the La Mesa Military Housing in 1962.

“In December 1962, I was in the Army stationed in Monterey, Calif. at Fort Ord. Pat’s father was stationed at the Naval Postgraduate School, also at Monterey. Through a family relationship with Pat’s grandfather back in my hometown of Penn Yan, N.Y., my wife and I had dinner at his parents’ home. Pat was nine at the time and later told my wife, ‘You probably saw a passel of kids.’ Fifty-one years later in 2013, I was trying to acquire a Peddie bike shirt so I could spread the Peddie word on a bike tour in France. Brian Davidson, director of alumni relations, put me in contact with Pat. Initially, we did not realize that we had met before. When we exchanged information about our careers during a phone conversation, it finally came out — we had met in 1962! Since then we have become good friends. I have supported Pat’s bicycle efforts at Peddie, joined him and the sophomores in Gettysburg on their bike trip across Pennsylvania, and proudly worn the Peddie bike jersey in France and Spain.”

that trajectory, in a school built on student growth and steadfast kindness, is good fortune! Important memories swirl. Some with astonishment, like cycling up some snot-buster hills in Pennsylvania or looking up at cathedrals in Spain. Some with sadness and strength, like coaching and watching a freshman boy lose himself happily to the joy of play in a JV football game on September 13, 2001, freed at Peddie from waiting at home for a phone call that would never come. Like watching John Green or Melanie Clements or Peter Quinn in Chapel as they lead the community in times of crisis, raw with strength. Some memories are full with private pride and a swelling heart, like when our son graduated. Or when Melanie reads names at graduation. Or when we accept the Potter-Kelley Cup! Much of Peddie has changed, and the physical, academic, athletic and financial growth has all been terrific and thoughtful. The heart of Peddie — the rich relationship with and thorough care of kids, the focus on individual growth as the measure of success, and the guiding power of our core values — respect, honesty, scholarship, balance and courage — remains constant, though always fragile. Peddie’s steadfast devotion to access and opportunity rather than mere social replication makes my heart swell. Every year when I read juniors’ autobiographies and their essays on “Where I Come From,” I am reminded of what a gift Peddie is to all of us and how deeply our kids understand what others have done and are doing for them. If you could read our kids’ stories, you would want to become another Walter Annenberg.

Charles Morgan ’57

Patrick Clements (with his son Peter) and his family return to Peddie in 1986 after a brief hiatus. 18 Peddie Chronicle

Patrick Clements plays the guitar at sunrise during the Sophomore Bike Trip.

Many hats, many memories By William McMann P ’13

During my 38 years at peddie, I’ve worn many hats, literally and figuratively. As an English teacher, I’m always looking for symbolism, and in my hat collection, I think I’ve found some.

1. English teacher

Fittingly at the top of the display since I’ve taught English every single term of my 38 years at Peddie. The hat: Suitably tweedy and English. Not quite Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Watson, maybe? Best memory: Back in the 80s as my seniors began the study of “Hamlet” I asked “What were Shakespeare’s plays like when they were first performed?,” thinking that I was going to get some information on the Globe Theatre, maybe some idea that the stage was bare, etc. A young man who had so far that year distinguished himself mostly by his silence in class was wildly waving his raised hand. His answer: “They were all in black and white.” A couple of weeks later the class was watching a video of the opera “I Pagliacci.” This same young man leaned over towards the guy sitting next to him and opined: “They sure do a lot of singing in this village.”

“Aside from making me more confident in my writing skills, Mr. McMann is also one of the funniest teachers I have ever had. Freshman year, I looked forward to Humanities every day because Mr. McMann would always make the class laugh somehow. One time, I fell back in my chair and Mr. McMann said, ‘It was bound to happen sometime.’ That moment serves as a reminder for me to laugh at myself when I make a mistake.” Megan Gabruk ’17

Snapshot: William McMann Years at Peddie: 38 Positions held: English teacher, English

2. “Old School” Peddie cap

department chair, dean of students, head of

The hat: My coaching hat

residential life, JV and assistant varsity soccer

Best memory: In 1985, my JV basketball team played the

prelim to the varsity Peddie-Lawrenceville game at home. Since we were tied in triple overtime, the stands were filled with the crowd for the varsity game. Lawrenceville committed a technical foul and Peddie was awarded a free throw. I selected a player to shoot the foul shot, and

coach, JV and assistant varsity basketball coach and JV lacrosse coach Next page in life: “Lots of reading, some gardening and a little bit of travel.”

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William McMann poses with the 1980 freshman basketball team.

my team rebelled, insisting that I let another player take the shot. I was hesitant as the teams’ choice had a physical disability, but I acquiesced. The kid made the shot, we won the game, and it was a great “Peddie moment” for everyone. 4. My Hamilton hat The hat: Almost everything I know about English, writing and teaching I learned at Hamilton College.

3. Pith helmet The hat: Thinking I was going on a safari, my master

prefect (and later my colleague on the faculty) Steve Rogers ’88 gave me this one. I never made the safari, but living in Masters South for ten years was enough of an adventure. Best memory: Hanging with the Nealies each night and

Best memory: About six weeks into my freshman year, I was sitting in George Nesbitt’s freshman comp class watching the humorous and energetic 65-year-old professor perform. At that moment I thought, “If I can be that old and be having that much fun, that’s a life well lived.” Immediately I decided law school was out, and I would become an English teacher, a decision I’ve never regretted. As my students will attest, I’m still having a lot of fun.

shooting the breeze. Best prefect ever: James Mucciarone ’86

“Bill is incredibly supportive. So much of my teaching career and my experience at Peddie has been a result of his mentorship. From day one, he has given me incredible feedback about classroom performance, and has encouraged me to pursue professional development goals. I really have him to thank for so much of my career.” Matt Roach English department co-chair 20 Peddie Chronicle

5. Panama hat The hat: A bald guy needs protection from the sun,

especially when watching Peddie sporting events. Best memory: Watching Michael Schlessinger ’84 completing a touchdown pass to Rich Rebh ’84 to beat Blair and win the Cup on Blair Day at Peddie.

William McMann at Peddie in 1982.

William McMann counsels a student.

6. Yacht captain’s hat

7. Boston Red Sox cap

The hat: This is my yacht captain’s hat that belonged to

The Hat: This ball cap does not have any particular

my father. It’s the most authoritative hat I own. For 13 years I was the dean of students, responsible for student discipline —often not a particularly happy job.

identification with Peddie. I just like wearing it around campus to honk off all those obnoxious Yankees fans. And I grew up in Yaz country.

Best accomplishment: Convincing Headmaster Ed

Best Memory: Rubbing it in on Dean of Students Pete

Potter that Peddie had to adopt a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy.

McClellan after the Sox overcame a 0-3 deficit to beat the hated Yankees and win the American League Pennant in 2004.

Read more memories about Mel, Pat and Bill from the Peddie community at peddie.org/chronicle.

I may be retiring from Peddie this June, but I’ll keep my hats and all the memories (plus thousands more) of all the many wonderful colleagues and students I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Ala Viva. Spring 2017 21

Street Faces Peddie’s proximity to New York City makes the world’s greatest museums and galleries an extension of our daily classrooms. It also gives students the opportunity to experiment and respond to the vibrancy of the city through creative assignments. During winter term, visual arts teacher Andrew Harrison P’20 asked his students to step out of their comfort zones and photograph strangers on the streets of New York. Here are some of the results.

Nick Berlet ’18 We ventured out to Washington Square Park, near the campus of New York University. There I ran into a man named Larry who was surrounded by birds. He was very friendly, and photogenic. He allowed me to take as many photos as I needed, and also let me feed the birds. I captured this image while the birds were swarming around him, for his face began to glow with joy.

Josh Etukudo ’17 I took this photo at a small market in NYC. The man was buying fresh veggies while engrossed in conversation. However, what really caught my eye was his outfit. I love the scarf, the hat and the glasses. I walked up to him and he was very nice. He looked at the photos and loved them.

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Emmy Wang ’17 We wandered into a small grocery store to buy snacks and I came across this man stocking shelves, with his back towards me. I asked him if I could take his photo but he couldn’t quite understand me, so I gestured with my camera and just repeated “photo?” He smiled, agreed, and just looked at me with that expression so I crouched down and quickly snapped a couple shots.

Q&A with visual arts teacher Andrew Harrison How difficult is it to capture strong emotions when photographing strangers? Capturing emotion is one part of what a portrait can do. As students seek out subjects to photograph, they are equally interested in and drawn to people who seem to have a story to tell. I hope that they can begin to get at that through their images. How friendly are strangers on the streets of New York City these days? That’s part of the project, navigating that unknown. Overwhelmingly people are receptive to having an image taken and students take that opportunity to connect with someone and hear their story. Less often, people decline, but a little rejection is a good thing for students to experience. What does it take to make a good street photograph? Making a successful image is about how students look at the world. Noticing the small moments that happen in an instant along a seemingly chaotic street, and being ready for them as they unfold, takes practice. Students have to be prepared for those moments and, in an instant, be aware of the composition of their frame, the angle of the camera, and the quality of the light, among other variables. There are a lot of unknowns when a student points their camera and it’s difficult to have them all converge to make a powerful image. That said, it feels great when everything comes together and the frame comes to life. Students may take up to 400 images during the day. If ten of them are successful, it was a good day. Along with New York City, what are some great places to take street photographs? How students looks at the world and see the everyday in a different way is a subtext of the curriculum. So while New York is without a doubt rich with potential for a street photographer, a suburban sidewalk, like Hightstown, can be equally interesting with a little hard work and persistence.

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Caitlin Barret â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17 The name of the woman in the photograph is Dolores, and I approached her as she was walking her dog Ricky in a city park. I originally approached her to ask to pet her dog, but we began talking and she told me about how she had gotten Ricky from a man attempting to sell him due to the fact he could no longer take care of him.

Kylie Heering â&#x20AC;&#x2122;19 On the hunt for an interesting subject, this woman caught my attention. Clad in black and sitting alone on a smoke break, she appeared to be a solemn figure. I captured the smoke in order to incorporate a mysterious effect into the image.

Robert DiLeo â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17 I saw this man sitting alone smoking on a step. I wanted to capture the moment in a simple, yet artistic way. At first, I was hesitant to ask him for a picture, but once I started to talk to him, I realized he was a really friendly guy.

View more student photos at peddie.org/chronicle.

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Grappling with new challenges

hose who entered The Eckert Wrestling Room this winter witnessed a cascade of energy, sweat and camaraderie being bundled by new head coach, Austin Frank. For the majority of students, this season was their first taste of competitive wrestling. New to a combative sport fashioned by physical and mental adventures, team members grappled with new challenges, and learned a lot about themselves along the way. Peddie wrestling encourages participation and supports a no-cut policy. As long as an athlete demonstrates grit and a positive attitude to survive the challenges of training, they belong on the team. This year’s 34-person roster included four seniors, 14 juniors, four sophomores and 12 freshmen. Juniors Christos Katsifis and Rob Ladd, and postgrad TJ Rayam, qualified for the National Prep Wrestling Championships. For the unseasoned novice or even to the veteran grappler, it is a daunting task to keep up with all the nuances and intricacies of the sport. Frank is realistic about all the bumps and bruises his team will encounter during the rebuilding process. “We are young and raw but I really do believe that the guys are buying into the program,” said Frank. “They recognize that I’m giving them everything I’ve got and won’t quit on them and so they want to reciprocate.” Freshman Suraj Mukkamala is excited to be a part of the team. “Wrestling was the first thing I tried at Peddie and I enjoyed it,” said Mukkamala. “It has given me the opportunity to participate in a sport, to build selfconfidence.” Joining the team in the 106-pound weight class, Mukkamala learned early on that winning is not all about trophies, but more about conquering personal challenges on and off the mat. “No matter your body size — weight or height — if you have the work ethic you can get far in wrestling and learn

to believe in yourself,” he said. “As Coach Frank says, ‘if someone just hands something to you, you don’t deserve it.’ This applies to almost everything in life and it has stuck with me.” Frank constantly reminds his team that there is no supplement for hard work. “If you want to be successful you’ve got to earn it. I believe in this philosophy so strongly that this quote is on the wall in the wrestling room in large letters,” he said. According to Frank, wrestling can be an intimidating sport, and tough to master. “Therefore, it is my charge to find the appropriate balance between work and play, and to know when to push the boys harder or to slow it down

“If you want to be successful, you’ve got to earn it.” — Coach Frank when their bodies need to recover. As a coach I do my best to individualize motivation, to make each guy on the team feel important and to get the team to understand that everyone plays an important role in our overall success.” Frank believes that wrestling is an excellent lesson plan for life, and he is committed to preparing his wrestlers for those experiences. “Although I have a strong passion for the sport, it is more important to me that I help prepare these young men for the adversity that they may face as they make their journey through life,” he said. “In the end I think it is the personal challenge and camaraderie that is unique to wrestling that keeps them coming back each day.” n

Spring 2017 25

Creating a cornerstone of community: The impact of residential life at Peddie

n a cool October evening, freshmen girls in Masters Dormitory gathered in the common room that connects the north and south ends of the building. Staring at the television, pints of frozen yogurt strewn between them, the girls watched as the third and final presidential debate unfolded. These students, many of whom had known each other just a few short weeks, unknowingly came together to witness a pivotal moment in history. This shared experience between new friends, one that may be reflected on years from now, is a quintessential part of the Peddie residential experience. Away from the comfort of home and family, students learn of major global events, navigate personal issues, form life-long bonds and take part in long-standing traditions. Moments like these, between classes, homework and latenight study sessions, are the heartbeat of boarding life at Peddie.

26 Peddie Chronicle

A brick and mortar beginning

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The first building used to house students at Peddie, then known as the New Jersey Classical and Scientific Institute, was constructed in 1869. Simply known as the Institute, in 1905 the building was named Wilson Hall in honor of dedicated trustee Rev. Dr. William V. Wilson. The building was a five-story, mixed-use space consisting of classrooms, teacher suites, a kitchen and laundry area, the steward’s office, a gymnasium and residential rooms for 150 boarding students. The rooms were completely furnished, save for linens, and the building was referred to at the time as the “finest school building in the state” by the Hightstown Gazette.

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Avery House was built in a year in which Peddie’s steam plant was already obsolete as far as we shivering residents on Avery’s north side were concerned in mid-winter. Our archaic radiators were regulated by control valves with two positions: off and cantankerous. Our room chilled so badly overnight that my roommate K. Richard Harrison ’60 and I were trembling by the morning bells’ sounding. Our eventual solution to the cold was risky, and to this day, the Peddie Student Handbook clearly states, ‘any use of fire in a school building will be dealt with severely.’” — William Cass ’60

I remember living in Wilson Hall well. The residential floors were like a big barn, a large, open hallway divided into south, center and north. On the fourth floor was a large gong-type bell, a rudimentary fire alarm, if you will. There was a long cord attached, and, if pulled, it made a terrible booming clang. If you were caught pulling the cord, you would be severely punished. Needless to say, we avoided it!” — Alfred DiCenso ’52

As Peddie evolved from the New Jersey Classical and Scientific Institute to the Peddie Institute (1872) and finally to Peddie School (1923), the residential priorities evolved as well. In 1898, Peddie’s ninth and longest-serving headmaster, Roger W. Swetland, began his tenure. Over the next 36 years, Swetland led the construction of eight major campus buildings, including Coleman House (1912), Trask House (1914), Avery House (1920) and Austen Colgate Hall (1928). Those dorms remain popular housing choices for students today due to their old-world charm, central staircase atriums and (now non-operational) fireplaces. Peddie’s tenth headmaster, Wilbour E. Saunders, continued upon his predecessor’s momentum. During his administration (1935-1949), Saunders purchased a number of

A dorm resident reads The Peddie News circa 1930. (Opposite page) Students study in Wilson Hall in 1869.

houses that were used as both dormitories and faculty homes including McCutchen House, Wyckoff House, Swetland House and Langford House. Saunders can also be credited for creating the faculty-student advising system, in which each dorm master was responsible for the academic and personal well-being of 10-12 students.

The evolution of the residential student experience Knowing the advising system was a way for teachers to make a personal and lasting connection with each student, Peddie looked for ways in which peers could also be viewed as mentors and campus leaders. In the early 1980s, faculty members in Kerr Dormitory, built in 1976 and named after Peddie’s 12th headmaster, Albert L. Kerr, began to do just that. “At the time, Peddie had monitors, students responsible for checking other students in and out of the dorm, and keeping a general eye on them,” said William McMann, long-standing English faculty member and former director of residential life. “I wanted a system where kids had some responsibility beyond that and could serve as a bridge between faculty and students. That was really the beginning of the prefect program.”

Residents gather in the Austen Colgate basement recreation room circa 1940s. Spring 2017 27

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In the winter of 1960, Jeff Berman ’60 and I were

Recognizing Albert L. Kerr, Twelfth Headmaster 1964-1977 Albert Louis Kerr served as Peddie School’s 12th headmaster from 1964 to 1977, a time of great change for the school as it returned to co-education for the first time in 62 years. Educated at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., Kerr received his bachelor’s degree from Yale College and his master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education. A Presbyterian, Kerr was the first non-Baptist to serve as headmaster. Kerr presided during turbulent political times when students and adults on campus began to question some of the school’s conservative traditions, including its ties to the Baptist church and its status as an all-male school. In 1974, the requirement that five trustees be members of the Baptist church was dropped and two years later the schools new chaplain came from non-Baptist roots. But the biggest change came with the return to co-education. Female day students were admitted in the fall of 1970, with female boarding students welcomed three years later. During Kerr’s tenure, a number of facilities were added and enhanced, including the school’s largest dormitory, Masters House, given by Walter Annenberg ’27 in 1967 to honor his former teachers, the athletic center in 1971 and Kerr Dormitory in 1976.

monitors for Coleman, which housed seniors. We lived on the second floor, and the housemaster was Mr. Hummel. For offenses long forgotten, we did not like Mr. Hummel. We took an entire package of firecrackers, possibly 100, and, around midnight, equipped with a fuse fashioned from a borrowed cigarette, we lowered this device on a string down the central stairwell so that it rested on the concrete floor near Mr. Hummel’s door. Having gone back to bed, in due time there was a lengthy series of loud explosions, and a great deal of smoke waking the entire building. We were never officially caught for this prank 57 years ago, but the allknowing Dean DuBois wisely found other hall monitors to finish out our senior year.” — Donald Gavin ’60

Initially, certain students were asked to be prefects by their dorm supervisors. Bill McMann is credited with formalizing the process. With guidance from McMann and Sandy Tattersall, dean of students and head of residential life from 1983 until his retirement in 2012, students interested in the prefect program were asked to take part in a group interview with dorm faculty and existing prefects. Once selected, students participated in weekly training where they discussed issues relevant to residential students. It was not necessarily important that prefects were academic leaders, but it was essential that their peers respected them.

Residential living at Peddie: A Timeline

1869

Wilson Hall opens

28 Peddie Chronicle

1898

Kalomathia House, formerly Buchanan Cottage, houses Junior School students

1906

Keeler Cottage, located on the corner of Main and Ward Street, houses Junior School students

1912

Coleman House opens, named after trustee Henry U. Coleman

1913

Mount Cottage, located on Main Street, houses Junior School students

As the residential life program began to evolve, faculty recognized the need for day students to have peer mentors and role models. Former director of counseling services Carol Hotchkiss took this opportunity to create the Peer Leadership program, an academic course and mentor program for seniors that focused on addressing adolescent issues in a more formalized way. Selected by faculty, Peer Leaders worked together with freshmen to help ease their transition to Peddie.

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Peer Leadership was one of the best experiences I ever had at Peddie and probably in all of my teenage years. I learned so much about communicating with others and being a productive person. I grew a lot during that time. Now, I use much of what I learned in my everyday life.”

Students relax in a dorm lounge in the late 1980s.

— Arianna Bocco ’87

Knowing the importance of the conversations led by Peer Leaders, Kate Higgins, former faculty member and director of residential life, built upon the foundation laid by Hotchkiss. Together with Tattersall, she created the Community Life program, an academic course aimed at ninth and tenth-grade students, both boarding and day. “We wanted to strengthen the health curriculum, introduce students to community expectations and have conversations about morals and values,” said Higgins. “Structuring the Community Life course in this way allowed us to have those conversations with the underclassmen in a safe and healthy environment.”

1914

Trask House opens, named after Henry Trask, former principal of the South Jersey Baptist Institute

1918

Leland House, an old hotel in downtown Hightstown, used as residential housing following World War I and until 1928

1920

Avery House opens, named after E.J. Avery, Peddie’s fifth principal

Today, those conversations carry over from Community Life to the dormitories, both in casual conversation with students and during planned Thursday Night Dorm Bonding meetings. Introduced in 2014, dorm bonding allows faculty the opportunity to set aside one evening a week to have meaningful conversations with students about health and wellness, leadership and ethics and life skills. Discussions include everything from how to tie a bowtie or write a check to the importance of sleep and proper nutrition. “We also have a ton of fun,” said Daria Kuyantseva ’19, a boarding student from Russia. “This year, Mrs. McClellan organized a ‘Cake Wars’ competition night where she brought already homemade cakes and all the toppings you

1924

Beekman House on Main Street houses students until at least 1964

1928-29 Austen Colgate Hall opens, named after trustee Colonel Austen Colgate Kalomathia House converted into a guesthouse Keeler Cottage moves from corner of Main and Ward streets to Maxwell Avenue Mount Cottage torn down Spring 2017 29

Students in Kaye North test their singing skills during a Thursday Night Dorm Bonding karaoke session.

could imagine: frosting, sprinkles, chocolate, candy … it was awesome! After we finished decorating, our cakes were judged. The best part was when we got to eat the final products!” Peddie also ensures day students are part of residential life on campus. Between regularly scheduled Saturday Night Activities, community service initiatives and monthly advisee dinners, day students are well integrated.

Circa

1937

McCutchen House opens, named after president and trustee Charles W. McCutchen

1939

John Plant Drive property purchased

1941

Wyckoff House on South Main Street purchased

1942

Swetland House acquired, named after Headmaster Dr. Roger W. Swetland

“I was a little nervous coming to Peddie this year,” said Kavya Borra ’20, a freshman day student. “But it’s been such an incredible experience. I love coming back to campus on the weekends for Saturday Night Activities like going to the movies with friends.” Of course, with more than 350 boarding students on campus, finding and training faculty to live and work in the dorms is imperative to the success of the students’ residential experience.

1945

Langford House acquired, named for Captain Archibald Langford

1954

Norcross House on Etra Road (site of current Athletic Center parking lot) acquired

1960

Rivenburg House (formerly Mason Cottage) becomes residential housing, named after teacher Dr. Romeyn H. Rivenburg

1967

The Masters House opens, gift of Walter Annenberg ’27 to honor his former teachers

1971

Beekman House sold

1972

Wyckoff House sold 30 Peddie Chronicle

Faculty influence beyond the classroom According to The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), an organization that promotes awareness and understanding of boarding schools, 90 percent of boarding students report having high-quality faculty members, compared to 62 percent of private day and 51 percent of public school students. TABS also reports that students in boarding schools spend around nine hours per week with educators outside of the classroom, leading to higher levels of maturity, independence and critical thinking skills.

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True, a school grows over a period of years through the construction of new buildings, but its most significant growth is not in mortar and bricks but in

Students in Avery Dormitory prepare to practice meditation during Thursday Night Dorm Bonding.

the leadership provided.” — Carl Geiger, English faculty member, 1918-1956

Peddie faculty, 90 percent of whom reside on campus, are ready and equipped to help guide students through their adolescent years, both in and out of the classroom. They encourage them to be open to new experiences and prepare them to be citizens of the world. Faculty members also enjoy deep connections with students, spirited banter and profound, thought-provoking conversations. “Our dorm faculty leadership is quite strong, and this has a tremendously positive impact on residential life,” said Catherine Rodrigue, associate head of school. “When we hire, we seek candidates who want to be immersed in a school community. We look for experience in activities

like camp counseling, coaching and community service. In interviews with prospective faculty, we listen for candidates’ sense of humor, their adaptability and response to challenges and stress, and their interests or hobbies outside of their academic areas. Our faculty understand that Peddie is much more than the classroom experience, and this is why Peddie faculty can be such great role models for Peddie students,” she said. Undeniably, life as a dormitory supervisor is a 24-hour a day job. In such an immersive environment, there are many teachable moments. “It’s the moments you wouldn’t expect when the most thoughtful conversations emerge,” said Sarah Crider Venanzi, Ph.D., science teacher and dorm supervisor.

1976

Kerr Dormitory opens, named after Headmaster Dr. Albert L. Kerr Wilson Hall razed

Langford House sold

1980s

Etra House, Longstreet House, Octagon House and the renovated Roberson Infirmary begin to house students Healey House purchased

1992

Students move into The Potter Dorms, named after Headmaster F. Edward Potter

2000

Dedications held for Mariboe Dormitory, named after former assistant headmaster Dr. William H. Mariboe, and Freda Caspersen Dormitory, named by long-time Board president Finn M. W. Casperson ’59 for his mother

2007

Norcross razed

2016

Green Dormitory, named for John F. Green, 15th head of school, and Kaye Dormitory, named for Robert M. Kaye ‘54, open Kerr Dormitory razed

Spring 2017 31

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“Like when the girls all gather around the TV to watch “The Bachelor” or “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.” Out of those seemingly unassuming moments, that’s when discussions turn to how to conduct yourself or to body image and positivity,” she said. History teacher and long-time Kerr dormitory supervisor, Erik Treese ’91, agreed. “I remember when Hurricane Sandy shut down the campus for an entire week. We had no power, no heat, but there were still kids here. That week I witnessed some of the most organic community bonding I have ever seen. Kids were spending time with people they may not have ordinarily, cleaning up campus, picking up branches. The community came together in the most unique and meaningful way,” he said. In addition to focusing on their students, residential faculty also find themselves having to remind one another to focus on their own personal well-being.

My roommate, Laura Norrett Perkins ’93, and I had more laughs, more escapades and more fun than you can imagine. Late night dance parties, sneaking fridges into our room to hold our diet cokes and bagels (diet of 1993), zipping to Princeton to get Thomas Sweet frozen yogurt, you name it. Laura and I shared secrets, gossip and friends, and she will always be the best roommate I ever had.” — Meg Kuser Critchell ’93

“It’s a commitment,” said Allison Schaefer, Spanish teacher and dormitory supervisor in Masters South. “I love it, but it can be challenging at times. It’s all worth it, though, when I notice the growth in my students. One of my favorite memories from last year was when my girls planned

Wonderful Wednesday: A day in the life of a dormitory supervisor Sarah Crider Venanzi , Ph.D., is a faculty member in the Science Department, the girls’ varsity basketball coach, a dormitory supervisor in Green Dormitory and a new mom. Below, she shares a typical day in her life. 3:00 a.m. Someone knocks on my door. I’m not completely sure if it’s a dream or not. They knock again. I’m suddenly awake, fully aware that it is not a dream. In fact, it’s a student standing outside my door, halfasleep, hoping to be let back into her room after a middle-of-the-night bathroom trip. After a quick unlock of her door, I’m back in bed and asleep almost instantly. 6:00 a.m. Rise and shine! Time to get ready for the day, which means COFFEE! I quickly gulp some down while I check the scores from last night’s high school basketball games and watch a bit of film of our opponent for Saturday. 7:00 a.m. My three-month-old daughter, Annamarie, is officially awake! Time to get her ready for the day. 7:30 a.m. I get in a quick walk around campus with Annamarie and Greta, our puppy. 8:00 a.m. I hop in the car and drop Annamarie off at daycare. How is it only 8:00 a.m.?

32 Peddie Chronicle

9:00 a.m. First class of the day! Today, AP Chemistry students are learning how to synthesize aspirin in the lab. 10:00 a.m. Second class is quantitative chemistry. We are playing Electron Configuration Battleship. Who can beat the teacher? 11:00 a.m. Time for a departmental meeting with the rest of the chemistry faculty. We discuss what fun holiday activities we plan to do with our students before the break. 12:00 p.m. I head to lunch in the dining hall to beat the long line. Good news: It’s chicken cheddar wrap day! 1:00 p.m. It’s back to the dorm for me for impromptu room checks and to take Greta for a walk. It must be laundry day for Room 201; clothes are in piles everywhere. As for room 303, I’ll have to remind the girls to take out their trash; they must have had a Mannino’s pizza trip last night!

4:00 p.m. Go Peddie! Beat Blair! 6:00 p.m. Finally, time to head home for dinner with my family. There’s another knock at the door, this time a student is feeling sick. A quick call to the Hensle Health Center to let them know there’s an incoming student, and I find her a friend to walk her there. 7:30 p.m. I’m on dorm duty tonight. After I check in with the students, I sit down to give some extra help to my freshmen chemistry students. There’s a test on Friday! 10:00 p.m. We can’t forget birthdays! A quick dorm-wide celebration complete with cupcakes, hot chocolate and singing. 10:30 p.m. I meet with upperclassmen prefects to discuss next dorm programming event. They have some great ideas.

2:00 p.m. I head over to the Office of Admission for a meeting with a prospective athlete. Her favorite subject is science and she wants to participate in the Research Science Signature Experience (bonus!).

11:00 p.m. I do one final check on juniors and seniors in their rooms.

3:00 p.m. After a great meeting, it’s time to walk over to the basketball court with the team to warm up for our game.

11:30 p.m. After a long day, it’s time for bed. This life is crazy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

a surprise birthday party for me. I was so touched, and their appreciation for what I do really showed.” For faculty, part of living in a dormitory means understanding that kids are on a path towards independence, transitioning from adolescents to young adults right in front of them. “Peddie has found a nice balance of giving students both responsibility and autonomy, independence, yet meaningful structure,” said Ray Cabot, history teacher and assistant head for strategic planning. “Kids know the adults are connected to them and engaged in their experience, and faculty know when they are able to take a step back. We know our students well, and we know them particularly well because of the residential experience,” he said. Marty Mooney, dean of students and residential life, agreed. “Residential life is a well-aligned priority for the school,” he said. “There is an institutional commitment to both dorm programming and the creation of physical structures that enhance the sense of community that is unique to Peddie.” That institutional commitment allows administrators to think long-term about the needs of those who reside on campus. In the early 2010s, a conversation began to take shape about the future of various buildings on campus and how Peddie can stand out in a challenging boarding school market.

Reflecting on the past while looking to the future The last time Peddie constructed new dormitories, Mariboe and Caspersen, the year was 2000 and Thomas A. DeGray was head of school. A decade and a half later, Peddie broke ground on two state-of-the-art residence halls named in honor of John F. Green, fifteenth head of school, and for Trustee Robert M. Kaye ’54. Completed in the fall of 2016, Green and Kaye replaced Kerr Dormitory, which was razed shortly thereafter. J. Robert Hillier, the same architect who designed Green and Kaye, built Kerr. The 1970s contemporary style dorm is an ineradicable fixture in the memories of hundreds of alumni. Despite the lack of ornate, old world charm that other dorms on campus boast, Kerr’s personality came from the students and faculty who once resided there. Over the years, approximately three dozen faculty members and their families called Kerr home, half of whom still live on campus today. “All my great stories come from Kerr,” laughed Kenton Kirby ’99, who lived in Kerr North for all four years. “And all my favorite memories start with, ‘Well, we were bored in the dorm one day and …” Brian Hayes ’08, who lived in Kerr for five years beginning in eighth grade, agreed. “The carpets smelled, the windows were broken, the lights flickered. But, man, we were a family, and Kerr was home. We got through it together,” he said.

Kaye Dormitory, completed in the fall of 2016, replaces Kerr Dormitory.

The discussion of replacing Kerr began years prior to its razing. Once the project was approved and Hillier was selected as the architect, a committee consisting of faculty and administrators was formed to provide input into the project. “I think that was crucial,” said Venanzi. “Through conversations in this committee, and with student input, we realized what made the most sense in terms of convenience and space allocations. For example, small things like having laundry on every floor really makes a difference.” The other consideration that emerged from the committee was the need for designated, flexible spaces for collaboration and community. As the education of Peddie students continues long after class hours end, larger meeting areas play an important role in the day-to-day lives of students, from informal study sessions to structured Thursday Night Dorm Bonding. “The community space was a huge win,” said Mooney. “We wanted it to feel as if you were walking into a living room, into a home. Bob Hillier and his team were able to create that feeling.” Despite the various ages, layouts and sizes of dormitories on campus, wherever students find themselves living during their time at Peddie, the people around them make the experience extraordinary. “There’s power in a building, power in a dorm, power in the people who live there,” said Kirby ’99. “Twenty-plus years later, dorm life is still such a huge part of who I am. I hope that students who live on campus now and in the future have that same powerful feeling of home,” he said. n

For a complete listing of alumni, parents and friends of Peddie whose generous gifts have made Green and Kaye Dormitories possible, please visist peddie.org/chronicle. Read more dorm memories from alumni at peddie.org/chronicle.

Spring 2017 33

Time magazine features Dr. King on the cover the same week he speaks at Peddie.

Guest speakers Morton Goldfein ’59, the Honorable David B. Mitchell ’63 and Arthur E. Brown, M.D. ’63 remember Martin Luther King Jr. on Founders Day.

Remembering Dr. King’s visit to Peddie Nearly sixty years to the day after Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to Peddie students in the Ayer Memorial Chapel, the Peddie community gathered on Founders Day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. On February 20, 1957, King, then a 28-year-old Baptist minister, spoke to Peddie about race relations in the United States. One of the first African-Americans ever to speak at the school, King addressed the crowd without a script or notes, and spoke of a “real crisis” precipitated by southern resistance to the Supreme Court’s decision to outlaw segregation. “There comes a time when people grow tired of being stepped on by the iron feet of oppressors and the struggle will continue until the oppressed people are free,” he said. In early 1957, in the wake of the months-long Montgomery bus boycott, King was emerging as a national figure in the civil rights movement. That same week, Time magazine featured King on their cover. Just 41 days before his visit, terrorists bombed four black churches and the homes of bus boycott leaders and ministers in Montgomery. A dozen sticks of smoldering dynamite left on the porch of King’s home failed to explode. Despite this violent response to the bus boycott, King kept his appointment at Peddie, and spoke to the assembled school about non-violent social resistance. 34 Peddie Chronicle

“This non-violence is based on a faith in the future, a faith that believes that the universe is on the side of the forces of justice,” said King. Guest speakers Morton Goldfein ’59, Arthur E. Brown, M.D. ’63 and the Honorable David B. Mitchell ’63 reflected on King’s visit to Peddie during the Founders Day ceremony on February 17. Mitchell was 11-years-old in 1957, and had only arrived at Peddie two weeks before King’s visit. He was one of two African-American students on campus. Mitchell remembered: “Dr. King said those years ago in this Chapel, the enemy is not individuals and their specific evil deeds. You must challenge injustice whenever and wherever it’s presented. You must do so with love for your fellow human beings. And you must do so nonviolently.” A second presentation took place on Monday, February 20, the exact anniversary of King’s address, when Kenton Kirby ’99, Fernando Perez ’01 and Dar Vanderbeck ’04 honored King at Chapel and spoke about their journeys since Peddie. English teacher Pat Clements, who organized the event, said that by honoring King on Founders Day, the school “transferred the significance of that event to a fresh generation of Peddie students.”

A look back from those who were there … Michael Horowitz ’58 I had heard of Martin Luther King Jr. before he came to Peddie, but at the time I thought he was just a young Baptist preacher coming to a then Baptist school. I was not expecting him to have the presence that he had. As co-editor of the Peddie News, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. King that day. There was a kind of aura around him. Even back then, you felt that you were meeting and listening to someone who was going to leave his mark. I was taken with King’s sincerity and strength. He was very serious for a 28-year-old. I was amazed that he was only 11 years older than I was. Everything that happened afterwards I could understand having listened to him. What King said that day was powerful. He opened my eyes to the severity of issues going on around the country. Back then, we did not think about prejudice at all. Until I became a reporter, I did not realize how society was not as together as I assumed it was. Of all the people I have interviewed over the years … Nixon, Humphrey, Kissinger … King remains one of my fondest memories. Invariably every Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I wind up telling the story of when I interviewed him at Peddie. If I could interview King today, I would ask him, “What would you suggest we do to get closer to a kind of world that you imagined?”

Richard Turner ’60 When Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Peddie, we all knew it was a special occasion, but I doubt that many of us realized just how special it was. I had no idea at the time just how great a person he would become. Dr. King’s words to us made a big impression on me because, in my mind at the time, blacks were not any different

from whites. I was 16, and living and going to school in the North. I had black classmates before Peddie, and at Peddie, and they were well respected. I think we were somewhat aware of the problems blacks were having in the South as it was in the news, but it did not seem to affect us being in New Jersey. I did not realize until he spoke just how oppressed blacks were in the South. King made it clear that my impressions were nowhere near reality, and that was the message I walked away with that day. If King were here today, I would say “thank you” for all he did for humanity.

Enrique Sabal ’61 I had never heard of Martin Luther King Jr. before his visit to Peddie. I arrived at the school in 1955, an 11-year-old with no knowledge of the English language. By the time Dr. King gave his lecture at the Ayer Memorial Chapel, I was fluent in English and so I was able to grasp his amazing magnetism and virtuosity with words, which he said with an obvious display of force and passion. At the same time, I did not fully comprehend the problems he was talking about in his speech. On the one hand, we did not have racial problems in my native country of Venezuela. Moreover, the issues he spoke about did not affect the everyday life of a not yet 13-year-old student at a prep school in a Northern state.

The Peddie News covers Dr. King’s visit to Peddie in their March 1, 1957 issue.

today, not because of racial intolerance, but because of the severe and brutal constraints of our citizen’s constitutional rights to free political thought and action. Venezuelans are “growing tired of being stepped on by the iron feet of oppressors, and a struggle will continue until oppressed people are free.” Today, all around the world, there is still a need to further understand and live by King’s philosophy and vision.

King’s ability with words had an impact on me and made me wish that over time I could acquire his eloquence. I think it set the foundation for me to earn first place in the 1961 extemporaneous speaking contest, coached by the unforgettable Harold Van Kirk. If King were here today, I would congratulate him for his vision and philosophy of human and constitutional rights for people of all races. It is markedly applicable to Venezuela

Spring 2017 35

“The tension here and the tension anywhere while we find races are confronting conditions of injustice, the tension is not so much between races, not between Negro people and white people, but the tension is at the bottom between justice and injustice, between the forces of light and the forces of darkness, between the forces of good and the forces of evil.”

Excerpts from Dr. King’s address at Peddie on February 20, 1957

t is impossible to look out into the wide arena of American life without noticing a real crisis in race relations. Now this crisis has been precipitated on the one hand by the determined resistance of the reactionary elements in the South and to the Supreme Court’s momentous decision outlawing segregation in the public schools. This resistance has often risen to ominous proportions. And as you well know, many states in the South have risen up in open defiance. The legislative halls of the South ring loud with such words as interpositions and nullification. And also, a modern version of the Ku Klux Klan has arisen in the form of so-called “respectable” White Citizens Council. The methods of citizens council are the methods of intimidation to actual economic reprisals against Negroes and white persons of goodwill who dare take a stand for justice. And so all of these forces have conjoined to make for massive resistance and the crisis has been precipitated on the other hand by the radical change in the Negro’s evaluation of himself. It is probably true to say that if

36 Peddie Chronicle

the Negro continued to think of himself in inferior terms and patiently accepted injustice and exploitation, there would be no crisis in race relations. But it is at this very point that the change has come, for the Negro throughout America and throughout the South has a new sense of dignity and destiny, a new sense of self-respect.

Against Oppression All of this means that the struggle will not soon disappear. It is sociologically and historically true that privileged classes do not give up their privileges without strong resistance. It is also sociologically and historically true that once oppressed people rise up against oppressions there is no stopping point short of full freedom. And so realism impels us to admit that the struggle will continue until justice is a reality for oppressed and disinherited people all over the world. Now, I am delighted with the fact that the struggle will continue. The great question which confronts the oppressed people all over the world is this: How will the struggle for justice be waged? I think that is the most significant question of our civilization.

It seems to me that if the oppressed people in general, and the American Negro in particular, falls victim to the dangerous philosophy of violence, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and an endless reign of meaningless heritage of endless chaos. And so, violence is not the way. There is another method, there is another way to achieve justice and we might refer to it as the method of non-violent resistance — the method of passive resistance or whatever word you choose to use. There is a way to achieve justice without violence. This method of non-violent resistance was made popular in our generation through the work of Mohandas K. Gandhi of India, who used it to free his people from the domination of the British Empire. And it seems to me that this is the method that oppressed people all over the world should use rather than the method of violence and tragic hatred. At times, a non-violent resistor finds it necessary to indulge in boycott as merely a means to know that a boycott is not an end within itself. He realizes that a boycott is merely a means to awaken a sense of shame within the oppressor. But the end is reconciliation, the end is redemption, the end is to change and transform the soul of the oppressor.

nd so the aftermath of nonviolent resistance is the creation of a better community wherein the aftermath of violence is the creation of tragic bitterness. Another thing that can be said about this method of non-violent resistance is that it attacks forces of evil rather than individuals who might be caught up in these forces. The nonviolent resistor seeks to defeat evil rather than persons who may happen to be victimized with evil. And that is a great distinction: We have the evil deed rather than the person who happens to be evil. As I like to say in Montgomery, “The tension here and the tension anywhere while we find races are confronting conditions of injustice, the tension is not so much between races, not between Negro people and white people, but the tension is at the bottom between justice and injustice, between the forces of light and the forces of darkness, between the forces of good and the forces of evil.”

And so, if there is a victory, if there is a victory for the forces of integration in America, it will not be a victory for the 16,000,000 Negroes, but it will be a victory for justice, a victory for truth, a victory for the forces of light. The aim must always be to defeat evil and not individuals who may happen to be caught up in the system of evil. Our aim in Montgomery and throughout the South is to defeat injustice and not persons who may happen to be unjust.

Creative Goodwill I realize that all talk about loving those who oppose you and loving those who are seeking to defeat you can be a sort of empty type of thing. We can be indulging in empty words, if we do not understand what we mean by love at this point. When I think of love at this point, I am thinking of understanding goodwill toward all men. Not a sentimental type of love, not an affectionate type of love, but understanding, creative goodwill for all men. This is a faith that will keep us going amid all the experiences of life. This, in brief, is the method of nonviolent resistance. God grant that all men struggling for freedom and justice will reach out for this method, that they will never fall victim to the temptation of using the method of violence and indulging in hate campaigns. And I predict that, if men and the oppressed peoples of the world will use this method of non-violence and will continue to struggle with love in their hearts and with understanding goodwill, in a few years we will be able to see a new world — a world in which men will be able to live together as brothers — a world in which men will have the dignity and worth of all human personality — a world in which men will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks — a world in which men will come to see the real meaning of God’s kingdom, and we will be able to live together as brothers — in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. This is altogether possible, and God grant that it will come through determination to work with understanding goodwill and love in our hearts and our determination to stand up with non-violent spirits. n

Spring 2017 37

Recalculating the math curriculum at Peddie

Angela Silvi ’20 and Arjun Bhungalia ’20 present a math problem, and work with their classmates to find a solution.

Arjun Bhungalia ’20 and Angela Silvi ’20 step up to the front of the classroom, dry erase markers in hand. Teacher Emily Scott has just asked them to present a problem from the previous day’s homework. Bhungalia and Silvi write a series of numbers and graphs on the board and Scott monitors the ensuing discussion. Students are exploring ideas, debating theories and sharing feedback … they are working together to find a solution. Welcome to Mathematical Problem Solving at Peddie, where students take the lead in their learning. After more than a year of research and planning, the Peddie math

solve every problem, but they do require them to document their thinking, and come to class prepared for an active classroom discussion.

Motivation for change Math Department Chair Tim Corica and Associate Head of School Catherine Rodrigue formed a curriculum study group in 2015 to address department concerns, including changing skill levels of incoming students, and a lack of algebra retention for students beginning Algebra II after a year of geometry. “More and more students arrive at Peddie having already completed a “With problem-based learning, students are developing the skills course in geometry, but they do not necessarily have a strong grasp of concepts. to work cooperatively with their peers. They are also learning MPS integrates geometry earlier in the how to discover, present and debate mathematics.” curriculum,” said Corica. He added, “MPS also allows for department replaced its traditional Geometry/Algebra II continuous work with algebraic concepts throughout two sequence with Mathematical Problem Solving (MPS) I and years, without the interruption in algebra study created by the II. The courses blend topics from algebra and geometry and placement of Geometry between Algebra I and II.” strongly emphasize collaboration and analytical thinking. According to department faculty, MPS’s focus on The two-course update to the math curriculum is a problem solving has real-world applications not present in departure from more traditional approaches to classroom conventional models of learning. learning. There are no textbooks for this class. Instructors Math teacher Andrew Caglieris, who chaired the initial assign problem sets for homework and encourage students curriculum study group, said that it was important to the to work in study groups. Teachers do not expect students to 38 Peddie Chronicle

group that problem-based learning be the focus of new courses. “The emphasis on problem solving gives students greater ownership of the learning process. It also creates an ideal environment to foster communication, collaboration, and critical and creative thinking, skills that go beyond mathematical content but are essential to succeed in today’s workplace.” Scott echoed this sentiment. “With problem-based learning, students are developing the skills to work cooperatively with their peers. They are also learning how to discover, present and debate mathematics.” Change, the Peddie way After months of research, the curriculum study group proposed the idea of adding Mathematical Problem Solving to the curriculum. This prompted the formation of a curriculum development team. MPS I was added to the fall 2016 schedule and MPS II will be introduced in fall 2017. Corica said that though the department is advancing in big ways, it is also moving forward at a calculated pace. “We want to be innovative and I think we move a lot faster than other schools in terms of innovation, but at the same time we always move at a pace that reflects the best interests of our students,” he said. So far, feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. When surveyed last December, many MPS I students used the word “collaboration” to describe what they enjoyed

most about the course. “Based on the feedback that we’ve received, we know that students in MPS are recognizing the importance of collaboration, and that’s a key component of problem-based learning,” said Corica. “And, collaboration was baked into the course as groups of teachers themselves collaborated to propose, plan, design and implement MPS,” he said. Changes to the math curriculum have also affected the teaching style of department faculty. “I hold myself back from saying, ‘let me show you how to do this,’” said Scott. “Instead, I give my students ample time to reason and work through the problems before I share the answer.” Caglieris added, “MPS has reinforced my belief that what we teach needs to be presented in a meaningful context, where students are given the opportunity to discover results for themselves, giving them greater ownership of both the learning process and the concepts.” Corica estimates that by fall 2017, approximately 220 students will be enrolled in either MPS I or MPS II. “That’s a big deal for us,” he said. “Eventually, we think this style of teaching will touch virtually every student at Peddie.” n

Read more about the evolution of the math curriculum at Peddie, including committee members and teachers, at peddie.org/chronicle.

Since 1986, 122 individuals, 45 teams and one family have been

SPORTS HALL OF FAME

inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, representing more than a century of Peddie athletics. The Class of 2017 1957 and 1958 golf teams Malcolm Dowdy ’87, basketball 1992 boys’ midweight varsity crew 2001 football team 2006 and 2007 girls’ varsity crews

Spring 2017 39

Beer Careers Ben Evans ’01 started homebrewing in college. In 2007, while conducting clinical research in neuroscience at the University of Maryland, he crossed paths with a congressional aide and fellow homebrewer. The pair homebrewed together as hobbyists for almost four years before they realized they happened upon something that could be their future. The former microbiologist and neuroscientist soon left the laboratory life in favor of a larger science experiment — Hellbender Brewing. He clearly was not alone. From 2008 to 2014, the number of craft breweries in the U.S. more than doubled, and craft brew sales jumped 17 percent last year, according to the Brewers Association. Today, the majority of Americans live within 10 miles of a craft brewery. A number of Peddie alumni are contributing to the craft boom. Their backgrounds vary, from photography and economics to marketing and metallurgy, but there are commonalities that lured them to the craft beer industry in a variety of roles. These alumni have more than just a passing affinity for beer. They yearn to be innovative, and they possess the self-confidence to do it their way.

(Right) Ben Evans ’01, President and Head Brewer, Hellbender Brewing Company

40 Peddie Chronicle

Photo Credit: Justin Stone

Here, they share their stories.

Spring 2017 41

BEN EVANS ’01 President and Head Brewer Hellbender Brewing Company District of Columbia Favorite pairing: Hellbender IPA and wood-fired pizza topped with spicy soppressata, onions, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella, and spicy red cherry peppers

“Anyone can make a great beer with a decent amount of practice, but making that same beer exactly the same the next time is where all the science comes in.”

What inspired the name, “Hellbender Brewing”?

A hellbender is an endangered species of giant salamander that is indigenous to this area. I wanted a name that was local without being obviously local, and the endangered species ties in very well with our focus on sustainability. We have and will continue to work with conservation groups to help hellbenders and other endangered salamanders. Can you talk about the importance of sustainability in your business?

Our biggest step toward a more sustainable brewery is our unique brewing system. We spent a lot of extra time and effort getting a Belgian-made mash filter system that allows us to use about 15 percent less grain and 30 percent less water per batch than just about any brewery in the country. We give all of our spent grains (up to two tons a week) to a local farmer who feeds them to his cows and pigs. He gets free food for his livestock, and we save hundreds of dollars a month on our trash bill by not requiring frequent pickups. We focus on sourcing local ingredients whenever possible. We make one of our seasonal stouts with freshly roasted coffee from a coffee shop down the street, and brew another with applewood and cherrywood-smoked barley from a distillery about an hour south of us in Virginia. We built much of our tasting room with reclaimed wood and materials, and we are working on installing solar panels across the entire roof of our building.

42 Peddie Chronicle

Through a grant with the Department of Environment and Energy, we plan to create an irrigation system using rainwater from our roof that will run to a series of hop plants in 55-gallon drum planters on the side of our building. The goal is to brew a batch of beer each year with those hops that we can sell to some bars and in our tasting room, and donate to events to promote the importance of stormwater diversion. It’s a major issue here in DC. What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?

I’m usually at the brewery seven days a week. I hang out with my wife and my crazy Boston terrier most evenings when I’m not doing brewery events like new beer releases at bars and restaurants or serving beer at festivals. I also play guitar, cook or go for runs to clear my mind. How has Peddie factored into your current success? Are there any teachers that were influential?

I had a lot of great teachers at Peddie. Dave and John Leonardis were great wrestling coaches and mentors. They helped instill a good deal of the drive and work ethic I have today. I really enjoyed a two-term class on World War I and II taught by Paul Watkins. I love that a well-respected author was so passionate about teaching and even played goofy ancillary characters in some of the school plays. What is your advice for those in the Peddie community who would like to start brewing their own beer?

Get a home brewing kit. Anyone can make a great beer with a decent amount of practice, but making that same beer the same the next time is where all the science comes in.

MIKE GUARRACINO ’99 Sales, East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Lagunitas Brewing Company Petaluma, California Favorite pairing: Grilled cheese and any beer

“Will work for beer.”

Mike Guarracino credits Tim Trelease, former chair of the Peddie arts department, for his decision to attend the Maryland Institute College of Art. Along with obtaining a BFA in photography, the East Windsor native discovered a fondness for craft beer during his time in Baltimore. “The Brewer’s Art brewpub in Baltimore is where I realized I liked beer,” said Guarracino. Several years later Guarracino landed a job as a “beerlanthropist” at a beer boutique in Asheville, North Carolina, but not before selling carpets and blinds in Georgia, kayaks in Maryland and advertising in Colorado. “Brusin’ Ales in Asheville is where I realized I could get a job in beer,” he said. In 2013, Guarracino moved north to Maine, where he worked as a brand and event specialist at a brewery famed for its Belgian-inspired beer. Here, his “ah-ha” moment came. “Allagash Brewing in Portland is where I realized that I could pursue beer as a career.” Currently, Guarracino works in sales at Lagunitas Brewing Company, one of the top selling craft breweries in the U.S. He is a self-described “Lagunator.” What’s your favorite beer?

I’ve always said there is a beer for every chore. Shoveling the driveway beer. Laundry beer. Listening to music beer. Expense report beer. Celebrating your folded laundry beer. Shower beer. Vacuuming beer. Depends on the situation. Allagash White works well for most chores. At 9.7 percent, ABV Lagunitas Brown Shugga might be enjoyed packing the wood stove after shoveling, and never while handling power tools. I have yet to find a chore that is not made easier with Lagunitas IPA in hand. What are the challenges of the job and how are you facing them?

What are some of your favorite Peddie memories?

The Principio Project, Blair Day, sledding on cafeteria trays, AP Art, and having the good luck to visit my Mom (Vera Wojtowicz, now in the Office of Admission) every day. If you were to name a beer after Peddie, what would you call it and why?

99 Bottles of Cheer. Because the class of 1999 is the greatest class on planet Earth, or any place else. How has Peddie factored into your current success?

Peddie is about people for me. And so is life. It’s always helpful to know a guy who knows a guy. My Peddie friends remain my closest friends. I gained confidence at Peddie. I learned how to collaborate, how to be independent. I learned about discipline. Integrity. These skills helped me get to where I am today. What is your advice for those in the Peddie community who would like to start brewing their own beer?

If you enjoy cooking, you’ll enjoy brewing. Visit your homebrew shop and have them help you select a malt extract recipe. Do not overcomplicate or overthink it, but keep things clean.

Time management is a challenge. Travel is a big part of my job so it’s crucial that I plan ahead. Remaining flexible and mobile are essential. What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?

Explore points on maps my wife picks out. Discuss trucks. Negotiate five more minutes for everything with our fouryear-old son.

Spring 2017 43

Scott and Kevin Kerner at Three Penny Taproom. Photo provided by The Bridge.

Brothers Scott and Kevin Kerner opened Three Penny Taproom in 2009. Described as a mecca for craft beer enthusiasts, Three Penny attracts some of the most coveted beers in the world. Scott co-owns the taproom and his brother Kevin manages it. The pair got their start after college working at brewpubs. Kevin became head brewer at a brewpub in New Hampshire after the brewer and owner had a falling out. He had never made a beer in his life. “I read every book I could find on the subject, including chemistry and biology books from the local high school,

and experimented,” he recalled. “After a while, the blend of science and art really took hold of me.” Meanwhile, Scott learned the ins and outs of beer making at a brewing company in Portland, Oregon. With experience under their belts, the brothers decided to capitalize on Vermont’s burgeoning craft beer scene. Scott cited Three Penny’s success as giving him the creative freedom to launch Good Measure Brewing and Carrier Roasting, in nearby Northfield.

How has Peddie factored into your current success?

SCOTT KERNER ’93 Co-founder Three Penny Taproom Montpelier, Vermont Co-founder Good Measure Brewing Company Northfield, Vermont Favorite pairing: Moules Frites with a Belgian Witbier like Allagash White. Or, sourdough pretzels with a Kolsch beer from Cologne, like Reissdorf.

“Have fun … and share.”

What’s your favorite beer you brew?

Our house Saison at Good Measure is called “Barn Coat,” and I am really proud of it. What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?

I enjoy spending the little time I have away from work with my wife, Erin, and our dog, Jesus. We try to stay as active as possible, but sometimes you just want to sit on the couch and watch a soccer match. 44 Peddie Chronicle

Some of the things that Peddie helped shape in me aren’t exactly tangible. Little things, like the fact that the tables in the dining room were round so no one felt inferior, helped me really grow into a good human. If I had to call on one influential person from my time, it would be Brian Davidson. He really got my style, and allowed me to find it. What are some of your favorite Peddie memories?

All of the great sports teams and matches. Having a show on the radio station. Walking to get wings in town. My first job at Stewart’s Root Beer on 33 in Hamilton. There are so many great memories; Peddie keeps a very special place in my heart. I had so many close friendships, and I’ve enjoyed watching everyone’s growth. If you were to name a beer after Peddie, what would you call it and why?

Ala Viva Ale. I mean, come on. My brother said he would make every customer who orders one do the fight song. What is your advice for those in the Peddie community who would like to start brewing their own beer?

Pick one style that you like, and make it great before moving on to new styles. Most importantly, have fun … and share.

KEVIN KERNER ’97 General Manager Three Penny Taproom Montpelier, Vermont Favorite pairing: Paella (my favorite food in the world) and Saison DuPont, an eponymous Farmhouse Ale with a whole host of earthy characters. It blends well with the spices from the dish.

“Actually, I kind of fell into the business. It chose me.”

What’s your favorite beer you brew?

It would probably have to be the one that I’ve had the most critical acclaim for, and the one that took the most of my patience. It’s a Barley Wine (a beer brewed to the alcoholic strength of wine). It underwent four different fermentations, all with yeast cultured by me. The beer took about four months to make and sold out within two weeks. What are the challenges of the job and how are you facing them?

Consistency and quality are the biggest challenges. You can have a really bad beer surrounded by great people in a great place, and you’ll forget about the bad beer. But, you’ll have more success if you can nail all of the customer’s needs. What do you like to do in your time away from the taproom?

I play guitar, run, hike and spend time with my dog, June Carter. What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

pair of legs that lets me climb them. Can’t get much better than that. What are some of your favorite Peddie memories?

I have nothing but great memories about my time at Peddie. The experience that sticks out most in my mind is the Principio Project. It’s hard to put into words the advantages that experience gave me. How has Peddie factored into your current success? Are there any teachers who were influential?

It’s probably the biggest reason for my success. At Peddie, I learned how to be self-reliant, how to figure out a problem and not wait for someone else to solve it for me. Patrick Clements and Jim Ealy are my biggest influences. Mr. Ealy taught me to believe in myself, and to look inwards for happiness and success. Mr. Clements showed me the trails and taught me that everything is poetry. And, he taught me how to play civilized championship baseball (just kidding). If you were to name a beer after Peddie, what would you call it and why?

Scott and I agree on this one: We’d name it the entirety of the Ala Viva. As in, every word. What is your advice for those in the Peddie community who would like to start brewing their own beer?

Show up at a brewery and offer free help; it’s always hard to turn down. Wash kegs, clean things … that’s the surefire way to show someone you’re willing to work. If you’re serious about the science, there are a couple of programs out there that will help you get a bigger foot in the door. Make beer at home. Buy a kit and go for it. The home brewing kits out there today are no different from making bread. The instructions and details are fairly easy to follow. Start small. Just like everything else, it only becomes complicated from there.

I have a fairly good life. I work to make money; I live when I’m not working. I’m surrounded by mountains and have a

Spring 2017 45

MIKE MRLIK ’76 President Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom Greater Denver area Favorite pairing: A Pale Ale or Pilsner with Old Chicago pepperoni rolls. The carbonation and hop bitterness helps cut through the delicious pepperoni grease.

“Talk straight, right wrongs, create transparency, show loyalty, confront reality, and most importantly, get better.”

Known for its handcrafted pizza and distinctive taproom fare, Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom is also the second largest on-premise craft beer provider in the country. “We take pride in making sure we have the best selection of national, regional and local craft in each one of our restaurants,” said Mrlik. Mrlik has more than 20 years of experience developing and revitalizing companies, including Mr. Gattis, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Boston Market and Sarku Japan.

If there is a brewery down the street from an Old Chicago that is beginning to make noise, we’ll look at giving them a permanent or rotating handle. In addition, because we have over 100 units we have some buying power in the market. We are able to talk to some of the larger breweries in the country and work with them on collaborations to have beers made exclusively for Old Chicago. What else is Old Chicago doing to support the local craft beer industry?

We have rotating lines at each of our locations so that our restaurant and bar managers can put on the new hot beer in the market or respond to requests from customers. We also are getting ready to launch a “Local Brewery of the Month” promotion, where each Old Chicago will pick a brewery that is local to their restaurant, and we’ll give that brewery two handles for the month and have featured promotions with them every Thursday night. We realize that our consumers’ definition of “local” is a shrinking radius, and we’re doing our best to make sure we’re delivering on what they want to see. If you were to name a beer after Peddie, what would you call it and why?

He joined Old Chicago in 2013 to help expedite growth opportunities. Today the franchise operates in 24 states and has more than 100 locations nationwide. Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom was founded back in the 1970s, when the craft beer revolution began. How have things in the craft beer industry changed since then?

The craft beer industry has been through multiple transformations since the early 1970s. It’s gone from something that was seen as a rebellion to a mainstream product that the consumers demand, and a segment that is taking share from the big guys year after year. What makes Old Chicago the “craft beer authority?”

A lot of competitors in our space look at their beer menus regionally, and place their handles in a geographic region, which tends to limit you to specific partners who can hit distribution. We look at each restaurant individually.

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I have two: Blue and Gold IPA. The colors are rich in tradition and speak about Peddie’s rich traditions. The Wilson Hall American Pale Ale. This building was the original Peddie building that served the needs of the school until 1976. How has Peddie factored into your current success? Were there any teachers or classmates who were influential?

Peddie taught me many core values that I use in business today: talk straight, right wrongs, create transparency, show loyalty, confront reality and most importantly, get better. Harry Holcombe, Coach Monaghan, Dennis Hartzel, Herb Mariboe, and Coach Von instilled these guiding principles that I use in business — and in life — daily.

MICHELE CONKLIN WILLIAMS ’90 TOM WILLIAMS ’90 Michele: President and CEO Tom: Managing Member St. Pete Brewing Company St. Petersburg, Florida Favorite pairing: Bacon and beer is our favorite. There is nothing more refreshing than a taste of beer after a crispy bite of bacon!

“Don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s just beer!”

In 2011, Tom and Michele Williams debuted their St. Pete Orange Wheat at a craft beer tavern in St. Petersburg. Three years later, the husband and wife team opened St. Pete Brewing Company in the midst of a craft beer explosion in the region. “Tom was financing a lot of microbreweries at his company, eLease,” said Michele. “We bought a building and the idea to open a brewery kept gaining momentum.” After graduating from Peddie, where she met her future husband, Michele attended Rochester Institute of Technology and majored in food marketing. She has worked for Fresh Express, Webvan.com, Catalina Marketing, and Dole and currently serves as vice president of sales for Taylor Farms. Following Peddie, Tom attended Boston University where he received a bachelor of arts in economics. He has been an entrepreneur since 1995 when he started eLease.

What are some of your favorite Peddie memories?

Peddie challenged us in so many ways. We loved studying hard and interacting with the faculty. We had some of the best teachers at Peddie. If you were to name a beer after Peddie, what would you call it and why?

Ala Viva! We actually own the brewery in Ala Viva LLC! It would be a refreshing beer with a hint of bitterness at the end because we can’t go back to those days at Peddie. Saying the Ala Viva makes us smile. It reminds us of friends, memories, and being the best we can be. I think we will brew it! How has Peddie factored into your current success? Were there any teachers or classmates who were influential?

We both are more confident from our experience at Peddie. We learned to never quit and to trust ourselves. Harry Holcombe helped both of us come out of our shells with public speaking and Bill Hill taught us to appreciate music and lyrics. Peddie is still a huge part of our life as we both shared the unique experience. What is your advice for those in the Peddie community who would like to start brewing their own beer?

Just do it. Don’t be intimidated; beer is a natural process. Try a style and flavor you think you would enjoy. Don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s just beer!

Why did you choose Florida to open St. Pete’s Brewing Company?

We moved from San Francisco to St. Petersburg and there were no breweries in the city. We loved St. Pete and wanted to be part of the fabric of its growth. We wanted beers as interesting and creative as the people who live here. What’s your favorite beer you brew? By others?

Our favorite beer is the St. Pete Orange Wheat, which is our most popular beer. We also love DogFish 60 Minute IPA. What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?

We have two amazing kids and we enjoy getting out boating often.

Spring 2017 47

MATT GALLAGHER ’96 Head Brewer and Co-Owner Half Acre Beer Company Chicago, Illinois

“It’s an awesome feeling to drink your own beer.”

It’s a tale of an artist and an engineer, two New Jersey natives who bonded over beer and in 2006 started one of the first breweries in the Chicago craft beer scene. Today, Half Acre Beer Company is one of the most beloved breweries in the Midwest. Matt Gallagher met Gabriel Magliro while he was working as a metallurgical engineer at a steel company in Chicago. Magliaro had moved to the area to attend art school. “I was surprised there weren’t many breweries, especially in a city this size,” said Gallagher. “So I guess that got the seed planted.” Gallagher said that he learned valuable life lessons at Peddie that have factored into his current success. “Peddie gave me the freedom to find my own way. That was invaluable to me, and I think in some ways gave me the confidence to do what I want,” he said. Half Acre was one of the first breweries in the Chicago craft scene. Now you are one of the go-to beers in the city. What has the journey been like?

We were fortunate to get started when we did, and have been able to grow with the beer scene here. Back in 2006, there weren’t many breweries in Chicago. Now there are too many to count. We’ve learned a lot along the way and have gotten better and better at what we do and that shines through in the beers. We always fall back on authenticity and creativity and we’re lucky that we’re able to translate that throughout our beer and breweries. Can you talk about your relationship with the NRDC and commitment to sustainability?

Karen Hobbs at the NRDC started the Brewers for Clean Water program and she’s based in Chicago so that made it very easy to get involved. She did a fantastic job harnessing the popularity of craft beer and translating that into tangible results in terms of strengthening the Clean Water Act. Obviously, water is crucial to the brewing industry, and you can see the challenges that some breweries in California are

48 Peddie Chronicle

experiencing due to lack of water. We’re lucky to have access to the Great Lakes in Chicago, but if something were to happen to that water supply and quality, we’d be in a tough spot. You’ve expanded to include the Balmoral brewery. Tell us about that.

In early 2015, we got production started at our 60,000 square foot facility on Balmoral Ave. As a result, we’ve doubled our annual production over the last two years. It’s also created so many more opportunities for us as brewers to continue to evolve and innovate, as well as opportunities for our staff to grow with us. What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?

My wife and I enjoy getting out of the city and spend as much time as possible hiking and camping around the Midwest, and out West when possible. Now that American beer is popular around the world, we get many opportunities to travel outside of the country as well. If you were to name a beer after Peddie, what would you call it and why?

Ala Viva, for obvious reasons. What are valuable life lessons that you learned at Peddie?

The freedom and trust that Peddie gives to its students cannot be overstated. As you grow older, the vast opportunities that Peddie provides come into clearer focus and you can get a better sense of how important they can be later in life. What is your advice for those in the Peddie community who would like to start brewing their own beer?

Just do it. Get a book or find a friend who brews and get going. It’s an awesome feeling to drink your own beer. n

“I take pride in my work and time at Peddie. To me, there was no better way to continue that legacy than by naming Peddie in my will.”

Alfred P. DiCenso ’52 P’89 Advisory Trustee

Alfred P. DiCenso ’52 P’89, Bell Society

A charitable bequest comes to Peddie in a

member since 1989, reflects back on his

will or living trust through a specific

time at Peddie with pride. To help ensure

amount or asset, or a portion of an estate.

that future generations of faculty and

When a bequest ultimately reaches Peddie,

students enjoy the same opportunities, Al

the estate is entitled to a federal estate tax

has named Peddie for a percentage of his

deduction. Oftentimes, the gift is for the

estate, unrestricted. Read about his bequest

school’s general purposes; always, we

intentions at peddie.plannedgiving.org.

welcome gifts large and small.

Honoring those whose estate plans benefit Peddie Regina Ketting, director of gift planning 609-944-7521 bellsociety@peddie.org

Spring 2017 49

center campus Peddie honors Mike McKitish with dedication of crew boat

Mike McKitish stands with Peddie crew at the November dedication ceremony.

The “Michael B. McKitish”

Peddie rowing teams held a boat dedication ceremony at the Caspersen Rowing Center in November to honor Mike McKitish, assistant head for finance and operations at Peddie.

Following a generous gift from advisory trustee Hal Rubin ’57 to purchase the new shell, the idea for the boat dedication came up. “Mike always does the heavy lifting and makes sure everyone else gets the credit,” Rubin said of McKitish.

McKitish has been a great supporter of Peddie crew and the entire athletics program, according to Barb Grudt, director of rowing, and managed the recent dorm construction projects on campus. “Peddie is a better place because of Mike’s knowledge, vision and guidance,” said Grudt.

Humbled by the recognition, the event was an emotional one for McKitish. “I am honored and grateful for the ongoing support of the Peddie community,” he said. “It’s said that crew is the ultimate team sport. We’re proud to name one of the boats after the ultimate team player,” Grudt said.

Student club recognized for excellence in community service The Better Beginnings Club of Hightstown unanimously selected Peddie students to receive the Youth Group Award at the organization’s annual Shining Star Gala. The event, hosted by the mayors of Hightstown and East Windsor, will take place on May 20 at the Holiday Inn in East Windsor.

Peter Le ’17 leads Peddie’s Better Beginnings student club, and math teacher Dr. Andrew Caglieris serves as the group’s advisor. “This award is a great surprise and honor for all of us,” said Le. “What we are even more grateful for is our wonderful local community that has supported us every day and made our mission possible.”

The Better Beginnings Club, a nonprofit organization, provides affordable child care to local families. The Youth Group Award recognizes students who have generously supported the club and made a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Among their contributions, the student club organizes an annual book and school supply drive, and hosts the Bettie Witherspoon Go Green Art Show where artwork made by children and families from Better Beginnings are exhibited at the Mariboe Art Gallery on campus.

50 Peddie Chronicle

Members of the Better Beginnings student club (L to R): Alanna McGill ’17, Sei Jin Kim ’17, Peter Le ’17 and Daisy Fang ’17

MAPL titles for soccer and basketball Not to be forgotten amidst the Potter-Kelley Cup victory on Blair Day, the Peddie girls’ and boys’ soccer teams both defeated the Bucs in Blairstown to claim outright possession of the Mid-Atlantic Prep League titles. Coming off a two-win campaign in 2015, the girls under head coach Matt Roach followed up with a stunning turnaround, posting a 3-0 win over the hosts to notch a 4-0-1 mark in the MAPL while outscoring their rivals 14-1. Junior keeper Katie Rodriguez posted four clean sheets. “No one picked us to win the MAPL,” said Roach. “I’m proud of the team for pushing themselves so hard to achieve their MAPL title goal.” On the boys’ pitch, head coach Peter McClellan ’90 reached a milestone with his 100th career victory as the Falcons (142-1) knocked off Blair 5-2, completing their second straight undefeated MAPL season with a 5-0 record. Seniors DJ Palmer and Martin Ssessanga led the Falcon charge with 14 and 19 goals, respectively, and earned a roster spot on the High School All-American Soccer Game. Guiding the Falcons to three consecutive conference titles from 2006–2008, McClellan will return to the sidelines as an assistant coach for the 2017 fall campaign under new head coach Craig Gillespie. Moving indoors, the boys’ basketball team (19-7) captured their first MAPL crown since the league’s inception in 1998, claiming the title game with an impressive 71-62 victory over Blair Academy. The Falcons outscored the Bucs 29-12 in the third quarter, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a 16-point advantage, 55-39, heading into the final eight minutes. Senior captain Tyler Jones finished with 18 points, while postgrads Steve Torre and Bruce Edwards chipped in 13 and 15 points, respectively. In improbable fashion, the Falcons dodged elimination in the semifinals by staging a frantic fourth quarter rally against The Hill School. Coach Joe Rulewich’s squad dominated the final frame, 30-11, to overtake the Blues 70-62.

The girls’ soccer team claims the MAPL title.

Peddie boys’ soccer completes their second straight undefeated MAPL season.

The boys’ basketball team captures their first MAPL title. Spring 2017 51

What does Ala Viva mean? New students practice the chant, committing it to memory even before they master their daily schedules. The football bleachers rock as hundreds of fans cheer on Blair Day. But what does Ala Viva mean? We asked these Peddie community members.

“Energy.” — Delano Whitfield ’19

“It means spirit.” — Brooke Perlman ’19

“Ala Viva means celebrating at Blair Day.” — Sophie McClellan ’19

“It’s sort of an idea more than a definition.” — J.R. Haines ’17

52 Peddie Chronicle

“I think that Ala Viva is the heart and soul of Peddie. “ — Libbey Sullivan ’17 (right, pictured with Tanvi Dange ’17)

“Ala Viva? To the person on the street it doesn’t mean anything. But once you’re here, it’s your heart. It’s your soul. It means everything.” — Peter Quinn P ’15 ’18, Headmaster

“If you go anywhere around the world and see Peddie alumni … you can say ‘Ala Viva’ and they’ll know what it means.” — Regan Cook ’19 (left, pictured with Bella LaGrego ’19)

“It means so much to us because it’s what we yell every time we take the field before a game.” — Mike Coiro ’17

“The fact of the matter is we’re not really sure what exactly it means.” — David Martin, Ph.D P’00, Peddie School Archivist

“We say it after everything … it’s hard to put into words.” — Jessie Scopellite ’19

Spring 2017 53

Daisy Fang â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17 clears a hurdle in 2017. This season, Fang was the first Peddie hurdler in more than a decade to qualify for Eastern States.

PEDDIE SCHOOL 201 South Main Street Hightstown, NJ 08520-3349

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