38 minute read
Spotlight on Legacies
Spotlight On
Ball Steven ’83 · Jonah ’22
Burton Thomas ’89 · Lauren ’22
Greco Stephanie Dellaquila ’88 · Michael III ’21 · Stephen ’21 · Caroline ’22
Hostetter Dan ’88 · Chris ’21 · Paige ’22
Kotchen Andrew ’90 · Grace ’22
Nuñez Ron ’86 · Gabriella ’22
Sollinger Mark ’76 · Samantha ’22
Suller Karen Knapps ’88 · Hailey ’22 · Kaitlyn ’22
Merriam-Webster states that tradition is “the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction.” There couldn’t be a truer definition of what it means to be a legacy at Suffield Academy. When children of graduates begin their own Suffield journeys they have heard many stories from their parents about their favorite places on campus, the best food in the dining hall, the faculty members who made the greatest impact on their high school experience, and the things they loved to do in their free time with their friends. While each generation differs, consistency across the years can be found at Suffield as the core philosophy remains essentially timeless. The legacy profiles in this issue of SUFFIELD highlight these wonderful generational bonds.
Ball
Steven ’83 · Jonah ’22
From an early age Steven Ball looked forward to boarding school, ready to spread his wings beyond the familiarity of his local high school in Merrick, New York. His father was a boarding school graduate—from Blair Academy in New Jersey—and although Steven considered Blair he felt it wasn’t the right fit. Instead, it was Suffield that felt like home.
From his advisor Phil Currier, who Steven often looked to for advice, to spending time with his friends and thriving in the routine of academics and sports [he played varsity football, basketball, and lacrosse], Steven’s high school memories made coming back to Suffield to visit his son a joy. He loved walking around, especially through the dining hall [“Drove my son crazy,” Steven quipped], and is hugely impressed with the campus today. He’s even a little jealous, especially of the athletic building, saying, “What Charlie Cahn and the Board have done in the last ten years is remarkable.”
Jonah Ball was proud to be a legacy at the same high school his father attended. He hopes that someday his own kids will find their place at Suffield, discovering the joys of being somewhere small and inclusive where everyone wants to make you feel at home. In addition to his friends and fellow students, it was his faculty advisor Sean Atkins who was an integral part of Jonah’s community. “He helped guide me through my journey at Suffield to make sure I was the best person I could be,” Jonah shared. Staying active was also hugely important to Jonah; Tisch Field House, where his daily routine included going from sports practice to lift, definitely helped keep him on track. He also loved playing broomball his junior and senior years. Of his first ever game he recalls, “There were so many people supporting and cheering us on. My team, The Lion’s Den, took the win in our first game.” Jonah’s next step will be studying business administration and entrepreneurship at the American University of Paris.
Steven and Jonah have a slew of shared commonalities from their years at school. They both fell in love with Suffield the day they toured campus. From his tour Jonah remembers, “Everyone was so kind and people on campus were so inclusive.” The friendships they made here they both cherish—Steven was thrilled to stay in touch with his classmates through Zoom all throughout the pandemic.
But possibly most life-changing was the independence and individuality that father and son found at Suffield. Jonah’s time on campus taught him to stay organized and independent, leading him to land on the high honor roll, participate in lacrosse, and become a headwaiter, dorm proctor, and student tour guide. Jonah noted, “You learn to get all your work done on your own time because sports and commitments take up a lot of your day and study hall usually isn’t enough time.” Steven shared that Suffield “taught me to be an individual, taught me kindness and consideration of others, and taught me not to be afraid to be on my own.” After graduation Steven attended Tulane University where he received his bachelor’s degree in finance. Today he works in the real estate and construction business. When they’re together, Jonah loves the memories his family makes when they create a home cooked meal and eat as a family, and Steven loves traveling together, those meals Jonah mentioned, and being on the beach with his family.
Burton
Thomas ’89 · Lauren ’22
Thomas [Tom] Burton grew up in Suffield, enamored with the school’s campus before he was even old enough to attend. When he finally became a Tiger, Tom immediately sensed he was in a place that would help him grow. He recalled the strong influence his English classes and teachers like Nina Scott, Brad Gooch, and Gordy Glover, had on his development, sharing, “They taught me a love for storytelling and its impact on our search for meaning.” He also fondly reflected on “the Bell at sunset on the apex of the hill overlooking the beauty of the western ridge. It reminds me of the past and the building blocks of character that shaped who I am today.”
Tom knew that going to SA would expand his horizons beyond his little corner of Connecticut, exposing him to classmates and teachers from all over the world who would help him envision and achieve his goals. He feels he was right. His education at Suffield led him to attain his B.A. from Boston College and his J.D. from Boston College Law School so he could start one of the nation’s first clean energy and sustainability-focused law practices nearly twenty years ago. As a parent he was grateful to see that the supportive and nurturing community he so valued was still alive and well. He said, “Suffield is a special community of people who support one another, work together collaboratively, and assist one another to succeed. The Suffield spirit extends well beyond the physical campus into our broader community.”
Fourteen years after her father’s graduation, Lauren Burton entered Tom’s world. When it came time to begin her high school education, Lauren wanted something different than a public school experience. Like her father, Lauren applied solely to Suffield, which stood out to her because she could pursue both athletics and theater which she says is “something that public schools often do not offer because of conflicting time commitments.” She is proud to be a legacy, noting that it gives her a shared sense of history and community with her dad. She recalled, “Every year, my dad shared many stories... These stories often involved many of the same people, showing how important friendships grow and last.” Every year, my dad shared many stories... These stories often involved many of the same people, showing how important friendships grow and last.”
Over her four years at Suffield Lauren found comfort in the sanctuary of her dorm room, in the advice and support from her faculty advisor Chelsea Kane, and through her friends and teachers. She was nominated for several Halo awards, was the vice president of the student body, and in 2021, her soccer team won the Class B NEPSAC championship. [Here, Tom jumps in to say, “I would like to take credit for the first girls’ soccer NEPSAC Championship in thirty-five years. As a two-year Tiger B soccer alum my genes certainly played into Lauren’s performance.” To which Lauren said, “Uh, no, Dad…”] Lauren is attending Loyola Marymount University this fall, studying theater so that she can focus on what she loves most: performing.
As a family the Burtons enjoy time together at home. Tom said, “I cherish our dinner conversations, our debates around the table, and how we each bring different perspectives to the issues of the day. We honor those perspectives and seek to understand them in pursuit of higher knowledge.” Lauren agreed, “Whenever I’m home we always have family dinners and talk about school and important conversations that spark different ways of thinking.”
Greco
Stephanie Dellaquila ’88 · Michael III ’21 · Stephen ’21 · Caroline ’22
The Greco family’s ties to Suffield Academy run deep and began almost seventy years ago with Stephen Dellaquila, Class of 1956 and later a trustee. Steve’s daughters Susan Dellaquila White ’84 and Stephanie Dellaquila Greco ’88, the next generation, followed in his footsteps more than thirty years later.
Steve’s first grandchild, Jay O’Brien, led the third generation when he entered Suffield Academy in 2009. Jay, Stephanie’s nephew, is currently a reporter in the Washington, D.C. bureau of ABC News. Stephanie’s niece and nephew are current Suffield students—Katie O’Brien, Class of 2024 and Benny White, Class of 2025. Stephanie’s three children all recently graduated from Suffield Academy. Michael and Stephen graduated with the Class of 2021 and Caroline graduated with the Class of 2022.
“Suffield Academy changed my father’s life,” said Stephanie. “He was the seventh child of immigrant parents and the first in his family to attend college. With the help of former Headmaster Appleton Seaverns, Suffield Academy made that possible. My father was always so proud of graduating from Suffield. The school means so much to him and he is always eager to share his pride with all of us. Both of his daughters are Tigers, and now all three of my own children are proud Suffield graduates. Our family shares a long-held and deep bond with the school. It’s almost always a certainty that a Suffield story will find its way into conversation or the school will at least get a mention.”
Many members of the Suffield community had a notable influence on Stephanie’s life. In particular, Stephanie names longtime English teacher Brett Vianney, former faculty member Barry Cleary, and Mary Pratt from dining services. “Mr. Vianney, as I still and always will call him, really challenged me and taught me how to write, think, and analyze. He gave me a foundation of skills upon which I have built a career. His grading system motivated me to work harder in school and nurtured my work ethic. His famous, or infamous, comment ‘Excellent work: B!’ is still a metric by which I judge my efforts today. Mr. Cleary was part of our family for so many years. I turned to him for advice and guidance.
The real beauty of Suffield is in the personal growth that occurs during your time and the people who significantly impact your life.”
I admired the example he set as an educator and person. He was always there with support and a solid plan to help me navigate whatever was in front of me. Although Mary Pratt—known in Suffield lore for Mary’s Mac and Cheese—was not a faculty member, her joy for life continues to leave a lasting impression on me. Yes the Suffield Academy campus is breathtaking, but the authentic beauty of Suffield is in the people.”
Brett Vianney continued to impact the lives of the Dellaquila-Grecos, as Stephanie’s son Stephen also had Mr. Vianney for English. “It is great to listen to the amazing stories my mom has from Mr. Vianney’s class and how much she loved him as a teacher,” said Stephen. “One of my favorites is when she tells stories about the time everyone in Mr. Vianney’s class had to memorize a Shakespeare sonnet and recite it in front of the entire class. My mom often credits that experience for giving her the confidence to speak publicly.” Stephen continued, “I feel like my life changed dramatically because of Suffield, both in and out of the classroom. I went to Suffield as a very quiet freshman and finally broke out of my shell because of the experiences and support of the school. I learned how to become both a better student and person. Everyone’s friendly nature makes it such an easy place to feel comfortable and be yourself. The people at Suffield support one another and the tight-knit community makes it such a special place.”
As a varsity athlete, Stephen played football, squash, and baseball. Stephen also excelled in the classroom. His lifetime favorite subject has always been history but while at Suffield he also developed a love for Chinese. The Bell Hill quad is his favorite place on campus where he spent countless days and nights with friends. “The pandemic presented many challenges on campus, but spring at Suffield was always great and especially memorable,” he said. “Suffield helped us make the most of our senior year despite the pandemic. We had the opportunity to play baseball again. I could spend quality time with my friends, in person, again. In any other year these experiences would be routine, but for me, they were the most memorable parts of my four years there. I miss cheering my friends on at games and all those spring nights being outside.” Stephanie’s son Michael also excelled in academics, while playing and loving sports at Suffield. On the field, varsity baseball during the end of the pandemic was outstanding. In the classroom, Michael flourished in history and Chinese. He credits his threeyear Chinese teacher Andrew Yuan ’05 for sparking his interest in the study of Chinese, which is a focus for him in college and potentially a career. “Mr. Yuan was an example for me when it comes to learning and having fun at the same time. I always looked forward to class,” he said. “Stepping outside my comfort zone was difficult for me prior to Suffield. The more time I spent with my fellow students and my teachers, the easier it became. Early on, mentors, like Mr. Cleary, had a big impact on me. Suffield helped me grow into someone willing to put myself out there…eager to meet and interact with new people. When I reflect, Suffield taught me many very important life lessons.”
With their extended family history at Suffield, Michael, Stephen, and then younger sister Caroline never imagined attending high school anywhere else. In fact, beginning with their toddler years, the Grecos spent many days on campus. They attended preschool at the Tiger Den, spending time in their mother’s office, attending afternoon athletic practices, and sharing in many of Suffield’s traditions. “I grew up on this beautiful campus and always loved the school,” said Caroline. “I watched my cousin and my brothers take their first steps on campus as freshmen, ring the bell, and go to prom. My grandfather gave all of us our diplomas at graduation. Suffield is a part of our family and I am so proud to be among the third generation to attend.”
Recipient of several academic and athletic prizes, Caroline’s favorite place on campus is the turf field. She noted, “Whether it was winning a field hockey game, cheering on the sidelines of a Saturday night football or lacrosse game, or huddling at midfield with friends when campus was quiet, I loved spending my time at the fields. Some of my favorite memories were hanging out with my friends after school on the turf.”
Arriving as a shy, quiet person, Caroline said Suffield helped her mature into a more outgoing person. “The sense of community makes Suffield one of the most special places,” she said.
“Whether you are an alum or a freshman, everyone shares the same bond and helps make this welcoming, inclusive community an environment. I will miss all the little things like crowds at the football games, hanging out in the student union, sit-down lunches, and walks to CVS with my friends. I will miss the little things that make Suffield, Suffield.”
Since graduating from Suffield, Stephanie has spent the better part of her career helping to grow early-stage companies and is currently CEO of Mizzi Cosmetics. About the evolution of Suffield’s physical plant and prosperity of the school she said, “The campus is truly spectacular. From the amazing team of Charlie and Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88—with her own family legacy and passion and vision for Suffield along with Charlie’s drive and dedication—you get nothing short of the very best.” Stephen added, “Growing up on campus and knowing the ins and outs of the school definitely made me look at Suffield from a different point of view. Arriving as a freshman with most of the faculty already knowing my name was a huge sense of comfort. It was an honor to continue our family’s legacy.”
The Greco family lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. Stephen attends Boston College with an interest in political science and economics, Michael attends the College of Holy Cross with an interest in political science and Chinese, and Caroline is enrolled at Clemson University.
Hostetter
Dan ’88 · Chris ’21 · Paige ’22
Dan Hostetter ’88 lives in Osterville, Massachusetts and is the managing director at Datasite, a leading SaaS provider for the mergers and acquisitions industry. He is on Suffield Academy’s Board of Trustees and is an active real estate investor. Dan grew up on Cape Cod with his older sister, Kristin ’86. He explained, “Suffield is three hours from the Cape so the logical sense would have been to go to a school closer to home. But the experience and community at Suffield were too appealing so there was no question I would also be a Tiger.”
After graduating from Boston College in 1992, where he studied economics and French, Dan spent the next twenty-five years living abroad. He moved to Paris while with Citibank, then to London for nearly eleven years while growing Datasite, and finally to Hong Kong in 2008 for another eight years to further extend the business. “I had already learned the French language and had a very influential professor of European history at BC who encouraged me to follow the momentum and opportunities happening abroad in international banking and business. I was married to my wife Liz on the Cape in 1998, and our children were real troopers along this great journey abroad.”
Arriving at Suffield as a self-described “very immature and young fourteen-year-old boy,” Dan said the school had a very positive effect on his development and future. “Suffield taught me leadership skills and independence and opened my eyes to living abroad,” he commented. “It was tremendously impactful to meet and live with interesting international students from around the globe. We had a wonderful community of people filled with diverse backgrounds all sharing a common goal. This sense of community is what always resonated with me and is what makes Suffield Academy such a special place. It is a school centered on important core values and educates its students to be well-rounded individuals. Whether it is in athletics or the arts or academics, I love the end product at Suffield. The faculty help shape young men and women ready to take on anything in the real world.”
As a freshman Dan lived in Bissell House, which at the time was well-known for being the farthest dorm from the dining hall. As a result of several master plans and significant construction, students no longer live on that side of campus and now reside in well-defined academic and dormitory quads. “It is extraordinary what Charlie Cahn has done with his vision and ability to raise
funds to make Suffield Academy an overall first-class campus and one of the very best independent schools in New England,” said Dan.
Dan lived in Fuller Hall both his junior and senior years and today cherishes those memorable times spent among his now lifelong friends. “We had a great group of guys from all different backgrounds and parts of the world and built very strong relationships. Of course, we did many stupid things like all teenagers do but it was an immensely fun, positive experience. I was more into sports than academics—played football, golf, and tennis—but I’d say that at the time I definitely reveled in the social life at Suffield.”
Paige Hostetter ’22 entered Suffield as a freshman boarder from Boston and immediately recognized Suffield as a warm, welcoming, and spirited community. “From the very start Suffield was a lot of fun,” she said about her initial few weeks on campus. “Some of the first events I remember were school dances, Tiger Games, and Color Wars. These were great ways to be introduced to the community and meet new friends. I could tell immediately I was going to love my time here.”
While Paige is admittedly dispassionate about sports, she enjoyed participating in the school’s three-season athletic program as a member of the varsity tennis and JV volleyball and squash teams. She earned academic honors or high honors each term and was a Chinese teaching assistant and dorm proctor. She developed a fondness for biology in her junior year with faculty member Kristina Braithwaite. “Mrs. Braithwaite is an excellent teacher,” said Paige. “She is super optimistic and passionate about what she does. Her enthusiasm really made a difference in keeping us engaged and actively participating in class. This is the kind of structure and support system I am going to miss about Suffield. I feel, however, that we were well prepared for college and beyond. Independence has always been a big part of my life, and I think personal responsibility and time management are skills fostered at boarding schools.”
Students often warmly remember the faculty members who leave lasting impressions on their adolescent lives. For Dan it was his math teacher, tennis coach, and Dean of Students, the late Phil Currier. He recalled, “Phil was a great man and mentor. He was tough but fair and kept us on track. Now as a parent of teenagers I appreciate how difficult it is to manage kids at this stage in life. They are far from home and the Suffield faculty really does a great job in staying keen on what they are going through daily.” Paige recognized her faculty advisor Mary Mitchell ’10 for supporting her in all aspects of life at Suffield. “Ms. Mitchell is someone I trust and was always there for me,” said Paige. “She is very reliable and honest. She is brutally honest actually, but only when necessary and always with my best interests in mind.”
Paige is proud to be a legacy. “It is comforting to know both my dad and aunt also went to school here,” she noted. “It’s funny because I was looking at an aerial photo of campus in a 1988 yearbook the other day and couldn’t help but notice all the changes to campus since they were here as students…but the experience itself seems very much the same.” She added, “Suffield is a community of friendships where we all grow up together and share these unique moments in time. Whether it is in your clubs or sports or dorm, there are so many inclusive groups.”
Chris Hostetter ’21 matriculated to Suffield as a sophomore after attending Fessenden School, an independent boys’ boarding and day school for pre-Kindergarten through 9th grade. “After visiting several high schools I chose Suffield for two main reasons,” he said. “First, I simply fell in love with the campus as soon as I stepped foot on the grounds. Secondly, I appreciated the balance between athletics and academics. I believe Suffield does an exceptional job providing students an equal amount of push on the fields and in the classrooms. Of course, my father and aunt both went to Suffield so that was also a factor, but there was no real pressure for me to follow in their footsteps.”
While at Suffield Chris played football, lacrosse, and squash, and rowed crew. His time on the football team created one of his most memorable Suffield experiences. “I still remember showing up on the very first day of preseason and the kind welcome I received,” he said. “It was a very heartwarming day for me because I immediately felt like I was part of something special. In that moment I found a home with the team and at the school…I quickly learned a lot from my teammates and coaches, especially Coach Thomas Foote. He really helped me get into the rhythm of athletics. The training at Suffield was very intense and hands-on, and he helped me adapt to the routines and schedules. I was a tall, skinny sophomore and somewhat intimidated by the school’s programming at first, but there are so many faculty members like Mr. Foote who make the time to ensure we have the healthy balance I spoke about earlier.”
As a student Chris regularly made the honor roll and was a tour guide leader for the admissions office in his senior year. Like his sister, he is a proud legacy, saying, “Being a legacy at Suffield was a really fun experience. It is crazy to think that some of my dad’s teachers are the same faculty members who taught me. I think it is very telling about the school that so many faculty have dedicated their entire careers to being at Suffield. Being a legacy feels important because Paige and I carried on what our dad started. I hope that when we have children of our own we can provide them with the same opportunities that Suffield provided to us.” He added, “I am so grateful for so many things about Suffield but especially the friendships I made there. What sets Suffield apart is that it is a genuinely happy place. When you walk around campus you see smiling faces and I think that says a lot about the environment that the faculty and staff and students create together. In my opinion it is unparalleled.”
Dan concluded, “I am very proud to have had so many great years at Suffield and thrilled our kids continued on with it. Reuniting with the school after living abroad just seemed like a natural thing to do. I could not help but notice what Charlie and his team were doing with the school and wanted to be a part of its trajectory. Now as an alum and trustee I am so happy my children made the decision to follow in our family legacy.” Dan and Liz Hostetter’s youngest daughter Brooke joined Suffield’s Class of 2026 this fall. d
Kotchen
Andrew ’90 · Grace ’22
Andrew Kotchen followed in the footsteps of both his father [William Kotchen ’60] and brother [Matthew Kotchen ’89] by attending Suffield Academy. He knew he wanted to be part of the community that his father, who became a trustee in Andrew’s junior year and Board President in 1994, was instrumental in guiding to a period of growth and stability.
Andrew was so compelled by how his father spoke of Suffield that when it came time to choose where to begin ninth grade there were no other schools on his list. Thirty-two years after he walked the stage at graduation he and his wife Emily watched their daughter, Grace Kotchen, earn her diploma in May. Thrilled by this he said, “Having gone to the school over thirty years ago and seeing our daughter thrive in the same environment brought me incredible pleasure. Everyone that goes to and works at the school seems to have a special spark that creates an engaged community—one that wants everyone to find their own successful path forward.” Andrew found great value in the relationships he had with other students and faculty on campus and recalls enjoying time spent sitting and having conversations outside of Brewster, an area that captured the energy and pace of the school. His time at Suffield also significantly influenced his personal growth. It was at Suffield where Andrew discovered his creative side, which had a direct impact on his career trajectory—today he leads an architectural and design firm, Workshop/APD, based in New York City, Greenwich, and Palm Beach. He recalled, “For the few that made the arts their focus at the school at that time, the passion, dedication, and creative energy that faculty members Bill Butcher and Mario Vicenti brought to the program was special.” In fact, after Suffield Andrew received his B.A. from Lehigh University and master’s from the University of Michigan, both in architecture. All of these positive experiences led to Andrew’s proud commitment to the school; he received the Alumni Leadership Award in 2009 and is now a trustee, like his dad was for many years.
Grace enrolled at Suffield as a freshman, and second-generation legacy, after visiting campus at the encouragement of her father. She recalled an immediate sense of belonging, saying, “I stepped on campus and felt like it was where I needed to be.” She loves that the Suffield community wordlessly encourages you to greet every person you see—no one is left out, including faculty, staff, and students, and a simple greeting can always put a smile on someone’s face. In her four years here the community helped her become a more confident version of herself in everything from social aspects to sports to academics. Though the transition to high school came with a few challenges, Grace quickly realized that Suffield was a place she could grow and try new things. She became a proctor and a mentor and feels she became a stronger writer and student in general thanks to the support of her teachers including Justin Pepoli, Cam McMillan, and Molly Vianney. She was also grateful for her advisor Ann Selvitelli, who supported her through all her ups and downs.
As she begins her next steps at Wake Forest University, endeavoring to study psychology or marketing, Grace will miss the friends she made at Suffield and the support she received from day one. This will especially extend to her faculty role model Hillary Cahn, who “definitely pushed me and was one of the people that made sure I was always happy, supported, and tried my best in everything.”
She will miss her many close Suffield friends including those she made in her sophomore year in Rockwell Hall. They became very close and had an unforgettable year together. She will also miss the view from the fourth floor of Memorial Hall, where you can see the whole campus and reflect on your time at school. In sum, Grace noted that Suffield “is where I have become my best self in how much I grew during those years.”
Attending the same high school allowed Grace and Andrew to bond over their shared experiences, most significantly being on Suffield’s alpine ski team. Though neither Kotchen had raced competitively before Suffield, it turned out to be a pivotal choice— Grace really started to feel at home at Suffield after joining the team in her freshman year. It changed her whole school experience for the better and further cemented her appreciation of being a legacy. In their downtime, the Kotchens enjoy spending time with their family, traveling together to ski in Vermont or Park City over the winter, and summering on the beach in Nantucket.
The Kotchen family name carries a lasting legacy at Suffield, beginning with William “Bill” Kotchen ’60, Andrew’s father, who was appointed a trustee in 1989 and served as Board President from 1994 to 2002. Formally dedicated by Suffield’s Board of Trustees on February 13, 1999, The William J. Kotchen Quadrangle on Suffield’s campus recognizes Bill’s profound contributions, leadership, and service to Suffield Academy. Included in the school’s master plan to create a residential village located entirely on the northwestern portion of campus, the space is conjoined by a communal lawn and comprised of Rockwell Hall and Hornick, Roe, Tompkins, Adib-Samii, and Kotchen Dormitories.
While Bill’s vision was instrumental in developing the quad, Andrew—along with his brother Matt and sister Liz—did not feel the space fully commemorated what their father envisioned. Therefore, in recent years Andrew began designing a concept to create a more intentional gathering area for Kotchen Quad residents. The resulting seating area consists of four concrete block benches of various sizes and heights. “I wanted to capture a blend between the school’s traditional vernacular and some non-traditional, modern design themes,” explained Andrew when describing his sketches. “The brick is configured with various textures and patterns to emphasize daylight and shadows. The cracks and splits in concrete are sculptural elements representing the fragility of life as both students and faculty members navigate the common intellectual state of education and learning. The blocks call attention to the past and present and to all the generous minds who helped shape and lead Suffield to its many successes. Speaking on behalf of my brother and sister, we hope this additional feature rightfully honors the life and endless contributions our father made to the school we all love so dearly.”
The accompanying plaque reads: “In recognition of William J. Kotchen ’60—President of the Board of Trustees—For his vision, leadership, and tireless efforts in bringing this residential village to reality.”
Nuñez
Ron ’86 · Gabriella ’22
Ron Nuñez arrived at Suffield from Windsor, Connecticut at the beginning of his sophomore year, after the Catholic high school he had been attending closed. His brother Richard ’85 wanted to go to the same school as Ron, and switched to Suffield from Loomis Chaffee the same year.
Ron settled right in, delighting in his physics class with faculty member Bob Powell, a brilliant teacher who made everyone feel welcome and essential in his class. He also connected with his faculty advisor Bill Desalvo, who taught him to “keep it light” while making sure his students knew the depth to which he cared about their success. Proud of his school, Ron ultimately became a tour guide leader, highlighting Suffield’s determination to nurture wellrounded students by sharing, “Suffield is a place that believes in balancing academics and sports, and each student is assigned to a work detail.” As a parent Ron is incredibly impressed with the leaps and bounds forward that the campus has taken in the past 35 years. He says, “The Board of Trustees’ vision to invest in the campus over the years has been remarkable; the reconstruction of Memorial Hall was awe-inspiring, from the demolition to the final coat of paint. I encourage everyone who has not been to campus lately to witness for themselves the amazing changes that have occurred since your last visit.”
Gabriella “Gibby” Nuñez chose to become a Suffield legacy because there were a “variety of sports, a nice warm community, and teachers that genuinely want to help you.” She loves that she and her dad now share a special second place to call home. During her time at Suffield she was proud to have made the honor roll all four years—even high honors in her junior year—and will always remember her boat on the crew team having an undefeated season when she was a junior. As she moves on to college Gibby will miss the warmth of the Suffield community, her faculty advisor Rachel Lloyd, who was always there to cheer her up and help her through any challenges, and all the friends she made at school. She noted, “My dad has always talked about how he found his best friend at Suffield, just like how I found some of my best friends [here].” Gibby hopes to study political science or international affairs at Catholic University.
Their collective Suffield experiences had the perk of bringing Gibby and her father closer together—they now even have the same class ring. But that’s not the only thing the two have in common. Ron, now the president and COO of Industrial Supply Plus, Inc., and Gibby were both very fond of Brewster Hall: it was the dining hall [and fish tacos!] that stood out for Gibby, and the student union—the center of the action at school and location of the distinctive senior lounge—that stood out most strongly for Ron. They are both forever grateful for their Suffield friendships—two of Ron’s friends, Luis Pimentel ’86 and Bill Kogan ’85, even do business with his father now. For both father and daughter, sports were also a joint passion. Gibby joined the basketball team in her freshman year, never having played before, and loved it so much that she stayed on the team all four years. Ron loved his time on the football team, a place he found himself after realizing that the soccer team would require five mile runs in practice! The Nuñez family now lives in Suffield [as per a suggestion by longtime faculty member Andy Lowe], and they most like having family dinners and traveling together.
Sollinger
Mark ’76 · Samantha ’22
Mark Sollinger grew up in Bedford, New York and decided to become a Tiger after his visit to campus made him feel the great vibe and strong sense of school spirit in the students and faculty. After enrolling he loved everything from the dining hall— where sit-down lunch and assistant waiters were the keys to a successful meal [“You always wanted to have a fast assistant waiter,” he recalled]—to activities like sledding down Bell Hill to the sense of accomplishment and pride he felt when ringing the bell after every athletics win.
Sports were a big priority for Mark during his time at Suffield, and he clicked with hockey coach Bill Stone right away. From making hockey captain to attaining four varsity letters in one year to the memories he has from his senior year running track, he wishes he could bottle the way he felt in those moments.
Outside of his sports memories, one of the greatest things he learned at school was how to speak his mind…and when to close his mouth. This came from both social experiences and from teachers like Barry Cleary, David “Rocky” Rockwell, and Brad Gooch who each left a lasting impact on him. These faculty members were instrumental in guiding him to ultimately continue his education at Ohio Wesleyan as an economics and English major. Mark notes that Suffield has changed in many ways since he attended, but if he could pass along any advice to today’s students it would be to show their pride in Suffield whenever possible. Sometimes you don’t realize how pivotal your experiences are in the moment, and Mark acknowledged, “I think most [students] will get it after they graduate and move on to other things.”
Mark is now self-employed in the watersports business in the Caribbean, where his daughter Samantha was born and raised. When she became old enough to attend Suffield there was nowhere else she applied, as she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps. There were several parallels between Samantha’s time at Suffield and Mark’s. Suffield allowed her to experience what it’s like being part of a team, both in terms of feeling a sense of community and in terms of sports. She reiterated, “There is nothing more rewarding than being able to ring the bell after a game. I think it’s really important to try and carry on traditions on campus,” echoing her father’s passion for tradition. Like Mark, Samantha was on the varsity track team, and she also played varsity volleyball. But one of her favorite parts of school was participating in strength and conditioning, working out with coach Chris Setian and the strength team.
Samantha is proud to be a legacy at Suffield Academy—she believes it says a lot about a school when people come and love it so much that they want their children to have the same experiences. And the people she met at Suffield helped make her time here special, from staff member Kathy Nai who “showed me my self-worth and was always the sunshine on a dark day” to members of the dining staff [she will especially miss Jill Hill’s chocolate chip cookies] to the grounds and maintenance staff with whom she had many meaningful conversations. Being at Suffield gave her the opportunity to meet people with different views and backgrounds and supported getting her to the next step in her educational journey. Samantha is attending High Point University to study nursing this fall.
Suller
Karen Knapps ’88 · Kaitlyn ’22 · Hailey ’22
Kaitlyn Suller and her twin sister Hailey graduated as Suffield legacies this year. They followed their mother Karen Knapps Suller, uncle Paul Grimmeisen ’59, aunt Sarah Knapps Saven ’96, uncle Chris Saven ’94, and brother R.J. to Suffield.
When the family gets together they enjoy comparing their experiences of having some of the same teachers, walking down the same hallways, and eating in the same dining hall at sit-down lunch. But they also share the things that made Suffield unique for each of them.
Karen, who today works in technology sales at The Hartford, gained crucial foundational study skills that helped her through college, made friendships that have lasted to this day, and had the support of faculty members like Phil Currier, who believed in her throughout her time at Suffield. She’s especially nostalgic for the pep rallies, the bonfires, and the ringing of the bell on Bell Hill after sports victories—school spirit was a huge part of her campus experience. As a parent she appreciates how “the capital changes to the campus have been impressive but it has been able to keep the same look and feel from when I attended Suffield.” She’s also impressed with the classes and resources available to current students. For Kaitlyn, Suffield stood out because of its academically and athletically challenging reputation, and because she too could tell that the school offered students many opportunities. She said, “Suffield has countless different clubs and levels of classes varying from cooking and baking to Girls for Stem and from conceptual to AP classes, and this part of Suffield stood out to me.” Kaitlyn will take so many memories with her from Suffield, from big things like the girls’ soccer team winning the New England championship for the first time in thirty-five years to small moments like sitting under the bell watching a Suff-set with her friends, going to CVS to get snacks for a long bus ride, or working in the ceramics studio.
Hailey’s connection to Suffield began in her childhood, from both sledding down Bell Hill and watching her brother play soccer. Being a legacy allowed her to continue the journey of many of her family members, but in her own way. She said, “We all got to share our own experiences and stories from a place that helped us grow and develop into the people we are today.” Her growth has included trying new sports like field hockey and lacrosse, and taking classes she might not normally have chosen like photography and forensics. She grew to love photography so much that the darkroom is one of her favorite places on campus.
Karen, Kaitlyn, and Hailey all feel a strong connection to the Suffield community. Hailey and Kaitlyn both valued their excellent relationships with faculty. “Every teacher I ever had at Suffield wanted me to succeed. They were willing to put both the time and effort into helping me…while making learning a fun experience,” Hailey said. Faculty member Melina Lopez-Touceda was a particularly bright light for her, as both a teacher and a coach. Kaitlyn acknowledged there won’t be another school where teachers are as willing to come in and help you at any time of day and do it with a smile on their face. She said Dave Godin did this for her—he was always there for extra help and “is the sweetest, most caring teacher, and he has made the most significant impact on my life.” Karen enjoys the fact that her peers are now sending their kids to Suffield as well. In fact, two of her daughters’ close friends have parents Karen knew while at school. As they begin their next adventures, Hailey plans on becoming a nursing major at Duquesne, Kaitlyn is attending Springfield College to study exercise science and play soccer, and Karen is looking forward to a move to Florida.
