Daniel Tisch ’69, P’02 [Trustee Emeritus] | New York, New York
Michael Tisch ’02 | Bridgehampton, New York
John Tremaine ’66, P’94, ’03 [Trustee Emeritus] | Vero Beach, Florida
Suzy Vogler P’11 | Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Jeffrey White ’65 | Westport, Connecticut
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff ’89, P’23, ’25 | New York, New York
MISSION
Suffield Academy is a coeducational independent secondary school serving a diverse community of day and boarding students. Our school has a tradition of academic excellence combined with a strong work ethic. A commitment to scholarship and a respect for individual differences guide our teaching and curriculum. We engender among our students a sense of responsibility, and they are challenged to grow in a structured and nurturing environment. The entire academic, athletic, and extracurricular experience prepares our students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and active citizenship.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Suffield Academy does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, physical attributes, disability, age, or sexual orientation. We administer our admissions, financial aid, educational, athletic, extracurricular, and other policies so that each student is equally accorded all the rights, privileges, programs, and facilities made available by the school.
Tobye Cook ’88, P’16
CREATIVE
Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, P’18, ’22
FEATURES WRITERS
Eliott Grover
Nancy Waters
COPY EDITORS
Danielle Barthel
Tobye Cook ’88, P’16
Amy Randall ’09
Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, P’18, ’22
CONTRIBUTORS
Elise Adib-Samii Riegel ’87, P’20, ’24
Shabana Basij-Rasikh
Shea Braceland ’24
Charles Cahn III P’18, ’22
Stephen Dellaquila ’56, P’84, ’88
Susan Dellaquila White ’84, P’13, ’24, ’25
Jeanine Fiedler Braceland ’89, P’24
Jaron Kline ’24
Steve Kline ’83, P’24
Jay O’Brien ’13
Katie O’Brien ’24
Griffin Santopietro ’24
Phil Riegel ’87, P’20, ’24
Ben White ’25
PHOTO CONTRIBUTERS
Tobye Cook ’88, P’16
Highpoint Pictures
John Marinelli Photography
Risley Sports Photography
The core of any family is what is changeless, what is going to be there—shared vision and values. -Stephen Covey
As we have seen repeatedly this year in the higher education landscape, leading a school at this moment in history is challenging. The after effects of the global health pandemic remain very much with our students, families, and larger society. They include the impact of social isolation and overreliance on technology. Highly charged political and social issues—including wars—have led to increased activism on college campuses and pressure on leaders to take stances and make statements about occurrences unfolding beyond their schools. Suffield, however, has intentionally remained laser focused on providing a formative, engaging, immersive school experience. We are certainly aware of tragic and complicated issues taking place around the world—and are educating our students about them—but our emphasis is on helping each student here prepare to succeed in college and make a positive impact on our world.
This, I believe, is a key part of why Suffield is thriving. We have a clear formula that guides decision-making. It is simple but takes care and resilience to execute: hire and support great educators, have meticulous facilities and grounds that symbolize our pride in the school, recruit students who respond to structure, challenge, and adult guidance, and make sure the food is good. Suffield is what I call intentionally inefficient. We have more than 180 faculty and staff members supporting only 415 students. The volume of individual attention our students receive from inspiring educators and our incredible world-class facilities rest at the heart of why this is a big but profoundly important investment for Suffield families.
Additionally, we agree on key fundamentals. Our guiding principles in all choices—including enrollment and hiring decisions, programs and policies, and capital allocation—shape our institutional strategy. Everything we do is tied to our central community values, what we refer to as Suffield’s Core Four. You will see these outlined in all the buildings in our academic quadrangle, but more importantly playing out around campus.
• Kindness • Respect
• Effort • Leadership
The core four are far from stand-alone words. We define them precisely in ways we want to shape our school community and educational program. To us, kindness is being proactive and
disciplined in encouraging others. The essence of respect is being inclusive and considerate of people from all backgrounds. Effort is based on diligence and hard work in all pursuits, and leadership is emphasized at Suffield as being people of integrity, honor, and character.
When we discuss momentous, challenging situations occurring in our larger world, we analyze how they reflect or run counter to our core four. These are the values we cherish; we recognize them with our highest school honors and hope our graduates take them into their lives well beyond their years here. As we curate a diverse enrollment of American and international students from myriad backgrounds, we celebrate this diversity in tandem with our shared commitment to kindness and respect.
As we know, adolescence is extremely complicated. Here it is a period when young people are taking on increasingly serious academic responsibilities just as they are undergoing the physical and psychological transition from childhood to adulthood. Add into this our complicated social and political climate, the residue of a pandemic, and the mixed blessings of social media—and, well, thankfully our students and all members of the extended Suffield family can be shaped in large measure by this embracing, caring community.
Notes from the Head of School - Charles Cahn III
The Cahn Scholars Fund
Suffield Academy has a crystal-clear sense of purpose. We are dedicated to helping each student succeed and focused on the distance they travel during their years here. Suffield combines challenging academics and high standards with an encouraging, supportive faculty and positive spirit. This atmosphere has helped the school reach new heights. Head of School Charlie Cahn
The Cahn Scholars Fund at Suffield Academy, established by several members of the Board of Trustees, recognizes Hillary and Charlie’s leadership and a commitment to building Suffield’s endowment for financial aid. Their shared vision—to grow the endowment to $100 million and help make Suffield experiences possible for more students whose families cannot afford full tuition costs—has unfolded in a private portion of the campaign that has yielded over $8 million of gifts supporting the Fund’s mission. We are celebrating the generosity of those who have contributed and want the extended Suffield Academy community to be aware of this important and momentous effort in this issue of SUFFIELD.
The Cahn family’s values are deeply woven into the heart of the school. The Fund is intended to help enroll students whose values align with those of the Cahns’—particularly kindness, leadership, effort, and respect. These permeate throughout Suffield’s campus and are best seen in the students. Cahn Scholar Anna Jolly ’26 shared, “Being chosen as a Cahn Scholar was an honor to me. It made me recognize what I add to the community and allowed me to reflect on how I approach every aspect of being a student, from academics to athletics to my social life. The Cahn Scholarship tells me that the school recognized my leadership potential and in return I strive to set a good example and represent Suffield’s core values.”
The Fund is designed for two purposes: increasing financial aid support for families who are unable to pay the full tuition, and celebrating the Cahns’ three decades of inspiring commitment to Suffield Academy. The goal is to increase Suffield’s total endowment to more than $100 million, and the endowment restricted for financial aid from $20 to $50 million dollars. The Cahn Scholars already stands as the largest endowed scholarship fund in the school’s history.
Creating the Cahn Scholars Fund was not only a way to honor the incredible work of Charlie and Hillary Cahn but also to invest in the future of Suffield Academy. I have seen firsthand the profound impact this school can have through my daughter Briell’s experience. Suffield provided her with an unparalleled social, emotional, athletic, and academic education. This fund ensures that deserving students can benefit from the same transformative experience, now and for generations to come.
Hope Smith P’12, Trustee
Supporting the Cahn Scholars Fund at Suffield Academy is not just about providing financial aid; it’s about opening doors for deserving students to thrive in an environment that nurtures their potential. The endowment ensures that future generations will have the opportunity to benefit from the exceptional education and community that Suffield offers. I’m continually inspired by the leadership of Charlie and Hillary Cahn, whose dedication and vision have profoundly impacted the school and its students. Their commitment to excellence and inclusivity is truly remarkable.
Suzy Vogler P’11, Trustee
The spring of 2024 marked a significant milestone as the first cohort of Cahn Scholars proudly graduated—embodying the values of perseverance, academic excellence, and immense community spirit. Darian Thomson ’24 noted “Being a Cahn Scholar instilled confidence in me to prosper academically at Suffield and in my next chapter at Bryant University as a student-athlete. It was an honor to receive the scholarship, and I will always keep in mind the Suffield motto ‘Esse Quam Videri.’”
Hillary and Charlie have made Suffield Academy “home” for thousands of students from around the country and the world. After being born and raised on campus, Hillary returned as a faculty member in 1996. Charlie joined the community as an English teacher and lacrosse coach and later led the admission office and served as dean of faculty before becoming head in 2004. Suffield is where Hillary and Charlie met, married, and raised their two children, Peyton ’18 and Harrison ’22. For three decades they have shaped and sustained a distinct culture led by unwavering core values. The legacy of Hillary and Charlie Cahn, enriched by this landmark initiative, continues to inspire and empower new generations of students, ensuring that Suffield Academy remains a beacon of opportunity and excellence.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAHN SCHOLARS FUND
Tennis Center
CAMPUS ENHANCEMENTS
Construction is underway on a new tennis center at Suffield Academy. The project will replace the existing ten courts with twelve new ones and introduce a 2,500-square-foot building designed for gatherings and activities. Four courts have already been completed, and the building is expected to be finished by February 2025.
The courts are being constructed by Classic Turf, a leader in sports facility engineering in the Northeast. They are using posttension concrete technology, renowned for its durability, combined with their patented all-weather sports surface to ensure high quality and resilience. The new design prioritizes an enhanced spectator experience. Instead of the previous 10-foot fencing surrounding all courts, the updated layout features 8-foot fencing on the north and south sides and 4-foot fencing on the east and west. The courts are grouped into pairs, with eight new courts set to replace the original ten after next season.
The facility will also include a central lounge with access to the courts, restrooms, storage for tennis equipment, and two 3-dimensional activity spaces featuring Trackman TMiO Golf Simulators. The building is designed by renowned architect Andrew Kotchen ’89, P’22, ’26 and his firm, Workshop/APD.
SENIOR PANEL
Each spring a selection of Suffield Academy seniors meet with the Board of Trustees to reflect on their experiences, college searches, and goals for the future. The 2024 group’s personal backgrounds showcased the rich diversity of Suffield’s student body, including boarding students from Fairfield, Connecticut; New Windsor, New York; the Ivory Coast; and Chengde, China, alongside day students from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Their discussions were engaging and touched on a wide range of topics—from beginning their Suffield journey during the COVID pandemic and adapting to the school’s structure and traditions, to the challenges many faced due to delays with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA], and their thoughts on the future of Suffield.
CLASS OF 2024 PANEL MEMBERS
CHOOSING SUFFIELD ACADEMY
NADJA I learned of Suffield through a program called Right to Dream Academy in Ghana. I moved from my home country to Ghana when I was nine or ten years old. I came to America during COVID. I love this school.
HENRY I came to Suffield from a ski academy called Stratton Mountain School. When I was approaching eighth grade I wanted to find a traditional prep school with a strong ski racing program. I found Suffield and really connected with everyone when I came to visit campus.
NORA I learned about Suffield from my older sister who toured many schools and chose Suffield. She is now at Wake Forest. I loved my visits and was excited to enroll.
CHRISTIAN I am a triplet and went to a small middle school. One member of our class was going to have the opportunity to come to a Suffield summer program. Our principal narrowed the choice down to me and my two brothers, so he put our names in a hat and picked mine.
JERRY I came to Suffield from a Canadian middle school along with one of my closest friends.
MAEVE My parents had never heard of independent schools, and when we came for my tour we thought it was a mini university. I was recruited for some sports and fell in love with Suffield and my tour guides and wanted to be just like them.
HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES
HENRY Coming to Suffield, the hardest thing for me was you can’t be one foot in and one foot out. It is a very demanding schedule—Saturday classes, sit-down lunches—there is not much free time, so you have to be all in. Coming here I still had a ton of friends from ski school, from home, and I wanted to have two lives. Very quickly I realized it was a much better experience at Suffield if you are one hundred percent in and you fully buy into the experience here. It can be a challenge, but it makes the culture at Suffield so much stronger because everyone is bought in.
CHRISTIAN One thing that surprised me was how much I would become an individual. Growing up as a triplet, I was always regarded as part of a group. It was always “the boys”,
NADJA MEITE Ivory Coast, Africa
NORA BOINO East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
HENRY HARDING Fairfield, Connecticut
JERRY CHEN Chengde, China
CHRISTIAN RECINOS Newburgh, New York
MAEVE CURTIN Suffield, Connecticut
but coming to Suffield allowed me to explore more of my individuality. So I got into the performing arts, I tried squash and swimming [for like five days], but it gave me room to let me try all these new things and helped make me the person I am today. My biggest challenge was the college process. Suffield provides incredible support and guidance through this process—my counselor is incredible—but it is made to be challenging and it is very personal.
NORA The best thing I have learned at Suffield is how to advocate for myself. There is a big network of people here to help me succeed. My biggest challenge has been learning how to prioritize my time and understand what is most important to me.
NADJA I have loved the diversity at Suffield. Back in Ghana everyone was black. When I came to Suffield, I saw black and white. There was this diversity, even in this small school. People are always here for you. My biggest challenge was how the college process unfolded. I got my offer in my junior year. I had to decide, “Do I take this offer now?” And when I took it, I still had to work very hard for another year and a half. I knew I was already in college, but I wasn’t in college already. I am good now.
MAEVE I also think the biggest challenge is how full your plate is as a student here. It is a very rigorous school for a reason. Mr. Cahn sets it up that way, so it is challenging, and you learn and grow. For me, the hardest part was figuring out how to move the pieces around. I spoke about this in my capstone Leadership Program project, my senior speech to the student body. I have learned here how to be a mature individual, and I feel completely prepared for college. I am feeling very grateful. I had this four-year period when I was pushed very hard, and my growth has multiplied significantly.
JERRY My biggest challenge was the COVID pandemic and taking online courses in the middle of the night throughout my freshman year. What I got most out of Suffield is knowing when I need help and how to ask for it.
COLLEGE SEARCHES
MAEVE I am going to University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. I am very excited. It was high on my list, and I actually learned a lot about it through social media. I noticed on my Instagram feed how beautiful it was. Originally, I thought I wanted to play basketball in college and looked at a lot of Division III schools. I really liked how Richmond had a leadership program and I could build on my experiences at Suffield. I have loved the program here and have been a Leadership TA for the past two years.
NADJA I will be going to Brown University. The soccer coach invited me to visit campus and I loved the team members and the school, but when the offer came, I had to sit down and reflect because I knew I would have other opportunities. But I realized, this one will not come twice. I decided to take it but did not talk about it much. When I told people I was going to Brown they all said it was incredible. I thought, “Wait, why is everyone telling me how incredible this is?” I came to see the weight of the achievement. Back in Ivory Coast a college choice is not such a huge deal like it is here, but everyone made me feel valued and successful. The atmosphere of care and help at Suffield will always be with me.
MOVING ON FROM SUFFIELD ACADEMY
NORA I am gong to University of Wisconsin in Madison in the fall. I had always intended to swim in college, and this was initially a large part of my search. I also made a list of aspects that were important to me in a college, and this helped shape my search. I applied to ten schools throughout the country—different sizes. The process was hard; it does not always feel equal. In the end, as I was told throughout, it all worked out. I am really proud and excited to be headed to Wisconsin.
CHRISTIAN I am still deciding where I will be heading. The process has been elongated by the FAFSA process which has been delayed this year. It can be hard when many of my classmates have their plans in place and some of us are still waiting, but I have several great opportunities I will be choosing from in the next few months.
HENRY I am heading to Miami of Ohio in the fall. While it was a somewhat simple process for me, it took a while to get there. My family has a long history with Villanova. My dad really wanted me to go. What was great about the process here was where they met you. All the adults here, especially my advisor Mrs. Cahn, helped me with the college process but also with everything I needed at Suffield. My counselor helped me realize I should look at a range of schools and I feel great about my choice. So do my parents.
JERRY I am going to UCLA to study business and economics. While I was not accepted at some of the schools I liked, in the end I had many options and narrowed it down to two: UCLA and Rice University. I chose the bigger setting.
NADJA Speaking from my heart, Suffield has been a gift for me, helping me become the woman I am today. Leaving Suffield will be hard, but we must all move on in life. Suffield has been part of my dream. Wherever I go I will aways proudly know I went to high school at Suffield Academy. It is part of me now and I think it was meant to be. Suffield has put me at a level I did not know I could reach. I thank God for everything Suffield has given me.
MAEVE I have definitely been doing a lot of reflecting. I would just say keep doing what you are doing, especially on the admissions front. Keep bringing in really cool people with such diverse backgrounds. While the faculty and curriculum have helped shape me, the students have been the most powerful force. I know I will never be in a class like this again, with 110 students who were perfectly selected to be students at Suffield Academy. We all want to help one another and be part of this nurturing environment. I would love to freeze time—it has been special and that is what I have been reflecting on over the past few weeks.
HENRY What I have been thinking about a lot recently is that when I got here, I really wondered why we had to have Saturday classes, sit-down lunches, and so much structure. But looking back I see the point of it all, and as I said before, why you have to be so bought in. I think it is important to keep these traditions. They help make Suffield and help you grow as a person and a leader.
NORA I was speaking recently with my college counselor about how some of the things I was looking for in a college were very different than some of the aspects I loved at Suffield. I ended up looking at some big schools because I came to realize we are designed to grow out of Suffield. I ended up shying away from some schools that seemed to replicate Suffield. It has been a great experience that has prepared me for something bigger. Don’t change the formula here—it really works in preparing us for the next steps.
CHRISTIAN I have been thinking about the balance Suffield has between being academically rigorous and allowing students to have a good social life. I was thinking about how last year some seniors told me how easy and fun senior spring is, but I realized that in choosing a rigorous schedule this year I have been wondering, “What happened to that senior spring?” I am still finding the balance with things like Fuller Fridays on the quad but also building a strong academic resume.
WISDOM FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
CHRISTIAN I hope they understand the opportunities they have here. I feel like we were cheated a bit out of freshman year with COVID, even though we were still on campus. While we didn’t get everything our community has to offer that year, everyone tried hard to make it positive. Try to make the most out of it at Suffield, and at least once in your years here join the musical. It is a great experience.
NADJA I would suggest they ask more questions and create relationships with as many people as possible. There are so many people here eager to help you succeed. One of the best things about Suffield is when you need help people are here to help you. And when it is time to leave this place, the people who helped you will forever be part of your life.
NORA I wish I had taken better advantage of the three-sport requirement. So many students specialize now. I was a competitive swimmer and wanted to swim at the collegiate level. It is hard to swim and take weeks off from the pool to do other sports. Looking back, I was so focused on trying to get a swim waiver or finding a way to meet the athletic requirement here but still have a lot of time in the pool or for my club team. I missed out on opportunities to try different things here. I am filling in as the lacrosse goalie this weekend because my friend has a family commitment. I have been at practice the past four days, and it has been the most fun I have had all year. I have had this feeling of regret about not immersing myself a bit more in these types of activities.
MAEVE I hope Suffield continues to prioritize supporting the mental health of students. It is a great part of this school. With social media and so much technology at the forefront of our lives, Suffield does a great job focusing on the well-being of students and that is always their number one. Just continue that in the coming years as the world gets so chaotic; people can always feel safe at Suffield and feel like they have a home of people that love them. ‘
Fall & Spring Parents’ Weekends
a family affair
Suffield hosted two exceptional Parents’ Weekends, filled with activities that gave parents a chance to experience student life firsthand through attending academic classes alongside their children and engaging with advisors and college counselors. These interactions allowed for meaningful discussions on academic progress, college preparation, and future aspirations. Parents also participated in seminar meetings that focused on student academic planning to specialized sessions on college athletic recruiting. The Performing Arts Showcase offered a glimpse of the students’ talent and hard work, while a State of the School address by Head of School Charlie Cahn provided an update on Suffield’s progress and vision for the future.
Grandparents’ Day
Welcoming over 230 grandparents to campus, the day featured engaging activities, with grandparents attending classes alongside their grandchildren, participating in dynamic history discussions, solving math problems, and joining acting exercises on stage. This heartwarming event celebrated family ties across generations and highlighted the strong connections within our community. It was a special day filled with family members coming together to share in the educational experience.
Parents’ Association Auction
A highlight of Spring Parents’ Weekend was the annual Parents’ Association Auction. The event was truly memorable, featuring 159 exciting items in both silent and live auctions. Before dinner, Head of School Charlie Cahn delivered an inspiring speech, reflecting on Suffield Academy’s rich history, its current achievements, and the promising future ahead. He also underscored the community’s unwavering dedication to shared core values, reinforcing the strong sense of unity that defines the Suffield experience. Live auction items included exciting getaways, golf outings, and the opportunity to be Head of School for a day, with proceeds supporting the development of Suffield’s new tennis center. A highlight of the evening was the raffle for a 2024 Ford Bronco, with over 800 tickets sold, and a lucky alum from the Class of 1961 was chosen as the winner. The evening was a celebration of the Suffield community and capped off a remarkable spring weekend on campus.
Students and faculty embraced the rich traditions of Lunar New Year 2024, participating in a vibrant week filled with cultural activities. This annual celebration, observed widely across many Asian countries, provided an opportunity for the Suffield community to honor the Year of the Dragon with respect and enthusiasm. The culmination of the week was a special dinner, bringing together the Asian American and Pacific Islander [AAPI] members of the Suffield community. This gathering was more than just a meal—it was a moment of connection and tradition.
A Ribbon of Hope
As part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Suffield Academy continued its cherished tradition of painting the historical pink ribbon on Bell Hill. This powerful symbol of hope and solidarity serves as a reminder that no one battles breast cancer alone. In addition to the pink ribbon, the community’s efforts extended to a successful on-campus fundraiser. Custom-designed T-shirts, created by students, were sold to raise awareness and generate funds. Every dollar from these sales was donated to the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Foundation through Hartford Hospital. These contributions aid in the ongoing fight against breast cancer, funding critical research and supporting patients in need. The school’s commitment to this cause demonstrates the power of unity and compassion in making a difference, proving that together, we can bring hope and strength to those who need it most.
YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Lunar New Year
Leadership Day
The school held an entire day dedicated to outdoor adventures that align with the Leadership Program curriculum. Students at all grade levels participated in events emphasizing leadership qualities and capabilities. Suffield Academy is proud of its unique four-year Leadership Program focused on helping develop people of integrity who want to make a significant and positive impact on society.
MORE THAN ª STEREOTYPE
In January, the Suffield community came together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event, organized by Cultural Diversity Director Liz Warren with the Students of Color United Group, was a rich tapestry of voices and experiences. Students recited poems that echoed Dr. King’s message of hope and resilience. They also courageously shared their own stories, shedding light on the personal challenges they face in their daily lives as individuals of color. Through these heartfelt presentations, they not only paid tribute to Dr. King’s legacy but also highlighted the importance of recognizing and challenging stereotypes that persist in society.
WE ARE OUR ANCES T ORS’ WI L DEST DREAM S
We are more than our stereotypes. We will break free of societal stereotypes and boxes. We will be partners over allies and we will hold our identities with pride.
MAKE T HE CHANGE S AND WE WI LL A LL UNI T E A S ONE
Being an ally is someone who supports people for who they are or supports a movement. Becoming a partner means that while you may stand in the dark at times you are ultimately ready to stand in the light with us when truly needed.
WE CANNO T LIVE PEACEFU LL Y IF WE POSSESS HA T E IN OUR HEAR T S
He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. I have decided to stick with love, hate is too great a burden to bear. I am choosing to forgive and the power of love.
MY SKIN IS NOT M Y WEAKNESS—I T IS MY GREA T EST S T RENG T H
I have finally broken free of the stereotype chains that have tied me down my whole life. I’ve taken control of my own narrative and choose to love me for me. If you do not see my skin, then you do not see me. My skin is a representation of the leaders who risked their lives so that I could be here today.
Solar Eclipse: A Celestial Experience
The community came together to witness a remarkable celestial event—the 2024 solar eclipse. Reaching 92.96% totality in Suffield, Connecticut, the eclipse was a mesmerizing sight that captivated students and faculty. Wearing protective eclipse glasses, they gathered on the academic quad to safely experience the rare phenomenon throughout the afternoon.
In anticipation of the eclipse, the science department had the privilege of hosting Dr. Alessandra Pacini from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]. Dr. Pacini, a Heliophysics Data Steward renowned for her efforts in disseminating quality scientific information to underrepresented groups, held an enlightening session with a group of students. Her discussion delved into the extensive history and fascinating scientific facts surrounding solar eclipses, including the importance of safety when observing such events.
Dr. Pacini’s visit was particularly significant given her dedication to motivating girls in STEM and promoting gender equality in space physics. Her interaction with the students not only deepened their understanding of solar eclipses but also inspired them to explore the vast possibilities within the realm of space science.
Physics Olympics
Eight Suffield students traveled to New Haven, Connecticut to participate in the 2024 Yale Physics Olympics. Two teams of Suffield students competed and earned impressive results. The competition required several types of physics skills which allowed team members to shine in diverse ways. Team results:
Schrodinger’s Tigers Abby Quinby ’25, Yaroslav Spytskyi ’24, Christophe Gourdeau Coossa ’25, and Andy Zhang ’26 [4th for engineering challenge, 3rd in thermodynamics, and 4th overall] Snap Crackle Pop Milly Janevathanavitya ’25, Joe Giugliano ’24, Naoya Kobayashi ’25, and Vincent Prescott ’25 [5th overall]
Uncovering the Legend of Old Ti Project-Based
Learning in American Studies
For the 2023-2024 academic year, the American Studies class taught by Bill Sullivan, embarked on an exploration of local history, uncovering the mystery and lore surrounding Old Ti [1787-1837]. Born into enslavement at Gay Manse from 1787 to 1812, Old Ti later worked as a sexton in the Old Center Cemetery, and his life left a mark on the community that has fascinated historians for generations. To better understand his story, students combined historical research with a unique opportunity to work directly in historic cemetery preservation. The exploration of Old Ti’s life connected students not only to their community’s past, but also to the broader theme of remembering and preserving history through hands-on action.
Collaborating with Local Experts
A key aspect of the project was the collaboration with Sarah Donahue, a local expert and coordinator of a cemetery preservation group within the Sibbil Dwight Kent Chapter of the DAR. Sarah and her team of DAR members shared invaluable insights into the care and maintenance of historic gravestones, guiding students through the delicate process of preserving these important markers of local heritage.
Community Engagement & Education
The project culminated in a public program where students showcased their research on Old Ti and the significance of historic cemeteries. This event was a capstone to their work and provided an opportunity for the community to engage with the students’ findings. Following the spring program, students and National Society Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR] members conducted a community workshop, demonstrating proper gravestone cleaning techniques to local residents. This educational effort helped further the preservation of the Old Center Cemetery, ensuring that the history embedded in these stones remains visible for future generations.
Hands-On Learning: Gravestone Preservation
One of the highlights of the project was the students’ introduction to using D2, a specialized cleanser designed for cleaning historic gravestones. Students not only learned about the history behind gravestone symbolism, but also got hands-on experience cleaning gravestones in the Old Center Cemetery.
Building Community: NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference
During the winter term, a group of students and faculty from Suffield Academy attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference [SDLC] in St. Louis, Missouri. The SDLC is a vibrant, multiracial, and multicultural gathering that brings together student leaders from independent high schools across the nation. This conference is dedicated to fostering self-reflection, forming allies, and building a strong sense of community.
Led by a diverse team of trained adult and peer facilitators, participants engaged in activities designed to enhance cross-cultural communication skills, develop effective social justice strategies, and explore the arts as a medium for dialogue. The conference emphasized the importance of allyship and networking, providing students with the foundational principles needed to support these endeavors. Reflecting on the experience, Alijah Sanford ’25 shared, “I learned a lot throughout the experience, but the main thing that I learned was that everyone is different. There will only ever be one you—make it count, be yourself.”
No one is better than anyone — never let people make you feel unempowered or inferior.
Model United Nations
The Suffield Academy Model United Nations [SAMUN] delegation recently participated in the UConn Model United Nations Conference at the University of Connecticut. Our students represented a diverse array of nations, including the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Russia, Ghana, Norway, Egypt, Laos, Australia, Haiti, Philippines, Liberia, South Africa, Syria, India, and Ireland. Throughout the conference, students engaged in intense discussions on critical global issues such as the Ukraine/Russia war, political prisoners, conflict minerals, the plight of migrant and displaced children, the restriction of women’s rights in Afghanistan, and cyber warfare. We are proud to announce that Yaroslav Spytskyi ’24 was awarded Best Delegate for his outstanding representation of Russia in the United Nations Security Council, where he skillfully navigated the complexities of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
SERVICE PROJECTS
Sophomore Leadership Program
In Suffield’s sophomore Leadership Program, learning extends beyond personal mastery and foundational leadership skills to thinking about how to effectively serve others. After exploring topics related to identity, leadership styles, responsibility, and emotional intelligence, each class section works to define “service” and “need.”
In the spring term they plan and execute service projects. During the final week of the academic year students present highlights of their projects to classmates and Leadership Program instructors.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
RECYCLING INITIATIVE
Collected recyclables from dorms & learned the importance of recycling on campus
RESCUE MISSION
Held a clothing drive & made sandwiches for residents at a homeless shelter
YOUTH CENTER
Team building & leadership activities with middle school students
LEADERSHIP EDUCATION
Organized a mini Tiger Games at two middle schools
TOWN CLEAN-UP
Collected 200 lbs. of litter from three town parks
SUFFIELD PMC KIDS RIDE
Raised $1,500 in support of the Jimmy Fund & Dana Farber Cancer Institute
COMMUNITY AID
Organized a bake sale earning $1,600 for families in need
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VISITS
Experienced what it means to be a teacher
SUFFIELD BY THE RIVER
Organized activities with residents at an assisted living home
As part of Suffield Academy’s Leadership Program, each sophomore class selects a service project to pursue during the spring term. Liz Warren’s class chose to visit Suffield by the River, an assisted living facility in town, to spend time with residents each week. During their visits, they had the privilege of meeting Fran Hierl Morway, a Suffield Academy alumna from the Class of 1940, making her the oldest living alumna. At 102 years old, Fran quickly became a cherished friend to the students, who eagerly learned from her wisdom and life experiences during each visit.
The Leadership Class invited Fran to return to campus for a day, and she graciously accepted. Before her visit, Liz Warren, Adam Pistel ’08, and Leadership Teaching Assistants Henry Harding ’24 and Shea Bracelend ’24 visited Suffield by the River to interview Fran. Reflecting on her time at Suffield, Fran shared that she loved algebra and chemistry, though French class was less enjoyable. She also recalled walking two miles to campus each day, and she still maintains walking a mile daily and participating in an exercise class to stay fit at 102.
In the spring, Fran enthusiastically returned to Bell Hill for a day on campus, 84 years later. She visited the S. Kent Legare Library, where her class photos had once been taken, and explored the Holcomb Science Center, where she witnessed a dissection in the lab. She also attended a computer science class with Mr. Healy, learning about advancements in technology since her time. Fran even returned to the French classroom, ready to brush up on her language skills. Before sitting down to lunch, Fran enjoyed a performance by Suffield musicians in the Jeanice Seaverns Performing Arts Center. After a delicious dessert—her favorite part of the meal—the Head Waiters handed her the microphone. Her advice to students and faculty? “Have fun, study hard, and don’t forget your exercise—take the stairs instead of the elevator in Memorial!”
SUFFIELD ACADEMY’S OLDEST LIVING ALUMNA
SUFFIELD ACADEMY HAS COMPOSTED
307,590
POUNDS OF WASTE
MITIGATING CO ₂ EMISSIONS EQUIVALENT TO
64,484 Pounds Of Carbon Dioxide
3,305 Gallons Of Gasoline Burned
40,294 kWh Energy Created
483 Seedlings Planted
3.6m Smartphones Charged
72,598 Miles Driven By An Average Car
@SuffieldAcademy @SuffieldAcademyAthletics
#GoTigers #SuffieldForLife
#SuffieldAcademy #1833 #EsseQuamVideri
SUFFIELDACADEMY.ORG
A Dynamic & Warmly Demanding Occasionally Daunting Definitely Dedicated Duo
By Nancy Waters
If you wanted informative—and even inspiring—insight into the lives and minds of high school teachers in these times of educational angst and upheaval, you could do a lot worse than to spend 45 minutes chatting with Suffield teachers and married couple Amy and Chris Pentz. Or to put it another way, you probably couldn’t do much better than to hear from Chris and Amy how they teach and why they find their work so rewarding. And if you did choose to say it more than one way, the Pentzes would likely approve—communicating information in multiple different ways is a key ingredient of their pedagogical special sauce.
Teaching is like parenting... You’re not going to get thanked for what you are doing at the moment. It’s when they graduate, when they come back after a year of college, after graduating college, and they say, ‘Wow. You were right. I’m glad you really pushed me,’ or ‘Man, you were telling us the truth about what it was going to be like when we left here.’
The couple arrived at Suffield Academy 24 years ago after five years at the Dublin School in New Hampshire, where Amy chaired the English Department and Chris was athletic director. Prior to Dublin, they had worked at St. Mark’s School in Massachusetts and at the Wolfeboro Camp School in New Hampshire. They have lived on campus for their entire time at Suffield and served as dorm heads for seven of those years.
Boarding school life was very familiar to Chris—his father was a teacher at The Hill School in Pennsylvania for 35 years. At Suffield, he was hired initially to teach history and coach varsity squash. Over time, he also became the Advanced Placement Economics teacher and the varsity baseball pitching coach. Amy, who had some experiences running dorms at the college level, was initially hired as the Director of Residential Life at Suffield, but soon joined the English department in 2002. She has also worked as an academic coordinator, class advisor, and member of the discipline committee. “I’m the lucky add-on to the Chris hire,” she joked.
Some “add-on.” Among the many testimonials she has received from former students over the years are these:
“Amy Pentz has an extraordinary ability to make literature come alive in the classroom. Her sense of humor and dynamic teaching style made analyzing texts not only accessible but genuinely
enjoyable. She was able to take this single page of The Great Gatsby and unravel all the hidden meaning and nuance in ways I never would have on my own. Everything she taught me continues to inform my life, whether I am reading, teaching, or interpreting the complex world around me.” And Chris is no slouch in the current and former student appreciation department either:
“I rely daily on the art of reasoning Mr. Pentz so skillfully teaches. Students leave his classroom with the capability to ask incisive questions and consider complex situations from different angles. He has such an incredible ability to draw you into the lesson and to visualize a concept in multiple ways to make sure you get it. By the time the school year ended, I decided to add economics as a major I would pursue in college. Through his captivating teaching style, he brought historical events to life, weaving intricate stories that made each lesson feel like an immersive journey through time.” Amy did not hesitate when asked what she loves most about teaching. “The students,” she replied. “I really do love teenagers. High school students, especially private school students who have something invested in being there—they are mature enough to have really interesting conversations, but they’re not old enough to be jaded. So, it’s a wonderful time that you get to teach them and show them cool things.” And teaching at an independent school has the added appeal of—wait for it—independence. “I have some control over my curriculum,” she explained, “and can make changes as I see what fits and doesn’t fit.”
Like his wife, Chris also enjoys engaging with adolescents, especially one-on-one and in small groups. Squash is a one-onone sport and as varsity pitching coach, he works with individual baseball players. And the small classes of a boarding school are attractive. “I like to joke around with my students that the ideal class size is me and the disciples,” he said. “That’s basically what I want. If it’s twelve students or fewer, that works really well.”
But what most drew Chris to the classroom was the promise of intellectual stimulation. He had previously coached at the college level—he was the varsity squash coach at Hobart College in upstate New York and turned down a job coaching at Dartmouth to teach at Dublin, because he didn’t find coaching alone stimulating enough. “I like the intellectual challenge in two ways,” he explained. First, there’s “teaching challenging subject matters like AP Economics and US History. I like showing students how to think, not what to think, but how to think. What is easy. It’s the how and the why that are hard.”
For Chris, that how manifests differently for student and teacher. The student strives to understand the hows and whys of history and economics: Why did a particular historical event or movement happen? How does a specific economic principal work? Meanwhile, the instructor struggles to figure out, he said, “How do I get you to understand this? How do I make this attainable for you? And why aren’t you getting this? What am I doing wrong?”
“Amy and I and other faculty members talk a lot about building a student’s toolbox, giving them the tools to solve problems, but we as teachers over time develop toolboxes as well,” he said. So,
if Chris began teaching and coaching with two or three ways to explain a complex idea, now his toolbox contains six or seven ways to explain that same concept. “My first choice makes sense to me,” he continued, but the idea may not become clear to the student until he gets to the sixth or seventh option. “Now, all of a sudden, it makes sense for the student. I don’t understand why that made sense and the other six didn’t, but I found the thing that clicks for you. That’s all that matters: Did it click?”
Teenagers by nature, he added, can be cynical. “What I want to foster in them is a healthy skepticism, not cynicism, but skepticism.” And teachers, by their nature, focus their students on problem solving, but Chris argues that before you can successfully solve a problem, you must identify it.
“Before you can solve a problem or an incongruency, you have to recognize that one exists. If you don’t realize that there’s an incongruency in the history that you are reading or there’s an incongruency in the economics article that you’ve read or in the news show that you are watching,” he said, “then you don’t ask any questions, you don’t know that there’s a challenge or a problem that needs to be addressed.”
His wife agrees. “Chris and I have a lot in common in terms of our focus on critical thinking,” she said. “I’m really passionate about seeing a kid’s thinking on the page when I’m teaching them to write.”
She tells her students, “I don’t care that you remember The Scarlet Letter. Sure, it’s nice for cultural capital, but I really want you to understand the pattern recognition that you’re seeing in the
We don’t talk down to students... And so, I think they understand our authenticity. For teenagers, you have to tell them why it’s important for them to do what they’re doing. I do think that you get a long way with that. I hope our students have always understood that we are on their sides, that we want what they want, we want to help them achieve their success.
books and the small-to-whole parts thinking and whole-to-small parts that goes with analyzing a text.” Her students, she added, are not all going to be English majors, “but what they are all going to do is have to use their brains. I get really energized by helping kids understand how to get their brains working.”
In their years as dorm heads, the Pentzes got to know students outside the classroom. Some of their favorite alumni are students that they didn’t teach but lived with. “We got to know them in a different way,” Amy said. “It was important to me in the dorm to provide a soft landing. These kids are away from home, and this is not easy. I wanted the dorm to be a place they would have good memories.” One way of building good memories, of course, is with food. Every two weeks, they hosted hot chocolate and apple pie nights.
“Teenaged boys,” joked Chris. “If you keep them well fed, they will work with you. If they know they are going to lose treats by working against you, they will work to find common ground.”
Living in the dorms was also a positive experience for their sons Gregory ’15 and Jackson ’19. It was as though they had, Chris said, “twelve to thirty big brothers.”
The 2024–2025 academic year will be the Pentzes’ 25th year at Suffield Academy. “We said when we were looking at schools after Dublin,” Chris said, “that we wanted to go someplace that we couldn’t see a reason to leave—we weren’t looking for a steppingstone to something else. We had two little kids. We were looking for something that was going to meet our needs in the long term. And Suffield has done that nicely for us.”
Amy and Chris are aware that they have developed reputations as “demanding teachers,” Chris said. Amy uses the phrase “warm demanders” to describe their approach. “We are intentionally challenging,” she explained. And Chris, she said with a grin, is even seen as “a little daunting sometimes.”
“We don’t talk down to students,” she said. “And so, I think they understand our authenticity. For teenagers, you have to tell them why it’s important for them to do what they’re doing. I do think that you get a long way with that. I hope our students have always understood that we are on their sides, that we want what they want, we want to help them achieve their success.”
If alumni have written to “say one or two nice things about us,” said Chris, “that’s the reward.”
“Teaching is like parenting,” he continued. “You’re not going to get thanked for what you are doing at the moment. It’s when they graduate, when they come back after a year of college, after graduating college, and they say, ‘Wow. You were right. I’m glad you really pushed me,’ or ‘Man, you were telling us the truth about what it was going to be like when we left here.’”
“They may not get it now, but at some point, it’s going to click. We may not be there to see it,” he said. “But that’s okay.”
José González
Poet & Fulbright Scholar
To celebrate National Poetry Month, José González spoke to the Suffield Academy community. Dr. González is an award-winning Latino speaker and poet. He holds a Master’s in English from Brown University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rhode Island. He is an alumnus of Sandra Cisneros’ Macondo Writers Workshop and currently a professor of English at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London.
Dr. González was born in San Salvador, El Salvador and immigrated to New London, Connecticut at the age of eight. During his talk he incorporated several of his own poems which represented various milestones throughout his life. He knew no English when he arrived in Connecticut and now holds a Ph.D. in English. He became a Fulbright Scholar and has received national and regional awards for his teaching, for his efforts to improve the conditions of Latinos pursuing a college degree or a career in higher education, and for his poetry. One of the major Salvadoran American poets in the U.S., he is the author of two poetry collections, Toys Made of Rock [Bilingual Press], and When Love Was Reels [Arte Publico], and is the founder and editor of LatinoStories.
Dr. González was introduced to our community by his long-time friend, Suffield faculty member Joyce Bolaños. Mrs. Bolaños shared. “I heard my own voice through Dr. González’s poetry. After his talk our students took a moment to reflect and perhaps even were inspired to discover themselves through words.”
Suffield students are passionate about making a positive impact on the world. Our students annually select a charity to support with a series of campus-wide fundraisers. Students nominate several organizations, and a school-wide vote determines the recipient. The fundraising activities provide annual highlights for the community and allow Suffield students a platform to give back as leaders.
Presented to the student population by Campbell Hudkins ’25 and Sydney Drinan ’25, the 2023-2024 charity chosen by the Suffield Academy community was Interval House, a comprehensive intervention and support agency that serves 6,500 clients per year. They provide a compassionate and confidential 24-hour domestic violence hotline, safety planning, crisis counseling, emergency safe housing, support groups, criminal and civil court advocacy, information and referrals, children’s programming, and community education and outreach—all at no cost. Through the fall’s Color Wars event, the winter Telethon [Suffield’s livestreamed talent show], and other activities throughout the year, donations totaled nearly $20,000 for Interval House.
Interval House does a great job of educating young people on the signs of intimate partner violence and providing necessary services to those in our local community. Color Wars exceeded all our exceptions this year. Not only did we set a new fundraising record, but the turnout was phenomenal—all the Tigers came out to support Interval House. We are incredibly grateful for the chance to support an exceptional organization.
[Campbell Hudkins ’25& Sydney Drinan ’25]
The community charity project is a great experience for Suffield students. The process helps teach valuable lessons about important nonprofits, philanthropy and service, and galvanizing others to help make a positive difference. The experience aligns nicely with key parts of Suffield’s mission, which highlights preparing students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and active citizenship. [Charlie Cahn, Head of School]
unity the power of
by eliott grover
The application arrived in late 2021. It was one of the most impressive files the admission office had received in years. The applicant, Yaroslav Spytskyi ’24, was a high-achieving student from a high-achieving school in Ukraine. Suffield would be lucky to have him.
But after Russia invaded his country in February 2022, Suffield lost contact with Yaroslav.
“We didn’t know where he was or what was happening when the war broke out,” says Phil Riegel ’87, Director of Development. Without any updates, Suffield could not move forward with Yaroslav’s application. Shortly after decisions were sent out in March, Director of Enrollment Management Sean Atkins received an impassioned call from the head of Yarolsav’s program.
“Yaroslav is okay,” the head assured Sean. “He is an incredible applicant and, most importantly, he needs a home for next year.”
Accepting Yaroslav was a no-brainer, but a new challenge emerged. Suffield had already allocated its financial aid budget for the upcoming year. What happened next was a powerful testament to the strength of community.
The call from Yaroslav’s school came at the start of Suffield’s spring Parents’ Weekend. One of the highlights of the weekend is an auction with a fund-a-need component that rallies families to raise money for an important cause.
At the eleventh hour, Head of School Charlie Cahn scrapped the original fund-a-need project. Bringing Yaroslav to Suffield was the new goal. By the end of the evening, enough money was raised to cover Yaroslav’s tuition and travel expenses. “The parents in the room that night made it happen,” says Phil. When Yaroslav learned that he would be attending Suffield, he was elated. He called his father, who was serving on the front lines, and shared the good news. “He was probably the most excited,” Yaroslav says. “My father wanted me to study in America to get the best education possible. He was beyond happy.” At the time, Yaroslav was living in Belgium with his mother and sister. After the fighting started, his father called every day and urged the family to flee west. They were reluctant to leave Dnipro, but they finally decided to go after Russia took over a nuclear power plant less than three hours from their home.
A few days after Yaroslav learned he would be going to Suffield, his family received devastating news. His father had been killed in action. He was rescuing wounded soldiers from the battlefield when Russian troops opened fire. “I hope he died happy, knowing that my family and I would be okay and everything was going as he wanted,” Yaroslav says.
From the moment he arrived in the United States, Yaroslav was moved by the symbols of solidarity he encountered on a daily basis. He fondly recalls seeing a Ukrainian flag outside a house on Main Street while running with the cross country team his first September. “I did not expect that,” he says. “I knew there were flags in big cities like New York, but it was really nice to see that in a small town like Suffield. Even thousands of miles away from Ukraine, people care about each other.”
To acknowledge the second anniversary of the war, Yaroslav organized a screening of 20 Days in Mariupol , the visceral documentary about the Russian invasion. “A lot of students came,” he says. “It was hard to watch. You could hear people sobbing and crying during the screening.” After the film, Yaroslav and Phil held a discussion to help everyone process what they had seen.
Yaroslav shared his experience with the suffield community during a chapel talk in april. Following his speech, scores of students and teachers approached him to shake his hand or offer a hug.
Yaroslav shared his experience with the Suffield community during a chapel talk in April. Following his speech, scores of students and teachers approached him to shake his hand or offer a hug. “I don’t often tell this story, but they were all touched by it,” Yaroslav says. “It meant a lot to me.”
“It was really powerful,” says Phil, who was Yaroslav’s advisor during his two years at Suffield. “I think most students had no idea what he’s been through.”
Throughout his chapel talk, Yaroslav invoked John Donne’s poem “No Man Is an Island,” which he first encountered as the epigraph to Ernest Hemingway’s novel For Whom the Bell Tolls. “I really like the message of human unity,” Yaroslav explains. “We’re all together and interconnected and we affect each other. It connects to my experience and it also reflects how much help and support Ukraine got from volunteers in Europe, America, and the rest of the world.”
While his family and homeland were always at the top of his mind, Yaroslav made the most of his time at Suffield. He pursued a rigorous course load and immersed himself in campus life.
“Everything was in place for him to be successful here, but it was up to him to take advantage of it,” Phil says. “I’ve rarely seen someone take advantage the way he has.”
One of Yaroslav’s favorite classes was AP Chemistry. He formed a strong connection with his teacher, Paul Caginalp, and went on to take Mr. Caginalp’s Research Methods course. The advanced offering allows students to design their own experiments and conduct independent research.
“It’s a great opportunity that Suffield lets students experience college-level research in high school,” Yaroslav says. His project examined the effects of acid rain on plants. For Yaroslav, the course reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing a career in scientific research.
Yaroslav applied early decision to Colgate University and was awarded full financial aid. He is currently studying advanced science and rowing on the crew team. Suffield will become part of his past, but the lessons he learned and the relationships he formed will stay with him forever. “I don’t want to lose these friendships,” Yaroslav says. “I want to stay in touch with these amazing people for as long as I can.”
the class of
IN THEIR OWN
Maeve Curtin » Finding balance is key to being healthy and successful
Ania McMichael » Squeeze your loved ones tight
Griffin Santopietro » It is important to take advantage of the community you have
Nora Boino » Share your “I love you’s”
Claire Griffith » I approached change with an open mind
Bridget Hausler » I deeply appreciate all my experiences
Sean Wilson » You have a voice
Nicholas Prescott » Why be compliant with issues that we have the power to change?
Cameron Cote » Appreciate the people in your life that genuinely care about you
Joe Giugliano » I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time
Ella Slate » I see life as a series of memories made
Jacob Carroll » I’m grateful for the special experiences I’ve had as both a faculty kid and a student
Kiefer Priest » The only way we are going to be, rather than to seem, is to try
Conor Tashjian » Self-confidence is crucial to everyone
Hanseo Lim » Your words, simple yet profound, provided comfort
Caroline Powell » I’ve learned many lessons along the journey from Baton Rouge to Suffield
Amelia Burton » They say your friends are a reflection of yourself
Ava D’Angelo » I discovered myself by taking risks both in and out of the classroom
Katie O’Brien » Biological relations are not what defines family to me
Paymana » Images can capture even the most elusive feelings
Joseph Jung » I have worked to achieve what I aspire to accomplish
Alan Kim » I hope to inspire others when I graduate from Suffield Academy
Sam Longley » If you’re not good at something and you want to be, just try
MN Mayalarp » Chinese is the class I’ve enjoyed most during my time at Suffield
David Bowers & Nikolai Curwin-Amfitheatrof » We saw a zombie-like apocalypse happening across campus
Max Giugliano » I am proud of the community I am a part of here
Lleyton Kornstein » Without mishaps I wouldn’t be the person before you today
Michael McCormack » I love my mom more than anyone else
Alex Tucker » I encourage everyone to speak more freely
Miles Clay » Never end a conversation with someone you love on a bad note
Allie Zeytoonjian » Forgiveness is a gift for yourself
Jay Ryu » The memories I made here are priceless
Ellie Ruffa » Will, you have been my original inspiration, motivation, and confidence builder
Brenden Toppin » My three brothers are my biggest inspiration
Mackenzie Headley » Suffield has allowed me to be okay with taking risks
Victoria Knibbs » I choose to celebrate even the small things
Eric Ding » Do your best to enjoy every minute of student life
Leelee Sammis » No matter what happens in my life, my sisters are there to protect me
Navraj Toor » Cherish the moments, treasure the friendships, and always be open to the unexpected
Dominic Balise » Reflect on how you treat others and how others treat you
Thomas Koester » Thank you, Suffield, for four fun and memorable years
Eric Zhang » Suffield inspired great changes to my studies and my life
Yili Wang » Instead of focusing on the destination focus on the journey
Tess Haines » Now that I look back, it’s all come and gone before I knew it
Sophie Winikur » We’re all doing life for the first time
Grace Jung » The water has always been a fun escape from reality
Sara Welch » The rational part of my mind knows that change is good
Robby Kurzer » Suffield has prepared me for my next journey
Isabella Dupere » I’ll be sure to make the most of the rest of my time here
KeyVanna Bennett » Ms. Cook, you’ve inspired me to make sure that whatever I do in life, I do it with love
Max Sena-Goldschmidt » Siamese cats are ferociously loyal and possessive of their human companions
Avery Freeman » I’ve grown into my own person and wouldn’t be who I am today without the people in my life
Felicia Hörmann » I don’t think my brothers know how grateful I am to have them in my life
Henry Harding » Mrs. Cahn has invested countless hours in my personal development—I am forever grateful
Juliana Zhang » Suffield has proven to be a valuable and transformative experience
Jessica Xiao » While we didn’t quite master the art of being roommates, we sure did master the friendship piece
Gabby Diaz & Chastity Blair » Go with the flow and be open-minded
Audrey Byun » Cherish the company of those who are on the bus with us at any given moment
Brady Holmes & Joshua Mair » We’ve both been through experiences and learned to become better individuals
Nadima » Sharing a bowl of ramen with family is a tradition that fosters connection and love
Dylan Marzouca » I have a deep appreciation for my experience here and the people around me
Jessie Desnoes & Isabelle Spencer » Suffield has been a montage of challenges, wins, and making life-long friendships
Ava Miller » To have a twin is to know an intimacy unlike anything else
Hannah Ashley » I am fortunate to have loving, supportive family and friends, and teachers who’ve inspired me
Shea Braceland » My brother taught me more than he knows, and I have always looked up to him
Reeghan McCarthy » Mr. Booth is the most thoughtful, kind, and caring person I have ever met
Gianna Strange » I am forever grateful to be able fulfill my dream of playing college basketball
Norah Wright » Find the balance so you can enjoy every opportunity Suffield has to offer
Jack Caron » Let us all find our own symbols of faith, dedication, and gratitude
Jaron Kline » I am thankful for the opportunity to further my education and grow as a person as a postgraduate
Jacob Wirth » Nothing comes easy, and you must work hard for everything in life
Noel Rivera » I cherish every moment I had with my roommates
Tanyon Weber » Find a way to thank those who have helped us in our lives
Carlos Perez-Eder » I knew I needed to get outside of my comfort zone to make my time at Suffield memorable
Alexander Hochberg » It ain’t as bad as you think and will look better in the morning
Cristiano Marta » I am even more certain than ever that I made the best decision to come to a school like Suffield
Darian Thomson » Appreciate the journey and cherish every moment
Christian Recinos » There’s something empowering about telling your story the way you want to tell it
Charlie Riegel » Celebrating someone else’s success is just as important as your own victories
Madi Seivright » There is no right or wrong way to grieve, the process cannot be rushed or neatly categorized
A.J. Ellis » Enjoy the journey and do not only focus on the destination
Hadley Harris » Suffield is the trunk of my giving tree, the branches that protect me, and sunshine to make me smile
Svetlana Shorina » I discovered strength and independence I never knew I possessed at Suffield
Jerry Chen » Find people who may appear insignificant but nonetheless play a pivotal part in your life
Robin Su » The people at Suffield Academy are the most harmonious group in my life
Howard Yu » Don’t be afraid of the risk; once you break through the layers of thick ice all that awaits you is sunshine
Meiyi Chen » Suffield’s dance program has helped me find my own spotlight
Tom Berentes » The people and the experiences that I’ve had here at Suffield have really made it worth it for me
Nadja Meite » My mother taught me patience, love, kindness, discipline, and the power of family
Max Massoni » Spending time with friends and family does not always have to be perfect to create memories
Finn O’Keefe » I will always remember my time here as my best days
Yaroslav Spytskyi » No man is an island entirely of itself: each is a piece of the continent and a part of the main
George Voronkov » I am fortunate to be at Suffield and surrounded by support and encouragement
Leo Vanslack » My family understands me in a way no one else can
Dani Farrell » I am delighted with the wisdom and experience I have gained here
Rob Elliott » The relationships I’ve built at Suffield I’ll carry with me forever
Siena Dagnoli » I deeply cherish my family
Cooper Marcum » The 2024 postgraduates have made a tremendous impact on my life that I will never forget
Brady Fisher » Everywhere you look in my family there are skilled, creative, and hardworking people
Mason Wright » My sister plays a significant role in my life and we will continue to cherish our time together
Henry Blanchard » Balance is key to my happiness and success
Colin Walsh » Thank you to the people who have made my Suffield experience so memorable
Hayden Rowley » No man ever steps in the same river twice for it is not the same river, and he is not the same man
Mikaela Kridlova [ASSIST] » Goodbyes evoke a feeling of an ending—I prefer to say “see you later”
The 109 Members of Suffield Academy’s Class of 2024 are attending 78 different colleges and universities across the United States and the globe. Their college choices reflect the depth of talents and interests found in this impressive graduating class. The schools range from small liberal arts colleges to large universities to art or engineering schools and international universities. Below are some examples.
Barnard College
Bentley University
Boston College
Boston University
Brandeis University
Brown University
Bryant University
Bucknell University
Case Western Reserve University
Clemson University
Colby College
Colgate University
College of the Holy Cross
Connecticut College
Cornell University
Denison University
Drexel University
Elon University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Grinnell College
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Howard University
Hult International Business School [London]
Lehigh University
Marist College
Miami University [Oxford]
Mount Holyoke College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Providence College
Reed College
Sacred Heart University
Santa Clara University
Skidmore College
Southern Methodist University
Stonehill College
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
The University of Tampa
Trinity College
Tufts University
Tulane University
United States Naval Academy
University of California [Davis]
University of California [Irvine]
University of California [Los Angeles]
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Denver
University of Guelph
University of Massachusetts [Amherst]
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Richmond
University of Southern California
University of Wisconsin [Madison]
Vassar College
Villanova University
William & Mary
Williams College
Yale University
Kent-Davis
Class of 2024 Participants
Kent: Sean Wilson • Yaroslav Spytskyi • Dominic Balise
The Emmett Kent Public Speaking Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates excellent oratory and speech-writing skills.
The Charles G. Davis Oratory Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates excellent oratory skills with a keen awareness of the subject in relation to the audience. Below are excerpts from this year’s winners.
“Ode to
My father’s voice breaks on a Facetime call, “Jou Oupa is oorliede,” “Your grandfather has passed away.” My mind flashes to the last time I saw him. I sit on a bed and look my Oupa in the face. I can’t help but think, how did it get this bad? I look at his eyes and see the sky. He’s crouched next to me in his garden, and I’m ten again. Carefully, he plucks a cape gooseberry from a bush and peels the wrinkly shell to show me the golden fruit that lies inside. I look at my Oupa, and wonder if he is like the fruit. Wrinkled on the outside, youthful on the inside. Tears roll down my cheek as I lay my hand on his and... a boy lays his hand on mine. Where am I?
William Faulkner Banquet Speech
I feel that this award was not made to me as a man, but to my work—a life’s work in the agony and sweat of the human spirit, not for glory and least of all for profit, but to create out of the materials of the human spirit something which did not exist before. So this award is only mine in trust. It will not be difficult to find a dedication for the money part of it commensurate with the purpose and significance of its origin. But I would like to do the same with the acclaim too, by using this moment as a pinnacle from which I might be listened to by the young men and women already dedicated to the same anguish and travail, among whom is already that one who will some day stand here where I am standing.
KENT AWARD: SEAN WILSON
Oupa”
DAVIS AWARD: GRIFFIN SANTOPIETRO
Baccalaureate
“As you begin your next adventure, in a new place and with new people, it is important that you find your next community, one that will continue to support and care for you—a place where you will find people with similar ideas and goals. But it is also your job, your responsibility, to help support this new world you find yourself in and help build the community that you want—an intentional community that offers kindness and respect. If you are struggling to find the community that you need, that you feel connected to, we know you can draw on the lessons from Suffield—from your Leadership Program classes and our core four guiding principles of kindness, respect, leadership, and effort—and build your own. You will know how to build your own intentional community.”
Greg Lynch, Dean of Students & Campus Life
“You will never be anywhere else where so many people care for you all at once. So, when we leave this institution full of emotion, never forget those who were truly devoted to your happiness and well-being. Cherish your bonds and show gratitude to those who impacted you. Be proud of how much you grew and what you will soon pursue, as too many times potential energy for success is wasted. There is zero room for regret, but only space for your passions to be curated. To productively use your privilege is to appreciate the sacrifices made for you. Hug your people tight.”
Chastity Blair ’24
“Nine years ago, a famous and gifted actor named Alan Alda spoke at our Commencement, as his granddaughter was one of our graduates that year. He spoke about his appreciation of Suffield’s emphasis on distance traveled by students, and of our focus on continual improvement as people and as a school. He said our motto—Esse Quam Videri—which translates to “to be rather than to seem”— is a motto that asks you a serious question. ‘Do you do? Or do you just look like you do?’ Suffield not only asks you that question but gives you a chance to answer it.”
Charlie Cahn, Head of School
191 st Commencement May 24, 2024
Shabana Basij-Rasikh
I came to Suffield for the very first time a little more than ten years ago to give a talk. Phil Riegel was in the audience that day, listening. We had an open position for a job at the School of Leadership Afghanistan [SOLA], my school, at the time. The next thing I knew, Elise Riegel had sent me a message about it. Elise joined SOLA. The rest is history. And while I want to speak directly to you today, Class of 2024, I absolutely must take this moment to say to Elise and Phil: thank you. SOLA students bring the fire of hope to our campus, and without you, that fire would not be burning today. And graduates, thank you for giving me that moment. Thank you for being so generous on this day, your day.
Graduation Day. Congratulations. You did it. College is next, and as I thought about what I wanted to say to you today, I thought back to my own time in college. I went to Middlebury College and I graduated 13 years ago, which doesn’t make me old but maybe kind of makes me old. Maybe a little bit. But I’ll tell you, I came to my own graduation day, and I left my college campus, with motivation and a mission. My mission, then, was exactly what it is now. My mission is to educate Afghan girls. My mission is to help create the best-educated generation of women in my country’s history, because they’re the ones who will help rebuild Afghanistan. They are the ones whose fire will drive away the darkness that has settled on my homeland. My mission is the School of Leadership, Afghanistan. SOLA. The only legally operating boarding school for Afghan girls that exists anywhere on the planet. That’s a terrible thing to have to say. But it’s also a hopeful thing.
I co-founded SOLA when I was a college freshman. I was 18 years old. SOLA has been my beating heart, my beacon of hope through college and up to this very moment. SOLA is my mission and my life’s work. And while my mission may not be your mission, I wonder if my motivation might be. My motivation is to seek knowledge, even to the ends of the Earth. That’s a phrase that Muslims will be familiar with—it comes from a hadith, which is one of the sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. It applies to all Muslims, everywhere: seek knowledge, even to the ends of the Earth. It’s a teaching in the Islamic tradition, but I really don’t see it as a religious sentiment. I see it as a call to action, in our own lives and in the lives of others. Seek knowledge, even to the ends of the Earth. It is a call to action, an encouragement, and an exhortation to all of us: be curious. Be fearless. Ask hard
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You are the curious ones. The thoughtful ones. The fearless ones. And with you, I share my motivation: seek knowledge, even to the ends of the Earth. And with your knowledge, with compassion and with confidence, lift our world to a better place.”
questions of others and of ourselves. And with our knowledge, with compassion and with confidence, be the actors who create a better world. This is the motivation behind my mission, and in my life the two have walked side by side, hand in hand. In my childhood, in my youth, I had to pretend to be something I wasn’t in order to seek knowledge.
Under the Taliban regime in the 1990s, when girls’ education was forbidden by law, I had to pretend to be a boy. I had to disguise myself, dress in boys’ clothing, and walk in secret through the streets of Kabul to attend underground schools run by some of the bravest women I’ve ever known. I faced risk and my parents faced an even greater one. An existential one. But they knew that the greatest risk of all—was raising an uneducated daughter. Seek
knowledge, even to the ends of the Earth. Go the distance, walk without fear. Offer hope. And create opportunity. This is what we did with SOLA, in my country’s capital of Kabul. We brought girls to us from all across Afghanistan, from all different ethnic groups. We were a safe place to learn, and to grow. We were a place where girls lived together and helped each other. We were a place where strangers became sisters. But things have changed in my country. The Taliban have returned. The darkness I lived in as a child, that same darkness blankets my homeland, once again. If you are a woman in Afghanistan, right now, you cannot attend college. You cannot receive a driver’s license. You cannot travel far from your home without a male chaperone. You cannot visit a park. You cannot go to a gym. You cannot choose your own profession. You cannot choose your own clothes. And if you are a girl in Afghanistan, right now, you cannot attend school past 6th grade. Days like today, graduation days—those days are dreams you once had, now cloaked in shadow. And yet. And yet, in Afghanistan—the women, the girls, they are seeking knowledge. And they will go to the ends of the Earth to find it.
At SOLA, we are enrolling new students, young Afghan girls. We’re in the final month of our admissions season for the new school year. We have room for 30 girls. We’ve received applications from nearly two thousand girls. Afghan girls seeking knowledge, all of them, and at SOLA this year we’ve launched a
new online academy, SOLAx, with which we can reach all these girls and more, many thousands more. We were a school for girls in Afghanistan. We are reestablished now in the nation of Rwanda. We are educating our students, and we are building a global network of sisterhood that will be ready to stand among the young leaders of the world, the future leaders of society—leaders like the ones I see here today.
This is your day, the day when the paths that all your lives have taken come together and converge on a single moment: this moment, right here, right now. And in this moment, I wish you could be standing where I’m standing. I wish you could see what I see. Because what I see—is you. The seekers of knowledge. Young women and men who’ve come through COVID, who’ve come through challenges and created their own successes—not alone, but with the support of each other and the support of your teachers and the support of your families, the support of everyone here today who is so proud of who you are. And I’m among them. You are the curious ones. The thoughtful ones. The fearless ones. And with you, I share my motivation: seek knowledge, even to the ends of the Earth. And with your knowledge, with compassion and with confidence, lift our world to a better place. It begins today, and I’m so honored to be with you. Thank you so much, and congratulations. ?
Charles Cahn III
As you head to the next parts of your life journeys, please try to remember a few ideas we have sought to instill in you. These reflect Suffield’s most cherished core values: kindness, respect, effort, and leadership.
First, as you know, we feel a vital way to evaluate your life is by the distance you travel, as students and as people. Hard work matters. And when you discover work that brings you meaning it can be a great pleasure. You will find that your destiny will be more a function of effort than intellect. “Diligence,” as Ben Franklin said, “ is the mother of good luck.”
Second, be yourselves and be proud of who you are. As I recently read, remember to dance like no one is watching, as Mark Twain said, because they aren’t. They’re too busy checking their phones.
Third, please remember that the values our school emphasizes are far different than the division and apathy we unfortunately see in parts of our broader world. We emphasize kindness and character, both of which seem more complicated with the proliferation of social media and continual expansion of technology. We want you to wrestle with important topics and be people of genuine substance. We want you to seek to understand and embrace people from different backgrounds with different life stories. We want to celebrate harmony and empathy.We deeply hope you will bring these values into your next schools and communities so the goodness of Suffield can proliferate to various corners of America and the world.
And fourth, as I mention each year and feel most strongly about—always keep in mind the immense importance of good will, and of being uplifting to others. “Three things in human life are important,” Henry James noted. “The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” ? “
We want you to wrestle with important topics and be people of genuine substance. We want you to seek to understand and embrace people from different backgrounds with different life stories. We want you to celebrate harmony and empathy.”
Griffin Santopietro
Hello Suffield families, faculty, and my fellow seniors. We finally made it. Look around you, the rows of chairs, the delighted smiles of loved ones, the inevitable boredom of your younger siblings, all your teachers in their pretty little nightgowns, that feeling of the egregious weight of high school being lifted off your shoulders. Unless you lost it already, you should be holding a high school diploma in your hand. Hold them up high. Be proud, take in moments like these because they are rare in life, moments when life reveals its true form, moments when life shows you that it was all worth it. The journey of high school is now over. Let’s take this moment to think back to the beginning.
Every student whom I talked to about this speech told me not to bring up COVID. In all fairness I feel like we talked about COVID at every major event in the last three years, but I still think it is worth mentioning. So please, bear with me for one more trip down Pandemic Lane. I’ll set the scene for you in case you don’t remember.
The world had drifted into chaos while we were entering one of the most important chapters of our lives. Switching between online and in-person classes and never being able to see someone’s entire face through masks robbed us of one of the most important facets of social interaction during a year of fundamental social development. I will say it was nice to be able to blatantly watch Netflix during online classes. In the middle of Krasemann’s physics class you could switch tabs and watch some—I don’t know, fake teenagers do some fake karate or something [seasons 1-6]. We still couldn’t help but feel ostracized from each other and the world, but we made it through.
You should be impressed with yourselves and each other that we have been able to rebuild such a lively school community when the odds were essentially stacked against us. Our generation has had to watch some of the most violent acts of inhumanity in the world take place and it has been a challenge to find ways to address and talk about this in our lives here on campus. These struggles have not been easy, and I hate to tell you, but I don’t think it gets easier from here. Our generation has had one of the safest and most protected upbringings of any previous generation. Look at all of us snowflakes; but seriously we have had it fairly easy.
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Let’s be compassionate to those whose opinions may be opposed to ours because we are all responsible for our planet, regardless of belief. Let’s be selfless in the face of crisis. Let’s let hope guide us to the best possible future.”
Yet the crises and challenges we will face are more frightening than those of previous generations due to their novelty and existential nature. We are facing threats so insane it makes total sense to me why boomers don’t think they’re real. I bring up these threats in comparison to our own experiences.
Look what we have gone through; we started as those scared little acne-ridden freshmen and now we’re these hot seniors ready to face the world head-on. But we cannot forget the common thread that connects us all: hope. Hope is what got us through in the past and is what needs to guide us into the future.
Hope lifts us and shows us that we can be better [I stole that from Superman]. Hope is not the shield that protects us from the harshness of reality. Hope is the force that connects us all, so we need to put down the shields and let down the armor. When talking about the army of challenges we are all going to face both individually and as a generation, I think about potential. All of us graduating today are beholders of immense potential for success and happiness. I feel confident that we will all reach this potential in whatever capacity it may be.
Chas, I am sure you’ll be president of the Earth. Noel, I think you would make a great host of Hot Ones after your interview with Mr. Cahn. Yaroslav, if anyone is going to invent time travel it will be you—but no pressure. And we all know Christian is going to be like Tom Cruise in Top Gun
But we cannot forget about our interconnectedness. We need to use our potential and power for more than personal benefit. We need to use it for the benefit of each other. We owe it to the previous generations that made the world so safe for us to make the world even safer for generations to come. We owe it to each other to come together in the face of discrimination, destruction, and cruelty to prove that we will never give up because the minute we stop fighting for what is right is the minute we will lose hope.
I recently came up with the phrase, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is very suitable for us. We are all capable of achieving greatness, but with that greatness will come the need for us to use it selflessly.
Hope, selflessness, compassion, sacrifice, greatness. Those are the words we need to maintain as our legacy proceeds and as the future of the planet unfolds. One more word that needs to be mentioned today is gratitude.
Be grateful for how we ended up here; take a moment to think about the people that fought for us to be here. Be thankful for the good memories because they remind us what is worth striving for. Send our gratitude to the faculty sitting beside us as they helped mold us into who we are now. Let’s be compassionate to those whose opinions may be opposed to ours because we are all responsible for our planet, regardless of belief. Let’s be selfless in the face of crisis. Let’s let hope guide us to the best possible future. Thank you. ?
Another Chapter Begins
BY NANCY WATERS
Lori Sych P’12 & Molly Gotwals P’09
Lori Sych
Lori joined the Suffield faculty somewhat accidentally in 2004. When her children were young, she stayed home with them but actively engaged in community activities, including the PTO at the public elementary and middle schools her two daughters attended, the Suffield Foundation for Excellent Schools, the Suffield Boosters, and her church. “If you wanted something done,” she said, “I was that mom.”
Eventually, she joined the academic support program at her daughters’ middle school. One day, the president of the Parent Teacher Advisory Council, whose husband was a Suffield Academy soccer coach, encouraged her to apply for an opening at the school. Lori was hired a year later, in 2004, for a part-time position in academic support, and then, the following year, to teach one section of Algebra 1. Over several years, she taught math and worked in academic support; in 2011, she became a full-time classroom teacher.
Lori has taught across every area of the math curriculum—from Geometry to Trigonometry. In recent years, she has focused on advanced classes exclusively, including Calculus, Honors Calculus, and Advanced Placement Statistics. She cites AP Statistics, which she has taught for 12 years, as particularly challenging. It wasn’t until she became an AP reader after three years of teaching the class, she said, that she felt she fully understood what the College Board was looking for.
For Lori, it’s all about family. Family motivated Lori and her husband, Richard, to move to Suffield, Connecticut. They wanted a bigger yard for their children than they could get in the greater New York City area,
where they had been living, and Richard had grown up in Suffield, so the move brought them closer to family, with his parents nearby. Then, when Lori joined the Suffield Academy faculty twenty years ago, she found a second family among her math department colleagues. And, fittingly, when she decided to retire this year, it was to spend more time with her four grandchildren and still have a little time left for herself. Despite the course’s rigor, approximately 40 students take the challenging AP exam each year. Lori was delighted that her final year teaching the class was especially successful. Typically, only one Suffield student—some years, none—earns the top score of 5, but this year, two of her students achieved that honor.
Besides teaching, Lori organized seniors to run the peer tutoring center two nights a week in the student union and came to campus those nights to supervise them. “I loved it,” she said. “That was my baby.”
She also served for ten years as the school’s work job coordinator. In that position, she was responsible for assigning students an on-campus job each academic term. Jobs included giving campus tours, setting tables and doing dishes in the dining hall, making beds in the health center, shelving books in the library, and mixing solutions for chemistry classes.
“I had to take all 410 or so kids and assign them to the jobs in some kind of equitable fashion,” she explained. She saw the assignment as a giant puzzle, aiming to meet the school’s needs while making students as happy as possible with their placements. “I loved it,” she said. “It was totally in my wheelhouse.”
“You go through lulls and highs as a teacher. Sometimes, you think, ‘Am I making any kind of a difference?’ And then you get a thank-you note from a student, or you hear from a former student in college about how your class really made a difference ”
Lori is especially appreciative of her math department colleagues. “We’re a big family,” she said. “We covered for each other, we looked out for each other. I always felt grounded, safe, encouraged, and supported by my department head and my colleagues.”
“I remember telling my boss after being in the department for a while, ‘you know, my first grandkid, I’m out of here.’”
It was, she said, a recurring joke. But when one of Lori’s daughters became pregnant with her first child, she told her department chair, “‘Yeah, I know what I’ve been saying all these years, but you’re still stuck with me.’”
Since that first grandchild, she has cut back to part-time, teaching fewer classes with more limited expectations outside the classroom. But it wasn’t until the fourth grandchild was on the way that she decided it was time to fully retire. The appreciation of her students, Lori said, helped her manage the inevitable ups and downs of teaching. “You go through lulls and highs as a teacher. Sometimes, you think, ‘Am I making any kind of a difference?’ And then you get a thank-you note from a student, or you hear from a former student in college about how your class really made a difference.”
One year, she added, a student dedicated each piece in their ceramics show to a favorite teacher, and she was one of them. “I thought, ‘This is the kid who’s going to keep me here five more years.’” This year, she received a thank-you card from a graduating senior she had taught as a junior. “I just wanted to let you know that while I liked math,” the student wrote, “I didn’t love math until I took your class.”
“I thought,” she said with a laugh, “that would have kept me teaching for five more years, but I’ve got four grandkids!”
For the last four years, Lori has juggled part-time teaching with babysitting, driving up to New Hampshire every week to spend a day with her daughter’s [Melissa ’12] children and then spending two afternoons a week with her daughter Kaitlin’s children in nearby Vernon. Lori shows little sign of slowing down in retirement. In addition to babysitting, she is active in her church, where she attends mass daily, runs the holiday gift basket program, and serves on the human needs committee. She also plans to continue helping run the Suffield town fair.
The most immediate big project for Lori and Richard is moving—but not far. They purchased land adjacent to their current home, where they hope to build a smaller house. Their daughter Kaitlin and her husband are interested in buying their current home, so Lori’s grandchildren could walk across a field to their grandparents’ house. Five years ago, Lori convinced her own parents to move to Suffield from Saratoga County, New York, so one set of great-grandparents would be just a mile away.
“My kids could always walk through the woods to their grandparents’ house. My daughter said, ‘I want that for my kids.’ So, when we offered them this arrangement, they said, ‘Of course! I want my kids to be able to walk across the field to your house like I did.’ It is,” Lori said, “coming full circle.” ‚
Molly Gotwals
The hundreds of students who have passed through English teacher Molly Gotwals’ classrooms over the years might be surprised to learn that her first job was actually intended to be teaching art. In 1982, soon after graduating from Smith College and feeling adventurous, she applied for an art teacher position at the Schutz American School in Alexandria, Egypt. However, shortly after she was hired, one of the English teachers decided she was more suited to teach art, so they switched roles.
“I had very little art experience—just enough to do the job,” she explained. “I’m more suited to teaching English than art.”
While we may never know just how good an art teacher Molly might have been—and the classes she has taught on graphic novels demonstrate her interest in visual storytelling—her skills in teaching literature and writing are evident in the feedback from countless students and alumni who have shared how much her classes meant to them.
“I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for such an incredible English class,” wrote one member of the class of 2024. “Never have I felt so engaged and excited to participate in class before. You’re the best teacher I’ve ever had, and I’ll never forget all the in-class assignments and discussions… you’ve changed my life, and I’ll never forget you.”
That kind of praise is especially poignant right now—after 25 years as a college counselor and English teacher at Suffield, Molly joined her husband, Tom, a former Suffield music teacher, in retirement this summer. The couple has since relocated from Connecticut to their long-time summer home in the idyllic town of Stonington on scenic Deer Isle, Maine.
Molly and Tom arrived together at Suffield in 1999, after accumulating many hours in classrooms at the Williams School in New London, and at the Lincoln School [Molly] and Moses Brown School [Tom] in Providence. Molly also served a stint as the director of college counseling at the Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie. When she and Tom decided to move closer to her parents in Northampton, Massachusetts, they settled at Suffield, where Molly served as the associate director of college counseling and a part-time English teacher. Ten years ago, she returned to teaching full-time after, she said, hearing the voice of her recently deceased mother telling her: “Go back.”
“I missed the classroom,” she said.
Over the years, Molly taught a wide range of English classes, from ninth grade to twelfth grade. She was a mentor for honors ninth grade English for several years but spent the last dozen years teaching mostly eleventh and twelfth graders, including senior-year elective classes on post-colonial literature, graphic novels, and new multicultural fiction. She was also the faculty advisor to the student newspaper, The Bell; an Academy House dorm head for four years; and an advisor to the yearbook for several years. Among her favorite teaching memories, she cited helping students understand Shakespeare’s sonnets, using a method she learned from her colleague, Amy Pentz.
“While we may never know just how good an art teacher Molly might have been—and the classes she has taught on graphic novels demonstrate her interest in visual storytelling—her skills in teaching literature and writing are evident in the feedback from countless students and alumni who have shared how much her classes meant to them ”
“The students are nervous,” she said. “And then they get it, and they are ready to do it. Sonnets are not hard—the topics are straightforward. The language is what worries them. So, we get into the language, and then we read Hamlet, and then Hamlet makes total sense to them.”
Another favorite memory is teaching a course titled “On the Road,” in which she took students out of the classroom and literally on the road. “We actually got in the car and drove places,” she explained. In the spirit of Jack Kerouac, the students kept journals describing their travels. “We even visited a local RV dealership where they were restoring a replica of the vehicle John Steinbeck drove in Travels with Charley.”
Molly also loved teaching graphic novels and helping students create their own—so much so that she has signed up to teach a graphic novels course for a second summer at the Stonington Public Library. She happily reported that students for the class range from an 85-year-old woman to a 14-year-old trans boy. She is proud that several of her former students, some now in their forties, have stayed in touch with her via email. Recently,
she received a message from a parent whose child graduated in 2009, thanking Molly for all she did for her students, both in and out of the classroom.
Suffield’s strong community was her favorite thing about the school. She specifically cited the support staff as “amazing members of the community. From Sean in the dining hall to all his staff and the dedicated maintenance team, they are amazing.”
Molly has no plans to slow down in retirement. In addition to teaching the class at the library, she works every summer at the Dry Dock, a boutique in Stonington, and now she’ll be able to continue working there until the store closes on Christmas Eve. She and Tom are active in the local community, helping host an annual organ concert every summer in memory of Tom’s father, and they enjoy cruising around the island in their Wahoo, a boat similar to a Boston Whaler. Over the next several months, they’ll be busy converting their summer home into a year-round residence and hosting guests, including their daughter, Hannah Gotwals, Suffield ’09 [Swarthmore ’13], and her husband, who live in the Boston area. ‚
SWEAT EQUITY
by Eliott Grover
If you build it, they will come.
The mantra, popularized by the iconic sports film Field of Dreams, is an apt preface to the story of Suffield’s strength and conditioning program. Four years ago, the athletic department set a goal of enhancing the resources that are available to support Suffield Academy’s most ambitious athletes.
This gives me an opportunity to get in there with like-minded that individuals that have the same aspirations. It’s great to have access to facility and the coaching— an opportunity that is usually not an option until you get to the collegiate level.
“It was an area we felt we needed to pay more attention to,” says Drew Gamere ’93, Co-Director of Athletics. “We have a great fitness center that we’ve had for many years, but the issue with that space is that it’s used by the entire community, so it can get busy.” Varsity athletes now have access to a state-of-the-art Performance Center, where they follow customized training regimens overseen by experienced coaches. The strength and conditioning program has yielded impressive results for Suffield’s teams, as well as for individual athletes who aspire to compete at the next level. The Performance Center was designed by the same group that built the University of New Hampshire’s weight room. “It came together great,” says Drew. “We now have this new space that’s dedicated to supervised, functional training for our varsity athletes.”
While the facilities sparkle, it’s the expert instruction that has made the difference. Chris Setian ’09 and Angela Vecchiarelli ’16, former college athletes with extensive coaching experience, run the strength and conditioning program. When varsity teams are in season, they have two supervised sessions with Chris and Ang every week, in addition to their regular practices. During the winter, strength and conditioning is offered as an afternoon sport equivalent.
“We do dynamic Division I workouts,” says Chris. “Everybody does some sort of workout that’s tailored to their sport. It’s educational, and there’s also a big safety piece. Anyone can turn on TikTok or YouTube and say, ‘I’m going to do this workout and lift as much weight as I can.’ But that’s not what we do.”
Individual profiles are created for each athlete, and everyone receives a personalized card that includes specific workouts and target metrics. Athletes are taught proper form and technique, which has fueled significant performance gains and improved injury prevention.
“They’re using weights that make sense for what they’re trying to accomplish,” says Chris.
Nadja Meite ’24 couldn’t believe the quality of the strength and conditioning facilities when she arrived at Suffield. “Having access to this makes me want to work harder,” she says. Nadja, who now plays soccer at Brown University, sees a clear difference in her performance from when she first arrived. “When I have the ball, I can feel how much stronger my legs are. I see how much stronger I’ve gotten. It’s not just the strength work; it’s the chance to develop my agility and fitness.”
For Nora Boino ’24, a swimmer who has trained in the Performance Center since it opened, the impact is tangible. “Swimming can be a hard sport to translate into training on land because it’s such a technical sport,” she says. “But I would come into the weight room and say, ‘I need to be more explosive off the block, or work on this part of my pull.’ And we’d find different exercises that translated to the specific area in my race I wanted to improve.”
Beyond seeing strong gains in a sport where milliseconds make all the difference, Nora says her favorite part of the strength and conditioning program is the way it unites a diverse group of athletes. “My whole life I’ve been training with other swimmers,” she says. “This gives me an opportunity to get in there with like-minded individuals who have the same aspirations. It’s great to have access to that facility and the coaching—an opportunity that is usually not an option until you get to the collegiate level.”
In the three years since the Performance Center opened, the number of female athletes participating in the strength and conditioning program has swelled. When Ang was a student at Suffield, she traveled off-campus in order to lift weights regularly. “The fact that these students have the opportunity to fit this into their schedule here is huge,” she says. “Watching our female athletes go into a historically male-dominated space, feel confident, and feel like they belong—it’s awesome to see.”
As the head lacrosse coach, Ang has witnessed firsthand how athletes are benefiting from the enhanced training. “The difference is so obvious,” she says. “They are bigger, stronger, faster. That’s what the goal is, and it’s largely attributed to the space we have and their motivation to be in there.”
Watching our female athletes go into a historically male-dominated space and feel confident and feel like they belong there—it’s awesome to see.
Claire Griffith ’24 and Raegan Carty ’26 are lacrosse and field hockey players who decided to do strength and conditioning in the winter. “It appealed to me because I knew it could help me get further athletically,” says Raegan. “I’ve seen so much athletic development on the field and growth in my confidence.”
“I know how to manage the gym now,” adds Claire, who now plays field hockey at Trinity College. “Lifting is a big aspect of college athletics. To be able to start that in high school is huge.” She notes that the inclusive atmosphere in the Performance Center has made it an empowering space for female athletes. “We’re held to the same standard as the guys in there. We’re not looked at any differently, and we’re doing the same things.”
During the winter afternoon program, all athletes in strength and conditioning, regardless of gender, compete and support one another as their coaches push them to unlock their potential. “It’s hard work,” says Drew. “Nothing in there is supposed to be easy. Anytime you go by the Performance Center, you hear music, and the students are working hard. But,” he adds with a smile, “they also look like they’re having a lot of fun.” ‚
In the fall, boys’ and girls’ soccer and volleyball qualified for highly competitive New England tournaments. The girls’ soccer team earned a #2 seed in the NEPSAC tournament and made it to the semifinal round. Their 12-4-3 record included wins over Taft, Berkshire, and Williston. Boys’ soccer earned a Western New England championship and also made the semifinals of the NEPSAC tournament. Big victories included games against Hotchkiss and Westminster and a tournament win over Middlesex. Volleyball finished ranked 5th out of 24 teams in New England. The varsity field hockey team finished 9-7-1 with exciting victories over NMH, Miss Porters, and Millbrook. The football season was highlighted by wins over Loomis and NEPSAC Class A Bowl Champion Cheshire. Boys’ water polo topped Loomis twice and had other victories over Westminster and Andover.
In the season finale, the Tigers competed in the NEPSTA Division II Cross-Country Championship. Several athletes set personal records, and the team as a whole delivered a strong performance against tough competition. Ava Butterfield placed 35th overall for the girls and Seamus Cleary 11th.
Winter unleashed an undefeated, Brigham Ski League Champion boys’ alpine ski team. This was Suffield’s fourth straight league championship. The boys’ team finished 6th in the Class A New England’s and the girls’ team 9th. The swim teams remained highly competitive in Class A New England, with the girls’ team finishing 5th and the boys’ 6th. Girls’ basketball had an outstanding 21-5 season, making it to the NEPSAC semis and earning big victories over Hotchkiss, Choate, and Berkshire. The boys’ varsity basketball team notched strong wins over Nobles, Brunswick, and MacDuffie. Boys’ squash had an incredible season, showing steady, impressive improvement that ultimately resulted in a New England championship and 6th place finish in their flight at nationals. Girls’ squash had exciting wins over Pomfret, Williston, and Kingswood on the way to a 9-5 season record. The wrestling program had a very strong young core and was led by a Western New England championship in the heavyweight division. Riflery finished second in the Connecticut State Championship.
SPRING
Spring was highlighted by a 12-4 golf team that finished second in the Cappola Cup, and an 11-4 softball team that was one of the top teams in New England. The softball team made the semifinals of the playoffs following strong regular season victories over Westminster, Deerfield, and Kent. The varsity baseball team [7-9] had exciting wins over Berkshire and Nobles. The girls’ lacrosse season was highlighted by competitive games all season and victories over Millbrook, Miss Porters, and Hopkins. Boys’ lacrosse is effectively rebuilding and finished strong with wins over Kingswood, Hopkins, and Hamden Hall. Girls’ tennis finished 4th in the Suffield Invitational and the boys’ season was highlighted by team victories over Williston and Worcester. The track teams were deep and talented; both teams finished with 9-5 records. The boys’ team had exciting wins against Taft, Berkshire, and NMH, and the girls’ bested Westminster and Berkshire among others. The girls’ and boys’ crew teams were both competitive with the boys’ finishing third in the Founders Day Regatta, beating Canterbury, Choate, and Brewster.
Mason Wright ’24 [High Jump: 3rd Place, Long Jump]
NEISA [Squash]
• Boys’ Squash Class D Champions & 6th Place US Nationals
NEPSWA [Wrestling]
• Kayden Bennett ’26 [2nd Place in Championship]
Other Team & Individual Achievements
• Alpine Ski Team » Brigham Ski League Champions
• 1,000 Point Milestone » KeyVanna Bennett ’24
• Riflery High School State Championship » 2nd Place
• Nutmeg Junior Championship [Golf]: Will Lord ’27 » 6th Place
LIVESTREAM BROADCASTING
Suffield Academy has added options for students interested in broadcast journalism to help with livestreaming campus events. Head of School Charlie Cahn was eager to provide opportunities for students excited about this field and asked Directors of Athletics Drew Gamere and Wayne Patterson to help advance efforts. They reached out to several schools with existing programs to learn about best practices. The first step was choosing a faculty advisor, who was Matt Mercure.
“Matt has a great skill set for this,” Charlie said. “He is engaging, well-organized, positive, great with students, and spirited about our school. A new member of our faculty, Jessie Ruffner, has significant broadcast journalism experience at Smith College and will help advance our efforts in 2024 and beyond.” Matt worked with a group of students to broadcast fall athletics contests, including girls’ and boys’ soccer and football. They look forward to expanding their efforts this winter and spring and well into the future. Students involved with broadcasting thus far have included Max Dashefsky ’25, Guru Anand ’25, and Owen Tulley ’25.
Max has long been interested in broadcast journalism and his passion for it grew during the lockdown phase of the pandemic. Some of his industry role models include Joe Buck, Jim Nantz, Gus Johnson, Sam Rosen, and Mike Breen. Max said, “They really inspired me to get interested and bring information and excitement to viewers.” Max’s favorite 2023 fall game was football’s senior night against Cheshire Academy, and he cited junior O’Shae Maxwell’s pick six on the first drive as his favorite moment.
Max reflected, “Suffield really gave me and others this wonderful opportunity and I’ll be forever grateful.” Many winter and spring events were broadcasted live as well, and efforts will continue to expand.
Suffield Academy’s Performing Arts department delivered three unforgettable performances of Mean Girls: The Musical, showcasing the immense talent and creativity of its students and faculty. The production was marked by standout singing, witty and engaging dialogue, and impressive set designs that brought the beloved plot to life. Audience members were treated to iconic moments from the original movie, which had everyone captivated from the opening scene. More than 40 students and faculty members were involved in this dynamic production, directed by Tom Dugan, bringing together various talents both on and off the stage. The musical has become a cherished tradition at Suffield Academy, spotlighting the school’s vibrant artistic community and offering a much-anticipated highlight of the winter term.
26 Pebbles tells the story of the 26 innocent souls lost in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting—and how like pebbles thrown into a pond, it created ripples and vibrations felt far beyond the initial rings. The show paints the picture of the idyllic New England town and how the tragedy completely transformed the community. The actors took on challenging roles beautifully representing various people involved in the horrific events. It was a moving show that ultimately provided hope for the future.
MICHAEL SIMMONS ’13 GUITAR SHOW
Elizabeth Warren P’26
Cultural Diversity Director
Faculty Sabbaticals
Jennifer Graham Chair, Visual Arts Department
Walking in the Footsteps of Giants
A Journey to the Civil Rights Landmarks of the South [ Elizabeth Warren P’26]
This past year, I embarked on a deeply meaningful journey—a summer sabbatical where I traveled to several historical civil rights landmarks across the United States. Divided into two parts, this trip of a lifetime took me from the rolling hills of Virginia to the deep South, where I walked in the footsteps of giants who fought for justice and equality. As much as I desired to take in the history and pay homage to those who came before me, I strategically avoided the sweltering Southern heat, opting to split my journey between the cooler months of the year.
Beginning Where It All Began: Monticello
My journey began in Virginia at Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. For me, it was crucial to start at the origin—where the seeds of American history and the brutal institution of slavery were sown. Walking through the grounds of Monticello, with my 12-year-old son at the time, was a powerful experience. As we learned more about the enslaved people who lived and worked there, I found myself envisioning what life would have been like for my son as he sat at the site of the “nailery,” a workshop where enslaved boys, some as young as 10, toiled day in and day out. This grounding experience set the tone for the rest of the trip.
A Northern Detour: Washington, DC
After Virginia, we traveled north to Washington, DC, a city steeped in African American history. Our exploration of Georgetown took us to the historic First Baptist Church and the Mt. Zion + Female Band Cemetery. We learned about the intricacies of Patrick Frances Healy, the esteemed 29th President of Georgetown University. Our time in DC was further enriched by a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and a tour of Howard University. A lovely dinner with Suleni Sabio Arzu-Brown ’22 who attends Howard University, at the historic Georgia Brown’s restaurant just steps away from the White House rounded out our stay. These experiences, though centered in the North, were deeply connected to the broader narrative of the Civil Rights Movement.
ı It is through the sharing of these stories that we can continue to honor those who came before us and inspire future generations to carry the torch forward.
Taking on the South
In February, I solo-ventured south, where my journey was bookended by tributes to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. My travels began in Memphis, Tennessee, with a visit to The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel—the site of Dr. King’s assassination. The weight of history hung heavy in the air as I explored the Lorraine Motel, Clayborne Temple, I Am A Man Plaza, and the Beale Street Historic District, all pivotal locations in the struggle for civil rights. From Memphis, I traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, a city that was at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. Here, I visited Kelly Ingram Park, the 16th Street Baptist Church, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Each stop deepened my understanding of the movement’s complexity and the courage of those who stood against injustice.
My journey continued to Selma, where I walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge—a site forever etched in history due to the events of “Bloody Sunday.” The visit to the Lowndes Interpretive Center added another layer of context, highlighting the lesser-known stories of the movement. Continuing westward, I visited Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama. In Montgomery, I reflected on the legacy of Dr. King at Dexter Ave. King Memorial Baptist Church and The Legacy Museum. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice was a somber reminder of the lives lost to racial violence. Tuskegee offered a different perspective, where I visited the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Tuskegee University, and The Oaks, the home of Booker T. Washington. These stops celebrated the achievements of African Americans in education and military service, adding a layer of pride to the trip.
Finally, I ended my journey in Atlanta, Georgia, where I visited The King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Dr. King’s birth home. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights provided a fitting conclusion to my trip, tying together the threads of history, activism, and ongoing struggles for equality.
Reflection and Revelation
This journey was life-changing and something I had wanted to undertake for a very long time. Yet, I was unprepared for the emotional toll it would take on me. At each stop, I felt a profound heaviness, a sadness that was difficult to shake. Growing up in the United States, we are taught the Civil Rights Movement, focused on a few key figures and events. However, this trip introduced me to the stories of hundreds of others—ordinary people who protested, fought, and died for equality. I learned about Johnny Robinson and Virgil Ware, two young boys whose lives were tragically cut short by racial violence. I discovered the story of Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., a man whose influence on the movement is often overshadowed by his son’s legacy. I also encountered the stories of African American soldiers and veterans of WWII, who faced discrimination at home despite fighting for freedom abroad. A park ranger at the Tuskegee Airmen Museum shared a poignant statement made by his father, a WWII veteran: “I fought for this country on three continents and I came home and don’t have the same rights as white veterans.” These are the stories we don’t learn in school, but they are the stories we need to learn.
Through my work, education, and passion, I am committed to telling these stories—the voices of the unheard, the unknown, the forgotten. Those we learned about as young people and those we’ve yet to know. And it is through the sharing of these stories that we can continue to honor those who came before us and inspire future generations to carry the torch forward.
Following the Path of Ansel Adams
Experiencing the West with Traditional Photography [ Jennifer Graham]
My first trip out West was when I was three years old. Over the intervening years, white water rafting, camping, hiking, and fishing with my family in the beautiful landscape of the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho have become treasured memories from my childhood. The last time I was at the family cabins in Idaho was when I was 15 years old, the same year that I discovered my passion for film photography. I remember this experience so vividly as I had also fallen in love with the beautiful, meticulous landscape photography of Ansel Adams.
His imagery is renowned for his connection to light and majestic framing of landscapes. The detail he captured on large format film documenting Yellowstone Park, and the Sawtooth and Teton mountains continue to captivate photographers 100-years later. Revisiting these places as a trained photographer with 20 years of experience in both traditional film and digital photography, I dove deeper into my passion and further developed my technical skills. This body of work demonstrates my growth creatively and conceptually over time.
ı There are no forms in nature. Nature is a vast, chaotic collection of shapes. You as an artist create configurations out of chaos. You make a formal statement where there was none to begin with. All art is a combination of an external event and an internal event—I make a photograph to give you the equivalent of what I felt. Equivalent is still the best word. [Ansel Adams]
ı Life is your art.
An open, aware heart is your camera.
A oneness with your world is your film.
Your bright eyes and easy smile is your museum.
[Ansel Adams]
With each place I visited, I made sure to see the space first in black and white, standing in the same spots Ansel Adams did almost a century ago, framing and capturing the landscapes with crisp focus, deep aperture, and precision on large format black and white film. I then took the time to process the areas through my own lens, utilizing my three medium format film cameras, the Fuji-6X9, Mamiya-645, and a Yashica-635 to photograph 120 Kodak Porta 400 color film. Along the way I would capture imagery with my digital camera, knowing that these images would later be edited into digital negatives to create cyanotype imagery for my embroidery work.
The exhibition embodied all that I am as a photographer: classically trained in film and darkroom techniques but also fascinated with manipulating and utilizing digital imagery to find new ways to generate mixed media and connect with my subject and new materials. I hope my work makes you feel immersed in the landscapes and beauty that is preserved through our national parks and vast landscapes of the American West.
Alumni Leadership Award | Jody Cranmore ’73, P’10
Suffield represents a great deal to me. During my four years here I made friendships that have lasted a lifetime and my experience really shaped my life and my values.
Suffield Academy recognized Jody Cranmore ’73, P’10, with the 2024 Alumni Leadership Award. Jody has been a leader in the legal field since beginning his career in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in 1979. Throughout his corporate law career, Jody has represented financial institutions and their affiliates in all operational and regulatory matters, successfully guiding more than 50 financial institutions through merger and acquisition transactions.
Jody played a pivotal role in founding Suffield’s Alumni Association and establishing the Alumni Leadership Award in 2003. He was selected as the 2024 recipient in recognition of his distinguished professional career and unwavering dedication to Suffield. During his acceptance speech, he reflected on the profound impact Suffield has had on him for over fifty years.
Returning for his 50th class reunion in fall 2023, he expressed the joy of reconnecting with classmates from around the country and the world.
“Suffield represents a great deal to me. During my four years here, I made friendships that have lasted a lifetime, and my experiences truly shaped my life and values,” he shared. Jody went on to thank the extraordinary teachers who taught him how to think critically
and communicate effectively both in and outside the classroom. He concluded his talk by sharing five key lessons learned throughout his life:
Avoid short-timer syndrome. In the military, short-timer syndrome refers to a lapse in judgment or mistakes often made during the final weeks of service. I advise you to avoid this and to finish the academic year on a positive note and with a strong effort.
Be courageous. Embrace courage in your course choices, life decisions, and the way you choose to live. Don’t live with regrets about paths not taken.
Measure twice, cut once. Verify everything before deciding. Just as you would double-check measurements before cutting wood, research thoroughly before forming an opinion.
Know who you are. This relates to your faith, family, friends, and community—those who will stand by you when you need them most. Ensure you’re giving back to them throughout your life.
Use your time and talents wisely. Suffield has equipped you for success in college and beyond, and we’re all proud of the difference you will make.
We welcome your nominations for Alumni Leadership Award recipients. Follow the QR code to identify noteworthy candidates.
LEGACY FAMILIES
BY ELIOTT GROVER
KLINE
BRACELAND
DELLAQUILA
O’BRIEN
WHITE
JARON KLINE ’24 & STEVE KLINE ’83
From the moment Steve Kline visited Suffield as a prospective student, he knew he had found his home away from home. “There was something special about the campus that instantly resonated with me,” Steve says. The people he met during his tour and interview reinforced this strong first impression.
Steve was born in Miami and raised in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. He has a deep appreciation for the diversity of Suffield’s student body, which allowed him to build relationships with peers from across the country and around the world. Steve remembers how conducive campus life was to fostering these friendships. “The dining hall was the center of everything,” he says. “Regardless of grade, classes, or activities, that’s where we got to know so many of the students and faculty.”
In Suffield’s dedicated faculty, Steve found mentors who nurtured his interests and helped him develop the tools that he would rely on for success in college and beyond. Teachers and coaches like Phil Currier and Andy Lowe, who have both sadly passed away, instilled lifelong values. Since graduating from Muhlenberg College with a double major in psychology and philosophy, Steve has worked in the music industry. He is currently the president of Better Noise Music, an independent record label headquartered in New York City. In a notable Suffield connection, the daughter of Steve’s classmate Dave Nye ’83 also works at Better Noise Music.
Even though he only spent a year at Suffield, Jaron is confident that the relationships he formed and the lessons he learned will last a lifetime. He credits this to the school’s identity, the same special environment that first attracted his father.
When Steve’s son Jaron ’24 decided to attend Suffield as a postgraduate, Steve was thrilled about the opportunity to reconnect with his alma mater. “Watching Jaron walk the same walkways I did, through many of the same halls, was amazing,” Steve says. “I credit Suffield with so much of who I have become, and I love knowing that Jaron’s experiences will last him a lifetime.”
Aside from growing up hearing about his father’s positive experience, Jaron was drawn to Suffield by what he perceived as an ideal balance between academics and athletics. This harmony was exemplified by his interactions with Bryan Brissette, who coached him on the baseball diamond and taught him in the history classroom. “His class allowed me to really stay involved and taught me skills that I will take with me in life,” Jaron says.
Upon reflection, Jaron says that Suffield helped accomplish his goals for his postgraduate year by preparing him for the next chapter of his education. “It helped give me the organizational skills I need for the future and allowed me to really grow and mature as a whole,” he says. Even though he only spent a year at Suffield, Jaron is confident that the relationships he formed and the lessons he learned will last a lifetime. He credits this to the school’s identity, the same special environment that first attracted his father.
“The vibes are just different,” Jaron says. “It’s a nice and comforting feeling being there.”
“Suffield is a family,” says Jeanine Braceland ’89. “Whenever I meet someone who attended Suffield Academy, there is an instant bond.” This bond has woven itself into the fabric of her own family, connecting seven alumni across generations. Jeanine and her sister, Terri-Lee ’90, were the family’s first Tigers. They found their way to Suffield as talented basketball players attending a small private school near their home in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Looking to unlock their potential, they sought a bigger school with a stronger athletics program. After touring some of the best boarding schools in New England, Suffield was their top choice.
“It was an easy decision,” says Jeanine. During their visit, they fell in love with the campus and the positive environment created by students and faculty. The fact that girls’ basketball coach Leon Waskiewicz was looking for a pair of power forwards made it an ideal match.
Sports were a huge part of the sisters’ Suffield experience. They racked up wins on the court and bonded with teammates while belting songs on the bus to away games. Athletic trainer George Pervear had a tremendous impact on Jeanine’s life. “I spent countless hours in his office doing homework and retaking tests,” she says. “He was always an upbeat person.” Beyond basketball, Jeanine found joy in other extracurricular pursuits.
Her music career, for example, was not limited to bus ride sing-alongs. “Performing in the spring musical my senior year will forever hold a beautiful memory in my life,” she says. “I loved being on that stage playing Sandra Dee in Grease.”
When Jeanine and Terri-Lee were students, their father, Norman Fiedler, fell in love with Suffield. After they graduated, he became the varsity football coach and led the team to its first New England championship. Norm passed away in 2022. He was mourned and remembered fondly by the Suffield community. “I feel that a part of my dad has been left there forever,” Jeanine says.
Jeanine’s daughter, Shea ’24, grew up knowing exactly where she wanted to attend high school. “My mom and aunt would always tell me how much Suffield changed them and made them who they are today,” she says. Now that Shea has graduated, she feels the same way. “The person that I was at the start of my journey at Suffield would not recognize the person I am today,” she says. “I have grown as a student, a friend, an artist, and even an athlete.”
There is truly no other place that makes me feel so seen, heard, and loved. I have made my best friends here.
Shea credits her teachers and coaches, like her advisor Nathan Zwirko, with providing the support and motivation that propelled this growth. “Mr. Zwirko has been my rock at Suffield,” she says. “I can go to him with absolutely anything and he knows just what to tell me.”
During her time at Suffield, Shea thrived as a member of the lacrosse team while pursuing her love of music. Like her mother, one of her fondest memories was performing in the winter musical. In 2023, she starred in Mean Girls as Regina George, the meanest girl of all. Getting into character was hard because of how different Shea is from Regina, but she relished the experience.
Suffield helped nurture Shea’s love of science, which she plans to build on by studying nursing at the University of Tampa. While she’ll miss many aspects of life at Suffield, leaving such a strong community is the hardest part of moving on. “There is truly no other place that makes me feel so seen, heard, and loved,” Shea says. “I have made my best friends here.”
SUSAN DELLAQUILA WHITE ’84 , JAY O’BRIEN ’13 , KATIE O’BRIEN ’89 , BEN WHITE ’25 & STEPHEN DELLAQUILA ’56
Stephen Dellaquila ’54 was the first person in his family to go to college. Attending Suffield was the critical stepping stone that made this achievement possible. “The school prepared him for his future,” says his daughter Susan Dellaquila White ’84. Growing up, Susan and her sister, Stephanie Dellaquila Greco ’88, were accustomed to their father regaling them with tales from his time at Suffield. “Knowing those stories, I knew that Suffield would be a home for me just as it was for him,” Susan says. “The school is central to our family’s story, our lives, and our identities.”
In addition to her father and sister, Susan’s children, nephews, and niece are all proud alumni. While everyone had their own unique experience, Susan says they all benefited in the same way. “Suffield provides a strength of character and a solid foundation from which you can begin your academic career and build your life,” she says. “Suffield expects something of you, but it also works hard to give you the tools to help you get there.”
She praises the teachers who helped her develop and sharpen these tools. “My advisor, the great Barry Cleary, and the wonderful faculty defined my experience,” says Susan. “Mr. Vianney taught me, my sister, and my children all how to write.” Susan’s favorite subject was history, which she proceeded to study at Skidmore College. She now lives in West Hartford and is the president of an aerospace company. Suffield, she believes, was the launch pad for her success.
Jay O’Brien ’13, Susan’s son, also credits Suffield with preparing him for his career. He works in broadcast journalism, covering Congress and politics for ABC News. “I’m so lucky to have found the theater program and to have gotten to know Tom Dugan,” says Jay. Tom, who chairs the Performing Arts Department, helped Jay build the confidence to shine on stage while supporting him through all the highs and lows of his high school experience. “He is an example of the kind of impact one fantastic teacher can have on a student,” Jay says. “And a credit to the value of a Suffield education.”
Beyond the professional skills Suffield helped Jay acquire, he is most grateful for the character-based education he received. “The news business is tumultuous. It’s easy to lose your center,” Jay says. “But, if you remember how much being a good person matters and how much good character matters, you’ll survive. And Suffield instilled those values in me.”
His sister, Katie O’Brien ’24, had a similarly formative experience. “Suffield has made me the person I am today,” says Katie. She credits her English teacher Catherine DeWalt with igniting a passion for learning, and she expresses gratitude for the uplifting power of the school community. “Suffield is such a special place because everyone is so welcoming and there is always a support network to extend a helping hand.”
Suffield provides a strength of character and a solid foundation from which you can begin your academic career and build your life. Suffield expects something of you, but it also works hard to give you the tools to help you get there.
A versatile athlete, Katie received the Coach’s Awards in soccer and lacrosse. She now attends Southern Methodist University, where she plans to study Fashion Media. As a Suffield legacy, she is proud of the fact that her educational journey has overlapped with so many of her relatives. “It’s cool to know that some of my teachers also taught my mom and aunt,” Katie says.
The youngest member of the family to attend the school is Ben White ’25. As a member of the football team, Chris Setian has served as an invaluable mentor to Ben over the last three years. “Coach Setian is the best,” remarks Ben. Additionally, Ben is an outstanding baseball player, playing outfield for the Tigers. Undoubtedly, the instruction he has received from Bryan Brissette and Chris Pentz has advanced his skills and deepened his love for the game. Ben has committed to playing baseball at Nichols College. Academically, Suffield has provided the type of structured and nurturing environment needed to be competitive and successful in college and beyond.
Suffield Academy has been an important chapter in every family member’s life stories. “As Charlie Cahn so often says, Suffield is a place where you can always return,” Susan says. “It’s home. And we feel that in our family. It’s left an indelible imprint on all of us.”
Will Ruffa ’26, Patrick Bosma ’27, Ben White ’25, Will Kotchen ’26, Robert Holcombe ’27, Charlie Gamere ’25, Josh Gamere ’25, Andrew Lange ’25, David Bowers ’24, Charlie Riegel ’24, Griffin Santopietro ’24, Finn O’Keefe ’24, EJ Lee ’26, Matthew Hulst ’25, Siena Dagnoli ’24, Alexi Wolkoff ’25, Elizabeth Cerrato ’25, Jaron Kline ’24
Not Pictured: Seamus Sullivan ’26 and Ava Willcutts ’26
GOLF OUTING
1 James and Vinnett Michel P’12, ’17, Ali Salehi P’12, Raz Ghazarian P’20, ’27
3 Corey Caron P’24, ’25, ’28, Tim White P’13, ’24, ’25, Chris Setian ’09, Richard Brook P’23, ’25
4 Sean Atkins P’26, Brett Vianney P’12, ’14, David Godin P’12, Suqing Wang ’27
SOCCER GAME
Alex Clarke ’17, John Watson ’71, Jim Watson ’86, Zach McCormick ’14, Ricardo Ball ’14, Chase Crean ’14, Thomas Ianello ’14, Paul Faude ’10, Adam Pistel ’08, Colin Dowd ’12, Will Cooley ’08
ALUMNI
GOLF
CHRISTIAN MOORE ’21
Selected in the first round [#8] of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels | Helped lead the Tennessee Volunteers to their first National Championship
SARAH ELLERTON ’06
Inducted into the Macalester College Hall of Fame for water polo | Holds record for highest goals in a career [295]
BENNETT ’21
DAVIS WARREN ’21
WILL ROLAPP ’20
University of Michigan Football Undefeated season [15-0] 2024 National Champions
CHRISTIAN WILKINS ’15
Transitioned to become an NFL free agent and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders [defensive tackle]
KECHAUN
JAKE ISLAM ’23
University of Michigan Gymnastics 2024 Big Ten Champions
Amherst College Swimming & Diving [Men’s & Women’s]
WALTER CAMP CONNECTICUT PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
JUSTIN BARRON ’20
Defensive Player of the Year [Syracuse University]
TYLER VAN DYKE ’20
Offensive Player of the Year [University of Miami]
CONNOR BEAULIEU ’10
Head Coach
BRICE M C ALLISTER ’14
Chicago Bears Player Engagement
ENDY MORALES ’15
Head Coach
Dean College Baseball
Class Photos
[Front] Max Wiener, Kate Rookey, Owen Kinne, Devon Loftus, Tori Tryon, Rory Tettemer, Michael Burch, Sasha Derby, Eva Hafner, Kevin Kuzmeski, Milan Ghosh, Westley Barlett, Peter Kim [Second] Ramona Fontaine, Dana Mills, Jake Selbst, Matthew Titterton, Ben Bonavita, Matthew McCoy, James Mignone, Tim Casey, Sam Cuda, Chase Moran, Peyton Cahn, Caleigh Horrigan, Caroline Gingold, Max Miranda, Cécile Meier-Scherling, Max Bass [Third] Jen Ungerleider, India Shay, Hattie Bauchiero, Isabella Attianese, Alina Ryan, Sarah Swanson [Back] Mac Keating, John Killam, Aidan Kennedy, Jack Pumphret, Aubrey Sanford, Milo Marcus, Bailey Hyland, Drea Breck, Carlin Molander, Audrey DuFresne, Pato Chavez Varela, Bridget Carey
2 0 1 3 [Front] Ryan Tettemer, Cole Hills, Andrés Fernández Vílchez, Aphra Benitz, Noel Nakamura [Back] Sarah Berchuck, Jay Prasad, Bryant O’Connor
2 008 [Front] Isi Montero Wise, Becca Bathrick Lamberti, Shea Clark, Adam Pistel [Back] Chris Yuan, Kirsten Chalke, Harrison Kramer, Michael Vallides, George Gomez
1993 [Front] Michelle Boozang, Jamison Skiff Hanway [Middle] George Wingard, David Montgomery, Todd Szwed, Drew Gamere [Back] Alan Bruderer, Chris Mosko, Tony Minalga
1989 Kevin Burke ’91, Jeanine Fiedler Braceland, Dan Lawry, Terri-Lee Fiedler ’90
1988 [Front] Kiernan Flynn, Dan Hostetter, Casey Dunbar, Kristin Guglielmo, Hillary Rockwell Cahn [Middle] Tobye Cook, Andrew Pilaro, Lee Baldwin, Kate Cleary [Back] Tom Hodgkins, Frank Molander, Traci Borden
1983 [Front] Mike Sabellico, John Boozang, Steve Clark [Middle] Richard Kleis, Caroline Pettegrew Anderson, Art Shettle [Back] Judy Killam, Betsy Burnham Broderick, Basil Davila
1973 [Front] Ken Turnbull, Rick Wahle, Richard Disney, Jody Cranmore, Ned Higgins, Roofus Hoffmann, Jim Raporte [Back] Mick Scully, Ed Parsons, Bob Marconi, Bart Roe, Chris Richter, Jeffrey Prudden
1963 Robert Horne, Peter Hayman
1958 Bruce Glass, John Rodgers
Washington,D.C.
Celebrating Suffield ’
Washington, D.C. [Front] Frank Naughton, Emily Gooding Naughton ’99, Devon Loftus ’18, Natalie Castonguay ’19, Katherine Schmitz ’19, Colin Dowd ’12 [Back] Adam Pistel ’08, Tobias August, Todd August ’78, William Taylor ’04, Fred Zeytoonjian ’82, Jack Way ’85, David Lingua ’81, James Hochschwender ’66, Robert Dahms ’83
West Palm Beach, Florida [Front] Brielle Beaudette Collins ’07, Lisa Keney Rarus ’80, P’07, ’11, Drew Rarus ’11, Andy Rarus ’79, P’07, ’11, Camille Marino Noble ’90, Alexandra Garrison ’03, Carolyn Tribble Hudkins ’94, P’25, ’28, Peter Potter ’59, Andy Ellis ’01, Aphra Benitz ’13 [Back] Adam Pistel ’08, Chris Collins ’02, Colin Dowd ’12, Ken Klesczewski ’80
New York, New York [1] Judy McElnea P’12, Valisha Graves ’81, Jeff McElnea ’67, P’12, Phil Riegel ’87, P’20, ’24, Mariama Perry ’07 [2] Alex Porter ’12, Argenis Rojas ’11, Adam Pistel ’08, Nkosi Cooper ’19, Will Buckfire ’15 [3] Dan Tisch ’69, P’02, Marigay McKee, Charlie Cahn P’18, ’22, David Wolkoff P’23, ’25, Fred Powers ’83, P’14
West Hartford, Connecticut [Front] Amy Randall ’09, Jackie Pannel Zinck ’04, Jeanine Fiedler Braceland ’89, P’24, Bryan Brissette, Chrissy Brissette, Terri-Lee Fiedler ’90, Tom Leonard ’74, P’06, ‘10, Melissa Malley ’16, Kyler Armata ’15, Jen Lamontagne ’04 [Middle] Doug Meaney, Sarah Fletcher Meaney ’98, Leo Letendre ’71, Trevor Lyne ’16, Ken Klesczewski ’80, Matthew Wiggin ’06, Meagan Ward Jenkins ’00, Andrew Jenkins [Back] Con O’Leary ’62, Adam Pistel ’08, Brian Hetzel ’97, Gavin Mastella ’19, Dan Mastella ’87, P’19, ’21, ’23, ’25, Ben Lemire ’00, Mark Shelanskas ’14, Colin Dowd ’12
West Hartford, Connecticut
New York, New York
West Palm Beach, Florida Chicago, Illinois
In the Photos from left to right
Boston, Massachusetts
Seoul, South Korea
Chicago, Illinois [Front] Megan Murphy ’09, Cathleen Evans ’00, Peter Mitchell ’84, Dara Pizzuti ’87, P’26, Meredith Wilson-Rarus ’07, Daley Wilson-Rarus, Richard Jolly P’26 [Back] Alan Paberzs, Erik Mothersbaugh, Larry Griffin ’99, Isabelle Ricke ’17, Graham Shannon ’17, Ben Toczydlowski ’17, Colin Dowd ’12
Boston, Massachusetts [Front] Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, P’18, ’22, James Mignone ’18, Sam Cuda ’18, Peyton Cahn ’18 [Middle] Sam Feldman ’14, Barry Cleary P’02, ’05, Kate Cleary ’88, Josh Cohen ’92, Sage Maggi ’14, Jed Nosal ’89, Caroline Gingold ’18, Dory Butcher ’14, Cailey McNamara ’19, Britani Gunther ’10, Jackson Robinson ’60, Ryan Sonberg ’09, Charlie Cahn P’18, ’22, Matteo Calderan ’18, Ken Turnbull ’73, Bob Lally ’04, Matt Jones ’07, Phil Riegel ’87, P’20, ’24, Sarah Swanson ’18, Chase Moran ’18, Bridget Carey ’18, Carter Cousins ’19, Adam Pistel ’08, Pat Cordes ’18, Amy Randall ’09, Sean Atkins P’26 [Back] Colin Dowd ’12, Casey Kaplan ’17, Becca Collins ’17, Zach McCormick ’14, Thomas Ianello ’14, Ryan Tettemer ’13, Kayla Brunson, Peter Cerrato ’91, P’25, ’28, Harry Hildreth ’17, Bobby Long ’18, Tori Tryon ’18, Jonathan Walker ’19, Tim Casey ’18, Pat Stone ’99, Jeffrey Smith ’72, Chris Sonberg ’12
Seoul, South Korea [Left Photo • Front] Dong Hyun Lee ’12, Charlie Cahn P’18, ’22, Suzy Vogler P’11, Heecheon Lee ’96, P’26 [Back] Su Sie Park ’12, Chelsea Han ’19, In Jae Beak ’11, Charlie Park ’19, Paul Lee ’03, YK Kim ’09, Kenny Lim ’08, James Park ’11
[Right Photo] Hyun Jung Han P’22, Sung Hee Lee P’11, ’19, Charlie Cahn P’18, ’22, Charlie Park ’19, James Park ’11
CLASS AGENTS
Class Agent Profile
Jon Booth ’64
While many class agents take on this volunteer role soon after graduating from Suffield, some wait years before raising their hand to help. For Jon Booth, it was fifty years before he decided to become a class agent. His classmate, Tom Webster, asked him to join him in engaging the Class of 1964 and encouraging as many of them as possible to return to campus for their 50th reunion in 2014.
Jon had recently retired in 2012, giving him more free time to support his classmate Tom, who had done a great job over the years staying connected with classmates and keeping class loyalty to Suffield alive. Jon says, “I was president of our class our senior year and felt I should step up as a class leader again.” Jon welcomed the opportunity to work with Tom in planning their 50th reunion and reaching out to many classmates to encourage them to return to campus.
Today, Jon continues to enjoy working throughout the year with the other 1964 class agents— Ned Smith, Tom Webster, and Nat Stevens—to connect with classmates and keep the Suffield bond strong. “I enjoy reflecting on the impact Suffield has had on my life and capturing some of those thoughts in our annual fundraising letter.”
Jon says Suffield helped him grow personally and academically. Because of Suffield’s packed schedule—classes, athletics, work programs, extracurricular activities, and studying—he feels he had many more opportunities to learn and grow than he would have had at a public high school.
He credits Ken Lindfors for teaching him to love history, which he ended up majoring in during college. His English teachers, Mason Nye, Gordy Glover, and David Badger, helped him become a better writer. Jon says it was at Suffield that he discovered his leadership skills. “With that confidence and capability,” he said, “I have held leadership positions in my career in international education, professional associations, and other organizations.”
Jon has been collaborating with the Development & Alumni Engagement office to prepare for their 60th reunion in October 2024. Each reunion, two classes are honored for excelling in alumni giving. Jon’s goal was to help his class win the Fuller Cup, awarded to the reunion class with the highest percentage of donors to the Annual Fund. Sure enough, the Class of 1964 will receive this award at this fall’s reunion, as over 75% of the class supported the Annual Fund during the 2024 fiscal year.
Jon cites the lifelong friends he formed at Suffield as one of the school’s most significant impacts on him. He says, “As the school alma mater proclaims, ‘Ikn each one’s heart there’ll be a spark for friendships formed at old Suffield.’” He and his Suffield roommate, Franklin Hardy, still stay together when they return to Suffield for reunions and also share a meal annually.
When asked what advice he would give other class agents or alumni interested in becoming one, Jon provided a few tips he has found effective. First, don’t try to do it alone; it’s more fun and effective to involve others in a class agent team. Second, send group emails to the entire class several times a year, not just about fundraising for Suffield. This helps build a sense of community among classmates. Third, consider hosting Zoom calls between reunions to stay connected and check in on classmates. Lastly, encourage as many classmates as possible to attend reunions every five years.
These gatherings allow people to reconnect as adults and strengthen loyalty to Suffield. During reunions, try to hold a special breakout session just for your class to catch up on each other’s lives. For their 55th reunion in 2019, members of the Class of 1964 shared five-minute statements on a topic of their choosing, inspired by the “Brief but Spectacular” segments on PBS NewsHour.
Class Notes
1956
Robert Houghton
My high school sweetheart Marcia and I celebrated our 61st anniversary in September 2023.
1958
Thomas Elmer
I have moved from Colorado to South Bristol, Maine where I have summered for better than 75 years. I have resettled to the coast of Maine after 23 years in Colorado. The pace of life is more relaxed and there is significantly more water. My three children have settled in Maine also, so we can spend time together.
Douglas Greene
I have always been a disruptor and at the same time entrepreneurial. My wife Heather and I have funded over 60 scholarships at several colleges and universities providing a “hand up, not a handout” to over 500 students aspiring to attend college. At Southeast Missouri State University, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is named for me. I was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business from the university. I have now taken a major position in funding steel buildings for Skilled Trades Centers [STC] attached to area high schools. There will be a 7500 square foot structure for Evergreen
High School, a 2800 square foot center at Ridgefield High School, and we’re planning a 3200 square foot center for the LaCenter High School, all in southwest Washington, where we reside in the summer months. We spend the winter months in the Rancho Mirage community in California.
David Rockwell
Bonnie and I continue to enjoy life on the Coast of Maine. A recent cross country road trip and several excursions up to Canada provided a positive change of scenery. At this point in my life, I relish peace and quiet, a chance to enjoy nature, and good friends.
Bruce Glass
I remain very active playing tennis, skiing, and going to the gym. I edit an online magazine and have a busy senior-care consulting practice. As our numbers thin, I’d love to hear from any classmates.
1959
Richard German
I now have a second home in Lake Tahoe— so much fun and the best water views in the USA [Pacific Ocean in Carmel and Tahoe]. I am still a part-time surgeon [Botox, hormone pellet insertion]. I am still active at 83 in my BHRT medical practice and my Big Sur Mountain walks up to 600 miles a year. Holly and I are blessed with health, and a
beautiful and highly productive family [two daughters]. We remain firm supporters of Suffield and look forward to revisiting the campus. Our home in Carmel Highlands, California that we built 27 years ago has views of the grand Pacific from Big Sur all the way up to the hills of Santa Cruz, so be sure to come for a visit if in our area.
1960
Robert Dietrich Janet and I just celebrated our 60th anniversary. We have three daughters, eight grandchildren, and four [still counting] great-grandchildren who are spread from Mission Viejo, California to Brunswick, Maine. I am retired and keep busy as the treasurer of our HOA, reading a book a week, and watching golf [can’t play anymore]. We, like our children and grandchildren, have lived from East Brunswick, New Jersey, to Carlsbad, California, but mostly in the southwest corner of Indiana, which we found to be a great place to raise our family.
1961
Thomas West
The Cyber Discussion Group was very interested to know that I had the honor of giving the first ever Diversity Day talk for GCHQ in England—the group that broke
1 Douglas Greene ’58 2 Rick Wahle ’73, Peyton Cahn ’18, Dave Rockwell ’58, Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, Bo Hoppin, and Jen Matthews on Hurricane Island, Maine
the Nazi codes in WWII, as useful as Ultra was to Winston Churchill. I discussed the major discoveries of several dyslexic scientists and mathematicians. The Cosmos Club is the most prestigious club in Washington, D.C.
1962
Phil Collins
While I only attended Suffield for my senior year, I have many fond memories dealing especially with the academic challenges which I needed badly. The result: I had a great career in financial services for 38 years. Today, I live in Naples, Florida, married 57 years, and like many others enjoy our three grandchildren, ages nine, six, and five. If you play golf, play Tiburon, you will find me as a starter on the Resort Course. Speaking of golf, this past Father’s Day was a dream day for me as I beat my age by one, special for me since I had a knee replacement in February. Go Tigers.
Tony Hull
It can’t be 62 years ago when I last rung The Bell? A lot has happened. I was the founding president of the Astronomy Club and space astronomy has been and continues to be my mission—super nerd then and now. On Christmas Day 2021, the Webb Telescope was launched. I left JPL and was appointed to be Program Manager over a team of 60 for optically shaping all the Webb mirrors. A five-year effort with 334,000 opportunities to destroy a mirror—we lost none, and performance is better than specified. While there were many 80-hour weeks, Webb’s amazing pictures unfolding the universe is well worth the effort. I am now Adjunct Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UNM, consult internationally on spaceborne telescopes, and am serving on NASA committees on making the next NASA Flagship Mission, Habitable Worlds Observatory, to fly circa 2050. I am also developing a smaller vectored mission using the latest technology to answer fundamental questions about cosmic ecology, especially the evolution of galaxies. What could be more fun? And I chair a conference on astronomical telescopes held every other year at the San Diego Convention Center.
I fell in love with northern New Mexico doing archaeology research at the amazing Chaco Canyon and chose to live here in a mountain setting with great vistas and three great rescue doggies. A few years ago, I chaired the international conference Astronomy and Ceremony in the Prehistoric Southwest at The Maxwell Museum. I am healthy, have played hard [two sports at Penn, hitchhiked across the Sahara Desert, etc.]. Now I paint some, have produced music, am involved with animal rescue, and have a monthly party that just had its 160th consecutive meeting. Recently Nobelist John Mather and his bride, visiting the university, stayed as my house guests for a week. What do you say to a Nobelist over breakfast—very regular discussions. An aside, I have experienced a string of extremely improbable but unambiguous coincidences.
Robert Jehu
I am looking forward to free skiing in New Hampshire next year as an octogenarian.
Kenneth Kirk
I am retired and enjoying life in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I’m still active in water-related issues including Next Generation Water Summit held in Santa Fe each year.
Andy Spector
I have been retired for almost five years after working for Morgan Stanley and its predecessors for thirty-two years as a second career. I am enjoying doing Meals on Wheels and being a docent at the Holocaust Museum Houston. We have moved. I sold our home and moved to a condominium. When Hurricane Beryl hit, we sustained no damage. Timing is everything.
David Holdridge
I recently returned from Lebanon where I was engaged by the State Department in providing affordable credit for those small businesses which had suffered from the collapse of the banking establishment as well as the surrounding internecine violence. Since my return to Vermont, I have published an account of my various assignments in Lebanon/Palestine and Israel since 1981: The Water Above
Tim Madison
I am still continuing to work as a Certified Financial Planner in Georgia. I took a couple of months off to have a knee replacement this summer. Finally, considering retiring at age 80 could be hard as I enjoy helping families with their finances. It would be nice to spend time with the growing grandchildren, some of whom are getting married—boy does that make me feel old.
1963
Richard Anthony
I celebrated my 80th on May 18: Susan and I entertained the family at Mohonk Valley Resort in New York for the weekend. Elisabeth and Sam, both SA graduates, their spouses, and the four grands shared in the celebration. Before trekking north, we met class agents Sandy ’63 and Betty Prouty, for dinner in Naples. We are summering in Rhode Island for three months for the 100th year for the Anthony Family.
Robert Horne
Here we are 61 years after graduation from Suffield... WOW! My wife, Pat, and I love our quiet life in Middlebury, Vermont and continue to cut and split our own firewood for heat, garden for vegetables to last the winter, and try to stay fit as the years become more challenging. I have been 14 years retired from managing community mental health programs in Essex County, New York. I enjoy boatbuilding and sailing on Lake Champlain and I continue to play soccer twice a week at Middlebury College even though my 78-year-old knees complain quite a bit. I still hold Suffield as a valued building block to adult life in addition to the academic preparation for the future that I received. Be well, everyone.
1964
Peter Symasko Tijan Sallah ’64, our Cambian classmate, is aging gracefully in Dakar. I am ending my last overseas security consulting endeavor for the developing Senegal Oil & Gas Industry.
Ned Smith
Living on an island in Puget Sound is beautiful and extremely balmy at times. We live across the entrance to the Pacific and view the Olympic Mountain range just south of the strait. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to our 60th Reunion. Esse Quam Videri to everyone in the Suffield community.
1965
Tim Hemingway
Looking forward to spending time with Molly and Larry Hyde ’65 over Thanksgiving at the ranch that Larry used to run in Wickenburg, Arizona.
Larry Hyde
Molly and I stopped by the school for a quick visual inspection in late July. Absolutely breathtaking, and an unbelievable transformation from long ago to present day. The Trustees, past and present, and Charlie have and had an incredible knack to raise all the funds necessary to accomplish all the renovations, new additions, and athletic facilities. Job well done, folks. Our son, Toby ’96, also visited the school recently with his family and was greeted warmly by Charlie Cahn. Great memories for both of us.
Raymond Kolstad
Life continues to be good. I’m spending winters in Venice, Florida, and as much time with the grandkids as possible.
James Lo Dolce
I am doing well. Still sailing Lake Ontario in the summer, working part time at Skaneateles Urgent Care, and golfing. I had dinner recently with Trish and Jon Booth ’64. I continue to do reasonably well. I ended my employment in Skaneateles, New York, Urgent Care in May. May be taking on a new part-time long term care job starting October. I spent the summer golfing, working in my vegetable garden, and sailing Lake Ontario. My wife Donna and I enjoyed spending a weekend in June with my Suffield and Columbia roommate Bill Kelly and his wife Sue in New York City at our 55th Columbia reunion. Our Suffield Class of 1965 has been sporadically getting together
over Zoom the last few years. We missed our 55th due to COVID but hope to regroup at our 60th in 2025.
Bill Milliken
As vice-chair of the board of trustees of Washtenaw Community College, I was the guest speaker at our Honors Convocation in May. Some 20,000 students from 100 countries make up the college’s student body. By appointment of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, I also serve as vice-chair of the Mackinac Bridge Authority. The five-mile-long suspension bridge spans Michigan’s two peninsulas where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are joined.
1966
Marshall Collins
Retirement continues to be good. We’re coming up on our 54th wedding anniversary. Maureen and I still live in Salem, Connecticut. We have had time for travel. Most recently we have been to Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands, Ireland, Sicily, and Malta in the last couple of years. Although I no longer run, and had my knee replaced after 27 marathons, I am probably in the best shape of the last ten years. Regular CrossFit, biking, and walking, along with the dreaded portion control, makes a difference. I also get to spend time watching our grandchildren’s sports. We have a lacrosse player, a couple of runners, and an eight-year-old ice hockey goalie. I hope retirement is treating all of you as well.
Charlie Claggett
One of the benefits of being a class agent is staying connected with classmates. Greg Eggert recently sent me a 1966 class photo reminding me of what a great bunch we were. I can name everyone in the photo and tell you something about each one. And it’s been nearly 60 years—that’s a close class. I have such good memories of all my friends at Suffield. I hope to see you all at our 60th Reunion in 2026. The Class of 1966 remembers Andrew Forrest, author, artist, musician, lecturer, and friend, who died on July 26, 2023, when hit by a hit-and-run
driver. The driver was arrested 16 hours later and was sentenced in April 2024 to six years in prison. We miss you, Andrew.
Paul Dockman
70+ year-old bones don’t like it when you fall. I spent a week in my local hospital [they were great] and left with three screws in my hip. My wife says I was a pain in everyone’s arse, which being mild-manner me I blamed on the drugs. I’m still taking pills so I had to get a weekly planner box. Bad/sad news is my son has aggressive pancreatic cancer. That’s all, folks.
1967
Jeffrey McElnea
No retirement yet on my horizon. I still own and operate The Jeffrey Development Group [marketing consultancy], starting a book on strategic business development, and serving on four client Boards. For contrast [& fun] I was selected for the University Glee Club...a 100-voice chorus of male college graduates from a range of schools. It’s not all recreation, having weekly two-hour rehearsals, but the formal performances are fun in Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and yes, Yankee Stadium. Brad Gooch might have been happy to have SA represented on these stages. Miss him, among many other faculty stalwarts.
1968
Brian E. Hersey
I am still living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in upstate South Carolina. Three grandkids ages four and twins at one. Volunteer work keeps me fully busy and engaged. I am truly blessed.
1969
John Groo
I am alive and well in Mesa, Colorado. Slowed by age a bit, but I still have all my original joints.
1970
Richard Loomis
I relocated my office to my house in Massachusetts, but I am still working full time as a structural engineer. My wife and I show dogs in obedience, agility, rally, and conformation—although we only have one conformation show champion as of now. I am no longer judging AKC Pointing Breed Hunt Tests as I have had a bad right knee for many years, and just had it replaced this past February. All in all, life is good.
Keith Callahan
I have not stayed connected with Suffield over the years, perhaps due to the West Coast distance. Now that I am fully retired, I hope to be more active. My wife and I split our time with residence in Phoenix and second home in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona. Family and typical retiree travel has us mostly leaving the hot weather during the summer with family visiting during the cooler months. Our family travel has us going to Seattle to visit our son and two grandchildren [2 & 4] and to New York
City to visit our oldest son who relocates frequently with various start-ups. Our daughter in Phoenix blessed us with two grandchildren [8 & 11] who keep us young with athletic events and academic activities. Fortunately, my wife and I have maintained our health and my hobby of daily bicycling.
1971
Brian Morris
I’m retired after 40 years in advertising and marketing. I have plenty of time for grandkids, golf, traveling, and Rummikub. Oh, and I’m writing children’s books. First one is being published as I write this. Cindy, my high school girlfriend, and I just celebrated our 47th anniversary.
1972
Ron Rivard
Life is great. This year brings me 3 grandsons and the first time for me being a grandfather. Wishing for all my classmates and the Suffield community to be safe and well.
1973
1 Keith Callahan ’70 and his wife
2 Class of 1971 Leo Letendre, The Honorable George Daniels, and Tetsuo Nishiumi at Abe Samii’s memorial
3 Bill Milliken ’65 at the Washtenaw Community College Honors Convocation as guest speaker
4 1966 Class Photo submitted by Charlie Claggett ’66
John Woodruff
I’m still enjoying Blue Hill, Maine, and the peninsula which is close to Acadia. My wife Diane and pharaoh hound Lacey hike there frequently. I met up with Rocky two years back in Camden for a chat and a cup f Joe. “Maine...the way life should be.”
Jim Raporte
What an eventful year it’s been, starting with my terrific 50th Reunion last October where we had a big turnout by our class. I was in tears laughing most of the weekend listening to the stories of the sometimes crazy stuff we did during our years together back then. Having sold my business in Philadelphia last December, I moved in March to the vibrant, subtropical city of Asheville, North Carolina, in the lush and stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. One weekend in May brought two family celebrations in Boston including the college graduation of my daughter Julie Raporte ’20 and my 70th birthday bash.
1 Bill Shipley ’74 and his wife Michelle
2 Ken Turnbull ’73’s drawing of Derek Jeter & Carl Yaztremski
3 Roger Williams ’73 at his son’s graduation from the University of Pittsburgh
4 Tim Rice ’76
5 Jennifer Cartmell ’76’s cat, Bruce, on his favorite napping spot
6 Todd August ’78 and family
7 John Bevier ’77’s property in Vermont
8 Chris Ritcher ’73 and Ted Montague ’73 enjoying dinner on the Wellington waterfront in Auckland, New Zealand
9 Tom Skeele ’79
10 Rick Smith ’77 and Grant Sperry ’77 in Melbourne, Florida
Also in May, I was thrilled to learn that Jody Cranmore ’73 was honored with the 2024 Alumni Leadership Award, recognizing his many decades of significant contributions to Suffield along with his exceptional law career. Now that I’m working much less and have time for a deep dive into other interests, this will include enrollment into Asheville’s superb culinary school.
Chris Richter
To mark my upcoming 70th birthday, Pam and I traveled to New Zealand during July and August 2024. Given its recent geological upgrade to the 8th continent, I needed to finish off my continents bucket list. After months of planning and much assistance from Ted Montague ’73, who has resided in New Zealand for many years, we arrived in early July. We started out in Auckland and meandered south, eventually meeting up with Ted and Meg Montague for a wonderful dinner on the Wellington waterfront. There was a lot to catch up on during the three hours we spent together, but we covered many topics, including Ted’s long-ago relocation to New Zealand. It was great to spend time together again—first time in 51 years—and remember the old days at SA, and our senior year as next-door mates in Fields House. Pam and I continued our journey by ferry to the South Island and further explored as much of New Zealand as could be fit into our roughly five-week road trip. Although we traveled during the winter off-season, we enjoyed some fantastic weather, the beautiful country, and wonderful Kiwi hospitality.
Rick Wahle
In September 2023 I retired from my faculty position at University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences. To be honest, it’s been more of an off ramp with projects winding down and new horizons, Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership on Penobscot Bay, Maine being one. I’m hoping Hurricane finds a chance to partner with Suffield’s long-standing outdoor leadership program, that Rocky founded, to train the next generation of leaders in science and policy. BTW, what a hoot to reconnect with old buddies at my 50th Reunion last fall.
Roger Williams
I had a big year. My second son graduated from Pitt [Magna Cum Laude in Comp Sci] and I decided to finally retire. It was due, and the corporate world [SAP Concur] had run its course with this creative mind. Immediately I did multiple trips to spots around the US, spending time getting my golf game better, and I’m biking as much as I can. As most of you probably feel, “How did I ever get work done being so busy with personal life?” More are trips ahead. Finally, my time is my own.
1974
James Hogg
This past March, I was elected to the office of Grand Commander of Knights Templar of the State of Alaska.
William Shipley
My wife, Michelle, and I have been married for over 14,500 days—about 39 and a half years—whatever it is from January 5, 1985. Home is York, Pennsylvania and where our son Ben [33] works in the business. Michelle and I travel mostly the East Coast with three grandkids in Pennsylvania State College and three in Charlotte. Our three children and grandkids visit us at our winter home often in Key Largo, Florida.
Elmar Nöth
I retired from the Friedrich-AlexanderUniversität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. Together with my wife Ute, I spent a long summer in Norway and Sweden. We have a summer home in the south of Sweden, near Kalmar. And with my wife retired, we are spending three months in Scandinavia, including an unforgettable trip to the North Cape. With five grandchildren, retirement is not boring. Hope to see all of you at Reunion.
1976
Tim Rice
Greetings all members of the Class of 1976. Hope you are all well and enjoying your best life. I ’ ve been living in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire since 1997 where my wife and I raised three children. I retired from education after 42 years, the last 16 years as principal
at Barnstead Elementary School in Center Barnstead, New Hampshire [June 2022]. Say hello if you are so inclined.
Cynthia Dobson
Hi, Suffield. Has it really been 48 years?
I am still in the Northwest working at Nike coming up on 15 years. If anyone is out that way let me know. Hopefully I wish I could have made it to our 50th Reunion—still cannot believe it. Cheers!
Jennifer Cartmell
I’m enjoying summers in Maine—Bruce and I are spending lots of time on islands and in the boat. Wintertime has been, more and more, away in warm places with long days of sun. I am still working full time for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, primarily in Lewiston, supporting children facing adversity. Cat won’t leave her favorite nap spot.
1977
Howard Dono
In October 2023, I was elected as president of the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers, which is the oldest real estate appraisal trade group in the country.
Jim Baker
All is good on Fisher’s Island where I am living with my wife, Diane. I have great memories of Suffield and the sports program. It was a great year in my life.
John Bevier
All is well in Vermont as we settle into a great haying year with corn growing tall. Tearing off the kitchen is keeping us busy, as are the pastures, horses, goats, and our three Jack Russells. Our very finest to the greater Suffield diaspora.
Rick Smith
We are spending as much time as possible at our house in Melbourne Beach, Florida. We’re njoying the peace and quiet and having our boats in the backyard. I’m learning how to fish for Snook and Redfish on the Indian River lagoon in our backyard. I enjoyed seeing Grant Sperry ’77 and his wife for lunch in Melbourne.
a l umni au t hors
1978
Todd August
Fellow Tigers, hope all is well. The August family is growing. Our oldest daughter Tierney and her husband Zach blessed us with our first grandchild, Desmond Jane, in May of 2023. Tierney, Zach, and family bought a house down the street, less than a five-minute walk, in December. Zach ends a 10-year stint in the US Marines as a Cobra pilot in October. The triplets are thriving. Toby lives in the Republic of Eastport just 20 minutes away and has been sailing in the Wednesday night races out of Annapolis. Sister Mary is stationed at Miramar and resides in Ocean Beach and besides flying CH 53s she enjoys spearfishing, freediving, and scuba diving in the area. Olivia is employed at Bitty and Beau’s, a coffee shop in Annapolis. I have retired and Florence spends her time keeping me on the straight and narrow and helping with the grandchildren. Toby and I went to the Washington, D.C. Suffield gathering and had a great time. Thanks for inviting us. If anyone is in the Baltimore/Washington area give us a call.
Edward Palomba
It was great to attend my 45th Reunion last year. I saw some familiar faces; however, sad to say I was the only one from the Class of 1978 there that evening. I hope we can get a better turnout for our 50th in 2028. Sadly, I lost my wife of 38 years this past December. She was my everything for over 40 years. In her memory we have had several murals painted on the walls in the Children’s Section of the Somers Public Library—a lasting memory and tribute to a wonderful woman. Carolyn will be missed dearly by the Palomba family.
bit.ly/3V3E21F
1979
Renee McDaniel Margolis
Hope everyone is doing well. We had a crazy busy 2023, with three of our four children getting married within 60 days of each other. Then our youngest son and his wife moved back to Connecticut from California in March of this year, so we’re very, very
busy. Unfortunately, I won’t be at Reunion this year, the first one I’ve missed of the five year ones. I hope everyone comes and has a great time. I will miss seeing you all.
Matt Cartmell
Hello Class of 1979, it is that time again for us to reunite at SA this fall for our 45th Reunion. Stephen Dutcher you better be planning on showing up with your wife and son—no excuses. Paul, Ruth, Chris, Sherman, Capt. Fred, Lisa, and the list goes on. I hope everyone can take one weekend to come back and say hello Debbie Rogers Truesdale, I know you exist on Facebook, but what about in person just one weekend this fall? I hear John Pohanka may be visiting with a fine selection of the world’s best bourbon for those of us who love to learn the finer tastes from a true connoisseur. And Leslie Bradley is coming for the weekend too. Time to get together and have fun, and yes, if needed, Kenny, Mark, and I will arrange for a half barrel out at the Mill—sorry the tree house is long gone. Miss you all tremendously.
Tom Skeele
Hey now... I’m a coastal boy again after 30+ years living in the mountains. Santa Cruz, California is home, at the northern end of the Monterey Bay. If one has to have a day job at this age, I have two good ones. First, I’m the lead fundraiser [and more] for The Rewilding Institute, whose raison d’etre is to advance the latest and greatest thinking, science, policies, and practices around the land conservation strategy of rewilding here in North America. I also spend 6-8 weeks a year as an adventure travel guide for Montana-based Off the Beaten Path, leading multi-night trips in national parks across the west and Alaska. You can see more of my comings and goings at seeing4yourself.com
1980
Jon DiLuzio
Hi, classmates. I’ve been living outside of Olympia, Washington, for about 37 years now. It’s been an amazing area to live in. Very rural, with lots of space. I owned three horses for many years and enjoyed taking
Tom Greene ’87
David Holdridge ’62
them on a few epic trips to the Washington and Oregon coasts. I’ve been married to Isabelle [Phillippon] DiLuzio—a native of Montreal who did not speak English when we first met—for 25 wonderful years. Isabelle is retired and I am semi-retired: translation: I’m busier than I’ve ever been, I just don’t get paid for it. I’ve become a somewhat accomplished gardener these last few years, and we regularly eat meals from food we’ve grown, which is extremely satisfying. My memories of our Suffield years together are very special to me still. Great teachers and classmates instilled a sense of community I still feel. Let’s not let external circumstantial differences, whether they be political or otherwise, lessen the bonds we forged so many years ago. Hi to Andy ’79 and Lisa Rarus ’80. We do want to come visit. I’m definitely missing the occasional phone call with Bob Stanley ’79. Peace and wellness to all.
1981
Alison Welch
After 39 years teaching high school French, including three years spent teaching at Suffield, I retired in June. I spent the past 31 years at Lincoln Academy, located in Newcastle, Midcoast Maine, where I taught all the French classes, levels 1 through AP, and most recently served as Chair of the World Languages Department. I truly enjoy teaching and working with students, and especially enjoy building connections with students and
colleagues outside the classroom. I wore a lot of different hats at Lincoln Academy, but one of the ones I enjoyed the most was as advisor to the outing club. I helped organize many student trips hiking, camping, white water rafting, and countless ski trips. I also took students abroad to either France or Quebec on sixteen separate occasions, organizing cultural home stays each time. In June, I was awarded the Class of 1971 Excellence & Impact Award given at Lincoln Academy’s graduation to a faculty or staff member selected by the Head of School. I was honored and humbled to have been recognized at the end of my career. There are many folks at Suffield from when I was a student and when I worked there, who served as great role models for me, and I am very appreciative of the education I received at Suffield Academy. This summer, I moved from the coast of Maine to live full time in Carrabassett Valley, Maine where Sugarloaf Mountain is located. I plan on doing a lot of hiking and skiing and am not yet ready to figure out the next phase of my life.
1982
John Killeen
I’m working as an adjunct teaching business, finance, and econ in the Boston metro area. This semester I am at Bentley, Cam College, and Mass Bay. I still live on the South Shore of Boston, kids grown, and my life is slowing down. I’m taking a break from coaching soccer until something amazing comes
along. Hope to see and hear from other comrades from the Class of 1982.
Taro Kono
I have been appointed Digital Minister, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Administrative ,and Regulatory Minister in the Japanese government. We finally got rid of floppy discs for government procedures.
Robert [Bob] Smith
I recently had the pleasure of attending the wedding of fellow Suffield alum Chris Shaw’s oldest daughter [and my goddaughter] Courtney in Denver, Colorado. Chris and I met at Suffield in 1979 and have remained best friends and partners in crime ever since. We even go to the same barber.
1983
Brian Shea
I am pleased to announce that I have recently accepted the role of Director of Learning and Development for the May Institute in Randolph, Massachusetts. This non-profit organization is a national leader in the field of applied behavior analysis serving autistic individuals and those with other special needs. I am both excited and honored to be a part of this incredible organization.
1 Taro Kono ’82 2 John Killeen ’82
3 Alison Welch ’81 accepts the Excellence & Impact Award given at Lincoln Academy
1 Luis Zerpa ’85
2 Bob Smith ’82 at the wedding of his goddaughter, daughter of Chris Shaw ’82
3 Joe O’Keefe, Riley O’Keefe ’27, Finn O’Keefe ’24, and Tracy Orr O’Keefe ’85 at Finn’s Suffield Academy graduation
4 Matthew Powers ’14, Brooke Powers, Fred Powers ’83, Marigay McKee and her children, Lydia and Alex McKee
5 Penny Hooker ’91, Amparo Adib Samii P’87, ’93 with friend
6 Bob Yap ’90, Steve Yap ’94, and Rose Yap Thomas ’89 with Campbell Thomas ’27 and Lauren Wang ’27
7 Saisn Sinsuk Naglis ’95 and Nalinphan Shutsharawan ’95 showing their Suffield Academy spirit in Bangkok
8 Yuki Murata ’91 and her Suffield Academy roommate, Courtney [Dansey] Rogers ’91, then and now, with their husbands, Chris and Casey
9 Lauren Roginski-Strelec ’93 with her family: Luke, Leianne, and husband Larry
Lindfors Memorial
[Front] Liz Erikson, Heidi Currier, Phil Riegel ’87, Sage Chase, Bonnie Rockwell, David Rockwell ’58, Dennis Kinne, Zita Kinne, Frank Peraino, Mardi Newman, Michael Mackey ’83 [Back] Ellie Mercer, Dick Chase, Richard Scullin ’82, Anne Stanley, Barry Cleary, Laurie Cleary, Nancy LaPlante, Gerry LaPlante, Stephanie Webster, Tom Webster ’64, Charlie Cahn, Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, Laurie Mackey Wilson ’79, Sarah Wheeler Chingos ’88, Aya Murata ’88, Kristen Federowicz Sullivan ’87, Mairead Daly-Diep, Dave Godin, Ben Diep ’85, Brett Vianney ’70, Jeff White ’65
1985
Tracy Orr O’Keefe
It really felt like life had come full circle when our son rang the bell at graduation. Feeling all the feels. Thank you Suffield, Charlie & Hillary, and so many faculty and staff for contributing to Finn’s ’24 success and to this special community that helped him thrive. #distancetravelled #suffieldforlife
Luis Zerpa
I am starting my eighth year teaching at Hargrave Military Academy. If anyone is ever around Chatham, Virginia, say hi.
1986
Bill Phipps
In February David Eckhardt ’86 and I spent the better part of a week traveling and skiing with an old St. Lawrence buddy who now lives in Klosters, Switzerland. There was fondue and plenty of Schnapps as well as bountiful snow and incredible scenery
between Zurich and Klosters/Davos. I put the “Red-Man” through his paces and he held up remarkably well.
1987
Robb Macdonald
I am happy to report my son, Jameson, recently graduated from the Key School in Annapolis, Maryland. He was selected as an All-Conference lacrosse defender. Thank you to Mr. Godin for directing me towards that wonderful sport when I was a freshman.
1988
Jen Sherer Janisch
With both kids at home with us for a couple more years, we decided to move further into the Santa Cruz mountains. I am very much enjoying the tranquility of living next to a burbling creek and being part of a small, mountain-town community. Any fellow classmates that find themselves traveling on Hwy 9 shouldn’t hesitate to stop in for a tall glass of lemonade. 408-679-1396.
1991
Penny Hooker
I recently had the privilege of attending the memorial service for Mr. Samii, a beloved teacher and mentor to many of us. It was a heartfelt gathering where former students and family members shared moving recollections of his life and lasting impact. One of the most touching moments was the performance of Frank Sinatra’s “I’ll Do It My Way,” dedicated to Mr. Samii, which beautifully encapsulated his spirit. I was grateful to spend a few moments with Mrs. Samii, expressing my gratitude for the profound influence both Mr. and Mrs. Samii had on my time at Suffield. Their dedication to the international student community was instrumental in my success, and I owe much of who I am today to their support and guidance.
Yuki Murata
ROOMIE REUNION! Courtney [Dansey] Rogers and her husband Casey came to visit us in Santa Fe this spring. It was such
a fun reunion, and we reminisced about all our Suffield adventures and shenanigans. While it had been quite a few years since Courtney and I had really been in touch, the reconnection was so joyful and authentic. We both felt grateful to renew our friendship after all these years. Hard to believe, now that we are 50, that we met when we were only 15 years old. My husband Chris and I have a daughter, Tei, who is in eighth grade. Our son, Ren, is in his final year of high school at United World College in East Africa [Moshi, Tanzania]. My sister Aya ’88 and her family visit often because my parents also live in Santa Fe. Barring any unanticipated global pandemics, I hope to make it to the next big SA Reunion.
1992
Diya Wynn
I am a senior practice manager responsible for AI at Amazon Web Services, helping clients use emerging and intelligent technologies in ways that align with their ethics and values. I’ve worked in tech for more than two decades and at Amazon for six years. This year I was named in the top 100 people in AI, a list that includes people who are not only pushing the boundaries of the field but also those of us who are trying to ensure AI develops steadily and responsibly.
1993
Lauren Roginski-Strelec
I hope my fellow classmates and alumni are doing well. My family and I are doing well. I am eight years into ownership of Valley Veterinary Hospital, and I find balancing being a good veterinarian and a good business-women is challenging some days. Larry and I keep busy with the kids: Luke [12], and Leianne [16]. I was unable to make our 25th Reunion, and I am sorry for that. Hope to see some updates from other classmates in the magazine. My best to all alumni and the future generations at Suffield.
1995
Saisn Sinsuk Naglis
We only wish we could go to Reunion every year, but since we couldn’t, this year me
and Nalinphan Shutsharawan ’95 [Nan] decided to celebrate our little SA spirit here in Bangkok.
2000
Schuyler Cunningham
My family and I are happily settled in Washington, D.C. I am still running a mental health practice and publishing research about traumatic stress in people with cancer. My wife, Hope, is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist. And my three-year-old son, Whitaker, will begin a Spanish immersion PreK-3 this fall. I had a great time in Germany this summer watching some of the Euro 2024 soccer matches and I do my best to keep up with the 20somethings in my local squash leagues.
2001
Kate Dineen
In February, my husband and I welcomed Edith Kathryn Dineen-Lawton. Not so little Edie and her big brother Danny are enjoying city life in Boston’s South End. I’m now running the non-profit A Better City—which is tackling some of the region’s transportation, climate, and land use challenges—and would love to connect with any alum in the area.
Anderson Ellis
This July, I took my children Sai [8] and Evelyn [3] to see their future alma mater.
2002
Bronya Shillo
In June we welcomed our daughter, Teal Elliot Belanger. We look forward to all the adventures as a family.
2004
Emi Saito
Hello, everyone. Are you in New York City or Hong Kong? I sometimes help at my husband’s menswear store, The Armoury. Please stop by and say hello.
William Taylor
Looking forward to our 20th Reunion and hoping that everyone attends. As for an
update, my wife, Jacqueline, is finishing an EdD at UVA, and my three-year-old daughter, Gloria, finished her first year at a Montessori preschool here in Charlottesville, Virginia. Life is full and I am enjoying the wealth brokerage business, volunteering for the Episcopal church, and trying to slowly sell my wife on sending our daughter to boarding school.
2006
Christopher Stafford
I am still working for ExxonMobil in Houston, Texas, currently assigned to our global trading organization as a Freight Trader for clean petroleum products. I received an MBA at the University of Texas Austin McCombs School of Business and graduated in May of 2024. I recently spent a weekend in Austin with Alison Carey-Lynch ’02, Melissa Carey Fitzpatrick ’06, and Addison Ku ’06 It was great to catch up with them and reminisce about our Suffield days.
2007
Yiannis Gazis
Hello, Suffield. I have returned to Connecticut, and I am so happy to do so. I graduated from NYU College of Dentistry, finished my residency at Hartford Hospital, married my wife Anna in October 2023, and we are building our family. We live in Tolland, Connecticut and recently bought our first home. I am currently practicing as a dentist in both Mansfield and Portland. I am a general dentist who does a wide range of procedures such as Invisalign, implants, root canals, and restorative dentistry.
Cherelle Allen
KASA! Black and Orange has followed me. I now play professional women’s football for CT Ambush.
2009
Frankie Walsh
This past year, I made the hard choice to leave my role as an English teacher and now work for The Collaborative for Educational Services’ DYS Initiative. It was
1 Sara Miga ’04 and sons Ned and Cal, Hannah Wolcott Reid ’04 and sons Ollie, Rusty, and Ellis, and Jeannie LaPlante ’04 at Hannah’s house in Simsbury, Connecticut
2 Alums from the Class of 2001 Palmer DePetro, Adam Benson, and Garison Beale in Nantucket
3 William Taylor ’04 and his daughter Gloria
4 Former faculty member Kim Wiggin, Matt Wiggin’06, and Jasmina Sijercic ’97 [ASSIST student] at New England Music Camp
5 Schuyler Cunningham ’00 with his wife, Hope, and their three-year-old son, Whitaker
6 Cherelle Allen ’08 playing for the Connecticut Ambush
7 Jacquelyn Zinck ’04 with her husband, Troy Zinck, Rosalyn Davis ’97, Elysian Richardson ’05, Jeanna Richardson, and their families
8 Anderson Ellis ’01’s kids, Sai and Evelyn, standing in front of their future alma mater
9 Madison Graney ’09 and her fiancé Kevin Lowrey
a great change, and I am really happy I made the leap to working in curriculum and professional development. I am also proudly serving in my second year on the Massachusetts Commission for LGBTQ Youth on their Safe Schools committee. I am sad to share that unfortunately, my sister, Bridget ’10, and I lost our dad to cancer in January of 2023. My dad loved Suffield and it was the pride of his life to have given us the education we received. We were touched by the number of alumni and faculty that paid their respects to our dad. On a happier note, my husband Bobby and I celebrated our wedding this October in the Berkshires.
Madison Graney
I recently got engaged to Kevin Lowrey and plan to get married next year. Hope all is well at Suffield.
Greg Kofman
I’m happy to say that our little family grew on June 24 with the birth of my daughter, Emma Rose. Our family is doing great, business is doing great, and I can’t wait for the new adventures that come.
2011
Patrick Tolosky
Greetings, Suffield community. This past year has been quite the year. On June 7, 2023, my wife Jessica and I welcomed the newest little Tolosky to the world. Charlotte Stowell Tolosky was born a little on the early side and had some extra snuggle time in the NICU at University of Massachusetts in Worcester, but soon was on her way home and never looked back. She has been doing very well with her growing and babbling and all sorts of mischief as she approaches her first birthday this June. I will be graduating from my family medicine residency at University of Massachusetts this summer in 2024 and have accepted a position at Maine Medical Center. I will be one of the preventive medicine fellows, a great next step in my career where I hope to combine primary care and public health together. This spring we bought a house in Freeport, Maine and will be moving in this summer where will begin exploring a new community we are
very excited about. If you are ever visiting the coastal gem of Wolfe’s Neck State Park let us know as it is just up the road from our new house. We are grateful for these fun and exciting next steps coming and hope to run into some of the Suffield clan in Maine this upcoming year. All our best.
Lorenzo Bernardez
At Slice of Excellence, we trade report cards for pizza. Suffield Academy gave me the opportunity to be a kid and act on my ideas. I remember doing a tango my sophomore year. We don’t tango in the South Bronx. Today, I help children live out their ideas and help provide a pretty cool incentive.
Peter Ganem
I graduated with my MBA with a Project Management Focus from Post University.
2012
Remington Lyman
Hello, Suffield. My wife, Ellen, and I are enjoying our time living in Columbus, Ohio. We just purchased our forever home and are in the process of moving everything in. After that we will get busy starting to make the next generation of Suffield alums.
David Balcar
I hope all is going well at Suffield. I studied my junior year there as an ASSIST student in the academic year 2011/2012. I’m now back in Prague where I come from, have a wife, four cats, a dog, and a half-year old son Eduard. Together with my wife, we founded a food company specializing in vegan milks and later organic soft-drinks and shots. This fall we should open a bakery. Nothing too big, we only have around ten employees, but we love working together.
Zac Czikowsky
I got engaged! I recently proposed to my girlfriend on TV. I was on a trivia game show and asked her to marry me, then had to keep it a secret for months until the episode aired. We had a small watch party and she said “yes.” The next morning, we appeared on a Philadelphia morning news segment to talk about the engagement. Such a fun adventure, and I could not ask for a better person to have shared it with.
Love you, Eliza. Molly Stromoski
Hi, Suffield family. I’m excited to share a few life updates. I’m currently in my third year as a social media manager and photographer with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. One of my favorite projects has been working on a portrait series showcasing New Yorkers who’ve won the affordable housing lottery and how they’ve made their new spaces uniquely their own. In September, I reached a personal milestone—completing my tenth half marathon alongside my mom in Pennsylvania. We’ve been on a mission to complete ten destination half marathons in ten years, and it’s been a meaningful journey of shared goals and travel. We will be continuing our yearly tradition well after our tenth. Lastly, I’m excited to announce that Penn Fisher ’11 and tied the knot this October at Hilltop Farm in Suffield. We are both feeling particularly grateful for Suffield Academy this year.
2013
Natalie DeLiso
I recently graduated with my Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan and moved to Washington, D.C. to work with HKS Inc. as a Health Fellow.
Olivia Fiallo
I am still living in New York City and am entering my second year of graduate school as a PhD candidate in clinical psychology. My primary clinical and research interests include the prevention and treatment of childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. My doctoral fellowship is at the Child HELP Partnership lab at St. John’s University. You can visit the website to learn more about the negative impact of trauma and evidence-based interventions that can help children and their families. I also became an aunt about a year ago. My brother, Dominic ’12, and his wife have a beautiful baby boy named Gabriel. Seeing some familiar faces at the Suffield event in June at the New York Yankees game was great. I hope everyone at Suffield has a fantastic year.
3 Alton Sioussat ’13 and William Goodwin ’13 with friends
4 Victoria Kiarsis ’13 with fiancé Nate Sanders
5 David Balcar ’13 and son Eduard Balcar
6 Zac Czikowsky ’12 with fiancé Eliza
7 Lorenzo Bernardez ’11
1 Stanley Moreau ’15 and his son Nasir Moreau
2 Melissa Malley ’16 and fiancé Kyler Armata ’15
3 Brigid Lawry ’21, Megan Swanson ’21, Sarah Swanson ’18, and Adam Pistel ’08
4 Rory Tettemer ’18, lead broadcaster for the Florence Y’alls baseball team
5 Charlie Cahn, Harrison Cahn ’22, Alexander Hochberg ’24, Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, Henry Harding ’24, and Jaron Kline ’24 at the University of Michigan
6 Jesse Phillips ’15 completing one of the two 70.3 Triathlons he did this summer
7 Nick Selvitelli ’20 and fellow alum Andrew Robertson ’92 run into each other in Amsterdam
Victoria Kiarsis
I am still enjoying Charleston, South Carolina, despite the intense heat and humidity. I got engaged in June to Nate Sanders, we will be getting married in Southport, North Carolina, at the end of February 2025. I can’t wait to show him around Suffield Academy at our next Reunion.
2014
Charles Steele
I am currently serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell and have one son, Henry Simeon, born December 5, 2022.
Robert Douglas
Over the last three years, to better connect the world, I’ve been working to turn complex physics and traditionally expensive lab equipment into consumer devices simple enough that grandma can use them. My hope is what would traditionally take a graduate physics degree and enough lab equipment to fit on a flatbed, could be carried like a briefcase in one hand and in the other an iPad to see colors of what’s through solid rock for tens of feet. This has led me to crawl into many caves and make many more eight-legged friends. There are incredible ecosystems beneath our feet I hope everyone on earth can have access to.
2015
Stanley Moreau
I hope everyone is well and prospering. In late 2022, I was blessed with my first-born son, Nasir Moreau. He’s all I can imagine, keeps me on my toes, and shows me a new perspective on life. Hopefully one day he will graduate from the prestigious school we call Suffield Academy.
Jesse Phillips
Hello, Tigers. It’s been a pretty busy 2024. My girlfriend and I bought our first condominium and moved into it in July. I’m still a strength & conditioning coach out in Denver and have fallen in love with Triathlon and ultra running. I completed two 70.3 runs, my second marathon, and a Spartan Trifecta. I am currently training for my first full Ironman [April 2025] and a 100+ mile road race next summer. KASA!
Kira Demitrus
I’m celebrating three years of living in Denver, a place I never expected to live but now love so much. I’ve also just been promoted to Director of Technology and Engineering at the company I’ve been with since graduating college in 2019. I can’t believe the 10th Reunion is right around the corner—time really does fly. KASA!
2016
Melissa Malley
Earlier this year, fellow Suffield Academy alum Kyler Armata ’15 and I got engaged. I just finished my master’s in social work and am excited to reconnect with Suffield in a new capacity, contributing to the yoga program. Kyler is busy running his company, Hall of Fame Landscaping, which he started in 2021. We’re living in Suffield and excited to get married next summer. We hope all former classmates are doing well.
2018
Sasha Derby
After two years of working in the Venture Capital industry, I’m excited to announce that I will be starting a new position in real estate at CBRE.
Rory Tettemer
Started a new job as the the voice of the Florence Y’alls baseball team, serving as the team’s lead broadcaster and media relations manager.
Sarah Swanson
Thank you Adam Pistel ’08 and Brigid Lawry ’21 for representing Suffield Academy at the annual Swany Classic in memory of our dad, Jeffrey Swanson P’18, ’21
2019
Madeleine Wolfe
This fall, I began my journey at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester. I feel incredibly fortunate to have navigated the demanding medical school application cycle with one of my closest friends, Michael Giugliano ’19, a fellow Suffield alum who is now a medical student at Campbell University. Michael’s support has been invaluable every step of the way. Although moving back up north after spending the past five years in South Carolina will be a challenge, and I’m already dreading the upcoming winter, I’m excited about the opportunities of medical school and thrilled to be closer to my friends and family.
2020
Nick Selvitelli
I ran into alum Andrew Robertson ’92 in Amsterdam while traveling around Europe.
We would love to hear from you!
Scan QR code to easily submit your class note for the next issue of SUFFIELD . For additional questions, please contact Colin Dowd ’12 [cdowd @ suffieldacademy.org] -or- magazine @ suffieldacademy.org
*IF YOU INCLUDE A PHOTO PLEASE SEND
1 Colin Dowd ’12 to Christine Miecuna 08.19.2023
2 Bryson Tillinghast ’95 to Annalina Kazickas 12.31.2023
3 Taylor Grand Pré ’12 to Trevor Niemann ’11 04.20.2024
4 Charlie Reetz ’07 to Ashley Blanco 05.04.2024
5 Yiannis Gazis ’07 to Anna Parkey 10.28.2023
6 Katerina Gazis ’14 to Luke Alvaro 07.21.2023 7 Briell Smith ’12 to John Visser 05.04.2024 8 Fred Powers ’83 to Marigay McKee 09.02.2023 9 Anna Childs ’07 to Robert Gill 09.28.2024
10 Dave Copel ’11 to Victoria Georges 12.16.2023 11 Barbara Kaplan ’08 to Zach Stearns 10.13.2023
1 Mina Vecchiarell to Angelina Massoia ’13 & Nick Vecchiarelli 08.11.2023
Edith “Edie” Kathryn Dineen-Lawton to Kate Dineen ’01 & Alex Lawton 02.16.2024
Brooklyn Olivia Aldrich to Lexi Walston Aldrich ’07 & Peter Aldrich ’07 11.25.2023
in memoriam
2 0 23
Marshall “Mel” Lefferts ’62 ? May 6
Frederick Prose [Prosiatkowski] Jr. ’47 ? July 16
Vince Aldrich ’55 ? August 2
Douglas Smythe ’38 ? September 7
Myron Marek ’50 ? October 20
Richard Panzer ’62 ? October 21
Michael Olszyk ’08 ? October 31
George Young III ’79 ? December 13
Jeremy Merrick ’88 ? December 26
Frederick Shea ’69 ? December 26
Gustavo Cisneros ’63 ? December 29
2024
Elliot Cohen ’51 ? January 22
Jennifer Eio P’93, ’93 [Former Board of Trustees] ? January 28
Ken Kirk ’62 ? March 18
Edward LaJoie, Jr. ’75 ? April 2
Mary Brace Scharff ’84 ? April 12
Cornelia Harrop Middleton ’80 ? May 1
Lloyd Alvan Waite ’51 ? May 10
Donald Osowiecki ’53 ? June 3
Jeffrey Colli ’77 ? June 23
Richard George Birchall ’64 ? August 9
Henry Bahre ’49 ? September 2
Edward Smith ’53 ? September 5
Frank Williams ’53 ? September 12
Barry Scherr ’63 ? September 12
Robert “Bob” Lavine ’53 ? October 2
John Schnepp Jr. ’49 ? October 28
Former Faculty & Staff
Ebrahim Adib-Samii P’87, GP’20, 24 ? March 26, 2024
David Stillman ? August 5, 2024
George Pervear P’90, GP’17 ? August 22, 2024
Demetrios TouTounas ? October 3, 2024
Ebrahim {Abe} Adib-Samii
The following eulogy by Elise Adib-Samii Riegel ’87 beautifully encapsulates the legacy of Ebrahim [Abe] Adib-Samii, not only within the Suffield Academy community but also as a father, grandfather, mentor, and educator. His profound impact on Suffield through his roles as Math Department Chair, Director of Studies, and coach, as well as his intellectual contributions, such as authoring a precalculus textbook, exemplifies his dedication to education. The Adib-Samii Dormitory, named in his and his wife Amparo’s honor, stands as a testament to their deep commitment to the school. Abe’s legacy extends through his grandchildren, Vivian Riegel ’20, Charlie Riegel ’24, Alejandro Adib-Samii, and Luca Adib-Sami.
So, a true remembrance of my father would not be authentic if I did not acknowledge how much he confused me as an adolescent. He was doting and playful, funny and fun. But his impatience, intensity, temper, and impulsivity were difficult for me to understand. He could be loud and emotional, especially when he was doing things I knew he really loved like playing a tennis match or teaching really talented math students. I didn’t get how he—who repeatedly professed immense gratitude for the beautiful life he had been given—could complain so forcefully about unimportant things and become excitable about
insignificant setbacks. How could he—who placed a premium on good manners and politeness—sometimes say inappropriate things and in the wrong company, leaving people I cared about feeling confused and sometimes hurt. I experienced my dad as a man of extremes. When he was sick, he was dying. When frustrated, he was stormy. When he was happy, he was ecstatic. When he was sad, he despaired. He wore every emotion on his sleeve. And his language was often exaggerated: the music teacher was Maestro, the female administrator was Madam Dean, his house on Marco Island was a castle.
My husband, Phil, says that he has yet to encounter someone neutral about my dad. You don’t really find people who know him saying, “Abe Samii? Meh…” No, he usually elicits a strong response. And in my youth, the strong response from me was WHO ARE YOU?
While distance and time certainly helped bring clarity, becoming a teacher was the real catalyst for appreciating who my dad really was. In order to meet students where they are, teachers must see the child as they truly are, suspending judgement, paying closer attention to what they do more than what they say. Early on, I was pretty bad at this. I was judgmental and too frequently got derailed by the sometimes outrageous things that teens said. In time though, I became more comfortable and confident in tuning out the ambient noise of adolescence. It was the realization that noise, more specifically, human noise—verbal or otherwise—often manifests during important times of transition, when great effort is summoned and excess energy needs to be released.
When I started to look at my dad through this lens, as a person trying to do important things in an earnest way who happened to generate a lot of noise, our relationship changed. Metaphorically pressing his mute button and focusing on what he did more than what he said, allowed me to see Dad in the same way that my husband, Phil, always had [and Phil happens to be pretty masterful at tuning people out]. In the silence, it was clear that my father often operated in a different realm. For a gregarious extrovert, his capacity to achieve a state of flow quite effortlessly was fascinating. In psychology, the mental state of flow is defined as full immersion in a happy feeling of energized focus, where a person is so deeply involved in the task at hand that they lose track of time and space. Dad unapologetically flowed all the time—at his easel, the chessboard, cooking Persian food, or writing his precalculus text book. It was fun to watch and incredibly motivating.
him. [And note that I said person, because he actually believed animals were above him…and all of us. And he made it his life’s mission to honor any animal he encountered, anywhere by feeding them. Which is why when Phil and I moved into the Gay Manse where my parents lived before us, we did daily battle with unusually aggressive, absurdly obese squirrels, chipmunks, and racoons who were waiting for their daily trays of pistachios and dates… naturally.]
Above all, in the silence, I saw that my dad was a wonderfully imaginative thinker. In my last year at Suffield, I gave a talk to students about how imagination drives creation. Visualizing, problem solving, reflecting, empathizing—these are all actions that require strong imaginative faculties in addition to analytical skills. Whether you are focused on global issues like creating advances in technology or promoting social justice or personal issues like redesigning your kitchen, or coming up with an outfit for an upcoming wedding—all of these begin with the simple act of imagining.
Without the distraction of his noise, I could also see that my father was a remarkably self-reliant, industrious man who—without fail—provided generously for his immediate and extended family, embraced his civic and professional obligations, and prioritized setting and meeting ambitious goals for himself. At his core, he had an exceptional work ethic; had the patience and confidence to teach himself new skills that would help him live a happier life; and truly believed that no one person was below him or above
We know, however, that this can be really hard to do if there isn’t a tiny prompt, a little spark that ignites the process. And for the first 20 years of my father’s life in the US, there was no tiny suggestion or representation of how to successfully navigate a Persian-American identity without raising doubts about your intentions and capabilities. For him, imagining a life here, straddling both cultures, was a rather provocative enterprise, especially since few Americans here knew of the greatness of the Persian Empire [except for the legendary history teacher Dennis Kinne, of course…and he loved you for this]. The prevailing wisdom on immigration at that time was that full assimilation— meaning an abandonment of your minority identity—was crucial to gaining access to the levers that controlled American society. The only other option was to embrace your minority identity and live within but separate from the larger mainstream culture. In other words, you could be an American or a Persian but you really couldn’t be both.
Then in the 80s and 90s, new research showed that immigrants who successfully acculturated—meaning they developed hybrid, hyphenated identities—had greater success. Identifying as Persian and American at the same time, thus meant being healthier, richer, happier.
Then, the 2000s ushered in yet another school of thought said that holding two identities can cause as much harm as good by creating tensions and competition between the cultures. Are you Persian-American or American-Persian? There’s a difference with consequences, they say. I share all this because my dad paid zero attention to any of this! And if he were here, he’d be saying: Elise, why are you talking about this? I reference this because my dad was unafraid to imagine his life as he wanted which changed as he grew. He embraced the fluidity of identity and understood it was essential for growth. He loved being an American. He loved being Persian. He never saw these things in conflict. Quite the contrary, he believed that the more you were, well, the more you were. Having more things that defined you meant more opportunities to connect to people. You’re a tennis player? Me too. Let’s play. You’re an artist? Me too. Let me show you 300 of my paintings. You smoke cigars? Me too. Here’s a box of Romeo and Juliets. Bring me Macanudos next time, ok, buddy? Blackjack? Let’s play. Tango? Let’s dance. The NY Giants? Jimmy Connors? Sit down. Let’s watch…
I know that if you are here today it is because at some point in time, despite any societal differences between you and him (generational, ethnic, gender, religious), you knew he had a sincere interest in you and a strong desire to be a positive force in your life. I credit all of you and so many who aren’t with us today
for giving him the space to be who he was, appreciating his gifts, and embracing his eccentricities. Dad was over the top, but I can tell you that it was 100% sincere. The energy he gained from all of you and the creativity it inspired in him was a gift, allowing him to become a better version of himself every day, up until his very last breath.
I want to end by sharing with you that my dad was perhaps my most impactful spiritual teacher, as someone who not only sought connection with other people but also an energy larger than any of us. My dad was a mystic, though he never used that term. He deeply admired the ancient Persian faith of Zoroastrianism and the whirling dervishes of Sufi-ism. He also loved Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and the prophet Mohammad, though he also adored the pagan worship of nature. The most precious thing he taught me was to cherish the awesome privilege of being a conduit to a life force when I became a mother, and he always said that he believed the divine energy of creation was most definitely feminine. I don’t know if he is right but...Vivian, Charlie, Alejandro, and Luca—with imagination, a ton of sweat and toil, and a network of people who believe in you and in whom you believe, well…you will live the most beautiful lives. Baba’s life force runs strong in you and will guide you on your journey to realize the astonishing capacity of the human spirit. ?
Together at Abe’s memorial: Phil Riegel ’87, Siamac Naeemi, Ladan Samii ’80, Mojdeh Dantrassy, Neda Tahbaz, Hassan Adib-Samii ’79, Farahnaz Naeemi, Amparo Adib-Samii, Fazi Zand, Anita Zand, Tracy Gayeski ’94, Khooshe Aiken ’78, Ezmi, Vivian Riegel ’20, Mina Aiken, Alejandro Adib-Samii, Charlie Riegel ’24,
Luca Adib-Samii, Mohammad Tahbaz ’80, Elise Adib-Samii Riegel ’87
{2025}
Parent & Alumni Gatherings W Save the Date
SAN FRANCISCO
January 16 [Thursday] Sociale 6:00-8:00 pm
3665 Sacramento Street San Francisco, California i
NEW YORK CITY
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION AUCTION
April 25, 2025
Landis Student Union {Brewster Hall}
6:00 pm
Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:30 pm
Dinner & Live Auction
- MORE DETAILS TO COMESUFFIELDACADEMY.ORG/AUCTION
January 23 [Thursday] Harmonie Club 6:00-8:30 pm
4 East 60th Street New York, New York i
DENVER
March 12 [Wednesday]
The Home of Amanda & Matt Shifrin ’05 6:00-9:00 pm i
BOSTON
April 8 [Tuesday] The ’Quin House 6:00-9:00 pm
217 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, Massachusetts
Hosted by Liz & Dan Hostetter ’88, P’21, P’22, P’26
