Bulletin - Fall 2018

Fall 2018

BULLETIN

On the cover: Becca Leclerc, Director of Outdoor Programming, (back row) accompanying students on a hike through Steep Rock’s iconic tunnel

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These pages: Learning how to work the combination on your mailbox is a rite of passage for every student. From left: Derek Young ’21, Arian Agadi ’21, Alex Diaz ’21 and James Pattillo ’21

BULLETIN

Fall 2018 2 Message from the Head of School 4 Think Fearlessly. Act Thoughtfully.

6 A Steady Climb 12 Looking Back on the Outdoor Program 14 New Arts and Community Center 18 Commencement 24 Campus Life 34 The Arts 36 Athletics 38 Supporting the Gunnery 40 Alumni Weekend 2018 47 Alumni Events 48 Highlander Journeys 56 Alumni Association 58 Class Notes 70 In Memoriam — Hugh B. Caldara

Dedication

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This issue of The Gunnery Bulletin is dedicated with great respect and admiration to Paula Gibson Krimsky, who served for many years as its exemplary editor. She has also served as a contributing writer, content expert, copy editor and enthusiast. Paula has generously shared her love of the school’s history with The Gunnery community in the pages of the Bulletin and beyond, and diligently pursued the stories of alumni near and far. She retired as School Archivist and Associate Director of Marketing & Communications in June.

We are so pleased that we may continue to consult her in her new role as a volunteer in the Paula and George Krimsky ’60 Archives, and we wish her well as she begins this new chapter.

Jennifer Clement Bulletin Editor

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

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Dear Gunnery Community,

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As our students and faculty settle into a new school year, it is comforting to consider that one of The Gunnery’s greatest strengths is that the vision and example of its founder remains relevant and inspiring after 168 years. Few schools can say the same. While it’s incumbent on those of us living out the mission and leading the school today to test and ensure that Mr. Gunn’s philosophy and model of citizenship answer well the questions we ask in 2018, I’ve been encouraged to discover that nearly every time we do that, Mr. Gunn’s model stands the test of time.

(This is one reason I encourage everyone to read “The Master of the Gunnery” and Mr. Gunn’s letters.)

Helping people who have never heard of Mr. and Mrs. Gunn (including prospective students who we think would thrive as part of this community) to understand and appreciate them, and the myriad ways we try to live out their example today is, however, a tall task.

As the world narrows its field of vision and increasingly craves metrics and lists, how do we help families understand that they are missing the larger picture in terms of how to assess the boarding school environment in which their child is most likely to thrive? To answer that question, our school has been working with Overabove, a marketing and advertising firm in Essex, Connecticut, to develop a new theme line to communicate in engaging ways the essence of our community and our mission. The process itself was terrific. Rather than starting with sleek catchphrases and testing them to see what would be popular, Overabove led an extended group of us, including faculty, students, alumni, the board, parents and the leadership team, through an exploration of our mission and core values. Only out of that work

did they suggest, “Think Fearlessly. Act Thoughtfully.” as a succinct statement of what we stand for as a school, and what will resonate with those who don’t know us yet. Behind this statement are layers of further detail, which we share in this edition of the “Bulletin” (see page 4), and there’s a bevy of support material, both digital and in print, that prospective families will receive. Clearly, no one makes a decision to enroll at our school — or any other — based on promotional materials.

What has been exciting and valuable about this process, however, is what we’ve learned about ourselves through the effort of trying to communicate our essence to people who have either never heard of us or who misunderstand us, such that we are no longer an “undiscovered gem” among independent schools.

Communicating more clearly and engagingly is one piece of our current strategic plan. Another piece of that plan is what we call “EOS,” shorthand for Energy, Outdoor Programs, and Sustainability. Through the planning process a few years ago, we realized that we had an opportunity to 1) live out more fully Mr. Gunn’s pioneering

While history, math, art, literature, languages and science remain the core of our learning experience, these new programs and courses offer a glimpse of our attempts to connect student learning with their lived experience, such that they are equipped to engage the world thoughtfully.

understanding of the role of outdoor education as a central part of a holistic learning environment, 2) create handson, real-world learning and problemsolving opportunities for our students by focusing on the typical demands of any institution — energy, food and water, and 3) actually improve the efficiency and long-term sustainability of our operations, thus achieving a cost savings in the short and long term. Our expanded Outdoor Program is the most tangible result of this effort. Just one fun fact: 80 students spent at least one night camping out over the last school year, up from 16 the year before. For many students, it was the first time they had slept in a tent! Other initiatives that fall under the EOS aegis include: • Courses in the IDEAS program such as one on Construction Management (see page 17) that turns the construction of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center, the first LEED-certified structure on campus, into a learning lab for students.

• Integrated work by our science teachers to focus on water as a resource during the two weeks before winter break in December 2017, which led up to a talk by author, journalist and Gunnery neighbor David Owen on his book “Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River.”

• Collaboration between Director of Facilities Mark Showalter, AP Environmental Science teacher Charlie Lovejoy, Director of Outdoor Programs Becca Leclerc and our dining services staff to collect food waste and dead leaves and turn it into compost that we can use on campus rather than ship off campus as waste.

While history, math, art, literature, languages and science remain the core of our learning experience, these new programs, courses and collaborations offer a glimpse of our attempts to connect student learning with their lived experience, such that they are equipped to engage the world thoughtfully. We hope,

for example, that after three or four years at The Gunnery, a student will think to ask, and be able to answer: “Where does my water come from? What does it cost?

How do I know if it’s clean?” These simple questions, and the instinct and curiosity to ask them, open up new ways of seeing and understanding the world. (And, while I’ve got you, please email me if you know where The Gunnery’s main water supply is located. I’ll buy a cup of coffee for every alumni who answers correctly the next time I visit your town.)

I hope this gives you a sense of some of the initiatives underway at school. As

an institution, we are actively pursuing opportunities to live out and communicate our mission more effectively, and taking prudent risks to create the brightest future possible for Mr. Gunn’s school and our students and faculty.

With best wishes,

Peter Becker Head of School

School Walk 2018

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• Efforts to forge a relationship with the Adirondack Land Trust, which were preceded by post-term hiking and camping trips in the Adirondack Mountains with students over the last two summers (see page 6).

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New Theme Captures the Essence of The Gunnery and Our Students

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Alumni and parents have described The Gunnery as a “hidden gem.” It’s a nice compliment, but if we are potentially one of the best-kept secrets among New England boarding schools, isn’t that a secret too good to keep? To bring clarity to what makes The Gunnery different, what we stand for, and moreover, to help students and families who are unfamiliar with our school get to know who we really are, the school introduced some new and exciting elements of its marketing program, most prominently reflected in a new theme line: “Think Fearlessly. Act Thoughtfully.”

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The process of refining the school’s message is a key priority of the school’s strategic plan, and work began in 2016 to meet that goal. Resources were dedicated to identifying and engaging outside expertise, which came in the form of Overabove, a marketing and advertising firm with offices in Connecticut, North Carolina and California. The firm’s first step was to discover how best to articulate The Gunnery’s “DNA” — that essence of who we are and what differentiates us as a school — through words, images and emotions.

Overabove’s in-depth research included interviews, surveys and focus groups with more than 100 parents, students, faculty,

• the natural, human scale of our environment • the courage and conviction of Mr. Gunn, which inform our values and traditions

• the intentionality of the experience of a Gunnery education, in that, our small size, individualized attention and supportive environment help each student to achieve success

These three truths were distilled into the four words of the theme line, “Think Fearlessly. Act Thoughtfully.” To expand upon and clarify the meaning of these truths, a series of six bold statements, now known as the school’s “belief statement,” (above) also emerged, inspired by the words and philosophy of Mr. Gunn.

The new theme won the endorsement of the Board of Trustees, the administrative team and Admissions Office, and the response from faculty and staff was overwhelmingly positive.

The words “Think Fearlessly. Act Thoughtfully.” have already appeared on buttons, water bottles, banners and posters. The theme featured prominently in the Admissions packages sent in March to every new student accepted to The Gunnery.

“This initiative is something The Gunnery has not done before, this intentionally, at this scale,” Head of School Peter Becker said at the January faculty and staff meeting. “We all know who we are and what we do. And most everyone who knows this place, and its people, love The Gunnery. It’s those who don’t know us at all, who don’t know us well, or who don’t know the true Gunnery of today — they are the ones we need to reach, educate and reacquaint.”

This fall, the school began introducing the new theme to a wider audience through its website, dynamic video and digital content, branded apparel, print and promotional items, and a significant increase in The Gunnery’s social media presence.

Through new technologies, the school hopes to share much more broadly a message that has, at its heart, the beliefs that inspired Mr. Gunn to open his school and have sustained it since 1850.

“It is essential that we use these words to create more conversations with families interested in learning about our dynamic approach to education and character,” said Doug Day, Director of Marketing & Communications. “Prospective families are so often left looking for ways to differentiate schools, and if we can get the conversation started in the context of our theme line, then we have a great opportunity to explain our philosophy and the value of a Gunnery education.” n

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alumni, administrators, trustees, educational consultants and placement directors, as well as close examinations of our history and the philosophy of school founder Frederick Gunn. From this research, three “undeniable truths” emerged that are unique to The Gunnery:

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A Steady Climb

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Outdoor Program Sparks Renewed Interest, Engagement

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he outdoors has been an integral part of a Gunnery education since the days of Frederick Gunn, from the legendary camping trip in Milford in 1861, to summers spent at Point Beautiful in the 1870s, to the springtime jaunts the founder led to educate students about local flora and fauna.

Later years brought the tradition of the all-school walk to Lake Waramaug, Mt. Tom or Steep Rock. Though its manifestations have changed over time, the Outdoor Program has been woven into the history and fabric of the school, and this past year it marked another turning point.

In the 2017–2018 academic year, 80 students went on schoolsponsored camping trips, compared to just 16 the year before, and 50 percent of students engaged with the outdoors in a meaningful way during the last school year. “We have every reason to expect this number to continue to grow rapidly to a point where every Gunnery student has significant exposure to the outdoors and experiential education,” Associate Head of School Seth Low said of the program’s momentum. “More importantly, the number of students and faculty initiating or requesting outdoor activities is growing almost daily. We are continually identifying ways to make that happen.”

Becca Leclerc, the school’s first full-time Director of Outdoor Programming, has worked steadily over the past two years to offer more students opportunities to participate in outdoor and experiential learning activities across the curriculum. Her approach is fairly straightforward: by slowly increasing the number of students who have outdoor experiences, the more others will be willing to engage. It seems to be working. Last spring, the girls varsity lacrosse team and residents of Van Sinderen dorm came forward to request camping trips. Those queries came after the boys varsity basketball and boys varsity lacrosse teams had camped at White Memorial, in the winter and spring, respectively, and the golf team had hiked and camped on the Appalachian Trial.

Through these experiences, students are challenged to step out of their comfort zone, confront their strengths and weaknesses in positive ways, gain independence, awareness.

Gabby Lescarde ’18 and Katie Nemergut ’19 at the summit of Hurricane Mountain in the Adirondacks in June 2017

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and grow in confidence and

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Gunnery students are also venturing farther afield than they have in recent years. In June 2017, Leclerc led an optional, end-of-term backpacking trip to the Adirondacks, summiting New York’s Hurricane Mountain with two students, Gabby Lescarde ’18 and Katie Nemergut ’19. A similar offering this past June attracted seven students — Gianna Russillo ’20, Acadia Johnson ’21, Isabel Martin ’20, Laura Wells ’19, Sharon Rowland ’19, Sam Johnson ’19 and Lucas Boyden ’19 — who summited Mount Marcy, the highest peak in New York State. At the end of the three-day trip, the students met with members of the Adirondack Land Trust with the hope of forging a relationship that will create more outdoor opportunities for Highlanders, and an understanding of the philosophy and practice of land conservancy.

In April, Leclerc and faculty member Chris Bernard also led a half dozen students on a trip to the White Mountains, where they hiked and camped in 30 inches of snow. It was an optional excursion for members of the school’s Outdoor Club, a co-curricular program that is open to all students and meets four times weekly in the fall and spring terms.

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Of 22 students in the club, five participated: Zach Pellegrino ’18, Maia Carpenter ’18, Daina Adams ’18, Mark Gatcomb ’18, and Sommer Miller ’19.

Asked why she chose the White Mountains for the two-day excursion, Leclerc explained that the students had spent the fall term hiking close to campus, and this setting offered them a chance to navigate terrain that isn’t typical of Connecticut. “The geology is different, the scale of the mountains, the elevation gain. It just provided them with a different opportunity to challenge themselves,” she said.

Through these experiences, students are challenged to step out of their comfort zone, confront their strengths and weaknesses in positive ways, gain independence, and grow in confidence and awareness. For example, Pellegrino said one of the biggest challenges on the trip was keeping warm as they hiked through falling snow along trails that were ice-covered in some places. He was one of the students who broke through the ice and ended up standing in snow up to his waist. “The walk up the mountain the first day was hard. It was slippery; people kept falling,” he recalled of the two-mile trek to Lonesome Lake Hut on Cannon Mountain.

Daina Adams ’18, Maia Carpenter ’18, Sommer Miller ’19, Zach Pellegrino ’18, and Marc Gatcomb ’18 backpacking in the White Mountains last April

As they set out from the Lafayette Place Campground in Franconia Notch State Park, the students also realized they could not communicate with the outside world on their cell phones.

“There’s no service when you’re in a hut in the clouds,” said Leclerc, who typically requires her students to give up their cell phones on any hike, because it changes how they experience being outdoors. “The kids don’t Snapchat it. They don’t text about it.

It’s just an experience that we have. They interact with each other on a different level when there is no tech involved,” she said.

Once they reached the cabin, their attention shifted to other activities. They made macaroni and cheese for dinner, played card games and stayed up until 3 a.m. talking and listening to coyotes.

The next day, the group set off again on a five-mile hike along the Cascade Brook Trail, which took them past a couple of flowing waterfalls. No one pulled out a cell phone to post a picture on social media. “When we were going up, everyone was looking for service,” Pellegrino said. “On the hike down, I don’t think one person reached for their phone.”

Nathaniel Ince ’20 and Nick O’Brien ’20 prepare to light the fire for the Freshman Cookout in April 2017.

Nature and Her Ways

found us settled down at the Point, with the salt waves breaking on the bluffs a few rods away,” the students wrote, noting that the lively trip was distinguished by “its sport in the surf, its evening songs, its dances on the turf by night, its ballgames...” (MOG, 98)

In the 1870s, the school shifted its focus closer to home, establishing a summer camp at Point Beautiful on Lake Waramaug. The lake’s “nearer waters, good fishing, and “On these tramps those who were fortunate enough to keep picturesque shores made it an ideal spot for a summer’s holiday,” close to Mr. Gunn were filled with information about bird Mr. Gunn’s students wrote. (MOG, 99) and animal, tree and flower. The name and purpose of every

The whole school, along with friends and colleagues of Mr. natural object, the habits and haunts of every living thing Gunn, populated the camp, participating in activities that included seemed stored away in his mind and always at his command, hunting, fishing, boating and swimming. According to the book, and he loved especially to help his boys on to something of students would wake to a morning bugle call, followed by a second the same knowledge. A bird’s egg found by some sharp-eyed call for breakfast, and a later call for “Family Meeting,” which youngster, and borne up to Mr. Gunn in triumph, would call was conducted under a large elm. The boys listened to “words of forth a chapter upon ornithology; and thus we all grew into advice and caution” from Mr. Gunn, who appointed “a committee closer relations with nature and her ways.” (MOG, 124) to take charge of the swimmers,” captains for each boat, and two

His students further recalled there were times when the squads, one to supply wood for the campfire, and one to fetch whole school camped at Steep Rock in fresh water from a nearby spring. These the summer. (MOG, 97) In 1861, he led summer camps were discontinued when 30 boys and a dozen girls on a 40-mile the school year was altered to include a “The kids don’t Snapchat it. They walk from Washington to Welch’s Point longer summer vacation instead of an don’t text about it. It’s just an in Milford, Connecticut, on Long Island extended winter break, but it is because Sound, where they camped for 10 days and experience that we have. They of these activities that the American performed military drills in preparation Camping Association credits Mr. Gunn interact with each other on a for their service in the Union Army. The as the founder of recreational camping different level when there is no students called it “gipsying.” (MOG, 99) in the U.S. tech involved.”

“At night, we camped in two or three Following Mr. Gunn’s death, his big tents, and the close of the second day son-in-law, and the school’s second

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In the early days of the school, when the weather was particularly nice, Mr. Gunn would declare a school holiday and lead his students on a walk through the woods, which became their classroom. His students recalled what it was like to accompany him in “The Master of The Gunnery:”

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headmaster, John Chapin Brinsmade, commemorated the first camping trip to Milford by instituting an all-school walk. This practice continues today with the entire community of students and faculty hiking eight miles through Steep Rock on a date as close as possible to Mr. Gunn’s birthday on October 4.

The school’s Outdoor Club, established in 1947 by faculty member William Chattin Wetherill, engaged students in activities that ranged from surveying and establishing trails at Steep Rock to compass courses, soil and water testing, wildlife management and forestry techniques. In the 1950s, biology teacher Ned Swigart instituted programs to train and license fire brigades for the state and teach students survival and emergency preparedness skills. A Woodsman’s Weekend in the early 1960s involved competitions between teams from various schools in categories that included log rolling, canoe jousting, lumber cutting and archery. Perhaps the club’s greatest achievement was the discovery of the oldest known Indian remains in the state in the 1970s, a find that led Swigart to establish the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington.

In 1980, faculty member Kenneth Casazza initiated an Outward Bound adaptive program that challenged students

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through whitewater canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing.

Former English Department Chair John Alter P’04 ’06 initiated a hike and camping trip at Steep Rock known as the “Sophomore Saunter,” which was intended to prepare the sophomores for their sojourn with the Transcendentalists. In 1997, faculty member Chapin Miller P’12 ’20, the great-great-grandson of Frederick Gunn, led a revival of the Outdoor Club that included a reintroduction of woodsman’s skills.

When faculty member Rod Theobald P’09 ’14 became the club’s advisor some 20 years ago, he sought to cultivate students’ interest in fly fishing. He taught the students how to tie and cast flies, starting on dry land so they didn’t have to wear hip boots.

Each student was required to have a fly rod and flies and Theobald led them twice weekly to the Housatonic or the Shepaug River, where they learned how to read the river so well that, over time, they would talk about pools and flow, things they never noticed before. “All of a sudden, they look at the world differently,” he said, adding: “When I’m in a river, that can be more meaningful than any time in the classroom. I think that fly fishing is much bigger than casting flies. It’s about building relationships, not just with students but with the outdoors.”

Students (left to right) Gianna Russillo ’20, Acadia Johnson ’21, Isabel Martin ’20, Laura Wells ’19, Sharon Rowland ’19, Sam Johnson ’19 and Lucas Boyden ’19 on a backpacking trip to the summit of Mt. Marcy in June; they ate the pineapple at the top.

Moving in a Good Direction Going forward, the school’s goal is for every student to have the opportunity to participate in certain experiences. For example, in the not-too-distant future, a four-year Gunnery student should: • • • • • •

Understand how to manage a campsite Have cooked at least one meal over a stove or fire Know how to safely lay and light a fire Have at least one overnight camping experience Have a solo experience in the woods Know how to treat and prevent burns, bee stings, tick bites and heat-related illness • Know how to identify the North Star, 10 constellations and the phases of the moon • Understand how to conserve major resources (water, energy, food)

Faculty member Alisa Croft holds a trail map to show students they have reached the halfway point during the 2017 School Walk.

Hiking to Avalanche Lake in the Adirondacks in June

and playing truth or dare. Then, around 1 a.m., the first line of sprinklers on the field went off, followed 15 minutes by another line of sprinklers closer to where the girls had set up camp. “At 1:30 in the morning, we worked as a team, picked up and repitched all the tents in the dark. They were good sports,” Paulekas said, adding “We had a really good time. For a couple of them, it was their first time ever sleeping outside.”

Maddie Aitken ’19 said the experience was “probably one of my best memories of my time at The Gunnery.”

As Head Prefect, Aitken also had the opportunity to camp at Steep Rock last spring as part of a Prefect Retreat. Each of the outgoing prefects wrote a letter to a new prefect, passing along some of their wisdom. The students cooked dinner over a campfire and hiked at night to the Pinnacle. Aitken said such activities help to strengthen the relationships between members of the groups involved, whether they are prefects or members of a team, and they strengthen the school community as a whole. “I think it also goes back to Fred Gunn,” she said. “We’re definitely moving in a good direction.” n We’d love to hear your favorite memories of outdoor programs at The Gunnery. Please send them to Jennifer Clement at clementj@gunnery.org.

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Such lessons are already being introduced. In a Nature Writing Class, co-taught by Leclerc and Karoline Theobald P’09 ’14 of the English Department faculty, seniors take weekly field trips to Steep Rock to write and sketch. As part of The Gunnery LEADS (Learning for Ethical Engagement, Active Citizenship and Dedicated Service) Program, sophomores discuss environmental ethics and learn what “leave no trace” means in the world of backpacking, while freshmen go on a winter trip to Lake Placid and engage in class cookouts in the spring.

In May, Head Coach Kate McMann ’05 and Assistant Coach Amy Paulekas organized a camping trip at the South Street Field Complex for the girls varsity lacrosse team with the goal of simply spending a night under the stars. The student-athletes stayed up late talking about their favorite moments from the school year

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

Looking Back on the Outdoor Program

These images from the Paula and George Krimsky ’60 Archives provide a sense of what it would have been like to join Fred and Abigail Gunn on their early camping trips, and how those traditions have been honored by generations of Gunnery students and faculty through the Outdoor Program.

Above: The summer camp at Point Beautiful on Lake Waramaug in the 1870s At left: Students “practicing” for camping in 1861. Mr. Gunn (at right, dressed in a dark suit with one hand on his hip) appears to be overseeing their progress. In the background is Conroy House, now home to Head of School Peter Becker and his family.

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At right: In a letter to his mother dated August 8, 1875, and written on birchbark, William F. Day describes a day hike to Steep Rock. “We start[ed] about three o’clock and arrived there about four o’clock & we had our tea about six,” he wrote, noting that the tea was splendid, but on the way home it rained. He also wrote: “We expect to go into camp next Thursday. I would like to see you at the lake.”

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At left: The first camping trip to Milford. Note that some of the students are dressed as Zouaves in French-military inspired uniforms. On the far left are the donkeys and carts mentioned in Brian Back’s book, “The Keewaydin Way, A Portrait: 1893-1983.”

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Clockwise from above: Ned Swigart playing guitar in 1959 in the cabin the Outdoor Club built off Frisbie Road, on property donated by the family of Charles Neergard, Class of 1893. Below right, Members of the Outdoor Club engaged in archaeological inquiries circa 1968. Below left, Head of School Ogden Miller pouring lemonade at Mount Tom during the 1957 School Walk. At left: John Yerger ‘68 shared this Gunnery Outdoor Club badge, circa 1968, with our Alumni & Development Office last year when they were on the road in California.

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Dramatic Progress

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Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center Takes Shape

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In early November, the last pieces of structural steel were lifted into place by a 180-foot-tall crane as the floors and walls of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center clearly began to take shape. Construction of the new building, which is located between Teddy House and Emerson dormitory, began June 18, just nine days after Thomas Perakos ’69 joined Head of School Peter Becker, Gerrit Vreeland ’61, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Vice Chairman Jonathan M. Estreich P’06, on campus for the official groundbreaking ceremony.

There was a celebratory air to that event, which was held during Alumni Weekend, just before the start of the annual alumni parade, and the day before Perakos walked on stage at the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, wearing his Gunnery alumni pin on the lapel of his tuxedo, to accept the award for best musical for “The Band’s Visit.” He is a producer of the show, which earned a total of 10 Tony Awards, as well as a co-producer of the revival of “Carousel,” which won two Tonys,

and he provided financial support for the Broadway revival of “My Fair Lady,” which won the Tony for best costume design in a musical.

“I’m just so overwhelmed with everything that’s transpired

this year. Words can’t express the joy of giving and the joy that’s in my heart to be able to bring this to a school that’s so close to my heart,” Perakos said, describing the new center as “a tremendous game changer for the school. It takes it from the plateau that it currently competes on and brings it to a much higher level.”

A Passion for the Arts and the School In his remarks, Head of School Peter Becker said the school has benefitted from Perakos’ intelligence, experience, passion and enthusiasm from the project’s early stages. “We needed someone to step up, we needed someone to believe that we could do something as audacious as this project, and frankly help us take a

big risk. We have this tagline that we’re talking about a lot: ‘Think Fearlessly. Act Thoughtfully.’ What that’s really about is informed risk, the type of risk that we want our kids to be taking as they’re students here and as they go out into the world as citizens. And if it wasn’t for Tom stepping up at a very particular point with a tremendous amount of generosity and saying, ‘I believe in this.

We can do it. It’s the right project for the school at this time,’ we wouldn’t be here,” he said. “His engagement with it just shows the passion that he has not just for the arts, but for the school.”

“Part of what excites me about this project is the demonstration of what we can do as a school, as an alumni and parent body, as a board, when we are all willing to dream big, take a risk and think about the future of this school,” Becker said.

He also announced at the groundbreaking that the Class of 1968 would be commemorating its 50th reunion this year by donating the funds to name the community room in the new Arts and Community Center for Norman R. Lemcke P’84, who served as a Gunnery faculty member and Dean of Students from 1964 to 1975 and had “a profound impact on the class.” Perakos then surprised the school by pledging to match that gift — which Steve Baird, Rick Bernard and David Coburn of the Class of 1968 later revealed to be $500,000 — with the Class of 1969, to honor former English faculty member Wally Rowe III H’57 P’77 ’79.

The 32,000-square-foot building, which is set to open in winter 2019-2020, will include a state-of-the-art, 415-seat theater where the entire school can gather for meetings, guest speakers,

performances and events. The theater will be named The Tisch Family Auditorium in honor of Jonathan Tisch ’72, and Steven Tisch ’67. The center’s art wing, which will feature gallery spaces, classrooms and studios, will be named in honor of alumni Richard C. Colton, Jr. ’60. Additionally, the center will offer community and event spaces, choral and instrumental practice spaces, including a drum room, and a technical shop for building and assembling sets.

Critical Work Completed The construction team, led by O&G Industries with oversight provided by Michel Williams, the school’s Project Manager and Director of Safety and Security, did a great job of getting critical work completed before students returned to campus for the start of the fall term. Drilling and blasting on the site were completed

by Labor Day. Rock excavated from the site was crushed and used to backfill the foundation as it was built. Existing underground utility lines were rerouted from the footprint of the new building.

At the top of the hill above Solley Dining Hall, workers installed 46 wells for the geothermal heating and cooling system that will support the new center. A new parking lot was created over the wells on the hill above the dining hall. The hilltop parking area will eventually replace the current dining hall lot, which will be transformed into “the glade,” an open green space with walkways connecting the dining hall to the new arts center.

Help us Honor Wally Rowe!

Were you taught by Wally Rowe? Join Thomas Perakos ’69 and his 50th Reunion Class in helping to raise $1 million to name the art gallery in the new Arts and Community Center in honor of Wally Rowe.

Perakos has pledged to match the amount raised for this challenge dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000. If you are interested, or want to learn more about how you can support the Arts and Community Center, please contact Kiersten Marich, Director of or 860-350-0171.

Head of School Peter Becker, Jonathan M. Estreich P’06, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Tom Perakos ‘69, and Gerrit Vreeland ‘61, Chairman, at the groundbreaking in July

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Leadership Giving, at marichk@gunnery.org

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Despite a very rainy start to the school year, the construction team made dramatic progress throughout the fall, pouring concrete for the footings that will eventually support the columns throughout the building’s interior, and installing about 242 tons of steel (that’s equivalent to the weight of about 120 cars).

“This is a pretty complicated building. It’s not like building a house.

There are a lot of systems in it,” Williams said. “Peter Becker says there are a lot of moving parts, and there are.” n

Metal decking can be seen on the upper level of the Arts and Community Center (left) with a few pieces in place on the roof over the gallery. The blue area to the right and center is a vapor barrier that was installed on the lower level of the theater before the concrete floor was poured.

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Meet the Project Manager

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Michel Williams joined The Gunnery in 2015 as Project Manager and Director of Safety and Security. Since then, he has overseen projects large and small, from the construction of Graham House (which was delivered as 21 pieces and assembled on campus) to the creation of the Multipurpose Room in the Ogden D. Miller Memorial Athletic Center (from what was a windowless wrestling room), to the renovation of the Bourne Reading Room and the reconfiguration of the Admissions offices in Bourne Hall.

Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and a master’s in psychology from California State University, Chico. His father was an industrial arts teacher and Williams said he was “always around construction” growing up. “I always loved engineering but I had too many interests to pursue it,” he said, recalling, “I began working in student housing after graduate school and never left.”

He put his background in counseling, computers and construction to use at Keene State College, where he worked for 19 years and automated the entire housing department. He worked for 10 years in the housing department at the University of New Hampshire, where he was involved in reorganizing housing operations and developing long-range repair and renovation planning for all UNH housing properties. Then, after his wife, the Rev. Linda Williams, accepted a job as Senior Pastor of the Salem Covenant Church, the couple moved to Washington, Connecticut. They have two grown children, Lauren, 31, who lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Daniel, 30, who lives just outside of Boston.

Williams currently serves as a liaison between the Arts and Community Center project and the school, making sure The Gunnery’s best interest is at the heart of any decision, whether that involves rerouting traffic or temporarily shutting off the water.

Every Wednesday, he attends a supervisors meeting, which helps to keep the project on schedule and avoid conflicts and delays.

“It’s probably the single-most asked question I hear: ‘Are we on schedule?’” he said.

This fall, he said his biggest challenge was trying to juggle all of those moving pieces. “There are times there are a lot of priorities,” he said. But he added: “I love problem-solving and challenges and this project is not short on them. I really love building and creating and to be part of this project is very exciting for me. There are a lot of layers and you get to work with a lot of smart people.”

For Williams, the most exciting part of the project will be the first performance in the Tisch Auditorium. “It’s going to make for a better experience for our students and faculty,” he said of the new center. “I’m sure there will be lots of great moments along the way, but in some ways that will be like the finish line.”

Construction Management Class Teaches Real-World Lessons George Givens, O&G’s Project Superintendent (center) reviews plans on the construction site with Garrett Coe ’19, Monte Blaustein, Director of the IDEAS program, Joey Lin ’19, Eli Dorf ’19 and Caleb Dorf ’19.

“It’s a bit of a team effort,” GarciaArnold said. “Any building project has a lot of people looking over it and making sure it’s going the way it should. That’s a good thing.”

The students attend construction meetings, have access to the building site and document the progress being made by taking video and photos (including the one below), which they share with the entire community at School Meetings.

The students and Blaustein were required to complete the same safety training as any tradesperson working on the site. Hard hats, steel-toed shoes and safety vests must be worn and the students must be accompanied by Blaustein or a representative of O&G. “Everyone’s safety is paramount,” Garcia-Arnold said.

In September, the students participated in a classroom exercise on building planning, led by Givens and Garcia-Arnold with Seth Duke, O&G’s

Corporate Marketing & Communications Manager. They were challenged to work as a team to design and build a scale model of The White House using Lego bricks.

From Gaunt, they learned about LEED certification and the building’s geothermal heating and cooling system. The Arts and Community Center will be the first LEED-certified structure on campus.

They also met with Nick Castler, Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Manager for O&G, to learn about Building Information Modeling (BIM), in which 3-D modeling is used in the design and planning process.

“To me, even as an architect, the construction is the best part,” said Gaunt, who noted that by observing this project, the students will take away lessons that can be applied to any business setting.

“At the end of the day it all comes down to managing people and sequencing and solving problems.” n

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Students in The Gunnery’s engineering program, known as IDEAS, have the equivalent of backstage passes to the Arts and Community Center project through the school’s new Construction Management class.

The yearlong class was conceived in part by Head of School Peter Becker, who envisioned the building project as a learning lab for students. It is led by Monte Blaustein, Director of the IDEAS program. Students Joey Lin ’19, Caleb Dorf ’19, Eli Dorf ’19 and Garrett Coe ’19 are learning about all aspects of a building project, from the various trades involved to how costs and schedules are maintained to all aspects of Green Building design. Their “teachers” include: project architect Geoffrey Gaunt of S/L/A/M Collaborative; George Givens, O&G’s Project Superintendent, who oversees all of the contractors and subcontractors; Vivian Garcia-Arnold, O&G’s project manager, who has a bachelor’s in physics and a master’s in structural engineering and previously worked as a draftsman; and Michel Williams, The Gunnery’s project manager.

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Commencement On May 28, 2018, The Gunnery celebrated its 168th Commencement,

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graduating 82 students in a ceremony that also highlighted the words and legacy of school founder Frederick W. Gunn.

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THE CLASS OF 2018

Maximilian DeBeradinis Michael Alexander Esposito Tabitha Lina Franceschini Sydney Marie Fydenkevez Braden Garten Marc Harold Gatcomb Margaret Neelis Grady London Victoria Julia Green Niko Julius Grollman Katherine Mae Hayward Seojin “Stephanie” Jung Kenyon William Kay Sooryu “Alina” Kim Eleni Marie Kolpak Christian Robert Kummer Catherine Devyn Lawrence Gabrielle Leigh Lescadre Kayin Ace Levesque Olajide Jack Liu Lily Alexandra Mandl Brett McDonough Matthews

John Carter Matthews Sophie Claire McAndrew Keely Kirsten McGann Levi Joseph Mercier Nicole Elizabeth Moriarity Jabari Nelson Noemi Neubauerova Zachary Hunter Novick Clare Lynch O’Connor Walter Ross O’Connor Matthew Daniel O’Neil Kristyna Patkova Zachary Frank Pellegrino Joseph Walter Perda Julianne Rose Petrillo Huy Cao Pham Cayetana Brianda Roca de Togores Joseph Gerald Rogalski Wade Thomas Sansone Macy Nicole Seward

Sebastien Charles Seymour Larysa Anna Shelton Jenna Thi-Hien Sittler Emeline Percilla Chappell Smith Griffin Carter Smith Meiye Song Tyler Thomas Sullivan Robert Samuel Thompson William Charles Townsend Hannah Rose Tulchinsky Nicholas Terence Vankka Cole Daniel Varney Jui-Ling “Lynn” Wang YuanShu “Sylvia” Wang Ziyuan “Emma” Wang Albert Anthony Washco Allen Watson Larisa Ann Wilber Emma Mai Wirt Yacheng “Jackson” Yang

“We want you to practice a ‘growth mindset’ in all areas of your lives and, to that end, be like Mr. Gunn – resilient, gritty, with a proper confidence and healthy appetite for thoughtful risk.”

HEAD OF SCHOOL PETER BECKER

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Yamna Maryan Abdi Jama Daina Jade Adams Sayed Hashem Hadi Alaali Noor Alsairafi Willem Finn Bartman Ryan Thomas Brassil Isabella Marie Byrne Maia Grace Carpenter John Madison Cary Fangwen “Jerry” Cheng Marcus Ryan Cheng Jinuk “Mark” Choi Anthony Vatis Cochrane Rachel Anne Cohen Maya Josephine Coppola Phoebe Claire Coppola Sabryna Lee Coppola Pedro Cortina Clare Kathleen Costello Ethan Charles Cox Zoe Camille Davis-Bowers

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PRIZE NIGHT

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The Teddy Awards were presented to Acadia Johnson ’21 and Josh Novick ’21 by Anna Carew-Miller, Ph.D., P’12, ’20 and previous award recipients Sydney Fydenkevez ’18, Mark Choi ’18, Gianna Russillo ’20, Jimmy Rayhill ’20, Sean Douglas ’19 and Jean Fang ’19.

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Dean of Students Jess Matthews, Ph.D., presented the Dean’s Prize to Anthony Cochrane ’18.

Science Department Chair Steve Bailey presented the Raymond W. Reich Award for Excellence in Physics to Sayed Hashem Hadi Alaali ’18.

English faculty member Tim Poole presented Bella Byrne ’18 with the School Poetry Prize.

Kevin Clemente of the Math Department faculty presented Alina Kim ’18 with the Senior Mathematics Department Award.

Then LEADS Department Chair Hannah Gorman presented Andrew Byrne-King ’20 with The Percy B. Wightman Prize.

Visual Arts Chair Andrew Richards P’20 presented the Excellence in Art Award to Zoe Davis-Bowers ’18.

Gerrit Vreeland ’61, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, presented the Vreeland Rogers Athletic Awards to Tabitha Franceschini ’18 and Wade Sansone ’18.

The Award for Excellence in Mandarin was presented to Daina Adams ’18 by Mandarin teacher Tanya Nongera.

Director of Outdoor Programming Becca Leclerc presented Jerry Cheng ’18 with the Frederick William Gunn Award.

The Patrick M. Dorton ’86 Prize for Quiet Leadership was presented by his niece, Zoe Cameron ’16, to Grace Genest ’20.

Head Prefect Kenyon Kay ’18 presented the Freshman of the Year Award to Danny Infante ’21.

American University Assumption College Bard College Berlin Bentley University Boston University Bowdoin College Bucknell University Chapman University Chatham University Colgate University College of the Holy Cross Concordia University (Canada) Connecticut College Denison University Drexel University Elon University Endicott College George Washington University High Point University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Hood College Ithaca College Lehigh University Loyola University Chicago McGill University (Canada) Middlebury College Mount Holyoke College Nazareth College New England College Northeastern University Post University Purdue University Roanoke College Salve Regina University School of the Art Institute of Chicago Sewanee: The University of the South Simmons College Skidmore College Southern Methodist University St. Lawrence University Stevenson University Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University Union College University of Alberta (Canada) University of Connecticut University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of New Haven University of Rhode Island University of Tampa University of Texas Arlington University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Washington Wake Forest University Williams College Wofford College

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Class of 2018 Matriculation

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Baccalaureate Service, Senior Dinner Feature Alumni Guest Speakers

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Above (left to right): Jesse Soffer ’03 and Leigh Buckens ’02

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This year, the annual Baccalaureate He found the answer at the age of Service and Senior Dinner featured two 27, when he met an acting teacher, who “Success isn’t money. notable guest speakers, Leigh Buckens ’02 offered to work with him at no charge Success isn’t notoriety. It and Jesse Soffer ’03, whose lifelong if he agreed to go to therapy. At the isn’t possessions. It isn’t even friendship began even before they entered time, he was broke and the only work he being loved. It’s simpler than The Gunnery. Soffer delivered the could find was as a busboy. “This was the Baccalaureate address on May 22 and the second time I found someone who would all of that. It’s loving yourself. following evening, Buckens helped to send become a mentor to me, and I’m eternally Knowing yourself. Finding off the Class of 2018 at the Senior Dinner grateful,” he said, explaining that through yourself.

In every moment.” hosted by the Alumni & Development therapy, he began to think differently. “I Office. had been going about life all wrong,” he

Then Assistant Head of School and Academic Dean Chapin said. “I was afraid of failure and afraid of not making money, afraid Miller P’12 ’20, who served as an advisor to both alumni during of not being ‘successful.’ But what is success? It’s something only their years at the school, introduced Soffer, who began acting you can define for yourself.” at age 6 and later deferred his acceptance to Drew University

“Success isn’t money. Success isn’t notoriety. It isn’t to pursue his career. He achieved early success, earning three possessions. It isn’t even being loved. It’s simpler than all of that.

Daytime Emmy Awards for his role on the CBS soap opera, It’s loving yourself. Knowing yourself. Finding yourself. In every “As the World Turns,” and currently appears in NBC’s “Chicago moment,” Soffer said, encouraging the graduates to choose PD,” a television show created by another Gunnery alumnus, gratitude “for being who we are, right where we are, right now.”

Dick Wolf ’65.

Soffer also shared with the seniors the advice he received

Still, Miller said that “in many ways Jesse was a typical from Miller years ago. “Risk is just about all Chip ever talked Gunnery kid.” During his four years at the school, he played about when I was here. And you know what? He was right. You soccer, rowed crew, was elected Prefect and made the honor roll. have to take risks. Big risks. I urge you to push yourselves, to

As for Soffer, he recalled that Miller was much more than make yourselves uncomfortable, to put the idea of passion before an advisor to him during his Gunnery years. “My father passed money… Because you know what? You could easily settle for a away when I was young, and I really struggled to find my place lifestyle, but you might miss out on living a life.” and feel safe in this world until I met Chip. He was an advisor and a mentor, a father figure and a friend. And this being Mr. and With Great Pride and a Strong Voice Mrs. Miller’s last year here, it gives this speech that much more Leigh Buckens has put that same advice into practice in his own meaning for me. I’m honored to be standing here, and I wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for you,” he said.

Ultimately, Soffer moved from Connecticut to New York to Los Angeles to pursue different acting roles, but still had doubts about his choices and whether he would succeed. “Something was missing and I didn’t know what it was,” he said.

life, leaving a successful career behind to follow his passions and become, as Soffer said, “an entrepreneur of life.” At the Senior Dinner, he spoke to the students about their shared experiences at The Gunnery, and what it means to be an alumnus of the school.

“What I have experienced and witnessed that makes this place

Jabari Nelson ’18 with his 2018 yearbook and class mug

special is how it promotes individuality. It At the dinner, it has become tradition might not always seem that way with the “Try to embody what being a for the graduates to receive their alumni dress code and the chanting of the school pins from returning alumni. “The act Gunnery alumnus has always hymn, but I assure you that individuality of placing the pin is a symbolic gesture meant, which to me is someone in most institutions is an afterthought,” of the bond you share as alumni, 5,000 who can equally learn as they Buckens said. “Here at The Gunnery, we strong,” said Sean Brown P’21, Director make it harder on ourselves by asking you can teach, give more than they of Alumni & Development. He went on to look inward, encouraging self-reliance take, and embrace all the life to paraphrase a thought originally shared and promoting individuality.”

by David Rubenstein, a philanthropist, that surrounds them.”

Although Gunnery students do co-founder and Co-Executive Chairman not complete their transformation of The Carlyle Group, in his commencement address at Duke from graduates to alumni until Commencement, the Senior University: “From this moment forward, always say that you are a Dinner is the first time they are officially welcomed into the Alumni Association. “This is the first time for all of you to Gunnery graduate with great pride and a strong voice. For the rest count yourselves among the ranks of those who aren’t just of your life, you will always be a Gunnery graduate.” n your classmates,” Buckens told them. “Now you belong to an association of alumni who span five generations. And that still pales in comparison to the generations that came before us, who built and maintained The Gunnery.”

He said it is his hope that the new alumni no longer see themselves as recipients of all that The Gunnery has provided for them and encouraged them to contribute to the future success of the school. “Challenge yourselves to be active alumni when the time is right. Reflect on your time here as you meander through your college years and beyond,” he said.

“Try to embody what a Gunnery alumnus has always meant, which to me is someone who can equally learn as they can teach, give more than they take, and embrace all At Baccalaureate (left to right): Christian Kummer ’18, Gabby Lescarde ’18, Jesse Soffer ’03, Chip the life that surrounds them.”

Miller P’12 ’20, Leigh Buckens ’02, Lily Mandl ’18, Sabryna Coppola ’18, and Sam Johnson ’19

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Soffer places an alumni pin on the lapel of Emeline Smith ’18.

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CAMPUS LIFE

Gunnery Welcomes New Senior Leaders

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This summer, The Gunnery welcomed four new members of the school’s senior leadership team.

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Emily Gum is the school’s new

Christopher W. Cowell is the

Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning. In this role, Gum shares responsibility with the Head of School for defining The Gunnery’s vision for academics and intellectual life within the context of the school’s mission and strategic goals.

Prior to her arrival at The Gunnery, Gum served as interim Executive Director of New City Commons, a nonprofit organization in Charlottesville, Virginia, that “seeks to support institutional leaders in the work of reimagining the common good, reinvigorating cultural institutions, and renewing civic life.” She previously held multiple roles at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia, including Managing Editor of “The Hedgehog Review,” an academic journal discussing contemporary culture.

A graduate of The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Gum received an undergraduate degree in international relations and theological studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, graduating with joint honors. She received a Master of Philosophy in theology and religion, passing with distinction, from the University of Oxford. Currently, she is working toward a Doctor of Philosophy in ethics from the University of Oxford based on her dissertation, “Neighbors, Virtues, and Schools as Civic Spaces.”

Gum is charged primarily with oversight of the school’s Academic Office, including curriculum development and management of the day-to-day details of student scheduling and parental inquiries. She leads the Curriculum Committee, serves as a member of the Campus Life Committee and Core Administrative Council, is a student advisor and teaches the Honors Philosophy Seminar. She and her husband, Wheeler, have a son, Hezze, age 2.

school’s new Chief Financial Officer.

Cowell served for the past six years as Director of Business Services at Kent School. Prior to joining Kent, he was Director of Accounting and Finance for Renbrook School in West Hartford, and a senior auditor for the national public accounting firm J.H. Cohn, LLP, in Glastonbury.

Cowell graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Assumption College. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Burlington, Connecticut, with their children, John, 6, and Cameron, 5.

Alexandra V. Ince P’20 is the school’s new Director of Enrollment.

Ince joined The Gunnery in 2011 as Assistant Director, Annual Fund and Stewardship in the Alumni & Development Office, and served for five years as Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Director of International Recruitment.

Ince is responsible for guiding prospective students and families through the admissions process. She is working closely with The Gunnery’s senior leadership to achieve the school’s strategic enrollment goals and continue to attract ambitious, academically curious students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles who will thrive in and enrich the community.

A graduate of The Field School in Washington, D.C., Ince holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and political science from Barnard College and a juris doctor degree from Vermont Law School. She served as Assistant Regional Counsel to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in New York for 10 years.

Prior to joining The Gunnery, she performed extensive volunteer work for Washington Montessori School, including development work and helping to establish a parent environmental organization.

She lives in New Milford with her husband, Brandon, and their sons, Graham and Nathaniel ’20.

TRUSTEE NEWS

Fond Farewells

is the school’s new Director of Marketing & Communications.

Day comes to The Gunnery following a successful 16-year career in the investment management field.

In addition, he served as President and Treasurer of the Washington Park Foundation, where he led a successful branding effort, capital campaign and construction project that raised more than $1 million and brought a new sense of vibrancy to the center of Washington Depot via The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens. For several years, he was also a member of the Board of Trustees at Washington Montessori School, where he has served as Treasurer and as a member of its Finance, Audit and Development committees.

A graduate of The Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Day holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Emory University. He began his finance career at Salomon Brothers in New York and spent six years at American Century Investments in Kansas City as an analyst and portfolio manager. In 2002, he returned to New York to join Moore Capital Management as the firm’s youngest portfolio manager and his leadership over the course of six years set the stage for his successful launch of his own investment management firm with a partner in 2008.

He and his wife, Suzanne, who is Director of Financial Aid and Senior Associate Director of Admissions at The Gunnery, and their two children, Carter and Gigi, live in Litchfield.

For 20 years, David Kaplan ‘81 P’13 ’15 ’20 has served as a valuable member of the Board of Trustees.

Elected in 1998, Kaplan served as Investment Committee Chair from 2000 through 2013, overseeing the school’s endowment and providing direction for its investment portfolio. He was also a member of the Finance Committee, the Committee on Trustees, the Executive Committee and the Strategic Plan Steering Committee.

In addition to being an alumnus and supporter of the school, he and his wife, Terri Stein, are the parents of Jessie ’13, Rafe ’15 and Jolie ’20.

Kaplan attended the London School of Economics and Political Science. He received his bachelor’s in economics from Union College in Schenectady, New York, and earned his MBA in finance and international business from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He served as Assistant Vice President of Moran Asset Management in Greenwich for six years and has served as Vice President, Senior Institutional Sales Director for Baron Capital for the past 25 years.

“These experiences have enriched his contributions to The Gunnery as a wise counselor and a respected voice among his fellow Trustees,” Head of School Peter Becker and Gerrit Vreeland ’61, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said in a citation issued in April. They recognized Kaplan for providing “a steady hand, thoughtful commentary, and valuable insight in matters of progress and growth.” The policies and processes he established helped to ensure financial sustainability for the school, they said.

Peter S. Twombly ’74 has served as a respected member of the Board of Trustees since 2000. During his tenure, he served on the Building and Grounds Committee, on the Development Committee, and as Secretary of the Executive Committee. In 2013, he was named the Trustee Liaison for Planned Giving. He also helped to implement a stewardship program for Bequest Society members and potential members, and is a member of the Willets and Samuel Jackson Underhill Society.

As an alumnus, Twombly chaired the 35th Reunion Committee for his class and served as a Class Agent.

Professionally, he is a partner with Fox Horan & Camerini, an international law firm located in New York City, and prior to that, he was a partner with McCarter & English in Newark, New Jersey, and a member of its Corporate, Securities and Business Transactions Practice Group, for more than 30 years. He represents businesses from a variety of industries on mergers, equity and asset purchases and dispositions, the formation of joint ventures, strategic alliances, and general commercial matters.

Twombly holds a bachelor’s degree in French studies from Middlebury College and received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.

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Douglas Day

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New Faces on Campus

From studying abroad in Spain, Nicaragua, South Africa and Russia, to serving on a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine and in the National Guard, to running the Boston Marathon, the Ragnar Relay and Tough Mudder obstacle races, our new faculty are definitely up for a challenge!

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1 Matthew Cox

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Mathematics • Teaching math and coaching boys JV hockey and boys varsity lacrosse • Has a master’s in secondary mathematics from Cambridge College and a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology • Played NCAA Division III lacrosse • Taught math and coached varsity lacrosse and varsity hockey at Sacred Heart School in Kingston, Massachusetts, coached varsity lacrosse at Hanover High School in New Hampshire, and coached freshman lacrosse at Boston College High School • Completed the Boston Marathon in 2016

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2 Christopher Visentin English • Teaching English and coaching crew • Holds a law degree from Boston University School of Law, a master’s degree in English from Boston University, and a bachelor’s in English from Hamilton College • Rowed at Kent School and Hamilton, and rowed competitively in Montreal for a year • Prior to joining The Gunnery, he was a freelance writer in Philadelphia • Enjoys photography, painting, and writing

3 Gregory Swenson History • Teaching economics and coaching three varsity sports: boys soccer, baseball and lacrosse • Holds dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and history from Drew University, where he played soccer and lacrosse and worked in undergraduate admissions • Studied for three weeks in St. Petersburg, Russia, known for its “white nights,” as part of a history and culture program at Drew • His secret talent is juggling

Dean of Students Office • Coordinates all therapeutic support services on campus, supports the scheduling of educational and psychological testing for students, and coordinates meetings involving the DOS Office, Director of Counseling, on-campus therapists, the Center for Academic Support and the Academic Office • Holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Virginia • Previously lived in Sheffield, Massachusetts, and worked at Peter Fasano Ltd., in Great Barrington, which produces hand-painted and handprinted textiles and wallpapers • Lives on campus with her husband, Edward, who is The Gunnery’s Library Director, and their Labrador, Jack • Enjoys reading crime novels, and more than 100 comic strips a day

5 Ryan J. Cotter Freshman Class Dean, Director of the Freshman Program Co-Chair, The Gunnery LEADS Program History • Teaching history and classes in The Gunnery LEADS Program and coteaching the school newspaper class • Coaching X-term and Highlander Hockey • Majored in sociology at Amherst College • Served in the U.S. Navy, including five years aboard a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine and two years as part of an undersea warfare intelligence unit.

• Worked as a lab assistant in The Etkin Lab at Stanford University using transcranial magnetic imaging to help identify PTSD in veterans • Enjoys a challenge, including marathons and Tough Mudder obstacle races • Lives on campus with his wife, Jess Matthews, Ph.D., Dean of Students, and their dogs, Calista and Frank

6 Emily Abelson Admissions • In addition to her role as an Admissions Officer, coaches girls soccer and lacrosse • Majored in psychology and minored in healthcare at Emmanuel College • Played soccer and lacrosse at Emmanuel and served as an admissions tour guide • Previously worked in admissions at Emmanuel College, Syracuse University and Georgetown • Pursuing her MBA from American University

7 Kori Rimany ’14 English • Teaching English and coaching varsity field hockey and girls crew • Double majored in English and Gender and Women’s Studies at Connecticut College, with a minor in mathematics • Lived in Durban, South Africa, where she studied community health and worked in the postnatal ward of a local health clinic • Wrote her thesis on women and the criminal justice system • Enjoys making crafts and baking

8 Jessica Lyon World Languages • Serving as World Languages Department Chair, teaching Spanish and coaching boys soccer and baseball • Majored in Spanish at Western Connecticut State University • Studied in Spain and Nicaragua, where she also taught elementary school for a summer • Has completed three Ragnar Relay Series® races • Previously taught Spanish at a private therapeutic boarding school • Lives in New Milford with her husband, Dave, son, Justin, and dogs, Jack and Stella

Paul Gonzalez (not pictured)

Cheryl Bohrman (not pictured)

Science • Teaching science and tutoring students in math in The Center for Academic Support • Holds a bachelor’s degree in general science from the University of Connecticut • Taught biology, physics with calculus, chemistry, geometry and algebra in Ocala, Florida.

• Prior to joining The Gunnery, he was a teacher, assistant golf coach and ran the ski club at St. Thomas Moore School in Oakdale, Connecticut • Served in the Connecticut National Guard • Lives in Waterbury with his wife, Ida, children Boli and Jacinta, their beloved Chihuahua, Marcelino, and a Turkish Angora cat named Ashley

The Center for Academic Support • Has a master’s in science education with a concentration in physics from New York University, and a bachelor’s in natural sciences and elementary education from Stonehill College • Previously worked as a learning specialist and science teacher at Rye Country Day School • At NYU, was a part-time professor in the Science Education Department and coordinator of the Math Science Technology Enhancement Program • Lives in New Milford with her husband, Craig, and their four children, Ryan, Megan, Tyler and Kaitlyn, and their chocolate Labrador, Bell

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4 Beverly J. Dahl

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CAMPUS LIFE

Meet the New Prefects The results of the Prefect and Head Prefect elections for the 2018-2019 academic year were announced in the spring. Here is what the new Prefects said about how they will contribute to the community: Maddie Aitken said she wanted to be a Prefect to give back to the community and to improve the experience of current and future students. “Specifically, I want to make systematic changes and forge connections within and between the classes to continue to foster our friendly and caring community. Above all, I would like to serve as a role model for underclassmen, leading them by example, while also ensuring all students know they are valued members of our community,” she said.

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Tony Zhang said he discovered his passion for art at The Gunnery, along with the confidence to define himself as an artist. “As a Prefect, I give you my word that I will be nothing but supportive on your journeys to building your own identities. And I urge you all to put down your masks. Get out of your boxes. Show everybody who you are. If they laugh at you, if they deny you, and if you walk on a different path, against the current, come find me.”

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William Alling Graney spoke about the strength of character and the values that were important to Frederick Gunn.

“As a community, it is up to each of us, faculty and students alike, to work for the continuation of those values. We all do this by practicing and learning how to be open to new ideas, practicing humility by listening closely, questioning honestly, and being true to others and ourselves in word and deed,” he said.

The 2018-2019 Prefects (left to right): Tony Zhang, Katie Broccoli, Sage Mines, Maddie Aitken, Jared Rainville, Katie Nemergut, Caleb Dorf and William Alling Graney

Jared Rainville recalled the eight weeks he spent navigating campus on a scooter, following foot surgery last fall. As a result of his unique situation, he was able to make connections with fellow students and staff in a way he had not before. “I want to leave Gunnery a better place than I found it and I believe it starts with everyday conversations. Thus, I challenge each of you to go out of your way and talk to someone because these little conversations add up to big things and you never know who you might meet,” he said.

Caleb Dorf said one of his goals as a Prefect will be to help strengthen school spirit. “I had no idea what real school spirit was until my freshman year when 200 kids went to support the boys hockey team at Avon Old Farms en route to winning New England’s. I will work hard to help develop an atmosphere where everyone can say that they’ve never been prouder to attend The Gunnery,” he said.

Katie Broccoli observed that The Gunnery’s welcoming and accepting community makes it possible for new students to feel comfortable here almost immediately. “I can honestly say I would not be the person I am today if I had not spent the last two and a half years here. I

have made my fair share of mistakes and quickly learned from them. I am beyond proud to be able to say I go to The Gunnery,” she said.

Katie Nemergut said the word “inclusive” is the perfect descriptor of our school. “Even though each of us come from different backgrounds and experiences, we all gather at our little campus in a small town and mesh together. It really is amazing how welcoming and accepting our culture is on campus. As a student of The Gunnery, I find that there is an opportunity each and every day to showcase kindness and to feed into the positivity.”

Sage Mines said he hopes to carry on the school tradition of providing “unconditional support” for fellow students. “Trust me, there will be days where you will fall down, there will be days where you’ll fail a math test, where you won’t make the team you wanted to, where it will feel like the world is beating you down. But when times seem their darkest, this is when someone will help you up. If you fall, there will be people at this very special place who will always be here to catch you.”

Gunn Scholar Program Expands The Gunn Scholar program has expanded for 2018-2019 to include five scholars who are hard at work researching four areas of interest: the history of student publications, the war in Vietnam, the women’s architecture.

The 2017-2018 Gunn Scholars and their advisors welcome the 2018-2019 Gunn Scholars at Prize Night (left to right): Emma Wang ’18, Paige Moffat ’19, Michael Kassis ’19, Julie Petrillo ’18, Joey Lin ’19, Mark Choi ’18, Rain Ji ’19, Tony Zhang ’19, Paula Krimsky, Misa Giroux and Jennifer Wojcik, Ph.D.

With Jennifer Wojcik, Ph.D., Performing Arts Chair and Director of Diversity, as their advisor, and School Archivist Misa Giroux helping them plumb the resources of The Paula and George Krimsky ’60 Archives and Special Collections, Gunn Scholars Rain Ji ’19, Michael Kassis ’19, Joey Lin ’19, Paige Moffat ’19, and Tony Zhang ’19 are pursuing their independent study topics with the zeal of new converts to the joys of original historical research.

Rain Ji is looking into the many student publications that have informed the community throughout The Gunnery’s history.

She is probing the evolution of the school newspaper, the “Stray Shot” literary magazine and other publications at the school.

She also is interested in how administrators responded to these publications, and how they correspond to broader historical contexts. Ji would love to hear from alumni who were involved in student publications or published “underground” papers for the students during their time here.

Michael Kassis has been interested in historical research since before his arrival at The Gunnery as a freshman. Over the last several years, he has volunteered in the archives and helped out at the Gunn Historical Museum. Intrigued by military history, Kassis plans to investigate the school’s and the town’s relationship with the war in Vietnam. He wants to examine the controversy at home, its effect at the school and among the students, as well as the experiences of alumni who fought in the war. He would appreciate hearing from those who were students and veterans in the Vietnam era and have stories to tell to broaden his context.

Paige Moffat, who began presenting her research at the Connecticut History Day competition as a middle school student,

continued her participation in that competition this past year with a project about the Sarah Pierce Female Academy in Litchfield.

She placed third in the state. Inspired by Frederick Gunn’s early espousal of female education, she is now pursuing the 19th century women’s reform movement, from the 1830s to 1850, with a focus on how it was reflected by the school and its female graduates.

Joey Lin and Tony Zhang are teaming up to research and present dual aspects of the campus architecture. Lin is interested in the evolution of The Gunnery’s buildings over time and how the exteriors and interiors were modified in style and usage according to the period. Spurred by the questions that arose when she first admired the Bourne building as a new student, Lin’s interest is the history of each structure. Zhang’s project is a look at the campus buildings in terms of their form and placement. He seeks to study the philosophical underpinnings of the architects who designed them and understand the compromises that some architects (who are also alumni) have had to make to bring their visions to reality. To contribute information to one of this year’s Gunn Scholar projects, please email gunnscholar@gunnery.org.

Save the Date To learn more about these topics, join us Sunday, April 28, 2019, when the Gunn Scholars will present their findings at the second annual Rooted Research Conference at The Gunnery.

To read the 2017-2018 Gunn Scholar publications, go to gunnery.org/gunnscholar.

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movement, and campus

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CAMPUS LIFE

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New Arrangement Brings Litchfield Jazz Camp to The Gunnery

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The sound of jazz filled The Gunnery campus throughout July, with the arrival of students and faculty from Litchfield Jazz Camp.

This new arrangement resulted from an exciting partnership with Litchfield Performing Arts, the non-profit organization that produces the camp and the Litchfield Jazz Festival, which is now in its 23rd year of bringing nationally and internationally recognized jazz musicians to the Litchfield Hills.

Several dorms were occupied by the 50 to 125 boarding students who participated in the jazz camp each week, while classrooms and other areas were converted into space for workshops, master classes and jam sessions, and EPAC hosted weeknight concerts featuring faculty and student performances.

“The jazz camp was a huge success.

They were very happy with their new home here at The Gunnery and everything ran smoothly,” said Jesse Perkins, Performing Arts faculty and administrator for The Gunnery’s summer camps, which also include rowing, field hockey and soccer. “All of our fine people in Maintenance, Housekeeping and Dining Services did an outstanding job adjusting to the camp’s needs and schedule.

I hope some of our faculty and staff were able to attend a concert or two, and hear some of the amazing musicians we had on our campus.”

Vita West Muir, Executive Director of Litchfield Performing Arts, said it was wonderful to be at The Gunnery this year and she was already thinking of how to enhance the experience of the campers when they return in 2019 and 2020.

“Everybody loves it. They keep saying, ‘You know, there’s something about this place.’ Everybody feels it. It’s comfortable, it’s welcoming. I feel very at home here,” she said.

Muir noted that more than 50 percent of those who attend jazz camp are returning students, as was the case for Charles DeVos ’20 (photo opposite, top right), an accomplished pianist who was back for the third time this

summer. “I definitely learn a lot,” he said, acknowledging that it was nice to have the camp at The Gunnery this year.

One of the highlights of the camp experience is College Night, which gives students the opportunity to learn more about college programs offering music and music-related studies. This year, students met with representatives of The Juilliard School, Oberlin College and Conservatory, Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, Manhattan School of Music, The New School, Rutgers, UConn and Berklee.

“It’s great for local and international students to come and be part of this,” said Perkins, who noted that with the opening of the new Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center in winter 2019, the camp will have access to a facility with a professional sound system, lighting, and a larger venue for concerts. “The jazz camp provides an opportunity for local musicians to hone their skills and fuel their passion for jazz music, and it’s great for the community,” he said. n

“‘You know, there’s something about this place.’ Everybody feels it. ~ Vita West Muir, Executive Director, Litchfield Performing Arts

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PHOTOS BY LINDSEY VICTORIA PHOTOGRAPHY FOR LITCHFIELD JAZZ CAMP

It’s comfortable, it’s welcoming. I feel very at home here.”

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Grant Supports Explorers Tour, Brings Faculty Closer to History

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

History teachers Steve and Kara Gritti in Amsterdam

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This past summer, a dozen faculty is truly at the crossroads of western civilization and global history. I saw members traveled across the country Roman ruins everywhere I went, as and around the world supported in part Lusitania (the name given by the Romans by a faculty enrichment grant given by for the Iberian region) was one of the an anonymous board member. Faculty longest lasting pieces of the Roman engaged in activities that took them to the Empire. The influence of Muslim rule world’s largest reef aquarium in Australia, during the Middle Ages could easily be backpacking in Utah, on literary tours seen in all the cities on the trip. I even of Edinburgh, Paris and London, and to walked around the last built fortress of the some of the hottest shows on Broadway.

Knights Templar. Then of course, there

History teacher James Balben was the influence of the explorers of the went on an “Explorers’ Tour” of Spain 15th and 16th centuries. I also gained a and Portugal in August. From Lisbon, much better understanding of the Iberian he drove through the Extremadura History teacher James Balben in Cordoba, landscape and culture.” and Andalusia regions of Spain and the Spain History teachers Steve and Kara Gritti Alentejo region of Portugal, putting more were grateful for the opportunity to travel than 2,100 kilometers on his rental car. to Amsterdam, Prague and Berlin. “While in Amsterdam, we “I visited the small towns of Medellin, Trujillo, and Jerez de los learned about the city’s role as the center of European commerce Caballeros, which were the homes of Cortes, Pizarro, de Soto, in the late 16th century and spent much time considering Dutch and Balboa,” he said. After a brief stop in La Rabida, Spain, from life leading up to World War II and Dutch resistance to Nazi where Columbus set sail in 1492, he traveled to the historic cities occupation. In Prague we continued to learn about resistance of Cordoba and Seville. movements as we delved into the Czech resistance movement

After traveling for five days in Spain, Balben was joined by but a definite trip highlight was meeting up with Nemo his wife, Stephanie, for four days in Portugal. They visited the Neubauerova ’18 for a traditional Czech meal in the Old Town,” village of Monforte, in the Alentejo region. “It was there that I Kara Gritti said. “We continued on to Berlin, and while it was had the chance to ride an Iberian, the horse of the conquistadors obligatory to spend time considering the city’s history in regards and ancestor of the Mustang, and spend time with the hotel chef to German Unification under Bismarck and the later World Wars, and learn about Portuguese food,” Balben said, noting that given we chose to focus much of our time learning about Berlin’s role Portugal’s history, it could be argued Portuguese food was the first in the Cold War. This trip allowed us to immerse ourselves in the global cuisine. The couple’s last night in Lisbon included a fourmodern history we teach. We’re sure to bring back our enthusiasm hour walking tour of the city. for lifelong learning into the classroom!” n

“There is a lot from this amazing experience that I will use in the AP World History class. I certainly gained a greater appreciation for Iberian History,” Balben said. “The peninsula

To read about the experiences of more faculty members this summer, visit bit.ly/FacultyTravelSummer2018

From Athens to Capri: Students Tour Greece and Italy!

Gunnery students are invited to take a 10-day tour of France, the Mediterranean and Spain in March 2020. The itinerary includes stops in Paris, Provence, Barcelona and Madrid. For more information, email richardsa@Gunnery.org.

on to Rome, they toured the national monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican and the Roman Forum. They also visited the Colosseum, attended “gladiator school,” and learned to make gnocchi at a cooking school in Sorrento.

The last leg of the tour took them to the island of Capri and along the coast of Italy to Pompeii, where they caught a

glimpse of Mount Vesuvius and viewed plaster casts of those who perished in the volcanic eruption in 79 A.D. “What an amazing thing to do in your senior year. It really was the trip of a lifetime,” Richards said, noting that students in the AP Studio Class “came away with a greater appreciation for how important art is historically, and that what they are doing artistically has value and meaning, more than just for themselves.” n

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In the spring, eight students traveled to Greece and Italy on a 10-day tour that highlighted the culture, ancient art and architecture of Athens, Rome and Pompeii. The tour was led by Visual Arts Chair Andrew Richards P’20 and Hannah Gorman, who was then LEADS Department Chair and Senior Dean.

Their first stop was Athens, where they toured the Panathenaic Stadium, the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum.

They also took Greek dancing lessons and toured the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, where the art and artifacts on view included an ancient bronze sculpture of Poseidon (or Zeus, which a matter of debate) and the Mask of Agamemnon, a gold funeral mask unearthed at Mycenae.

Next, the students viewed the archaeological ruins in Mycenae, including the spectacular stone Lion Gate, which dates to the 13th century B.C. Continuing

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THE ARTS

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This summer, the Washington Art Association & Gallery unveiled its 2018 Sculpture Walk, which featured works by more than 40 internationally and nationally recognized artists and emergent sculptors. Among them were two Gunnery alumni: Sam Funk ’09 and Jake Paron ’13.

Billed in “Architectural Digest,” as “a major new installation” in Litchfield County, the outdoor sculpture exhibit extended throughout Washington Depot.

More than 60 works by artists including Frank Stella, Julian Schnabel, Caio Fonseca, Tim Prentice, Joy Brown, Philip Grausman, Elizabeth MacDonald, Arthur Carter and Mark Mennin dotted the local landscape. The exhibit attracted residents and visitors alike through November 1, with tours and special events, such as artist talks, yoga and children’s art classes.

Both Funk and Paron utilize natural materials in their work. Both hail from Litchfield County towns and work in the studio with Mennin, who co-curated

“Depositional Environment,”

by Jake Paron ’13 PHOTO BY MIKE MINASI, M3MEDIA PRODUCTIONS

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PHOTO BY RICHPOMERANTZ.COM

Works by Two Alumni Featured in Sculpture Walk

“Crowning,” by Sam Funk ’09

the exhibit and is a member of the WAA Board of Trustees. It seemed appropriate then that the work of these two emergent artists and Gunnery alumni shared space in the exhibit, in the new Titus Park along the Shepaug River.

Funk’s “Crowning,” a 10-foot granite airplane from his “Paper Planes” series, appeared poised for takeoff near the entrance to the park. He spent the last year carving it by hand from a piece of black Virginia Mist granite. “It’s a Berniniesque idea,” he said referring to the 17th

Century Italian sculptor and architect, “returning stone to its igneous, flowing form. Mark is of that school. He’s always trying to turn stone back to its igneous form and bring movement to it. I wanted to see if I could bring some levity to stone and a playfulness.”

A 2013 graduate of Syracuse University, where he majored in writing and rhetoric, Funk is currently working as a studio assistant for Mennin while pursuing his own art. He acknowledged there is an obvious juxtaposition between the lightness of a paper airplane and the weight of the granite he has chosen to work with in his designs, and his approach incorporates a sense of fun. “You can’t help but fold any scrap of paper into a paper airplane and see how far you can get it, even in idle time. I wanted to see that form translated. A paper airplane can also be a sent message,” he said, noting that when you click “send” on an email, you click on the icon of a paper airplane and it makes a “whoosh” sound. “It’s putting something out there and I thought it was a good idea to explore as I embark on this journey of being a stone sculptor.”

Paron’s “Depositional Environment,” which he hopes will become a permanent addition to the park, is a massive installation of undulating, grassy earth that measures 140 feet long, 50 feet wide and

installation at the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center. He has shown both sculpture and installation works at the Coburn Gallery in Colorado Springs, and he has worked as a studio assistant with Mennin since 2014.

Asked about his inspiration for “Depositional Environment,” Paron explained that the Titus Park site is located in a floodplain of the Shepaug River. When the river floods, it carries materials and sediment that are deposited in the floodplain and remain there after the water recedes. “I was thinking about floodplains and depositional environments in general, and then I was thinking about

Students Win Halo Award for Best Scenic Design Ross O’Connor ’18, Charles DeVos ’20 and Hailey Lovallo ’21 (below) and were honored at the 15th Annual Halo Awards, bringing home this year’s prize for Best Scenic Design and/or Execution. The students were recognized for creating the set for the school’s winter musical, “Rent: School Edition.”

The 2018 Halo Awards were presented May 29 at the Palace Theater in Waterbury before an enthusiastic audience that included more than 5,000 Connecticut theater students and their mentors, representing 60 public and independent schools.

In all, The Gunnery Drama Society received 10 nominations this year and the cast of “Rent: School Edition” was invited to perform onstage during the awards ceremony, which was attended by 23 students, along with faculty and parents.

how this area was used by the town,” he said. Historically, the town Highway Department deposited and stored rock, debris and general fill there.

The shape of the earth work itself was dictated by Paron’s efforts to create “as many little private spaces as possible” within it, so multiple people can be viewing or walking on it at the same time without intrusion. There is even a place within the work where Paron envisions people will picnic. “When you walk around in it, there are all these little private coves and walls. It’s meant to be walked on,” he said. n

Head of School Peter Becker congratulated Talia Zabit ’19 on winning the award for Best in Show at the “Emerging Artists” Expo.

Four Students Honored at “Emerging Artists” Expo The Gunnery’s student-artists brought home four awards from “Emerging Artists,” a juried exposition held April 14-21 at Hunt Hill Farm’s Henderson Gallery in New Milford. Jean Fang ’19 won the prize for best painting, Jenna Sittler ’18 won for illustration, Zoe Davis-Bowers ’18 won for collage, and Talia Zabit ’19 won Best in Show.

The exhibit featured works by 15 Gunnery students in multiple categories, including painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture, and their work was displayed alongside that of students from other area high schools.

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10 feet high. It was created using subsoil and rocks harvested from the Titus Park property, which were shaped according to Paron’s design, capped with fresh topsoil and seeded with new grass.

A native of Woodbury, Paron graduated in 2017 from Colorado College with a bachelor’s degree in studio art. As a student, he received the 2016 Craig Herst Arts Prize Scholar (CHAPS) Award, which is presented annually to a junior studio art major who embodies Herst’s passion for the arts and has demonstrated excellence during his or her career at Colorado College. Paron’s installation, “Alterne,” was one of two selected for the student art

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AT H L E T I C S

Founders Day Regatta The Gunnery hosted the 59th Annual Founder’s Day Regatta on May 6 at Lake Waramaug State Park. Teams from 19 independent and public high schools rowed on calm water with intermittent light rain through the morning heats, which were followed by finals in the afternoon.

“We did well,” said Boys Head Coach Lincoln Turner, noting that The Gunnery boys first boat qualified for the grand finale and placed sixth, and the boys second boat made the petite final and finished third.

Deerfield Academy added the race to its spring schedule for the first time this year and won the Founders Bowl for the most overall points.

The overall response to this year’s event, which featured a new race course, was outstanding and Turner thanked the many volunteers and visiting teams for helping the day to run smoothly.

“Everything worked well. We were on schedule, and it’s a beautiful venue even

when there’s light rain and it’s cool,” Turner said, encouraging alumni to mark their calendars for the 60th Annual Founders Day Regatta on May 5, 2019. “I just want people to come back, enjoy the day and see the race.”

the field. Eight-player football has been popular among West Coast independent schools, including Thacher and Cate, and in small towns — with small high school populations — around the country, including towns in Texas, Michigan, and Wisconsin, for many years.

Mike Marich, Director of Athletics, said the current expansion is a testament to the appeal of the eight-player initiative,

which has given some student-athletes who had never played, or who had not played for several years, the opportunity to participate in the sport at the varsity level.

“It’s something we’re extremely happy about,” he said. “It gives our studentathletes the ability to compete against players from other like-minded schools.

We’re thrilled that they’re joining this initiative.”

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Eight-Player Football League Expands

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The eight-player football league cofounded by The Gunnery and Millbrook School expanded this fall to include two new teams from Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, and Holderness School near Plymouth, New Hampshire.

Pomfret School and Forman School round out the New England preparatory school league.

“When we founded our league three years ago, we were optimistic that other boarding schools would move to eightplayer football, after we demonstrated proof of concept,” Seth Low, Associate Head of School, said in a letter to current students and families. “We are thrilled to have Perkiomen and Holderness join us this year and look forward to more potential expansion in the future.”

Eight-player football is full-contact, tackle football played on a shorter, narrower field. With fewer linemen, the game is more wide-open and offenseoriented than it is with 22 players on

Spring 2018 Highlights Varsity baseball ended the spring season with a record of 11-6-0.

Season highlights for the team included a 9-5 win over Taft, a 9-0 win over Millbrook, during which Robert Taylor ’19 carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning, and a 1-0 victory over Canterbury in a 13-inning home game. Alex Coady ’19 was mobbed by everyone after he “drove in Danny Infante ’21 with a two-out single to plate the winning run and end the very exciting game,” Coach Jeff Trundy said of the win over Canterbury.

Also this spring, the Ultimate Frisbee team won the State Division II Championship held May 12 at The Hotchkiss School.

The Gunnery team entered the tournament with five wins and five losses and was seeded first in the Division IIA bracket. They went on to beat three teams — Amity Regional High School, Hotchkiss JV, and North Branford High School — in pool play, before winning over Chase Collegiate School in the final.

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Clockwise from top left: Joey Rogalski ’18; Garrett Coe ’19; Catherine Lawrence ’18; London Green ’18; Allen Watson ’18 and Riley Brennan ’19

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SUPPORTING THE GUNNERY

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

T

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he 2018 fiscal year closed to a combination of excitement, ambition, and enthusiasm for the future. Overall, $13,956,730 in philanthropic support came from nearly 1,300 alumni, parents, and friends of the school. As always, we are grateful for your commitment to The Gunnery and, knowing that everyone has various philanthropic interests and obligations, feel fortunate that you consider the school among your top investment options.

During Alumni Weekend in June, we officially broke ground on the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center, which will become home to our performing and visual arts programs, our three-times weekly School Meetings, and a number of community events and student experiences. It was an amazing day for the school, and the atmosphere was one of promise and pride! Last fiscal year, $7,346,203 in new gifts and pledges were made to the project. Combined with early lead gifts from Tom Perakos ’69, Steve ’67 and Jon Tisch ’72, and Dick Colton ’60, as well as a number of other Trustees and alumni leaders, the total raised now stands at $17,107,877.

Among new gifts to the center was a $500,000 Reunion Gift, from members of the Class of 1968, to name the Community Room for Norman R. Lemcke P’84. Led by David Coburn, the 50th Reunion Committee raised the bar for our reunion classes and set a record that may not soon be broken. Of course, if Mr. Perakos has his way — as suggested in his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony — it will only stand for one year!

As the project progresses, please visit our website for regular updates, and think about how you might get involved in this important initiative. Feel free to call me, Kiersten Marich, or Peter Becker directly; any one of us would be pleased to tell you more about the project.

Simultaneous to this enormous fundraising effort, our work to grow The Gunnery Fund to $2 million continues. We set an ambitious target, hoping to build on the recordsetting success of 2017. In the end, while falling short of the goal, 1,275 alumni, parents, and friends gave $1,313,268 in unrestricted support.

You may wonder, “Why are you always asking us to give to The Gunnery Fund?”

In the simplest terms, it’s the revenue source that has the most opportunity for growth, it allows the school more flexibility than other sources, and it’s the most common way people support educational institutions. A $2 million annual fund would be like adding 33 full-pay boarding students or drawing revenue from an endowment totaling more than $60 million. Since we don’t have room for 33 more boarders on our campus, and our endowment is just over one-third that size, we rely heavily on The Gunnery Fund — and the nearly 10 percent of the operating budget it represents.

The Gunnery is a small school. It’s one of the core characteristics that makes us unique, and a principle on which the school was founded. It enables us to do things for students that larger schools never could. It gives us strength as an institution, and also creates challenges. We still have buildings to maintain, faculty to compensate and house, students to support with financial aid, and programs in academics, arts, and athletics to fund.

At the leadership levels, we’ve seen incredible support. In fiscal year 2018, 44 current parents gave $1,000 or more, totaling $248,577. On the alumni side, 77 donors gave $1,850 or more, totaling $556,456. While we’re fortunate to have a group of dedicated supporters, it’s not possible to build a healthy $2 million annual fund by relying on this core group. Many other schools similar in size to ours have $2 million annual funds

Consistent.

Thoughtful. Sustainable.

And the result of varying levels of support from a broader base of individuals.

This is The Gunnery Fund we need in 2019.

The Gunnery Fund Alumni $712,259 Current Parents

$274,966

Parents of Alumni & Friends

$280,011

Grandparents

$12,565

Faculty & Staff

$8,184

Others $25,283

All Gifts to The Gunnery The Gunnery Fund Capital Gifts

$1,313,268 $11,254,494

Endowment Gifts

$996,931

Other

$392,036

Most impressively, this would bring our overall rate of alumni participation from 17 percent in fiscal year 2018 to 41 percent in fiscal year 2019. For context, the most successful secondary school annual funds strive for 40 percent participation.

Be creative. Be thoughtful. Don’t just think, I have $100 right now; think, do I have $100 each month I could give to The Gunnery? A $100 monthly recurring gift is $1,200 for the year; $155/month is Founders Society level. Do I have $25/month?

That’s $300 for the year. Give in a way that’s easiest for you: Venmo, recurring monthly or annual gifts online, appreciated securities (which offer additional tax benefits), a portion of your minimum required distribution from an IRA (tax-free if you’re 70 ½ and give directly from your IRA). Call me, or anyone else in the Alumni & Development Office. We’ll be glad to help you think about how you can maximize your support of our current Highlanders and build for our future.

Consistent. Thoughtful. Sustainable. And the result of varying levels of support from a broader base of individuals. This is The Gunnery Fund we need in 2019.

As always, I am grateful for any and all you do to support The Gunnery.

Onward,

Sean Brown P’21 Director of Alumni & Development

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supported by consistent, sustainable giving from a broad base of individuals who contribute at varying levels. It’s a community effort, with everyone pitching in where and how they can, and it’s something we can achieve with the support of our own community.

If you supported The Gunnery Fund in fiscal year 2018, thank you! If you’ve given any time since graduation, thank you!

I am asking you to consider this proposition: if you’ve ever given to The Gunnery Fund — whether it was in fiscal year 2018 or fiscal year 1978 — consider matching your last gift in fiscal year 2019. If your last gift was $1,000, consider joining the Founders Society at $1,850. If your last gift was $25, consider making it $50. If you’ve never made a gift before, consider starting with a gift at some level. But most importantly, give an amount you’re comfortable sustaining on an annual basis. Then aim to stay there for five years.

If you’re wondering how your gift can make a difference, particularly if you’re not in a position to give at the leadership level, here’s how:

If every alumnus who gave to The Gunnery Fund between fiscal year 2012 and fiscal year 2017 (but not in fiscal year 2018) agreed to match their last gift, we would add 921 donors and $213,790. That’s a 46 percent increase in alumni dollars and a 130 percent increase in alumni donors!

Combine those new gifts with all the fiscal year 2018 donors matching their last gift, and The Gunnery Fund would reach nearly $1.53 million. If everyone who gave between $1,000 and $1,849 in fiscal year 2018 agreed to stretch to $1,850, we’d add another $33,159 — and a total fund of more than $1.56 million — and 19 percent growth in one year!

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Alumni Weekend 2018 delivered some memorable moments, glorious weather and a few delightful surprises as 250 members of our far-flung alumni community and their guests returned to campus for the opportunity to reminisce, reconnect

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

and indulge in a little revelry.

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Ed Sheppard ’43 and John Speaks ’43 sharing stories in the archives

It was a weekend to remember with the historic groundbreaking of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center, the annual presentation of the Hall of Fame Awards, the announcement of the Alumnus of the Year, and the festivity surrounding a Triple Crown winner in the Belmont Stakes (the second in the last three years and one of only 13 in the last 100 years).

We could forecast coming success when the alumni took home the Bourne Cup in the 13th annual match against members of the Washington Club — for the first time since 2011. They are looking forward to retaining that cup next year! In high spirits, the golfers enlivened the cocktail reception and casual dinner on Koven Terrace, which featured food trucks and live music. Special recognition was bestowed upon John Speaks ’43, age 91, and Ed Sheppard ’43, age 91, who were in attendance — and celebrating their 75th reunion! They spoke glowingly of the time a radio was wheeled into The Gunnery’s dining hall on December 8, 1941, so that all the boys could listen to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech as it was originally delivered. Meanwhile, the 50th Reunion Class of 1968 was happily ensconced at The Hopkins Inn, and the Wykeham Rise contingent took over the G.W. Tavern terrace.

Saturday morning, Thomas Perakos ’69, Gerrit Vreeland ’61, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Jonathan M. Estreich P’06, Vice Chairman, joined Head of School Peter Becker as the officiants for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Immediately following the groundbreaking, alumni from the Class of 1943 through the Class of 2013 joined the annual Alumni Parade to the Meeting House on the Green. Alumni Association President Laura Eanes Martin ’90 P’20 welcomed alumni and guests to the annual Alumni Association Meeting, and Becker spoke about how the school has remained true to Mr. Gunn’s

• Kenneth J. Browne 1911 Award for the largest class gift — awarded to the Class of 1973 for their gift of $55,725 in celebration of their 45th Reunion • Margaret P. Addicks H’02 Award for the highest class participation with a maximum alumni body of 20 — awarded to the Class of 1954 for their participation rate of 40 percent; The Class of 1990 received an honorable mention for their participation, which included new gifts received from 18 alumni in the span of one week!

• Susan G. Graham H’12 Award, presented to young alumni (up to 10 years out) with the highest participation — awarded to the Class of 2012 for their participation rate of 15.49

Congratulations and thank you to this year’s award winners: Marking their 20th reunion, alumni from the Class of 1998 planted a tree in loving memory of Tim DeVuono ’98.

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vision while also continuing to innovate and keep our programs and campus meaningful for the 21st century.

Anniversaries were a weekend highlight. An exhibit in The Paula and George Krimsky ’60 Archives highlighted the 40th anniversary of coeducation (which was reintroduced in 1978 after a 57-year hiatus) and the 40th anniversary of boys crew.

Meanwhile, alumni who gathered in the “Gunnery Detective” room pored through old photos of students from the crew programs and female students on campus in hopes that they could help identify the year or the names of the subjects for archival filing.

Sean Brown P’21, Director of Alumni & Development, recognized Martin and Omar Slowe ’97, Vice President of the Alumni Association and a member of the Board of Trustees, for their leadership, as well as the Class Agents who support the Alumni Association’s efforts. This past year brought 16 alumni back to campus for Alumni Career Day in April, the launch of a new Alumni Network, and alumni gatherings in New York, Boston, and San Francisco. Brown also spoke of the significance of the bond all Gunnery alumni share. “Celebrate that bond and wear your pin proudly,” he said, prior to announcing The Gunnery Fund Awards.

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percent; they just edged out the Class of 2013, which had a participation of 15.28 percent, by just one donor!

• W. Russ Elgin Award, presented to young alumni (up to 10 years out) with the largest class gift, awarded to the Class of 2010 for their gift of $2,720

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

The Class of 1968 was lauded on the occasion of their 50th Reunion. The committee, led by David Coburn ’68, began planning for the event in October 2016 and established the Sixty Eight Fund, which grew out of a generous gift from Edsel Ford ’68 and his wife, Cynthia. At the Alumni Association meeting, Coburn, Ford and Rick Bernard ’68 presented the school with a check for $500,000 to name the community room in the new Arts and Community Center for Norman R. Lemcke P’84, who served as a Gunnery faculty member and Dean of Students from 1964 to 1975.

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The Class of 1969 is now seeking to raise $1 million for their 50th Reunion in 2019 — with the leadership and support of Perakos, who has pledged to match any amount up to $500,000 — to name the art gallery in the Arts and Community Center for Wally Rowe III H’57 P’77 ’79.

The excitement surrounding these announcements, and the new Arts and Community Center, carried through the afternoon, which featured presentations by this year’s Gunn Scholars, a silent auction to benefit the Wykeham Rise Fund for Visual and Performing Arts, and the Belmont Stakes, and long into the evening’s cocktail reception and dinner under the tent on Wersebe Field. Be sure to look for more alumni news in the Class Notes section. If you haven’t been on campus in a while, come back and see us. Add your story to our ever-growing history of this very special place. n

Representing the Class of 1968 (left to right), Rick Bernard, Edsel Ford and David Coburn present a check for $500,000 for the Norman R. Lemcke Community Room to Peter Becker.

Please save the date for Alumni Weekend 2019!

Join us on campus June 7-9, 2019.

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For more photos, visit gunnery.org/ alumniweekend2018photos

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ALUMNI WEEKEND 2018

Introducing the Newest Members of the Hall of Fame ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR Stephen W. Baird ’68 The Alumnus of the Year Award is presented by the Alumni & Development Office to recognize alumni who honor the spirit, mission and vision of Frederick Gunn through their dedication to The Gunnery.

Given in the recipient’s reunion year, this award acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions of time, talent and treasure to the school, have been loyal Gunnery alumni, and have set an outstanding example to The Gunnery alumni community.

Stephen W. Baird has been a loyal alumnus and supporter of The Gunnery for

half a century. He served as a distinguished member of The Bourne Advisory Council, he was a member of the Board of Trustees for 12 years, including seven years as Chairman. During his tenure, he was a member of the Committee of Trustees, the Development Committee, the School Life Committee, the Admissions Committee, the Building & Grounds Committee, the Marketing Committee, the Technology Committee, and the Investment Committee.

“He is the consummate Gunnery cheerleader and has worked tirelessly on behalf of the school, setting an

Stephen Baird, Alumnus of the Year

outstanding example of a Gunnery alumnus,” Gerrit Vreeland ’61, President, Board of Trustees, and Peter Becker, Head of School, said in a citation issued June 9. “A valuable resource to the Board of Trustees, two Heads of School and countless alumni, he has been generous with his time and talents in helping The Gunnery stay strong and vital.”

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

THE ARTS AND LETTERS HALL OF FAME

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Thomas S. Perakos ’69 for achievements in theater, the arts, and humanities. Now a Tony Award-winning producer, Perakos grew up in a family that owned and operated movie theaters throughout New England. His acting and singing career began with the Connecticut Repertory Theater before he even arrived at The Gunnery, where he was President of Glee Club, a member of the Vesper Choir, and co-starred in the musical “Brigadoon.”

After graduating from Trinity College in 1973, he became CEO of Circle Showcase Theater Corporation in Washington, D.C. In 1986, he started his own company, Theatrical Entertainment Services (TES), which became an international motion picture trailer tracking and research services company with exclusive contracts for most major global film distribution companies. He sold the company in 2001 to Taylor, Nelson & Sofres (TNS), and served as chairman of its Entertainment Research Services Division for several years

before becoming a theatrical producer.

His first theatrical co-production was Elton John’s internationally acclaimed musical hit “Billy Elliot,” followed by “A Moon for the Misbegotten,” which opened in London’s West End before its successful Broadway run in 2007. Since then, he has been involved in more than 40 theatrical productions worldwide, including the Tony and Olivier Award-winner for Best Play, “War Horse,” and the Gloria Estefan musical, “On Your Feet,” as well as “Something Rotten” and the revival of “Dream Girls.” Perakos co-produced “The Band’s Visit,” which won 10 Tony Awards, including best musical. He was a co-producer of the revival of “Carousel,” which won two Tonys, and he provided financial support for the Broadway revival of “My Fair Lady,” which won the Tony for best costume design in a musical.

Outside of his work on Broadway, Perakos co-produces nonprofit fundraising events for the benefit of educational

Laura Martin presenting Hall of Fame award to Thomas Perakos

programs for children, youth outreach, elder care and the performing arts. In July, he proudly produced “Salute to America the Beautiful,” a three-day benefit in his beloved Sun Valley with a full orchestra concert starring Tony Award winners Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

All proceeds benefited the Sun Valley Opera’s educational outreach programs to students and scholarship funding, with additional donations to Sun Valley charities and New York’s Actors Fund.

THE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME to the MAAC All-Academic teams for both football and basketball, graduating cum laude in 2001 with a bachelor’s in communications/public relations. He went on to play professional football for the Florida Firecats, Louisville Fire and Memphis Xplorers of the Arena Football League (AFL) from 2002 to 2004. As the founder and President of Stellato Sports, he has represented many NFL clients, including members of the last four Super Bowl championship teams.

He has negotiated endorsement deals with NBC Sports, Nike, Adidas, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Mercedes-Benz, and Harley Davidson Truck. He was named one of Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honorees in 2016 and honored in 2017 by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce as one of Boston’s “Ten Young Leaders.” Stellato also runs skills camps, training and conditioning coaching. He is a motivational speaker and founder of

Robert N. Gilmore III ’66 for his inspirational life and career as an athlete and devoted advocate for cancer research.

While at The Gunnery, Gilmore was the most outstanding athlete of his class, setting standards of commitment and intensity that inspired his teammates. In addition to being a Prefect and Athletic Council President, he was captain of the football and basketball teams. At the University of Denver, he was a cofounder of the school’s first Lacrosse Club. As a midfielder, he played against Division I schools and was the second highest scoring player in the position. A co-founder of the University of California at Berkeley Club Lacrosse Team, he also played for the Northern California AllStar Team and the UC Berkeley Club Team. After college, he took up cycling

and placed in the 40K Vermont State Championship and the Killington Stage race. Gilmore developed cancer in 1983 and for the next 10 years, participated in many aggressive clinical trials for the disease. He started cycling again and was among 24 cyclists selected from 1,100 applicants to participate in the Lance Armstrong 2005 Tour of Hope. The nine-day, 2,300-mile journey began in San Diego and took cyclists across America to promote clinical trials as a way of finding a cure for cancer. A member of the Board of the Friends of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Gilmore helped to organize and participated in The Audrey Prouty Annual Century Ride, an annual event that has raised $21 million for cancer research.

Sean Stellato accepting the Hall of Fame award

the All-American Fundamental Showcase, which provides skills tutorials for high school athletes. He is a member of the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame and the Salem High School Athletics Hall of Fame, and he is an active member of the community, sponsoring and participating in many charitable events.

Robert Gilmore accepting the Hall of Fame award

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Sean P. Stellato ’97 for his successful careers in football, basketball and sports management. Stellato came to The Gunnery as a post-graduate from Salem High School, where he broke five school records and, as the quarterback, led the Salem Witches to an appearance at the Super Bowl in 1994. He later chronicled this incredible season in his book, “No Backing Down: The Inspirational Story of the 1994 Salem High Football Team.”

At The Gunnery, Stellato was captain of the basketball team, MVP of the football and basketball teams, a first-team AllNew England football and basketball selection, and MVP of the New England Prep All-Star basketball game. In 1997, he received a National Student-Athlete of the Day Award presented by the NCAA. At Marist College, Stellato played Division I basketball and football, and was the school’s leading wide receiver in the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He was named

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How Planned Giving Supports The Gunnery Often times, when we talk to alumni about planned giving, they say it’s too complicated, too big of a commitment, or they’re too young to think about it. We asked two of our alumni professionals, Paul Cummings, Esq. ’66 and Krystalynn Schlegel ’96, to help us explain what planned giving means, and how it can benefit The Gunnery. Cummings has practiced law full time since 1975 and specializes in Wills, Trusts, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Business Entities, and Probate Matters. Schlegel entered into the life insurance industry in 2003 at John Hancock and in 2007 joined MG Schlegel and Associates. She specializes in working with small business owners and families in their quest for financial security and freedom.

Q: What is planned giving?

A: (Schlegel) “Planned giving is when an individual or family makes a specific gift during their lifetime or at their death as a part of their estate planning in the form of cash, equities, life insurance proceeds or property.”

to a non-charitable beneficiary and, at the end of the term, the trust funds are distributed to The Gunnery. Another type of charitable trust is a Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, where an annuity is paid to The Gunnery for a fixed term and, at the end of the term, the assets are distributed to the non-charitable beneficiaries.”

Q: Why is planned giving important to The Gunnery?

A: (Schlegel) “The Gunnery relies on the support of current families, alumni and friends of the school to help grow the endowment and finance capital projects. Planned giving can help support the school’s people and programs through endowed funds, contributing to The Gunnery Fund, and helping fund part or all of a capital project.”

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Q: How can I make a planned gift?*

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A: (Cummings) “There are many ways of determining the most advantageous way to contribute to the future of The Gunnery. For donors who want to defer their gift to The Gunnery, this can be accomplished by including a bequest in their Will or Trust.

Gifts to The Gunnery can also be structured through a charitable trust. Charitable trusts established during someone’s lifetime may reduce income taxes, and charitable trusts established upon death may reduce estate taxes. The most popular is a Charitable Remainder Trust that provides a fixed sum or annuity

Q: What type of planned gift should I make?

A: (Schlegel) “The type of planned gift that you make depends on your individual situation, but stocks, IRAs, life insurance proceeds (all or a portion), real property, or simply cash are all types of gifts that are acceptable to the school.”

Q: Will planned giving still allow me to provide for my loved ones?

A: (Schlegel) “Yes, planned giving can be as large or as small of a gift as you would like. You can plan to give at any level and any amount. There are many opportunities to leave The Gunnery in your estate plan or wealth transfer planning that, in some ways, can even benefit your family from a transfer perspective.” * To ensure maximum benefit to you and your family, please consult your estate attorney and/or financial advisor before considering an estate gift to any charitable entity.

ALUMNI EVENTS

Gunnery Alumni Take on Beantown

Island Celebration brings Alumni to Martha’s Vineyard

Cardinals and Reds in Cincinnati

Geraldine Brooks and Tony Horwitz P’21 welcomed Gunnery alumni, parents and friends to their beautiful home on Martha’s Vineyard for an Island Celebration on August. 9. It was great to see and catch up with Gunnery friends, including: (l to r) Jim Graham, Barbara (Huss) Rush ’84, Clive Walcott P’19, Susie Graham H’12, Peter Becker, Liz Huss P’83 ’84, John Robards ’80, Geraldine Brooks P’21, Poppy Baldwin ’80, Olivia Ogden ’16, Otoja Abit ’04, Tony Horwitz P’21, Jeanne Ogden P’16, Wanji Walcott P’19, Amy Julia Becker, Bizou Horwitz ’21, Pete Slone ’73 P’11, Wendee Wolfson, and Bob Huss P’83 ’84.

George Grande ‘64, who was back on campus in April for Alumni Career Day, and shared stories with current students about how he became a broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds, hosted Greg Geller ’84, his daughters, Isabelle, Charlotte and Anna, Lincoln Carnam ’91, and Christine Steiner, Director of The Gunnery Fund, June 10 at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati took the win 6-3 over the St. Louis Cardinals.

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Alumni, parents and friends gathered in Boston on September 26 to see the Red Sox take on the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Garner Blume ‘04 hosted a pre-game gathering that included (l to r) Tori Oellers, Karen Ritzenhoff P’22, Mike Bates ‘65, Aaron Townsend ‘04, Garner Blume ‘04, Nate Fydenkevez ‘16, Syd Fydenkevez ‘18, Jack Cary ’18, Pat Mullen ’17, and Mark Dibble ’79. Also in attendance but not pictured were: Kathleen Bates (Mike’s wife), Wyatt Clark ’13, Bobby Hooper ’14, Jess L’Heureux ’10 and Will Walthall, Meghan Lembo ’14, Matt Murphy ’16, Katlyn Paiva ’14, Mike and Jill Pengue P’19, Kristi and Tom Rosati P’20, and Nick D’Elia ‘14.

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HIGHLANDER JOURNEYS

From The Gunnery to Hollywood: Alumni, Business Partners and Friends Share an Impressive Trajectory

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

BondIt finalizing their deal to sell a piece of the business to Accord Financial

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The past few years have been a whirlwind for Matthew Helderman ’07 and Patrick DePeters ’06. In addition to being alumni and good friends, they are partners in a pair of successful companies in the entertainment industry. Helderman is the cofounder and CEO of Buffalo 8 Productions and BondIt Media Capital and DePeters is a partner and CFO for both companies.

Since its inception, BondIt has been involved in more than 275 film and TV projects and invested more than $75 million, establishing itself as an industry leading financial firm. Buffalo 8 Productions is well-known in the industry as a full-service media company and has received accolades from the Sundance, Berlin, Toronto and SXSW festivals.

Both Helderman and DePeters grew up in Connecticut before attending The Gunnery and even though they graduated within one year of one another, they didn’t know each other very well until they started working together years later.

Helderman grew up in Huntington, Connecticut, and was exposed to the business world by a father who worked in the private equity and hedge fund world. “I understood business and finance from a high level,” noted Helderman. “I did a few internships in college where I worked at hedge funds and on trading floors but at the same time I was always drawn to content — sports, television, pop culture — and companies like Disney, who have their hands in everything, fascinated me.”

While he was at The Gunnery, hockey was Helderman’s life. “[Chris] Baudo and [Craig] Badger were tremendously influential when I was at The Gunnery,” Helderman said of his coaches. “I learned how to be disciplined, work hard and really understood the meaning of ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’”

Helderman went to Lake Forest College and played hockey for the first two years he was there. “After my sophomore year, I decided to step away from hockey,” said Helderman. “I knew I

wasn’t going to play professionally so I started to think about what was next for me. Sports gave me the foundation to work hard and I was really interested in exploring the artistic side of film in my junior and senior years. I decided I wanted to pursue filmmaking.”

Between his junior and senior year, Helderman wrote a script, put together a filming schedule, and formed Buffalo 8 Productions, with the intention of simply using the entity for the project. His girlfriend, Perry Costello ’06, whom he later married, introduced him to Luke Taylor, a friend from her childhood who was then attending the University of Southern California. Taylor flew to Chicago for the summer and they shot Helderman’s film, “The Alumni Chapter.” That fall, during his senior year, Helderman flew to Los Angeles to sell the film to a company, and it did not go as he expected. It was a learning experience for both Helderman and Taylor, and right after Helderman graduated the following spring, he immediately moved to LA. He and Taylor continued to work on films for film festivals under the expanding Buffalo 8 banner.

Buffalo 8 started to gain traction as they were putting together small films for financiers and Helderman was learning the “brick and mortar” of filmmaking. In 2012, they were pulled into a production company at Paramount where they were working 12-hour days, six days a week, producing low-budget movies. During this time, they traveled to film festivals, including Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca and the American Film Market, where they were meeting buyers and learning about the financing structure for films. During this period, Helderman was learning about the film finance landscape, which led to the founding of BondIt Media Capital in November 2013.

“When you look back at it, there’s a cohesive story that makes sense,” notes Helderman. “But at the time, what we were doing seemed kind of crazy.”

Being at the best

Some really big wins

festivals in the world

investment banking firm. DePeters started

working with Helderman on an as-needed really helped to put us By 2013, Buffalo 8 had built up a content consulting basis, but now Helderman library of some 40 feature film projects the on the map. was asking him for a more serious company had been associated with, either commitment: move to LA and join both through its production or post-production BondIt and Buffalo 8 full time. Within a services. After a few years of physically matter of weeks, DePeters decided to put in his notice, and move producing content, the Buffalo 8 partners recognized there was an to LA. His focus was on raising the capital required to help take opportunity to bundle together complementary service offerings both companies to the next level of growth. with various boutique service providers. Over the next few years, DePeters was instrumental in raising two rounds of financing the group would go on to strike deals with several boutique firms, for BondIt: First, in July 2017, the company raised a $7.5 million such as talent management company Alta Entertainment, and two Series A round of financing from Accord Financial Corporation, established post-production studios.

BondIt/Buffalo 8 at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival premiering company projects “Little Men,” “31” and “As You Are”

a 40-year-old publicly traded lending company that was keen

to grow its portfolio of niche financiers. Second, in April 2018, the company closed a $20 million corporate credit facility from Revere Capital, a Texas-based hedge fund, to leverage BondIt’s growing balance sheet.

Shortly after the financing transactions were closed, BondIt’s

partners made a strategic investment in ABS Entertainment Payroll, a 30-year-old entertainment payroll and accounting firm, which has advanced their ambition of becoming a onestop solution for filmmakers, providing services from payroll, to production services, to senior debt financing.

To support their growth trajectory, BondIt and Buffalo 8

Matthew and Perry Helderman at the “All Eyez on Me” premiere

DePeters and his fiancée, Georgia Lee

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“In 2015 and 2016, we had some really big wins,” said Helderman. “Our work was at the Sundance Film Festival, with the film ‘As You Are’ winning the Special Jury Award; at South by Southwest, with the film ‘Jack Goes Home’ selling to eOne; and at the Berlin Film Festival, with the film ‘Little Men’ — which was selected by The New York Times as a top 10 best film out of Sundance. Being at the best festivals in the world really helped to put us on the map.”

This exposure led them to a bigger relationship with Netflix, which had expressed interest in acquiring “Little Men,” and more credibility as a company. It was around this time that Helderman reached out to DePeters, who was working in London at an

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T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

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strong undergraduate business program.

He wasn’t sure what part of business he was most interested in, but his older fraternity brothers were headed for Wall Street (prior to the Great Recession), and that’s what drew him in initially.

“Wall Street had the most aggressive recruiting approach,” DePeters recalled.

“All the big banks would come to campus and seek out the best students. I was lured into that, and after interviewing with a number of firms, I got lucky with one, especially given the dour circumstance of 2008-2009, and that’s basically how I On the set of the Spike Lee-directed, Buffalo 8-produced film, “Rodney King,” for Netflix (left to right): Joe Aliberti, Matthew Helderman, Steven Adams, Roger Guenveur Smith, ended up in New York City.”

Spike Lee and Bob Johnson DePeters’ first job was at MUFG, Japan’s largest bank and among the largest banks in the world, in its investment banking division, which had recently hired two analysts, and typically have between four and a newly established but very strategic joint venture with Morgan eight interns who rotate through their different offices, learning Stanley. “It was a really formative experience,” said DePeters. different aspects of the business. BondIt has four partners — “One can study the academics of finance and economics, but the Helderman, Taylor, DePeters and Joe Listhaus — and two real-world application can sometimes feel very different, and it employees; Buffalo 8 has seven partners and two employees; and can also be really exciting. I worked in a division that focused on ABS Payroll has four managing directors and 14 employees. For financing mergers and acquisitions between large companies. It a company that started in a college apartment less than 10 years was a very challenging analytical job with a lot of long hours and ago, they are grateful for their progress and the many people who all the things you might associate with a traditional investment helped them along the way. banking experience, but it was an incredible learning experience.”

“It’s hard to pick a ‘best moment’ from the past several years After three years in New York, DePeters was offered a but a few things that stand out are when we financed our 250th unique opportunity to move to London and advance the bank’s media project, and of course, when we set up a Netflix Original European, Middle East and Africa investment banking unit, in film with world-renowned director, Spike Lee,” said Helderman. particular by synchronizing the efforts behind the bank’s very “I’ve looked up to Spike Lee as a director throughout my entire global growth ambitions. After his first year in London, MUFG life.” offered DePeters a permanent position for at least the next five years, which he agreed to. But it wasn’t more than a few weeks Forging his own path later that Helderman asked DePeters to move to LA. Reflecting DePeters grew up with parents who were entrepreneurs together, on his desire to give entrepreneurship a try, DePeters decided to and it was something he always admired, and considered a completely uproot his life and go. desirable career trajectory.

“I loved many aspects of my job, but I sensed opportunities “I really liked the idea of forging your own path,” said like this were rare, and I was really looking to see if I had what DePeters. “My father was the founder and CEO of a local airport it took to do as my parents once did, and jump into a life as an and charter management company in Connecticut, Key Air at entrepreneur and succeed in doing so,” said DePeters. “I came on Oxford Airport, and I spent many summers there really learning as a CFO and Partner of both BondIt and Buffalo 8 and was able what it’s like to run a business, have stakeholders, and how to to roll up my sleeves on day one. I’ve ended up wearing a lot of manage the day-to-day from the ground level — including different hats, and it really can be more challenging than any other mowing the grass, and scrubbing the hangar floors!” job I’ve had, but I feel it can also be very gratifying in numerous DePeters attended the University of Richmond, because of its ways.”

The importance of being a well-rounded person

At the BondIt Media Capital hockey tournament in Los Angeles

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think on our feet. We have to learn new things on the fly all the time, and we can lean on the things we do know to chart that unknown territory and guide the ship, even if the compass seems For both Helderman and DePeters, their time at The Gunnery broken.” helped to shape the people they are today. Both feel fortunate to Although Helderman only attended The Gunnery for his have taken Jarrod Sisk’s Economics class. For DePeters it was his junior and senior years, it made a big impact on his life. “My first opportunity to really think about the principles and drivers Gunnery experience completely changed the direction of my behind the business he had witnessed his parents nurture for most life,” said Helderman. “I don’t think BondIt and Buffalo 8 would of his life. “Mr. Sisk challenged us as students not to just think have reached the level they’re at today without my Gunnery about the principles of economics, but also about the economy of experience. I was able to start my ‘adult’ life early by moving away today, and the tangibility of it in our lives,” and learning to be independent, which I said DePeters. think was a huge differentiator.”

One thing that really made an Since inception in November Helderman also met his wife at The impact on DePeters during his time at 2013, BondIt has fully or Gunnery. Not only has Perry Costello The Gunnery was that he learned the partially financed more than (now Perry Helderman) been along for importance of being a well-rounded 275 feature film and television “all the parts of this crazy ride,” she is very person. “The Gunnery really promotes projects including “Little Men” successful in her own right. She studied the ‘liberal arts’ approach,” reflected (which stars Greg Kinnear at Dickinson College and graduated with DePeters. “The school doesn’t allow you and premiered at the 2016 honors from Loyola University Chicago to come in and only play soccer. You can Sundance Film Festival), the with a bachelor’s degree in art history play soccer, but you’ll also need to try cult hit “The Invitation” (which and studio art. She has been working a new sport in the winter, and perhaps stars Logan Marshall-Green and as the Associate Designer and Project you can try out for the school play” (as premiered at SXSW in 2015), Manager at Jen Dallas Studio since 2011 DePeters did, on a dare)! “You have to “King Cobra” (which stars James and they recently launched their own challenge yourself to sometimes get out Franco and Christian Slater), textile line called Maple Jude. Costello was of your comfort zone. That may be one of “Aftermath” (which stars Arnold also instrumental in helping Helderman the most valuable learning lessons that I Schwarzenegger), and the 2018 connect with Taylor and DePeters because think has led to some great opportunities Academy Award-nominated of her lifelong relationships with the two. for me — there isn’t always a rubric for animated film, “Loving Vincent.”

Outside of their business relationship, what we do, and we have to be able to DePeters and his fiancée, Georgia Lee, and the Heldermans travel together and enjoy visiting all of the vineyards that California has to offer. They regularly play beach roller hockey, and once a year they run the LA Marathon together in support of their company’s charitable partner, Teen Cancer America.

Helderman said his philosophy when it comes to life and business can be summed up by a quote by Steve Jobs: “I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”

Throughout the ups and downs that inevitably come with starting a company in Hollywood from scratch, it’s clear that one thing Helderman and DePeters have is pure perseverance. n

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HIGHLANDER JOURNEY

Making an Impact

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Alumna Emerges as a Leader in Environmental Stewardship

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Over the 30 years that she has dedicated to the environmental profession, Elizabeth R. Johnson Dickson ’82, has waded through waist-high swamps, stared down developers to protect fragile wetlands, and even stepped over a rattlesnake. Every day is a new and challenging adventure. Just don’t ask her to tangle with a Palmetto bug. “They’re no bigger than your thumb but if I see one … I will not go near it!” she said during a phone interview from her office in Orlando, Florida, where she serves as Assistant Manager of Orange County’s Environmental Protection Division, or EPD.

Having a true public servant’s heart, prior to being named EPD’s Assistant Manager in October 2017, Johnson served as EPD’s Environmental Programs Administrator for 14 years. Before entering the local government, she worked at the St. Johns River Water Management District, a state regulatory agency in Maitland, Florida. Over her 16 years there, she worked her way up to Supervising Regulatory Scientist.

When she isn’t seeking to balance the rights of property owners with the need to protect Florida’s natural habitats, and the

species that occupy them — “Don’t you think bats get a bad rap?” she asks lightheartedly — the 54-year-old is busy mentoring her peers or encouraging the next generation of environmentalists through EPD’s Junior Naturalist Program.

“Helping her profession and other environmental professionals get better is part of Liz’s passion,” David Jones, PE, CEP, Manager of Orange County’s EPD, said in June, when Johnson was recognized nationally by her peers with the 2018 Richard J. Kramer, CEP, Memorial Award for Environmental Excellence. Established in 2004, this award is presented annually by the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals in honor of Dr. Richard Kramer, the academy’s first president, to recognize the leadership and extraordinary achievements of individuals in the environmental profession.

Johnson, who is married to Stephen Dickson but uses her maiden name professionally, is also President of the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals, and previously served as Secretary, President-Elect, as a member of its Candidate Review Board, and as Chair of its Mentoring Committee.

Services Department, who received the Kramer Award herself in 2012.

It was Cunniff who encouraged Johnson to earn her CEP designation in 2007, and seek election to the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals’ Board of Trustees. “That’s the thing about Lori. She made it feel like, ‘No pressure. But hey, try this. Get out of your comfort zone.’ She knew that I can’t turn down a challenge and would benefit from the experience and the opportunity for personal growth.”

With the encouragement of her mentor, she has become, in the words of McIntyre, “a well-respected environmental professional whose leadership and achievements have brought significant benefit to the Floridian environment and community. Her team building and mentoring efforts will continue to have an impact on the next generation and encourage integrity and respect among stakeholders.”

Johnson took this photo of Lake Pickett in Orange County, Florida. It is one of the many lakes her EDP teams oversee in terms of water quality and aquatic plant management.

They also conduct hydrologic nutrient budget studies and implement water quality capital improvement projects for the lake and its watershed.

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The most profound impact

“Liz was recognized for Growing up, Johnson divided her time her exemplary leadership to the “Liz was recognized for her between Bedford, New York, and a suburb environmental profession and creative exemplary leadership to the of Chicago. She developed a passion for excellence in numerous areas of her environmental profession and the outdoors from an early age. As a young profession, including environmental child, there were trips to Wisconsin’s creative excellence in numerous management, sustainability, community Northwoods to stay in log cabins on outreach, and partnerships,” Jones said. areas of her profession, including crystal clear lakes. Later, she hiked the “Balancing property owner’s rights to environmental management, north-to-south rim of the Grand Canyon a reasonable use of their property with sustainability, community with her mom, Lyn Hemley, and camped environmental conservation is challenging on the Colorado River for two nights. to say the least. Through her experience, outreach, and partnerships,” She went on overnight hiking trips in the expertise and communication abilities, Liz Rocky Mountain National Forest with has negotiated this process time after time her brother, Wes, with only a tent and with great skill.” backpack, and horseback riding in the Mojave Desert with her

Although the Kramer Award reflects a career spanning more mom and brother. She also attended summer camps in remote than three decades, Johnson said it came as a “total shock,” in part parts of Colorado and northern Wisconsin. As a family, they went because she does what she does for the sheer joy and satisfaction tent camping across the United States, visiting Arizona, Colorado, of it — never looking for recognition. She was nominated by a and other western states. “Removing the walls of a hotel or group of her peers, including Tina McIntyre, Senior Biologist the windshield of a car brings you face-to-face with nature and with the EPD’s Water Resource Group, Jones and Lori Cunniff, yourself. It’s very grounding,” Johnson said of her outdoor CEP, Johnson’s mentor and former Deputy Director of the experiences.

Orange County Community, Environmental & Development

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T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

HIGHLANDER JOURNEY

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She recalls being a shy kid who was “kind of getting lost in had no idea what I was writing about.” the public school system. There were so many kids.” By the time

After leaving her job, she was dropping off her résumé at an she started high school, her older brother had already gone away environmental consulting firm, and by chance, the person who to school in Colorado. Knowing Johnson the best, her parents took it from her happened to be the president of the company. chose The Gunnery because they thought it was perfect for her.

He was a Vietnam veteran, a former fighter pilot, and he started

“My life changed in an instant when I enrolled at The talking to her about how college graduates lacked real-world Gunnery,” she said. She arrived on campus as a sophomore and experience. He hired her on the spot, and put her to work in the spent her first year living in a quad in Bourne. “It was an amazing field immediately. “I worked there doing water quality sampling, experience,” she said, recalling that she had no difficulty adjusting microbiology, coring trees for age. I was so thrilled. I learned so from essentially being the only child at home to living with much,” she recalled of that experience. three roommates. In fact, her three years as a Gunnery student made her see things in herself she had not before. “I think the Doing great things for the environment greatest thing about The Gunnery was I felt like I was visible,” Two years later, a friend made the leap to St. Johns River Water she added, turning emotional at the memory. “I don’t know if it Management District, and encouraged Johnson to follow suit. was by chance or design. I felt like I had something valuable to The new job combined her love of field work with technical bring. I made friends, I was on the crew team, and I felt like I was writing and serving the public, she said. a contributing person. That, to me, is the most profound impact

It was around this time that Johnson said she realized that school had on me. I also learned that there is something she really wanted to work in the public sector, so she went wonderful about everyone. You just have to look for it,” she said. back to school at night. She graduated magna cum laude from That perspective has carried through to her life and career as a Orlando College with her master’s in public administration in public servant.

1993. “That’s why I picked public administration as opposed to

“It’s hard to put into words. It literally turned my life biological science. I’m really passionate about the management around,” she said of her Gunnery experience. and leadership component. I love the environment and I want

Although she remembers hiking at Steep Rock, she to do great things for it, but I love the human factor of it,” she credits her mom with instilling in her an appreciation for the explained. environment, and her dad, Stanley Johnson, for her love of the

Two years later, she earned her certification as a Professional water. The Gunnery provided the perfect setting to nurture both Wetland Scientist, and received the district’s Excellence in interests through the campus and its natural surroundings and Supervision Award. In 2004, she time spent at Lake Waramaug for left the district for the EPD, where crew. she supervised a staff of 45 full-time

Johnson chose to go to Rollins employees and worked with various College in Winter Park, Florida, teams, including Lakes Management, which was also a small school, and Water Sciences, and Environmental they had a crew team. At Rollins, she Permitting and Compliance, “to majored in environmental science, protect valuable lands, restore with a minor in communications. She impaired waters, and mitigate wetland put down roots in Winter Park and impacts before they occur,” McIntyre has stayed in the same community wrote in her nomination. ever since. During senior year, she She noted that Johnson led the was an intern in Florida’s Department EPD’s charge in a well-documented of Environmental Protection, battle with a local airport parking and at an engineering company, lot company. According to an which offered her a job after her article in the Orlando Sentinel, graduation in 1986. She was writing the company continued to destroy environmental impact statements for transportation projects. “It was wetlands illegally even after being Teammates and friends Liz Johnson and Kim so boring,” she recalled. “I couldn’t fined $200,000 by the district. After Cullerton from the 1982 Red and Gray stand it. I never saw the projects. I receiving an anonymous complaint,

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in their RV, boating, and visiting with her two stepchildren and two grandchildren, ages 3 and 5, who live in Mississippi.

Johnson also likes paddle boarding, biking, running, walking, doing yoga and swimming — in the pool. “I don’t swim in our lake or rivers because of alligators,” she said. In short, she just likes being outside, even if she’s just in her own backyard with her chocolate Lab, Lucy.

“She’s 6 and she’s the most amazing dog ever,” she said.

Reflecting on her career and those pivotal points in one’s life that can have Orange County EDP staff riding their bikes to work (l to r): Natalie Ocampo, Tina McIntyre, long-lasting impacts, she is confident that who nominated Johnson for the award, Carolyn Schultz, Johnson and Alexis Clark The Gunnery was just what she needed to start her off on her life’s journey. Rollins the county sought to fine the company was great, she said, but the foundation of $80,000, the paper reported in February of As part of her role with EPD, her success had already been established this year, quoting Johnson as saying: “We by her years at The Gunnery. “I only wish Johnson has found time to knew they knew better.”

I had been there four years, instead of mentor others, including

“That’s just one example of all of three,” she said. While Rollins prepared those pursuing their CEP, and the different challenges we have helping her for her career, “It didn’t do for me people understand how important it is what The Gunnery did for me personally.” supported the development and to follow the regulations. If you allow “There is no telling what my life expansion of a Junior Naturalist for wetlands and rivers and lakes to be would have been like if everything had Program for students in impacted by projects without replacing not aligned,” she said. “I went to the right the habitat value, then what do you end up kindergarten through grade 12. high school. I went to the right college. with? Nothing,” Johnson said, comparing I picked the right career, married the Florida’s wetlands to “nature’s bathtub.” perfect man. Maybe everything would

“Remember, Florida is super, super flat. We’re probably 60 have worked out anyway. I would do it all over again and not feet above sea level. The rivers down here have wetlands that change one thing!” n surround them on both sides and there are marshes and Cypress trees and there’s super mucky soil,” she said, explaining that the wetlands actually help to prevent flooding, by slowing down the flow of water and giving it a chance to dissipate and evaporate.

“If you remove all of those natural storage areas, it has an impact.

You’re removing the ability to purify the water, and to store the water, and to allow the diversification of vegetation and wildlife.

Everything is interrelated.”

As part of her role with EPD, Johnson has found time to mentor others, including those pursuing their CEP, and supported the development and expansion of a Junior Naturalist Program for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The students go on nature hikes and learn about honeybees, all with the goal of changing behaviors. “They go back to their homes and say, ‘You shouldn’t throw that out, you should recycle it.’” Johnson said.

Johnson and her dog, Lucy, poolside in Winter Park

She and her husband, a retired contractor, enjoy “glamping”

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A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N

Thank you to all who joined us for our annual Holiday Receptions in Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston in December. It was great to see so many alumni and friends and celebrate what it means to be a part of this very special community. As we plan for the new year, there are some important and exciting alumni events that I want to make sure you don’t miss. You’ll find information on these pages about our upcoming Alumni Hockey Game, our growing Alumni Network, and a chance to go fly-fishing with fellow Highlanders in Big Sky Country this summer! If you have any questions, want more details or have an idea for an event, please contact Jess Baker at bakerj@gunnery.org or (860) 350-0145.

Alumni Career Day On April 27, 2019, we are holding our 2nd Annual Alumni Career Day and we are looking for alumni to come back to campus and spend some time with our current students. Stay tuned for emails coming from the Alumni & Development Office with details about the day and how you can be a part of it. If you know you’re interested in coming back and sharing your story with current Highlanders, please contact Jess Baker.

Traditionally we have welcomed our newest alumni to the fold through a pinning ceremony at their senior dinner in May. To reach even more of our alumni, we’ve expanded our pinning ceremony to Alumni Weekend as well. Please join us on campus June 7-9, 2019, to receive your alumni pin and show that you’re proud to be a Highlander.

I continue to encourage you to stay connected (or to reconnect!) with The Gunnery. There are many ways for you to stay involved with your classmates and to get to know The Gunnery today. Please take a minute to reach out to an old friend, drop a note to a former teacher, attend an alumni event, or come to campus for a visit.

And, stay in touch!

Warmly,

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Laura Eanes Martin ’90 P’20

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ALUMNI HOCKEY GAME Come back to campus on Saturday, February 9, 2019, for our annual Alumni Hockey game and to honor Hugh Caldara. Bring your family for open skate and join our hockey veterans to battle it out in the Linen Rink.

Alumni Network Offers Guidance and a Chance to Give Back

2 0 1 9 A L U M N I F LY- F I S H I N G E X C U R S I O N T O M O N TA N A

Come Fish Big Sky Country This Summer

revisit the idea of starting a network. In 2017, he approached Sean Brown P’21, Director of Alumni & Development, and began collaborating with Christine Steiner in the Alumni & Development Office to develop a refined vision and scope for the project. They determined the organizational structure, defined the process of matching mentors with mentees, and secured Trustee Omar Slowe ’97 as a board representative.

To date, alumni mentors have been recruited from the fields of education, entrepreneurship, financial services, real estate and technology. “I can only imagine that as we grow, people will continue to be added to that list,” Powers said. “It’s really valuable to be able to offer this opportunity, and now we have the network and the platform to be able to do that.”

All alumni are invited to sign up to be a mentor or mentee online at Gunnery.org/AlumniNetwork or join The Gunnery’s Alumni Network group on LinkedIn. For additional information about the Alumni Network, please contact Jess Baker in the Alumni & Development Office at bakerj@gunnery.org or (860) 350-0145.

Get away with your fellow Gunnery alumni at the brand new Madison Double R Ranch. Be one of the first groups to stay at this deluxe, upscale fishing lodge that overlooks the famous Madison River. Ian Davis ’87 and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures are organizing the four-night and three-day fishing package. All levels of anglers are welcome, as the fishing guides are wonderful educators.

Evening casting lessons and tackle talks will ensure you gain the most insight on fly-fishing.

Non-anglers, families and kids of all ages are also welcome, as the town of Ennis and Yellowstone National Park are close to the lodge.

The trip will be mid-to-late July 2019.

The cost is $3,000 per person. For more details please contact Jess Baker at bakerj@gunnery.org.

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The value of mentoring, for both young professionals and established alumni, was the inspiration behind one of the Alumni & Development Office’s newest initiatives with the Alumni Association: the establishment of an Alumni Network.

The network is open to those who are interested in giving or receiving advice and is intended to help alumni with social or professional needs, whether they have recently relocated to a new city, need help polishing their résumé, are preparing for that first job interview, or are considering changing careers.

Andy Powers ’11 said he was inspired to establish an alumni network for fellow Highlanders based on his own experience as a sophomore at Cornell University. At the time, he was interested in securing an internship in New York. He realized having access to a network of Gunnery alumni would have helped him to navigate that process.

Powers did secure an internship, at Ernst & Young, where he now works as a senior consultant. He also promised himself that once he got “up and running” with his life and career, he would

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What have you been up to since you last were in touch with us?

Drop us a line and tell us your news! Submit class notes to

Class Notes 1943 Thanks to their family members, twothirds of the living members of the Class of 1943, John Speaks and Ed Sheppard, showed up for reunion with stories to tell. Both served in the U.S. Army during WW II, although Ed was wounded by friendly fire and invalided out before duty overseas. John, who had studied Japanese at the University of Minnesota, served in Japan during the occupation. John showed us photos of his mother, Margaret Speaks, a radio singer for the Voice of Firestone, singing at graduation. John was a food broker associated with the Geisha brand for 45 years while living in Buffalo. Ed came from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

1948

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Albert Stiles shared this update: “About

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two years ago, Barbara and I moved to Dominican Oaks retirement community in Santa Cruz, California, to be near our elder daughter. We were disappointed to miss my 70th reunion, but the trip back to Connecticut is too hard for us. We are enjoying all the new things of this area but truly miss New England, and especially the change of seasons. I hope you had a great reunion. I’ll be thinking of you all.”

1950 Ogden Miller, Jr. wrote to us in the spring:

“I would assume that I am not the only member of 1950 to become a great-

Ogden Miller Jr. ’50 and great-granddaughter Scarlett

grandfather, but I am attaching a photo of myself dated March 2018 with my greatgranddaughter, Scarlett Anne Hamilton of Chattanooga, Tennessee.” Born January 22, 2016, she is the grandchild of Miller’s daughter, née Anne Miller Leonard ’84, and the great-great-granddaughter of The Gunnery’s sixth Headmaster, Ogden D. Miller H’69.

1951 Paul Nicolson, age 86, shared an update

from London, based on an account originally published in the Huffington Post. Following his ordination by the Church of England in 1967, he served as a Minister in Secular Employment (MSE).

At the same time, he was employed as a personnel officer in what was then the headquarters of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) at Millbank, London.

clementj@gunnery.org or fill out the form at www.Gunnery.org/notes. = Alumni Weekend June 2019

According to the article, “his was one of the first cases in the Employment Tribunals in 1975 challenging ICI’s redundancy procedures. He later supported the Ferrybridge Six, who were dismissed from a closed shop for joining the wrong union in 1976 at Ferrybridge Power Station. In 1979, he was elected as an independent District Councillor for the Kimpton Ward in the North Herts District Council, beating Labour and conservative candidates.”

A member of the Advisory Council for the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Nicolson received the Social Policy Association’s Award for Best Non-Academic Contribution to Social Policy in 2015. He has five children and 12 grandchildren.

1955 Alan Bain wrote to say he is thankful to

The Gunnery, first and foremost, for the introduction to his late wife, Linda, at an interschool dance and a soccer match in which he played. “We had 47 very happy years together,” he said, adding that he is also thankful for the school’s influence on Andrew Hobart ’03, who is the nephew of his current wife, Catherine Marley.

David Nashel, has been working as a

rheumatologist in Washington, D.C., for more than 20 years. He graduated from Brown in 1960 and received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. He is continuing to train the next generation of physicians as a preceptor for fellows and residents in the rheumatology clinic at the VA Medical Center twice a week.

1957 We were pleased to welcome David Moore back to campus in April. It was his first visit to The Gunnery in 10 years!

Thomas Braman sent an update to let us

know he has retired from the International Center Board at the University of Florida, though he is still involved in the Honors Program there. “This year, we managed to place three top scholars in the Boren Scholarship Program, which includes an assignment in a National Security Agency. Obviously, my role is to explain the complexities of various assignments in the agency, State Department, and the Pentagon. It is still a pleasure to interact with the students. Hiking around the huge campus, however, has become a real

Wally Rowe H’57 P ’77 ’79 and Bill Atherton ’65

Wally Rowe III H’57 P’77 ’79, former

English faculty, met up with Bill Atherton ’65 for lunch in New Hampshire. Of Bill, he wrote: “He was Head Prefect and a vibrant and independent figure in and for the school. He took a half dozen years graduating from Stanford because he became deeply involved in conservation in the early stages of that movement. He worked with Stewart Udall, a two-time Congressman and later Secretary of the Interior. Over the years Bill worked on environmental committees with Ronald Reagan and later George H. W. Bush. Bill was one of the half dozen architects of the first Earth Day. He lives in Oregon now and still works hard for environmental causes.”

1958 At the Saturday night gala during Alumni Weekend in June, Bill Munson was reminiscing about classmate Ron Lipetz and pondering his next step after working full time for Morgan Stanley. He’s enjoying his grandchildren in Sunderland, Vermont.

1959 Steve Bent, Mike Renkert and Nick Munson got together as they do every year

at Steve’s cabin in Wisconsin where they enjoy catching up and bird hunting. Steve also visited Mike and Dave Renkert ’52 at Mike’s place in Wyoming last summer.

Dave was not only a Gunnery grad but a faculty member during the 1958-59 school year.

Steve Bent ’59 with Mike Renkert ’59 and Nick Munson ’59 at Steve’s cabin in Wisconsin.

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1956

chore.” He also noted that Bill Maxwell P’85 GP’16 ’20 visited him and his wife, Lilian, at their home in Palm Coast, Florida, last winter. “He, of course, as a grandfather of a student [Libby], is in timely contact with the school. We hope to get up there this year.”

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CLASS NOTES

1960

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

John Crawford shared this update: “I am

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retired and living at my old family home, somewhat subdivided from the proud 1,000 acres of working farm of the ’60s on my own little 20-acre spread, the old boxwood nursery. It seems the time goes by faster and faster every day. I am busier now than when I was in business, owner of an electrical contracting firm, security alarm business and part-time farmer.

Still playing tennis, racquet ball and also pickleball, something my wife Polly got me into. It is a lot of fun, especially for seniors. Now retired, I dabble in flying our plane, ham radio, carpentry, and trying to keep up with my spry wife, a traveler who wants to see the world. I spend a lot of time in summer at our house in Small Point, Maine. It is near Bath, just north of Portland and we would welcome any classmates who wander by.

Dick French is nearby, but that is the only Gunnery person I know of. We are south of Penobscot Bay, where Mr. Golumbesky tried in vain to teach me, Wally Hubbard and a few others to study. Our main interests were taking an old horse-drawn wagon and coasting down a hill nearby, without the horse and no way to steer it.

I miss seeing all the old teachers, some of whom have left us. Wally Rowe influenced me the most and because of him I have had articles published in obscure magazines. Messrs. Haddick, Whittle, Lowe, Beebe, Struthers, the Beamer, Loeffler and all the others that put up with me are all in my memory. I remember making the equivalent of the Dean’s List (his other list) but the School Walk was where I excelled. I would run the distance, getting there before the cooks did. Same with crew, where I got bored waiting for the bus and would run back, finally getting on the bus when they caught up with me. Sometimes I got back before the bus. Gunnery had a great effect

on my growing up. Hope to see the same turnout as we had at our 50th during the 2020 reunion (60 years)!”

Leo Fasman, age 9, grandson of the late George Krimsky and former school archivist Paula Krimsky, recently discovered the latest evidence of Frederick W. Gunn’s enduring legacy: Gunn is acknowledged as the founder of organized camping in Charles M. Schulz’s, “It’s Off to Camp, Charlie Brown!”

Tom Perakos ’69 and Tom Gorman ’77 in Greece

1969 Wykeham Rise graduate Maria Mason continues her valuable work on Wykeham history and is broadening her focus to include oral history. She is particularly interested in the lecture series that Wykeham hosted in the 1930s, bringing prominent people to the school.

Leo Fasman, grandson of the late George Krimsky ’60

1962 Former race car driver and sports broadcaster Sam Posey is enjoying a successful third career as an artist. An exhibit featuring his new paintings of barns and nudes was on view at the Ober Gallery in Kent, Connecticut, this fall.

1963 Rusty Chandler is now retired and

continues to reside in Lakeville, Connecticut, near his two children. His daughter, Catherine “Robin” Chandler, is Co-Director of Athletics at The Hotchkiss School, and his son, Chisholm, is in his 14th year as Headmaster of Salisbury School. He also has a granddaughter who attends Berkshire School.

September brought a Gunnery rendezvous in Mykonos, Greece, with Tom Perakos and Tom Gorman ’77.

1970 John Lehr, whose nickname at The

Gunnery was “Tank,” wrote to say: “I read with great interest the article on Doug Greene ’73 (spring 2018 “Bulletin”) that the writer had been in contact with Dave Stevens. I graduated in 1970 and was in his first-ever Russian language class during my last semester. Also in the class was then Headmaster [Burgess] Ayers.

Dave also coached the JV hockey team, on which I was a goaltender, during the winter of 1969-1970. He was an engaging teacher and interesting young man. His enthusiasm was contagious and I have recalled our brief time with wonder over the years. His influence certainly had a

1971 Stu Levitan had the honor of opening

the 2018 Wisconsin Book Festival with the first reading from his new book, “Madison in the Sixties,” published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press. He presented his first book, “Madison: The Illustrated Sesquicentennial History, Vol. 1,” published by the University of Wisconsin Press at the 2006 festival. He also continues to serve as Chair of the City of Madison Landmarks Commission and Vice Chair of WORT-FM. He spent the summer flying and driving around the country seeing live music and visiting national parks as music editor for RidesandDrives.com.

Charlie Mead retired from American

Airlines Flight Dispatch in February after 39.5 years. He writes: “Besides dispatching, I worked as Operations Coordinator, Air Traffic Coordinator, designed internal automation applications, and worked to improve Air Traffic Management with the FAA through Collaborative Decision Making.” He plans to remain in Dallas with his husband, Tom Jones.

1973 David Albala got into forestry and geology

at Lafayette and decided six weeks beforehand to take the MCATs to go to medical school at Brown. He was the Super Bowl Doctor and went to the Final Four as a urologist.

From Bucks County Pennsylvania, Jeff Bruemmer played lacrosse from third grade through college. He continues to run in the Philly-Broad Street annual 10-mile run for Blue Cross. The event, in its tenth year, draws 40,000 runners.

Doug Greene is retired and has fond

memories of Outdoor Club. If you missed it, you can find a profile about his career in the spring 2018 “Bulletin” at http://bit.ly/ Bulletin2018SpringEdition.

James Lyne, Esq., married Lisa Wilson,

Stu Levitan ’71

Esq. in January, after first dating 47 years ago. She is the Managing Partner of Hayes & Wilson in Houston, specializing in Special Needs Trusts, Probate and Estates.

It is the second marriage for both. She has three children, including twin 16-year-old daughters, and three grandchildren. Lyne is a Boeing 737 instructor for American Airlines in Dallas Fort Worth. “I still practice aviation law part time, fly regional and national aerobatic competitions, and I am both a member of and a volunteer attorney for the ACLU,” he said. “We are

James Lyne ’73 sailing in Grenada with his wife, Lisa

both very into sailing, too, and recently sailed to Grenada and Petite Martinique, and we were planning on going to the British Virgin Islands this fall.”

Wykeham Rise graduate Ellen Bates Prindle has a new gallery in Washington Depot, Hen’s Nest.

John Race has three children and five

grandchildren and loves hanging out with them in Florida and New Orleans. They call him “DoDo.” He’s working, skiing, enjoying love and wine.

Gordon Reed is “happily setting

into my retirement job heading up the yacht brokerage division of Derecktor Robinhood Marine Center in Georgetown, Maine. After stints as Service Manager, Operations Manager and Vice President, I have retired to Yacht Broker.” Reed lives in Maine with his wife, Wendy. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in July. They have a daughter, who lives in Bath, Maine, and a son, who lives in Punta Gorda, Florida, as well as two grandchildren, both boys.

Former trustee, Jay Sheehy was in fine fettle Alumni Weekend. He is still managing

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role in my traveling to the Soviet Union in 1990, which led to me getting involved on a volunteer basis with their development of baseball. That involvement led eventually in 1993 to my meeting in Moscow an Arkansas-born young lady. We married in 1996.”

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CLASS NOTES

his company, which distributes building materials throughout New England.

Peter Weiden wrote to us in advance of the

2018 reunion. “I have spent most of the last 30 years as a psychiatrist specializing in research and treatment of schizophrenia and other serious psychiatric conditions.

About two years ago, we moved to the Boston area where I am working in the pharmaceutical industry at a company called Alkermes. My wife Vicki and I are raising our 12-year-old daughter, Ioanna, and she is keeping us young.”

1977 Tom Gorman and Bill Zwecker attended a

summer fundraiser in Glencoe, Illinois, for the Chicago Botanical Garden.

member of the St. Thomas Choir of Men and Boys at St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue and attends St. Thomas Choir School. Julia keeps in touch through regular texting with classmate Ellen Liburt and many others through Facebook. Her current work has introduced her to Jim Millinger ’53, a fellow Gunnery alumnus!

Dutton said, recalling: “This was a deeply moving experience. One of the riders who braved the minus-30 temperatures with his two daughters said ‘It’s about never forgetting what happened. And it’s also about healing. It was a terrible thing and they were hunted down. But we are still here. The Lakota are still here.’”

An exhibit at the Gunn Memorial Library in late summer featured photographs

by Philip Dutton documenting The Chief Bigfoot Memorial Ride of 1990.

This momentous event helped to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Massacre at Wounded Knee Creek. “The Wounded Knee Massacre of December 29, 1890, represented the last major military operation by the U.S. Government in its long, pernicious effort to subdue the Native American People,” said Dutton, a commercial and documentary photographer, who traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in 1990 to document the events with friend and fellow alumnus Hilary Cousins. “Approximately 150 Lakota (Sioux) men, women and children died at the hands of the 7th Cavalry that day,”

1982 Jon Waechter, Peter Bergen ’84 and Leif Wigren were in New York City in August,

visiting Russ Adams ’83.

John Waechter ’82 and Peter Bergen ’84 in New York

Tom Gorman ’77 and Bill Zwecker

1981 T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Julia Babson Alling P’19 and her family

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have spent a full year living and working on Cape Cod. She and her husband, Paul Graney P’19, are on the road a great deal, traveling to Washington, to see their eldest son, William, who is now a Gunnery senior, to Groton, Massachusetts, where their daughter is a junior, and to New York City, where their youngest, Wells, is a

Philip Dutton ’81 and Hilary Cousins ’81 at an earlier exhibit at Tisch Library of their photographs of The Chief Bigfoot Memorial Ride.

1984 We were sad to learn that Laura Beth Schiele, Warren Schiele’s wife of 27 years, passed away on December 21, 2017. He also wrote to let us know that same year, he ran the Chase Corporate Challenge, two 5Ks, two 10Ks, the Bronx 10 Mile, Staten Island Half Marathon, Central Park 18 mile, the New York City Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon.

1987

Juan Padro ’92 providing relief to residents of Puerto Rico

Paul McManus P’21 recently joined RBC

Trust Company Delaware and City National Bank, N.A., as Head of National Business Development and Sales, Alliance Platforms & Personal Trust United States.

He brings to this new role more than 24 years of experience in the trust and financial services industry, having held various senior positions at Citigroup, Legg Mason and, most recently, Morgan Stanley, where he helped to develop the national trust services model from its inception into a $25 billion platform.

1991 In April, The Gunnery was visiting alumni in Ohio, including Lincoln Carnam, who is living in Columbus. Looks like his children, Reagan, 18 months, and Grant, 3, love their new Gunnery t-shirts!

1992 Juan Padro was recently featured by

the Denver affiliate of Fox News for spearheading efforts to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Maria, one year after the Category 4 storm devastated Puerto Rico. The restaurant owner told Fox 31 he had to do something after the storm struck the island, which is home to many of his family members. Last October, he held a fundraiser at one of his restaurants, Tap and Burger Sloan’s Lake, which was supported by members of the Denver community, along with the Denver Broncos and Ben Higgins of the ABC-TV show, “The Bachelor,” and raised nearly $110,000. In addition, Padro traveled to Puerto Rico to help relief groups deliver supplies. “I’m happy that we were able to help but we are not done yet,” he told Fox 31. “We have a lot of work to do.”

Yesenia Peña Salinas and Manuel PeñaMorros ’94 with Yale Needel ’94 and Lorena Corona

1997 Proud Gunnery parent Christine Kane called to let us know that her son, Commander Colin J. Kane, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001 and will soon be named Captain of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, a Freedom-class littoral combat ship under construction in Marinette, Wisconsin.

John DeLorenzo, his wife, Laura, and big

brother, Ethan, welcomed Mila Grace on June 5, 2018.

While visiting Mexico City, Yale Needel and his wife, Lorena Corona, recently met up with classmate and good friend Manuel Peña-Morros ’94 and his wife, Yesenia Peña Salinas.

Regan and Grant, children of Lincoln Carnam ’91

Mila Grace, daughter of John DeLorenzo ’97

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1994

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CLASS NOTES

2001 Proud Gunnery parents Robert and Louise Despres dropped us a note about their son, Fred Despres, who is a chef and lives in Joliet, Illinois, near Chicago, with his wife, Lisa.

2002 Sean Stellato ’97 with two of his clients, Eagles’ defensive end Bryan Braman and tight end Billy Brown, at the 2018 Super Bowl.

Sean Stellato, who was inducted into The

Gunnery Alumni Hall of Fame in June, represented eight players in the 2018 Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots.

“Post game on the field was like beating Westminster for the trophy!” said Stellato.

(Read more about his Hall of Fame induction on page 45.)

1999 Marlena Rodriquez and Tiffany Odom

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

were married on October 28, 2017, on South Beach in Miami, Florida. The couple honeymooned in Belize.

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Former Massachusetts Democratic State Representative Nick Collins is now a member of the State Senate, having won a special election in May, according to The Boston Globe. He had represented South Boston in the state Legislature since 2010 and “trounced his two independent opponents” in the race for the First Suffolk District seat, the newspaper said, capturing more than 86 percent of the 4,713 votes cast in the three-way race. He is filling the seat vacated by former Senator Linda Dorcena Forry,

who announced in January that she was stepping down to accept a job in the private sector.

2003 Katie and Peter Lorenz welcomed a daughter, Harper White, born July 26.

Harper White Lorenz, daughter of Katie and Peter Lorenz ’03

A Quick Update from Film Producer Otoja Abit ’04 Minutes before his nuptials, a neurotic young man locks himself away in the back room of a church, with the best man he knows. Recalling the woman of his past, he questions his choice.

This is the premise of “JITTERS,” a short film written, directed and produced by Otoja Abit ’04, who also stars in the film with veteran actor Jason Patric. Chris Noth and Joe Scarborough are executive producers. In August, Abit attended an alumni gathering on Martha’s Vineyard, where coincidentally, “JITTERS” was being featured in the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival as one of four finalists in the HBO Short Film Competition. The same weekend, the film was screened at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in Providence.

And that was just the beginning. On September 22, “JITTERS” was named the Urbanworld Film Festival Audience Award winner for Best Short in New York City.

Two days later, Abit won best director of a short film at the Golden Door International Film Festival in Jersey City. In October, the film was an official selection of the Bushwick Film Festival in Brooklyn, and the prestigious SCAD Savannah Film Festival. View the trailer at: https://vimeo.

Actor Joe Morton and Otoja Abit ’04 at the com/257782435 Urbanworld Film Festival in New York

Marlena Rodriguez ’99 and Tiffany Odom

and her husband, Bart, who is the History Department Chair, welcomed a son, Benjamin Andrew McMann, on June 21. He weighed in at 8.36 pounds, and according to his dad, “looks like a true Highlander!”

2008 Natasha Szepel was married over the

Memorial Day weekend to Budd Taylor in Chesapeake City, Maryland. She is living in Delaware and working as a nanny in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and has two stepsons, ages 11 and 13.

Andrew Hobart has achieved the highest

rank possible for his age as a NonCommissioned Officer in the U.S. Air Force and recently passed “with flying colors an examination, the results of which will open up new leadership roles,” according to his uncle, Alan Bain ’55.

2005 Kate (Marek) McMann ’05, Co-Director

of College Counseling at The Gunnery,

Kate (Marek) McMann ’05 with her husband, Bart, and son, Benjamin

2009

2011 Chao (Chelsea) Liu is a Ph.D. student in

the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Her research is on structure and mechanical properties of metallic glasses using transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron-based x-ray techniques, the university said. According to science teacher Steve Bailey P’09, Liu expects to earn her doctorate in 2020.

2012 In August, Cameron MacKay and Addison Owens ’09 were caddying for the third annual Silo Ridge Field Club Pro-Am Invitational benefiting the Discovery Land Company Foundation, when they ran into one of the foundation’s photographers,

Alex Anbarcioglu checked in via Instagram from Dublin, Ireland, where he was representing the Seattle Grizzlies this

Alex Anbarcioglu ’09 playing for the USA Revolution

Cameron MacKay ’12 and Addison Owens ’09

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Natasha Szepel Taylor ’03 and Budd Taylor

Members of the Class of 2008 gathered to fraternize on the terrace Friday night of the reunion. Will Charleton reported that he was working for a property manager in Boston on residential real estate services.

Zack Grossman and Patrick Brennan were enjoying their afternoon win of the Bourne Cup in the annual golf tournament against the Washington Club team. Brennan, who is working in IT for Cerner, a healthcare company, attended reunion with his fiancée, Rachel Lazenby.

Grossman reported that he is selling building materials in Tampa and goes to every Penn State football game. Having rowed her way to two Division II titles at UVA, his wife, Chelsea Simpson, teaches math. Elizabeth (Rae) and Scott Dayton shared stories of their life on Gunnery’s campus.

summer as part of the USA Revolution men’s national team. The Revolution played the Irish national team, the Irish Warriors, in Dublin, before taking on the Belfast Redbacks Football Club. “You can’t hide that Highlander Pride! G-U-N-N GUNN GUNN GUNN!”

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CLASS NOTES

Philip Dutton ’81 was kind enough to

Max Freeman lives within walking distance

share the picture on page 65. Based in Beverly Hills, California, the foundation supports programs that serve children, primarily those in shelters and in foster care.

of his office at Namely in New York. The company is an HR platform for mid-sized companies.

Cushing where he coaches lacrosse, soccer, and basketball. He now really appreciates the “poor benighted faculty” of his Gunnery years.

H. McLain ’37 Prize, “awarded to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the Department of Chemistry, shows the greatest promise for making a future contribution to the human understanding of Chemistry,” she wrote. He also played varsity soccer and varsity lacrosse and earned a place on the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll all four years at the school.

Ian Riley accepted a position in April with

Bobby Hooper, who recently spent four

Teach for America, “a national corps of leaders who commit to teaching in lowincome schools and work to increase their students’ opportunities in life.” Riley was assigned to teach in a school in Baltimore, after completing a dual certification in special education and English. In 2017, he graduated with highest distinction from the University of Virginia, where he double majored in economics and political philosophy, policy and law, and he previously worked in commercial law for a boutique law firm in New York.

months working for Shell Techworks in Cambridge, wrote to say The Gunnery’s new STEM/engineering program (known on campus as IDEAS) caught his eye: “Since leaving Gunnery I have found a passion for engineering and have spent the past couple years competing in various engineering projects, competitions and internships. I worked a summer with NASA, competed in the SpaceX Hyperloop competition, but most recently worked at a chemical manufacturing plant down in South Georgia. The company is called Optima Chemical and they produce specialty chemicals at their toll manufacturing plant. It was an amazing hands-on experience and an incredible introduction to the engineering world in a large manufacturing setting. With little experience in Chemical Manufacturing, the staff threw me right into the thick of it and by the end of the summer, I was managing my own design projects and leading teams of operators. This position slingshot me right into my current position at Shell Techworks in Cambridge.

Although I probably might not have taken any of those classes at Gunnery, I look back and realize what an amazing opportunity it is for young engineers to grow those core skills in high school,” Hooper said. He also was interested to learn about the new race course installed at Lake Waramaug by Boys Head Crew Coach Lincoln Turner, just in time for Founder’s Day last year. “I almost fell out

Tristan Kishonis is teaching English at

2013 Wyatt Clark has been working for Merrill

Lynch in the private wealth sector in Cambridge for two years. He’s looking forward to getting his Certified Financial Analyst® (CFA) credential.

Michael Cohen graduated with a master’s

degree in management of hospitality from Boston University in May, and just started a job in Operations for the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach! “Since graduating Gunnery, I have moved to various cities, including Boston, Boca Raton, Florida, and now Miami, and it is thanks to The Gunnery that I have been able to obtain the disciplined values to be able to successfully adjust to each city, and make the most of my experiences.

Long-term goals include expanding my career within the hospitality industry, and eventually starting an affordable wellness retreat focused towards the millennial generation.” Cohen said he is always open to connecting with fellow Gunnery alumni with like-minded opinions!

You can find him at michaelcohen338@ yahoo.com.

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Justin Dunn was ranked as the Met’s No.

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4 pitching prospect in July. In June, he was promoted to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets, after playing for a season and a half with the St. Lucie Mets in the Florida State League, according to MiLB. com. Dunn was back in Connecticut as a starting pitcher when the Rumble Ponies took on the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on June 16.

Kathleen Songco was accepted to run the

2019 Boston Marathon with the Tenacity Marathon Team! It will be her first Boston Marathon and she’s over the moon to be a part of an amazing tradition in this city she now calls home. What makes her journey even more special is running and fundraising for Tenacity, an organization that strives to close the opportunity and achievement gaps for the inner-city students in Boston. Come April 15, 2019, Kathleen will see you at the finish line!

2014 Proud Gunnery mom Julie Clark reports that her son, Skyler Clark, graduated with honors last spring from Washington College, where he double majored in chemistry and biology with a minor in theater. He was the recipient of the Joseph

of my chair when Lincoln told me it was ‘easy in, easy out,’ words I don’t think have ever been used to describe the race course.”

Sarah Hughson, who graduated in

Elmira Athlete of the Year Sarah Hughson ’14

Not to be outdone, Sam Walther, who graduated from Hamilton College in May, also signed with the Connecticut Whale in July. She and Hughson have as their NWHL teammates Kayla Meneghin and Jamie Goldsmith, Head Coach for The Gunnery’s Girls Varsity Hockey Team — fins up! At Hamilton College, Walther received one of two 2018 Jack B. Riffle Awards, which are presented annually to the top male and female athletes in the

Sam Walther ’14 checked in via Twitter: “Old jersey, new colors.” #HighlanderPride

Sam Levin ’14 graduated Bates College in May.

senior class. A three-time All-NESCAC selection, two-time first team AllAmerican and 2018 NESCAC Player of the Year, Walther is considered to be arguably the best goaltender in the history of Hamilton’s women’s hockey program, the school said.

Walther was a five-time Dean’s List student and a NESCAC All-Academic honoree, according to her profile on the NESCAC website. It continues: “In 2017, she was the recipient of the Raphael Lemkin Essay Prize on the practice of genocide. She wrote for Change Magazine, where she published an article about Hamilton faculty members’ experiences teaching in prison classrooms.

She was selected by Hamilton professors and the Utica Mental Health Court Judge to complete a semester field study on the Swedish criminal justice system, where she traveled to the country to conduct her research, and authored a policy proposal directed at criminal justice reform in the United States.”

Hockey Award. In August, Sam entered the Viking and Medieval Norse Studies Master’s program at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. He is also playing for the Reykjavik Bjorninn semi-professional ice hockey team.

2015 Proud Gunnery parent Leslie Dlugokecki shared this update about her son, Nick Moniz, who was selected as a Senior Scholar for Purdue University’s Center for Nursing Education and Simulation.

“He will assist with daily operations of the center, implementing creative ideas, and facilitating individual/group student activities,” his mom said.

Sam Levin received his B.A. in classical and

medieval studies, graduating magna cum laude and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Bates College on May 27. He was captain of the Bates College ice hockey team and received the Bates Alumni Ice Nicolas Moniz ’15

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May from Elmira College, signed with the Connecticut Whale, the National Women’s Hockey League team based in Stamford, in July. Hughson was named NCAA Division III All-American in Women’s Ice Hockey for Elmira, and received the 2017-18 Elmira College Athlete of the Year Award in May. According to the school, she led the nationally-ranked women’s ice hockey team in scoring and was named the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Player of the Year, UCHC All-Conference First Team, UCHC AllTournament Team, and tournament MVP.

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CLASS NOTES

Jessica Xu sent us greetings from Beijing,

Luke Smeltzer, a midfielder for Rochester

where she is taking a gap year before beginning a six-month internship in August with ZhenFund, a venture capital company. Her classes at Swarthmore prepared her well for pursuing a Ph.D. in education or a position in academia, she said. She attended Harvard’s China Education Forum and plans to continue her research on China’s education system and make it the focus on her thesis. Xu noted the founder of ZhenFund, Xiaoping (Bob) Xu, is also one of the co-founders of the New Oriental School, “which has sent hundreds of thousands Chinese students abroad. He is somewhat of a role model for a lot of Chinese students who are studying abroad, and I can’t believe I will be working for him. (My mom was even more excited than I was.)” Watch for an upcoming movie about the story of New Oriental School, called “American Dreams in China,” she said, noting: “Because Bob used to be an educator, the company places a lot of emphasis on investing in education startup and education technology companies. I think this will allow me to look at China’s education sector more comprehensively, especially on innovative schooling and the use of technology in education.”

Institute of Technology’s No. 1 Men’s Lacrosse Team, was named to the Liberty League All-Academic Team for maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30.

2017 According to The Newtown Bee, Grace Herrick visited St. Rose of Lima School in Newtown in March, to talk with fourth graders about Grace’s Promise Inc., a nonprofit organization she started as a Girl Scout Gold Award project in 2016.

Based in her hometown of Sandy Hook, Grace’s Promise is “focused on providing preschool education to the impoverished communities in third-world countries such as Uganda.” A 2012 graduate of St. Rose

Grace Herrick ’17 with students in Uganda

of Lima, Herrick is now a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, where she is in the honors program and has created her own major to study global health, the newspaper said.

2016

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Mikayla Michals, a junior and a member

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of the Women’s Field Hockey Team at Providence College, was named to the U.S. Women’s National Development Team. According to the school, she started all 19 games for the Friars in 2017 and finished second on the team in scoring, with 12 points on five goals and two assists.

Colin Riley has transferred from Norwich

University to Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Gunnery was well represented by faculty and alumni at the Connecticut Whale’s home game October 7. From left, Peg Small, Registrar; Morgan Dow ’16; Samantha Walther ’14; Sarah Hughson ’14; Jamie Goldsmith, who is also Head Coach for girls varsity hockey at The Gunnery; Kayla Meneghin ’14; Amanda Sabia ’16; Emma Killeen ’17; and Ed Small, math faculty and the Anne S. and Ogden D. Miller Senior Master.

Current and Former Faculty

Former faculty member Hank Mixsell and Barney Bristow ’74

Cecelia Balben

Theodore Ross Lord

History teacher James Balben, and his wife, Stephanie, welcomed Cecelia Catherine Balben, who was born March 1 weighing 5 pounds, 15 ounces. When he is not teaching or enjoying being a new dad, Balben serves as Assistant Coach for Boys Varsity Soccer and Girls Varsity Ice Hockey.

And The Gunnery’s baby boom continued August 28, when Lauren Lord of the Dean of Students Office and her husband, Jonathan, welcomed a son, Theodore Ross, to the delight of big sister Madeline.

Jessica Baker, Associate Director of

Alumni & Parent Engagement, and her husband Chris, welcomed a daughter, Norah Jane Baker, who was born April 10 weighing 8 pounds and 13 ounces.

Norah Jane Baker

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IN MEMORIAM The Gunnery community is saddened by the loss of many cherished sons and daughters and sends its condolences to their friends and families: Mr. Eric W. DeGraff ’52 4/7/2018 Ms. Michelle S. Dwosken ’89 5/6/2018 Mr. Robert M. Ebers ’55 4/3/2018 Dr. Robert W. Gilmore ’39 5/30/2010 Mr. James H. Gourd ’48 P’78 6/10/2018 Mr. Mark P. Hough ’75 4/17/2018 Mr. Harry T. Jones III ’53 2/17/2018 Mr. Constantine J. Klarides ’78 5/23/2018 Mr. Carroll W. Laird, Jr. ’42 2/22/2018 Mr. Ronald E. Lipetz ’58 4/15/2018 Mr. William H. McCullough ’53 3/19/2017 Mr. Barry S. Protage ’57 3/9/2018 Mr. Jonas E. Rosenberg ’90 8/28/2015 Frank Lee Stolzenberg ’48 P’81 10/21/18 Mr. Sui L. Sung ’81 5/2018 Mr. Sean Sutton ’72 2/12/2018

Former Faculty Mrs. Pauline O. Jewett 6/9/2018 Ms. Jane E. McKay 3/19/2018 Mr. Hugh B. Caldara 10/18/18

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Hank Mixsell, who was a faculty member from 1968 to 1975, and his wife, Sally, were in Vergennes, Vermont, in late August when they ran into Barney Bristow ’74 at the Basin Harbor Club. “When I first introduced myself to him, I wasn’t sure he actually recognized who I was, since we haven’t seen each other in over 30 years. The next day, though, he made a special trip to find us and let us know that he had finally figured out who we were!

It was great to reconnect and share a few reminiscences of The Gunnery back in the 70s, including George Kurten ’73, his old roommate.” Sally recently retired after 10 years as Head of School at StoneleighBurnham School and they are living in Hamden, Connecticut, to be closer to old friends and family.

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IN MEMORIAM

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

Remembering Hugh B. Caldara

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Former Gunnery teacher, coach and Athletic Director Hugh B. Caldara, 73, of Stonington, Connecticut, passed away on October 18, following a battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joanne Caldara, who lived with him in the Gatehouse on campus during his Gunnery years.

The Gunnery community will remember “Cal,” as he was known to his colleagues, students and those he coached during his 37-year tenure at the school, twice over the upcoming Cal accepting the Hall of Fame Award in 2014 months. First, on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at our Alumni Hockey Game, the school will dedicate a jersey to Cal that will be Hall of Fame, issuing a citation in 2014 that read in part: “While displayed above the girls hockey bench. A memorial service will he had a hand in many endeavors, the teaching of football was be held as part of Alumni Weekend, on Saturday, June 8, 2019, one of his strengths. Hugh made every player feel that they could followed by an opportunity for people to gather and share stories make a difference and believe that they could win. He missed very about Cal. (Watch the school website for additional details.) little when it came to preparing for a game. He set the bar high

Cal joined The Gunnery in 1977 as a history teacher and for them, but he set it even higher for himself.”

Head Football Coach. He went on to teach a variety of courses, Born in Buffalo, New York, including Ethics, Public Speaking, on September 26, 1945, Cal was a U.S. History and U.S. Foreign Policy, graduate of Taft School and Coe and was always one of the most While he had a hand in many College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where popular teachers among the students. endeavors, the teaching he majored in history and English.

As a coach, he was revered for leading of football was one of his From 1969 to 1971, he served in The Gunnery’s football team to the U.S. Navy. He went on to earn more than 100 wins, and helping strengths. Hugh made every a degree in secondary education to lead the girls varsity ice hockey player feel that they could make from the University of Wisconsin team to multiple New England a difference and believe that at Madison, and master’s degrees in championships. He served as a history from Wesleyan University and teacher, coach, dorm parent, advisor, they could win. He missed very maritime history from the Munson and Athletic Director. little when it came to preparing Institute at Mystic Seaport.

Ed Small, a member of the math for a game. He set the bar high Prior to joining The Gunnery, faculty and The Anne S. and Ogden for them, but he set it even Cal was a teacher, coach and dorm D. Miller Senior Master, and his wife, master at Nyack Boys School in Peg Small, The Gunnery’s Registrar, higher for himself.

Upper Nyack, New York, and both joined the school at the same Kingsley Hall School in Westbrook, time as Cal. Ed Small remembers Connecticut. He was head of the History Department at St. John’s him as someone who was deeply committed to the school and his Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, where he also taught students. “U.S. foreign policy was his first love, but he’d teach U.S. history, coached varsity track and hockey, served as defensive anything. He would do anything you asked him to do for the coordinator for football, and was the head dorm master for 48 boys. school, and he did,” he said.

“Hugh will be missed by generations of alumni whom

“If you’d get him talking about football, he’d forget he helped to shape as a teacher, coach, and advisor. He was a everything else. He knew everything — professional, college, prep consummate triple threat, a dear and faithful friend to many in school. He was always well-prepared,” said Small, who was the our community,” said Head of School Peter Becker, who shared a JV football coach, and an assistant coach for varsity football at the tribute to Cal at School Meeting on October 22. It was written by time. What made Cal successful as a football coach, he said, was Associate Dean of Students and Head Boys Hockey Coach Craig that he “taught his students how to play, how to win, and how to Badger and published in the “Bulletin” upon Cal’s retirement in believe in themselves.”

2014:

The Alumni Association inducted Cal into The Gunnery

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“Legendary faculty members are part of the folklore of every boarding school.

They are known for their personality as much as they are for their impact in the classroom, dorm, or athletic field.

They are beloved by students and peers alike for who they are, as much as for the work they do,” Badger said of his friend and colleague. “Cal worked to foster an awareness of the world beyond The Gunnery’s walls. However, it is in the hearts of those who know him where Cal In 2004, Cal stepped down as The Gunnery’s head football coach after 27 years. He was the will truly be remembered.” longest tenured football coach among New England independent schools at the time.

Former faculty member and Senior Master Russ Elgin, who retired from The Gunnery in 2014 after

“Coach Cal and I started in the same year. He was a huge 39 years, remembered his friend and former colleague for the red, influence in guiding me to Coe, a D3 football experience, and a white and blue boat moccasins he favored, for his company on the love of history,” wrote Brian Strandes ’81. “A story I remember cold nights they spent repainting the lines at the rink — before was one he told about his college football experience. He was it had walls — and for the sound of his voice, which pierced the knocked out in an Oklahoma drill and the drill moved 10 yards walls of Bache House when students returned to the dorm from down the field like nothing happened, while he received medical study hall. “I heard that big booming voice. I just knew everything attention. No one person is bigger than the team or the game. It was under control,” Elgin said. was a lesson I have used in my personal and business life, and it is

Peter Bergen ’84 was among many alumni, faculty, parents how I experienced my time with Coach Cal. Strive to be a part of and friends who shared their remembrances of Cal via the school’s something bigger than yourself. Contribute in any way you can, website. “Another Gunnery legend has left us. Cal, like Tay (Pam and give great effort in all you do. He lived the principals and Taylor) epitomized The Gunnery experience,” Bergen wrote, values of The Gunnery in his teaching, coaching, and mentoring. referring to former English teacher and coach Pam Taylor, who I am among many people that were influenced by his leadership.” passed away in 2013. She came to The Gunnery in 1977, the

“Cal was my advisor, and such a warm, generous man. same year as Cal, and Peg and Ed Small. “Back in the mid-’80s, I remember many conversations — most often about life in if Cal declared something, it was akin to an Act of Congress (and general — when Cal would lean back and just tell us as he saw certainly more meaningful to us)! Cal shared a special bond with it,” recalled Beth Meyer Kelley ’92. “He was a caring coach to many of us from the Class of ’84 and we will never forget him.” all of us, whether or not we played on one of his teams (although during my time, they were all his teams, as Athletic Director). I also remember many amazing dinners in the stone cottage with Cal and ‘Mrs. Cal.’ Joanne, you are as fondly remembered for your maternal warmth — and amazing homemade Italian dinners.

Thank you both for the time you gave all of us, always stopping to be present adults in our lives. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

“Our Gunnery Family has lost an icon,” wrote Harry Kelleher ’86. “Coach Caldara’s departure to the Great Football Field in the Sky hurts me all the way down to the bone. It’s been more than 30 years since I stood on the sidelines with him; nevertheless, I can still hear him shout: ‘Run it again.’ I will miss my coach and dear friend for the rest of my days.”

Alumni and friends are invited to share their remembrances with the school community online at gunnery.org/ Cal at Alumni Weekend in June 2016 with Head of School Peter Becker and Senior Master Ed Small RememberingCal. n

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A Piece of History In the last week of October, students and faculty were invited to sign one of the last steel I-beams installed in the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. In doing so, they added their names, and a piece of history, to the new building. The 32,000-squarefoot center will be one of the largest on campus. It will house the school’s visual and performing arts programs with new classrooms,

T H E G U N N E RY B U L L E T I N

studios and gallery spaces, as well as a 415-seat theater. Read more

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about the center and the team that is bringing it to life on page 14.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SCHOOL OFFICERS TRUSTEES

DESIGN John Johnson Art Direction, Collinsville, Conn. PRINTING David Emery ’73, GHP, West Haven, Conn.

Peter Becker Head of School Gerrit Vreeland ’61 Chairman Patrick M. Dorton ’86 Vice Chairman Cynthia Urda Kassis P’19 Secretary William T. Tolley P’08 ’14 Treasurer Christine Armstrong P’19 William G.Bardel Robert Bellinger ’73 W. Graham Cole Sarah A. (Scheel) Cook ’82 Jonathan M. Estreich P’06 Gretchen H. Farmer P’05 Ashleigh Fernandez Sherm Hotchkiss ’63 Peter R. Houldin ’92 P’21 Jonathan S. Linen ’62 Len Novick P’18 ’21 Lawrence D. Paredes P’20 Kirsten Peckerman Roy B. Simpson, Jr. ’68 Omar Slowe ’97 Richard N. Tager ’56 Neil Townsend P’18 ’20 Daniel Troiano ’77 Wanji Walcott P’19

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Laura Martin ’90 P’20 President Omar Slowe ’97 Vice President Scott A. Schwind ’89 Krystalynn M. Schlegel ’96 ALUMNI COUNCIL

Peter J. Bergen ’84 Sheila M. Boyd ’91 Alessandra L. Carlin ’97 James Estreich ’06 Bobby Gordon ’87 Peter S. Lorenz ’03 Laura Eanes Martin ’90 P’20 William S. McKee ’06 Nicholas Molnar ’72 Elizabeth R. Newman ’93 Juan D. Padro ’92 Altan R. Sadik-Khan ’06 Emma J. Schereschewsky ’94 Jonathan P. Sullivan ’98 Jin Young (Clifford) Yang ’98 PARENTS FUND COMMITTEE CHAIR

Keith Gleason P’20 ’21 PARENTS COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The power of place cannot be underestimated.

Our surroundings, both natural and built, shape us as thoroughly as we shape them.

Matt Dorf P’19 ’19

As Highlanders, we share certain experiences linked to one place: Homecoming. All-School Walk.

Commencement. Spring Concert. That last game.

That one time...

TRUSTEE EMERITI

Leo D. Bretter ’52 P’88 David N. Hoadley ’51

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Doug Day Director of Marketing & Communications dayd@gunnery.org

ADMISSIONS

Alexandra V. Ince P’20 Director of Enrollment incea@gunnery.org CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jennifer Clement P’22 Bulletin Editor clementj@gunnery.org

Jessica Baker, Peter Becker, Sean Brown P’21, Jennifer Clement P’22, Paula Gibson Krimsky

ALUMNI & DEVELOPMENT

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Sean Brown P’21 Director of Alumni & Development browns@gunnery.org

Show your Gunnery pride. Help make a difference for today’s Highlanders so they can create their own meaningful moments, which will last a lifetime.

Elizabeth Dayton ’08, Caleb Dorf ’19, Phil Dutton ’81, Becca Leclerc, Becky McGuire, Mike Minasi, Anthony Pernerewski Jr. ’22, Rich Pomerantz, Chip Riegel, Lindsey Turner

To support students and faculty through The Gunnery Fund: Visit: Gunnery.org/MakeAGift Mail the gift envelope Call: (860) 350-0103 Venmo: @MakeAGift - The Gunnery

Thank you!

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Gunnery.org The Game is Still Afoot!

When last we heard of the Stray Shot, it was 2016 and Michael Zhang, who was then a freshman, was lauded for finding what was believed to be the long-lost Stray Shot in Kirby Brook. Meanwhile, the hunt for the 2013 ball hidden by Kyle Searles Brett ’17 continued… until May 27 of this year, when it was presented during Prize Night by Gavin Connors ‘19 and Sam Johnson ‘19, who carried it onto the stage in a black milk crate.

The pair were part of a group of students who spent the last two years searching for the Stray Shot on and off in what Connors described as surely “one of the closest races ever” to find it. Their search ended when the group “rescued” the Stray Shot from the garage of Brett ‘18 and Carter Matthews ‘18 of Washington, and it was passed to the juniors.

“It’s not all about winning. It is one of the first times that we have understood the journey is more important than the ending,” Connors said, encouraging his fellow Highlanders to join the hunt anew and participate in the “unique experience that is searching for the lost Stray Shot.”

However, the group’s plans for a new hunt, which they planned to orchestrate, were derailed when an unknown student (or students) purloined the ball — and its milk crate — under the cover of darkness. When Connors went to retrieve it following the ceremony, it was gone.

“Although disrespectful, it is technically fair game,” he wrote in an all-school email on May 28. “This being said, the current holder of the Stray Shot [has] a very large responsibility and if you’re up for it, that’s great. But at the same time, my group has already made multiple clues for the hunt and would at least like to know where it is.”

And so, dear friends, in the words of Shakespeare, “The game is afoot!”

Have your own account of the Stray Shot that you want to share?

Send an e-mail to strayshot@gunnery.org so we can hear all about it!