FALL/WINTER 2018–19
THE
Gryphon The Cambridge School of Weston Magazine
SETTING THE PACE Part two of our up-close look at CSW’s exciting new curriculum.
2 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018–19 Benjamin (Ben) Alimansky ’87 Chair, Investment Committee
Allie Altman P’12 Harmony Bickerton ’19 Boarding Student Representative
James Bonsey Orly Burnes ’19 Day Student Representative
Christine Chamberlain ’63 Co-Vice Chair of the Board
Philip (Phil) DeNormandie ’67
THE GRYPHON, FALL/WINTER 2018–19 Jane Moulding, Head of School Andrea Finnerty, Chief Development Officer Emma Fedor, Director of Marketing and Communications Diane Stansbury, Assistant Director of Alumni/ae and Parent Engagement Jeanette Origel, Communications Specialist
Evelina Galper P’14 Faculty Representative
Ann Gorson P’16 Co-Vice Chair of the Board; Chair, Development Committee
Cynthia Harmon Snowden Henry P’16,’18 Chair, Governance Committee
Eli Keehn Faculty Representative
CONTRIBUTORS Sherrill Bounnell Jared Charney Tom Hill P’20,’22 Michele Levy P’19 Danya Tribuna ‘19 Cover photo by Liz Linder
Jin-Kyung (Kay) Kim P’15, ’16, ’18 Chin Lin P’18 Assistant Treasurer
Jane Moulding Head of School
DESIGN visiondesigngroup.com
Rebecca Parkhill ’85, P’17 Secretary
Alexander (Alex) Rosenthal ’08 Sarita Gandhi Shah ’86 Chair of the Board
Jesse Tauriac P’19 Susan (Sue) Vogt P’14 Dan Wolf ’65 Treasurer (interim); Chair, Finance Committee
The Cambridge School of Weston is an independent, coeducational day school for grades 9 – 12 and post-graduate study. Inquiries for academic year admission should be directed to Trish Saunders, Director of Admissions, at 781.642.8650. The Gryphon welcomes class notes and photographs by alumni/ae, parents, and friends. Please email submissions to alum@ csw.org; call 781.642.8619; visit www.csw.org; or send to: Alumni/ae Relations The Cambridge School of Weston 45 Georgian Road Weston, MA 02493
CONTACT To contact the editor, email gryphon@csw.org Website: www.csw.org
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TEXT GOES HERE • 3
Fall/Winter 2018–19
THE
Gryphon Contents 2
Leading Thoughts
3
On the Quad
10 Featured Course 12 Faculty/Staff Spotlight 14 Setting the PACE 20 Then & Now 22 Class Notes 32 In Memoriam 33 My Five 34 Noteworthy
Untitled, Charlie Mintzer ’21, from “Introduction to Sculpture”
2 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
LEADING THOUGHTS
Certainly a very fond farewell
I
have had some fun, as CSW always encourages us to, thinking about this year, my last at CSW, as a Farewell Tour — along the lines of say, Elton John! It’s a wonderful excuse to visit with friends of the school whom I have not seen in a while and also
to add a different level of energy to some of our usual tour stops, like New York, California, and Washington, DC.
Enjoying dinners with Robert Friesen ’71 and Sue and Art Vogt P’14 in Chicago; drinks with former trustee John Sviokla P’03, ’04, ’06, ’01; and a twenty-minute power conversation with former trustee Martha Nussbaum P’91, Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics at the University of Chicago Law School, are a few of the high points for me so far this year. Equally up there was that beautiful huge gathering of folks at the Brooklyn Museum in January. What a range of graduation years (1944 – 2004) and what fun to see all of these CSW people interact in such a great setting! I look forward to upcoming stops on the way in California, Washington, DC, and who knows where? I also hope to see as many of you who can make it at our annual Reunion and the Celebration of Progressive Leadership that will feature as our predominant theme for May 3–5, with a grand gathering on May 4 — the culmination of the Farewell Tour! As always, meeting with alumni/ae remains one of the most gratifying aspects of my work as head of school, and I cannot wait for you all to meet our incoming new head, Lise Charlier. I know that she, too, will adore knowing you, learning about the school, and partnering with you to sustain our powerful role in the continued
development and strength of progressive education nationwide. You can read more about Lise and all that she will bring to the CSW community here in this issue (p.3). In the meantime, I will share that I have found Lise to be an incredibly warm, knowledgeable, and intelligent person, whose values, work ethic, and vast experience in education position her well to lead our school. I have great faith in Lise to navigate us through the final implementation phases of our strategic plan, including the launch of our exciting new PACE co-curriculum, which we offer a closer look at in this issue’s feature (p. 14). Certainly as I embark on my final six months as head of school, I am looking forward, because that is such a great part of being an educator, knowing the past, understanding the context within which we work, and then looking towards the future with energy and generative thinking. Innovation, imagination, creativity, playing with new ideas and constructs, anticipating what might be next, and keeping the powerful momentum of our great institution moving forward.
detail our plans to inculcate the depth and breadth of our programs with our deep focus on social-emotional development, diversity and inclusion, and healthy life skills and habits. I could not be more excited about the program launch in Fall 2019. Huge thanks goes to our faculty and staff for all of their efforts in collaborating on these enhancements, and an enormous shout-out to Diana Baruni, academic dean; Tad Lawrence, science teacher; and Rosanna Salcedo, dean of equity and inclusion for their immense work at the conceptual and implementation phases. I hope to see many of you at my formal and informal tour stops in the months ahead, with the final gathering here on campus on May 4, 2019, an event intended to celebrate CSW’s important role as a leader in progressive education. My arms open out widely to you all with thanks for your loyalty, leadership, and love of this great school and our brilliant progressive adventure!
“Setting the PACE,” Part Two of the “Mod Makeover” piece begun in our Spring/ Summer 2018 Gryphon, outlines in more Jane Moulding, Head of School
ON THE QUAD • 3
ON THE QUAD
CSW Names New Head of School A LETTER FROM LISE TO THE CSW COMMUNITY Dear members of the CSW community,
The board of trustees has announced that Lise Charlier will become The Cambridge School of Weston’s next head of school, effective July 1, 2019. Lise will succeed Jane Moulding, who will have led CSW for 17 years when she retires from the school in June. This appointment is the result of a thoughtful and inclusive search process, led by a dedicated committee with guidance from consultants School Strategies & Solutions. This nationwide search attracted a large number of impressive and highly qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The search committee was especially mindful of the many qualities that the CSW community indicated were essential for an effective head of school, and is grateful for the heartfelt participation and deep engagement of a broad range of constituents, including administrators, faculty, staff, students, current families, alumni/ae, past families, friends, and trustees. Sarita Gandhi Shah ’86, chair of the board and co-chair of the search committee, stated that, “We are pleased to have an educator with Lise’s talent, integrity, leadership, and commitment to progressive education join our community. She has a clear passion for
learning and a lifelong dedication to young people. She will bring a wide range of qualities and credentials to the role of head, including an ability to translate vision to reality using a relationship-driven leadership style; extensive experience in daily school operations and strategic administrative function; and a strong ethos in progressive education and academic and student life programming.” Lise comes to CSW with over 25 years of administrative and teaching experience in the US and abroad. She currently serves as director of studies and strategic initiatives at Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland. Prior to her role at Severn, Lise was upper school assistant principal at Friends School of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland. She has served on the board of trustees for Green Street Academy, the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS), the Cowles Charitable Trust, and most recently the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE). She holds an MS in education from Johns Hopkins University and a BS from Georgetown University. Born and raised in Haiti, Lise was educated in the Haitian, French, and American educational systems. She currently lives with her husband in Baltimore, where they raised their two children.
It is an honor and thrill to be appointed as your next head of school. From the outset of this process, I felt a real affinity for CSW — I was immediately drawn in by the school’s mission and core values. It felt as though I had spent a lifetime preparing for this opportunity as I, too, deeply share these values. I have dedicated my professional and personal life to promoting student-centered teaching and learning, and to building communities that value diversity, equity, inclusion, and global engagement. I am eager to support and weave these cornerstones of CSW into all aspects of school life for students, faculty, and families. When I visited CSW in September, I was blown away by the palpable love of school emanating from everyone in the community — students, faculty, trustees, parents, and alumni/ae — and the commitment to progressive education and social justice evident in every conversation. I look forward to working with all of you to build on CSW’s strong and beautiful foundation. Together we will guarantee that CSW remains an extraordinary school — a place where young people have the time and space to grow into the people that they want to be, in an environment that allows them to know and appreciate themselves and others, where they can ask questions freely and fully, engage in intellectual pursuit, and be kind and contributing members of society who seek social justice locally and globally. I can’t wait to join you in July!
Lise
4 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
CSW Appoints Two New Deans
The People We Met This Summer Over the summer, students, faculty, and staff had the choice of reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab, The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery, The Leavers by Lisa Ko, and/or Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. This fall, community members gathered to bring the texts to life via one of many unique character workshops. A sampling from the catalog is below:
Diana Baruni Academic Dean Diana is a passionate, devoted educator who radiates enthusiasm for CSW. During her tenure at CSW, she has served as French teacher and Language Department chair, and has been an important voice in decisions and discussions related to the school’s academic mission and program. Diana has played a key role in the recent evolution of the Mod System and the new curriculum development (see page 14).
Rachel Hirsch Dean of Faculty Rachel has taught in the History Department at CSW since 1999 and has served as department chair. In addition, Rachel was instrumental in helping to launch the Progressive Education Lab as a senior mentor and administrator in the program. A self-confessed “big picture thinker,” Rachel looks to place faculty community building at the core of her work as dean of faculty.
The Soul of an Octopus: A Shadow Puppet Play The Soul of an Octopus In this workshop, we will build shadow puppets of the characters. Be prepared to pull quotes from the book. Let’s create a Shadow Puppet Play… all in one hour!
Bug-Out-Bag Station Eleven You must leave quick, and everything you need to survive must fit in a backpack. But you do not only want to survive; you want to thrive! What will you pack for survival and thrival? If you could only pick one play of Shakespeare to pack, which one would it be? What is the difference between surviving and thriving?
Trinkets from Another World
Octo-parts and Octo-tarts!
A Darker Shade of Magic In this workshop you will imagine and design the objects that open the door to the other Londons. You will also curate a collection of contraband items that Kell would have brought back to his refuge. What stories do these objects tell?
The Soul of an Octopus Come explore the anatomy and physiology of an octopus by doing a dissection and analysis of a fresh specimen of this captivating cephalopod. Then indulge your inner cook and make a grilled lemon and herb baby octopus culinary masterpiece to share!
This Is My Song A Darker Shade of Magic, Children of Blood and Bone, The Leavers, The Soul of an Octopus, Station Eleven We will write and record a song that showcases the personalities of our fictional acquaintances from across all of the books. Come create music and lyrics that capture the essence of the characters. Musicians and poets, and anyone who wants to help, please join us!
Follow Me!: Social Media Profiles from Our Characters A Darker Shade of Magic, Children of Blood and Bone, The Leavers, The Soul of an Octopus, Station Eleven Most people have at least one social media profile. Think about the characters in the book you read this summer or fall. What platform does your character choose to follow?
ON THE QUAD • 5
Evening of the Arts Celebrates 10 Years 2018 marked the 10th Anniversary of the first Evening of the Arts at CSW. Community members enjoyed the End-of-Mod 3 Show and performances by Pocket Players and the Gryphtones a cappella group. Student-models rocked the runway in fashions from the “Wearable Art” course, and Rock/Pop closed out the night with an incredible tribute to the late, great Michael Jackson.
6 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
JANE’S FAREWELL TOUR: A Celebration of Progressive Leadership at CSW
After 17 years of distinguished leadership, Jane Moulding has announced her intention to retire from The Cambridge School of Weston at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. Join us to celebrate Jane’s many accomplishments at CSW and hear about the exciting work underway that will sustain CSW’s place as a leader in progressive education.
TOUR DATES February 24, 2019 San Francisco
February 26, 2019 Los Angeles
April 10, 2019 Washington, DC
JOIN US ON CAMPUS! May 4, 2019
The Cambridge School of Weston
Gather with members of the CSW community as we celebrate Jane’s tenure and honor her many accomplishments as a leader in progressive education.
Learn more, make a gift, and submit a note of tribute www.csw.org/jane-farewell
ON THE QUAD • 7
IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE It Can’t Happen Here, this year’s fall mainstage theatre production, told the story of a liberal rebellion struggling against a newly elected totalitarian government. Based on the semi-satirical novel by Sinclair Lewis (1935) and play by Lewis and John C. Moffit, the show was played simultaneously across America in 1936 through important support by the new Federal Theater Project.
Photo by Tom Hill P’20, ’22
FALL ATHLETICS WRAP-UP
CSW Introduces Composting Program to Dining Hall By Danya Tribuna ’19
This fall, Boys Varsity Soccer made it to the semi-finals of the MBIL Division 1 tournament. Our Cross Country teams also had a stellar fall season. The boys team won their MBIL meet, and Sophomore Katie Baum came in first overall for the girls.
Students representing CSW’s Sustainability Committee recently developed an exciting partnership with Black Earth Compost to enhance the school’s food waste disposal systems. Diners returned to campus this fall to discover newly designated compost bins to put their leftovers and scraps after meals. These compostable items are then stored behind the kitchen, where they are retrieved once per week by Black Earth Compost, who stores the material elsewhere until it is ready to be utilized by CSW’s facilities and grounds crew.
8 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
NEW FACULTY & STAFF Match the new faculty member or staffer to the fun facts about them. One thing’s for sure, it’s not as easy as it looks! Answers are below.
Bobby Savino Rentals
Jacob Sagrans ’05 Library & Academic Office
Rashid Chantani Math Department
Sarah Nelson PEL Fellow, English Department
Anne-Catherine Higham Admissions Office
Russ Jarowski Strategic Technology
Colin Wilson ’08 Theatre Department
Robert Kwalick Theatre Department
Susan Mosher Admissions Office
Lorna Spence Admissions Office
9. Francie Jarowski Language Department
Andrea Finnerty Development Office
1.
• I was born in Canada but grew up in Jamaica. • I play the piano. • My favorite subject in school was chemistry. 2.
• English is not my first language. • I took my first steps as a baby in an airport. • I have had 17 addresses to date. 3.
• Back in 1981, I owned — and was an expert at! — the Popeye PP-23 Nintendo game. • I caught the drumstick at the 1984 Tear for Fears concert in Brussels. • I met the King of Thailand, chatted with the last King of Bulgaria, and had dinner with Cristina, Princess of Spain. 4.
• I have a nineteen-year-old ball python that I have raised since he was six weeks old. • I speak conversational Gaelic. • I read over fifty books in 2018.
Nat Fixx Development Office
5.
• I used to be a club and college radio DJ. • In high school I had to take a test on how to drive a tractor, and I passed! 6.
• I once owned a surfboard and a wetsuit. • I have a collection of original 1950s Peanuts books. • I taught conversational English to students from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. 7.
• I read cookbooks like other people read books, and I always try to go to a cooking class while on vacation. • There is a good chance I may not remember your name, but if you told me your birthday I will remember that. 8.
• I’m an Irish citizen, but I’ve never been to Ireland. • I’ve caught a fish with my hands while backpacking in the Rockies. • I wanted to be racecar driver when I grew up.
• I started taking amateur ballet classes at the age of 23. • I have been a vegetarian since 2001. • I love corgis! 10.
• I grew up abroad in England and Japan. • I’ve been to 21 Bruce Springsteen concerts. • I can name every best picture winner since from 1970 – present. 11.
• I am from New Orleans and LOVE Creole food. • I want to learn to speak Spanish and plan to register for an evening class soon. 12.
• I am in the process of climbing the 46 highest mountains in NY. • I taught in Syracuse City Public Schools for three years. • I love doing headstands. 13.
• If I could have five people to dinner, living or dead, they would be: Julia Louise-Dreyfus, Anthony Bourdain, Aaron Sorkin, Charles Bukowski, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. • My hobbies include painting and photography. • I am the president, GM, and head superintendent of a private golf club in Vermont.
ANSWERS Rashid: 1, Andrea: 2, Anne-Catherine: 3, Francie: 4, Russ: 5, Robert: 6, Susan: 7, Sarah: 8, Jacob: 9, Bobby: 10, Lorna: 11, Colin: 12 Nat: 13
ON THE QUAD • 9
Let’s Talk Israel: Anti-Semitism vs. Legitimate Criticism This fall, students in CSW’s Jewish Culture and Interfaith clubs hosted a lunch talk featuring guest speaker Maria Ntourlia, who led the group in a discussion about how to decipher between anti-Semitism and legitimate criticism when it comes to debate about Israel. Ntourlia, who has worked as a legal adviser to the Greek Permanent Mission to the United Nations and a researcher at the Abba Eban Chair of International Diplomacy in Israel, equipped community members with tools to help them foster productive conversations surrounding controversial issues and topics.
The Thompson Gallery Presents:
HOUSE + WIFE REVISITED December 17, 2018 – March 15, 2019
House + Wife Revisited presents Evelyn Davis-Walker’s assemblage installation that converts the Thompson Gallery into a 1940s Sears and Roebuck home, replete with period objects that critically explore 1930-1959 advertisement imagery.
GALLERY TALK: Saturday, February 9, 2019, 1-2 p.m. ARTIST RESIDENCY: February 25-26, 2019 ASSEMBLY PRESENTATION: Monday, February 25, 2019, 10-11 a.m. RECEPTION: Tuesday, February 26, 2019, 4-7 p.m.
10 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
FEATURED COURSE
Short Narrative Film Modeled after a college- or graduate-level course, CSW’s Short Narrative Film class explores the primary elements of independent filmmaking using digital production tools. Students are tasked with navigating the full production process, from initial story development to post production and final editing, with the goal of producing an original short film by the end of the mod. Along the way, students develop skills in screenwriting, storyboarding, composition and camera movement, dub sound, lighting, shooting dialogue, and live audio recording. During the first week of class, each student conceptualizes the film they would like to make and develops the materials they will need to bring their project to life, in this case, a storyboard, character profiles, a logline, and a full page of dialogue written in proper screenplay format. Once this process is complete, students formally pitch their films to their peers in hopes of securing “funding” — Monopoly money pre-distributed by the course instructor. The experience is meant to simulate that of a working filmmaker looking to raise funds and obtain the buy-in necessary to get their film made. The amount of funding raised by each filmmaker ultimately dictates the shooting order for the class. The student who raises the most money gets to shoot last, an advantage that affords them with substantially more time to execute their work. Once production begins, each student is 100% in charge of their individual project, an undertaking that can be an incredibly difficult, but incredibly valuable, experience. “Students often have experience working in groups, but they’re rarely put in charge of giving other students tasks,” Art Department Chair and course instructor Chris Whittaker explains. “Through this process, they learn
important soft skills, like how to ask someone to do something without coming off as overly demanding. How to maintain composure at times of stress. How to manage external factors beyond their control, like weather or natural lighting.” As the director, it is each student’s responsibility to create a shooting schedule, assign a crew, and cast acting roles. In an effort to ensure that students develop a variety of skills, job assignments typically rotate from shoot to shoot. For one production, a student may be an actor, and the next, the boom operator, for example. Each student gets two days to shoot their film. “I consider myself a cinematographer, so it was really interesting to be put into the role of being a writer, director, and editor,” shares student Robin Glass ’20. “It made me have a deeper appreciation for all roles on set.” After filming, the editing phase begins, with regular opportunities for peer feedback. Students are encouraged to consider each film as if they were investors, in doing so offering the filmmaker a more realistic idea of what a professional appraisal might look like. Taking this commentary into consideration, students
then move into the post-production phase, which often involves extensive dubbing and foley work—that is, the reproduction of everyday sounds. Interestingly, no background knowledge in film is required for the course. Rather, all of the relevant skills work — most notably the technical know-how involved in using the camera equipment and editing software — is learned on the go. This is born out of an effort to promote a culture of exploration and experimentation at CSW, where failures and mistakes are very much a part of the learning process. Ultimately, students are graded based on their effort and engagement with the production process, rather than on the final product. The student who takes a risk and fails may earn a higher grade than the one who plays it safe and yields a more polished film. “At the end of the day, if you come out of this course a better storyteller, that’s really all I care about,” Chris says. “The technical stuff is easy to learn and apply; it’s the stories we tell ourselves and share with others that truly enrich our lives.” The short films created through the “Short Narrative Film” course premiere every year at the end-of-mod show for that particular mod.
FEATURED COURSE • 11
12 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Po-wei Weng
International Student Advisor
Po-wei Weng wears many hats at CSW. In addition to his role as international student advisor, he is a dorm parent, Mandarin teacher, and chair of the Language Department. We sat down with him to learn more about his role as international student advisor and the work he does to help international students have a successful transition into CSW, providing academic, cultural, and social support for the duration of their time here.
What are some of your goals as CSW’s international student advisor? My short-term plan is to establish an efficient system to support the academic and cultural needs of all our international students. In the meantime, I would also like to develop stronger communication channels with our international families, to let the families know what their children are doing and encourage better engagement in the community. Another one of my goals is to establish a more comprehensive program facilitating the integration of, and exchange between, domestic and international students. Long-term, I am hoping to introduce CSW’s progressive education model to the global community for further cross-cultural dialogue. What is one thing you wish more people knew about the international student experience? Our international students have so much to offer and we can learn so much from them. Each one of them is a book, a story for you to discover. So I encourage community
members to look beyond what language barriers they have in conversations in and outside of the classroom. Make an effort to learn who they are as people — what they have experienced, where they come from — and learn more about their ways of doing things and their view of the world. We are bringing the world to our campus, and it’s important that we seize this incredible opportunity for meaningful cross-cultural exchange. What can CSW community members and others do to make the United States a more welcoming place for international students and friends? Remember, no matter how strong and happy they look, many of our students are young kids coming from countries thousands of miles away. In most cases, the United States is a place that is completely foreign to them, where people speak a different language, eat different food, write with different logic and structure, and enjoy different music, books, popular cultural items, and more. And many of them are here alone, without the support
systems of family and friends. So be thoughtful, and be kind. Offer support, have patience, and reserve judgment. Allow them time to find comfort here. The benefits are enormous. What advice would you offer to someone considering a study abroad experience? I have a few suggestions: • Acquire a certain level of the target language before you go. It is the key to unlocking a new culture in a quick and efficient way. • Be open-minded and brave. Try new things, think and do in novel ways, and immerse yourself in the new environment. • Don’t hesitate to express who you are and where you are from. Don’t lose yourself in trying to assimilate. • Last but not least, do some research on the local laws and regulations, and don’t assume that the things you can do at home can be done in a different country. “Common sense” may not always apply.
TEXT GOES HERE • 13
Po-wei Weng leads “Mandarin 3” students through an in-class exercise.
FEATURE
14 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
Setting the PACE
FEATURE • 15
Y
ou’re driving along in your car when suddenly, you feel the wheel start to pull you astray. The car starts to thump and wobble along the pavement as you drive. It’s happening. You’ve got a flat tire. You find a safe parking area and pull over. You check the hatch in the trunk and you’re in luck — there’s a spare! Except it doesn’t matter. Because no one ever taught you to change a flat. You can read music, interpret Shakespeare, speak conversational French, debate the ethics of capital punishment, and even — after all these years — recite the first twelve digits of pi, but when it comes to handling a jack and lug wrench, you freeze. And that’s when you ask yourself: Why don’t they teach this kind of stuff in school?
}
Promoting Awareness and Community Engagement
It’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves in varying contexts and scenarios, shedding light on the fact that when it comes to secondary education, our schools may not be fully preparing students to be independent, successful adults. And we’re not just talking about practical skills like changing a flat or managing a bank account. Many schools neglect to foster increasingly important skills like mindfulness, digital literacy, alliance building, and service learning into their academic programs. CSW IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT. In this Part Two to the “Mod Makeover” piece in the Spring/Summer 2018 issue of The Gryphon, we offer a sneak peek at our exciting new PACE co-curriculum, set to launch in the Fall of 2019.
“As director of Harvard’s Making Caring Common initative, it’s exciting for me to see CSW taking sincere, actionable steps to integrate socialemotional learning and human development programming into their educational model.” — Richard Weissbourd Senior Lecturer on Education; Faculty Director, Human Development and Psychology, Harvard Graduate School of Education
16 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
A Closer Look... PACE: Promoting Awareness and Community Engagement, has been strategically designed to ensure that all students develop self-awareness, social consciousness, healthy living habits, life skills, and leadership techniques that will serve them into adulthood. The program is meant to equip students with strategies for addressing real-life
challenges, like how to detect what’s real and fake on the internet; what it means to engage in a healthy, consensual romantic relationship; what purposeful community service really looks like; or how to manage the sudden onslaught of stress when all of your deadlines hit at exactly the same time.
SERVICE LEARNING
Through PACE, CSW strives to create a new generation of young people who are as resilient, self-aware, and kind as they are intelligent and creative. Our world is in desperate need of compassionate leaders, and CSW is excited to lead the charge towards a new way of educating and mentoring our youth.
Service learning is NOT the same as traditional “community service,” which runs on an episodic, bean-counting system based on hours logged. Service learning is community engagement work that is: • rooted in relationship building and leadership opportunities • directly connected to academic programming • regularly assessed and reflected upon
PACE TERMINOLOGY
SOCIALEMOTIONAL LEARNING
Social-emotional learning is the process by which students develop cognitive, emotional, and social competencies.
Under the studio model, students work like apprentices in a common space under the tutelage of a “master.” Throughout the process, students:
STUDIO LEARNING
• interact with each other on their designs, projects, or products • undergo periodic critiques of their work • research, apply, revise, and self-evaluate • publicly present the culmination of their work
FEATURE • 17
In creating the PACE program, we asked ourselves, what if, by the time they graduate, every CSW student developed the following practices and skills? What kind of world would that yield? We think a pretty great one.
WHAT IF EVERY STUDENT...
▶▶ Truly understood the meaning and value of empathy and compassion? ▶▶ Lived proudly in the present, understanding the disparities between the digital universe of their cell phone and everyday life? ▶▶ Felt confident and comfortable with person-to-person, face-to-face interaction, self-advocating with assuredness and poise? ▶▶ Developed a sincere desire to engage with their communities, building meaningful relationships and gladly lending a helping hand as needed? ▶▶ Made personal health a priority, knowing how and when to care for their bodies and their minds? ▶▶ Valued and regularly sought to perpetuate a more equitable and diverse world?
18 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
THE PACE CO-CURRICULUM, YEAR BY YEAR Every other Wednesday, students will spend their morning engaging in intentionally designed, grade-specific programming covering a wide range of topics and concepts. In the afternoon, students will transition to studio-based service learning projects, teaching them the ins and outs of meaningful community engagement using a hands-on, participatory model.
GRADE
GRADE
9
10
MORNING PROGRAM: FOUNDATIONS
MORNING PROGRAM: MIND-BODY CONNECTION
In grade 9, students explore practices and concepts related to community citizenship, creating shared language around identity, privilege, and oppression and building a sense of self in relation to peers, adults, and their community. In addition, students develop important foundational thinking related to physical, mental, behavioral, and relational health.
The focus of the grade 10 PACE curriculum is to promote an understanding of mental, physical, and emotional connection; learning how to exercise self-care for personal and relational health; and building a positive self-identity while practicing effective decision-making skills through mindfulness education.
AFTERNOON PROGRAM: GLOBAL STUDIO
AFTERNOON PROGRAM: HYPER LOCAL STUDIO
Our 9th grade Global Studio introduces students to the concept of service learning and provides them with the space to build and practice implementing the skills necessary for meaningful and impactful community engagement. Students consider issues and questions of global significance, conduct relevant research, and develop potential solutions.
In the 10th grade, students take skills gained in the 9th grade Global Studio and apply them to direct service learning opportunities in our school community. This studio allows students to think about whether their challenges have broader impacts, research the ins and outs of the problem, and develop potential solutions for deployment.
FEATURE • 19
“I am excited and heartened by CSW’s courage in setting specific time in its schedule to create space and energy for faculty and students to connect over crucial practices in life skills. It certainly sends a strong and important message about what it means to educate the whole person, and I hope to see it create more humanity in what feels to be an increasingly de-humanizing world.” — Karen Schwartz P’21
GRADE
GRADE
11
12
MORNING PROGRAM: ALLIANCE BUILDING ACROSS CULTURAL DIFFERENCES In grade 11, students will deepen their understanding of the historical roots of current inequities through study, experience, and reflection. Concurrent service learning opportunities allow students to gain a more personal understanding of equity and justice, as well as build on their knowledge of individual and shared identities.
MORNING PROGRAM: SENIOR SEMINAR In the grade 12 Senior Seminar, students will reflect on and consolidate their CSW experience. As they prepare for the transition to life beyond CSW, they will continue to build skills and confidence around self-representation; practice habits related to personal health and self-care; hone adult life skills; and increase resourcefulness and resilience while building a strong sense of self and personal values.
AFTERNOON PROGRAM: INNOVATION + DESIGN STUDIO
AFTERNOON PROGRAM: PRACTICUM
Our 11th grade Innovation + Design Studio asks groups of students, guided by a mentor, to define a problem in conjunction with a community or group they have direct access to. The studio asks each group to research the problem deeply and pinpoint an organization that tackles this to create a potential partnership. The group will then work with the organization to create a future action plan that fits the needs of the partner and highlights the strengths of the members of the group.
Focused on action and implementation, the Practicum year continues the approved projects from the Innovation + Design Studio. Groups commit time to working directly with partnering organizations to actualize their projects and assess viability throughout the year. The year will culminate in a celebration of the projects for the CSW community, during which students will present their projects, process, and reflections.
20 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
Then
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&
NOW
22 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
CLASS NOTES 1940s
50 years of teaching, I became an Industrial Hygienist specializing in environmental assessments and wetland delineation and mitigation until the ravagement of neuropathy took me out of almost everything I cherished (with exceptions). Ira Carmen ’53 visited the Tom Brady Sports Therapy Center in Foxboro, MA where he receieved instruction in the Brady “pliability” training procedure. He also provided schooling for the Brady staff in the fitness regimen of a competitive 83-year-old distance runner. Ira, who has been on the roads for 42 years, stands #1 amoung his peers in the mid-Hudson Valley.
Duscha Weisskopf ’42 with Gail Spilsbury ’72.
Duscha Weisskopf ’42 visited campus and met with students in the “American Immigrant Literature” course about her immigration story and early days at The Cambridge School of Weston. Paul Sapir ’46 writes: retired from practicing psychiatry and psychoanalysis in 2011, still living in Providence. I chug along, and managed to survive turning 90 this summer. All things considered, I’m in pretty good health and have been sporting a recently new hip and a newer (opposite) knee. My wife and I see our children pretty often, and our two grandsons are thriving. The older starts at Shady Hill shortly, which at least years ago was sort of CSW Prep. Attended the reunion two years ago, but was the only attendee from my class.
1950s
Murray Weil ’51 reports: Well into the so-called golden years of retirement, I find myself reflecting how the formative years of September 1948 through June 1951 at The Cambridge School of Weston helped shape my character, my future and my life. I
will be forever grateful for the enduring friendships cultivated, the unique and outstanding teachers and the school – its academic and athletic programs and its progressive policies. Most of all the happiness I found at the Cambridge School. Richard Richards ’52 reports: At 84, sadly, I am now house-bound in an electric wheelchair, unable to use my legs due to neuropathy. I miss research, teaching, and the joy of working in various outdoor environments. I thank the powers that I had a year at CSW and exposure to Hans Biermann and was able to continue with the advice and knowledge of Dolph and Jeanette Cheek, whom had been my secondary parents while at Park School in Snyder, NY during some of my earlier youth. At CSW, I learned to think, evaluate, and solve problems, priceless gifts that helped me become the scientist I wanted to be and the professor that passed on the same skills to thousands of students. The substitute CSW had in place of traditional PE helped me to enjoy the wonders of nature and our responsibility to nature’s care and protection. After
Janet Newton Weinberg ’54 writes: recently moved to Burlingame, CA in the peninsula, south of San Francisco to be closer to my son who lives in San Francisco and has children (seven- and nine-year-old grandsons). I do hope to get to any CSW gatherings near here. Sandra Ross Behrens ’54 reports: Good grief, I’m still here, and Larry Kelly is too. We are researching retirement homes, but still not willing to make that move. Dogs are welcome, but I’m not sure ours would be. We have two 13-year-old, male Maltese/ Havenese boys, who are very jealous of one another. And we were lousy trainers. They keep us active and walking so we are in pretty good health. Our Oregon weather has been the envy of the country this past year, so we are blessed. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Joan Shapiro Johnson ’54? Love to all my classmates. Rachel Cutler Schwartz ’55: Call for news sounded as though I needed to have accomplished something. Well, I haven’t. But I’m thinking about starting a blog about grief. As my classmates will no doubt remember, I was known for flaunting the rules and playing the piano. A severe head injury put an end to the piano playing. I had always wanted to
be able to take black and white photographs. I found myself in Portland, OR (a.k.a. “photo city”). I began studying photography and learned that all those years of looking at pictures paid off. I’m now in a wonderful photo co-op. But all this is off the point. Grief. My husband of 54 years died about a year ago. Although lots of theoretically supportive stuff ended up in the mail, with a few exceptions, it wasn’t very helpful. Grief is different for everyone, I was so lucky. Mark was a partner in every sense of the word. The loss is enormous. The amazing thing that I have discovered is that it seems that people who I thought were my friends seem to believe that I’m the one who died. I’ve been sitting in my house, mostly alone, with the exception of two wonderful people who have subtly looked after me. I’m sure that there are people out there, and even close by, who have experienced the same thing. I don’t know what I’ll say in this proposed blog, but I’ll probably put it on Word Press. I promise it will not be earth shattering. I’m still about 12-years-old, have retained my pretty odd sense of humor. If there are any Cambridge alumni/ae out there who would like to get in touch with me, I would welcome it. As for the Cambridge School of Weston, I’d really like a do over. It has morphed into something wonderful while retaining its original philosophy. It doesn’t leave you. I would say it formed me. Carol Singer Rabinovitz ’55 reports: We recently moved back to Newton. Would love to see some classmates. Heli Spiegel Meltsner ’56 writes: My second book, The Arts and Crafts Houses of Massachusetts: A Style Rediscovered, is due out in May, 2019 from Bauham Publishing. Researching, writing, photographing and publishing it has been a long but pleasurable journey. The book provides an account of Arts and Craft’s travel from its origins in England to Massachusetts and the social and
CLASS NOTES • 23
architectural background for its spread here. It illustrates in text and many photographs this complex style in such a way that people interested in history and architecture but neither historians nor architects can understand these fascinating but underappreciated houses. My husband, daughters, sons-in-laws and four grandchildren continue to gather each summer at our house in Rockport, MA.
Elizabeth Leach Gallery were completed this year. However, the range of sizes, formats, materials and motifs—ten inches to eight feet, polygon, square, skinny rectangle, found sheet metal, wood panels, rubber sheeting, tape, oil paint, line drawing, brushy painting—samples her interests over the length of her career. The exhibition at the Elizabeth Leach Gallery ran through October 27, 2018.
William Kargman ’57 writes: On July 8, 2018, Lynn and I had our first grandchild. Our grandson’s name is Richmond Young Holden IV, named after his father. His mother is our first of two daughters, Kathryn Kargman Holden. Our second daughter, Kimberly, is currently working for Planned Parenthood of Boston. Both daughters attended BB&N when Jane Moulding was head of the middle school.
1960s
Ross Hall ’58 writes: Bonnie and I continue to enjoy life on Cape Cod (Harwich Port), where I volunteer for the Harwich Conservation Trust, working to help keep the Massachusetts coast healthy and clean. We look forward to a rail-based tour of Switzerland and Germany this September 2018. We were able attend part of the 2018 Reunion in May 2018, and were impressed with the school’s physical plant as it has developed in the 60 years since my graduation. Thomas Hinkle ’58 participated in an annual exhibit at the Small Point Club, Phippsburg, ME, August 12-19. Several paintings were displayed. Judy Cooke Hanson ’59: “The birth of an artist,” Paul Sutinen’s interview with Judy Cooke, focuses on the Portland painter’s development as an artist. Since her first exhibitions 45 years ago, Judy Cooke has been a leading artist in the realm of “painting” in Portland, though paint is just one aspect of her materials palette. All of her works in the current exhibition, “Conversation: Aluminum, Oil, Rubber” at the
For more than four decades, there was at least one Webber involved with The Cambridge School of Weston. Ron Webber ’58 entered as a 9th-grade student in 1954; Karen Webber Mulhauser ’60 followed in 1956 as a 9th grader and Steve Webber ’62 started in 1956 in the 7th grade; Susie ’65 started in 1960; followed by Peter in 1961. But that’s not all! Ron’s children went to CSW – Annie from 1993 to 1997 and James from 1999 to 2003. But that’s not all! Father, Harold Webber, was on the board in the 1960s and Ron was on the board during the time his children were at the school and treasurer of the board during that time. But, that’s not all! Mother, Leta Webber, taught middle school math, Ron taught high school math and Karen taught middle and high school sciences. But that’s not all! Karen met her husband Fritz Mulhauser in faculty meeting in September 1967. She looked at his ring finger and they married in August 1968. But that’s not all. Not only did Karen marry 50 years ago in 1968, but Susie and Steve did as well, and Ron married in 1978. So, in September 2018 the Webber family gathered with 150 friends to celebrate their 140th wedding anniversary. The Webbers grew up in Groton, MA and the festive anniversary with over 150 guests, was at the top of Gibbet Hill in Groton. Steve still has a home in Groton, plus 500 acres, Gibbet Hill, which he purchased to keep from being sold to developers. At the top of Gibbet Hill is a castle, the site of the celebration.
Karen Webber Mulhauser ’60, Steve Webber ’65, and friends.
“Beyond Words” Oil on Wood 16”X20” by Susan Landor Keegin ’63
Susan Landor Keegin ’63 writes: My book paintings was part of Studio Gallery’s “The Written Word” show August 2-27, 2018. I am pleased to be included in this great gathering of art inspired by books and writing. Christopher St. John ’63 writes: I much enjoyed being with classmates Carl Brotman ’63 and
Sally Levin Brotman ’63, Jane Kite ’65, and Evie Parker ’63 at the May 2018 reunion, touring the new Health and Fitness Center, singing in memory of Joe Schaff, and marveling at all the building additions fitting into the campus under Jane Moulding’s leadership of the school. Erik Erikson and his wife Joan suggest “transcendance”
24 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
as a worthy aspiration for this last phase of life, and it turns out that CSW well prepared us for this as for all the previous life stages. I recommend a visit to any graduates who have not made the trip recently. Meanwhile, life in Maine continues “as it should be.” Keep singing, dancing, and appreciating. George Lloyd ’63 writes: An exhibition of 15 of my works covering several decades (1971 – 2013) were shown July 14 – August 19, 2018 at the George Marshall Store Gallery in York, ME. The show contained an assortment of drawings and watercolors as well as paintings. The four 70s works in the show were all made in Berkeley, CA . The remainder were fashioned in various eastern locales, but mostly here in Maine, my home base of long standing. More curious types may want to visit my Instagram site: www. instagram.com/geolloyd3.
Devra Weber ’64 and friends.
Devra Weber ’64 writes: I was a photographer and in the late 1960s and early 1970s took photographs for several Chicano newspapers in LA. For the fiftieth anniversary of 1968, some of my photos were part of an 18-month exhibit, “La Raza” at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles (named after the newspaper); a small show at UCLA, and an exhibit at the Manuel Alvarez Bravo Talleres in Oaxaca, curated by an old friend. I’m delighted the photos are finally out and being seen by large numbers of students, especially in LA. I continue to teach, specifically two classes on US Working Class and labor, and another that began as an
Artwork by George Lloyd ’63
historical look at mass incarceration and 21st century detentions and deportations in the US. Its morphed into a class looking into the long history of white supremacy in the US, an especially relevant topic given our present circumstances. Michael – my partner – and I took a road trip through the Mississippi Delta and Alabama this summer, stopping at the memorial to lynching victims created by the Equal Justice Initiative. I recommend visiting it in Montgomery, AL. A highlight of the trip was the Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, MS which is a terrific, interactive, thorough and moving museum. We stopped in Selma, towns in the Delta, and Birmingham where we visited the Baptist church and the park, kittycorner from the church. We were on a road trip, so while we talked with people, we got a sense of the land, the spaces (among them the infamous Parchman prison) and the battling historical plaques – with salutes to Confederates now facing plaques of the Civil Rights Movement and histories hitherto left untouched. (e.g. Thibidoux massacre, or the 1811 slave revolt in Louisiana). We’d hoped to get to Atlanta where we would have called on James Bond ’63, but unfortunately our trip was cut short.
Will Haible ’64, Lisa Little Leyre ’64, and Bob Fogel ’64 write: Our classmate and good friend Gary L. Charles ’64 died May 29, 2018 at his home in Kalispell, MT. He and Terry, his wife of 42 years, moved there in 2015 after he retired. They joined their two sons already there, Jason and Micah and their families, on a small family farm that they expanded into a small ranch and raised cattle. At our 50th reunion Gary said it was a beautiful part of the world where he always wanted to live after retiring, and he and Terry were thrilled to be there. Gary was always cheerful and courteous with classmates, other students, and all at CSW. A real gentleman. He loved sports and was quite good at them; football, basketball, and baseball. After college, Gary moved to the Denver area and had a long and happy career teaching high school math and other subjects, and coaching sports. Gary loved his family and was very involved with his church. Terry and his family are thankful that Gary is still with Jesus and God, where he also always liked to be. Notes can be sent to Terry at 140 Marvins Way, Kalispell, Montana 59901.
Lisa Little Leyre ’64 writes: My husband Daniel died in October, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. We were married for 47 years, and our children Tom, Ben, and Marie have produced 7 terrific grandchildren who will keep me on my toes in the years to come. I haven’t been able to travel since our fabulous 50th reunion, but shall soon show up on one or another classmate’s doorstep… unless they prefer to come to visit me in France. All are welcome. Tsultrim Allione (Joan Ewing ’65) presented May 18, 2018 in North Andover, MA on her new book, Wisdom Rising (which received rave reviews from a variety of sources). At the book event, Lama Tsultrim explored the themes from her new book with an interview with Lama Willa Miller, the founder and spiritual director of Natural Dharma Fellowship (NDF). R. Laurence Davis ’65 writes: I have retired from my position at the University of New Haven and have moved to Concord, NH. I continue to work and teach at Camp Pemigewassett in Wentworth, NH. This is my 49th summer there as director of nature programs and teaching. During retirement, I plan to focus my energies on getting more
CLASS NOTES • 25
Chuck Jones ’66 and Richard Shapiro ’66
kids out into nature. I am working on this with the Children and Nature Network and the American Camp Association.
Surrounded by this art of nature and art of humanity, they sit down and get into the meaning of it all.
Richard Shapiro ’66 writes: Reconnected with Chuck Jones ’66 after missing him at several of our reunions. He visited Santa Fe for a few days, where Kathy and I had lunch with him, as well as Nancy Cate ’68. I’m enclosing a picture of the two of us at our lunch. Ed Hamilton ’66 and I have birthdays one day apart, and we celebrated them together this year.
Robin Engel Finnegan ’66 writes: In April we moved from Cambridge to Oakland, CA! Both our sons, daughter-in-law and grandchildren live in the area. As it became increasingly clear they were settling in and likely to stay here, we decided it was time for us to move. Many aspects of why we liked living in Cambridge are also the case here. A huge upside is living in a temperate climate conducive to year-round outdoor activities (and not having to deal with snow in the city). We are already experiencing the enormous pleasures of living close to our offspring. We were able to have dinner with our son Seth on his birthday, which hasn’t happened for over 20 years. On Memorial Day, after spending a few hours walking in a beautiful park, we went down to San Jose to have dinner with our son Noah and his family. My other happy news is that Seth got married in October to his wonderful girlfriend Erin. They live about a mile from us.
Shanti Toll ’66 was recently interviewed by Adam Williams of Humanitou about the metaphysical, the Garden of the Goddesses, and lessons from the Sixties and their relevance now. It’s quiet at the house Shanti shares with his wife, Coreen. The array of a few dozen masks that came from around the world hang prominently within immediate view of the front and back doors. They are silent but full of stories. The landscape framed by large windows at the back of the house is world-class, and in part because of Shanti’s work. Red Rock Canyon Open Space, essentially, is a jaw-dropping extension of the Tolls’ backyard.
Stephanie Nolin Selden ’67 with family and friends.
Helen Wilson ’66
Helen Wilson ’66 shares: I continue to live in my hometown, Wellfleet MA, making paintings, keeping bees and chickens, planting trees and growing some of my own food. I’m also going into my 19th year as a public servant, currently serving my 3rd term on the Selectboard. This year, the man I lived with for almost 48 years died. Because of that, everything is different. I’m OK but also not OK. OK is a manyspleandored thing. Not OK is equally varied. I’m in a constant state of discovery. CSW folks may be interested in seeing Stephanie Nolin Selden ’67 with Christina Selden Moskow and Sarah Selden Bush (see photo). CSW teachers and students will
remember Sarah and Stina as members of the first infanttoddler class of Children’s Garden / Second Story at CSW. Stephanie writes: In the spring of 2017, members of our ’67 CSW class gathered around the school campus to reconnect with each other and with the school. Looking back now, I appreciate meeting adults whom I knew as teens and revisiting times we shared 50 years ago. Hugs to Kate Taylor ’67 and Finley McQuaid who joined our class for reunion! I am more than very busy with the farm here in Petersham. Eagles soar above the hayfields, blue herons cruise into the ponds, owls and coyotes sound in the forest, bears ravage the raspberries, flower gardens need tending and there’s more for me to do than will ever be done. Then, there are the local, state, and national political group activities and land conservation initiatives in which I play a part. Environmental protection is a priority since it is key to survival of everything we value. This area abounds with concerts and art shows and lectures and farm markets and worthy causes. My daughters and grands surround me as sources of joy and inspiration. We are all stewards of a world that we’ll pass on to next generations. Let’s make it a place where all can thrive in health and peace.
26 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
Photos of Bob Dylan’s high school and home taken by Robert Friesen ’71.
“Between Blue & Cloud,” Acrylic&Flashe on canvas, 24 x 30 inches, 2018, by Anna Dibble Newton ’69
Anna Dibble Newton ’69 writes: I moved from Landgrove, Vermont to Portland, Maine three years ago, after the death of my husband John, and started a new series of paintings. I drastically changed the style of my previous work – an on-and-off 40-year effort/drive, while I mostly made a living doing other things. Now, for the first time in life, I was able to paint and write full time. It was a challenge to work in a way in which I had this sort of freedom. Last summer, I had my first solo exhibit of the new work at a gallery in York, ME. This summer I have a solo at a new gallery in Vergennes, VT, a show in Blue Hill, ME, another in York, and a group exhibit at Maine College of Art. The work continues to grow, change, evolve. It gets better and more and more astonishing, mysterious. I’m thoroughly enjoying the ride, and am grateful. Take a look.
1970s
Celeste Nossiter ’70: After 30 years in the college textbook publishing business I retired 2 years ago. I’m very involved in the local fiber arts community, teaching knitting classes and organizing local events and festivals. I live just outside the city with sheep, goats, ducks, geese and cats. Enjoying every minute of it!
Robert Friesen ’71 writes: Hmmm...65...Medicare...Social Security a short reach away...time to wind down and sell the Harley. Not a chance. In May, I joined Shortest Track Investment Corp. as President and I am working for someone else for the first time since 2005. We invest in and commercialize analytic (aka AI, big data, machine learning) solutions for the private and public sectors. I will put together and manage all operations, the Boards, fundraising and fund management, finance, key partnerships, etc. Retirement? Maybe next time around. As for that Harley…. It now has 40,000 miles and has been from Minnesota to Mississippi and Iowa to Ohio. One bucket list trip was to Duluth and Hibbing, MN where Bob Dylan grew up. Inhabited by the muse. Aloof in interviews. Profound in verse and song. Rolling Stone’s top song of all time (Like a Rolling Stone). After a night in Milwaukee with Jon Spigel ’71, I rode the perfectly paved, traffic-free back roads through the ChequamegonNicolet National Forest – north/ south one day and east/west the next – and saw Bob’s first home (1941-6) in Duluth (the Zimmermans lived in the top/ right apartment) as well as the hospital where he was born and the school where he went to
kindergarten. The following day, I rode through thick, cold fog to see his home in Hibbing, the high school where he started his first band and the nearby “strip” which still reflects the 1950’s. The Zimmermans. A Jewish family in a rough northern Minnesotan shipping town. I wondered about the impressions left on Bob growing up with the wind blowing off Lake Superior in the middle of winter. He wasn’t an aloof Greenwich Village folkhippie. He is a typical taciturn Minnesotan with a rugged soul who says less rather than more. Next year: “revisit” to ride Highway 61 which runs from Duluth to the Canadian border. Saxophonist/composer Jane Ira Bloom ’72 received the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album for her jazz trio project Early Americans. She also won the 2018 Downbeat International Jazz Critics Poll and the Jazz Journalists Association award for soprano saxophone. Oliver Griffith ’72 writes: I am happy to be living in France, a more enlightened place than the US at present. Since retiring from the World Bank, I’ve mostly been doing professional writing of speeches and articles for development organizations and companies. A nice gig since I can do it while traveling. Also playing some Jazz on the side in lesser known Parisian venues. Hoping to participate in another rejuvenation of the CSW band of classes 1971-72. Always happy to welcome old schoolmates at our country place an hour south of Paris.
Thomas Martin ’72 writes: My life has changed. Due to Parkinson’s and a hip replacement, I was forced into early retirement and lost my driver’s license. This makes it unlikely I will be able to attend any future CSW reunions. I still have the joys of sharing life with my wife Susan and living in Maine. I now have three grandchildren to enjoy. Nina Wishengrad ’72 writes: A rehabilitated copywriter, I am now able to spend more time writing what I want to write and traveling to Ireland to keep up with my daughter, the ex-pat. Being abroad only emphasizes how awful it is to live in the US at this time in history and how very good CSW is at turning out involved and informed citizens. Christopher Lovell ’73: Julie and I moved our empty nest to Charlestown (Boston) a few years ago. At the end of the day, we chased a couple of our kids to the city. Our little place is pretty easy to manage and a good change. I work everyday for Takeda Pharmaceuticals near MIT. One very nice aspect of being in Cambridge during the day is getting to see Marilee (Sunni) Meyer on occasion. One of these days, I will get organized enough to see Linda Nathan ’73 and Amanda Bowen ’73 more. Because we have a new grandson near Denver, I hope to see more of David Paul and Kathy as they have settled in Boulder. For some reason, our paths are near but rarely cross.
CLASS NOTES • 27
Does anyone else think it strange that we may pass each other on the street and not recognize one another? I suspect this happens all the time. I suppose this supports the idea of returning for reunions. Margaret Lauterstein Mandell ’74 writes: My first submission to Class Notes, but I promise to keep it brief! After living, working, and raising two kids in New York City, my husband and I moved after 35 years to Northern Virginia where I work as a senior copywriter in the marketing department of George Mason University. I try to go into DC often to take advantage of the free museums and many restaurants, but I’m a New Yawker at heart and miss it a lot. Having also lived in Boston and Los Angeles, I’m sure another move is in our not-so-distant future. Caroline Ryan Chase ’74 writes: Jeff and I were in Boston September 7th for the Opening Exhibition of his latest paintings at The Chase Young Gallery in the South End. We still love being in Boston to stay connected with special friends and family, especially the Yozells. Jeanne Yozell P’71, ’73, ’76 will celebrate her 90th birthday this fall and she has been a huge supporter of CSW, brother Derek ’72, and is an inspiration. John Warrington ’75 writes: I’ve been working and living in Nicaragua since 2005. Our current project is developing large scale cocoa plantations. Since April 18, 2018, the country has been experiencing a revolution with the people rejecting the current government of Daniel Ortega, the communist dictator that overthrew the last fascist dictator Anastasio Somoza in 1979 – not that there is any difference between socialism and fascism; they are two extremes representing government control of the people. Ortega was re-elected in 2006 and, true to the socialist program, has consolidated power ever since. It’s been fascinating and sickening to watch as students and other citizens are killed by a regime desperate to remain in power and
a strong reminder about why one should avoid isms at all costs. History has a way of repeating itself and, it would appear, appeasers seem to have a knack at letting it happen. Ellen Wasserman Miller ’75 writes: My book Creating Couture Embellishment teaches its readers how to transform clothing from plain to luxurious and polished. The finishing touches applied to a garment can take it from the realms of the ordinary to new heights of luxury. With the aid of 1,840 illustrations, Creating Couture Embellishment is a step-by-step guide to enhancing one’s wardrobe and making it unique and distinctively memorable. Each chapter opens with a full-scale bodice, demonstrating one of the many techniques readers are able to learn about. All other techniques are featured as close-ups on sleeves and photographed fully completed. The author assumes readers will possess some basic sewing skills. The majority of the techniques shown involve hand sewing. Creating Couture Embellishment is the result of several years of thoughtful editorial labor, design, and production. It is a very special volume that would complete the library of any enthusiastic sewist. Before becoming an author I was a teacher at Boston’s School of Fashion Design, teaching classes in couture details, construction and pattern drafting, and more. Before teaching I worked as a theatre costumer, wardrobe mistress and stage hand in the United States and Europe. Jacob Allderdice ’76 writes: I challenged myself at the start of 2018 to start submitting stories for publication more regularly. I hope to have 50 rejections by the end of the year! Unfortunately, with the challenge has come one or two setbacks: several short stories have in fact been accepted for publication this year. Most recently, “Waking Rebecca O’Flaherty” was published in “HCE Review,” from University College Dublin. It tells the story of a man whose last hope for a job reference letter has died; he goes
to her wake to be certain. Joanna Fink ’76 writes: I was the guest-curator of the exhibition “Modernism and its Legacy,” held at the McIninch Art Gallery at Southern New Hampshire University from November 1 December 15, 2018. Having been the director of the Alpha Gallery in Boston for decades, this was my first foray into institutional curating. Allison Lenk ’78 writes: Greetings! It was great to spend time with classmates at our 40th (gasp!) reunion in May! Kudos to those who traveled from afar to attend (Martin Cox ’78, Steve Russell ’78 and others) and to Claire Devore ’78 for hosting a fun afterparty! I continue my work as a Literacy Specialist, but am considering retiring soon as I’d like to spend more time at our house in the woods of Wellfleet and have more time for travel, most recently to Poland to explore my husband’s “roots.” I’m involved in several political, environmental, and historical organizations, so look forward to having more time to devote to this work as well!
1980s Dr. Aprille Joy Ericsson ’81, who obtained her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University, has been named a 2018 Distinguished Alumna by Tau Beta Pi (TBP), The International Engineering Honor Society, as announced in a Press Release
issued on August 16, 2018. In nominating Dr. Ericsson, the DC Alpha Chapter appreciated her life-long efforts as a forceful Agent for Change and her promotion and advancement of STEAM among our youth, especially and including minorities and women. In the award announcement, the Tau Beta Pi Association noted that: “in 2016, Dr. Ericsson became the first person of color to earn The Washington Award from the Western Society of Engineers and has been acknowledged as one of the most powerful women engineers in the world.” Tau Beta Pi is the Engineering Honor Society that was founded at Lehigh University in 1885 to provide recognition for outstanding achievement in engineering comparable to that provided by Phi Beta Kappa in the liberal arts. Now in its 22nd year, the Distinguished Alumnus Program was established to “recognize alumni who have demonstrated adherence to the ideals of Tau Beta Pi and to fostering a spirit of liberal culture.” James Eidelman ’81 stopped by CSW for a visit and to drop a copy of his book, Safety Solutions and Differences in Motor Vehicle Drivers Who Use Cellular Telephones for the library. James recently completed his doctoral degree and dissertation while attending University of Phoenix’s Online Campus Program (2007-2013). His dissertation topic is the study of computer and telecommunications law (Internet, Extranet, and Intranet).
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Everyone is invited to submit news to the alumni/ae office. Please email news and photos to alum@csw.org.
28 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
Stefano Piva ’82 writes: Hey dear CSW. I’ve been in touch with Benjamin Bolles ’81 and Sang Lee ’84; it was strange to feel this friendship like it was yesterday; 37 years ago and CSW still is the best and strongest memory of my life. See you later, my neverending dream.
Reilly and the late great Allen Toussaint. Andras is planning to record more episodes in Boston in the spring so if you have any suggestions for guests or songwriters please send them to Andras Jones at radio8ball.com. You can find Radio8Ball at all the major download hubs.
Harper Della-Piana ’83 writes: On the eighth anniversary of the sudden death of Billy Ruane ’76, the City of Cambridge approved the dedication of “Billy Ruane Square,” which will mark the corner of Brookline and Green streets where Sonia now sits at the space of the old T.T The Bear’s Place. The square named in Ruane’s honor is not too far from where his ashes rest at The Middle East Upstairs, and sits next to Mark Sandman Square on the corner of Mass. Ave. and Brookline Street, dedicated to the late Morphine frontman.
Hannah MacKenna ’87 writes: I am living in Cambridge and enjoy chilling with my CSW brethren as much as possible. Hit me up! My band, Convertible- out of Germany & Austria- has a cathartic new record releasing in November called “Holst Gate.”
Gordon Reynolds ’84 writes: My wife and I moved to Portsmouth, NH about a year ago and I just finished my first year of teaching computer science at Portsmouth High School. Loving the new school and job as well as the Portsmouth area. Hope to see lots of classmates at next year’s 35th reunion! George Saulnier ’84 began the year by buying a house in Pittsburgh. In August, he quit his day job and spent three months in San Francisco playing the title role in The Cutting Ball Theater’s production of Uncle Vanya to rave reviews and packed houses. He will now focus on making acting his primary source of income. Andras Jones ’86 just finished the first season of his Radio8Ball podcast for Starburns Audio and is about to launch season two this fall. It’s a musical divination show where guests ask questions to “The Pop Oracle,” which are answered by randomly chosen songs performed live by the songwriter. Season two will feature appearances by fellow CSW graduates JJ Gonson ’85 and Amos Glick ’85 who will join the ranks of previous guests like Viggo Mortensen, Patricia Arquette, Tig Notaro, John C.
David Levavi ’89: My wife and I live in Las Vegas, NV where I work as a senior technical writer for an international gaming software company. I am also halfway through my Master of Science degree at the University of South Dakota, where I am an honor student specializing in public administration and public health. Stop by my website at www. davidlevavi.tel and say hi! Madeleine Perlman ’89 writes: Still dancing for dollars in DC! Flamenco scene is not as inspiring here as it had been in NYC ... but having my big/little almost 6-year-old girl at my side helping me teach makes it all worthwhile. I love spying on all the Barn girls via facebook. Come visit!
1990s Katherine Whalen-Newman Costello ’93 writes: Took a long and circuitous path from studying dance to English Lit followed by lots of waitressing (where I met my husband) and then worked as a nurse’s aid at a homeless health facility before going to medical school at 30. Since then I’ve worked as a family doctor doing full spectrum care in first a predominantly Latinx community followed by five years on the Navajo Reservation. I’m now back home in Vermont working as a hospital medicine specialist in my rural community hospital, am married to Damian, a writer and amazing stay at home dad of our two kids Davin and Tali. It’s been a strange wild ride and the
Darcy Brennan Poor ’99 and family.
flexible and fluid opportunities at CSW helped set the foundation. Shannon Bartlett ’93 is living in Marblehead. Happily making a living taking care of pets and teaching barre. Simha Ravven ’95 writes: I recently got together with CSW classmate, Sarah Sable ’95, for coffee in Brooklyn and met her daughter Emeline. It was lovely to re-connect! I still live in Putney, VT with my husband, Tim Morris, and our daughters, Lucy and Yael. I have a private practice in forensic psychiatry and teach in the Yale Division of Law and Psychiatry. I enjoy clinical work and hospital administration at the Brattleboro Retreat, where I serve as the Senior Medical Director. Daniel Dahari ’96 returned to campus to spend time in the classroom to talk about Suitcase Stories and share his adoption story. Later that evening, he particapted in the Suitcase Stories event. Dan is a storyteller, educator, writer, and chef living and working in the Greater Boston area. Over the past 10 years, he has hosted, competed and performed in storytelling and stand-up comedy arenas throughout New England. You can currently find him running the bar at Mandarava in Newburyport. He also serves as
board member of Massmouth. Mattie Eisenberg ’99: Hey CSW folks, I miss you. Walla Walla, WA is a far cry from Weston and yet has proved a wonderful place for my aspirations to blossom. My business, Spruce, is reaching many people and corporations and the tiny cottage I call home hosts many sweet friends and quiet moments for just me. For anyone curious to learn more: www.destinationspruce.com. Sending kindness from the Pacific Northwest! Darcy Brennan Poor ’99: Congratulations to Darcy and husband, Matt, on the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Grace Poor, May 2018.
2000s Joshua Wand ’00 writes: Cooking South of the Clouds: Recipes and Stories from China’s Yunnan Province, written by my wife Georgia Freedman and photographed by me, was released September 25, 2018 in the US and UK, and is available from your favorite bookseller. The book is based on our seven years of living and traveling in China. At work I am marrying my loves of photography and technology to build my startup,
CLASS NOTES • 29
FinalSelect, which is a system to manage product photography workflow for retailers and production houses. Big thanks to both Anne Rearick and Karl Fisher for fostering my growth in both fields! Chloe Wagner ’00 writes: I’ve had an eventful life since graduating; residing in Rhode Island, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and NYC. I dabbled in art school, worked in television production, moonlighted as a Lady Gaga impersonator on Hollywood Boulevard, toured the country twice playing keyboards in an industrial band, opened my own oddities store, got married, got unmarried, and now reside in a Harry Potter themed bed and breakfast in Brooklyn with my family of three dogs, two cats, chameleons, and dart frogs, where I continue to make artwork out of dead things and write my first novel.
Jack D’Angelo ’17 and Emily D’Angelo ’12 Cooper Evans ’10, Sarah D’Angelo ’10, Nick Young, Siena
Gordon Hall ’01 (formerly Rebecca Gordon) had a solo exhibition at the MIT list Visual Arts Center in Cambridge, MA. “The Number of Inches Between Them” was on view in April and May of 2018. Martha Fischhoff ’01 writes: On November 14, 2017, my first daughter, Ramona Rocket Syverson was born. She’s a healthy, happy baby and we are so excited to have her as part of our family! When I return to work, I’ll be starting a new position as the Dean of Students at The Calhoun School in Manhattan. They also use a Mod System so it feels a little like a homecoming!
Shira Heather Auerhahn ’00 and Rabbi Eric Michael Berk were married October 14 in Ashland, Mass. Rabbi Paul M. Hoffman officiated at the Warren Conference Center and Inn, with Rabbi William Cutter taking part. Shira is a freelance film and television producer whose recent work includes a role as the production coordinator for “Egg,” which premiered in April at the Tribeca Film Festival. She graduated from Chapman University in Orange, CA. She is a daughter of Dr. Margo R. Roman and Jeffrey Auerhahn of Hopkinton, MA. Her husband is the rabbi of Temple B’nai Sholom in Huntsville, AL.
Hilaria Thomas Baldwin ’02 and husband Alec welcomed Romeo Alejandro David Baldwin in May 2018. Baby Romeo is the youngest of Hilaria’s four children (Carmen, Rafa, and Leo). Mark Kilroy ’03 is currently managing the construction schedule for the $1.2 billion Chase Center and Mixed Use Office and Retail Development for the Golden State Warriors. The arena will be completed in time for the 19-20 NBA Season. He is starting his 15th year in the San Francisco Bay Area, having lived in the city, Berkeley, Oakland, and now Walnut Creek. Rachel Katz ’04 received her PhD in Child Study and Human Development from Tufts
Evans ’06, Anne Priestley, and Tom Evans P’06,’10. Madeline Furst ’06, Lindsay St. Onge ’06, Siena Evans ’06, Annie Maurer ’06, and Kelly Zutrau ’06.
University in May 2018. She was selected as one of two national recipients for a postdoctoral fellowship from the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) and will be working at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health with the state’s Early Intervention program. Rachel got married to Stephen Way in September. Lily Hoffman-Andrews ’05 writes: I just graduated with my masters in human genetics and genetic counseling from Stanford and started a new job as a genetic counselor at Penn! Zachary Miller ’06 graduated from medical school at SUNY Downstate in May 2018, and started his residency in pediatrics at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in July. He and his wife Anna and dog Cedy are now living in Philadelphia. He’s excited to start an important chapter of his life in a new city.
August Cody Weiss, son of Madeline Furst ’06.
Madeline Furst ’06 and her husband Alex Weiss welcomed August Cody Weiss on June 28, 2018 at 3:53 pm, weighing 8 lbs. 11 oz. and 22 inches long! The new family has been enjoying long walks in the park, sleepless nights, and tummy time. August cannot wait to explore the CSW quad, delve into Rachel Hirsch’s lectures on the Cold War, and fire up some raku pottery. The three reside in Baltimore, MD, where Madeline will be finishing her last year of school to become a family nurse practitioner. Who knows where they will move to next? On August 25, 2018 Siena Evans ’06 married Nick Young at the Seeds of Peace Camp in Otisfield, ME. It was a beautiful celebration with many many CSW friends and family. The guest list included: Madeline Furst ’06, Lindsay St. Onge ’06, Annie Maurer ’06, Kelly Zutrau ’06, Ella Brandon ’06, Cooper Evans ’10, Sarah D’Angelo ’10, Jack D’Angelo ’17, Emily D’Angelo ’12, Anne Priestley and Tom Evans P’06,’10 and Eli Keehn, current faculty member. Sandi Aritza ’07 writes: After getting an MA in JapaneseEnglish translation and interpretation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in 2016, I moved to Japan and started working at a translation company. I gave birth to a son in June 2018.
30 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
Christine Renaud Aviles ’07 shares: After working three years doing outreach with the chronically homeless (inspired by my CSW Capstone!) I have transitioned to the Tenancy Preservation Program in Western Massachusetts. I have been at the program for two years now, helping to prevent eviction and create long-term housing stability for individuals with disabilities. Molly Weinberg ’07: I recently finished my first year at Lesley University studying for my MA degree in drama therapy with a 4.0 GPA. During that year I worked at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, and in the fall will be interning at The Cambridge Women’s Center, applying what I have learned in drama therapy thus far. I use theater and creative play in the field of mental health counseling. Additionally, during summer 2019 I will be the head Drama Specialist for five- through seven-year-olds at Camp Grossman in Westwood. I wish I could tell Robin Wood all of my news too :). I am grateful to her for helping me take risks in theater, and for giving me the opportunities to explore and grow. I also enjoy continuing to help CSW fundraise and being active in the community. Aryn Murphy ’07 writes: I’m currently working in costume design. Two recent projects: I assisted with costumes for Anatasia on Broadway and Moulon Rouge in Boston. I currently reside in Connecticut. Arielle “Miwa” Oseki Robbins ’07: I am excited to announce that I have taken the plunge into being fully self employed and owning my own business: Flow State Healing. As most of you reading this will probably not be local I will talk a little about the holistic health and wellness coaching I am doing, which I can do remotely and is very exciting to me! My approach is not to tell you what to eat or or even to give you exercises or nutrition recommendations. Instead, I guide my clients through a process of tapping into their own
authority, no longer looking to outside experts, but the expert within and being a scientist with their own body. By doing this we often uncover many hidden and unexpected layers to why we are struggling with our health and we slowly discover a path back towards wholeness that is as unique as each individual is. The goal is to discover a way of relating to food that allows you to be at peace and ease with it, and where you genuinely enjoy what you eat while also knowing that it is truly nourishing you. And often, your relationship with much more than just food is transformed along the way. If you want to check out more of what I am doing you can visit my website at www.MiwaRobbins.com and feel free to contact me at MiwaRobbins@gmail.com to schedule a free one-hour consultation! Beatrice Kelsey-Watts ’08 writes: Two years ago after completing my master’s in public health I started serving in the Peace Corps in Zambia as a health extension agent. I was posted in an extremely rural community and lived at the level of my community members, meaning life without running water or electricity. Together, we worked on reducing the prevalence of malaria, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child deaths and improving
CSW students visit Jackson Renshaw ’08, co-founder of Fresh Food Generation.
water and sanitation, nutrition, and gender equality. I recently extended my contract with Peace Corps to be a volunteer leader for an additional year, managing and supporting the 40 volunteers in Luapula Province, Zambia. Agnes Voligny and her students visited alumnus Jackson Renshaw ’08, co-founder of Fresh Food Generation. His company has a food truck, a cafe, and a catering business that uses locally-sourced ingredients. Jackson shared his entrepreneurial journey, gave students a tour of their shared kitchen (CommonWealth Kitchen in Dorchester) and treated them to scrumptious chicken and veggie empanadas!
Ian Hawkes ’08 and Annie Hawkes ’13 enjoyed a festive evening at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame VIP party in April 2018. They were there to celebrate dad Greg Hawkes’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Greg is a member of The Cars.
CLASS NOTES • 31
From the Archives... Tipping a hat to the Theatre Department’s production of Sinclair Lewis’s It Can’t Happen Here (p. 7), which, among other things, showed us the important role of journalism in an ever-changing society, our resident archivist recently shared a few choice items from CSW’s student journalist publications of the past. These publications provide snapshots of CSW society in the days of yore. Of particular interest was this editorial (right), from the October 1971 issue of The Cambridge School of Weston Newspaper — edited excerpts from a piece titled “Curriculum and Compulsion at CSW,” authored by then faculty member Gary Jenkins. Readers of today may very well be fascinated by the combination of foresight and relevance that this piece holds now, given developments since 1971 in both in the world at large and the world of CSW, especially as the school prepares to roll out its co-curricular PACE program (p. 14). Do you remember when this piece came out? Share your story with us at alum@csw.org.
Kayla Kleinman ’10 writes: I am at the University of Hartford studying to earn my doctoral degree in clinical psychology, and I just earned my master’s degree along the way! I am currently working at Hartford Hospital and Hospital for Special Care as I learn to conduct neuropsychological assessment. I value my CSW education more and more each day!
Ella Holman ’09 competes with the DC Rollergirls. Catch one of Ella’s roller derby games at the DC Armory in Washington, DC. For upcoming events visit: dcrollergirls.com
Emma Ward ’10 recently started on her third project as an associate casting director. She is currently working on “Legends of Tomorrow” for The CW at Rapaport Baldasare Casting. She has worked on a variety of other casting projects in the last four years, including “Famous in Love” for Freeform, “Lucifer” for FOX, “T@GGED” for Verizon, and “Beyond” for Freeform. Her IMDB page can be found under the name Emma Everitt Ward.
Nariko Marvit-Suyemoto ’12 recently made the local news for her artwork, which she creates using all recycled materials, putting new meaning to the phrase, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” She recently held an exhibit called “Leavings,” made completely from trash found in and around Baltimore as part of Baltimore’s Artscape festival. Three handweavers, Claire Crews (Greenfield, MA), Sarah Rose Lejeune (Penland, NC), and Anastatia Spicer ’13 (Northampton, MA), whose work treads a line between craft and conceptual art, have created an exhibition at A.P.E. Gallery that includes site-specific handwoven sculptures, fibrous drawings, and reflections on clothmaking today. These tactile manifestations
create new ways of building kinship and connection, cultivating curiosity around how the process of handweaving serves as a metaphor for alternative ways of being in relation to one another. Yamina Sfiat ’14 writes: Right after my graduation from CSW I went to community college in Miami, then to University of Central Florida in Orlando where I have lived for two years; four years all together in Florida. Currently I am doing a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science. I will be applying for an internship with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and if that doesn’t work out, then possibly taking a position with the UCF Police Department!
32 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
Nina Barresi ’14 writes: I just moved to New York City after receiving my bachelor of fine arts in musical theatre and am now starting improv and sketch training with Upright Citizens Bregade!
the US Embassy in Rome and the US Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. I’m currently pursuing an MA in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts and would love to see any 2014 grads in the Boston area.
Hannah Klein ’16 was in a joint Curtis Institute - Opera Philadelphia production of Leonard Bernstein’s A Quiet Place in early March at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
India Wood ’14 writes: After recently graduating from Oberlin College, I moved to Cambridge with my beloved friend and CSW alum Lydia Smith ’14 For work, I am completing a service year through the Massachusetts Service Alliance Commonwealth Corps at Peer Health Exchange (PHE). At PHE, I am responsible for creating an out-of-school-time health education program and managing college volunteers who go into underserved classrooms and teach comprehensive health education. I am also working part-time at a Unitarian Universalist church, managing and coordinating their high school youth group and service trips. I am enjoying making a home with my best CSW friend, and persuing work in public health and education. Without CSW, I would have never discovered my passion for promoting health equity, nor would I be living with someone I care about so deeply, who shares the same values as I do, and fully understands the weird and wonderful high school experience we shared that has shaped who we are today.
Lydia Smith ’14 writes: After graduating magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College with departmental honors in psychology this past spring, I began a research assistant position at the Center for Social Development and Education in June! As a part of University of Massachusetts, Boston, the center has spent the last eleven years working with Special Olympics to develop and evaluate their programs in thousands of elementary, middle, and high schools across the United States. Alongside cultivating leadership skills and activism in students, these programs promote social acceptance of children with intellectual disabilities and provide meaningful opportunities to form friendships across ability status. I’m honored to be working with the center for the next two years while I apply to graduate school! As of August 2018, India Wood ’14 and I began living together at a house in Cambridge! We recently visited CSW to watch my brother, Theo Smith ’19, in one of his Boys Varsity Soccer game.
As members of the Greater Boston Get Real Teen Council, Marissa Leeman ’18, Hannah Liebscher ’18, and Theo Smith ’19 participated in PPAF Youth Lobby Day Janaury 2018 advocating for the Healthy Youth Act on Beacon Hill.
Gioia Chaouch ’14 writes: I finally returned to Boston after graduating from Franklin University Switzerland in May 2018 and wrapping up internships at
Eleanor Wolf ’15 is graduating from Smith College next year, currently studying political science and on course to work in international student education.
IN MEMORIAM John Woodard 1942
Geoffrey Wright 1981
Penney Chapin Hills 1945
Julian Mills 1986
Mason Phelps 1945
Miia D’Agostino 1996
Gary Charles 1964
Melinda Brown, past faculty/staff
Mark Bramble 1969
Stephen Winthrop P’19
Ralph Hong ’13 recently got married. Cynthia Wang ’13, Fredy Xin ’13, and other CSW classmates helped celebrate. Congratulations!
MY FIVE • 33
MY FIVE DIANA BARUNI Academic Dean
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NANA AFIA BOADI-ACHEAMPONG ’21
BEN DUFFY-HOWARD ’19
MARVIN GUTIERREZ Math Department Chair
DESCRIBE A MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM YOUR TIME AT CSW:
My first Dance Concert in 2011. I was blown away by the students’ talent and professionalism. I look forward to that event every year!
My most memorable moments from my time at CSW have mostly come from the boarding aspect of CSW. I remember a specific late Friday night when a few of my Barn dormmates and I played “Just Dance” and were laughing and having a blast the entire time. It’s truly remarkable and rare for someone to be able to be themselves and act silly around others, but that is exactly what I have found at CSW.
The most memorable moment from my time at CSW was the collection of moments that formed my boarding experience freshman year. The dorm did almost everything as a unit, and we never stopped running out of bad ideas
One of the most memorable moments I have had while at CSW, would be the spring break trip to South Africa (four years ago). Graduation is always memorable as well.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
The best piece of advice I ever got was from my mom. She always says “Don’t wait until you’re in the mood,” meaning don’t procrastinate doing that important work, because you’re never going to be in the mood! Just do it!
The legendary author Alice Walker once stated, “The most common way people give up power is by thinking they don’t have any.” This has always stuck with me and reminded me that my actions can and will make change if I believe so.
Time spent focusing on improving yourself is never time wasted.
My mom always told me “No traigas tu trabajo a tu casa,” which translates to “Don’t bring your work to your house.” Although I have not been able to follow this advice, I try to live by it, as I believe the two should not be intertwined.
IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE TITLE BE, AND WHO WOULD PLAY YOU?
The title would be Dance Like No One is Watching, and picking an actress is hard, but I’ll cast Cameron Diaz as me.
The title would be The Thorns on a Rose. Interpret that as you will... If all went smoothly, I would be played by Lupita Nyong’o.
The title of my movie would be There’s Always Tomorrow, and I would be played by the great Steve Buscemi.
Only I can play me, but if I have to pick it would be Denzel Washington or Will Smith as it would have to be good actors that can play multiple roles. The movie would be called: So Now What?
I couldn’t remember what I wanted to be, so I called my mom and she told me that I never said what I wanted to be when I grew up. I just told her that I wanted to act, or that I wanted to sing, or that I wanted to learn a language, but I never said I wanted to be in any profession. I just wanted to learn and do new things.
I wanted to be a fighter jet pilot.
WHAT EMOJIS DO YOU MOST FREQUENTLY USE?
WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
It’s super simple but gets my emotions across so easily. I always wanted to teach, but I didn’t find my passion for French until college. If teaching didn’t pan out I wanted to be a professional dancer or a cartographer.
I will admit that I aspired to become a singer/actress! I was constantly dreaming of fame and adoring fans.
34 • THE GRYPHON Fall/Winter 2018-19
NOTEWORTHY
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CSW has developed a partnership with the New England Conservatory (NEC) Preparatory School. This year, seven current CSW students, Patrick Bai ’21, Josh Bass ’20, Noah Berz ’22, Leo Deng ’20, Miranda Scripp ’21, Jake Todd ’20(1), and Leo Weisskoff ’19 have been accepted into some of the top orchestras and jazz ensembles offered as part of NEC’s Saturday programming.
Christine Cogswell ’19 and Lev Goldman ’20 (2) recently performed in Proclamation 6: Unite!, an original production through Harvard’s American Repertory Theater (ART). Lev and Christine are two of fourteen students selected through written application and interview to participate in the production. Students got the chance to work directly with ART artists and Harvard professors to write scenes, create characters, and bring the show to life at the Oberon theater November 3-4, 2018.
CSW seniors Sascha Deng (3) and Tommy Shenefield (4) have both been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) for their outstanding performances on the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Tommy was named a National Merit Semifinalist. Sascha was honored as a commended student. CSW’s Junior Statesmen of America club attended a conference at Prospect Hill
Academy this fall. Theo Dillon ’20, William Feng ’20, and Ruby Russell ’20 (5) all received “Best Speaker” awards for outstanding performances in their debates. The crew won five out of seven debates at the Fall State convention in December, with Julia Applebaum ’19, Orion Douglas ’21, and Ruby Russell ’20 taking home Best Speaker awards. Animator Julia Glassman ’09 (6) is part of a team of talented animators who worked on the popular show, “Rick and Morty.” The show recently won the 2018
NOTEWORTHY • 35
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Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program. It marks the first Emmy nomination and the first win in this category. This year’s Emmy Awards also brought alum Lyn Noland ’71 her astounding 53rd nomination and 6th win. Congratulations to Lyn on taking home the award for Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special for her work on “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Live in Concert.
11
On the eighth anniversary of the sudden death of Billy Ruane ’76 (10), the City of Cambridge approved the dedication of “Billy Ruane Square,” which will mark the corner of Brookline and Green streets where Sonia now sits at the space of the old T.T. The Bear’s Place. It has been six years since art teacher Alison Safford (11) showcased her art in Samorin, Slovakia. This past summer, she returned to Slovakia for the exhibition of her installation called A/Musing the Muse Be/Musing the Muse. Alison created this
installation specifically for the At Home Gallery exhibition space, located inside the Samorin Synagogue.
Sam’s piece is titled, “There Are Starving Children in Africa,” and can be found on pages 37-38. Congratulations, Sam!
CSW Dean of Equity and Inclusion Rosanna Salcedo (7) as recently featured on PBS’s “Stories from the Stage.” “Stories from the Stage” illustrates the power of real stories told by masterful storytellers.
On Saturday, October 20, a group of students (8) led by Hannah Winthrop ’19 walked in the “Walk to Defeat ALS.” Along with Hannah, fellow CSW students Abbey Givertzman ’20, Ava Goodman ’20, Amanda Gu ’19, and Brie Parse ’19 were all members of the team WillWin Against ALS, organized in honor of Hannah’s father.
English Teacher Samantha Simpson (9) has a new piece in the recently published Exhuming Alexandria: Modern Myths to Tell in the Dark (Curating Alexandria).
EMPOWER NEW PERSPECTIVES Your gift to Partners in Progress supports CSW’s unique integrated approach to learning.
It's Capstone T
How does media shape our society? How can we use algebra to respond to health crises? These are the types of questions discussed in CSW’s integrated studies courses, unique cross-disciplinary classes that examine crucial issues through multiple lenses and perspectives. By offering courses like “Re-Ordering Chaos” and “The Art of Prediction,” CSW can continue to graduate leaders adept at thinking beyond the confines of traditionally siloed information, making connections where others don’t see them, and solving problems in new and creative ways.
Please partner with CSW today and make a gift of any amount. Your generosity will support CSW’s integrated approach to learning, just one of the many ways we inspire bold learners to challenge conventional wisdom on the way to discovering who they are and what their impact can be. Become a partner in progress and help us reach our Annual Fund goal of $950,000 by June 30, 2019.
“I’ll admit, I wasn’t always the biggest fan of science. But when we started
talking about things like musical overtones and harmonics in my
physics class, I was able to connect
my passion for music with science in a
way I’d never expected. I’m so glad I
took this class, because it truly
inspired a newfound love of science,
and forever impacted my perception of music and the way that I compose.”
— Leo ’19
Visit www.csw.org/support to learn more about the many ways you can contribute.
CSW seniors recently presented their capstone projects! Every day or so the community receives an invitation like those on the right (and yes, there was almost always food). While each capstone is unique, the projects as a whole are wonderf Students choose a subject that is of interest to them, dig deep into that subject, then confidently demonstrate their understanding of subject to the community as a whole.
But they don’t do it alone. They are supported by expert faculty wh challenge them to be curious and courageous, and by engaged peers
CSW COMMUNITY EVENTS 2019 February 15
Empty Bowls Fundraiser
February 24
San Francisco Alumni/ae Gathering
February 26
Los Angeles Alumni/ae Gathering
March 7-9
Dance Concert
April 10
Washington, DC Alumni/ae Gathering
May 3-5
Reunion Weekend
May 4
Jane’s Farewell: A Celebration of Progressive Leadership at CSW
May 16-18
Spring Musical Production
May 17
Grandparents and Grandfriends Day
May 30
Alumni/ae Ultimate Frisbee Game
45 Georgian Road Weston, Massachusetts 02493
HELP US GO GREEN! In an effort to reduce our eco-footprint, we’ll now be sending only one Gryphon per mailing address. If you would like to receive separate copies, please contact us at alum@csw.org.
Address service requested
Rachel Sontheimer ’20, “A Stitch Away,” Cotton thread on silk; 25 cm x 28 cm, 2018.