Fall 2019
Westminster Bulletin
Commencement and Reunion Lives Immersed in Schools Financial Aid and the Vibrancy of Learning
Members of the Class of 2020 walk to the Sixth Form Lawn for the traditional Pin Ceremony.
Westminster Bulletin
FALL 2019
FEATURES
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Lives Immersed in Schools
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Financial Aid Enriches Learning
Reunion
Commencement
D R T M E N TMessage S 2 E P AHeadmaster’s
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From the Archives
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Martlets on the Move
16 Athletics
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Class Notes
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New Website
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In Memoriam
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Supporting Westminster
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Closing Thoughts
Hill Headlines
On the cover, members of the Class of 2019 participate in the Westminster commencement tradition of passing diplomas on the Sixth Form Lawn.
Fall 2019
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FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Members of the Westminster Community, Armour Academic Center opened in the fall of 2009, immediately transforming the setting for teaching and learning at Westminster School. Suddenly, Westminster boasted a state-of-the-art classroom building, which enhanced the academic experience of our students and wowed campus visitors. Ten years later, our students continue to relish the spaces in this beautiful facility, and alumni, such as my two daughters, who graduated in 2006 and 2009, remark with regret that their classes were not in this building. Actually, the same is true for me, in that I taught history classes in Baxter Academic Center for 25 years, but was no longer teaching in the fall of 2009. I envy my faculty colleagues who now teach in such an inspiring setting. Why is Armour Academic Center such an important milestone in our school’s history? First, the decision to proceed with construction was a huge risk, occurring in the midst of the financial collapse of 2008. Despite the accompanying economic turmoil, trustees remained resolute in their appreciation of the importance of this building for Westminster’s future and, together with Headmaster Graham Cole, proceeded with the bond financing necessary for construction, which today remains about 40% of our debt obligation. That bold decision made an important difference for Westminster, as an affirmation of this school’s promising future. Interest from prospective students and their families surged, and donors rallied enthusiastically to the many additional fundraising priorities which followed. Importantly, the origins of the planning for this building extend to the 1980s, when our campus master planner and architect, Graham Gund ’59, took on his first Westminster School commission with Werner Centennial Center. Gund’s vision for Williams Hill was remarkably inspired and comprehensive. He imagined not just a new theater, but how that new theater would best fit into a campus master plan which accounted for existing and future buildings. As he explains 2
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it, when he first became involved with discussions about a theater, (At the time, Dramat performances occurred on platforms in Pettee Gymnasium.) the concept was for a new theater to be located on Commencement Lawn, a proposal he challenged. Instead, he presented a vision for a campus master plan which included Werner Centennial Center in its current location as well as many other new facilities, such as dormitories, a dining hall, athletic facilities and a classroom building. The scope of this vision was truly breathtaking, but, thanks to extraordinary support from alumni, parents and friends of the school, here in 2019, a good part of that vision has now been accomplished, and Westminster School continues to flourish as a result. As an alumnus, Gund appreciated our school’s defining mission, and his vision encompassed how best to foster our community ethos with the beautiful vistas from Williams Hill and Westminster’s predominantly Tudor architectural style. Through the 1990s, Westminster made steady progress on this campus master plan, including the construction of Edge House, the renovation of Memorial Hall, and the building of Sherwin Health and
“The scope of this vision was truly breathtaking, but, thanks to extraordinary support from alumni, parents and friends of the school, here in 2019, a good part of that vision has now been accomplished, and Westminster School continues to flourish as a result.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Armour Academic Center on the first day of classes in September 2009.
Armour Academic Center in fall 2019.
A plaque honoring the construction team.
Athletic Center, Perkin Driveway and many new playing fields. In addition to these campus improvements, trustees and Headmaster Cole considered a new academic center to be located on what was then the day student parking lot and campus greenhouse, while appreciating that the scope of this project — with respect to square footage and cost — would represent an enormously ambitious undertaking. A construction team, including architects, construction managers and faculty, (see accompanying photograph of the plaque honoring this group) first studied the viability of renovating Baxter Academic Center. However, the very challenging circumstances that accompanied the renovation of Memorial
a decade before raised caution about the impracticality of that route, especially given modern building codes. Upon deciding that building a new academic center was the much-preferred alternative for improving our academic facilities, the committee met weekly through the design, planning, value engineering and construction stages of the project. Trustee Emeritus Joe Gitterman ’55, P’86, ’86, ’90, a devoted member of this team, remained a powerful advocate for a thoughtful planning process as essential to responsible stewardship of our school’s precious resources. Intentionally, every detail of the new academic center’s design strove to cultivate our distinguishing warm, friendly sense of community. Natural light floods spaces throughout the building, including into the lower level school store through a transparent skylight. A large, central atrium is used for assemblies and receptions. A central library offers magnificent reading rooms — used for meetings, presentations and performances — as well as group and individual student study spaces. Large, technologically equipped classrooms with flexibly arranged study desks allow teachers to configure rooms as best suits their intended lessons. Academic departments have their own offices for meetings, preparing lessons and providing extra help, supplementing the many additional
informal meeting spaces that abound. Even more, at once, the building looks to the future with its LEED certification as environmentally sustainable and honors the past with the photographs of emeritus faculty that line the east atrium wall and first floor hallway. Armour Academic Center is a jewel atop Williams Hill, not only because of its magnificent architectural design but also because it celebrates our defining community ethos. Tellingly with respect to the quality of the design and construction, one decade later it still seems brandnew. Students and faculty interact with each other formally and informally in its common spaces, sometimes gathering in the atrium for assemblies led by our head prefect. This familiarity cultivates and sustains our core value of community, since we see each other every day on our way to and from classrooms, the library or the school store. Westminster School celebrates many important milestones in its long history, but the opening of Armour Academic Center deserves recognition among the most significant.
William V.N. Philip P’06, ’09 Headmaster
Fall 2019
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HILL HEADLINES
A New School Year Begins
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Westminster welcomed 406 students to campus during the opening days of the school year, Sept. 3-4. The students completed registration, picked up textbooks, moved into residence halls, met with advisory groups, and participated in form events and all-school activities, such as a lap-sit and trivia contest. Classes and afternoon activities began Sept. 5. At the first assembly of the year Sept. 7, Headmaster Bill Philip called for a moment of silence so everyone could think about those suffering from Hurricane Dorian. He then welcomed students, giving special acknowledgement to the new students. He also thanked members of the Sixth Form and faculty for their help ensuring a successful beginning of school. The next speaker was Head Prefect Megan Rittenhouse, who also welcomed everyone and expressed how excited she is for the upcoming year. “Westminster is a very special place for me and, most likely, for many of you,” she said. “It’s a place where you can develop amazing friendships, experience new things and receive a great education. Westminster is filled with support from peers and faculty that allows you to develop a home away from
home. It grants you the opportunity to surround yourself with some incredible people from all across the world, and there is truly no other place that is as special.� She then offered advice to members of each form that she thought would be helpful. Following the assembly, Westminster’s traditional Pin Ceremony took place on the Sixth Form Lawn. In a new format this year, members of the Sixth Form walked to the Sixth Form Lawn as members of the Third, Fourth and Fifth forms assembled around the perimeter of the lawn. Alumni and honorary alumni were gathered on the lawn in a semicircle to present Sixth Formers with a class pin or pendant designed by the class. Members of the Prefect Board received their pins or pendants first, followed by returning Sixth Formers. Finally, the Prefect Board invited new Sixth Formers onto the lawn to accept their pins or pendants. After the ceremony, all new students entered Andrews Memorial Chapel where they signed the book signifying their formal entrance into school and shook hands with Headmaster Philip and members of the Prefect Board.
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HILL HEADLINES
New Appointments Three members of the Westminster faculty will assume new leadership roles at Westminster beginning July 1, 2020. Headmaster Bill Philip announced that Dean of Faculty Mark de Kanter ’91, P’19, ’22 will become associate head of school. This will follow the departure of Nancy Spencer P’13, ’15, the current associate head of school, who will become head of Shorecrest Preparatory School on that date after a 15-year tenure at Westminster. Mark was a day student from Granby in Westminster’s Class of 1991. After graduating from Williams College with a double major in biology and English, he joined the faculty at Westminster in 1997. During his tenure, he has earned an M.A.L.S. at Wesleyan University, served as a dormitory head, a department head, director of the Westminster Teaching Initiative, director of academic technology, Ecoteam leader and head coach of three varsity sports. He has taught AP Biology for close to two decades as well as a changing mix of other core courses within the science curriculum, and he has also taught electives in the English and History departments. His commitment and contributions to the school have been recognized with numerous faculty prizes, including holding the Walter E. Edge Jr.
’35 Master Chair, the Swayze Award and the O’Brien Award. Currently, as the dean of faculty, a position he assumed July 1, 2018, he supports faculty colleagues as an ardent advocate for professional development. Outside of Westminster, Mark has contributed to the larger independent school community by serving on three NEASC Visiting Committees and on the CAIS Commission on School Growth and Collaboration. He is the president of the New England Prep School Track Association, a group that oversees all running sports for independent schools in New England. Mark and his spouse, Kathleen Devaney, a history teacher and executive director of Horizons at Westminster, live in McOrmond House with their son, Emmett ’19, and their daughter, Samantha ’22. “I am absolutely delighted that Mark will serve as associate head of school in the years ahead,” said Headmaster Philip. “Please join me in congratulating him on this appointment.” “I have been extremely fortunate to be associated with Westminster in many different capacities, from student to faculty to parent,” said Mark. “In each role, I have had mentors, friends and colleagues who have both challenged and supported me and other community members to be the best versions of ourselves. In this new role, I look forward to working with current and future Martlets, faculty and staff colleagues, and the greater school community to foster Westminster’s continued excellence in all of its endeavors.” Also looking ahead to the 2020-2021 school year, Director of Studies Bill Sistare will assume the title of academic dean, and Head of the History Department Betsy Heckman will become director of studies.
Mark de Kanter ’91
“Rankin Hinman served as Westminster School’s first director of studies in the 1960s and ’70s,” said Headmaster Philip in announcing the two academic administrative appointments. “During the subsequent five decades, our school has evolved in so many ways. In the 1980s, student enrollment totaled in the low 300s, whereas recent student enrollment totals around 400. More particularly, our academic program and student support have become much more complex and comprehensive. Our course offerings have multiplied both in section levels for particular courses and in variety. Similarly, the support we extend for students as they navigate their programs of study has become increasingly robust, as have our faculty professional development commitments. In short, the scope of academic administrative responsibilities has expanded exponentially in recent decades.” With a B.A. from Pomona College, an M.S. from the University of New Hampshire, and an Ed.S. from Southeastern University, Bill Sistare was appointed to the faculty at Westminster School in 1987. He holds the John Sherwin Jr. ’57 and W. Graham Cole Jr.
“...the support we extend for students as they navigate their programs of study has become increasingly robust, as have our faculty professional development commitments.” Bill Sistare 6
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HILL HEADLINES
Chair and was the recipient of the Swayze Award in 2009 and the O’Brien Award in 2016. He teaches science, is a highly respected student advisor and has coached a variety of sports. With a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.A. from Yale, Betsy Heckman was appointed to the faculty at Westminster in 2004. She was the 2009 recipient of the O’Brien Award and is the school’s senior academic department head. With the College Board, Betsy serves as co-chair of the Test Development Committee for AP Comparative Government with responsibility for creating and overseeing that exam. Additionally, she consults and leads professional development workshops for the College Board and serves as a question leader for AP exam grading. At Westminster, she teaches history, is a sought-after student advisor, coaches tennis and cross country, and advises the Model United Nations. Both Bill and Betsy will remain active classroom teachers. “The balance of this school year will afford them, together with Dean of Faculty Mark de Kanter, the opportunity to assess how best to balance their academic leadership responsibilities,” said Headmaster Philip. “Institutionally, these appointments meaningfully enhance and support the ongoing advances in our academic program, teaching and learning.”
Students Earn Academic Recognition Sixth Formers Liam Seeley, Eve Cathcart, Daniel Pinckney and Alexander Ellis have been named Commended Students in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among about 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation who have been recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2020 competition by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Whiffenpoofs Sing in Chapel Members of the 2020 Yale Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group, sang in chapel Oct. 1 to a very enthusiastic school community. Former Headmaster Don Werner, a Whiffenpoof alumnus, joined them in the “Whiffenpoof Song.” Among those in the audience was former faculty member Ann Gilman, who served as organist, choir accompanist, voice coach, music director for Dramat and choral arranger at Westminster for 45 years. Above, members of the Whiffenpoofs and the John Hay Society with Ann Gilman P’78, ’80 and Don Werner P’79, ’82, both first row, center. Betsy Heckman Fall 2019
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Industrial Rhythm Brings High-Energy Show to Campus Industrial Rhythm, a New York Citybased dance and percussion troupe that tours worldwide, performed for an enthusiastic Westminster community April 8 as part of the Graham Gund ’59 Visiting Artist Series. The show, which took place in Werner Centennial Center, featured highenergy urban movement of hip-hop and break dancing, along with drumming on everyday objects using drumsticks. Cast members have performed with Stomp, Tap Dogs, “Saturday Night Live,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and MTV. The troupe creates music using such things as pill bottles, five-gallon plastic buckets, trashcans, brooms and various percussive drums. They also add elements to their shows, such as glow-inthe-dark LED drumming and audience participation. In their Westminster
performance, they involved student volunteers onstage and led the audience in rhythmic clapping. Members of the Gund Family established the Graham Gund ’59 Visiting Artist Series fund in 1991 in honor of Graham Gund ’59 at his 50th birthday. Income from the fund underwrites the cost of bringing outstanding artists to Westminster to enrich students’ understanding and appreciation of the performing arts. The visiting artists perform in Werner Centennial Center.
Above and top, Industrial Rhythm performs in Werner Centennial Center.
Art Educator Award Westminster faculty member John Sandoval P’13, ’15 received the Connecticut Art Education Association’s (CAEA) 2019 Connecticut Outstanding Secondary Level Art Educator Award for significant contributions to the field of art education at the CAEA Awards Dinner April 28. CAEA is the state’s largest professional organization representing Connecticut’s visual art and museum educators from all levels. The CAEA Outstanding Educator Awards recognize visual arts educators for demonstrating excellence in the classroom, active participation and leadership at the local, state and/or national level, publications and/or exhibits, advocacy for the arts and other art education related accomplishments. Candidates pass through a peer nomination and selection process that is both highly competitive and rigorous. John was appointed to the Westminster faculty in 2005. In addition to teaching Introduction to Studio Art and Digital Arts, he is director of the school’s Chapel Gallery and Hamilton Gallery. In past years, he has chaired the school’s Visual and Performing Arts Department, taught in the History and English departments, and served as head Swimming and Diving coach, as well as overseeing the diving program for several years. “I did not set out to be an artist,” said John, in commenting about being an art educator. “Art came looking for me, and in 8
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Numerous faculty joined John Sandoval and his family members at the CAEA Awards Dinner: front row, Kerry Kendall, Sally Sandoval ’15, John Sandoval and Nancy Spencer, and, back row, Mark de Kanter, Bill Sistare, David Chrzanowski, A-men Rasheed and Rebeccah Tuscano-Moss.
many ways, I was predestined. I had no choice in the matter. I am rather fond of the concept of what can be identified as ‘liminal space.’ Liminal space is the time between the ‘what was’ and ‘what will be.’ It is a place of transition, waiting and not knowing. That space between ‘no longer and not yet.’ In both art and art education, we are enveloped in liminal space, and I often inquire in both art and education what can this work become or who will this student be?”
HILL HEADLINES
Earth Day Celebrated in Collaborative Effort The Westminster community recognized Earth Day April 22 in dramatic and collaborative ways that involved faculty, children, parents, students and staff. It was months in the making. Following a schoolwide collection of bottle caps and learning about single-use plastics and the effects they have on the planet, especially oceans, a Plastic Ocean Exhibit was installed in the Chapel Gallery featuring a Westminster children’s art project and plastic bottle cap mural. Adults and children spent weeks in Hamilton Art Studio creating the mural. Simultaneously, Fearn Hall featured an exhibition of student artwork from numerous art classes about Earth appreciation, endangered species and climate change. The opening for the exhibits took place in Fearn Hall and the Chapel Gallery, and included live music and poetry readings. “What a wonderful community Westminster School is to be a part of,” said art teacher Kerry Kendall, who organized the event. “I have so much appreciation for the support and enthusiasm that went into the creation of the mural project and the Earth Day Art Show. Community members of all ages worked together to learn about single-use plastics, plastic pollution and endangered species. I have never been more proud as a parent, teacher and an artist. Margaret Mead said it best when she stated, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’” This fall, portions of the Westminster exhibits went on display until March at Bradley International Airport, showcasing the work of about 75 members of the school community and saluting the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in April 2020.
Top and center, members of the Westminster community working on a plastic bottle cap mural. Above, artworks from Westminster’s 2019 Earth Day Art Show are on display until March at Bradley International Airport. Fall 2019
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HILL HEADLINES
Lisa Olstein Visits as 2019 Westminster Poet Poet Lisa Olstein visited Westminster April 15-16 as the 2019 Westminster Poet. She spoke with students in their English classes and gave a reading to the school community. The English Department has invited a major poet to campus for the past two decades as part of the Westminster Poetry Series. Olstein is the author of four poetry collections: “Radio Crackling, Radio Gone,” winner of the Hayden Carruth Award; “Lost Alphabet,” a Library Journal best book of the year; “Little Stranger,” a Lannan Literary Selection; and “Late Empire.” Westminster’s Third Formers and Fourth Formers studied “Little Stranger,” while the Fifth Formers and Sixth Formers read “Late Empire.” Olstein’s work has been published in many journals and anthologies, and her honors include a Pushcart Prize, a Lannan Writing Residency, and fellowships from the Sustainable Arts Foundation, Centrum and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Her chapbook, “The Resemblance of the Enzymes of Grasses to Those of Whales Is a Family Resemblance” was selected for an Essay Press prize.
In addition to writing poems and essays, Olstein is the lyricist for the rock band Cold Satellite, fronted by singersongwriter Jeffrey Foucault. And while teaching at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was the associate director of the M.F.A. program, she co-founded the Juniper Summer Writing Institute. Olstein lives in Austin, Texas, where she teaches in the Michener Center for Writers at The University of Texas. She earned a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, undertaking additional studies at the Aegean Center for Fine Arts and Harvard Divinity School. During meetings with English classes, Olstein read poems at the request of students and responded to questions. “For me, writing a poem is an act of discovery, usually starting with a voice in my ear,” she said. “I don’t plan it out. I love to find out what happens.” When asked about how much research she conducts for her poems, she responded: “One of the awesome things is you don’t 10
Westminster Bulletin
Above, Lisa Olstein gives a reading in Werner Centennial Center and, below, discusses her poetry with students in an English class.
have to fact-check a poem, although sometimes I will. I don’t keep a notebook of facts but one of word phrases. I also keep a list of potential titles.” Her process for crafting a poem varies. “Sometimes it is close to the first draft and other times it can be 15 drafts,” she said. “I might have a spur to write something but don’t want to be limited by it.” She added that she believes in multiplicity of meaning and does not like to offer advice in poems. Olstein began her reading in Werner Centennial Center by thanking students for “their fantastic questions in classes.” She then read numerous poems and discussed the inspiration behind many of them. In commenting about her poems that reference animals, she said, “Animals give me instant access to my emotions.” She also shared that she can find inspiration in current events. “I might ricochet off what is happening in the news.” “Although her poems are often challenging and sometimes even mystifying, Lisa Olstein proved to be an excellent reader of her own poems and a wonderfully generous teacher,” said English teacher Michael Cervas P’96, ’01, ’10, who directs the Westminster Poetry Series. “In fact, the class sessions were maybe the best part of her visit. She read whichever of her poems students wanted to hear and talked about them, answered student questions about her life as a writer, and spoke about poetry, language, literature and life in smart but accessible ways. English teachers, just like their students, had to work hard in the weeks leading up to Ms. Olstein’s visit to find ways of getting at her poems. But that was an enormously valuable experience, too.” Abby Davis ’20, who read “Late Empire” in Lawrence Court’s AP English Literature class, liked the many different ways to interpret Olstein’s poetry. “Ms. Olstein’s poems were unique and fun to read,” said Abby. “The complexity of each one made them relatable to each reader, and their messages and motifs are universal. Not only were her poems invigorating, Ms. Olstein was a really fun person to meet, and she was able to help us connect with her poetry by sharing with us what inspired her.” Nathalie Charles ’21, who read “Little Stranger” in Bryan Tawney’s P’15, ’17, ’19, ’22 Fourth Form AP English class, initially found Olstein’s poems “difficult to decode” but became increasingly interested in the themes of parenting, love and loss. “Attending her reading for the school and having class with her exposed me even more to the process of a writer, as well as different ways to construct a poem,” said Nathalie. “As a writer, particularly of poetry, the many chances I’ve had to analyze poetry and talk one-on-one with published poets have been invaluable to me.”
HILL HEADLINES
Spring Festival of the Arts Students in the Dance Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Chorale, Concert Band and Jazz Band gave performances in the Spring Festival of the Arts May 23 in Werner Centennial Center.
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HILL HEADLINES
What It Means to be a Diplomat Stephen Hickey ’98 visited Westminster Sept. 16 to give a presentation to the school community about his career as a diplomat for the U.K. He was recently appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, taking up his post in November. For nearly two decades, Stephen has served in a variety of diplomatic positions, most recently as ambassador and political coordinator for the U.K. Permanent Mission to the United Nations for four years. “It is a joy to have an alumnus back to campus to share his experience at Westminster,” said Headmaster Bill Philip in introducing Stephen to the audience. Stephen spent six months at Westminster in 1998 as an English-Speaking Union exchange student from England. Stephen began his remarks by mentioning a small role he had as a student in the Dramat musical “Guys and Dolls” on the very same Werner Centennial Center stage on which he was standing and saying how much he loved every minute of his time at Westminster. He also talked about classes he had with faculty members Michael Cervas P’96, ’01, ’10 and Todd Eckerson P’09, ’11, ’17, ’21. While completing his studies at Oxford, Stephen said he did not know what he wanted to do for a career. “I had
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Above, Stephen Hickey ’98 gives a presentation in Werner Centennial Center and, below, speaks with students in AP Comparative Government.
fun at Oxford and knew I was interested in the world,” he said. He ended up applying for a job with the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office and being offered a position. He learned to speak Arabic. Stephen explained what a diplomat does, emphasizing roles in promoting their country, preventing conflicts and furthering human rights. He shared details about his postings in Syria, Libya and Egypt, including during the Arab Spring. And from his time working with the U.N. Security Council, he said, “We are at a really pivotal moment in the world.” He added that one of the reasons he came to the U.S. to study at Westminster
was that he had always loved America. “I have been inspired by U.S. history,” he said. He recalled living in Andrews House as a student and how he enjoyed being a boarding student. He closed by offering some advice to the students. “Be curious about the world,” he said. “There is so much happening that poses huge opportunities for you and great risks.” He encouraged them to “engage with the rest of the world” by traveling or studying overseas. He said the best opportunity to do this is when they are young and that it will be fun and open up opportunities. “The world needs people like you to be engaged,” he said. Lastly, he urged them to be ambitious and bold. “Very rarely does anyone give you a dream job,” he said. “You have to take risks and put yourself forward.” He closed by responding to a number of questions from students and faculty and thanking everyone for listening. Headmaster Philip concluded the event by saying, “What a great honor to have Stephen here today and to hear how much he cares about all of us.” Following the presentation, Stephen attended Betsy Heckman’s AP Comparative Government class, where he answered questions on a range of topics from British foreign policy and global hotspots to how he became a diplomat and what is the best preparation for that role. (Please see related story on page 69.)
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Horizons and SAWS Welcome Students to Summer Learning Programs Horizons at Westminster, a six-week program serving low-income students from Hartford, completed its second year of summer programming that included a new group of 16 first-graders and a returning group of 16 second-graders. From June 24 to Aug. 2, the students attended classes in Armour Academic Center, ate breakfast and lunch in Armstrong Dining Hall, participated in swimming lessons at Hibbard Aquatic Center and took expedition trips to Talcott Mountain, Simsbury Public Library, Flamig Farm, and the Connecticut Science Center, among other activities. Numerous members of the
Westminster community served as volunteers. In order to provide continuity, students who participate in Horizons at Westminster return to Westminster throughout the year for daylong programs. This summer was also the fifth year the Summer Academy at Westminster School (SAWS) hosted students from Covenant Preparatory School, an all boys, tuition-free middle school in Hartford, for four weeks of classes in Armour Academic Center, some of which were taught by Westminster faculty. The students ate lunch in Armstrong Dining Hall and enjoyed recess with Westminster student volunteers on Commencement Lawn.
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Entrepreneurship Club Forges Ties with Alumni The inaugural year for the Westminster Entrepreneurship Club was a tremendous success and culminated with two alumni mentoring events last spring. The student club was created in fall 2018 as a forum where students can learn about business and what is needed to start one. The club, which is advised by faculty member Kelly Wosleger, also became a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program. “I enjoy advising the club because it provides an opportunity for students to be creative in ways that they may not get in a traditional classroom,” said Kelly. “This group of students is so much more innovative and impressive than I could have ever imagined.” With the aid of Director of Alumni Relations Aileen Daversa ’90, the club held an event in April, modeled after the popular TV show “Shark Tank,” where four groups of students, with the help of alumni mentors, pitched business plans to an alumni panel of judges in front of an audience of some 70 students and faculty. The alumni panel included Sam Matlick ’13, Scott McCausland ’87, P’14, ’16, ’19, Austin Nathan Peterson ’04 and Hadley Pollet ’88. “Throughout the process, alumni in the entrepreneurship field provided valuable advice and concerns that we, as students, had not thought about before,” said the club’s co-leader Olivia Chou ’20. “Members of our club learned important information that is crucial for establishing a business. We greatly appreciated the help and support from the alumni who took time to work with us.”
During the “Shark Tank” event, top, Alex Ellis ’20 and Nathalie Charles ’21 pitch a customized art platform; center, alumni judges Austin Nathan Peterson ’04, Hadley Pollet ’88, Sam Matlick ’13 and Scott McCausland ’87, P’14, ’16, ’19; and, above, students, judges and others following the event. 14
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“I loved working with the students, especially encouraging them to think big and continue expanding and refining their creative business idea every day,” said alumni mentor and judge Hadley Pollet. “During the preparation, my key message to the students was, aside from hitting all the business points, to make their presentation engaging, humorous and fun. During the judging, my feedback was based on both making sure the students were passionate about their projects, as well as that each business plan had some component of giving back to society, which is critical in today’s times.” “The event brought the school community together to watch as the students showcased their creativity and knowledge about business and the work it takes to start one,” added club co-leader Eda Chen ’20. “We hope that students acquire real-life skills for a future career outside the school environment.” In May, the club took a trip to New York City to visit Facebook and Instagram, where Kaleigh Kelly ’11 and Demond Simmons ’93 are employed. Alumni entrepreneurs Ted Levine ’04, Drew Malbin ’04 and Miguel Osio ’09 also stopped by to answer questions and share how Grit & Grace played an important role in their entrepreneurial journey. While there, the students enjoyed some free swag and unlimited snacks.
“It’s an incredible way to get students thinking about their own path to success at a young age, while reconnecting alumni with the school in a fun engaging way.”
“The field trip to New York City gave us a real-world experience with the many components of a successful business,” said Eda. “It was interesting to learn about and observe Facebook’s office and the many departments it houses.” “We were very lucky to be able to visit and even eat a meal at the office of one of the world’s largest online platforms,” recalled Olivia. “The panel with other successful entrepreneurs after the tours also introduced students to new perspectives of the business world.” “I wish I had this kind of education while I was at Westminster,” added Hadley. “It’s an incredible way to get students thinking about their own path to success at a young age, while reconnecting alumni with the school in a fun, engaging way.” This academic year, the club has about 35 student members and is building on last year’s successes.
Top, members of the Entrepreneur Club visiting the Instagram and Facebook office in New York City and, above, the group included Director of Alumni Relations Aileen Daversa ’90, club faculty advisor Kelly Wosleger, Eda Chen ’20, Abby Davis ’20, Allison Kijanka ’20, Alex Ellis ’20, Nathalie Charles ’21 and Olivia Chou ’20. Fall 2019
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Spring Season Highlights First Boys’ Golf First Boys’ Golf had a strong 2019 season, highlighted by winning the Founders League Championship for the first time since 2005. In regular season matches, the team compiled a 15-4 record and consistently shot scores below 200. Along with the team’s victory at the Founders League, the golfers finished second out of 10 schools at the Suffield Invitational, fifth out of 17 schools at the Western New England Invitational and seventh out of 22 schools at the Kingswood Invitational. The team’s greatest strength was the depth of its roster, with significant contributions from Ned Blanchard ’20, Justin Flaks ’20, Peyton Knauf ’19, Bennett Ostern ’21 and Carson Roth ’19.
Peyton Knauf ’19
First Girls’ Golf
Elaina Comia ’19
First Girls’ Golf was fortunate to have five returning players and enjoyed welcoming four new girls to round out a squad of nine who were “all in” with a wonderful work ethic and a desire to improve during the season. The team struggled to win team matches against some worthy opponents including Loomis (New England champions), Hotchkiss (Founders League champions), Choate and Taft, but the girls found success in some outstanding individual matches and enjoyed more than a few shining moments as different players achieved personal bests during the season. In the Founders League Championship, Westminster placed fifth out of seven teams, playing some solid golf against some of the best players in the league. At this point in the development of the golf program, the team’s focus continues to emphasize daily improvement, match play competition and developing a love for the game of golf. The team’s two captains, Ishika Nathan ’19 and Elaina Comia ’19, graduated and represent the last of the “pioneer” girls who joined the team at its inception four years ago. These two players were outstanding in every respect during their four-year commitment to girls’ golf, and each player made significant strides with her own play.
First Boys’ Baseball Following the graduation of many outstanding players, First Boys’ Baseball took on a new look this past spring. The Martlets were led by a capable group of Sixth Formers, including captains Will Carlisle and Jackson Schopp. However, the remaining roster consisted of only two returning players in Finn Gerry ’20 and Ryan Pineault ’20, allowing newcomers to the program plenty of opportunity to have an impact on the lineup. In response, notable performances were had by Kendrick Freeman ’21, Ben Mihailovich ’22, Alex Unruh ’22 and Owen Murphy ’22. This season’s awards were highlighted by Squibb Bowl winner Carlisle, Most Improved Player Gerry and Most Valuable Player Freeman. Also honored were Hamilton Stuart ’19 and Elliott Kennard ’19, each recognized as Westminster’s baseball representatives for the Founders League Award based on character and commitment to the team.
Will Carlisle ’19 16
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First Girls’ Softball Westminster Softball completed an impressive season by defeating Taft in the Class A Western New England Championship game. It was the ninth title for the Martlets since 2008. The team also won the Founders League for the 11th time in 13 years. Highlights from the season included an exciting 6-4 victory over a talented Williston team and a 12-11 win over Taft. The Martlets also rallied to defeat Kent 2-1 in a pivotal league contest. Callista Adorno ’22 had a tremendous season on the mound and at the plate for Westminster. Mandy Busky ’21 and Gabby Nemarich ’20 were impact players throughout the spring. Hailey Tullo ’22 and Bethany Winters ’20 were outstanding infielders. Allie Masthay ’21 stepped in for an injured player and was strong at third base. Abby Davis ’20, Allison Kijanka ’20 and Alayna Tawney ’19 comprised a talented outfield, and Abby Munger ’20 provided timely hits. Busky and Meg Cournoyer ’19 shared catching duties and were superb. In the Class A Tournament, the Martlets defeated Hopkins 14-4 in the semifinal game. The next day, Adorno pitched a gem and also drove in three runs with a triple as Westminster defeated Taft 3-0. Westminster benefited from the significant contributions of Sixth Formers Cournoyer and Tawney. During their four years at Westminster, the team achieved a record of 55-6. Both First Girls’ Softball coaches and players Nemarich and Busky were named to the Western New England All-Star Softball Team. Nemarich and Adorno were named All-League for Western New England.
First Girls’ Tennis For the second year in a row, First Girls’ Tennis advanced to the Class B New England Championship. With a wealth of experience in the lineup, including four Fifth Formers and two Sixth Formers, the Martlets had another outstanding season. Highlights included close wins over Taft and Loomis, as well as tallying more than 10 victories during the course of the season. Four-year players Alex Wolf ’19 and Maggie Chaves ’19 provided leadership and were both rock solid in the singles lineup. On their way to the New England finals, the team defeated Pomfret and Middlesex. In the championship, Westminster faced Hopkins for the third year. This year’s match was quite competitive and exciting. The teams split the top two doubles matches and the No. 3 spot went to Hopkins 9-7. While Hopkins was able to secure the win with three singles victories, the Martlets were ahead in the other three. With most of the team returning in 2020, the future looks bright for this group of hard-working young women.
Alex Wolf ’19 Fall 2019
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First Boys’ Tennis
Ethan Na ’19
First Boys’ Tennis had many questions to answer as it opened up the 2019 campaign. The Martlets were fortunate to have a core of returning students consisting of Azat Mukhametkulov ’19, Ethan Na ’19, Carl Ekholm ’19 and Grant McCargo ’21 who would play exclusively at the top of the ladder. There were five new members promoted from the Second Boys’ team last season and one new Third Former. Highlights of the season included a solid performance by the No. 2 doubles team of McCargo and Na at the Kingswood Oxford Invitational Tournament and team wins over Kent, Loomis, Pomfret and Trinity-Pawling. In the penultimate match of the season against Loomis, the team’s hard work paid off in a hardfought 4-3 win on the road. Nate Chaves ’19 pulled out an exciting third set super tiebreaker to secure the win. The improved play of Scott Wilson ’19 in singles at No. 3 and doubles with partner Scott Lee ’20 helped the team considerably. At the end of the season individual championships, known as the Southern New England Tennis League (SNETL) Tournament, Na won the No. 2 flight and Mukhametkulov was recognized with the sportsmanship award.
First Girls’ Lacrosse
Georgia Swank ’19
“Find a way” was the motto of First Girls’ Lacrosse this season. The team applied this motto to everything it did, day in and day out, both on and off the lacrosse field. In this first season following the loss of beloved coach, mentor and friend Lindsay Bugbee Crosby, the girls of First Lacrosse came together to find a way to play for her and honor her each day. Whether it was the two thrilling overtime wins over both Taft and Northfield Mount Hermon, a gritty come-frombehind victory to beat Middlesex in the first game of the season, or rainy yet energetic practices and games during the wet afternoons, the team — led by captains Blake Cote ’19, Susie Renehan ’19 and Georgia Swank ’19 — played with heart for each other, their coaches, Coach Crosby and Westminster School. This team truly did find a way to make this season an incredibly special and successful one. Cote and Swank were named to the Western New England Prep School Women’s Lacrosse Association (WNEPSWLA) All-Star Team. Jayce Lambert ’19
First Boys’ Lacrosse First Boys’ Lacrosse had an uneven year, although there were exciting wins over Taft, Loomis Chaffee and Williston Northampton schools. Malcolm Kleban ’20 and Jayce Lambert ’19 were named to the All-Founders League Team. Team awards were given to Jordie McKenna ’19 (Hovey Groundball Award), Ryan Messina ’20 (Most Improved Player), Souley Ballo ’19 (Squibb Bowl) and Kleban ’20 (Most Valuable Player).
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Alisa Toner ’21
First Girls’ Track While the team scores for First Girls’ Track were inconsistent, the Martlets showed great promise for the future. Returning athletes, like captain Maya Ruffin ’19 and Dylan Foster ’20, set the tone as regular point scorers. In fact, those two were among the highest scorers on the team. Young athletes, however, made their presence known. Claire Taylor ’21 tied the school record in the pole vault and led the team in scoring for the season. Many other newcomers made major contributions throughout the season, including Samantha de Kanter ’22, Bella Tawney ’22, Alisa Toner ’21, Solveig Nycander ’20 and Laura Mittelman ’20.
Dylan Holley ’20 and Emmett de Kanter ’19
First Boys’ Track Experience led the way this year for First Boys’ Track, and that taught the younger athletes the right way to compete. Drew Brownback ’19, Sean Clarke ’19 and Emmett de Kanter ’19 led the scoring throughout the season. Also of note, Brownback was the New England Prep School Track Association (NEPSTA) champion in the pole vault, Clarke went undefeated in the 100 meter during the regular season and de Kanter set a new school record in the 800 meter. They were certainly not alone; more than 70 percent of the roster scored at some point this season. Other notable contributors included Tunji Osho-Williams ’21, Matt Park ’21 and Jalen Sears ’19 in the jumps; Justin Schuster ’19 setting the pace in the 3,000 meter; and the brothers Pane — Nate ’19 and Greyson ’22 — chipping in for the sprints and hurdles.
Visit www.Westminster-School.org/page/Athletics/Athletics-Schedule for the latest game results and team schedules. Fall 2019
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Financial Aid Enriches the Westminster Experience for All Students The availability of student financial aid has dramatically changed the admissions landscape at highly competitive independent schools. Westminster’s Dean of Admissions, Miles Bailey ’94, above right, and Director of Financial Aid, Kelly Babbidge, above left, discuss the importance of financial aid at Westminster and how it affects Westminster’s ability to attract students who contribute to the vibrancy of the school.
What is Westminster’s financial aid budget? Miles: The financial aid budget for this academic year is $5.86 million, with approximately 30 percent of Westminster students on some form of financial aid. All awards are need based. We do not offer merit, athletic or academic scholarships.
How would you summarize Westminster’s most recent admissions cycle? Kelly: We are very excited about the new class of really great students who came in. We have enrolled students from new states, like Idaho, and new countries, like United Arab Emirates. We also enrolled top scholars and Division I-level athletes. Miles: Westminster is competing with a wider range of schools for very desirable candidates. It is a highly competitive landscape. Schools are marketing specific programs, such as their athletic program or learning center. They are also offering more meritbased aid. We emphasize Westminster’s strengths as a highly competitive school that can offer anything found at a larger school and as a place where students are known in the school community.
How often does the issue of affordability come up with applicants and their families? Miles: The issue of affordability comes up constantly with families and not just for a specific applicant profile. Earlier this
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year, I spoke with someone who has a seventh-grade daughter looking for fall 2020 admission and would typically fit a full-pay profile. The family has a connection to Westminster and goodwill toward the school, but with an older child going to college, their ability to afford the cost of two tuition-charging schools is a major concern.
When an applicant asks about financial aid, what do you tell them? Kelly: I tell them to apply for financial aid because I never know who will qualify until we see the figures. We, along with most schools with which we overlap, use School and Student Services (SSS) to process our financial aid applications. SSS uses a standard calculation to determine an estimated amount that families can contribute toward their child’s educational expenses. Families input all of their financial information, and the system gives us a reading of what the family can afford. Miles: We encourage families to apply because we would much rather work with a family that isn’t sure if they are going to qualify for aid to figure out what we can do. We then know up front how that will become part of our review as we go through the admissions process. This is much better than having the family come to us after acceptance and say they don’t think they can afford to enroll their child. It is much easier if we have them in the pipeline.
How are awards for financial aid reviewed? Kelly: Westminster’s financial aid team uses the estimation from SSS of what the family can afford, in concert with supporting tax documentation, as a starting point for determining a fair and objective financial aid award. We keep all financial information confidential.
“We emphasize Westminster’s strengths as a highly competitive school that can offer anything found at a larger school and as a place where students are known in the school community.”
Miles: It is, rightfully, an income-driven formula. Cost-of-living adjustments are sometimes considered for high-cost areas. There are also ways to account for home equity. We look at a number of things to get the best picture of cash flow. When I talk with families, I make sure they understand that their child attending Westminster is going to be a worthy financial sacrifice.
How does Westminster set priorities for making financial aid awards? Miles: Westminster is a small school that values involvement. We are constantly looking for students who can contribute in multiple areas. Applicants who are highly competitive for financial aid dollars are often going to contribute academically and in extracurricular activities as well. We also talk about character underlying it all. We want good students across the board. Kelly: Our priorities in awarding aid are always based on what the school needs. As an example, if the school needs more Fourth Form boarding girls, we prioritize that. The applicants who fill multiple needs often get priority.
What is the range of financial aid awarded to students at Westminster? Kelly: The smallest award this year is $3,000, with other awards extending all the way to full tuition plus other expenses, totaling around $65,000. The average award this year is approximately $42,500.
Miles: Even when we are dealing with such large numbers, every dollar matters and that is something Kelly constantly articulates to our families and others. A full scholarship beyond tuition can include books, fees, travel, athletic equipment and other needs.
When does the family hear about whether they have been awarded financial aid? Kelly: They hear about their financial award request at the same time they are notified about acceptance for admission. The contract will show what we expect them to pay. Miles: This is unlike colleges, where financial aid is often determined after a student is admitted.
Do families have to reapply for financial aid every year? Kelly: Yes. We want to make sure we are getting an accurate financial picture every year. However, for the most part, family situations don’t change much from year to year.
An Admissions Office meeting in Cushing Hall. Fall 2019
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How does Westminster’s financial aid budget as a percentage of tuition income stack up with peer schools? Miles: I think 25% is where schools in the market are headed for financial aid budgets as a percentage of tuition. Most schools are at 22% to 25% and get to 30% to 50% in the top group. Westminster is at about 21% and ideally would be at 25%.
What are some trends in financial aid among peer schools? Kelly: Peer schools are paying for more things, and some schools are able to get much farther down the admissions process without considering financial aid in their decision to admit students. At some schools, candidates are being flown in for interviews and receive paid lodging. And some students on financial aid at peer schools receive weekly allowances, are offered free summer programming and are given support for athletic trips. Schools are paying for more travel, too, even when it involves a bus trip, such as to New York City. They are also offering computers to anyone on financial aid. Of course, if you get two acceptance letters, and you don’t have to pay a dime at one school, that is very attractive. Miles: It also makes candidates feel really good that a school wants them as a student, and they don’t have to pay.
Why do we lose some of the most competitive students? Miles: We lose students in two ways: First, we lose students whom we have accepted and for whom other schools have been able to offer more financial aid, whether through a cost-of-living variable that makes their award higher or by offering more extras such as computers and allowances. Second, we lose out on students who are very qualified, would benefit greatly from a Westminster experience and would bring so much to our school community, but our resources have gone dry. We usually have
Associate Director of Financial Aid Tim Randall with a student.
a long waiting list of very qualified students for whom we do not have financial aid to offer, and they do not have a school to attend other then their local public school.
Does the need for financial aid affect boarding and day students equally? Kelly: The demographics in Westminster’s immediate geographical area are changing, and the need is often more pronounced for day students. Miles: The nice thing about being a boarding school is that we are able to draw students from all over the world. We can spend time recruiting in areas that are known to be thriving economically, whereas that is not the case locally. As tuition has risen, the need for financial aid has gone up too. We have a lot of families in our local market who need financial aid.
Where are some of the places Westminster recruits students? Miles: Kelly and I were both in California this spring, and we visited Chicago a number of times this past year. We also spent time in Texas, Las Vegas, New York, Seattle, North Carolina and Colorado. Tim Randall, our associate director of financial aid and director of the Davis Scholars Program, travels internationally. When you get out of the Northeast Corridor, I think California and Chicago are probably our two leading domestic markets. We are also seeing schools starting to market financial aid when they are on the road recruiting. They want to recruit students who need significant financial aid from different parts of the country. Kelly: Anywhere we have a strong foothold of Westminster alumni and parents who understand the benefits of the school is advantageous to us for recruiting. Alumni and parents are helping to spread the word and hold receptions at their homes in a lot of markets.
Kelly Babbidge working in her office. 22
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Why is increasing financial aid resources so important to the future of Westminster?
“Financial aid provides access to the tremendous opportunity of a Westminster education to an amazingly talented group of students who would not normally have this opportunity. In doing this, it allows Westminster to be the best school it can be.”
Miles: To remain competitive in the marketplace, we need greater resources for financial aid. It is important for us to have the best possible candidates, and we cannot do that without significant financial aid these days. We need to be able to include students from a much larger socioeconomic window and that applies to academics, the arts and athletics. We are bringing these young people together in an environment, so they can learn from each other as much as they are learning about their academic subjects. To best prepare students for college and beyond, it is vital that we enroll students with differing life experiences.
What impact will the $10 million challenge gift for financial aid as part of the Soar Together Campaign have on financial aid at Westminster? Miles: The main benefit of securing the $10 million challenge is the sustainability it will secure for our financial aid resources. We want the safety net of having financial aid that is endowed and not dependent on tuition. It will be phenomenal to add more scholarships for worthy students. Such a gift will also have the ability to make an impact on a student’s experience beyond just getting them to Westminster. It would allow us to offer such things as a laptop, a summer program, a math tutor or basic needs like a winter coat or transportation costs for travel back and forth between home and school. We look forward to coming up with creative programs to make sure we are providing students with some amazing experiences.
Scholars on campus at one time, since the program is only open to Fourth Formers, Fifth Formers and Sixth Formers. In addition to the current $20,000 grant in funding from the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation, Westminster must provide substantial aid to meet each scholar’s full tuition, along with providing necessities like travel, clothing, tutoring, textbooks and medical care. Most of our Davis Scholars require full aid plus support for other expenses, so a lot of financial support for those students is coming out of Westminster’s financial aid budget.
What is the most gratifying part of awarding financial aid? Kelly: I was a full-financial-aid student at a boarding school, so I always think about giving young people who work hard a shot at an experience that is absolutely life-changing. That is the real importance of what we do. Financial aid also provides a transformative experience for the families of the students involved. Miles: Financial aid provides access to the tremendous opportunity of a Westminster education to an amazingly talented group of students who would not normally have this opportunity. In doing this, it allows Westminster to be the best school it can be. We see a disproportionate number of students who have received financial aid turn out to be academic prizewinners, team captains and accomplished artists. They often become the leaders of our student body and enrich the experience for all students.
Kelly: We would like to get closer to our ideal goal of having students who are on financial aid receive the exact same experience as students who are not on financial aid. It has been hard to get to that point.
How does the Wilde Fund assist students who are receiving financial aid? Kelly: Financial aid, as it is structured now at Westminster, basically covers tuition and books, while our Wilde Fund covers other expenses. Costs of such things as athletic trips, clothing, laptops, graphing calculators, exam registration fees and athletic equipment are covered by the fund to the extent of its limited resources. The fund is not endowed, so we have to be very careful about what we spend.
Is there a funding source for international scholarships? Miles: The Davis Scholars Program, which is funded in part by the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation, is a main source of international financial aid, but that funding only covers a portion of a student’s expenses. We typically have about six Davis
Miles Bailey during a meeting in his office. Fall 2019
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A New Look for the Website The Westminster School website (www.westminster-school.org) showcased a new look July 8. Among its many new features are a changed color palette, a cleaner user interface, updated pages and an improved responsive design for mobile devices. “We wanted to enhance the user experience,” said Audra Harris P’17, ’21, who serves as web manager and assistant director of technology at Westminster. “We wanted to streamline navigation.” The website is visited by about 13,000 people per month, including prospective students and their families, parents, alumni and those seeking more information about the school. Approximately half of all users access the site from mobile devices, which has continued to increase in recent years and was taken into consideration in the redesign process. “When we were contemplating changes, we viewed design options on laptops, desktops and mobile devices in order to get the most cohesive design for all platforms,” explained Audra. The website’s primary mission is to assist prospective families in the admissions process, while also serving needs of other departments, such as the Marketing and Communications Office, and the Advancement Office. The changes were one year in the making. A small group of people, including Audra, Director of Marketing and Communications Jeff Kennard P’19 and members of the school’s Web Committee, assisted in the process. Audra and Jeff consulted closely with colleagues in the Admissions Office and the Advancement Office to identify needs and gather feedback, while also conducting national research about websites from other schools. They then reviewed each of the Westminster site’s some 100 pages for improvements, with special attention given to the pages most frequently visited. While much of the content remains the same, many new photos have been added. The website was last redesigned in 2014.
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The school worked with its longtime website provider, Blackbaud, on the recent redesign. Blackbaud provides a number of information services for Westminster, such as the student information and student billing systems, and offers integration with other products. Behind the public access to the website is a portal, which is utilized by students, faculty and parents to visit the student information system and requires users to log in. There, they can view such things as class schedules, permission forms, assignments and grades. Before the launch of the redesigned site, the school worked with a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist to update keywords and search strings Above, Audra Harris P’17, ’21, web manager and assistant director of technology. to boost search results, and spent time On opposite page and below, screenshots from the new website. improving its Google Analytics account settings. throughout the academic year to discuss updates and Regular updates to the website occur almost daily with the improvements to the site. “This helps us identify needs and plan posting of new photos, videos, news stories, event listings, sports changes,” said Audra, who chairs the committee. Looking to the information and changes to the school calendar. Members of future, she anticipates the necessity to completely redesign the the Web Committee, which includes representatives from the website in another four to five years to keep up with evolving school’s Information Technology, Admissions, Advancement, needs and technology. “It is a dynamic process,” she emphasized. and Marketing and Communications offices, meet biweekly
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Lives Immersed in Schools Many Westminster alumni have had successful careers in leadership roles in education. Two of those alumni agreed to share their thoughts about growing up on boarding school campuses and serving long tenures as heads of school. Their journeys have also included being named leaders of national education organizations. In the following, Arch Montgomery ’71 and Ben Williams ’81 reflect about the special rewards of living lives immersed in schools.
PHOTO: ASHLEIGH MOWER
Arch Montgomery ’71 grew up on boarding school campuses, including Westminster. He earned a B.A. in history and sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. at The University of Texas School of Law. He served as headmaster of Gilman School for nine years and headmaster of Asheville School for 17 years, from which he recently retired. He continues to serve as executive secretary of The Headmasters Association, a position he has held since 2010. His father, Tad Montgomery ’43, served on the Westminster faculty from 1949 to 1960 and was head of four different schools. 26
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Ben Williams ’81, who came to Westminster as a Fourth Former, grew up at Lawrence Academy, the son of the headmaster. Ben earned a B.A. in American studies from Williams College and a master’s degree in American civilization from Brown University. After serving in various capacities at St. Sebastian’s School and St. John’s School, he was appointed headmaster at Cate School in 1997. In 2018, Ben also assumed the role of chair of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), after serving as vice chair for six years. He is a Westminster School trustee, and his two brothers are also heads of schools.
Phyllis Montgomery, second from left, and Arch Montgomery, second from right, hosting seniors in their home at Asheville School during a Senior Coffee.
Fac Brat to Curmudgeon: A School Odyssey By Arch Montgomery ’71 with their children, Brucie and Carol, shared the other half of the Folks from the Westminster Bulletin flattered me by feigning West Cottage duplex with my family. There was a door between interest in my reminiscence about my life in school. My our kitchens, so I got to live in the same house as my best pal, devolution from a happy faculty brat on Williams Hill in 1952 Brucie. When Brucie got the mumps, I got in bed with him in the through my retirement as a sour old curmudgeon headmaster in hopes that I too would get such a cool sounding disease. Does it 2019, may have interest for some, much in the way it is almost get better than that? impossible to avert ones eyes from a car wreck, but I suspect the prattling on of those heading out to pasture is of passing Nothing lasts. Dad got kicked upstairs. Off we went to interest at best for only some tolerant souls. Nonetheless, no selfanother beautiful campus, Garrison Forest School, where Dad respecting headmaster can resist the impulse to talk about himself had been named headmaster. The campus was gorgeous, but because we have honed the skill of boring captive audiences into there were no faculty brats my age until I was a teenager. I did submission for our entire careers. You are forewarned beyond some horseback riding, shot some squirrels in the woods and this point, there be dragons. built a fort behind a dorm named Moncrief. Mom and Dad had the students in and out of our house constantly. They were Brucie Burdett, Lou and Fran Keyes, Jenny Jackson, Colby in plays with the Garrison girls. They played softball on the Bridges and I, Archie Montgomery, were all faculty brats racing lawn after seated dinners. It seemed that the students were part around Williams Hill together looking for mischief. Nothing was of our family. I remember my dad playing field hockey goalie locked. Everything was ours: acres of woods, verdant fields, a with a cigarette dangling from his lips. I pool, dogs everywhere, games to watch. remember my mom’s beautiful alto voice Growing up on the Westminster School singing with the girls. campus was a little short of childhood nirvana, a sort of Elysium, heaven on Then, almost before I knew it, I “Everything was ours: earth. was back on Williams Hill, wearing the acres of woods, verdant required black tie and avoiding being A new teacher I called Uncle Hov caught walking on the grass. Mr. Squibb watched the Mickey Mouse Club with me, fields, a pool, dogs was now my dorm master and JV football while we lay on our stomachs side by side everywhere, games to coach. Uncle Hov was transformed into in front of the black-and-white television watch. Growing up on Mr. Hovey, the dean of students. Uncle in our living room. A man I called Pete was Mr. Keyes, the headmaster. Uncle Squibby gave me “stuff” from the athletic the Westminster School Bruce was Mr. Burdett, still larger than life supply closet. I did not voluntarily remove campus was a little short teaching French and Russian. my bright gold football helmet with the of childhood nirvana, black cross on it and no face mask until Meanwhile, Mom and Dad had bedtime. Uncle Bruce was the biggest moved to the Hill School in Pottstown, a sort of Elysium, man in the world, or so I thought in my Pa., during my time at Westminster. heaven on earth.” 7-year-old mind, and he and Aunt Peg, Those years of high school were a bit
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turbulent (1967-1971). It was hard not to be influenced by the 1968 assassinations of King and Kennedy combined with the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. I remember that my dad struggled to deal with rapid change at the Hill, just as Pete Keyes struggled at Westminster. In fact, Mr. Keyes suffered a stroke in the fall of my senior year. Certainly, the stress of those years could not have helped his health. Don Werner took over, and we had a terrible drug bust during the winter. The school was badly shaken. I was badly shaken. Our angst on the hilltop reflected national turmoil that is hard to describe adequately now. But the year ended with a tremendous display of naked courage. Mr. Keyes, moving slowly and speaking haltingly and carefully, battled through the after effects of his stroke to speak movingly to us at our graduation. That humble, gentle man’s bravery and determination were and remain an inspiration. Arch at Asheville School’s 2019 graduation. And then Don Werner, with his partner, Chairman of the Board Abe Claude, stepped in and saved the school. Boarding schools in general faced hard times in the mid to late ’70s. Several closed their doors. Others merged. Westminster had empty beds would allow me to get my boys settled at their table, and I would and responded by doubling down on the school’s core mission of then leave the two of them, under the gimlet eyes of my senior knowing and caring about each kid and cultivating the qualities colleagues, to retrieve some breakfast. Bad idea. Upon my return of grit and grace while going coed. Those were dicey times at all one boy would be racing around the table like a banshee smeared boarding schools, and Westminster not only survived but thrived. in yogurt, while the other would have a bowl on his head. All the After Westminster in 1971, college, the army, law school, old bald guys were busy looking innocent, preoccupied with their and then a brief stint practicing law and playing around in own breakfasts. One morning I peered around the corner to see politics, I came back to a boarding school campus in 1984. My what the old codgers were up to, and sure enough, the one they wife, baby boy and I lived in a girls’ dormitory called Diman called “Uncle Porky” was making faces and prodding them to North on the St. George’s School campus in Middletown, R.I. misbehave. The boys loved those breakfasts. The joy I felt, with the sure recognition that I had returned to The colleagues who also started with me in 1984 were where I belonged, was indescribable. extraordinary. Most of those had been How’s this for a great job description: fine scholars like Nate Hemphill, a recent talk about history in the morning, coach graduate of Dartmouth, but many of “If you like teenagers, sports you love in the afternoon, hang out them had been extraordinary athletes and some of us may be with your family and a group of bright, too: a captain of the Harvard women’s funny girls in the evening, go to bed, and soccer team, a woman starter for Williams perennial adolescents then rise and repeat the next day. If you soccer, the captain and All-Ivy player ourselves, this sort of life like teenagers, and some of us may be of the men’s Princeton lacrosse team, hardly feels like a job. It is perennial adolescents ourselves, this sort a two-sport varsity athlete — football of life hardly feels like a job. It is constant and basketball — at Stanford, a Detroit constant and exhausting, and exhausting, but it feels more like play Red Wing hockey player, a three sport but it feels more like play than like work. varsity letter winner from Davidson — than like work.” Our second son joined us at St. field hockey, basketball and lacrosse. George’s and so did a beagle. The What a privilege it was to start my career girls came into our apartment every with such an accomplished group of Wednesday night for snacks. In the winter, contemporaries! Our pickup basketball they would gather in front of our fireplace in a great heap of game Wednesday nights only improved when the former Amherst writhing flannel, unselfconsciously tactile and intimate in those point guard joined our group to complement the shooting guard frumpy nightgowns, and they would talk animatedly as if we from Connecticut College. After exhausting ourselves, we would were not there. They were delightful. My wife and I treasured retire to some faculty apartment for a few beers. those nights. My stint in teaching at St. George’s made me fall in love We also treasured our colleagues. The old guard was with a profession I serendipitously stumbled into. Perhaps, extraordinarily talented and lively. I took my two boys over for given my background, it was inevitable; the siren calls of school breakfast in the dining hall early every morning and would be life implanted in the core of my childhood-self drug me onto greeted by an assortment of accomplished, elderly gentlemen who the shoals and reefs of boarding life. Whatever the reason, the
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community had me hooked — wonderful exuberantly friendly place. For 119 years, students of stunning potential, elders of Asheville School has been (and I hope wisdom and honor, and interesting, lively remains) a place that demonstrates its contemporaries. On top of all that, all love for its students by maintaining high of us shared an endeavor we considered standards for both academic achievement fundamentally worthwhile — raising and personal conduct. It is a place where the young, fostering a humane future, every student is known and loved. I promoting the values we hold dear. cherish our years there. Phyllis and I were allowed to be a part of a place with a After St. George’s, I became, at age well-defined culture and a warm, caring 39, the headmaster of a large all-boys environment. It did not hurt, of course, day school in Baltimore — Gilman that when I walked out the front door of School. I followed a legend, who had the headmaster’s house every morning, or rightfully earned his legendary status when I put my feet up on our terrace at through extraordinary service and the end of a busy day, my view was one of character over multiple decades. As a Arch speaking at Asheville School’s 119th the magnificent peaks of the Appalachian callow youth, unaware of the depths of commencement ceremony this year. Mountains. Trout streams beckoned me, his inexperience and ignorance, I plunged and I admit to sneaking off campus on into the job with impetuous enthusiasm. occasion to see if some little brook trout were hungry. My gratitude to the Gilman community for nurturing me along, teaching me how to be a headmaster, and supporting my family Phyllis and I feel blessed to have spent the better part of our and me is significant. Our favorite part of that experience was lives serving young people. The job is inherently worthwhile. It is the community of faculty and staff members who lived with us particularly gratifying, however, at schools which emphasize the on campus. We lived on a crescent with a shared lawn where the importance of healthy relationships between adults and students, faculty children gathered to plot their evenings. They popped in where there are communal gatherings such as seated meals, and out of one another’s houses like chipmunks and created a chapels, convocations, where advisors and teachers really spend lively, obstreperous gang. The parents would gather to observe time with their charges, and where coaches are also teachers and the hijinks, and it was a truly enjoyable communal child-raising mentors. These are the schools that have given me so much, and endeavor. we have been blessed with the chance to return a small measure of that grace. The French Canadian philosopher Jean Vanier says Whatever wisdom I garnered from my experience at Gilman that each of us yearns “to love and be loved.” That is the magic begins with the truth that nobody should rush to become a of small boarding school communities. headmaster. The early years of teaching and coaching go by too quickly to abbreviate them. They deserve to be cherished and prolonged. Second, Gilman taught me both that I was lucky to serve at a great day school and that my heart really belonged in boarding schools. It is important to become a head of school at an institution that fits your strengths and philosophy. Fit is everything in terms of satisfaction with life at a school. After my nine years at Gilman, Phyllis and I headed down to Asheville School in Asheville, N.C. This was a return to the intimacy of a boarding school community. We were at Asheville School for 17 years, having finished our tenure June 30, 2019. While there must have been bumps in the road during our time in those beautiful southern mountains, I remember only a few. Mostly I am just grateful for the community that welcomed us. Dogs and faculty children raced around campus mingling with the students and creating a high-energy, fast-paced, hardworking and Arch with students at Asheville School before he retired as head of school.
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Reflections from A Bag of Doorknobs By Ben Williams ’81
had applied were likely to read that particular description, but I Many decades ago, Don Werner, Westminster’s headmaster at found myself laughing out loud. Maybe I should have been a bit the time, sent me a copy of a recommendation letter he had more vain or somehow offended, but to be any of those things prepared for me. I was leaving the world of New York finance, meant I was likely not going to be a good teacher. Education is a a temporary career I initiated mostly to convince the woman I humbling endeavor. It’s also a magical one. And it is not for the loved to marry me. She said “yes” and I began exploring teaching faint of heart or the thin-skinned or those who take themselves jobs in the Boston area. That’s where Don’s letter came in. too seriously. Though I probably shouldn’t have, I read the letter. Ironically, I had asked my managing director at the investment Don knew that, of course, which I think is why he sent me bank where I was working to write me a similar reference that letter. More important, though, he knew me, my strengths, expressing support for me in my new career, but he refused. my failings and everything in between. “Write one yourself,” he said, “and if I like it, I’ll sign it.” Maybe I spoke recently at a memorial service for a longtime Cate I read Don’s just to reassure myself that there are thoughtful people of principle still out there. His letter affirmed my every hope. It was lovely and at least from my perspective fairly accurate. But it was written by Don Werner, so there were some clever tongue-in-cheek moments. I was an enthusiastic but far from a great athlete during my days at Westminster, and it seemed I was growing several inches a year. When I returned after the summer of my sophomore year, many of my classmates did not recognize me. So Don included in his letter an anecdote about watching me play in a hockey game as a center iceman. “I saw him take a hit in front of the goal,” Don wrote, “and he looked like a bag of doorknobs hitting the ice.” I have no idea how the various Top, Ben Williams during Cate School’s 2019 Grandparents Weekend Fireside Chat with the Headmaster and, above, with Cate students during a reception. heads of school to whose institutions I 30
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trustee named Nelson Jones who graduated from Cate in 1948. Said I in his eulogy, “Education, particularly at the high school level, finds young people in need not simply of models, people who they might emulate, but of people who might invest in them, help them understand that they are each distinct, worthy and capable of whatever they set their mind to. Nelson, perhaps more than most, recognized that need and answered it with his generous friendship and unselfish attention.” There were a host of faculty members at Westminster — Peter and Tally Briggs, Charlie Holmes, Mike Jackson, Richard Miller, Bruce Burdett, Jose Ilzarbe, Ed Cowing, Joan Howard, Alan Brooks, Fritz Zeller, Gordon McKinley and Tad Staley — who did the very same for me. So did Don Werner. And that was a difference maker. Beginning early in my junior year, Don Ben with Cate students during a water polo match. and Dean of Studies, soccer coach and French teacher Geoff Wilbraham — avid doubles partners — began challenging my Dad returned to campus to find the students engaged in a “sit-in” roommate, Jay Niles, and me to tennis matches on Sunday protesting a decision by the dean of students. Not every child gets mornings. Maybe they thought we were the right level, not too to see a parent manage such a public challenge. Yet Dad did so good, beatable or just good company? I don’t really know. At the repeatedly, always with patience, wisdom and seemingly not a time, all I understood was that we were playing a game together, shred of ego. Masterful as he was, Dad’s greatest gift as a leader enjoying ourselves, and getting to know people we admired in a seemed to be his inclination to believe in people, to see the best in manner that made them and us fuller, more complete people. them even when circumstances might reveal them at their worst, Don Werner was not the first headmaster I came to know to listen carefully, to question thoughtfully and to lead gently. His well. That was my father, who began his working life, ironically, was and is quite an archetype. much as I had, in a brokerage house in New York. Dad had I remember, too, the letter he wrote to me after I had been been a Marine after college, married my mother shortly after he appointed to the headship at Cate. I had shared the news with left the service and began work for W.E. Hutton & Co in New him in a late night phone call from York, the firm his father was with. But Houston, Texas, where we were living my dad knew almost immediately that it at the time, and when he woke up the wasn’t for him. A former drill instructor next morning he may have wondered if for officer candidates at Quantico, he “Education is a humbling he had imagined the whole conversation. knew what was required to bring out the endeavor. It’s also a So he wrote me a letter that began, best in people, but he had little interest in magical one. And it is not “Ben, I believe you called last night to discovering how funds should be invested. say that you have been offered the job as So after several months in the for the faint of heart or headmaster at Cate. Please call to confirm business, my father went to see his dad the thin-skinned or those when you receive this note … because I to tell him he wanted to teach. My who take themselves too may have been dreaming.” grandfather, who fought in two wars and The second letter he wrote to me believed first and foremost in duty and seriously.” after my appointment was a bit more integrity, told my father, “That’s fine, son, substantive, containing all kinds of as long as you pay back to the firm the practical advice. Do not be afraid to salary you have accrued to date.” Dad question your own plans or to change course if need be. Do not did, went on to Pomfret School, where I and my two brothers underestimate how carefully people are watching or listening. were born, and then in 1969 became head at Lawrence Academy Honor their attention and their investment in the school. Do your in Groton, Mass. best, but do not try to go it alone. It is the many who matter, not It was on those two campuses where my brothers and I the few. grew up, not simply enjoying the communities and amenities It was more than two decades ago that he wrote that letter, that come with boarding school living, but watching our father and I have tried to live up to his example and his advice. My try to guide and coax the schools through a time of remarkable ability to do so has been informed necessarily by everything that turbulence and social upheaval. My father has often remarked has happened before and since. Some of it good, some of it really to my brothers and me — all of us now run boarding schools — hard, all of it deeply educational. that the job is so much tougher now. But I can’t imagine anything A year and a half ago as part of a celebration of my 20th more difficult than maintaining purpose, focus, and collective year as headmaster at Cate, I was asked if I had now “seen it coherence during the 1960s and ’70s. all.” After two decades running a school, surely nothing could Among my many memories of childhood was the moment Fall 2019
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“…it seems clear that the greatest opportunities and challenges we face in schools have little to do with program or graduation requirements, but rather focus on the character and quality of human experience, of interpersonal achievements or strains, of the manner in which life — and its incumbent victories and defeats — invigorates and informs our campuses.” Ben watching a Cate varsity baseball game.
surprise me anymore. Just a few weeks later we found ourselves in unfamiliar territory evacuating our school campus — students, faculty and staff — because of an onrushing wildfire. I walked our empty campus as the mountains surrounding our mesa glowed ominously with flame, and the wildland fire crew leader on-site asked me “which buildings we should try to save.” In the end, those firefighters saved them all — 26 crews managed to steer the blaze around us. But on the day following our community’s return from that evacuation, we were struck by the central coast mudslides which claimed the lives of two members of the school family and made homeless a host of others. No one — including me — was ready for that winter, though we could not have known so beforehand. Writing in the late 1970s, about the time I was a student at Westminster, Joan Didion famously called the weather of the West the “weather of catastrophe.” Who would have guessed 40 years later I would learn that very lesson firsthand?
Ben and his wife, Ginger, enjoy Cate School’s surprise assembly and cake celebration in recognition of his 20 years as headmaster.
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Maybe it’s just a reminder of the veracity of Don Werner’s long ago recommendation, that schools and school leadership are distinguished often by how we manage the unpredictable and the unexpected. How will that bag of doorknobs respond to this one? What’s more, it seems clear that the greatest opportunities and challenges we face in schools have little to do with program or graduation requirements, but rather focus on the character and quality of human experience, of interpersonal achievements or strains, of the manner in which life — and its incumbent victories and defeats — invigorates and informs our campuses. That’s done differently in each school. While some of the “processes of life” as Woodrow Wilson called them a century ago in his address to the Lawrenceville graduates are similar and recognizable — curriculum, athletics, worship, residential life, etc. — the cultures and characters of each place vary dramatically. And the key for each school leader is enabling his or her community to continually become more authentically itself. In such a way we mirror the path that our students are on — a journey toward identity — one that never ends, but grows and evolves and becomes fuller as we come to understand ourselves and our relationship to the changing world in which we live. As a trustee at The Association of Boarding Schools for the last decade and the current chair of the board, that fact has become all too clear. Thriving schools are made so by the collective investments of the community — students, faculty, alumni, parents — and they exist for some purpose beyond selfinterest or advancement. That is where the leader comes most conspicuously into play — where my father and Don Werner and a host of other remarkable mentors — made the difference. For they made the work of the school not about them but about us. Whether we are working on behalf of a single school or the community of boarding schools, that truth holds. Said my closest friend and fellow Westminster prefect, Jay Niles, after a particularly competitive match against the Werner/Wilbraham duo, “That was fun. For a while I thought we ought to let them win.” I bet they were thinking the same thing. Life is an education … and education is life.
A Legacy of Leadership in Education Associations Westminster School has had a presence in national organizations of schools going back decades.
THE HEADMASTERS ASSOCIATION Westminster’s involvement with The Headmasters Association, which was established in 1893, began with the school’s founder, William Cushing. The mission of the organization is “to increase the opportunities for mutual acquaintance among headmasters and for the interchange of views on matters of common interest to secondary schools.” Member schools have included those that are urban, rural, suburban, public, private, day and boarding. A guiding principle of the organization is that membership, which is limited to 100 by its charter, is individual and not institutional. Almost all of Westminster’s headmasters, including current Headmaster Bill Philip, have been members of the association: Arthur “Prof” Milliken was elected in 1942 and served as the association’s president in 1955, Frances “Pete” Keyes was elected THE ASSOCIATION OF BOARDING SCHOOLS in 1963 and Graham Cole was elected in 1998. The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), which serves For the last 20 years, the association has had Westminster college-preparatory boarding schools in the United States and leadership. around the world, leads an effort to promote awareness and Arch Montgomery ’71, who recently retired as headmaster understanding of boarding schools and to expand the applicant of Asheville School, has served as its executive secretary since pool for member institutions. It is also a resource for educators 2010. Arch’s tenure in that position follows on the heels of seeking training, research, guidance and support on issues former Westminster School Headmaster Don Werner, who was pertaining to the residential school experience. elected to the association in 1975, elected secretary in Westminster was a member at the conception of 1986 and became its president TABS in the late 1990s and was involved as early as in 1989. In 2000, he was 1980 onward, before TABS, when boarding schools appointed executive secretary constituted a committee of the National Association and served in that capacity for of Independent Schools. 10 years. Don edited the book Alan Brooks ’55, who served as Westminster’s about the association’s history director of admissions and later as director of on its 100th anniversary in development before his retirement, was involved 1993 and updated it in 2013. in this early founding effort, which mainly “Westminster has been essential focused on how to put forward the concept of in the history of this important boarding school and supported admissions. organization far beyond its size,” “Our early discussions centered around how said Don. best to advertise boarding schools and in what Association members vehicles,” said Alan. “We did produce a small who taught at Westminster and brochure and there may even have been a then moved on to head other Westminster photo in it, though likely of schools from which they were students.” elected to the association include Over the years, Westminster has Edwin Pratt (Browne and Nichols continued as a member of TABS. Ben School), Archer Harman (St. Williams ’81 serves as the chair of its George’s School), Archibald “Tad” board of directors. Montgomery ’43 (Garrison Forest School), Phillips Smith (TrinityPawling School), Richard Flood (Salisbury School) and Bob Hill Top left, Arch Montgomery ’71 serves as executive secretary of The Headmasters (Williston Northampton School). Association and, top right, Ben Williams ’81 is chair of the Board of Directors of TABS. Ben Williams ’81, headmaster of Above, the cover of the book former Westminster School Headmaster Don Werner edited about The Headmasters Association. Cate School, is an active member.
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WESTMINSTER
REUNION
2019
WES_ShieldRibbon_PMS123_C.eps
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Reunion 2019 will be remembered for having one of the largest turnouts in Westminster’s reunion history. Nearly 300 alumni from classes ending in the 4s and 9s and their guests visited campus May 3-5 for a weekend of activities. Not only was the turnout impressive, but several alumni traveled a great distance to attend the weekend’s festivities.
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Friday night’s events began with the seventh annual Alumni Art Exhibit in Baxter Gallery and a cocktail reception in Armstrong Atrium of Armour Academic Center. On display in the exhibit were works by four alumni artists: Peter Duxbury ’69 shared images of houses he designed in Northern California, Emily Bissell Laird ’79 displayed oils on canvas showing a connection to a place and animals, John Lape ’69 exhibited images of projects designed by his architecture firm that specializes in designing senior communities, and Susie Wilcox White ’74 showed oils on canvas of the bond between mother and child in the animal kingdom. Susie was delighted to visit with her former Westminster art teacher Jerry Powers,
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who attended the opening of the show. Artworks in the exhibit were available for purchase with a portion of the sale going to Westminster’s Wilde Fund, which supports current students. “It is a real pleasure to welcome so many alumni back to the school for this special weekend,” said Headmaster Bill Philip as he greeted everyone at the cocktail reception and exhibit. “This is a school that has always been about community and relationships, and that has defined the school since its founding.” He talked about the intentional design elements of Armour Academic Center and the many visiting artists and musicians who come to campus throughout the year. He closed by wishing everyone a wonderful time during the weekend.
Class Dinners Class dinners took place in a variety of locations on and off campus. The Class of 1969 celebrated its 50th reunion in Adams Dining Room of Armstrong Dining Hall. Joining the class for dinner were former Westminster Headmaster Don Werner P’79, ’82 and archivist Scott Reeves P’03, ’05, ’05. During the evening, a slide show displayed images from prior reunions, and members of the class offered remembrances of classmates. After dinner, Hilly Ebling ’69, Peter Anlyan ’69, Mike Monagan ’69 and Caleb Rossiter ’69 of the band No Feat provided musical entertainment. The band needed a drummer, so Justin Schuster ’19 stepped in and played. He learned many new songs for the evening, and practiced and performed with the band for hours, enjoying being a part of the class’s reunion. “I am excited to be back,” said John Dunbar ’69, who was visiting from Southern California and was last on campus for his 40th reunion. “It still feels like home.” “Everyone played different roles in planning our reunion,” explained Bob Bynum ’69. “Some people had not been back in years, and for others, it was their first time back.” Members of the Class of 1959 had their 60th reunion dinner at the home of Sherwood Willard ’59 in Bloomfield, where they shared news about what people are doing and stories about the past. “Very good conversation,” commented Charlie Dilks ’59. The classes of 1949 and 1954, back for their 70th and 65th reunions, respectively, had dinner in Hinman Reading Room, and the classes of 1964, 1974, 1979, 1984 and 1989 celebrated 55th, 45th, 40th, 35th and 30th reunions in Brockelman Student Center. Jamie Karp Stone ’79 of Seattle recalled being married in Andrews Memorial Chapel, and Gina Varano ’79 of Wallingford, Conn., thought it was amazing how school facilities had changed. “It is absolutely beautiful,” she said. “What an opportunity for students.” As for seeing her classmates, she added, “You pick up on conversations that may have started 10 years ago.” The Class of 1994 gathered at the faculty home of Miles Bailey ’94 for dinner, while the Class of 1999 met for dinner at the home of faculty member Newell Grant ’99. The classes of 2004, 2009 and 2014 celebrated off campus at the Iron Horse Pub in Simsbury. Sara Griffin ’04, who was visiting from Dallas, Texas, enjoyed catching up with old friends and touring campus. “I love seeing how the campus has progressed,” added Caroline Scott ’09. “There are so many improvements that make educating students better. I am feeling extremely nostalgic with best friends going back 14 years.” And Mikaela Bengtsson ’09, who was visiting from Sweden, said she found it “surreal” being on campus. Top to bottom, the classes of 1949 and 1954 had dinner in Hinman Reading Room; the Class of 1969 had dinner and listened to the sounds of No Feat in Adams Dining Room; the Class of 1994 gathered at the faculty home of Miles Bailey ’94; and the classes of 1964, 1974, 1979, 1984 and 1989 enjoyed time together in Brockelman Student Center. Fall 2019
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Saturday’s Events At an all-school chapel service and memorial service for alumni held in Andrews Memorial Chapel, the speaker was Giovanni Hamilton ’19 a boarding student from Hartford and the Alumni Association Scholar. He spoke about the challenges he faced as a new student of color at Westminster, how he found his path after his Third Form year, about having teachers who really cared about him and about his involvement in various groups on campus. “One thing for sure, I’m trying to say thank you,” he said. “Westminster School is a place I will never forget.” Director of Alumni Relations Aileen Daversa ’90 and members of the John Hay Vestry read the names of 21 alumni who had died during the past year, and the Chamber Choir sang “Danny Boy.” Following the chapel service, alumni took part in the Grand March of Alumni around a portion of campus with their class banners. The Class of 1954 piled into classmate Tim Clark’s convertible and led the parade, which ended at Armstrong Dining Hall. Alumni then attended the headmaster’s school update held in Adams Dining Room. Bill Philip pointed out the importance 38
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of spaces on campus, including how Adams Dining Room is the setting for many events and how Gund Dining Room allows for family-style lunches four days a week. He referenced the central community spaces around the Sixth Form Lawn and described the composition of the student body. He also shared the successes of the school’s selective admissions process and the college counseling process, and talked about the very busy schedule of events during the year. “I think Westminster School is really one of the very best secondary schools in the country, and the reason for that has to do with the ethos of the school,” he said. “Because we are a small school, we ask students to do all sorts of different things. We offer students opportunities they might not have at a larger school where they are competing with more students. Students are being stretched here, and in the process, discovering talents they might not be aware of. And that is what growing up is all about.” He outlined the challenges of Westminster competing against the best secondary schools in the country and the world in admissions, in faculty recruitment and retention, and in
every respect. “At the same time, the school is on a remarkable trajectory,” he said. “The school looks different for many of you who haven’t been here in a while, but I hope it still has a familiar feel.” He referenced how Westminster is in a different place than it was a few decades ago and highlighted the challenge of addressing the school’s endowment needs in order to be competitive. “We are making some really good progress,” he said in talking about the school’s Soar Together Campaign, which is focused on support for students, faculty and programs. “If the future of the school is to be secure, we have to secure the place of the people who have always made the school special.” He explained the $10 million challenge gift dedicated to financial aid from an anonymous donor if the campaign reaches $90 million by 2022. “This would be transformative,” he emphasized, before responding to numerous questions. The reunion luncheon took place in Armstrong Dining Hall, followed by class photos, campus tours and attendance at numerous home games. Graham Gund ’59 led a tour for his classmates of the dining hall, and a student and faculty residence.
Graham is Westminster’s master planner and founder and president of GUND Partnership, which has designed many new facilities on campus. The Class of 1994 gathered in Keyes Garden to share memories about Erin McGuigan Parker ’94, who died in 2017. Members of the McGuigan family joined them. And members of the Class of 2009 memorialized Davey Hovey ’09, who also died in 2017, by making all of their reunion gifts in his memory. Saturday’s activities concluded in Armstrong Dining Hall with a cocktail reception, and the Black and Gold Dinner Dance. The Class of 2014 also opened its time capsule, sharing many laughs about what was put into the capsule five years ago.
Farewells on Sunday Many alumni returned for brunch on Sunday morning to say their farewells to classmates and make promises to return to campus in five years. The lasting friendships and bonds that are formed at Westminster were once again celebrated this year at reunion.
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REUNION 2019
Class of 1949
Class of 1954
Bill Thomson, Tim Smith, Bruce Taylor and Pem Hutchinson ’50
Tim Clark, Dave Hubby, Chris Smith, Bill Childs, Dick Cuyler and Tom LaMotte
Class of 1959
Class of 1964
Wis Silver, Ben Day, Art Gilliam, Dick Elliott, Lee Dunham, Sherwood Willard, Graham Gund, Peter Kellogg, Phil Kerr, Charlie Dilks and Tim Stevens
Doug Unfried and Peter Greene
Class of 1969 Front row, Jay Remer, Jim Bickford, Bob Bynum, David Bailey, Rob Clemens, Chuck Welsh, Caleb Rossiter, John Lape, Peter Wenigmann and Peter Anlyan Back row, Hilly Ebling, George Smith, Jim Offield, Andrew Cort, Mark Roberts, Dave Alvord, Chris Porter, Richard Porth, Tim Vincent, Tom Geissler, Chris Burr, Michael Fales, David Patlovich, John Dunbar, Matt Snyder, Michael Monagan and Peter Platt 40
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Class of 1974 Bob Sargent, Art Santry, Andrew Lazarus, Jon Price, John Hugens, Dave Bartram and Win Hotchkiss
Class of 1979 Front row, Mike Haupt, Art Dague, Jake Jacob and Dave Dines Back row, Tim Willard, Jenny West Kearns, Andy Raynor, Jon Dean, Steve Smith, Chris Hamilton, Margaret Bruun-Anderson Smith, Jon Raye, Hendon Pingeon, Dick Waterman, Emily Bissell Laird, Jamie Stone Karp and Gina Varano
Class of 1984 Front row, Susan Doran, Renee Lynch Carrel and Liz Grant Schroeder Middle row, Warren Dibble, Elisabeth Andresen Massey, Ned Burns and Nick Stevenson Back row, Steve Boeschenstein, Bob Thorson, Eunie Han van Vredenburch and P.J. Bowers
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REUNION 2019
Class of 1989 Front row, Suzanne Oppenheimer, Randy Richardson Beckford, Dinah Steward, Suzie Lowry and Jason Usher Back row, Jamie Peterson, Sloane Andrews Bergien, John Mechem, Jen Sorenson Buddenhagen, Brett Moyer, Will Beckford, Rick Wilcox, Henry Beckmann, Rob Horsford, Hector Gordon, Steve Young, Rich Mugler, Ed Naylor, Lisa Sullivan Butler, Aishling Watterson Peterson, Mtu Pugh and Stewart Winkler Not Pictured, Elliot Gray, Corey Sullivan and Matt Vendetti
Class of 1994 Front row, Elizabeth Hibbard Sianturi, Alexis Donney Lannan, Maritza Torres-Manzino, Steve Reeves and Miles Bailey Middle row, Emily van Nierop Keats, Beth Richey Cristini, Suzanne Daglio Armstrong, Emily Fuller Rooney, Jose Ruiz and Mike Wiernasz Back row, Beecher Scarlett, Kelso Davis, Darcey Halsey, Mike Morgan, Martha Payne, Elliott Francis and Jesse Sturm
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Class of 1999 Nick Berno, Torrey Trzcienski, Newell Grant, Abbie Wold Long, Brian Mitchell, Lauren Polo Patnaude, Ryan Balavender and Bryce Petty
Class of 2004
Class of 2009
Liz Torres and Sarah Griffin
Front row, Mikaela Bengtsson, Whit FitzPatrick, Alie Philip Preefer, Ashley Jeffress, Caroline Scott, Ali Bragg and Caroline Moran Back row, Mike Dudley, Taylor Gould, Stephen Busky, Kirby Zdrill and Charlie Keegan
Class of 2014 First row, Jake McCausland, Mackenzie Blinn, Eugenia Naamon and Kristi Wertz Second row, Rachel Chan, Cricket di Galoma, Jackie Mendia, Brittany Swanson, Ellie Deveaux, Thiele Schroeder, Emily Clippinger, Maxine Smith, Katherine Kelter, Claire Egan, Charlotte DeLana, Meg Gresham, Lia Peterson, Katie Hovey, Kelcie Finn, Chandler Nemetz and Alexa Armour Back row, Morgan Heck, Zac Hamilton, Lee Hughley (class dean), Emily Mell, Jen Girard, Yamilex Munos, Yvonne Pruitt, Chanice Gooden, Stephen McCormick, Toby Casper, Charlie Russel, Alvin Heumann, Pierce Cote, Anish Chadalavada, Cade Von Gal, Eric Rost, Evan Doodian, Matt Knight, John Pappas, Ben Shivley, Mike McNally, Charlie Niles, Sebatian Aboitiz, Stephen Cox and Mark Pfister Fall 2019
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Commencement 2019 Westminster School celebrated the graduation of 114 students in the Class of 2019 at commencement exercises May 25. Family members and friends of the graduates were thanked for their role in making the achievement possible, and members of the graduating class were extended appreciation for their ongoing efforts to lead and support the school community.
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Headmaster Bill Philip
Scott Wilson ’19
After making some introductions, Headmaster Bill Philip welcomed everyone to the ceremony and spoke about the remarkable school year. “This year, our Admissions Office processed about 1,000 applications for 130 openings,” he said. “In College Counseling, 89 percent of the members of the Class of 2019 were admitted to colleges ranked in the “most” or “highly” selective categories in Barron’s Profiles of Colleges and Universities. This achievement underscores the impressive talent shared by all of the graduates we are celebrating today.” He also thanked those present for their support of the Soar Together Campaign for Westminster School. “This school is flourishing thanks to the passion of our school community, whether students, faculty, parents, alumni and friends here on campus today or in the past and future, as well as those around the country and the world who cherish and seek to advance this school as it makes a difference in the lives of students.” In his Salutatory Address, Head Prefect Scott Wilson ’19, a resident of Simsbury, talked about his Westminster journey, beginning with his arrival as a Third Former, and how his form dean, Paul Kendall, had asked members of the Prefect Board at the beginning of the 2018-2019 academic year who they would be as a person leaving Westminster. “I am who I am because people have influenced me in a way that I may not even be conscious of,” said Scott. “So as I look out and I see the Class of 2019, I am so proud to know that these are the kids I will be moving on with. And we are kids, but we’re not just kids. We are athletes, actors, artists, performers, classmates, teammates, clowns and friends. We are the future. … I’m a little bit of all of them.” He concluded by saying, “Take these people with you and remember when you need them, they will always be there.” Headmaster Philip then recognized two departing members of the Westminster community. Faculty member Jon Deveaux P’14, ’16 was leaving to become head of school at Fairfield Country Day School July 1. Following his appointment to the Westminster faculty in 1993, Jon served 22 years as director of admissions, and one year as senior advancement officer. Going forward, his family’s home on campus will be known as Deveaux House. Plant manager Peter Anderson P’14, who was retiring,
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Soledad O’Brien P’19, ’20
was saluted for his dedicated service to Westminster from 19852011 and 2017-2019, his leadership and his legacy overseeing numerous construction projects over the years. The keynote speaker was Soledad O’Brien P’19, ’20, an award-winning journalist, speaker, author and philanthropist. She spoke about being the parent of a member of the graduating class and the difficulties her own parents faced as a mixed-race couple. She also talked about Westminster’s motto, Grit & Grace, saying: “When your education is framed around the pillars of Grit & Grace, you are prepared to move forward in a world that will be hard. … You are so fortunate to have been raised in a community that values these things: being a great student, being a focused athlete and being a great human being. Those are the elements that will make you successful in life.” She added: “The hard stuff is to always hold on to your integrity, those things that you stand for, the values that you learn at home and at school and to have a sense of compassion for people who are nothing like you, who do not look like you, who do not act like you, and who are also human beings who are just trying to figure it out as you are. If you are sitting here today, you have been privileged. You got the chance to attend this school, so you are among the very lucky ones who have been given tremendous opportunities wherever your story started, whatever obstacles you have overcome. Much has been given to you, so we expect a lot from you.” She closed by encouraging the graduates to face their worries and push through them. “There are many, many roads to get to where you are going and getting somewhere worthwhile means that some of the story will be what didn’t work out, what went wrong. That is the story of life and that is what makes life an adventure. You have everything you need to succeed in that adventure because of this school, the teachers, the advisors and friends who have been invested in you overall these past years. … This is the beginning of some very great things from the Class of 2019, and I am honored to be in the Westminster family with you.” O’Brien anchors and produces the Hearst Television political magazine program “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien.” She is
Yoonah Lee ’19
also founder and CEO of Starfish Media Group, reports for HBO Real Sports, the PBS NewsHour and WebMD, and has written two books: her critically acclaimed memoir “The Next Big Story” and “Latino in America.” A graduate of Harvard University, she has anchored and reported for NBC, CNN and others, winning numerous awards, including three Emmys, the George Peabody Award, an Alfred I. duPont Award and the Gracie. Newsweek magazine named her one of the “15 People Who Make America Great.” With her husband, Brad Raymond ’85, P’19, ’20, she is founder of the PowHERful Foundation that annually sends 25 girls to and through college. In her Outstanding Scholar Address, Yoonah Lee ’19, a resident of Seoul, South Korea, spoke about how words influence thoughts and actions. She shared how she gained confidence, even when things did not go as expected, by saying positive words to herself. And she recounted how words of encouragement from her photography teacher, Jane Toner P’02, ’21, motivated her to complete a biofluorescence project that was displayed for the whole school. “Words have the power to change your thoughts that are to be carried out through your actions, that stitched together, create and define your lives,” said Yoonah. “As excited as we all are to start a new chapter in our lives, let’s be honest, we are all quite nervous and scared to face obstacles that are soon to come. Even if you forget everything I said, take these words to heart: We can do it. We are happy. And life is amazing.”
Awarding of Diplomas Headmaster Philip and Chair of the Board of Trustees Brad Raymond with the assistance of Director of Studies Bill Sistare presented diplomas to members of the class. The graduates then participated in the Westminster tradition of passing diplomas on the Sixth Form Lawn. They formed a circle, and at the signal of the head prefect, passed the random diplomas they received during the commencement ceremony until they received their own diploma. They then stepped out of the circle signifying their graduation.
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The Lawn Ceremony
One of Westminster’s most cherished traditions is the Lawn Ceremony that takes place the evening before commencement. As in past years, members of this year’s Sixth Form pulled members of the Fifth Form onto the Sixth Form Lawn. This was followed by members of the Prefect Board pulling on members of next year’s board: Ned Blanchard, Lizzy McCoy, Travis Paulsen, Cecilia
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Raymond, Liam Seeley, Ian Shane and Chris Turino. The last two Fifth Formers to be pulled on were the new junior prefect, Will Lynch, and the new head prefect, Megan Rittenhouse. Also ushered onto the lawn as honorary members of the Class of 2019 were faculty members Paul Kendall and Mitch Overbye P’05, ’09.
Class of 2019 College Matriculation Adena Nnena Ajike University of California, Berkeley
Blake Storrs Cote Washington and Lee University
Ethan C. Andrews University of Oxford
Megan Caroline Cournoyer Northeastern University
Nina Ausperger Graz University of Technology Greta Haffenreffer Baker University of Virginia Souleymane Ballo Hobart and William Smith Colleges Annabel Alcott Bradley Colgate University Curtis Francis Brockelman III University of Richmond Andrew Heins Brownback Boston University Hannah Teresa Carbone Sacred Heart University William Byron Carlisle Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Lily Coudert Carrel Bucknell University Warwick M. Carter III Colgate University Margaret Derby Chaves St. Lawrence University Nathaniel Walker Chaves Dickinson College Jaeyoung Chun University of Virginia Sean Edward Clarke Gap Year Elaina Michele Comia Northeastern University Nathan Christopher Costantino Salve Regina University
Olivia Jenya Dague Miami University, Oxford
Kyle Thomas Hoffman St. Lawrence University
Kieran Patrick Laurie University of Richmond
Matthew Scott Norris Vassar College
Jackson Charles Schopp Franklin & Marshall College
Alexander Hu Middlebury College
Yoonah Lee Brown University
Justin Stuart Schuster Tufts University
Vladyslav Ivanchuk Harvard College
Sarah India Levine University of Wisconsin – Madison
Aleksandra Novozhilova Boston University
Martina Daniele Elon University
Cameron Reese Pennington Jury Southern Methodist University
Emmett Earl de Kanter Gap Year/Harvard College
Hannah Jane Kaye University of Chicago
David J. DeFronzo Skidmore College
Shannon L. Keefe Colgate University
Lukas Daniel Dudzik Northeastern University
Lucinda Weymouth Keenan Wake Forest University
Kaitlyn Rose Eddy Villanova University Carl Erik Walter Ekholm Boston University
Caroline Woodward Kelter University of St. Andrews
Layla Elisabeth Ennis Lafayette College
Elliott Proctor Kennard Lewis & Clark College
Olivia Gray Falk University of Denver
Klaudia Khegay Barnard College
Natalie Sofia Regan Fay Gap Year/University of Exeter
Eugene Donghwan Kim New York University
Ondine Gabrielle Finley The New School, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts
Tyler A. Kinney Indiana University at Bloomington
Hayden S. Fox Johns Hopkins University
Victoria Grace Kline Bucknell University
Audrey Elizabeth Froelich Northeastern University
Peyton Robert Knauf St. Lawrence University
Gabriel Adam Grimeh Trinity College Cléa Sophie Margaux Guerrand-Hermès University of St. Andrews Marissa Elisabeth Halkett Babson College Giovanni Hamilton Providence College Tyler Markus Hendrycks High Point University
Edward Lie-A-Cheong Boston College Alexandra Tianying Lin University of Pennsylvania Nicholas Liscinsky Rutgers University, New Brunswick Jeremy Bear Lockshin Princeton University Nathan B. Londal Southern Methodist University Caroline Elizabeth McCausland Colgate University Jordan Richard McKenna Bryant Universtiy Henry Isaac Mitrano The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sofia Belen Morales Alvarado Franklin & Marshall College Tarek Mourad Boston University
Julia Krys New York University
Azat Mukhametkulov Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Kevin Ming Kuang Washington University in St. Louis
John Edgar Murdock V Colorado College
Jesse Anna KulynychGriffith University of Montana, Missoula
Elizabeth Juliet Murphy Wake Forest University Ethan David Na Wheaton College
Sofia Nicole Kuusisto Georgetown University
Dorottya Nagy Gap Year
Jayce Anthony Lambert College of the Holy Cross
Ishika S. Nathan Santa Clara University
Jane Brockelman Ogden Colgate University Valeria Osorio Garcia Wesleyan University Jeevan Kuma Palaniyandy Tufts University Nathaniel Stewart Pane Gap Year Alexander Joseph Paro Elon University Jillian Maher Parsons Williams College Isabella Grace Philp Tulane University Reese Emory Poe University of Virginia
Jalen Sears Union College Walker Alden Stevens Middlebury College Lennox Edward Hamilton Stuart IV Tulane University Georgia Goodspeed Swank University of Denver Nathan Phelps Swift Denison University Alayna Grace Tawney Salve Regina University Dinh Anh Truong Santa Clara University Madeline Bihldorff Vanech Connecticut College
Eliza Isabel Polukhin University of Richmond
Isabel Ana von Bargen-Burke University of Virginia
Matthew James Quinn Western New England University
Michael Foley Wade Providence College
Sofia Elizabeth Kirwan Raymond Bucknell University Suzanne MacLear Renehan Colorado College Carson Thomas Roth University of Virginia Natalie Elizabeth Rubin University of Rochester Carrington Amaya Ruffin University of Saint Joseph Siena Regan Sandridge University of Virginia
Shane D. Wahlberg Gap Year/Messiah College Khalil Ayele Walker Haverford College Vincent Wang University of Cambridge Celenah Watson Brown University Scott William Wilson Trinity College Alexandra Cameron Wolf University of St. Andrews Riley Lenihan Wood University of Richmond
Galymzhan Sarkytbayev Gap Year Fall 2019
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FACULTY PRIZES
STUDENT PRIZES
Gretchen Hupfel ’82 Art Purchase Prize Suzanne Renehan ’19
Twenty-Year Service Pin
Cowing Art Award
Mitch Overbye P’05, ’09
Margaret Chavez ’19
Lewis J. Powers Photography Award Yoonah Lee ’19
Excellence in Dance Kaitlyn Eddy ’19 and Elaina Comia ’19
Gow Senior Master Chair Presented to the faculty member with the longest tenure at Westminster School, this chair honors John Gow, who taught and coached at Westminster from 1925-1972. Todd L. Eckerson P’09, ’11, ’17, ’21
Edward Scull Jr. ’71 Award for Excellence in Architecture William Carlisle ’19 and Lukas Dudzik ’19
Excellence in Science Emmett de Kanter ’19
Excellence in Physics Jaeyoung Chun ’19
Joyce Wilson Prize for Excellence in Mathematics Yoonah Lee ’19
The Swayze Award Presented annually in honor of distinguished alumnus, trustee and former chairman of the Board of Trustees Townsend Swayze ’55, this award is given to a member of the faculty for outstanding contributions to the life of the school. Jane Toner P’02, ’21
Peter Briggs Prize for Excellence in Economics Sean Clarke ’19
Class of 1941 Peter Mars Memorial History Prize Emmett de Kanter ’19
Dramatic Award for Service and Leadership in Theater Julia Krys ’19
Design Award for Service and Achievement in Technical Support Elliott Kennard ’19
The O’Brien Award This award is presented annually in honor of Marianna and Junie O’Brien P’81, who devoted their lives in service to young people and to schools. It recognizes a member of the faculty who has, over the course of the year, been especially selfless and generous with time and care in the nurture and support of students and whose extraordinary, ongoing personal commitment to young people sets an example to the Westminster community. David Chrzanowski
J. Lawrence Gilman Award for Achievement in Music and Participation in Musical Activities Julia Krys ’19 and Justin Schuster ’19
Gordon McKinley Award for Excellence in English Emmett de Kanter ’19
Burdett Prize for Excellence in the Study of French Klaudia Khegay ’19
Moncada Prize for Excellence in Spanish Valeria Osorio Garcia ’19
Richard P. Hopley Excellence in Latin Yoonah Lee ’19
The Kevin Kwok-Fun Chau ’79 Prize for Excellence in Chinese Natalie Rubin ’19
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Butler Bowl The faculty presents this award to a member of the Third Form for character and leadership. Cooper Kistler ’22
Brian T. Bruyette ’77 Senior Athletic Award This award is given annually to the Sixth Form boy and girl who best exemplify excellence in athletics and who contributed to the character of the team. It is given in memory of Brian T. Bruyette ’77, who in his enthusiasm, sportsmanship, effort and skills, represented all that is best in this school. Emmett de Kanter ’19 and Georgia Swank ’19
Outstanding Scholar Award This award is presented to the Sixth Former who, in the opinion of the faculty, is the outstanding scholar of the class. The award is not necessarily determined by rank in class but is based, rather, on the attributes of the true scholar: curiosity, imagination, power to associate new observations with prior experience, thoroughness, appetite for ideas rather than for grades as an end in themselves and the ability to move easily in the realm of concepts. Yoonah Lee ’19
Adams Bowl This award is presented annually to a member of the Fourth Form who best embodies the qualities of Richard and Barbara Adams, who gave devoted service to Westminster for over 40 years, showing outstanding personal qualities and concern for the community and unwavering dedication to students. Barbara served on the faculty from 1995-2011, and Dick served on the faculty from 1970-2013. Allison Masthay ’21
Wilbraham Bowl This award is presented annually to a member of the Fifth Form who best embodies the qualities of Geoffrey Wilbraham, who gave distinguished and loyal service to Westminster from 1958 to 1994: high personal standards, consistent respect for others, unswerving commitment to the common good, steady insistence on fair play and abiding human decency. Megan Rittenhouse ’20
Paul Winship ’35 Alumni Book Prize This book prize is awarded to a Sixth Former who has made an unusual commitment in both breadth and depth to the school’s programs and activities. Giovanni Hamilton ’19
Keyes Bowl
Richard K. LeBlond II Honor Award This award is given annually to a member of the Sixth Form who exemplifies dedication to academics and loyalty to the school. Emmett de Kanter ’19
Established by the Class of 1966 and recognized as the school’s most prestigious commencement award, the Keyes Bowl is presented annually to a member of the Sixth Form and recognizes the qualities of loyalty, courage, leadership and humility. Julia Krys ’19
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Supporting Westminster
Westminster Changed My Life Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96 spent nearly 60 years on Williams Hill. He’s been a student, a parent, a teacher, a coach, a dorm head, the director of admissions, the director of development, a volunteer, a Westminster Fellow and a member of the Thring Society. “And I never regretted a day of it,” he said. Alan believes that Westminster is engaged in a high purpose. As director of development, he spoke with thousands of alumni, and he usually heard something along the lines of “Westminster changed my life.” These sentiments strengthened his belief that Westminster is engaged in the most important enterprise: shaping and transforming young lives. Westminster’s core values of community, character, balance and involvement guide the school each day. Faculty members teach, coach and live by them, and students live, learn and play by them. When a young person engages in these values, they become the best version of themselves. They take the values wherever they go and in whatever they do. “The world needs more of that,” said Alan. “What a better thing to support, I can’t imagine.” If Westminster changed your life, have you considered including Westminster in your estate plans? It’s easy to do and can bring you immense gratification, as it has Alan. A planned gift is also a great way to support the Soar Together Campaign and challenge.
Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96
To learn more contact: Jennifer Keyo Director of Planned Giving (860) 408-3039 jkeyo@westminster-school.org
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Westminster Bulletin
Soar Together Campaign Reaches Major Milestone to reach $90 million and The Soar Together Campaign receive the challenge gift,” for Westminster School he explained. “By securing has reached $75 million the challenge gift, we will toward its $100 million reach our $100 million goal goal. In an announcement and put the school’s future to the school community on even surer footing.” in early October, the campaign’s chair, Curt Curt said the goal is Brockelman Jr. ’86, P’19, attainable with the support said how gratified he was of everyone in the school Curt Brockelman ’86, P’19 to share news of the major community. “Opportunities milestone. like this are rare,” he said. “If Westminster has made a difference in “We began this journey five years your life or in the lives of your children, ago, with an unflinching belief in the there has never been a better time to ability of the Westminster community to honor that impact by giving — and giving come together and soar higher than we ever had before,” he said. “I am proud to report that, as a result of the generosity of this community, the school today looks as beautiful as it ever has. But more important, our students and faculty are thriving in updated spaces engineered to foster community — a dining hall that accommodates all students and faculty, a new student center in the heart of campus, and new student and faculty housing. “After meeting the school’s most significant infrastructure needs, the Soar Together Campaign has focused on our most important priorities: direct support for students, faculty and programs. And we have been spectacularly successful, raising $44 million for financial aid, faculty support, athletics, the arts and student life through both operational and endowed support.” He explained how a $10 million challenge endowment gift by a very generous anonymous donor could be secured if the campaign reaches $90 million by 2022. The challenge gift will provide an average of 10 scholarships per year forever for students who might otherwise be unable to attend Westminster. “We are coming into the home stretch of the campaign and have before us the need to raise $15 million, on top of the $75 million we have already raised,
again — to the Soar Together Campaign.” He called on members of the school community to celebrate the remarkable campaign milestone of $75 million at an extraordinary time in Westminster’s history.
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Supporting Westminster
New Trustees Join Board Three new trustees and two new ex officio trustees were named to the Board of Trustees at its September meeting. David W. Kistler ’87, P’22 works in investment management, having previously served in managing director positions with Simmons and Company International in Houston. Dave is a graduate of Trinity University, where he earned a B.A. in economics and history, and of Harvard Business School, where he received an MBA. He has served on the Denison University Family Leadership Council and the Harvard Business School Reunion/Gift Participation Committee, been a Harvard Business School alumni advisor and coached U-14 lacrosse. At Westminster, he has been a member of the Parents Committee, a class agent and a reunion chair. He lives in Tiburon, Calif., with his wife, Tori, and their children, Sydney and Cooper ’22. Dave’s interests include golf, skiing, travel and music. He is part of a three-generation family at Westminster that includes his father Phil Kistler ’56, P’87, GP’22. Ian M. Morton ’87, P’22 is a partner of Crimson Investment, a global private equity firm, where he serves on the firm’s Investment Committee and as chairman of several of Crimson’s companies. Ian received a B.A. in history from Middlebury College, where he remains active. He has been a youth soccer and lacrosse coach, and still plays competitive adult soccer. He is a longstanding member of YPO, and the Mortons are involved in San Francisco arts, and global literacy and gender equality organizations. Ian and his wife, Kim, and their son, Baker ’22, live in San Francisco and enjoy fly-fishing, hiking, travel and spending time in Vermont. Mary Minns Peck ’90 is an independent art advisor and appraiser whose company, Mary Peck Art Advisory LLC, guides clients through a full range of art collecting activities. Before founding her own company, she worked at Christie’s for 13 years as a specialist in impressionist, modern, postwar and contemporary art. Mary also worked as a fundraiser for the Denver Art Museum. Mary is a graduate of Yale University, where she earned a B.A. in history of art. She has served Yale in many fundraising roles, including as a member of the Executive Committee of the Yale Alumni Fund, as reunion fundraising co-chair and as a class agent. As a Westminster alumna, she previously served as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees in her role as president of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association, a position she has held twice, from 2006-2008 and from 2017-2018. She has participated in Westminster Today, been a class agent and helped plan her reunions. In 2015, she was presented the Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award. Mary lives in Denver with her husband, Greg Kasper, and their daughter, Gracie.
Two Ex Officio Members As chair of the Parents of Alumni Association, Christopher M. Beck P’08, ’13 serves as an ex officio member. He is retired following a 24-year career with The Chubb Corporation, where he served in senior leadership positions, including most recently as vice president of corporate development. Chris earned a B.A. in geology and economics at Middlebury College and an MBA at New York University Stern School of Business. He is the father of Emma ’08 and Charlie ’13. Chris was president of the Mendham Borough Board of Education for three years, and his interests include skiing, being outdoors and on the water, and traveling. He lives in Harpswell, Maine. As chair of the Young Alumni Association, Elizabeth A. Moran ’06 is an ex officio member. Lizzy lives in Seattle, Wash., where she is founder and women’s hormonal wellness coach at Well Women LLC. She is a graduate of Union College, where she earned a B.A. in philosophy with a minor in art history and studied abroad in India. She is a volunteer with Planned Parenthood and a certified yoga instructor. Lizzy’s sisters, Caroline Moran ’09 and Emily Moran ’12, are Westminster alumnae, and her mother, Anne Moran P’06, ’09, ’12, served on the Board of Trustees from 2006-2014.
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Tuey Connell ’86 Presented Distinguished Alumni Award Hugh “Tuey” Richardson Connell ’86 was presented the 2019 Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award at an Evening on Williams Hill dinner Sept. 20. The award, which was established in 2011 by the Class of 1966, is given annually to a former student who exemplifies in thought, word and deed Westminster’s mission and its core values of community, character, balance and involvement. Tuey, who lives in Lake Forest, Ill., is a former professional musician and currently the chief creative thinker/owner of Carmel Creative, a corporate meeting and experiential agency in Chicago. With more than 28 years of experience, he and his team design, produce and manage events that broadcast brand and client messaging. In his previous career, Tuey was a full-time musician and recording artist. His accomplishments include playing on hundreds of jingle sessions, and performing at The Kennedy Center, on “Austin City Limits” television program, at the House of Blues, and on tours throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe. While a student at Westminster, Tuey played soccer, squash and lacrosse. He was also a member of Chorale, the News and yearbook, and served as a form officer. He earned a B.A. in music and English at Lake Forest College in 1990, and earned an executive education certificate from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in 2017. Tuey is married to Karen Butler Connell, a visual artist and partner/ creative director of Carmel Creative, and they have a son, Cedar, and a daughter, Posey. Tuey’s brother, Edward Connell, attended Westminster, Class of 1992. Tuey is a devoted alumnus and loyal supporter. He has served as a class agent and a reunion committee member, and hosted receptions in Chicago. Karen and Tuey created the Connell Music Fund with the goal of supporting the arts on Williams Hill. In presenting the award, Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96 said, “I dare say that no one, including previous winners of this award, embodies the true meaning of grit and grace and our core values better than tonight’s recipient.”
Tuey Connell ’86 and Alan Brooks ’55
He described Tuey’s admission to Westminster, saying: “Tuey did not disappoint us. An elected officer of his class all four years, a notable contributor to the first soccer and lacrosse teams, and a twoyear captain and MVP of the squash team, Tuey was also a standout musician, singing in several musical groups and playing a mean banjo at various school functions. More importantly, Tuey was a strong role model for Third Formers in his charge in the dormitory. He was looked up to by the younger students and respected by the older ones and the faculty.” Alan described how Tuey “has brought his foot-tapping to Westminster on several occasions, performing by himself or with small groups, offering up different sounds, from folk music to a Latin beat to jazz.” Tuey and Karen are deeply involved in philanthropy, supporting organizations in science, education, music and health. “Fortunately for us, the Connells have put a shoulder to Westminster as well,” said Alan. “I would expect that their generosity will help other talented young people at Westminster to make their way in the world of music.” Alan concluded by saying: “Frankly, it gratifies me to reflect on the fact that virtually the last thing I did before leaving Admissions for the Development Office in April 1982 was to send Tuey’s parents the letter admitting their son into Westminster. Equally gratifying, and a proud moment for me, as I know it is for a number of you here, including Tuey’s classmates and his headmaster Don Werner, who believed in him from the very beginning, is honoring Tuey tonight with Westminster’s Distinguished Alumni Award.” In accepting the award, Tuey said, “Thank you Alan, Bill, the board and all of my classmates, friends and all of you here. This is an incredible honor.” With a banjo in hand, he then recounted his arrival at Westminster as a student and how his interactions with faculty members Peter Briggs ’71, P’01, ’05, ’07, with whom he often played music, and Dan Aber P’16, ’18, ’20, also a musician, helped him formatively. “There was a certain aspect of my nature that was formed, and I didn’t realize how much it would be nurtured,” he said. “That is something that is unbelievable for anyone who arrives on Williams Hill.” Tuey also praised members of the classes from 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 as “great people” who also experienced formative changes while Westminster students. “I am grateful for all that I have been given and for the opportunity to go to school with amazing peers, teachers and administration.” He ended by playing a song on the banjo.
Tuey with his son, Cedar, his wife, Karen, and his daughter, Posey. Fall 2019
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Supporting Westminster
An Evening on Williams Hill Westminster trustees, alumni, parents, faculty and guests gathered Sept. 20 at Armstrong Dining Hall for An Evening on Williams Hill. Following refreshments on Ekholm Terrace, dinner took place in Gund Dining Room, during which Tuey Connell ’86 was presented the 2019 Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award. Headmaster Bill Philip spoke about the beginning of the school year, including how those who know the school best continue to send family members to Westminster. “These are families that through generations have known the school, and they are trusting their children to us,” he said. He also talked about the depth of commitment of the faculty, the traditional events that take place at the start of school and the “firsts” such as the first familystyle lunch of the year. He described how family-style lunches, which take place four days a week, offer students an opportunity to meet other students and make new friends from around the country and around the world from all sorts of experiences. “Doesn’t the world need more of that?” he emphasized.
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He discussed Westminster’s core values, motto and Martlet mascot, and the lessons they offer, including outside of the classroom. “The people who teach those lessons and learn those lessons are our most precious attributes.” He also spoke about the Soar Together Campaign, the importance of endowed chairs in recognizing faculty, the challenge gift of $10 million if the campaign reaches $90 million by 2022 and the Thring Society. He recognized Bob Bynum ’69 for his recent commitment to endow a science chair. “Our students talk about the campaign logo of two martlet wings taking off and formed into a W signifying that Martlets fly together,” he said. “For the purposes of this campaign and what we have been able to accomplish in just a few years and what we hope to accomplish inspired by the challenge opportunity for financial aid is for Martlets to soar together.” He closed by thanking everyone for attending. “You are with very special people who care deeply about a special school.”
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SOAR TOGETHER CAMPAIGN RECEPTIONS
West Hartford, Conn. Alumni, parents and faculty gathered at New Park Brewery June 11 in West Hartford, Conn., and were entertained by faculty member and Sixth Form Dean Grant Gritzmacher who played the guitar and sang.
Todd Eckerson P’09, ’11, ’17, ’21 and Matt Vendetti ’89
Maddy Paro ’17, Laura Paro P’17, ’19, and David and Susan Chrzanowski
New York City Jeff Kelter P’12, ’14, ’19 hosted an informal gathering at KSH Capital June 18 for young alumni. This was the second year he hosted an event for young alumni.
Kelsea Wigmore ’07, Caitlin Romaniello ’07, Lisa Cavazuti ’08 and Elsie Swank ’07
Front row, Charlotte O’Herron ’10 and Peter Michailidis ’10 Back row, Miller Robinson ’10, Maddie Garnett ’10, Maddie King ’10, Isabel Hill ’10, Cris Gomez ’10, Colby O’Neil ’10 and Bronwyn Shortly ’10
Portland, Maine Chris Beck P’08, ’13 and Charlie Beck ’13 hosted a June 20 gathering of alumni, parents and friends at Allagash Brewery in Portland, Maine. Charlie works at the brewery.
Steve Rubicam P’99, ’01, ’05, Charlie Beck ’13, Jack Gow ’60, Chris Beck P’08, ’13, Greg Terry ’90, Joey Terry, Cris Gomez ’10, Marty Farr ’57, Christine Rubicam P’99, ’01, ’05 and Newell Grant ’99 58
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SOAR TOGETHER CAMPAIGN RECEPTIONS
Southampton, N.Y. Madeleine and Borje Ekholm P’19, ’20 hosted parents, alumni and parents of alumni at a summer gathering at their home in Southampton, N.Y., July 27.
Glenn and Lynne Autorino P’17, ’20, Lynda Moecker P’11 and Ray Wesnofske
Andrew Kaufman, Madeleine Ekholm P’19, ’20 and Kate Philip Kaufman ’06
Julia Carter ’16, Chris Turino ’20, Jacq Autorino ’20, Clara Ekholm ’20, Carl Ekholm ’19 and Cam Jury ’19
Alison Pappas P’22, Allegra Kelly P’22 and Tana Dye P’20
Neal and Susan Ryan P’12, and Borje Ekholm P’19, ’20
Bill Philip P’06, ’09, Håkan and Catherine Swahn P’22, and Martin Kelly P’22
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SOAR TOGETHER CAMPAIGN RECEPTIONS
Greenwich, Conn. Trustee Madeleine Ekholm P’19, ’20 hosted a Mothers’ Luncheon Sept. 26. at her home in Greenwich.
Madeleine Ekholm P’19, ’20, Kerry Stevens P’16, ’19, ’21 and Lisa Wolf P’19, ’23
Sanny Warner P’22, Devon Pastor P’20, ’22, Kerry Stevens P’16, ’19, ’21 and Betsy Heckman
Julie Wurts P’22, Jenny Philip P’06, ’09, Karin Goldstuck P’21 and Debra Kanabis P’21
Ellen Ball P’22, April Shelton P’23, Lara Trafelet P’23 and Kristin Ursano P’23
Steph Lynch Douglass ’88, P’21, ’22 and Jennifer Oken P’22
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Sixth Form Dinner The annual Sixth Form Dinner hosted by the Advancement Office took place May 14 in Adams Dining Room. During the meal, members of the Class of 2019 watched a slide show created by Liz Murphy ’19 that brought back memories of their Westminster School experience. Cris Gomez ’10, assistant director of leadership gifts, thanked the Sixth Formers for their leadership throughout the year and wished them a successful transition to college. Paul Kendall, the class’s form dean, received a standing ovation for all he did for the past four years. Among those in attendance were Jake Cahill ’12, Kelcie Finn ’14, Miles Bailey ’94, Mark de Kanter ’91, P’19, ’22, Hilary Burrall and Paul Kendall.
Following the dinner, the Sixth Formers were presented Westminster blankets and gathered on the Sixth Form Lawn. The class agents for the Class of 2019 are Souley Ballo, Drew Brownback, Blake Cote, Emmett de Kanter, Gio Hamilton, Alex Hu, Caroline Kelter, Julia Krys, Sofia Raymond, Georgia Swank, Scott Wilson and Alex Wolf.
Clockwise below, members of the Class of 2019 at the Sixth Form Dinner, receiving their Westminster blankets and wearing their blankets on the Sixth Form Lawn.
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From the Archives Service and Sacrifice During World War II According to “By Grit and Grace, The First One Hundred Years of Westminster School,” the Westminster News reported in January 1942 that Westminster School hoped to do its part in World War II: Already to us here at school has come the first indication of a war which is close at hand. Boys have been trained to become air raid wardens; school schedules have been wrenched from their normal course by the speed-up courses planned in college; friends and relations have been drafted and sent overseas; casualty lists are already beginning to appear. This is but a beginning; there will be other changes and other casualties. No one can see ahead. That same year, a Victory Work Plan was initiated on campus whereby students were required to do more of the work necessary to run the school. According to the April 1942 Westminster Bulletin, “There is a need for boys of school age to feel that they are doing something physical and something measurable in time for the victory which they hope to secure for the country.” Likewise, faculty were taking on special duties, such as Lemuel Gardner Pettee, senior master at the time, who served as chairman of the Simsbury Rationing Board, and Henry Doane and John Gow who conducted a course for boys in Red Cross First Aid at school. Thomas Graham gave the same course in the village.
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In 1942, 28 Westminster alumni were enlisted in the Armed Forces. By 1943, 90 alumni were commissioned officers. And in 1944, during the final phase of the war, 348 alumni served in branches of the armed services. By 1945, 24 alumni had given their lives in the war.
At the conclusion of the war, “By Grit and Grace: The First One Hundred Years of Westminster School” recounted: Then came the news. At long last, the war was over. First in the Pacific and then in Europe, the victorious Allied armies crushed the last stubborn pockets of resistance, as the Axis, bloodied and beaten went down in defeat. The great democracies, joined in common cause by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, had once and for all brought tyranny to its knees, and the world was rejoicing.
(Scott Reeves P’03, ’05, ’05, Westminster School’s archivist, conducted much of the research on which this article is based.)
David McCormick Kaufman ex-’40 Fall 2019
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The fallen included: John Stark Colman ’28, second lieutenant in the 106th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, died in a German prison camp. He was captured in December 1944 during the Battle of the Ardennes. Josiah Oliver Wolcott Jr. ’30 was lost at sea Oct. 18, 1944, off the coast of France. He was a first officer with the U.S. Merchant Marine. His vessel foundered with its crew while en route to Europe with a convoy. Laurence E. Tracy ’31, first lieutenant in the Army Air Forces, was killed Jan. 13, 1944, in an airplane crash in England. He had been in the service 18 months and in England for five months. William G. Yepsen ’31, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, was awarded a Silver Star (posthumously) for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He died in action Dec. 20, 1944, in Belgium. He was also awarded a Purple Heart.
John Stark Colman ’28
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John W. Gillette III ’36 was killed in an Army Air Corps training flight in Conway, Ark., Nov. 15, 1942.
Henry Stevenson Washburn Jr. ’32 died July 6, 1943, as part of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Northern Solomon Islands Campaign, Battle of Kula Gulf. He was among the missing.
F. Shepard Shove ex-’38 was killed in action on a mission to Essen, Germany, on April 26, 1944. He was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force on detached service with the Canadians, with whom he trained. He was the navigator onboard Avro Lancaster Mk. II, DS719, No. 408 Squadron RAF, from RAF Linton-onOuse, Yorkshire, U.K., which crashed off Wissenkerke into the Oosterschelde, Holland.
Frank Garretson Bristol ’34, aviation radioman second class, whose torpedo bomber was the last plane to leave the flight deck of the carrier USS St. Lo during the battle of Leyte in October 1944, was reported missing from that engagement and declared dead Oct. 26, 1945. Donald A. Dunham ’34, private first class with the U.S. Marine Corps, was killed in action Aug. 1, 1944, during operations against Imperial Japanese Forces on Tinian, Northern Marianas Islands.
Laurence E. Tracy ’31
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Burrall Barnum ’32, captain in the Air Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for an exploit in which he took on 39 Japanese planes single-handed. He was killed in the April 1, 1943, air battle in which American fighters shot down five, and probably destroyed two more of nine planes attempting to attack an advanced airdrome.
John P. Nevins ’36, captain in the HQ/ Service Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, was killed Sept. 11, 1942, presumed during Japanese bombing of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Charles W. Goodale ex-’39, private in the U.S. Army, Coast Artillery Corps, was killed in the Atlantic, Feb. 7, 1943, when a ship on which he was being transported was torpedoed. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Burrall Barnum ’32
F. Shepard Shove ex-’38
Donald A. Dunham ’34
Charles W. Goodale ex-’39
Lee A. Mayo ex-’39 was killed in action July 28, 1944, when he was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft near Granville, France. A first lieutenant with the U.S. Army Air Forces flying a P-47, he was a member of the 513th F.B. Squadron, F.B. Group. His awards include the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and a Purple Heart. John P. Pierson ’39, ensign with the U.S. Naval Reserve, was reported missing in action July 18, 1943, and declared dead as of January 1946. The plane in which he was flying, a unit of Fighting Squadron 26, based on Russell Islands, failed to return from a strike against enemy shipping in the Kahili area. His awards included the Air Medal and a Purple Heart.
David McCormick Kaufman ex-’40 was killed in December 1943 when the motor of a plane in which he was giving a lesson failed. He was an ensign in the U.S. Navy Air Force. Grosvenor Gilbert ex-’41, a flight officer in the Air Force, died in the line of duty in 1944 in a plane crash in Amarillo, Texas. Peter Richard Campbell Mars ’41 was a pilot with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died Oct. 19, 1942. George K. King ’42 died June 11, 1946, from injuries received in an automobile accident while stationed at Selfridge Field in Michigan. As a fighter pilot he won the Presidential Unit Citation, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for fighting in the South Pacific, the Philippines and Formosa. When the war ended, he was commanding officer of the 67th Fighter Squadron.
George Andre Whelan ’39, second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, was killed by a shell fragment while on a forward observation mission, Aug. 9, 1944, in Normandy, France.
Lee A. Mayo ex-’39
Julian B. Clark Jr. ’40, lieutenant in the U.S. Army, was killed in action in the Mediterranean region on Sept. 27, 1943. He was in the Division of Chemical Warfare.
John P. Pierson ’39
George K. King ’42
Edgar A. Knapp Jr. ’42, second lieutenant with the 8th Air Force and a fighter pilot, was killed Feb. 1, 1945, when his plane crashed in England. His Mustang fighter stalled during a training flight, and he jumped from the plane too late to save himself. He had completed four combat missions. Laurence Stevenson ex-’42, sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, was killed on Okinawa June 8, 1945. He was a member of the First Marine Dog Platoon of the First Ranger Battalion. He saw action in every major engagement with the Marines in the Pacific for two years and was awarded the Purple Heart. Peter P. VanBree ’42, second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, died June 28, 1945, in Austria in the line of duty. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Henry S. Chapman ex-’43 was killed in action on Iwo Jima Feb. 19, 1945, while serving as a private first class with the U.S. Marine Corps. After completing almost six years at Westminster, he left school in April 1943 to enlist in the Marines.
George Andre Whelan ’39
Edgar A. Knapp Jr. ’42
Julian B. Clark Jr. ’40
Henry S. Chapman ex-’43 Fall 2019
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Spearheading Efforts to Boost Manufacturing in Connecticut Chris DiPentima ’90 is leading efforts to secure the futures of more than 4,500 manufacturing enterprises in Connecticut and to ensure that workers are available to fill the ever-increasing number of skilled jobs at those businesses. He is president of Pegasus Manufacturing, a division of Leggett & Platt Aerospace, which produces machined components for the aerospace, defense and power generation industries. This summer, he was named president of the Tube Division of Leggett & Platt, a role he will undertake concurrently with his work at Pegasus. Chris is also chair of the Connecticut Manufacturers’ Collaborative, which is comprised of major regional and statewide manufacturing member organizations across Connecticut. “This was the collaborative’s first year,” said Chris. “We met in September 2018 to prioritize our issues to communicate at the state capitol. We agreed to focus on how to grow the talent pipeline, how to support manufacturers and to encourage the governor to create a cabinetlevel manufacturing czar position.” By the close of the legislative session, two major bills supported by the collaborative were signed into law. One creates a director of manufacturing position for the state and another promotes careers in manufacturing to Connecticut public school students. Chris first became Chris DiPentima ’90 involved in state-level activities when he learned what a big part manufacturing is of Connecticut’s economy and that there were available funds for business development and wage subsidies. In 2010, following the passage of major jobs legislation in Connecticut, former Gov. M. Jodi Rell held a news conference at Pegasus, where Chris was introduced to state economic development and Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) leaders. “They saw a fresh face and asked me to be on a board,” he said. “My involvement exploded from there.” Since then, Chris has served as board president of the Aerospace Components Manufacturers, the National Governors’ Policy Academy for Best Practices in Manufacturing, and the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission; and as a board member to the Connecticut Technical High School System. In addition to currently chairing the
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Connecticut Manufacturers’ Collaborative, he serves as board chair of CBIA and is a board member of the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund. Chris graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in English and earned a J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law. “As an English major, I found the debate and analytical aspects of my studies interesting, but I was not completely sure about attending law school,” said Chris. “But, I ended up really liking it.” He clerked for a New Haven, Conn., judge and went on to join a litigation firm as a trial attorney, representing corporations and individuals in litigation involving a broad range of areas. Chris’ transition into the manufacturing sector came with persistent encouragement from his father. “My dad started Pegasus in 1989,” said Chris. “He had long bought and sold distressed companies, and had intended to sell Pegasus, but instead took it on as his own project. When my dad was ready to retire, he made one more run at me.” For a while, Chris worked at both the law firm and Pegasus, first using his legal background in human resources and then expanding to operations. “I became president when my dad finally retired in 2006,” said Chris. Under his leadership, Pegasus saw a doubling of revenue and employment between 2009 and 2012, and in 2016, Pegasus merged into Leggett & Platt Aerospace. Westminster graduate Fell Herdeg ’89 is Pegasus’ CFO. “Fell saw something about me in the alumni section of the Westminster Bulletin,” recalled Chris. “New to the manufacturing industry, he contacted me and visited Pegasus to do a benchmark visit. A year later, I was asked to sit on the board of his company. When Pegasus merged with Leggett, I reached out to him, and he became Pegasus’ vice president of finance. All because of a blurb in the Bulletin.” While at Westminster, Chris played soccer, basketball, hockey and baseball. He was also a member of Black and Gold, an officer of the Debate Club and the Student Activities Committee, a member of the John Hay Society and the Language Club, and worked on the yearbook. Chris attended his 25th reunion and golfs each year with Bob Stockton ’90, Tim MacGuire ’90 and Paul Spagnoletti ’90 in a fundraiser for the Gregory T. Spagnoletti Memorial Foundation, formed in memory of Paul’s brother, who perished in the events of 9/11. Chris and his wife, Jennifer, live in Durham, Conn., with their three daughters, Anna Rose, Madalena and Arabella. Chris continues to be energized by steps to propel growth of the manufacturing industry in Connecticut. Though his name was under consideration for the new director of manufacturing position with the state, he plans to stay at Pegasus. “I told the governor that I would help him set up the position,” said Chris.
Bringing the Creative Vision to Life A yearslong epic project is nearing its end this winter for Cindy Trinity University where she studied acting, set design and directing. Gould ’77, senior artisan for Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) and She then joined the historic Pasadena Playhouse in California in 1987, color designer/finish art director of the much-anticipated Rise of the as its first female carpenter. “I had no background in engineering or Resistance experience at Disney’s California and Florida theme parks. “I drafting,” she said. “I wasn’t specialized.” She went on to become a have waited my whole career for a big one like this,” said Cindy, who stage manager and the company’s prop mistress, and received training lives in Los Angeles. “It’s iconic.” The large-scale, interactive Rise of the in scenic painting from a playhouse set designer. Resistance ride will join the newly opened land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s From Pasadena Playhouse, Cindy transitioned to employment in Edge, this winter. film and television as a scenic artist. “I would take plywood and make it look like 17th-century marble,” she said. “I did lots of horror movies While working simultaneously on the California and Florida and films with period historical looks.” She also contributed to set projects, Cindy collaborated closely with the special effects team, work on several action movies before her work with Disney. “It was fun creating techniques that were replicated by the Florida team. She was making things look like they just blew up,” she said. chosen to completely develop the ride’s unloading area. “I had painters who I could direct to a certain point, but then I had to pick up the paint brush,” said Cindy. “Working on a big construction site is nasty, and you have to have a warrior mentality.” Donned in boots, a hard hat and harness, Cindy was positioned on a boom lift three stories in the air. “The whole construction area is out in the open, but there are berms, so no one in the park can see what we are doing,” she explained. “We can hear all the people in the park, but there are bulldozers, cranes and swinging I-beams all around you. It’s draining but extremely exciting.” Cindy was also in charge of painting four X-Wings for the attraction. “Special effects teams are mostly men, but some women are now doing high-tech work,” she said, explaining that the environment has changed greatly since she started in the entertainment industry. “WDI has a good women’s inclusion program. It has evolved.” It would be 17 years before Cindy moved from a consultant to a Walt Disney Imagineering employee. “That’s the reality of a scenic artist,” she explained. “But once I started on Disney jobs, I never left.” She has worked on many attractions, including Toontown, The Little Mermaid-Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Mystic Manor at Disney’s Hong Kong park. Her work can be seen in the rides’ special effects. “Using black light and invisible paint, we can create the breath of a creature or ice crystals cracking,” she explained. “The whole role is to support the creative vision. It’s about storytelling at its very best.” Cindy Gould ’77 Cindy’s talent in the arts was already apparent while she was a student at Westminster. She was a recipient of the Cowing Art Award, was involved in Dramat, performed in a One Act and was a Cindy’s long Los Angeles-area commute and intense schedule yearbook photographer. She also played soccer, squash and tennis. leave little time for recreation, but she loves gardening. “I do it to decompress,” she said. “I live on a hillside and have my hippie wild “At Westminster, Stephen Stettler cast me in my first acting role,” botanical garden.” recalled Cindy. “It was one of the most important things in my whole life. He opened my door to the theater and my love of Shakespeare.” With her involvement on Rise of the Resistance coming to a close, Cindy earned a B.A. in theater with a fine arts minor from the Cindy already has an inkling of what her next assignment will be, but University of Vermont in 1982. While a student there, she participated with Disney’s strict emphasis on protecting intellectual property, she in the summer Shakespeare festival for three summers. “That cemented cannot divulge any information. “My next project is going to make Star me in theater forever,” she said. Wars look like a breeze.” Cindy earned an M.F.A. at the Dallas Theater Center through Fall 2019
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On the Frontlines of Clinical Research At Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bryce Petty ’99 is at the forefront of innovation as a facility research coordinator, working alongside doctors and researchers on Food and Drug Administrationregulated clinical trials of new medical procedures and medications. Appointed to the position in September, her new role expands her duties as a certified clinical research coordinator for the Department of Emergency Medicine to the entire hospital. Bryce oversees administrative and financial functions of research studies for the whole hospital and serves as the main liaison between the hospital’s research leadership and the corporate research administration office of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. “Study protocols can be hundreds of pages long,” explained Bryce. She describes her role as that of an air traffic control director, keeping doctors, patients, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies and all of their study-related procedures moving in order.
Bryce Petty ’99
Her entry into the clinical research field was a detour in what had been a straight path to medical school. “Even at Westminster, everything I did was geared toward pre-med,” said Bryce. “I wanted an undergraduate program with a great pre-med program with a medical school attached.” She found that at the University of Pennsylvania, where during her junior year, she took a job in clinical research. “I considered what kind of job would be relevant to apply to medical school and thought clinical research was awesome.” Bryce graduated in 2004 from Penn with a B.A. in anthropology with a human biology concentration and relocated to New York City. She continued her studies in a postbaccalaureate program at New York University, completing additional studies in biology, chemistry and organic chemistry. “I had to stop, but it ended up being helpful in making the transition to my career,” she said. She worked as a research 68
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study assistant at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, before leaving for an administrative aide position at Weill Cornell Medical College in 2008. “I took the administrative position to get a foot in the door,” said Bryce. At Weill Cornell, she supported day-to-day operations for the offices of the chair and vice chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, including assisting with manuscript and scientific correspondence for submission to medical journals and national health organizations. Bryce shared the event that moved her career forward: “My boss was writing a paper, and I was doing the typing,” she said. “I saw an error in a carbon formula, so I said, ‘Carbon has four bonds, which one do you want me to remove?’” Bryce was quickly promoted. Now in her 10th year in the clinical research field, Bryce is seeing the fruits of her early labors. She cannot disclose the subjects of her trials, but says she has worked on up to eight separate studies at a time. “Studies can last years,” she explained.“ It’s a 14- or 15year process for drugs that go through the FDA.” At Westminster, Bryce found faculty who provided her with experiences that affirmed her desire to study science. “I loved biology with Nick McDonald and AP Biology with Ronald Provost,” she said. “I knew what I wanted to do.” Bryce was a member of Black and Gold, Dramat and the Chamber Choir; was captain of Track and Field; and was president of the Multicultural Student Union (MSU), the Dance Ensemble, Belles and Chorale. She also was a senior prefect and was awarded the Butler Bowl as a Third Former. Bryce came to Westminster from Wyandanch, N.Y. “My mother and I drove up the hill in an ice storm,” she recalled about her first visit in 1994. Bryce knew she wanted to attend a small school, and after an interview, she thought Westminster was a good fit. “The faculty support and family environment of Westminster had such an influence on me,” she said. “I felt like I could flourish and come into my own. If not for Westminster, I would not have dreamed of applying to the colleges that I did. Westminster switched the direction of my life and opened doors.” Bryce’s work hours at Kings County Hospital Center are long and unpredictable. “If a study-eligible patient walks into the emergency room at 4:45 p.m., I cannot leave,” she said. Still, she finds time to continue singing and has performed off-Broadway with the Love City Arts Collective and the African American Women’s Art Alliance. She plans to continue her work in clinical research, and hopes to be able to build a program that expands more clinical trials to underserved areas. Bryce has attended several Westminster functions in New York and recently spoke with many classmates she had not been in touch with through her work on the 1888 Minutes of Giving. She served on her reunion committee and was joined by her boyfriend on campus this spring for her 20th reunion. “Being at Westminster helped expand my knowledge of the world,” she said. “They were the best four years.”
The New UK Ambassador to Iraq with classmate Christine Capeless Vaughan ’98. Stephen credits Stephen Hickey ’98 is the new U.K. ambassador to Iraq. He departed for Baghdad in November, after receiving approval for his appointment Westminster with helping him hone his debate skills. “Westminster from Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. placed a lot of emphasis on public speaking and presentations,” he said, recalling a presentation he prepared on the Northern Ireland His appointment followed the completion of a nearly four-year peace process with classmate and fellow international student post as political co-coordinator at the U.K. Mission to the United Nations. There, he led a 25-member team working on peace and Donal A. P. J. Manning ’98. security issues in the U.N. Security Council. Most of his work has been centered on the Middle East and the African Union. “That’s where most of the conflicts are,” said Stephen. “Our job is to work with other countries on the council, such as the U.S., Russia and China, to try to negotiate solutions to different conflicts. We receive instructions from London but often need to amend and adjust. It involves a lot of thinking on the spot. You have the most impact if you engage and respond.” Stephen has served in the U.K.’s diplomatic corps in many of the world’s most dangerous trouble spots, including during the Arab Spring. On his foreign missions, much of his work involved reporting up-to-theminute happenings on the ground. “There are many fast-moving and complicated incidents,” he said. “The goal is to have influence on what is happening and try to persuade the actors to engage in diplomacy.” Within less than a year of his appointment as deputy head of mission in Damascus in the spring of 2010, civil war broke out in Syria. “I was in Syria when Stephen Hickey ’98 the revolution started in 2011,” he said. “I drove around Aleppo, Raqqa and Damascus and met the opposition. They were mostly ordinary people — teachers, students and doctors.” Stephen graduated with a degree in philosophy, politics and Named persona non grata and expelled from the country by the aleconomics from St. Peter’s College of Oxford University in 2001, where Assad regime, Stephen was subsequently assigned to Benghazi, Libya, he was a member of the debate team, president of his college’s student where he worked with U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, who body, sang with the university chamber choir and was a choral scholar. was killed there one year later. While there, he also met his wife, Laura, who is a fellow diplomat and is currently the U.K.’s Deputy Consul General in New York. In 2013, following a temporary posting in South Africa, Stephen was named deputy ambassador to Egypt, serving during the military Stephen began his career after taking the diplomatic service exam. coup against then-president Mohamed Morsi. “There were tanks His first posting was to the U.K.’s representation to the European Union outside the embassy,” said Stephen. “Part of our job was to look out in Brussels. He followed that with a stint as Private Secretary to the for U.K. citizens and tell them when and how to leave.” His own family Foreign Secretary based in London. was evacuated, and Stephen worked to ensure the safety of many U.K. Stephen and Laura have managed to serve on joint postings, but citizens. during Stephen’s Iraq post, Laura will remain in New York with their children: 10-year-old Jacob, 8-year-old Sebastian and 3-year-old Sam. Stephen came to Westminster through the English-Speaking The children will attend the British International School in New York, Union following his graduation from St. Olaves School in Kent, and Stephen will travel on a rotation of six weeks in Baghdad and two England. He says his time at Westminster broadened his horizons and weeks in New York. helped him to consider life outside of the U.K. “St. Olaves was a very exam-oriented school,” said Stephen. “I had already completed all of Stephen runs in marathons, plays tennis, and throughout his many my studies and could choose subjects I liked at Westminster. It gave diplomatic postings, has always found a choir to sing with — most me time to mature as a student. I had to take an English class, and also recently, the elite New York City chamber choir Amor Artis. took French, history, stagecraft, and ethics and philosophy with Todd Stephen has attended his Westminster reunions and stays in touch Eckerson.” with several classmates. “I loved my time at Westminster,” he said. “It gave me huge confidence to attend Oxford and to pursue a career in While at Westminster, Stephen played squash and tennis, and diplomacy.” was a member of the John Hay Society, the Chamber Choir and Chorale. He performed in “Guys and Dolls,” and in a graduation duet Fall 2019
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In Memoriam John Sherwin Jr. Former chair of the Westminster School Board of Trustees John “Jack” Sherwin Jr. ’57, P’83, ’89 died July 13. Born in Cleveland, he was a lifelong resident of Waite Hill, Ohio, and is remembered for his commitment to community service and his love of the outdoors. Jack attended Hawken School through 1953 and graduated from Westminster in 1957. After attending Hobart College and serving for two years at the Cleveland Coast Guard Station, Jack graduated from John Carroll University in 1967, earning his Bachelor of Arts in business administration. For much of his life, Jack was heavily involved in the community, both as a philanthropist and as a board member. He was president of the Sherwick Fund, the nation’s first “supporting organization” 509(a)(3), which his father created in 1969. There, Jack oversaw the establishment of the Lake-Geauga Fund. Jack served on the boards of numerous organizations, including Westminster. He first joined the Westminster School Board of Trustees in 1975, stepping down for professional reasons the following year and rejoining the board in 1980, serving continuously until concluding his term in 2006 and then becoming an emeritus trustee. He spearheaded the school’s first strategic planning endeavor that concluded in 1994 and guided the board as chair from 1997-2004. Sherwin Health and Athletic Center is named in Jack’s honor, as is the John Sherwin Jr. ’57 and W. Graham Cole Jr. Chair, which honors a senior faculty member who sets the standard for leadership and embodies the true meaning of Grit & Grace, and the Sherwin Scholarship. Jack was the keynote speaker at Westminster’s commencement ceremony in 2006, where he delivered an address about his experience as a Westminster student, how failure is a
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part of life, the rewards of service and the importance of remembering those who help make a difference in our lives. “The people who make a difference in our lives are the ones that care about us, who have helped us and who have inspired us,” he said. “Westminster School is so grateful to Jack for his financial guidance; his strategic vision, planning and leadership; his appreciation of governance and mission; and his remarkably generous philanthropy,” said Headmaster Bill Philip. Additionally, Jack served on the boards of Hawken School, where he worked as a lifetime trustee and chairman of the board; The Cleveland Foundation, as chairperson and on the board until 2014; as trustee emeritus of The Great Lakes Museum of Science, Environment and Technology; in addition to the boards of John Carroll University and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Finally, Jack’s work as a trustee of the Playhouse Square Foundation during the 1980s was a great source of delight as he helped revitalize the downtown Cleveland theater district, serving as the interim development director at Playhouse Square, when the State Theatre was reopened. As a businessperson, Jack worked for The Pickands Mather Hilton Mine in Quebec, before moving to the DiamondShamrock Corporation, where he worked through the 1970s and early 1980s, both domestically and overseas: as director of corporate auditing, finance administrator of Diamond-Shamrock Europe, manager of international planning and as vice president of planning. In the mid-1980s, he founded Mid-Continent Ventures, a venture capital corporation. He also served as a director on the boards of Brush Engineered Materials Inc. (now Materion), and ShoreBank. An avid outdoorsman, Jack loved fly-fishing, as well as deer, elk and turkey hunting. Standing in a river with a fly rod in hand brought him the greatest peace and balance, especially during his annual trip to Cascapedia in Canada with dear friends. Other gestures signifying his love of nature include the establishment of the 300-acre Sherwin Preserve of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, which he created together with his sisters and cousins from what was originally part of South Farm, a piece of land that had been in the Sherwin family since the 1850s. Jack was also a member and trustee emeritus of The Holden Arboretum. In addition to his work as a business leader and philanthropist, Jack was a member of many different clubs. Jack is survived by his wife of 57 years, Clara (DeMallie) Sherwin; children, Heather Sherwin, John Sherwin III ’83, Laura Sherwin-Makar and Tyler Sherwin ’89; grandchildren, Glenn and Will Sherwin, Audrey and Peter Makar, and Oliver and Carolina Sherwin. His daughter-in-law, Sheila Getman Sherwin ’83, also attended Westminster.
1950 George Stoddard Reynolds Jr. of
Simsbury died July 15. Born in Pittsfield, Mass., he lived in West Roxbury, Mass., before moving to Simsbury 55 years ago. He attended Eaglebrook and Westminster schools. Through membership in the glee club of Boston University, he met his wife, Elizabeth, and they married in 1955. Stoddard was a veteran of the Korean War and served as a sergeant in the 45th Division Reconnaissance Company. He was an intern teacher at Eaglebrook School for two years and then returned to Boston University for his Master of Education degree. He taught history and geography at Renbrook School in West Hartford for 38 years and was a coach for several school sports teams. He also enjoyed several summers as the director of an educational program at Renbrook for Hartford children. As a coach of ice hockey at Renbrook, Stoddard spent many hours flooding and plowing snow off the school pond. He received the Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award at Renbrook in June 2018. He helped establish the Simsbury Youth Hockey program for boys and girls. He was also an original member of the Farmington Valley Chorale and Vallis Musicae, and served as a volunteer for the McLean Hospice in Simsbury. Stoddard enjoyed sailing on Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts, reed organ restoration, model boat building and relaxing with needlepoint projects. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; two daughters, Dana Reynolds Athanas ’74 and Dawn Reynolds ’79; a son, Mark Reynolds ’77; a brother; two grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his three sisters. Aileen Daversa ’90 shared: “I personally will miss seeing Mr. Reynolds, who was my advisor and teacher at Renbrook. Among many other lessons, he taught me to set goals and stick with it to achieve them. He was an engaging, kind teacher who left a positive impression on countless students. I was fortunate to be
in touch with him over the years, crossing paths at our overlapping Westminster reunions, seeing him at Renbrook and meeting with him in my current role as the director of alumni relations at Westminster. I also discovered that he was my grandmother’s hospice volunteer when we saw each other at her nursing home.” Hi Upson writes: “Stoddard was a rare human being. He was a modest man who proved himself solid. To me, he was a stand-up person from the old school. There was something about Stoddard’s even-handedness together with his oceanfloor voice that viscerally appealed to all of us. In all that he did, in public and in private life, Stoddard quite simply was a person of honor. “As well, Stoddard seemed to have been born with a shrewd sense of the lay of the land around him. He was able to sense what was important and what was just noise. It was as if he possessed intuition in his fingertips. He navigated our class through the good times and its shaky moments. With his easy affability, he became the perfect oilcan for our class. “Importantly, Stoddard was both a keen observer and a quiet doer. He took responsibility and accepted its consequences. He did what had to be done without complaint. He never lost his ethical bearings. One of Stoddard’s primary maxims was that people mattered, no matter their age or concerns. He spoke to all with uncommon civility. He respected the opinions of others. He was open to listening to new information. His courteous manner was simply his hallmark. We were lucky to have known him.”
1951 Samuel Dewey Cushing died May 13 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Born in Greenwich, Conn., he lived in Stamford, Conn., shortly thereafter and then moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1992. Sam graduated from King School in Stamford, after studying at Westminster School, and attended the University of Pennsylvania. He was a professional jazz piano player in the New York City
area, working in club dates and doing commercial studio work. Sam was a full-time derivatives trader and was a partner at Cushing & Roberts Insurance in Stamford for 20 years. He spent many vacations every year in his home away from home in Aruba, as well as enjoying many hiking trips at national parks. Sam was an avid sailor and a member of the Storm Trysail Club. He sailed in 10 Newport-Bermuda races, a Cape Town to Rio race, one transpacific and two transatlantic races, and cruised and raced the East Coast from Halifax to Florida. He was honored with the Cutty Sark Trophy for his contribution to the Storm Trysail Club. He was predeceased by his first wife and his brother, and leaves behind three children, two stepchildren, two grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. He will also be missed by his longtime friend Robin Sheffler. Peter Gage remembers Sam as a pleasant and quiet guy who was involved in Choir and Dramat, as well as football.
1954 James Miller Brown, who died June 29, was born in Baltimore, Md., and raised in West Caldwell, N.J. He spent most of his life in Chatham and Morristown, N.J., and retired in Blooming Grove, Pa., in his later years. Jim was an active, supportive alumnus of Eaglebrook School, Westminster School, Washington and Lee University, and Rutgers University College. He also had a long and distinguished career in the trust and investment areas of several New Jerseybased banks, retiring in 1994. Jim served as an investment advisor and a board member for decades for St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, N.J., from which all of the family’s many dogs and cats were adopted. A polio survivor, Jim was a charter member of Cheshire Home, a physical rehabilitation center based in Florham Park, N.J. Fall 2019
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In Memoriam He was an active ham radio operator, a voracious reader, especially of history, and a passionate lifelong Yankees fan. As a child, he played baseball and ice hockey and participated in rifle shooting. As an adult, he continued with target shooting, concentrating first on trap and then expanding into skeet and pistol targets. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betsy,” two daughters, a son, a sister, five grandchildren and six nieces and nephews. Tom LaMotte writes: “He was such a great pitcher at Eaglebrook that the Yankees invited him to their spring training when he was 15 years old. Before he reached training camp, he was hit with polio and paralyzed from the waist down. He arrived at Westminster that way, and we were all struck by the positive attitude he always maintained after losing such a promising athletic future. I don’t ever remember seeing him down, always positive.
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“I went to see him a few weeks before he died, and he was the same old Jim. Just as positive. I asked him how he did it. He told me when he was hit with polio, his doctor said, ‘Jim, a healthy person has about a hundred thousand things they can do in life. You can only do about 50,000.’ I think Jim did most of those 50,000 things.” James Draper remembers Jim as a wonderful guy, saying Jim taught him how to do wheelies in a wheelchair and to this day he still thinks of Jim and can do wheelies. He reached out to Jim in March in an attempt to get him back for reunion and was sorry Jim could not make it. Jay Tunney writes: “When we were students at Westminster, Jim Brown dazzled me by his knowledge of baseball. He could go on all afternoon about the techniques and habits of his favorite ballplayers. I remember him being a rabid Yankees fan, who loved every detail of
the team: the Yankees roster, the stadium, the announcer Mel Allen and the sponsor Ballantine Beer. Even when he struck out, which was often, Mickey Mantle was always his favorite player. “It was only after reading Tom LaMotte’s remembrance of Jim that I was reminded of why he was so fanatical about baseball. … I remember it the same way. Jim was mostly a cheerful guy, even though his legs were permanently paralyzed from polio. The upper half of his torso and his arms were a good deal more muscular than anyone I’d seen, mostly because of moving himself around in his wheelchair but also because of his weights and dumbbell exercises. In addition, he used crutches a good deal of the time. As a result, he developed amazing power in his grip, arms and upper body. Not for a thousand dollars would I have challenged him to an armwrestling contest.
“He was not a woebegone type. With a big smile, he would beckon me from across the classroom as though he had something to tell me, but it would turn out to be nothing but shooting the breeze. My take was he was lonely because of being left out of the many conversations and classmate activities. Make no mistake; he was a great conversationalist, once he ensnared someone in his web. “Jim phoned me in Chicago last autumn while I was outside walking on another windy, chilly day. We hadn’t spoken to each other for over half a century. He wanted to remind me of our Westminster class reunion in May 2019. We talked of things I’d long since put out of my mind: what became of some old classmates, or the economic condition of Westminster School. He tried to pin me down on attending the Westminster reunion and be sure I had it down on my calendar, as though there was nothing else in the whole world I should be thinking about. I missed the reunion, but now I know why he went to such an effort.”
1957 John Sherwin Jr.
(Please see page 78.)
1958 Peter Henry Fonda who was born in Manhattan, died Aug. 16, leaving behind his wife, Margaret DeVogelaere, a sister, two children, three stepchildren and a grandson. Peter, who was the son of Henry Fonda, followed his father’s path as an actor and filmmaker, attending the University of Nebraska Omaha and starting his acting career in regional theater and working his way up to Broadway. He gained fame with the movie “Easy Rider,” for which he shared a best original screenplay Oscar nomination with Dennis Hopper and Terry Southern. He was also an Oscar nominee for best
actor for his role in “Ulee’s Gold.” He directed and starred in many movies during his career. Gil Bell shared many fond memories of time spent with Peter fishing, both at Westminster and on Cape Cod. They would walk for miles and fish in streams behind the Westminster athletic fields and would also catch trout in the pond at the base of the hill. Bruce Burdett also enjoyed fishing and would join them on occasion. Thomas Loomis writes, “I had many fun times with Peter both at Westminster and later in Hidden Hills, Calif.”
1963 Robert Howard Cooley died July 16.
Born in Hartford, he went to the University of Denver, graduating with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration in 1969. During his years in Denver, be became a private pilot, sharing his love for aerobatic flight with his brother, David. After graduation, he moved to Dallas in 1970 as a newly minted CPA, starting his career at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., one of the two predecessor firms to KPMG. Rob loved the American West and spent countless summers there as a boy at camp, later adventuring with his brother, and later still with his sons. Rob was a tinkerer and enjoyed working with steam engines, trains and electronics. He loved music, too, and played most anything with strings and a pick. He was a member of “The Uncalled Four” with some good friends. A lover of good writing, good diction and good jokes, Rob was an enthusiastic and loyal member of Toastmasters International. Rob was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Tim. He is survived by his former wife, Lynn Biggers; two brothers; two sons; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
2006 Jennifer Christine DiMauro passed away July 23. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from George Mason University in 2018 and was completing a one-year postdoctoral position at the Washington DC VAMC in trauma services. She was preparing to move to Boston in September to start her dream job in trauma services at the Boston VAMC. Jennifer was a talented clinician, an esteemed teacher and a talented writer. She was a strong advocate for the veteran population, the underserved and those who had experienced traumatic events. Through her unwavering compassion, she provided them with the hope, inner strength and resilience to find their voice. Alex Gerson ’07 shared: “I have many fond memories of Jen from both Renbrook and Westminster, every one featuring her ever-present smile. What I remember most, however, was Jen’s laugh. It was infectious and frequent. I’ll carry that with me.” Her Westminster advisor remembers Jen as one of the smartest English students and best writers he’s ever taught and, in fact, he still uses several of Jen’s papers as exemplars for his students.
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Closing Thoughts
Sabbatical Exposures By Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12 English teacher After a full day of travel in late January of this year, my wife, Amy, and I arrived in Bagan, Myanmar, late in the evening, found a taxi and traveled eerily lit roads to our hotel. Following a restless sleep, we wondered, as we awoke at 4 a.m., what this strange new sound was until we recognized chanting at a nearby temple, a reminder that we had arrived at a very remote place in the world. We came to learn that the chanting reflected the activity surrounding a seven-day religious celebration at the Ananda Temple, which featured 24-houra-day monk chanting, booming through speakers and drifting throughout the region. We learned, too, that hundreds of pilgrims had journeyed from all over Myanmar to celebrate this festival and partake in both the religious rites and an almost carnival festival. What struck us more than anything were the overloaded caravans of trucks and cars, packed with adults and children and loaded down with gear, setting up ad hoc tent cities as friends and families settled in for a week to combine faith and clearly some communal fun. From the
Scott at Maine Media in Rockport, Maine, participating in a portrait photography course. 82
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ongoing cacophony of chatter, colorful dress and activity, one could not help but feel the warmth of their common humanity. After rising in the early darkness, we were taken to the launching site for an air balloon tour, where we had a cup of coffee and got to know Milton, our Aussie pilot. After many years of perfecting his craft, Milton and his wife were balloon pilots dividing their time between Myanmar, East Africa and Australia. Silently, we watched as the balloons around us inflated, a long process of anxiety and care for the guides, and then we took to the skies just as they started to brighten with the day ahead. The next 45 minutes were amazing as we drifted over Bagan and headed toward the Irrawaddy River, floating above temples, pagodas, stupas and monasteries, viewing the world from an entirely different perspective. At one point, we were floating 3,000 feet high with only the sound of the wind and the occasional blasting of fire heating the balloon. I found that my own thoughts were drifting as well, taking me back to a conversation from more than a year earlier. “But Greg, what is there to think about?” I responded somewhat mystified as I only began to imagine the possible sabbatical landscape ahead. Greg Marco P’08, ’11, Westminster’s former dean of faculty, had given me a call in late October 2017 to share with me that I was the most “senior” faculty member yet to enjoy a sabbatical and that, due to Trustee Sara Whiteley’s ’91 recent philanthropy to revitalize the school’s sabbatical program, I was now the chosen one. I recalled that Greg didn’t want me to rush to any sort of decision, but when I asked over the phone, “Greg, who says no to this opportunity?” he was understandably at a loss of words. I gratefully accepted the offer on the spot. With the school’s supportive expectation that a teacher on sabbatical should be sure to “refresh and renew,”
Scott and Amy Stevens enjoying some beautiful falls while biking through Laos.
I had little difficulty figuring out that I wanted to focus my efforts on study, service and travel during the course of the year. In fact, I envisioned living out the mantra I had coined when I returned to the classroom four years previously, emphasizing for my students the concept of “exposures” to just about everything that surrounds us in our respective lives — skills, literature, articles, photographs, art, stories, sports, politics, travel, poetry, music, diction and much more. In essence, I had chosen to reframe my classroom during this newest chapter of my Westminster career as a springboard to broaden students’ exposures beyond the discipline of English, a strategy, perhaps, I had always probably followed but with less intention. I now imagined the serendipitous sabbatical opportunity as the ultimate
Westminster perquisite for personal exposures and inevitable growth, with plenty of “content” to share with our students and colleagues on my return. I would have an entire year to do just about anything, and I truly welcomed the time to read, reflect and write, and to explore a vast array of exciting adventures. I also thought that it might be fitting to enter the blog sphere with Adventure Sabbatikos, a regular update that included reflections, photographs, musing, links to articles and whatever else I thought might be of interest to my “followers.” While I am unsure about how many of my family, friends and colleagues actually read the blog, I found enjoyment in both creating my posts and sharing my journey with others. It was an odd feeling when the academic year began in September 2018, and I was not a part of Westminster’s annual rituals of a new year. What a gift it was to suddenly have time on my hands with very little of the urgency that reflects the daily life of a Westminster teacher within our community. Back to our first day in Bagan: After the balloon tour, Amy and I spent the
Overlooking stupas and pogadas along the Irrawaddy River, Bagan, Myanmar.
An early morning balloon ride, floating over the monument zone in Bagan, Myanmar.
afternoon exploring the ancient city on scooters, pushing her risk envelope to be sure. And on our second day in the city, we had great fun on a gritty mountain bike tour through the dirt paths of various towns and along the single tracks leading to different ancient sites. Ye Ye, our guide, was knowledgeable about the many sites and the underlying Myanmar culture. He was especially keen about the evolution of Buddha design and taught us to recognize shifts in Buddha lips, eyes and hands. In a country with military rule and a problematic shift toward democracy, Ye Ye shared his thoughts about the country’s diversity and its 135 ethnic groups. We also talked with him about the Rohingya refugee crisis and that ethnicity’s suffering and, at least from Ye Ye’s point of view, we learned that this group’s struggles are part of a very complicated morality tale. As we dodged people, oxen, scooters and more, we had a few white knuckle moments on the bikes but otherwise safely negotiated some of the winding dirt roads. We especially enjoyed pedaling through quieter Bagan neighborhoods, witnessing the pulse of daily life there. I had forgotten about the awkward and amusing interplay that emerges between a visitor and a local when dealing with a language barrier. On many occasions, I watched locals try to translate my slow enunciation of English and my words of intent. There was often a respectful blank stare in response, with friendly eyes seeking nonverbal cues for understanding. After a few body movements on my part and more slow English, came a victory of sorts as a dawning smile of understanding opened up before me — an epiphany at its very best.
With Amy’s and my wanderlust restored and our Southeast Asia experience receding during this part of my sabbatical, I looked ahead with appreciation and anticipation to photography courses I would be taking in Maine and New Mexico, backcountry skiing with friends in Utah, a foray into a Cuban archipelago to fish Hemingway’s legendary waters, riding once again in Dana Farber’s 200-mile Pan-Mass Challenge, rowing big rivers in a Wyoming fishing guide school, and enjoying the wonderful sabbatical rhythms of time to continue reading, thinking and reflecting. Near the conclusion of Phil Knight’s delightful and informative memoir, “Shoe Dog,” Knight recounts that during one of his many visits to Saigon years after successfully collaborating with the Vietnamese to manufacture Nike shoes, his Vietnamese hosts orchestrated a meeting with General Vo Nguyen Giap, the commander of communist military forces during the Vietnam War. Knight had long held a fascination for the general whose leadership propelled the Viet Cong guerrillas to victory over the far superior American military forces. When Knight finally had an opportunity to speak with the general, he simply asked, “How did you do it?” The now aged general whispered, “I was a professor of the jungle.” I am deeply appreciative and thankful that Westminster encouraged me to become a “professor” of enriching experiences and adventures during my sabbatical that led me to places, both literal and figurative, that I could never before have imagined. I was very ready and excited when I returned to the Westminster classroom this fall.
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TRUSTEES 2019-2020 John S. Armour ’76 Emeritus Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. Elisabeth M. Armstrong P’04, ’06, ’07 Emerita Dallas, Texas Stephen W. Bailey ’89, P’21, ’23 Alexandria, Va. Beth Cuda Baker P’09, ’12, ’15 New Canaan, Conn. Christopher M. Beck P’08, ’13 Ex officio Harpswell, Maine William D. Brewer P’17, ’21 New York, N.Y.
Heather Frahm ’86, P’23 Boston, Mass. Joseph L. Gitterman III ’55, P’86, ’86, ’90 Emeritus Washington Depot, Conn. Powell W. Holly III ’82 Fredericksburg, Va. Robert T. Horsford ’89 New York, N.Y. David H. Hovey Jr. ’78, P’09, ’11, ’14 Simsbury, Conn. Martin R. Irani ’83 Encino, Calif.
Curtis F. Brockelman Jr. ’86, P’19 Greenwich, Conn.
Moyahoena Ogilvie Johnson ’86 Vice Chair of the Board Bloomfield, Conn.
Zooey Brown P’15 Batesville, Va.
Jeffrey E. Kelter P’12, ’14, ’19 Locust Valley, N.Y.
Renée Lynch Carrel ’84, P’19, ’21 Edina, Minn. Edward V. Dardani Jr. P’14, ’18 Waccabuc, N.Y. John H. Davis P’05 Emeritus Longmeadow, Mass.
David W. Kistler ’87, P’22 Tiburon, Calif. Bernhard L. Kohn Jr. ’66, P’92 Bloomfield, Conn. Hae-Young Lee P’18, ’20 Seoul, South Korea
Lori P. Durham P’13, ’15 Denver, Colo.
Jane Kessler Lennox ’88, P’16, ’18 New Albany, Ohio
William C. Egan III ’64, P’92, ’95, ’00, ’02 Emeritus Jackson, Wyo.
Douglas F. Londal P’17, ’19 Bronxville, N.Y.
Madeleine Ekholm P’19, ’20 Greenwich, Conn. Jacqueline J. Ferro P’20 Chicago, Ill. Colin S. Flinn ’82 Sanibel, Fla.
Westminster Bulletin FALL 2019
Published by:
Westminster School 995 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070 (860) 408-3000 This magazine is produced twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Office.
Bryan Martin ’86 Larchmont, N.Y. Thomas W. McCargo ’82, P’21 Sewickley, Pa. Andrew D. McCullough Jr. ’87 Houston, Texas
Address Class Notes to:
Aileen Daversa ’90 Director of Alumni Relations Westminster School 995 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070 Or submit via email: alumninotes@westminster-school.org To update contact information: spierson@westminster-school.org In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry and/or disability.
T. Treadway Mink Jr. ’77, P’11 Emeritus New Canaan, Conn. Elizabeth A. Moran ’06 Ex officio Seattle, Wash. Ian M. Morton ’87, P’22 San Francisco, Cali. Joan A. Nolan P’20 Ex officio Wayzata, Minn. John A. Nolan P’20 Ex officio Wayzata, Minn. James H. Oldershaw ’92 Ex officio Lexington, Mass. Mary Minns Peck ’90 Denver, Colo. William V.N. Philip P’06, ’09 Headmaster Ex officio Simsbury, Conn. C. Bradford Raymond ’85, P’19, ’20 Chair of the Board New York, N.Y. Susan M. Ryan P’12 Smithtown, N.Y. Thomas D. Sargent II ’77, P’10 West Hartford, Conn. Samuel Thorne ’46, P’74, ’76 Emeritus Bedford, Mass. Kirsten Sichler Webb ’98 Greenwich, Conn. Benjamin D. Williams IV ’81 Carpinteria, Calif.
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Darlene Skeels Director of Communications and Publications dskeels@westminster-school.org Director of Marketing and Communications
Jeff Kennard P’19
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Asheville School, Seshu Badrinath, Richard Bergen, Yoon Byun, Cate School, Kerry Kendall, David Newman and Scott Stevens.
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