The Academy World Fall 2012

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FALL 2012

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The Global School速

ith W l a i c Be S o

Bridging Communities

NEAR & FAR

Us!

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REFLECTIONS

by Rodney LaBrecque, Head of School

2012 FALL

Wilbraham & Monson Academy

The World Ahead

Past WMA Board of Trustees Chair Peter Lincoln ’55 at right with current Board Chair Scott Jacobs ’75 and former Board Chair, Bill Griffin ’68, who passed away in 2011.

Bridging the Gap

A

uthor and Rabbi Michael Lerner has written in depth on how two cultures of quite disparate nature can get along in Embracing Israel/ Palestine: A Strategy to Heal and Transform the Middle East. He posits that there are two different world views. In one, the world is a hostile place and security comes by dominating those who would dominate you by taking first action. The dominant theme is war and confrontation. Security is attained via might and power. In a second world view, the world might still be a hostile place, but the dominant world view is one of compassion. Terrorists win when they “undermine our trust in one another and in the goodness of most human beings on the planet.” Security comes not through domination but through generosity, caring, and love.

In this edition of The Academy World, you will read the stories of alumni and students who have acted with the latter world view in mind. The YEMS project brings together our students and faculty with underprivileged Chinese students from the western province of Yunnan in the study of English. Giving these students the opportunity for self-development and perhaps encouraging some dreams of a bigger and better life, leads to a better understanding of the two contrasting cultures. While there are no achievement

Building The Global School®

tests, no quantitative empirical measurements, which can report out how well we are educating students to exhibit kindness and care for one another and the earth, this is an important area to which we devote substantial time and effort both in the classroom and in the non-classroom program of lectures, advisor meetings, and study/travel options.

As you will read, this softer side of education has been a theme at the Academy for quite a long time.

Beginning with the education of three Chinese students in the 1840s to the Student Project of the 1950s to the wave of students from the 1960s who participated in the Peace Corp to our present day world travelers, this school has acted and continues to act as a global player. In so doing, our students connect one culture with another. This year we will revert back to an old practice which many older alumni will remember well…the sit down family style meal. While this will only occur once per week at lunch, the entire school will once again have the opportunity to sit with members of another country (we have 130 international students enrolled this year from 29 different countries, note the map on page 20) as well as an adult to share a meal and discuss topics of the day.

Peter Converse Lincoln ’55 Wilbraham: Still Most Dependable

While it is a good thing that students from all parts of the world meet one another on the WMA turf, it would be even better if every student could visit in person the country from which our international students hail. As we continue to develop our extensive study travel program, it is my hope that we will be able to offer this opportunity to all students at least once during their career at WMA. This is an ambitious goal but one I believe in. It could well be the centerpiece of a fundraising effort in the near future.

T

he Wilbraham Academy Class of 1955’s superlatives list Peter Lincoln ’55 as “Most Dependable. Says least, thinks most.” To those who know him, that moniker describes him to a T. As a student, Peter Lincoln was a quiet leader. He served as Business Manager for Student Publications, Editor of The Atlas, Class Treasurer, and Manager for three sports teams. Naturally, he continued to hone his leadership skills as an adult, eventually sharing his time and talents with the Academy as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1993-2005, and as Board Chair from 1997-2004.

We honor Peter for leading the Academy on its path from good to great, for continuing to reach out and engage his fellow classmates, and for providing $750,000 in financial support for a myriad of programs that have changed the face of the Academy including the WMA Athletic Center, scholarships, and The Peter Lincoln ’55 Fund which provides unrestricted support to the Academy.

During his senior year at Wilbraham, Peter wrote these words as part of his Ivy Oration delivered on behalf of his fellow students at commencement.

“Wilbraham Academy, we are all grateful. You have given us knowledge; you have opened our minds and eyes to what there is in the world for us; you have given us the experience of living with our neighbors; you have given us countless opportunities for self-advancement. Before these gifts we are humble, but with these tools you have given us, we will try to constantly better ourselves so to make the world a better place in which to live.”

Peter Plumb ’61 with Peter Lincoln ’55.

Peter has certainly made the Academy a better place for today’s students. Our hope is that our 2013 graduates will also leave our campus with that same feeling of gratitude, and one day follow in Peter’s footsteps as a leader and supporter of their Alma Mater.

YEMS page 11

FALL 2012 In this issue

1 Table of Contents 2 News from the Hill 3 Student Travel, Spotlight Jordan 4 Titans Victorious 6 Capturing a Community: Tanzania 7 Engaging a Community: Springfield Public Forum 8 Healing a Community: Relay for Life 10 Educating a Community: Born-Again Cinderella and YEMS 12 Embracing a Community: Amazon Program 14 Expanding a Community: Summer Programs 16 Penny Wars and Development Update 17 Global Education Month “GEM” 18 Growing a Community: Alumni Give Back 20 Admission News 22 Commencement and Prize Day 23 Reunion Weekend 28 Class Notes 31 Community Service Gets a Facelift

Amazon Travel page 12

The Annual Report of Giving begins on page 33 Gwen Schantz ’99 one of the featured alumni on Growing a Community page 18

Photo by Sarah Goolishian page 6

The Academy World Magazine · Fall 2012 · WMA 1

News from the Hill

Heather Little with her students.

Admission Numbers

WMA opened with 425 students this fall. The enrollment includes 77 Middle School students, 151 upper school day students, 65 domestic boarders and 130 international boarders. These students come from 29 different countries.

Student Accomplishments

AP Scholars: Students are recognized as AP Scholars if they receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

Kristen Klebart ‘12 (Ithaca College), Agustin Lew ‘12 (Weleyan University), Heather Little ‘13, Jiayu Liu ‘12 (School of the Art Institute of Chicago), Brandon McKenna ‘12 (Oberlin College), Rachel Ostrom ‘12 (Skidmore University), Max Rankin ‘12 (Ithaca College), Stephanie Reeves ‘12 (Connecticut College), Nicole Robitaille ‘12 (Northeastern University), Sara Tardiff ‘12 (Pratt Institute), Kaylee Walton ‘12 (The University of Texas, Austin), Zuyun Wang ’13, Maria Waslick ‘13

AP Scholars with Honor Students are recognized as AP Scholars with Honor if they receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams Yijia Chen ‘12 (Boston University), Chia-Yu Chou ‘12 (University of California at San Diego), Taek Whun Chung ‘12 (Duke University), Eva Landers ‘12 (Kenyon College), Jingheng Liang ‘12 (Mount Holyoke College), YuanQing Liu ‘12 (Lehigh University), Gelan Ying ’13, Jiaxin Ying ‘13

AP Scholars with Distinction Students are recognized as AP Scholars with Distinction, if they receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Weichang Ge ‘12 (University of California at San Diego), Nicholas Jalbert ‘12 (College of the Holy Cross), Teresa Kennedy ‘12 (University of Notre Dame), Peiyuan Li ‘12 (New York University), Austin Little ‘12 (University of Chicago), Tashfiq Mannan ‘12 (Bentley University), Tian Pan ‘12 (University of California at San Diego), Patrick Schmidt ‘12 (The George Washington University), Qianru Wu ‘13 Jackson FrenchRobitaille ‘14 at the Baystate Animal Care Facility Two summers ago, Jackson participated in the Baystate Medical Center Student Ambassador Program and returned again this past summer to work in the Baystate Animal Care Facility (BACF).

The BACF provides a safe, clean and humane environment for laboratory animals used at Baystate Medical Center for research and instructional purposes. Jackson worked with the animals and learned directly from the doctors.

Children’s International Summer Village Heather Little ’13 had fun this past summer in Austria, where she served as a junior counselor for CISV, which holds peace-building camps throughout the world. Heather worked with kids from 15 countries. “It’s a peace-oriented camp,” said Heather, who worked with a group of 11-year-olds. “The key principles we’re trying to teach them are conflict resolution, assisting and development, human rights and diversity. It was a lot of fun.”

Middle School Students & Nature’s Classroom Middle School students, teachers and chaperones boarded two Peter Pan buses early in the trimester and headed off to Silver Bay, New York. Students spent all week at Nature’s Classroom, a residential environmental education program that gives students and teachers a chance to experience education from another perspective, outside the walls of the classroom.

National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation Winners Nora Harrington ’13 and Maria Waslick ’13 scored in the top 3.3% of the 1.5 million juniors taking the PSAT exam last year.

News Around Campus (& beyond!)

Admission Office has New Home Through the generosity of Mark Shenkman ‘61, Wilbraham & Monson Academy owns the property at 451 Main Street which is now the home of Admission. “Mark Shenkman, alumnus of the Monson Class of 1961 and a major educational philanthropist, has made it possible for the Academy to have a dedicated space for the admission department,” said WMA Head of School Rodney LaBrecque. “Mark purchased the house and earmarked it for this use because he felt that the high quality of this perfectly restored New England gothic residence would match the quality of care and personal attention that applicants receive when visiting the Academy.”

Into the Woods Thad Wheeler felt the woods come alive in Central Park in New York City when he played in the Orchestra pit at the Delacorte Theater, home of Shakespere in the Park. “Playing Into the Woods outdoors was uncommonly eventful. Wind, rain, sun, noisy insects, raccoons, mosquitoes, moths, and helicopters all contributed their own special distractions,” said Thad.

“The orchestra pit is covered but the actors were totally exposed to the elements as they run up and down the three-level jungle gym of a set.”

WMA 2 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Student Travel

by Steven Lakeraj

Ragnauth ‘12

Jordan

I went to Jordan with WMA in partnership with King’s Academy’s Summer Enricment Program (SEP). We taught English and IT at a two-week boarding camp to students from underserved areas in Jordan.

Jordan was a remarkable experience from the start. I had only ever traveled to Guyana, South America and Canada before I went to Jordan.

It was my first trans-Atlantic trip, and I’ll never forget it. I tried my first falafel and shawerma, hiked upstream to jump through a waterfall, spent a night under the stars in the desert and met several new lifelong friends. The boarding school atmosphere of King’s Academy was much like that of WMA. We taught classes in the morning to middle school students, had sports and activities in the afternoon and sitdown meals.

The students all had a great time in the program and all refer to the SEP as their favorite part of the year. After the students left, the teachers and counselors went on a trip and spent a night in the desert and a night in Aqaba, which was yet another unforgettable experience. We arrived in Aqaba the morning after spending a night in the desert, and spent the day relaxing in the pool, on the beach and in the air-conditioning of the apartment.

Someone else might describe my experience in Jordan as “once in a lifetime,” however; I am hoping to be able to do this program again in the future.

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 3

TITANS Victorious

“Whenever there are six or more players featured in a product, such as trading cards or jerseys, or in my department, video games and mobile applications, the licensees, such as EA Sports, are required to get a license through the NFL Players Association,” said Brian, who attended Rollins College in Florida before doing his graduate work at New York University.

Jeremy Rogalski ‘05 and Brian LeMay ‘05

Alumni After College

While you won’t see Brian LeMay ‘05 and Jeremy Rogalski ‘05 on the field or on the ice the two Wilbraham & Monson Academy graduates do have promising careers in professional sports.

Brian is the Licensing Coordinator for Multimedia for the NFL Players Association. Jeremy, meanwhile, is the Video Analyst for his favorite NHL team – the Boston Bruins.

For both 2005 alumni Wilbraham & Monson Academy played a pivotal role in landing their current jobs. The school’s structure and discipline changed them from middle school boys to focused young men entering college.

“Looking back, what Wilbraham & Monson Academy taught me more than anything was discipline – discipline in everything I did,” said Brian, who played baseball, basketball and cross country in his six years at WMA. “Getting to class on time, doing homework, putting your best foot forward in everything you do, managing a full schedule . . . that discipline you learn in school and playing sports are applicable to the real world. That’s something I carry every day.”

Jeremy said the support he received from the faculty, especially his college counselor, Mike Thompson, kept him on the path to where he is today.

“Mr. Thompson knew what I wanted to do, and he, along with other teachers, never discouraged me from reaching that goal,” said Jeremy, a golfer and hockey player for the Titans during his sevenyear stint. “I eventually want to work in a front office. Mr. Thompson and my teachers never said ‘That’s a crazy goal’.

They wanted to help get me to my goal, and what colleges would best suit me.”

After graduating college both graduates are working with and representing professional athletes. Madden NFL, one of the world’s biggest video games, must be approved by LeMay’s department before hitting the shelves. The same holds true for any NFL mobile application.

“As with any players association, the goal is to make more money for the players and to represent them in a positive way and to market them in a positive way as well.”

Jeremy began working full-time for the Bruins at the start of the 2010-11 season. By the end of that season, the Bruins – and Jeremy – were hoisting the Stanley Cup. “It’s something very fortunate,” said Jeremy, a graduate of Bates College. “Not only am I working for a team I grew up watching and idolizing, but it’s local, too, so I still get to see my family and stay in touch with them.

There’s not much more you can ask for.

It’s a very fortunate situation to be here, and to arrive when we had the success we had last year was crazy.”

Jeremy is in charge of gathering video, whether it is of the Bruins or opponents, and using that video to the team’s advantage.

For example, during intermission of a game, “Claude (Julien, Boston’s head coach) will come in and say ‘Show me that goal again’ and I’ll put it on the TV and the coaches will watch it and figure out what went wrong. Maybe there are some other things they want to see and they’ll talk to players. They’ll watch the video and tell the players they need to do ‘this’.”

The two young men might be boasting other mascots now but they’ll forever be Titans, building upon the tools and skills they received at Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

WMA 4 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Keshawn Dodds

The story takes place in Springfield, as do all of Keshawn’s stories. Kalen, an 18-yearold boy, has been physically and mentally abused by his father. A city gun-runner takes Kalen under his wing, giving him easy jobs to make money.

Keshawn Dodds ’97 said he probably would have dropped out of college if he didn’t attend Wilbraham & Monson Academy for a post-graduate year. Keshawn graduated from American International College (AIC) in 2001 and what he’s done in his adulthood is as remarkable as it is noble.

Kalen then shows the gun-runner there is another way of life. Kalen’s father continues to be abusive, yet wants to be in his son’s life. A conflict between the three men erupts near the end of the story.

In addition to being the Director of Multicultural Affairs at AIC, Keshawn is the author of 18 manuscripts, including an eight-book series for kids. Keshawn recently took his latest work to a new and exciting level: the stage.

Like each of Keshawn’s stories, there is a positive message, particularly toward kids and teenagers growing up in an urban environment.

“It was phenomenal to write a book, and then see my book and be in a play,” said Keshawn, 34. “I got to see my work go from a book to a stage play, and I love it.”

Keshawn had his book Who’s on my Side? The Story of Kalen Brown published in August of 2011. A friend encouraged Keshawn to turn the story into a play.

“My fear rose because I’ve never done a play, never written a play, and I had no idea how a script was made,” Keshawn said.

However, as he has done so many times since attending WMA, Keshawn came through. The play was performed at AIC May 1213, and then came back to AIC at the request of a faculty member Aug. 4-5. Each performance concluded with a standing ovation.

“I want kids to know there are struggles in life,” said Keshawn. “You never know someone’s story. You hear about the bullying and the other things happening in society, but people don’t understand what might be going on in someone’s personal life and you don’t want to pass judgment. Someone may just need a helping hand or a smile to get them through the day.”

WMA helped Keshawn get through his post-graduate year, and that year helped set the life-long Springfield resident up for success.

“To grow up in Springfield and to know what things were like, and then to see Wilbraham & Monson Academy and see a new set of rules put me on a path to learn how to study, meet new people, and just branch out and become who I wanted to be,” Keshawn explained. “WMA catapulted me into who I am now.”

Spike it for Life The bleachers and balcony were full and there was a buzz of excitement in the Wilbraham & Monson Academy gym September 28.

People in attendance braved a rainy evening to support WMA Athletic Trainer Erika Whipple and the Girls’ Volleyball team’s Spike it for Life event, which was held in honor of Erika’s nephew, Alexander, who died at the age of 21 months to neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer.

“This is unbelievable . . . to see all the people who came out to support Alexander,” Erika said. “He had a rough time of it with the chemotherapy and all the different hospitals stays.”

Coach Donna Barone’s team raised more than $800, which will go toward Make Some Noise in Alexander’s name. Make Some Noise raises funds for pediatric cancer research.

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 5

A g n i r u t Cap y t i n u m m Co

“P

by Sarah

Goolishian ‘13

eter, they’re staring at us,” I nervously said

while meeting the stare of a Maasai mother and child in their village on the border of Tanzania and Kenya.

Peter Richards, a twenty-year National Geographic photojournalist and group leader teased, “Well, wouldn’t you stare at someone who just walked into your house?”

This past summer on a National Geographic Expedition Trip to Tanzania, I learned to adapt to Maasai culture and improve my photography skills. I traveled with nineteen students from the United States and Canada and four leaders - a photographer, filmmaker, journalist and a biologist. We captured photographs of rural life in the village of Maji ya Chai, camped in Oldonyo Sambu Wilderness Area, experienced Maasai culture and customs, traveled on a wildlife safari in the Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater and helped extend a water line to the outer edges of the Maji ya Chai village. I even learned Swahili and practiced my new skills when bargaining in markets and engaging with locals.

My penchant for photography and travel was piqued the summer before on a WMA trip to the Amazon. Our visits to the Kamyrura and Xavante Indian tribes sparked my passion for sharing my experiences through photography. These two international trips have made me want to travel the world, learn new languages and explore new cultures. I hope to capture unique moments and share the stories with others.

WMA 6 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Todd Buchholz

y t i n u m m o C A g n i g a g En

A

s The Global School®, Wilbraham & Monson Academy is committed to educating the local community and developing globally aware students. We encourage them to think on a global level with a heightened awareness of economics and entrepreneurship. Because of this we sponsor internationally renowned thinkers and economists at the Springfield Public Forum each year.

The Springfield Public Forum states that it is a “nonprofit organization founded in 1935 whose mission is to promote thought-provoking dialogue in Springfield.

Hosting world-class talent and speakers each year, the Forum provides access to ‘Great Speakers, Great Discourse’, free to the public.”

This fall, we will be welcoming Todd Buchholz; author of the best seller New Ideas from Dead Economists and Rush: Why You Need and Love the Rat Race, which was named

by Publishers Weekly as a “top ten” book for 2011. “While I loved Mr. Buchholz’ book on economists, I have loved even more his latest offering Rush: Why We Need and Love the Rat Race,” stated Head of School Rodney LaBrecque.

“I can’t wait to hear him in person.” Buchholz will be speaking on The Global Economic Outlook: Connecting the Dots of the World Economy. Connecting the dots of the world economy is something we strive to teach our students; it is an honor that they can learn from and communicate with a world expert.

In addition to being an author, Buchholz also writes for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Reader’s Digest. Buchholz boasts immense economic experience including acting as the former Director of Economic Policy at the White House and Co-founder and Managing Director of Two Oceans Management, LLC.

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 7

Healing A Community

by Meghan Rothschild Director of Marketing & Communications

E

ight years ago I battled and defeated cancer at the young age of 20. Since then, it’s been my mission to inspire young people to act and to educate the public about melanoma, a very preventable form of cancer.

When I was asked to speak at the 5th Annual Greater Wilbraham Relay for Life I was not only honored, but I jumped at the chance to share my story with the students I now have the privilege of working with on a regular basis.

I was inspired, motivated, and touched to witness a tremendous outpouring of community support, not only from the WMA family, but also from our fellow counterparts at Minnechaug and families around the Wilbraham community. With $84,000 raised, 80 survivors in attendance and 750 participants working toward putting an end to cancer, our students walked away with a sense of accomplishment and, even more importantly, a feeling of belonging to a family larger than the one right here on campus.

WMA 8 ·

Fall 2012 · The Academy World

One Day, One Night.

One Community, One Fight!

The Academy World 路

Fall 2012 路 WMA 9

Educating A Community

Born-again Cinderella M

inAh Kim ‘12 was teaching at an after-school program for under-privileged kids in Nowongu, Korea, in the summer of 2011 when she made the decision to do something special with her students. MinAh, who graduated with highest honors, wrote a children’s book titled A Born-again Cinderella, in both English and Korean with the help of her 10 students in grades 1-5. The book was published in 2011.

The story is about a girl who learns how to stand up to a bully. All proceeds from the book go toward the afterschool program. “It’s a story the kids made, and they drew the pictures, too,” she said. MinAh has worked at the same after-school program for five summers. She teaches English as a second language.

“I generally read English books to them and talk to them about the books,” she explained. “We talk about the vocabulary, or play hangman or bingo.” MinAh went on to say that younger students get taught in a mixture of Korean and English. A Born-again Cinderella is a great teaching tool in the classroom.

MinAh attends Emory University in Atlanta where she double majors in education and psychology. Her desire to major in psychology seems like a natural fit to those who know her.

Her drive, focus, and compassion for others make her someone who has the potential to be a great success, and an asset to the community.

“She was a quiet force on our campus,” said Maureen Kelly ’01, MinAh’s advisor at WMA. “She was someone we could trust. She was there for the kids and her peers, she had a kind heart, and she was not only successful herself but she cared about other people’s success.”

A Born-again Cinderella is evidence of just that.

WMA 10 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

YEMS M

engdie “Melody” Liu ‘12 has a plan in place to give children in the Chinese province of Yunnan a chance at an improved education. Melody launched her Yunnan Ethnic Minority School Volunteer Project (YEMS) this past summer. She, along with a multi-cultural group of volunteers, worked at two schools for 12 days.

“What happens in this region is the kids are forced to drop out of school at a very young age,” said Melody, 18, who graduated from WMA in May with highest honors. “They don’t have a lot of education and sending them to school is way more expensive than having them drop out and work on the farms or in the sweatshop factories.” Melody is also from Yunnan, which is located in the southwestern part of China and is one of China’s poorest regions.

“We’re bringing books and listening tapes to the school and we’ll show them how to learn English and other languages by themselves,” said Melody. “We want to inspire kids to learn.”

Melody and her volunteer group can’t stay forever, which is why she created a program where the children can learn on their own. “We want to break the mindset and the status quo that going to a farm and working in a factory is all they can do with their life.

“Language is a method of communication. It’s not about how high your grade is - it’s about how can you communicate with people from a different culture and talk to them and share experiences and wonderful stories.”

Melody ran a similar program in the summer of 2010 when she organized a group of friends and taught at various schools in Yunnan, though this year she elevated the program to a new level. “The first year was me trying to figure out how to help,” she explained. “I had the idea but I didn’t know how to conduct it specifically. This year it’s more developed and I hope in the future it will be even more developed.”

Through T-shirt sales and other fundraisers, Melody collected enough money to support the education of 22 kids in Yunnan.

Melody began at the New York Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan this fall though she has no plans to discontinue her work in Yunnan.

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 11

Embracing A Community

P

by Jill

Dangleis

Middle School Mathematics

rentice Hall Mathematics, which is the core curriculum for both the sixth and seventh grades, is a research-based approach, which aims to engage students in becoming life-long global learners. My experience in Brazil is a perfect match for that curriculum.

As stated on the Academy’s Student Travel blog “this part of the world is changing so rapidly in structure and climate, resulting from deforestation and anthropological

migration, that the chance to see it is invaluable, as it will not exist in a decade or two.” The possibility that I could help incorporate the changing demographics of a slowly fading culture into the curriculum for middle school students is something I am thrilled about. The goal will be to combine culture with mathematics as a means of demonstrating issues such as climate change in a way the younger members of our community can understand. Math, in addition to history, can greatly explain the world, and it is imperative for students at a young age to gain this understanding.

With water being our key theme for this year’s curriculum, my plan is to generate a hands-on project educating students on the Amazon rain forest. The students will use raw data to create maps combining science and math skills. The activity will assist visual learners in understanding data and measurement to create charts, either by hand or by using Excel or a similar database program on their iPads. Students then will use the charts to compare averages, percentages, and ratios. Other statistical information that can be graphed and displayed include: climate, population, temperature and economics. .

Jill was a recipient of a Hubbard Grant, read more grant stories on page 26!

Day 1: Depart Day 3: Cristalino River Day 3: Challenge Day 4: WMAS Interview Day 5: Tarantulas Day 7: Turtle Research WMA 12 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Turtle Repopulation

Students had the opportunity to work alongside internationally recognized conservationist John Carter’s organization Aliança Da Terra. Carter, once an American rancher, established a non-government organization to prevent the destruction of vital Amazon rain forest. One of Aliança Da Terra’s projects works to protect the river turtles, a project in which the students participated. Ninety percent of the locals are backing the program now as opposed to 10% five years ago. Five years ago you could find 45 nests on a beach but now, through their efforts, you can find over 400!

The students had the opportunity to look for nests and eggs and learn from Jeda, one of the turtle experts, first-hand about their work.

Day 9:

Xavante Tribe

Day 10: Kamayura Tribe Day 14: Climb Waterfalls Day 15: Associated Press Interview Day 19: Homeward Bound The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 13

W

By: Nicholas Jalbert ’12

hen Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Charlie D’Avanzo established the Beech Tree Summer Camp program in 1995, he established an invaluable perennial bridge between the Academy’s community and that of the local area. In addition to innumerable laughs and good times, Beech Tree has always offered its campers a glimpse into the exciting and enriching world of the Academy. This longlasting and beloved camp forged a bridge that bore many a young individual into our community and resulted in strong, positive additions to the student body of both the Blake Middle School and the Academy itself. With the revision of our mission to reflect our global educational philosophy, the administration chose to bolster summer offerings. A two-fold approach was adopted in order to draw the same high caliber of young people into our community from not only the local area, but also from the national and international community. The much loved and much lauded Beech Tree program remains unchanged. However, a host of new programs, tailored to WMA’s global mission, stand alongside it, building off the program’s robust foundations.

With such specialty programs as University Camp, which offers high school upper classmen an intensive version of the Academy’s Junior and Senior seminars, and a full regimen of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, our new summer programs draw students to the WMA campus from a disparate set of geographical origins. These programs attract students from a multiplicity of diverse and fascinating backgrounds. Students this past year traveled to our campus from Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean for a glimpse into the opportunities present at the Academy. In addition, Camp $tart-Up, a robust introduction to entrepreneurship and finance, courts the highly sought-after national residential student demographic. It brings students to WMA from seven different states, including Alaska and California.

Expanding A Community Sign Up for Next Summer! www.WMA.us/Summer

WMA 14 · Spring 2012 · The Academy World

Our burgeoning summer program not only invites new students into the orbit of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, but also contributes back into the regional community. The Beech Tree Summer Camp continues to patronize nearby businesses and establishments such as Springfield’s Majestic Theater and InterSkate 91.

Additionally, the ESL camp, provides internship opportunities for its students at seven local businesses and field trips to Northampton, Sturbridge Village, Boston and New York City, to name a few. In addition to further linguistic immersion for the international students, these outings give local businesses valued patronage as well as enrich all students’ appreciation of the rich historicity and scenic beauty of Western Massachusetts.

Our hope is to enamor these guests in our community with the region and further reinforce the truth that Wilbraham & Monson Academy is the right school for them.

Even in this, the first year of WMA’s expanded Summer Programs, attendance across the full spectrum of our specialty camps boomed. While our University and ESL programs, in addition to the independently run Camp $tart-Up, attracted an older high school demographic, other specialty camps such as Garage Band Camp, Film Camp, Chef Camp, and Chocolate Camp continue the Beech Tree tradition of welcoming younger audiences. Next summer will bring an interdisciplinary approach between Beech Tree and these new programs. Beech Tree campers will spend a small amount of time each week exploring the offerings of the specialty groups geared toward their varied age groups. Because these programs are still new, we expect an exponentially higher turnout of attendees in the long term; word of mouth already cultivates a reputation equal to the quality of our outstanding programs.

Feedback empowers us to fine-tune our offerings even further to provide participants with the best possible experience.

These programs, with their focus on the interconnected world, nurture a broad and open mindset and inlay an integral primary stepping stone on the greater path to global citizenship and leadership.

The Academy World · Spring 2012 · WMA 15

PENNY WARS the most pennies per person in their jar. The total amount raised during the two-week contest was more than $1,900.

The Charities

by Allie Collins Anderson ‘16 and David Little ‘16 Inspired by the devastation of recent storms in Wilbraham and the poor access to medical care in Tanzania, the WMA Middle School Student Council held a fundraising contest this spring to support these causes.

The Fundraiser

The Middle School utilized a fundraising game called “Penny Wars”. The way it worked was grades 6, 7, and 8 had their own teams with their own jars. Each team’s goal was to fill their jar with pennies. Grade 7 won by having

Half the funds will go toward re-treeing - a portion for a new tree on the WMA campus, with the remainder being donated to Wilbraham-Hampden Rotary Club to support their project of re-treeing the greater community.

The other half of the funds were donated to Jambo Tanzania, a non-profit organization that works to provide the people of Tanzania with medical support through medical clinics which are set up every other year. With the donation to Jambo Tanzania from last year’s Penny Wars mosquito nets were purchased and numerous lives were saved from malaria. This year, with a nearly $700 increase in funds raised, even more people will have access to medications and necessities needed to survive.

Funding the Academy

“Exposure to arts education promotes self-directed learning and sharpens critical thinking and creative skills.”

--Paul Bloomfield, Chair, Fine & Performing Arts Department

Dining Hall

Greenhouse

The Arts

Raised: $193,322 (Goal: $75,000)

Value: $133,000

Raised: $43,332 (Goal: $35,000)

At WMA we believe that we should foster every opportunity for building stronger communities. The dining hall is a catalyst for conversations, breaking down barriers between faculty and students and across social groups.

We’re extremely fortunate that so many alumni and parents agreed with us and helped launch the dining hall renovations.

WMA has always seen the sciences as a critical tool in global understanding. Thanks to Joseph and Katherine Hickson, WMA parents and owners of Private Garden, the science program at WMA just got stronger. Located near Binney Hall there is now a brand new state-of-the-art greenhouse. The greenhouse is beautiful with endless potential for future programs.

WMA students cherished their experience in the arts so much that they raised funds in honor of their faculty: former theater teacher John Sbordone and current teachers Michael and Susan Dzuria. Study of the arts is an essential part of a Wilbraham & Monson Academy education and a requirement for all students. The benefits of arts education include success in school, developing intelligence and success in life.

WMA 16 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

W

ilbraham & Monson Academy is fortunate to be nestled in an area that is known for academia.

Not far from WMA you will find institutions such as Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Amherst College and more. Global Education Month, or GEM, allowed WMA to gain access to these institutions and create powerful relationships with them.

GEM, hosted by WMA last April, featured world-renowned speakers. John Cain Carter, internationally known conservationist, premiered his movie Valley of the Forgotten which exposes the conflict for land in Mato Grosso at Smith College. Alexander Debelov ‘06, Co-founder and CEO of Virool, discussed entrepreneurial ventures and the political climate in Russia in WMA’s very own Mark R. Shenkman Trading Center. GEM also included a conference called The Global Impact of Emerging Economies featuring professors from area colleges reinforcing a college connection and collegiate standard at WMA. Finally, GEM served as a platform for the Global Scholars Capstone Projects. The Global Scholars experience incorporates research, travel, and study abroad opportunities.

In the concluding year of their scholarship, all Global Scholars create and defend an in-depth independent research project concerning a global issue, culminating in a public presentation of their work. It was important to include the Global Scholars in GEM because, like the many speakers who have traveled and studied all over the world, WMA students are also global citizens.

Global Scholars Capstone Projects Max Rankin Rainforest to Farmland: Why? “Driving along a dirt road in central Brazil I had a revelation: I was reminded by my tour guide that the endless and underproductive farmland that spans the horizon was once pristine rainforest. I hope to find out what caused this lush forest to become what seemed an arid waste of space, and how I can prevent this from happening elsewhere.”

Please see more Capstone projects at www.WMA.us/capstone

Eva Landers A Nation’s Reliance on a Single Product “While in Brazil this summer, I was able to see first hand the destruction done to the rain forest in the name of economic expansion. I began to think about the implications of a nation’s reliance on one product, whether it was a particular tree or even a specialized crop, to stimulate the economy.

Throughout this year I want to research this practice and see if it is really beneficial or simply a short-term solution that can cause more serious issues.”

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 17

By Alessandra Mele ’09 Over two acres of tomatoes, greens, peppers, kale, chard, bok choy, herbs, carrots, radishes and beans growing in New York City? Just look up. Gwen Schantz ’99 is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Brooklyn Grange, the largest rooftop farm in existence.

The farm was founded in hopes of creating a model for fiscallysustainable urban agriculture, and since it was founded in 2010, it has achieved that, and much more.

Between supplying local restaurants and farm stands with fresh vegetables, hosting educational workshops for urban youth, and providing a unique space for dining and events, Brooklyn Grange has established itself as a center for agriculture in New York City.

In addition to the thousands of crops growing, the garden supports egg-laying hens and an apiary, where bees are raised for their honey.

This is all done in effort to create a more sustainable, healthy New York City. “From the beginning we have always focused on a triplebottom-line approach, where economic income is valued no more or less than the positive social and environmental impacts of our business,” stated Gwen.

Going beyond the positive effects on the ecosystem, Gwen and her partners see the farm as an opportunity to establish farming as an economic force in New York City. Brooklyn Grange is a self-sustaining commercial farm, which creates jobs, supports city farmers, and sells tens of thousands of pounds of vegetables each year. Through farming, Gwen promotes industry in addition to sustainability, health, and education, providing New York City with a valuable link between food and the green economy.

Gwen Schantz 99 ’

Growing A Community Bob Stone ’64

Bob Stone ’64 left WMA at an exciting time. His freshman year at the University of Berkeley in California was during the Free Speech Movement, which resonated with Bob’s already socially conscious spirit. Bob was most passionate, however, about the housing crisis, and the lack of simple and decent housing for low-income families.

This passion was in part ignited by a paper he wrote his senior year at WMA. The paper studied the housing situation in Springfield, Mass. and how it related to race. He stated in his paper that “Education [would] play a tremendous part in reducing prejudices and misunderstandings instilled in individuals by stimulating inter-racial activity.”

Nearly 50 years later Bob is still passionate and has been working in various forms of low-income housing. “I have been fortunate to make a living doing work that’s meaningful,” he explained. Bob worked on Skid Row in Los Angeles, was a Peace Corps volunteer working with the Philippines’ malaria eradication program, and currently is a consultant assisting housing and community development nonprofit organizations throughout the country. For experiences like the Peace Corps, he said “it feels good to give back; the person volunteering gets more out of the experience than the person on the receiving end.”

WMA 18 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Terrence O’Brien ’06

“I miss going home after a long day of teaching English and being able to buy pan con pello from a neighborhood vendor. I miss sitting on the stoop outside of my house and talking about futbol, life, the day, or whatever came to our heads,” stated Terrence O’Brien ’06, recalling that it was the community above all else he missed after coming home from his year in El Salvador.

While Terrence found a community in El Salvador he went there to perform a service, to teach English. Education is one way for civilians to better their situation. “Gang violence determines the everyday lives of Salvadorians,” Terrence explained. “In my first month there were over 50 murders due to gang violence, or violence due to poverty-related issues.” Still, Terrence found the communities he lived in generous, offering him food even if it meant they would go without, and patriotic, stating they loved their country despite the economic stress. Terrence reciprocated their kindness with the English word, hoping to create opportunities where there had been none.

The feeling of accomplishment and serving others prompted Terrence to apply for the Peace Corps.

“After my experience I realized there are a lot of things in the world and in my life I cannot control or fix, but this doesn’t mean I should not try to fix them.”

William “Bill” James ’64

William “Bill” James ’64 is quite adamant about the fact that his education at Wilbraham & Monson Academy was the first step in shaping his world view. At the time, Bill was quickly becoming friends with the students from Thailand, some of whom he is still close with today. “I was in awe of the Thai students,” said Bill. “They had great strength in their own culture and yet were able to assimilate into a new one.”

WMA’s gift of a global outlook encouraged Wilber to study abroad in Denmark in college, and to join the Peace Corps directly after. Wilber spent three years living in a tent with the Tharaka tribe in the Eastern province of Kenya. Wilber created a school there where students would walk up to 10 miles a day one-way to receive an education prompting him to raise capital to build dormitories for the students.

Today, Wilber is recognized as an elder of the tribe and has been given the name “M’Mugira”. The Peace Corps taught Wilber that fulfillment comes from doing good work outside of your profession. He learned to appreciate the advantages he was given and to pay them forward. Currently Wilber is a Managing General Partner for Rockport Capital; additionally he works with stem cell research, the African Wildlife Association, and mentoring those in need.

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 19

admissioN news

Where We’re From

Where We’re Going

Arizona Bermuda California Connecticut Illinois Florida Germany Jamaica Kentucky Massachusetts Mexico Minnesota New Hampshire

New Jersey New York North Carolina Russia Tennessee Texas United Kingdom Virgin Islands Virginia Washington Find out if we’re coming to a city near you by visiting our website!

www.WMA.us WMA 20 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Support the Wilbraham & Monson Academy 2012-2013 Annual Fund

Show Your Pride “WMA is a wonderful environment for students to grow academically, emotionally and socially. The international population of the student body has been its own education for my children and they have profoundly benefited from befriending students from countries all over the world.”

“WMA is a great school because it gives you a lot of opportunities to try new things.

It’s fun to be here, and I enjoy being a part of the community.”

Gracyn Rothschild-Shea ’18

Jocelyn Smith , WMA Parent “Each year I learn more about myself and grow as both a person, and a global citizen. Each and every experience I have had here has truly molded me into the strong willed, independent, and bubbly person I am today.”

“At WMA, I was exposed to students from around the world Today, as a businessman, I relate to people from other countries and every day I push myself and my employees to do better! “

Alexander Debelov ’06

Issa Best ’13

May 10 & 11, 2013

Save the Date Find us on Facebook!

Facebook.com/WilbrahamMonsonAcademy

Reunion Weekend

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 21

Commencement is a special time of year when the WMA seniors move on to a new chapter in their lives and leave behind a legacy. No matter how big or small, each student who comes through the doors of WMA and places a stone on the alumni wall impacts the WMA community.

This year WMA also said goodbye to Rita Carey. Rita was the Communications Director and worked at WMA for 20 years. Rita directly impacted the reputation of WMA and her presence around campus will be missed. We wish her only the best in her retirement.

commencement 2012 PRIZe DAY

Class of 2012 Cum Laude Society Nicholas Jalbert Austin Little Patrick Schmidt

Teresa Kennedy Nicole Robitaille

Special Prizes Phil Shaw Awards for Athletic Excellence- Marissa McDermott and Ryan McLarney Alumni Award – Caroline Manghan Trustee Award – Heather Little Class of 1977 Humanitarian Award – Jessica Smith John L. Nepomuceno Prize – Philip Antonacci WMA 22 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Reunion Weekend

ALUMNI Challenge Games Every year alumni come back to WMA to participate in the Alumni Challenge Games! Many alumni braved the rain to participate this past summer and proved that even though they have moved on from the WMA campus they are still proud Titans.

The Academy World 路 Fall 2012 路 WMA 23

Reunion Weekend Above, the Monson class members ring the bell!!

5th Left to right: Nicholas Curran ’07, Alexander Williamson ’07, Symin Charpentier ’07 and Josh Binney ’07

10th Left to right: Brian Zimmerli ’02, Phil Chesky ’02, Maureen Kelly Chesky ’02 and Miguel Cantor ’02

25th and 30th Left to right: Geoffrey Wilson (lying down), Terri Cook-Melloy ’82, Josef Martin ’82 and Matthew Armata ’87

40th Left to right: Jay Sullivan ’72, John Harrington ’72, Dan Kunhardt ’72, and Greg Merkel ’72

50th Left to right: Ted Montgomery ’62M, Bob Harlan ’62M, Clay Bassett ’62M, Charles Kellogg ’62W, John Howe ’62W, Winston Turner ’62W, and Richard Taylor ’62W

55th Back row, left to right: Phil Shaw ’57W, Jonathan Sperling ’57W, Joe Merritt ’57W, Charles Pettee ’57W. Front row, left to right: Harry Read ’57W, Francis Cataldo ’57W, Russ Cook ’57W, Richard Coan ‘57W

60th Back row, left to right: Jon Shakour ’52W, Phil Erlenbach ’52W,Phil Erlenbach, Dave Olsen, Dick von Hoorn. Front row, left to right: Lawrie Hibbard ’52W, Bill Stacy ’52W, Dick Brigham ’52W, Ted Schwerdtle ’52W At right Russ Cook ’57W received the Service to the Academy Award and Al Dodge ’32W received the Service to the Community Award

WMA 24 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Sometimes it is Easy Being Green Joseph and Katherine Hickson, parents of recent alum Veronica “Nika” Hickson ’12, donated a beautiful greenhouse to the WMA community. The Hicksons are owners of Private Garden, a company that makes custom greenhouses, gazebos, and kiosks.

The greenhouse, located near Binney Hall, was completed in January of 2011. The dedication of the new educational facility took place during Reunion Weekend. We thank the entire Hickson family for this thoughtful gift to WMA.

John Sbordone: His Legacy Lights Up

D

uring his tenure at the Academy, Former Faculty Member John Sbordone brought the level of the WMA theater department to new heights. The Academy Players and award-winning Academy Repertory Company bolstered the talents and shaped the lives of Academy alumni. Five of John’s former students, Courtney Tillson Paterna ’96, Ian MacDonald ’94, Evan Gallivan ’96, David Yaslowitz ’95 and Robert Edmunds ‘01, hoped that their fellow Academy thespians would help them reach a modest goal of $5,000 that would help purchase new lighting and curtains for WMA’s Founder’s Theater. The committee surpassed their goal and presented a plaque in John’s honor at the firstever Alumni Cabaret during Reunion 2012. The funds were part of the Fostering the Arts campaign, which raised

over $40,000 for the arts at WMA. “Elevating the arts at the Academy will make our alma mater more attractive to prospective students, foster the talents of current students, help produce well-rounded graduates, and improve WMA’s rankings as an independent school,” said Evan Gallivan ’96. “As alumni, we benefit from our school’s reputation and have a vested interest in supporting the Academy.”

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 25

St. Lucia Mary Bacon World Languages

by

During July of 2012, I was given the opportunity to travel to the island St. Lucia as a recipient of the Hubbard Grant. One may wonder, as a French teacher, why I did not select a destination such as France or Canada. I studied in France and traveled extensively in Europe for over two years in college. WMA has also afforded me the chance to lead two student trips to both France and Canada during my seven year tenure. So why St Lucia? I have always been intrigued by St. Lucia’s history of its colonization by both the French and the British. I intend to enhance my curriculum this year as I discuss colonization and introduce the culture of several Caribbean islands such as Martinique and Guadeloupe. My objective will be to provide my students with a taste of these islands’ cuisine, music, local traditions, such as the Yoles Rondes and Mardi Gras, as well as the etymology of the language of Creole.

St. Lucia is an island of the West Indies and is located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It lies to the north of St Vincent and the Grenadines and to the south of Martinique. St. Lucia is a mountainous island with black sand beaches and tropical rainforests. English is the official language, however, a French-based Creole dialect known as Patois is often spoken among locals. While I was able to read many of the signs and names of places that are French on the island, much to my dismay, Creole was virtually incomprehensible to me. Patois or French Creole is indigenous to Francophone islands, such as St. Lucia, Martinique and Haiti and cannot be understood by other speakers of Creole of non-French descent.

St. Lucia’s first known inhabitants were Arawaks who arrived from northern South America around 200-400 AD. Caribs fought and triumphed over the Arawaks from 800 to 1000 AD. They called the island Hewanorra, which is still the name of the International airport where we flew in and out of the quaint town of Vieux Fort.

Europeans first landed on the island during the latter part of the 15th century during the Spanish exploration. The French, English and Dutch all attempted to establish trading outposts on the island and

faced opposition from the Caribs. St. Lucia actually switched hands between the French and the British 14 times over the course of 150 years. The French regained ownership in 1763 through the treaty of Paris and introduced the sugar cane industry. Today St. Lucia is an Independent Island Nation, however, much evidence of these two European influences remain.

A tour of Pigeon Island on foot around the ruins introduced us to more of the island’s history and spicy flair, much like the islands spicy specialty of seafood creole. St. Lucia’s first French settler in 1550, Jambe de Bois (Wooden Leg) used this small, hilly island as a base for raiding Spanish ships. Two centuries later, Britain’s Admiral George Rodney fortified the island to spy on the French fleets in Martinique. After rivalry ended, it was used by the US in WWII as a signal station. In 1970 a causeway was built to form a peninsula, and it was in 1979 that it became a national park. At the top of Rodney Hill there are the remains of his fortification with cannons still in place: yet, I was more enthralled with catching a glimpse of Martinique.

The highlight of the trip for me was a perilous drive through tropical rain forest where we passed through several local, colorful villages and what seemed like endless banana plantations to the town of Soufrière. Soufrière boasts the worlds only drive-thru volcano, which is also known as St. Lucia’s sulphur springs. The volcano is dormant, yet it doesn’t provide that appearance at all. The crater shows many signs of activity, such as boiling mud and colorful, emerging steam.

The islands of the eastern Caribbean are linked via a volcanic arc. St. Lucia is special because its sulphur springs have therapeutic qualities. Some people bathe there to remove blemishes from their skin. We took the opportunity to soak in these hot springs, which took time to ease into because they were exceptionally hot! We ended that portion of the trip with the opportunity to exfoliate in the mud baths.

Our final excursion was to La Jalousie Beach, nestled between Gros and Grand Piton, two steep volcanic peaks. Here, we enjoyed a tranquil swim and met the local “coconut man”.

The sand is white because it is imported. On the way back to our resort, we attempted to find either Malgretout or Diamond Botanical waterfall to no avail, as the roads were treacherous and poorly marked. Those waterfalls sadly remain unseen until, hopefully, a return trip to St. Lucia.

WMA 26 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Hubbard GRANT

Quebec City

case study for my students to explore how countries become independent or remain culturally mixed, and the level of conflict that ensues.

Gina Markowski Center for Entrepreneurial & Global Studies

My favorite part of the trip was by far the tour of La Citadelle de Quebec. The tour guides made certain that you displayed your admission sticker on your shirt, otherwise they were quick to escort you out, emphasizing that the Citadel remains an active military base. Every morning, at 10:00 a.m., tourists can observe the Changing of the Guard, complete with the regimental mascot - the royal goat. The view of the St. Lawrence River from the top of the Citadel was breathtaking and it fascinated me how well some of the buildings blended into the landscape with their grass covered roofs.

Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Leverett and Mrs. Catee Hubbard, I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Quebec City, Canada during the summer of 2012. After reading Willa Cather’s Shadows on the Rock, my interest was sparked to explore this city that I was previously unfamiliar. The Historic District of Old Quebec was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.

I found this city particularly pertinent for both my AP Human Geography class as well as Model UN students. In AP Human Geography, we explore the role of boundaries - physically imposed, culturally imposed, government imposed, etc. Quebec City serves as a great test site for lessons of physical boundaries with the St. Lawrence River and the fortified walls, as well as an example of cultural boundaries given that Quebec (and Qubec City) remain predominantly French speaking in a country that speaks English. The Quebec sovereignty movement provides a

Growing up, I always remember family members having holy oil from the St. Anne de Beaupre Basilica so this was another stop on my trip. When you first walk in there are two towers of crutches and canes. People from all over the world have sent their crutches and canes to the Basilica as thanks for prayers answered. Despite one’s religious beliefs, this is quite a powerful image.

I also visited Montmorency Falls, waterfalls that measure 98.5 feet higher than Niagara Falls, though not nearly as wide. It was here that I quickly learned facing your fears does not necessarily mean that you then overcome them!

There is a suspension bridge that allows you to cross over the Falls to give visitors a very distinctive view of Quebec City and the St. Lawrence River. Although it was beautiful, quite frankly, I was terrified.

Lastly, the Ile d’Orleans (Island of Orleans) made quite an impact on me. The island is only 22 miles to drive around, yet serves as a large source of agriculture to feed the region.

It was here where I consumed what I consider the best strawberries of my life!

More Hubbard on page 30

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 27

Class Notes 33 Wilbraham

WMA field house, also the site of their wedding reception.

Paula and James Beale will enjoy 72 years of wedded bliss next Christmas and remain in relatively good health - few pills but pretty rusty locomotion. There are 46 descendents mostly south of the Mason-Dixon Line. James is the only survivor of the 1933 class.

Bud Porter ’44W

62 wilbraham

Monty Euston has retired from the public relations agency business and has moved to Lake Tapps, Washington, south of Seattle, to be near his children, Erika 35, Heather 32 and Peter 25.

36 Wilbraham

67

Wallace M. Ripley Jr. turned 94 on April 25, 2012.

Alton W. Cheney recently welcomed his fourteenth greatgrandchild!

Get the word out! Send your news for the Spring Academy World magazine to the Alumni Office, 423 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095 or to alumni@ WMA.us by January 31, 2013. Join the online community and post news anytime at www.facebook.com/ wilbrahammonsonacademy.

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Dr. Christopher M. Prior DO, FAAFP of Castle Rock, Colorado was recognized as Physician of the Year for Doctors Express urgent care franchise. Dr Prior grew up in New City, New York and attended Clarkstown wilbraham North High School. Dr Prior did a William “Bill” Grauer is a partner at post graduate year at Wilbraham & Cooley LLP, a technology law firm. Monson Academy before graduating Bill has argued recently in both from both Dartmouth College and the United States Supreme Court New York College of Osteopathic (winning an unanimous victory) and Medicine with Honors before the California Supreme Court. serving in the US Army.

38 Wilbraham

Ellen & Phil Shaw ’57W

at Cooking Lite Magazine, and currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama.

44 Wilbraham

83

94

57 Wilbraham

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Keshawn Dodds has produced a play based on his book Who’s on My Side?The Kalen Brown Story. Keshawn was also in the Business West Class of 2012 40 under Forty.

Christine (Pilch) Mancini, owner of “Grow my Company,” a marketing and PR firm, was named one of the 2012 top women in business by the Women Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley.

Harold “Bud” Porter and his wife Nancy are celebrating 63 years of marriage. The Wilbraham Barber Shop publically congratulated this well-loved Wilbraham couple.

Tim Cebula (also the family of the Dr. Joseph P. Cebula Memorial Award) recently accepted a position as Senior Food Editor

Phil Shaw and his wife Ellen celebrated 50 years together at a surprise anniversary party at the

Kevin Slaughter is currently the head girls’ basketball coach at Universal Vare Charter Middle School. He is also an entrepreneur owning a moving company and tree cutting business.

97

Farewell and Thank You My father, Charles Laurence Stevens, Jr. turned eight the year his father accepted the job as headmaster of Wilbraham Academy. Strongly introverted, my dad greatly admired the outgoing and entertaining ways of his extrovert father, known as “Uncle Charlie” to countless Wilbraham boys. Although he was a diligent scholar, my father was happiest on the soccer field, where he played goalie. Fiercely competitive, he won a 1945 ping-pong tournament and saved the cardboard score sheet for posterity.

Uncle Charlie led Wilbraham for twenty years. By the time he left,

the little son he’d brought with him in 1935 was a lawschool graduate, married, with a new baby. I am that baby, the oldest of five. Dad became a real-estate lawyer and remained physically active his entire life. He loved handball and sailing, and in his sixties became a skilled ballroom and Englishcountry dancer. He was ferocious at Scrabble, but one of the kindest and sweetest people I have ever know.

WMA 28 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

On his behalf, I say “farewell” and “thank you” to Wilbraham, a place he loved and a time he recalled with great fondness.

by Melanie Jemma Chadwick

Mertztown, PA

Class Notes 05

08

Hailey Robbins graduated cum laude from American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC with a BA in International Relations and a minor in Communications. She spent one semester at University College London during which Milke Alfano was married she served as The Republican’s to Brittney Favreau on September blogger on the Royal Wedding 9, 2012 at the WMA Chapel. In attendance were the grooms brother of William and Kate. While in Washington, Hailey interned for Vincent Alfano ’00, and several Senator John Kerry on Capitol Hill classmates from 2004: Chris Beck, Colin Cook, the groom, Judd Smith, and is currently interning at the U.S. Department of State Bureau Dan Staples, and Pete Reeves. of International Security and Nonproliferation while she pursues Nicholas Chen graduated her Master’s Degree in International from Michigan State and is now Relations at American University. working in the banking industry back home in Taiwan.

Russell Dinkins completed an internship with Cross World Victoria D’Amato is Africa, a program that provides returning from a year abroad in educational opportunities for youth Cirencester, UK where she was a dorm parent at Rendcomb College in the United States. Russell also worked with KenSAP, a non-profit and a lacrosse coach for English organization whose mission is to lacrosse. She just accepted an get highly qualified low-income internship at Baystate Hospital Kenyan scholar-athletes into elite working in cardiac rehab where U.S. universities. she will be helping outpatients Guy Antonacci is the Director of Operations at the Hampden Country Club recently purchased by his father and uncle, Jerry and Frank Antonacci of Somersville, Conn.

04

06 06

when they come to the facility for their rehab program and inpatients that are having ECGs, heart surgery or catheterization. She will also be studying to become a clinical exercise specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine.

Dr. Christopher M. Prior ’88

09

10

Victoria (Tori) Mordasky recently participated in a study

abroad program with Roger Williams University in Brazil.

Her coursework included journalism, environmental justice, and sustainable anthropology. Tori also helped build a two room school house in the rainforest, spent five days on a riverboat on the Amazon River and was chosen to interview local residents.

Mike Alfano ’04 Wedding left to right, were classmates from 2004: Chris Beck ’04, Colin Cook ’04, Vincent Alfano ’00, the groom, Judd Smith ’04, Dan Staples ’04, and Pete Reeves ’04.

11

Niko Manning poses in his WMA blazer and tie after receiving his Junior College National Championship Lacrosse Ring at Onondaga Community College. His mother is wearing the ring which he gave her as an early birthday present.

Russel Dinkins ’09

Necrology John M. Patten Sr. ’37 Wilbur O. Shumway ’38 C. Frederick Smith ’38 Richard Conrad ’40 Richard B. Dowley ’41 Edgar E. Noel ’42 Robert E. Carey ’44 H. W. King CFP ’46 Peter Stathis ’47 Karl C. Deitmer Jr. ’48 John S. Rudberg ’48 Sherman V. Olson ’49 Vivan E. Mitchell ’50 Richard E. Shearer ’50 Howard S. Willard ’50 Donald M. Snow Jr. ’52 Wayne G. Lesco ’54 William R. Lombard ’54

George F. Letter ’56 James T. Denno ’57 A. N. Galloway Ph.D. ’59 Guy S. Hobbs ’60 Stuart A. Laven Esq. ’61 Fredrick M. Crean ’67 Stanley N. Bayless ’68 Jeffrey H. Kellett ’69 Michael J. Balch ’87 Charles S. Haber ’95

Victoria Mordasky ’10

Most of the obituaries we receive come through our clipping service. If you know of a friend or classmate who has passed away, please notify the Alumni Office. As space allows, we publish remembrances at the families’ request.

The Academy World · Fall 2012 · WMA 29

Niko Manning ’11

continued from page 27

Hubbard GRANT I reland

Matt Stewart World Languages

by

I cannot imagine being a baseball or basketball coach without having played before. I cannot imagine being a Spanish teacher without the experience of travelling in the Spanish-speaking world. Now that I have taken this trip to Ireland thanks to the generous Hubbard Grant, I feel better about being a teacher at the Global School. Practicing what you preach has its benefits.

Our trip began with a long flight to Dublin via Madrid. We visited Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Guinness Factory. We took a bus tour of the city on the first day and then walked all over the city for the next few days. In Dublin we thoroughly enjoyed the food, people and atmosphere and the realization that after months of planning and anticipating, we were really here.

After Dublin we rented a car and drove to the southern city of Cork. The greatest challenge of the trip was trying to navigate the streets of a foreign city on the left side of the road, in the right side of the car. Walking to the rental car from the hotel took five minutes, but it took an hour to get back to the hotel in the car.

We took a quick trip to Killarney where we ate Irish stew, watched the Olympics, and witnessed a 67-year-old man dance a spontaneous and infectious jig. After Killarney, we stopped at the Blarney castle and kissed the Blarney stone for good luck, then travelled the Ring of Kerry, which is a peninsula with breath-taking beauty, very narrow roads and beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. We stopped at the famous Cliffs of Moher and walked along what Europeans used to think was the very edge of the world.

We witnessed the infamous rivalry between the English and Irish in Ennis in what turned out to be one of our most authentic (and favorite) Irish experiences. A boxing match for gold was down to the Irish and the English. The victory went to the boxer from England. Even so, the national pride and support was evident in the shouts of encouragement and the fascinating array of insults being hurled at the English boxer by elderly and children alike.

I learned a lot about the English language and its variations in Ireland. For example: one doesn’t go to the bar for a beer; one goes to the pub for a pint. One doesn’t take an elevator; rather, one takes a “lift”. Going to bed is called “hitting the scratcher.” Food to go is referred to as “take away.” Boys and girls are “lads and lasses”, and rather than go to the bathroom, one goes to the toilet. Also, if you’re to meet someone at seven thirty in The States, you will meet them at “half seven” in Ireland, just to name a few.

My moment of epiphany came while Rachel and I were somewhere on the Ring of Kerry before arriving at Kenmare. I am proud to work at a school where the faculty is encouraged to live the school motto. What makes the global school global is not just the student body, but also the importance it places on authentic international experiences. This is something I am both grateful for and have great pride.

WMA 30 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

Global School ® The

The Academy World Magazine Fall 2012 Published for the Alumni, parents, and friends of Wilbraham & Monson Academy Editor Emily Gaylord Assistant Editor Deanna Roux Advisory Board Brian Easler Rodney LaBrecque Richard Rodgers Meaghan Rothschild Chris Sparks ’95 Contributing Writers Mary Bacon Allie Collins Anderson ’16 Christina Cronin Jill Dangleis Sarah Goolishian ’13 Nicholas Jalbert ’12 Steven Lakeraj Ragnauth ’12 David Little ’16 Gina Markowski Alessandra Mele ’09 Meghan Rothschild Bill Wells

Design Jan Reynolds Design Printing Bassette Printing Please direct your comments and letters to: Emily Gaylord, Editor Wilbraham & Monson Academy 423 Main St. Wilbraham, MA 01095 Phone: 413-596-9114 Fax: 413-596-4108 EMail: EGaylord@WMA.us Visit our website at: www.WMA.us Wilbraham & Monson Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation or age.

Photography Bill Wells Wilbraham & Monson Academy is Paul Bloomfield assigned to the National Register of Sarah Goolishian ’13 Historic Places.

Jan Reynolds Ziter Various contributing photographers

Board of Trustees

Parents’ Association Officers

Scott B. Jacobs ’75 Chair

Susan “Suzy” Awad President

Mark R. Shenkman ’61M Vice Chair

Karen Ambrose Vice President

Michael J. Flynn Secretary

Melissa Reeves Treasurer

Donald J. Stuart ’73 Treasurer

Madona Zerbe Secretary

Susan Y. Awad Bruce E. Buxton David J. Callahan K. Ivan F. Gothner Krista Hanson Hyun Chong Kim ’77 James E. LaCrosse ’50W Steven P. Marcus Timothy J. Marini Susan C. McKenna Kent W. Pecoy Steven D. Spence ’76

Andrea Robbins Associate Director of Alumni Relations Parents Association Liaison

Join the WMA

online community!

Trustees Emeriti Eric W. Anderson Richard S. Fuld ’64W Alan N. Hall William E. James ’64W Nitya Pibulsonggram ’58W Frederic A. Rothery

Have you changed your email address? Email alumni@WMA. us with your current contact information and receive the monthly Alumni eNews.

Visit our website www.WMA.us.

Head of School Emeritus Richard C. Malley

Community Service Gets a Facelift The community service group at WMA has recently been adopted by the Marketing & Communications department and renamed WMAction. The group is reinforcing WMA’s relationship with the community by getting hands on in the surrounding area. The group works on site at area organizations such as Springfield’s Gray House and the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society as well as sponsors events on campus. Students who participate in WMAction get experience in modern day philanthropy from on site service, to marketing, event planning and community relations. The group even adopted a manatee named Ariel in honor of this year’s water theme! www.WMA.us/WMAction The Academy World · Fall 2012 ·

WMA 31

SAVE The Date Alumni Event Calendar

2012-2013 Show Your Pride

December 5 WMA Springfield Event Max’s Tavern Time: 6-9 p.m.

December 20 Young Alumni Reception WMA Campus Time: TBD

January 23 Bonita Springs Alumni & Friends Reception The Colony Bay Club Time: 4-6 p.m.

January 24 Delray Beach Alumni & Friends Reception 50 Ocean/Boston’s on the Beach Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Find us on Facebook!

Facebook.com/WilbrahamMonsonAcademy WMA 32 · Fall 2012 · The Academy World

REFLECTIONS

by Rodney LaBrecque, Head of School

2012 FALL

Wilbraham & Monson Academy

The World Ahead

Past WMA Board of Trustees Chair Peter Lincoln ’55 at right with current Board Chair Scott Jacobs ’75 and former Board Chair, Bill Griffin ’68, who passed away in 2011.

Bridging the Gap

A

uthor and Rabbi Michael Lerner has written in depth on how two cultures of quite disparate nature can get along in Embracing Israel/ Palestine: A Strategy to Heal and Transform the Middle East. He posits that there are two different world views. In one, the world is a hostile place and security comes by dominating those who would dominate you by taking first action. The dominant theme is war and confrontation. Security is attained via might and power. In a second world view, the world might still be a hostile place, but the dominant world view is one of compassion. Terrorists win when they “undermine our trust in one another and in the goodness of most human beings on the planet.” Security comes not through domination but through generosity, caring, and love.

In this edition of The Academy World, you will read the stories of alumni and students who have acted with the latter world view in mind. The YEMS project brings together our students and faculty with underprivileged Chinese students from the western province of Yunnan in the study of English. Giving these students the opportunity for self-development and perhaps encouraging some dreams of a bigger and better life, leads to a better understanding of the two contrasting cultures. While there are no achievement

Building The Global School®

tests, no quantitative empirical measurements, which can report out how well we are educating students to exhibit kindness and care for one another and the earth, this is an important area to which we devote substantial time and effort both in the classroom and in the non-classroom program of lectures, advisor meetings, and study/travel options.

As you will read, this softer side of education has been a theme at the Academy for quite a long time.

Beginning with the education of three Chinese students in the 1840s to the Student Project of the 1950s to the wave of students from the 1960s who participated in the Peace Corp to our present day world travelers, this school has acted and continues to act as a global player. In so doing, our students connect one culture with another. This year we will revert back to an old practice which many older alumni will remember well…the sit down family style meal. While this will only occur once per week at lunch, the entire school will once again have the opportunity to sit with members of another country (we have 130 international students enrolled this year from 29 different countries, note the map on page 20) as well as an adult to share a meal and discuss topics of the day.

Peter Converse Lincoln ’55 Wilbraham: Still Most Dependable

While it is a good thing that students from all parts of the world meet one another on the WMA turf, it would be even better if every student could visit in person the country from which our international students hail. As we continue to develop our extensive study travel program, it is my hope that we will be able to offer this opportunity to all students at least once during their career at WMA. This is an ambitious goal but one I believe in. It could well be the centerpiece of a fundraising effort in the near future.

T

he Wilbraham Academy Class of 1955’s superlatives list Peter Lincoln ’55 as “Most Dependable. Says least, thinks most.” To those who know him, that moniker describes him to a T. As a student, Peter Lincoln was a quiet leader. He served as Business Manager for Student Publications, Editor of The Atlas, Class Treasurer, and Manager for three sports teams. Naturally, he continued to hone his leadership skills as an adult, eventually sharing his time and talents with the Academy as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1993-2005, and as Board Chair from 1997-2004.

We honor Peter for leading the Academy on its path from good to great, for continuing to reach out and engage his fellow classmates, and for providing $750,000 in financial support for a myriad of programs that have changed the face of the Academy including the WMA Athletic Center, scholarships, and The Peter Lincoln ’55 Fund which provides unrestricted support to the Academy.

During his senior year at Wilbraham, Peter wrote these words as part of his Ivy Oration delivered on behalf of his fellow students at commencement.

“Wilbraham Academy, we are all grateful. You have given us knowledge; you have opened our minds and eyes to what there is in the world for us; you have given us the experience of living with our neighbors; you have given us countless opportunities for self-advancement. Before these gifts we are humble, but with these tools you have given us, we will try to constantly better ourselves so to make the world a better place in which to live.”

Peter Plumb ’61 with Peter Lincoln ’55.

Peter has certainly made the Academy a better place for today’s students. Our hope is that our 2013 graduates will also leave our campus with that same feeling of gratitude, and one day follow in Peter’s footsteps as a leader and supporter of their Alma Mater.

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The Global School速

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