Academy World: Spring 2023

Belief and sacrifice created ‘accelerated momentum and confidence’

communal sense of great satisfaction. It was the completion of the largest capital project in recent memory funded entirely by donations and pledges. But, we also knew that the next phase of the Campus Facilities Master Plan was off the table for the time.

So, we adapted our approach toward maximizing the potential positive impact of successfully navigating the pandemic. We believed that if we could nail the response to the pandemic as an institution, especially with the scope of our relatively limited resources, we might be able to offset any decrease in institutional momentum, perhaps.

During that same time, and with the generous support of some of our most ardent supporters, we also transformed the previously under-utilized basement in Mattern Science Building into a 5,000-square-foot iLab, which has generated enormous admission appeal and program interest.

by brian p. easler Head of School

IIf someone had suggested to me at the beginning of COVID-19 that Wilbraham & Monson Academy would come out the other side of it with the kind of positive schoolwide momentum we are experiencing right now, I would have expressed serious doubt. I knew we would be stronger as a community for having gone through it, for sure, but I also believed it would be a serious setback to the considerable momentum we had generated in the five or six years leading up to the pandemic. What actually happened—a noticeable acceleration of that previous momentum to levels we did not even imagine without COVID-19— has left me pleasantly surprised and reflecting on how it happened.

When the Athenaeum was completed, on time and under budget despite early COVID-19 delays, in the early spring of 2020, we felt a

Additionally, and through a donor-driven fundraising effort to celebrate the 20-year tenure of Scott Jacobs ’75 as Chair of the Board of Trustees, we were able to complete several other major projects on campus while coping with COVID-19. These upgrades included a fully redesigned, renovated and upgraded Jane McNamara Kelly Center for Strength and Endurance (the Fitness Center), as well as Lak Dining Hall serving area renovations and improvements, and some significant enhancements to the community spaces in our girls’ dormitories, just to name a few.

The result of all of this, how we have emerged from the pandemic, is far more advantageous than the simple offset to a potential decrease in momentum we had intended. By adapting institutionally to the circumstances, being nimble and opportunistic in our approach and with the support of our faculty, staff, families and donors, we have actually emerged stronger and more competitive than we could have imagined. Admission inquiries and applications have never been higher, and the record 2022–2023 matriculation year obliterated the lingering COVID-19 enrollment deficit. Academic and

athletic programs are flourishing, and the college matriculation list continues to diversify and improve year over year. As a result, engagement of the Academy’s donors and friends has skyrocketed, with renewed institutional confidence.

So, how did this all happen? How did events coalesce to put the Academy in such a strong position, even at the tail end of a crisis?

It happened because the entire WMA community pulled together, believed in one another, sacrificed for each other, and now, together, we will turn this accelerated momentum and confidence into an inflection point in the Academy’s history.

I can hardly wait to see what we accomplish next—together.

Respectfully,

e ditor

Teddy Ryan

Associ Ate e ditors

Russ Held

Bill Wells

A rt director

Chris Tinnesz

Advisory Bo A rd

Mark Aimone

Brian P. Easler

Don Kelly

Janet Moran

Kyle O’Brien

Sean Valentine

c ontri B uting Writers

Jade Chlapowski ’18

Ryan Cooley ’26

Brian P. Easler

Emma Landry ’25

Sommer Mahoney ’11

Janet Moran

Don Nicholson ’79

Kyle O’Brien

Sean Valentine

Bill Wells

p hotogr A phy

Paul Bloomfield

Copper Hound Pictures

Emily Dromgold ’17

Russ Held

Tom Kates

Kyle O’Brien

Dave Roback

Teddy Ryan

Jordan Tavenner

Bill Wells

Various contributing photographers

d esign Stoltze Design

p rinting

Puritan Capital

Bo A rd of t rustees

Scott B. Jacobs ’75, Chair

James E. LaCrosse ’50W, Vice Chair

Mark R. Shenkman ’61M, Vice Chair

David A. Reeves, Treasurer

Caitlin S. Flynn ’06, Secretary

Raymond J. Anton ’61M

Christopher C. Antonacci ’06

John J. Baker

Bonnie Faulkner Ryan ’82

Linda B. Griffin

William R. Guerin ’89

Robert F. Little

Barry M. Maloney ’85

Andrew P. Mele

Stephanie T. Robbins ’10

Craig A. Rubin ’63W

Paul J. Sullivan ’91

t rustees e meriti

Eric W. Anderson

Michael J. Flynn

Richard S. Fuld ’64W

Donald J. Stuart ’73

Life t rustee

William E. James ’64W

4

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o ur m ission

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Get Social

The colorful ARTS cover created by WMA Art Director Chris Tinnesz was inspired by American Pop Artist Wayne Thiebaud who died at age 101 in 2021. Thiebaud’s work often depicts everyday items as simple geometric shapes using saturated colors and clearly defined borders and shadows.

Daniel Kunhardt Jr. ’72

by K yle O’brien Director of Alumni Relations

DDaniel Kunhardt Jr. ’72, holds a unique spot in the Wilbraham & Monson Academy history books. He was one of 82 individuals to be the first class to graduate from the newly formed Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

If you ask Mr. Kunhardt about his time at WMA, he recognizes it was certainly a transitional time, but mainly focuses on the relationships formed with staff and fellow students. Mr. Kunhardt, who always has a smile on his face and a skip in his step, had that same attitude in his teens, though maybe with a bit more mischief sprinkled in.

Mr. Kunhardt’s father was an Episcopal clergyman, who was the rector at a local church in Wilbraham. Being the only boy in the family,

Mr. Kunhardt was lucky enough to attend the Academy (an all-boys school when he first enrolled) for four years and was part of a selfnamed group “The Four Year Day Boys.”

He was often hanging out on the benches in the lobby of Rich Hall or visiting the library where he formed a strong emotional connection with school librarian and archivist Coralie Gray, also a friend of the family. Mr. Kunhardt recalls seeing her for many years after graduation at his reunions:

“I was one of many, but every time she saw me her eyes would light up and she’d say ‘Oh, Danny!’ Mr. Kunhardt said. “It was always such an emotional welcoming back. While at school, she gave me the extra attention I needed and the extra discipline I deserved.”

That discipline came into play one time when Mr. Kunhardt climbed the stacks in the library and loomed over classmate and close friend Peter Harrington ’72. Mrs. Gray “gave him hell” for that. Lucky for us all, the moment was immortalized in film by one of the yearbook staff.

Mr. Kunhardt and Mr. Harrington’s mischief wasn’t limited to shelves in the library. Both boys were members of the Ski Club, which trained on the slopes of Mountain Road—the same slopes Mr. Kunhardt learned to ski on as a small boy with his family. They affectionately called their training area “Mount Cramer” after Paul Cramer, the Assistant Headmaster from 1965–1975. Mr. Kunhardt and Mr. Harrington remain friends to this day and ski together frequently throughout the winter.

Something else that makes Mr. Kunhardt’s WMA story unique is his history of philanthropy with the school. He has been giving consistently to the Academy for more than 25 years—an accomplishment only a small portion of the Academy’s alumni base can boast. It’s even more impressive when you see that Mr. Kunhardt’s company, New York Life, has matched many of these gifts, thus doubling their impact. And although this level of philanthropy is more than enough, Mr. Kunhardt is also a proud member of our Heritage Society, allowing his legacy to continue after he’s gone.

Mr. Kunhardt’s philanthropic spirit is not limited to monetary gifts; he is also one of our strongest volunteers. He has been to almost every five-year reunion, often volunteering to encourage classmates’ participation. His 50th Reunion this past fall was no exception. Mr. Kunhardt was responsible for a very strong 50th class turnout and truly embodied the role of a connector.

Mr. Kunhardt shared that after every Reunion he has attended he left more impressed with all that the Academy was accomplishing. This trend remained true last fall. After listening to a panel

• Senior photo, 1972

‘The Academy helped us learn and grow . . . in our lives and careers that followed’

Dan Kunhardt Jr. ’72, left, with Dean Redfern ’72 on Broad Walk.

of school administrators talk about the student body, academics and athletics, he left feeling “completely impressed by the entire faculty and staff’s level of commitment, their understanding, and their breadth and depth of knowledge.”

It is in these moments that Mr. Kunhardt gains perspective of what the Academy did for him and what it is still doing. That perspective is what has motivated him to be such a consistent giver.

“The Academy helped us learn and grow not only in our time there, but benefited us in our lives and careers that followed,” he said. “Now, later in life, we are able to show that gratitude through support. My little bit of support, combined with the support of many others, helps the Academy continue to succeed, thrive and educate.”

Over the past five decades, Mr. Kunhardt has displayed such commitment to WMA that there is no denying the positive effect it has had, both on the school and its people. The Academy is lucky to have him be a part of this community at the foothills of “Mt. Cramer.”

dan K unhardt

jr. ’72

The Academy helped us learn and grow not only in our time there, but benefited us in our lives and careers that followed. Now, later in life, we are able to show that gratitude through support. My little bit of support, combined with the support of many others, helps the Academy continue to succeed, thrive and educate.”

• Dan Kunhardt Jr. ’72 during a library high jinks above Peter Harrington ’72.

• Members of the 1972 50th Reunion Class. From left: Verne Oleksowicz, Dr. Mark Keroack, Mark Rattan, Dan Kunhardt Jr., Frederick Blackwell, Roger “Boz” Lincoln, Dean Redfern, Hillary Sullivan and Michael Buder.

Dan Kunhardt Jr. ’72 in front of a portrait of former longtime librarian and archivist Coralie Gray.

News from the Hill

Ayana Gonzalez ’23 earns national recognition

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Ayana Gonzalez ’23 is proud of herself. The Springfield resident should be, because she did something only a small percentage of students in the United States accomplish.

Ayana received the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Award for her performance on the PSAT, combined with her AP scores and WMA GPA.

“I think it definitely feels good to be recognized,” Ayana said. “As a Hispanic girl, I know a lot of my friends and former classmates, they face so much and there’s so much we don’t get recognized for. We’re not expected to win anything like this. This feels powerful to my confidence.”

Ayana was honored at School Meeting in October.

“I was happy, of course,” Ayana explained. “The College Board sent a letter out to everybody: my mother, all my teachers I have for AP classes, my college counselor. I remember walking into AP Stats and Ms. (Dana) Housey walked up and shook my hand. I didn’t realize everybody got a letter. That was interesting, that my teachers knew.”

Ayana was aware of the National Hispanic Recognition Award entering the exam. However, at the conclusion of the test, she wasn’t sure how she performed.

“In school, I’m a good test taker, but for standardized testing I definitely have to study a little bit more to get the grade I want.”

“When I first walked out, it was the first PSAT I had taken, and it was a lot. It was long: three hours. I was nervous because I knew about these (award) programs, and I wondered if I qualified. Afterwards people were saying they didn’t finish and left questions blank, and I didn’t leave any blank. It made me feel a little better, but I didn’t know if I qualified for anything, I’m not going to lie.”

College Board recognizes

David Prickett ’23

When it comes to academics, most people at Wilbraham & Monson Academy already know David Prickett ’23 is among the elite of the elite. Now the College Board knows, too.

David was one of 34,000 juniors in the country to earn a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program based on his performance on the PSAT. Roughly 1.4 million took exam, which serves as a practice test for the SAT.

“I wasn’t positive on how I did, but I knew I did my best,” David explained. “It was an honor to receive a Letter of Commendation from the College Board, and I definitely wasn’t expecting

it. I’m usually a good test taker, but I hadn’t taken a test like the PSAT before.”

David, a highest honors student, took the PSAT at WMA in October of his junior year.

“David is an amazing student,” said Ms. Dana Housey, David’s AP Statistics teacher. “David is capable of analyzing complex and abstract statistics, and providing clear and detailed explanations of his calculations.

“The speed at which he processes and recalls information is astonishing. David also brings authentic energy and enthusiasm to the classroom. He loves to exercise his mind and pushes himself to learn all that he can. I love how excited David becomes when he passionately defends his position and backs up his solutions with statistical data.”

Jim Irzyk named Distinguished Educator

Jim Irzyk has been molding the next generation of business leaders since he arrived at Wilbraham & Monson Academy in 2013.

Through his dedication and work outside of WMA, the Academy’s Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Economics & Finance earned national recognition and was named a Distinguished Educator by Next Gen Personal Finance.

To receive an award, teachers had to complete six NGPF certificate courses. Mr. Irzyk finished nine.

“The courses are a wonderful way for me to enhance my teaching. The online classes are interesting and challenging, and allow me to interact, learn and share ideas with other teachers across the U.S. Each class typically has over 50 teachers enrolled,” Mr. Irzyk said. “I take pride in continuing to learn how I can better incorporate activities and lessons into my classes. Earning this award took over 100 hours of professional development.”

Mr. Irzyk said the NGPF courses are the best professional development he’s experienced in years, which in the end benefits his students.

“The classes are interactive and very well designed. NGPF offers significant resources to teachers to use in their classes,” Mr. Irzyk explained. “The activities are varied—videos, articles, TED Talks, infographics, data analysis. Their mission of ‘school is where life-changing financial education can reach ALL young people, not just the lucky few’ strives to help teachers be better teachers of financial literacy.

“The classes provide significant resources for me to improve my teaching. For example, I start every class with a ‘Question of the Day’ to engage students in the lesson. NGPF provides multiple activities ranging from ‘data crunch to data analysis and FinCap Friday lessons’ that I regularly incorporate into my classes.”

Megan Mark ’23 an ambassador of great cause

As a prior host of multiple events on campus, Megan Mark ’23 is a well-known leader in the field of mental health awareness at Wilbraham & Monson Academy. As a senior, she’s more than a leader—she’s a captain.

Meg received her ambassadorship in early September to be a Campus Captain for The Hidden Opponent, a nonprofit advocacy group that “raises awareness for student-athlete mental health and addresses the stigma within sports culture,” according to the organization’s website. She’s one of 400 ambassadors from 200 schools throughout the world.

“I’ve struggled with mental health my entire life,” Meg described. “I’ve been hospitalized for it, and I’ve gone into in-patient care. It’s something that’s important in my day-to-day life; and I don’t want other people to have to struggle through things that I went through, helping them know there’s someone else out there that’s been through what you’re going through.”

A four-year student at WMA, Meg is working with a regional leader to plan her first official event at the Academy this school year for The Hidden Opponent.

“I wanted to be a Campus Captain for this organization because this is a serious topic to me, and I feel it’s not recognized as much as it should be,” Meg explained. “All of us should have a say in what mental health is so we can support each other throughout the year.

“My role as a captain is every month, I have to have a mental health event on campus. It could be little challenges on campus on the topic of mental health or group talks or speaking in front of the whole school.”

Essay wins national honor for Sally Geoghegan ’24

Being published is nothing new for Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Sally Geoghegan ’24. Along with her numerous articles in the school’s student newspaper, Sally wrote a novella last year in the Academy’s Novel Writing class.

Sally added to her list of published works when her piece for the Americans United National Essay contest on the topic of the Separation of Church and State placed third. Sally’s essay was published on the organization’s website in January.

“I decided to enter the contest because I feel passionately about church-state separation,” Sally said. “The prize money was also an incentive, but more importantly, the chance to have my writing published on the Americans United website was very exciting to me as an aspiring author. Americans United is an organization that I strongly support, and I wanted to share my thoughts on the topic with their audience.”

Sally learned she placed third in late November. She won $500.

“I am incredibly excited about placing third in a national contest,” Sally beamed. “Having my work published on the website of a national organization is a wonderful opportunity. I am proud of myself and plan on entering more essay contests like this in the future.”

All in all, Sally said she spent 5– 7 hours researching and writing the essay, which was 999 words.

“The essay prompt was a selection of recent Supreme Court rulings, and participants had to pick one or multiple and argue how they were a violation of the separation of church and state,” she explained. “I chose Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the case that resulted in the overturning of Roe v Wade and ended federal protection of abortion rights. As a pro-choice person who feels strongly about the issue, I argued that, in my opinion, this decision violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.”

Alicia Johnson, the National Organizer and Student Network Manager for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, wrote to Sally: “AU received many amazing essays and yours stood out for your especially strong writing and well-researched arguments related to the RCRC and abortion law in Poland.”

Jiseong Choi ’23 has the ‘write’ stuff

Jiseong Choi ’23 has won his share of awards during his time at Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

The four-year WMA student earned an award outside of the Academy at the start of the 2022–23 school year, and it was a biggie.

Jiseong won a bronze medal on the topic of Environmental Research in August at the 6th annual International Youth Essay Competition, which was open to any middle or high school student in the world. Participants had to first pass a screening before moving to the 3,000-word thesis submission phase. The journal “Knowledge to Lead” included Jiseong’s work in its Volume #3, Issue #3 in October 2022.

“I’ve always been interested in hydroponics and other smart farming technology,” Jiseong said. “During the summer I wanted to investigate more so I started a research paper.

“I’m very proud I won a bronze medal. I want to major in environmental or agricultural science. I feel this research paper gave me an opportunity to expand my knowledge and comprehend more about those subjects.”

At the start of the school year, Jiseong was invited to an awards ceremony at Oxford University in England after entering a 2,000-word essay to the John Locke Institute. The competition was sponsored by Oxford and Princeton University.

The South Korean resident answered the essay question: If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. Can one be a Christian without believing in the miraculous resurrection of Jesus?

“I’m interested in philosophy and theology,” Jiseong explained. “I thought this competition was an opportunity for me to share my thoughts about religion and Christianity. I wrote about the true meaning of Christianity and how I see the true definition of being a Christian.”

Middle School Robotics program shines again

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Middle School takes its Robotics team seriously, and that commitment showed at a state event in November.

Both WMA teams placed in separate categories at the highly-competitive First League Lego Challenge at Newton North High School in Massachusetts.

The Blue team of Owen Dolley ’29, Lucas Lawrence ’29, Rosalie Machowski ’29, Daniel Pierce ’29, Lena Plouffe ’28, Khloe Thomas ’28, Audrey Vipond ’29 and Jonathan Wei ’27 finished second in the field of 18 teams in Robot Design.

Meanwhile, performing in front of the entire audience, the Red team of Jack Bertera ’28, Cameron Chagnon ’27, Andrew Chang ’28, Sophia Drollett ’28, Nikos Kratimenos ’28, Mingjun “Max” Li ’27, Braden Lora ’29, Norah

Middle School lands 5 Future City awards

In the field of engineering, the future is bright for a number of students in Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Middle School.

Competing against teams from throughout New England, WMA landed five awards at the Future City Regional competition, which was held in Boston in January.

Osborn ’28, Dylan Shonak ’27 and Isabella Thomas ’27 accumulated enough points on the 2½-minute robot mission course to take sixth.

“The real goal is to expose the students to science and technology while having an enjoyable experience,” faculty advisor Luke Pelletier said. “The downside to the competitions and focusing on the awards is it takes away from learning and fun to pressure, resistance to participate and possibly coaches doing too much of the work the students should be doing to make sure the team is successful.”

Khloe said competing at the event was nerve-wracking and much different than working in WMA’s iLab.

“There’s a lot more pressure,” she explained. “You have multiple people there. It’s important to work together in order to do well. I thought we worked really hard, and we definitely deserved it. It was unexpected at the time, but we were all really happy about it.”

• top right: Middle School Robotics Blue Team, from left: Khloe Thomas ’28, Rosalie Machowski ’29, Audrey Vipond ’29, Jonathan Wei ’27, Daniel Pierce ’29 and Owen Dolley ’29.

• right: Middle School Robotics Red Team, from left: Mingjun “Max” Li ’27, Dylan Shonak ’27, Cameron Chagnon ’27, Nikos Kratimenos ’28, Sophia Drollett ’28, Norah Osborn ’28, Isabella Thomas ’27, Andrew Chang ’28, Braden Lora ’29 and Jack Bertera ’28.

The Titans won awards in the following categories:

• Best Waste Management

• Best Craftsmanship

• Best Moving Part

• Best Education System

• Best Essay

“This year’s experience was awesome,” Middle School Science teacher Jamie Gouin said. “I could not be more proud of the way our

students presented their ideas for creating cities 100 years into the future that will adapt to a changing climate. They spent six weeks of research, writing and building. Their models were made to specified engineering scales, creative and innovative. Our students completed this project in approximately six weeks, compared to their competitors, who started in August.”

Twenty-two WMA students attended the event, which carried the theme of climate change. More than 40 teams from 20 schools participated.

“I felt that it was important for our students to attend this year’s Future City Regional event so they could have the experience of competition,” Mr. Gouin said. “They were able to travel to Boston and present in front of real engineers at the AECOM (consulting) company. In addition, they were able to see what students from other schools were able to produce.”

• WMA’s Middle School students and advisors at the Future City Regional competition.

C atulati s

kids have while doing it. We have been very fortunate to have done it so many times with so many different kids.”

Marisa and Matt Clark ’24 praised the efforts of the coaches, saying they are the reason why the team is so competitive year after year.

To go with the oth s ...

Riflery claims 6th undefeated season in last 7 years

Many championships are close, or at least competitive, with the outcome coming down to a play here or there.

Every once in a while, a championship is a blowout, where one team is just that much better.

This year’s riflery championship was a blowout.

For the sixth time in seven years, Wilbraham & Monson Academy posted the top score at the Connecticut High School Championship at Blue Trail Ridge in Wallingford, Connecticut, Feb. 22.

Competing in a five-team field, the Titans finished with a season-high 953 points (out of 1,000), winning by 26 points.

“Their ability to focus and block out all the ‘noise’ that comes along with a championship match (was key),” Coach Bill Passy said. “There’s

a lot more people there and a lot more going on. They handled it well.”

“The performance was great,” WMA’s Askar Bakirdinov ’24 said. “I am sure that even (if our) top shooters weren’t in the best shape we would win the competition. I also really like how organized the team was. During each relay change everyone knew what they had to do during the change.”

Askar recorded the high score among the 50 competitors, shooting a 195 (out of 200). Marisa Cyboron ’24 192, Sungjae Yeo ’24 191 (season high), Arzum Li ’24 188 and Kai Yi “Polly” Lin ’25 187 (tied season high) completed the scoring for the Titans, who finished the season undefeated.

Upon its return to campus, the team earned the right to celebrate like all championship Titans teams—by ringing the Monson Bell.

“Ringing the Monson Bell is a great tradition not everyone gets to do,” Coach Passy explained. “The best part is seeing the joy and excitement the

“I think that the team has been so strong for such a long time because of everyone’s discipline, hard work, genuine love for the sport, and the amazing coaching we get from coaches Passy, (Brian) Lautenschleger and (Jamie) Gouin,” Marisa said. “We have a competitive advantage in that we are able to practice six days a week in our own range as well.”

“The coaching definitely is why this team has been undefeated for so long,” Matt added. “Mr. Passy, Mr. L and Mr. G were full of encouragement and helped advise us to improve throughout the season. Their push gave the team the motivation to improve every practice and every meet.”

After the championship match, Askar (third place), Marisa (fourth) and Matt (eighth) received trophies for finishing in the top 10 for the regular season.

riflery

Anoth bann ye !

S kiin G

Titan skiers shine at New England Championships

The longer the season went, the longer the list of accomplishments got for the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Ski team.

Led by Marghe Negri ’23, a number of Titans received recognition at the final meet for the Mount Institute Ski League on Feb. 22 at Berkshire East Mountain Resort in Charlemont, Massachusetts.

A week after winning the New England Prep School Athletic Council title in the slalom

Margherita Negri ’23 posts historic win

There was a time in her life when Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Margherita Negri ’23 didn’t like to ski. Those days are long gone.

Competing against some of the best competition in New England Prep School skiing, Marghe won the giant slalom race in a Mount Institute Ski League race at Berkshire East on Feb. 8. And, she didn’t just win—she won easily.

“I was happy,” said Marghe, of Italy. “This is my first win (at WMA). I’m happy for the team. It’s a little disappointing because since I’m the only girl I can’t race for WMA. It’s a pity I can’t bring points to the school. I’m independent (in the scoring), but I’m happy. I’ve worked a lot, for many years dating back to home. Winning for the team, the coaches and the school, I still have ‘Titans’ written on the (bib), so it’s fine.”

Even though she wasn’t thrilled with her first

and placing third in the giant slalom, Marghe earned the Zephyr Rapinchuck Award “given to the student who best exemplifies kindness, enthusiasm, love of skiing and mentoring others.” She also placed second in the overall standings for the MISL season.

“Marghe chose to come to WMA for its academics, safety and, of course, skiing,” Coach Greg Morin said. “She brought her enthusiasm for skiing and her ‘A’ game with her for the team. Marghe remained positive and composed in spite of the less than favorable training and race conditions on the hill this year. Her record-setting year sums this all up.”

But the awards did not stop with Marghe. At the New England championship meet, the WMA boys placed third overall.

“The boys team has been working for three years to podium at the NEPSAC championship,” Coach Morin explained. “Last year they missed by one spot, coming in fourth. This year the team felt they had a good shot, having five good

skiers to go to the competition. All five skiers had a good synergy and each contributed to the results this year. I have to say that this year the competition was the strongest I have ever witnessed so a third place was quite an accomplishment.”

Leading the way for the boys was Ben Morin ’24, who took fourth overall in the slalom.

“The NEPSAC championships brought much more competition than previous years,” said Coach Morin, Ben’s dad. “Ben had a decent first run on the slalom event. For his second run, he had to deal with a significant and unplanned interruption as he waited in the start gate for 20 minutes. This is very distracting to athletes as they get cold and lose focus. Ben was able to retain his focus and eke out a fourth-place finish in spite of these challenges.”

Lastly, Dario Manbachi Moreno ’24 finished third overall in the MISL standings in the junior varsity division.

“As a coach I am very pleased with the results this year,” Coach Morin recapped. “The athletes were focused and had fun. More importantly, they all can pat themselves on the back for accomplishing four new records for the school— a great feat in a single season.”

run, Marghe held the lead before a clean second run clinched a convincing three-second win.

“I was first by one second (after my first run), which is a lot,” Marghe explained. “But at the same time, after my first run I didn’t feel good. I didn’t think I had done a good time. The conditions were not the best, so I thought there might be some difficulties with some other athletes. The second run I felt better.”

Marghe had been flirting with a victory, placing second in the slalom the week before. Her two runs totaled 100.18 seconds, good for a 3.14-second winning margin.

“It was obvious the moment that Marghe left the start (for her second run) she was going to have a great run,” WMA Coach Greg Morin said. “Her skiing was composed and confident, and her skis looked like they were on rails. I normally don’t like to look at times until after the race, but seeing that run made me look. It was an incredible time.”

When Marghe started to ski competitively at age 6, the slopes weren’t always filled with smiles and victories.

“When I was younger, I hated skiing,” said Marghe, who grew up skiing in the Valle D’Aosta Region of Italy. “It was cold and you had to get up early. When you’re 7 years old, that’s not what you want to do on a weekend. But thanks to my coaches in Italy, I became passionate about it. When I’m skiing, all I do is think about skiing. Everything goes away. There’s freedom.”

2023 Slalom Champion marghe N. ’23

ba S ketball

Girls Basketball enjoys record season, trip to NE final

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls Basketball team set a goal on the first day of practice to reach the New England final, aka Super Sunday.

The team did reach the championship, and even though the last game of the season didn’t go as the Titans would have hoped, that didn’t take away from the fact that the team did have a super season.

For the first time since the 2003– 04 season, WMA reached the Class C final, losing to Hamden Hall Country Day School 64–56 at Loomis Chaffee School March 5. The Titans trailed the Connecticut school by a point with a little more than two minutes to play.

“It was a team goal to play for the Class C championship from the day we started practice on

Nov. 14,” Coach Brown explained. “We continued to say how we wanted to be playing on Super Sunday, day of the championship game, March 5. We worked, together, and achieved that goal.”

Signs that a special season was on the horizon came early, especially when the Titans won three games by double digits to claim the Kingswood Invitational Tournament in late December.

“We knew we had the makings of a special season in the fall,” Coach Brown said. “Our roster has so much size, talent, versatility, speed and athleticism. But I would say we definitely knew when we won the KITs in December. We defeated a very good Holderness squad, and battled as sisters to do it. We could see the team beginning to gel and play for one solid goal.”

The Titans consisted of Meagan Schuermann ’23, Adrianna McCoy ’23, Jess Ethier ’23, Iva Radevic ’23, Ella Chandler ’24, Hannah Grudzien ’25, Tatiana Bell ’25, Abby Dorunda ’24, Imani Porter ’26 and Caterina Ravosa ’26. Coach Brown was joined on the sidelines by assistant coaches Jack Casey and Rita Sullivan.

Meagan and Adrianna both reached the 1,000point mark for their careers, and the team set a school record for wins by going 22– 6.

“Our strength was our togetherness,” Coach Brown applauded. “They worked and worked and worked at it. We had multiple meetings of

us expressing ourselves and our feelings to one another. In doing that, we finally got beyond being ‘on the surface’ tight, and became a real family of Titan Sisters. When that finally happened in mid-January, we took off as a unit. This team really loves each other. And as a coach, it doesn’t get any better than that. The wins and losses become secondary. They will be Titan Sisters for life. Mission accomplished.”

Caterina Ravosa ’26

Meagan Schuermann ’23

Wrestling lands 8 on Class A podium

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Wrestling team heard a lot of clanking on its recent ride home from New Hampshire, and it wasn’t from an old minibus.

Eight wrestlers earned medals by placing in the top six at the New England Prep School Class A Championships Feb. 11 at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire.

With enough female competitors for a girls division, Hanser Yoon ’24 had the best finish of all WMA wrestlers, placing second in the

Female wrestling pair makes WMA history at Nationals

The long drive was worth it.

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Hanser Yoon ’24 won two matches and nearly medaled at the 87th Annual National Prep Wrestling Championships held at the ShowPlace Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Feb. 25.

“Competing at the national wrestling championship was an incredible experience, and I am very proud of my accomplishments,” said Hanser, in her first year of wrestling. “The long 6 –8 hour bus ride down to Maryland was worth it, and I will always remember the invaluable time I spent with my fellow wrestlers and coaches. It was an honor to represent my school on such a prestigious stage. I look forward to further continuing my journey as a wrestler.”

Hanser lost her first match, however, she showed she belonged among the elite of the elite.

“In her first match of the day, Hanser wrestled

• from Left, front roW: Hanser Yoon ’24. Yumin “Yuna” Rho ’23 and Jiseong Choi ’23; BAck roW: Jiwoong “Daniel” Hong ’26, John Crocker ’25, Keigo Koyasu ’23, Owen Swanson ’24 and Trevor Trudeau ’27.

120-pound weight class. Yumin “Yuna” Rho ’23 took third at 145. Also winning hardware for the Titans were: Trevor Trudeau ’27 (3rd, 106), Keigo Koyasu ’23 (5th, 120), John Crocker ’25 (4th, 144), Owen Swanson ’24 (3rd, 150), Jiwoong “Daniel” Hong ’26 (5th, 157) and Jiseong Choi ’23 (6th, 190).

“I’m very pleased with the team’s overall effort,” Coach Drew Shea ’08 said. “Everyone wrestled very well regardless of win or loss.”

Hanser wrestled three opponents from Phillips Academy, going 2 –1 with two pins.

“It was my first time participating in a tournament, and it was a thrilling experience,” Hanser said. “Although I was anxious and pressured at the start, I eventually ended the day on a happy note, feeling more confident and proud of myself than ever before. The tournament was truly another learning opportunity for me.

Standing on a podium after receiving a medal is a memory I will never forget.”

Hanser’s performance qualified her for the New England Prep School Wrestling Association Championships, which were held at Phillips Exeter Academy.

“Hanser was prepping and planning for a big weekend at New England’s this coming weekend,” Coach Shea said. “We were very excited to see her continue to find success on the mat.”

Owen went 4–1 and finished with three pins.

“Owen’s performance and effort was topnotch,” Coach Shea beamed. “We are very proud of his hard work on Saturday and the hours of dedicated preparation he put in during practice the week leading up to the tournament.”

Another bright spot for WMA was John, who went 2 –2 at the Class A meet.

“John’s dedication and work ethic in the wrestling room combined with that of Owen is helping the pair to push themselves physically and mentally every day at practice,” Coach Shea explained. “They continue to work together in efforts of being as ready as possible for whoever they meet next on the mat.”

Trevor, Keigo, John, Owen and Yuna also qualified for the New England meet.

against the returning national champion,” Coach Drew Shea ’08 explained. “Although she lost, she wrestled all six minutes and did not give up or get pinned. We were very impressed with Hanser’s performance at the national meet.”

Hanser was the only grappler in her weight class to not get pinned by the reigning national champion. She later earned two wins before falling in her final match.

Yumin “Yuna” Rho ’23 lost both of her matches, but said her overall experience was memorable.

“Yuna went out there and gave it her all,” Coach Shea said. “She never gave up and worked hard to execute her game plan. We are very proud of everything Yuna accomplished this season.

“It was an amazing experience for the girls, the coaches and for the school,” Coach Shea added. “The opportunity to and experience of wrestling in the national prep tournament is something these girls will remember for the rest of their lives. With Hanser’s two victories, WMA scored five team points and placed 29th out of 38 prep schools. The girls certainly deserved the opportunity and they made the most of it.”

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• fAr Left: Hanser Yoon ’24

• Left: Yumin “Yuna” Rho ’23

winter track

Arielle Chechile ’24 sets high jump record

Arielle Chechile ’24 was sick, had a headache, both knees hurt and her legs were shaking. Other than that, she was doing great as she lined up to compete in the high jump for Wilbraham & Monson Academy in a winter track meet at Phillips Exeter Academy on Feb. 8. Thirty minutes later, Arielle had cleared 5 feet, 2 inches, setting a school record and remarkably tying the facility record at Phillips Exeter.

“I was just aiming to clear 4-10 because I struggled with that (at my previous meet),” Arielle explained. “After I cleared 4-10, I decided to try 5 feet; the other girls were already out. After I cleared 5 feet, the official asked if I wanted to go up by two inches or one. I figured I’d go up the two inches and go for the PR because I didn’t think I had it in me to go up and (potentially) do six more jumps.”

Arielle, whose previous best was 5-1, hit the bar on her first two attempts at 5-2. Her legs shook as she prepared for her final try.

“I hit the bar when I went over and nudged it,” Arielle said. “I froze and it stayed. From there, I was so happy. I wasn’t expecting it. It was the worst I had ever felt going into a meet.”

Tying the facility record came as a complete shock. She didn’t know of her accomplishment until the high jump official informed her after she cleared 5-2.

“It was crazy to me,” Arielle admitted. “I didn’t think I was the type of jumper who could tie a record at such an esteemed academy. They are one of the top high schools in the United States. I wasn’t expecting it, and it was never my goal. I didn’t even know that was a thing.”

Arielle also won and set personal bests in the 55-meter (7.83 seconds) and 300-meter

races at the Exeter meet.

(43.61)

ba S eball MVP performance for Liam Shea‑Gallagher ’24 at showcase

So much of the high school baseball recruiting process is now about metrics.

There’s still something to be said, though, about a player’s heart.

Based on his numbers and overall effort on the diamond, Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Liam Shea-Gallagher ’24 was named MVP at the Best in the US Showcase in front of 40 college coaches at Yale University in October.

“I was super excited,” Liam said. “It helped me stand out in front of other coaches. I got a lot of emails, and met a lot of schools and coaches who were interested.

“I felt really good. That’s the best I’ve performed in a while. My metrics all improved— throwing velocity, exit velocity off the bat, and running. And when my award was announced, (the showcase director) said part of the reason why I got the award was my hustle, competitiveness and desire to be there.”

Following his award-winning performance at the two-day showcase, Liam, a shortstop, was contacted by seven Division I coaches, including host Yale.

“I knew there would be a lot of college coaches there,” he said. “I wanted to do my best and get my name out to the coaches.”

Abby Dorunda ’24 earns All‑State soccer honor

With a nonstop motor and remarkable athletic ability, it’s pretty hard not to notice Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Abby Dorunda ’24 on the soccer field.

Abby was honored off the field when she was named to the 2022 All-State Soccer Team.

“Being named All-State is a major accomplishment for me and I’m glad that all my hard work has paid off,” Abby said. “I feel very honored to receive this recognition.”

Abby was primarily an outside midfielder, however, she played multiple positions in the fall for the Titans.

“Abby is a smart, tough and technically skilled player,” Coach Sommer Mahoney ’11 said. “She worked hard this season to step into her role as a

boy S S occer Boys Soccer lands regional sportsmanship award

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys Soccer team had a good season on the field in more ways than one in 2022.

The Titans earned the coveted David Coughlin Award, the top team sportsmanship honor presented in the Western New England Prep School Soccer Association.

“We are very proud of the boys for performing

leader and, as a result, she has improved both as a player and a teammate. She deserves this award for her skills and her character.”

“Playing for WMA has allowed me to become a more versatile player, playing in many different positions,” Abby added.

Abby is also being recruited to run track in college. She holds WMA records in the 100 and 400-meter events. Soccer, though, is her first love.

“Soccer has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Abby said. “What I enjoy about soccer so much is being part of a team and the work needed to be successful. I enjoy showing up to practice looking to work hard and develop my style of play.”

in such a good manner, playing the game the right way and receiving this award,” Coach Roy Fink said. “Even in adversity, the boys were able to keep their composure and behaved like true professionals.”

“The team winning the league’s sportsmanship award really shows our humility, and although we did not have the season we all hoped to have, winning this award gives us something to be proud of,” said Kaelan Pinnock ’23, who served as co-captain for the Academy.

WMA went 6 – 7 –3, competing for a berth in

the postseason for the first time in years.

“We had a great season as a team,” co-captain Evan Spillane ’23 said. “I think winning the sportsmanship award shows a lot about the soccer program here at WMA. Not only does Coach Fink want to develop the skills of his players, but he wants to develop his players as individuals.”

Coach Fink concluded: “In regard to performance, the coaching staff was happy with the team’s efforts and work rate. We competed in every one of our games, which is the goal for every season.”

football

Val Enghave ’23 competes in European Championships

More than ever, Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Val Enghave ’23 loves the red and white colors of his country’s flag.

Val competed for the U19 Danish National Team in July 2022, helping Denmark to the bronze medal at the European U19 American Football Championship in Austria.

“At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try out for the Danish National Team, but after I played in the Danish finals (for the regular season), which we won, the national team coach came over to me and said I needed to try out for the team,” Val said. “He sold me and said it would be the experience of a lifetime.”

Val played guard and linebacker for two seasons for the Titans and started at inside linebacker for Denmark. The national team lost to Austria in the opener before topping France in overtime in the third-place game.

“We wanted to beat France really bad and get the bronze medal,” Val added. “All game, neither team scored. It was frustrating. But at the end when we hit that field goal, it was exciting and I was happy. It’s almost impossible to describe. It’s a feeling of pride, being able to represent your country.”

football

Quartet earns NEPSAC Football awards

Four members of the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Football team earned awards from the New England Prep School Athletic Council for their performance during the 2022 season.

Tyler Poirier ’23, Desmond Perezcastaneda ’23, Joey Weidl ’23 and Val Enghave ’23 received postseason recognition for the Titans.

Here’s what Coach Jeff Vartabedian had to say about each player:

Joey (All-Evergreen League):

“It was really great to see Joey have a big senior year. He emerged as an impact defensive end last year as a junior, and this year he combined that with being a complete tight end/wide receiver on offense. Joey totally embraced becoming a true tight end, where he blocked very well and really enabled our run game to get going, and was a strong weapon in the pass game. Joey’s breakout game came against Albany in Week 2, where he finished with six catches for 101 yards, one touchdown and a two-point conversion. Defensively, Joey pursued the ball all over the field and was a very strong pass rusher. His five tackles, forced fumble, two sacks and five quarterback pressures/hits were critical in our win over Worcester Academy.”

Joey Weidl ’23

Desmond (All-NEPSAC Class B Honorable Mention, All-Evergreen League Honorable Mention):

“Desmond had a fantastic senior season, having a tremendous impact with both his play and his leadership. As a hard-hitting middle linebacker, Desmond led our team in tackles, made numerous fourth down stops in critical games and set the tone for our defense all year. As a physical running back on offense, he not only led our rushing attack, but was a weapon both as a receiver (24 catches) and a quarterback (9 for 14, 320 yards, touchdown and two-point conversion). Desmond’s positive leadership as a captain was some of the best I have seen in my time at WMA.”

Val (All-Evergreen League Honorable Mention):

“Val really took a step up this year and played at a high level all season long. He was one of our top and most versatile defenders, playing both inside and outside linebacker. He finished as our second-leading tackler, numerous tackles for loss and sacks, as well as two interceptions. Val converted to offensive line last year as a junior and was our most consistent player up front this season, providing excellent run and pass blocking for the team.”

Tyler (All-NEPSAC Class B, All-Evergreen League Honorable Mention):

“Tyler had an outstanding season for the Titans as he was a high-impact player on offense, defense and special teams. Offensively, Tyler was our go-to receiver and came down with many clutch receptions in big situations, finishing with 33 receptions for 673 yards (20.4 average) and four touchdowns. On defense, Tyler was assigned to guard each team’s top wide receiver, and regularly held each player to minimal catches and yards. Tyler also did an excellent job punting, kicking and returned many punts and kickoffs for big yards.”

Val Enghave ’23

Tyler Poirier ’23

Desmond Perezcastaneda ’23

FOOTBALL

Varsity season record: 1– 7

Captains: Valdemar Enghave ’23, Desmond Perezcastaneda ’23, Tyler Poirier ’23, Joey Weidl ’23

FALL SPORTS

Highlights: After an 0 –5 start, the Titans dominated Worcester Academy for a 24– 7 victory; Poirier (Offensive MVP), Perezcastaneda (Defensive MVP), Enghave (Coaches Award) and Weidl (Doug Foley Award) earned team honors.

Varsity season record: 6 – 7 –3

Captains: Evan Spillane ’23, Kaelan Pinnock ’23

Highlights: Won WNEPSSA’s David Coughlin Award for team sportsmanship; victorious in all three home games, by a 10 –2 margin, played on Turf Field; Australian Tayg Collins ’24 was named team MVP, and Mike Dorunda ’24 won the Coaches Award.

Varsity season record: 2 –3

Captains: Ava Aguiar ’23, Emma Landry ’25

Highlights: Aguiar finished 11th at the NEPSAC Division 3 Championships, earning a spot in the NEPSAC All-Star meet; Aguiar, the team’s MVP, also set the course record at Pomfret; team finished second at Cheshire Invitational; Lily Meier ’26 won the team’s Coaches Award.

Varsity season record: 7 –1

Captains: Tianze Xiong ’23, Nagomu Yoshitake ’23

Highlights: All-New England selections Xiong (14th place of 168) and Kayden Chhoun ’24 (18th) helped Titans finish 10th out of 24 teams at the New England championships; Titans placed second at the Canterbury and Cheshire invitationals, and third at the Marianapolis Invitational; Xiong (Team MVP) and Chhoun (Coaches Award) each set the WMA course record.

G irl S cro SS country

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boy S cro SS country

Tayg Collins ’24

Ava Aguiar ’23

Kayden Chhoun ’24, left, and Tianze “Spark” Xiong ’23

• BAck roW, from Left: Jack Austin ’25, Desmond Perezcastaneda ’23 and Jack Healy ’23. Foreground: Val Enghave ’23.

Varsity season record: 5–10

Captains: Ella Chandler ’24, Iva Radevic ’23

Highlights: Rebound season for program that won three times in the previous two seasons; all but one loss came to teams in a higher class, and three went to five sets; defeated Berkshire in five sets on Senior Night; Abril Vila Gil ’23 was team MVP, and Chandler was awarded the Coaches Award.

water polo

Varsity season record: 3–10

Captains: Guglielmo Catalano ’23, Federico Felli ’23, Sheldon Tang ’23

Highlights: Convincing early-season win against Deerfield; second of two wins against Suffield was sparked by rally led by Korbin Dixon ’24 (team-high 81 goals for season); Felli (MVP) and Bartolomeo Poppi ’23 (Coaches Award) won team honors.

Varsity season record: 6 –8–2

Captains: Julia Besse ’23, Madaket Stoltz ’23

Highlights: Wins over historic rivals Williston and Pomfret; Abby Dorunda ’24 was an All- State selection and Stoltz an All-NEPSAC choice; Stoltz was the team MVP, and Besse won the Coaches Award.

field hockey

Varsity season record: 2 –13

Captains: Elena Baltazar ’25, Kylie Bignell ’23, Callie Dunbar ’24

Highlights: Titans ended a challenging season with a great 3– 0 win against Marianapolis; inexperienced team with 11 players who had never played before; Pattaranunt Poonsornsiri ’25 (MVP) and Dunbar ’24 (Coaches Award) earned team honors.

• Bartolomeo Poppi ’23

• Julia Besse ’23

• Kylie Bignell ’23, left, and Caitlin Stratton ’26

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Abril Vila Gil ’23

WINTER SPORTS

riflery

Varsity season record: 10 – 0

Captains: Marisa Cyboron ’24, Guo Yin ’23

Highlights: Won seventh straight Prep Gallery Match and fourth consecutive (and sixth of last seven) Connecticut High School Riflery League championship; extended seven-year, regular-season league winning streak to 44 and has won 57 of last 58 league matches; Askar Bakirdinov ’24 was the Team MVP, and Cyboron won the Coaches Award.

hockey

Varsity season record: 3–16 –1

Captains: Jordan Blais ’23, Ryan Rhodes ’23

Highlights: Rhodes, a postgraduate goalie, had a phenomenal season as the Team MVP; Carter O’Brien ’23 and Blais shared the team’s Coaches Award; eight losses came by two goals or less during first full varsity NEPSAC season in 20-plus years.

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Varsity season record: 3–8

Captains: Rilee Harris ’23, Madeleine Hong ’23

Highlights: Eliza Leach ’25 took third in the 100 backstroke and teamed with Pattaranunt “Elle” Poonsornsiri ’25, Rilee Harris ’23 and Caitlin Stratton ’26 to place third in the 200 free relay at the New England Division 3 Championships; Madeleine Hong ’23 (MVP) and Harris (Coaches Awards) won team honors.

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Varsity season record: 3–8

Captains: Sheldon Tang ’23, Nagomu Yoshitake ’23

Highlights: Team MVP Tang finished third in the 100 butterfly and fourth in the 500 freestyle at the New England Division 3 Championships; Eoin Cavanaugh ’27 (sixth, 100 back) and Ji Min Hong ’25 (seventh, 100 free; eighth, 50 free) also fared well; Cavanaugh won the team’s Coaches Award.

Varsity season record: 3– 9

Captains: Jiseong Choi ’23, Keigo Koyasu ’23

Highlights: Hanser Yoon ’24 (2–2 record) and Yumin “Yuna” Rho ’23 (0 –2) were first females in program history to compete at the National Championships; Yoon (Team MVP) and Rho (Coaches Award) won team girls honors; Koyasu, John Crocker ’25 and Owen Swanson ’24 qualified for New Englands; Crocker was the Boys Team MVP and Swanson won the Coaches Award.

Madeleine Hong ’23

• Ryan Rhodes ’23

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Askar Bakirdinov ’24

Keigo Koyasu ’23

Sheldon Tang ’23

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Varsity season record: 14–15

Captains: Jeremiah Dorsey ’23, Charles Fantom ’23, Jon Medley ’23

Highlights: Titans qualified for the New England Class AA Championships as the No. 5 seed; Dorsey was named to the All-NEPSAC team, and Medley was honorable mention.

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Captains: Giorgi Mumladze ’23, Margherita Negri ’23

Highlights: Marghe Negri ’23 won the NEPSAC title in the slalom and finished third in giant slalom; Negri also finished on the podium of the MISL season championship; team MVP Ben Morin ’24 medaled with a fourth in slalom to lead boys team to a third-place finish and program’s first podium at New Englands; the team Coaches Award was shared by Negri and Mumladze.

winter track

Varsity season record: N/A

Captains: Girls - Arielle Chechile ’24, Madaket Stoltz ’23; Boys - David Prickett ’23, Rouri Takahashi ’23, Tianze Xiong ’23

Highlights: Chechile won the Girls Team MVP and Stoltz ’23 was the Coaches Award winner; Kayden Chhoun ’24 was the Boys Team MVP, and the Coaches Award was given to Takahashi ’23.

Varsity season record: 5– 9

Captains: Henry Fanton ’26, Cole Stevens ’23

Highlights: Titans took powerhouse Putnam Science Academy to overtime before falling short in team’s most exciting game; Team MVP was Patrick Ricca ’26 and Shea Walsh ’23 earned the Coaches Award.

• Henry Fanton ’26

Varsity season record: 22 – 6

Captains: None

Highlights: Titans set program’s season record for wins and reached the finals of the New England Class C Championship as the No. 2 seed; Adrianna McCoy ’23 and team co-MVPs Caterina Ravosa ’26 and Meagan Schuermann ’23 were named as All-NEPSAC First Team choices; Ella Chandler ’24 and Hannah Grudzien ’25 were honorable mention selections; Chandler and Jessica Ethier ’23 were team Coaches Award winners.

• Adrianna McCoy ’23

boy S var S ity ba S ketball

Jeremiah Dorsey ’23

Giorgi Mumladze ’23

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Zoe Pinnock ’26

Fine & Performing Arts

Trio of artists earn Scholastic Awards

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Kyooeun “Ethan” Kang ’23 is bringing his fashion to the city. He can bring his shiny award along with him, too.

Competing in the Massachusetts region, Ethan’s “Urban Gear” design earned him a gold key award in this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Contest. The gold status advanced Ethan’s creation to the national level.

Academy students Rilee Harris ’23 (silver) and Yi “Rachel” Lyu ’23 (honorable mention) also received awards.

Ethan and Rilee were invited to attend an awards ceremony in March, and Ethan’s work was on display at Tufts University for one week. More than 7,000 students from the state participated in this year’s art contest.

Inspired by Post Archive Faction, a fashion brand based in Seoul, Ethan’s curiosity drove him into what he calls “transformative fashion.”

“I have incorporated different subsidiary materials that could be found in work wear and utility wear such as snap buttons, e-strings and stoppers to allow users to add or remove facets of a garment or change its silhouette,” Ethan explained.

The gold performance was no surprise to Fine & Performing Arts Chair Paul Bloomfield, who said Ethan has a unique vision in a variety of art forms.

“Ethan is open to new ideas, as well as old ones,” Mr. Bloomfield said. “He is currently working on his AP 3D design portfolio using the centuries old traditional Korean paper-making offshoot technique known as Joomchi.

“I have no doubt he will succeed professionally in fashion or a design-related field. Ethan’s fashion design portfolio is the result of constant hard work and the application of successful creative decision-making.”

Meanwhile, Rilee landed an award for the second consecutive year. Her painting “Grief” was inspired by the death of her grandmother. She heard the phrase “everybody processes grief differently” a number of times following her grandmother’s passing and used that for her creative foundation.

“Using the human form to convey emotion is something that has resonated with me for a while, and I finally decided to integrate this into a piece that means something to me,” Rilee explained. “I spent three months on this acrylic piece, painting each figure in a different position to represent different emotions, feelings and thoughts in relation to grief.”

“Rilee works hard to methodically capture the real and imaginary worlds of human depiction,” Mr. Bloomfield praised. “Her sketchbooks are full of studies of anatomy and characters at various angles and moods. These studied

drawings often lead to intense and compelling illustrations that allow us to marvel at Rilee’s realism while often conveying a message.

“Her impressive knowledge and application of digital drawing media as well as traditional painting demonstrates her deep passion for expression and storytelling. The award-winning work here is the result of hours of deliberation and intense decision-making.”

Supported by faculty and friends, Rachel found artistic freedom when she transferred to WMA. Her digital art “Napping Time” is a collection of her high school memories.

“This piece is a visualization of my flowing and floating inspiration,” Rachel said. “I wish to express the outburst of curiosity and creativity with a small random act. It was also a digital collage of my high school year in the United States.”

Mr. Bloomfield described Rachel as one of the hardest-working students he’s had the pleasure of teaching in his 18 years at the Academy.

“Rachel is exceptionally multitalented as an all-around artist, but can apply herself with full concentration to any given art project, whether it is sculpture, painting, photography, industrial design or, in this case, digital image-making. She is constantly revising, researching and testing out ideas that find ways into her often complex and always visually intriguing artworks.”

Kyooeun “Ethan” Kang ’23

Rilee Harris ’23

Yi “Rachel” Lyu ’23

• Rilee Harris ’23

• Yi “Rachel” Lyu ’23

• Kyooeun “Ethan” Kang ’23

WMA Family Weekend in October 2022 was celebrated with perfect New England fall weather. Campus was bustling with parents who came from all over the world to learn more about life on campus and to see their children.

1 Coach Stuart Whitcomb talks strategy at halftime of the Middle School Soccer game. 2 Parent volunteer Liz Salvador helps out at the hospitality tent at the Boys Soccer game. 3 Head of School Brian P. Easler shares all the good news of the Academy with parents during his State of the Academy Address. 4 Rebecca Kakule ’25, Marily Remaly ’25 and Mariana Mujica ’25 enjoy the snacks at the games.

5 WMA Middle School parents Jana Tobias, left, and Kwanza C. Bowe at the Middle School Soccer game. 6 Madison Goodwin ’25, second from left, and her family. 7 Gino Gasparrini and the WMA facilities crew keep campus in tiptop shape. 8 Parents engage in the State of the Academy talk with Head of School Brian P. Easler. 9 Jake Klepacki ’23 gets some game day advice from Assistant Football Coach Mike Harrison. 10 Massimo Dibari ’25, center, and his parents Jo Ann, left, and Aaron Dibari. 11 Dorunda ’24 in action against Cheshire Academy. 12 Megan Mark ’23, left, and Yumin “Yuna” Rho ’23 cheer on their fellow Titans. 13 Dr. Ana M. Castrillon, left, and Dr. Ricardo A. Mujica enjoy the perfect weather on Corbin fields. 14 Parents Yang Li and Suchen He at the Middle School Soccer game.

15 Boys Varsity Soccer fans delight in the game and the camaraderie.

Fall Semester

We opened the 2022 –2023 academic year with an enrollment of 406 students. Newly enrolled students accounted for 45 percent (185) of our student body, and no student had yet to experience a full non-COVID-19 year here in the Upper School. Our global reach extended to 34 different countries, including Andorra, Angola, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Montenegro, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

1 From left: Nava Berezin ’28 and Kinaya Bowe ’28 enjoy a Middle School class.

2 From left: Carter O’Brien ’23 and Luke Robinson ’23 react to an apple stacking contest during a pep rally competition.

3 Participants from the Boys JV Soccer vs. Faculty soccer game on Winchester Field. Faculty rallied for a 3–2 victory.

4 Stage lights shine on Avery Kay ’26 during the “Spaced Out” performance by the Academy Dancers.

5 Jack Austin ’25 enjoys an all school pep rally in Greenhalgh Gymnasium.

6 Faculty member Emily Dromgold ’17 with foliage on Broad Walk.

7 Abigail Dorunda ’24 makes use of study time in the Athenaeum.

8 From left: Middle School students Isabella Thomas ’27, Braden Lora ’29 and Sophia Drollett ’28 using robotics in the iLab.

9 Aja Mercer ’23, center, as part of the Academy Players performance of “Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play.”

10 Girls Varsity Soccer breaks from a huddle.

11 Lucas Stogner ’24 in Pratt Music Room.

12 From left: Hannah Jamal ’23, Maddie Hong ’23 and Julia Besse ’23 in the classroom.

13 Runners take off along Faculty Street at the 77th anniversary of the Bunion Derby.

14 From left: Hui “Jerry” Huang ’23 and Natalie Kakule ’24 in a chemistry lab.

The Art of Storytelling

by Kyle O’b rien Director of Alumni Relations

The world is full of stories. Some have been passed down through generations, while others are emerging for the first time. Some twist and change, while the core remains authentic for others. Some are fictional, and some are true. Regardless of the differences, one thing remains the same about all stories—what makes a story is that it is, at some point, told. And one of the most beautiful things about stories is that they can be told and consumed in so many different ways.

established a strong foundation in cinematography. Ms. Chen graduated with her Master of Fine Arts in film and television production and began a freelancing career.

Baihui “Becky” Chen ’12

Take, for example, Baihui Chen ’12. Becky, as she was known during her time at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, is a cinematographer who shares her time between Los Angeles and Shanghai.

Ms. Chen attended UCLA where she studied economics and minored in film and Japanese. However, the more she studied film, the more she realized where her true passion lied. Upon graduation from UCLA, she went to film school at the University of Southern California, where she

Ms. Chen has shot several narrative feature films, short films, documentary series and commercials for brands like Armani, Burberry, Adidas, Mikimoto, Bobbi Brown and Budweiser. Her work as a cinematographer in the feature film “I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)” helped it win a Jury Award at SXSW (South by Southwest Festival).

I’m really, really glad I took a few art classes at WMA because growing up I wasn’t really influenced by art. My family wasn’t in the art industry at all. They all owned their own businesses and I didn’t do music or paint. So I didn’t do any art at all actually, but I took a ceramics class at WMA with Ms. Feldheim and also art class with Ms. Decker. Those classes, they were the easy classes when I was at WMA, and they were the fun classes and the ones I was most excited about. Thinking back, I think those were what started my interest in art to be honest.

baihui “bec K y” chen ’12

Ms. Chen uses the medium of film to tell stories inspired by current life, like the intense political situation in Venezuela as depicted in “Welcome Back.”

“I chose a more realistic and natural way of shooting,” Ms. Chen said. “I used a lot of natural light and filmed it more in a documentary style.”

This is in contrast to sci-fi and steampunk films, where her style shifts to be appropriate to the story.

“My style becomes crazier. I can experiment with lenses with more characteristics, for example,

adding flares to images, that then contributes to the drama and to the story,” Ms. Chen said.

Ms. Chen’s filming style shifts again when shooting commercials because of the time limitations.

“Each shot must convey the essence of the message in the most straightforward way,” she said.

Ms. Chen has used film to tell stories that are both fictional and, in other cases, relevant to today’s society, whether that be through current products on the market or political situations across the globe.

Senior Stone

Aaron Wile ’04

In contrast, Aaron Wile ’04, focuses on bringing historical stories to a modern audience in his work as an associate curator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Mr. Wile focuses on 17th and 18th century French works.

After graduating from WMA, Mr. Wile went to Haverford College where he received a Bachelor of Arts in history.

He spent a year teaching English in a small town in Normandy, France, and then embarked on an eight-year journey toward earning his Ph.D. in art history from Harvard.

During this time he had a fellowship with The Frick Collection in New York City, where he had his first experience with museum work and curated his first exhibit “Watteau’s Soldiers: Scenes of Military Life in Eighteenth-Century France.”

After two years of postdoc work in California, Mr. Wile returned to the Northeast to begin his current role.

“The word curator, it actually comes from the Latin word ‘curare,’ which means ‘to care for,’ and that’s really at the heart of the job,” Mr. Wile said of his role. “What I love about being a curator is that all my research is directed toward the public, toward our audience, and I think what’s the most rewarding is sharing my knowledge and my research with the broadest possible public.

“Art gives you this really visceral and immediate confrontation with the past. And when you’re looking at a canvas, you’re confronted with a really different way of seeing and understanding the world that’s rooted, in very complicated ways, in the values and beliefs of the society the artwork was produced in.

“I want to help visitors rise to the challenge of confronting visions of the world that are often very alien to our contemporary sensibilities.”

In Mr. Wile’s work, these pieces of art can almost serve as a portal, transporting individuals to another century and, through one image, tell an entire story. He uses a historic piece of artwork to not only tell the story of the subject being depicted, but also uses it as a lens through which to view the storyline of the time in which it was created.

I think for me one of the biggest impacts was doing these independent studies with Nancy Rosenwald, who was the librarian … I think having someone really smart to talk about things I really wanted to read and in that very cozy library, that was one of my fondest memories of WMA.”

aar O n W ile ’04

Senior Stone

Aaron Wile ’04, right, and architect husband, Nicholas G. Potts, in their Washington, D.C.-based apartment.

community.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in theatre from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Ms. Schantz spent 10 years in New York making theater, creating original plays, touring internationally and participating in experimental theater. Although it was inspiring and exciting, she said, “It started to feel like I was only making theater for other people who made theater.”

Ms. Schantz started to question why people make art and what it can really do for people.

In an effort to find the answers, she spent a few years teaching theater and then she transitioned to working full-time at Pratt Institute, earning her master’s in art and design education. Although Ms. Schantz could have taught in the New York City public school system as an art teacher, she instead focused on being a Department of Education vendor, developing programs for schools without a budget for a full-time teacher. At the same time, Ms. Schantz bought a building with her sister Gwen, in the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood. It was clear that her new community was lacking a gathering space and there were no real daycare or educational studios. With this in mind, Supermoon was born.

Supermoon’s role has evolved beyond an art center and child care provider.

Supermoon functions as a hub for the community on multiple levels. As an entrepreneur and an individual who lives in the neighborhood where her business is, it is important for her to hire artists with roots in the community and

who identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ+.

The Schantz sisters participate on their local PTA and actively support the public schools their children attend. Through the development of Supermoon, Ms. Schantz has

created an environment to not only teach the future generation to tell their stories through art, but also built a space where stories can be shared and ties to one another can be cultivated and strengthened.

Don and Jane Kelly. Jane was my advisor and my swim coach, and was really just a wonderful human. Don was my Latin teacher and just, like you know, became friends with my family. They played a really big role in terms of this sense of community building.”

magin schantz ’97

Senior Stone

Audra Graziano ’99

Like Ms. Schantz, Audra Graziano ’99 also teaches the art of storytelling.

The current tenured Fine Art Faculty member at Cerritos College in California explained that her WMA art teacher Stan Graham was influential in her development as an artist and her ultimate career path.

In fact, Mr. Graham took her

on a field trip to Pratt Institute’s Portfolio Days to have her portfolio reviewed. She ultimately wound up attending Pratt and receiving her bachelor’s in fine arts in 2003.

“I can say with complete confidence that his (Mr. Graham’s) guidance and encouragement helped positively direct the shape of my future path,” Ms. Graziano said. “I would not be doing what I am today if I had not had the benefit of working with him. The reason I feel such a fortunate responsibility to be working in education is in part because of my experience working with Mr. Graham and other influential educators that I met later on my academic path. Mr. Graham

was completely instrumental in starting that journey for me.”

After Pratt, Ms. Graziano worked in Brooklyn for a decorative painting company, where she painted large-scale commercial and residential mural commissions and then in Los Angeles as a scenic painter. In 2011, she decided to go to grad school at California State University, Long Beach. During this time she was exposed to teaching both as a teaching assistant and an undergraduate faculty member. After graduating with her master’s in fine arts in 2014, she taught briefly at the University of Arizona School of Art and returned to California two years later to take

the opportunity at Cerritos College.

Throughout this time, Ms. Graziano has maintained a studio practice, where she primarily works with oil and canvas, but also works with painted paper that she cuts and collages together. Almost all of her work focuses on “the layering of mark and form to develop abstract space in the work.”

Ms. Graziano explained that her piece “Heading Southie” could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human experience of occasional, uncontrolled free thoughts. All of Ms. Graziano’s work, like that of her fellow WMA alumni, can be used as a way of conveying and sharing the emotions behind the stories.

Senior Stone

Heading Southie

I Lay Sleeping

Little Butterfly

Toora Loora Li

Blue Valentine

Michael Washington ’07

Michael Washington ’07—like Ms. Chen, Mr. Wile, Ms. Schantz and Ms. Graziano—has been attracted to the art of visual storytelling throughout his life. He graduated from Savannah College of Art in 2011 and embarked on a career working on a variety of branded-content projects in many

roles including director, art director, editor, motion designer and visual effects artist.

Mr. Washington is currently creative director at Trailer Park Group in Los Angeles, where he oversees marketing content for entertainment advertising campaigns, leading creative efforts on content such as teasers, spots and featurettes. He also directed a special live action shot with the cast.

Some of his most recent projects include: “Dungeon & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” “The Matrix Resurrections,” the “John Wick” series, “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and “Scream VI.”

Mr. Washington finds himself in the unique position of using film to not only hook people on the story he is advertising, but use details and nuances to help fans either connect the threads of an existing plot line or guess at how an untold story may unfold.

“One aspect that I enjoy in my job is … to imbue fun details within a piece that can hold up to scrutiny,” Mr. Washington said. “Especially now, fans will analyze, share and discuss the advertising of a film all the way until its release, so it’s a great way to promote fan engagement. It’s also a creative way to engage a fanbase and re-immerse them into a story.”

Mr. Washington also explains that although a challenge of entertainment marketing can be finding creative ways to reach audiences, he “believes that one key aspect of successful advertising is understanding the audience and what appeals to them. I spend a lot of time researching the target demographic and considering what resonates with them, both emotionally and intellectually, to try to create content that would excite me if I were on the other side.”

Regardless of how the story is told, or through what medium or lens, it is clear that art is storytelling and storytelling is art.

top:

B ottom right: Senior stone, ’07

in thi S i SS ue

We share the stories of a handful of alumni who have honed the art of storytelling through their passion for the arts. As alumni of the Academy, you too may have your own experience and journey to share with others. Please email Director of Alumni Relations Kyle O’Brien at kobrien@wma.us with your story. We’d love to hear it.

Michael Washington ’07 in a behind the scenes shot of him directing the TV Special for Sonic the Hedgehog 2, “Thrills & Quills.”

Michael Washington ’07 at the 2022 Clio Awards ceremony with the Gold Clio he won for the teaser “The Matrix Resurrections – Déjà vu.”

Aidan Jennings ’21

grew older, participating in local test shoots, digitals and editorials while a student at WMA.

Soon after his 2021 Commencement, he was off to Europe. He had been invited to France by Saint Laurent to work out some details for a few upcoming events: big events.

Super Bowl in the world of high fashion. The next week he was back in Paris, modeling in front of cameras for Saint Laurent for a campaign that would reach stores, billboards and magazines throughout the world.

b y bill W ells Director of Student Promotion or been photographed wearing some of the biggest brands the fashion industry offers.

TThree cities host what are widely considered the most prominent Fashion Weeks in the world: Paris, Milan and New York.

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Aidan Jennings ’21 has walked in all three of them. He’s 20 years old.

Mr. Jennings has hit the runway

• Yves Saint Laurent

• Gucci

• ETRO

• Who Decides War

• SEAN SUEN

• Alexander McQueen

• Maison Margiela

And it all happened so fast. Mr. Jennings became more and more interested in modeling as he

“This was my first real job as I had never been to Europe or previously done any work with any brand,” Mr. Jennings said. “Everything had been lined up in the previous months prior to graduating as I had signed with a few international agencies and had just turned 18, which allowed me to work on my own.”

A week later, Mr. Jennings was walking the runway at the Spring Summer 2022 Runway Show in Venice, Italy. Just months out of high school, he had reached the

“After walking that show (in Venice) and shooting the campaign, spending about a month or so in Europe country hopping is when it all really hit me,” Mr. Jennings explained. “Runways are considered to be at the top of the pyramid regarding work in the industry, so for this to be my first gig followed by a global campaign ... I was over the moon.”

Mr. Jennings has walked the runway in Paris and Milan twice, and strutted his stuff at his first Fashion Week in New York in the Fall of 2022. He’s already booked to walk Paris and Milan this summer.

WMA ‘was a place I felt confident and encouraged to pursue anything I aspired to do’

Gucci photo

from Left, BAck roW: Kristen Jennings (mother), Aidan Jennings ’21, Kevin Jennings ’90 (father) and Jack Jennings ’23 (brother); front roW: Drew Jennings (brother).

Senior Stone, 2021

“My ultimate goal is to meet as many amazing people as I can, see as much of the world as possible, and hopefully inspire other people to follow their dreams,” Mr. Jennings said.

Most of the modeling success for Mr. Jennings has come at runway and editorial venues. His initial Saint Laurent shoot was featured in the March 2022 issue of GQ and he modeled Gucci attire on the runway at the Fall Winter 2023 Show in Milan. GQ and Gucci: in the fashion industry, those brands are tough to top.

Mr. Jennings is under contract

with four agencies: two in New York, and one each in Paris and Milan. Those agencies handle various clients from multiple brands in their respective city.

“I can work for anyone, which is super nice,” he said. “People rarely work for just one brand unless you’ve become exclusive with that brand for a period of time, which I have done.

“The most difficult part of my job is staying up when things are down. This industry revolves around a lot of validation that can be mentally taxing on everyone. The constant ups and downs of booking and not

booking … as long as you think positively about everything, good will eventually come your way.”

Good came in the way of WMA for Mr. Jennings, who transferred to the Academy for his senior year. His dad (Kevin Jennings ’90) and grandfather (Michael Jennings ’65M) also attended the school. Aidan’s brother Jack is in the Class of 2023.

He said, “Wilbraham & Monson Academy was a place I felt confident and encouraged to pursue anything I aspired to do.”

Like reaching the Super Bowl of the fashion world.

Saint Laurent photo

James Rockford photo

Saint Laurent photo

Runways are considered to be at the top of the pyramid regarding work in the industry, so for this to be my first gig followed by a global campaign ... I was over the moon.” aidan jennings ’21

Arts is a lifestyle for WMA’s Lowry-Brook family

Director of Student Promotion

TThe LowryBrook children

Liliana ’16, Ian ’21 and Katarina ’26 had the standard markers, paints and other art supplies in their home growing up, and there were trips to theaters and art shows.

The difference, however, was in the family’s culture. Marvina LowryBrook and Jon Brook, both faculty members at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, didn’t just offer art to their children, they valued and embraced it.

That artist culture is evident in all three children, who are all carving their own creative path at different stages of life. Lili sells jewelry, Ian models for some of the biggest brands in the fashion industry and Kiki performs in WMA’s theater productions.

“I think the most important thing wasn’t as much the materials they had, but that art and music were important and were to be valued,” said Marvina, a member of WMA’s Fine & Performing Arts Department since 2012. Jon has worked in the school’s World Languages Department since 2018. “They knew that I created art, even though I wasn’t doing much of it while they were small.

“We went to performances at the University of Massachusetts, saw art on occasion, went to science museums a lot. Pretty much everyone in our family has a great appreciation for art, music, theater and books. And some of us have an even greater appreciation for fashion.”

Ah yes, fashion. In short, Ian has hit the big time. Fashion Weeks in New York and Paris; modeling for Yves Saint Laurent, MANIFESTO Magazine, Nili Lotan, BLUEMARBLE, Parke and Ronen, TEDDY VONRANSON; and he met Michael Kors and Giorgio Armani.

Ian had been doing some modeling prior to being hired to walk in the Pratt Institute Fashion Show in New York. It was his first runway performance for a show. Lined with students, family and friends, along with scouts from major brands and photographers from fashion magazines, the pressure was nearly unbearable.

“I was very stressed going into it, but as soon as I stepped out onto the runway, the music was blaring and my adrenaline was pumping,” said Ian, who began modeling his junior year at WMA. “I was focused on not tripping or looking stupid. But as soon as I took my first step it clicked, and I just walked to the beat and stared straight into the camera flash.

I have to say, it was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life.

“Walking off the runway at the end of the walk, the designer ran up to me and gave me a hug and thanked me, which was just such an amazing moment.”

The stakes rose when Ian flew to Europe to model for BLUE MARBLE, a French menswear brand.

“The runway show in Paris had a similar feel the fear of messing up,” Ian admitted. “This was the real deal. This was what everything else was building up to. But in the same fashion, as soon as I walked out onto the runway, my head cleared and it felt so natural.”

So natural that he’s already been photographed by Mark Seliger, one of the most famed photogs in the world. Ian, a sophomore majoring in Fine Arts at New York University, has agents in Paris, Milan, New York and Atlanta.

“Growing up in an artistic family and environment as a child was the best thing for me,” Ian said. “I learned different skills and practices over time, which have branched out into all aspects of my life. I’m lucky to have parents who have been so nurturing and supportive throughout my life and creative process. But overall, I think it has allowed me to have a very open perspective on the world and on

Growing up in an artistic family and environment as a child was the best thing for me. I learned different skills and practices over time, which have branched out into all aspects of my life.”

ian ’21

Kiki ’26, left, Ian ’21, center, and Lili ’16

myself, which has helped me learn and grow as a person.”

And as if he’s not busy enough modeling and being a college student, Ian is tinkering with metalsmithing, specifically with jewelry.

“I think what I really like about it is that the material is not like clay in how it can be manipulated,” Ian explained. “You really have to learn to work with it, not control it. I think there’s a certain form of respect you have to have for the materials because if you don’t you could end up breaking, burning or cutting yourself.”

Lili has been making jewelry since elementary school. She’s owned her business Seeds and Weird Dreams since 2020.

“I make beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets,” Lili described. “It’s cool how much a few beads and some string or wire can do. Recently I’ve started recycling beads from jewelry I

find at thrift stores or that I have from childhood into my pieces.”

Lili sells her handmade items on Instagram and Depop, as well as at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and an occasional craft fair, such as the annual Peach Blossom Festival in June at the Academy.

“I love the feeling of giving a new life to something old or discarded,” said Lili, who graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Phenomenology of Religion. “I love tuning everything out and getting lost in the creation process. I love coming out the other side with a piece of art that expresses something small yet inarticulable and that can make someone’s daily life a little prettier.”

Katarina, or “Kiki,” was drawn toward the performing arts. Preferably with a microphone in hand, the stage and piano are her

outlets. At WMA and despite being a Grade 9 student, she’s already acted in two winter musicals. She had a solo in the Academy’s version of “The Best of Broadway” in Grade 8, then sang in 12 songs for this year’s showing of “Xanadu.”

“I like to use myself as an art form,” said Kiki, who also enjoys drawing and sculpting. “I find it

freeing and it makes me happy. With acting, being part of that and the opportunity to work with other people (is a great experience). With singing, it’s one of those things you can always carry with you. With music in general, being able to sit down at a piano and play a song, it’s so versatile. They’re all beautiful art forms that I really like.”

Lili ’16

Ian ’21

Photo by Gabe Araujo

Senior Stone Senior Stone Kiki ’26

WMA ‘prepared the groundwork to seek out the good’

IIt’s worth noting that I’m writing this reflection on a day that my cup is full.

I’ve spent the day—one of our ever-slimming handful of days snuck over holidays—with my closest friend from the years I spent at WMA. A near-permanent fixture of the Academy community, the name Alex Garrison ’18 may be familiar to you. I’m beaming to share that today, in the refreshingly cold and quiet January daylight, Alex and I do nothing much. We practice the art of “the hang.” 1 We sit on the floor in her childhood bedroom. We drive to Chipotle, which is now a rare treat for her when she is back in the U.S. (I inevitably forget my Chipotle leftovers in her fridge, an old-habitdying-hard from the days when I could just pick it up tomorrow. Instead, it will be tossed away as she catches a flight back to Scotland.) Her brother Liam ’20 reminds us that we are, in fact, old when we realize

our five-year reunion is impending. We surprise our former advisor and coach Durelle Brown at a Girls Varsity Basketball game, participating in an unspoken agreement and silently slipping into the team room after the clock runs out. We listen to him lecture on the nature of toughness; how it is an attitude, the ways we buckle down and dig in deeper even in the moments that nothing seems to sway in our direction. We murmur our agreement as he speaks about the power of will, knowing too well how this speech goes.

Today, Alex and I do nothing much. By which I mean to say that today, we go about a small portion of the seemingly endless days that we used to share five years ago. Though today, we are aware that this proximity, this closeness to each other in which we have made a home, is a privilege. When I was 17, I signed the form that confirmed my Senior Stone would read “see the good.” Shortly after I laid said stone at Commencement, I stood onstage (admittedly sweating under the bright lights on a balmy May morning) and reminded my class one of our defining characteristics: “We are happy. We know how to see the good and how to seek it out when it isn’t obvious and how to embrace every moment, for each of those moments are our lives.”

Truthfully, I do think this. I stand by its sentiment every time I hear my friends laugh over video call despite being thousands of miles

away and not having seen each other in months. I sense it through LinkedIn updates on those I’ve watched succeed from the periphery. For the friends who now reside in faraway time zones, it is confirmed through semiregular check-ins via text. If there is one relic from my time at WMA that I have held close in the years since, it is this strong sense of instilled happiness within our community. Still, it’s worth noting that today I intend to complicate this message.

My name is Jade Justice Chlapowski ’18. In my years at the Academy, I defined myself as a writer, a poet, a volleyball player, a friend, a mentor and a mentee, and the Girls Varsity Basketball team manager. Today, most of these attributes still ring true. Having graduated from Columbia in May 2022, I am now a technical writer for a boutique immigration law firm. I spend my weekends playing volleyball with my newfound connections in Boston. I occasionally make an appearance at postgame team meetings and stay in touch via group chat in the meantime. I’ve watched my friends grow and have grown alongside

them, rooting each other on every step of the way, despite the many state borders separating us. I still, admittedly, call Mr. Brown for some advising time on the days that being a 20-something feels particularly daunting. Most importantly, I consider myself a disciple of joy.

In my time at the Academy, I wrote more frequently than I perhaps ever had before, in classrooms and removed from them, thanks to my educators who recognized my love of the written word and encouraged me vehemently to pursue it. I spent hours editing articles for the Atlas, learning about the precision of language under their guidance. I founded the poetry club and connected for the first time with peers who shared this interest. I applied to be Commencement speaker and was selected, all as a product of a much-needed push from Mr. Brown who deemed it as a prerequisite for taking me on as an advisee. I learned how to write about the things that mattered to me, how to translate this act of caring into words and to share it with others. These experiences were formative in shaping my direction

in the years to follow. At Columbia, I studied Human Rights with a specialization in English. I spent three years as a writer and editor for a campus narrative journalism publication, and was the poetry genre editor for the first on-campus book review magazine. I garnered all of the experiences that drove the beginnings of my passions at WMA and leveraged them as tools for academic and social navigation, in turn investing part of myself in each new community I entered.

It was also during my time at WMA that I discovered my favorite poet and essayist, Ross Gay. His writing has held my hand as we learned how to navigate and survive the overbearing nature of “unprecedented times” that defined that last few years. When the pandemic sent my class home from our sophomore year of college unexpectedly, when we dealt with the loss of loved ones and grappled with life in isolation, when racism reared its ugly head and we rallied despite fear and anger across the country, I turned to Gay’s meditations on joy. In his writing, I found solace and comfort; a practice of self-care that I learned through my WMA years. I turned to my own writing as well, reflecting deeply on the message I left my graduating class with: “We know how to see the good.” I sought out ways to see the good during moments of difficulty, all the while recognizing that seeing the good does not equate to ignoring the bad, the difficult and the heavy.

In his latest collection of essays, Gay asks “But what happens if joy is not separate from pain? What if joy and pain are fundamentally tangled up with one another?” This question leads me to think about

arguably the most important lesson I have retained from my WMA years, and it is not one of grammar or syntax or MLA format. It is instead the way in which my time spent at the Academy framed my thinking about my approach to life. From my peers and my mentors, I learned how to sit with sorrow, to not dismiss pain but to harness it in my pursuit of the things that make the day-to-day sweeter. I hear Mr. Brown’s mantra echo in my head: “It’s an attitude.” When I sit in the team meeting with Alex, he mentions how smiles are brighter on the day after pushing yourself to run more shuttles than normal and waking up to realize you didn’t die.

It’s worth noting that my key reflections on my WMA experience do not revolve around a coach’s philosophy on running shuttles nor my introduction to my favorite author. Rather, I tell you all of this to illustrate that the mentality I gained at the Academy is one that has shown up in my life each day since. It is to say that these experiences taught me first-hand what it means to smile sweeter after accomplishing something that I thought to be too arduous, to find joy amidst trying times and to do so in a way that feels uniquely my own. To that end, WMA offered me a leviathan of a life lesson in pursuing the things that spark joy as a mode of building community, withstanding obstacles, and continuously striving toward personal growth and fulfillment.

When I put down the red pen for this evening, I will end up at the apartment of Zoe Bloomfield ’18. We will pass the time laughing as we recount the highs and lows of our week over bowls of vegan pasta, practicing once again the art of “the

hang.” Inevitably, a memory from our high school years together will arise, and we will giddily stumble our way through explaining the context to my partner. We’ll use more precise language now than we would have then, having garnered years of experience honing our ability to convey “what the feeling of joy makes us do, or how it makes us be.” 2 In moments like this, I am reminded that there are parts of us which will perpetually be nostalgic for our own memories, namely of those from the Academy, the privilege of which isn’t lost on me. And sitting in the minimally furnished kitchen of her new

At Commencement, Columbia 2022

apartment, I will somehow be 17 again, or perhaps this is just what 22 feels like. Nonetheless, it is days like these that make me feel joyous. I trust that the seed for sharing joy and indulging in it was planted during my time at WMA, having prepared the groundwork to seek out the good throughout the years since. If there is only one thing that you take away from my meditation on how WMA’s instilled sense of joy has impacted my trajectory, allowing me to embrace the world with open arms and a self-assured contentment, let it be this: “It’s why I think of joy, which gets us to love, as being a practice of survival.” 3

1 Ross Gay’s Inciting Joy: “a synonym for which is visiting” (45); Which is to say that not once did we check our text messages or shoot a side eye to the clock or say that this has been lovely but we’d better get going. We have honed the art of the hang through many hours spent around a table in the Rich lobby, in Mattern’s study rooms and on couches in the spa.

2 Page 9: Ross Gay, Inciting Joy

3 Page 10: Ross Gay, Inciting Joy

Emily Dromgold ’17

by bill W ells Director of Student Promotion

TTrips to the beach are often enjoyable.

For Wilbraham & Monson Academy faculty member Emily Dromgold ’17, an unexpected encounter at a beach in Ireland proved to be not just memorable, but also inspirational.

Ms. Dromgold’s fictional short story “Love You NPP” was published in “Howl: New Irish

Writing” in November. She wrote the piece while she pursued her Masters of Arts in creative writing at University College Cork in Ireland for a year.

“‘Love You NPP (Ned Percyous Pickles)’ was a recent short story published in a collection that featured new writers inspired by Ireland,” Ms. Dromgold said. “As Ireland is a major influence in my literary heritage and writing, being published in a collection carried by major bookstores in the country (like Waterstones) feels incredibly special. It means that in a small way, my voice may contribute to a long tradition of storytellers and writers as well.”

The Wellesley College graduate didn’t go to Achill Island that day with the intention of finding a story. However, when a dog brought her a stone and the two began to play fetch, Ms. Dromgold’s creative wheels began to turn.

“From the inspiration of his character, I shaped the piece around the idea of unconditional love presented in the form of the bond between a young woman and her dog,” Ms. Dromgold explained. “I also wanted to blend genres, bringing together more lyrical prose with mystery and thriller storytelling styles. I am also fascinated by the extraordinary captured in moments that feel quite ordinary. This story incorporates this type of exploration.”

Ms. Dromgold, a member of WMA’s English Department, has been published more than 20 times. Her latest work earned a 2022 Pushcart Prize nomination.

“I love the freedom that writing gives me,” Ms. Dromgold said. “When I share my writing, I share the form of expression where I feel most like myself and most at home. My thoughts and stories are received without the influence of my appearance, background or other variables of my identity that could change the nature of how someone understands and connects to my work.”

Ms. Dromgold publishes under the name Emily Anna King in honor of the strong women in her life. King is her grandmother’s maiden name. She also publishes her name in Chinese to honor her heritage: 我中⽂的名字是锡萍芳.

at a G lance

Ms. Dromgold’s works have been published and shared through the following mediums:

journal S

Cork Words 3

Cuirt New Writers Ireland

Cutthroat Journal

Empower BOW

Greatest City Diary

Howl Literary Magazine

Lily Poetry Review

No Parties Magazine

Otherwise Engaged

Pamplemousse

Paragon Press

SoloPoJo Recording

The Rubicon

The Wellesley Review

Tír na nÓg

Wingless Dreamer

Z Publishing

pu S hcart prize nomination

Cutthroat Journal

readin GS

O’Bheal, Poetry Festival Cork

Bridges and Borders

Carnegie Mellon

‘I love the freedom that writing gives me’

When I share my writing, I share the form of expression where I feel most like myself and most at home.” emily dr O mg O ld ’17

“The actual dog who inspired the story. I called him ‘Sailer.’” —Emily

Emily with her best friends from Ireland: Sam, left, and Ray, middle.

Dromgold ’17

Fall Reunion 2022

The Reunion Celebration

WILBRAHAM & MONSON ACADEMY

Friday, October 28 - Saturday, October 29

On a beautiful late October day, the campus welcomed back members of the 50th reunion class and above for the second year in a row. This newer tradition allows these distinguished alumni the opportunity to interact with students and see a WMA that is bustling with activity. The day featured classroom visits, tours of campus, unique experiences in the iLab and concluded with an intimate dinner with the Board of Trustees.

We look forward to hosting the classes of 1973 and above this fall on Friday, Oct. 27!

1 Joseph Merritt Jr. ’57W, right, with wife, Joan Merritt, left, and daughter Karen Young.

2 Douglas Hannah ’71W, left, and Kelvin Tyler ’71W celebrated their 51st Reunion.

3 Dr. Knowlton Utley III ’55M celebrated his 67th Reunion.

4 Gold Key guided tours of campus. From left, back row: Michael MacDonald ’72, Mark Rattan ’72 and Hillary Sullivan ’72; front row: Marisa Cyboron ’24 and Ava Aguiar ’23.

5 From left: Peter Harrington ’72, Daniel Kunhardt Jr. ’72, Hillary Sullivan ’72, Dr. Mark Keroack ’72, Frederick Blackwell ’72, John Sullivan Jr. ’72, Diane and Robert Faulkner Sr. ’53W, and Jane Sullivan.

6 From left: Joseph Merritt Jr. ’57W, Karen Baglio and her father, Mitchell Garabedian ’55W, listen as Dylan Shonak ’27 explains a robotics project.

7 Mark Rattan ’72, right, sat in on Ms. Hutcheson’s English class.

8 Reunion attendees listen to Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Economics & Finance Jim Irzyk, right, lecture. From left: Frederick Rathbone Jr. ’62M, Diane and Robert Faulkner Sr. ’53W, Karen Baglio and her father, Mitchell Garabedian ’55W.

9 Head of School Brian P. Easler, right, speaks with Dr. Mark Keroack ’72.

10 Flipping through years gone by.

11 James Hyfantis ’68W, left, speaks with Dr. Raymond Anton ’61M, center, and Board of Trustees Chair Scott Jacobs ’75 during cocktail hour.

12 James Hyfantis ’68W, left, and Jeffrey Berselli ’68M celebrated their 54th Reunion.

13 Mitchell Garabedian ’55W proudly displays the leather luggage tag which he engraved himself using one of the state of the art machines in the iLab.

14 Members of the WMA Administrative Team hosted a panel discussion in Alumni Memorial Chapel.

Photos: Jordan Tavenner Photography

Every Stone has a Story: Grant Renier ’55W

b y K yle O’brien Director of Alumni Relations

In 1947, Wilbraham Academy Headmaster Charles Stevens was looking for a way to define campus, perhaps through the addition of stone walls. Rodman Cart ’47W had the unique idea of adding student’s names to the top of the wall and, as they say, the rest is history. The collaborative ideas of these two men resulted in the creation of the Alumni Wall, which is now a series of walls in various parts of the campus on which graduating classes leave their Senior Stones.

From “The Hill” to the front of Rich Hall, along Main Street, on Faculty Street and now past the Athletic Center, Academy alumni have designed and left their own, unique 10-inch-by-7.5-inch mark on our campus. All told, approximately 6,600 Senior Stones are permanent fixtures of both individual and Academy history.

In the Fall 2022 issue of Academy World, our Art Director Chris Tinnesz wrote that our Senior Stones are “fingerprints (sometimes literally) of the student experience.”

I couldn’t agree with him more. The beauty of each Senior Stone is that it is so unique, just like fingerprints. Whether it be a sports symbol, an image of an individual’s face or just their initials, each stone tells a story. And sometimes, the simplest design can tell the most wonderful story.

Take the Senior Stone of Grant Renier ’55W: The postgrad was looking for a prep school because he was unsure of the path he wanted to pursue in college and was attracted to the Academy because of the high percentage of international students. In the end, his roommate Olli Kokkonen ’55W from Finland became a lifelong friend.

For Mr. Renier, the tradition of the Senior Stones was important to him.

“I was proud to be part of Wilbraham, graduate from Wilbraham and leave my mark,” he said.

When he went to design his stone, the choice of what to carve was easy. For years, he had been signing off all his paintings and designs with this “code”—an interconnected “G” and “R”—that represented his initials.

“And the elliptic circles are meant to represent planets going around the moon,” Mr. Renier said.

Although easy enough to miss at first, upon closer inspection there are interlocking circles in the background of the design still present almost 70 years later. Mr. Renier explained he had a strong interest in astronomy at the time.

Looking at the stone, one would think that it had been professionally carved, but Mr. Renier assured me he did the work himself, as was

alumni: seni O r st O nes

I was proud to be part of Wilbraham, graduate from Wilbraham and leave my mark.”

grant renier ’55 W

customary for the time. When asked if it had been soaked in the Rubicon, as WMA lore contends, he couldn’t remember if that ritual was part of his experience; he just remembers the fond feeling of doing it at the same time as other classmates and being connected through the shared experience.

Grant has fond memories of Howe Newell, who taught English at the time. Mr. Newell fought in the first World War and was injured, but had a tremendous voice—“His room was on the second floor of Rich, but you could hear him halfway across campus!”

He also gives credit to Phil Shaw, who was his Varsity Soccer coach, taught science and physics, and was instrumental in “helping me push through a greater awareness of physics and science.”

Mr. Renier used that newfound knowledge from Mr. Shaw and went to Purdue University, where he majored in engineering and mathematics

and later attended the University of Michigan to earn his MBA in behavioral science and economics.

He worked for Exxon and was based in Peru for 6 ½ years as an internal consultant for the company. However, in 1968 a coup in Lima occurred, and Mr. Renier was given the order to get all company employees out of the country. In the process, he was taken hostage for almost four months.

Once released and safely back in the U.S., Exxon reassigned Mr. Renier to New York, where he entered the field of computer modeling. This truly was a turning point as it introduced him to the possibility of simulating behavior through computer systems.

Mr. Renier later left Exxon to take a CFO position with a Fortune 500 company, before leaving in 1976 to start his own business focused on

AI technology. Since that point, the AI technology he developed has been implemented in many applications such as those that manage money, predict NFL football games, political elections, the number of COVID-19 cases and resulting deaths, as well as many more. Mr. Renier has also written a book about his AI technology and does weekly blog posts and podcasts.

Mr. Renier is married and has two grown children, a son and daughter. He is passionate about cycling, sailing and, of course, the continued study of human behavior.

Just like so many other alumni that came before and after him, Mr. Renier’s story will continue to be told as long as his Senior Stone remains part of the revered wall that winds its way through campus, weaving into the fabric of campus itself and permanently connecting him back to the Academy and its community.

• Grant Renier ’55W, Senior Stone

Edward ‘Eddie’ Shore Jr. ’48W

Hall of Famer reflects 75 years after graduation

by sean Valentine Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations

B“Bruins Defense Star, Eddie Shore, To Speak In Wilbraham Chapel” read the headline of the Atlas student newspaper in the Fall of 1939. Eddie Shore Sr. was a legend, and his playing career was later ranked as the 10th best in the first 100 years of the National Hockey League. A few months before his speaking engagement at Wilbraham Academy, Mr. Shore purchased the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League, setting the stage for professional hockey in the Pioneer Valley ever since.

It is fun to picture Edward “Eddie” Shore Jr. ’48W sitting in the Chapel pews among blazerclad students watching his father speak, but it likely didn’t happen. Now 92, Eddie Jr. has no recollection of the event. What does stand out from this time is the birth of his own love of hockey.

“I started skating at 9, so it would have been around then. I played hockey until 1981, and last skated in the 1990s,” Eddie Jr. said. “I coached. I taught skating. I refereed. Drove the Zamboni. All that kind of stuff.”

Don’t be fooled. “All that kind of stuff” covers a career that earned him placement in three Halls of Fame—Springfield Hockey, Frank J. Zamboni and American International College Sports. But Eddie Jr. got going over four years at Wilbraham Academy in the late 1940s.

That speech by his father in 1939 may have been the spark that led his parents to send him to Wilbraham, where Eddie Jr. started as a day student in the Fall of 1944.

“Gebo’s Garage had a ’37 Chevy extended body,” Eddie Jr. recalled. “You could fit 10 –12 kids in one of those. A driver from the garage would pick up a bunch of kids and then take us home each day. There was no school bus.”

Although Eddie Jr. played other sports, it was hockey that was the biggest part of his Wilbraham experience. He started on the varsity

squad his freshman year under Coach Leonard Holder. Let’s just say, it was a different time.

“We didn’t have an indoor rink, nor access to one, so in preseason we’d practice in the Smith Gymnasium on the basketball floor in our shoes using pucks and sticks,” Eddie Jr. said.

Once the pond (Crystal Pond near the current Athletic Center) located between Rich Hall and the Fieldhouse froze over, the team moved outside.

“They’d put up boards maybe 2 –3 feet high,” Eddie Jr. said. “Those were to keep the pucks in. You couldn’t check anyone or they’d go right over the top!”

This lack of access to quality ice time, combined with a corresponding lack of true home games, probably contributed to the team’s losing record during Eddie Jr.’s freshman season. They dropped five of six contests, a tie with Loomis being the only bright spot.

By this time Eddie’s Jr.’s father operated the Springfield Coliseum (later known as the Eastern States Coliseum in West Springfield) where his professional team played. Perhaps sensing that the optics of his son practicing on a gym floor and losing high pucks to the reeds was less than ideal, Eddie Sr. worked out some kind of deal with Academy Athletics Director John Walsh to rent ice time at the Coliseum.

The Garnet & Blue, as the team referred to themselves, began practicing and playing home games there for the 1945–46 season. The impact wasn’t immediately apparent.

“A six-game schedule was planned,” said a 1946 Del Todo (yearbook) entry, “but because of weather we were only able to play two of these, both away.”

Wilbraham defeated Loomis, but lost to Athol High School.

“In both games,” according to the yearbook, “Shore and (Charles) Beelby (’47W) played a player’s game and showed they have what it takes.”

Senior Stone, 1948

His sophomore year saw other changes for Eddie Jr. His mother passed away, and his father’s busy schedule meant being a day student wasn’t feasible any more.

“Dad was spending a lot of time in New Haven with his team at that time,” Eddie Jr. said. “He didn’t want me living in our apartment alone, so off to campus I went.”

Eddie Jr. moved into Rich Hall (Room 201) and stayed a boarding student through his graduation.

But something clicked with the hockey s quad in his junior year. Eddie Jr. was one of four returning players for the 1946 –47 season and contributed to the team going 7 –3, including a five-game winning streak.

“Probably the most successful campaign any hockey team has ever had at the Academy,” as published in the 1947 yearbook.

Eddie Jr.’s senior year has a better claim to that moniker. Perhaps the hours at the Coliseum finally kicked in. Perhaps it was Coach Charles Hayes’ lucky brown felt hat (as Mr. Hayes apparently claimed). Or maybe it was Eddie’s influence as the most seasoned player on the squad, having played nearly every game all four years.

Whatever it was, the team had an undefeated season, including crushing victories of 5– 0 over Westfield, 8–0 against Monson Academy and 9–2 over Williston. They outscored their opponents 59 –10 over a 10-game schedule.

Recalling the season, Eddie Jr. said: “You can’t make chicken salad without the ingredients. That year we had them. I don’t have one compelling memory of my playing time at Wilbraham that stands out from the rest, but that season was pretty special.”

After graduation, Eddie Jr. attended Colgate University and then American International College. He went into the family business with his father, becoming promotion director and building manager of the Eastern States Coliseum, and as coach, general manager, VP and President of the Springfield Indians. He started Coliseum Concessions and ran it for 30 years. A list of all his professional and civic accomplishments would run pages—three Hall of Fame inductions, remember?

Through it all, Eddie Jr.’s connection to WMA has never wavered. His two sons, Edward W. Shore III ’79 and Robert C. Shore ’81, both attended the Academy, and his daughter-in-law Katherine (Rossiter) is also a 1979 graduate. Both boys played hockey, and Eddie Jr. was the team’s assistant coach.

He has spent decades as a dedicated class agent, volunteer and supporter. In 2008, Eddie Jr. was honored with the Service to the Academy Award.

With the WMA Boys Varsity Hockey team completing their first full season in two decades, Eddie Jr. was asked what he thought the sport can teach.

“Teamwork,” he said. “Teamwork and camaraderie. You win as a team or lose as one. There is no individual glory.”

award S & accolade S

• Northeast Ice Skating Managers Association Frank Zamboni Hall of Fame Award (2013)

• WMA Service to the Academy Award (2008)

• Massachusetts Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year (2008)

• Springfield Hockey Hall of Fame (2002)

• American International College Board of Trustees (Elected Alumni Representative)

• American International College Sports Hall of Fame (2011)

• President of AIC Alumni Varsity Club

• Trustee of the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club

• Past President, two time Lieutenant Governor and former Vice President of the Kiwanis Foundation of New England

• Emeritus Member of the Board of Governors at Shriners Hospital and Past Potentate of the Melha Shriners

Senior photo, 1948

from Left: Son-in-law Jeff Pokorny, son Bob Shore ’81 and his wife Linda Shore, Eddie Shore Jr. ’48W and his wife Evie, daughter Cathy Pokorny, Eddie Shore III ’79 and Ed “Liam” Shore IV.

Team photo from 1948.

Eddie Shore Jr., center, during a ceremonial puck drop during an NHL game between the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals during the 2017–2018 season.

WMA Night at the Thunderbirds

On Dec. 9, 2022, 50 WMA staff, parents, students and alumni came together to watch the Springfield Thunderbirds take on the Grand Rapids Griffins in an American Hockey League game at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Although the home team lost in overtime, the WMA community still had a fantastic time. We would like to thank our event hosts Chris and Candy Bignell P’23, ’24, Theodore and Angela Chagnon P’06, ’27 and WMA Atlas Fund Co-Chair Mike Dolaher ’90 for all their help in making the evening a huge success.

1 Kylie Bignell ’23, left, and mother, Candace Bignell P’23, ’24. 2 Chris Bignell P’23, ’24, Thunderbirds mascot Boomer and Andrew Finn P’27, ’29. 3 WMA community members got to have the unique experience of being invited out onto the ice after the game.

4 Boomer poses with alumni relative Joseph Slater. 5 Alumni, current students, parents and even some future alumni were able to take a shot on goal after the game!

6 The children of Leigh Anne Litz ’99 Scotty, Hannah and Gabby pose with Boomer.

7 Boomer with Lorenzo, left, and Matteo Tarantino, children of WMA staff member Lilliam Tarantino. 8 Director of Advancement Mark Aimone, center, takes a photo with Alexander Williamson ’07, in his vintage WMA hockey jersey, and wife Janice Williamson.

9 Eddie Shore Jr. ’48W, right, and his son Edward Shore III ’79 stand with the plaque dedicated to Eddie for his many years of service and involvement with Springfield Hockey.

10 Lily Meier ’26, left, and father, William Meier.

Contributing photographer: Gary Thibault Jr.

Titan Hockey on road to success

by brian p easler Head of School

WWhen we restarted the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Hockey program, we anticipated a gradual buildup of both girls and boys teams from a coed club the first year into gender-specific junior varsity and then varsity teams over the two or three years that followed. As the saying goes, no plan survives first contact. We adjusted.

The boys team grew rapidly, assisted by the 20 or so male hockey players who were already attending WMA, initiating a change of plans and a jump straight to a six-game JV schedule the first year.

During the 2022–2023 school year, the Boys Varsity team competed in a

25-game varsity prep school schedule, with a mix of some returning boys and some recruits who were attracted to WMA by coaches Barry Almeida and TJ Syner. A handful of JV boys practiced with coach Jonathan Webb ’04, and we anticipate that team filling out more next year.

For now, both teams practice and play out of nearby Enfield (Connecticut) Twin Rinks, where they each have branded WMA locker rooms.

For the girls team and because we only had two female hockey players attending at the time, we hired a highly-respected female coach from a local college program and gave her a role in the Admission Office so that she could simultaneously build her team and assist with female enrollment in general.

All was going well, until her alma mater Westminster School wooed her away for an Assistant AD position and head coach of her high school team. With her departure and insufficient time to find a new coach, most of the 10 or so hockey female athletes who she had recruited declined enrollment for this year. This was a disheartening turn of events. It would have literally been better to have done nothing than to have the new program collapse before it began.

Unsure of how we could resurrect a girls hockey program after such a setback, we realized we have a tremendous opportunity already lurking in our midst. Pat Tabb, owner of Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts, had enrolled his daughter Hailey in our Middle School as a Grade 6 student this year. Coach Tabb

has all the things we would need to regain our girls hockey momentum— he is a highly respected hockey coach, particularly for girls, with a reputation for building the kind of teams for which families clamor—and he owns a rink where he controls the ice time and which can accommodate a WMA locker room for the girls.

Now, we are thrilled to announce that Coach Tabb will lead the creation of our girls hockey program as the Girls Varsity Head Coach. Although Coach Tabb has already begun recruiting, we plan to launch the team during the 2024–25 season with a full 25-game varsity prep schedule. This will give Coach Tabb a full season to recruit the most powerful team he can assemble, to begin from a position of strength, and for him to work with Director of Athletics Don Nicholson ’79 to find a fitting female Assistant Coach and carve out a schedule.

In many ways, this is a much better position for the creation of a Girls Hockey program. We could not be more excited to begin the inaugural season of Titan Girls Hockey in a little more than a year.

As the hockey programs are taking shape, we continue to explore rink options that would be closer to the WMA campus for the long-term development of the program.

To this end, we have contracted the services of a consulting firm to complete a Market Feasibility Study, which is nearly finished. Once we have a better idea of the local ice market and the feasibility of an additional facility, we will collaborate with other local organizations and institutions to consider whatever options might be possible.

Starting a program like prep school hockey was never going to be easy, but, like the students who graduate from the Academy, WMA seeks challenges and does not shy away from adversity—we embrace it. What better environment could there be for the creation of a top-notch hockey program?

Dr. Kathleen M. Gorski was an inspiration to Wilbraham & Monson Academy students as a faculty member and Chair of the Science Department from 2008–2018. Throughout her time at WMA, Dr. Gorski was known for spearheading the adaptation of new technologies and developing the STEM curriculum. She was the driving force behind the creation of the Innovation & Tinkering Lab in Mattern Hall, which was envisioned as the first step in a much larger plan. It was partially completed when Dr. Gorski passed away in 2018 after a battle with cancer. With the completion of the iLab, Dr. Gorski’s vision has been fully realized.

The Dr. Kathleen M. Gorski iLab Fund is part of our endowment and will directly support the iLab through the purchase of lab materials, maintenance and upgrades to lab equipment, professional development for iLab focused faculty and staff, and other lab related needs.

To grow the fund—and increase its impact on students—a group of generous lead donors are issuing a matching challenge: The first $50,000 in gifts to the Gorski Fund will be matched 1:1!

make a G ift to the G or S ki fund today!

The Dr. Kathleen M. Gorski iLab Fund has been established to honor Dr. Gorski and support the ongoing operations of the iLab.

• Dr. Gorski, front row right, with WMA Science Department in 2014.

• Dr. Gorski, right, with students during a WMA led trip to Iceland in June 2017.

• Dr. Gorski following her passion for science during a trip to Antarctica.

• Dr. Gorski in the classroom, 2010

If These Walls Could Talk

The main hallway in the Athletic Center features four trophy cases that showcase many student, team and coaching accomplishments that date back to the days of Wesleyan Academy. This issue highlights two of these cases and a variety of sports.

6

7

8

11

12

1 Berkshire Hudson Ski League Overall Season Champions, 2003

2 3rd annual New England Prep School Class B Basketball Champions, 1969

3 7th annual New England Prep School Class B Basketball Champions, 1973

4 New England Prep School Swimming Championship –Female, 2013

5 Timothy D. Jessup ’87, Water Polo – WMA Hall of Fame induction, 2009

Signed Water Polo ball from first varsity season, 1986–1987

NEPSAC Football Finalists: Kevin Fleming Bowl, 2016

Monson vs. Wilbraham First Prize – Dual Meet, Jan. 29, 1917

9 Monson Academy Football team – undefeated season, 1966

10 Vin Brucatti Memorial Award – Western Mass. Football Sportsmanship Award

Wilbraham Academy Football, 1952 season (donated by Cole Hansen ’17)

Somers Wrestling Duals –Sportsmanship A Division, 1998

The Athletic Center trophy cases have hundreds of people walk by them each day, but how many people really stop to scan these storehouses of Academy history dating back into the 19th century? When you stop and look into these cases, it is like taking a time machine back into the history of Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham Academy, Monson Academy and Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

As a WMA alumnus, former athlete, coach and athletic director, these cases hold so many memories

of WMA individual and team athletic accomplishments or treasures from our athletic history. Some of the pictures, plaques and trophies may have faded over time, but they can still be a window for us to learn more about and celebrate the legacy of Wilbraham & Monson athletics. Take a look!”

Director of Athletics & Afternoon Programs

13 Wrestling team and Coach Phil Cardone, 9–4 record, 1992–93

14 Riflery – Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Association winner/junior, 1973; “To Hugh Harrell in appreciation, David B. Lyman ’74.”

15 Wrestling: Class A champions list

England

‘To see it in person was definitely an experience I won’t forget’

by ryan c OO ley  ’26

During Spring Vacation, four students Jessica Ethier ’23, Nick Gutin ’24, Malena Donovan ’25 and Ryan Cooley ’26 and faculty advisors Mr. Paul Bloomfield and Mrs. Amy Crocker had the opportunity to travel to England through the Hubbard Fund for British Cultural Travel.

On the trip, the students had the opportunity to explore British history through visits to museums and important sites including the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the British museum. It was here where students were able to see some of the most important artifacts in history, including the art and sculpture collections of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Friezes.

Students also visited many significant landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the

residence of the British royal family, Westminster Abbey, the cathedral in which royal coronations and funerals take place, as well as the burial site for 30 kings and queens and the Tower of London, a fortress that was used as both a palace and a prison and houses the Crown Jewels.

This author said that “being able to visit these museums and landmarks was a remarkable experience because the group was able to learn about so much of the world’s history, and especially about British impact on history, in the places where the world-changing events actually happened.”

One of the most interesting places that the group traveled to was St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in 1675. The cathedral is the largest in London and features impressive Baroque architecture steeped in centuries of history. Inside the chapel, many famous people are buried, including the architect Christopher Wren, Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.

“My favorite part of the trip was the visit

to St. Paul’s Cathedral,” Nick said. “It was interesting to see all the years of history throughout the cathedral, how people that were alive hundreds of years apart from each other were now laying right beside one another.”

Jess said that she loved St. Paul’s Cathedral and was fascinated by the architecture and mosaic artwork inside.

The group also traveled outside of London to visit Hampton Court Palace, built for King Henry VIII, Stonehenge, the ancient stone monoliths built more than 5,000 years ago and the Roman Baths in the city of Bath, one of the most well-preserved areas from Roman Britain.

Nick shared, that to him, one of the most interesting places on the trip was Stonehenge. He was fascinated by “the mystery surrounding it and how those rocks could be moved such a great distance before the invention of the wheel. To see it in person was definitely an experience I won’t forget.”

In addition to exploring British history, the students also had the opportunity to explore British culture through two shows on London’s West End: “Cabaret” and “Six.” Through these productions, students explored the history of World War II as well as the stories of King Henry VIII’s wives. Although in very different time periods, the two shows tell stories about two of the most fascinating times in British history.

Students also had the opportunity to learn about British culture through food. As London is a melting pot of cultures from around the world, students were able to try foods from around the world, including dishes from India, Lebanon, South Africa and Japan, as well as local English food.

A greater respect for all points of view in order to fashion a more equitable and just world is the ideal outcome.”

mr. bl OO mfield

• At the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, from left: Ryan Cooley ’26, Malena Donovan ’25, Nick Gutin ’24 and Jessica Ethier ’23.

Jess loved the opportunity to try a variety of foods from various cultures and said that previously, she “hadn’t been able to experience authentic restaurants such as those we had in London. Whether it was Lebanese, Indian or English food, it was so interesting to understand the different cuisine each culture has.”

Because of their trip exploring so much of British history and culture, the students were able to experience the similarities between the U.S. and U.K. through an in-depth exploration of British history and through experiencing the shared history and important cultural ties between the nations.

Malena said that, “Traveling to London certainly enhanced my understanding of the similarities and differences between the U.S. and the U.K. Direct experience and observation provided a deeper level of insight into the social, cultural and political dynamics of the U.K.”

In addition, one of the most important outcomes of this trip was that students were able to experience the vast diversity and multiculturalism of the world.

“The students experienced a wide range of cultural and historical inputs,” Mr. Bloomfield said. “Student world views should be contextualized as a result. To see beyond one’s

own street, neighborhood, language and customs helps objectify previously held views, and advances greater understanding of how the rest of the world may operate and perceive towards the USA. Ultimately, a greater respect for all points of view in order to fashion a more equitable and just world is the ideal outcome.”

Mrs. Crocker agreed: “I think the students were exposed to many different kinds of places, from museums to medieval palaces, to cathedrals and theater and this broadened their views of the world. In a place where the same language is spoken, we heard so many different languages and saw people from all over the world. I don’t think there is any way this wouldn’t have a positive impact on the students and bring them an appreciation of diversity.”

Overall, this trip was an amazing and life - changing experience for the students. They were able to travel to and dive deep into England’s rich history, culture and impact on the world throughout history.

“It was amazing being surrounded by other students and chaperones who were excited to learn about the culture and history of England just as much as I was,” Jess said. “I had never had the opportunity to travel outside the country before . . . and this trip made me wonder about other countries and cultures.”

Mr. Bloomfield echoed this sentiment and shared his hope that, “When students return to New England . . perhaps they can appreciate the threads that link the two nations together and continue seeking connections to the rest of the world.”

the hubbard fund for briti S h cultural travel

Created in 2008 by Mr. and Mrs. Leverett M. Hubbard Jr., The Hubbard Fund for British Cultural Travel provides funding for four students and two faculty to visit England to “instill in them an appreciation for the history and culture of England and to understand through firsthand experience the connectedness of our two nations.”

• Ryan Cooley ’26, right, with trip chaperone and Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair Paul Bloomfield.

• At Stonehenge, from left: Jessica Ethier ’23, Nick Gutin ’24, Director of Health Services Amy Crocker, Malena Donovan ’25 and Ryan Cooley ’26.

France

After a day of recovering from travel jetlag and getting accustomed to the unfamiliar city, the group attended their first morning of class at the French Langue School. In the afternoon, students and chaperones took a walking tour of the city, which included seeing the Promenade des Anglais, Central Place Rossetti and the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral.

Afterward, the group walked up to Chateau de Nice, a waterfall that revealed a stunning view of the city.

The following day, the group attended another morning of classes and visited Eze, where it was guided through the medieval mountain town and toured the Fragonard perfume factory. During the tour, students learned about the perfume-making process and the various types of scents usually included, such as orange blossom, lemon, lavender, rose and the mimosa flower.

The next day, the group participated in their third day of classes and carried on to Monaco, a microstate situated on the French Riviera. Students viewed the Saint Nicholas Cathedral and the Palais du Prince. In addition, the group entered Monte Carlo, a wealthy Monaco neighborhood home to the Monte Carlo Casino.

During Spring Vacation, Madame Fabienne Dubois and Jon Brook, French teachers in the Wilbraham & Monson Academy World Languages Department, chaperoned an immersive trip to southern France and Paris.

The group of 18 students had a wide range of prior experience in regard to spoken French. While some students were raised with French-speaking parents or had studied advanced courses in the language, others had minimal to no exposure.

Students were placed in appropriate classes at the French Langue School in Nice for four mornings, during which they studied various topics including grammar, vocabulary, art, music and history with classmates from the

Academy and numerous other global nations.

Based on the educational opportunities provided in the school, students gained better communication abilities as they interacted with their host families and explored unique sights throughout the trip.

“It looks like French Florida,” Cooper Dwyer ’25 said upon the group’s arrival in Nice, a remark that was echoed by chaperones and students when greeted by palm trees, colorful structures and salt air.

Students settled in with their host families, a mixture of couples and small families, all well practiced in hosting foreign visitors and prepared to welcome students into their homes.

“I loved all the people we ended up meeting,” Mariana Mujica ’25 said. “It was nice to create a bond with my host mom, Claudine, who assured Brooke (McLaughlin ’25) and I that we were to treat her home like our own for the five days we stayed there.”

On the final day of their French language classes, students were presented with graduation certificates for their given level. During their afternoon excursion to the seaside village of Antibes, the group saw the sculpture Nomad and explored the Picasso Museum.

Next, the group spent the morning touring a chocolate factory in Nice and learned about the production of sweets with a specific emphasis

‘So thankful to . . . experience everything I’ve only read about firsthand’

by emma landry  ’25

Though the stairs were long and steep, the way the city looks is just amazing. Those little lights decorate the riversides like stars. That makes the tone of the city.” daV id zh O u ’26

• Writer Emma Landry ’25, right, with fellow Titan Kayla Makkiya ’25.

on incorporating candied fruits and flowers. Afterward, they boarded a train to the town of Villefranche-sur-Mer to spend time at the beach. Some students even put on swimsuits and tested out the chilly waters!

The group concluded their stay in the south of France with a visit to Aix-en-Provence, a day of lively marketplaces and street performances. Students also purchased fresh flowers as a gift for their gracious host families.

After parting ways with their host families, the group boarded the TGV, a high-speed train, for their trip from Nice to Paris the following morning. Students were greeted by their tour guide and spent the evening in Montmartre where they viewed Sacre Coeur Basilica. The group enjoyed dinner at a charming restaurant.

In a whirlwind of metro tickets and outrageous daily step counts, the following days in Paris passed in a blur.

Students spent several hours adventuring through the Louvre museum, with group

favorite sights including the “Mona Lisa” painting and the Egyptian exhibit. A guided walking tour revealed the outside of NotreDame, the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie.

To conclude the day, the group took a cruise along the Seine River and climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

“The best part of the trip was the tower top,” David Zhou ’26 said. “Though the stairs were long and steep, the way the city looks is just amazing. Those little lights decorate the riversides like stars. That makes the tone of the city.”

Finally, the group ventured to the Palace of Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe and the avenue Champs-Elysées. Sally Geoghegan ’24 commented that the tour of Versailles was her favorite part of the trip: “I was so thankful to be on the trip and get to experience everything I’ve only read about firsthand.”

A brief stop at the famous bakery Angelina was followed by a final group dinner at Le Procope, one of the oldest cafes in the city.

• Traveling Titans at the Eiffel Tower.

• from Left: Sally Geoghegan ’24, Natalie Kakule ’24, Mariana Mujica ’25, Callie Dunbar ’24 and Kylie Bignell ’23 in front of artwork of Jaume Plensa in Antibes.

South Africa

Integrating experiences and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable

by s O

Faculty, History & Social Sciences

As I stepped out of my room well, eco-cabin in Lesedi Village, I couldn’t help but feel relaxed. I could hear my students giggling and sometimes shrieking with laughter a few cabins away; I could hear the dull buzz of crickets gathering in the dusk; and most importantly, I couldn’t hear any cars.

Our first few days of our trip to South Africa had been spent moving at a breakneck speed through Johannesburg and Pretoria, trying to grasp the heavy history of this country we only had two weeks to get to know; Lesedi Village, tucked away in the bush, was a welcomed opportunity to slow down. And we really did need to slow down.

What we had seen, learned, heard and

experienced in the cultural and political capitals of South Africa required time for introspection. We toured Constitution Hill, the seat of South Africa’s Supreme Court, which was built on and amongst the ruins of four of the nation’s most infamous political prisons.

We spent a day in a refugee camp, where we saw stark parallels between the plight of the undocumented refugees and what happens on the southern border of the United States, and spent lots of time and emotional stamina reckoning with our own presence in such a place. But every night, we wandered around the neighborhood of Sandton, Johannesburg, the “Wall Street of Africa.” The contrasts South Africa offered were staggering, but grappling with the parallels between this country and the one WMA calls home was even more challenging. We heard the word “Ubuntu” frequently, which South Africans use to explain the essential “humanity” shared by all in their

nation; a high ideal, and even we tourists needed to reckon with it.

Lesedi offered peace, reflection and fun. I took myself for a walk through the “villages,” each of which was designed with eco-cabins to reflect the architecture of South Africa’s most prominent tribes, the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Sotho and Pedi. When I got back to our cabins one of my students said, “Ms. Mahoney! Your aura is glowing!” and as I looked around, I realized she could have said that about any of us we were starting to integrate our experiences and were getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. We were ready for adventure. Emboldened by the setting and feeling confident having conquered the city, the kids learned to dance, ate crocodile and worms, and laughed at their relative abilities to drum on rhythm. When night fell, co-chaperone and WMA English Department Chair Meg Lenihan Hutcheson and I watched the full moon make its way over the ridge and heard the kids’ quiet laughter from their cabins. We were ready for more, ready for the game drive.

There’s nothing like traveling with teenagers to provide perspective. Teenagers are highly emotional and highly social, which often means they are sensitive to the world around them and can identify opportunities for connection faster than adults. It also means that they are prone to

mmer mah O ney ’11

Each time we found a new beautiful animal claiming its place in its world, and in ours, and reminding us that we actually share the same world, the same energized and joyous excitement shocked the group into a shared silence.” s

ney ’11

• A pit stop on a game drive for, from left, Alvi Ahmed ’25, Cory Bignell ’24, Abigail Brunelle ’25, Sadie Lou Krause ’26, Julia Besse ’23, Lauren Lubarsky ’26 and Yuka Okuma ’25.

“check out” if they can’t find a connection teenagers, regardless of the generation in question, can’t tolerate “phoniness.”

So the silence in our jeep when we saw our first elephants was powerful. I wasn’t seeing a wild, beautiful, endangered animal by myself we were in it together. Joy and wonder reverberated through the group. We turned to each other, wide-eyed and breathless, and whispered, “Oh. Wow.” Everyone had a hand on someone else’s shoulder, squeezing each other as a reminder that, yes, this is really happening and, yes, we’re both seeing the same amazing thing. Each time we found a new beautiful animal claiming its place in its world, and in ours, and reminding us that we actually share the same world, the same energized and joyous excitement shocked the group into a shared silence.

By the time we made it to our last day at Cape Town, with the blue and white of the beach to the south, and the red and gold of Table Mountain to the north, we found that same shared silence again. We passed another billboard, paid for by the government, extolling the value of Ubuntu, but this time with a definition under it: “I am because we are.” I looked back at the group, all of whom were perfectly content playing in the surf or lying on the beach, and I could almost see the connections we had formed together on our adventure. Ubuntu, indeed.

• A stop at the Cape of Good Hope.

• Julia Besse ’23 shares her excitement during a walk through the Bo Kapp neighborhood of Cape Town.

• Traveling Titans capture images of elephants and other big game during a game drive near Johannesburg.

Years of Service Awards

Dr. John Strauss Chair, Science & Technology Department

“Dr. Strauss has enriched our campus since his arrival. With an established academic pedigree, Dr. Strauss quickly became a favorite in our community. He is supportive of students, has high expectations for all, and speaks with all with sincerity and thoughtfulness. Whether he is building the annual haunted house or teaching AP Biology, Dr. Strauss brings a gentle sense of humor, an impressive work ethic and a commitment to enhance the student experience.”

Wally sWans O n, Dean of Faculty

Marianne Faita Tousignant Admission: Administrative Assistant

“Marianne, known as the ‘glue’ in our office, has been instrumental in keeping all of us organized within the ever-moving admission cycle. Her calm demeanor has been welcoming to the nervous prospective student who enters our office for the first time. She is a joy to have as a member of our team.”

Kate

g

aW, Director of Admission & Financial Aid

Kristin Oldham

Office of Advancement: Office Manager/Administrative Assistant

Stacy Sosa ’06 Assistant Director of Admission

“Stacy is probably one of the most passionate employees the Admission Team has worked with. Her love of the Academy shines in her work and her interactions with our families. We believe that she actually sleeps with her WMA blazer on, she loves it so much! Within the office she will go the extra mile to help another team member, regardless of the task. She brings a lot of laughter and fun to our daily lives.”

Kate

Director of Admission & Financial Aid

“Kristin is the first point of contact for many of our alumni. Her booming—yet warm and welcoming—voice is unforgettable as she greets visitors to Shenkman House. For those of us who have the privilege of working with her, we appreciate her quick wit and sense of humor. However, she is always serious when it comes to her work. Kristin is dedicated and has a strong work ethic—no job is too big or too small. Kristin’s work is central to every event we host and ensures that every gift is processed and acknowledged. She has truly been an asset to the office since Day One. As her colleagues say, Kristin is truly the glue that holds this team together.”

Director of Advancement

Each year, WMA honors faculty and staff who reach milestones for their years of service to the Academy. The following 19 people with comments from colleagues are recognized through the end of the 2022 calendar year.

Sean Valentine Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations

“When I first interviewed Sean for the position of Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations, we talked about how he could be a force multiplier for our program. Over the past five years, Sean has been exactly that. Sean’s fresh and insightful perspective has transformed our stewardship program. He has a keen sense for creating procedures and systems that recognize those who have been so generous to the Academy and preserves those legacies on campus. His attention to detail and work ethic are only matched by his creativity. Whether it is as an advisor for Middle School students, a chaperone for a ski trip or a last-minute airport driver, Sean is the consummate team player—always willing to jump in and help. All of us in the Office of Advancement are grateful to have Sean as part of our team.”

m ar K a im O ne, Director of Advancement

Fabienne Dubois Chair, World Languages

“Fabienne has been a tremendous addition to the World Languages Department of WMA throughout her tenure with the Academy. Her passion for the French language and culture comes through in everything she does, and her enthusiasm is positively contagious to the students. As a teacher and department chair, Fabienne leads by example, working hard and always looking for new ways to improve her classroom techniques as well as to share that knowledge with others. She is a pleasure to work with and an inspiration to both her students and her colleagues.”

Ke V in Kane, Dean of Studies

Bill Wells Director of Student Promotion

“Bill is one of the most hard-working people I know. His commitment to his many roles and to our students is undeniable. Whether he’s behind the camera live streaming an event, teaching Novel Writing, meeting with an advisee or working with the members of Atlas (the student newspaper), he never fails to show his dedication to WMA. There’s a lot more to Bill than his role here though—from running marathons for causes near and dear to him to writing his own novels and screenplays, he’s an inspiration to many. I’m proud to have him as a colleague and a friend.”

t

eddy r

yan, Director of Marketing & Communications

Marvina Lowry Brook Faculty, Fine & Performing Arts

“Marvina is a dedicated and caring member of our teaching faculty. She has demonstrated over the years her passion for painting, fashion, drawing and design instruction to countless students, and encouraged many onto a lifelong path of creative activity and appreciation. I consider her an essential member of the school community and truly appreciate all of her efforts to make WMA a creative environment.”

p aul b l OO mfield, Chair, Fine & Performing Arts

Greg Walsh Associate Director of College Counseling

“Throughout his tenure at WMA, Greg has proven to be an invaluable and trusted resource, and advocate for students and colleagues in each facet of school life. Greg’s expertise as a college counselor stands on its own, a product of decades of exceptional work at selective international boarding schools in the U.S. and abroad. Greg’s unwavering and tailored support and insightful guidance empower students to take full ownership of their college search. He also excels at meeting students where they are, literally and figuratively, and is one of the few college counselors I’ve known to schedule meetings with students before classes, during and after study hall, and even on weekends and school breaks. This same level of dedication and professionalism is evident in Greg’s other roles on campus as a coach, a faculty advisor, a dormitory parent, and a mentor to students and faculty alike.”

jO hn bOO zang Director of College Counseling

Gino Gasparrini

Building Maintenance Grounds Technician

“Gino stands out for his self-imposed high standards for his work and his effusive good nature and friendly spirit. He literally goes out of his way to meet the student and adult members of the WMA community, and he actively engages everyone he sees with a smile and a wave and a genuine kind word. Visitors to our campus have often asked excitedly, ‘Who is that super-friendly guy on the tractor?’ And anyone they ask will know the answer … that’s Gino!”

b rian p. e asler, Head of

School

David Weeks Supervisor, Athletic Equipment & Facilities

“Over the years I have come to rely on David tremendously as he manages our athletic equipment, uniforms, supplies, etc., and works to help maintain our facilities. David is reliable, efficient and proactive. All three traits I value tremendously. As we work together each day, I am so pleased how he interacts in such a positive way with our students and coaches alike. He calls everyone “kid” in such a personal way that you can just see the mutual respect and admiration he has for those he comes in contact with on a daily basis. I know those feelings are reflected back to him as well by so many. David is such a key part of what we do in the Athletic Department each and every day. However, he is also such an integral part of our overall school community. He makes us all the better for it.”

dO n n ich O ls O n ’79

Director of Athletics & Afternoon Programs

Mike MacDonald Assistant Director of Admission

“‘Mac’ juggles many different roles at the Academy, along with working with one of the most challenging admission cohorts, always with a smile and positive attitude. His team mentality is invaluable; he is always stepping in to help his colleagues. He engages families instantly with his charismatic personality, and they truly seem comfortable as they take in his knowledge of the Academy. Mac is a huge asset to WMA.”

Kate g aW, Director of Admission & Financial Aid

Gayle Hsiao Faculty, Center for Economics, Entrepreneurship & Finance

“Mrs. Hsiao is, for many students far from home, their primary parent here in Wilbraham. She is a tireless advocate for our international community, welcoming them into our school and this country. Mrs. Hsiao has also been a key component of our CEEF program for years, offering entrepreneurial studies, guidance and experiences for our students. Aside from these busy roles, she also directs our summer programs, making the summer campus experience positive for students and staff. She is honest, sincere and hardworking, and we are lucky to have her.”

Wally sWans O n, Dean of Faculty

Maureen Kelly Chesky ’02 Associate Director of College Counseling

“On my initial visit to WMA in June 2000, Maureen ‘Mo’ Kelly Chesky was among the first people I met; she and her friend, Phil Chesky ’02—both rising juniors—were assigned to show me around campus as part of my interview process. Even then, Mo’s trademark warmth, quick wit and heightened sense of purpose were on full display. When I drove home to New Jersey at the end of the day, I was certain I wanted to be part of a school that featured students like Mo and Phil. As I look back, I can’t help but think it was providential that Mo and Phil would get married and that I would be lucky enough to work with Mo in College Counseling for the past 15 years! The impact of Mo’s invaluable contributions to WMA’s College Counseling program and to the hundreds of students she has counseled, coached and taught over the years has been profound.” jO hn bOO zang, Director of College Counseling

Meg Lenihan Hutcheson Chair, English Department

“Meg’s students have always appreciated her palpable excitement about the written word. As a lover of literature, Ms. Hutcheson’s passion is contagious, making analytical readers and writers out of both the initially resistant and the early adopter. Her AP Literature class discussions live on within the memories of our alumni, who often come back to relive their class experiences and share news of their lives with their trusted teacher.”

Wally sWans O n, Dean of Faculty

Erik Kindblom Director of Institutional Analytics

“When I was planning to run a series of student trips to the jungles and rivers of the Southern Amazon in the early 2000s, trips laden with a variety of risks, the question of a co-leader for the trips came up. There was absolutely no hesitation in my mind that Erik Magnus Kindblom was the only choice. He is the personification of reliability and trustworthiness, not to mention his adventurous good spirit and stalwart work ethic—all of which likely stem from his Viking ancestry. Aside from serving him well on those historic trips, these traits have also served Erik’s students and colleagues faithfully and dutifully for so many years. Through good times and bad, Erik’s attitude is always, ‘Tell me what needs to be done, and I’ll help do it.’ This spirit is the epitome of what it means to be a member of a boarding school, and it is representative of his approach to his students—he will always do whatever he can to help them succeed.”

b rian p e asler, Head of School

Anne Kindblom Chair, ESL Department

“Anne Kindblom has been a key support for many of our new international students. As teacher and chair of the ESL Department, Mrs. Kindblom reinforces the nuances of academic English expectations, preparing these students for future studies. She also is an advocate for many of our new students from around the world. She ensures that their needs are met, she welcomes them into her home, and together she and her husband, Erik, have dedicated decades of service to the students of the Academy.”

Dean of Faculty

Marxan Pescetta Dean of Educational Technology

“I cannot think about the Academy without thinking about Dr. Marxan Pescetta. Marxan has always helped others by sharing her knowledge, advice and creativity. Her dedication to helping others should be an inspiration for us all.”

jO sh b ain, Director of Information Technology

Bill Passy Director of Security

“Bill Passy has always excelled at a job most people take for granted and which is often thankless in its successful completion: Bill stays up at night when the rest of us go to sleep, and he keeps the WMA campus and community safe. One might wonder, in those long hours of solo supervision of a sleeping campus, if Bill might take a nap or two … And I’m here to tell you I have tried many times over the past 25 years to surprise Bill and sneak up on him when he is on duty. I have never succeeded. He is ever vigilant and always aware of what is happening anywhere on campus— it’s like he possesses a sixth sense that allows him to thwart student shenanigans, often before they even occur. Perhaps he learned it from Fred Watts. Despite this role, and because of the thoughtfulness with which he performs it, he is also one of the people who WMA alumni from his years are most excited to see when they visit. We have been very lucky to have him in our community for all these years, and we look forward to many more.”

b rian p e asler, Head of School

Wally sWans O n,

Doreen Majka

In 2010, I was named the Director of Athletics at the Academy. Obviously, Ms. Majka was one of the first people that I sat down to talk to shortly after my appointment. As I transitioned out from my Director of Development position, I also had to physically and mentally move my thoughts and efforts into the administrative part of the athletic realm. She and I worked closely during this transition, and we developed a very efficient working relationship.

The workings of the Athletic Department are never restricted by normal hours during the day. Our schedule runs six days a week (sometimes seven) and the responsibilities extend into the evenings on a continual basis.

During the last 14 years, I have come to count on her each and every day. From our initial conversations in the morning, as we discuss the day ahead, to the continual contact we have throughout the day and into the evening. I have come to rely on her in so many ways that I really would not have the space in this story to discuss the extent of what we handle together throughout each busy day. In this line of work, communication and attention to detail are critical to the success of our overall efforts. Any type of mistake can create many issues for our athletes, our coaches and for those at the schools we are competing with.

On a lighter side, it is always fun to watch her interactions with our students when they are in the Athletic Center in the afternoons. They are so comfortable with her, and she is really almost like a mother to all of them.

TThere are moments in my career at Wilbraham & Monson when I sit back and reflect on the past decades and the special people that I have had the opportunity to be associated with. As I am now in my 40th year of working at the Academy, this list is certainly quite long. However, there are certain people who stand out over time. One of these people is Doreen Majka, our Athletic Coordinator.

This is Ms. Majka’s 30th year at the Academy. As I contemplated that number, my thoughts went back in time, and I began to realize how many people she has impacted over these three decades of service to the Academy.

When she first came to the Academy, she worked in the Business Office. I did have some interaction with her at that point, but this changed when she moved over to the Athletic Department in 1993.

During Ms. Majka’s early years in the Athletic Department, I was coaching soccer, swimming and lacrosse. With this type of coaching involvement, I saw her on a pretty continual basis as she worked to help us handle the logistics and all the great number of other pieces which go into running the intricate machine of interscholastic athletics. During that time, she was always so helpful to me and seemed to always find the time to address the needs of our coaches and our athletes.

“WMA portrays a sense of community, where we all help to give students the best possible opportunity to excel in the next chapter of their lives,” Ms. Majka said.

“Something I remind myself on most days—to never underestimate the power of a smile, hug, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen or just a quiet place to gather themselves together,” Ms. Majka said. “It can change someone’s day.”

WMA portrays a sense of community, where we all help to give students the best possible opportunity to excel in the next chapter of their lives.”

Doreen Majka honored with a Years of Service Award—25 years—in 2018 with Head of School Brian P. Easler.

From her friendly and inviting banter with the kids to the snacks and candy she has hidden for them under her desk, it is a special relationship. I always promise the studentathletes that I won’t tell their coaches that they are “breaking training” as they indulge in their Doreen-provided snacking.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with our former Director of Athletics Skip Jarocki. I told him that this was Ms. Majka’s 30th year at the Academy. We had an enjoyable time reflecting on her career at our school, and it also was clear that we both shared many of the same thoughts regarding Ms. Majka’s dedication to the Academy and her commitment to our student-athletes and our coaches.

“Learning a student has won a competition either academically or athletically, gained admittance to the No. 1 college of their choice or has been given the opportunity to play their sport at the next level—watching the excitement and happiness in their face—brings the satisfaction we’ve helped in some small way … it’s the best,”  Ms. Majka said.

Over the years, she has become synonymous with our athletic efforts and the efforts of our activity groups within the Afternoon Program. I know we continue to value all of her contributions to WMA. Personally, I also tremendously value her outstanding loyalty and commitment to the Athletic Department and to me as the Director of Athletics. Doreen is a true Titan!

quote S from former wma S tudent-athlete S

deven au S tin ’22

“Ms. Majka was like my mom when I was at school. No matter what I was going through, big or small, she always made time for me. She supported me on and off the court all the time. She was probably one of the hardest things to let go about WMA, not seeing her as often.”

matt filipow S ki ’22

“During my three years at WMA, Ms. Majka was a fantastic woman and friend who was always ready to have a chat. Talking to her was both like talking to another high school friend, and an adult who had wisdom and advice to share. She made many stressful situations less difficult, and I will always be grateful for having her there.”

alex G arri S on ’18

“Ms. Majka is the first face you see when you enter the gym. Her bubbly and deeply caring personality made her one of my favorite people to see when I was on campus every day. She is always happy to lend an ear when I need one.”

S ean S eymour ’22

“Ms. Majka was a positive figure in my life. She never failed to make me smile, laugh and walk away from her office empty handed. She was always giving me goldfish, crackers, Oreos, etc. I always looked forward to seeing her whenever I went down to the athletic facility because she would brighten my day. I am beyond blessed to have had such a kind and caring individual to encourage me to go above and beyond in athletics and academics. She is a wonderful woman with a heart of gold.”

• from Left, front roW: Phuc “Jenny” Huynh ’22 and Doreen Majka; BAck roW: Kyle Filipowski ’22, Matt Filipowski ’22 and Deven Austin ’22.

• Doreen Majka, left, with Sean Seymour ’22 on his National Letter of Intent Signing Day.

• Athletic Department members, circa 2008, from left: Erika Whipple, Doreen Majka, Ron Sansouci, Skip Jarocki (standing) and David Weeks.

remembering alumni

tireless work ethic and devotion to the Academy.

A numbers person by inclination and trade, Mr. Lincoln brought with him an immense knowledge of finance and securities management, but also a willingness to seek outside counsel on complex problems when needed. As questions around enrollment, fundraising, strategic planning and school leadership swirled during his 12 years of service, Mr. Lincoln’s quiet leadership was critical to guiding WMA through these challenges and into the strong position it enjoys today.

Mr. Lincoln’s leadership on the Board was an echo of his school days. His entry in the superlatives list for the Class of 1955 is “Says the least, thinks the most;” it also lists him as “Most Dependable.” He served as Business Manager for Student Publications, Editor of The Atlas, Class Treasurer and manager for three sports teams.

(1938–1972) Roger N. Lincoln, Peter Lincoln did list him among his favorite instructors along with Howe Newell, Phil Shaw and Fred Watts. Peter Lincoln maintained strong friendships with classmates and gathered many more through his years of service.

Peter C. Lincoln ’55W

A true leader and supporter of the Academy

by brian p easler Head of School

WWilbraham & Monson Academy

lost one of its most influential leaders and strongest supporters with the passing of Peter C. Lincoln ’55W on Dec. 13, 2022.

Mr. Lincoln was elected a Trustee of the Academy in 1993, made Chair of the Board in 1997 and served in that role until 2005.

After stepping off the Board, he remained an active volunteer, supporter, mentor to Heads of School, and a respected voice around decisions large and small. Wilbraham & Monson Academy owes him a tremendous amount of gratitude.

Soft-spoken, reserved and almost shy, Mr. Lincoln was not what many would describe as a prototypical Chair. However, he was also patient, articulate, open-minded, rational and determined. Those who served with him speak of his caring nature,

Although he has no relation to former English faculty member

Peter Lincoln’s full Academy story will be featured in the next edition of The Giving Report. We were deeply fortunate to have his service, and to have known him as a friend, colleague and classmate.

Three Chairs of the Board of Trustees: Peter Lincoln ’55W, right, with current Chair Scott Jacobs ’75, left, and former Chair Bill Griffin ’68W.

Yearbook, 1955

Yearbook, 1970

Steven M. Gray ’70W

The longtime Academy employee and alumnus passed away Dec. 9, 2022, at age 70.

Steve and I met in Mattern, and we had a love for science fiction. When I would find him in his office, you could tell he really cared for his students. Not just the education, but their well-being.

Steve told me once, through our intercoms, riding our motorcycles that, “If people only knew what it was like to ride, they would be amazed.” I knew what he meant because I talked him into getting a bike. We would go on about riding through an apple orchard in full bloom. It was like heaven, a warm day and a cool breeze. The roar of our exhaust. We went all over New England with friends, and I will never forget the good memories of our rides.”

When the sport of Water Polo was first introduced at WMA in 1986, I was not the Athletic Director at that point, but I remember how excited Steve was to be the founder of the Academy’s first Water Polo team. Steve, with great enthusiasm, developed the program from scratch with recruiting, dedication and a focus on developing team spirit. Although the Titan Water Polo team did not win any championships, they had many great seasons.

Years later, when I did become the Athletic Director, working with Steve was certainly a highlight of my career here at WMA. Steve’s strong love for the sport of Water Polo was always clear and always appreciated by so many.”

n ’79

Director of Athletics & Afternoon Programs

A friend remembered, not forgotten. In the summer of 1997, I was interviewing for department chair of Computer Sciences. Steve Gray was a member of the department, which was comprised of two part-time teachers. My first impression of him was, ‘Wow, this guy knows all about Wilbraham & Monson Academy.’ When I started working with Steve, I learned that not only had he been working here for 20-plus years, but he was a graduate of the Academy when it transitioned from an all-boys school to a coed school. So I can only imagine those were exciting times.

During my tenure at WMA, Steve and I shared many interests. We often talked about our enthusiasm for digital imaging and shared many fabulous techniques. Over the years, Steve honed his skills and, before he left WMA, he had become an accomplished digital photo artist.

Motorcycles were another area where our interests lay. Although I didn’t ride anymore, we shared stories of our adventures, and to be honest, I was a little envious of his ride. My Honda 350 did not compare to his Harley Davidson Road Glide. That was a sweet ride!

Some of my favorite memories were spent with Steve and the gang, going out Thursday nights for chicken wings at our local 99 Restaurant. So many a night, we would solve the world’s problems, laugh and enjoy the time spent. Steve had many good friends at WMA and will surely be missed. In the following chapters, I hope we meet again.

Enjoy the ride, friend!”

d r.  m arxan p escetta Dean of Educational Technology and employee for 25 years

wilbraham & mon S on academy

fAcu Lty, 1986–2018

Audio Visual Coordinator, 1986–2018

Academic Services

Department, 1986–2017 Computers, 1992–1995

Head of Audio Visual Department, 1996–2018

Academic Computing Department, 1998–2018

Fine & Performing Arts Department, 2011–2013

coAching

Water Polo coach, program inception in 1985–2017

Varsity Track & Field Assistant Coach recognition

Service to the Academy Award, 2015 educ Ation

Moravian College (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), B.A. in Psychology & Sociology, 1974

American International College, M.A. in Educational Psychology, 1977

Memorial donations to further the sport of water polo can be made to www.usawaterpolo.org.

• Steve Gray ’70W, back row center, in a photo circa late 1980s that included his mother and longtime librarian and archivist Coralie Gray, second from right.

Mr. Ronald W. Alley Sr. ’57W Alumni

Mr. Jean E. Altenor ’04 Alumni

Mr. Fisk H. Bacon Jr. ’50M Alumni

Mr. William G. Clark ’58M Alumni

Mr. George J. Conway ’49M Alumni

Mr. Edward Costa III ’77 Alumni

Mr. Chester J. Flynn Jr. ’48M Alumni

Mr. Donald H. Glasing ’48M Alumni

Mr. Steven M. Gray ’70W Alumni, Former Faculty

Mr. John H. Guinivan ’58M Alumni

We Remember

Mr. Gilford H. Hennegar III ’70W Alumni

Mr. Robert D. Kneeland ’73 Alumni

Mr. Chester A. Kulis ’48M Alumni

Mr. Frederick H. LeFaivre ’49W Alumni

Mr. Peter C. Lincoln ’55W Alumni

Mr. Andres S. Lopez ’80 Alumni

Mr. Paul A. Lucas ’73 Alumni

Mr. Stephen J. Pappas ’48M Alumni

Mr. Robert M. Radding ’57M Alumni

Dr. David E. Scott ’56W Alumni

Ms. Mary E. Skypeck ’78 Alumni

Mr. Lynwood F. Smith ’49M Alumni

Mr. Joel H. Squier ’48W Alumni

Mr. Norman E. Stanley ’54M Alumni

Mr. John K. Tull ’44W Alumni

Mr. Sameer D. Vagal ’00 Alumni

Mr. Donald A. Vickowski ’55M Alumni

Mr. Roger D. Williams ’43W Alumni

Mr. Gerald K. Williamson ’49W Alumni

Mr. William F. Hannigan ’73 Alumni Non-Grad

Mr. Athan Catjakis Alumni Parent

Mrs. Elisa K. Landers Alumni Parent, Alumni Spouse

Mr. Frank S. Mancuso Jr. Alumni Parent

Mr. Daniel F. Pawling Sr. Alumni Parent

Mr. Michael A. Sloan Alumni Parent

Mr. Vincent J. Villamaino Alumni Parent

Mrs. Nancy Fass Alumni Spouse

Mrs. Faith Johnson Alumni Spouse

Mr. John G. Becker Jr. Former Faculty

Mr. Frank P. Maello Jr. Former Staff

Gifts to the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Atlas Fund go to work immediately to directly support the people and programs that make the WMA education a transformative experience.

Ways t O gi V e

(Checks payable to Wilbraham & Monson Academy)

matching gifts: Many employers will match charitable contributions made by their employees. Visit www.wma.us/matchinggift to find out if your company will match your gift.

questi O ns: Contact Sarah Wakelin, Director of Annual Giving Email: swakelin@wma.us Phone: 413.596.9133

Class Notes

1953 Monson

Ronald Parody writes: “Just returned from attending a Veterans Ski Instructors reunion in Deer Valley, Utah, where the skiing was superb. Been a Certified Ski Instructor for over 60 years and still teach Seniors at Mt. High Resort in Wrightwood, California. Enjoyed my 88th birthday a couple of days ago and still have many fond memories of Monson Academy and the friends I met there.”

1962 Wilbraham

1 Richard Taylor reports: “Made it to 79 years! Still having fun and being wild.” He shared that he recently participated in a zero gravity experience, and he and his partner Suzie went to Corvette racing school this December.

1965 Wilbraham

2 Andy Veitch writes: “The Stamford (Connecticut) Yacht Club held its annual 238 mile Vineyard Race over Labor Day weekend. That’s me in the red, trimming the blue spinnaker on our boat at the start of the race—my 17th! Almost 100 boats participated in this year’s event.”

1969 Wilbraham

3 Robert Longo says: “Hello class of 1969. There are nine of us that stay in touch via email. If you’d like to join the email group, email me at RobertELongoLPC@gmail.com. Would like to hear from anyone in the Wilbraham Class of 1969.”

1979

4 Dr. Majid Sababi, who resides in Beverly Hills, California, recently embarked on a new adventure. After 22 years of being a practicing chiropractor, Majid shared that he “decided to go back for more education. I was told that I am too old, and again I remembered my father and Mr. Francis Michael Casey’s (our headmaster; a tremendous inspiration to me) reiterating that there are no limits in life if anyone devotes themselves. I successfully finished my Naturopathic Medical School in December of 2016, got my Masters in Clinical Nutrition in Dec. 2017 and a few years later started and finished up my medical degree by July of 2022. And once again showed all the people around me whom I cared for that there are no limitations for any individual if they apply themselves, as I was shown by my family and again in my high school by someone who cared about his students and took the responsibility to open up their minds and souls; to be divinely infinite.” Dr. Sababi also shared that he graduated with our own Don Nicholson and played varsity soccer with him as well.

5 Edward Shore III won second place in the over 60 division at the 2022 United States Strongman National championship.

1986

6 Lawrence “Micha” Ordway Jr. writes: “I live in central New York where I practice law. I’ve been with my firm for nearly 20 years now. I am also a member of our Board of Managers and the current chairperson of our litigation department. Challenging and rewarding. I had not returned to campus since graduating in 1986. Lots of things have happened since then. Mostly good. I finally visited campus with my family this past summer because my daughter very much wanted to see where I went to high school. She is fascinated that students her age live away from home. Campus has changed and stayed the same. It was fun to see it again after all this time. I can’t get over the square columns on Rich Hall. They just seem wrong to me. We also visited some of the old routes that I rode when I was on the WMA road cycling team. Glad WMA has a mountain biking team. We also found my Senior Stone!

1998

Stacy Jagodowski moved back to Massachusetts in the fall of 2020, after three years living in California, to accept a position working at Tabor Academy. She drove cross country during the height of COVID 19 to make the move “which was an experience to say the least” and is enjoying life in the seaside town of Marion. She is now in her third year at Tabor, where she’s the Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications.

7 Rhett Broderick writes: “Hello Coachmen! … I mean Titans. I have been in Sun Valley, Idaho, since 2016, teaching high school social studies. I teach World History, AP Human Geography and I’m coaching my daughters’ basketball and soccer teams. I have two little girls to keep me busy (8 and 5) and living in Sun Valley, we get to ski all the time. Life is grand up here in the mountains. I hope all of the WMA alumni are healthy and happy!”

1999

Leigh Anne Litz resides in Somers, Connecticut, with her children Hannah, 13, Gabriella, 10, and Scotty, 5. Leigh Anne accepted a new position as the Business Development and Recruitment Director for Nichols College Graduate and Professional Studies in May 2022.

2003

Rob Talevi recently received a master’s degree in Project Management from Boston University. He also obtained certifications as both a “Scrum Master” and “Product Owner” pertaining to agile project management. He is currently working toward earning a PMP license (aka Project Management Professional) from the Project Management Institute (PMI). When not working toward his license and various certifications and degrees, Rob works as a Research Analyst for the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and also acts as a class facilitator for master’s level courses at Boston University. In his free time, he enjoys coaching his son’s hockey team and martial arts.

2008

8 Liz (Wright) DeMaio married Tom DeMaio on May 21, 2022, at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts. Brother Andrew Wright ’07 and friend Adriane (DeWitt) Levy ’08 were part of the wedding party. Jordan (Landers) Malloy ’08, Marc Bourgeois ’08 and Emma Bourgeois ’13 were also in attendance. Mr. and Mrs. DeMaio currently live in Boston.

2009

9 Alessandra (Mele) Corbett shared: “Four of my branding projects with The Homegrown Studio were recognized at this year’s Ad Club of Western Massachusetts Creative Awards. We earned a:

• Silver Award in the category of Integrated Advertising Campaign for our work on the Downtown Northampton Association Holiday Campaign

• Bronze Award for Branding and Sign Design completed with local clothing boutique 25 Central

• Bronze Award in Packaging Design for a line of cheese labels designed for Thomas Farm & Dairy

• Bronze Award in Brand Identity Design for Summer on Strong in Northampton.

Pictured are myself (left) and Marketing Director Sara Esthus, my first full time hire, at the award ceremony in November.”

10 Caitlin Mitchell writes: “I just married the love of my life, Sam Mitchell (maiden name: Sam Hanania), on Dec. 10, 2022, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with all of our closest friends and families. My wife is a sergeant in the U.S. Army, we are currently stationed at Fort Bragg and I now work as a civilian attorney, representing soldiers at Fort Bragg.”

2010

11 Hannah (Tanguay) Dunphy writes: “My husband, Sean, and I welcomed our daughter, Katherine Waverly Dunphy, on Aug. 19, 2022. Our sweet Kit is keeping us on our toes, but she is the most wonderful addition to our family and we are soaking up every moment with her.”

2012

12 Hannah (Caine) McDonald and her husband, Frederick, welcomed a baby girl to their family. Riann Elizabeth McDonald was born on Jan. 6, 2023.

2015

Matthew Naumec was one of the top two finishers at a U.S. Mid Amateur qualifier, hosted by the Crumpin Fox Club in Bernardston, Massachusetts. He earned a spot at the 2022 U.S. Mid Amateur Championship at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisconsin in September. At the championship, he tied for sixth place in stroke play qualifying and reached the Round of 64 in match play. The Mid Am is the leading annual golf championship in the United States for post collegiate amateur golfers. Players must be at least 25 years old as of the opening day of the main tournament.

2018

13 Ashley Bradway spent the summer of 2022 at U.S. Embassy Tashkent doing public diplomacy work, including organizing women’s empowerment seminars for high school and university aged girls in Uzbekistan. The bottom photo depicts one of the women’s empowerment seminars. The top is Ashley with U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Daniel Rosenblum.

2021

14 Giovanni Biondo writes: “On August 4, 2022, I graduated Air Assault school, a 10 day course that is also known as the 10 toughest days in the United States Army. Air Assault School qualifies soldiers to conduct airmobile and air assault helicopter operations, including aircraft orientation, sling load operations, proper rappelling techniques and fast rope techniques. On the morning of graduation, students must complete a 19 km (12 mile) march with a 35 lb rucksack in under three hours before receiving their wings.”

15 Former Titan teammates Aidan Held, left, and Matt Banbury ’19 helped lead Hamilton College football to wins over traditional NESCAC powers Amherst and Williams. Matt was the starting quarterback and captain as a senior, while Aidan played at defensive end and special teams as a sophomore.

by janet m O ran Director

Rich history of Art dates back to Wesleyan Academy

Wesleyan Academy, the predecessor to today’s WMA, produced its share of talented 19th century artists. As part of our arts theme in this issue, we highlight two graduates—Charles E. Porter and Mabel R. Welch. Porter was groundbreaking as an African-American painter and was best known for his still life painting as a colorist. Welch was world-renowned for her miniature ivory portraits.

Charles Ethan Porter (1847–1923)

Charles E. Porter was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to a free African-American family that resided in the nearby village of Rockville. His father was a mill worker and his mother worked as a servant. When Mr. Porter was young his family had several tragedies, and the family endured abject poverty. Mr. Porter lost seven of his siblings to illness and one to the Civil War.

Mr. Porter was the first in his family to attend high school, graduating in 1865. Porter left Rockville in 1868 to study painting at Wesleyan Academy (now Wilbraham & Monson Academy).

In 1869, Mr. Porter was the first African-American admitted to the National Academy of Design in New York City. He was best known for his still life paintings of meticulous realism and rich colors, and was the first and only Black artist of his era to paint in this genre. He thrived and studied at the National Academy until 1873. For the next three years, Mr. Porter sold his work and taught art classes. Mr. Porter received widespread praise for his four years at the National Academy from benefactors such as painter Frederic Edwin Church and author Mark Twain.

In 1878, Porter opened his own studio in Hartford, where Mr. Church visited Mr. Porter and purchased a few paintings. Mr. Church declared Mr. Porter to “have no superior as a colorist in the United States.”

Mr. Church then encouraged Mr. Porter to study and paint landscapes. Although Mr. Porter studied in New York and worked for a time in Paris, his work is firmly rooted in and inspired by the Connecticut landscape, where he spent most of his life.

By 1881, Mr. Porter had sold enough paintings to afford to travel to London and Paris, where he studied the works of influential artists of the Barbizon School

In an 1883 letter to Mr. Twain, who lived in Hartford and was a mentor and patron, Mr. Porter wrote: “I am aware that there are a goodly number of my friends and others who are anxious to see how the colored artist will make out, but this is not the motive which impresses me. There is something of more importance, the colored people—my people—as a race I am interested in, and my success will only add to others who have shown wherein they are capable the same as other men.”

In 1884, he ran out of money and he returned home to the United States during a time when American artists had fallen out of popularity in favor of the Impressionist

paintings coming from Europe. Times were difficult and Mr. Porter struggled to get by, bartering his paintings for essentials.

Mr. Porter’s art regained interest among art historians and collectors in the 1980s. The first museum show featuring his work debuted in 2008, organized by the New Britain Museum of American Art. His paintings have entered numerous public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Birmingham Museum of Art, San Antonio Museum of Art and the Wadsworth Athenaeum.

• above: Charles E. Porter’s “Peonies in a Bowl,” oil on canvas painting, circa 1870s.

• left: Charles E. Porter, Wesleyan Academy Class of 1868.

and enrolled in the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs.

Mabel Rose Welch (1871–1959)

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Mabel Rose Welch graduated from Wesleyan Academy (now Wilbraham & Monson Academy) in 1888.

Miss Welch went on to study at the Art Students League in New York City and then on to Paris and Holland. While in Europe she exhibited at the Salon in Paris, the official art exhibition of the French Academy of Fine Arts. It was while in Europe that Miss Welch had a chance encounter with a miniature painter that influenced her substantially in this genre.

In time, Miss Welch returned to the United States where she taught at the Arts Student League. She later became the Secretary for the American Society of Miniature Painters, from whom she once was the recipient of the Levantia White Boardman Memorial Medal. She was also a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Miniature Painters, the Women’s Art Club and Art Workers Club.

Among her other awards were:

• Pennsylvania Society of Miniature Painters, Medal of Honor in 1920

• Panama-Pacific International Exposition, silver medal in 1925

• Brooklyn Society of Miniatures Painters, medal in 1933

• National Association of Women Painters and Sculptures award in 1937

• California Society of Miniature Painters award in 1937

A portrait by Miss Welch of Rosina Cox Boardman, in watercolor on Ivory and dating to around 1940, is currently owned by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The Metropolitan Museum of Art owns two miniature portraits in the same medium: a portrait of a lady from the first half

of the 1910s and a portrait of Mrs. S. Keith Evans from 1911.

Miss Welch’s work can also be seen at the Brooklyn Museum, The Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the Pennsylvania Museum of Fine Arts.

Miss Welch returned to live in Wilbraham for some time before she died.

Historical information from various archival sources was used in this story.

• top left: Mabel R. Welch, Wesleyan Academy Class of 1888.

• below: A portrait by Mabel R. Welch.

• bottom: A miniature portrait, painted on ivory by Mabel R. Welch, of Wesleyan Academy teacher Benjamin Gill. Gill taught from 1872–1892, and the Gill Memorial Library was named after him.

Students of the same era during a painting class at Wesleyan Academy.