In Addition Fall 2011

T H E W I L L I STO N N O R T H A M P TO N S C H O O L

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In Addition FALL 2011

CO L L A B O R AT E P U R P O S E F U L LY, L E A R N PAS S I O N AT E LY Learning, at its best, is a purposeful enterprise, and there are moments when it is inspiring, even thrilling. Those flashes when you realize that you love what you are learning, and you want to read more, hear more, discuss more— not because of a test—but because you want to know more.

At The Williston Northampton School, you will have many opportunities to delve deeply into subjects, to explore what you know, and even better, to explore what you want to know. In addition to a curriculum that is challenging and provides both breadth and depth in its offerings, Williston offers the unique Williston Scholars program. Similar to the traditional Oxford tutorial style of teaching, students work closely with a faculty member in small classes, to dive deeply into subject matter. The program also includes a trimesterlong independent study project, directed by the faculty member, which allows students to synthesize the classroom experience into a project that builds on what’s learned in the course.

Peter Gunn, Williston faculty member for 25 years and adjunct professor of history at Smith College, directs one such Williston Scholars class. Working with faculty at Amherst College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mr. Gunn has developed a course that is a cross-cultural study of colonial New England, with a special emphasis on the Connecticut River Valley. The class will engage students in an investigation of pre-contact Native American history and then examine contact and interaction during the

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17th and early 18th centuries from multiple perspectives.

Because Williston Scholars will learn as much about the creation of good history as they do about history itself, independent scholarship is a vital part of the program. The class meets two evenings per week with Mr. Gunn and includes a series of visits from Five College scholars.

Students will then pursue their independent projects through study of recommended texts, visits to local archives, and attendance at lectures and other educational opportunities at the Five Colleges.

This kind of intensive study—and the opportunity to work with professors at some of the nation’s best liberal arts colleges— is unique to Williston. Mr. Gunn’s class is just one example of what is possible on our campus and the power of collaboration in our classrooms and beyond.

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+To learn more about the Williston Scholars

program, which includes an intensive art course taught by artist and faculty member, Natania Hume, visit www.williston.com/willistonscholars.

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F R O M L A B TO O P E R AT I N G R O O M A S U M M E R I N T E R N S H I P AT STA N FO R D While many students are motivated to get the most out of summer learning experiences, Williston senior Jae Won “Jared” Choi had an especially fruitful internship this summer thanks to an opportunity offered by Williston alumnus Dr. Robert Jackler ’72. Between visits to his home in Korea, Jared spent a month at Stanford School of Medicine in the Otolaryngology Department, doing everything from helping with stem cell research to observing brain surgery in the operating room.

and observe Dr. Jackler operating on a brain tumor, as well as other ENT surgeries.

Dr. Jackler, who is Sewall Professor and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education, says simply, “We like to teach.” As a premier teaching hospital, Stanford educates countless students, from undergraduates to postgraduates and medical interns, as well as a small, select group of enthusiastic, mature high school students.

For the second half of his internship, Jared spent time in the ENT research lab, which is “one of the world’s leading centers trying to overcome deafness,” according to Dr. Jackler. There he saw both animal experiments and stem cell experiments, including one that was working to artificially regenerate the cochlea for people who are born without one. “Without the cochlea,” Jared says, “the vibration of your ear bones cannot be acknowledged by your brain, causing deafness.”

Jared was selected for this rare opportunity through nomination by his Williston teachers.” Jared’s name was the first to come to mind,” says his advisor Kurt Whipple. “He is an outstanding student who is very serious about his studies.” Jared himself is more modest, saying that he applied for this internship because he is “moderately good at everything” and wanted to get some hands-on experience to help him decide what major to pursue in college.

Although “everything was surprising and exciting,” Jared was particularly interested in the cellular research he observed. “My knowledge and interest in stem cells really surprised the researchers,” he says.

“On some occasions, they allowed me to take part in the experiment, so I was able to get a lot out of my time in the research lab.”

CALENDAR

Jared describes his time at Stanford as “incredible.”

For the first two weeks, he shadowed doctors in the ENT (ear, nose, and throat) building as they visited patients. He also donned blue scrubs, a white mask, and a green surgery cap to visit the operating rooms

In offering this internship opportunity to high school students, Dr. Jackler intends to share the enthusiasm for science that he first discovered at Williston. He has fond memories of his time here, particularly of the science and math teachers who, he says, “opened my eyes to a fascinating world of knowledge that I could work to master.”

SEPTEMBER

O C TO B E R

N OV E M B E R

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Convocation

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Writers’ Workshop with Lynne Barrett

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Hampshire County College Fair

11

Writers’ Workshop with Andre Dubus III

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John Bul Dau visits to discuss his book God Grew Tired of Us

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Admission Open House

1

Writers’ Workshop with Alison Pace

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Community Tailgate, Football Under the Lights

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Admission Open House

20 - 22 Fall Play: Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl 21- 22 Fall Family Weekend 27- 29 Fall Play: Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl 27

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Writers’ Workshop with Nikky Finney

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11-12 Fall Dance Concert 12

SSAT on campus

15

Fall Choral Concert

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A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

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I chose to join The Williston Northampton School after my first visit to Easthampton.

The Williston Northampton School inspires students to live with purpose, passion, and integrity.

When you consider becoming part of a community that is as welcoming and engaging as Williston, it is impossible not to feel excited about the possibilities and opportunities that seem to be around every corner on our beautiful campus.

I’m pleased that you’re considering joining us at Williston. You’ll find that we’re a team at the school, and we’re invested in our students accomplishing great things. Our faculty, coaches, dorm parents, advisors, deans, and administrators are dedicated to our students’ success, in the classroom, on the field, and in the world.

I hope In Addition gives you a sense of just a few of the extraordinary programs, opportunities, and people at Williston. From the intensive academic challenge of the Williston Scholars program, to lifechanging summer internship opportunities, you’ll find this is a special place. Our students pursue their

education with passion and purpose, and we are committed to making sure that every student has a positive impact on our community.

I encourage you to visit us in person soon so that you can experience our campus in action. And when you do come to Williston, please be sure to stop by my office and say hello.

We believe that you will discover what inspires you at Williston, and—in collaboration with our faculty and our students—you will explore those things with purpose. There is a life awaiting every student who walks our halls, as well as a path that will take him or her there. The opportunities inside and outside of the classroom will help you discover your +, and how that will lead you to what comes next.

The + is what you make it, and we think that whatever that is, it will be extraordinary.

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Robert W. Hill III P’15 Head of School

WILLISTON PROFILES BRIDGET INSTRUM What three things can’t you live without?

My cellphone/iPod, my Nikes, and my lacrosse stick (okay, that’s four) What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Cake batter from Mt. Tom’s (By the way, check out Williston Wild Cake Batter when you visit Williston!)

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation Are you a morning person or a night person?

I’m an all-day person!

Bridget is a senior from Granby, Massachusetts. She was named U.S. Lacrosse All-American in recognition of her outstanding 2011 season, one of only two All-Americans and two Honorable Mention All-Americans in our region. She has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at The Ohio State University.

M A X R E I C H E LT What’s your favorite thing about Williston?

The theater department. I spend more time there than anywhere else, and it is the bright spot on cold winter afternoons.

What do you most value in your friends?

Spontaneity, and a willingness to try new things What three things can’t you live without?

Coffee, grilled muffins, and the Internet Who are your favorite heroes (name one real one and one fictional)?

Randall Munroe, an hilarious author who is not so much a hero as someone I admire, and Harry Potter, who was able to find all the horcruxes and kill Voldemort without ever casting the killing curse.

Max is a senior from Essex Junction, Vermont. He hopes to study physics or economics and is considering colleges in Portland, Oregon; Boston, Massachusetts; and St. Paul, Minnesota.

AD M ISSION O PEN H O USE!

October 14 and November 11, 2011

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

413.529.3241

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W R I T E R S ’ WO R K S H O P S E R I E S B R I N G I N G W R I T E R S TO C A M P U S A N D T H E C L ASS R O O M The Writers’ Workshop Series, now in its 14th year at Williston, brings some of the most accomplished writers of today to our campus and our classrooms. It is a unique opportunity for students to learn about writing from those who do it best. Founded

by Williston parents Elinor Lipman P’00, Anita Shreve P’06, ‘07, and Madeleine Blais P’00, ‘04, the series has welcomed authors including Chris Bohjalian, Arthur Golden, Tracy Kidder P’92, Tom Perrotta, Richard Russo, and Curtis Sittenfeld.

LYNNE BARRETT OCTOBER 4, 7:00 P.M.

Fog was a finalist for the National Book Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Booksense Book of the Year.

It was also an Oprah Book Club Selection and reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Dubus has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Magazine Award for fiction, and the Pushcart Prize. He is a member of PEN American Center, has served as a panelist for The National Book Foundation and The National Endowment for the Arts, and has taught at Harvard University, Tufts University, Emerson College, and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where he is a full-time faculty member.

Lynne Barrett is the author of three story collections, The Secret Names of Women, The Land of Go, and Magpies.

She co-edited Birth: A Literary Companion and The James M. Cain Cookbook. Her work has appeared in Delta Blues, A Dixie Christmas, Miami Noir, One Year to a Writing Life, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Night Train, The Southern Women’s Review, and many other anthologies and journals.

She has received the Edgar Allan Poe Award for best mystery story from the Mystery Writers of America and a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. She teaches in the MFA program at Florida International University, edits The Florida Book Review, and lives in Miami.

NIKKY FINNEY OCTOBER 27, 7:00 P.M. Nikky Finney is the author of four collections of poetry: On Wings Made of Gauze; Rice, recipient of a PEN America Open Book Award; The World Is Round, recipient of the 2004 Benjamin Franklin Award for Poetry; and Head Off & Split.

She also wrote Heartwood, a collection of short

ANDRE DUBUS III OCTOBER 11, 7:00 P.M. Andre Dubus III is the author of a collection of short fiction, The Cage Keeper and Other Stories; the novels Bluesman, House of Sand and Fog, and The Garden of Last Days; and a memoir, Townie. Published in 20 languages and made into an Academy Awardnominated motion picture, House of Sand and

FOR M O R E I NFO R MATI O N

Students in the Upper School

24

Countries Represented

60%

Boarding Students

13

States Represented

16% Students of Color

46%

of Upper School Students on Financial Aid

Average Class Size

22

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61

Competitive Teams in 32 Sports

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Advanced Placement and Honors Courses

19 Payson Avenue Easthampton, MA 01027 413.529.3000

ALISON PACE NOVEMBER 1, 7:00 P.M. Alison Pace is the author of five novels: If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend, Pug Hill, Through Thick and Thin, City Dog, and A Pug’s Tale. Her essays have appeared in several anthologies including It’s a Wonderful Lie: The Truth About Life in Your Twenties, Everything I Needed to Know about Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, and Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit. She lives in New York City, where she teaches creative writing.

All presentations are free and open to the public and take place in the Dodge Room of the Reed Campus Center.

413.529.3311 or email twolfe@williston.com

www.williston.com/writersworkshop

B E YO N D W I L L I S TO N

FA S T FAC T S

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stories for literacy students, and edited The Ringing Ear, an anthology of African American poets writing and reflecting on that historical American geography known as “the South.” A recipient of the Kentucky Foundation for Women Artists Fellowship Award and The Governor’s Award in the Arts, Finney has taught at Smith College and Berea College, and is a former faculty member at Cave Canem, a writing home for African American poets. She is presently professor of creative writing at the University of Kentucky.

125

Acres Campus Size

1

Ice Cream Flavor Named for the School (did we mention Williston Wild Cake Batter?)

We want you to be ready for the next step in your education. The rich academic program at Williston, in combination with athletics, activities, and leadership opportunities, will prepare you to succeed at the college or university that best matches your interests and abilities. Williston’s college counselors are invested in helping you find the right place for you.

In the spring, juniors participate in a required weekly seminar on the college application process and meet individually with their counselors. It is one of the unique advantages of our location that we’re able to take our juniors on tours of the Five Colleges, which surround us in the Pioneer Valley. Our students participate in mock interviews with admission representatives from each of the four liberal arts colleges—Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Hampshire—and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Over the past three years, Williston graduates have been admitted to some of the most competitive colleges and universities in the country, including Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Colby, Columbia, Connecticut College, Cornell, Dartmouth, Emory, Georgetown, Hamilton, Harvard, College of the Holy Cross, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Middlebury, Mount Holyoke, New York University, Northwestern, Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, Smith, Trinity College, Tufts, Tulane, Union, Wellesley, Wesleyan, Williams, and Yale.

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