CLASS NOTES

WILDCAT WEBINARS

There is no shortage of Wildcat wisdom in our alumni community. From aging well to finding your stride, these fun and enriching recordings are posted on our website!

1. COVER LETTER, RESUME & JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

With more than 15 years’ experience as an executive recruiter, Sue Colina ’88 shared her perspective on today’s hiring landscape, and provided tips on how to write a compelling cover letter, highlight skills in a resume, and make an impression in a first interview.

2. ANYONE CAN RUN

Sidney Baptista ’05 and Gabby Thomas ’15 explained how to make running work for you, whether or not you’ve got a routine already. Sidney hosts the “Fitness in Color” podcast, is the founder of global fitness apparel brand PYNRS, and leads PIONEERS Run Crew. Gabby is the first professional sprinter for New Balance and is training for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She also is a NCAA champion and recorded the fastest collegiate 200-meter time in the world.

3. NORTHEAST WINEMAKING AND WINES

As a winemaker in the upstate N.Y. Finger Lakes, Chuck Tauck ’72 discussed cool-climate grapes and shared how vineyards adapt practices and adjust expectations to match the challenges of the region.

4. THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT AGING

Best-selling author Dr. Katharine Cole Esty ’52 is dispelling myths about aging. She shared exciting new research, and explained how anyone can live a happier, more fulfilling life, despite the challenges of aging and COVID-19, and how attitude is almost as important as circumstances. Her most recent award-winning book is Eightysomethings: A Practical Guide to Letting Go, Aging Well, and Finding Unexpected Happiness.

5. HOW TO LIVE HARMONIOUSLY IN 2021

Leadership and Mindset Coach Aska Naito ’93 guided alumni through some of today’s challenges, shared the importance of creating a powerful awareness to avoid long-term burnout, and introduced actionable steps to build a resilient mindset.

6. A CANNABIS CONVERSATION

Shaun Chapman ’98, director of government relations for Weedmaps, and Tori Gates ’10, director of operations at NisonCO PR, discussed the adult-use cannabis industry. They explored the challenges

1 2

2

3

4

6

7

8

9 10

9 11

13

of working in the highly regulated legal cannabis industry and shared opportunities for entrepreneurs in this market.

7. TALES OF TRAVEL ADVENTURES

World traveler and leadership consultant Anthony Willoughby ’70 shared his adventures traveling to the most remote and inhospitable environments—from the jungles of Papua New Guinea to the steppes of Mongolia and the deserts of Africa—and shared his wisdom.

8. REFLECTIONS ON GEORGE H. W. BUSH

David Bates ’71 shared what it was like to spend time alongside former President George H. W. Bush before, during, and after his presidency.

9. PODCASTING: THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING

Christina Djossa ’10, opinion audio reporter/producer for The New York Times, and Catherine Saint Louis ’92, senior editor of podcasts at Neon Hum, touched on their experiences breaking into the industry, discussed their most memorable podcast productions, and shared what they wish someone had told them about podcasting as a career.

10. TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

Merideth Morgan ’03 ran a threepart series focused on fitness, nutrition, self-care, and getting organized with a closet clean-out! She helped identify outfit formulas from what we already have in our closet and shared tips on staying organized.

11. A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE FILM WILLIE

Bryant McBride ’84 and guests discussed the documentary Willie, which tells the amazing story of Willie O’Ree overcoming racial barriers and providing a pathway for future athletes. It chronicles his life from his upbringing in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to the NHL in the racially turbulent 1960s, and induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. You can screen the film for free on peacocktv.com.

12. CRYPTOCURRENCIES: DIGITAL FINANCE

Niels Gjertson ’98, fintech lawyer and associate general counsel at Gemini, a digital asset exchange, led a discussion on blockchain and cryptocurrency. From history and terminology to products and policies, Niels covered the basics about this emerging asset class.

13. TURNING AN INTERVIEW INTO AN OFFER Sarah Levine Meyer ’00

shared tips on how to increase your chances of turning your interview into an offer, whether in person or on Zoom.

14. PHOTOJOURNALISM: THEN & NOW

Sean Kardon ’79 shared his experiences and pro-tips, having photographed every president since Jimmy Carter.

15. KNOW YOUR WINES

We sipped along with sommelier Gordon Sullivan ’69 (see page 24) for an interactive evening of fun while boosting our wine IQ on grapes, wine regions, fermentation science, and food pairings—and much more.

50TH REUNION Class of 1971

The Vietnam War raged while students took to the streets in protest. NPR got its start and space exploration continued. Meanwhile, sideburns and collars widened. Wildcats celebrating your 50th Reunion, see what you remember about that most exciting year!

TEST YOUR 70S IQ

THINK YOU REMEMBER 1971? GIVE THIS QUIZ A TRY!

1. Which Three Dog Night song, number one on Billboard’s singles charts for 1971, described the adventures of an imbibing bullfrog?

2. What technological invention by Japanese calculator manufacturer Busicom in 1971 could be said to have kicked off the digital age?

3. Which Constitutional amendment was signed in 1971?

4. Which theme park was opened in 1971?

5. Which film, an adaptation from a 1964 Broadway musical, was the number-one box office draw in 1971, earning three Academy Awards?

6. Which NASA mission, launched January 31, 1971, sent a crew to the moon—a crew that included astronaut Alan Shepard, who swung a golf club and hit a few balls on the lunar surface?

7. Which New York Times–leaked reports, published in June 1971, cast doubt on the U.S. government’s honesty about its involvement in Vietnam?

8. How much did a gallon of gasoline cost in 1971?

9. What type of clothing, covering neck to ankle, gained popularity in 1971?

Babies class notes

’97 ’97

Smiling new mom Laura Sheppard-Brick ’97 Matthew is all smiles for Robert Rutkowski ’97

Riley Marie Ahearn, born to Morgan Stall Ahearn ’05 and husband Brian Meet Leonardo, son of Anthony Chighisola ’08

’04

Danielle Wieneke McCarty ’04 with Rory, left, and proud siblings Penn (4) and Amelia (2)

’99

Corie Fogg ’99 and daughter, Marigold

’04

Alex Teece ’04 is a proud new father to baby Gus

’05 ’08

Did you tie the knot? Do you have a new bundle of joy? Send us your highresolution wedding or baby photograph at alumni@ williston.com and we’ll send you some fun Wildcat swag!

5TH REUNION

Class of 2016

It was a year of transition and tumult, as a presidential election took center stage. But it was also the year that these Williston grads spread their wings and moved into the wider world. It’s hard to believe it was only five years ago!

TEST YOUR MEMORY

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT 2016? GIVE THIS QUIZ A TRY!

1: Which film, based on the true story of journalists breaking an important news story, won a best picture Academy

Award in 2016?

2: What was the name of the referendum, passed in 2016, that disrupted the European Union?

3: Which six states flipped from Democrat to Republican in 2016 to give Donald Trump a victory?

4: Which team won Super Bowl 50 in 2016?

5: What song won the Grammy for record of the year in 2016?

6: Which boxing legend and conscientious objector died in 2016?

7: What musical won both the Pulitzer Prize for drama and 11 Tony Awards, including for best musical, in 2016?

8: Which company disclosed the largest data breach in the history of the internet to date in 2016?

9: What two superstar performers died in 2016, making it a particularly heartbreaking year for popular music fans?

David Bowie and Prince

, 8: Yahoo, 9: Hamilton

Muhammad Ali, 7: Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars, 6: Panthers 24-10, 5: “Uptown Funk” by The Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, 4: 2: Brexit, 3: Florida, Iowa, Michigan, abuse of children by Catholic clergy, reporting team uncovering cases of ’s investigative Boston Globe of the

, which told the story Spotlight 1:

Liam Shields ’20; Chris Shields ’94; Dick ‘Digger’ Shields ’61, former Trustee; Lily Shields ’21; and Matthew Shields ’21 Sarah Williams Carlan ’92, Amelia Carlan ’21, and Paul Carlan

Stewart Reed ’66, Trustee; Jenna Perry ’21; and Angela Perry, Trustee Tom Tebo, Gunnar Tebo ’23, Mary Booth Tebo ’87, and Tom Tebo ’21

Andie Kinstle ’24, Terri Stewart Kinstle ’90, and Molly Kinstle ’21 Michael O’Brien ’84, Emily O’Brien ’21, and Bev O’Brien

IN MEMORY

This listing contains the names of alumni whose deaths were reported to the school between November 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, although their passing may have occurred outside those dates.

1937

Sally Hitchcock Pullman of Lafayette Hill, Pa., died August 5, 2020. She is survived by her daughter, Sally; her sons, John and David; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

1938

Robert W. Searles of Brooklyn, Conn., died April 26, 2021. He is survived by his son, John; his daughters, Janet and Judith; three grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren.

1940

Irving Budd Callman of Lancaster, Pa., died December 29, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Connie.

1941

Jennifer Turner Trusted of Devon, England, died April 13, 2017.

Bruce Nicholson VanLeer of Warwick, N.Y., died May 2, 2020. She is survived by her daughters, Sally, Anne, and Allison; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. 1942

June Savage Barratt, formerly of Riverside and Danville, Pa., died January 5, 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Wendy; a son, David, predeceased her. She is also survived by two grandsons.

1944

Albert “Bud” C. Bosworth of Dartmouth, Mass., died September 21, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Hazel; his sons, James and Thomas; and his daughter, Martha Bosworth Thomas ’76; a daughter, Claudia, predeceased him. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

1945

Marie Lawler Aquadro of Leeds, Mass., died November 21, 2020. She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Aquadro Kouri ’70, Alison, Kimberly, and Jennifer; her son, Richard; her sister, Patricia; 13 grandchildren, including Courtney Aquadro ’11, Anthony Aquadro ’15, and Natalie Aquadro ’17; and seven great-grandchildren. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Richard Aquadro ’47.

Ralph A. Steiger II of Naples, Fla., formerly of Wilbraham, Mass., and Groton Long Point, Conn., died February 21, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Fern; his son, Eric; and his daughter, Linda; a daughter, Kimberly, predeceased him. He is also survived by his step-sons, Donald, John, Stephen, and Thomas; and step-daughters, Nanci, Kathryn, and Susan. 1947

Horace “Frenchy” E. Laprade of Hull, Mass., formerly of Amherst, Mass., died September 6, 2016. He is survived by his sons, Richard, James, Bill, and John; his daughters, Terry and Ann; his sisters, Ruth and Dolores; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Joan Thanhouser Sherman of Mount Washington Valley, N.H., died Nov. 19, 2020. She is survived by her former husband, Skip; her daughters, Sarah and Carrie; her sister, Gretchen; her brother, Ned; and one grandson.

Cornelius “Neal” S. Van Rees of Mystic, Conn., died February 15, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Alix; his daughters, Pamela and Claire; his step-sons, John, Robert, and David; four grandchildren; and one step-granddaughter.

1949

Allen P. Doe of Holden, Mass., died January 29, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sons, Paul, Robert, and Steven; his daughter, Adrienne; his brother, Kingsley; his sister, Meredith; and five grandchildren.

Ronald “Ron” S. Duncan of Granby and Simsbury, Conn., died January 30, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Janet; his sons, Mark and John; his step-daughters, Pamela and Joanne; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 1950

Ronald P. Rubin of East Amherst, N.Y., died January 10, 2021. He is survived by his daughters, Judith and Ellen; his son, Lawrence; and nine grandchildren.

1952

Marjorie Hampson Judd of North East, Md., died October 19, 2020. She is survived by her son, David; her daughter, Marcy; and one granddaughter.

1953

Rex Aubrey of West Bloomfield, Mich., died April 20, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Ann; his son, Rex Jr.; his daughters, Regina and Robin; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

1954

James E. Dowd of Longmeadow, Mass., formerly of Springfield, Mass., died February 24, 2021. He is survived by his daughters, Patricia and Sheila; and his son, Michael; a son, James Jr., predeceased him. He is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy and Eileen; and seven grandchildren; a grandson, Sean, predeceased him. He is also survived by two great-granddaughters.

Sydney “Syd” W. Russell of Bennington, Vt., died March 23, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his sons, Andrew, Todd, and Eric; his sister, Mary; four grandchildren; and one step-grandson.

IN MEMORY

This listing contains the names of alumni whose deaths were reported to the school between November 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, although their passing may have occurred outside those dates.

1937

Sally Hitchcock Pullman of Lafayette Hill, Pa., died August 5, 2020. She is survived by her daughter, Sally; her sons, John and David; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

1938

Robert W. Searles of Brooklyn, Conn., died April 26, 2021. He is survived by his son, John; his daughters, Janet and Judith; three grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren.

1940

Irving Budd Callman of Lancaster, Pa., died December 29, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Connie.

1941

Jennifer Turner Trusted of Devon, England, died April 13, 2017.

Bruce Nicholson VanLeer of Warwick, N.Y., died May 2, 2020. She is survived by her daughters, Sally, Anne, and Allison; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. 1942

June Savage Barratt, formerly of Riverside and Danville, Pa., died January 5, 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Wendy; a son, David, predeceased her. She is also survived by two grandsons.

1944

Albert “Bud” C. Bosworth of Dartmouth, Mass., died September 21, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Hazel; his sons, James and Thomas; and his daughter, Martha Bosworth Thomas ’76; a daughter, Claudia, predeceased him. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

1945

Marie Lawler Aquadro of Leeds, Mass., died November 21, 2020. She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Aquadro Kouri ’70, Alison, Kimberly, and Jennifer; her son, Richard; her sister, Patricia; 13 grandchildren, including Courtney Aquadro ’11, Anthony Aquadro ’15, and Natalie Aquadro ’17; and seven great-grandchildren. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Richard Aquadro ’47.

Ralph A. Steiger II of Naples, Fla., formerly of Wilbraham, Mass., and Groton Long Point, Conn., died February 21, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Fern; his son, Eric; and his daughter, Linda; a daughter, Kimberly, predeceased him. He is also survived by his step-sons, Donald, John, Stephen, and Thomas; and step-daughters, Nanci, Kathryn, and Susan. 1947

Horace “Frenchy” E. Laprade of Hull, Mass., formerly of Amherst, Mass., died September 6, 2016. He is survived by his sons, Richard, James, Bill, and John; his daughters, Terry and Ann; his sisters, Ruth and Dolores; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Joan Thanhouser Sherman of Mount Washington Valley, N.H., died Nov. 19, 2020. She is survived by her former husband, Skip; her daughters, Sarah and Carrie; her sister, Gretchen; her brother, Ned; and one grandson.

Cornelius “Neal” S. Van Rees of Mystic, Conn., died February 15, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Alix; his daughters, Pamela and Claire; his step-sons, John, Robert, and David; four grandchildren; and one step-granddaughter.

1949

Allen P. Doe of Holden, Mass., died January 29, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sons, Paul, Robert, and Steven; his daughter, Adrienne; his brother, Kingsley; his sister, Meredith; and five grandchildren.

Ronald “Ron” S. Duncan of Granby and Simsbury, Conn., died January 30, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Janet; his sons, Mark and John; his step-daughters, Pamela and Joanne; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 1950

Ronald P. Rubin of East Amherst, N.Y., died January 10, 2021. He is survived by his daughters, Judith and Ellen; his son, Lawrence; and nine grandchildren.

1952

Marjorie Hampson Judd of North East, Md., died October 19, 2020. She is survived by her son, David; her daughter, Marcy; and one granddaughter.

1953

Rex Aubrey of West Bloomfield, Mich., died April 20, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Ann; his son, Rex Jr.; his daughters, Regina and Robin; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

1954

James E. Dowd of Longmeadow, Mass., formerly of Springfield, Mass., died February 24, 2021. He is survived by his daughters, Patricia and Sheila; and his son, Michael; a son, James Jr., predeceased him. He is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy and Eileen; and seven grandchildren; a grandson, Sean, predeceased him. He is also survived by two great-granddaughters.

Sydney “Syd” W. Russell of Bennington, Vt., died March 23, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his sons, Andrew, Todd, and Eric; his sister, Mary; four grandchildren; and one step-grandson.

Trix Willems ’19

Finishing up his sophomore year at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, Trix Willems ’19 has had a pandemic year like many of us: Zooming, cooking, taking walks, learning new things…lying down. Trix, a transgender man, also speaks to young people about gender and identity, noting on his website, “I hope that through my presentations, I can make the idea of transgender people a little less foreign, and leave everyone thinking about how they can become the most authentic and fulfilled version of themselves.” We asked him to share some words and pictures about his year.

What is the view out your window? Here’s what people see in my Zoom window. I live here now.

What was your favorite place at Williston? Reed. I like how twisty it gets.

What things (or thing) have inspired you lately?

I’ve been walking in the park every day since February.

What do you like to do for fun?

Recently, lying down has been especially appealing.

What is something you are passionate about? Learning languages. I’m working on Korean.

You live in New York. What do you miss from western Mass.? I miss the shape of Mount Tom rising over Easthampton.

What is a happy moment you remember from Williston? Sitting in the front row at Convocation with my best friend senior year.

What is your favorite food? This might double as my favorite food, but I’ve learned how to make sundubu-jjigae [Korean soft tofu stew], and it’s deliciously easy!

What is your favorite animal? Nothing quite as cool as raptor bones. But dogs are a close second.

19 Payson Avenue, Easthampton, ma 01027 williston.com

Change Service Requested

Parents: If this issue is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of the correct new mailing address by contacting us at alumni@williston.com or (800) 469-4559. Thank you.

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID The Williston Northampton School

Looking for an internship, first job, next job, career advice, or industry contacts?

Williston Northampton alumni can be your best connections.

WillistonConnects is a powerful networking platform connecting alumni in meaningful ways. Activate your account at www.willistonconnects.com; your profile has already been set up by the alumni office. Answer a few short questions, enhance your profile with your LinkedIn information or resume, and make updates to your contact information. Raise your hand to be a resource to other alumni and connect immediately with people whose interests match yours. You’ll have access to directory features to help you find alumni who live in a particular city or state.