BrewsterConnections - Brewster Academy

BrewsterConnections 

Spring 2007 

Inside: 

• Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 

• Trey Whitfield Memorial Lecture

BG Hodges ’66 

Brewster Academy 

2006-2007 Board of Trustees 

Daniel T. Mudge, President 

(Tapley-Ann ’98, Ashley ’02) 

Leslie N. H. MacLeod, Vice President 

(Todd ’97) 

Rex V. Jobe, Treasurer 

(Reagan ’01) 

Helen S. Hamilton, Secretary 

Michael Appe 

Roy C. Ballentine 

(Brian ‘97 and Susan ‘94) 

Nancy M. Black 

(Nicole ’02, Robbie ’05) 

C. Richard Carlson, Estate Trustee 

David L. Carlson ’54 

Candace Crawshaw ’64 

President, Alumni Association 

George J. Dohrmann III 

(George ’05) 

Peter Ford ’80 

Susan Harger 

(Kelsey ’07) 

President, Parents’ Association 

Michael Keys 

(Matthew ’04) 

Lynn Kravis 

(Jay ’07) 

Anthony J. Leitner ’61 

Derek J. Murphy ’77 

James E. Nicholson 

Todd P. Parola ’89 

Arthur O. Ricci, Estate Trustee 

Dr. Mitchell Sanders ’82 

The Reverend Nancy Spencer Smith 

Estate Trustee 

Shawn Smith 

(Susan ’08) 

Steven Webster 

(Brooke ’08) 

Trustee Emeriti 

Walter N. “Rink” DeWitt ’54 

P. Fred Gridley ’53 

Grant M. Wilson 

(Grant ’87, Kirsten ’88)

Mark Deering ’09 and Scott Cameron ’08 

Head of School 

Dr. Michael E. Cooper 

Director of Advancement 

Tim von Jess 

Editor 

Marcia Eldredge 

Director of Communications 

Assistant Editor 

Layout/Design 

Peggy Comeau 

Assistant Director of Communications 

Contributors 

Dan Clay, Peggy Comeau, Mike Cooper, 

Marcia Eldredge, Beth Hayes ’81, 

Matt Hoopes, Bob Richardson, Shirley 

Richardson, Martha Trepanier ’83 


Brooke Webster ’08 

Inside 

2 A Message from the Head of School 

6 Creating Opportunity Out of Tragedy 

The Trey Whitfield Memorial Lecture 

8 Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 

11 Huckleberry Finn and the Power of Theater 

Essay by Drama Director Dan Clay 

Spring 2007 

12 Comedian, Environmental Educator, Marketer, Singer- 

Songwriter 

Brewster Alums Share Their Post-Brewster Lives With Students 

17 Teacher Appreciation Celebration 

19 The Pendulum Project: Helping Children With AIDS 

21 Brewster’s Re-Accreditation 

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. Grants 

Continued Accreditation 

30 Welcome! 

New Trustee Michael Appe 

36 Morgan Huntley ’00 

Building His Future While Building Boats 

38 Hoopla: The Write Stuff 

Bruce Hawkins ’01 and Noelle Lamperti ’89 

58 Writing Brewster’s History: “Scott’s Palace” 

A Glimpse Into the Life of Brewster Students from 1911-1915 

On the cover: 

Scenes from the winter trimester taken by 

talented community photographers. 

Phil Stiles 


is published three times a year 

and mailed to alumni, parents of 

students, and friends of 


80 Academy Drive 

Wolfeboro, NH 03894 

www.brewsteracademy.org 

Departments 

3 In the News 

16 Around Campus 

24 Athletic Awards 

25 Community Service Projects 

28 Fine and Performing Arts News 

31 Advancement Office Update 

45 Class Notes 

53 In Memoriam 

Laura Kingston ‘08 and 

Alison Waldorf ‘08

A Message from the Head of School 

As I write this, the days are becoming longer and brighter, but we are still 

wrapped in winter here in Wolfeboro. Winter in Wolfeboro, as it is in most of 

the northeast, is one of those times when we hunker down to wait out the arctic 

blasts for signs of spring and a rebirth of what the earth has to offer. For those 

of us living on the big lake, hunkering down against the blast of the cold north 

wind is like trying to insulate an old house, no matter how much you bundle 

up and brace yourself, somewhere, somehow, the cold will find its way through 

those protective layers. But even though that cold seeps its way inside, things 

are still warm and cozy on the inside, and that certainly is true of the halls of 

the “Ac,” not only because of the layers of clothing we don, but mostly from the 

camaraderie and warm feelings we gain from one another. Winter is also a time 

for contemplation, planning, and renewing of thoughts, especially for those of 

us in education. We use this time of year to begin looking ahead at a new school 

year and to new beginnings. And this winter has been no exception. 

One of those new beginnings is taking stock from the fact that we have been 

granted re-accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and 

Dr. Michael E. Cooper, Head of School 

Colleges, our decennial review of programs, services, and activities at the Academy. 

You can read more about the review later in these pages (21-23), but let me 

briefly summarize that it was an affirming process for everyone as we were given wonderful feedback about how we 

go about our daily affairs and how we are educating young people. To have validation that what we are attempting to 

accomplish as a school is, indeed, recognized by outside reviewers and from our own self-study, is energizing and offers 

us motivation to continue to strive toward excellence in everything that we do. 

Another new beginning is the brand concept that we will be unveiling over the coming months. In a recent Wall Street 

Journal article (December 12, 2006) titled “How to Keep Your School from Being Brand X,” the author sums up the 

importance of brand by quoting the dean of Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business, “… the customer’s risk is 

high because you can’t test drive multiple schools and you can’t change your mind once you make your purchasing 

decision. That makes brand extremely important as a trust mark that helps reduce the customer’s risk.” We have taken 

that sentiment to heart as we have been developing our brand concept. The preliminary feedback that we have received 

confirms that we have developed an exciting and compelling message. Please look for it over the next few months. 

Finally, it became abundantly clear to me in the fall, through independent reading and travel, how global we are 

becoming. A trip to Asia confirmed for me that, not only has the world shrunk on one level, but also on another, just how 

large it can feel. That largeness transcends physical size and really points to the magnitude of the population in different 

parts of the world and what that means for our educational system here in the United States. While a topic for future 

pages of Connections, it certainly requires our time and attention as we plan for our future, and in fact, has become a 

compelling theme as we move forward. 

These are challenging and exciting times, and I want you to know that we are giving our full attention to what they 

mean for the future of the Academy. The state of the school is good, but like any enterprise, could be better. We continue 

our quest to move from good to great and hope you share in the excitement that we feel. We intend to continue to reach 

out to you over the coming months and to learn more about your thoughts and ideas for the future Brewster Academy. 

For The School, 

Michael E. Cooper, Ph.D. 

 

BrewsterConnections • Spring 2007

In the News 

Topher Grace ’97 

to Appear in Spider-Man 3 

Topher Grace will star as Eddie Brock/Venom 

in the movie Spider-Man 3, due out in May. 

Grace has appeared on TV in That 70s Show 

and on the big screen in Ocean’s 11 and In 

Good Company, among others. He currently 

has three other films in production. • 

Gregory Douglass ’99 

Records Sixth CD 

Instinct magazine says of Gregory Douglass’ sixth and newest 

album, Up & Away channels everyone from Stevie Wonder to 

Fiona Apple in a way that’s terrifyingly mature for someone 

so young.” 

Douglass composed and recorded the material for his first two 

albums while still a student at Brewster. 

Read about Douglass’ participation at the recent alumni 

career panel on page 12, and more about his music at www. 

gregorydouglass.com. • 

Bruce Hawkins ’01 Publishes 131 Box: Path of Purpose 

Bruce Hawkins, Brewster graduate, Brooklyn native, and 

current law school student, has writtten a book about how he 

fought for his dreams in a world of crime, drugs, death, and 

hopelessness. 

131 Box refers to a game that characterizes the mindset and the 

culture of the people he grew up with. While most people would 

probably consider basketball as the game that characterizes the 

ghetto – or maybe football – Hawkins says, “The lottery best 

captures the essence of the ghetto. For if one is able to understand 

the diverse motivations of its players and enthusiasts, I believe 

one could comprehend the difficulty of life in the ghetto, and, 

more importantly, life in poverty. Learn more about Hawkins 

and his book in this issue’s Hoopla section, page 39. • 

2006 Winnipesaukean Earns Outstanding Recognition 

Jostens, Inc., publishers of Brewster’s yearbook, recently selected the 2006 Winnipesaukean for 

recognition as one of the year’s outstanding high school yearbooks out of the thousands it publishes 

each year. Congratulations to the editor Melissa Fortin, advisor Andrea Cooper, and the students 

who worked so hard and long on last year’s edition! • 

• www.brewsteracademy.org •

In the News 

Marta Filip-Fouser Travels to Poland for Peace 

Jenn Clements ’07 Crowned 

Miss New Hampshire Teenager 

Jenn Clements, on the right, with 

last year’s Miss National Teenager 

On March 17, Jenn Clements ‘07 of Wolfeboro 

was crowned Miss New Hampshire National 

Teenager. Participants in this contest are 

judged on academic achievement, school/ 

community involvement, interview, poise 

and personality, personal expression, 

and public speaking. Among her prizes 

and honors are scholarship and tuition 

assistance offers. Clements will travel to 

Nashville, Tennessee, to compete for Miss 

National Teenager in July. Read more about 

Clements in a community service profile on 

page 26. 

The group of U.S. legislators, the Holocaust survivors, the mayor of 

Oswiecim, and translator Marta Filip-Fouser (second from the left.) 

History teacher Marta Filip-Fouser traveled to her native Poland in 

February to serve as a translator for a delegation of U.S. state representatives. 

The delegation made the trip as part of the Mound of Remembrance and 

Reconciliation Project – “a symbol of remembrance and meditation uniting 

the people and nations of the world in order to create a life in peace.” 

Filip-Fouser was invited to join the group by Janusz Marszalek, mayor 

of Oswiecim, her hometown. Renamed Auschwitz during World War II, 

Oswiecim was the site of the infamous Nazi concentration camp. 

The Mound is being built by former camp prisoners and will include 

symbolic stones from around the world – stones from people and places 

committed to peace. During an official ceremony in the presence of 

Polish National TV and other Polish media, the U.S. delegation members 

presented commemorative stones to be placed at the Mound. 

In addition to the nine senior state lawmakers, a Wall Street Journal writer 

and a Rwandan genocide survivor and best-selling author were among 

the delegation. 

Filip-Fouser has been an educator for English and Swedish speaking 

visitors to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial in Oswiecim. She is fluent in 

Polish, Swedish, and English. 

“Auschwitz is usually associated with terror, genocide and death,” said 

Filip-Fouser. “I think it is important to be aware that, in history, hatred 

and intolerance resulted in the death of millions of innocent people. … The 

more that governments and organizations commit to the cause of peace 

and remembering those tragic events in history, may make our population 

more tolerant and less hostile toward other ethnic groups.” 

“As a Pole living in the United States, it made me feel proud to be able to 

serve as a translator for a group of American policymakers who came to 

my hometown in Poland.” • 

 


In the News 


Chen-Hsu Wang ’07, Ross Randall ’08, James Simoneau ’07, Owen Dennis ’07, Burke Lord ’07, Connor Dunn ’10, and Kevin Crosby ’09 work out 

in the new crew tanks. Coach Mark DeNitto is standing on the far left. 

Friends of Brewster Crew Bring Rowing Indoors 

Anyone who has wandered through the east 

crescent of the Smith Center for Athletics and 

Wellness in the past two months has seen the 

latest addition to the facility – an indoor rowing 

tank. Friends of the Brewster crew team, which 

includes current and alumni parents as well 

as current students and alumni, raised nearly 

$90,000 to make the indoor rowing tank a reality 

for Brewster. 

The tank is actually two fiberglass tanks 

connected by decking, which has eight seats and 

oar riggers attached. Each tank holds about two 

feet of water. The tank was manufactured by the 

Durham Boat Company in New Hampshire. 

“The tanks are two above ground pools with 

seats and riggers in between. The rowers sit 

between the two pools and use the oars that are 

attached to the pools,” explained rower James 

Simoneau ‘07. “The crew team is extremely 

excited for these tanks. Many of the top crews 

in the country use this same type of tank to get 

a step up on the competition.” 

At any time, despite weather conditions 

outside, the 8-person rigger allows coxswains 

to practice commands while oarsmen work on 

their timing and fine-tuning their blade work 

and body position, said Crew Coach Mark 

DeNitto. “Novice rowers will have a chance 

to ‘get their feet wet’ without getting their 

feet wet, while Brewster’s experienced rowers 

can stay sharp through the winter and better 

prepare for the early spring races,” he said. 

Simoneau and his teammates believe that this 

addition to the crew program will put Brewster 

on the map as a rowing school. “The tanks are 

everything that the team had hoped they would 

be,” he added. 

Brewster Academy is now one of two 

independent schools in the country with an 

indoor rowing tank. • 

“Novice rowers 

will have a 

chance to 

‘get their feet wet’ 

without getting 

their feet wet, 

while Brewster’s 

experienced 

rowers can stay 

sharp through 

the winter and 

better prepare 

for the early 

spring races.” 


Creating Opportunity Out of Tragedy 

The Trey Whitfield Memorial Lecture 

By Marcia Eldredge 

Head of School Dr. Michael E. Cooper opened 

the 18th Annual Trey Whitfield Memorial 

Lecture by reminding the community that out 

of a tragedy 18 years ago – the death of Trey 

Whitfield ’89 – came the unfolding of a legacy, a 

legacy of a young man who touched many lives 

in his short life and whose legacy has created 

opportunities for others. 

That legacy even extends beyond the Trey 

Whitfield School to Brewster Academy, which 

has enrolled 24 Trey Whitfield School graduates 

over the past 18 years. 

One of those inspired by Trey Whitfield was the 

day’s guest speaker, Dr. Joyce L. Ferris, former 

academic dean at Brewster. 

Like Ferris was about to do, Cooper 

reminded everyone in the standingroom 

only Anderson Hall that hopes and 

dreams can carry us through our darkest 

moments. 

The Trey Whitfield School Choir entertained with a series of inspirational songs. 

Trey envisioned a world where everyone, 

regardless of ethnic background, has equal access 

to the educational opportunities that they need to 

reach their potential in life; that every child will 

have a helping hand and every young person 

will get support from someone who cares about 

their future. 

Ferris talked about how the Trey Whitfield 

Memorial Lecture arose from one of those 

dark moments. It was 1990 she explained 

and Trey’s parents, A.B. Whitfield and Janie 

Whitney, along with numerous family and 

friends, including Ferris herself, were still 

in much pain from Trey’s death. Ferris, 

A.B., Janie, and then-headmaster David M. 

Smith came up with the idea for a memorial 

lecture in Trey’s memory. “It helped to ease 

our pain,” Ferris said. 

“It never occurred to me that I would be 

here as the speaker,” she added. 

Photos by Marcia Eldredge 

“His parents took that legacy … and made it into 

something spectacular and powerful affecting 

many, many lives,” Cooper said, referring to 

the educational opportunities afforded by The 

Trey Whitfield School (formerly Bethlehem 

Baptist Academy) to primarily inner city kids 

from working class families. A.B Whitfield and 

Janie Whitney, Trey’s parents, run the Brooklyn, 

New York, pre-K through eighth grade school 

that sets the foundation for strong character and 

high academic standards in students and where 

“respect for others and self is paramount.” 

Anticipating with delight this year’s concert were seniors 

Carole LeBlanc, Janna Anctil, Alyssa Hennigar, and 

Elaine Fancy 

 


With the lecture, we also wanted to make a 

connection to Martin Luther King Jr., a man whose 

dreams and legacy have created opportunities in 

the lives of others, Ferris said. “Trey and Martin 

Luther King were excellent examples of showing 

what it meant to be wonderful human beings.” 

Ferris and Trey first met while Trey’s older 

brother Alvin was a student at Cushing Academy 

and where Ferris was the director of studies. “We 

called [Trey] the little guy and I couldn’t wait to 

have him as a student,” Ferris said. After Trey’s 

freshman year at Cushing, he transferred to 

Brewster. A year later, Ferris joined the Brewster 

community as the academic dean. 

Ferris spoke candidly about her trepidation 

at being new to the community; however, she 

recalled having the good fortune of arriving at 

Brewster for the Sunday night barbecue during 

opening-of-school weekend. She described 

feeling intimidated, standing at the edge of the 

crowd, watching students reunite after summer 

break and welcome new students. 

Trey Whitfield School graduate Whitney White ’07 with 

A.B. Whitfield and Annie Debow ’07 

“Here comes across the lawn, running, not 

walking, dodging people … there was my friend 

Trey, his arms outstretched … he lifted me, spun 

me around.” 

“I was a small person, but Trey made me feel tall 

and regal, like a queen.” 

“If I was in with Trey, I was in at Brewster. I had 

it made,” she recalled smiling. “In the midst of 

this good time, this reunion, he was thinking of 

me.” And that was Trey Whitfield. 

A.B. Whitfield, Dr. Joyce L. Ferris, Janie Whitney, and Dr. Michael E. Cooper 

Although often remembered as a 6’5” athlete 

who performed magic on the basketball court, 

Ferris recalled Trey the scholar, remembering 

fondly the day that every teacher cherishes, when 

he or she witnesses one of their students “get 

it.” It was a mythology lesson and Trey chose 

to write about Theseus, the Greek god who was 

known to have relied on his knowledge, not 

his physical strength, to meet his challenges. “I 

remember very well and understand what Trey 

got out of that class,” Ferris said. “He read the 

material. He listened. He formed an insight that 

was meaningful to him. Trey chose the mind.” 

Ferris offered more stories of Trey, each one 

describing a young man who genuinely cared 

about his friends and teachers but who remained 

open to their strength when he needed to draw 

on it. And with that, she advised students to 

reap all the benefits of their education and the 

opportunities offered at Brewster. “I want you 

to listen to your teachers because they really do 

listen to you.” 

“I found it to be inspirational, and it really gave 

me a feel of what he was like,” commented 

Alison Waldorf ‘08 after the lecture. 

Before Ferris concluded, she joyfully introduced 

the Brooklyn, New York-based Trey Whitfield 

School Choir, always a highlight of the annual 

lecture. The choir, comprised of students in 

grades 2-8 and under the energetic direction 

of Donna White (Whitney’07), delivered a 

powerful, uplifting performance of inspirational 

songs. • 

“Trey and 

Martin Luther 

King were 

excellent 

examples of 

showing what 

it meant to 

be wonderful 

human 

beings.” 


Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 

February 23-25 

Presented by Brewster Academy Performing Arts 

By Peggy Comeau 

“I was completely entertained and amazed at the talent that erupted on the stage last night from our student body and faculty.” 

~ faculty member Rob O’Blenis 

“I was able to travel to school [from Connecticut] to see the fabulous performance of “Big River”and fully enjoyed myself.” 

~ Nancy Peterle (David ’09) 

“I think it was the best production that we’ve done so far.” 

~ faculty member BG Hodges ’66 

(Anne ’03, Sara ’07) 

In rehearsals since October, it was evident that the cast 

and crew, along with the drama and musical directors, 

worked very hard – and with great success – to produce 

this entertaining musical version of the story of Huck 

Finn. What a pleasant surprise it was to discover how 

much talent – including good voices, dancing, and stage 

presence – so many of the Brewster community cast 

members possess! 

The Big River cast 

This epic tale set in 1840s Missouri is a timeless reminder 

of the internal struggles adolescents face in the process 

of self-discovery. During his eventful trip down the 

Mississippi River on a raft with Jim, a runaway slave, 

Huck is confronted with making decisions on what 

actions to take and what values to use as a guide. Their 

journey is a symbolic one, in which Jim and Huck 

question the nature of freedom, slavery, and their own 

beliefs. 

With music and lyrics by Roger Miller (of “King 

of the Road” fame), most of the ensemble songs 

had a strong bluegrass and country sound, and 

Vince Herrington 

played Tom 

Sawyer 

Miss Watson (Leigh Feldman) and the Widow Douglas 

(Sarah Thompson) sing “Do You Want to go to Heaven?” 

to Huck Finn (Nik Krainchich) 

 


Jim (Jose Docen) tells 

Huck about his plans 

once he escapes to the 

North. 

Pap Finn (Andy Campbell) decides to steal Huck 

away from the Widow Douglas 

The Duke (Ryan Cooper), 

the King (Eric Burns) 

and Huck sing of the 

riches they plan to collect 

from the unsuspecting 

townspeople 

the lyrics were sometimes wacky but always clever, in the 

Miller tradition. The Broadway production of this adaptation 

by William Hauptman won 10 Tony awards, including Best 

Original Score and Best Musical, so the songs were a treat 

to hear. 

The orchestra consisted of versatile and talented local 

musicians on piano, guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, violin, 

harmonica, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, and drum. 

Members appeared to be an extension of the cast, clad in 

denim jeans and plaid shirts for the occasion. 

Nik Krainchich ‘08 was in fine voice as Huck Finn. His part 

was a demanding one, as he had the most solo songs and 

sang and danced in most of the ensemble pieces. Jim was 

played by artist-in-residence Jose Docen, whose acting and singing talents are 

huge. Memorable performances were also given by Leigh Feldman ’07 as Miss 

Watson; Sarah Thompson ’07 as the Widow Douglas; Vincent Herrington ’08 as 

Tom Sawyer; Ryan Cooper ’09 as the Duke; music director Andy Campbell as Pap 

Finn; systems administrator Eric Burns as the King; Brittanie Pierce ’10 as Mary 

Jane Wilkes; Amanda Graham ’10 as Alice; and the Young Fools, played by Grace 

Apfeld ’10 and Campbell’s children John, 5, and Helen, 8. 

This adaptation opens with Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas, joined by the 

Company, all singing to Huck, “Do You Want to go to Heaven?” which has the 

refrain: “You better learn your readin’, and you better read your Bible or you’ll never 

get to Heaven ‘cause you won’t know how.” Huck is not sure he’s interested in 

getting to Heaven because he doesn’t like going to school or reading the Bible. 

Dragged away in the night by his drunken father, Huck escapes to an island to 

hide for a few days and discovers he’s not alone – there’s a runaway slave, Jim, 

also hiding there. During their journey, Huck learns that Jim hopes to escape to the 

north and buy his family out of slavery, and Huck realizes that Jim is more than 

a runaway slave, that he is a human being with feelings and hopes for the future. 

Huck is mistaken for Tom Sawyer by 

Tom’s aunt Millie (Ally Reiner) 


A memorable – and quite moving – part of the play is when Huck and Jim sing 

“Worlds Apart,” in which Jim observes: 

I see the same stars through my window 

That you see through yours 

But we’re worlds apart 

Worlds apart 

And I see the same skies through brown eyes 

That you see through blue 

But we’re worlds apart, worlds apart 

Huck realizes that he’s falling for Mary Jane 

Wilkes (Brittanie Pierce) after he helps The 

Duke and The King steal from her and her 

orphaned sisters. 

Then together, they sing: 

I see the friendship in your eyes 

That you see in mine 

But we’re worlds apart, worlds apart 

Together, but worlds apart 

Huck questions what he’s been taught in school and church about what is right 

and what is wrong, and in the end decides not to turn Jim in, but to help him gain 

his freedom. “All right, then, I’ll go to Hell!” is the classic line that shows Huck’s 

maturity and resolve in standing up for what he feels is right. By deciding to help 

Jim escape, Huck has chosen to go against what school and religion have told him 

is illegal and immoral. 

Huck comes to terms with his decision to help 

Jim escape to the North. 

Huck and Jim encounter con artists, bounty hunters, and angry farmers during 

their adventure down stream, and many of the scenes were laugh-out-loud funny 

while some were quite poignant and thought-provoking. The production of this 

adaptation was a great choice in terms of the subject matter, the quality of the 

libretto and score, and for showcasing the talents 

of all those involved in this great entertainment 

provided for the Brewster community. 

Congratulations go out to Drama Director Dan Clay 

for another successful production! • 

A mourner (Sarah Thompson) 

belts out a sorrowful tune at 

Mr. Wilkes’ funeral 

There were many energetic song and dance numbers in the production. 

Photos by Peggy Comeau and BG Hodges ’66 

Caitlyn Edson, Leigh Feldman, Anna Purvis, Grace Apfeld, and 

Sarah Thompson portrayed simple and poor townspeople who are 

scammed by The Duke, The King, and Huck. 

10 


Huckleberry Finn and the Power of Theater 

By Dan Clay 

Human beings will always be hardwired to draw immediate 

conclusions about situations in order to protect themselves 

from harm. We use our eyes to make quick assessments about 

what is safe or dangerous, and we will always 

have the tendency to make assumptions about 

people or ideas that are unfamiliar to our own 

experience. I believe that it is how we respond 

to these situations, how much responsibility 

we take for our own behavior, that defines 

our character. 

This is what fascinates me about the theater 

and its possibilities. When we watch good 

theater we are given the opportunity to 

“become” each character. In other words, a 

good performance has the power to allow us 

to live vicariously through its characters and 

to accompany the protagonist on his or her 

journey and to understand and emphasize 

with his or her experiences so that we might change our 

perspective. Good theater can also afford us the chance to 

explore the bigger questions that are on our mind, to have a 

debate in a forum outside of ourselves, and look for answers in 

a safe, “fictional” environment. 

In February our school gathered together as a community to 

enjoy this year’s musical, Big River, based on Mark Twain’s novel 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Even if you haven’t read the 

novel, you are probably at least marginally familiar with this 

story about the journey that a young white boy and a runaway 

slave share on the Mississippi river in the mid-1800s. Big River 

is an edited version of Twain’s story set to music by the popular 

folk/country singer Roger Miller. 

At the start of both Twain’s version of the story and ours there 

appears: “Notice: Persons attempting to find a motive in this 

narrative will be prosecuted …” Here Twain is being facetious. 

He means that there is most definitely a motive within the 

narrative. Brewster’s Theater Department chose to produce this 

story because we felt that Twain’s motive is still very relevant 

today. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn withstands the test of 

time because it explores freedom and the quest for freedom. 

For example, “freedom” has been in the public consciousness a 

great deal lately as we debate the implications of war in Iraq and 

what “freedom” means to those who are directly or indirectly 

affected by it. 

In Twain’s story, Jim is in search of freedom from slavery, which 

was an unfortunate reality during the time in which the story 

is set. Huck is in search of the freedom to think for himself, to 

make up his own mind about what is moral in a society that 

can be contradictory and corrupt. 

If we stop and think about it, I think we can 

all relate to the search for freedom in one 

way or another. My hope was that when we 

watched Big River together we could begin to 

see through the eyes of both Jim and Huck, 

so we could all experience what it might have 

been like to be a slave in the mid-1800s or a 

young boy in search of the truth in a society 

with questionable moral standards. 

Obviously, slavery is a touchy subject for 

everyone and even if you haven’t read the 

novel, you may have a strong emotional 

reaction, positive or negative, upon hearing 

even its title, based on what you have heard or 

experienced in the way of the book’s subject matter. The book 

has certainly been the subject of controversy for its treatment 

of religious, moral, or political themes. 

But if good theater affords us the opportunity to “become” each 

character, then actors and directors have a responsibility to be 

as real as we can in our attempt to tell a story. Even if that story 

has the potential to make us uncomfortable. I believe that our 

version of the story was a very sensitive retelling of Twain’s story 

and that we took great care to make it real and accessible to our 

audience so that we did not offend or alienate anyone. 

It is my belief that even the painful parts of history should be 

discussed, as long as they are addressed in a forum that’s safe 

and respectful, a forum outside of ourselves, so that we may look 

for answers in a healthy, “fictional” environment. I believe that 

kind of discussion is the backbone of moral education. I also 

believe that theater is the ideal forum to start that discussion. 

Here’s to the hope that Big River created a respectful dialogue, 

but above all, that our audiences enjoyed the show. 

There was quite a moving duet between Huck (Nik Krainchich) 

and Jim (Jose Docen) at the beginning of the second act. Jim 

sang, “I see the same skies through brown eyes that you see 

through blue, but we’re worlds apart.” The song happens 

after an argument that brings Huck to a moment of painful 

realization. Huck’s perspective begins to change as he and Jim 

share experiences and eventually understand one another. This 

is the power of theater. • 

• www.brewsteracademy.org • 

11

Comedian, Environmental Educator, 

Marketer, Singer-Songwriter 

Brewster Alums Share Their Post-Brewster Lives With Students 

By Marcia Eldredge 

Discipline, perseverance, preparedness … practices instilled at Brewster years earlier played a role in launching 

the successful careers of four alumni who returned to campus in January. The four Brewster graduates – Rob 

Gorden ’90, Kit Van Wagner ’89, Gregory Douglass ’99, and Chris Petronio ’01 – were back in Wolfeboro to talk 

to students about their careers, how they came to those careers, and what impact Brewster had on their choices. 

They came with jokes, reflections, adventure stories, and advice. Here are their stories. 

“Last time I was behind a podium 

at Brewster, I was the student 

council president and I was about 

to be impeached.” 

Photos by Marcia Eldredge 

Rob Gorden ’90: Comedian 

Rob Gorden, who arrived at Brewster as 

an actor and hasn’t stopped acting since, 

opened the panel with a reflection on his own 

days at Brewster. 

“Last time I was behind a podium at Brewster, 

I was the student council president and I was 

about to be impeached.” 

Gorden began doing stand up comedy at age 

16 while at Brewster. Since then he has added 

Boston, New York, and Chicago to his venues. “I 

realized after graduation that I was not Robert De 

Niro.“ Maybe not. But Gorden has made a name 

for himself in the entertainment world. 

Currently, Gorden is 

part of a comedy duo 

The Rob and Mark 

Show and together 

they host SpikeTV’s 

“Geek-Ray Vision.” 

Their show has been 

seen on The Oxygen 

Network and their performances have been a 

New York comedy highlight. Long before the 

SpikeTV and The Rob and Mark Show, however, 

Gorden earned a B.F.A. from Salem State College 

in Salem, Massachusetts, and studied with 

Shakespeare & Company in the Berkshires. 

He has performed in commercials, film, and 

theatre, including appearances on CBS’s “The 

World Wild Web”, QVC, and the classic B movie 

“Drainiac.” Gorden’s interest in the Civil War 

and his role as a reenactor led to a voiceover role 

in the award-winning film “Gettysburg: The 

Boys of Blue and Gray.” 

Rob and Mark are songwriters, too. Their songs 

have earned airtime on WFNX in Boston, WZON 

(owned by Stephen King), in Maine, XM Satellite 

Radio, and the legendary Dr. Demento show. 

They have written songs for the Boston Red Sox, 

and their video “The Subway Song” recently 

premiered in New York City. 

So, how did Brewster help launch his comedy 

and songwriting career or, as Gorden put it to the 

All-School audience, “what does acting comedy 

have to do with Brewster?” First Gorden had to 

explain, “I was like the kid in all the smart classes 

who maybe shouldn’t have been there.” And 

one of those classes was Dick Fahy’s AP History 

class. Gorden respectfully, but humorously, 

talked about how the late Mr. Fahy was quick 

to remind his students that he was a Marine and 

when you’re a Marine, if you fall down, you get 

right back up. And Mr. Fahy, Gorden exclaimed, 

expected that same discipline of his AP History 

students. 

“I hate writing comedy, but I have to, otherwise 

I won’t have a job. I hate it because I don’t think 

[my writing] is funny.” In these moments of 

writer’s doubt and angst, Gorden hears Mr. Fahy. 

“I was in the Marines. I was in the mud, you get 

up, you get writing.” 

And so the need for discipline ingrained many 

years ago in a Brewster history class from a 

teacher with high expectations, has helped Rob 

12 


Career panel particpants, l-r: Chris Petronio ’01, Gregory Douglass ’99, Rob Gorden ’90, and Kit Van 

Wagner ’89 

Gorden get his work done so he can realize his 

dream – making people laugh – and there’s 

nothing funny about that. 

The next panelist came to Brewster as a day 

student and remembered that she found the 

small community of Wolfeboro somewhat of a 

shock after having lived in London; Kobe, Japan; 

and Oslo, Norway. 

Kit Van Wagner ’89: 

Environmental Educator 

While at Brewster Kit Van Wagner ’89 realized 

her interest in both the arts and sciences. In 

fact, she spent hours and hours in the school’s 

darkroom and discovered a love of photography, 

something she knew she wanted to be a part of 

what she did with her life. She just wasn’t sure 

how that would come together. 

Following graduation, she yearned to return 

to city living. She enrolled at Simmons College 

in Boston but soon realized that city life really 

wasn’t what she wanted. She transferred to 

the quieter campus of Middlebury College 

in Vermont, where she earned a degree in 

environmental studies. Upon graduation and in 

search of a warmer climate, Van Wagner headed 

south to the Florida Keys where an internship 

awaited her at the Newfound Harbor Marine 

Institute. After four months, she became a science 

instructor at the Institute and at its summer 

program, Seacamp. It turned out to be everything 

she wanted and she spent every day in the water. 

She stayed for four years and during her fourth 

year, she added divemaster, deckhand, and 

kayak guide to her responsibilities. 

During this time, Van Wagner was taking 

advantage of all the opportunities around her 

that would build her professional portfolio 

and complement her studies. This included 

obtaining her U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license 

and scuba instructor rating and learning to sail. 

With these certifications and her expertise, Van 

Wagner has worked for nearly a decade as an 

onboard naturalist on small expedition ships 

in the South Pacific, New Zealand, the islands 

of the Caribbean, Alaska, Costa Rica, and Baja, 

Mexico. 

She spoke with regret about not having been 

involved with Brewster’s sailing program while 

she had the opportunity. The Pinckney Boathouse 

had just been completed and the sailing program 

could have given her a jump start in a direction 

she would soon find herself heading. She 

encouraged students to take advantage of all 


13

“The friends you make 

here are for life.” 

that Brewster offers, never knowing what seed 

might be planted along the way. “It’s up to you 

to take advantage of things here.” 

Van Wagner admitted 

that luck and timing had 

something to do with 

finding the right jobs and 

career path for her but the 

hard work and perseverance that precedes that 

luck or the good timing, puts a person in the 

position to be ready for it when it comes along. 

After four years with the Newfound Harbor 

Marine Institute she returned to school, earning 

a master’s degree in science education from the 

Florida Institute of Technology. “I had planned 

to move out of Florida after graduation but the 

reality was the best opportunity for getting jobs 

was right there.” She spoke about her knowledge 

of the Florida ecosystems and having made 

professional connections in the community. So 

she stayed and worked for a local government 

land conservation program as an education 

specialist. In addition to creating meaningful 

outdoor experiences for audiences of all ages, she 

has enjoyed developing educational brochures, 

interpretive exhibits and signage, interactive 

touch-screen kiosks, teacher workshops, and 

acting as a liaison with her community. 

Van Wagner now works for the Narragansett 

Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in 

Rhode Island. She is the education coordinator 

and her “office” is Prudence Island in the middle 

of Narragansett Bay, which means she arrives 

for work each day by ferry, never far from the 

water. 

Before closing, Van Wagner spoke briefly about 

Brewster friendships. “The friends you make 

here are for life,” she assured the community. 

Gesturing to Gorden she explained how they 

hadn’t seen each other since graduation day but 

the night before, upon running into each other 

at the Wolfeboro Inn, they sat down and talked 

like no time had passed since that day. 

Chris Petronio ’01: Marketer 

While time was passing between when Gorden 

and Van Wagner had last seen each other and 

would meet again, Chris Petronio ’01 enrolled 

as a junior and was having his own Brewster 

experiences. The third panelist empathized with 

today’s students, saying, “It’s not easy at your 

age to leave your comfortable environment and 

move here. You are risk takers.” 

The self-described risk-taker talked about his 

college to work transition. He graduated from 

college on a Monday (the College of Wooster, 

with a degree in history), moved to New York 

City on that following Friday, and started looking 

for a job on Monday, motivated as much by all 

the possibilities Manhattan could offer as by 

the need to survive and pay big rent in the big 

city. Petronio began enthusiastically searching 

for a career in business and sales. The first job 

– selling online office products – ended up being 

the “absolute wrong job for me.” 

Then another job came along that he really 

wanted and for which he thought he was the best 

candidate. When he didn’t get the job, he called 

back to say that he 

wanted to work 

for the company, 

that he thought 

he was right for 

the company, and 

a s k e d t h e m t o 

consider him for 

other openings. 

He e-mailed once 

a month to check 

in and see if any 

“It’s not easy at 

your age to leave 

your comfortable 

environment and 

move here. You 

are risk takers.” 

opportunities had come up. One day, out of 

the blue, something had opened up and the 

opportunity was his. 

Along the way, between jobs, one person who 

hired him was a Brewster alumnus and although 

it wasn’t the job for Petronio, he and the alum 

parted amicably and Petronio urged students to 

remember his name because maybe some day 

he could help one of them. He now works for 

the direct marketing company, ParadyszMatera, 

where he is the coordinator for various accounts, 

including Smithsonian, Financial Times, Fidelity 

Investments, TV Guide, and Vonage. 

As the panelists before him had imparted, 

Petronio encouraged students to appreciate their 

Brewster experience. “Do get to appreciate it 

here. There are so many people out there who 

would kill to be here.” 

14 


He has co-billed with They 

Might Be Giants, India Arie, 

Jason Mraz, and Melissa 

Ferrick. 

H o w d o e s h e m a k e i t 

happen? “I’m pretty much 

a workaholic these days as I 

am self-managed on a fulltime 

basis. Usually writing/ 

creating/recording happens 

in waves or chunks of time 

where I put everything else 

on hold to stay in the ‘groove’ 

of inspiration. Otherwise, I’m 

booking and promoting myself 

until all hours of the night and 

performing/touring as much 

as possible.” 

Gregory Douglass ’99: 

Singer-Songwriter 

The final panelist of the day chose the piano 

bench from which to relate to students. Gregory 

Douglass, born and raised in rural Vermont, 

taught himself to play the piano and guitar 

and during junior high began writing his own 

songs. 

“I liked to sing and write songs,” Douglass said. 

That was a big part of his decision to attend 

Brewster. He was looking for a college-like 

experience and found that experience at Brewster 

and more, referring to the school’s recording 

studio, which gave him the opportunity to demo 

his music early on. 

When Douglass graduated from Brewster in 1999, 

then-Headmaster David M. Smith presented him 

with a music award and announced that Douglass 

was the first student he has ever encouraged not 

to go to college. Douglass immediately acted on 

that advice and began pursuing his passion fulltime. 

That passion has led to the release of six 

records as an independent artist. He composed 

and recorded the material for his first two albums 

while at Brewster. 

His accolades include being a finalist for both 

the 2005 International Songwriting Competition 

and the 2004 Independent Music Awards and 

winning the 2003 GrammyFest Awards in 

New York City. In 2003, he was the inaugural 

performer on the American Red Cross “Save A 

Life Tour.” 

And what does Douglass do for fun? “I don’t do 

much else honestly but the occasional movie or 

concert always fuels a little inspiration and some 

times I can even get a new song out of it.” 

Between performing songs at the All School, 

the 26 year-old singer-songwriter 

offered this advice to the current 

students of his alma mater: “Follow 

your dreams, as clichéd as that 

sounds, I think we need to.” 

“Take a close look at what you want 

to do and how you can make that 

happen. Find out what you need to 

do realistically.” 

Douglass performed “Sail the Sea” 

from his fifth record, Stark, and “Up 

& Away” from his sixth record, Up 

& Away. 

In April, he embarks on his 2nd 

Annual National House Concert 

Tour, which will have him traveling 

around the country through August. 

Despite his success, Douglass isn’t all that 

removed from his days at Brewster. Driving 

over to campus from Vermont that morning, he 

realized he was wearing his holiest jeans. With a 

wide smile he commented, “I’m so not in dress 

code right now and I’m really enjoying that.” 

For more information on Douglass, to order cds, 

or to check concert schedules, please visit www. 

gregorydouglass.com. • 

“Take a close 

look at what 

you want 

to do and 

how you can 

make that 

happen. Find 

out what you 

need to do 

realistically.” 


15

Around campus 

Ting-Chun Lin ‘09, Chen-Hsu Wang 

‘07, David Liao ‘07, and Hyun Ku Cho 

‘07 enjoy the Mardi Gras-themed winter 

formal dance. 

Winter 

Formal 

Tara Mead ‘07, Gina Commissiong ‘10, Jess 

Palmer ‘09, and Kerry Mead ‘09 

Andrew 

Borden ‘07 

and 

Denise 

Sprague ‘07 

Teagan Lewis ’08, a guest, and Chanita Susewi ’10 

Basketball star Emmanuel Negedu ‘08 

can skate, too! 

Contenders at 

Winter Carnival: 

Channel 4 News 

Chanelle Roy ‘08 and 

Christine Merry ‘08 

Fun at the Pop Whalen Arena! 

16 


Teacher Appreciation Celebration 

By Beth Hayes ’81 

Co-chair of the Local Parents’ Association Anne Sprague (Leah ‘04, Denise ‘07) 

shares in the delight, along with the rest of the crowd, of history teacher and team 

leader Charlie Hossack, who won the grand prize trip of three nights in Key Largo! 

Yee Haw! 

On Saturday night, March 3, 

Brewster’s Pinckney Boathouse 

was transformed into the BA Corral! 

Over 100 Brewster faculty and staff 

members and their guests enjoyed 

a knee-slapping, toe-tapping night. 

Thanks to the creativity and generosity 

of the Brewster parents, there were gift 

baskets piled as high as the eye could 

see. Every faculty and staff member 

who attended selected the basket of 

their choice as their raffle number 

was called out by Anne Sprague, 

co-president of the Local Parents’ 

Association, and faculty member and 

emcee Byron Martin. In addition to the 

gift baskets, there were 12 special prizes 

in a faculty raffle that brought the folks 

to their feet in anticipation of winning 

one of these beauties. 

Faculty winners and their prizes included: 

Emily James - a MacGregor putter, donated by Paul and Phyllis Tessier and 

Bald Peak Colony Club 

Chris Byers - $100 gift certificate to Garwoods Restaurant, donated by 

Melinda Fitting and James Eastham (Katherine Eastham ‘08) 

Jim Weeks - A gourmet dinner including wine for six donated by Jim 

and Kathy O’Brien (Jimmy ‘04, Katie ‘06) 

Sharon K. Lee, TJ Palmer, Byron Martin, Rob O’Blenis, and Bill Lee each 

won two bottles of fine wine, donated by Jim and Kathy O’Brien (Jimmy ‘04, 

Katie ‘06) 

Jaime Garzon - Six Red Sox tickets, donated by Grant Wilson ‘87 

Kevin Lawlor - Two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the continental 

U.S., donated by Rex and Sharon Jobe (Reagan ‘01) 

Sarah Anderson - L.L. Bean gift bag with wine and $100, donated by Susan 

and Ernie Whitehouse (Spencer ‘09) 

Faculty members Brittany Ames and 

Michelle Rafalowski-Houseman kick up 

their heels. 

Charlie Hossack - Grand Prize Winner -Three nights for two in Key Largo, 

donated by Peter and Bea Citron (Matt ‘04) 


17

Marsha Brooks from the Business Office shows a few country steps to 

faculty member and emcee Byron Martin. 

English teacher Sarah Anderson (with 

Aengus, 5 months) catching up with math 

teacher and team leader Kevin Lawlor. 

Kevin and his wife, dorm parent Jillian, 

became parents in December. 

You can’t have a proper hoedown without proper vittles 

and music. Jim Carey and Lionel Tandy from Brewster’s 

mess hall put on quite a a spread: Texas-style beef brisket, 

barbecued chicken, Southwest mac and cheese, quesadillas, 

and corn bread were just a few of the fixin’s, not to mention 

the Southern Comfort peach cobbler. And you should have 

seen those teachers dance! They bootscooted, boogied, sidestepped, 

and high-heeled all over that dance floor to the 

sounds of country classics and Southern rock. 

Thank you to all of the parents who sent baskets, gift 

certificates, and sponsorships. YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN! 

Thank you to the cowhands who went to market, wrapped, 

hauled, and decorated for the night’s festivities. A special 

thanks to Anne Sprague (Leah ’04, Denise ‘07) and Patti 

Edson (Caitlyn ’08, Megan ’09), who co-chaired the event, 

and to the parents who stayed at the event until the last 

of the cowboys/girls went to their bunks. Also, a special 

thanks to BA parents Linda and Lou Siracusa (Liz ’07) of 

Linda’s Flowers, who created wondeful centerpieces 

that resembled the Arizona desert in bloom. 

Our parent and friend volunteers also included: 

Kristine Apfeld (Luke ’09, Grace ’10) 

Judith Braun-Colcord (Alex Colcord ’09) 

Christie Bravo (Andrea ’05, Ethan ’08) 

Karyn Caldwell (Robert ’07) 

Sue Corby (Emily Oas ’09) 

Catherine Drouin (Nate ’10) 

Kathy Engel (Mike ’09) 

Kim and Warren Gould 

Mary and Roland Lefebvre (Nicole ’09) 

Lisa Lucier (Chezney Aubert ’07) 

Bobbie Moulton (Alex ’08) 

Jeanne and Mark Pierce (Brittanie ’10) 

Cathy Roy (Jordan ’09) 

Robin Webster (Brooke ’08) • 

Some of the incredible gift baskets created by Brewster parents. Well over 

100 baskets came in from across the country! 

Photos by Peggy Comeau 

18 


The Pendulum Project: 

Helping Children With AIDS 

All-School December 15, 2006 

By Peggy Comeau 

Ellen McCurley, executive director of The Pendulum 

Project, used to have a high-paying job at a corporate 

marketing firm. Realizing that she wanted more – to help 

people in need on a grassroots level – she went back to 

school and earned first her master’s in social work, then 

her master’s in public health. Then, six years ago, she 

founded The Pendulum Project, a non-profit humanitarian 

foundation that helps families and communities care for, 

support, and protect orphans and other vulnerable children 

in Malawi, where the HIV/AIDS epidemic is raging. 

The Pendulum Project links those who help these at-risk 

children with those who can provide resources and hope. 

She explained that every family in Malawi is affected by 

the AIDS crisis – the death rate among children five and 

under is 23 percent; the life expectancy of an adult is age 42; 

and 25 per cent of all children are orphans, many of whom 

are caring for not only their own brothers and sisters, but 

cousins and other unrelated children who have no family 

left. 

McCurley recently returned from the project’s office in 

Malawi, where she spends an average of four months 

each year. Her son and daughter, both college students, 

accompanied her on this most recent trip, and it was a 

life-changing experience for both. She told the Brewster 

students that no matter what they ended up doing in life, 

they should realize they are part of a small world, a global 

community, and should look for ways to help, to take over 

from the generation now helping but getting older. 

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, philanthropist 

Warren Buffet, and even pop singer Madonna were praised 

for their help in the fight against HIV/AIDS. McCurley 

stressed that the funds her organization raises via grants 

and other donations world-wide do not go to pay for high 

salaries nor benefits for the project’s staff, but for helping 

Malawi children’s aid organizations at the most basic 

level with medicines, education, books and other school 

supplies, training, and simple technology. 

Ellen McCurley, founder of The Pendulum Project, smiles 

as she tells the students about Gladys, an orphan who was 

very sick when they met but who was helped by an aid 

organization supported by the project. On her recent trip 

back to Malawi, McCurley found Gladys in better health 

and back in school. 

“AIDS is not just something we can 

contain to one continent or turn a blind 

eye to. Africa is not a lost cause. It’s time 

for our generation to take a stand.” 

~ Amberlee Jones ’08 



19

McCurley urged the students to consider 

accompanying her group to Malawi in the future. 

When asked what kind of help a student could offer, 

McCurley explained that some have helped the aid 

organization workers learn how to use a laptop; 

some have helped build houses, taught guitar, or 

helped with planting farms. McCurley stressed 

that just going over and working with the children, 

letting them know that other people care about their 

plight, is a tremendous help and gives hope to a 

generation without a lot of hope. 

Students and faculty gathered around McCurley 

after her talk to ask questions about her work and 

how they might get involved. Students and adults 

also admired the handiwork of the Malawi children 

on display, purchasing necklaces and bracelets 

priced at $1 to support the project in a small way. • 

McCurley explains to students and faculty how they can help the orphans and other 

vulnerable children in Malawi. 

Upcoming All-Schools 

April 13 : Travis Roy 

April 27: Russell Cosby 

May 11: Talent in the House 

May 18: School Elections 

May 23: Spring Sports Awards 

Annie Debow 

’07, Brooke 

Webster ’08, and 

Annie Dearborn 

’08 admire 

their purchases, 

jewelry made by 

the children of 

Malawi. 

Lady Hoopsters Also Selected for New Englands 

Continued from page 24 

averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 

steals per game and was the leader in all four 

categories. Seniors Beth Gallugi and Elaine 

Fancy (Moncton, New Brunswick) also added 

to the team’s success. Both Gallugi (Swampscott, 

Massachusetts) and Fancy missed eight games 

due to injury, but when they were on the court, 

Brewster was obviously a much better team, 

Jacobs said. Fancy had the second highest scoring 

average at 6.5; Gallugi was right behind her with 

6 points per game and was the second leading 

rebounder for the team. “We are going to miss 

the athleticism of all three of these seniors. It will 

be hard to replace their stats,” Jacobs said. 

“What is great about this year, is that we made 

the playoffs, and all of our younger players 

got an opportunity to play and improve,” 

he added. Seven players will return next 

season: juniors Hannah Byers (Wolfeboro) 

and Sam Brown (Bedford, New Hampshire), 

sophomores Emily Oas and Taylor Callahan, 

both of Wolfeboro, and freshmen Margaret 

George (Wolfeboro), Ellen Hayes (Wakefield, 

New Hampshire), and Kelsey Hammond 

(Wolfeboro). • 

20 


Brewster’s Re-Accreditation 

By Dr. Michael E. Cooper 

In November 2006 The Commission on 

Independent Schools informed me of its vote to 

grant Brewster Academy continued accreditation 

by the New England Association of Schools and 

Colleges, Inc. (NEASC). 

Independent schools desiring accreditation 

by the NEASC must undergo re-accreditation 

every 10 years. Brewster has received continued 

accreditation since its initial membership with 

the NEASC in 1933. 

Upon confirmation of Brewster’s re-accreditation, 

the Commission commended Brewster for 

following its mission with clarity, for innovations 

in teaching, (e.g. “best practices”), and for the 

Brewster Academy Summer Institute, which has 

involved the entire faculty. 

The NEASC is the regional accrediting body 

for New England and American/international 

schools in more than 60 countries. It accredits 

programs from pre-K through the doctoral 

level. 

The Re-Accreditation Process 

The evaluation program for re-accreditation 

is a three-step process, which includes a selfstudy 

by the school, an evaluation by a visiting 

committee, and a follow-up program by the 

school to implement findings from its self-study 

and the valid recommendations of the visiting 

committee. 

For the Brewster community, the re-accreditation 

process began with the appointment in early 2005 

of Bonnie Medico, director of personnel, and 

Raylene Davis, director of the English as a Second 

Language program, as co-chairs of Brewster’s reaccreditation 

process. The self-study began in 

spring 2005 with a goal of examining how well 

Brewster met the accreditation standards of the 

NEASC. Every teacher, administrator, and staff 

member served on one or two committees during 

the self-study. Each committee was responsible 

for writing a specific section of the self-study 

report. Additionally, parents provided feedback 

and input to committees via questionnaires, and 

where appropriate, students served on select 

committees. 

The self-study committees focused on the 

following areas of the Academy: Mission, Students 

and Parents, Professional Staff, Governance, 

Administration and 

Faculty, Institutional 

Issues, and Culture and 

Climate. 

In writing the reports, 

committee members 

examined what Brewster 

says it does while looking 

at how well the school 

actually does it. Members 

also identified – and 

made recommendations 

for – areas needing 

improvement. 

The self-study groups 

worked for nearly 18 

months, producing final 

drafts by Summer 2006. 

The reports were then sent to the Visiting 

Committee, appointed by the Commission on 

Independent Schools, that would visit Brewster 

for four days in October. 

This Visiting Committee comprised eight 

administrators and faculty from independent 

schools throughout New England. This group 

was charged with determining if Brewster 

passed the NEASC standards, assessing if 

Brewster’s self-study was a true reflection of 

the institution, and making commendations 

and recommendations. While on campus, 

they conducted interviews with faculty, staff, 

administrators, and students. 

I received official notification in mid-November 

that Brewster was granted re-accreditation. 

Photos by Stephen Allen 


21

What Does Brewster’s Re-Accreditation Mean? 

After reviewing the self-study reports and concluding their campus visit, the 

Visiting Committee responded to a “checklist” of standards for accreditation. In 

all, there were 77 standards to which each of the Visiting Committee members 

responded to regarding Brewster’s commitment to and practice of fulfilling its 

mission and, ultimately, how well it serves the needs of its 

students. 

Committee members voted unanimously, in the affirmative, 

on 67 of these statements. Of the 10 standards that did not 

receive a unanimous affirmative response, each one received 

between five and seven affirmative responses. Thus, all 

standards received a majority of positive votes. Overall, an 

excellent “grade report” for Brewster Academy and, most 

importantly, for the students whose needs are being well served 

by Brewster’s programs. 

As it was validating to learn that what Brewster thinks it does 

best, is indeed what Brewster does best, the school also was 

eager to learn where committee members indicated there was 

room for improvement. Recommendations for improvement 

ranged from fundraising priorities and maximizing human and 

financial resources, to a review of equity in staff assignments 

and assessing and clarifying roles in certain areas. 

At the heart of 

Brewster’s strength 

is its mission and 

the commitment 

of administrators, 

trustees, and faculty 

to allow the mission 

to guide them 

in planning and 

decision making 

in all areas of the 

school and for this 

the Committee 

commended the 

Academy for this 

clear articulation 

of mission. 

The specific recommendations, taken directly from the Visiting Committee’s 

report: 

• Give every priority to the building of the infrastructures required to 

increase annual and capital giving to the school while maintaining high 

levels of enrollment, given the pressures on the operating budget as a 

result of low endowment. 

• Review the equity of coaching, teaching, and residential life assignments 

to ensure parity. 

• Assess communication about and the role of faculty involvement in the 

creation and evolution of policies in the school. 

• Clarify the role of the faculty and administration in curriculum 

development. 

• Assure that communication is open and clear between Maintenance, 

Housekeeping, and the Administration in order to maximize the benefits 

of human and financial resources. 

What Does Brewster Do Best? 

At the heart of Brewster’s strength is its mission and the commitment of 

administrators, trustees, and faculty to allow the mission to guide them in 

planning and decision making in all areas of the school and for this the Committee 

commended the Academy for this clear articulation of mission. 

Another significant commendation by the Committee – and directly related to how 

we best serve our students – is Brewster’s benchmark practice. When questions 

arise about Brewster’s ability to adequately meet the needs of an applicant who 

22 


has additional academic support needs, a benchmark committee convenes to 

thoroughly assess the applicant’s ability to achieve success within the Brewster 

program. The benchmark program coupled with a thorough application process for 

all applicants has helped produce a high retention rate (approximately 96 percent) 

of students who return to Brewster. The Committee acknowledged that this practice 

is directly connected to a high rate of student success at Brewster. 

The committee’s major commendations, taken directly from the report: 

• Brewster recognizes the developmental levels of children and takes them 

into consideration in planning programs and teaching methodologies. 

Through the Brewster model and the core beliefs underpinning teaching 

methodologies, Brewster Academy establishes itself at the forefront of 

pedagogical development and is clearly pro-active in the development of 

curriculum that is student-centered and takes into consideration 

individual differences. 

• The Academy prioritizes time for teachers to plan together and discuss 

students. Of particular note in this regard is the creation of the team 

structure that is grade specific and brings together in regular meetings 

teaching faculty and advisors to discuss individual students of concern or 

note. This collaborative sharing creates both in perception and reality a 

system that ensures no student will go unnoticed or un-supported. 

• With the opening of the Smith Center for Athletics and Wellness, Brewster 

Academy admirably fulfills that part of its mission, which speaks to the 

education and development of the whole child both in mind and body. 

In particular, a first-class athletic training system exists for the prevention 

and care of athletic injuries. 

• In an environment where many schools struggle with the internal 

competitions of programs, Brewster Academy is remarkably committed to 

sustaining the focus as outlined in the mission. 

• Brewster Academy’s sophisticated utilization of technology enhances 

the delivery of its mission through the evolution and implementation of 

curriculum. Technology also enhances the Academy’s ability to 

communicate in an effective and intentional manner to both internal and 

external audiences. 

At every turn, Brewster Academy puts students at the center of every decision 

– from program pedagogy and teaching methodologies that consider individual 

learning styles to prioritizing time for teachers to collaborate and share their 

students’ progress and challenges so no student goes unsupported. Brewster’s 

latest re-accreditation report reveals that the Academy’s commitment to mission 

is foremost and it is this commitment that allows the school to stay focused on its 

most important goal – serving the needs of its students. 

The final and third step in the process takes place in 2008 when Brewster will report 

on what steps it has taken in response to each recommendation. 

Anyone interested in learning more about Brewster’s re-accreditation is welcome 

to contact me (Michael_Cooper@brewsteracademy.org). For information on the 

NEASC and accreditation in general, please visit the NEASC website at 

www.neasc.org. • 

Brewster’s latest 

re-accreditation 

report reveals that 

the Academy’s 

commitment to 

mission is foremost 

and it is this 

commitment that 

allows the school to 

stay focused on its 

most important goal 

– serving the needs of 

its students. 


23

Winter Athletic Awards 

Varsity 

Boys’ Varsity Basketball 

Coaches’ Award Sean Arrington 

Coaches’ Award Grant Hope 

Coaches’ Award Jonas Lalehzadeh 

Boys’ Varsity B Basketball 

Leadership Award Matt Fontaine 

Coaches’ Award James Ellison 

MIP 

Stone Lauderdale 

Girls’ Varsity Basketball 

MVP 

Kelsey Harger 

Coaches’ Award Taylor Callahan 

Coaches’ Award Hannah Byers 

Varsity Alpine Ski 

MVP 

MVP 

Coaches’ Award 

24 

Katherine Welch 

Scott Cameron 

Max Weinstein 

Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey 

MVP 

Sam Avoine 

Coaches’ Award Will MacNeil 

Coaches’ Award Grant Gosselin 

Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey 

MVP 

Suzanne Fenerty 

MIP 

Teraysa White 

Coaches’ Award Kristen Ezard 

Nordic Skiing 

Career Achievement 

Career Achievement 

Junior Varsity 

Boys’ JV Basketball 

MVP 

MIP 


Sara Hodges 

Andrew Borden 

David Liao 

HyunKu Cho 

Yu-Nien Chien 

Boys’ JV B Basketball 

MVP 

Matt Nichols 

MIP 

Kanji Nada 

Coaches’ Award Ting-Chun Lin 

Girls’ JV Basketball 

MVP 


MIP 

Boys’ JV Ice Hockey 

MVP 

MIP 


Girls’ JV Ice Hockey 

MVP 

MIP 


Ellen Hayes 

Gina Commissiong 

Isabel Ritter 

Alex Hutchins 

Chris Cason 

Evan Price 

Tara Mead 

Anna Schaefer 

Annie Dearborn 

New England Finalists 

The boys’ varsity basketball team 

enjoyed another successful season 

finishing with a record of 29-6, which 

earned them a final ranking of 5th 

nationally. It’s the sixth consecutive 

year the team has been ranked in the top 

10 nationally. The 29 victories also set a 

new school record. During the playoffs, 

the team won an overtime contest in 

the NEPSAC Class A quarterfinals vs. 

St. Thomas More (97-91) as well as an 

exciting victory over South Kent School 

(85-83) in the semifinals before losing 

in the championship game to Bridgton 

Academy, 67-80. During the season, the 

Bobcats captured the New Hampton 

Invitational for the first time in school 

history. The team was led by cocaptains 

Andre McFarland (Las Vegas) 

and Emmanuel Negedu (Kaduna, 

Nigeria), who provided tremendous 

leadership throughout the year. The 

boys enjoyed outstanding support 

from the Brewster community during 

the year. Over 100 NCAA Division I 

coaches made the trek to Wolfeboro to 

evaluate and meet with members of 

the team. Many have earned scholarships 

and will continue playing at the collegiate 

level. Brewster will have new alums at 

the following universities this fall: Andre 

Walker of Flossmooor, Illinois (Vanderbilt), 

McFarland (Idaho), Craig Brackins of 

Palmdale, California (Iowa State), and 

Lady Hoopsters Also Selected for New Englands 

The girls’ varsity basketball team, 

led by head coach, Michael Jacobs, 

also saw post-season play but lost in the 

quarterfinals to #1 ranked Kimball Union 

Academy. 

“We surprised a lot people by getting in 

this year,” Jacobs said. “Although we 

didn’t have an overall winning record, we 

did have a winning record within Class 

C, our league. Most of our losses came to 

Class B and A schools.” 

BrewsterConnections • Spring 2007 

Dogus Balbay of Istanbul, Turkey 

(Texas). Others will make their decisions 

later this spring. “Overall, the year was 

most successful and I look forward to 

staying in touch with the guys in the 

future, as well as following their college 

careers,” Coach Jason D. Smith said. • 

“Playing a very tough schedule actually 

helped us get selected for post-season 

play,” he said. Six of the teams’ losses 

and one of their victories came against 

schools that won the New England 

Championship for their class. 

Senior Kelsey Harger (Glenview, 

Illinois) earned team MVP honors. She 

Continued on page 20 

Phil Stiles

Community Service Projects 

In this issue of BrewsterConnections, we highlight students who 

are involved with community service projects that directly impact 

individuals in the local Wolfeboro community. 

What Are You Doing With Your Free Block? 


Dallas Aho 

During his free block on Fridays of winter trimester, 

Dallas Aho ’07 wasn’t doing his homework and he 

wasn’t chillin’ in the Estabrook. He was driving around 

Wolfeboro delivering meals – Meals on Wheels. 

Aho first became familiar with Meals on Wheels this past 

summer in his hometown of Vancouver, Washington. Meals 

on Wheels is a non-profit group that prepares nutritious 

meals for people who are unable to prepare their own 

meals. 

“This summer I helped out at a place that delivered Meals 

on Wheels, but I wasn’t old enough to be a driver so I rode 

along on a route. Then one day during my free block in 

Wolfeboro a car drove past me with a Meals on Wheels 

sign. I thought that it would be a good community service 

project – since I was now 18, had a car, and a free block 

during lunch time.” 

Dallas Aho ’07 stands beside his wheels he uses for delivering Meals on 

Wheels 

“ ... we both developed strong bonds and 

had meaningful experiences in the very 

same place 73 years apart.” 

And so on Fridays Aho would drive the 2/10s of a mile to 

the local Huggins Hospital where the meals were prepared. 

He’d load them in his SUV and head out to make his 

deliveries. “On the Wolfeboro route, there are usually about 

10 meals. At the drop-off it’s really just a quick exchange of 

a meal, a smile, and a greeting.” 

But Aho remembers one of his delivery stops fondly. “One 

of my most amazing experiences with Meals on Wheels 

was when I got to deliver to Ms. Pollini. ... Inside her home 

can be found a Brewster quilt on the rocking chair. When I 

asked her about the different Brewster items in her home, 

she told me that she graduated with the class of ‘34. To me 

it was really cool to think that she and I had walked the 

same halls and were part of something powerful. ... It was 

the idea that we both developed strong bonds and had 

meaningful experiences in the very same place 73 years 

apart.” • 


25

Community Service Update 

Jenn Clements ’07 

Putting Smiles on Faces 

With Her Dancing: Jenn Clements 

Jenn Clements ’07 of Wolfeboro has been dancing ballet since she was 

three and plans to continue dancing when she heads to college next 

year. In between classes and sports commitments (she’s a varsity field 

hockey and lacrosse player), and her own ballet classes, she shares her 

love of dance with the young and the old right here in the Wolfeboro 

community. 

Once a week she heads to a local ballet studio to teach ballet to 

beaming three year-olds. “It’s my favorite thing to do. They are so 

driven to do well and want to learn.” 

Last summer she brought one of her dance routines to the Adult 

Day Center at nearby Huggins Hospital. The center serves mainly 

community members afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and other 

types of dementia. Clements would perform Faith Hill’s “Breathe” on 

pointe for the attendees, her grandmother among them. 

She says the experience was very rewarding, and she continues to share 

her love of dance and Alzheimer’s awareness with other communities 

as a participant in local and state pageants where she has the 

opportunity to speak about the disease and it’s impact on families. 

“People don’t realize how it affects families and how families suffer 

from it as well as the patients,” she said. 

On March 17, Jenn was crowned Miss New Hampshire National 

Teenager and will be competing for Miss National Teenager in July in 

Nashville, Tennesee. • 

Did you know? 

During the 2005-06 school 

year, Brewster students 

completed nearly 7,000 hours 

of community service. 

26 


Community Service Update 

Don’t Throw Out That Can! 

Bring it to the Goodwin Girls 

Beginning in January, every Tuesday after their dorm 

meeting the girls of Goodwin House head out to a few 

dorms to collect returnable bottles and cans. So far they’ve 

collected about five large trash bags, according to Marika 

Deppmeyer, the girls’ community life parent. 

But the girls aren’t just recycling for the sake of recycling, 

although that alone would be a good cause, the girls have 

another mission. Through Director of Residence Life Jaime 

Wehrung, the girls learned of a local woman who was 

collecting recyclables and bringing them to Maine for the 5- 

cent redemption per can and bottle. (New Hampshire does 

not offer a redemption for recyclables). This woman’s 

goal is to earn enough money to pay for a much needed 

prosthetic device for her arm and hand. 

“The girls in Goodwin were passionate about recycling, 

and we wanted to take that and translate it to a 

community service project that the girls would be excited 

about,” Deppmeyer said. 

The girls will continue their collection efforts through the 

end of the school year • 

The Girls of Goodwin (l to r): Susan Ngai, Emily Lesko, Maria Schaefer, Christie Sharlow, Suzanne Fenerty, 

Nicole Louiseize, Tara Mead, Jenn White, Alyssa Hennigar, Marika Deppmeyer, and lounging across her dorm 

mates is Kelsey Glencross. 


27

Fine and Performing Arts News 

Friends of the Arts 

Several Brewster students submitted their artwork this year to the Friends of 

the Arts show at Plymouth State University’s Silver Center for the Arts. 

Juried into the show were a 7-inch by 9inch photo titled “Norway Streets” by 

Paul Algate ’07 and a 19” ceramic vase by Denise Sprague ’07, both of whom 

are from Wolfeboro. 

Shannon Doherty ’08 of Wolfeboro and Susan Ngai ’08 of Hong Kong both 

received Honorable Mention in the ceramics category for their 19” vases. • 

19-inch vase by 

Denise Sprague ’07 

“Norway Streets” by Paul Algate ’07 

Brewster Music Department Concerts 

November 14: 

Music For The Crescent Moon in Anderson Hall 

HOWL chorus, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Wind 

Ensemble performed. 

December 12: 

Roll Over, Beethoven in Anderson Hall 

HOWL and Chamber Orchestra warmed up for the 

Beethoven Mass in C gala at the University of New 

Hampshire. Jazz Band and the Wind Ensemble also 

performed. 

December 16 and 17: 

Clearlakes Chorale presents A Radiant Christmas at Saint 

Katherine Drexel Church 

Featuring Magnificat of J. S. Bach and Carols from Victorian 

England 

28 

BrewsterConnections • Spring 2007 

January 20: 

Beethoven Mass in C Major at the University of New 

Hampshire 

HOWL was again invited by the director of Choral 

Activities at the University of New Hampshire on January 

20 to join with a few other area high schools in performing 

Beethoven’s Mass in C with the UNH Concert Choir and 

Orchestra. 

Those participating in the UNH concert included: 

Grace Apfeld 

BoKyung Choi 

SongJi Choi 

YoungEun Choi 

HyunJi Chung 

Karin Clement 

Ryan Cooper 

PJ Dailey 

Mark Deering 

Caitlyn Edson 

Katherine Fan 

Marina Garland 

HyunSoo Kim 

Nik Krainchich 

Lauren Landau 

Alex Moulton 

ChangSuk Oh 

Anna Parker 

Brittanie Pierce 

Caroline Prozer 

Elena Rukhadze 

Chanita Susewi 

Sarah Thompson

Stephen Allen 

Fine and Performing Arts News 

Spring Drama Production 

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, 

ABRIDGED is a high-speed roller-coaster condensation 

of all of Shakespeare’s plays and is not recommended for 

people with heart ailments, bladder problems, inner-ear 

disorders, and/or people inclined to motion sickness. 

Watch what happens when a group of Brewster students 

attempt to perform all of Shakespeare’s plays in just 90 

minutes. Romeo and Juliet is performed by two people, 

Othello becomes a rap, all the comedies melt into one, the 

history plays are done as a football game, Titus Andronicus 

is a cooking show, and Hamlet is done backwards! 

This wacky play will be performed by just five Brewster 

students who have been rehearsing all year during their 

E-block acting class. Starring are Amberlee Jones ’08, Alex 

Moulton ’08, Brittanie Pierce ’10, and Alison Waldorf 

’08, with a surprise guest appearance by another Brewster 

drama favorite! 

Performances for the upper school will be on May 17, for 

the lower school May 18, with a public performance on 

May 19 at 8 p.m. Performances will be held in the Rogers 

Building. • 

January 30: 

Winter Carnival Concert in the Rogers Building 

Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band featured. 

February 22 – 25: 

Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 

Brewster’s Theater and Music Departments teamed up 

once again to tell this tale of adventure and self-discovery 

which begins on a raft on the Mississippi River in the 1840s. 

(see story page 8) 

April 1 and 3: 

A Mozart Gala Concert 

The Brewster Academy Chamber Orchestra played a joint 

concert with the Mountain Top Community Orchestra on 

Sunday, April 1 at Salyards Museum in North Conway, 

New Hampshire, and on Tuesday, April 3 at Anderson Hall 

on campus. The concert featured the renowned clarinetist, 

Joe Rinaldi, performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. Other 

Mozart gems were performed as well. 

April 20: 

Family Weekend Adventures in the Performing Arts at the 

Black Box Theater 

Featuring HOWL, Chamber Orchestra, and Theater 

students • 


29

Welcome! 

Michael and Irene Appe 

Michael Appe, New Trustee 

Brewster Academy is pleased 

to welcome Michael Appe as 

the newest member of its board 

of trustees. Appe and his wife 

Irene retired to Wolfeboro from the 

Seattle area following a career with 

Microsoft Corporation. He retired 

as vice president of sales, United 

States. 

Since his arrival in the Lakes Region, 

Appe has been an active volunteer 

with the Wolfeboro Area Children’s 

Center and has served on the board 

of directors of the Wolfeboro Area 

Recreation Association since 2001. 

Born and raised in the Albany, New 

York, area, Appe graduated from 

the University of Vermont with a 

degree in mathematics. He and Irene 

are avid golfers and are members at 

both the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf 

Club and Kingswood Golf Club. 

The Appes hosted a wonderful 

silent and live auction this fall at 

their home as part of the Shamrock 

Open to benefit the John Naramore 

Scholarship Fund at Brewster 

Academy. 

Their niece, Marlowe Appe ’10, of 

Charlotte, Vermont, is a Brewster 

student. • 

During the February 

Board of Trustees 

meeting, Brewster 

hosted a luncheon 

for trustees and 

community leaders. The 

luncheon provided an 

opportunity for trustees 

to meet communtiy 

leaders and for those 

leaders to meet trustees 

and become more 

familiar with the 

Brewster community. 

Among those community leaders who were able to attend were: Mary DeVries (Executive 

Director, Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce), David Owen (Wolfeboro Town Manager), Linda 

Murray (Wolfeboro selectwoman), Bob Varney (attorney), Jane Milligan (Rotary Club), Edie 

Desmarais (N.H. Workforce Housing Council, Eastern Lakes Region), Lou Siracusa (Lions 

Club), Susan Whiting (Executive Director, Wolfeboro Area Children’s Center), and Robert Reid 

(Wolfeboro selectman) • 

30 


Advancement Office Update 

Dow Cabinet Finds 

a Welcome Home at 

Brewster 

In the fall of 2006 Marjorie Dow of Dow’s 

Corner Shop in Center Tuftonboro, New 

Hampshire, donated a massive solid mahogany 

cabinet to Brewster. Crafted in the late 1800s, the 

cabinet was used for displays by a department 

store in upstate New York. Marjorie and her 

late husband, Albert H. “Sandy” Dow Jr. ‘41, 

acquired the cabinet and used it as a display 

piece in their shop for many years. 

This magnificent mirrored cabinet stands eight 

feet tall and eight feet wide. It took some Yankee 

ingenuity and many hours and men to move it 

from Center Tuftonboro to Wolfeboro. Its new 

home is the hallway outside of the Kenison 

Library where the Academic Building and the 

Wilson Center for Teaching and Learning join. 

The Dow cabinet, as it is now known, will be 

used to display student artwork. 

The inscription on the plaque inside the cabinet 

reads: 

Given in memory of 

Albert H. Dow, Sr. ’06 

and 

Albert H. Dow, Jr. ’41 

by Marjorie H. Dow 

The Dow Cabinet in its new home 

outside the library 

Benefactor Marjorie H. Dow 

with family friend (and Brewster 

instructional support teacher) 

Jim Monahan 



31

Alumni News 


Recent Gatherings 

Colorado 

In November, nearly 50 alumni and friends turned 

out to enjoy a night of fun and getting reacquainted 

at the Wynkoop Brewery in Denver, Colorado. Former 

Headmaster David M. Smith and wife Sheila, a former 

admission officer, were in attendance as were sons Tim ’91, 

Dan ’93, and James ’95, who all live in Colorado. James’ 

band, Interstate Stash Express, played several sets for the 

group. 

E. Anton Rainold ‘87 shared a video showing his 

recent business venture, Colorado Kiteforce. The Frisco, 

Colorado-based company runs daily kite ski and 

snowboard excursions. 

Dick Weeks, former Brewster faculty member and dean of students, 

with Anton Rainold ‘87 and Sage Daly Wirth ‘88 in Denver. Weeks is 

currently Head of School at the Bridge School in Boulder. 

Upcoming Events 

Two of Brewster’s most recent alums, Rachel Berman ’06 

and Eric Reusche ’06, took a break from their studies at the 

University of Denver to join the fun. 

A special thanks to David Collins ’84 for co-hosting the 

event and helping the alumni office organize this evening 

far from the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. 

If you would like to inquire about hosting or helping 

with an alumni gathering in your area, please contact 

Craig Churchill at (603) 569-7146 or craig_churchill@ 

brewsteracademy.org. • 

Boston Museum of Science 

Thursday, May 10 

Reunion 

Friday, June 1- Sunday, June 3 

Bobcat Open 

Monday, June 25 

at Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club 

Photos by Craig Churchill and Martha Trepanier ’83 

David Collins ‘84 and former Headmaster David M. Smith at the 

Denver reception held at the Wynkoop Brewery. 

32 


Mike Cooper 

Alumni News 


California: Taking Their Game to the West Coast 

Head of School Dr. Michael E. Cooper and wife Andrea along with trustee 

Dan Mudge and wife Kathy welcomed Brewster parents, alumni, and 

friends in Calabasas, California, the first week in December. The occasion was 

the Stoneridge Holiday Prep Classic basketball tournament to which the boys’ 

varsity Bobcats were invited. The Coopers hosted a post-tournament reception 

at the Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas. 

The tournament included nationally-ranked prep school teams South Kent 

School (Connecticut), Boys to Men (Illinois), St. Thomas More (Connecticut), 

Findlay College Prep (Nevada), Stoneridge Preparatory School (California), and 

Brewster Academy. The Bobcats picked up wins against Stoneridge Prep (106- 

97) and Findlay Prep (79-73) but lost to Boys to Men (88-98). • 

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dan Mudge and wife Kathy hosted a pre-game breakfast for Brewster’s 

basketball team, coaches, and families. 


33

Alumni News 


Scott Bixler ‘98, Martha Trepanier ‘83, Meridith Mucci ‘98, Michael Means ‘98, Bruce Hawkins ‘01, Geoff 

DeMeritt ‘98, Rachael Brown ‘02, CJ Britt ‘02, Steve Kasulke ‘02, Nick Millette ‘99, Andre Jesse ‘99, and 

Jeff Goldberg ‘97 at the 18th Amendment in Washington, D.C. 

Washington, DC 

Another great alumni turnout in D.C. on January 27 at the 18th 

Amendment club! 

Thanks to faculty member Doug Kiley and special thanks to Jake 

Harrington ’99 for suggesting the location and to CJ Britt ’02 for 

his Hilton connections. 

Thank you Meridith Mucci ’98 and Rachael Brown ’02 for 

entertaining us and Scott Bixler ’98 for managing the bar when 

we needed him to! 

Thank you Michael Means ’98 and Jeff Goldberg ’97 for your 

enthusiasm and ideas on how to make your 10-year Reunions 

special … let’s do it! And to all of you, thank you for coming out 

to visit with other Brewster folks. 

Please save the date – January 26, 2008 – and join us next year. • 

Photos by Martha Trepanier ’83 

Bruce Hawkins ’01 and Andre Jesse ’99 were among the alumni 

at the Keyhole Bar at the 18th Amendment. Hawkins is in law 

school at Howard University and Jesse is studying at George 

Mason University. (See story on Hawkins’ new book in the 

Hoopla section, page 39) 

34 


Alumni News 

Penn Club, New York City 

The Mudge family again graciously 

hosted Brewster at The Penn Club of 

New York on Friday, February 23. 

The New York Brewster community 

gathered to hear Mike Cooper and 

Lynne Palmer, director of admission, 

enthusiastically share Brewster’s innovative 

new marketing concept. 

Special thanks to the Mudge family for their 

generosity and outstanding commitment to 

the Brewster community. • 


Special thanks to our host and chairman 

of the board of trustees Daniel Mudge 

Rob Gorden ‘90, history teacher TJ Palmer, 

and Chris Petronio ‘01 

Jeff Goldberg ‘97, now in Virginia, and 

Brewster’s Bob Simoneau (James ’07) share 

ideas for Jeff’s 10-year Reunion in June. 

Lynne Palmer congratulates Tara Stein ‘95 on 

the recent birth of her third son. 

Photos by Deb Gurka and Martha Trepanier ’83 

Katie Boote ‘96 and Heidi Jessop ‘96 congratulate Liz Chapman 

‘95 on her engagement. 

Freddy Friedman (Molly ‘10), Kate Considine ‘03, and Brewster community 

leaders Charlie and Michele Hossack and Maureen Simoneau (James ‘07) 


35

Martha Trepanier ’83 

Alumni News 

Morgan Huntley ’00 

Building His Future While Building Boats 

By Martha Trepanier ‘83 

Standing well over six feet tall, Morgan 

Huntley ’00 proudly takes Brewster faculty 

member Byron Martin and me on a tour of The 

Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design 

in Arundel, Maine. Here, he has found his 

passion – the art of boat building. 

Huntley, a student at this school located along 

the Kennebunk River, explains that he is on 

one of two teams of six students working 

with an instructor (not unlike at Brewster). 

Their project is to build – completely by hand, 

with only wood and glue – a 27-foot Arundel 

powerboat in 10 months. 

The boat has already been sold so the deadline 

is real. 

Instead of laptops, students at The Landing 

are armed with planers, clamps, chisels, levels, 

and saws. All measurements are taken using 

the metric system in order to be most exact. 

Huntley describes the concept of cold molding, 

or building a boat without screws. The team 

builds the stern by gluing dozens and dozens 

of layers of wood together and holding them 

with clamps until they are dried and shaped. 

Huntley’s general boating knowledge is 

stronger than his woodworking knowledge, 

and he now recognizes the value of patience. 

He has never been too far from the water. He 

grew up on Long Island, New York, and then, 

as a Brewster “lifer,” spent four years on the 

shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. 

Huntley in the workshop of The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design 

“No matter what you think now, when 

you think back, your memories of 

Brewster are always fonder ...” 

Tim Radley, one of Huntley’s former Brewster 

dorm parents, remembers him as a real 

individual “… who created a ‘get well’ video 

for me when I was battling cancer by recording 

best wishes and commentaries from a broad 

cross-section of the Brewster community.” 

36 


Martha Trepanier ’83 

Alumni News 

Even college couldn’t keep Huntley off the 

water. While attending The New School in 

Manhattan – where he completed his liberal 

arts degree and graduated in 2006 with a 

3.68 GPA – he lived for two and a half years 

aboard Crimson Tide, a 35-foot wooden Chris 

Craft. During that time he hosted two floating 

Christmas parties complete with guests and a 

lighted Christmas tree! 

Jennifer Huntley 

He moored in Northport, New York, and 

Jersey City, New Jersey, as well as at various 

marinas. “I loved the flexibility, being able to 

move whenever I wanted,” he explained. 

There are a variety of challenges in living on 

the water, he conceded. Huntley smiled as he 

said, “Those batteries for the fridge get pretty 

expensive, especially in mid-July.” 

Although Huntley will be at The Landing for 

the next two years, he’s already contemplating 

his next move. “I am not interested in the 

West Coast – I’d like to stay on the East 

Coast, although I don’t see myself staying in 

Huntley’s Crimson Tide 

Maine.” He’d like to be in a metro area, where 

he could build boats and gain experience, 

and then move into management. “Florida 

is where everything is happening. They are 

building boats year-round, they have bigger 

The boat has already been sold so the deadline is real. 

suppliers – basically there is 10 times the 

boatbuilding activity as there is up here. I’ve 

already had some interesting job offers for 

down south.” Huntley says The 

Landing School has an excellent 

reputation for placing graduates, 

and he’s glad to be a part of the 

program. 

If you’re interested in the 

boating industry keep your eyes 

open for Huntley – our bet is he 

will be building some terrific 

boats, maybe even designing his 

own – the “Huntley” does have 

a nice ring to it! • 

Huntley explains the boat building 

process to faculty member Byron Martin 


37

Alumni News 

Hoopla 

The Write Stuff 

All those alums who once upon a time were trapped 

in my sophomore English classes and thereby forced 

to read my collection of short stories will stand up and 

cheer upon learning that I no longer am writing fiction. 

Actually, when I moved down to the Bahamas 12 years 

ago, one of my goals was to do more writing. Well, ok, 

I have been writing, but mostly those annoying “Class 

Notes” postcards, Reunion letters, and the “Hoopla” 

columns focusing on young alums. While I do enjoy 

keeping in touch, I really do want to get back to my 

exciting stories and/or the long-postponed novel. A few 

years ago I tried my hand at nonfiction, having been asked 

to write the history of the area on Eleuthera where I now 

reside, and I spent three years collecting information for 

“Rainbow Rising.” It was an interesting task, but one I’ll 

never again attempt. I still do help edit a local newsletter/ 

magazine here on the island, but that’s more of a political 

piece, one which constantly causes me to plunge into 

troublesome waters. Yet, hopefully, someday soon, you’ll 

be able to wander into your local bookstore and ask for 

Hoopes’ latest short story collection or hot novel; but until 

then, here are reviews of two young alums’ published 

masterpieces, which readers will enjoy far more than those 

dreaded Hoopes’ tales of yesteryear. 

Alas, the response to my recent plea to readers for topics 

for future columns has been nil. I’m really interested 

in your topic suggestions so please do send them. The 

next Hoopla is likely to focus on young alum online 

entrepreneurs offering various forms of art, be it written, 

photographic, or otherwise. Another possibility: alums 

who sell expensive automobiles (you’d be surprised at the 

number) or failing that, I’m quite certain I can persuade 

Bill Meehan ‘92 to write Chapter Two of his “Fun and 

Games in Selling Life Insurance.” 

Now please enjoy reading about the writings of Noelle 

Lamperti ‘89 and Bruce Hawkins ‘01. 

And please write to me at my island e-mail address: 

islesman@batelnet.bs 

or you can write me in care of my mail-forwarding 

address: 

Hoopes, P.M.B. #100 

411 Walnut Street 

Green Cove Springs FL 32043 

Keep on writin’! 

Matt Hoopes hard at work in the Bahamas 

Matt Hoopes was a faculty member from 

1975 to 1996. During this time he and 

his journalism students founded The 

Brewster Browser, the Outcroppings 

literary magazine, and the BAPA (Brewster 

Academy Photo/Address) book. Since his 

“retirement” from the classroom in 1996, 

Hoopes has worked as the Young Alumni 

Correspondent from his hilltop house in 

the Bahamas or from his island in Maine, 

helping to keep the alumni connection alive. 

In each issue he brings life-after-Brewster 

stories to the pages of his Hoopla column. 

38 


Alumni News 

Hoopla 

Bruce Hawkins ’01: 

Author, Law Student 

I did not meet Bruce Hawkins until he returned to Brewster last June for his 5th 

Reunion. I recall I was chatting with some members of the class of ‘96 when he joined 

us at the table, just sitting and listening quietly. When the others moved on, Bruce 

introduced himself and we talked a little about his days at Brewster. Somewhere in the 

conversation Bruce let slip that he was writing a book. My interest piqued and I started 

to press for more details but was dragged off to give a slide show. Bruce looked me up 

Sunday before leaving and thus began many months of enjoyable e-mail dialogue. I 

couldn’t wait for his book to be released and for a copy of 131 Box: Path of Purpose to 

make it down to the Bahamas. The cliché “I couldn’t put it down” proved true for me as 

I’m sure it will for many of you. The intensity of the details as he relives the stages of his 

inspirational “path of purpose” is a lesson to humble all of us. 

Bruce told me his story in his e-mails, and some of the 

reasons he wanted to write about it, but it wasn’t until 

I immersed myself in his book that I felt I understood what 

he was trying to say, and that feeling only grew as I turned 

the pages. The reader actually gets hooked in the preface 

where Bruce points out that 131 Box refers to a game that 

characterizes the mindset and the culture of the people he 

grew up with. While most people would probably consider 

basketball as the game that characterizes the ghetto – or maybe 

football – Hawkins says, “The lottery best captures the essence 

of the ghetto. For if one is able to understand the diverse 

motivations of its players and enthusiasts, I believe one could 

comprehend the difficulty of life in the ghetto, and, more 

importantly, life in poverty. Lotto is the only game that plays 

against you … [it] can become a habit or an addiction, in which 

purpose is completely disconnected from the act of playing.” 

Metaphorically speaking, 

[my lottery number] 131 box 

represented my ticket out of 

the ghetto and the poverty of 

mind, body, and soul... 

Hawkins goes on to explain his choice of title: “131 box was 

the number I played. My birthday is January 31, so 131 is 

a numerical representation of me. [If you played “box,” 

the winning numbers could be in any order.] My box is the 

combination of skills, experiences, attributes, and dreams 

that make me unique and allows me to empower others ... 

Metaphorically speaking, 131 box represented my ticket out of 

the ghetto and the poverty of mind, body, and soul...” 

In his book Bruce tells of a close friend who encouraged him 

to pursue his greatness and to accomplish his sense of purpose 

– this was uncommon in Bruce’s community, just as it was 

uncommon to maintain a dream. Bruce tells of how devastated 

he was by the death of this friend and that was when he 

decided to write a book to inspire others as his friend had 

inspired him. 

Continued on page 42 


39

Alumni News 

Hoopla 

Noelle Lamperti ‘89 

Children’s Book Author 

Noelle was smart enough to avoid my sophomore 

English class, and cleverly ditched my journalism class 

as well, so I can’t claim that I had any influence on 

her literary career, nor her pre-Brewster charming art 

work. In both cases I wish I could have taken credit! 

When I started searching for Brewster authors 

for this column, I was surprised to turn 

up less than a handful and several of those I’d 

included in earlier articles. I can’t recall just 

who mentioned to me that Noelle had written a 

book, but I quickly phoned in an order. As I had 

to wait about a month for the copy to make it 

to the islands, I had lots of time to guess about 

the plot. I recalled that Noelle was a good friend 

and classmate of the late Trey Whitfield and 

wondered whether her book would include any 

references to Trey, as she was close to his family. 

Emptying my weekly mailbag on the floor, I spied 

the bookstore’s label on a package, but it was the 

wrong shape, the wrong size. At first I was really 

disappointed to see that it was a children’s book, 

geared for 3- to 7-year-olds. “Hmmm ... How can I 

review this? I don’t even know or care for anyone 

3 years old, and I certainly don’t know what they 

like!” And then I sat back and read it, over and 

over again. I was hooked. 

Brown Like Me (originally published in 1979 as 

Noelle’s Brown Book and re-released in 2002 with 

the new title) is an autobiography of a young 

African-American girl who is encouraged by her 

white adoptive family to seek out the beauty of 

being brown-skinned. The book opens with a 

close-up of a smiling Noelle and the text, “Hi, 

I’m Noelle, a girl who likes brown. I like to look 

for things that are brown like me.” And Noelle 

does just this by taking the reader through photos 

of herself “in action” – discovering brown items 

from leaves to horses to her own self. The last 

page shows Noelle flexing her arm muscles 

with the text, “I am strong brown.” Noelle also 

includes her own artwork, showing what she 

discovers on her quest to overcome her sometimes 

lonesomeness for brown. 

Jacqueline Wallen, an associate 

professor at the University of 

Maryland, and a mental health 

professional, wrote in the introduction, 

“I recommend this book to parents and 

children of all colors. In celebrating 

families and the color brown, this 

book enriches all of us and is sure to 

delight a whole new generation of 

‘strong brown’ children.” And it does 

just that – I’ve shared Brown Like Me 

with several Bahamian families whose 

children have loved the book, turning 

the pages back and forth, smiling at the 

drawings, enjoying the story. 

There is a great combination of 

photography, artwork, and text at the 

end of the book. One of the last pages 

shows Noelle coming to the end of the 

“path” that she’s been traveling in her 

search for brown objects and on the 

40 


Alumni News 

opposite page she’s staring at herself 

in a large mirror, smiling, and the text 

reads: 

“When I am 

lonesome for brown 

I look in the mirror. 

Hoopla 

I can see my 

bright brown eyes, 

curly brown hair 

and smooth 

brown skin.” 

And it’s her smile that says it all! 

In the afterword of the book there is a 

stunning photograph of a grown-up 

Noelle leaning against a tree. Next to 

the photograph is her reflection on 

Brown Like Me: 

“I was reminded of the importance 

of this book when 10 years after it was published 

I went into the local library in Hanover, New 

Hampshire. A small brown girl about six years 

old saw me, and I overheard her saying to her 

adoptive mother, ‘Mom, is that Noelle?’ 

Her mother looked at me and I heard her say, ‘I’m 

not sure; why don’t we ask.’ They stopped me and 

the woman asked if I was Noelle from the Brown 

Book. I told her I was, and she said the book had 

been very important to them, and they read it all 

the time. 

Helping to create the Brown Book was a wonderful 

experience for me as a child. Being encouraged 

to create both a story line and drawings made 

me feel special. Most importantly, writing this 

book was an affirmation of who I was and am. In 

a community where very few people looked like 

me, the Brown Book was something that I could 

look to and be reminded that being brown and 

looking different was a good thing. 

I think that this book is great for everyone in its 

celebration of diversity.” 

In corresponding with Noelle during the past 

several months, I was able to put the “missing 

years” together since her graduation from 

Brewster in 1989. Noelle met her husband, Robert, 

while attending the University of Massachusetts at 

Amherst. Robert, who was from England, was on 

an exchange year from the University of Sheffield. 

They both graduated in 1996 and left for eight 

months of traveling in Central America. At the 

end of their trip they returned to the States and 

got married in Vermont, where Noelle had grown 

up. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to 

London. They worked and played in London for 

five years and in 2002 they decided to return to 

Vermont – and build a house. 

Noelle is presently working in the Career 

Development Office at the Tuck School of Business 

at Dartmouth College in Hanover. She and Robert 

live in Norwich, Vermont, and soon will be 

completing their “dream house.” 

For those alums with children, or even old solo 

types like me, who would like a copy of Brown Like 

Me (and believe me, you will like it!), rush your 

order to your nearest bookstore or write: 

Noelle Lamperti 

513 New Boston Road 

Norwich, VT 05055-0027 • 


41

Alumni News 

Hoopla 

Continued from page 39 

“I was 13 when I 

left my family, my 

friends, and my 

comfort zone and 

moved about six 

hours away to be 

in good company 

and received a wellrounded 

education. 

It would become 

one of the most 

important decisions 

of my life.” 

In Good Company 

You would be surprised by how much easier it 

is to accomplish a dream 

When among inspirational people, places, or 

things 

Our expectations for ourselves grow and 

become more detailed 

Our friendship and relationships grow in depth 

as well. 

Bruce wrote me that “one of the major 

challenges in writing the book was to 

try to incorporate my life into a book, 

being as detailed as possible on each 

point of transition.” Bruce continued 

to brainstorm but had difficulty 

starting to write. The idea that the 

lottery was an analogy to life broke 

a long period of writer’s block, and 

the most challenging moment finally 

arrived – writing the first word – and 

from here he knew that the rest of the 

words would come. 

I was impressed that a man as young 

and busy as Bruce – completing 

college and gaining admission to a 

prestigious law school – could still 

have the time and desire to write a 

book. It took me many attempts and 

many more years before I was able 

to do so, but I didn’t have Bruce’s 

desire, his need to repay an important 

friend. I asked Bruce if he had always 

written so well and so easily and he 

replied that he always felt that he was 

creative, that he enjoyed poetry, music, 

and other art forms. Bruce concludes 

each chapter with a poem that circles 

back on the meaning of the chapter. 

Bruce is quick to point out that 

financial profit was not a factor in 

his decision to write and publish 

131 Box: Path of Purpose and that he 

was satisfied in knowing “… that in 

my view I made a quality work that 

should motivate 

others to give their 

best.” As the book’s 

jacket states, “Many 

people speak of 

the importance of 

leading a purposedriven 

life, but 

it is not an easy 

task for those 

who live in abject 

poverty.” Bruce 

describes how he 

forgot to realize his dreams in a world 

defined by crime, drugs, death, and a 

pervasive sense of hopelessness. 

Bruce mentioned to me that he had 

attended the private Bethlehem 

Baptist Academy in Brooklyn starting 

at the age of three. I didn’t make the 

connection until much later when I 

realized the school is now called The 

Trey Whitfield School, in memory 

of a member of Brewster’s class of 

1989 (see page 6.) With the close 

connection between Trey’s parents 

and Brewster Academy, Bruce’s 

decision to attend Brewster made 

sense. When I asked him if he looked 

at other schools and why he chose 

Brewster, Bruce replied, “I decided 

to attend the school because it was 

future-oriented, and because of the 

computer model, the professional 

look of the Brewster students, and the 

emphasis on academics, all of which 

attracted me to Brewster over other 

prep schools.” He continued, “I was 

13 when I left my family, my friends, 

and my comfort zone and moved 

about six hours away to be in good 

company and received a well-rounded 

education. It would become one of the 

most important decisions of my life.” 

While Brewster Academy’s campus 

was beautiful, Bruce points out that it 

was also quiet – almost too quiet. He 

was used to hearing ambulances, fire 

trucks, police cars, and even gunshots 

throughout the night. “There were 

noises that penetrated my walls from 

upstairs, downstairs, or next door. 

The total silence that I experienced at 

Brewster actually frightened me for 

awhile.” 

When asked how he felt as a minority 

in a predominately white school of 

350 students, Bruce replied that he 

fielded many questions concerning 

controversial issues such as slavery, 

42 


Alumni News 

Hoopla 

drug use, and oppression. He said 

he felt “… as if the weight of my 

culture were on my shoulders with 

each answer to those questions. I 

felt my answers had to be thorough 

and expressed within a context that 

could explain the intricacies of my 

culture. Furthermore, I knew that an 

understanding of my culture was one 

way in which my stay at school could 

be made easier.” 

Another Brewster challenge was 

financial-related. Bruce told me that 

he had attended Brewster on an 

academic scholarship – not a full 

one, but one that covered most of 

the costs. Brewster exposed him to 

a community in which the citizens 

were less burdened with financial 

conditions than he was used to. Many 

of the students were able to dine out, 

shop, and vacation without giving it 

a second thought. “I was presented 

with several opportunities to realize 

the meaning of the dollar and how 

little spending power I had. I never 

felt poor, but I was able to recognize 

the various economic classes that 

surrounded me, and I was certain that 

I was near the bottom.” The family 

weekend and senior fund-raising 

auctions made Bruce uncomfortable, 

even alienated, although he realized 

these events benefited students in 

terms of scholarships. 

“Over time I matured and learned 

how to better handle these obstacles. 

The issues regarding my environment, 

social matters, and finances became 

less stressful to me. I became the 

change I wanted to see in others, and 

eventually I found my comfort zone.” 

After talking with Bruce during last 

year’s Reunion weekend, it was 

obvious to me that he had been very 

involved with the school during his 

four-year stay. He was low-key about 

what he had done, but position after 

position came up as we talked about 

his interests and his involvement. 

He apparently was a good athlete 

and willing to try new sports, but 

basketball was his favorite, even 

though he stepped down from his 

team to take on other responsibilities. 

It was obvious by his election to his 

many posts that he was respected and 

popular. By the time of his graduation 

his list of accomplishments was more 

than impressive, truly outstanding: 

student-body president, member 

of the National Honor Society, 

proctor, prefect, and member of the 

Judicial Board. “Within my four-year 

attendance at Brewster, I had grown 

into a smarter, more mature, and more 

responsible young man. There is no 

doubt that I made a huge impact at 

Brewster, but it made an even greater 

impact on me. I 

continue to reap 

the benefits of 

school through 

long-lasting 

friendships that 

span the globe. 

Enrolling at prep 

school was one of 

the most important 

decisions of 

my life. My 

experiences left me 

anxious for college, 

but confident that 

I was well-trained 

for any obstacles 

that would come 

my way.” 

While Bruce obviously enjoyed his 

four years at Brewster Academy, there 

were times that he did experience 

changes in friendships with some 

of those he left behind in the city. 

Bruce spoke of the difficulties of 

returning home for a vacation – the 

readjustment and the cautious and 

Comfort Zone 

Oh how different we walk, we laugh, we talk, we 

play 

How different we sleep, we dress, we eat, we 

pray 

How different is my hometown 

from the place where I sleep and study now 

How long can I last being different? 

How much can I change without changing at 

all? 

All I need is a visit 

From someone or a trip somewhere that I 

knew before. 


43

Alumni News 

Hoopla 

somewhat curious reactions he 

received from former friends. In his 

book, Bruce described one incident 

that occurred at a pickup basketball 

game that could have easily ended 

in injury or possibly his death. He 

pointed out that “It is a challenge to 

accept success when those you love 

seem to have no avenue to accomplish 

their dreams. However, it makes 

your path. Your success is even more 

special because you represent so much 

more than just yourself.” 

Bruce Hawkins graduated from 

Vanderbilt University in 2005 and is 

now a student at Howard University 

School of Law where he will graduate 

in the spring of 2009. 

To those who would like to read Bruce’s 

131 Box: Path of Purpose – and I would 

strongly suggest it, as my attempted 

review really does not do the book the 

justice it truly deserves – it can be 

purchased for $12.95 by going to Bruce’s 

website at www.131box.com or to the 

publisher at www.wheatmark.com. • 

131 Box 

There is a game that we play that is not meant 

to be played 

Because it blindly grips the dreams of the weak 

and the brave 

It handicaps our lifestyles into that of a slave 

Repeating the harsh cycles of poverty again and 

again. 

We play for the fortune and we miss the luck 

Believing that all will be well... When we get 

our bucks 

But if you can win the jackpot and still feel poor 

Do what people tell you is right and still need 

more 

Then you have to ask yourself why do you play 

this game for 

What do you really need? And how can you get 

more? 

The jackpot or the prize is purpose itself 

Become naked to the world and look deep 

inside yourself 

Where do you want to go? 

What do you want to be? 

What do you love to do? 

What dream do you need to see? 

You need to believe in yourself before you try 

to do it 

Even if you need some help and struggle you can 

get through it 

These words come to me like a story I wrote 

Like a life that I lived that started when I was a 

kid 

Used to get in line to play that game 

Looking for my way out ... then my jackpot 

came 

But not in any coin or dollar amount 

Not from following the dreams from the next 

man’s mouth 

Not from repeating the cycle or being too 

scared 

I was being myself and God made me 

prepared 

To think outside my box ... to read between 

my lines 

Analyze the game and in the game I would find 

A way to explain my past thoughts ... the 

struggles I climbed 

A metaphor of the diseased body, soul, and 

mind 

Good day and One night and to all much love 

Thanks for your hearts and minds ... all of the 

above 

This is 131 Box in exchange for yours 

The blueprint of a struggle ... to help you 

control your course 

44 


Alumni News 

Class Notes 

Tell Us How You’re Doing! 

We want to know what you’re up to. Whether it’s a new 

address, a job change, a marriage, a new baby, or any 

other news you’d like to share with your classmates, 

please drop us a line (and/or a photo) and we’ll try to 

include it in the next BrewsterConnections. 

Send your news to: 

Office of Alumni 


80 Academy Drive, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 

or e-mail us at alumninews@brewsteracademy.org 

1944 

Helen Hatch would love to get up to 

Wolfeboro for the next Reunion. She lost 

her brother A. Ross Adams, Class of 1942, 

in 2005. 

Hilary T. Masters has a new novel: “Elegy 

for Sam Emerson.” 

Lucille Macolino writes, “I wish all my 

classmates the best in 2007. I have six 

grandchildren and have three greatgrandchildren. 

I joined the senior center 

club last year and also sing in my church 

choir. My husband Ray and I celebrated 

our 57th anniversary on November 26. Best 

of luck to all.” 

1945 

Hope MacDonald’s granddaughter Maggie 

MacDonald graduated from Brewster in 

2006. Maggie’s brother Tyrel will graduate 

in 2008, and her sister Gwen in 2010. “I am 

a retired X-ray technician, and I worked at 

Castle in the Clouds for years. I have been a 

widow for seven years. My grandchildren 

are following in the path of their father, my 

son John ’74. 

1946 

Shirley Wharff is a retired R.N. She has 

three children and two grandchildren. She 

has had a knee replacement and a mild 

stroke. “Greetings to all the class of 1946.” 

Give her a call at 978-740-2762, in Salem, 

Massachusetts. 

1947 60th Reunion! 

Roger Tracy was an aeronautical engineer. 

He writes that he is well and retired. He’d 

like to hear from his friends from his 

Brewster days. 

Jim Wallace holds an Ed.D. Professor 

Emeritus at Lewis & Clark College in 

Portland, Oregon. He has completed his 

seventh book, which was published earlier 

this year. He is working on another one about 

the Scott sisters of Wolfeboro who were 

early 20th-century teachers (see “Writing 

Brewster’s History,” page 58). Jim and his 

wife have a beautiful summer home on the 

Oregon coast. 

Barbara Spalding and her husband, Sam, 

have seven grown children. 

Herb MacMartin graduated from the 

Univeristy of New Hampshire and became 

a U.S. Army commissioned officer during the 

Korean War. He is now retired and working 

as a troubleshooter for various businesses. 

His specialty of course, is “the books.” 

Richard McQuillen writes, “My wife, 

Emilie, and I celebrated our 53rd anniversary 

recently and enjoy good health, save the 

aches and pains that come with more than 

seven decades of wear and tear. A long 

time ago we drove with our two sons to 

New Hampshire to revisit old haunts and 

to introduce the family to them – BFA, 

and Camp Tecumseh at the far end of 

Winnipesaukee on Moultonborough Neck, 

where I washed pots and pans to earn my 

fee in the summer of ’43. Sadly, that was my 

last visit. I’d dearly like to see the Academy 

and the town once again.” 

Nancie Buell writes, “I lost my beloved 

husband of 58 years last January. I am 

hoping to make our 60th Brewster Reunion. 

Charlie Hatch is already encouraging our 

attendance!” 

Become a Class Agent! 

Brewster is looking 

for alumni to serve as 

class agents. As a class 

agent you will reconnect 

with classmates while 

getting in touch with 

those you haven’t heard 

from in years, learning 

how they’ve changed 

(or not), and what is 

new in their lives. You’ll 

also help us update our 

records and, as an added 

bonus, you’ll have the 

chance to help us raise 

the much-needed dollars 

to keep us competitive 

in the growing world of 

independent schools. 

Don’t delay; contact Craig 

Churchill at 603.569.7146 

or at craig_churchill@ 

brewsteracdemy.org. 

Help make a difference at 

Brewster today! 


45

Alumni News 

Class Notes 

Class of 1957 50-Year Reunion! 

On Saturday, June 2 at 3:30 p.m. there will be a Class of 1957 get-together at the home of 

Dave and Ann Pollini, 443 South Main Street, Wolfeboro. Classmates and their spouses are 

invited. From there, we will go down to the school for cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 

p.m., followed by dancing and reminiscing about old and new times, to complete the evening. 

Questions? Want to help rally our class? 

Call Dave Pollini ‘57 (603) 569-3420 

Bob Bishop writes, “Although retired from 

private practice I continue in the medical 

field as the senior medical officer for three 

large insurance companies.” 

Charlie Hatch and his wife, Iva, are planning 

to visit Wolfeboro and the Academy to mark 

his 60th out of Brewster. He’d like some 

phone calls at (616) 363-6600. He’ll be staying 

with his brother, Steve ’48, at 3 Greenleaf 

Street in Wolfeboro – (603) 569-3866. After 

a long and successful career with the U.S. 

Army and a longer one with the Honeywell 

Corporation, Charlie has turned his talents 

to fiction writing and has recently completed 

a mystery/fiction novel about a small New 

Hampshire town called Wolfred. Charlie 

anticipates a 2007 publishing date. 

Roger Moody has been married for 53 years. 

He has two children and one grandchild. He 

retired from the State of New Hampshire 

after working for 34 years as an engineer. He 

sends his best to all of his classmates. 

1948 

Joe Ford is serving his 29th year as selectman 

in Lee, New Hampshire. 

Paul Wheeler and his wife, Marguerite, 

spend summers in Wolfeboro next to the 

Kingswood Golf Club, and in Ormond 

Beach, Florida, in the wintertime. According 

to classmate Steve Hatch, Paul is known as 

one of the best PG football players ever! 

1952 55th Reunion! 

Muriel Massey writes, “Hello fellow 

classmates, wherever you are. I am now 

living in Alexandria, Virginia, near two 

of my sons who live in the Mount Vernon 

area. I am living in an independent senior 

living complex and keep very busy with 

volunteering here. Of course, I’m ready to 

“go” whenever the children call. I hope to 

hear from someone in the Class of ’52 to see 

who is coming to Reunion. I do plan to be 

in Wolfeboro at that time.” 

1954 

Jackie Murray moved back to New 

Hampshire in August 2006 to be near her 

grandchildren. 

1955 

Jim Poelman writes, I am still involved in 

China as before, but now I am also pastoring 

a growing church in Singapore. Everyone 

is young except me and my wife, but it is a 

very rewarding ministry. We did a Christmas 

Cantata on December 23, 2006, with a very 

capable Singaporean director, and the house 

was packed. I regret that we were unable to 

attend my 50th Reunion in 2005, but I had to 

be out of the country at that time. Brewster 

has held and always will hold a special 

place in my heart, and I am thankful for 

my experience and education during those 

four years.” 

1956 

Dianne Rogers Quayle writes, “William B. 

Quayle, a retired mechanical designer from 

Ohio, and I were married on December 1, 

2006. We met in August – he is my cousin’s 

brother-in-law. Happily, he loves New 

Hampshire, water, fishing, etc., so Wolfeboro 

will continue to be my – and our – home. It 

is never too late to live happily ever after. 

Ken Gould got elected to his seventh term 

in the New Hampshire State Legislature, and 

Harry Merrow to his third. Class governance 

has led to state governance.” 

46 


Alumni News 

Class Notes 

1957 

50th Reunion! 

John Wardner is retired and he keeps active 

in senior games. 

1961 

George L. Eldridge writes, “I am now fully 

retired. I retired from the U. S. Navy in 1985 

and have had my own advertising business 

since. After becoming 100 percent disabled, 

I sold my business and fully retired. In 

September 2006, we visited back in Center 

Ossipee and Wolfeboro with our motor 

home. We’re going to Utah in the spring.” 

1968 

David White writes, “With our children 

raised, Linda and I moved home to Illinois 

in 2005 and built a home on a farm that has 

been in our family for 103 years. We 

constructed a log home and a horse 

barn and await the arrival of our 

third grandchild in June. We also look 

forward to my 40th Brewster class 

Reunion in 2008!” 

Carl Smith graduated from Springfield 

College in 1972 and went to Europe 

to study diplomatic history. He writes 

that he has had many professions: “I 

worked for Dunn & Bradstreet for 

three years and then owned my own 

business in Massachusetts.” In 1993 

he received an M.A. in counseling 

and psychology from Cambridge 

College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

Carl and his wife Patricia live in 

Swampscott, Massachusetts, in the 

summer and in Ponte Vedra Beach, 

Florida, in the winter. They have two 

children – Amanda, 30, and Grant, 

26. Carl helps with the PGA ProGolf 

Tournament at T.P.C. (Tournament 

Players Club) Sawgrass. 

1969 

Fritz Tai writes, “I have been doing clinical 

research in cancer at Eli Lilly & Company 

for the past two years. Prior to that I was in 

private practice in oncology in Bloomington, 

Indiana, for 12 years. I have a son who 

graduated from Purdue University, and he 

is a computer engineer at Intel. My daughter 

is a junior in high school. I appreciate your 

sending me news about Brewster.” 

1970 

Carlos Noble works at Northern Trust Bank 

in Coral Gables, Florida. He and his wife 

Georgia have two children, Rebecca,16, and 

Juan Carlos,13. Carlos called Dave Pollini 

’57 to congratulate him on being inducted 

into the Brewster Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Carlos likes to play golf at the Biltmore 

in Coral Gables and spend time with his 

family. His dad previously taught Spanish 

at Brewster and coached JV basketball. His 

mother lives nearby in Coral Gables. 

1976 

Mel Foster and his wife Brenda have recently 

returned from a 10th anniversary trip to 

Italy. He writes, “We also enjoy renting RVs 

around the United States. Our interests also 

include motorcycles, boats, and touring the 

John 7, Joe 9, and Tommy 7, sons of Beth Hayes Scala ‘81 and 

her husband Dino 

countryside in a convertible. The newest 

addition to our family is a 5 lb. toy poodle 

named Lola.” 

1978 

Debbie (Warner) Al-Harbi writes, “I am 

back in school doing two years in one, 

studying to be a psych counselor. My 

daughter is teaching in Spain. My son Adam 

is in college and my son Samuel is in school. 

My husband is in research at his job – busy 

busy busy. Hello to you all.” 

Tim Holz has two daughters, Erika, 4, and 

Kayla,1. He writes that he is very busy in 

nursing school. 

Marcus Daugherty writes, “I just want 

to say hello! I’m still alive and want to 

reconnect.” 

Scott Mason writes, “Life is great on 

Hampton Beach! My son, Alex, will be off 

to college in the fall for film production and 

my daughter, Kelsey, will be a senior in high 

school. I am a software engineer for Liberty 

Mutual.” 

1979 

Susan Cutts writes, “I’m living in Tasmania, 

Australia, for six months. It is amazing. 

Beautiful birds and animals. I had the 

good fortune of spending a weekend 

with Paige Livingston ’80 at her 

home in Sydney in September. She 

works for ABC and is doing well and 

has two beautiful children and a great 

husband.” 

Rich O’Brien is still living in Denver. 

He writes, “I am still single with no 

kids and loving it! I am still a property 

manager of 65 ‘Brittany House’ 

apartments.” 

25th Reunion! 

1982 

Mitch Sanders writes, “In January 

I founded a new angel investment 

group in Worcester, Massachusetts: 

www.Boyntonangels.com. Next fall 

my wife Lisa is opening a cafe called 

Pi that will serve decadent desserts 

and international coffees at Worcester 

Polytechnic Institute’s Life Science 

Complex (Gateway Park). Our kids 

are getting huge, and we hope to bring them 

up for the Reunion.” 

1983 

Rick Clay-Storm writes, “I may be moving 

from our island paradise to the Mt. 

Washington Valley of New Hampshire to 

start anew in our mountain paradise and 

perhaps begin a new business venture.” 


47

Alumni News 

Class Notes 

Jonathan Hibbard got married on New 

Year’s Eve 2005. “I am getting ready for 

retirement this coming July. I’ve started 

breeding wire fox terriers. Boating is still 

wonderful, but how could time on the water 

not be? My private business, OSHA Safety 

Training, is doing well. Look forward to 

seeing everyone again.” 

1985 

Chris Aeschliman writes, “I have changed 

jobs at Labcorp in Portsmouth, New 

Hampshire, and am now a member of the 

materials management team. My tennis 

team, the Great Bay Tennis Team, is 2-1, and 

my individual match record is: #1 singles 1-0; 

#2 singles 2-0.” 

Hank Nusloch writes, “My daughter 

Caroline is now 3 1/2 and Mary is 5. We are 

all doing fine in New Orleans and managed 

to escape major damage from Katrina. I will 

finish my master’s in English teaching next 

semester.” 

Nick Tepper writes, “Lots of things changed 

for me this past year. I got married to a 

beautiful and intelligent and humorous 

woman named Anna last June at my sister’s 

place in Oyster Bay, New York. We are 

expecting our first child this coming May, 

a son (point guard). I have been working 

harder than ever as a busy litigator here in 

Los Angeles. Last year was by far my best 

year ever and 2007 looks promising too. In 

December I attended a Brewster basketball 

game out here which, unfortunately, they 

lost. I guess they could have used a little 

more outside shooting from the likes of 

Mike Roach! I then had dinner with the 

new head of school, Dr. Michael Cooper 

and his wife, Andrea, and other Brewster 

luminaries. Needless to say, it looks like 

Save the date! 

the school is in exceptionally good 

hands. I really feel disconnected 

from my old friends from that one 

great year I had back there. I would 

love to e-mail with any of you, 

especially Mike, Chris, Yasu, and 

Judy. What’s up?” 

Andy Weiner writes, “So I hit the 

big 40 a few months ago. I can’t 

believe I was once a teenager. I have 

been with Brinks Inc. for about four 

years now. I started as a crew chief 

and am now the branch trainer for 

all aspects – firearms, driving, and 

basic training. I enjoy it but miss the 

old days of information technology. 

I have been married almost eight 

years to Marcia, and we have a 

beautiful 4-year-old, Rachel, and her 

best friend Gizmo the Shih-Tzu.” 

1986 

Bruce Pennypacker writes that 

he’s currently at his fifth startup, a 

company called Third Screen Media 

that provides all the tools needed for 

advertising on mobile phones. After 

15 years of volunteering for the U.S. 

Coast Guard Auxiliary, Bruce is retiring. 

He’s still active in theater and is currently 

working on his 33rd production since he 

started doing “techie” stuff and lighting 

design back in ’99. Bruce is on the board of 

directors of a small community theater in 

Reading, Massachusetts. Bruce’s e-mail is 

brucke@pennypacker.org. 

Mark Roelli writes, “Simone and I married 

in January 2002, and Gabriella was born 

on October 21, 2006. I currently work for 

GE, maintaining their corporate aircraft at 

Stewart Airport in Newburgh, New York.” 

Reunion 2007 

June 1-3 

Mike Hope ’85 with his wife Paulette 

and their sons Turner and Dillon 

Katie (Wolfe) Ruesch writes, “Nothing too 

new. My husband (Bill) and I moved from 

Chicago to North Carolina about three years 

ago. We really like it here. I still get Christmas 

cards from Heather (Monroe) Rohner ’87 

and Tamah French-Proops ’87. I would love 

to hear from some former classmates.” 

Joanna Lavarello works as an R.N. in 

the emergency department of a trauma/ 

emergency medicine hospital in Seattle. She 

is taking a second trip to New Orleans to 

help rebuild homes. Her whole family is in 

Seattle now – her sister Steph ’87 finished 

chemotherapy/radiation for breast cancer 

last year, and Joanna is proud of her. 

Jesse Alexander writes, “Save the cheerleader 

... save the world!” 

20th Reunion! 

1987 

Tom Daoulas writes, “I switched into the 

education field from accounting five years 

ago. I am now in my third year as a classroom 

48 


Alumni News 

Class Notes 

teacher. I teach sixth-grade math. My wife, 

daughter, and I love life on the South Shore 

of Massachusetts, and I hope all from the 

class of ’87 are doing well.” 

1988 

Megan (Scully) Orlandi would love to hear 

from any alumni in the Charlotte, North 

Carolina, area! “I have put off writing for 

years but this time I want to catch up. I 

met my husband, Dave, while living in 

Boston in 1998. From Boston we moved to 

Boulder, Colorado, and then to Sausalito, 

California. We got married in 2002, and 

in 2003 Dave was transferred to Charlotte 

with his job as a software consultant for 

Embarcadero Technologies. We have two 

children, Abe, 2 1/2, and Ginger, 3 months. 

I stay at home with them, which is fun, 

crazy, and lonely all at once. I stay in touch 

with Courtney (Crane) Munroe and Julie 

(Kaplan) Saloman. Sister Liz ’87 just bought 

a town house in Watertown, Massachusetts, 

and is a project manager for a company 

called Name Media.” 

Hilary Walton writes, “I’ve taken teaching to 

the next step – I’m now a public high school 

biology teacher in Los Angeles. I’ve begun 

to have some sympathy for the Richardsons, 

Mr. Friend, Mrs. Fallon, Mr. Carpenter, and 

all the others that had to deal with me!” 

Jon Konheim writes, “Carly Megan, our 

third girl, was born January 22 and all is well 

here in Southern California. I am currently in 

transition on the work front (out of airplane 

parts) and should be all settled in a new 

position in a month or so.” 

Jim Snidow is still a reggae DJ for KUCI in 

Irvine, California, where he’s been doing a 

top ranking three-hour reggae show since he 

started there in 1997. He said he’ll be working 

on a new music film called “HOME.” He’s 

been in touch with former classmate, Todd 

Philips, who’s now making films. 

as well as sailing. I am happy – the position I 

now have is a chance to work at the national 

level. In a few years I hope to be a director 

of a small, low-key nature center on a nonformal 

educational facility somewhere near 

the ocean out west. I’ve even had thoughts 

of going after a Ph.D. I still work for a small 

ship cruise company and spent almost 

three weeks in November in Vanuatu, New 

Caledonia, and New Zealand.” 

Jason Rockwell writes, “I am entering my 

seventh year at Hargray Communications 

– I am a corporate sales manager. My kids 

are growing fast! I put on the Fourth Annual 

Sycamore at the Stadium baseball camp in 

Savannah [Georgia] this year. I also resumed 

playing baseball again in the adult baseball 

league in Savannah, playing for the league 

champion Savannah Bombers!” 

Todd Willens writes, “I reside and work 

in Washington, D.C. My wife, Morna, and 

I recently welcomed the birth of a fourth 

child – we now have two boys and two girls. 

I changed jobs in October from Capitol Hill 

to the Department of the Interior. I keep in 

touch with Jay Howren and John Mautz. 

They are doing well too.” 

Katie (White) Yesinko writes, “We had our 

second child, Maeve Lucy, on March 14, 

2006. She is a total dream. She is loud though 

– must get that from someone other than her 

mom. We hope to come up as a family soon 

for a weekend visit. Congrats on the mention 

in Sports Illustrated for Brewster b-ball, great 

news!!” 

1990 

Jonathan Gibbs is still the manager of the Bar 

GS Ranch in Oak Creek, Colorado, where he 

has a herd of 50 mother cows, which will all 

calve out in April and May. He and his wife, 

Heidi, have three kids aged 8, 5, and 2. Jon 

is still playing his guitar in a couple of local 

bands. He sees classmates Jon Davenport 

and Kim McDermott in Steamboat Springs 

from time to time. 

Keith Johnson got engaged last summer and 

bought a condo in Lexington, Massachusetts. 

“We will be eloping this summer and 

traveling to the French Riviera and Vienna,” 

he writes. 

1991 

Laurence Seiterle writes, “My wife and 

I recently became investors and partners 

in a new ‘ultra premium’ tequila called 

TequilaMe. The product is of exceptional 

quality (aged three years) and the feedback 

from the tequila connoisseurs has been 

1989 

Kit Van Wagner writes, “I returned to 

Brewster to participate in the Alumni Career 

Panel All School held in January. (see article, 

page 12) I’ve been living and working in the 

Florida Keys for years, doing research work 

Michael and Elizabeth (Palmer) Traverso ’89 with Lily and Mr. T 


49

Alumni News 

Class Notes 

remarkable. San Antonio’s real estate 

business is booming and keeping me busy, 

but I still have time to be president of the 

San Antonio men’s lacrosse team, and I still 

race motorcycles.” 

Elizabeth Jennings-Lax writes, “My wife 

and I welcomed our daughter, Caitlin Lee, 

on June 1, 2006. After giving birth I decided 

not to return to work in Manhattan. I am now 

practicing law part-time so I can be home 

full-time with our daughter.” 

Beth Dales has moved back to Wolfeboro 

and is working at the Wolfeboro Area 

Children’s Center. “Jack is five years old 

and doing great, and we have a new puppy 

named Samson.” 

15th Reunion! 

1992 

Beth Davies writes, “I have been a teacher in 

Cherry Creek School District [in Colorado] 

for six years. I recently became engaged to 

Kevin Brutsch, and we are moving to the Vail 

Valley next summer.” 

Cameron and Ellie, children of Kim (Boyce) Seefried ’90 

and her husband Charlie 

Bryan Bucklen wrote that he’s now living 

in Elkhart, Indiana, with his beautiful wife, 

Mellisa, and two cute girls, Makayla, 4, and 

Heather, 2, and are expecting another this 

April. “I work for HomeCrest Cabinetry, 

a division of MasterBrand Cabinets. I’m 

having a blast doing environmental work 

for them. I have two cool dogs as well, a 

husky named Samoya and a hyper beagle 

named Basil. Reach me at bucks4me2@ 

verizon.net.” 

1994 

Andrew Ninios writes, “I will be competing 

in the Miami Marathon. It was months 

ago when I embarked on this journey. 

Through the AIDS/Marathon Foundation I 

trained and raised money for the Whitman- 

Walker Clinic for AIDS patients, here in 

[Washington] D.C. A great experience that is 

now coming to fruition. In addition to being 

involved and contributing to such a great 

cause my desire for competitive running 

has been re-ignited. I used to run Division 1 

at the University of Hartford. In April I will 

run the 10-miler Cherry Blossom and am 

also looking forward to joining a running 

team after the Miami Marathon. My work 

at Quality Support, Inc. is going well, as 

well as my new life here in D.C. I can’t wait 

until the 2009 Reunion to see old classmates 

from the class of ’94 as well as teachers. I just 

turned 30 in October … wow!!!! Time flies. 

Not too long ago, or so it seems, I remember 

formal dinners, playing pool with 

Geoff Rich ’95, Cory Hunter ’95, 

and others in the student center, 

or basketball with Viktor Orlovic, 

Spencer Sullivan, John Leebow 

under coach Bolduc.” 

Andrew Leeds writes that he now 

lives in Boca Raton, Florida, and 

teaches eighth grade physical 

science at The Pine Crest School 

and says that he can’t think of 

anything he’d rather do, since 

becoming a pro surfer or golfer 

didn’t work out! E-mail him at 

misterleeds@gmail.com. 

Mandie (Myers) Giroux writes 

that she and her husband, Todd, 

have moved from New York 

City to Los Angeles, where she 

is currently working for a company called 

EssaySolutions (www.essaysolutions.com), 

which is an essay consulting company for 

undergrads and MBA students. “We don’t 

write the essays, but rather give them a crash 

course in writing.” Her exciting news is that 

she and Todd were expecting their first child, 

a daughter, in February. 

Carly Megan Konheim was born January 21 to 

Amy and Jon Konheim ’88 

1995 

Mike Kirschner attended the Brewster 

phonathon in November at Jamie Hill’s 

’86 Manhattan office and told us that he is 

engaged! 

10th Reunion! 

1997 

Farleigh (Goss) Barnhart married Sean 

Barnhart on September 4, 2004. “We will 

try to be at Reunion, and we are looking 

forward to it.” 

Jessica Ridgeway writes, “My master’s 

thesis in natural resource management and 

certificate in ecological design are well under 

way with the creation of a new school garden 

and education for sustainability curriculum 

for sixth graders. I love living in Burlington, 

Vermont, where my husband, Seth Lewis, has 

joined me after completing his master’s in 

education and California teaching credential 

at the University of California Santa Cruz. 

I ran into Coralia Miller last year and still 

hope to catch up with Jackie Pottle in the 

near future.” 

John Zisis writes, “I am looking forward 

to our 10-year Reunion. I spend my days 

working for the family, motorcycling, and 

I have just started golfing. I never thought 

I’d say it, but I miss Brewster and its faculty. 

See you all soon.” 

Brian Ballentine wrote that he’s engaged to a 

nice southern girl he met at Brown University 

where they are both getting their doctorates. 

They’re both on the championship softball 

team and are enjoying life in Providence. 

50 


Alumni News 

Class Notes 

Bridget Buckler writes, “I moved in with my 

boyfriend, Christian Demers. We’ve had fun 

traveling to Ireland and Colorado. I am now 

working at the Comfort Suites/Hampton Inn 

in White River Junction, Vermont.” 

Topher Grace will appear as Eddie Brock/ 

Venom in the movie Spider-Man 3 due out 

in May. 

1999 

Peter Aberg writes, “I’m working behind 

the bar at the world famous Cheetah Club of 

Sarasota [Florida], gaining experience before 

I open my own bar in a couple of years.” 

Travis Ferland recently returned from two 

amazing and rewarding years of Peace Corps 

service in the West African country of Senegal. 

“I was a small-enterprise development 

volunteer and taught classes on management 

and computers to entrepreneurs, adolescents, 

and young women in a rural town called 

Kedougou.” 

Julie Holt writes, “I graduated from Boston 

University (again) in May with dual master’s 

degrees in business administration and 

public health. I’m working in marketing for 

a healthcare software firm in Boston. Tyler 

proposed in October 2005, and we are getting 

married in August in Ontario’s Niagara 

Peninsula wine region, so that’s keeping me 

busy! Hello to all!” 

Gregory Douglass ’99 released his sixth CD, 

Up & Away in November 2006. He recently 

performed at Brewster’s alumni career panel 

All-School (see story page 12) 

2000 

Blair Pyne wrote that he’s been working for 

a large marina in Boca Raton, Florida, since 

college and is now moving to Houston to 

work in a family business. 

2001 

Brett Danahy is working in sports consulting 

at Velocity Sport Agency in Norwalk, 

Connecticut. 

Bruce Hawkins published a book, 131 Box, 

about growing up in an underprivileged, 

inner-city community and the challenges 

Dan Slipp ’03 in the lobby of the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, 

Russia, on a visit during his study-abroad program in Finland 

he has overcome to find success. (See the 

Hoopla story on page 39.) 

5th Reunion! 

2002 

Tyler Sandberg writes, “I graduated from 

Hobart and William Smith Colleges in May 

2006 with a degree in religious studies and 

a concentration in international religious 

violence. I spent the fall in Connecticut 

and New Hampshire working on two 

congressional campaigns. While in New 

Hampshire I rallied Brewster students to 

help with campaign phone calls. Since 

December I’ve been working on democracy 

promotion in China and East Timor at the 

International Republican Institute (IRI). 

I’ve been in touch with Carly Mankus ’03, 

Jon Hydeman, Jason Heimbuck ’01, Ryan 

Barber, and Catie Callahan. They are all 

doing well. I hope to see everyone at the 

Reunion this spring.” 

Abby Wood writes that she’s “... looking 

forward to catching up with everyone at 

the fifth-year Reunion. I have been back at 

Brewster every summer to teach the Royal 

Thai Scholars, but it’s never the same without 

the people from your school year.” 

Nicole Black writes, “Hi everyone! What’s 

new with me? Well, I just started my second 

semester of law school in White Plains, New 


51

photo by Tim von Jess 

Alumni News 

Class Notes 

Sadie-Wright Ward ’03 scores for UNH in a game against the University of Maine on January 12. 

UNH won 7-0. 

York, at Pace University School of Law. It’s 

definitely tough, but I’m enjoying it so far. I 

hope everyone’s doing well! Take care!” 

Dan Mufson writes that he’s started his own 

music production company, Dan Mufson 

Music. “I have been busy composing, writing, 

and recording music for TV commercials 

such as Rolaids, Under Armor, IcyHot, and 

Listerine. My music will be featured in a 

film featuring Samuel L. Jackson, ‘Farce 

of the Penguins.’” Dan’s website is www. 

danmufson.com. 

2003 

Laura Guerin writes, “I can’t express how 

excited I am to be graduating in May. All I 

can say is ‘it’s about time.’ I enjoyed Pacific: 

playing soccer, joining Alpha Phi, and 

doing crew, but now I’m ready to do new 

and exciting things with my international 

business and finance degree. After I graduate 

I’m going to London to live with my sister 

for six weeks and then traveling with Kristen 

Leone around Europe the rest of the summer. 

After that, I plan to move to San Francisco 

with my boyfriend. It couldn’t happen a 

second too soon, I can’t wait!” 

Joe Rizzo is a senior business major at the 

University of Delaware and a four-year 

member of the Delaware Bluehens ice 

hockey team. He spent the summer working 

for AstraZeneca in the corporate marketing 

division. 

Dan Slipp is in Finland at Lappeenranta 

University studying international finance. It 

is part of a study-abroad program with Saint 

Mary’s University in Nova Scotia. 

2004 

Kyle Wilson has been selected for the 

Mustang summer consulting and public 

relations program this summer in New York 

City for 10 weeks. 

2005 

Jessica Hughes is hoping to transfer to the 

University of Maine Farmington in the fall 

to pursue early childhood education. 

2006 

Ian Hochman-Reid is a freshman 

at Washington & Jefferson College in 

Washington, Pennsylvania. • 

52 


In Memoriam 

Charles W. Colman ’26 

Dr. Charles W. Colman, 97, died 

suddenly on December 13, 2006, at St. 

Peter’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y. 

He was born September 22, 1909, in 

Brookfield, a place he always loved 

and where he will be returned to in the 

spring. 

Colman graduated from Brewster in 1926 

and received his bachelor’s degree from 

Harvard University and a master’s from 

the University of Bordeaux in France. 

He spent part of the Depression as an 

interpreter in Heidelberg, Germany, and 

then received his doctorate from Cornell 

University. 

He began his teaching career as a 

Romance Language professor at the 

University of Illinois. He also taught 

at the University of Mississippi and 

the University of Nebraska. Colman 

moved to Albany, N.Y., in 1964 and was 

the director of international programs 

for SUNY Albany until his retirement 

in 1979. 

He was predeceased by his wife of 68 

years, Ruth I. Colman, and a daughter, 

Charlotte A. Payne. He is survived by his 

daughter, Martha Sue Ferro of Albany, 

N.Y.; sons, Charles W. Colman, Jr. and 

wife Nancy of Raleigh, N.C. and John 

D. Colman and wife Sandi of El Paso, 

Texas. He also leaves 10 grandchildren 

and 12 great-grandchildren. 

He is missed by his beloved dog, Sasha, 

and his cat companion, Ginger. 

Funeral services will be held in May 

in Brookfield. Those who desire may 

contribute in his memory to the Mohawk 

and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 

Oakland Ave., Menands, N.Y. 12204. 

John B. Rogers ’30 

John B. Rogers, 94, died November 10, 

2006, at his home in Keene after a long 

period of declining health. 

He was born in Wolfeboro on February 

21, 1912, the son of Nathaniel and 

Margaret (Wallace) Rogers. He attended 

local schools and was a member of 

Brewster Academy’s Class of 1930. He 

had lived in Boston for many years 

before moving to Keene in 1989. 

Profoundly deaf for most of his life, 

Rogers nonetheless was friendly and 

outgoing and had a unique sense of 

humor. He believed that the cornier 

a joke, the more frequently it should 

be told. He enjoyed his career as an 

electronics technician and was wellliked 

by his fellow workers, first at LFE 

in Boston and later at EG&G outside of 

the city. 

Rogers was a wonderful father who had 

the patience to teach his four children 

how to drive a stick shift on the streets of 

Boston and, a talented tennis player, he 

taught them all how to play tennis. He 

also loved photography and developed 

and printed his own pictures by turning 

the family kitchen into a darkroom 

many Saturday nights. 

While he was still able to hear, Rogers 

took piano lessons and continued to 

play until a few days before his death, 

even though he could not hear what he 

was playing. 

He loved his hometown of Wolfeboro, 

where he vacationed every summer and 

where his ancestors were among the 

original settlers. 

Survivors include his wife Marie 

(Mahoney) Sharp Rogers and a son, 

1926 

Charles W. Colman 

December 13, 2006 

1930 

John B. Rogers 

November 10, 2006 

1931 

Louise C. Fournier 


1933 

Leona Chandler Dalpe 

September 6, 2006 

1943 

Richard William Detscher, Jr. 

October 10, 2006 

1947 

Roland “Bill” Carignan 

July 3, 2006 

1949 

George C. Greer 

October 28, 2006 

1953 

Gwendolyn (Barnard) Bierweiler 

January 7, 2007 

1955 

Barbara (Swinerton) Hersey 

January 8, 2007 

1971 

Anne Danila Berenbach 


2005 

Marlon Howe II 


Former Athletic Director 

Stephen Perry McLoy 

November 6, 2006 


53

In Memoriam 

Thomas Rogers, both of Keene; three 

daughters, Mary Rogers of Boston, 

Jacqueline Cleary and her husband 

William of Westmoreland, and 

Christine Rogers and her husband 

Marc Croteau of Ivoryton, Conn.; and 

three grandchildren, Elizabeth Cleary 

of Walpole and Jon and Genevieve 

Croteau. He also leaves a nephew, James 

Rogers, of Wolfeboro and Savannah, Ga. 

He was predeceased by his first wife, 

Elizabeth (Donovan) Rogers, who died 

in 1989. 

Donations in his memory may be 

made to Hospice in care of HCS, 312 

Marlborough Street, Keene, N.H. 

Louise C. Fournier ’31 

Louise C. Fournier, 93, a lifelong resident 

of Wolfeboro, died peacefully at Huggins 

Hospital on December 4, 2006 

Fournier was born in Wolfeboro 

February 20, 1913, daughter of the late 

Charles and Elizabeth (Britton) Chick. 

She was predeceased by her husband 

of 49 years, the late Harold L. Fournier, 

in 1980. 

She was a former employee of the 

Wolfeboro National Bank, now Citizens 

Bank, and was a longtime local manager 

of the League of New Hampshire 

Craftsmen shop. She was a devoted 

parishioner of St. Cecilia’s Parish in 

Wolfeboro and recently at St. Katharine 

Drexel Church in Alton. She was a 

tireless contributor to numerous church 

functions and causes. 

Fournier was a 1931 graduate of Brewster 

Academy and remained an active 

alumna over the years. She was a longtime 

volunteer at various organizations 

in the local area, including the initial 13 

years of operation of the former Clipper 

Home of Wolfeboro, now SunBridge 

Care and Rehabilitation Center. She 

also was on the board of directors of the 

Hearthstone Homes of Wolfeboro (The 

Ledges and Christian Ridge). 

Her greatest joy came from spending 

time with her family and friends and 

always put their needs before her own. 

Her other passions included cooking, 

gardening, and animals. 

Survivors include her son, Bradley 

H. Fournier and a daughter Joy 

Anne Fournier, class of 1964, both of 

Wolfeboro; three grandchildren and two 

great-grandchildren. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was held 

in December. Burial was at Lakeview 

Cemetery in Wolfeboro. Donations 

may made in Fournier’s memory to the 

Lakes Region Humane Society, P.O. Box 

655, Ossipee, NH 03864 or Maryknoll 

Fathers and Brothers (a US Catholic 

Church in Mission overseas), P.O. Box 

302, Maryknoll, NY 10545. 

Leona Chandler Dalpe ’33 

Leona Chandler Dalpe, 91, died 

September 6, 2006. At the time of her 

death, Dalpe lived in Arlington, Mass. 

She graduated from Brewster Academy 

in 1933. 

She was the beloved wife of the late 

J. Frederic Dalpe. She is survived by 

daughters Diane Dalpe and Cynthia 

Delleville and granddaughter Charisse 

Delleville. A Remembrance Service 

was held in September at the Pilgrim 

Congregational Church in Lexington, 

Mass. 

Richard W. Detscher, Jr. ’43 

Richard William Detscher, Jr., 82, of 

Meredith died peacefully October 10, 

2006, at Golden View Health Care 

Center in Meredith. 

Born in Manchester on March 6, 1924, 

he was the son of Richard W. Sr. and 

Marion E. (Blood) Detscher. 

Detscher grew up in Manchester and 

Wolfeboro and graduated from Brewster 

Academy in 1943. He was a World War 

II U.S. Army veteran, and had been a 

resident of Meredith since 1957. 

He worked as a life insurance salesman 

for many years including at Metropolitan 

Life Insurance Co. and Loyal Protective 

Life Insurance Co. He also worked for 

many years as a real estate and land 

broker, working for Cotney Associates, 

I.T.T. Community Development Corp. 

in Palm Beach, Fla., and Lamprey and 

Lamprey in Center Harbor. 

Detscher was an active member and 

officer of the Chocorua Lodge #83 of 

Masons F&AM in Meredith and helped 

organize the local DeMolay Chapter. 

Detscher was a member and past 

director of the Winnipesaukee Shrine 

Club, member and past director of the 

Bektash Temple, officer of the Bektash 

Temple Mini-Bike Patrol, and served as 

chairman of the Parks and Playgrounds 

Commission of Meredith. He also served 

as a captain on the Doris-E mail boat on 

Lake Winnipesaukee. 

He was predeceased by his wife Billie 

Jean (Harper) Detscher. Other survivors 

include four children: Christine Dow 

and husband John of Canaan; David 

Detscher and wife Sylvia of Meredith; 

Lynn Allen and husband William of 

54 


In Memoriam 

Center Harbor; Dwight Detscher and 

wife Suwanna of Las Vegas, Nev.; 

eight grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren; 

two brothers: Allan 

Detscher and wife Carol of Ft. Meyers, 

Fla., and Thomas Detscher and wife 

Betty Lou of Villa Rica, Ga.; one sister, 

Dorothy Walton and husband Tom of 

Alton; and many nieces and nephews. 

A graveside service was held at Lakeview 

Cemetery in Wolfeboro. Donations may 

be sent to the Chocorua Lodge of Mason, 

PO Box 1153, Meredith, N.H. 03253. 

Roland “Bill” Carignan ’47 

Roland “Bill” Carignan, 83, of Concord 

and a long-time Manchester resident, 

died July 3, 2006, at Concord Hospital 

after a brief illness. 

Carignan was born in Manchester on 

September 20, 1922, the son of Frederick 

and Leocadie (Lefebvre) Carignan. 

He attended Straw School and was 

a 1941 graduate of Manchester High 

School Central. He also attended 

Brewster Academy and Marianapolis 

Prep School. Carignan was awarded 

a full scholarship to play football at 

Boston College. He chose to serve his 

country in World War II, however, and 

was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served 

in the South Pacific and Japan. 

Carignan retired from Manchester Parks 

and Recreation, where he worked as 

the first and only program director. 

Prior to that, he had been employed as 

a Manchester police officer for 14 years. 

He was a highly decorated officer and 

attained the rank of sergeant before 

leaving the department. 

He was an outstanding athlete, having 

lettered in all sports at Central High 

School, and was inducted into the 

Queen City Athletic Hall of Fame. He 

served Ward 2 as alderman in the early 

1980s and was very active in numerous 

social and civic organizations. Among 

his many contributions to the city, 

was instituting the Carignan Amateur 

Softball League. Since his retirement, he 

loved spending his winters in Bradenton, 

Fla., and his summers in Belmont. 

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, 

Mary (Ecker) Carignan of Concord; one 

son, William Carignan of Manchester; 

four daughters, Patricia Beaulieu 

of Hooksett and Sandra Sukiennik, 

June Keusch, and Ann Demers, all of 

Concord; seven grandchildren; five 

great-grandchildren; one sister, Eva 

Chouinard of Hooksett; and a nephew 

and niece. 

Burial was at the New Hampshire 

State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. 

Donations may be made to the 

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 

495 Old Connecticut Path, Suite 220, 

Framingham, MA 01701. 

George C. Greer ’49 

George C. Greer, 79, of Wolfeboro, died 

October 28, 2006, at his home with his 

loving wife at his side. 

Greer was born October 22, 1927, in 

Franklin the son of the late Alfred and 

Edith (Costa) Greer. 

Greer left Malden High School in 

Malden, Mass., before graduating to join 

the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II. 

Upon discharge from service, he finished 

high school and earned his diploma 

at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, 

graduating in 1949. He continued his 

education at the University of New 

Hampshire and graduated with honors 

with a bachelor’s degree in biology. 

While working summers as a lifeguard 

and swim instructor at Brewster Beach in 

Wolfeboro, Greer discovered an aptitude 

and true love for working with children. 

He changed career paths, leading to 

a master’s degree in education from 

Harvard University. 

Greer’s lifelong work with children 

was two-fold and spanned more than 

30 years. 

His primary career was with the 

Winchester School District in Winchester, 

Mass., where he influenced countless 

lives as an elementary school teacher 

and curriculum planner. In later years he 

shared his invaluable experience at Tufts 

University, teaching graduate courses. 

His second career, and his true labor of 

love, was Frontenac Ski Area. Frontenac 

was a children’s winter ski camp in 

Plymouth, opened in 1963 by Greer, 

his first wife Nancy of 39 years (who 

predeceased him), and his brother’s 

family. With the continuing help of other 

loving family members and the teens 

who had grown up at camp, Frontenac 

ran until 1992. 

Greer was a charter member and 

charter board of governors member of 

the Wolfeboro Corinthian Yacht Club, 

serving on the board from 1982-1990 and 

several more times until 2003. He was 

a member of the buildings and grounds 

committee and, along with Joe Balboni, 

donated the use of his heavy equipment, 

time, and expertise to reconfigure much 

of the landscape at the Club as well as 

the boat storage area on Route 109A. 

Along with John Burt, he built the 

clubroom. In 1992, he served on the 

long-range planning committee. 

He joined the Wolfeboro Lions Club 

in 1995, where he chaired and was 

a member of numerous committees, 


55

In Memoriam 

including Operation Dog Sight, formed 

to raise money to purchase guide dogs 

for the blind. He also was on the board 

of directors for Lions Camp Pride. He 

was a member of “Team 10” formed 

to charter new Lions Clubs and was 

instrumental in forming the Loudon 

Lions Club. He was twice chosen “Lion 

of the Year” and was awarded a Melvin 

Jones Fellowship Award, the highest 

honor bestowed on a Lion. 

Greer was a communicant of St. 

Katharine Drexel Church in Alton and 

attended daily masses and also served 

as Minister of the Eucharist, altar server, 

and assistant at funerals. He headed 

up the CCD program at St. Joan of 

Arc Church in Alton and was on the 

fundraising committee for the new St. 

Katharine Drexel Church. 

Greer was predeceased by his first wife 

Nancy (Magee) and his son Steven, and 

is survived by his second wife Nancy 

(Raza) Greer of Wolfeboro, first cousin 

of his first wife and named after her. 

He also is survived by his daughter, 

Nanette Novak and his son-in-law 

Bruce; and grandsons Chad Novak 

and Darin Novak, all of Dover; his two 

brothers, Alvaro Greer of Framingham, 

Mass., and Alfred Greer of Hooksett; 

two sisters, Edith Smith and Theresa 

Woolley, both of Malden, Mass.; as well 

as many nieces and nephews. 

Interment will be at Mt. Calvary 

Cemetery in Manchester at a later 

date. 

Donations in his memory may be made 

to St. Katharine Drexel Church Building 

Fund, PO Box 180, Wolfeboro, NH 

03894, or VNA/Hospice of Southern 

Carroll County, PO Box 1620, Wolfeboro, 

NH 03894. 

Gwendolyn (Barnard) 

Bierweiler ’53 

Gwendolyn (Barnard) Bierweiler, 72, of 

Wolfeboro died peacefully in her sleep at 

home on January 7. 

She was born January 7, 1935, in Keene 

and had lived in Wolfeboro most of 

her life. Bierweiler was a member 

of Brewster’s class of 1953 and later 

graduated from Nasson College in 

Springfield, Maine. She worked for 

the Wolfeboro Municipal Electric 

Department for 20 years and was a 

member of the First Congregational 

Church of Wolfeboro. 

Bierweiler is survived by her husband 

of 50 years, Robert A Bierweiler ‘53 of 

Wolfeboro; two sons, Robert A. Bierweiler, 

Jr. of Ossipee and Steven D. Bierweiler of 

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a daughter, Linda 

Marie Mitchell of Daytona Beach, Fla.; 

and a granddaughter, Robin Bierweiler 

of Rochester. She also is survived by 

a sister, Norma Richmond ‘62 of New 

Hartford, Conn., and several cousins. 

Bierweiler was predeceased by grandson 

Mark Bierweiler. 

A private ceremony will be held at a 

later date. 

Donations in her memory may be made 

to the Hospice of Southern Carroll 

County, PO Box 1620, Wolfeboro, NH 

03894 or the American Cancer Society, 

Relay for Life, Attn. RLF in Wolfeboro, 

360 Rte 101 Unit 8, Bedford, NH 03110. 

Barbara (Swinerton) 

Hersey ’55 

Barbara (Swinerton) Hersey, 70, 

of Somersworth died January 8 in 

Rochester. 

She was born November 25, 1936, 

in Rochester, the daughter of the 

late Lawrence and Anna (Adjutant) 

Swinerton, and had lived in Wolfeboro 

for most of her life. 

She was a 1955 graduate of Brewster 

Academy and had worked at the 

Wolfeboro Inn for many years. 

Hersey was the widow of the late Carroll 

F. Hersey of the class of 1948. She is 

survived by her sons David Hersey 

and his wife, Deborah, of Wolfeboro, 

and Michael Hersey and his wife Heidi, 

of Wolfeboro; four grandsons: Seth, 

Brandon, Jory, and David Hersey, Jr.; 

two granddaughters: Kelsiegh and 

Sayge Hersey; two brothers, Lawrence 

“Sonny” Swinerton, class of 1961, of 

Wolfeboro, and Alan Swinerton of 

Ossipee; as well as a sister, Jane Sanborn, 

class of 1958, of Wolfeboro, and several 

nieces and nephews. 

Memorial services were held in January 

at the Wolfeboro Falls Baptist Church. 

Burial will be in the Hersey Cemetery 

at a later date. 

Anne Danila Berenbach ’71 

Anne Danila Berenbach, 53, of Wolfeboro 

died December 22, 2006, at home after 

a long and courageous battle with 

cancer. 

She was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on 

March 14, 1953, the daughter of Eugene 

and Daphne Berenbach. 

Berenbach attended Brewster Academy 

where she graduated as the salutatorian 

56 


In Memoriam 

in 1971. She then continued her education 

at Middlebury College in Vermont, 

receiving a degree in fine arts. She was a 

phenomenal artist and loved all forms of 

art, especially watercolor painting and 

pencil sketching. 

She was an active member of the Church 

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 

Wolfeboro and enjoyed doing service 

projects with church members. She 

was enrolled in hospice classes with the 

Hospice of Southern Carroll County. 

Berenbach is survived by her three 

children, Kaela, Ava, and Isa Raku of 

Wolfeboro, as well as her father, Eugene 

Berenbach of Wolfeboro. She will be 

forever in the hearts of those who knew 

her and will be dearly missed. 

Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery in 

Wolfeboro. Donations in her memory 

may be made to the Church of Jesus 

Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wolfeboro, 

NH 03894. 

Marlon Howe II ’05 

Marlon D. Howe II, 21, died December 

12, 2006, at Rady Children’s Hospital of 

San Diego, after a two-year battle with 

bone cancer of the spine. 

Born in Poway, Calif., Nov. 4, 1985, he 

grew up in San Diego, San Marcos, and 

Fallbrook and attended local schools 

through his junior year of high school. 

A promising basketball player, Howe 

was highly sought after by coaches 

around San Diego county because of his 

work ethic, personality, athletic ability, 

and potential. He was recruited and 

sponsored by Nike, Reebok, and Adidas 

to play on traveling teams that took him 

around the country. In 2004, he was a 

McDonald’s All American High School 

Boys Basketball Nominee. 

Howe enrolled at Brewster Academy 

for his senior year but after two months 

into the program, he was stricken with 

osteosarcoma of the spine. While Howe 

was in treatment at Rady Children’s and 

UCSD medical facilities, he took the 

opportunity to reach out to others and 

made a great impact on other patients’ 

families, as well as staff members. His 

presence was so noticed that he was 

labeled the mayor and the ambassador 

on the oncology floor. 

A Celebration Of Life ceremony for this 

beloved grandson, son, brother, nephew, 

cousin, and friend was held at Christ the 

King Lutheran Church in Fallbrook. 

The family suggests donations in memory 

of Marlon D. Howe II to College Bound 

Scholarship Funds, Children’s Hospital, 

and San Diego Blood Bank. 

Stephen Perry McLoy 

Former Athletic Director 

Stephen Perry McLoy, 62, of Concord 

and Hebron died November 6, 2006, 

at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in 

Boston of complications of acute myloid 

leukemia. 

McLoy was born in Concord on January 

23, 1944, and was the son of Edward 

Francis and Cynthia (Perry) McLoy. 

He was a graduate of Concord High 

School and the University of New 

Hampshire. He went on to become 

athletic director at Brewster Academy, 

where he also coached basketball, 

football, and lacrosse and taught 

environmental education courses until 

1984. 

While at Brewster, he directed the 

Institute for Environmental Education 

and edited the Teacher’s Guide to 

Environmental Education, published by 

the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA). He wrote and administered 

several environmental education grants 

from the Ford Foundation and the EPA 

and directed the summer intern program 

“Clean Water.” Prior to working at 

Brewster, he taught government and 

writing and coached football at the 

Tilton School for seven years. 

For 12 years prior to his retirement in 

2004, McLoy worked for the state of New 

Hampshire and most recently was chief 

of operations for the New Hampshire 

Office of Emergency Management 

and wrote and administered Federal 

Emergency Management Grants. 

McLoy enjoyed fly-fishing, wildlife 

photography, cooking, and travel, 

especially to Italy and the Caribbean, 

and spending time with friends and 

family at Newfound Lake. He was a 

member of Trout Unlimited and the 

Sunset Mountain Fish and Game Club. 

He was an avid reader and passionately 

followed world news. 

He leaves his father, Edward McLoy, 

of Penacook; two sons and their wives, 

Jason and Kara McLoy of Hingham, 

Mass., and Britton and Melissa McLoy 

of Georgetown, Mass.; his partner of 

five years, Priscilla Gemmill of Concord; 

four grandchildren; and several aunts 

and cousins. He was predeceased by 

his mother. 

A celebratory gathering for family 

and friends was held November 19 at 

the Society for the Protection of New 

Hampshire Forests. Memorial gifts may 

be sent to the local chapter of Trout 

Unlimited, 26 S. Main St., Suite 279, 

Concord 03301. 


57

Writing Brewster’s History 

“Scott’s Palace” 

A Glimpse Into the Life of a Brewster Student 

From 1911 to 1915 

by Bob and Shirley Richardson 

Dr. James M. Wallace, Class of 1947, 

related to us that he discovered 

a remarkable diary when he was 

going over the records of his 

mother and his aunt, twin 

sisters Ethel Scott Wallace 

and Edith Scott Tinker, both 

members of the Class of 

1915. While Edith diligently 

kept a daily diary in which 

she recorded details about 

her schoolwork, meetings, 

conversations, and social 

engagements, Ethel carefully 

kept every piece of required 

written work, including 

comments by the instructors, 

over their four years of 

schooling at Brewster. These 

two collections not only give 

us a valuable insight into 

the social life of a teenager 

in Wolfeboro at the time, but 

also the academic demands 

made by the school and the 

quality of instruction offered. 

Dr. Nathaniel Harvey Scott, 

the twins’ father, graduated 

from medical school at 

Dartmouth College in 

1874. He began his medical 

practice in Sandwich and 

moved it to Wolfeboro in 

1880. In 1881, he moved 

his family and practice to 

Ethel and Edith Scott in front of the Scott house barn a building located on the 

northeast side of South Main 

Street at Pickering Corner, opposite 

Photos courtesy of Dr. James M. Wallace ’47 the Civil War statue. 

It was here that Dr. Scott became 

widely known and respected as 

a practicing physician and strong 

supporter of civic activities in 

Wolfeboro. He soon was elected to 

the Board of Trustees of Brewster 

Academy and was a long-lasting 

influential trustee whose love for 

Brewster would extend into the 1940s. 

He became a close friend of both John 

Brewster and John’s son William. 

With a growing family, living and 

office space became a problem for 

the Scotts, who had six children: 

Margaret, Bernice, Louisa and Harlan 

(both Class of 1911), and the twins, 

Ethel and Edith (both Class of 1915). 

Dr. Scott expanded the house by 

building a large addition including 

a barn where he stored his famous 

gasoline-powered buggy, one of the 

first in Wolfeboro. Included in the new 

addition were several rooms that Dr. 

Scott rented out to boarding students 

from Brewster. 

Serving as dorm master for two or 

three students each term was a new 

role for Dr. Scott, but the location was 

ideal. Students could easily scurry to 

school in the morning, come back for 

a lunch prepared by Mrs. Scott, return 

for afternoon classes, and then hang 

out with friends until the required 

study hours at night. The term “Scott’s 

Palace” soon entered the school 

vocabulary. 

Living in “Scott’s Palace” placed the 

twins in a position to participate in 

58 



school activities and carry on a social 

life with other students. Wallace 

points out, “It appears that the twins’ 

parents permitted them to participate 

in frequent activities, including coed 

hikes with a variety of friends. The 

parents knew the town and its families 

and institutions well and felt that it 

was safe for the twins to engage in a 

range of activities with a variety of 

friends.” (Wallace, The Scott Twins at 

Brewster Free Academy [1911-1915], 

manuscript; p. 11). 

Ethel’s diary records that Miss Anna 

Leila Pitman was her English and 

history teacher while Miss Evelyn 

Spring taught Edith. Mr. W. Herbert 

Merrill was their fearsome Latin 

instructor with Ms. Eva A. Mooar 

in French, Mr. Harry Merritt in 

mathematics, and Ms. Sarah L. Bates 

in domestic science and elocution. 

After sorting out all of Ethel’s papers 

by class subject, it was obvious that 

most of the demands were placed in 

English and history. During a 32-week 

school year, Miss Pitman assigned and 

corrected in detail nearly two English 

papers per week while in history 

she demanded a paper every other 

week, many more papers than did her 

colleagues. Papers were assigned on 

Hawthorne’s Twice Told Tales, Scott’s 

Ivanhoe and Lady of the Lake, Irving’s 

Rip Van Winkle and Legend of Sleepy 

Hollow, Dodge’s Hans Brinker and 

the Silver Skates, Havell’s Tales from 

Herodotus, chapters from The Bible, 

Whittier’s Snowbound, and poems by 

Longfellow and others. 

Like generations of English teachers 

Miss Pitman examined papers for 

“unity, coherence and emphasis.” She 

read carefully, noting spelling errors, 

giving suggestions on grammar and 

structure, writing positive comments, 

and assigning a grade. While the 

“Scott’s Palace,” home of Dr. Nathaniel Scott’s medical practice, his family, and a few Brewster 

boarding students. It stands across the street from Brewster’s Monument Field. 

Pitman teaching demands were high, 

it is assumed that similar demands 

were made in other courses. 

Debates were required by each 

class, as were dramatic productions. 

One can only imagine the many 

afternoons at “Scott’s Palace” as these 

enthusiastic young people practiced 

their debate and elocution skills. 

The junior and senior classes 

presented dramatic productions each 

year, while choral groups made formal 

presentations several times yearly, 

most importantly at commencement 

and class days. Voices and songs could 

be heard coming from the rooms of 

“Scott’s Palace” in preparation for 

these performances. 

It appears that short class trips and 

outings supplemented the curriculum. 

Sometimes students ventured on 

foot to the Libby Museum at Mirror 

Lake – a round-trip of almost six 

miles. Some of what they learned was 

reinforced through required writing 

“A lot of us had 

to stay after 

school tonight for 

whispering … I 

stayed an hour.” 


59


about their extracurricular events. Certainly the editors of 

the weekly newsbooklet The Brewster worked at bringing 

student literary works into print by applying great pressure 

on young poets and even sports writers who were present 

at every event. 

“Scott’s Palace” offered a unique opportunity for students 

to gather together to share and discuss ideas and school 

happenings. Ethel’s diary briefly describes numerous 

occasions during which these gatherings promoted social 

interaction and learning. 

here after school and we played it all afternoon and 

evening. It is a Columbia and the records are disks.” 

And again she writes, “Clinton, again, had Woodman’s 

phonograph downhere today. Harlan (Ethel’s brother) 

and I danced up in Clinton’s room for over an hour. He 

taught me the “Boston Two-Step.” 

On August 28, she recorded; “Met Mr. Haley and almost 

started to run because it was almost seven and it felt 

as if I was breaking study hours.” (Mr. Haley was one 

of her teachers and the principal. During the school 

year, students were expected to keep study hours, even 

those who lived off campus.) 

Another entry, on September 3: “I have been 

reading A Tale of Two Cities. I have got as far 

as the knitting women ... I don’t know as I 

ever shall dare read farther because I liked 

Sidney Carton almost better than Evremonde. I 

had almost rather Evremonde died.” 

And on October 15, 1912, Ethel recorded, “It is 

lots of fun to study nights with lamps, much 

cozier.” (Apparently the house had been electrified, 

but the family still used oil lamps sometimes.) 

[Wallace, The Scott Twins ..., manuscript, p.7, 

4/28/06] 

Standing (l-r): Dr. Scott, Mrs. Scott, Louisa ’11, Bernice, and Harlan ’11. Seated 

(l-r): Ethel ’15 and Edith ’15 and an unnamed gentleman. 

January 15, 1912 – “Went snow shoing this afternoon … 

the snow shoing really wasn’t good but we had a 

dandy time.” 

Then, the next day – “A lot of us had to stay after school 

tonight for whispering … I stayed an hour.” 

April 5, 1912 - “Clayton came to rehearse a violin piece 

that he is going to play in C.E. Sunday.” (This is 

Ethel’s first mention of Clayton Wallace, whom she 

married nine years later. C.E. is Christian Endeavor.). 

Later, she writes, “Clinton (possibly Clinton Greenwood, 

Class of 1911, a classmate of Harlan who boarded at 

the Scott House) had Woodman’s phonograph down 

“Met Mr. Haley and almost started to run 

because it was almost seven 

and it felt as if I was breaking study hours.” 

Both twins graduated from Brewster and the 

University of Maine, returned to Wolfeboro, married 

Brewster boys (Clayton Wallace ’15 and Herbert Tinker ’16) 

and continued to be very active community members. 

Today, “Scott’s Palace” stands next to the “Corner Store” 

gas station and convenience store. It is occupied by several 

small businesses, with some rooms standing vacant. The 

shutters have been removed, the bricks painted grey, and a 

seasonal antique shop occupies the barn. 

Only the memories of those familiar with the Scott family 

and the informative and special collections of Ethel and 

Edith are left behind to remind us of an era gone by and 

the young people who gathered at “Scott’s Palace” as they 

discovered themselves and planned their future. • 

60 


“My education at Brewster was top notch,” 

said Charlie. 

“I can think of no better investment 

than helping to assure future generations 

of Brewster students the same experience. 

This is why I made a provision in my estate 

plans – a bequest.” 

1887 Heritage Society Member Charlie Carter ’51 

Charlie Carter ’51 fondly remembers 

growing up in Wolfeboro. His 

parents moved to New Hampshire to 

become the proprietors of the Windrifter 

Resort on South Main Street. Charlie 

attended Brewster and when his family 

sold the resort, he stayed on as a boarding 

student. Though currently living 

in northern Vermont, Charlie still feels 

drawn to Wolfeboro and is considering 

returning to the area in the future. “I 

have wonderful memories of my years 

at Brewster and was well-prepared for 

my college education at Brown and 

Cornell.” 

“My education at Brewster was top 

notch,” said Charlie. “I can think of 

no better investment than helping to 

assure future generations of Brewster 

students the same experience. This is 

why I made a provision in my estate 

plans – a bequest.” 

Now retired from a career with the 

state of Vermont targeting the economic 

growth and development of the 

Northeast Kingdom, Charlie recognizes 

the importance of his gift to Brewster 

Academy versus another institution 

that has larger endowments. “Frankly, 

I feel that my dollars are more critical 

to Brewster and will have a greater impact 

on the school.” • 

Charlie Carter invites you 

to join him as a member 

of the 1887 Heritage Society, 

a special society 

for members of the 

Brewster family 

who have made arrangements 

for a planned gift 

to Brewster Academy. 

For more information regarding planned giving options available at Brewster Academy, 

please contact Tim von Jess, director of advancement 

(603) 569-7140 or via e-mail at tim_von_jess@brewsteracademy.org

EXPECT MORE 

Expect to live in a community where you grow strong in mind, body, and spirit. 

A community you help create, together with new friends from across the world. 

A community where everyone respects everyone else and everyone has fun. 

EXPECT GREAT THINGS. 

OF US. OF YOURSELF. 

Office of Admission • 800-842-9961 • admissions@brewsteracademy.org 


80 Academy Drive 

Wolfeboro, NH 03894 

www.brewsteracademy.org

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