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NEW APPOINTMENTS HOMECOMING 2008 MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS ALUMNI HOLIDAY GATHERING & AWARDS<br />
Launching the<br />
<strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong><br />
Capital Campaign
Campus Clips<br />
A.<br />
B.<br />
E<br />
C. D.<br />
E. F.<br />
A. Following a successful drive for Goodwill Industries of Western New York and <strong>School</strong> 45, excited students fill a truckload of boxes and bags packed<br />
with clothes, books and more.<br />
B. Beth Munro, Grace Munro ’10 and Robert Ivers scrutinize a piece of artwork during a visit to <strong>Nichols</strong> for the opening of Beth and her father Robert’s show,<br />
“Two Generations: How We See,” which displayed until January in the <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong> Gallery in the Glenn and Awdry Flickinger Performing<br />
Arts Center.<br />
C. Seniors Nick Williams, Brian Griffith, and Hannah Kloepfer star in “The Proposal” from the Fall Play production of “Three Farces and a Funeral.”<br />
D. <strong>Nichols</strong> eighth-graders and faculty members stand in front of the Capitol Building on their class trip to Washington, D.C.<br />
E. Members of House Ontario in the Middle <strong>School</strong> jump for joy after winning the tug of war competition on Field Day 2008.<br />
F. Urban Studies students meet with Tom Kucharski, President & CEO of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise and parent of Thaddeus ’10. (standing, l to r) Will Yood ’09,<br />
Alyssa Murrett ’09, Eliza Cheyney ’09, Tom Kucharski, Will Gisel ’09; (sitting) Matt Franz ’09, Alayla Henry ’09, Jessica Demakos ’09 and Caitlin Collins ’09.
ditor’s Note<br />
Right now, people are largely worried about the economy, and who can blame them? News<br />
headlines foster doubts about job security, providing for our families and sustaining our<br />
current lifestyles. Nearly everywhere you turn, the outlook seems grim. I’m pleased to say<br />
our stories are more encouraging.<br />
While <strong>Nichols</strong> is certainly not immune to the economic crisis in any fashion, we<br />
remain hopeful as a <strong>School</strong>. At events such as the Alumni Holiday Gathering or the recent<br />
Junior Poetry Paper Breakfast, optimism prevailed. Guests<br />
focused on all there is to celebrate – recognizing each<br />
other’s accomplishments, reconnecting with friends and<br />
conquering an especially long paper. Another momentous<br />
commemoration came with the 100 Years of <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
Hockey celebration, which brought a huge group of<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> fans to campus for a special weekend of sharing old<br />
memories and making new ones. I hear countless alumni<br />
say that coming back to <strong>Nichols</strong> is a pleasant experience<br />
every time.<br />
With every day that passes, I grow exceedingly aware<br />
that members of the <strong>Nichols</strong> community are thankful.<br />
Alumni are appreciative of the foundation of success they<br />
received here and current students are grateful to attend<br />
a <strong>School</strong> that offers an exceptional education. Faculty and staff celebrate the camaraderie<br />
that comes with working toward the common goal of shaping young minds and ensuring<br />
that students can afford a <strong>Nichols</strong> education for years to come. The generous contributions<br />
of those who have given and continue to give to the <strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong> Capital Campaign<br />
and to our Annual Fund are clear proof of this.<br />
Now more than ever, it is important to stay positive and give back to <strong>Nichols</strong> whenever<br />
and however you can. In doing so, we help our <strong>School</strong> remain strong and benefit students<br />
for generations to follow.<br />
During challenging times or otherwise, you are welcome to stop by the corner of Colvin<br />
and Amherst to see that our <strong>School</strong> is full of people who are still smiling.<br />
Keep in touch,<br />
Staff<br />
Winter 2009<br />
Editor<br />
Nina Cimino<br />
ncimino@nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong><br />
Contributors<br />
Richard C. Bryan, Jr.<br />
Sarah Gelman Carney ’92<br />
Nina Cimino<br />
Sandy Smith Cunningham ’93<br />
Larry Desautels<br />
Neil Farmelo<br />
Holly Fewkes<br />
Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75<br />
Gyda Higgins<br />
Connie Klinck Klopp N’73<br />
Heidi LaRou<br />
Ron Montesano<br />
Jill C. Robins<br />
Mary Rech Rockwell<br />
Tim Vanini ’87<br />
Sheila-Zohara Zamor<br />
Designer<br />
Kelley Rechin, Duffy Moon Design<br />
Photographers<br />
Sarah Gelman Carney ’92<br />
Nina Cimino<br />
Susan B. Ervolina<br />
Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75<br />
Wm. F. “Kim” Kimberly ’47<br />
Andrea Mancuso<br />
Tom Maynor ’81<br />
Ron Montesano<br />
Nina M. Cimino<br />
Director of Marketing and Communications<br />
– means “that which is true” and is pronounced “taw alay théss.”<br />
is published three times a year by the Development Office.<br />
Telephone: 716-876-3450 • Fax: 716-875-3931<br />
Third Class postage paid at Buffalo, New York<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> is an inclusive community. Acceptance granted to qualified students.<br />
Cover: The focal point of the <strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<br />
<strong>org</strong> Capital Campaign is a 24,000 square foot<br />
sustainable Math/Science Building. Read the<br />
full story on page 36.<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
1250 Amherst St., Buffalo, NY 14216 • 716-875-8212 • www.nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong>
Are You<br />
Missing Out?<br />
Your classmates, friends and<br />
teachers are making new<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> connections. If you<br />
are not a part of the online<br />
conversation, check it out:<br />
Contents<br />
Headmaster’s Report ................................................................................. 5<br />
Financial Rescue Bill Includes Sweetener for Charitable Giving ................ 6<br />
2008-2009 Faculty and Staff Appointments ............................................... 7<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> Welcomes New Alumni Board Members, Retains President ........ 8<br />
New Members of the Board of Trustees .................................................... 9<br />
Looking at “The World in 2009”.................................................................. 11<br />
Girls Varsity Soccer ................................................................................... 12<br />
Fall 2008 Athletics Recap ......................................................................... 14<br />
Friend Sarah Carney, Director<br />
of Alumni Relations and the<br />
Annual Fund, join the <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> Alumni Group and<br />
become a fan of <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>.<br />
2008 Big Green Athletic Dinner and Auction ............................................ 15<br />
Legacies ................................................................................................... 16<br />
After <strong>Nichols</strong> – Emma Rosen ’07 ............................................................. 21<br />
2008 Alumni Award Winners .................................................................... 22<br />
2008 Alumni Holiday Gathering ................................................................ 24<br />
25th Anniversary of Young Writers’ Workshop ........................................ 28<br />
Of Many, One Community ....................................................................... 30<br />
Join the <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Alumni Network.<br />
Save the Date<br />
Larry Desautels Named Graham W. Smith ’48 Chair .............................. 33<br />
After <strong>Nichols</strong> – Mike Keiser ’63 ................................................................ 35<br />
Launching the <strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong> Capital Campaign ............................... 36<br />
Author Linda Sue Park Visits <strong>Nichols</strong> ........................................................ 42<br />
Author Spotlight – John R. Trimble ’58 .................................................... 43<br />
Homecoming ............................................................................................ 44<br />
“American Teen” ....................................................................................... 46<br />
June 5, 2009<br />
Corrections &<br />
Clarifications<br />
Salvatore Torre graduated in June of 2008<br />
and now attends Trinity College. His name<br />
was previously misrepresented in the<br />
“Class of 2008 College Choices List.” We<br />
apologize for any confusion this caused.<br />
Big Green Initiative Column ..................................................................... 48<br />
Professional Development is Flourishing at <strong>Nichols</strong> ................................. 50<br />
In Memoriam ............................................................................................ 53<br />
Class Notes .............................................................................................. 54<br />
Faculty Profile – Mary Sykes .................................................................... 67<br />
4 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
y Richard C. Bryan, Jr.<br />
Headmaster’s Report<br />
Often when asked “How are things going at <strong>School</strong>?” I respond with the<br />
phrase, “peaks and valleys,” invoking the image of the natural highs and<br />
lows associated with the education of adolescents on a daily basis. When<br />
communicating with parents and alumni, it is tempting to focus only on<br />
the positives, for we are succeeding as a school on so many levels. But,<br />
it’s important to be realistic and open about the challenges facing the<br />
<strong>School</strong>, especially in this period of economic uncertainty.<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong> is guided by a strategic<br />
planning process that allows us to objectively<br />
look at how well the <strong>School</strong> is doing,<br />
and generate new ideas while remaining<br />
flexible to deal with unforeseen issues and<br />
roadblocks. Most importantly, it has moved<br />
the <strong>School</strong> forward. We have changed from<br />
an institution that measured its success from<br />
local standards to a vision that is higher. We<br />
have, in the words of author Jim Collins,<br />
moved from “good to great.”<br />
In the past two years, the administration<br />
and the Board of Trustees have developed<br />
many new strategic initiatives. We surveyed<br />
the parent body about the <strong>School</strong>’s program<br />
and effectiveness of communication. This<br />
fall, we launched a survey for alumni,<br />
exploring levels of preparation for college<br />
and career choice, as well as satisfaction<br />
with communication and current direction.<br />
From the parent survey,<br />
we learned these important results:<br />
1. How satisfied are you that the <strong>School</strong> is<br />
achieving its mission and core values?<br />
Extremely satisfied..................... 50.4%<br />
Satisfied...................................... 42.7%<br />
Total: ......................................... 93.1%<br />
2. How satisfied are you that the <strong>School</strong><br />
is fostering an environment where all<br />
members of the <strong>School</strong> community feel<br />
included and affirmed?<br />
Extremely satisfied..................... 32.9%<br />
Satisfied...................................... 43.6%<br />
Total: ......................................... 76.5%<br />
3. How satisfied are you that the <strong>School</strong><br />
makes consistent progress in building<br />
and sustaining an inclusive community?<br />
Extremely satisfied..................... 37.6%<br />
Satisfied...................................... 43.6%<br />
Total: ......................................... 81.2%<br />
4. In your family’s choice of <strong>Nichols</strong>, what<br />
were the top three values that rated as<br />
“Extremely important<br />
and/or Important?”<br />
A. Academic opportunities:...... 97.2%<br />
B. Small class size:...................... 97.1%<br />
C. College placement record:.... 94.3%<br />
We were fortunate to have 46% of our<br />
parents participate in the survey, providing<br />
a good research sampling. Ninety percent<br />
report satisfaction or extreme satisfaction<br />
with overall communication at <strong>Nichols</strong>.<br />
Parents reported satisfaction or extreme<br />
satisfaction with the general helpfulness<br />
of staff (92%), student evaluations and<br />
comments (88%), communication with<br />
teachers (86%) and communication<br />
with administrators (77%). The majority<br />
of respondents prefer e-mail overall<br />
(over 75%) and report being satisfied<br />
or extremely satisfied with each of our<br />
main communication tools, including the<br />
magazine, the newsletter, the web site<br />
and e-mail. 93% agree or strongly agree<br />
that <strong>Nichols</strong> does its best to keep them<br />
informed about school news/happenings.<br />
In terms of curriculum, parents reported<br />
satisfaction or extreme satisfaction in the<br />
following subject areas: English (95%),<br />
social studies (93%), science (88%), foreign<br />
languages (85%), physical education and<br />
health (83%), arts and music instruction<br />
(82%), math (74%) and technology (65%).<br />
Our parents scored us overwhelmingly<br />
positive on extra-curricular programs with<br />
satisfaction or extreme satisfaction reported<br />
in the following subject areas: athletic<br />
program (77%), the arts (69%) and extracurricular<br />
activities and clubs overall (65%).<br />
Finally, there were areas that parents<br />
felt needed work. While 74% felt satisfied<br />
or extremely satisfied with school safety,<br />
many commented that they would like<br />
to see an emergency alert notification<br />
system being used at <strong>Nichols</strong>. The <strong>School</strong><br />
responded by launching such a system this<br />
fall. Striving to maintain excellence in<br />
College Counseling remains a passionate<br />
topic for parents, so we are taking steps to<br />
continue our individualized approach and<br />
constantly evaluate our program as the<br />
landscape around us changes dramatically.<br />
While communication was generally rated<br />
high, we recognize the need for more<br />
continued on next page<br />
Winter 2009<br />
5
consistent communication with teachers<br />
throughout the marking period and more<br />
prompt responses to phone calls and<br />
e-mails.<br />
From this survey, and as a result of<br />
discussions among Trustees, faculty and<br />
students, five main pillars were established<br />
as the foundation of our strategic thinking.<br />
They are:<br />
• Create the ideal learning environment<br />
• Provide a dynamic, progressive curricular<br />
and extracurricular program<br />
• Attract and retain the highest caliber<br />
students, faculty and staff<br />
• Support and stay connected with our<br />
graduates, the total school constituency,<br />
and the wider WNY community<br />
• Assure a strong financial condition<br />
Throughout this year, we will develop<br />
initiatives to meet these goals. They<br />
include in depth assessments of our athletic<br />
and arts programs, financial aid policies,<br />
faculty/staff evaluations and professional<br />
development opportunities. In December,<br />
members of the Board of Trustees and the<br />
administration met to begin to revise our<br />
five year financial plan, which is critical<br />
to our future planning. We are focusing<br />
attention and resources on our college<br />
guidance and counseling program, as well<br />
as developing new strategies for increasing<br />
the applicant pool to <strong>Nichols</strong>. Our goals<br />
are to support the pursuit of our 21st<br />
century competencies in every aspect of<br />
the academic program, assure that our<br />
technology resources are sufficient, and<br />
devise creative opportunities for faculty to<br />
collaborate and analyze our curriculum.<br />
Keeping true to our mission and core<br />
values, this planning effort can only<br />
succeed with a shared vision for the future.<br />
“Serving grades 5-12 on an urban campus<br />
of the highest caliber, <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong> is a<br />
diverse independent school community,<br />
nationally recognized for developing<br />
motivated, adaptive and empathetic<br />
scholars who are prepared to thrive as<br />
contributing members of our increasingly<br />
global world.”<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> continues to thrive because<br />
of the quality of our faculty and staff,<br />
the wisdom and vision of our volunteer<br />
leadership, and the generosity of alumni,<br />
parents and friends. You challenge us to<br />
excel beyond the status quo and drive us to<br />
raise our standards. Thank you for joining<br />
us and supporting our efforts as we embark<br />
into the 21 st century.<br />
Financial Rescue Bill<br />
Includes Sweetener<br />
for Charitable Giving<br />
For anyone 70 ½ or older, the advantages of direct giving from your IRA have been<br />
extended through 2009. You can now make a direct gift to <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong> from an<br />
IRA without tax consequences. In addition, there are advantages to doing charitable<br />
giving in this way, which the following questions and answers demonstrate.<br />
Q: Should I use my IRA for charitable gifts?<br />
A: Definitely; the amount given is not in your estate. IRA assets in your estate are<br />
subject to estate tax and probate costs, and your heirs pay income tax on the<br />
IRA proceeds when received by them. Thus, using your IRA for gifting avoids<br />
taxes and costs.<br />
Q: Are there other tax advantages to me, immediately?<br />
A: Several. You don’t increase your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income), which saves<br />
deductions and exemptions; you may also use the charitable gift to meet your<br />
RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) without it being subject to income tax;<br />
and there is no 50% of AGI limitation.<br />
Q: How much can I give?<br />
A: You can choose up to $100,000 in calendar year 2009. (At present, we do not<br />
know if it will be extended beyond 2009.)<br />
Q: How do I do this? What do I do now?<br />
A: Contact Neil Farmelo, Director of Planned Giving, in the Development<br />
Office at <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Call 716-876-3450, ext. 223, or e-mail him at<br />
nfarmelo@nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong>. He will give you details and answer your questions.<br />
6 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
New Faculty and Staff<br />
2008-2009 Faculty and Staff Appointments<br />
by Nina Cimino<br />
Lisa Ackendorf has been<br />
appointed Controller and<br />
will manage the Business<br />
Office and Human<br />
Resources. She comes to<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> with extensive<br />
financial management<br />
and human resource<br />
experience in both the not-for-profit and<br />
corporate sectors. She has a bachelor’s degree<br />
in Accounting from SUNY at Buffalo and<br />
is a Certified Public Accountant. Most<br />
recently, she was the Director of Finance<br />
at Commercial Insurance Consultants,<br />
an insurance consulting firm located in<br />
Williamsville, N.Y.<br />
Caitlin Crowell joins<br />
the faculty as an<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> history<br />
teacher, as well as coadvisor<br />
of the Verdian.<br />
Caitlin graduated with<br />
a bachelor’s degree<br />
from SUNY at Buffalo.<br />
She earned her master’s degree from the<br />
University of Southern Florida and is<br />
currently finishing her doctorate at Yale<br />
University in African American Women’s<br />
History. Caitlin has taught Women’s<br />
Studies at SUNY at Buffalo and American<br />
History at the University of Southern<br />
Florida and Yale University. Caitlin filled<br />
in for her father, Bob Crowell, for several<br />
weeks last fall and found that she enjoyed<br />
teaching <strong>Nichols</strong> students.<br />
Annette Kellogg joins<br />
the Development Office<br />
as Administrative<br />
Assistant after working<br />
as a Receptionist at<br />
Elmwood Franklin<br />
<strong>School</strong> for six years. In<br />
addition to independent<br />
school experience, she brings a<br />
background of strong <strong>org</strong>anizational skills<br />
to <strong>Nichols</strong>. Annette and her husband,<br />
Steve Kellogg, Jr. ’81, have two boys,<br />
Steve ’10, Lachlan ’12.<br />
Laurie Ousley joins<br />
the Upper <strong>School</strong><br />
English Department,<br />
in addition to duties of<br />
advising <strong>Nichols</strong> News.<br />
Laurie graduated with<br />
a bachelor’s degree in<br />
English from Rhode<br />
Island College. She then went on to<br />
earn her master’s in English from Clark<br />
University. She finished her doctorate in<br />
English at SUNY Buffalo in 2003. Laurie<br />
has taught English at Clark University,<br />
SUNY at Buffalo and Trocaire College.<br />
She most recently worked as the Director<br />
of the Liberal Studies program at Trocaire<br />
College.<br />
Adrienne DeCarlo<br />
Ptak ’98 joins the<br />
Admissions Office as<br />
Associate Director of<br />
Admissions. Adrienne<br />
graduated from Franklin<br />
and Marshall College<br />
with a bachelor’s degree<br />
in sociology and a concentration in<br />
women’s studies. She worked in the<br />
Admissions Office at Trinity-Pawling<br />
<strong>School</strong> for four years before returning<br />
to Buffalo.<br />
Chuck Ptak joins<br />
the College Office<br />
as Assistant College<br />
Counselor, teaching<br />
one class in the English<br />
Department and<br />
coordinating the Senior<br />
Project Program. In<br />
addition, he is Head Coach of Boys and<br />
Girls Squash and the Assistant Coach<br />
of Boys Lacrosse. Chuck graduated from<br />
Franklin and Marshall College with a<br />
bachelor’s degree in American Studies.<br />
He went on to earn his master’s degree in<br />
Liberal Studies from Wesleyan College.<br />
Chuck previously taught English and<br />
coached squash and lacrosse at the Webb<br />
<strong>School</strong> and, most recently, Trinity-Pawling<br />
<strong>School</strong>.<br />
Christine Roach returns<br />
to the Middle <strong>School</strong><br />
History Department as<br />
a part-time teacher. She<br />
instructs two sections of<br />
seventh grade American<br />
history. Christine taught<br />
full time in the Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong> in the early nineties before getting<br />
married and raising a family. Christine<br />
graduated from Williams College in 1988<br />
and is married to Williams classmate and<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> alumnus, Michael Roach ’84.<br />
Christine, Mike and their four children<br />
reside in Buffalo, N.Y.<br />
Jill Robins joined the<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> staff in May as<br />
the Director of Special<br />
Events & Database<br />
Manager in the<br />
Development Office.<br />
Jill graduated from the<br />
College of Charleston<br />
with a degree in Corporate Communication.<br />
Upon graduation, she moved to Chicago<br />
and worked in Association & Conference<br />
Management at Smith Bucklin. A native<br />
of Buffalo, Jill returns after working for<br />
the Foundation for the Greater Baltimore<br />
Medical Center, where she spent four years<br />
<strong>org</strong>anizing special events and fundraising.<br />
In addition, Jill worked for a Baltimore race<br />
management company, helping <strong>org</strong>anize<br />
local running events.<br />
New Appointments<br />
Denise Hathaway – Administrative Assistant,<br />
Head of Upper <strong>School</strong> and Front Office<br />
Formerly Administrative Assistant, Development<br />
Gyda Higgins – Director of Parent Relations<br />
Formerly Administrative Assistant,<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> Front Office<br />
Connie Klopp – Administrative Assistant,<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> Front Office<br />
Formerly Administrative Assistant, Admissions<br />
Emma Wadsworth – Wellness faculty member<br />
and Administrative Assistant, Admissions<br />
Formerly Administrative Assistant,<br />
Head of Upper <strong>School</strong> and Front Office<br />
Sheila Zohara-Zamor – French faculty member<br />
and Director of Multicultural Affairs<br />
Winter 2009<br />
7
<strong>Nichols</strong> Welcomes New Alumni<br />
Board Members, Retains President<br />
by Nina Cimino<br />
Hugh M. Russ III ’78<br />
After completing the 2007-2008 year,<br />
Hugh M. Russ III ’78 continues to serve as<br />
President of the<br />
Alumni Board for<br />
2008-2009. Hugh<br />
is Chair of the<br />
2008-2009 Annual<br />
Fund, a 2008-2009<br />
Headmaster’s<br />
Society Committee<br />
member and a<br />
Class Agent.<br />
An active trial<br />
lawyer, Hugh concentrates his practice in<br />
business litigation, insurance litigation,<br />
personal injury actions, products liability<br />
cases, toxic torts, and employment<br />
discrimination litigation. Hugh earned<br />
a juris doctorate from SUNY at Buffalo<br />
<strong>School</strong> of Law and a bachelor’s degree from<br />
Harvard University.<br />
Hugh serves on the Board of Directors<br />
for Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He<br />
resides in Snyder, N.Y., with his wife Linda,<br />
their children, Oliver ’09 and Caroline ’10,<br />
and their dogs Mac, Sammie and Daisy.<br />
Ned Franz ’91<br />
Ned Franz ’91 is currently on long-term<br />
leave from Eli Lilly and Company, based in<br />
Indianapolis, Ind. He previously served as<br />
a Senior Sales Rep<br />
for the company<br />
and worked for<br />
Bank of America<br />
in Capital Markets<br />
before that. Ned<br />
is a graduate of<br />
Canisius College<br />
and Pfeiffer<br />
University.<br />
Ned and his<br />
wife, Bridget<br />
McIntee Franz ’91, have twin four-yearolds,<br />
Emmy Kate and Laura Grace, and<br />
two dogs, Maddie and Ellie. The family<br />
relocated back to Buffalo last June.<br />
Ned is a member of the Elks Club, the<br />
Carmel Dads’ Club, the YMCA and the<br />
Ballantyne Country Club in Charlotte,<br />
N.C. His other hobbies include coaching<br />
Boys Varsity Lacrosse and participating in<br />
Men’s League Soccer.<br />
Ellen Hassett ’84<br />
Ellen Hassett ’84 is a Management<br />
Consultant, providing strategic services to<br />
tech-based businesses and markets, such as<br />
information technology and electronics,<br />
energy and utilities, biotech and medical<br />
devices. She also<br />
is Principal and<br />
Sole Proprietor<br />
of e-sagacity.<br />
Ellen graduated<br />
from American<br />
University with a<br />
bachelor’s degree<br />
in Literature. She<br />
also completed an<br />
academic study<br />
with The Folger Institute.<br />
Ellen previously worked as Director of<br />
Custom Market Research & Marketing<br />
Services for INPUT; Manager of Market<br />
Research, former TidePoint; Managing<br />
Analyst, IT & Telecom, former Markowitz<br />
& McNaughton (now nxtMOVE); and<br />
Policy Analyst & Team Leader, former<br />
Washington International Energy Group<br />
(now part of PA Consulting).<br />
Ellen also serves as a Strategic Associate<br />
for Business & Economic Development,<br />
Buffalo Biosciences and a member of the<br />
MIT Technology Review Research Panel.<br />
She is published through Educause Center<br />
for Applied Research and serves on the<br />
Steering Committee for Youth Leadership<br />
Erie County. She splits her time between<br />
Buffalo, N.Y. and Washington, D.C.<br />
Blake Walsh ’98<br />
Blake Walsh ’98 is Assistant Director<br />
of Donor Relations & Stewardship in<br />
the Office of Development at SUNY<br />
at Buffalo. He previously worked as<br />
Assistant Director of Classes & Reunions<br />
for the Harvard Alumni Association. He<br />
received a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan<br />
University.<br />
In addition, Blake is pursuing a master’s<br />
degree in higher education administration<br />
at SUNY at<br />
Buffalo. He also<br />
serves as a Class<br />
Agent for the<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> Class of<br />
1998.<br />
A die-hard<br />
Bruce Springsteen<br />
fan, Blake is<br />
working on starting<br />
a cover band in<br />
his honor. He plays hockey and soccer<br />
whenever he can, loves guitar and dabbles<br />
in piano. He lives for reuniting with longdistance<br />
friends and has enjoyed seeing<br />
many of his friends return to Buffalo lately.<br />
Blake is glad to be back amidst what he<br />
believes is the beginning of Buffalo’s return<br />
to glory.<br />
Hugh and the members of the Alumni Board welcome your comments<br />
and suggestions at alumnioffice@nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong>.<br />
8 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
New Members<br />
of the Board of Trustees<br />
by Nina Cimino<br />
Cornelia L. Dopkins<br />
Cornelia L. Dopkins, a retired educator,<br />
worked at <strong>Nichols</strong> for 25 years in a variety<br />
of roles, including History Department<br />
Chair, President<br />
of the Cum Laude<br />
Society, Dean of<br />
the Faculty, Chair<br />
of the Curriculum<br />
Committee,<br />
Associate Director<br />
of College<br />
Counseling and<br />
Head of the Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong> – twice.<br />
She attended the Shipley <strong>School</strong> before<br />
receiving her Bachelor of Arts and Master<br />
of Arts in Teaching degrees from Harvard<br />
University and another master’s degree<br />
from SUNY at Buffalo. She graduated<br />
magna cum laude.<br />
Cornelia is a teacher and lecturer<br />
for the Larkin Center. She serves on<br />
the <strong>School</strong> Committee for the Harvard<br />
Radcliffe Club of Western New York,<br />
and is a past President and past Secretary<br />
of the club. Cornelia formerly acted as<br />
Elder, Stewardship Chair and Trustee of<br />
Westminster Presbyterian Church, and<br />
has sat on the Boards of the Erie County<br />
Botanical Gardens and the Presbyterian<br />
Homes of Western New York.<br />
Cornelia resides in Buffalo, N.Y., with<br />
her husband Richard. Their three children<br />
attended <strong>Nichols</strong>: Anne Elizabeth Dopkins<br />
’86, Dr. Jane Dopkins Broecker ’89 and<br />
Seth Dopkins ’90.<br />
Edwin M. “Tim” Johnston III ’78<br />
Edwin M. “Tim” Johnston III ’78<br />
graduated from <strong>Nichols</strong> in 1978 and is<br />
Managing Partner for Sandhill Investment<br />
Management. He graduated from Yale<br />
University in 1982 and received his<br />
Master’s of Business Administration from<br />
Boston University in 1991. He achieved<br />
highest honors while in business school.<br />
Tim has served on the Boards of<br />
Elmwood Franklin<br />
<strong>School</strong>, Kaleida<br />
Health Foundation,<br />
the Zoological<br />
Society of Buffalo,<br />
the Church<br />
Mission of Christ<br />
and the Buffalo<br />
Squash Racquets<br />
Association.<br />
He resides in<br />
Buffalo, N.Y., with his wife, Alexandra, and<br />
their three children: Elliot ’10, Alison and<br />
Leyton ’16.<br />
Larry A. Montani<br />
Larry A. Montani is co-Managing Director<br />
for Niacet Corporation, a diversified<br />
specialty chemical company, in Niagara<br />
Falls, N.Y. Larry is a Civil Engineering<br />
graduate from Merrimack College, and<br />
also earned a Master’s Degree in Business<br />
Administration from SUNY at Buffalo.<br />
Larry is the Vice Chair of the Niagara<br />
University Board<br />
of Advisors, and<br />
is a current Board<br />
member and past<br />
President of the<br />
Greater Niagara<br />
Manufacturers<br />
Association. He<br />
previously served<br />
on the Board of<br />
Directors for the<br />
Heart and Soul Food Pantry in Niagara<br />
Falls, and as a member and past President<br />
of the Stella Niagara Education Park<br />
Board of Directors. His community service<br />
also includes initiatives with the Health<br />
Association of Niagara County and the<br />
local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis<br />
Society.<br />
Larry met his wife Mary while attending<br />
Merrimack. They have five children: James<br />
’02, Christine ’04, David ’06, Rosemary ’09<br />
and Stephen ’11. Larry and his family live<br />
in Lewiston.<br />
Jon M. Williams<br />
Jon M. Williams is Owner and President<br />
of Ontario Specialty Contracting, Inc. Jon<br />
graduated from St. John Fisher College<br />
with a bachelor’s degree.<br />
Jon is founder<br />
of the Friends of<br />
the Franciscan<br />
Center. Since<br />
2003, he has been<br />
a Board member<br />
of ABC Worker’s<br />
Compensation<br />
Trust. Jon also<br />
belongs to a host<br />
of professional and<br />
trade <strong>org</strong>anizations.<br />
Jon resides in Synder, N.Y., with his<br />
wife Heather and their children, Joseph<br />
’09, Tess ’10 and Ian ’14. Their daughter<br />
Nora graduated from <strong>Nichols</strong> in 2007 and<br />
now attends the University of Toronto.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
9
SAVE THE<br />
DATE!<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Derby Day Auction<br />
Saturday, May 2<br />
Can You Help Us Find These Lost Alumni?<br />
We do not want them to miss their Reunion on June 5, 2009. If you have an address,<br />
e-mail or phone number for them, please contact the Alumni Office at<br />
alumnioffice@nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong> or 716-876-3450.<br />
Theodore Messenger ’24<br />
Willard Schultz ’24<br />
Earle Cantor ’29<br />
Homer W. Hendee ’29<br />
Ralph D. M<strong>org</strong>an ’34<br />
Houston Cheyney ’39<br />
Allan B. Chirgwin ’39<br />
Henry W. Crosby, Jr. ’39<br />
Robert J. Dobmeier ’39<br />
Robert W. Oldman ’39<br />
William O. Kuhns ’44<br />
Dana E. Rice ’44<br />
Paul Lautensack ’49<br />
Dorothy Slater ’49<br />
Harry B. Mains ’54<br />
Daniel J. McDonald ’54<br />
William F. Peck, Jr. ’54<br />
Joseph A. Sanders ’54<br />
Davy W. Babcock ’59<br />
David M. Bankard ’59<br />
Timothy A. Riggs ’59<br />
Thomas E. Koester ’59<br />
Dr. Peter H. Schabacker ’59<br />
Vernon E. Schaller ’59<br />
Paul J. Speyser, Jr. ’59<br />
Curtis Siegel ’59<br />
Harold F. Sahlen, Jr. ’64<br />
Stephen S. Burgess ’64<br />
Peter B. Burke ’64<br />
John A. Ericsson ’64<br />
David M. Anderson ’69<br />
Michael Anderson ’69<br />
Paul E. Backhurst ’69<br />
Louis S. Faber ’69<br />
Thomas E. Jacobs ’69<br />
James Jerge ’69<br />
Eugene Koch ’69<br />
Timothy S. Kochery ’69<br />
Christopher Michel ’69<br />
David Moot ’69<br />
Vincent L. Barber ’74<br />
Alan P. Bellanca ’74<br />
Ann Brady ’74<br />
Mark Ehrenreich ’74<br />
Cynthia Epps ’74<br />
William S. Fanning ’74<br />
Francis A. Fote, Jr. ’74<br />
Dr. Harold M. Ginsberg ’74<br />
Wynne Kulick Weinstein ’74<br />
Douglas P. Hamilton ’74<br />
Robert E. Shea, Jr. ’74<br />
Patrick R. Shields ’74<br />
Reginald V. Williams III ’74<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e W. Hawk, Jr. ’74<br />
Stephen Ambrus ’79<br />
Thomas A. Batt ’79<br />
Christoph A. Bergmann ’79<br />
Colette Free ’79<br />
Eric D. Goller ’79<br />
Katrina V. T. Hamilton ’79<br />
Gregory K. Houlahan ’79<br />
Timothy Kensinger ’79<br />
John Kim ’79<br />
Thomas F. Letchworth ’79<br />
Helen Makohon ’79<br />
Lt. Patrick M. McCool, U.S.N. ’79<br />
Vincent M. S<strong>org</strong>e ’79<br />
Jay D. Yung ’79<br />
Kevin J. Danahy ’79<br />
James R. Branston, Jr. ’79<br />
Thomas P. Bilbao, Jr. ’84<br />
Anne L. Slubowski ’84<br />
Jennifer E. Cramer ’84<br />
Michael S. D’Anna ’84<br />
Caroline Wright Feeney ’84<br />
Susan Yang Taylor ’84<br />
Robert L. Ticknor ’84<br />
Dr. J. Christopher Kuhn ’84<br />
Michael D. Langan, Jr. ’84<br />
Christopher A. McElvein ’84<br />
Andrew J. V. McMahon ’84<br />
James C. Norwalk ’84<br />
Dr. Kenneth S. Piver ’84<br />
Mark A. Sulkowski ’84<br />
Susan Bradley Ullrich ’84<br />
Dr. Sarah Burstein Blair ’84<br />
Dr. John L. O. Butsch ’84<br />
Piper A. Campbell ’84<br />
Carl A. Contino III ’84<br />
Dr. Elizabeth B. Drenning ’84<br />
F. Lambert Haley, Jr. ’84<br />
Jeffrey Haque ’84<br />
Christopher W. Hart ’84<br />
Susan Clauss ’89<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e M. Richards ’89<br />
Derrick M. Irwin ’89<br />
Robert K. Gerstenzang ’89<br />
Jennifer S. Bodnik ’89<br />
Gregory Bravo ’89<br />
Priscilla Dahl ’89<br />
Stephen A. DeMarchi ’89<br />
Karthik B. Achar ’89<br />
Severin S. White ’89<br />
Scott D. Weinstein ’89<br />
Paul A. Saydak ’89<br />
Keri Rozanski Bozzo ’89<br />
Brenden T. Readett ’89<br />
Kim Phillips ’89<br />
Pitt Petri III ’89<br />
Jeffrey S. Miller ’89<br />
Timothy A. McLean ’89<br />
Jessica Mancuso ’89<br />
Kedar Lele ’89<br />
Janice M. Lee ’89<br />
Andrew Lee ’89<br />
Erik Goshin ’89<br />
Jane K. Girard ’89<br />
Ben Kondo ’94<br />
Lindsey DeLange Schultz ’94<br />
Karen J. Chung ’94<br />
Anthony C. Antonacci ’94<br />
Dominic E. Yu ’94<br />
Peter J. Brown ’94<br />
Paul S. Greenman ’94<br />
John P. Horvatis ’94<br />
Case Q. Kerns ’94<br />
Ronald M. Mendelow ’94<br />
Shandeep S. Momi ’94<br />
Gary P. Occhino ’94<br />
Geoffrey J. Oravec ’94<br />
Luis E. Irene, Jr. ’94<br />
Ethan N. Mitchell ’99<br />
Anita Nathan ’99<br />
Niels P. Bergsland ’99<br />
Amy B. Mepani ’99<br />
Quinn Kayser Hillegass ’99<br />
Margaret L. Stevenson ’99<br />
Stefanie J. Lewczyk ’99<br />
Joon J. Lee ’99<br />
Hadley Graham ’99<br />
Evan R. Creelman ’99<br />
Terence E. Barnes II ’99<br />
Safe A. Brewer ’99<br />
James A. Lorentz ’99<br />
Ethan A. Green ’99<br />
Valerie F. Hill ’99<br />
Kyle M. Hess ’99<br />
Matthew Doemland-Kenna ’04<br />
10 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Looking at “The World in 2009”<br />
Executive Editor of The Economist Visits <strong>Nichols</strong> as Kew-Raiser Lecturer<br />
by Nina Cimino<br />
On Oct. 30 and 31, <strong>Nichols</strong> welcomed Daniel Franklin, Executive<br />
Editor of The Economist, as part of the Kew-Raiser Lecture Series.<br />
The Kew-Raiser Lecture was established in memory of C. Taylor<br />
Kew and C. Victor Raiser, both 1958 graduates of <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
The lectureship supports visits from people who make significant<br />
contributions in the fields of art and public policy.<br />
During his visit, Dr. Franklin delivered an address to the<br />
community and spoke at a school assembly, in addition to meeting<br />
with students in AP Government, Urban Studies and Economics<br />
classes.<br />
The evening lecture<br />
covered the presidential<br />
election, the value of each<br />
candidate, the vast support of<br />
Barack Obama worldwide and<br />
the 12 most significant events<br />
in the year ahead. Dr. Franklin<br />
was careful to communicate<br />
that each candidate possessed<br />
qualified skill sets that would<br />
offer a variety of strengths<br />
in the White House and the<br />
world at large, but noted that<br />
most outside of the U.S. were<br />
in support of Obama.<br />
In an unscientific poll<br />
on Economist.com, an<br />
overwhelming majority of the<br />
world favored Obama as the<br />
next American President. Just before the election, The Economist<br />
officially endorsed Obama on Oct. 30, saying: “America should<br />
take a chance and make Barack Obama the next leader of the free<br />
world.”<br />
When addressing the most significant monthly happenings in<br />
2009, Dr. Franklin offered valuable global insight. His list included<br />
the following events:<br />
January: a new U.S. president is sworn in<br />
February: Ireland bans incandescent light bulbs<br />
March: Barbie ® turns 50<br />
April: NATO turns 60 and a summit will be held in<br />
Strasbourg and Kehl<br />
May: the deadline for elections in India, the world’s biggest<br />
democracy<br />
June: the opening of Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building<br />
July: the International Year of Astronomy will be in full swing<br />
August: the second anniversary of the credit crunch<br />
September: the German general election<br />
October: many predict that Chicago will win the site of the<br />
2016 Olympics<br />
November: the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall<br />
December: the deadline for post-Kyoto “Copenhagen” accord<br />
Robert Rahn ’66, Margaret Kew and Daniel Franklin, Executive Editor of<br />
The Economist, chat after the Kew-Raiser Lecture.<br />
When speaking to the <strong>School</strong>, Dr. Franklin focused on the three<br />
areas in which, he believes, the world is looking to the U.S. for<br />
leadership: the economy, security and democracy. He said the world<br />
is looking to our country with “hope that change in the White<br />
House and change in the U.S. will strengthen the economy.”<br />
He also believes that there have been particular areas of tension<br />
in recent years regarding security, such as the Gulf War and the War<br />
in Iraq, which have divided many Western allies. Yet, he thinks the<br />
world has exaggerated expectations of the United States, saying:<br />
“America will not solve our problems, and why should it?”<br />
Lastly, Dr. Franklin said the<br />
world is looking to the U.S. as<br />
the beacon of democracy for the<br />
world. Since the collapse of the<br />
Soviet Union, there was a great<br />
spread of democracy around the<br />
world, but some countries seem<br />
to be moving backward and<br />
spreading democracy is not going<br />
well now. He said, “It turns out<br />
that is hard to do by force.”<br />
Dr. Franklin closed his<br />
address with the hopeful notion<br />
that there are many democratic<br />
elections occurring around<br />
the world next year. In India,<br />
over 1 billion people will vote;<br />
the European Union votes for<br />
Parliament in June; and there are<br />
elections in Germany next September. Other countries holding<br />
elections include Afghanistan, Iraq and Indonesia.<br />
“My hope for the American election, beyond who wins, is<br />
that this passion for politics, this subject matter that leads to<br />
conversations, spreads into some of these other countries,” said Dr.<br />
Franklin.<br />
In closing, Dr. Franklin was asked what it’s like to be editor of<br />
a magazine. He said: “It’s an enormous thrill, but it’s also a pretty<br />
horrendous responsibility at times.”<br />
Editors worry about everything from providing accurate figures<br />
to matters of style and word usage, Dr. Franklin told the audience.<br />
They must give great attention to detail, so much that they spend<br />
every Monday morning in a meeting where they discuss the week’s<br />
issues and each section of the magazine, determine arguments to<br />
take on each issue and designate lead articles. He feels this allows<br />
the publication to offer a more rounded view of all arguments<br />
presented, and also helped shape their discussion of who to endorse.<br />
At a time when discussion largely focuses on economic and<br />
political conditions worldwide, the <strong>Nichols</strong> community was thrilled<br />
to host such an exceptional speaker for the Kew-Raiser Lecture<br />
Series.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
11
Girls Varsity Soccer<br />
Defining Team Success<br />
By Larry Desautels<br />
At a Friday team dinner, the night before the N.Y. State Catholic Soccer Championships that <strong>Nichols</strong> hosted this<br />
year, I spoke very briefly about the season. Perhaps borrowing from a poet’s impulse to make small something large<br />
or even momentous, I offered the following:<br />
More than anything, as a coach I want you to be good at what do, to love your work, to be proud that you belong to<br />
something bigger than yourselves. (Ever the grammarian: notice the lack of “and” in that construction—in my mind,<br />
they constitute a singular “thing”—the “team thing.”)<br />
Their gift to me, and to one another, was the 2008 season, one which will be remembered for its statistical success<br />
(21-2), of course, but more for the sense of team identity and commitment to excellence.<br />
I have coached the Varsity Girls Soccer team since arriving at<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> in 1979. Girls’ athletics have improved immeasurably in<br />
those three decades. As I reminded them at our closing dinner, they<br />
are fortunate to be athletes in a time when athletic competition<br />
knows few gender boundaries. Strength and toughness in the mind,<br />
body and spirit are qualities that are finally revered in both sexes.<br />
In what they accomplished this season, they all send a powerful<br />
message about the valuable role of sports in building character, selfconfidence<br />
and teamwork not just to young women who saw them<br />
play, but to everyone.<br />
Because sport lends itself so easily to statistical analysis, I will<br />
include some numbers. We won the Monsignor Martin League,<br />
with a 10-0 record, and won the post-season MML tournament<br />
with victories of 8-0 and 5-0. We won both the Lockport and<br />
Wilson Booster Tournaments, and we split with Rochester Aquinas,<br />
knocking them out of the national rankings with a 2-1 victory<br />
before dropping a 5-3 game nine days later, for our first loss. We<br />
also beat one of Pennsylvania’s best teams, Mercyhurst, 3-1. During<br />
the season we outscored the opposition 149-20. We finished as one<br />
of the State’s top-ranked teams, and a number of our athletes have<br />
been recognized with post-season honors, but more should have.<br />
Please see the Sports Recap for the full list of recognitions.<br />
12 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Sports<br />
Above Left: The Girls Varsity Soccer<br />
team poses proud in green and white<br />
war paint at Homecoming 2008.<br />
Above: Bethany Novak ’10 jumps to save<br />
a ball in net.<br />
Left: The team’s leading goal scorer,<br />
Bri Smith ’10, fights across the field with<br />
the ball.<br />
A number of individual scoring<br />
records also were set this season:<br />
Bri Smith ’10 broke her own singleseason<br />
goal record (51) with 59,<br />
thereby becoming the top scorer in<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> history; Kaitlin Donahoe<br />
’09 broke her own assist record (24)<br />
with 28, moving her into first place<br />
all-time for assists with 63; Bethany<br />
Novak ’10 and Adele Jackson-<br />
Gibson ’09 combined for 12 shutouts,<br />
a single-season record, and Jackson-Gibson ended her career<br />
with a record 31 blankings.<br />
Granted, the final game of the campaign provided<br />
disappointment. Sacred Heart (Hempstead, Long Island) overcame<br />
two <strong>Nichols</strong> leads – the first with less than three minutes remaining<br />
in regulation, and the other in the first of two mandatory overtimes<br />
– to force a third, sudden death frame. The winning goal, off a<br />
corner kick, left <strong>Nichols</strong> players tearful yet reflective. Eleven players<br />
left the field not just saying, but believing, that had they done,<br />
individually, a single thing better, at any point in the contest – that<br />
had they made one crisper clear or one sharper pass, we would have<br />
won. That is collective responsibility – the single most important<br />
goal that had been set by the team<br />
back in August.<br />
In an era of selfishness, this group<br />
of young women showed a loyalty<br />
to, and sympathy for, one another.<br />
They recognized their roles, from<br />
the defenders who would never see<br />
their names in print, to the injured<br />
players who never played a single<br />
minute all season yet showed for<br />
every practice. They learned to<br />
anticipate one another’s moves, and<br />
moods, to blend into team patterns – that “collective focus,” prized<br />
but rare in sports today.<br />
At the end of my dinner talk, I anticipated the season end, and<br />
the shape of things to come:<br />
If there is one thing that disappoints me, it’s not the fact that we lost<br />
one game that particular Friday in Rochester, or even that we could lose<br />
tomorrow or Sunday, but that 12 of you are graduating and I will not get<br />
to watch you compete again, together, as you did this fall. This particular<br />
team will no longer be a regular part of my life after this Sunday, except<br />
in my memory, where you will be a little faster, more skilled, and if<br />
possible, even sweeter in disposition. As if my dreams could deliver such<br />
a gift!<br />
Winter 2009<br />
13
Fall 2008 Athletics Recap by Holly Fewkes<br />
Boys Varsity Cross Country (1-4)<br />
Boys Varsity Cross Country finished the<br />
season with a 1-4 record, losing two of those<br />
races by a narrow margin. With only five<br />
seniors graduating, the team looks forward<br />
to retaining three quarters of their team next<br />
fall. Most Valuable Runners were Sean Griffin<br />
’10 and Ed Spangenthal ’10. Eric Larson ’10<br />
received the Coaches Award.<br />
Girls Varsity Cross Country (11-3)<br />
Girls Varsity Cross Country finished their<br />
best season in eight years with an 11-3<br />
record. They recorded their first-ever regular<br />
season wins against Sacred Heart and Mt.<br />
Mercy and placed second at the Monsignor<br />
Martin League finals edging rival Immaculata.<br />
Runners who placed in the league finals<br />
include Paige Peltan ’11 (sixth), Kristen<br />
Via ’09 (11 th ), Rachael Moreland ’09 (12 th ),<br />
Lauren Lewis ’10 (14 th ) and Grace Munro ’10<br />
placed seventh in Varsity-B. Peltan was<br />
named First Team All-Catholic and Via,<br />
Moreland and Lewis were named Second<br />
Team All-Catholic. Grace Munro ’10 was<br />
named to the Varsity-B All-Catholic Team.<br />
Paige Peltan represented the team at the<br />
state finals after breaking all <strong>Nichols</strong> Cross<br />
Country records. She also was the Checkers/<br />
Runner’s Roost Runner of the Week for Week<br />
#7. The girls finished ranked 10 th in small<br />
schools in WNY Final XC Poll.<br />
Varsity Field Hockey (15-4)<br />
The Varsity Field Hockey team had a<br />
tremendous season. They finished second in<br />
the CISAA league and were semi-finalists<br />
of the CISAA tournament. The season was<br />
highlighted by a trip to New York City for the<br />
state tournament. They rolled to a 6-0 victory<br />
in the state quarter finals over Spence <strong>School</strong><br />
and then lost a tough semi-final game 1-0<br />
versus Holy Child. The team’s Sportsmanship<br />
Award went to Jill Tokarcyzk ’10. The Most<br />
Valuable Player was Jacquie Greco ’09.<br />
The Coaches Award winners were Jessica<br />
Demakos ’09 and Alyssa Murrett ’09, and the<br />
Most Improved Player was Shelby Wilde ’12.<br />
The team wishes the seven seniors the best of<br />
luck. Jill Tokarcyzk and Katie Flaschner ’10<br />
have been named captains for next fall.<br />
Varsity Football (3-7)<br />
Football began the season with two straight<br />
wins over Archbishop Walsh and Upper<br />
Canada College. The team also secured a<br />
nice win over Niagara Catholic at the end of<br />
the season. In between, they battled Charles<br />
Finney in two tough losses, one in overtime<br />
and the other by one point in regulation.<br />
They also had positive efforts against St.<br />
Mary’s of Lancaster. The Most Valuable<br />
Player was Dan Franz ’09. The Coaches<br />
Award went to Jimmie Adams ’09. Ari<br />
Goldfarb ’10 was the Most Improved Player.<br />
The team wishes the seven seniors the best<br />
of luck.<br />
Boys Varsity Golf (14-1-1)<br />
Boys Golf enjoyed a stellar season. They went<br />
undefeated in the Monsignor Martin League<br />
regular season and recorded victories over<br />
Lew-Port, Orchard Park and Western Reserve<br />
on Homecoming. They finished fourth in the<br />
MML Championship and they capped off<br />
their season by winning the Midwest Prep<br />
Tournament. Chris Stegemann ’09 recorded<br />
a low stroke average of 36.83 and Charlie<br />
Stein ’11 won the most varsity points with 36.<br />
The Coaches Awards went to Ben Meyer ’09<br />
and Chris Stegemann. The Most Improved<br />
Golfers were Andrew Poturalski ’12 and<br />
Charlie Stein. Senior Captains Ben Meyer<br />
and Chris Stegemann will be greatly missed.<br />
Boys Varsity Soccer (10-10-1)<br />
The boys celebrated a very successful season<br />
including two thrilling overtime victories<br />
enroute to the Monsignor Martin League<br />
Championship. They defeated St. Joe’s 2-1 in<br />
overtime in the semi-finals and enjoyed the<br />
championship victory with a 1-0 overtime<br />
victory over St. Francis. The boys traveled<br />
to Long Island for the state semi-finals<br />
where they matched up against a tough St.<br />
Anthony’s team and lost 4-0. The Most<br />
Valuable Player was Bennett Kenyon ’09. The<br />
Coaches Award went to Christian Ying ’11<br />
and the Most Improved Player was Will Gisel<br />
’09. The following students were named to<br />
the Monsignor Martin League All-Catholic<br />
team: First Team: William Cecere ’09, Drew<br />
Winkel ’09 and Bennett Kenyon; Second<br />
Team: Will Gisel, Chris Walter ’11 and<br />
Christian Ying; Honorable Mention: Charles<br />
Rockwell ’09 and James Randaccio ’11.<br />
Girls Varsity Soccer (21-2)<br />
Girls Varsity Soccer enjoyed a thrilling season<br />
complete with close, hard fought games on<br />
some days, and runaway scores on others.<br />
Their 21-2 record is one of the best in school<br />
history and they outscored opponents 149-20!<br />
They were regular season Monsignor Martin<br />
League champs, as well as MML Tournament<br />
champs. They trounced Bishop Kearney 14-0<br />
in the Catholic State Semi-finals only to<br />
fall short in double overtime in the finals to<br />
Sacred Heart of New York City. The Most<br />
Valuable Players were Kaitlin Donahoe ’09<br />
and Bri Smith ’10. The Coaches Awards went<br />
to Erin Collins ’09 and Molly Scherer ’09.<br />
Haley Welch ’11 and Zoe Jackson-Gibson ’12<br />
were the Most Improved Players. The team<br />
finished as one of the state’s top ranked teams.<br />
Many players garnered league and local<br />
honors. MML First Team: Adele Jackson-<br />
Gibson ’09, Maya Jackson-Gibson ’11, Grace<br />
Marlette ’09, Bri Smith and Kaitlin Donahoe<br />
’09; MML Second Team: Kelsey Welch,<br />
Erin Collins, Catherine Williams ’12. ALL-<br />
METRO First Team: Bri Smith and Adele<br />
Jackson Gibson; ALL-METRO Newcomer<br />
of the Year: Catherine Williams. ALL WNY<br />
First Team: Adele Jackson-Gibson, Bri Smith<br />
and Kaitlin Donahoe; ALL WNY 2 nd Team:<br />
Maya Jackson-Gibson.<br />
Girls Varsity Tennis (9-3)<br />
The Girls Varsity Tennis team finished with<br />
one of their best records in school history,<br />
often winning matches by a 5-0 score.<br />
Individual matches resulted in a 47-13 record.<br />
Playing in an independent league, they<br />
have represented themselves as one of the<br />
top teams in Western New York. The Most<br />
Valuable Player was #1 ranked player Pamicka<br />
Marinello who finished with an 8-3 record.<br />
The Coaches Awards went to Sabrina Gill ’09<br />
(7-3 at 1 st Doubles) and Rosemary Montani<br />
’09 (5-2 at Doubles) and Carly Buchheit ’09<br />
(4-1 at 2 nd Doubles) was the Most Improved<br />
Player. The team is grateful to the five seniors’<br />
contributions to the team and they will be<br />
missed!<br />
Girls Varsity Volleyball (8-10)<br />
Girls Varsity Volleyball celebrated one of<br />
their most successful seasons in years! They<br />
had some key victories throughout the season:<br />
twice each over Cardinal O’Hara, Niagara<br />
Catholic and Hutch Tech and once versus<br />
Mt. Mercy. They received a third seed for the<br />
league tournament and lost in the quarter<br />
finals. The Most Valuable Player was Moriah<br />
Camp ’09. The Coaches Awards went to<br />
Siobhan Hanley ’09 and Ilona Haidvogel<br />
’09. Isabel Farhi ’09 was named the Most<br />
Improved Player.<br />
14 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
A.<br />
B.<br />
C. D.<br />
E.<br />
A. Student athlete Jacqueline Greco ’09 models an authentic <strong>Nichols</strong> Ice Hockey warming coat from the 1940s, which was a big item for the Live Auction.<br />
B. Lambros Touris, Bob T<strong>org</strong>alski, Suzanne Gicewicz-Touris and Louis Avino listen to the program’s opening, given by Athletic Director Rob Stewart.<br />
C. Ron Montesano, golf coach and Upper <strong>School</strong> Spanish teacher, and Don Wagner, soccer coach and Upper <strong>School</strong> math teacher, enjoy the evening’s<br />
festivities.<br />
D. Student athlete volunteers Meaghan Heldwein ’11, Moriah Camp ’09 and Jillian Tokarczyk ’10 take a break from promoting “foul towels.”<br />
E. Ron T<strong>org</strong>alski ’85, Head Coach of SUNY at Buffalo’s baseball team and <strong>Nichols</strong> Hall of Famer, served as the Big Green guest speaker.<br />
2008 Big Green Athletic<br />
Dinner and Auction<br />
by Gyda Higgins<br />
A wonderful evening was enjoyed by all at the 10th Annual Big<br />
Green Athletic Dinner and Auction. The timing was perfect for<br />
holiday shopping and our guests certainly did a great deal of that<br />
throughout the evening at both the silent and live auctions.<br />
This year, the Big Green raised almost $20,000 for the Athletic<br />
Department at <strong>Nichols</strong>!<br />
The successful event was accomplished through the hard work<br />
and effort of our dedicated volunteers who made up the Committee.<br />
Chaired by parent Barbara Regan, the Committee worked day and<br />
night to prepare the beautiful baskets and presentations that graced<br />
the tables. Committee members included Stephanie Angelakos,<br />
Chris Augustine, Debbie Bourne, Joanne Broad, Caitlin Gillmeister,<br />
Josanne Greco, Maryanne Grenda, Shirley MacKinnon, Joanne<br />
Ryan, Wendy Schutte, Judy Smith, Jackie Spangenthal, Suzanne<br />
Gicewicz-Touris, Vicki Via, Laurie Wright and Jan Zasowski.<br />
Behind the scenes, more volunteers worked to ensure the night<br />
ran smoothly: Sarah Gelman Carney ’92, Annette Kellogg, Bridget<br />
Lutz, Mary McCarthy, Jill Robins, Rob Stewart and Beth Stone.<br />
While the crowd enjoyed a fabulous dinner presented by our<br />
own Chef Mark Shaffer, our guest speaker, Ron T<strong>org</strong>alski ’85, Head<br />
Coach of SUNY at Buffalo’s baseball team and member of the<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> Athletic Hall of Fame, addressed the audience. Once Ron<br />
shared his sports insight with us, John “the Gavel Slammer” Munro<br />
and Rob “the Canadian Connection” Stewart took over for the Live<br />
Auction action.<br />
Thank you to all those who contributed and attended this year’s<br />
event! If you weren’t able to be there, make a mental note to join us<br />
next year. The casual evening is a great deal of fun and a great way<br />
to connect with other parents and alumni, while helping to support<br />
our phenomenal student athletes!<br />
Winter 2009<br />
15
Legacies<br />
Matthew J. Buyers ’14<br />
Grandson of John W. Buyers ’61<br />
Colin J. Campbell ’11<br />
Son of Jay B. Campbell ’79<br />
Julia L. Accetta ’10<br />
Daughter of Lynn Azurin Accetta ’80<br />
Amber L. Ball ’10<br />
Daughter of John E. Ball ’79<br />
Evan F. Brason ’16<br />
Son of Todd W. Brason ’76<br />
Emily J. Carlson ’11<br />
Daughter of Richard A. Carlson, Jr. ’72<br />
Martha H. Alford ’11<br />
Daughter of Julie Genco Alford ’84<br />
Daughter of J. Scott Alford ’84<br />
Granddaughter of J. Keith Alford ’59<br />
Sarah C. Bassett ’09<br />
Daughter of Kingman Bassett, Jr. ’77<br />
Granddaughter of Kingman Bassett ’41<br />
Sydney M. Brason ’14<br />
Daughter of Todd W. Brason ’76<br />
Nina C. Amato ’16<br />
Daughter of Wendy Castiglia Amato ’86<br />
Alison D. Bellows ’09<br />
Daughter of Ann Duffy Bellows N’67<br />
Granddaughter of Charles G. Duffy Jr. ’27<br />
Larkin P. Brinkworth ’10<br />
Son of Dennis J. Brinkworth III ’79<br />
Alexandra M. Castiglia ’15<br />
Daughter of Gregory J. Castiglia ’84<br />
Daughter of Valerie A. Zingapan ’84<br />
Elizabeth A. Andersen ’16<br />
Daughter of Kristan Carlson Andersen ’80<br />
Granddaughter of Charles C. Carlson ’52<br />
Samuel M. Benatovich ’09<br />
Son of Sheldon B. Benatovich ’60<br />
Dennis J. Brinkworth IV ’09<br />
Son of Dennis J. Brinkworth III ’79<br />
Jeremy J. Castiglia ’12<br />
Son of Gregory J. Castiglia ’84<br />
Son of Valerie A. Zingapan ’84<br />
Kendall G. Appelbaum ’13<br />
Daughter of Mark J. Appelbaum ’85<br />
Bradley A. Bourne ’12<br />
Son of James A. Bourne, Jr. ’79<br />
Grandson of James A. Bourne ’54<br />
Joel Brinson ’14<br />
Son of Colin M. Brinson ’85<br />
Barton W. Chambers, Jr. ’11<br />
Son of Barton W. Chambers ’82<br />
Son of Karen Keller Chambers ’82<br />
Great Grandson of<br />
Robert E. Chambers ’34<br />
Aliena R.M. Aubrecht ’10<br />
Daughter of Christian F. P. Aubrecht ’86<br />
16 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Elizabeth E. Bourne ’15<br />
Daughter of James A. Bourne, Jr. ’79<br />
Granddaughter of James A. Bourne ’54<br />
Austin M. Burger ’09<br />
Grandson of Lewis D. McCauley ’50<br />
Dieter M. Clauss ’10<br />
Son of Julia Ladds Clauss ’75
John P. Clinton ’09<br />
Son of Marshall Clinton, Jr. ’62<br />
Grandson of Marshall Clinton ’32<br />
Grandson of Andrew O. Peek ’24<br />
Stephen A. Dhillon ’16<br />
Son of Lisa A. Hansen ’83<br />
Haley A. Fromen ’10<br />
Daughter of John J. Fromen, Jr. ’79<br />
Grace E. Hamlin ’12<br />
Daughter of H. Ward Hamlin ’64<br />
Erika Cromwell ’16<br />
Daughter of Brian G. Cromwell ’76<br />
John A. Ennis ’15<br />
Son of James S. Ennis ’81<br />
Hannah Gardner ’12<br />
Daughter of Jonathan H. Gardner ’77<br />
Cameron A. Hejna ’14<br />
Son of Anthony J. Hejna ’86<br />
Lauren Cromwell ’16<br />
Daughter of Brian G. Cromwell ’76<br />
Kathryn Ennis ’13<br />
Daughter of James S. Ennis ’81<br />
William J. Gisel ’09<br />
Son of William G. Gisel, Jr. ’70<br />
Ethan A. Hejna ’16<br />
Son of Anthony J. Hejna ’86<br />
Ryan W. Cromwell ’13<br />
Son of Brian G. Cromwell ’76<br />
Caroline Fenn ’12<br />
Granddaughter of James A. Bourne ’54<br />
Brian W. Griffith ’09<br />
Son of Timothy E. Griffith ’77<br />
Laura A. Hettrick ’09<br />
Daughter of Jane Cox Hettrick ’78<br />
Daughter of John L. Hettrick, Jr. ’73<br />
Great Granddaughter of<br />
Adrian J. Allard ’28<br />
Rachel A. Cromwell ’10<br />
Daughter of Brian G. Cromwell ’76<br />
Elizabeth A. Fitch ’13<br />
Daughter of Annette Holzman Fitch ’82<br />
Charles H. Gurney ’10<br />
Son of Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75<br />
Son of Charles L. Gurney III ’75<br />
Grandson of E. W. Dann Stevens ’44<br />
Grandson of Charles L. Gurney II ’38<br />
Great Grandson of Horace W. Reed ’22<br />
William D. Hibbard III ’16<br />
Son of William D. Hibbard II ’80<br />
Jeffrey J. Davis ’14<br />
Grandson of Marshall E. Davis ’43<br />
Brian T. Franz ’11<br />
Son of Thomas A. Franz ’76<br />
Schyler Gurney ’14<br />
Granddaughter of<br />
Stephen S. Gurney ’51<br />
Caroline M. Hogan ’14<br />
Daughter of Katherine B. Roach ’83<br />
Jessica G. Demakos ’09<br />
Daughter of Peter G. Demakos ’70<br />
Daniel K. Franz ’09<br />
Son of Thomas A. Franz ’76<br />
Ilona M. Haidvogel ’09<br />
Daughter of Dale B. Haidvogel ’67<br />
Lindsay K. Hogan ’16<br />
Daughter of Katherine B. Roach ’83<br />
Winter 2009<br />
17
John D. Hourihane ’14<br />
Son of Wendy Zimmer ’81<br />
Samuel M. Jones ’15<br />
Son of Peter M. Jones ’74<br />
Grandson of Albert M. Jones II ’39<br />
Hannah A. Kloepfer ’09<br />
Daughter of Ge<strong>org</strong>e J. Kloepfer II ’68<br />
Granddaughter John G. Kloepfer ’42<br />
Theodore E. Marks III ’14<br />
Son of Theodore E. Marks II ’78<br />
Sophie R. Hourihane ’16<br />
Daughter of Wendy Zimmer ’81<br />
Ava B. Karet ’15<br />
Daughter of Michael A. Karet ’87<br />
Granddaughter of Jack A. Karet ’52<br />
John C. Knox ’11<br />
Son of Seymour H. Knox IV ’73<br />
Great Grandson of<br />
Seymour H. Knox, Jr. ’15<br />
Cary L. Marlette ’09<br />
Daughter of Michael J. Marlette ’71<br />
Granddaughter of Edward N. Marlette ’37<br />
Edwin M. Johnston IV ’10<br />
Son of Edwin M. Johnston III ’78<br />
Grandson of Edwin M. Johnston, Jr. ’51<br />
Great Grandson of<br />
Nelson T. Montgomery ’16<br />
Brendan Karet ’11<br />
Son of Michael A. Karet ’87<br />
Grandson of Jack A. Karet ’52<br />
Anna S. Magavern ’15<br />
Daughter of Samuel D. Magavern II ’81<br />
Granddaughter of James L. Magavern ’51<br />
Elizabeth L. Marlette ’13<br />
Daughter of Peter S. Marlette ’76<br />
Daughter of Helen Ladds Marlette ’77<br />
Granddaughter of Edward N. Marlette ’37<br />
Leyton W. Johnston ’16<br />
Son of Edwin M. Johnston III ’78<br />
Grandson of Edwin M. Johnston, Jr. ’51<br />
Great Grandson of<br />
Nelson T. Montgomery ’16<br />
Chloe Keating ’15<br />
Daughter of Lisa Massaro Keating ’82<br />
William D. Maloney ’09<br />
Grandson of Ge<strong>org</strong>e R. Duryea ’45<br />
Grace C. Marlette ’09<br />
Daughter of Peter S. Marlette ’76<br />
Daughter of Helen Ladds Marlette ’77<br />
Granddaughter of Edward N. Marlette ’37<br />
Alexandra W. Jones ’14<br />
Daughter of Ian W. Jones ’80<br />
Granddaughter of Albert M. Jones II ’39<br />
Lachlan C. Kellogg ’12<br />
Son of Stephen Kellogg, Jr. ’81<br />
Grandson of Stephen Kellogg, Sr. ’55<br />
Nicola Marcucci ’14<br />
Grandson of John M. Wadsworth ’55<br />
Great Grandson of Irvine J. Kittinger ’23<br />
Alexandra M. Mathews ’11<br />
Daughter of Karen L. Mathews N’71<br />
Lauren D. Jones ’11<br />
Daughter of Ian W. Jones ’80<br />
Granddaughter of Albert M. Jones II ’39<br />
Stephen Kellogg III ’10<br />
Son of Stephen Kellogg, Jr. ’81<br />
Grandson of Stephen Kellogg, Sr. ’55<br />
Derek R. Marks ’11<br />
Son of Theodore E. Marks II ’78<br />
Frederick G. Maynor ’14<br />
Son of Thomas G. Maynor ’81<br />
Son of Clare T. Poth ’81<br />
Colin W. B. Kennedy ’11<br />
Grandson of William R. Kinkel ’46<br />
M. Graham Marks ’10<br />
Son of Theodore E. Marks II ’78<br />
Stephanie G. Militello ’09<br />
Daughter of Marilynn Propis Militello N’71<br />
18 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Sarah A. Miller ’12<br />
Daughter of Robert L. Miller, Jr. ’73<br />
Granddaughter of Robert L. Miller, Sr. ’45<br />
Victoria L. Nachreiner ’09<br />
Daughter of<br />
Lorraine Hoffman Nachreiner ’79<br />
Jacob N. Parentis ’15<br />
Son of Michael A. Parentis ’86<br />
Son of Michelle Rosenberg Parentis ’86<br />
James A. Randaccio ’11<br />
Son of Alan R. Randaccio ’82<br />
Peter O. Montante ’14<br />
Son of Alexandra Llugany Montante ’86<br />
Matthew O’Connor ’16<br />
Son of Scott H. O’Connor ’85<br />
Max G. Pergament ’11<br />
Son of Diane Gardner ’79<br />
Lee S. Randaccio ’09<br />
Daughter of Brad F. Randaccio ’75<br />
Michael Montante ’13<br />
Son of Alexandra Llugany Montante ’86<br />
Hanna O’Neill ’12<br />
Daughter of Wende A. Mix ’77<br />
Ralegh R. Petri ’16<br />
Son of Pitt Petri, Jr. ’57<br />
Philipp A. Rimmler ’09<br />
Son of Anne Beltz Rimmler ’75<br />
Benjamin M. Muggia ’15<br />
Grandson of Donald E. Miller ’60<br />
Rachel E. O’Neill ’09<br />
Daughter of Wende A. Mix ’77<br />
Caroline E. Pierce ’09<br />
Daughter of Frederick G. Pierce II ’73<br />
Granddaughter of Frederick S. Pierce ’35<br />
Alison J. J. Root ’09<br />
Daughter of Lisann Jacobs ’79<br />
Sydney M. Muggia ’12<br />
Granddaughter of Donald E. Miller ’60<br />
Oscar C. Ostendorf ’13<br />
Son of Ge<strong>org</strong>e H. Ostendorf, Jr. ’83<br />
Grandson of Ge<strong>org</strong>e H. Ostendorf ’58<br />
Great Grandson of<br />
Renwick A. Ostendorf ’25<br />
Great Grandson of<br />
Edward G. Zeller, Jr. ’25<br />
Great Grandson of Robert E. Chambers ’34<br />
David W. Pierce ’11<br />
Son of Frederick G. Pierce II ’73<br />
Grandson of Frederick S. Pierce ’35<br />
Caroline M. Russ ’10<br />
Daughter of Hugh M. Russ III ’78<br />
Granddaughter of Hugh M. Russ ’47<br />
Lyman B. Munschauer ’09<br />
Grandson of Edward F. Walsh ’43<br />
Jonathan Plotkin ’10<br />
Son of Susan Pitterman Plotkin ’79<br />
Oliver J. Russ ’09<br />
Son of Hugh M. Russ III ’78<br />
Grandson of Hugh M. Russ ’47<br />
Shannon G. Nachreiner ’12<br />
Daughter of<br />
Lorraine Hoffman Nachreiner ’79<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e H. Ostendorf III ’11<br />
Son of Ge<strong>org</strong>e H. Ostendorf, Jr. ’83<br />
Grandson of Ge<strong>org</strong>e H. Ostendorf ’58<br />
Great Grandson of<br />
Renwick A. Ostendorf ’25<br />
Great Grandson of<br />
Edward G. Zeller, Jr. ’25<br />
Great Grandson of Robert E. Chambers ’34<br />
Nicholas J. Prise ’11<br />
Son of Kevin M. Prise ’82<br />
Maxwell M. Scott ’16<br />
Son of Patrick V. Scott ’84<br />
Winter 2009<br />
19
David A. Sherris, Jr. ’13<br />
Son of David A. Sherris ’79<br />
John H. Tank ’13<br />
Son of Erica Procter Tank ’79<br />
Christopher M. Walter ’11<br />
Son of Joseph R. Walter ’76<br />
Alec E. Yerkovich ’16<br />
Son of Edward D. Yerkovich ’80<br />
Matthew P. Sherris ’15<br />
Son of David A. Sherris ’79<br />
Anna E. Tantillo ’13<br />
Daughter of Theresa Giallanza Tantillo ’81<br />
Madeleine D. Waters ’10<br />
Daughter of Henry D. Waters, Jr. ’73<br />
Granddaughter of Henry D. Waters ’48<br />
Great Granddaughter of Jesse C. Dann ’18<br />
Luke A. Yerkovich ’12<br />
Son of Edward D. Yerkovich ’80<br />
Edward G. Spangenthal ’10<br />
Son of Edward J. Spangenthal ’79<br />
Joseph F. Tantillo ’11<br />
Son of Theresa Giallanza Tantillo ’81<br />
Christopher P. White ’11<br />
Son of W. Michael White ’81<br />
Will E. Yerkovich ’15<br />
Son of Edward D. Yerkovich ’80<br />
Paige F. Spangenthal ’15<br />
Daughter of Edward J. Spangenthal ’79<br />
William L. Tiftickjian ’11<br />
Son of David D. Tiftickjian ’78<br />
Great Grandson of Brainard E. Prescott ’28<br />
Catherine Williams ’12<br />
Daughter of John D. Williams ’80<br />
Granddaughter of Reginald V. Williams, Jr. ’49<br />
William R. Zacher, Jr. ’12<br />
Son of Darcy Donaldson Zacher ’88<br />
Son of William R. Zacher, Sr. ’86<br />
Grandson of Daniel R. Donaldson ’58<br />
Grandson of William H. Zacher ’55<br />
Jacob Stark ’10<br />
Great Grandson of Cameron Baird ’22<br />
Kristen E. Tiftickjian ’14<br />
Daughter of David D. Tiftickjian ’78<br />
Great Granddaughter of<br />
Brainard E. Prescott ’28<br />
Nicolette M. Winder ’11<br />
Granddaughter of J. Bruce Forbush ’49<br />
Sommer Zacher ’13<br />
Daughter of Darcy Donaldson Zacher ’88<br />
Daughter of William R. Zacher, Sr. ’86<br />
Granddaughter of Daniel R. Donaldson ’58<br />
Granddaughter of William H. Zacher ’55<br />
D. Brady Stevens ’15<br />
Son of Gregory D. Stevens ’74<br />
Grandson of E. W. Dann Stevens ’44<br />
Great Grandson of Horace W. Reed ’22<br />
Tyler A. Trammell ’15<br />
Son of Mark H. Trammell ’78<br />
Andrew E. Wolney ’14<br />
Son of Ann Flynn Wolney ’78<br />
Jacob A. Zimmer ’11<br />
Son of Gregg L. Zimmer ’80<br />
Annawade M. Stevenson ’14<br />
Daughter of Wade Stevenson ’63<br />
Granddaughter of<br />
Charles P. Stevenson ’36<br />
20 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Lucas H. Walsh ’12<br />
Son of Theodore B. K. Walsh ’73<br />
Grandson of John N. Walsh Jr. ’39<br />
Colin R. Wright ’16<br />
Son of Erin Teach Wright ’76<br />
Son of Jonathan R. Wright ’66<br />
Grandson of Richard I. Teach ’50<br />
Grandson of William S. Wright ’34<br />
Rachel L. Zimmer ’13<br />
Daughter of Gregg L. Zimmer ’80
After <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
Emma Rosen ’07 Explores<br />
Academics at MIT and Beyond<br />
by Sarah Gelman Carney ’92 and Nina Cimino<br />
What has your path since <strong>Nichols</strong> been like?<br />
I graduated in 2007, and I’m now a sophomore at Massachusetts<br />
Institute of Technology. My main interests are Biological Engineering<br />
and Economics, and I have also started to learn German.<br />
What extra-curricular activities are you involved in at college?<br />
Class Social Chair: I was elected to the Class of 2011 Council. Along<br />
with seven other members, I help manage a budget of $25,000 to<br />
<strong>org</strong>anize events and activities for my class on campus as well as in Boston.<br />
I am also very much involved with MIT’s abroad program, MISTI<br />
(MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives). After my<br />
summer internship in Paris, France, MISTI selected me to be an<br />
Ambassador.<br />
How did <strong>Nichols</strong> prepare you for college?<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> trained me to remain focused and keep chugging away.<br />
Classes such as Ms. Hejna’s Advanced Geometry and Mr. Brunner’s<br />
AP Physics C rewarded hard work and independent thinking. In<br />
college, when I think a problem set might just kill me, I can just lock<br />
myself up in the library and get it done.<br />
What is your favorite thing about college?<br />
I love the down-to-earth attitudes of the students at MIT. Prior<br />
to arriving at MIT, I never imagined just how hard students here<br />
work, or how much people at MIT genuinely care about what they<br />
are studying. However, I also didn’t expect that some sort of fun on<br />
campus could be found every night of the week! MIT students are<br />
collaborative and inclusive. There is no mean-spiritedness, and most<br />
of us subscribe to the age-old dictum of “work hard, play hard.”<br />
I understand you’re involved in some exciting science-related studies.<br />
Tell us about this.<br />
Through MIT’s abroad program, I applied for a research scholarship in<br />
France. I was offered an internship in the laboratory of my first choice –<br />
Genevieve’s Almouzni’s laboratory of Nuclear Dynamics and Genome<br />
Plasticity, at the Curie Institute in Paris. I explored histone dynamics<br />
and, more specifically, the functions and roles of Histone Chaperone<br />
Protein NASP. After the post-doc for whom I worked guided me<br />
through the first week, teaching me many basic but vital procedures, I<br />
was responsible for designing my own experiments and analyzing my<br />
own data. At the conclusion of my internship, I presented my findings<br />
to the laboratory.<br />
What is your favorite <strong>Nichols</strong> memory?<br />
Chicken Patty sandwiches. Seasoned waffle fries at the Rink.<br />
Mr. Stratton getting down on all fours to play The Lion in<br />
Emma Rosen ’07 spends the summer of 2008 in Paris. She and Nick<br />
Calluzzo, a classmate at MIT, take a break from the lab to walk along the<br />
Pont Neuf and have dinner.<br />
“Androcles and the Lion.”<br />
Writing a comedic skit for the eighth-grade talent show and<br />
performing it with about 10 other members of the class of 2007.<br />
What do you like to do on the weekends?<br />
After a week of little sleep, lots of work and late-night meetings, I<br />
have successfully convinced myself that weekends are a time to let<br />
loose. I enjoy cooking meals with friends, trying new restaurants in<br />
Boston, walking to Boston Commons to see movies, browsing the<br />
stores on Newbury, and checking out a local concert or comedy show.<br />
Lately, much of my time has involved sitting with friends around a<br />
projector watching the latest Palin interview or a Tina Fey satire.<br />
Friday and Saturday evenings, I engage in intellectual symposiums<br />
complete with milk and juice beverages and classical music…(I trust<br />
my parents are reading this).<br />
Not to be generic, but where do you see yourself in five years?<br />
Ten years?<br />
Most probably, five years from now, I think I’ll still be in school –<br />
graduate school or professional school.<br />
Ten years from now – well, I’m still figuring out exactly which<br />
academic trajectory I’d like to pursue.<br />
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?<br />
When I was deciding where to go for college, Mr. Kramer told me<br />
that it’s not so much about where one goes, but it’s about what one<br />
does once one gets there. He helped me to figure out which college<br />
would be best for me, not by giving me any specific advice, but by<br />
asking me the right questions – thanks Mr. Kramer.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
21
On Saturday, Dec. 20, alumni and friends gathered at <strong>Nichols</strong> for the 2008 Alumni Holiday Gathering. Guests celebrated with a<br />
ceremony for award winners in the Flickinger Performing Arts Center and a cocktail party in the Rand Dining Room.<br />
Gregory J. Castiglia ’84 and<br />
Valerie A. Zingapan ’84<br />
2008 Distinguished Alumni Award<br />
Our <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong> Class Agent system is the foundation upon<br />
which a successful alumni program is built. Our accomplishments<br />
are a reflection of volunteers like you. You possess a desire to keep<br />
in touch with classmates, who have an ability to communicate<br />
current information about our <strong>School</strong>, who have a willingness to seek<br />
alumni support for the Annual Fund, and whose overall enthusiasm<br />
for <strong>Nichols</strong> strengthens relationships between our <strong>School</strong> and our<br />
friends.<br />
In the fall of 1980, you met on your <strong>Nichols</strong> freshman orientation<br />
trip. In your junior year, you became a couple. On October 24, 1992,<br />
you were married. Over the years, other educational institutions were<br />
lucky enough to share your academic vigor: Bryn Mawr College,<br />
Dartmouth College, Medical College of Pennsylvania, College of<br />
Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, and the State<br />
University of New York at Buffalo’s Medical <strong>School</strong>, which saw you<br />
both complete your residencies.<br />
In addition to all your accomplishments as medical professionals<br />
in our community, you are raising four wonderful children. We are so<br />
fortunate to have you as current <strong>Nichols</strong> parents. Jeremy is a member<br />
of our freshman class and Alexandra is a member of our sixth grade.<br />
Bradley and Olivia attend Mount St. Joseph’s Academy, the school<br />
you helped save when it was in jeopardy of closing in 2005.<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> benefits from your hard work and wisdom on several<br />
fronts. As Class Agents for the Class of 1984, you are consistently<br />
updating us with alumni contact information and helping us locate<br />
“lost” alumni. You always make a personal gift to the Annual<br />
Fund and have been committed members and volunteers of our<br />
Headmaster’s Society, our most generous group of donors. While<br />
under your guidance as Co-chairs of the Alumni Division, the levels<br />
of both alumni<br />
participation<br />
and alumni<br />
dollars have<br />
increased. You<br />
have both served<br />
on the Alumni<br />
Board and you<br />
are champions<br />
behind the grill at<br />
our Homecoming<br />
barbeques.<br />
Valerie, we also<br />
are thankful<br />
for your<br />
contemplative<br />
contributions as<br />
a current member<br />
of our Board of<br />
Trustees.<br />
Few can match your energy, loyalty and generosity. As leaders,<br />
you take your work here seriously and you complete each task with<br />
a smile. Your dedication to <strong>Nichols</strong> today is a reflection of your<br />
dedication to <strong>Nichols</strong> as students. It is a great pleasure to name<br />
you, Gregory J. Castiglia ’84 and Valerie A. Zingapan ’84, as<br />
Distinguished Alumni of <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
Sally K. Walsh<br />
2008 Honorary Alumna Award<br />
What makes independent schools so special are its people. What<br />
makes <strong>Nichols</strong> so special is people like you. Perhaps your love<br />
affair with <strong>Nichols</strong> began when you married one of our own, your<br />
husband Jack who is celebrating his 70th Reunion this year. You<br />
have watched numerous members of your family give and receive<br />
awards over the years. Finally, it is our turn to recognize the woman<br />
who has been behind the scenes and on the bench for all of us!<br />
In the 1950s, you became a <strong>Nichols</strong> parent and in the 1990s,<br />
a <strong>Nichols</strong> “Grammy.” You have been the consummate volunteer,<br />
supporter and friend.<br />
Most recently, you<br />
dedicated your time<br />
to the Grandparent<br />
Division of our<br />
Annual Fund,<br />
writing hundreds of<br />
personal notes to<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> grandparents<br />
for support of our<br />
<strong>School</strong>. However,<br />
your role as our #1<br />
Fan is what we cherish<br />
most. Your devotion<br />
and enthusiasm are<br />
contagious.<br />
You have been in<br />
the stands, and on<br />
the sidelines, from<br />
Lawrenceville to Ridley College, from Gerard Gymnasium to<br />
Dann Memorial Rink, from Peek to Strauss Truscott Field. If there<br />
is a game, you are there – and despite the weather, you are there.<br />
Regardless of if you know anyone on the team, you are there. At<br />
over 2,000 different <strong>Nichols</strong> events, contests, concerts, parties,<br />
plays, Reunions, dedications, award assemblies, you support us, you<br />
cheer for us, you take pride in us.<br />
It is a <strong>Nichols</strong> tradition to recognize members of our teams<br />
with honors for extraordinary contributions to a season, the team<br />
and the <strong>School</strong>. You have earned them all: our Coach’s Award<br />
for sharing your heart and soul, and our Most Improved Player,<br />
for getting better every year. Finally, you are our MVP, one of our<br />
most valuable people. Sally Keating Walsh, it is our honor and<br />
privilege to name you an Honorary Alumna of <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
Congratulations.<br />
22 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Awards<br />
Joseph J. (Jerry) Castiglia<br />
2008 Honorary Alumnus Award<br />
Your successes in the business world, in addition to many areas<br />
of community and public service, are numerous. We at <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
are honored that you have included us as a beneficiary of your<br />
expertise, enthusiasm and devotion.<br />
Perhaps your most rewarding role at <strong>Nichols</strong> has been sharing<br />
pride with Barbara as parents of Gregory ’84 and Wendy ’86; in-laws<br />
of Valerie ’84; grandparents of Nina Amato ’16, Jeremy Castiglia<br />
’12 and Alexandra Castiglia ’15.<br />
As a member of our Board of Trustees, you served two terms:<br />
1985-1989 and 1997-2003. As President of the Board from 1987-<br />
1989, you provided particularly strong leadership of our strategic<br />
planning process and showed a desire to continually improve<br />
faculty salaries. Also, you have faithfully committed yourself to the<br />
maintenance and growth of the <strong>School</strong>’s endowment as a member<br />
of our Endowment Committee. Once again, you demonstrated your<br />
commitment to <strong>Nichols</strong> by graciously accepting our invitation to<br />
Chair our current Capital Campaign, <strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong>. In addition<br />
to your dedicated years of service, you have been very generous in<br />
your support of <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
A statement from a profile of you, from several years ago, is<br />
so appropriate to your leadership here at <strong>Nichols</strong>: “Mr. Castiglia<br />
exudes a quiet authority.” Your mission driven way has so often<br />
helped us remain focused on the big picture, without getting lost<br />
in the details. Quiet and dignified, yet powerful and successful,<br />
your leadership has inspired those who work with you to perform<br />
and produce at the highest level, while considering it a privilege to<br />
endeavor with you in the common cause.<br />
For all you have done for <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>, and for all you have<br />
done for<br />
the greater<br />
Western<br />
New York<br />
community, we<br />
thank you. In<br />
recognition of<br />
your loyalty,<br />
friendship and<br />
generosity, we<br />
are honored<br />
to name<br />
you, Joseph<br />
J. (Jerry)<br />
Castiglia, an<br />
Honorary<br />
Alumnus<br />
of <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>.<br />
Clay W. Hamlin ’63<br />
2008 Robert E. Dillon, Jr. ’49 Award<br />
As an alumnus, you are a member of one of our most cohesive,<br />
supportive classes ever, and your friendships are your priority. You help<br />
keep friendships alive with frequent communication and activities that<br />
have nurtured lifelong bonds, which began during your <strong>Nichols</strong> years.<br />
You contribute to the high sense of class unity that lives on today.<br />
As a Trustee since 2003, you have shared your vast experiences<br />
in business and real estate with us. You bring an outside perspective<br />
that has been very helpful to Board discussions and deliberations.<br />
We appreciate your frequent trips back to campus, making it possible<br />
for you to remain close to <strong>Nichols</strong>. We treasure your leadership and<br />
generosity.<br />
In addition to lending us your precious time and expertise, you are<br />
one of the most generous donors to our Annual Fund, having always<br />
been a leader in your Reunion class giving. You are one of the most<br />
significant donors to our current <strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong> Capital Campaign.<br />
Along with some of your friends, your class of 1963 has pledged nearly<br />
$5 million toward our new Math/Science Building, affectionately<br />
named Center ’63. Without a doubt, the support of you and your<br />
classmates helped create the momentum for this successful campaign.<br />
To quote your 1963 Verdian, “Clay, undaunted by the pressures<br />
that engulf others, always tries to see the bright side of life. Yet,<br />
sense of responsibility, which reveals itself through his conscientious<br />
mastery, underlies his light-hearted manner.” Forty-five years later,<br />
this statement remains true. In recognition of your extraordinary<br />
contributions to <strong>Nichols</strong> as an alumnus living out-of-town, it is a great<br />
pleasure to name you, Clay Winston Hamlin III ’63, the recipient of<br />
the Robert E. Dillon, Jr. ’49 Award.<br />
Clay Hamlin ’63 was unable to receive his award in person<br />
and shared these remarks:<br />
I am very surprised and honored to receive this wonderful<br />
recognition from <strong>Nichols</strong>…But I have to tell you sincerely that<br />
whatever I have done for <strong>Nichols</strong>, <strong>Nichols</strong> has done a lot more<br />
for me.<br />
It has been a privilege for me to attend <strong>Nichols</strong> and then see<br />
it grow, change and improve. Except for the influence of my<br />
parents and family, nothing has meant more in my development<br />
than this school, my lifelong <strong>Nichols</strong> friends and the <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
community. These experiences have influenced me for the<br />
better my whole life and have been an enduring source of joy<br />
and strength.<br />
Besides the academics, athletics and friendship, <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
demanded, and taught us the importance of, character… I’m<br />
glad that <strong>Nichols</strong> demanded good character of me… Nothing<br />
is more important – including grades and getting into college.<br />
The challenge for our <strong>Nichols</strong> students is to adhere to their good<br />
character when those around them do not. If they do, they<br />
will be the true leaders of the future and will find success and<br />
happiness for themselves and others they touch…<br />
In closing, I want to thank <strong>Nichols</strong> and all of you for all you<br />
have done for me. Buffalo is a great place and will always be<br />
my home, and to me, <strong>Nichols</strong> is synonymous with the best of<br />
Buffalo. And thanks to Jackie, Warren, Mike, Willy and everyone<br />
in the Class of 1963, as well, for your friendship and what you<br />
have meant to me.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
23
A.<br />
B.<br />
C.<br />
D.<br />
F.<br />
E.<br />
2008 Alumni<br />
Holiday Gathering<br />
24 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
A. Matt Felser ’05, Eric Walton ’05, Chris Covelli ’05, Ian Walton ’06,<br />
Phil Jadd ’05 , Ben Duggan ’05, Andrew Stegemann ’05 and Joe Walter ’05<br />
B. Bridget McIntee Franz ’91 & Ned Franz ’91 and Wendy Lebowitz Pressman<br />
’83 & Michael Pressman<br />
C. Ward Hamlin ’64 and Emma Hamlin ’06<br />
D. Sarah Yerkovich ’84, Greta Flickinger Barton ’78 and Ann Flynn Wolney ’78<br />
E. Howie Saperston ’58, Dave Strachan ’51 and Kim Kimberly ’47<br />
F. Peppy McLean and Dennis McCarthy ’52
G.<br />
H.<br />
I. J.<br />
K.<br />
L.<br />
G. Greg Stevens ’74, Newton Sears ’05 and Will Cheyney ’05<br />
H. Jackie Ennis & Jim Ennis ’81 and Ian Jones ’80 & Monica Jones<br />
I. Ellen Hassett ’84, Joy Trotter ’84, Joan Rice ’84<br />
J. (back) Greg Castiglia ’84, Ellen Hassett ’84, Sarah Yerovich ’84 and Joan Rice ’84; (front) Valerie Zingapan ’84 and Joy Trotter ’84<br />
K. Ron Emerson ’78, Doug Hamberger & Jennifer Jarvis Hamberger ’81 and Hugh Russ ’78<br />
L. KC Bryan White ’97, Ginna Walsh, Liza Walsh Keenan ’97 and Upper <strong>School</strong> Head, Aranya Maritime<br />
Winter 2009<br />
25
M.<br />
N.<br />
O. P.<br />
Q. R.<br />
2008 Alumni<br />
Holiday Gathering<br />
M. Jerry Castiglia & Barbara Castiglia and John Bozer ’45 & Joan Bozer<br />
N. Fred Cohen ’61, David Tiftickjian ’78 & Darlene Tiftickjian<br />
O. Dan Donaldson ’58, Marilyn Miller, Stuart Angert ’58 and Donald Miller ’60<br />
P. Kristan Carlson Andersen ’80 & Robin Bronstein and Kelly Ostendorf<br />
Q. Bill Mathias ’63, Chuck Kreiner ’63 and Warren Gelman ’63<br />
R. Jeremy Castiglia ’12, Valerie Zingapan ’84 and Bradley Castiglia<br />
26 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
S.<br />
T.<br />
U.<br />
V.<br />
W.<br />
S. Bridget McIntee Franz ’91, Callie Ostendorf and Patty Gelman<br />
T. Eli Tubbs ’70, Michael Walsh ’70 and Ge<strong>org</strong>e Ostendorf ’83<br />
U. Dick Shaughnessy ’51 and Jack Walsh ’63<br />
V. Norma Marlette and Ed Walsh ’43<br />
W. Dan Wiedenhaupt ’06, Ben Walsh ’07, Will Gurney ’06 and Kyle Resetarits ’06<br />
Winter 2009 27
Kristan Carlson Andersen ’80<br />
teaches a class on the<br />
importance of writing good<br />
thank you notes.<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> Commemorates the<br />
25th Anniversary of<br />
Young Writers’ Workshop<br />
by Nina Cimino<br />
Over 160 of Western New York’s most outstanding writing students<br />
participated in the annual Young Writers’ Workshop at <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> on Nov. 15. The workshop, offered free of charge, is open to<br />
participants in grades four through six from all local schools.<br />
Young Writers’ Workshop, which has been a popular event<br />
at <strong>Nichols</strong> for the past 25 years, always fills up quickly. Students<br />
have enjoyed this motivating program with little change over the<br />
years, and the growing enthusiasm for popular book series, such as<br />
“Harry Potter” and “Twilight,” keeps children excited about the<br />
possibilities writing offers.<br />
The program is designed to stimulate young students’ writing<br />
techniques through exposure to a variety of workshops including<br />
topics such as poetry, news writing, autobiography, advertising,<br />
drama and fiction. Students can be nominated by their parents,<br />
English teachers or principals for their creativity and love of<br />
writing. Following words from a keynote speaker, three workshops<br />
are led by 16 volunteers from <strong>Nichols</strong> and the greater community.<br />
This year, <strong>Nichols</strong> welcomed students from schools around<br />
W.N.Y, including D’Youville Porter, Eden, Lindbergh, St. Mark,<br />
Highgate Heights, Gilmore <strong>School</strong>, Maple East, Heim, Spruce,<br />
28 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Forest, St.<br />
Andrew’s Country<br />
Day, Our Lady<br />
of Mt. Carmel,<br />
Nardin, Jefferson,<br />
St. Gregory the<br />
Great, Trinity,<br />
Christ the King,<br />
Huth Road,<br />
Catholic Academy,<br />
Ohio Elementary, Hamburg, Hoover, <strong>Nichols</strong>, Mary Queen of<br />
Angels, Notre Dame, Sts. Peter & Paul, Holland Elementary,<br />
Meadow Elementary,<br />
Eggert Road, Orchard Park Middle, Transit Middle, St. John the<br />
Baptist, City Honors, Stella Niagara, Tapestry Charter <strong>School</strong><br />
and Depew Middle.<br />
Ronald S. Montesano, Spanish teacher and freelance writer,<br />
among other titles, gave the Keynote Address<br />
at the 2008 Young Writers’ Workshop. Ron<br />
began in Spanish to test the kids’ listening<br />
skills and get a solid point across: You must<br />
know your audience in order to be a successful<br />
writer.<br />
“If I don’t know my audience, what I have<br />
to say might get lost, might be misunderstood,<br />
might not matter,” he said. “Your words should<br />
matter. You should know your audience. Must it<br />
be a single audience? No.”<br />
Ron continued: “You have the opportunity<br />
to write for more than one audience. You write<br />
tests and papers for your teachers, you write<br />
notes and e-mails to your parents, grandparents,<br />
uncles and aunts, you send texts, status updates and IMs to your<br />
friends, sisters, brothers and cousins, and those three audiences<br />
represent the first and closest circle of readers that you have. What<br />
happens when you decide to write as a profession or career for other<br />
people, for newspapers or magazines at your middle school or your<br />
high school, for web sites or blogs, for movie companies or radio<br />
station, or in some medium that hasn’t even been invented yet?<br />
If you know your<br />
readers, they won’t<br />
be able to put your<br />
work down.”<br />
Ron also<br />
stressed the<br />
importance of<br />
being a good<br />
listener: “In order<br />
to be a good or a<br />
great writer, you also need to cultivate your listening skills. A wise<br />
and former colleague of mine here at <strong>Nichols</strong> taught me to do just<br />
that. This fellow was beloved for his listening skills. He was an<br />
English teacher, a guitarist and singer, an actor and a friend for all<br />
students and teachers. He showed me how important an open and<br />
accurate ear truly is. If you want to be a good friend, if you want to<br />
be a great daughter or son, if you want to be a writer, you should<br />
really work at listening. Not hearing, listening.”<br />
Eager students await instruction from the teacher of their first workshop of the day.<br />
“In order to be<br />
a good or a great<br />
writer,<br />
you also need to<br />
cultivate your<br />
listening skills.”<br />
Being a freelance writer himself, Ron spoke<br />
about how he contributes to a number of local<br />
and regional magazines about golf, his favorite<br />
skill. He said he loves to tell people about the<br />
two local publications for which he writes<br />
because they are fundamentally so dissimilar<br />
and have rather different audiences.<br />
Ron also cautioned against a common<br />
downfall for writers: “As another wise English<br />
teacher once told me, don’t fall in love with<br />
your first draft,” he said. “You can, however,<br />
like it a lot, but don’t be afraid to edit.”<br />
Lastly, Ron encouraged children to turn<br />
off the television and read everything they<br />
come in contact with. “Read everything! Read soup can labels,<br />
read billboards as mom and dad drive by at ten miles per hour, read<br />
t-shirts, read neon signs, read coupons, read recipes and slogans and<br />
license plates and baseball caps and autographs and CD labels and<br />
novels and poems and short stories and articles and essays and blogs<br />
and drama and song lyrics and anything on which your eyes can<br />
focus,” he said.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
29
(standing, l to r) Will Savino and Larkin Brinkworth,<br />
(seated, l to r) Michelle Ho, Grace Munro, Madame<br />
Sheila-Zohara Zamor, Cokie Hasiotis and Julia Accetta<br />
sit in the Square St. Roch in Le Havre. All from<br />
the class of 2010, these students started <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
French in fifth-grade with Madame.<br />
Of Many,<br />
by Madame Sheila-Zohara Zamor<br />
One Co<br />
30 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Multicultural Affairs at <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
supports an inclusive community in which all of its members know<br />
that they are welcome and that their contributions and opinions<br />
are valued.<br />
To that end, we have several threads for discussion of<br />
multiculturalism at <strong>Nichols</strong>. They include SUMA (Students United<br />
for Multicultural Awareness), Global Horizons, the One Community<br />
Committee, SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), a<br />
blog sharing family traditions, and there is also a welcomed overlap in<br />
our programs for Wellness, the Big Green Initiative and Community<br />
Service.<br />
Our goal is to develop the awareness of and an appreciation<br />
for our diverse population. The <strong>Nichols</strong> community, consisting of<br />
current and former students, their families, and our faculty and staff,<br />
has origins and experiences that span the globe. Most of the time, we<br />
assume that we are all the same, and we may be tempted to dwell on<br />
our similarities and overlook that which makes us unique, that which<br />
influences our beliefs, our decisions and our actions. It is important to<br />
embrace our differences.<br />
Our efforts include working with students in the Upper <strong>School</strong><br />
to discuss pertinent questions and concerns regarding diversity at<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong>. The forum for such topics is SUMA. With the high school<br />
students, issues of intolerance around the country and world are<br />
presented in order to learn what our peers may think about such<br />
topics. In our discussions, we search for solutions for promoting<br />
tolerance and understanding for differing opinions. In the Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong>, our SUMA student volunteers join together to share<br />
information and stories from diverse cultures with younger students.<br />
Global Horizons, led by Thomas Michaud and Yajie Zhang in<br />
the Upper <strong>School</strong>, was developed to provide an opportunity to delve<br />
deeper into the international community to learn more about the<br />
major concerns in current affairs around the world. Global Horizons<br />
sponsors discussion groups for all members of our school during the<br />
high school break known as X-period. They design and maintain a<br />
bulletin board displaying international events in the news, and also<br />
provide general information regarding the origins of the groups who<br />
visit <strong>Nichols</strong> during the exchanges from Spain, France and Costa<br />
Rica. We had a successful discussion period with students from the<br />
Spanish exchange in which <strong>Nichols</strong> students who are unable to<br />
host or travel could interact with their counterparts from Gijón and<br />
ask those questions curious teenagers have about the world outside<br />
Western New York.<br />
Multicultural efforts should engage our parent community as<br />
well. We are elated to have begun the One Community Committee,<br />
chaired by Mary Rockwell. The parents in this group are working<br />
together in support of our efforts to recruit members of our own<br />
families who can volunteer time to speak to our students and their<br />
classes as primary sources for global issues. Personal histories enrich<br />
our students. We also have families whose roots span generations in<br />
Buffalo and its surrounding area to form the strong neighborhoods<br />
that support our school. In our community, we have families<br />
hosting international students, and parents and grandparents who<br />
emigrated from another country to live and work in W.N.Y. The One<br />
Community Committee will assist with the International Dinner and<br />
Global Horizons. In both divisions, we have family members sharing<br />
their experiences with our students and faculty.<br />
This year, we have four international students at <strong>Nichols</strong> who<br />
are hosted by <strong>Nichols</strong> families. These students have left their parents<br />
and siblings, their homeland and friends to obtain an educational<br />
experience in the United States. We are grateful to the families<br />
who are hosting them. Host families agree that these students have<br />
enriched their lives because they open a window into their culture,<br />
and we give them an opportunity to live our life in America and our<br />
beloved Buffalo. These types of relationships are mutually beneficial<br />
as they give everyone involved varying perspectives on everyday<br />
happenings, experiences we may take for granted.<br />
At times, we may hesitate to host because we feel that it turns our<br />
world around. We feel we may have to change who we are in order<br />
to host; we feel that our house must be perfect, and we certainly can’t<br />
argue or say what we think! Yet, getting to know us as we are is part<br />
of the reason these students decide to travel abroad to learn about<br />
America up close. They learn that the experience is unique, that we<br />
each are different and yet, we share basic needs. It is the friendships<br />
continued on next page<br />
mmunity<br />
Winter 2009<br />
31
f<strong>org</strong>ed during these exchanges that are valuable. They have changed<br />
my life, and I hope more families volunteer for this opportunity.<br />
Faculty members have come together for the past few years in a<br />
multicultural book discussion group called SEED. The books we’ve<br />
chosen have spanned issues including diversity in learning styles with<br />
Mark Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night Time,”<br />
sexual orientation in Daphne Scholinksi’s “The Last Time I Wore<br />
a Dress” and “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven”<br />
explores Native American culture through Sherman Alexie’s<br />
engaging short stories. This year, we’ve included books from Just<br />
Buffalo’s Babel series, and we look forward to discussing “Persepolis”<br />
by Marjane Satrapi and Isabel Allende’s “House of Spirits.” We<br />
wanted be part of the Buffalo reading the same books. SEED also<br />
will show two films: “Persepolis” to discuss the transfer from graphic<br />
novel to animation, and “Whale Rider”<br />
whose protagonist is a 12 year-old Maori girl<br />
in New Zealand. In our discussions, we learn<br />
from each other, and we open ourselves ups<br />
to different perspectives. These conversations<br />
are quite meaningful and our different from<br />
those that emerge in faculty meetings and<br />
coffee breaks.<br />
In an effort to share our family traditions<br />
with our school community, a blog entitled,<br />
“One Community” was started to share those<br />
stories that form the people we have become<br />
and are becoming. From the importance of<br />
the Ramadan and Yom Kippur observances to<br />
the impact of travel, jam making and hunting<br />
with our family, these stories link us to each<br />
other. These stories serve as a mirror for some<br />
of us, reminding us of similar traditions in<br />
our homes and histories. Other stories are<br />
windows into which we peer to discover<br />
something new. These are the treasures of one<br />
community. Please consider sharing your story<br />
with us.<br />
In my discussions with the Directors of<br />
Wellness, the Big Green Initiative (BGI)<br />
and Community Service, it seems there is<br />
always a multicultural link that can be made.<br />
In Wellness, our cultural identity shapes who<br />
we are. Our family values and our personal<br />
choices make us a culture unto ourselves.<br />
As we share our opinions, our concept of health, our perspective on<br />
issues regarding well-being – physical, emotional and spiritual health<br />
– it is important to identify where and how our ideas are formed. If<br />
one feels that they are not valued, if they perceive that they cannot<br />
enjoy the same rights as others, an individual’s general health may<br />
be compromised. Our Wellness initiative is designed to help provide<br />
members of our community with the tools required to cope with<br />
stressful situations and help students find solutions that address their<br />
concerns.<br />
In an effort to<br />
share our family<br />
traditions with our<br />
school community,<br />
a blog entitled,<br />
“One Community”<br />
was started to<br />
share those stories<br />
that form the<br />
people we have<br />
become and are<br />
becoming.<br />
This year, The Big Green Initiative promoted a service project<br />
working with the Apollo Project, a consortium of members who<br />
work to reduce our carbon footprint in W.N.Y. This particular<br />
project brought students and adults to the Black Rock/Riverside<br />
neighborhood to help weatherize homes and reduce heating costs.<br />
Students had the opportunity to explore an urban neighborhood in<br />
the area. Environmental and ecological concerns affect every part of<br />
our world. Green thinking and green living is a multicultural issue.<br />
Community Service opportunities are everywhere. This past<br />
summer, I learned that <strong>Nichols</strong> students served people all over the<br />
United States and in the world, including work with First Nation<br />
people in the base of the Grand Canyon and as far off as Fiji. Here<br />
in Buffalo, our students in the sixth grade read stories and play math<br />
games with kindergarten students at <strong>School</strong> 54 on Main Street in<br />
Buffalo. All of our families have contributed<br />
clothing, coats and books to students at<br />
International <strong>School</strong> 45 as well. For many of<br />
these families, Buffalo is their first contact with<br />
the United States of America. Our families<br />
come together to support these endeavors and<br />
their impact on these various communities is<br />
valued.<br />
The Multicultural Affairs program at<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> serves to make explicit the ways in<br />
which we are a community of many ideas,<br />
voices, challenges, dreams and talent. There<br />
are great challenges in promoting disparate<br />
viewpoints. Can we be completely tolerant?<br />
An educational institution such as <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
provides a place to explore concepts, test<br />
notions, and to learn what community is.<br />
There are many viewpoints, and at times<br />
there is conflict. From conflict there can be<br />
great creativity, evolutionary developments<br />
and finally, understanding. Our community<br />
can be one community when we balance our<br />
individual needs and goals with that of the<br />
larger community. We can be one community<br />
when our personal objectives do not infringe<br />
upon those of others. We can be one great<br />
multicultural community when we value and<br />
celebrate our differences, noting that there is<br />
not one way to see the world or to accomplish<br />
a task.<br />
Multicultural Affairs is a work in progress, but with the help<br />
of the entire <strong>Nichols</strong> community – past, present and future – we<br />
ultimately support our mission embodied by the words of Joseph<br />
Allen: “to train minds, bodies and hearts for the work of life, and to<br />
carry into all we do the highest ideals of character and service.”<br />
If you are interested in becoming a host family for an<br />
international student, please contact Sheila-Zohara Zamor at<br />
716.876.3500.<br />
Sheila-Zohara Zamor is a mother of two children, Sinead and Seamus,<br />
French teacher in our Middle <strong>School</strong>, Director of Multicultural Affairs<br />
and has been a part of the <strong>Nichols</strong> community for the last seven years.<br />
32 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Larry Desautels Named<br />
Graham W. Smith ’48 Chair<br />
Nationally Renowned Writer Visits <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
as First Smith Visiting Fellow<br />
by Nina Cimino<br />
To honor the memory of Graham Wood Smith ’48 and to celebrate and promote writing<br />
at <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>, the Ge<strong>org</strong>e G. & Elizabeth G. Smith Foundation started the Graham<br />
W. Smith ’48 Fund in fall 2008. We are pleased to announce Larry Desautels as the first<br />
Graham Wood Smith ’48 Chair.<br />
Established to award a Chair to a deserving member of the <strong>Nichols</strong> English Department,<br />
the Graham W. Smith ’48 Chair will enable the recipient to fund a visiting writer or writers<br />
to come to <strong>Nichols</strong> to work with students with a particular interest in writing. It is the<br />
responsibility of the recipient of the chair to arrange for the visiting authors, who will be<br />
known as the Smith Visiting Fellows.<br />
The first Smith Visiting Fellow, Baron Wormser, spent the week of Dec. 1 at <strong>Nichols</strong>.<br />
Wormser is a busy writer, widely known for his poetry, short story collections and a new<br />
memoir about living off the grid in Maine for 25 years.<br />
As Robert Finch<br />
of The Boston Globe<br />
described “The<br />
Road Washes Out in<br />
Spring,” Wormser’s<br />
latest work: “All in<br />
all, this is the best<br />
book about rural New<br />
England life since<br />
Jane Brox’s ’Here and<br />
Nowhere Else.’ Its<br />
scope is narrow but its<br />
reach is vast.”<br />
In 2000, Wormser<br />
was appointed Poet<br />
Laureate of Maine<br />
by Governor Angus<br />
Baron Wormser, the first Smith Visiting Chair, works with<br />
Dr. Andrew Sutherland’s English students.<br />
King. He served in<br />
that capacity for six<br />
years and visited<br />
many libraries and schools throughout Maine. He currently resides in Cabot, Vt., with<br />
his wife. Since 2002, he has taught in the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of<br />
Southern Maine. He works widely in schools with both students and teachers.<br />
Wormser has received the Frederick Bock Prize from Poetry and the Kathryn A. Morton<br />
Prize along with fellowships from Bread Loaf, the National Endowment for the Arts and<br />
the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. In 2000, he was writer in residence at<br />
the University of South Dakota. For eight years, he led the Frost Place Seminar at the Frost<br />
Place in Franconia, N.H.<br />
In addition to giving a school reading and a public reading in the Boocock Reading<br />
Room, Wormser visited many Upper and Middle <strong>School</strong> classes while at <strong>Nichols</strong>. For more<br />
information about the author and his works, visit www.baronwormser.com.<br />
We are thrilled to have been visited by this distinguished writer. Thank you to the<br />
Graham W. Smith family for establishing this fund.<br />
Reunion 2009 will take place<br />
on Friday, June 5 &<br />
Saturday, June 6.<br />
All alumni are invited<br />
and welcome to attend<br />
the on campus events<br />
of Friday, June 5.<br />
The celebration begins with our<br />
traditional “Welcome Back” program<br />
in the Flickinger Performing<br />
Arts Center at 5:00 p.m.,<br />
immediately followed by<br />
the All Alumni Class Cocktail Party<br />
in the Quadrangle.<br />
Save the<br />
Dates<br />
1934<br />
75 th Reunion<br />
1939<br />
70 th Reunion<br />
1944<br />
65 th Reunion<br />
1949<br />
60 th Reunion<br />
1954<br />
55 th Reunion<br />
1959<br />
50 th Reunion<br />
1964<br />
45 th Reunion<br />
1969<br />
40 th Reunion<br />
1974<br />
35 th Reunion<br />
1979<br />
30 th Reunion<br />
1984<br />
25 th Reunion<br />
1989<br />
20 th Reunion<br />
1994<br />
15 th Reunion<br />
1999<br />
10 th Reunion<br />
2004<br />
5 th Reunion<br />
Do not miss this special event!<br />
We look forward to seeing you<br />
at <strong>Nichols</strong>.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
33
Please Support the<br />
2008-2009 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Annual Fund<br />
Please support <strong>Nichols</strong> by making your pledge or gift today. Your generosity<br />
will help <strong>Nichols</strong> stay current with the best technology, offer an evolving<br />
curriculum and support teachers connecting with students.<br />
Please make your tax-deductible gift today. We have enclosed a remittance<br />
envelope for your convenience or you may donate online at www.nicholsschool.<br />
<strong>org</strong>. If you have already given, thank you for your generosity.
After <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
Mike Keiser ’63 Transitions from Recycled<br />
Paper Greetings to Global Reach Golf<br />
Yet never loses touch with the people and<br />
the campus of <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
by Ronald S. Montesano<br />
Let’s begin with perhaps the most important topic: the Judgy<br />
Lytle Scholarship. Could you discuss its beginnings as well as its<br />
importance for those involved?<br />
First and foremost, Judgy Lytle ’64 was a good friend, exceedingly<br />
popular with people of all ages. He had a magnetic personality, was<br />
smart and athletic, so it came as a shock to all when we received<br />
news that he had died in his freshman year at Cornell. While driving<br />
through the Cotswolds region of England around Easter some time<br />
ago, I thought that if we started a scholarship in his name, we would<br />
continue to remember him as he should be recalled. <strong>Nichols</strong> was very<br />
open to the idea, friends chipped in and the scholarship has grown<br />
from funding one student per year to as many as seven. [We average<br />
two to three Lytle Scholars per year, with about 12 scholars in the<br />
school at any given time.] Our goal is to continue to increase this<br />
number as we go forward.<br />
The Class of 1963 is generously supporting the construction<br />
of Center ’63, our new math/science building. What an exciting<br />
development. Tell us your thoughts on its importance to the<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
It is ironic that the class of 1963 is building a Math/Science Building<br />
when so few of us were much more than inept at Science while at<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong>. It was not for a lack of trying, but with the exception of a<br />
few of us, we were extremely poor science students. Mind you, it is<br />
does not mean that we ever undervalued the sciences and math. That<br />
might be our class standard: you don’t have to be good at science to<br />
support the sciences.<br />
Tell us about Recycled Paper Greetings, a company that<br />
you somewhat recently sold?<br />
Nothing from <strong>Nichols</strong> led me in that direction. It was an<br />
opportunistic decision on my part. Recycling and ecology were big<br />
in 1971. My wife and my college roommate indicated that we could<br />
do this and revolutionize the world. We broke even year one and<br />
built a good sized company. The goal was always to use as much<br />
100% recycled paper as possible and create a demand for it. That’s<br />
always the goal with recycling, to create the demand, be it aluminum,<br />
asphalt or paper.<br />
Your new direction in life<br />
is, as you put it, Global<br />
Reach Golf. It all began<br />
with Bandon Dunes…or<br />
did it?<br />
My motto is that<br />
wherever there are<br />
great sites in the world,<br />
there can be great golf.<br />
My first course was the<br />
Dunes Club in New<br />
Buffalo, Mich. It is a<br />
nine-hole course that<br />
was so enjoyable and<br />
aesthetically-pleasing<br />
Mike Keiser ’63 stands with his daughter,<br />
Dana Keiser, at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort<br />
in Bandon, Ore.<br />
to build that I wanted to do more. I was phasing out of RPG at the<br />
time and into the golf industry. I was very lucky to find what are now<br />
2,500 acres at Bandon Dunes. The site was far enough from Portland<br />
that the city didn’t influence. I realized at once that, if you’re smart,<br />
you keep dreaming and never actually go ahead and try to pull it off.<br />
However, since you go around once in life and you certainly can’t<br />
take it with you, I went ahead and it worked out. Understand that<br />
it should not have worked out yet it somehow did. It was the avid<br />
golfers of the world, who had read the avid golfers-who-are-writers’<br />
stories that came to play and spread the word.<br />
Tell us about future projects.<br />
For students at <strong>Nichols</strong>, the great lesson that I can teach is to look<br />
beyond Buffalo and the United States, to achieve a global reach. In<br />
the town of Bridport, Tasmania, a friend named Richard Sattler, a<br />
Tasmanian-born Aussie (or Taussie), owned a 12,000 acre potato farm<br />
with, as he called it, miles and miles of worthless dunes. Couldn’t be<br />
farmed, couldn’t graze cattle, so we convinced him to enter a new<br />
business. The site is less remote than Bandon Dunes and now contains<br />
a course called Barnbougle Dunes, designed by Tom Doak. Bill<br />
Coore has been contracted to build a second course called Lost Farm.<br />
There will now be two links course in Asia on the same property, an<br />
uncommon thing. Lost Farm and Old MacDonald, the newest course<br />
at Bandon Dunes Resort, will open the same year, in 2010.<br />
There is also Cabot Links, a piece of property on Cape Breton<br />
Island in Canada that was used previously for mining and is now<br />
poised to be another great seaside golf course. It will be an 18-hole<br />
public course and will begin construction in August of 2009.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
35
A.<br />
B.<br />
36 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Launching the<br />
<strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong><br />
Capital Campaign<br />
by Nina Cimino and Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75<br />
Once in a lifetime events take careful orchestration, more than a little elbow grease, and enough<br />
heart and enthusiasm to attract an eager following. The public kick off of our <strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong><br />
Capital Campaign created a stir, bringing with it all the fun and anticipation we hoped for.<br />
After much discussion about how and when to kick off this event, the event <strong>org</strong>anizers decided<br />
fall was best. The anniversary of the opening of <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong> was on Sept. 26, making it an ideal<br />
date for this celebration.<br />
A. The celebration gets started in the Quad.<br />
B. Nick Williams ’09 (center) leads a science experiment with<br />
help from some classmates, Middle <strong>School</strong> student Alex<br />
Syntelis-Jones ’15 (left of center) and David Pegado ’10 (right).<br />
C. <strong>Nichols</strong> dancers dazzle the crowd on stage.<br />
C.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
37
D. E.<br />
“We wanted to show off our best asset – our kids,” said<br />
Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75, Assistant Head for Advancement.<br />
“Everyone agreed that the students should be the focus, rather<br />
than a lot of talking heads sharing the details of the campaign.”<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Arts Department Chair, Kristen Kelley,<br />
spearheaded the student talent portion of the program, and<br />
<strong>org</strong>anizers worked with arts faculty and Frank Brunner of the<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Science Department, starting last spring and<br />
leading up until the event. The team spent months coming<br />
up with a list of acts including vocal, dance, instrumental and<br />
science presentations. Performers included Middle and Upper<br />
<strong>School</strong> students, with a variety of interests and talents.<br />
The evening of the performances, Headmaster Richard C.<br />
Bryan, Jr. said, “I am sure that you will watch in awe and with<br />
a tremendous sense of satisfaction and joy, performances and<br />
demonstrations by some of the brightest, gifted and most talented<br />
young people anywhere.”<br />
Curt Steinzor, the school’s Technical Director, worked lights<br />
and stage aspects. In the end, the event <strong>org</strong>anizers came up with<br />
a robust list of two-minute acts in order to keep the program<br />
moving along at a healthy pace. With one dress rehearsal the<br />
night before the big event, the kids were a resounding success.<br />
“The combination of a group of very talented individuals<br />
added up to a great deal of creativity and energy on stage that<br />
evening,” said Gurney.<br />
Jock Mitchell ’66 spearheaded a video to highlight the passion<br />
of the <strong>Nichols</strong> community, which is driving this campaign. David<br />
Collins Productions filmed and edited the piece, shooting over<br />
50 members of the faculty and staff, students, alumni, parents,<br />
Trustees and friends.<br />
People from all facets of our community share what <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
means to them. Here is a sampling of their inspiring words:<br />
Elliot Johnston IV ’10: “<strong>Nichols</strong> is challenging and diverse.”<br />
Stuart H. Angert 58, former Trustee: “The students that<br />
pass through these walls are the beneficiaries of best in class<br />
education, and are well prepared for a world that’s accelerating<br />
and changing.”<br />
Andrew Sutherland, Ph.D., Upper <strong>School</strong> English<br />
Department faculty member: “<strong>Nichols</strong> means community for<br />
me, and that’s why I teach here. I get to develop a relationship<br />
with my students over time, and that’s something that I hadn’t<br />
experienced in other places.”<br />
Lise J. Buyer ’78: “<strong>Nichols</strong> means a rigorous education and<br />
one where you get pushed beyond where you think you can go,<br />
that serves you incredibly well ever afterwards.”<br />
Claudia O’Keefe, Middle <strong>School</strong> Math Department faculty<br />
member: “It’s awesome being here, seeing the kids in the<br />
classroom for the last 13 years, seeing them on the sports fields for<br />
the last 10 as I’ve been coaching, I really get to know more about<br />
them as a person, not just what they are as a math student.”<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e H. Ostendorf ’59: “I think <strong>Nichols</strong> gave me all of<br />
my basic foundation for life. Really, outside of my family, I can’t<br />
think of anything that has been more important to me than<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>.”<br />
Maya Jackson-Gibson ’11: “I love <strong>Nichols</strong> because I get to<br />
experience something new everyday.”<br />
Henry Waters ’48: “<strong>Nichols</strong>…it means everything.”<br />
These responses and many more wonderful words were turned<br />
into three two-minute vignettes. For their debut viewing, these<br />
short videos were effectively interspersed among acts throughout<br />
the evening.<br />
D. Lise Buyer ’78, David Tiftickjian ’78 and Hugh Russ ’78<br />
E. The <strong>Nichols</strong> Upper <strong>School</strong> Chorus<br />
C. Jackie Beecher and Jock Mitchell ’66 chat under the party tent.<br />
D. Bob Battel ’56, Wyn Eaton ’55 and David Laub ’56<br />
38 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
F. G.<br />
William G. Gisel, Jr. ’70 closed the ceremony and announced<br />
that we are over $19 million to our goal and have $4 million to<br />
go. He also thanked Joseph J. “Jerry” Castiglia, our Campaign<br />
Chairman, and all our leadership donors to date, and invited<br />
everyone to participate in a reception to celebrate the launch of<br />
the campaign and <strong>Nichols</strong>’ birthday.<br />
Although rain threatened all afternoon, guests emerged<br />
from the Flickinger Performing Arts Center just after 8:00 p.m.<br />
to a starlit sky and twinkling lights. The tent in the quad was<br />
filled with champagne, cupcakes and spectacular food made<br />
by our Chef, Mark Shaffer, and served by our own students.<br />
Thanks to parent Jackie Beecher’s creative talents, beautiful<br />
floral arrangements and signs boasting <strong>Nichols</strong> ideals served as<br />
décor, and entertainment was provided by Babik, the band of<br />
Josh Assad ’97.<br />
To top off the night, confetti shot down from the ceiling,<br />
while students carried in a huge birthday cake and guests joined<br />
in singing happy birthday to <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>. The festivities<br />
created quite a buzz and guests are still talking about the party.<br />
A special thank you to Event Chairs Wendy and Dave Schutte,<br />
parents of Connor ’15 and Caroline ’12, whose tireless leadership<br />
crafted this amazing evening. It was, however, a true team effort.<br />
The whole Event Committee worked hard to create the once in<br />
a lifetime event. Thank you to Jackie & John Beecher, Nancy &<br />
Greg Stevens ’74, Kathy & David Gates, Nancy & Marc Tetro,<br />
Lisa & Patrick Hotung, Sasha & Edward Yerkovich ’80 and Jill<br />
Robins, Director of Special Events.<br />
As Headmaster Bryan put it, “<strong>Nichols</strong> would have not<br />
become the place it is today without the thousands of hours that<br />
are given each year by one of the most dedicated and committed<br />
group of people anywhere – our volunteers.”<br />
Although the economy is in recession, we remain optimistic.<br />
The <strong>Nichols</strong> community has gathered around its dear school<br />
in challenging economic times before, and this time is no<br />
exception. With the construction of the new building underway,<br />
we continue to see tremendous support from our community in<br />
terms of volunteerism and gifts.<br />
Jane Cox Hettrick ’78 is serving as our Major Gifts Chair.<br />
She helped <strong>org</strong>anize 13 receptions in the homes of Trustees<br />
and Campaign volunteers to provide a venue for Headmaster<br />
Rick Bryan to tell the campaign story. Discussions focused on<br />
four elements: the addition of a new sustainable Math/Science<br />
building, adding two new artificial turf athletic fields, improving<br />
our traffic system on campus, and growing our endowment.<br />
The quiet phase of this campaign has been very successful, but<br />
we still need the support of our community to see us through the<br />
final phase. We are currently planning alumni gatherings across<br />
the country to share our plans with more of our community this<br />
spring.<br />
Visit our campaign web site for more information:<br />
www.<strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong>.<br />
<strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong><br />
Winter 2009 39
A.<br />
B.<br />
C.<br />
G<br />
G<br />
<strong>nicholsfuture</strong>.<strong>org</strong><br />
Campaign Receptions<br />
40 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
D. E.<br />
F. G.<br />
A. Edwin M. “Tim” Johnston III ’78 and Rick Smith ’79<br />
B. Rick Bryan and Li Wei & Xiang Zhou<br />
C. Dave & Wendy Schutte and Patricia & Leonard Deni<br />
D. Denise Fulton and Denise Muggia<br />
E. Melissa Balbach ’83, John Bace, Beth Marks and Ted Marks ’78<br />
F. David Corbett, Laura Cuthbert and Monica Jones<br />
G. Zana Cabat-Borovcanin, Stephanie Angelakos and Caroline Lund<br />
Winter 2009 41
Park’s Newbery winning book, “A Single Shard” is about the secrets of ancient Korean potters.<br />
Author Linda Sue<br />
Park Visits <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
Middle <strong>School</strong>ers Welcome Newbery Winning Author<br />
by Nina Cimino<br />
This fall, <strong>Nichols</strong> had the pleasure of hosting the John Newbery Medal winning author, Linda<br />
Sue Park. She visited the Middle <strong>School</strong> to meet with students from all grade levels and talk<br />
about her experiences as a writer. Park has written several young adult and children’s books, a<br />
few of which our students read this summer.<br />
The seventh and eighth grade students read “When My Name Was Keoko,” the sixth<br />
grade read “Single Shard” in the spring and the fifth grade read “Kite Fighters.” Our fifthgraders<br />
also made kites like the ones in the book, which they flew and now have on display in<br />
the Middle <strong>School</strong> Atrium and Pond.<br />
Park, who has written 14 published books, talked about growing up in an era without CDs,<br />
DVDs and personal computers. She said that books were a main source of amusement for her<br />
because, although they had TV, it only had<br />
four channels.<br />
“People love stories,” said Park. “It’s<br />
how we learn and how we get entertained.”<br />
Park said she loved to read and write<br />
as a child. When she was 10 years old,<br />
she entertained a story contest in the<br />
newspaper and won. In an interview, a<br />
reporter asked young Park what she would<br />
like to be when she grew up. Her answer: I<br />
want to be an author of children’s stories.<br />
“I feel really lucky that my childhood McKenna Geiger ’15 poses with her handmade kite.<br />
dream came true,” said Park.<br />
When speaking about how she works, Park calls herself a “rewriter” because she feels one<br />
should write and edit in a continuous process, until reaching the final version. She encouraged<br />
the students to “write and rewrite” their own work, and to think of it as they would any skill<br />
they are trying to hone – whether a musical instrument, drawing or playing a sport. She<br />
stresses one should “do it over and over and get better each time.”<br />
A resident of Rochester, N.Y., Park lives with her husband, their two children and her<br />
writing companion – a shelter dog named Fergus. She loves Dance Dance Revolution, a<br />
popular interactive game, and watching all sports, although she especially enjoys baseball<br />
and comes from a soccer-loving family. For more about the author, visit her web site at www.<br />
lspark.com.<br />
rt Exhibits<br />
Upcoming<br />
Flickinger Gallery<br />
Art Exhibits<br />
Jan. 26 - March 15<br />
Biff Henrich<br />
March 16 - May 10<br />
Robert Holland<br />
May 11 - July 15<br />
Gigi Gatewood ’99<br />
42 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Author Spotlight<br />
John R. Trimble ’58<br />
by Heidi LaRou, S.L.M.S.<br />
What started as a simple endeavor became<br />
a walk down memory lane. The process of<br />
creating a nostalgic alumni book display<br />
unearthed a multitude of literary treasures,<br />
old and new. Watching it come together<br />
on the shelf inspired excitement, as we<br />
wondered “Where are they now?” The new<br />
column “Author Spotlight” will feature a<br />
variety of distinguished alumni authors and<br />
their notable works.<br />
This edition’s featured author is John<br />
Trimble, Ph.D. from the<br />
class of 1958. Touted by<br />
many as “the best book<br />
on writing ever written,”<br />
is the timeless “Writing<br />
with Style: Conversations<br />
on the Art of Writing.”<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> English teacher,<br />
Patrick J. Long ’85, fondly<br />
recalls stumbling upon<br />
this gem in the library as<br />
a student at <strong>Nichols</strong>. The<br />
kind, encouraging advice<br />
within had a transformative<br />
effect on Long’s writing.<br />
Says Long, “That tattered<br />
copy of ’Writing with<br />
Style’ has followed me into<br />
college, into the Navy,<br />
and then back to <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
when I began teaching….<br />
Even as a lawyer, I turned to Dr. Trimble’s<br />
masterpiece countless times, as a check<br />
on my own writing, and as a guide for<br />
others. Now all my students read ’Writing<br />
with Style.’ Few books can change a life.<br />
’Writing with Style’ did. Mine.”<br />
Reviewer Matthew Cheney reports,<br />
“Few of the ideas Trimble explores have<br />
ever been stated more clearly or gracefully.<br />
The best chapter, to my mind, is the first:<br />
’Thinking Well.’ Plenty of books talk<br />
about this subject, or pass over it quickly,<br />
or allude to it, but I don’t know of any<br />
which give it the importance it deserves<br />
aside from this book, and I’ve never seen<br />
the case stated with, simultaneously,<br />
such practicality and eloquence. It is the<br />
meeting of those two qualities which makes<br />
Trimble’s book unique.”<br />
After receiving his doctorate in English<br />
from U.C. Berkeley, Trimble left California<br />
to join the English faculty of the University<br />
of Texas in Austin. There, he initially<br />
taught Shakespeare and 18 th century British<br />
literature. In 1975, with the publication<br />
of the first edition of “Writing with Style,”<br />
Trimble was asked to build and direct UT’s<br />
nascent upper-level expository writing<br />
program. This led to a sea change in his<br />
John Trimble ’58 (center) works with University of Texas at Austin students from his<br />
Advanced Expository Writing seminar.<br />
professional life. He spent the bulk of his<br />
time teaching writing and editing courses,<br />
chiefly Advanced Expository Writing,<br />
which he created from scratch and which<br />
he went on to teach each semester for the<br />
next three decades.<br />
Trimble thanks <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong> for<br />
teaching him “a strong work ethic, criticalthinking<br />
skills, an ample vocabulary, a<br />
keen interest in languages both foreign<br />
and domestic, and the ability to write<br />
competent prose.” He also credits his<br />
education at <strong>Nichols</strong> for his acceptance<br />
into Princeton, as well as having been<br />
hired by The Buffalo News as a result of<br />
having won the Gleaner Award at <strong>Nichols</strong>.<br />
“That fateful summer brought me into<br />
daily contact with two Pulitzer Prize-<br />
winners (whose desks mine sat between),<br />
introduced me to the wonderful world of<br />
journalism, taught me the nuts and bolts<br />
of editing, made me conscious of style,<br />
and gave me the practice of writing for<br />
publication eight hours a day. And all of<br />
that managed to color virtually every day<br />
of my life thereafter. I thank <strong>Nichols</strong>, too,<br />
for introducing me to so many memorable<br />
teachers and classmates. Perhaps my<br />
fondest memories of all are of Mr. Boocock,<br />
our gnome-like resident<br />
philosopher-king, ever<br />
kind, ever genial, who<br />
never failed to smile at<br />
all of us and nudge us on<br />
to greater achievement.”<br />
John currently resides<br />
in the retirement ’nest’<br />
of his dreams, a Tuscanstyle<br />
villa located in the<br />
mountains of Colorado.<br />
“My days remain full here<br />
– lots of writing, editing,<br />
reading, hiking, skiing,<br />
stone wall-building,<br />
gardening, mulch- and<br />
manure-hauling, deer<br />
gazing, wine-sipping . . .<br />
I’ve never been happier.<br />
I have a true soul mate at<br />
my side, I have five kids<br />
who are each a credit to their community, I<br />
enjoy excellent health, and I get to awake<br />
each morning to snow-capped Pikes Peak<br />
(elevation 14,110 ft.), whose base is just a<br />
short hike from our home. Nothing quite<br />
beats living in the Rockies.”<br />
Cheers to you, John Trimble! Your<br />
success is our reward.<br />
Editor’s Note: The next time you visit the<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> campus, check out the author display<br />
in the Development Office. It includes books<br />
from many of our alumni authors, whom we<br />
hope to feature in coming issues. If you have<br />
been published and would like to let us know,<br />
please contact the Alumni Office today.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
43
A.<br />
Homecoming<br />
by Sarah Gelman Carney ’92<br />
On Oct. 17 and 18, the sun was out as<br />
we welcomed alumni of all ages back to<br />
our great <strong>School</strong> for two terrific days of<br />
connections, hot dogs, family and fun.<br />
Many came to watch our stellar student<br />
athletes compete and to honor the<br />
memory of two wonderful alumni with the<br />
dedication of Strauss Truscott Field.<br />
On Friday, we all watched as the Class<br />
of 2009 ushered in a terrific Spirit Day,<br />
donning togas, while the rest of the school<br />
was proudly outfitted in green and white.<br />
The Upper <strong>School</strong> then participated in<br />
the Fall Community Service Day where<br />
students, lead by their advisers, traveled<br />
out into Western New York to lend a hand<br />
44 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
in various volunteer activities. Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong> students participated in the display<br />
of school spirit as well, wearing green and<br />
white gear and face paint.<br />
On Friday afternoon, the Upper<br />
<strong>School</strong>’s Spirit Olympics, Chalk Art<br />
competition and the Parents’ Association<br />
BBQ fired up the crowds for our Football<br />
Game and the Varsity Field Hockey game.<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> Soccer kicked off<br />
Saturday. The grill was heating up as the<br />
Fall Book Discussion, led by members of the<br />
English Department, got underway in the<br />
Boocock Reading Room. The featured book<br />
was “Personal Days,” by alumnus Ed Park ’88.<br />
In addition to the terrific sports,<br />
cheering fans and a fabulous Alumni<br />
Board BBQ, the highlight of this year’s<br />
Homecoming was the Strauss Truscott<br />
Field Dedication, which welcomed a very<br />
special group of Strauss and Truscott family<br />
members, fans and friends who listened<br />
intently to remarks and remembrances.<br />
Headmaster Rick Bryan opened the<br />
dedication, and presented a book of<br />
memories and letters to Heidi Truscott and<br />
a photograph to Gerry and Sue Strauss. He<br />
also welcomed and thanked Ted Truscott<br />
’79 who spoke about the gift he made in<br />
honor of his father, Ge<strong>org</strong>e Truscott ’55,<br />
and friend, Bob Strauss ’79.<br />
Hugh M. Russ III ’78, Alumni Board
B.<br />
C.<br />
D.<br />
President and friend of the honored, shared<br />
remembrances of Ge<strong>org</strong>e and Bob:<br />
Mr. Truscott was a great man, and I miss him<br />
already. Even though I knew the end was near,<br />
I don’t feel as if I was ready for him to leave<br />
us. In the last few days, I have been reflecting<br />
on what he meant to me.<br />
I have so many memories of Mr. Truscott<br />
that I could fill a book. I still remember the first<br />
real research paper that he suggested I write<br />
and in GAPHE (geography, anthropology,<br />
politics, history and economics) on apartheid<br />
in South Africa. I believe the paper started my<br />
lifelong interest in race relations.<br />
Mr. Truscott was present at many of the<br />
most significant events in my life. Not all of<br />
the events happened at <strong>Nichols</strong>. Mr. Truscott<br />
somehow arranged to come stag to my wedding<br />
with Mr. Waters, who also came stag. They<br />
might have had fun. Mr. Truscott was at the<br />
Waters’ house across the street from our house<br />
on the day I got into Harvard. He came over<br />
to celebrate.<br />
I was on the field in Rochester playing<br />
fourth team football when Bruce Anderson<br />
died. I learned that day how precious and<br />
fragile life is. I learned many things from<br />
Mr. Truscott that fall. In practice one day, an<br />
eighth-grader repeatedly bullied me, because<br />
I was a seventh-grader and smaller than he.<br />
Mr. Truscott taught me the art of a wellplaced<br />
forearm shiver to the chin of the bully.<br />
He never bullied be again. Mr. Truscott also<br />
taught us the art of the well‐placed humorous<br />
insult, when we took ourselves too seriously<br />
that fall. I remember several years later, when<br />
Ted Truscott returned an interception for a<br />
touchdown against Shady Side. I tried to tell<br />
Mr. Truscott what a great play Ted had made.<br />
Mr. Truscott said that we could have timed<br />
Ted’s run to the end zone with a sun dial.<br />
I always admired how Mr. Truscott<br />
quietly took care of his nephew (and my<br />
classmate), Doug Jebb, whose father died too<br />
young. Mr. Truscott was so graceful in keeping<br />
an eye on Doug, and his pride in Doug’s many<br />
athletic successes was openly visible. Mr.<br />
Truscott seemed to know when to push Doug<br />
and when to protect him. I imagine that he was<br />
a great father.<br />
In later years, we played against each<br />
other in the famous Thursday night basketball<br />
league. Our basketball was terrible, but his<br />
humor was always perfect. Each time I saw<br />
A. Alexandra Logel ’09, Co-president of the<br />
Student Council, paints the face of Laura<br />
Franz, daughter of Ned ’91 and Bridget<br />
McIntee Franz ’91.<br />
C. Rick Bryan and his grandson, Mac, son of<br />
Justin and KC Bryan White ’97<br />
D. Craig Semple ’98, Jennifer Jarvis Hamberger<br />
’81, Jim Ennis ’81 and Jackie Ennis<br />
E. Ted Truscott ’79, Kathleen Truscott, Heidi<br />
Truscott, Bibber Truscott Jebb, Betsy Truscott<br />
Mueller ’80, Tod Jebb ’74 and Andrew Jebb<br />
him, he would give me a warm, “Hullo,<br />
Hugh,” and he would ask me to call him<br />
“Ge<strong>org</strong>e.” It took me about 10 times to call<br />
Mr. Truscott “Ge<strong>org</strong>e,” but I finally did.<br />
While Ge<strong>org</strong>e may have left us physically,<br />
I don’t believe he is gone. Ge<strong>org</strong>e remains<br />
with us in the life lessons he taught us and<br />
the memories he gave us. I can still hear his<br />
enthusiastic “Hullo, Hugh” when I am on<br />
campus. I still stand up to bullies, and I hope<br />
to laugh at myself when I begin to take myself<br />
too seriously.<br />
My best memories of Bob Strauss actually<br />
arise out of the time we spent together at<br />
Harvard, not at <strong>Nichols</strong>. Although I knew<br />
Bob at <strong>Nichols</strong>, where he was a year behind<br />
me, I grew to know Bob better at Harvard. I<br />
would frequently encounter Bob on the streets<br />
of Cambridge.<br />
In those days, Bob always seemed to be<br />
in a hurry. Bob was always on his way to do<br />
something seemingly more important. While he<br />
would stop to tell me what was going on with<br />
his life and while he would always have a kind<br />
word for me, Bob was always hurrying to get<br />
to the next place, the next activity, the next<br />
class. Bob had such a sense of purpose, a sense<br />
of purpose in everything he did.<br />
Most of the rest of us, 25 or 30 years<br />
ago, were sort of drifting. Bob knew exactly<br />
where he was going and what he was going to<br />
do when he got there. To this day, I admire the<br />
sense of purpose he always had. As we gather<br />
to name this field in Bob’s memory, my wish is<br />
that we all discover that sense of purpose in our<br />
lives that Bob so deeply felt.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
45
Directed, Written and Produced by Nanette Burstein ’88<br />
Thanks to Nanette Burstein ’88, Paramount<br />
Vantage and ALLIED, Paramount’s advertising<br />
and public relations firm, <strong>Nichols</strong> Upper <strong>School</strong><br />
students were treated to an advance screening of<br />
the film “American Teen.” Many compare the film<br />
to the 80s sensation “The Breakfast Club,” but<br />
with a twisted humor that only the instantaneous –<br />
and in the film, ruthless – nature of text messaging<br />
can offer.<br />
Student Jack Collins ’09 reviewed the film and<br />
spoke with his fellow students to get reactions.<br />
Following the showing, students met in advisory<br />
groups to discuss difficult teen issues addressed in<br />
the film. The plot of “American Teen” provided<br />
a priceless starting point for conversation, in<br />
addition to many laughs.<br />
“American Teen” Film Review<br />
Jack Collins ’09<br />
Award winning director and 1988 <strong>Nichols</strong> graduate Nanette<br />
Burstein’s latest documentary, “American Teen,” is a look at<br />
high school life through the eyes of five high school teens.<br />
Taking place in Warsaw, Ind., it portrays the challenges and<br />
conflicts faced by high school teens throughout the country by<br />
allowing us to see senior year through the eyes of students from<br />
all ends of the social spectrum.<br />
By giving us this variety of viewpoints, Burstein’s film<br />
shows us that every single student experiences highs and lows<br />
in their high school career, but that those who remain true to<br />
themselves emerge from that atmosphere of turmoil and anxiety,<br />
ready to face the world.<br />
Burstein also directed the award-winning “The Kid Stays in<br />
the Picture” and Oscar nominated “On the Ropes.” In order to<br />
determine the best possible location for her latest documentary,<br />
Burstein extensively researched high schools across America.<br />
After originally reviewing more than 100 schools, she narrowed<br />
her list down to 10 finalists, interviewing seniors at each<br />
institution.<br />
Through this process, she determined that Warsaw best<br />
exemplified the characteristics and problems faced by high<br />
school seniors across America. Through this process, Burstein<br />
met the stars of this film: Hannah Bailey (a liberal rebel who<br />
doesn’t fit the “norm”), Colin Clemens (a basketball star),<br />
Megan Krizmanich (a drama queen), Jake Tusing (a band nerd),<br />
Mitch Reinholt (a heart throb) and a host of others. The film<br />
alternates between the viewpoints of these students. It lets us in<br />
on their thoughts, inhabitations and greatest fears. “American<br />
Teen” succeeds by allowing us to identify with these central<br />
characters and the problems they face on a day to day basis.<br />
The film was met with a mix of soaring approval and<br />
criticism by <strong>Nichols</strong> students. “I loved the ending,” beamed<br />
Erin Collins ’09. “I thought it really portrayed high school life,”<br />
agreed Kaitlin Donahoe ’09. “I can really identify with the<br />
characters,” reflected Kerry Collins ’11.<br />
Others did not really care for it. “Wasn’t anything new,”<br />
said a stoic Peter Loree ’10. “The basketball was not very good,”<br />
admonished Brandon Fink ’09.<br />
Some students even went so far as to question the<br />
authenticity of the documentary. “It just looked scripted,” said<br />
Kevin Crowley ’09. “The documentary has a sensationalized<br />
feel,” added Kevin Hughes ’09. “I thought there was no possible<br />
way that it was all live footage or else how could they possibly<br />
know who was texting who?” Chris Stegemann ’09 reiterated.<br />
Critical analysis aside, “American Teen” is a feel good<br />
movie, if not an inspiring story of teens overcoming the<br />
daunting challenges of not only pleasing your parents and fitting<br />
in with your friends, but of finding yourself. No matter what<br />
your opinion of the film, it still portrays some essential truth,<br />
and is well worth watching.<br />
Editor’s Note: “American Teen” is now available on DVD.<br />
46 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Nanette Burstein ’88<br />
on the set of “American Teen”<br />
Photo by James Rexroad<br />
47
Big Green Initiativ<br />
Fifth-graders Liza Ryan,<br />
Erika Cromwell, Kaitlyn Dolan<br />
and Emma Hobika measure<br />
the circumference of the tree.<br />
48 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
y Tim Vanini ’87, Ph.D.<br />
The BGI is off to a great start this year!<br />
We have been involved with a number<br />
of community efforts both on and off<br />
campus, and our students have represented<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> well. As we have interacted with<br />
others in the Buffalo community, many<br />
people have been impressed with the<br />
school’s commitment to environmental<br />
stewardship.<br />
Energy Efficiency and Green Power<br />
Starting this past summer, we made strides<br />
with improving our energy efficiency and<br />
starting to implement green power. The<br />
school finished installing a new energy<br />
efficient boiler system in Mitchell Hall.<br />
This was similar to the energy updates that<br />
were completed for Albright Hall in the<br />
summer of 2007.<br />
In September, we signed an agreement<br />
with NOCO Energy to implement 10<br />
percent Green Power (five percent<br />
windmill and five percent small hydro) into<br />
our energy strategy. Facilities and Students<br />
of Environmental Awareness & Action<br />
are revamping the on-campus recycling<br />
program. The goal is to improve efficiency<br />
of the program via color uniformity with<br />
our bins as well as logistics.<br />
Western New York Environmental Alliance<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> also was present for the first<br />
Western New York Environmental<br />
Alliance sponsored by the Community<br />
Foundation of Greater Buffalo. Through<br />
the leadership of Clotilde Perez-Bode<br />
Dedecker, Executive Director of the CFGB,<br />
Alliance of Western New York<br />
The students had the opportunity<br />
to aid homeowners in the nearby Black<br />
Rock and Riverside neighborhoods with<br />
the weatherization of their homes. From<br />
caulking to hot water blankets to helping<br />
educate individuals about additional New<br />
York State programs and steps to conserve<br />
energy, they did it all.<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> was the only high school<br />
participating. The following students were<br />
involved in the event, as well as current<br />
parent Sam Magavern ’81, who was one of<br />
the <strong>org</strong>anizers for the event: Tori Vossler<br />
’10, Rene Sobolewski ’10, Julia Accetta<br />
’10, Tommy Unger ’10, Lincoln Lam ’10,<br />
Will Savino ’10, Grace Munro ’10, Maddie<br />
Vershay ’10, Nick Williams ’09, Zach<br />
Hoefler ’09, Ed Spangenthal ’10 and Kelsey<br />
Ryan ’10.<br />
Environmental Summit<br />
In September, the Big Green Initiative and<br />
Students for Environmental Awareness<br />
and Action participated in the 4th<br />
Environmental Summit at Daemen<br />
College. <strong>Nichols</strong> was - once again - the<br />
only high school in attendance.<br />
In addition to hosting vendors, the<br />
conference provided a forum for sharing<br />
ideas on how to green one’s environment.<br />
Discussions ranged from energy efficiency<br />
of the home, eco-friendly cleaning<br />
products, home gardening and how<br />
local businesses contribute to the Green<br />
Economy.<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong>ers<br />
Hug Trees<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> Campus<br />
Tree Survey<br />
by Allan Hayes<br />
To get a better understanding and<br />
appreciation of the natural world<br />
around them, <strong>Nichols</strong> fifth-graders<br />
have been identifying and labeling<br />
every tree on the campus. Their<br />
results form the initial data for<br />
comparative measurement in years<br />
to come about growth and change.<br />
A total of 283 trees were<br />
measured. The data our students<br />
collected to date is summarized<br />
below for trees (> 3’ high and non<br />
shrub):<br />
Arborvitae: 109<br />
Maple: 43<br />
Crimson King: 14<br />
Sugar: 13<br />
Nonnative: 6<br />
Silver: 6<br />
Norway: 2<br />
Japanese: 2<br />
Crabapple: 33<br />
Pine: 19<br />
Austrian: 17<br />
White: 2<br />
Spruce: 14<br />
Colorado/Blue: 8<br />
Norway: 6<br />
Pear, Bradford: 12<br />
Linden, European: 10<br />
e Column<br />
Trustee and mother of Adrian Dedecker<br />
’08, the CFGB <strong>org</strong>anized a series of<br />
meetings to bring environmental interest<br />
groups together in order to streamline<br />
environmental solutions for the Greater<br />
Buffalo community.<br />
Apollo Alliance of Western New York<br />
On Saturday, Oct. 4, a group of <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
students participated in the Home Energy<br />
Conservation Kit program via the Apollo<br />
Daemen College asked <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
to discuss the composting project that<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> math teachers Josh Ring and<br />
Jody Kuhns have been <strong>org</strong>anizing over the<br />
last few years.<br />
Our student representatives, Will<br />
Savino ’10 and Tom Unger ’10, gave<br />
a 10-minute presentation on the<br />
environmental efforts at the school.<br />
They did a wonderful job in representing<br />
themselves and <strong>Nichols</strong>.<br />
Two White Oaks were considered<br />
not only the largest, with<br />
circumference readings of 281<br />
and 283 centimeters, but an arbor<br />
expert who helped the class<br />
with their identification, said they<br />
were both around 150 years old<br />
and probably the oldest trees on<br />
campus.<br />
Favorite trees among our fifthgraders<br />
included Gingko, Horse<br />
Chestnut, Bradford Pear and<br />
Crabapple.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
49
Professional Development<br />
is Flourishing at <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
by Nina Cimino with contributions from Mary Rech Rockwell, Ph.D.<br />
The <strong>Nichols</strong> faculty is frequently described as the heart of the <strong>School</strong>, and it’s no secret that their lessons teach more than what will be<br />
included in an exam.<br />
Current students are quick to compliment their teachers, coaches, club leaders and advisers, and credit them for their success. They leave<br />
a lasting impression on our alumni, inspiring them to embrace challenges, pursue certain career paths and come back to visit years later.<br />
Our faculty is made up of more than just experts in their subject area; these individuals truly have passion for their specialty. They<br />
practice their work – whether writing, researching or performing – and take measures to ensure that they are constantly learning and<br />
growing themselves.<br />
Our generous alumni and friends have established four different funds – Kenneth Strachan Memorial Fund, Robert E. Dillon Memorial<br />
Fund, Glenn W. Flickinger Sabbatical Program and Hardner Family Summer Stipends – to enhance professional development of faculty and<br />
staff, allowing them to pursue opportunities ranging from advanced degree programs to travel and study experiences.<br />
The training and programming that result from use of these funds often allow for hands on learning in the classroom. When this<br />
interactive learning comes to fruition, students have a greater connection to what they learn and have increased levels of retention.<br />
This summer, several faculty members utilized funds to enhance their curriculums. Each of the following pieces, written from the faculty<br />
member’s perspective, highlights the incredible experiences that were possible with help from the Hardner Family Summer Stipends.<br />
Through the Norbert H. Hardner Foundation and Dr. Gerald and Sara Hardner, Sara ’81, Margaret ’82, Rebecca ’84, Jared ’88 and<br />
Elizabeth ’01, the stipends offer financial support for faculty members to pursue professional development in the summer months, beyond the<br />
course work or workshops covered by our endowment funds. The hope is for faculty to explore their passions, enhance their teaching skills,<br />
examine best practices in their area or seek personal renewal through travel or experience.<br />
Exploring Museums<br />
and Galleries in England<br />
and France<br />
by Anne Thomas<br />
I was fortunate to receive a Hardner grant for travel during the<br />
Summer of 2008. The grant helped me to visit art museums and<br />
galleries in London and Oxford in England, as well as in Paris,<br />
France. My specific interest during these visits was in late 19 th and<br />
20 th century paintings, though I also took advantage of opportunities<br />
to see ancient Greek and Roman art, and visit places of interest in<br />
Paris.<br />
In London, I focused my attention on the Tate Modern and the<br />
Tate Britain. The Tate Modern, located on the South Bank of the<br />
Thames in a re-furbished power station, houses an eclectic variety<br />
of modern art representing key movements: Dada, Expressionism,<br />
Futurism, Minimalism, Nouveau Realisme, Pop Art, Postmodernism,<br />
Surrealism, Vorticism, and Russian Constructivism (there was a<br />
wonderful exhibit of Russian Poster Art while I was there).<br />
The Tate Britain is a very different gallery, situated on the North<br />
Bank in a neo-classical building, and featuring exclusively British Art<br />
from the 15 th century to the present. Although paintings dominate<br />
the museum, recent works in photography, video, sculpture and<br />
performance also are featured. Of particular interest to me were the<br />
overtly political (anti-Thatcher) works of artists such as Gilbert and<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e, and Chris Ofili, as they conveyed a sense of what living in<br />
England has been like since I left.<br />
The Musee d’Orsay and the Pompidou Center were the museums<br />
in which I spent the most time in Paris. The d’Orsay, a museum<br />
in an old railway station, features late 19 th and 20 th century art,<br />
while the Pompidou Center, housed in one of France’s most famous<br />
deconstructionist buildings, is devoted exclusively to cutting-edge<br />
modern exhibits: paintings, installations, video and film. In the<br />
d’Orsay, I gained a greater appreciation for Manet’s paintings, as well<br />
as many others. The Pompidou Center enabled me to learn more<br />
about Weimar artists such as Ge<strong>org</strong>e Grosz, Max Ernst, Otto Dix; the<br />
primitivism of Jean Dubuffet; and the European Pop Art of Martial<br />
Raysse.<br />
Of course, just walking around Paris is an education in of itself.<br />
The Marais proved especially interesting: looking at Henry IV’s urban<br />
renewal project (Place des Vosges – which also contains the Victor<br />
Hugo museum); reading the many plaques commemorating those<br />
who were victims of the Nazi Occupation (the Marais contains the<br />
old Jewish area of Paris), visiting a Jewish café which was the site of a<br />
1983 terrorist bombing; and observing the vibrant Jewish community<br />
that still resides in the Marais. Similarly, the left bank, and especially<br />
the 5 th Arrondissment, proved fascinating for the visible scars left by<br />
the Revolutions of both 1789-1794, and 1968. I also greatly enjoyed<br />
visiting St. Chappelle, which is a superb example of High Gothic<br />
Rayonnant style architecture.<br />
I am extremely appreciative of the financial assistance which<br />
enabled me to spend so much time visiting the above museums. With<br />
the dollar in dire straits this summer, such a visit proved especially<br />
expensive. However, the knowledge of, and increased appreciation<br />
for the art I was able to examine, will undoubtedly help me in both<br />
the Art History and European History classes that I am teaching this<br />
academic year.<br />
50 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Trout in the Classroom<br />
by Sandy Smith Cunningham ’93<br />
During the 2008-2009 school year, the Middle <strong>School</strong> will be<br />
participating in Trout Unlimited’s “Trout in the Classroom”<br />
program thanks to funding from the McCarthy Family Fund. We<br />
are the first school from Erie, Niagara, and Wyoming counties to<br />
participate in this program.<br />
The “Trout in the Classroom” program allows students to raise<br />
trout from eggs to fry, with our efforts culminating in the release of<br />
the trout into a state-approved stream within our watershed. Over<br />
the course of the<br />
school year, this<br />
project will provide<br />
many opportunities<br />
for interdisciplinary<br />
as well as multigrade<br />
level<br />
involvement.<br />
The basic<br />
timeline for this<br />
project is as follows:<br />
• Early fall: set up<br />
aquarium and get<br />
all equipment up<br />
and running<br />
• Late fall: get eggs<br />
from NYS DEC<br />
• Winter: raise<br />
trout<br />
• Spring: release<br />
trout into NYS<br />
DEC approved<br />
stream<br />
This summer, Susan Allen and I worked on setting up contacts<br />
and curricular opportunities for the students. With help from<br />
Chuck Godfrey, a retired math teacher from Williamsville South<br />
and the local Trout Unlimited coordinator for Trout in the<br />
Classroom, we were able to get the program in motion.<br />
As of November, the project is in full swing. The tank, along<br />
with chiller, aeration, and filtration systems has been up and<br />
running since late September. We received the eggs from a local<br />
hatchery in Randolph, N.Y. on October 28. The eggs began to<br />
hatch on November 5, and by November 15 th we had roughly 150<br />
alevin in the hatching basket.<br />
Plans for the school year include opportunities such as:<br />
th<br />
• 5 Grade Science: 5 th grade science students are responsible for<br />
monitoring the physical aspects of the tank and record keeping.<br />
Inspections will be on a daily basis with the results noted in a<br />
binder. The monitoring will need to happen for the duration of<br />
the project. Currently, students rotate these duties weekly.<br />
th<br />
• 6 Grade Math: 6 th grade math students will be responsible for<br />
figuring out how much the trout need to be fed at different stages<br />
in their development. 6 th grade students will be allowed to feed<br />
the trout based on their calculations.<br />
• 7th Grade Science: 7th grade science students have been exploring<br />
the topic of ecosystems and habitats as they pertain to trout.<br />
Over the course of<br />
the year, 7th grade<br />
science students will<br />
be responsible for<br />
monitoring water quality<br />
parameters in the<br />
aquarium. 7th grade<br />
science students also<br />
will conduct a field<br />
stream survey in the<br />
spring.<br />
• 8th Grade Science:<br />
8th grade biology<br />
students will have the<br />
opportunity to explore<br />
trout anatomy and<br />
physiology, as well as<br />
the life cycle of trout.<br />
Lessons may include:<br />
the trout body, a trout<br />
dissection demonstration,<br />
an exploration<br />
of the trout life cycle,<br />
and a lesson that will include observation of trout behaviors<br />
including how they move, breathe and respond to stimuli. In addition,<br />
8th grade students may join the 7th grade in their spring<br />
stream survey, specifically looking at macroinvertebrate populations<br />
as indicators of water quality.<br />
th<br />
• 6 Grade/7 th Grade English: English students will have the opportunity<br />
to keep journals about the trout during different stages<br />
in their development over the year.<br />
There is a web site following this project located at: http://mail.<br />
nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong>/~scunningham@nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong>. Daily and<br />
weekly updates are provided at the various links located on the left<br />
hand side of the page.<br />
continued on next page<br />
Winter 2009<br />
51
Summer Adventure at<br />
Falconry <strong>School</strong><br />
by Mary Sykes<br />
Through the generosity of the Hardner family, I spent a week at the<br />
Canadian <strong>School</strong> of Traditional Falconry located outside a small<br />
town an hour’s drive north of Toronto, Ontario. Built in the 1980s<br />
as both a falconry school and a tourist attraction for birds of prey,<br />
the falconry center is home to many different raptors: bald eagles,<br />
golden eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and racing pigeons.<br />
The owner,<br />
an eccentric,<br />
fiercely<br />
independent<br />
man named<br />
Wilfred Emonts,<br />
breeds all his<br />
birds, literally<br />
hundreds<br />
of them, in<br />
captivity and<br />
makes a living by<br />
selling them to<br />
individuals (such<br />
as falconers in<br />
Saudi Arabia<br />
and Scotland),<br />
businesses (like<br />
African Lion<br />
Safari), and<br />
zoos all over the<br />
world. After<br />
spending time<br />
in Wilf’s company, we students dubbed him “the bird whisperer”;<br />
although his techniques appear unorthodox, Wilf’s breeding success<br />
rate, ability to train birds, and his passion for what he does are<br />
completely apparent.<br />
We students spent half the day in the classroom learning about<br />
birds of prey, the history of falconry, and how to train animals.<br />
We made our own leather jesses to tie onto our birds’ legs, and we<br />
practiced our falconer’s knot. Then we headed outside to work with<br />
red-tailed hawks. Donning a think leather glove and a falconer’s<br />
bag filled with pieces of day-old chicks (falconry is not for the faint<br />
of heart!), we learned how to tempt a bird from its perch onto<br />
our gauntlet and then teach it to fly to our glove from a distance<br />
of many feet. Training a hawk takes infinite patience and (I now<br />
understand) much skill.<br />
I gained a great deal of respect for the falconers of the Middle<br />
Ages, and I appreciate why they were so highly esteemed in<br />
medieval noble and royal households. Although we didn’t use our<br />
birds to hunt, Wilf spends many rewarding days pursuing prey with<br />
his prized peregrine falcons. The diploma I earned from this course<br />
qualifies me to apply for a license to own my own bird. At this<br />
point, teaching about falconry is more than enough for me.<br />
Calendar<br />
of Upcoming Events<br />
Monday, Feb. 16 - Tuesday, Feb. 17<br />
Winter Break, <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />
Thursday, Feb. 26<br />
Chicago Alumni Event<br />
Friday, Feb. 27<br />
Choreographers’ Showcase, Flickinger Performing Arts Center<br />
Monday, March 9<br />
Professional Day, No Classes<br />
Friday, March 20<br />
Cabaret, Flickinger Performing Arts Center<br />
Tuesday, March 24<br />
San Francisco Alumni Event<br />
Friday, March 27<br />
Spring Vacation, Begins at end of school day<br />
Monday, April 13<br />
Classes resume from vacation<br />
Wednesday, April 15<br />
New York City Alumni Event<br />
Tuesday, April 21<br />
Flick Fest, Flickinger Performing Arts Center<br />
Saturday, April 25<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Spring Dance Concert,<br />
Flickinger Performing Arts Center<br />
Thursday, April 30<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Spring Concert, Flickinger Performing Arts Center<br />
Saturday, May 2<br />
Derby Day Auction<br />
Thursday, May 7 & Friday, May 8<br />
Board of Trustees Meeting<br />
Thursday, May 7 – Saturday, May 9<br />
Upper <strong>School</strong> Play, “Almost, Maine,” Middle <strong>School</strong> Pond<br />
Thursday, May 14<br />
Headmaster’s Society Reception &<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> Band Concert, Flickinger Performing Arts Center<br />
Sunday, May 17<br />
Prince Lecture with Tony Horowitz<br />
Thursday, May 21<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> Choral Concert, Flickinger Performing Arts Center<br />
Monday, May 25<br />
Memorial Day, <strong>School</strong> Closed<br />
Friday, May 29<br />
Awards Day and Verdian Day<br />
Friday, June 5<br />
117 th Commencement, Reunion 2009<br />
52 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Alumni<br />
David Archbald ’43 – Oct. 27, 2008<br />
Joseph Block ’45 – Oct. 14, 2008<br />
A. Watson Bray ’46 – Dec. 24, 2008<br />
Thomas R. Cowper ’65 – March 8, 2007<br />
Jennifer Ehret ’86 – Nov. 20, 2008<br />
Finley R. Greene, Jr. ’60 – Oct. 7, 2008<br />
Laurie Brock Lisk N’71 – Nov. 13, 2008<br />
John R. Moot ’39 – Dec. 10, 2008<br />
Friends<br />
Philip C. Barth – Aug. 13, 2008 – Brother of Roger Barth ’56,<br />
Father of Philip ’75 and Grandfather of Charles ’06<br />
Alberta Brady – Oct. 5, 2008 – Mother of Calvin ’71 and Ann ’74<br />
Michael R. Brannen – Aug. 1, 2008 – Grandfather of Evan<br />
Brannen ’11, James Montani ’02, Christine Montani ’04, David<br />
Montani ’06, Rosemary Montani ’09 and Stephen Montani ’11<br />
Lynn Bunis – Aug. 1, 2008 – Wife of Donald ’58<br />
Isaura Campos – Nov. 2, 2008 – Grandmother of Christian ’94,<br />
Michael ’96, Sara ’01 and Katie ’04<br />
Clinton Cherry – Nov. 13, 2008 – Grandmother of<br />
Tyler Trammell ’15<br />
In Memoriam<br />
Mrs. Lenora Coe – Jan. 8, 2009 – Grandmother of<br />
Michael Stenclik ’05, Katie ’07 and Allison ’12<br />
Ann Gates – July 2008 – Sister of Peter ’73 and Brad ’76<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e Giotis – Sept. 26, 2008 – Father of Alex ’08<br />
James Grant – Nov. 16, 2008 – Father of James ’69 and Thomas ’69<br />
Terrell M. Griggs – Dec. 2, 2008<br />
F. Lambert Haley – Nov. 17, 2008 – Father of Buddy ’84<br />
Jevene Littlewood – Nov. 29, 2008 – Grandmother of<br />
Alissa Vogelsang ’02 and Curt ’06<br />
Marion Osborn – Nov. 17, 2008 – Sister of Russell ’43<br />
John C. “Jack” Oshei – Nov. 20, 2008 – Brother of William’65<br />
and Robert ’62<br />
Adelaide Robb – Nov. 25, 2008 – Wife of David ’53<br />
Margaret Roblin – Oct. 29, 2008 – Wife of Daniel ’70<br />
Joseph Rubé – May 23, 2008, Father of Paul ’81 and Elizabeth ’78<br />
Ruth W. Ryerson – Nov. 9 – Mother of Scott ’63<br />
Luisa Casals Viguera – July 7, 2008 – Mother of Adele ’82<br />
Mr. Frederick Yuhl – Dec. 20, 2008 – Grandfather of<br />
Andrew Wright ’06, Timothy ’08 and Lindsay ’12<br />
Curious what’s going on with fellow alumni? Wondering when the next<br />
event is? Want to make a gift online? Need details about Reunion?<br />
Visit www.nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong><br />
and click on ALUMNI!<br />
Winter 2009<br />
53
Editor’s Note: As a result of our recent alumni<br />
survey, we were pleased to receive a tremendous<br />
amount of Class Notes this issue. Despite our<br />
best efforts to include all news and notes in a<br />
timely fashion, we had to pause in time for our<br />
deadline. We plan to include all remaining notes<br />
in the next edition. As always, please e-mail news<br />
updates to alumnioffice@nicholsschool.<strong>org</strong>.<br />
1929<br />
80th Reunion<br />
Robert North, Jr. writes, “in memory of Ray<br />
Verrill (a former faculty member) I am into<br />
poetry, as was my wife Marion de Mauriac.<br />
On my walks in the halls of Delaware Tower<br />
I recite to myself, or anyone who will listen,<br />
poetry of A.E. Housman or the greatness of<br />
Omar Khayyam.”<br />
1938<br />
Rit Moot writes, “I have recently retired<br />
as President of the Western New York<br />
Foundation. My active practice as a trial<br />
lawyer ended with the Attica case years ago.<br />
I now work part time in the Estates & Trust<br />
Department at Damon & Morey where I<br />
greatly enjoy an office downtown with my<br />
associates, where I have been for over 50<br />
years.”<br />
1946<br />
Frederick Batson enjoys visiting his four<br />
college student grandchildren: two at<br />
Dartmouth and one each at Franklin Olin<br />
College of Engineering and University of<br />
British Columbia.<br />
1947<br />
The Buffalo International Film Festival<br />
named A. R. “Peter” Gurney, Jr. ’47,<br />
award-winning playwright, author and<br />
educator, to its Board of Advisers. Gurney<br />
has written over 40 plays including<br />
“Indian Blood,” “The Dining Room” and<br />
“Buffalo Gal,” which recently played in<br />
New York City.<br />
1948<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e Hoover relocated his business to<br />
Virginia in 1979. His two sons, Torry and<br />
Jeff, work with him as does his son-in-law,<br />
Jerry Bowers. They are celebrating their<br />
96 th year in the precious metal business.<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e is in his 57 th year with the company<br />
and still works nearly full-time.<br />
John Turk writes, “I am a volunteer docent<br />
at the South Carolina State Museum, where<br />
I conduct tours of our exhibits for school<br />
children from 1st through 8th grades.”<br />
1949<br />
60 th Reunion<br />
Robert Dillon volunteers on several<br />
non-profit boards, mostly in the area of<br />
health care. He also does fundraising for<br />
some non-profits, mostly in education and<br />
health care. He visits his children and<br />
grandchildren locally and in Maine and<br />
Vermont. He is a member of three indoor<br />
tennis groups and tries to jog a little.<br />
1950<br />
Dwight Hanny writes, “My wife of 56<br />
years and I are semi-retired. I created a<br />
family business, which keeps asking me to<br />
consult when needed. We summer in Bay<br />
Beach in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. I<br />
am a consultant to various small business<br />
enterprises.”<br />
Allan Lefcowitz is retired and writing.<br />
Working on the 5th edition of “The<br />
Creative Writer’s Handbook” (Prentice<br />
Hall, 2009) and writing plays. The trick<br />
on the latter is to get them staged and it<br />
happens on occasion. He had one of his<br />
plays performed by the Brooklyn Playwrights<br />
Collective in December. He worked for<br />
President Obama and volunteered for the<br />
D.C. Foreign Film Festival.<br />
Alfred C. Ryan has been retired in North<br />
Florida since 1995. He is the proud parent<br />
of six children and seven grandchildren<br />
stretching from Maine to California to<br />
Australia. He is active in Community Theater<br />
and has done 24 plays in past 10 years.<br />
1951<br />
John Burke is retired and is currently<br />
Chair of Salisbury Tree Board and a<br />
Board member of Piedmont Behavioral<br />
Healthcare and NC Council of Community<br />
Agencies.<br />
David McCain travels with his wife and<br />
classmates from Washington and Lee<br />
University and works with Watervap, LLC<br />
to promote it in the oil and gas industry to<br />
clean up production water.<br />
1952<br />
William Bradley is involved in a variety of<br />
activities including the Buffalo Rotary Club<br />
and the Salvation Army.<br />
W.P. Vance Luedeke writes, “Hi ’52ers!<br />
Yes, I am still living and kicking. And still<br />
working 20+ hours weekly at Holy Cross<br />
Episcopal Church, where the grounds, job<br />
and people are wonderful. My best wishes<br />
to y’all. I haven’t f<strong>org</strong>otten our 50 th !”<br />
Following retirement from Harvard as a<br />
development economist, Charles Mann<br />
founded Development Communications<br />
Workshop. He mentors students in this<br />
subject and in producing educational<br />
documentaries about economic<br />
development issues.<br />
54 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong>
1953<br />
Willard Frank is retired, but still teaching<br />
for Old Dominion University, as well as<br />
the Naval War College. He is active in<br />
research and writing, with multiple books<br />
and articles done or in progress. He writes,<br />
“My 50 th <strong>Nichols</strong> Reunion in 2003 remains<br />
a highlight to me.”<br />
James Herlan is enjoying retirement and<br />
being a grandparent.<br />
Darrell Scattergood volunteers with two<br />
agencies for emergency communications<br />
and he is on the Board of two retirement<br />
facilities.<br />
1955<br />
Robert Gorski is the Board Administrator<br />
for Glen Eagles at Valleybrook Property<br />
Owner’s Association, Inc. He also likes to<br />
travel (mainly cruises) and has been the<br />
mentor to several young people who needed<br />
a father figure to get on the right track.<br />
Keith Herbst had an article published<br />
in the Fall 2008 issue of WNY Heritage,<br />
entitled “Engineering for Speed.” It is<br />
his second article to appear in WNY<br />
Heritage, which stems from research for his<br />
latest book, “Daredevils of the Frontier.”<br />
The book, now in print, chronicles auto<br />
racing in Upstate New York and Ontario<br />
from 1935 to 1960.<br />
Peter McGennis is retired but continues<br />
to do design work for several industries.<br />
He spends time at his summer home in<br />
Canada, playing golf and coaching amateur<br />
hockey.<br />
Class Notes<br />
achieve better disease control. He is teaching<br />
Donald Miller writes, “Retired Dec. 31,<br />
2007 from the active practice of medicine<br />
as an internist, for 37 years, with the<br />
Buffalo Medical Group. I was a Clinical<br />
Associate Professor of Medicine at SUNY<br />
at Buffalo’s <strong>School</strong> of Medicine until 2005.<br />
Currently live in Orchard Park, N.Y., with<br />
my wife of 44 years.”<br />
Theodore Putnam retired and is living<br />
in Hilton Head for six or more months<br />
a year and resides in Buffalo during the<br />
summer. He will be working in a free clinic,<br />
Volunteers in Medicine, doing General<br />
Pediatrics and Endocrine/Diabetes.<br />
1957<br />
Robert Carter is working at Habitat and<br />
renovating a house in Ashland, Ore.<br />
James Cole writes, “I work part time in an<br />
orthopedic practice. I gave up surgery a few<br />
years back. I have done orthopedic work in<br />
Africa twice and plan to go back in 2010.”<br />
Frederick Cooley is still working at almost<br />
70, is very active in church, mission work,<br />
community and building full-size wooden<br />
boats.<br />
Robert McCormick is mediating divorce,<br />
domestic violence, corporate and civil<br />
disputes.<br />
Charles A. Smith is retired in Florida<br />
enjoying life. He writes, “I travel, go in<br />
my boat, play golf, tennis, bike, go to the<br />
gym, and see a lot of friends who visit from<br />
Buffalo and other areas.”<br />
Max Stachura retired from his academic<br />
position. He is pursuing improved access<br />
to health care for the underserved in<br />
the U.S. and the world, using advanced<br />
telecommunication technologies. Max is<br />
exploring real time monitoring of chronic<br />
diseases in patients living their lives in order to<br />
medical students and providing health care.<br />
Personally, he is enjoying the richness of life<br />
with his wife, children and grandchildren.<br />
1958<br />
Marc Comstock is still developing the<br />
business he and his wife began 20 years ago,<br />
educating primary care health providers,<br />
such as N.P.s, P.A.s and M.D.s.<br />
William Leed writes, “Living in Buffalo<br />
doing volunteer works and assisting<br />
veterans and retirees in Western New York<br />
and reopening the Chief Petty Officers<br />
Club on Niagara River for all the veterans<br />
of W.N.Y. and Canadian military forces.”<br />
Hugh McLean is the member of two nonprofit<br />
Boards, serves on several committees<br />
and plays tennis regularly. Hugh and his<br />
wife, Peppy, also travel regularly.<br />
James Sanders lives in the Atlanta, Ga.<br />
area and enjoys the southern weather. He<br />
has been retired for several years.<br />
1959<br />
50 th Reunion<br />
Howard Benatovich is working and<br />
enjoying his grandchildren. He has been<br />
married for 42 years to Lana.<br />
DeWitt Clinton is semi-retired on the<br />
southern Maine coast doing part-time<br />
financial advisory services, he volunteers<br />
on half dozen non-profit boards.<br />
Michael Tannhauser is basking in election<br />
results, watching his diet and traveling<br />
overseas four months each year.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
55
1960<br />
Paul Kritzer retired from Journal<br />
Communications (Milwaukee) after<br />
24 years as general counsel on Dec. 31,<br />
2007. He is now splitting time between<br />
Wisconsin and South Carolina.<br />
1962<br />
William Baetz is working full time as an<br />
anesthesiologist at Carilion Clinic, a Level<br />
I trauma center in Roanoke, Va. When<br />
time permits, he and his wife, Vicki, enjoy<br />
hiking and travel in the Blue Ridge. They<br />
also spend time traveling to visit their<br />
three children who are in Portland, Maine;<br />
Washington, D.C., and Dayton, Ohio.<br />
David Desmon is the Senior Vice President<br />
Wealth Management Advisor for Merrill<br />
Lynch in Williamsville, N.Y.<br />
1964<br />
45 th Reunion<br />
Howard Schweitzer owns and manages<br />
a Grand Island Holiday Inn resort and<br />
conference center.<br />
John Spitzmiller and his wife, Amy,<br />
spent 47 days during the summer of<br />
2008, pedaling their way across America,<br />
starting in San Francisco and ending<br />
in Portsmouth, N.H. They rode with<br />
about 29 other riders from all over the<br />
world. Pedaling a total of 3,875 miles and<br />
averaging a little over 82 miles a day, they<br />
traveled through 12 states and raised over<br />
$18,000 for Child & Family Services of<br />
Buffalo (an <strong>org</strong>anization John has been<br />
involved with for more than 30 years) and<br />
Nardin Academy (where Amy worked for<br />
more than 30 years before retiring).<br />
Anyone interested in learning more about<br />
John and Amy’s adventure can go to their<br />
blog: www.johnamyspitz.blogspot.com.<br />
1967<br />
Thomas Anderson writes, “I am producing<br />
stories for 60 Minutes. In the past two years,<br />
I have done several stories on Senator John<br />
McCain, whom I have known for more than<br />
10 years.”<br />
1968<br />
Peter Gow works as a College Counselor<br />
in an independent progressive day school<br />
in Boston.<br />
Tom Keiser ’68 and his wife Vicky celebrate<br />
at the wedding of Leigh Keiser Lyndon,<br />
daughter of Lindy and Mike Keiser ’63.<br />
Taken at the wedding of Andrew Lyndon and Leigh Keiser Lyndon: (l to r)<br />
Tom Keiser ’68, Mark Lytle ’62, Gretchen Lytle, Lindy Keiser, Patty Gelman,<br />
Mike Keiser ’63, Leigh & Andrew Lyndon, Warren Gelman ’63, Leslie Goldstein,<br />
Tom Goldstein ’63, Helena Keiser and Bruce Keiser ’65<br />
Michael O’Connell is surviving the teen<br />
years with his 16 year-old-son. He is looking<br />
forward to retiring in Wilmington, N.C., in<br />
his downtown 1920s bungalow with a 32’<br />
front porch, 15 minutes from the beach.<br />
Donald Tracy works full time in Pediatric<br />
Radiology in Boston. He is married with<br />
two sons in college. Don still plays hockey.<br />
1963<br />
Charles Hobbie has been litigating on<br />
behalf of federal employees to protect their<br />
rights since 1979.<br />
Sandy Maisel is a professor at Colby<br />
College and the Director of the Goldfarb<br />
Center for Public Affairs and Civic<br />
Engagement at Colby College.<br />
56 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
1966<br />
Henry Deperro and his wife, Barbara,<br />
have been living in Manhattan for the<br />
past 10 years enjoying the wonders of New<br />
York City. Henry continues to work as the<br />
Facilities Manager of the Ford Foundation<br />
responsible for managing a world class,<br />
land marked building in the city, and from<br />
time to time, he oversees projects at its 12<br />
overseas locations.<br />
1970<br />
Charles Blaine writes, “I am in journalism,<br />
as I have been since college. I write a daily<br />
column on financial markets. I have been<br />
in financial journalism since 1978.”<br />
Timothy McNamara writes, “Working<br />
with educators in low-performing schools<br />
around the country and outside the U.S., I<br />
am author of four math resource books for<br />
K-12 teachers, and currently living outside<br />
of Rochester with my wife (and have two<br />
grown children living out of the area).”
1971<br />
David Aquilina writes, “Still living in<br />
Minneapolis with my wife, Linda Cantu<br />
and son, Tony. Contemplating what life<br />
will have in store for us next year when we<br />
become empty-nesters when Tony starts<br />
college. For the past eight years, I have<br />
been self-employed as a freelance writer<br />
and public relations consultant. It’s the<br />
longest I’ve ever had any one ’job,’ and I<br />
doubt I’ll ever have a ’real’ job again.”<br />
Lawrence Giordano writes, “Since<br />
graduating from the Ge<strong>org</strong>etown<br />
University Law Center in 1978, I have<br />
lived and worked in Knoxville, Tenn. I am<br />
a litigation attorney practicing principally<br />
in the areas of Business Tort Defense and<br />
Education Law, and an Adjunct Professor<br />
at the University of Tennessee College of<br />
Law where I have taught in the Advocacy<br />
Program for about 15 years. Each summer,<br />
I join the faculty at the Emory University<br />
<strong>School</strong> of Law in Atlanta, where I teach<br />
Trial Practice.” He and his wife, Kristie<br />
Thomas Giordano, have two sons: Brad,<br />
a student at the University of Virginia<br />
<strong>School</strong> of Law, and Evan, a student at the<br />
University of Tennessee. Lawrence also<br />
coaches soccer at the club, high school<br />
and college levels, and is very involved<br />
in the work of Catholic Charities of East<br />
Tennessee, where he is a member of the<br />
Board of Trustees and recently became<br />
President-elect.<br />
1973<br />
David Comerford writes, “As General<br />
Manager of the Buffalo Sewer Authority,<br />
I am working in Mayor Byron Brown’s<br />
administration and not raising sewer rents.<br />
I still live in Buffalo with Mary Kay, my<br />
wife of 30 years, although my daughters<br />
Kate ’97 and Jen ’97 are living out of<br />
town. I have three grandchildren, which<br />
keeps this old guy happy and busy.”<br />
Sally McKendry Haungs writes, “I am<br />
currently living in Brighton (Rochester),<br />
N.Y., with my husband, John. I am active<br />
as a volunteer for the Rochester Institute<br />
of Technology E. Phillip Saunders College<br />
of Business Women’s Alumni Network.<br />
This is an <strong>org</strong>anization to foster women<br />
leadership and growth for fellow RIT<br />
alumni.”<br />
Robert Morten lives in Mobile County,<br />
Alabama with his wife, Cynthia, and their<br />
10-year-old daughter Annaleise.<br />
Katie Vogt Schneider writes, “My work<br />
with the Community Foundation for<br />
Greater Buffalo, Read to Succeed, the<br />
Canisius College Board and the work that<br />
my husband Jake does professionally and<br />
for the community, occupy most of my<br />
time. All four of my children are in Buffalo<br />
starting their own businesses and careers. I<br />
feel honored and overjoyed to share Buffalo<br />
with my kids, as well as with my Dad who<br />
still lives in town.”<br />
Rick Zeller writes, “I am married with<br />
three kids, living two miles down the road<br />
from where my wife grew up in Canterbury,<br />
N.H. I am in my 16 th year at a school very<br />
similar to <strong>Nichols</strong>, but only about 375<br />
students, grades 6-12. I teach middle school<br />
history and coach middle school girls in<br />
soccer and lacrosse.”<br />
1974<br />
35th Reunion<br />
Peter Jones recently moved back to Buffalo<br />
from the New York City area with his<br />
family after having traveled around the<br />
world. Peter is consulting for a financial<br />
service firm in Washington, D.C.<br />
Deborah Raines writes, “I am a professor in<br />
the College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic<br />
University. I teach in my specialty area,<br />
maternal-child nursing, conduct research<br />
and <strong>org</strong>anize a variety of activities for<br />
incoming freshmen, including the freshman<br />
online community, freshman reading<br />
program and a freshman living community<br />
experience for pre-nursing students.”<br />
Douglas Pleskow writes, “I am Co-director<br />
of Endoscopy at Beth Israel Deaconess<br />
Medical Center/Harvard Medical <strong>School</strong>.<br />
I have an active practice in therapeutic<br />
endoscopy and gastroenterology. I have<br />
developed several novel endoscopic<br />
devices. I am married to Randi Gordon<br />
Pleskow, M.D., whom I met at SUNY at<br />
Buffalo <strong>School</strong> of Medicine. I have three<br />
children: Sara, Heather and Rebecca.”<br />
R. Penfield Starke writes, “I am an<br />
attorney for the FDIC. I am busy closing<br />
banks.”<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e Sinks writes, “I am in the midst<br />
of a three-year personnel exchange<br />
assignment with the Office of the Secretary<br />
of Defense for Policy, Office of European<br />
and NATO Policy. An exciting, sometimes<br />
challenging, but always interesting<br />
professional development exercise. I am<br />
also happily married with two dogs, but no<br />
children. Still active in tennis and skiing,<br />
and enjoy travel and Community Theater.”<br />
When Scott A. Weiss passed away on<br />
Oct. 23, 1993, a tree and this plaque were<br />
dedicated in his memory by members of<br />
his family and friends. The memorial was<br />
recently relocated because of construction,<br />
but on a visit this fall from Scott’s mother,<br />
Bryna Weiss, who makes a trip to visit<br />
this site every year, a new location for this<br />
special tribute was chosen. The tree now<br />
rests on the east wall of the Dann Memorial<br />
Rink between the front and back fields.<br />
Edmund Wick writes, “I am the Director<br />
of the Counsel’s Office for the Minority<br />
Leader in the N.Y.S. Assembly where I<br />
supervise the legislative activities of nine<br />
attorneys. I am also the lead analyst in the<br />
conference on housing, racing, gaming and<br />
consumer affairs issues. In my spare time, I<br />
practice a little law with my dad in Depew.”<br />
1975<br />
David Alexander writes, “I just<br />
transitioned to Yahoo! Inc., working<br />
with global accounts on national and<br />
international branding campaigns. My wife<br />
and 10-year-old daughter enjoy living in<br />
the heart of Boston.”<br />
Winter 2009<br />
57
Paul Moravec, winner of the 2004 Pulitzer<br />
Prize in Music, announced his new work<br />
and world premiere: Brandenburg Gate,<br />
performed with the Orpheus Chamber<br />
Orchestra which took place at Carnegie<br />
Hall in New York City on Oct. 16.<br />
Antoinette Pignataro is working as a<br />
physician fulltime, owning and caring<br />
for her waterfront home, and raising a<br />
wonderful son.<br />
Father William Weiksnar is serving as<br />
pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Church, an<br />
urban, largely Hispanic, Catholic parish in<br />
Camden, N.J.<br />
1976<br />
Alexandra Stathacos Crowe is living in<br />
the Boston area with husband Peter and<br />
ninth-grade twins, Marika and Matthew.<br />
Alexa, Marcie Siegel Shealy, Debbie<br />
Genco Powell, Sibby Waters Tayor and<br />
Betsy Zeller Rollins spent a wonderful<br />
May weekend in Newport, R.I., celebrating<br />
their joint 50 th birthdays.<br />
Lucy Neale Duke writes, “I live in<br />
suburban Baltimore with my husband,<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>e, and our two daughters, Molly<br />
(12) and Hope (11). Our oldest daughter,<br />
Elizabeth, graduated from college last<br />
spring and is living and working in the<br />
D.C. area. I started a new job this fall as<br />
College Counselor at Cristo Rey Jesuit<br />
High <strong>School</strong>, a college prep school for low<br />
income students in Baltimore City.”<br />
Louisa Jerauld Levine is enjoying life in<br />
L.A. with her husband, Jeff, and their two<br />
boys: James (19), who returned in June<br />
from a year in India and Brazil and who<br />
now attends Santa Monica College, and<br />
Henry (16) who is learning photography<br />
and is in the school play.<br />
1977<br />
Rick Halpern writes, “I am serving as<br />
the Principal of one of the University of<br />
Toronto’s largest colleges and directing<br />
its several academic programs. We also<br />
are very involved in outreach to the city’s<br />
immigrant communities and in working<br />
with community partners to provide service<br />
learning opportunities for our students. My<br />
teaching and research is focused on race and<br />
58 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
labor in a number of contexts, especially the<br />
United States and South Africa.”<br />
Molly Stevens was recently selected as a<br />
Fellow of the Environmental Leadership<br />
Program’s New England Regional<br />
Network Class of 2009. The mission of<br />
the Environmental Leadership Program<br />
is ’to inspire visionary, action-oriented and<br />
diverse leadership to work for a just and<br />
sustainable future.’ Molly continues her<br />
work as a cookbook author and teacher,<br />
living near Burlington, Vt.<br />
1978<br />
John Houck designs disc golf courses around<br />
the country, and promotes the love of disc<br />
golf with his wife and Co-CEO, Dee.<br />
William Magavern lives in downtown<br />
Sacramento with his wife and two children,<br />
who will soon be ages 12 and 14.<br />
Kimberly Buchheit Robinson writes, “I<br />
am currently V.P. of the Board of Directors<br />
of the Jack Kerouac Writers in Residence<br />
Project of Orlando, Inc. and I volunteer as<br />
an Official Photographer for Farm Aid.”<br />
Robert Seidenberg writes, “I am living in<br />
Austin, Texas, building houses, rehabbing<br />
historic homes, writing and producing<br />
music when time allows and playing lots<br />
of Ultimate Frisbee (yes, still....), most<br />
notably at the World Championships<br />
in Perth, Australia at the end of 2006.<br />
Most recently, I recruited classmate Scott<br />
Rathke to join our team at the North<br />
American Grand Masters Championships<br />
in Montreal.”<br />
Deborah Lansky Waitkus is living in<br />
Phoenix and running a business-golf<br />
company in which she stages events for<br />
corporations and associations, as well<br />
as programs to educate (on and off the<br />
golf course) how to incorporate golf as<br />
a strategy for achieving objectives. This<br />
involves many workshops, speaking<br />
engagements and on-course programs.<br />
Eric Ward writes, “I live in Durham, N.C.,<br />
with my wife, Gerty, and three children:<br />
Carl, Fred and Alice. Gerty teaches science<br />
at Durham Academy and all three children<br />
attend there. I work for the Two Blades<br />
Foundation, a non-profit that promotes the<br />
development of disease resistance in crops.”<br />
1979<br />
30th Reunion<br />
Peter Bellas is a litigation partner at the<br />
law firm Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A.<br />
Penny Benatovich writes, “I am producing<br />
promos and advertising for broadcast and<br />
cable networks (Discovery Channel, HBO,<br />
ABC), as well as still having my own<br />
production company. Recently I created a<br />
show that ran on A&E Network about a<br />
one of a kind matchmaker from Buffalo.”<br />
Dennis Brinkworth’s WJ Morrissey’s<br />
restaurant and Irish pub, a Cobblestone<br />
District favorite, received three stars in<br />
a recent review by Janice Okun of The<br />
Buffalo News.<br />
Jeffrey Clifford lives in London, England<br />
and works in emerging markets investments<br />
and asset management at Standard Bank<br />
Plc.<br />
David Duryea is a Program Manager<br />
for the U.S. Navy Special Operations<br />
Forces Undersea Mobility Systems.<br />
He is responsible for the acquisition,<br />
development and maintenance of U.S.<br />
Navy Special Operations undersea<br />
capabilities.<br />
Darby Johnson lives in the Seacoast area<br />
of N.H. with her husband, Drew, and their<br />
son, Cooper (4).<br />
Michael Montesano writes, “I have<br />
recently left the faculty of the National<br />
University of Singapore to assume a<br />
research position at the Institute of<br />
Southeast Asian Studies, also in Singapore.<br />
While at ISEAS, I shall be working on a<br />
book examining commerce and society in<br />
20 th century provincial Thailand. Earlier<br />
this year, the NUS Press released ’Thai<br />
South and Malay North: Ethic Interactions<br />
on a Plural Peninsula,’ of which I am<br />
Co-editor. This July had me in Rangoon,<br />
Burma, for a second straight year, to<br />
lecture on Southeast Asian history and<br />
historiography to university faculty and to<br />
begin a long-term research project on social<br />
change in urban centers on the Irrawaddy<br />
Delta during the past 80 years. Finally, I<br />
have served for the past two years as an<br />
Independent Director of First Ship Lease<br />
Trust, a Singapore-listed business trust with<br />
a diversified fleet of vessels on long-term<br />
bare-boat charter. Old friends, as well as
members of the <strong>Nichols</strong> community who<br />
may pass through Singapore, may contact<br />
me at michael.montesano@gmail.com.”<br />
James Neathery is a resource broker<br />
to help people in developing countries<br />
provide for themselves while advancing<br />
the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is an adjunct<br />
professor of mission and intercultural<br />
studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.<br />
1980<br />
David Green is living in Scarsdale, N.Y.,<br />
with his wife and practicing academic<br />
hematology at New York University. His<br />
daughter is a freshman at N.Y.U.<br />
David Hale lives in Central New York with<br />
wife and three school-age children. He is in<br />
a senior administrative position at Colgate<br />
University.<br />
Edward Yerkovich writes, “After moving<br />
back to Buffalo from Los Angeles over 14<br />
years ago, I am living on the Lake Shore<br />
with my wife, Sasha, and my three sons,<br />
Luke ’12, Will ’15 and Alec ’16, who are<br />
all proud students at <strong>Nichols</strong>.”<br />
1981<br />
Lynne Pfeifer Pelos still makes her home<br />
in Minneapolis with husband, Perry, and<br />
kids, Ellen (14) and Andy (11). She hopes<br />
to someday move to Oregon where her new<br />
vineyard/winery is located. This has been a<br />
focus of the last 10 years.<br />
Colleen Serafin writes, “I work full time<br />
at an automotive supplier in the Southeast<br />
Michigan area running usability studies on<br />
advanced in-vehicle systems. When I’m<br />
not working, I’m attending my daughter<br />
Miranda’s Varsity Field Hockey and Soccer<br />
games. She is a junior at Greenhills <strong>School</strong><br />
in Ann Arbor where Peter Fayroian (past<br />
Head of the Upper <strong>School</strong> at <strong>Nichols</strong>) is<br />
now Head of <strong>School</strong>. We enjoy traveling to<br />
San Francisco several times a year and to<br />
Martha’s Vineyard every summer.”<br />
Lawrence Teruel has a private Ear, Nose<br />
and Throat practice southeast of Tucson.<br />
He is married with two young children,<br />
ages 3 and 2.<br />
1982<br />
Lisa Benatovich Brosofsky writes,<br />
“Working full time implementing pension<br />
administration systems and living in<br />
Providence with my husband, Dan, and<br />
our twin 8-year-old daughters, Jillian and<br />
Sarah, and our new kitten, Clementine.”<br />
Gale Burstein writes, “We (my husband<br />
and two kids) moved back to Buffalo from<br />
Atlanta three years ago. I am currently<br />
the Medical Director of Epidemiology,<br />
Surveillance and STD Control at the Erie<br />
County Dept. of Health and an adolescent<br />
medicine physician at the Women and<br />
Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.”<br />
Annette Holzman Fitch is living in Buffalo<br />
with her husband, Michael, and their two<br />
children John (9) and Elizabeth (14).<br />
Elizabeth is an eighth-grader at <strong>Nichols</strong>.<br />
Thomas Luscher was recently promoted<br />
to Captain, U.S. Navy. He is currently<br />
pursuing a master’s degree at the Army<br />
Senior War College in Carlisle, Pa. He<br />
has been selected to command the Naval<br />
Air Base in New Orleans, La., for his next<br />
assignment.<br />
Alan Randaccio is living in Williamsville,<br />
N.Y., with his wife and three children.<br />
His oldest son, James, is a sophomore at<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong>. Alan owns and runs his Real<br />
Estate Development & Home Building<br />
business, coaches youth hockey, and is<br />
a member and past President of Buffalo<br />
Niagara Builder’s Association.<br />
Stephen Sanders writes, “I am living in<br />
Buffalo with my wife Wendy and two<br />
children, Jacqueline (Buffalo Seminary<br />
class of 2010) and Parker (Elmwood<br />
Franklin <strong>School</strong> class of 2013). We have<br />
a summer residence on the Canadian<br />
lakeshore in Point Abino. We are members<br />
of the Buffalo Canoe Club and Saturn<br />
Club. I actively captain a sailboat in local<br />
races and regional regattas. I have served<br />
on the Board of Directors at the Buffalo<br />
Canoe Club and am currently on the<br />
Advisory Board at The Salvation Army<br />
of Buffalo. I graduated from the SUNY at<br />
Buffalo <strong>School</strong> of Management’s Center for<br />
Entrepreneurial Leadership core program<br />
in 2006.”<br />
1983<br />
Christian Tiftickjian ’83 married<br />
Jacquelyn Kenefick on Aug. 23 in Buffalo.<br />
Tracy Narins Welchoff is living in<br />
Clarence with her husband, two children<br />
(ages 10 and 12) and a chocolate lab. Tracy<br />
works as a psychologist specializing in<br />
children, anxiety disorders, eating disorders<br />
and sport psychology.<br />
Holly Flickinger Williams writes, “I<br />
substitute teach in a private elementary<br />
school in Durham, N.C., called Duke<br />
<strong>School</strong>. I also tutor elementary aged<br />
students in reading. I volunteer four hours<br />
a week at my childrens’ school, attend<br />
classes at Duke University, present science<br />
programs for children and adults as a<br />
Master Gardener, and study the martial art,<br />
Ninjutsu.”<br />
1984<br />
25th Reunion<br />
Join our Facebook Group called <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> ’84 (25 th Reunion).<br />
Nicole Braxton Brodie writes, “Hello,<br />
Class of 1984! Wow how time flies. I will<br />
definitely be attending the class reunion<br />
in June 2009. Looking forward to seeing<br />
everyone. Recently, I have successfully<br />
completed my Ph.D. in Educational<br />
Administration. I reside in Jonesboro, Ga.<br />
(near Atlanta) with my husband and three<br />
children.”<br />
Jennifer Joyce just relocated to the San<br />
Francisco Bay area with her husband and<br />
three kids.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
59
Pamela Bos Kefi is living in Buffalo<br />
with husband and three kids. She is the<br />
Executive Director of the International<br />
Institute, which promotes global awareness<br />
and assists immigrants to become fully<br />
contributing members of the community.<br />
Joan Saab is living in Rochester with her<br />
husband and two sons. She is teaching Art<br />
History and directing the Visual Culture<br />
Program at the University of Rochester.<br />
1985<br />
Mark Appelbaum is currently coaching<br />
Girls Junior Varsity Hockey at <strong>Nichols</strong>.<br />
His daughter Kendall is in eighth grade at<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> and his daughter Jayne will be in<br />
fifth grade next year, hopefully at <strong>Nichols</strong>.<br />
James Beardsley lives in the Washington,<br />
D.C. metro area, but is currently a<br />
mobilized Navy reservist deployed to<br />
Kuwait. Dan was mobilized by the Navy<br />
in February to manage team of over 500<br />
sailors conducting customs inspections<br />
on personnel heading home from Iraq<br />
and Kuwait. He has been in contact with<br />
L.C.D.R. Sam DeCastro ’91 and plans<br />
to see Sam when he completes his tour in<br />
Afghanistan and heads home this summer.<br />
Dana Simon Breen and her family just<br />
moved to Grosse Pointe, Mich., where her<br />
husband became the Associate Head at<br />
University Liggett <strong>School</strong>. Dana is currently<br />
the CEO of their household – driving kids to<br />
activities, volunteering in classrooms, doing<br />
laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping.<br />
She has enjoyed eating dinners with her<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> classmate, Lila Morris Hyde and<br />
her husband, Bill, who also are in the Grosse<br />
Pointe area. Her kids think that playing at<br />
the Hyde’s house is awesome.<br />
Andrew Harrison has been traveling<br />
the country since 2004 with the show<br />
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, helping<br />
deserving families across America realize<br />
their dreams of a new home.<br />
Gail Karet writes, “I live in the Chicago<br />
area, where there is much excitement<br />
over the Obama election and hope that<br />
this will help the city’s bid to host the<br />
2016 Olympics. I have a husband and two<br />
children, Susan and John. I am the aunt<br />
of Brendan ’11 and Ava Karet ’15, two<br />
current <strong>Nichols</strong> students.”<br />
60 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Christopher Lascola writes, “My days<br />
are some combination of clinical work,<br />
research, soccer and tennis with Laura and<br />
the two boys, and golf whenever I can. Life<br />
is busy but great.”<br />
Joseph McNamara writes, “My wife is a<br />
program manager in the space division<br />
at Moog for the Orien rocket capsule.<br />
I manage a couple ITT businesses and<br />
finished my first Ironman triathlon last<br />
spring.”<br />
J. Bradley Rauch writes, “Besides working<br />
a lot lately, I am living in Orchard Park,<br />
N.Y., with my wife, Krissie, and four<br />
children: Hannah, James, Grace and Lilli.<br />
I am coaching junior alpine ski racing in<br />
the winter months and spending time in<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>ian Bay, Canada in the summer.”<br />
David Weiskopf and his wife, Amy, are<br />
thoroughly enjoying being parents. Kate<br />
Elisabeth Weiskopf was born on Dec. 20,<br />
2007.<br />
1986<br />
Laylah Ali’s untitled work of ink, gouache,<br />
colored pencil and ballpoint pen on paper<br />
(2008) is being lent by the artist, courtesy<br />
of Miller Block Gallery in Boston. It is<br />
currently featured in “Laylah Ali: Notes/<br />
Drawings/Untitled Afflictions,” which was<br />
on exhibit at DeCordova Museum and<br />
Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Mass., from<br />
November 2008 through Jan. 4, 2009.<br />
Kyle Randolph Bacon has been named the<br />
new Principal of James Madison Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong> in Prince Ge<strong>org</strong>e’s County Public<br />
<strong>School</strong>s in Upper Marlboro, Md. Kyle is<br />
overseeing a student population of 960<br />
students, over 70 staff members and a<br />
sizeable budget. In addition, in September,<br />
Kyle completed his first half marathon in<br />
the 3 rd Annual Parks Half-Marathon in<br />
Rockville, Md.<br />
Robert Drago relocated back to Western<br />
New York (Pittsford) in May to serve<br />
as president of Fleischer’s Bagels, Inc,<br />
a private equity backed frozen food<br />
manufacturer based in Rochester.<br />
Carrie Marcy Hamlett writes, “My<br />
Delaware Park tennis team went to the<br />
National Amateur Tennis Championships<br />
in Arizona this October and we came in<br />
third place in the country. I attribute my<br />
love of the game to my tennis at <strong>Nichols</strong>!<br />
Justin Kellogg’s wife, Leslie, was my<br />
teammate! I am living in Buffalo with<br />
my husband and two kids, and ran for<br />
Democratic committee woman and won<br />
this fall in my district, and received my real<br />
estate license this summer. Also went to<br />
Ohio to campaign for Obama.”<br />
Scott Kareff is raising a family of three on<br />
Long Island with his wife and working in<br />
New York City at Schulte Roth & Zabel as<br />
a transactional IP/IT attorney.<br />
Mark Preisler runs ESPNEWS.<br />
William Sanford is in his 10 th year teaching<br />
high school science and is a Commander<br />
in the U.S. Navy Reserves, after eight years<br />
active duty and 10 years in reserves. He<br />
also is in his 13 th year as a youth leader for<br />
his church’s senior high youth group.<br />
1987<br />
Rachel Henrich Bronwyn writes, “I<br />
am teaching next door to my husband –<br />
my best friend. I am working for social<br />
justice; I am fighting ’the man’ and I am<br />
ensuring that this democracy does not<br />
perish from the earth. I am speaking truth<br />
to power; I am offering my students the<br />
most certain and sure form of love there<br />
is: my unwavering belief in their goodness,<br />
intelligence and potential. I am selling<br />
hope in all its myriad forms.”<br />
Sareer Fazili is a trial attorney working<br />
with Cellino and Barnes, P.C. He is married<br />
with two daughters, ages 6 and 2. The<br />
family lives in Rochester, N.Y.
Tonya McKee Sieracki lives in<br />
Williamsville, N.Y., with her husband of 17<br />
years and their three children. She finds it<br />
an everyday adventure to be a teacher in<br />
the Buffalo <strong>School</strong>s.<br />
J. Tim Vanini recently made the 2009<br />
Marquis Who’s Who © in America.<br />
1988<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> is proud to announce that<br />
four alumni were chosen to receive<br />
Business First’s 40 Under 40 honor<br />
this fall: Brian Anderson ’88,<br />
Peter Bergmann ’88,<br />
Allison Gioia Flammer ’90 and<br />
Adrienne Leetch Leibowitz ’88.<br />
Congratulations to them on this<br />
special recognition of their<br />
incredible professional and personal<br />
contributions to our community<br />
in Western New York.<br />
Nanette Burstein recently made a feature<br />
length documentary called “American<br />
Teen,” which was released in movie theaters<br />
this summer and screened at <strong>Nichols</strong> this<br />
fall. She is currently directing commercials<br />
and attached to direct a fiction feature<br />
movie this spring with Warner Bros. Studio.<br />
W. Justin Clayton is working on U.S.<br />
bilateral relations in Tokyo.<br />
Lawrence Gallick is living in Buffalo<br />
but telecommuting to Portland, Ore. and<br />
applying to law schools.<br />
Christopher Galvin is teaching public high<br />
school elective classes: Digital Multimedia<br />
and Traditional Black and White<br />
Photography. He and his wife, Jody, have<br />
three boys Seamus (7), Kieran (4) and Evan<br />
(2). The family lives in East Aurora, N.Y.<br />
Jared Hardner is managing an<br />
environmental consulting firm that operates<br />
in U.S., Latin America, Asia and Africa.<br />
His work primarily focuses on conservation<br />
of biodiversity. He is the father of twins who<br />
are turning four in January. The family is<br />
living in New Hampshire.<br />
Rebecca Sherburne Hylkema is raising<br />
a beautiful family of four children with<br />
her husband, Aaron. They are living in<br />
the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge<br />
Mountains, S.C., and enjoying year round<br />
pleasant weather. Rebecca is a school<br />
counselor in a small rural K-3 public school.<br />
Susan Hearn Kaiser is living in Central<br />
Mississippi enjoying working with her<br />
patients. She lives with her husband, Ken,<br />
and they have two children, Jimmy and<br />
Kimmy, who are in elementary school now.<br />
They get back to Buffalo to see family and<br />
friends once a year.<br />
Deena Kotlewski works full time for<br />
Montgomery County Public <strong>School</strong>s as<br />
a school counselor, helping a very needy<br />
population. She has a part-time private<br />
practice where she does psychotherapy with<br />
children, adolescents and their families.<br />
She lives with her husband and dog in<br />
Washington, D.C., and loves the culture<br />
and vibe of the city.<br />
David Levy is working for the Federal<br />
government, taking care of two aging<br />
parents, seeking a serious relationship, and<br />
enjoying life as much as possible.<br />
Alise Shuart is in her second year of teaching<br />
and coaching at the Montclair Kimberley<br />
Academy. She completed her first marathon<br />
in 2007 and hopes to complete another one<br />
sometime soon. She also keeps herself busy<br />
with working over the summer as an Athletic<br />
Director at an all-girls summer camp.<br />
1989<br />
20 th Reunion<br />
Karen Burgess Chiantella writes, “I am<br />
looking forward to my son Dylan’s first<br />
birthday on Thanksgiving Day, and we are<br />
expecting our second on April 15 – Tax<br />
Day! Very appropriate, as my husband is a<br />
tax attorney.”<br />
Rich Denning is happily living in Buffalo<br />
with his wife, Katie, and their two kids:<br />
Claire (3 ½) and Molly (7 months).<br />
Josh Nussbaumer, Chris Healey,<br />
Howie Saperston and Sawyer Saperston,<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> Class of 2027, get ready for the<br />
2008 Bills home opener at the<br />
Saperston’s home in Snyder, N.Y.<br />
Matt Kolken and his wife, Natasha, gave birth<br />
to twins on Oct. 9: Alexander weighed 6 lbs.,<br />
6 oz., and Catherine weighed 4 lbs., 9 oz.<br />
Dina Drago Sheward is married with a<br />
daughter in Kindergarten. She is living in<br />
Charlotte, N.C., teaching preschool.<br />
David Sommerstein was the recipient of a<br />
2008 National Edward R. Murrow Award<br />
for journalism excellence from the Radio-<br />
Television News Directors Association.<br />
David is North County Public Radio’s<br />
Assistant News Director and reporter. His<br />
three-part report, “Farm to Farm, Family<br />
to Family,” was judged Best News Series<br />
by a small market station. It explores<br />
the migration of Mexican and Central<br />
American farm workers in and out of rural<br />
communities of New York, how migrants<br />
are affecting rural communities and what<br />
the future may hold. “Farm to Farm,<br />
Family to Family” can be heard at http://<br />
www.northcountrypublicradio.<strong>org</strong>/news/<br />
farmtofarm.php.<br />
John (Henderson) Wray has written and<br />
published “Lowboy,” his third novel.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
61
1990<br />
Patricia Duggan Brostek writes, “My<br />
husband is continuing his Marine Corps<br />
career as a student at the U.S. Army JAG<br />
<strong>School</strong> in Charlottesville, Va., earning<br />
his LLM degree. I am a freelance quilt<br />
instructor at area shops and busy with<br />
our daughters’ dance, soccer and Scouts<br />
schedule. We are enjoying the Blue Ridge<br />
Mountains and all the area has to offer!”<br />
Kathryn Biltekoff Kelly writes, “I live<br />
in beautiful Corvallis, Ore., with my two<br />
boys and my husband. I teach science in a<br />
local middle school and also do some work<br />
promoting technology for classrooms.”<br />
Mathew Kushner is living in Charlotte<br />
and working with his dad and two sisters.<br />
Lisa Ciavaglia Lostumbo recently moved<br />
back to Buffalo with her husband, John,<br />
and their two children, Luke (4) and Sara,<br />
(1½).<br />
1991<br />
Jay Blair is living in Buffalo and working<br />
as a first Vice President of Investments for<br />
Smith Barney.<br />
Sonia Shah-Pandya is a full time physician<br />
in a suburb of Richmond, Va. She is<br />
married and has two children: Deven (6)<br />
and Alisha (9 months). She has been<br />
married for almost 10 years to Paras Pandya<br />
from Grand Island, N.Y., an ER physician.<br />
David Vallas is an attorney working in<br />
Chicago. He is married with identical twin<br />
daughters.<br />
Ben Wilton received his Master of Fine<br />
Arts degree in Ceramics from SUNY at<br />
New Paltz in May. He will be an adjunct<br />
professor there this fall.<br />
1992<br />
Lori Notz Beck is currently working as<br />
a Scrub Nurse at the local hospital in<br />
Amsterdam, N.Y., and is looking into<br />
going back to school to pursue becoming a<br />
Registered Nurse First Assistant. When she<br />
is not working, she enjoys spending time<br />
with her daughter, Camryn (10).<br />
62 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Gordon Brott and his wife, Meghan,<br />
welcomed Alexander David Brott on<br />
Nov. 10.<br />
Stephanie Baker Katzman is running the<br />
Rhinelander Nursery <strong>School</strong> in New York<br />
City.<br />
Aaleya Koreishi has been on the faculty at<br />
Duke Eye Center for two years, while her<br />
husband was doing a fellowship in retina<br />
surgery. They moved to Dallas/Ft. Worth,<br />
Texas this past summer. They started new<br />
jobs with amazing sub-specialty groups in<br />
the area. Aaleya is a cornea, cataract and<br />
refractive surgery specialist for Cornea<br />
Associates of Texas.<br />
Ryan Mulderig writes, “I have two<br />
daughters, Delaney and Regan Mulderig,<br />
which keep my wife, Carol, and I very busy.”<br />
Amanda Wagle locally runs and chairs<br />
a state-wide Master of Arts in Teaching<br />
Program, working closely with the Buffalo<br />
Public <strong>School</strong> system to recruit and prepare<br />
teachers for high-needs environments.<br />
1993<br />
Thomas Dowling writes, “I work at the<br />
World Bank as a trade economist and teach<br />
economics at the Ge<strong>org</strong>e Washington<br />
University <strong>School</strong> of Business. This coming<br />
year I am excited to do a lot of traveling<br />
for work and pleasure: Bangladesh, Korea,<br />
Brazil and Slovenia. I am also working on a<br />
cookbook and playing a lot of squash.”<br />
David Klepser writes, “I’m still in<br />
Charlotte, N.C., with my wife, Rebecca,<br />
and two boys: Drew (5) and Owen (3). I’m<br />
still working in real estate development,<br />
focusing on urban mixed-use projects.”<br />
Leslie Biltekoff Myers lives in New York<br />
City with her husband, Todd, and their<br />
daughter, Ella, who was born on Sept. 14.<br />
Carrie Giambra Silliman is living in<br />
Williamsville, N.Y., with her husband,<br />
Luke, son, Austin (4) and daughter, Brooke<br />
(9 months). She works full time as a<br />
Nurse Practitioner in the Department of<br />
Medicine with GU, sarcoma and melanoma<br />
cancers with Drs. Trump and Wong. In her<br />
spare time, she also is pursuing an M.B.A.<br />
from Canisius College on a part-time basis.<br />
Mark Travers and his wife, Maansi,<br />
welcomed Matthew Travers on Aug. 2,<br />
weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz. The family lives in<br />
Hamburg, N.Y.<br />
1994<br />
15 th Reunion<br />
Ted Bloomberg is living in New York with<br />
his wife, Jamie, and their newborn son,<br />
Micah. Ted works at TD Ameritrade and is<br />
enjoying fatherhood.<br />
Ajit Nemi recently started a clinic in the<br />
metropolitan Atlanta area specializing in<br />
cataract surgery, laser vision correction and<br />
aesthetics. Visit www.seewithlotus.com.<br />
Heather Smith, Executive Director of the<br />
political powerhouse Rock the Vote, was<br />
interviewed by NPR on Nov. 7 to discuss<br />
how history was made beyond the election<br />
of the first African American President.<br />
Heather reported that young voters turned<br />
out in record numbers, and voted for<br />
Obama about 2-1 over John McCain.<br />
1995<br />
Christopher Catanzaro is living in East<br />
Aurora, N.Y., with his wife, Jen, and their<br />
son, Jackson (1 ½).<br />
Ryan Lang writes, “As a Dewey & LeBouef<br />
associate, I advise the firm’s clients on<br />
insurance regulatory and related matters<br />
which includes advice pertaining to state,<br />
national and international legislative<br />
developments. I provide advice to the<br />
London insurance market, providing<br />
regulatory, compliance, transactional and<br />
tax advice to Lloyd’s, the International<br />
Underwriting Association of London, and<br />
the individual syndicates and underwriting<br />
managers.”
Regan Marsh is in Malawi, which is in<br />
Southeastern Africa, working for Partners<br />
in Health in a local clinic. Her husband also<br />
is in the area running a non-governmental<br />
<strong>org</strong>anization and doing research for<br />
University of Pennsylvania.<br />
Matthew Miller is practicing commercial<br />
litigation and entertainment law in<br />
Orchard Park, N.Y.<br />
Matthew Roland writes, “I am relocating<br />
back to Buffalo with my wife, Briana,<br />
and son, Brady (17 months old). I will be<br />
working at Iskalo Development Corp. as<br />
Development Project Manager.”<br />
1996<br />
Bridget Scanlon Baroody lives in Atlanta<br />
with her husband and two dogs. She<br />
currently works in sales for General Electric<br />
providing loans on commercial real estate.<br />
Marquita Knight Booze lives in Spokane,<br />
Wash., with her husband and two children.<br />
Rebekah Lowinger Elliot writes, “I am<br />
teaching middle school English for the<br />
Buffalo Public <strong>School</strong>s (just got tenure!)<br />
and working on a master’s degree in<br />
Educational Technology at Buffalo State<br />
College.”<br />
Kelly Grotke writes, “I am living in<br />
Bellingham, Wash., working as a Case<br />
Manager at a transitional housing<br />
apartment complex for survivors of<br />
domestic violence and their children. I also<br />
coordinate a children’s enrichment program<br />
that focuses on healing and empowerment,<br />
and teach a life skills class to clients in our<br />
homeless housing program.”<br />
Krista Contino Krahn writes, “I am<br />
currently living with my husband where Dr.<br />
Rockwell said I’d be back in AP European<br />
History class: Minnesota. My husband,<br />
Zeb, is a post-doctoral researcher at the<br />
University of Minnesota in the physics<br />
department. I am an attorney with Fish &<br />
Richardson, where my practice centers on<br />
patent prosecution.”<br />
Mandy Marsh is finishing up her M.B.A.<br />
at Boston College and is planning to move<br />
back to New York City.<br />
Jacob Oleksiak is currenly living in<br />
Charlotte, N.C., with his wife, Jacqueline,<br />
and working as a Cost Analyst with the<br />
Shaw Group’s nuclear power division.<br />
Evan Pozarny lives in Brentwood, Calif.,<br />
and works in Commercial Real Estate as a<br />
broker.<br />
Amanda Greene Webster and her<br />
husband Ben and son, Maxwell Chase<br />
(2), welcomed new baby, Annabel Grace<br />
Webster, on July 5. They live in Hood<br />
River, Ore.<br />
Laura Lombardo Yusick and her husband,<br />
Matthew, welcomed new daughter, Ella Mae<br />
Yusick, on July 28. They live in Snyder, N.Y.<br />
1997<br />
Amy Hall Browne is living in Durham,<br />
N.C., and enjoying staying at home with<br />
her almost two-year-old son.<br />
Ashley Dayer is working as an Education<br />
and Outreach Director for Klamath Bird<br />
Observatory, advancing bird and habitat<br />
conservation in Oregon and California.<br />
Alison Rackl Haefner writes, “My<br />
husband and I just had our baby girl, Riley<br />
Patricia Haefner, on Sept. 21.”<br />
Christopher Kercher lives in Manhattan<br />
with his wife, Cory, who is a resident in<br />
pediatrics at New York Presbyterian/Weil<br />
Cornell Medical Center. Since graduating<br />
from NYU Law in 2004, he has been<br />
practicing corporate litigation at the law<br />
firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.<br />
Safina Koreishi writes, “I am living in<br />
Portland, Ore., with my husband. We moved<br />
here in 2005 for family medicine residency. I<br />
am doing two residencies. I am finished with<br />
family medicine and will finish preventive<br />
medicine in June 2009 along with my<br />
master’s in public health. I will start clinical<br />
work for a Yakima Valley Farmworkers<br />
Clinic, Rosewood, which is a federally<br />
qualified community health center serving<br />
an underserved community in Portland. My<br />
interests are underserved medicine, social<br />
justice, health system reform, primary care<br />
advocacy and public health in general.”<br />
Jacob Mascari recently returned from his<br />
honeymoon in Thailand. He is living in<br />
New York City with his wife, Christina,<br />
and working in Fixed Income at M<strong>org</strong>an<br />
Stanley. He just ran the 2008 ING New<br />
York City Marathon.<br />
On July 26, Dan Crane and Josselyn<br />
Shamos were married in the Twentieth<br />
Century Club in Pittsburgh. Dan graduated<br />
from SUNY at Fredonia in 2001 and<br />
serves as the Webmaster for Lanxess Inc.,<br />
a chemical company headquartered in<br />
Pittsburgh. Josselyn received a master’s<br />
degree from Ohio State University in<br />
June and begins a Ph.D. program in<br />
Communications at Duquesne University<br />
at the end of August. They will live in<br />
Shadyside, a section of Pittsburgh wellknown<br />
to <strong>Nichols</strong> athletes.<br />
KC Bryan White writes, “I am living in<br />
Cleveland, Ohio, with my husband, Justin,<br />
and my son, Mac. I coach soccer, basketball<br />
and lacrosse and I am a member of the<br />
National Board of Trustees for the Cystic<br />
Fibrosis Foundation.”<br />
1998<br />
Polly Graser is a Consultant for<br />
Accenture. She is currently deployed<br />
to a project with Royal Dutch Shell as<br />
an HR-IT business analyst. She lives in<br />
Leiden, which is not far from Amsterdam,<br />
and encourages fellow <strong>Nichols</strong> alumni to<br />
contact her if they plan on passing through<br />
the Netherlands.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
63
C. Taylor Greene married Rachael M<strong>org</strong>an<br />
Peters on Sept. 13 in Amagansett, N.Y.<br />
The couple lives in Brooklyn.<br />
Alexis Muscato lives in Buffalo, N.Y.,<br />
and works in the Commercial Lending<br />
Department at M&T Bank. Alexis is a<br />
Class Agent for the Class of 1998.<br />
1999<br />
10 th Reunion<br />
Zachary Augustine is finishing his last<br />
year of law school at NYU; next year he’ll<br />
be working in New York in the corporate<br />
department of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind,<br />
Wharton & Garrison.<br />
Clark Banach writes, “I started a business<br />
with an undergraduate classmate. We own<br />
Sparkable, a web advertising firm in Buffalo,<br />
N.Y. We service a few high profile clients:<br />
SUNY at Buffalo, Kaleida, Canisius College,<br />
Prometheus Books, Hunt Real Estate,<br />
Bocce Pizza and some other smaller groups.<br />
Sparkable owns North Star Media Studios<br />
and Angelic Ink, a professional media<br />
studio and a small publishing house. We<br />
took some proceeds and began a non-profit,<br />
Creative HOPE. I coach Division I Premier<br />
U.S.A. Rugby at Canisius College and was<br />
selected as a NYS U-19 Allstar coach in<br />
2007. I also received a full scholarship to<br />
graduate school and I will be receiving my<br />
M.B.A. in marketing and international<br />
business from Canisius College in 2009, after<br />
completing my degree at the Berlin <strong>School</strong><br />
of Economics. I sit on the M.B.A. Student<br />
Advisory Board, as well as the Justice in<br />
Action Work Group at Canisius College.”<br />
Ellie Walsh Beasley is the Associate<br />
Director of Leadership Gifts and University<br />
of Virginia’s Darden <strong>School</strong> of Business.<br />
Ellie and her husband, Andrew, live in<br />
Charlottesville.<br />
Gigi Gatewood will be receiving her<br />
M.F.A. in photography from Rhode Island<br />
<strong>School</strong> of Design in spring of 2009.<br />
Benjamin Siracusa Hillman writes, “I just<br />
started as a law clerk to a federal district<br />
court judge in Bridgeport, Conn. I also<br />
recently got married. My wife, Betty, and<br />
I live in New Haven, Conn. We will be<br />
moving to San Francisco next August,<br />
64 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
where she will be doing dissertation<br />
research and I will be clerking for a federal<br />
court of appeals judge.”<br />
Michael Radolinski has joined the New<br />
York office of Toronto-based law firm Osler,<br />
Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as an associate in<br />
the Tax Department.<br />
John Soron is currently a 2L at SUNY<br />
at Buffalo’s Law <strong>School</strong> and still on<br />
Active Duty as an Army Captain. He is<br />
participating in an Army program designed<br />
to take experienced line officers and<br />
educate them for service in the JAG Corps.<br />
John was previously stationed in Germany<br />
for four years and has completed two<br />
combat tours in Iraq (2004, 2005-2006).<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> classmates gathered on Oct. 25, at<br />
the wedding of Meg Stevenson and Corey<br />
Auerbach: (front row) Ellie Walsh Beasley<br />
and Evans Mitchell (back row) Andy<br />
Snyder, Corey Auerbach, Meg Stevenson<br />
Auerbach, Katie Sadler, Gigi Gatewood<br />
and Amelia Booth.<br />
2000<br />
Michael Aylward is transitioning from<br />
academic life to the policy/political arena<br />
in Portland, Ore.<br />
Jeremy Green is completing his Ph.D. at<br />
Yale.<br />
Michele Jammal writes, “I am in my third<br />
year of teaching. After completing my<br />
master’s degree at Roberts Wesleyan, I was<br />
hired at Byron-Bergen Elementary <strong>School</strong><br />
and have been teaching third grade.”<br />
Juliet Rackl married Evan Bloodgood on<br />
June 14. Juliet and Evan graduated from<br />
the McDonough <strong>School</strong> of Business at<br />
Ge<strong>org</strong>etown University in 2004. They<br />
currently live in Manhattan, where Juliet<br />
works in corporate mergers and acquisitions,<br />
and Evan in real estate finance.<br />
2001<br />
Elizabeth Hardner writes, “I am the<br />
Development Associate in the Office<br />
of Foundation Relations at MIT. I am<br />
responsible for supporting the needs of the<br />
<strong>School</strong> of Humanities, Arts and Social<br />
Sciences (SHASS) and the <strong>School</strong> of<br />
Architecture and Planning (SAP). I joined<br />
MIT in September, after completing a<br />
Master’s in Business Administration at<br />
the European Business <strong>School</strong> in London.<br />
While in graduate school, I served as an<br />
intern at New Philanthropy Capital, where<br />
I studied the effectiveness and sustainability<br />
of grant-funded projects. Prior to moving<br />
overseas, I worked as a Senior Accountant<br />
with Fidelity Investments.”<br />
Jacqueline Maciejewski is living in<br />
Philadelphia, working on her second master’s<br />
and is doing safety testing for new drugs.<br />
Shannon Meyerhoff is living in Moscow<br />
and working as an English teacher, editor<br />
and translator.<br />
Catherine Plumb is teaching at a private<br />
school outside of Indianapolis for the gifted<br />
and talented. She teaches Earth Science<br />
and Human Anatomy. She also is coaching<br />
high school swimming at another local<br />
private school, Park Tudor. She is earning<br />
a master’s degree in K-8 Science with an<br />
online school, Walden University.<br />
Wendy Stone teaches History, coaches field<br />
hockey and lacrosse, runs a boys’ dormitory,<br />
is the Assistant Athletic Director and an<br />
adviser at Berkshire <strong>School</strong> in Sheffield,<br />
Mass. She also is taking graduate classes at<br />
Wesleyan University at night. She travels<br />
during the summer, in addition to coaching<br />
lacrosse.<br />
2002<br />
Dana Bergantz is living in Charlotte, N.C.,<br />
with her fiancé Lee Michelsen and working<br />
as a freelance photographer for both St.<br />
John Photography and Dana Bergantz<br />
Photography.
Amanda Gershberg writes, “I’m living<br />
in New Jersey doing marketing and sales<br />
for a cheese manufacturer, distributor and<br />
importer. I love my job and my new friends<br />
in Jersey, and also being so close to New<br />
York City”<br />
Nicole Grew is enjoying life in Chicago.<br />
Nomiki Konst writes, “I am living in Los<br />
Angeles doing the acting thing. It has<br />
been going very well, as I am represented<br />
and currently a working actor. I also have<br />
been taking extra classes on the side to<br />
keep my language skills going, French and<br />
Spanish. I just got back from a trip to Asia<br />
this summer. I’m also still active in politics<br />
and got a chance to go to the National<br />
Democratic Convention in Denver this<br />
past August.”<br />
James Montani married Oriana Eyllon<br />
on Aug. 31. Upon completion of his<br />
mechanical engineering degree at Union<br />
College, he was commissioned in the U.S.<br />
Marine Corps in 2006. He is currently<br />
stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.<br />
Alison Wright writes, “I’m a first-year<br />
graduate student in the English Department<br />
at SUNY at Buffalo, with an informal<br />
concentration in Shakespeare and Gender<br />
Studies, moonlighting as a nanny and a<br />
house cleaner to pay for my books and<br />
candy-addiction, living in Elmwood Village<br />
and taking care of my awesome new dog.”<br />
1st Lt. James L. Montani, USMC married<br />
Oriana Eyllon on Aug. 31 in Waltham,<br />
Mass. Both are graduates from Union<br />
College, Schenectady, N.Y., where the<br />
groom completed a bachelor’s degree in<br />
Mechanical Engineering in 2006 and<br />
earned a commission as an officer in the<br />
United States Marine Corps. Stationed<br />
at Camp Pendleton, the couple resides in<br />
San Clemente, Calif. Montani deployed<br />
in January 2009 with the 13th Marine<br />
Expeditionary Unit aboard the U.S.S.<br />
Boxer.<br />
Pictured together with the bride and<br />
groom are current <strong>Nichols</strong> students<br />
Rosemary ’09 and Stephen Montani ’11,<br />
and <strong>Nichols</strong> alumni Christine Montani<br />
’04, Dave Montani ’06, Adam DeFazio<br />
’99, 1st Lt. Nicholas Arnold, USMC ’02,<br />
and Mario Colucci ’03.<br />
2003<br />
Glenn Gentzke is working for a small<br />
but growing software development and<br />
consulting firm, playing drums for a local<br />
band that is gaining recognition in the<br />
underground circuit, riding his motorcycle,<br />
and skateboarding as frequently as possible.<br />
He also is working with a non-profit<br />
<strong>org</strong>anization.<br />
Charles Johnson started an online art<br />
gallery at N.Y.U. He recently opened an<br />
actual shop on 25 th Street in the city. He<br />
deals in antique American and European<br />
art.<br />
Michelle Poynton writes, “I graduated from<br />
Boston University’s <strong>School</strong> of Theater with<br />
a degree in Acting. I am currently living<br />
in New York City, and writing plays. My<br />
play ’Pope Joan’ has been fully produced<br />
in Boston and has been entered in the<br />
American College Theater Festival. The<br />
play also will have a short run in New York<br />
City in March. Another new play of mine<br />
may have a production at the ALT Theater<br />
in Buffalo next year.”<br />
2004<br />
5th Reunion<br />
CeCe Butcher is in her Senior Honours<br />
year of study at St. Andrews University.<br />
She is pursuing a five-year degree and<br />
will graduate in June 2009 with an M.A.<br />
Honours Russian (with integrated year<br />
abroad). Her third year of study was spent<br />
in Russia. Currently, she is a captain of<br />
a Girls Football (soccer) team for her<br />
hall of residence and serves as Parties<br />
Representative on her hall’s Committee.<br />
Daniel McKegney recently graduated<br />
from Denison University and was selected<br />
to a Fellowship program at the United<br />
States Golf Association. He welcomes<br />
questions about the career search process<br />
from <strong>Nichols</strong> students and recent<br />
alumni. He also wants to advertise this<br />
unique fellowship position for future<br />
college graduates who were former <strong>Nichols</strong><br />
students. Information about the fellowship<br />
program can be found at http://www.<br />
usga.<strong>org</strong>/aboutus/foundation/fellowship/<br />
fellowship.html.<br />
Brittany Salmon writes “I am taking a<br />
year off to relax after a busy eight years<br />
academically and athletically. I recently<br />
discovered a new sport, speed skating, and<br />
am training full-time for it. On the side, I<br />
am the assistant coach of the <strong>Nichols</strong> Girls<br />
Varsity Hockey team and I am researching<br />
business opportunities for the future.”<br />
Demi Walsh attends Canisius College,<br />
manages a restaurant, bartends at night and<br />
just began helping coach the <strong>Nichols</strong> Girls<br />
Junior Varsity Hockey team.<br />
Christine A. Montani earned a bachelor’s<br />
degree in Foreign Service from Ge<strong>org</strong>etown<br />
University in May. She is employed as a<br />
National Security Analyst with Science<br />
Applications International Corporation<br />
(SAIC) in McLean, Va. Christa resides in<br />
Washington, D.C.<br />
2005<br />
Jane Arcadi attends Canisius College and is<br />
an intern at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.<br />
She will attend the SUNY at Buffalo<br />
Medical <strong>School</strong> in the fall of 2009.<br />
Michael Baldauf attends Florida Gulf<br />
Coast University in Ft. Myers, Fla.<br />
Matthew Felser is a senior at Williams<br />
College and Co-captain of the golf team.<br />
He spent a junior semester in Buenos Aires,<br />
Argentina, and part of last summer working<br />
in Barcelona, Spain. Matt earned All<br />
NESCAC All Sportsmanship Honors for<br />
golf in fall 2008.<br />
Pierre Islam is studying history at the<br />
Johns Hopkins University.<br />
Winter 2009<br />
65
Maddie McQueeny earned All NESCAC<br />
All Sportsmanship Honors for Field Hockey<br />
in fall 2008-2009 at Bowdoin College.<br />
David Mayer attends Vanderbilt University.<br />
Alexander Parker is attending American<br />
University in Washington, D.C., interning<br />
for the Director of the Archives Department<br />
at the Smithsonian National Museum of<br />
American History. He is writing his senior<br />
thesis on American environmental history;<br />
performing in two music groups; and<br />
participating in the campus group Eco-Sense,<br />
which preaches sustainability and seeks to<br />
make the university as green as possible.<br />
2006<br />
Daniel Collins is attending University of<br />
Notre Dame and is cheering on the varsity<br />
teams as the school’s mascot.<br />
William Gurney attends Vanderbilt<br />
University and worked at the Seneca<br />
Gaming Corporation as a marketing intern<br />
during the summer.<br />
Ashley Takacs is currently attending<br />
the University of Pennsylvania studying<br />
Architecture. She is the Senior Design Editor<br />
for the Daily Pennsylvanian, the campus<br />
paper, spending 50 hours per week there, and<br />
overseeing the art direction for the paper.<br />
Ashley also is a writing tutor at Penn’s writing<br />
center. She spent the first part of last summer<br />
in Paris, where she studied architecture with<br />
the Penn Graduate <strong>School</strong> of Design, and the<br />
latter half volunteering at the Darwin Martin<br />
House in Buffalo. She received a grant from<br />
Penn for her work at the Martin House.<br />
Steph Tibollo was awarded SUNY at<br />
Buffalo’s Harry Merrill Gehman Award<br />
(2008). This annual award is given to<br />
students at the undergraduate and graduate<br />
levels, who exhibit academic achievement<br />
and whose intent is to pursue a career in<br />
teaching mathematics.<br />
66 <strong>Nichols</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Danielle Tillman is currently enrolled as a<br />
full time student at SIU-Carbondale; she<br />
expects to graduate fall of 2009. Danielle<br />
is a graphic artist at the SIUC Division of<br />
Continuing Education.<br />
Abbe Walsh is finishing her fifth semester<br />
at University of Wisconsin-Madison,<br />
playing on the club hockey team with<br />
fellow <strong>Nichols</strong> alum Jaime Ferrentino.<br />
In January, she will be going abroad on<br />
the Semester at Sea program through the<br />
University of Virginia, during which she<br />
will travel around the world stopping in 12<br />
different countries along the way.<br />
David M. Montani competed for the U.S.<br />
National Team at the 2008 FISA, Under<br />
23 World Rowing Championships held<br />
July 17-20 in Brandenburg, Germany.<br />
Montani, a junior at Fordham University,<br />
was the stroke for the Lightweight Men’s<br />
Four. A total of 54 nations and 792 rowers<br />
competed in the event; the USA entered<br />
14 crews. In his first two years at Fordham,<br />
Dave stroked the undefeated lightweight<br />
four as a freshman, which claimed the gold<br />
medal at the Dad Vail Regatta. He repeated<br />
that feat his sophomore year as the stroke<br />
for the men’s lightweight eight team.<br />
2007<br />
Michelle Berninger is attending<br />
Hamilton College and pursuing internship<br />
opportunities for the summer.<br />
Julia Butcher attends the University of<br />
Denver as a sophomore and French major.<br />
Brandon Davis is a sophomore at Lehigh<br />
University. He interned on a Congressional<br />
campaign, and is pursuing internships in<br />
business and politics.<br />
Sean Heidinger, known for his line Dazzle<br />
Me Formal, has a new cap at New Era<br />
Cap , “The Colvin,” which was inspired by<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> and Buffalo.<br />
Christine Penfold attends Ge<strong>org</strong>e<br />
Washington University and she is interning<br />
at Booz Allen Hamilton in Virginia.<br />
Michael White played on the Iroquois<br />
National U19 Lacrosse team that won a<br />
Bronze Medal at the U19 World Lacrosse<br />
Championships. The World Championships<br />
were held in Coquitlam, British Columbia.<br />
Father and alumnus W. Michael White ’81<br />
coached the team.<br />
2008<br />
Akta Kaushal writes, “I am at American<br />
University and, honestly, it is the best time<br />
of my life. I am double majoring in Political<br />
Science and a Justice (Law and Society)<br />
degree and am minoring in a Middle<br />
Eastern concentration in International<br />
Studies. I am grateful for my experiences<br />
at <strong>Nichols</strong> and even more grateful for the<br />
opportunities presented at my current<br />
university.”<br />
Ryan McNamara is on the radio at Babson<br />
College. He co-hosts a political talk show<br />
at 8 on Sunday evenings. The web site is<br />
radio.babson.edu.<br />
Elisa Peebles writes, “I am currently<br />
approaching the end of my first semester<br />
at New York University. I am adjusting to<br />
my course load, adjusting to my new social<br />
life, finding a new niche in the spoken word<br />
poetry scene, working with friends to create<br />
group projects, starting to network.”<br />
All Alumni Welcome!<br />
Reunion 2009<br />
Friday, June 5, 2009<br />
at 5 p.m.
Faculty Profile<br />
Mary Sykes<br />
What is your position at <strong>Nichols</strong>?<br />
I teach fifth-grade Central Studies, a double<br />
period every day, which includes history,<br />
literature and writing, all centered on the<br />
Middle Ages.<br />
How long have you been teaching at<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong>?<br />
This is my 15 th year.<br />
What was your path leading to<br />
<strong>Nichols</strong> like?<br />
After graduating from the University<br />
of Toronto with a liberal arts degree in<br />
history, literature, language, anthropology<br />
and archaeology, I was unsure about a<br />
career path. A few years later, while living<br />
in Boston, I heard about a teacher training<br />
program at the Shady Hill <strong>School</strong> in<br />
Cambridge. I applied, was accepted, and<br />
spent a year there as an apprentice teacher,<br />
working side by side with master teachers,<br />
learning the craft of teaching through<br />
daily hands-on experience. Additionally,<br />
I took classes from teachers at Shady Hill<br />
who gave seminars on topics important to<br />
teaching. During that incredible year at<br />
Shady Hill, I discovered in myself a true<br />
passion for educating children – I couldn’t<br />
wait for my own classroom! I was hired out<br />
of that program to teach Central Subject<br />
(the same idea as <strong>Nichols</strong>’ Central Studies)<br />
to sixth-graders at The Park <strong>School</strong> in<br />
Brookline, Mass. I taught there for five<br />
years until the birth of my daughter, Emmy.<br />
After moving to Buffalo when Emmy was<br />
young, I looked around for a teaching<br />
position. Cornelia Dopkins, who was then<br />
Head of the Middle <strong>School</strong>, hired me to<br />
teach fifth grade. I’ve been there ever since.<br />
What is your favorite thing about <strong>Nichols</strong>?<br />
The fact that after 15 years I look forward<br />
to coming into school every day. I really<br />
don’t think about what I do as work,<br />
because I truly enjoy it. I give full credit for<br />
the joy I feel teaching at this remarkable<br />
school to my inspiring, supportive<br />
colleagues and to the motivated, talented<br />
students with whom I spend my days.<br />
Do you have a favorite <strong>Nichols</strong> memory?<br />
Anyone who’s been through<br />
fifth grade will tell you that we<br />
stress <strong>org</strong>anization. I’ll never<br />
f<strong>org</strong>et a new fifth-grade parent<br />
informing me that her 10-yearold<br />
son arrived home from his<br />
first day of school announcing<br />
that he had to head upstairs<br />
to <strong>org</strong>anize his binder. The<br />
mother said she almost died<br />
from shock.<br />
What are your hobbies and<br />
interests?<br />
I love the outdoors, so you’ll<br />
find me doing lots of activities<br />
outside: biking, tennis, sailing,<br />
running and gardening. I<br />
also enjoy reading, cooking,<br />
movies and theater.<br />
What is your favorite book<br />
and why?<br />
I don’t really have a favorite<br />
book. I’ve always been an<br />
eclectic reader, and I tend to<br />
enjoy whatever I’m reading<br />
at the time. For me, books<br />
become close friends. Because<br />
I get wrapped up in them,<br />
I tend to feel a sense of loss<br />
when I finish a book, so I always have<br />
the next book I’m going to read on hand.<br />
Just today I reread the children’s book<br />
“Frederick” about a mouse who stores up<br />
good weather memories for the long winter<br />
days ahead. Like Frederick, I’ve been<br />
soaking up our spectacular, colorful fall days<br />
and enjoying them tremendously.
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