BrewsterConnections - Brewster Academy

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HOOPLA by Matt Hoopes Core Values: Serving Themselves and Others With Their Best I ’m not sure most readers would believe the incredible number of cards, phone calls, or e-mails that I’ve received over the past almost 40 years that have included variations of “What I learned during my years at BA has been the core that’s directed me through my life.” Others have ended their praises with statements such as “... And I don’t mean just the reached). In some cases, it was a class, a sport, a teammate, a teacher, a coach, or one enlightened classroom discussion that helped connect students to their education and what could be their path after Brewster. Regardless of the decade, the relationships, adventures, and new found knowledge were rolled together into a life-lasting “Brewster Experience.” classes ... really the whole experience, the spirit, the bonding, community serving ... all of it!” The stories of the alumni profiled in this Connections illustrate the personal successes that have come in This same feeling is echoed each June when alumni return to campus for Reunion Weekend and the praises of their Brewster years continue. Over the years it has become obvious that Brewster has helped make many lives more meaningful, more productive, and more successful. part, small or large, due to their Brewster experience. While the program has evolved and may look different for today’s students than it looked 40 years ago, the core values of a Brewster education have not wavered and to this day find their basis and direction from “The Brewster Principle: Respect, integrity, and service: serve yourself and others with the best in all Brewster’s approach to educating young people has you do.” remained grounded in responding to the needs of its students with programs that reflect best practices in education. Whether it was the first-of-its-kind Learning Skills Program begun in the 1970s or the comprehensive school reform initiative of the early 1990s, Brewster has always sought to apply proven education research to evolve its program and provide a truly student-centered approach to learning. As a former faculty member and now alumni correspondent, I feel that Brewster has always found a way to reach and connect with every student (even those few not particularly interested in being Through their accomplishments we have attempted to illustrate specific core values – character education, teamwork, service, and best practices – embraced by alumni. I hope you will agree that these alumni, like so many others, have served themselves and others with their best in all that they do. Matt Hoopes was a faculty member from 1975 to 1996. During this time he and his journalism students founded The Brewster Browser, the Outcroppings literary magazine, and the BAPA (Brewster Academy Photo/Address) book. Since his “retirement” from the classroom in 1996, Hoopes has worked as the Young Alumni Correspondent from his hilltop banana farm on the island of Eleuthera, The Bahamas, helping to keep the alumni connection alive. In each issue he brings life-after-Brewster stories to the pages of his Hoopla column. 26 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
HOOPLA Character Counts Former Bobcat Dogus Balbay Named Most Valuable Student “A team that drafts him will gain a player of enormous talent and even higher level of character.” Dogus Balbay ’07, the point guard who led the Bobcats to a 29-6 record and a runner up finish at the 2007 NEPSAC Class A Championship, took his talents to the University of Texas and quickly became known throughout Texas and the college basketball community as one of America’s top players. His junior and senior years at Texas he was named an Academic All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Team honoree, having maintained a 3.2 GPA or higher. In June the point guard signed a three-year contract with the Turkish professional team Anadolu Efes S.K. and also is a member of Turkey’s senior men’s national team. As talented a player that he is, however, it is often his character that distinguishes Dogus both on and off the court. To cap off his U.S. basketball career, he was awarded the Most Valuable Student for the Class of 2011, an honor bestowed on Balbay by Study In America Inc., an organization that helps Turkish and Azerbaijani students research and apply to universities and colleges in the United States. “In selecting the Most Valuable Student for the Class of 2011, we looked for the student who not only achieved extreme success in and out of the classroom but also one who possesses a character that inspires and impacts others. A student who is well rounded and demonstrates intelligence, strength, and character,” explained Tamer Turkman, president of StudyInAmerican.com. “A team that drafts him will gain a player of enormous talent and even higher level of character,” he added. Dogus’ Texas coach, Rick Barnes, couldn’t agree more. “You can’t put into words the impact that Dogus has had on our program. He truly defines the term student-athlete. He has been a great team leader and the ultimate teammate. Everyone in our program who has played with Dogus respects him. More important, I can’t tell you how many players and coaches from opposing teams have mentioned their respect level for Dogus. Because of his work ethic and perseverance and the way he has carried himself throughout his career.” Although Dogus spent 17-hour days training with team Anadolu Efes this summer, he found the time to offer his perspective on his own character and success thus far. www.brewsteracademy.org 27
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