Brewsterconnections - Brewster Academy

Isabella Monzione (Alton); juniors Sean Cassidy(Alton Bay) and Rebecca Jones (Wolfeboro); andseniors Cristina Adams (Alton), Bianca Barcelo(Wolfeboro), and Ashley Rogers (Alton Bay).Coming to a Theatre ClassNear UsActor Topher Grace ’97 plans to join the Fine andPerforming Arts Department as an artist in residenceduring the production of Bye Bye Birdie, the wintermusical.Grace is currently filming A Many Splintered Thing, aromantic comedy starring Michelle Monaghan andChris Evans. He also recently completed filming onThe Big Wedding, a comedy with an ensemble castset for release in the spring.Cmar is Top Chef ContestantTalk about being your best self, as Connectionswas going to print, Stephanie Cmar ’03 was setto be a “chef’testant” on “Top Chef: Seattle.” Thechef’testants will be “pared down week by week asthey compete to out-flavor, out-cook, and out-dotheir competition,” according to the Bravo TVwebsite. The showed premiered on November 7 with21 “Top Chef: Seattle” hopefuls.After Brewster, Cmar attended Johnson & WalesUniversity. She is currently a rounds cook at No. 9Park in Boston. According to her Bravo bio, if shewere a food, she would be mayonnaise “because itmakes everything better.”Arnold’s Leadership EarnsGALA GrantGlobal Awareness Local Action (G.A.L.A.), whoseexecutive director is Josh Arnold ’01, was the NewHampshire representative in the recent Tom’sof Maine 50 States for Good grant campaign. Thechallenge asked supporters to vote for their favoriteorganization each day online for the chance to win upto $50,000. When all the votes were counted, G.A.L.A.was one of five second place winners across nationaland the organization has received a $20,000 grant.The influx of funds will support the organization’sSustain-a-Raisers program to help it grow into ayouth-led model for sustainable home and yardmakeovers and green skills education. Funding fromThe Excellence in TeachingAward: Jonathan FouserAwarded annuallythe Excellence inTeaching Award isgiven in recognitionof demonstratedexcellence in teachingpractices and overallcontributions within the Brewster Academyprogram.When you hear this faculty member talkabout teaching, his passion immediately drawsyou in and fills you with energy. He loves toshare his passion for teaching with others andloves to have colleagues visit his class. He isalways pursuing innovations and professionaldevelopment that can enhance his teaching. Heis completely dedicated to his profession andto his students. He holds the bar high for all hisstudents, and because he believes in their abilityto reach that bar, his students are inspired tostretch and aim for excellence. His studentslearn to respect their own abilities because heinsists they give their work their best both inthe classroom and on a tough mountain climb.He joined Brewster in September 1998 to teachwithin the Instructional Support departmentand coaching within the athletic department. Hemoved to the English department in 2001.the grant will also support up to two paid seasonalinternships for interested youth. (galacommunity.org)Hodges’ Dedication to a Dayof ThanksIn mid-November, multimedia teacher BG Hodges’66 was featured on the Boston Rescue Missionwebsite for his commitment to the Boston shelterwhose mission is to offer resources to prevent andend homelessness. For 20 years BG, along withstudent volunteers, has traveled to the RescueMission to help prepare its annual Day of Thankscelebration. For many years these students haveincluded members of Brewster’s Faith Community.“With generous volunteers like BG Hodges andstudents of Brewster Academy, our cup of blessingrunneth over,” the article states.The Career Growth Award:Doug SkelleyAwarded annually,the Career GrowthAward is given inrecognition of thatfaculty member whoover the course of theyear has demonstratedthe most acceleratedprofessional growth within the BrewsterAcademy program.Distinguished by his relationship with studentsthat is a foundation of his effective teaching,he is a teacher who cares about his studentsand invests in their success. He has taken on aleadership role in Brewster’s summer programand he is a wonderful ambassador for our schoolin the larger Wolfeboro community. Alwaysupbeat, with that ‘can-do’ attitude, he has beena resource for others with technology, andparticularly Moodle. Just as he is always availableto those who need his help, he is eager to learnand grow and is always seeking ideas for histeaching. He joined Brewster in September 2007as the community living parent in Sargent 3 andalso coached three seasons. In 2008 he taught inthe Instructional Support department until histransfer to the history department in 2009.www.brewsteracademy.org 19