Toaxnoes Spring 2011 Final2.indd - Nichols School

ATTENTIONALUMNI!We Want toHear from YouDo you have casual comments,questions, ideas or suggestions youwould like to share with Nichols?Well, here’s your chance.You can submit your feedback onall-things Nichols via our new onlinefeedback form located on the AlumniPortal at www.nicholsschool.org/alumni. This user-friendly form willallow you to share your thoughtswith us. The Nichols Alumni Boardwill review all of your comments andconcerns on a monthly basis andrespond to those questionsand issues deemed significantfor consideration.In addition to this, pleaseremember you can always call BlakeWalsh ’98 in the Development Officeat 716.332.5151 or emailbwalsh@nicholsschool.org.ContentsHead of School Report ......................................................................... 5Earth Week Festivities ......................................................................... 62011 Prince Lecture Speaker ................................................................ 8Upcoming Art Shows .......................................................................... 9Girls Varsity Squash .............................................................................. 10Boys Prep A Hockey ........................................................................... 11Tribute to Kim Kimberly ’47 ............................................................... 12Alumni Holiday Gathering and Awards Ceremony ............................ 21The 2011 General Information Test ..................................................... 22A Message from Leslie S. Garcia, Director of Development ............ 26Mark Kelley ’72: Shooting For Perfection .......................................... 282011 Graham Smith Visiting Fellow ................................................... 30After Nichols – Chris Catanzaro ’95 .................................................. 31Nichols is Special to Me Because .....................................................32Saving the World, One Water Bottle at a Time .................................. 34Poetic Memories with Bob North ’29 .................................................. 36Boston Alumni Event ........................................................................... 38Chicago Alumni Event ....................................................................... 39Catherine Fitzpatrick ’18 Grace LouiseMunschauser ‘14Corrections &ClarificationsIn the previous issue’s article titled“Legacies,” which highlightednew students who have a parentor grandparent who attended Nichols,we regret that we left out CatherineFitzpatrick ’18, daughter ofBrett Fitzpatrick ’92, and GraceMunschauser ‘14, granddaughterof Edward Walsh ‘43.New York City Alumni Event ............................................................. 40Washington, D.C. Alumni Event ........................................................ 41After Nichols – Piper Campbell ’84 ................................................... 42Upcoming Events ............................................................................. 43In Memoriam .................................................................................... 44Class Notes ...................................................................................... 45Faculty Profile – Yajie Zhang ............................................................... 514 Nichols School

Captain McBride visits the School’s5th and 6th grade science classes.Earth Weekby Nina BaroneWith many ongoing sustainabilityefforts surrounding the Big GreenInitiative, it’s no surprise thatEarth Week is a particularly fun –and green – time around Nichols.Leading up to our celebrationsof Earth Day on Friday, April22, our community enjoyed avariety of fun and meaningful activities. The week culminatedwith two extraordinary speakers – renowned genomics expert andPrince Lecturer, Juan Enriquez, and retired astronaut, CaptainJon McBride, who visited in partnership with Delaware NorthCompanies.On the Tuesday of Earth Week, the Social Justice Movie Clubpresented “Bag It,” a film about plastic pollution, in the MiddleSchool Pond. The message behind the film was clear: our use ofplastic bags is excessive and exponentially becoming catastrophicfor our environment. The movie screening, organized by CarolineFenn ’12, provided us with some alarming and enlightening facts.Consider: In the United States alone, about 12 million barrels of oilare used annually to make the plastic bags that Americans consume. Bagsoften wind up in waterways or on the landscape, degrading water andsoil as they break down into toxic bits. Their manufacture, transportationand disposal use large quantities of non-renewable resources and releaseequally large amounts of global-warming gases. Hundreds of thousandsof marine animals die every year when they eat plastic bags mistaken forfood.On Thursday, students held a bake sale to raise funds tobenefit Rural Water Ventures’ efforts to bring clean water to ruralNicaragua. As always, students, faculty and staff did their part bybiking, walking, carpooling and using public transportation onFriday.To kick off Earth Day, the Upper School students heard fromJuan Enriquez, who shared his remarkable research and knowledgeof human genome mapping, at the Friday Morning Meeting. Toread more about Mr. Enriquez’s visit, see page 8.Captain Jon McBride, who served as a Navy fighter pilot beforejoining NASA, began his day at Nichols by visiting our 5th and6th grade science classes. The excitement in the room was palpable.The day continued with parents and our Facilities Departmentattending a special breakfast in the Boocock Reading Room to meetand talk with Captain McBride.Thereafter, Captain McBride gave a presentation in theFlickinger Performing Arts Center for the entire Middle Schooland many Upper School students. He shared stories about being apart of NASA’s first shuttle class in 1978 and described what it feels6 Nichols School

Jacobs Award for Environmental SustainabilityAt the Earth Day assembly on Friday, April 22, Paige Dedrick ’11 was named the 2011 recipientof the Jacobs Award for Environmental Sustainability.Louis Jacobs ’82, Nichols alumnus and Delaware North Companies executive, and currentstudents, Justin Jacobs ’14 and Lou Jacobs ’12, presented the award on behalf of their family.Established on April 22, 2008, in honor of a gift from Delaware North Companies andthe Jacobs family, the Jacobs Award for Environmental Sustainability honors a student whoembodies environmental stewardship and the ideals set forth by our Big Green Initiative. Thisaward is presented annually on EarthDay to a senior at Nichols.We are grateful for all theprogress we have made withenvironmental consciousness,thanks to students like Paige and thecollective efforts of our communitythrough the Big Green Initiative.Congratulations to Paige on thisoutstanding honor!Captain McBride, Justin Jacobs ’14,Louie Jacobs ’12 and Louis Jacobs ’82Paige Dedrick ’11 (center) with herparents, Paul and EdenFestivitieslike coming back to Earth, trying to keep his balance departing theshuttle in order to not “fall down in front of the TV cameras.” Hedivulged the physical changes his body underwent while in space,including losing weight and getting taller by an inch or two, amongother tidbits.Students and faculty alike appreciated the once in a lifetimeopportunity to hear about Captain McBride’s adventures andthe path that brought him from his West Virginia upbringing tospending days in space. He also told his audience about his strongeducational foundation and ethics, the importance of teamworkat NASA, and his appreciation of the diversity and internationalmakeup of his NASA teams.When asked if he wanted to be an astronaut when he was a boy,Captain McBride pointed out that there was no such profession yet.He was very interested in math and science as a student, and wenton to study chemical engineering in college before later switchingto civil engineering, and ultimately, becoming a fighter pilot.“The first man or woman to walk on Mars could be right herein this audience,” he said, encouraging students to consider theirpart in continuing space exploration. He pointed out that NASAbelieves the person is probably between 6 and 16 years old today.Captain McBride ended his visit to Nichols with a talk to ourUpper School math students. His messages – from the importanceof a solid education to maintaining your integrity of character –were sound and well received. Hearing from Captain McBrideabout his time in space and his life’s passion was an extraordinaryexperience.Also on Earth Day, Upper School science teacher, Josh Ring, andthe members of Students for Environmental Action and Awareness,led a Powerdown Competition. Making use of our newly installedelectrical monitoring equipment and dashboard in the Class of1963 Center for Mathematics and Science, buildings across ourcampus competed in lowering their electrical usage. SEAA studentscalculated the percentage drop from a base value for each of thebuildings.It was a rigorous battle, but the building with the highestpercentage drop was Center ’63, whose inhabitants worked hardto drop nearly 25 percent. Our buildings’ average drop in energyuse was almost 15 percent, which is a significant accomplishment.It accounted for keeping about 250 pounds of carbon dioxide frombeing omitted into the atmosphere.“This is what we accomplished in one afternoon,” said Mr. Ring.“Imagine if we practice this type of conservation every day.”Thank you to our friends at Delaware North Companies andeveryone who made this Earth Day so special!

Prince Lecture Speaker Explores“Science, Technology andthe Next Human Species”by Nina BaroneOn Thursday, April 21, Nichols welcomedJuan Enriquez for the 2011 Prince Lecturein the Glenn and Awdry FlickingerPerforming Arts Center. Established bySidney Warren Prince, Jr. ’47 in memoryof his parents, the lectureship brings worldrenowned speakers to the School for botha public talk and a presentation to ourstudents.Nichols Trustee and alumna, LiseBuyer ’78, coordinated our visit fromMr. Enriquez – one of the world’s mosteminent science authors, researchers andentrepreneurs. He is Managing Director,Excel Venture Management; Co-Founder,Synthetic Genomics Inc.; former FoundingDirector of the Harvard Business SchoolLife Sciences Project; and a global bestsellingauthor. In addition, Mr. Enriquezco-moderated the TED2011 conferenceprogram with Bill Gates. TED, a nonprofitdevoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, startedin 1984 as a conference bringing togetherpeople from three worlds: Technology,Entertainment and Design.Titled “Science, Technology and theNext Human Species,” Mr. Enriquez’s talklargely focused on his groundbreakingresearch with mapping the human genome,and the discoveries that have transpiredthereafter. He respectfully asked listeners toquestion many of their fundamental beliefs,not because he wanted to change them,but because he wanted everyone to thinkand wonder what this research might meanfor our futures, as well as the lives of ourchildren and grandchildren.He began by saying, “I want to give youfair warning that I am going to take onsome subjects that are difficult [subjects],and a lot of you are going to disagree withme. But what I want you to do is walk outof here thinking in a different way, not8 Nichols SchoolJuan Enriquez, a leading science author,researcher and entrepreneur, visited Nichols forour latest event in the Prince Lecture Series.necessarily agreeing with me. I’m going totouch things that I think will be near anddear to some of you, and I hope I do it withsome humor and a great deal of respect.”Mr. Enriquez tactfully did just that. Headdressed matters of evolution, animal andhuman cloning, medical research, beliefsystems and religion, and took listeners intoa world where humans increasingly shapetheir environment, their own selves, andother species. According to Mr. Enriquez:“It is a world where our bodies harbor 100times more microbial cells than humancells, a place where a gene cocktail mayallow many more to climb an 8,000 meterpeak without oxygen, and where, given theright drug, one could have a 77 percentchance of becoming a centenarian.”He told the audience that there havebeen at least 25 prototype humans. “Weare but one more model, and there is noevidence evolution has stopped,” he said.Mr. Enriquez gave a Morning Meetingpresentation to the Upper School students onEarth Day.

“So unless you think we are the be all andend all of creation, and it just does not getany better, then one has to ask, ‘what isnext?’”Armed with scientific support for everyscenario he presented, he undoubtedly hadlisteners questioning their beliefs – andmaybe even soul searching. Mr. Enriquezhad a witty and clever sense of humor thatkept everyone engrossed and helped easetension surrounding the most controversialtopics.The audience laughed together andlet out audible gasps in unison. Mr.Enriquez seamlessly moved from showingphotographs of cute brown cows thatwere the result of cloning, to sharingthat he learned how to manipulate cellsto create operating systems for them,akin to a computer’s programming. Witha small team of researchers, he asked,“Can we program cells much like weprogram computer chips? Can we build theoperating system for a cell from scratch?”The answer was “yes.” They instructedrobots to assemble some chemicals; theyput together a technology to build thelargest organic molecule humans haveever built; they learned how to manipulateit without breaking it; they learned howto insert it into a cell; and then they hadthe cell execute the cell and one speciesbecame an entirely different species. Theywent on to create algae that producedfuels for ExxonMobil. They now have agreenhouse in San Diego. That particularstory was astounding and inspiring, quitelike Mr. Enriquez himself.Serving as the featured Upper Schoolspeaker for Earth Day, Mr. Enriquez alsoskillfully adapted his presentation to engageour students at the Morning Meeting onFriday, April 22.Mr. Enriquez’s fascinating researchmoved everyone to think about human lifefrom a new perspective. We truly enjoyedour visit from such a remarkable scientificscholar, and we look forward to watchingwhat is next in his investigative work withthe human species.UpcomingArt ShowsAug. 30 – Nov. 7Gerald MeadCollection: 100 Years of WNY Women ArtistsNov. 9 – Jan. 9Becky KoenigPaintingsJan. 13 – March 5Amanda BeslWorks on paperMarch 8 – June 8Andrea MancusoPhotographyCall for ArtistsNichols is interested in hearing fromartists who want to display their work inthe Nichols School Gallery in the Glennand Awdry Flickinger Performing ArtsCenter. Guest artists have the opportunityto meet with students in classes, aswell as the chance to speak at a specialassembly or Morning Meeting to sharetheir work.The Colby Fund, which provides incometo promote and enhance the arts atNichols, provides some funding to assistwith exhibitions, guest artists, andspecial programs for the benefit andeducation of our students. If you areinterested in learning more, pleasecall Stephanie Angelakos in theDevelopment Office at 716.332.5151.Spring 20119

Kate Roach ‘83The Girls Varsity Squash team (right) poses with opponents from St. Andrew’s School at the 1st Annual “Roach Cup.”Girls Varsity SquashCompetitiveness, Sportsmanshipand Camaraderie: A Winning Matchby Chuck PtakThe 2010-11 Girls Varsity Squash teamenjoyed, in the words of our captain,Pamicka Marinello ’11, “our best season inhistory.” The team went undefeated (7-0) inWestern New York en route to winning theBuffalo League Championship over BuffaloSeminary 6-1 in the finals.The team represented Nichols extremelywell at the Buffalo Tennis & SquashClub Junior Invitational, the Buffalo CityJuniors Tournament and the Buffalo CityOpen Tournament. For the first time, bothBuffalo Squash Racquets Championshipswere won by junior players, both fromNichols: Pamicka and our Boys VarsitySquash captain, Michael Che ’11, earnedthe ranking as the top female and maleplayers in the city of Buffalo. In the finals,Pamicka triumphed over a Nichols alumna10 Nichols Schooland former collegiate squash player at St.Lawrence, Erin Hart ’03.On the national level, the team finished abest-ever 30 th in the country after the threeday U.S. High School Team Championshipsin Connecticut, defeating Blair Academy(N.J.), while losing tight matches with St.Luke’s School (Conn.), Phillips Academy-Andover (Mass.) and Mercersburg Academy(Pa.).One particular highlight of the season wastravelling to Franklin & Marshall Collegein Lancaster, Penn., in mid-January for atri-match with St. Andrew’s School andhost Lancaster Country Day School. Theteam competed in the 1 st Annual DanielT. Roach, Jr. Cup, in honor of Tad Roach’75, an alumnus of Nichols and currentHeadmaster of St. Andrew’s School inMiddletown, Del. The big match was thefirst ever contest between St. Andrew’s andNichols. The two schools agreed to play ayearly competition, and we look forward tothe annual “Roach Cup” next winter.The 11 girls on the team – PamickaMarinello ’11, Catherine Williams ’12,Grace Munschauer ’14, Caroline Hogan’14, Lauren Randaccio ’13, Ellie Chambers’14, Sommer Zacher ’13, Caroline Fenn’12, Ellie Hayes ’11, Julia Corbett ’13 andKristen Tiftickjian ’14 – should be proud ofthe fact that during the course of the season,opposing coaches, parents and studentathletesalike were extremely complimentaryof our team’s competitiveness, sportsmanshipand camaraderie.Fortunta!

SportsBoys Prep A HockeyA Defining Seasonby Jamie PrintzAfter finding our way into the 2010Conference of Independent Schools ofOntario Championship, only to fall ingame three of the best-of-three series, itwas clear that the players felt they left oneon the table. With 15 players returningand two former players rejoining the squad,the 2010-2011 team was determined toerase the mistakes of the past and becomethe first team since 2003 to wina league title. With a rigorousschedule to challenge the players,this team would be prepared.Highlighting our nonconferenceplay was a series oftournaments and showcases.A tournament that wouldbenchmark our season was the62 nd Lawrenceville Tournament.We were slated to take on astrong Northfield Mount HermonSchool who lost in the NewEngland finals a year ago. A4-3 OT victory in game one setthe stage for a showdown withChoate-Rosemary Hall School,a perennial New England power.A 2-1 loss to Choate and a 5-4double OT loss to The TaftSchool proved that we couldcompete with the best, but next,we would learn how to beat the best.It was our turn to host the Nichols-Belmont Hill Tournament, and ourplayers were determined to walk awaywith hardware. After going 3-0 in theround robin, we dropped a 3-2 decision toBelmont Hill. This was the game when ourplayers no longer were satisfied with givinggood teams a competitive game. The barwas raised and winning a championshipseemed more possible.The St. Francis Tournament was theturning point of our season. After making itto the finals of the tournament, we faced offagainst league foe, Ridley College. For thefirst time this year, Nichols walked awaywith a championship. The flu would be thetheme of the Northwood Tournament, butdespite the illness, Nichols found its wayinto the semifinals yet again only to see theboys run out of gas in a 6-5 OT loss. Withthe tournaments behind us, the focus wasback to the CISAA league.The league season was difficult, asexpected. Each team was capable ofbeating the other, and there were no easyThe team proudly holds their championship cup in unison.opponents. When the dust settled, wewere surprised to find ourselves sittingin third place going into the playoffs.However, we knew that any of the fourteams were capable of winning the title.Round one matched us against ApplebyCollege, always difficult for Nichols. In thelast nine meetings, the two teams share a4-4-1 record. The playoffs are said to bea new season, and Nichols came into itwith a new energy. Nichols walked awayfrom game one with a 5-1 victory. Whilegame two was closer on the scoreboard,the ice was tilted, and without a stronggoaltending performance from the Applebygoaltender, it could have been muchdifferent. Despite the goaltending, Nicholsswept the series with a 2-0 victory.The finals matched us against RidleyCollege, number four seed who knocked offtop seeded St. Andrew’s College. Again,Nichols held the advantage in game onewith a 5-1 victory. Game two was a wildone. A wide open affair, the game wasknotted at 5-5 when the buzzer soundedat the end of the third period. Overtimewould determine a game threeor a championship. In the firstshift of overtime, Nichols wouldscore its biggest goal of theseason, propelling this team to thechampionship it so desired.It was a memorable season. Theaccomplishments of this team willbecome part of the conversationsof the history of the program.Players have put their names onthe list of greats. However, whatmakes this season special is theexperience and the journey thatonly the players can share. Theystuck together. They believed inthemselves, and they believed ineach other. As the season comesto a close, their memories will staywith them forever.Emily Pfalzer ’11Miss YourAthletics TeamRecaps?We post our season recaps on the websiteafter each team completes play for thefall, winter and spring seasons. You canview them at www.nicholsschool.org/seasonrecaps. You can also find themby visiting the Athletics page –www.nicholsschool.org/athletics – andclicking on “Season Recaps.” We hopeyou enjoy being able to read them as soonas they become available!

When we learned of Kim’s cancer diagnosis inDecember of 2010, the entire Nichols communitywas saddened, yet we felt fortunate to have thechance to honor our dear friend while he wasstill with us. In true Kim fashion, he continuedto exhibit all the grace and humor with which helived his everyday life.The Sheriff’sLongtime faculty member and SchoolPhotographer, William F. “Kim” Kimberly, Jr. ’47,passed on March 14. He spent 53 memorableyears at Nichols, touching generations of ourcommunity with his kind and generous spirit.After attending Nichols as a student, Kimwent on to spend his senior year at boardingschool in Sheffi eld, Mass., at Berkshire School.He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Hobart and WilliamSmith Colleges, and later, he received a master’s degree fromHollins College.He returned to Nichols to teach by special request of theHeadmaster at the time, Phil Boocock. He taught everything from5th, 6th and 7th grade English to French, drama and history, beforeeventually joining the staff of the Development Offi ce as SchoolPhotographer. Kim proudly held that role up until his fi nal days.With his “tough, but fun” teaching style,and countless lessons taught in and outside ofthe classroom, Kim left a lasting impressionwith all his former students and colleagues.He is remembered as the type of teacherwho truly got to know his students onan individual basis, and took the time towork with them to overcome challenges.Kim kept a pictorial archive of Nichols for severaldecades, attending every school event faithfully. He made it toeach athletic team’s games and tournaments, and every concert,performance and recital in the Flickinger Performing Arts Centerand the Middle School Pond. Kim attended the Middle Schoolgrade level trips to shoot special moments in action, and followedthe growth of our students through to Commencement, and later,Reunion. He captured priceless moments of daily life at the School,12 Nichols School

W. F. “Kim” Kimberly ’47Last Standand his photographs will always be cherished as animportant part of the Nichols community.In February, the School held an art show todisplay Kim’s photographs and recognize himfor his outstanding collection. The show,“Nichols: Now and Then,” had an openingreception in the Albright Hall Reading Roomwith over 250 attendees on hand to viewKim’s photographs and talk with him.Later that month, Kim learned that Cradle Beach, one of hismost beloved charitable organizations, named The Kimberly FamilyBuilding in honor of him. He was extremely proud of this honor.Everyone who knew Kim recalls his signature smile and remarkablesense of humor. An English teacher through and through, Kim had anatural knack for storytelling to match his wit. We know many of hisfriends will continue to fondly retell his stories.On the following pages, you will find a few of our favorites – astold by Kim. He passed his “Yellow Shirt Tales” along to us and weare fortunate to be able to share them with you here. One even tellsthe story of why Kim wore yellow every Friday. We hope you enjoythem and are inspired to continue celebrating Kim’s vivacious spiritas we will at Nichols.If you wish to honor Kim with a gift, memorials may be made toNichols School. The William F. “Kim” Kimberly, Jr. ’47 Scholarshipwas established in honor of Kim by the School. The fund is designed toprovide need-based financial aid for a promising rising 6th grade studentwho has made a strong contribution to the Nichols School community.Spring 201113

W. F. “Kim” Kimberly ’471970math materials for my students. Never having done such a thing, Ineeded preparation and teaching guidance, which I found primarilyfrom recalling what you and Dick Ohler did for us. The results werewonderful, just as they were for you both.This island school, which had about 100 students from 1 st to 8 thgrade, went from a bottom-half ranking to literally one of the top inthe country. All the 8 th grade kids who wanted to attend secondaryschool (9 th – 12 th grades) were accepted, a rate only some cityschools could approach.When I left, there were a core group of kids who had had abasic education their parents could not have dreamed of. I oftenwondered what these kids would do, but I hoped they would usetheir unusual learning to help advance the conditions on the island,and they apparently have.The island, which had almost no commerce on it when I wasthere, now has several small tourist facilities, and I have no doubtthat some of those kids who were treated to The Kimberly/OhlerExtension School have made sure that the outsiders who own thesefacilities do not take unfair advantage of the people.I recently learned the islanders are now building their ownsecondary school so their kids no longer have to transfer away fromtheir families to the main island to continue their educations. I’msure some of these Kimberly/Ohler inspired kids are accomplishingthis long held goal.So, 7700 miles from you, on the little island of Beqa, there aremany sincerely grateful parents and grandparents who will neverknow of Kim Kimberly or Dick Ohler, but because of you, they canwatch their children have lives more productive, healthy and funthan they could have imagined.The Fijian people are incredibly kind and good-natured, and thepeople on Beqa were the nicest people I’ve ever met. I love themdearly. On their behalf, I thank you for the wonderful influence youhave had and will have on them for generations.From a shy kid who learned English, humor, and kindness at yourknee, Thank You.Hayden Letchworth ’64Spring 201115

W. F. “Kim” Kimberly ’47Kim and his wife, Susie, catch up with Kim's daughter, Kezia, and son,Townsend, at a Nichols party.A Boocock Anecdoteby W. F. Kimberly, Jr. ’47The phone rang on a bright June Monday morning after graduation.I was packing up my family for the annual opening trek toParry Sound, Ontario. The voice was that of Elinor Coleman,affectionately known as the Queen Bee, and Phil Boocock’s righthand. In no uncertain terms, she told me that the Boss was waitingto see me and I had about 30 minutes to make the trip to Nicholsfrom my East Aurora home.Fearing the worst, from being fired to being admonished foranother gaffe that might have happened during the course of theyear, I drove with shaky hands to the school front drive. Enteringthe front office, I was greeted by the man himself. He ushered meto a seat in the deserted front hall, and proceeded to tell me of howappreciative he was of my having taken on extra duties to cover fora teacher whom he had fired in November.It was true that several of us gave up what few free periods wehad to help Pliny Hayes, the Head of the Junior School, adjust theschedule so we didn’t have to hire a replacement for the balance ofthe year.None of us, I think there were three including Pliny himself,thought much about it at the time, but the year had been a roughone, and very demanding. However, no one complained and we alldid the best we could.After his little speech, Phil reached into his jacket pocket, andproduced an envelope, which he pressed into my shaking hands.Admonishing me to say nothing to anyone about its contents orthis meeting, we shook hands, he wished me a good summerbreak, and reminded me that school started the Wednesday afterLabor Day.I drove out of sight of the campus before I pulled over andparked. In the envelope was a month’s pay, in cash, with a notesaying the money was not taxable, to report it to no one, andthanking me again for my service to the school.Phil knew how to promote loyalty.Kim celebrating his 80th birthday in the Development Office.Steve Learns to Danceby W. F. Kimberly, Jr. ’47One of the most difficult and boring parts of English instruction, especiallyin the elementary grades, is the study of punctuation. In the final 15years or so of teaching, I discovered a new way to cover this difficult andchallenging part of my curriculum for my sixth grade students.In the back pages of an old grammar workbook, about 20 copiesof which I had saved, was a story in about seven or eight chapters,of an eighth grade boy who was having trouble with his baseballskills, primarily his footwork. The solution, according to his coach,was to take dancing lessons. His progress and eventual success wasdocumented in a tale that had no punctuation, except for someparagraphing and chapter breaks.Because in my class, to avoid repetition or “aiming” questions atcertain students (a bad pedagogical practice), I used a card systemto make sure that every student recited at least twice during a classperiod, the idea came to me that here was a perfect solution to thepunctuation problem.The challenge was issued to each class in the late spring of thescholastic year to orally punctuate “Steve Learns to Dance.” If thestory was completed errorless, each member of the successful classwas to receive, upon completion of their senior year at Nichols, anindividual pizza from me.I knew I was financially safe, because of several factors. The classtime left in the year was short, and with good planning, wouldrun out before the deed was done. The method of performing thenecessary oral gymnastics was such that only a very talented classcould accomplish the task.For many years, “Steve...” remained unfinished. Even I refused toread the story to its conclusion, although I had many occasions to doso. But, the unthinkable happened (twice!) on one June day in 1986,and again in 1991. The kids did it!I had to show up in June 1992, and again in 1997, with certificatesfor a pizza with all the trimmings from Casa di Pizza on ElmwoodAvenue for the surviving members of both of those outstanding sixthgrade classes.I am sure that to this day, all those great students are punctuationperfect in all their written work.18 Nichols School

Exciting Developmentsfor Upper School Visual ArtsIn the winter and spring of 2011, several members of the Nichols Boardof Trustees led an Ad Hoc Committee to collect all the necessaryinformation to explore opportunities to move the Upper School VisualArts out of Albright and make an informed decision about the useof Moot Hall. Bearing in mind our campus master plan, the Schoolengaged Trautman Associates to explore upgrades to Albright andMitchell Halls and to perform a detailed analysis of Moot Hall.“The Committee was focused on the goal of moving the Artsspaces currently located in the basement of Albright Hall andadding student space to campus,” said Michael Walsh ’70, Chairof the Board Ad Hoc Committee. “We diligently worked withTrautman Associates to examine rehabbing and renovating existingfacilities, and we were pleased to provide solutions that met the nextrecommendations of the campus master plan following the successfulopening of the Class of 1963 Center for Mathematics and Science.”Trautman Associates found that renovation costs required tobring Moot Hall up to the standards of other campus buildings wereprohibitive. When evaluating other potential spaces on campus, andthe costs associated, repurposing space in Mitchell Hall presentedas the strongest viable option. The Committee unanimouslyrecommended to the Board of Trustees to move the Upper SchoolArts facilities to Mitchell Hall, create new student spaces, anddemolish Moot Hall.“The Moot family supports the new direction the Nichols campusis taking and looks forward to the continuing developments atNichols, as it continues to be a leader in educating young people inthe Western New York community,” said Richard “Rit” Moot ’38,former Trustee and benefactor of Moot Hall.Benefits of the move to Mitchell Hall include high ceilings andnorthern light; flexible studio space, as opposed to fixed spaces inMoot Hall; and closer proximity to the Flickinger Performing ArtsCenter. The buildings’ hallways will serve as additional gallery spaceto showcase student work, while the space overall offers a moreprominent location for visitors to see our talented students’ work.The project will provide an increase in the amount of square footagededicated to the Visual Arts.“These exciting changes for the Visual Arts will make a tremendousdifference to all of our students,” said Andrea Mancuso, Upper Schoolart teacher. “The new location will increase the visibility of the artsand enhance the challenging and comprehensive art classes at Nichols.From AP Studio and Photography to Digital Video and Multimedia artclasses, we will be able to grow in the new studios.”“The new studio space has generous natural light and coupledwith the high ceilings, it will really enhance the student’s studioexperience,” said Frank Sacheli, Upper School art teacher. “Thespace will be flexible, include plenty of much needed storage, andwill serve the painting, drawing and sculpture classes. This move toMitchell will provide a major upgrade to our visual art studio spaces.”Our Arts faculty members are currently preparing to move intotheir new spaces. The entire community is excited to watch thesetransformations take place this year.“As chair of the School’s Art Committee, I am thrilled by theimprovements this move will have for the Visual Arts at Nichols,”said Barbara Baird. “The new facilities will enhance the traditionalfoundations of art such as drawing, painting and sculpture, but willalso provide the technology for contemporary advances in art. TheCameron and Jane Baird Foundation enthusiastically supports thisproject.”A Teaching Tipby W. F. Kimberly, Jr. ’47About five years after we started admitting girls, I had still been teaching a section or two of seventh grade English.One day, I walked into my fourth period class, the one directly before lunch, and saw that the normal boy-girl seating configuration was beingpracticed (there were no assigned seats in my classes, unless punitive measures were necessary), girls in front, boys sprawled in the back rows.I began the class, and it soon became apparent to me that I was, for once, doing something right. No matter what I said, no matter where Istrolled, all eyes were on me, and I was being given the utmost attention, something that was not that usual in my classes.Just as the class was about to end, and I was feeling quite pleased with myself for having captured the undivided attention of the class, oneof the girls in the front row raised her hand and said, “Mr. Kim, your fly has been down for the whole class period.”Well, I turned red, and apologized to the group. It became clear to me on the way down to lunch why the students’ attention in class hadbeen so rapt. Partway through seventh grade lunch period, I rose to make the following announcement:“If there are any faculty who would like to learn a great way to ensure total class attention, no matter which subject is being discussed,please see me after lunch.”Of course, the members of my fourth period class erupted in laughter, but no one else in the Dining Room understood what was going on.I also had no visits from the faculty after they heard from the kids at their tables what had happened that morning in Mr. Kim’s English class.Spring 201119

A.B.C.D.E.F.20 Nichols School

AwardsTom (pictured) and Mary Margaret Donahoe receiveHonorary Alumni Awards.Jeremy Jacobs, Jr. ’81 is the 2010 recipient of theDistinguished Alumnus Award.Alumni Holiday Gatheringand Awards Ceremonyby Blake Walsh ’98On Thursday, Dec. 23, Nichols held its annual Alumni HolidayGathering and Awards Ceremony and welcomed back a big crowdto celebrate.Prior to a festive cocktail reception that drew over 200 alumniback to campus, Head of School, Rick Bryan, and Board of TrusteesPresident, Jane Cox Hettrick ’78, presented two awards in theFlickinger Performing Arts Center.A. Jane Cox Hettrick ’78B. Sebastian Augustine ’10, Kim Kimberly ’47 and Rami Sheriff ’10C. Derek Robins ’09 and Aranya MaritimeD. Kyle Winnick ’05, Jaime Ferrentino ’05, Andrew Stegemann ’05,Elizabeth Demakos ’05, Alicia D’Alba ’05 and Joe Walter ’05E. Sarah Gelman Carney ’92 and John Farmelo ’77F. Kate Olena and William & Kate HibbardThe Distinguished Alumnus award was presented to JeremyJacobs, Jr. ’81 in recognition of his generous leadership andcontributions to Nichols as a member of the Board of Trustees, asa parent and as an exceptional volunteer supporter of the School’smission at large. Jerry continues to serve as an invaluable memberof the School community.Tom and Mary Margaret Donahoe were presented with HonoraryAlumni Awards for their undying support of the Big Green asparents, with Tom serving as a dedicated Board member, with MaryMargaret acting as an Auction committee member and faithfulvolunteer, and as fans on a whole variety of sidelines. Nichols is abetter place today thanks to these devoted parents.Congratulations to our award winners!Spring 201121

The 2011 Lucy and Sherman Maisel ’35General Information TestAt Nichols, the Upper School’s General Information Test – a tradition that began in the school’s 1911yearbook, Verdian – is compiled from questions submitted by the Nichols faculty on an annual basisand is administered to students in grades 9-12 as a measure of general knowledge. The highest score ofrecord is 81, earned by four-time winner George Binette ’78. The GIT is created and coordinated byEnglish teacher, Richard Stratton. It is funded through the generosity of Lucy and Sherman J. Maisel ’35.It is with great sadness that we share the death of our friend, Sherman. He passed on Sept. 29, 2010.Questions1. Which of these Western states was notceded, in whole or in part, to the UnitedStates by Mexico after the Mexican War?California ArizonaMontana New MexicoNevada2. In what Western state is the Grand TetonNational Park located?_______________________________________3. Which of these American Civil Warbattles did not take place within theborders of one of the Confederate states?Antietam ChickamaugaFredericksburg PetersburgVicksburg4. Who played the female lead role in theclassic American film, “Casablanca?”Ingrid Bergman Joan CrawfordBette Davis Greta Garbo5. Pope John Paul II (1978 – 2005) was thefirst Pontiff of what nationality?French German PolishSpanish Swiss6. Which of these Hall-of-Fame mid-20 thCentury athletes was not a golfer?Don Budge Ben HoganBobby Locke Byron NelsonSam Snead7. In this epic French 19 th Century novel(also made into a late 20 th century22 Nichols Schoolmusical), the central character, JeanValjean is sentenced to a life of hard laborin the galleys for stealing a loaf of bread.Name the novel.“Germinal” “Les Miserables”“Le Rouge et Le Noir”“L’Immoralist”8. Who wrote the novel described in #7?Gustave Flaubert André GideVictor Hugo Stendhal9. What state has a pine cone as the stateflower?_______________________________________10. MYOPIA is a disease of which bodilyorgan?_______________________________________11. During what war did The Charge of theLight Brigade occur?Franco-Prussian OpiumWorld War I US Civil WarCrimean12. Which of the United States hasHELENA for a capital?Alaska MarylandMontana NebraskaOregon13. What is the capital of NORTHDAKOTA?_______________________________________14. What American presidential candidatewon his party’s nomination with his“Cross of Gold” speech in 1896?_______________________________________15. If a man’s weight increases from 13 stoneto 10% of a ton, how many pounds hashe gained?_______________________________________16. What literary character accused herhusband of being “too full of the milk ofhuman kindness?”_______________________________________17. What is the world’s tallest quadroped?_______________________________________18. Which of these words would best describea PYRRHIC military victory?Accidental CostlyDecisive Glorious19. In what European city is the ABBEYTHEATER located?_______________________________________20. In what nation are the cities ofAUCKLAND, CHRISTCHURCH,DUNEDIN and WELLINGTONlocated?_______________________________________

GIT21. The Royal Road from SUSA to SARDISwas the major highway of what ancientEmpire?Chinese MacedonianMongol PersianRoman22. Which of these Mid-western states wasnot carried by Barack Obama in the 2008Presidential election?Iowa Michigan MinnesotaMissouri Wisconsin23. Which of these Southern states was notcarried by John McCain in the sameelection?Arkansas GeorgiaNorth Carolina South CarolinaTennessee24. What percentage of the popular vote didObama win in 2008? (Nearest roundnumber.)52% 53% 54%55% 56%25. The heaviest of US Presidents weighed inat 332 pounds. Name him.James BuchananGrover ClevelandHerbert HooverLyndon JohnsonWilliam Howard Taft26. In what year (BCE) was Julius Caesarassassinated?50 48 46 44 4227. What was the profession of AbrahamLincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth?_______________________________________28. Humphrey Bogart and KatherineHepburn, regarded by many as thegreatest American film actors, playedtogether in only one film. What was it?_______________________________________29. At what temperature (Fahrenheit) doeswater boil at sea level?_______________________________________30. Which of the following is not a primenumber?13 31 43 57 7131. Among these five Colleges/Universitieswhich has the highest endowment?Columbia Duke MITRice Stanford32. In what sport was “Big Bill” Tildennamed the greatest performer of the firsthalf of the 20 th century?_______________________________________33. Named the greatest competitive swimmerof the first half of the 20 th century, helater played the role of Tarzan in severalmovies. Name him._______________________________________34. What is the capital of Libya?_______________________________________35. What major league baseball team plays inWrigley Field?_______________________________________36. The Holy Grail of Arthurian legend isactually a _____________.Crucifix Cup HelmetNecklace Shield37. What is the capital of Afghanistan?_______________________________________38. Which English poet created the Wife ofBath?Byron ChaucerMarlowe Shakespeare39. What is the name of the scale devised tomeasure the magnitude of earthquakes?_______________________________________40. ROSILAND is the central character inwhich Shakespearian comedy?“Merchant of Venice”“As You Like It”“Much Ado about Nothing”“Tempest”“Merry Wives of Windsor”41. What is the Cube Root of 1331?_______________________________________42. By what name is SAUL OF TARSUSbest known in religious history?_______________________________________43. Name the composer of the popularoratorio, “MESSIAH.”Bach BeethovenHandel Mozart44. Which of the 5 unmarried daughters of theBennet family in “Pride and Prejudice”elopes with Mr. Wickham?Elizabeth Jane KittyLydia Mary45. ASCLEPIUS is the Greek God of______________________________________ .Feeling Healing PeelingStealing Wheeling & Dealing46. In the Old Testament’s “Book of Ruth”who was Ruth’s mother-in-law?Esther NaomiRebecca Sarah47. JONAS SALK, an American scientist,developed the first effective vaccineagainst what disease?_______________________________________48. What 20 th Century American Presidentwas afflicted with this disease?_______________________________________49. JAMES GALWAY and the late JEAN-PIERRE RAMPAL each mastered whichmusical instrument?_______________________________________50. LEO TOLSTOY’s Epic Novel, “WARAND PEACE,” is built around a centralhistorical episode – Napoleon Bonaparte’sinvasion of Russia in the year______________________________________ .51. What Army-based comic strip containsthe following characters? GENERALHALFTRACK, ZERO, PLATO, LT.FUZZ, SERGEANT SNORKEL?_______________________________________Spring 201123

52. “Well, it’s been a quiet week in myhometown of Lake Woebegone” intonesGarrison Keillor every week on “APrairie Home Campanion.” In what stateis Lake Woebegone?_______________________________________53. Three of these four island groups lie northof Scotland. Which one does not?Balearic FaroesOrkneys Shetlands54. SANCHO PANZA was the servant andcompanion of what world-famous literarycharacter?_______________________________________55. Which of these slugging Major Leaguecatchers finished his career with thehighest lifetime batting average?Yogi Berra Roy CampanellaBill Dickey Carlton FiskMike Piazza56. Which of these Hall of Fame pitchersfinished his Major League career with themost victories?Bob Feller Steve CarltonLefty Grove Tom SeaverWarren Spahn57. __________________ NERVOSA isan eating disorder, more common amongfemales, one of whose symptoms is anintense fear of gaining weight.58. What 17 th Century English scientistdiscovered the circulation of the blood?_______________________________________59. What 17 th Century Englishmathematician has been credited withinventing the calculus?_______________________________________60. L’Anse aux Meadows, a group of sodcoveredhuts on the far northern tip of theisland of _______________, is regardedby scholars as the site of the earliestEuropean (Norse) settlement of NorthAmerica. Name the island.61. The Falklands, a bleak and windsweptgroup of islands in the South Atlantic,became the site of a brief, but bloody andbitter war between Great Britain and_________________ in 1982.62. Which of these great 20 th Century musicalcomposers was not American?Samuel Barber Aaron CoplandCharles Ives William Walton63. On what mountain did Moses receive theTen Commandments?_______________________________________64. Which African country has the largestarea?Algeria Egypt LibyaSouth Africa Sudan65. What was the surname of Scotland’s“Bonnie Prince Charlie?”_______________________________________66. Who was the famous son of HamilcarBarca?_______________________________________67. Which English sea-captain was the victimof the “Mutiny on the Bounty?”Bligh CookNelson Vancouver68. Which two Australian cities have hostedThe Olympic Games?Adelaide Brisbane CanberraMelbourne Perth Sydney69. What legendary boxer lost his heavyweightchampionship to GENE TUNNEY in1926?Max Baer Jack DempseyJack Sharkey Jess Willard70. What Central American country isbordered by NICARAGUA to the northand PANAMA to the south?_______________________________________71. ALASKA and TEXAS are the twolargest of the United States in total area.Which state ranks third?_______________________________________72. What religious organization was foundedin England by George Fox in the 17 thcentury?_______________________________________73. Which of these words is a synonym forENNUI?Boredom DelightPerplexity Rage74. What do the initials BYOB stand for?_______________________________________75. Which of these words is closest in meaningto APERCU?Insight Joke PuzzleWound View76. A saying or expression that has been usedso often it has lost its effect is called a _______________________________.77. In Greek mythology the father of theTITANS (elder gods) wasCronus DionysusHephaestus PanUranus78. An __________ is the juxtaposition oftwo contradictory words. (ex: deafeningsilence)_______________________________________79. Which of these academically highly-ratedsmall colleges is located in Portland,Oregon?Antioch GoucherHaverford Reed Vassar80. Name Great Britain’s first (and thus faronly) female Prime Minister._______________________________________81. In what War did the following bloodybattles take place – GALLIPOLI,THE SOMME, TANNENBERG,VERDUN?_______________________________________82. On what Japanese city did the secondatomic bomb fall in 1945?Kobe Kyoto NagasakiOsaka Tokyo24 Nichols School

GIT83. The branch of medicine dealing withtumors is called _______________.84. The 24 th and final letter of the Greekalphabet is _______________.Beta OmegaLambdaDeltaSigma85. Old ____________ is a noted Geyser inYellowstone National Park which eruptsabout every 67 minutes.86 “Because I could not stop for Death,He kindly stopped for me.”These well-known lines were composedby a great American 19 th century femalepoet. Name her._______________________________________87. How many of the 9 current US SupremeCourt Justices are male?88. How many of the 9 current US SupremeCourt Justices are Protestant in religion?89. Only one of these 5 states contains a citywith a population of at least 100,000.Which one?New Hampshire North DakotaVermontWest VirginiaWyoming90. Between 1955 and 1958 this upstateNew York boxer held both the worldwelterweight and middleweightchampionships.Lou Ambers Carmen BasilioGene Fullmer Marty Servo91. LUIS INACIO LULA DA SILVA hasjust completed two terms (eight years)as President of which South Americannation?_______________________________________92. “Adagio for Strings” is the most popularmusical work of the American composer______________ __________________.Samuel BarberLeonard BernsteinHoagy CarmichaelRichard Rodgers93. In Sophocles’ Greek tragedy the Queenof Thebes, Jocasta, hangs herself whenshe discovers that her husband, whosechildren she has borne, is also her son.Name the son-husband._______________________________________94. On what part of a medieval knight’s bodywas a GAUNTLET worn?Head Hand FootKnee Navel95. What European country was known tothe ancient Romans as LUSITANIA?Austria Germany PortugalScotland Spain96. Queen Victoria’s long reign in Englandbegan in 1837. In what year did it end?1898 1901 1903190597. Who painted the ceiling of the Vatican’sSISTINE CHAPEL?_______________________________________98. Which of these words is most nearlyopposite in meaning to STRINGENT?Careful Coherent LooseSly Weary99. Translate the German wordÜBERMENSCH._______________________________________100. In what field did the Frenchmen EDGARDEGAS, PAUL GAUGUIN andCAMILLE PISSARRO gain fame?_______________________________________To check your answers,please see page 35.Are YouMissingOut?Like Nichols School.Follow NicholsSchool.Join the Nichols SchoolAlumni Network.Do we have youremail address?Please contactBlake Walsh ‘98 in theDevelopment Officeat 716.332.5164 orbwalsh@nicholsschool.orgto ensure we haveyour preferred emailon file to receive ourperiodic enewslettersand other importantannouncements.Spring 201125

A Message from Leslie S. Garcia, Director of DevelopmentI would like to thank everyone, particularly the Board of Trustees, the Parents and AlumniAssociations, and the greatest faculty and staff ever, for welcoming me so warmly to theNichols community this year. The past 12 months have been filled with excitement andactivity. We reached new milestones with the successful completion of the largest CapitalCampaign in Nichols’ history, growing our endowment to the $25 million mark andhelping to ensure the long-range success of our school.As a school, Nichols has never had more to offer. We have world-class faculty,unparalleled facilities, innovative curriculum, and a passionate school community.Nichols continues to excel in Western New York and beyond.Continuing this standard of excellence, of course, requires significant resources.This is where The Nichols Fund comes in and why your annual support is so critical.The Nichols Fund secures our short-term success by providing immediate and necessarysupport for the School each year. The Nichols Fund dollars are used to provide studentfinancial assistance, faculty and program support, and campus maintenance.Everything Nichols is and does is touched by The Nichols Fund.The 2010-2011 Nichols Fund goal of $810,000 is in very close sight. With less than10 percent to go, I thank all of you who have contributed and ask those of you who haveyet to do so, to please make your annual contribution before June 30. We are very close,but we can’t do it without your help.On behalf of the entire Development team, I thankyou for all the important ways you contribute to our school.It is your generosity that allows Nichols to be theexceptional school that we are.I welcome your feedback or questions at anytime and wish all of you a wonderful summer.Warm regards,Leslie S. GarciaDirector of DevelopmentSAVE THE DATEHeadmaster’sSociety ReceptionThursday,Sept. 22, 2011For our 2010-2011 and2011-2012 Nichols Fund donorsat the $ 1,000 level and above26 Nichols School

“ The comfort that I felt to be myself is why Ireached out to do so much. I distinguishedmyself athletically due to the incredible coachesthat guided me. I am playing college field hockeytoday because Beth Stone told me I could. “Katie Flaschner ’10Be a part of supportingour community.Visit www.nicholsschool.org/give orcall the Development Office at 716.332.5151to make your gift today.We need your help to reach our goal by June 30.

Mark Kelley ’72:Shooting For Perfby Blake Walsh ’98Mark Kelley ’72 recalls an evening shortlyafter he had dropped out of collegefollowing his freshman year in which hisparents were grilling him over what hewas going to do with his life and whereexactly he planned to go back to college.“I came up with Alaska out of theblue,” Mark said. “I just wanted to stop the conversation, so Ithought of what at the time seemed like the most outrageous placeto go to college.”That seemingly outrageous destination became the canvas for awildly successful career as a nationally recognized photojournalist.After graduating from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks witha double degree in Northern Studies (studies of the Arctic) andJournalism in 1978, Mark has remained in Alaska ever since –except for a year of graduate work in photojournalism at OhioUniversity.Following 14 years of photojournalism work in the Juneaunewspaper industry, Mark moved on to full time freelance work in1993. Mark’s images have illustrated over 200 covers of magazines,brochures, calendars and books and have appeared as covers for“Outside Magazine,” “Sunset,” “Alaska Magazine,” “Alaska AirlinesMagazine,” “Boys Life,” “Time for Kids” and “Geo” (Germany)to name a few. He has had 10 photo books published using hisphotos on Alaska subjects and publishes two 12-month calendarsper year now in their 23 rd and 18 th year of continuous publicationrespectively. Mark also has a line of photo note cards, photorefrigerator magnets, postcards and prints.Working as a professional photojournalist has allowed Mark tolist his occupation as an answer to the question, “What do you liketo do for fun?” He recalls discovering and developing his interest inphotography while at Nichols.“In my senior year, photography was the first art class the Schooloffered in the Upper School,” Mark said. “Not being strong in mathor sciences, the photography class was a no-brainer. I always lovedthe famous photojournalism magazines of the day…I started thephotography class and fell in love with photography.”That sense of joy is evident when Mark relays the fact that he28 Nichols School

ectioncan put his skiff in the water where he lives and in 20 minutes seehumpback whales, or in 10 minutes from his house he can hikea trail to a 3,500-foot mountain or go hiking by a glacier. Whatseems like an ideal vacation to most is typical everyday life and asuccessful career for Mark.Of course, with that success comesthe insistent drive to capture apreviously unattained shot, a shotthat perhaps does not exist anywherebut in Kelley’s head. Collaboratorand author, Nick Jans, describes anexcursion with Mark to photographMargerie Glacier in Glacier Bay,Alaska: “Though Mark drags outlenses and filters, and burns througha half-dozen rolls of film, it’s moreout of reflex than enthusiasm. Heknows the shot he came for, and thisisn’t it.”While Mark knew he had unearthed a new passion at Nichols, hedid not realize it would be a career until a photojournalism professorfrom the University of Alaska applauded his talents and helpedfurther educate his understanding of the art form. He found thatcollege’s greatest gift was the time it allowed for experimentationand maturation in learning the skillsnecessary for surviving what he calls“an extremely tough and competitivefield.”From his first photography classat Nichols to national notoriety as aphotojournalist, Mark’s path serves as agreat reminder that passions are worthfollowing and that true happiness mayawait you in seemingly outrageousdestinations.More on Mark Kelley available atwww.markkelley.comSpring 201129

Graham Smith Visiting Writers ProgramTo honor the memory of Graham Wood Smith ’48 and to celebrate and promote writing at Nichols School, the George G. & Elizabeth G. Smith Foundationstarted the Graham W. Smith ’48 Fund. Established to award a Chair to a deserving member of the Nichols English Department, the Graham W. Smith’48 Chair enables the recipient – currently Larry Desautels – to fund visiting writers to come to Nichols. The recipient arranges for the visiting authors,known as the Smith Visiting Fellows, to work with students with a particular interest in writing.Wesley Stace:Considered as a Teacherby Lawrence DesautelsBear with me here.I grew up with surf music, so heard early about paddling out,ducking the breakers, finding a mushy spot, and catching a wave.I’m pretty much done with that bit of personal history, except forthe “wave” part of it. I’m not presently riding any wave, except inthe cobwebs of memory, but this spring’s Smith Visiting Author,Wesley Stace, is. (He will appreciate my presence in his story,having learned such authorial selfpromotion,himself, from his favoritenovel, “The Life and Opinions ofTristram Shandy, Gentleman.”)The week after spring break, novelistWesley Stace visited Nichols as partof the Graham Smith Visiting WritersProgram. He has found that mushyspot, and he is currently riding thewave of dazzling praise with his thirdnovel, “Charles Jessold, Consideredas a Murderer.” The book has beeninternationally acclaimed, as werehis first two, “Misfortune” and “ByGeorge.”Mr. Stace, also the musician JohnWesley Harding, opened the morningin a very Stace-ish…and Sterne-ish(author of “Tristram Shandy”) kind ofway: “I have no particular trajectoryhere.” Yet what followed moved artfullyfrom his background as a student inEngland, to a song that became the book “Misfortune,” to a readingfrom “Charles Jessold,” to the performance of “Little Musgrave,” anold ballad central to that novel’s plot.His trajectory was a personal and artistic narrative, bright andlucid on the morning stage, and he was in particular control,despite his hint that he would be otherwise. “My first novel,“Misfortune,” took me seven years to write, scratching away innotebooks between and during concert tours,” he told students. Hespoke of his love of literature when he told of his decision not togo back for a doctorate in English: “I realized that what I wantedwas to be around books and libraries, doing research, not attendingclasses.” He said that his Cambridge education instilled in hima love of books, beginning with a list that included such “light”reading as “The Bible” and “The Republic.”For the rest of that day and the next, Mr. Stace met with groupsof students and faculty, filling the reading room with classes andpeople who simply wanted to hear more. He spoke, he sang, heencouraged questions, and he gave thoughtful responses. Hisdown-time was spent talking with a student or two, about writingand about music. Senior Kerry Kennedy sat with him for nearlyan hour: “[He] was inspiring in hisalternately cool and keen enthusiasmfor writing. He took the time to talk tome about my own writing, providingsmall anecdotes such as his oft-usedtreadmill next to his laptop.” Anotherstudent said, “He made writing as anoccupation seem accessible, not somesecret cult.”Stace’s visit allowed him to thinkabout teaching, and he told of his yearbefore university when he returnedto his old middle school to work: “Icoached [soccer] and taught Greek andLatin…and read from my reading list.”During one of the few breaks he took,he spent a reflective moment sharing adoughnut with English teacher AndrewSutherland. He saw a Roy Lichtensteinprint on the classroom wall andpointed. “It’s real,” Sutherland said.“You are so lucky to teach here,” Stacereplied, with a look that seemed to transport him back to somehallowed hall of academia, where learned men and women, andperhaps a ghostly monk of Ely or two, sang the old songs.He was engaged and engaging. “He had me at the Englishaccent,” one girl said. “But he spoke with us, never talking down,trusting us as readers and thinkers, I guess. Do you think he’ll comeback…like next week?”Mary Jane Smith, benefactor of the visiting authors program,echoed that sentiment when she attended two of the sessions onThursday. “What a charmer,” she said. “One thing that struck me washis remark about overcoming being self conscious [when performingcontinued on page 33.30 Nichols School

After NicholsChris Catanzaro ’95Builds a Strong Buffaloby Blake Walsh ’98Chris Catanzaro ’95 is giving back to his snowy community inmore ways than one. As a local foster care worker and foundingmember of the Buffalo Powder Keg Festival, the East Auroraresident helps provide a little more color for the Buffalo communityduring the gray winter months. Here is a glimpse at what Chris hasbeen up to since Nichols.What are you up to now? Tell us about your life and career.I live in East Aurora with my wife, Jen, and our two children,Jackson (3) and Sophia (1). I currently work in foster care forGateway-Longview, where I perform case management duties forchildren 21 years of age and under. I originally started out as ateacher but felt I needed to affect change from the outside andon various levels. I love what I do because I am able to combinemy passion for at-risk youth with my commitment to social andeducational change, and, at the same time, work with great peoplecommitted to change and advancement with communities inBuffalo and Western New York.I am also the Sports and Games Coordinator, as well as afounding member, for Buffalo Powder Keg Festival. In addition, Iam the founder of a charitable event called “Rowin’, Throwin’ nGrowin’ for a Cure” to benefit Ryan Miller’s Steadfast Foundation.I am currently working on a proposal for alternative educationto aid at-risk youth in overcoming academic challenges that mayhinder their advancement in high school or in college.How did Nichols prepare you for college and life beyond college?Nichols made it such an easy transition to college because teacherstruly engaged you in the learning process and cultivated a student’slove and appreciation for education and thought. They alsotaught you to be prepared for the workload and to be able to takeresponsibility for guiding your own educational goals and careerpath. I had a great sense of myself and my career goals the minute Istepped into college life.Did anything from your time at Nichols inspire your career path?Urban Planning class with Helen Marlette, Creative Writing withMimi Dow, a visit to a local soup kitchen and my senior projectwith The Buffalo Fire Union were the inspiration for my currentaspirations and career path. Urban Planning showed me all thegreat aspects that Buffalo has to offer and the impact that youthand young adults can have if they properly cultivate their passions.Creative Writing opened me up to understanding myself and mypassion for the world around me,and my visit to the soup kitchenand work with the union fueled mypassion for change in Buffalo.And I can’t discount the greatexperiences I learned fromparticipating in four years ofathletics at Nichols. My athleticteam experiences in each ofmy twelve seasons during high school taught me lessons that areimmeasurable. All of those experiences either created or caressedpassions that embody the work I perform today.What advice do you have for others who may want to workin your field?If you have an open mind, passion for change and integrity to spare,this is a place where you truly shine. This field gives you the wideranging ability to change social policy and thought, enlighten theless fortunate and feel great about your impact and legacy in yourcommunity. Learning is a lifelong journey and if you follow whatyou are passionate about you will be truly fulfilled.What is your favorite Nichols memory?Probably our soccer trip to Europe (Italy, France and Austria) withMr. Desautels and the boys and girls teams that traveled there.What an all around amazing experience. It was great when we wereable to view the video footage that Mr. D. saved and showed usat our 10-year Reunion. The sights, the culture and the learningexperiences were so memorable…especially getting to share it withpeers and parents at such a personal level. The trip is still etched inmind today and I can remember it like it was yesterday.What do you like to do for fun?Almost anything outdoors and athletic (skiing, sports, hiking,snow-shoeing), cooking and enjoying a great micro-brew,admiring the architectural greatness of Buffalo, and the ongoingrehabilitation of my home in East Aurora for conversion into anArts and Crafts style home.What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?My unwavering and unconditional commitment to my family andmy community, especially the city of Buffalo.Spring 201131

From the Mouth – and Heart – of“Nichols is special toWe asked our fifth grade students in Mrs. Sykes’ class what makes our school so special. Here are a few of our favorite responses.“It really invites you into it. It’s like whenyou first shadow, everybody says ‘hi’ andacts as if you’re their friend.”Kristy Ardalan ’18“It makes me feel like I’m at home, for itis so clean, comfortable, educational andfriendly. My teachers and my friends areso kind to me and they help if I’m hurt orhaving trouble on homework.”Maren Geiger ’18“The reason why Nichols is special tome is because of the opportunities it hasgiven me. I moved here from Baltimore,Maryland, late last year. Another reasonwhy Nichols is special to me is that Inow know how to speak three differentlanguages: English, French and Chinese.”Dylan Hall ’18“Every day I wake up early knowing thatthere is a great new day to come at school.The day practically flashes by your eyes,it is so quick. Every period seems to tie intogether, with academics, sports and lunch.All in all, Nichols is by far the best school Ihave come to.”Michael Berdysiak ’18“I not only learn math, science, spelling,etc., I learn character. Nichols comforts meand really gives me a chance to live a goodlife. The Nichols community is my family.Sure, I know people outside of school, butthe vibe Nichols sends me is different.”Josh Graziano ’18“First, when you go into fifth grade, youare scared you won’t know anyone, butyou realize that no one knows anyone, soyou make great friends. Secondly, I thinkNichols is special to me because there aredifferent teachers, and different teachershave different insights and advice.”Caleb Herskind ’1832 Nichols School

our Fifth Gradersme because…”“I love Nichols because of all the kindnessswarming around me. The teachers arewonderful and understanding. The studentshere are kind, helping and enjoyable. I likesports the best. Nichols is special becauseeveryone makes it special.”Abhinav Kumar ’18“A lot of generations of my family have gonehere. My grandpa, aunt, uncles, brother andsister. So I’ve known about Nichols for a verylong time and it’s very close to my heart. Ithink that Nichols has expanded my horizonon meeting new people and making newfriends…we have small classes and grades sowe are all really close. We are a family. Allthe people I’ve met or seen in the hall meansomething to me.” Sophia Muggia ’18“I really enjoy how there is an Upper Schoolbecause I get to see my siblings throughoutthe day. Nichols might be challenging, butit is all worth it in the end. With learningbirds in science to having to read ‘CatherineCalled Birdy’ in Central Studies, I knowNichols is the place that I want to be.”Gaby Stern ’18“I love it here because I know I’m going toget a fantastic education and when I ask aquestion nobody will judge me…Nichols isa terrific school and I love it!”Toriana Todaro ’18Wesley Stace:Considered as a Teachercontinued from page 30or writing]. That was a good message for[students].” As always, Mrs. Smith herselfcharmed the faculty and the visiting writer.Wesley Stace inspired the studentsand faculty with his weaving tales of therelationship between art and life. Hisclass talks often began with a single linefrom his notes, and moved with clarity,intelligence and humor to movies byWerner Herzog, for example, to books byhis favorite authors, and then on to hisfavorite musicians, like Bob Dylan. Whatcame through clearly in all his meetingswas a love of literature and all the otherarts. When asked about his two personas –song writer and novelist – he spoke aboutthe benefits of straddling the two worlds:“There are ideas too big for songs, and ideasthat seem too small or too silly for novels,so it’s nice to have two forms to work in.”When asked why he chose towrite “Charles Jessold” about a musicmovement from the early 20 th century,and not something more contemporary,he responded by saying that he alwayswanted to write about music, but preferredto create some distance between his fictionand his life as a touring musician. “My lifeis of broken strings, stale dressing roomsand unpaid deposits, much too real tospend an additional two years cataloguing,”he responded. His first two novels wereperiod pieces, one set in the middle decadesof the 19th century, and the other in themiddle of the 20th, so it is of no surprisethat he returned to an earlier time for histhird, allowing him to embrace his love ofresearch once again.There is no mystery to being a writer,he told us: “It’s all about sitting downand training those muscles to work everyday.” He also offered some very practicaltips about creating a setting, especiallyfor a period piece: “I place my charactersin empty rooms and have them relate, inways that seem psychologically true. Andthen I add a detail about the room they arein, a furnishing like a ‘dado’ on the wall,or I have a character carry ‘a small muslinsachet of herbs.’ Those details are oftenenough to remind the reader of an olderlandscape.”Wesley Stace is, as one critic said,“wittily erudite and psychologically astute.”All of us here would agree.Spring 201133

As part of their presentation,Caroline Fenn ’12, Donata Lorenzo’11 and Paige Dedrick ’11 sing“Under the Sea” with modifiedlyrics to get their message across.Saving the World,One Water Bottle at a Timeby Paige Dedrick ’11In March, three Nichols students – Paige Dedrick ’11,Caroline Fenn ’12 and Donata Lorenzo ’11 – participatedin the Plastics Are Forever International Youth Summit inLong Beach, California. The symposium, sponsored bythe Algalita Marine Research Foundation, was attendedby prominent scientists and environmentalists, such asCaptain Charles Moore and Ed Begley, Jr. The summitalso served as a forum for the student groups to fully developtheir own plans for fighting against the plastic epidemic, andto prepare to implement them in their communities. TheNichols students’ project, Plasti-Gone, aims to eliminatesingle-use plastics from Nichols School and schools likeours around the Great Lakes.All images are courtesy of Algalita Marine Research Foundation.When I boarded the plane for Long Beach, I had a mental pictureof what would comprise a “plastics symposium.” I expected to seepictures of albatrosses dead from plastic consumption and turtlesmangled by plastic rings. There definitely were a few of those, butthey are the very real result of our actions, and perhaps we shouldsee those images to fully appreciate what we are fighting against, butthey can be unpleasant and alienating. What I had not expectedwas to be greeted by a quintessential California surfer dude whohad literally convinced thousands of investors to alter one smallcorner of the world. I had not expected to be told that being anenvironmental superhero should be energizing and satisfying.“Do this work only if you can love it,” Dr. J. Nichols compelledus. It was a common theme throughout the weekend. I neverimagined that people whose work is so important could so easilylaugh at their own shortcomings. J. Nichols, who is easily amongthe most inspirational speakers I have ever heard, gave most of hisspeech lying down on stage, telling us horrifying nightmare-storiesabout his early days of public presentations. Later, when our groupwas called upon to present our plan to the symposium, we couldrelate to his recollections of heavy blushing and sweating palms.We quickly learned that the first order of business if you hope tomake a positive change in the world is to conquer stage fright.I knew by the end of the first speech that my expectations of adoom and gloom conference were the antithesis of the seminar Iwas attending. Instead of dispirited environmentalists, exhausted34 Nichols School

from preaching the same message, the Plastics Are Forever summitwas chock-full of plastic-related-jokes (funnier than you mightimagine), found plastic collections, and optimistic, animatedcompatriots. No one was lecturing the 100 students about how wewere ruining the planet. No one was telling us that our earth wasbeyond repair. I expected to leave feeling just a little more desperateand prematurely haggard. I have never been so happy to be wrongbefore. I left PAF feeling completely capable and enthusiastic.Sometimes, the high school dynamic can be disadvantageousfor someone interested in sustainability. Remembering that reusablewater bottle is not always easy, and recycling the one youhad to buy is not always convenient; for a community of busy andacademically engaged students, convenience and ease take priority.At times I have found it discouraging that only my peers and Iare not always capable of accomplishing all that we should in the‘green’ department. Nichols’ sponsorship of our attendance forcedme to realize how important this work is. Sure, trigonometry andFrench conjugations absolutely should be mastered, but I recognizedthat the dutyof stewardshipis just as vital.I know thatI express thegratitude of allthree of us forthis incredibleopportunity tolearn from the, asCaroline wouldput it, “importantpeople [who]are savingthe world.”We acceptthe implicitchallenge, andwe will endeavorto spreadour passionthroughout ourstudent body.We were givenan enormousprivilege andwe plan torespond withaccountability.We arePaige and the others enjoy a behind the scenestour of the aquarium.Elaine Gardner, Director of the Nichols DanceProgram; Captain Charles Moore, Algalita MarineResearch Foundation Founder and ResearchCoordinator; Donata Lorenzo ’11, Caroline Fenn ’12and Paige Dedrick ’11, student attendeesresponsible for our planet because we live here and because weadmire it. I think that sometimes we accept arguments of ease asvalid because we forget how beautiful and generous the world is.“Live like you love the world, because you do,” was just one morebrilliant phrase from J. Nichols; the PAF summit reinforced ourcamaraderie with the earth and with each other – the messageheard over and over again was that friendship and understandingis the only way to combat this plastic plague. Emphasis was justlyplaced on the power of each person in the room to make a vastdifference with just a little personal change. Saving the world is notas massive a proposition as we allow ourselves to think; with a littlecommitment and a lot of love it is practically already achieved.58. William Harvey59. Sir Isaac Newton60. Newfoundland61. Argentina62. William Walton63. Mount Sinai64. Sudan65. Stuart66. Hannibal67. Bligh68. Melbourne and Sydney69. Jack Dempsey70. Costa Rica71. California72. Quakers (or Society ofFriends)73. Boredom74. Bring your own bottle75. Insight76. Cliché77. Uranus78. Oxymoron79. Reed80. Margaret Thatcher: 1979 -199081. World War I82. Nagasaki83. Oncology84. Omega85. Faithful86. Emily Dickinson87. 688. None (6 Catholics; 3 Jews)89. New Hampshire90. Carmen Basilio91. Brazil92. Samuel Barber93. Oedipus94. Hand95. Portugal96. 190197. Michaelangelo98. Loose99. Superman100. PaintingNichols School2011 General Information TestAnswers1. Montana2. Wyoming3. Antietam4. Ingrid Bergman5. Polish6. Don Budge7. “Les Miserables”8. Victor Hugo9. Maine10. The eye11. Crimean12. Montana13. Bismarck14. William Jennings Bryan15. 18: from 182 to 200 pounds16. Lady Macbeth17. Giraffe18. Costly19. Dublin, Ireland20. New Zealand21. Persian22. Missouri23. North Carolina24. 53% [52.93]25. William Howard Taft26. 44 BCE27. Actor28. The African Queen29. 212°30. 5731. Stanford32. Tennis33. Johnny Weissmuller34. Tripoli35. Chicago Cubs36. Cup37. Kabul38. Chaucer39. Richter40. “As You Like It”41. Eleven42. St. Paul43. Handel44. Lydia45. Healing46. Naomi47. Polio48. Franklin D. Roosevelt49. Flute50. 181251. Beetle Bailey52. Minnesota53. Balearic54. Don Quixote55. Mike Piazza56. Warren Spahn57. AnorexiaSpring 201135

Bob North ‘29Poetic Memories withBob North ’29by Nina BaroneIn March of 2011, I visited the home of Bob North ’29 withBlake Walsh, Director of Alumni Relations, and Matt Kianka,Digital Media Specialist. We took video of our visit, including Bobreading some wonderful poems from his collection. Visit our websiteat www.nicholsschool.org/alumni to see more.What’s the secret to a long, fulfilling life? According to theoldest living Nichols alumnus, Robert North, Jr. ’29, it’s havinggood parents, getting plenty of exercise, maintaining a variety ofinterests, and doing a great deal of reading. Not to mention keepingbusy, which Bob does well.Although he summarizes his activities as being “the same as anygood fourth grader: reading, writing and arithmetic,” Bob seemsto have a gift for filling each area of his life with purpose. Heapproaches every day with a zest for learning and discovering. OnMarch 1 of this year, Bob turned 101.Upon arriving in Bob’s home, you could be certain of two things– he is a lover of books and art. His apartment is lined with floorto ceiling bookshelves, brimming with hundreds of hard covers,poetry anthologies, short story collections, novels and referencebooks. On every wall without books, you will find strikingwatercolors, oil paintings, sketches and photography. If you lookclosely, you will see Bob’s own signature in the corner of some ofthe most stunning pieces.Bob attended Nichols for one influential year following EastAurora High School. His parents were encouraged to considerNichols because a friend of his attended the School before going onto Harvard University and Harvard Medical School.“My music experiences looked good to Harvard, along with mytime at Nichols,” Bob said. He credits being a violinist among thereasons why he was accepted to Harvard. At his Commencement,Bob played an Italian violin concerto.Bob’s roommate at Harvard played the piano, and anotherfriend of his was a singer; he said they would perform Schumannand Schubert. Bob said Harvard had flair for “putting two peopletogether who would develop even more,” and the school exposedhim to a variety of interests he would sustain throughout his life.Entering college in September of 1929, just a few days beforethe great collapse, Bob’s professional life took shape as a result ofthe conditions at the time. During the Great Depression, Bob saidthere were simply no jobs around, but he and his wife, Marion deMauriac, knew there was a market for librarians in Buffalo at thattime. Persuaded by Marion that viable opportunities existed in thatfield, Bob followed her lead and enrolled in library school afterstudying art history and earning his undergraduate degree fromHarvard University.“My wife was a very smart cookie. She was awarded Phi BetaKappa in her junior year. So,” he continued with a jolly laugh. “Ifyou ever asked her a question, you got the answer.”Bob completed a graduate program at the State University ofNew York at Buffalo, as well as a librarianship. In 1935, Bob becamea librarian in the old Buffalo Public Library.He was drafted into the United States Army in 1943, and wasplaced in the Air Force’s weather wing due to the fact that he36 Nichols School

had taken a coursein meteorology. Heserved at the airbase in Cairo, Egypt.While there, heand a younger manwho took him onas a mentor, seizedthe chance to climbto the top of thepyramids – completewith views of theNile River and all theports of Egypt. Bobreminisced that itwas truly a once in alifetime opportunitybecause visitors can nolonger climb the pyramids; when he painted watercolors years later,he recreated the scene he saw there.When Bob returned home from the war, he landed a position asReference Librarian for Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Bob toldus it was the best job he ever had because he enjoyed the work themost.“I learned early on what a Reference Librarian does – he helpspeople solve their problems,” Bob said of his favorite job. “Someare simple, some are very complicated, and you do the best you can.Well, you either do it yourself or lead them to do it.”After three years, he joined a library in Charleston, W.V.Sometime later, he returned to Buffalo because he was recruited tobegin the satellite system of the Buffalo Public Library, what is nowthe Erie County Public Library system.“I loved the library work,” Bob said. “It was modest employment,but it was very gratifying. I made a lot of friends.”Bob deepened his appreciation for poetry over the years,exploring new writers and writing poetry himself. He said hehas been inspired by the memory of Ray Verrill, a former facultymember at Nichols who instilled his love of poetry. When Bobretired, he continued to stay active with traveling, painting, writingand reading.At the time of our visit, Bob told us he was reading DorothyParker and Edith Wharton, pausing to share relevant details abouteach writer’s life with us before moving on to discuss languagechoice, sentence structure and subject matter. Bob’s passion for thewritten word rivals his love of art.In 2009, Bob received the President’s Medal from Hobart andWilliam Smith Colleges. A longtime art collector, he donated over100 important pieces to their art collection in honor of his wife,Marion, an alumna of William Smith College.During our visit, he shared some poetry by Omar Khayyam, aPersian writer, mathematician and astronomer, who wrote hundredsof four-line poems, which were eventually translated into Englishby Edward FitzGerald. He read a favorite of his from “The Rubáiyátof Omar Khayyam” from memory:For some we loved, the loveliest and bestThat Time and Fate of all their Vintage prest,Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before,And one by one crept silently to Rest.Our final treatduring our visit withBob was a samplingof his own poetry.Bob read us tworelated poems – oneshort, one long –from his collection.His anthology wasimpressive andcontained in a largeenvelope brimmingwith pages from ayellow legal padand some othercolored papers in anassortment of sizes.Throughout “AutumnFragments,” we hung on his every rhythmic word, so he went on toshare several more with us.As any great written work does, Bob’s poems transported us tothe time and place where he was when he wrote them…or wherehe imagined and wanted us to be. There was colorful imageryand robust sounds – the type of language that coaxed you intounderstanding that odd word, onomatopoeia, when you were akid. In poems with nature as the focal point, we saw rows of brightwildflowers, sat beneath fluffy clouds floating along a pale blue sky,and heard birds chirp and flap their wings.Other poems addressed various life milestones, which Bob toldus were both fictional and authentic. Some were expressive in theirsubtlety and symbolism, while others were filled with frankness. Allwere marked by delicate words strung together by the feelings thatcling to one’s memories long after a moment occurs. Bob beautifullycaptured quiet minutes in a loving relationship, unspokendeclarations of the heart, and recollections of a person or a specifictime in place. Each was read with conviction and grace.Talking with Bob about his time at Nichols and his life thereafterwas part history lesson, part English seminar, and all pleasant.He certainly inspired us to stay active with our interests andrevisit some favorite works of literature from our shelves. Thankyou to Bob for allowing us to be moved by his resilience and hisenthusiasm for life.Autumn Fragments IIby Bob North ’29On either side of the old dirt road lie the shaven fields,Their grain and hay already harvested and put away.The roadsides shown their wild and random flowers,Yellow, purple, blue and white.What are these jewels of nature’s sad but happy time;Cornflowers, Queen Anne’s Lace and clover,With a cautionary bit of poison ivy’s red.Oh, dear Autumn, let me hold you inMy eyes and heart awhile before you leave forever.Spring 201137

A.B.C.D.E.F.Boston Alumni EventOn March 10, Jerry ’81, Lou ’82 and Charlie ’90 Jacobs hosted40 Nichols alumni in the Boston area for a private reception andSabres/Bruins game in the Delaware North Companies suite inBoston’s TD Garden. A fantastic event was capped off by athrilling Sabres victory in overtime.A. Ellie Walsh Beasley ’99, Rick Bryan and Andrew BeasleyB. Tom Meyers ’74 and Andy MeyersC. Ian Kaminski ’96, Don Smith ’97, Joshua Gibbons ’96 and Rick BryanD. Boston alumni take in Mr. Bryan’s school update.E. An attentive crowd watches as the Sabres battle the Bruins.F. Ted Strachan ’81, David Strachan ’85 and Elizabeth Gurney ’7538 Nichols School

A.B.C.D.E.A. Julia McMahon, Ryan McMahon ’96 and Kim Reid ’97B. Newton Sears ’05 and Bill Gretz ‘62C. Mike Keiser ’63 and Rick BryanD. Katie Sawicz ’98, Brad Feine ’97, JB Bruzgul ’97 and Ian Jones ’80E. Randy Gretz ’66 and Rick BryanChicago Alumni EventOn Jan. 24, Mike Keiser ’63 and Randy Gretz ’66 hosted a Nicholsalumni gathering in Chicago at The Chicago Club.Fall 201039

A. B. C.B.D.E.F.G.H.NYC Alumni EventOn April 13, Bill Constantine ’62 hosted nearly 60 Nicholsalumni for a gathering in New York City at the Racquet andTennis Club in midtown.40 Nichols SchoolA. Mariel Gallego ’92, Nidhi Kohli ’92 and Aileen Park ’92B. Mike Radolinski ’99 and William HindsC. Michael Kelley ’69, Jay Regan ’60, Ken Neil ’61 and Gar Miller ’68D. Fayyaz Barodawala ’90 and Dinesh Maneyapanda ’90E. Adam Greenberger ’89 and Severin White ’89F. Kayla Zemsky ’05, Erika Budziszewski ’03 and Sam Walsh ’05G. Amanda Marsh ’96, Dan Malin ’95, Erik Barrios ’96, Delilah Burke ’98, Gina Wettlaufer’98 and Chris Rozanski ’95H. Carla Sanderson ’02, Duke Pharr ’03 and Jonathan Langer ’04

A. B. C.B.D.E.F.G.A. Tim Ernst ’79 and Tom Spier ’81B. Ed Righter ’05 and Ebony Robinson ’96C. George Sinks ’74 and George Matthews ’01D. Liam Burke, Andrew Ray ’84, Julie Ray, Allison Le Van ’84 and Jim Beardsley ’85E. Katherine Riedel ’06 and Anne Morrow ’06F. Chuck Hobbie ’63, Tom Harriman ’64, Bridget Rochester ’02 and Jackie LeGrandG. Phil Kerpen, Joanna Enstice Kerpen ’96, Host Tricia Gaughan Burke ’79 andLiam BurkeWashington, D.C.Alumni EventOn Feb. 24, Patricia Gaughan Burke ’79 hosted 30 Nicholsalumni in the Washington, D.C., area at her home for acocktail reception.Fall 201041

After NicholsPiper Campbell ’84 Travelsthe World as a Diplomatby Blake Walsh ’98Piper Campbell ’84 currently lives in Washington, D.C. InJune, Piper will move to Basrah in southern Iraq, where she willbe Counsel General as the region shifts from a U.S. military-ledpresence in Iraq to a purely civilian effort. She notes that herfuture conditions are austere – “I’m literally living in a shippingcontainer” – but that gettingthe job done correctly isimportant and worth theeffort. We caught up withPiper and discussed herpath since graduating fromNichols. We plan to keep intouch with her through thefall after she has transitionedto Iraq.How did Nichols prepareyou for college and lifebeyond college?I attended GeorgetownUniversity, where I stayedin touch with Andy Ray ’84,as well as Matt Lee ’84 andMichael Langan ’84. Elevenyears later, I went to theHarvard Kennedy School fora master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus on conflictprevention.Nichols prepared me for college and life beyond in two ways:first, I got an extremely solid education. While my Georgetownclassmates struggled, I honestly found freshman year easier thansome of my Nichols classes had been (e.g., Mr. Stratton’s Englishclass). Second, Nichols really fed my interest in the broader world.Participating in an American Field Service summer exchange toJapan definitely set me onto this career path in diplomacy.What are you up to now?I am the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of State. Everybodyknows Hillary Clinton is Secretary, not so many people know thatshe has two Political Deputies: one is Jim Steinberg. The other wasJack Lew, who left to become Office of Management and BudgetDirector and was replacedby Tom Nides in January2011. I started with JackLew and stayed through thetransition to Tom Nides.I joined the StateDepartment aftergraduation and neverlooked back. My career as adiplomat has had its twistsand turns, as I developeda fascination with conflictand post-conflict situations.I’ve dealt with earthquakesand volcanoes in thePhilippines; learned aboutNATO and the EuropeanUnion in Brussels; andworked just about everyangle of our interactionwith the United Nations– including a two-year detail to a peacekeeping operation in theBalkans; negotiating for the U.S. in the Security Council; beingthe Counselor for Humanitarian Affairs at our Mission in Geneva;and working on human rights issues back in Washington. I wasDeputy Chief of Mission in Cambodia, but was asked to come backto Washington in 2009 just a few days after Secretary Clinton wassworn in.What advice do you have for others who may want to work inyour field?Read a good newspaper every day. Pay attention to politics and tohow decisions are made, as well as to foreign affairs. Learn yourgeography. Travel!42 Nichols School

In MemoriamRobert S. Scheu ’38Robert S. Scheu ’38, former Trustee of Nichols School and Presidentand Chief Executive Officer of Marine Midland Bank of WesternNew York, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011. He was preceded in death byhis wife of 61 years, Martha Smith Scheu; a son, Christopher ColeScheu ’75; and brother, Edward M. Scheu ’42.Bob was a distinguished member of the Nichols Class of 1938,with many academic and athletic achievements marking his time asa Nichols student. Bob also is an alumnus of Hamilton College andBabson College of Business Administration. He enlisted in the CoastGuard in 1942, was commissioned an officer in 1943 and becamecommanding officer of a Coast Guard Cutter in the Atlantic andEuropean Theatres. Bob was awarded the Bronze Star medal for hisrescue work in the Normandy Invasion.Bob’s business career began with Vietor, Common, Dann & Co.,and later with S.C. Parker & Co., specializing in corporate finance.He joined Marine Midland in 1954, established the InvestmentManagement Department in 1957, became Executive Assistant tothe President in 1961, and in 1962 was appointed President and aDirector. In 1968, he became Chief Executive Officer and Chairmanof the Executive Committee. In 1969, he was appointed ExecutiveVice President of Marine Midland Banks, Inc., the state wide holdingCompany. He retired in 1975 to pursue other interests.Bob held many volunteer and leadership positions in thecommunity, and was involved in many philanthropic efforts. Heserved on the Nichols School Board of Trustees for several terms.He also was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Buffalo GeneralHospital, President of the Board of Trustees of WestminsterPresbyterian Church, and was General Chairman of the United Fundof Buffalo and Erie County in 1963.He served on the Board of Directors of Pratt and Lambert,Inc., Frontier Bronze Corp.,Atkins & Merrill, Inc. andQuackenbush & Co., Inc.For many years, he wasPresident of the James H.Cummings Foundation andwas a Director of the JosephineGoodyear Foundation, theKnox Foundation, S.C. ParkerFoundation, Western New YorkFoundation and the Universityof Buffalo Foundation. In 1985, the Scheu family moved to Virginia,where Bob remained active in his new community.Bob was an avid sailor all his life. He participated in many sailingraces on Lakes Erie and Ontario, as well as several Bermuda races andtwo trans-Atlantic races from Bermuda to Sweden and Denmark.He was a life member of the Buffalo Canoe Club, and a member ofthe Buffalo Yacht Club, Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club, theCruising Club of America, and the Ocean Cruising Club.Surviving are Bob’s sons, Donald S. Scheu and Stephen E. Scheu’70; his daughter, Susan S. Woodworth; nine grandchildren; threegreat-grandchildren; and his sister, Mary S. Teach.Bob leaves a lasting legacy at Nichols in the creation of TheRobert and Martha Scheu Endowment in the Humanities. In1992, he generously established a remainder trust to Nichols. Thegoal of the endowment fund is to foster interdisciplinary studies,professional development and student financial aid. Inspired to sharethe humanities subjects with future students at the School, Bob saidit shaped his life and he wanted to help enhance that element of theNichols education for generations to come.AlumniM. Peter Heilbrun ’54 – Sep. 27, 2010John L. Danforth ’35 – Nov. 11, 2010James Karet ’54 – Nov. 29, 2010Morton Meyers, Jr. ’35 – Dec. 3, 2010Ralph Parks ’57 – Dec. 3, 2010Thomas H. Danforth ’39 – Dec. 11, 2010Gary D. Wilson ’70 – Dec. 17, 2010William Zacher ’55 – Dec. 23, 2010Charles Stevenson ’36 – Dec. 25, 2010William P. Hoffman ’48 – Jan. 17, 2011Robert Scheu ’38 – Feb. 3, 2011Dirk H. Van Schoonhoven ’72 – Feb. 16, 2011Harvey J. Hambleton ’52 – Feb. 1, 2011Henry B. Sheets, Jr. ’43 – Feb. 21, 2011Roger J. Chambers, Jr. ’42 – Feb. 19, 2011Alexander H. Dann ’42 – March 4, 2011William F. “Kim” Kimberly, Jr. – March 14, 2011Frederick M. Schaefer, Jr. ’92 – March 15, 2011FriendsClara Ambrus – Feb. 26, 2011 – Mother of Peter ’69, Julian ’71,Stephen ’79 and Charles ’84; grandmother of Christine Lille ’96and Sarah Lille ’00Katherine Crandell Bassett – Dec. 13, 2010 – Mother of Kingman ’77and John ’82; grandmother of Sarah ’09 and John ’14Charles G. Blaine – Dec. 2, 2010 – Father of Charles ’70Martha “Bunny” Castle – Nov. 14, 2010 – Mother of Lyman ’88Freda Cohen – Nov. 21, 2010 – Mother of Frederick ’61John Connelly – Dec. 5, 2010 – Grandfather of Courtney RycynaFoley ’00, Erin Collins ’09, Jack Collins ’09, Kerry Collins ’11 andEmily Collins ’13Alan Dressler – Dec. 27, 2010 – Grandfather of Hayley Weinberg ’13and Zachary Weinberg ’15Arnold Gardner – Dec. 26, 2010 – Father of Diane ’70 and Jonathan’77; grandparent of Max Pergament ’11 and Hannah Gardner ’12Varney Greene – Jan. 30, 2011 – Mother of Rob ’90 and Cutler ’92Mary Ann Leber – Nov. 22, 2010 – Grandmother of KristinaSaperston Semple ’98 and Willard H. Saperston ’03Izola Laechelin – March 17, 2011 – Wife of Morton Colley ’40Edward Linder – Feb. 14, 2011 – Father of Peter ’73 and John ’76Barbara Joyce Mindell – Feb. 13, 2011 – Sister of David Mindell ’71Emmett Reilly – Feb. 7, 2011 – Brother of Kevin ’75 and Patrick ’77Norman Michael Takac – March 6, 2011 – Grandfather of ThomasNuttle ’14Faculty/StaffGuy Johnson – Nov. 29, 201044 Nichols School

1929Robert North, Jr. writes: “Still reading,writing and reciting poetry, shades of RayVerrill.”1941Bernard F. Groh had nothing to complainabout as he enthusiastically admitted thathe is “alive and well!”1942Kirke Rockwood is keeping busy with hisrecording business, transferring film andtapes to DVDs and CDs. Kirke adds, “Justturned 86 on Feb. 28 and still feel about60!”1943David Howard writes: “10/10 toCincinnati, 10/25 to Florida for warmerweather, golf, bridge and a few parties. AlShort is the only classmate I have seen.If all goes well, I’ll see you all at my 70 thReunion in 2013!”1946Irving Williams III writes: “Living a longdistance away from Nichols prevents myreturn for Reunions, etc. But fine memoriespersist!”1948Chuck Lauer writes: “I am now retired butam doing a lot of writing. I am involvedwith five Boards and speak to groups allover the country telling them how to staymotivated and inspired. I miss Nichols verymuch! Great people, great instructors and awonderful Headmaster.”Class NotesPaul E. TenHoopen writes: “Marian and I1955Tom Rumsey writes: “Nothing much toreport except I’m still alive and kickingbutt!” He is still working in sanitaryand paper supply sales. Tom still enjoysracquetball, but due to “old age and apinched nerve,” is trying to learn to playhefty. He did admit that he has not foundhimself to miss the cold and/or snow forone minute.1957For the second consecutive November,Trumbull Rogers has penned a poemfor publication in the poetry magazine,“Mobius.” While Trumbull makes his livingas a freelance editor, he has continued towrite on the side – “my first love.”1958Dan Donaldson organized a road trip toBerkshire School in Sheffield, Mass., inNovember to cheer on the Big GreenVarsity Boys Hockey team, who went2-0-1 during weekend play. Joining Danin the stands for what will be an annualThanksgiving time trip for the Nicholsboys team are (front, l to r): Walter Zacher,brother of Sommer ’14 and Will ’12, BobBattel ’56, Kim Kimberly ’47; (secondrow) Dan Donaldson ’58, Bud Ostendorf’11, George Ostendorf ’59, Barney Walsh’73 and David Laub ’56.will be in Naples, Fla., all winter. If anyoneis thinking of coming south, bring yourclubs and give us a call.”1961“Best Lawyers,” the oldest and mostrespected peer-review publication inthe legal profession, has named WilliamP. Franklin, Jr. as the “Savannah BestLawyers Medical Malpractice Lawyer ofthe Year” for 2011. This is a well deservedaward for the outstanding work Bill hasdone and continues to do defending themedical community in Savannah, Ga.1962Paul Eisenhardt writes: “Elizabeth and Imoved to Port Townsend this past Januaryand began the fun saga of building a housewith views of the water, Whidbey Islandand the Cascade Mountains. We will movein during January of 2012. We continue toenjoy sailing on our sailboat and welcomeany visitors!”1963Chuck Hobbie has retired from theAmerican Federation of GovernmentEmployees and is now the AssociateGeneral Counsel of the Peace Corps.Chuck writes, “Let me know if you cometo Washington so we can get together andcelebrate Peace Corps’ 50 th anniversary!Peace, Chuck”Spring 201145

Keith RhebbMike Keiser’s newest golf course, Lost Farmat Barnbougle Dunes, opened for play thisyear in Bridport, Tasmania, in Australia.The 20-hole links course on Tasmania’snortheast coast boasts spectacular holesthat wind along the coast and more diverserouting than neighboring courses. Visitlostfarm.com.au for more on the course andits breathtaking views.Henry Sturtevant continues to teach arthistory at The Metropolitan Museum ofArt in New York and at Montclair StateUniversity in New Jersey.1964Steven H. Buck has recently traveled toEgypt with a Medical Mission Internationalprogram called “People to People,” startedby President Eisenhower in 1956. Stevenvisited Medical Schools and hospitals inCairo and Alexandria. He met with Mary J.Eisenhower, the President’s granddaughterin Alexandria, who is currently thePresident and CEO of the Medical Missionorganization. This was an all ENT (ear,nose and throat) delegate of physicians.1965Paul Aversano writes: “My wife, Paula(Crone), and I are involved with thedevelopment of a new medical school inLebanon, Oregon called Comp Northwest,a second campus for Western University ofHealth Sciences. Paula will be the Deanwhile I am Clerkship Director and willteach neurosciences. Our inaugural classof 100 will sit in August 2011. Come seewhat we’re growing and perhaps tee it upas well!”Bob Skerker ’68 and Catherine Schweitzer, Co-Chairs of the 2011 National Preservation Conference,stand in front of Albright Hall (E. B. Green, 1909).At 120 Years…Nichols: This Place Matters!Save the date: October 18-22, 2011Join thousands of people in Buffalo, the host city for the 2011National Preservation ConferenceAmerica’s story and heritage, along with the opportunity and challenge of preservation inthe 21 st century, will be showcased through our examples of the finest of America’s architectsand the warm welcome from the City of Good Neighbors. In the best Buffalo tradition, andin memory of the great Austin Fox and leaders in the preservation movement who camebefore us, there are representatives from many generations from our 120 year old NicholsSchool family who are intertwined with leadership at all levels of the conference:Bob Skerker ’68 serves as Conference Co-Chair.Catherine Schweitzer, former faculty member and mother of Ashley ’00 and Gray ’03,serves as one of two New York State representatives to National Board of Advisors ofNational Trust for Historic Preservation and Conference Co-Chair.Sarah Gelman Carney ’92 serves on the Local Organizing Committee.Holly Donaldson, wife of Dan ’58, mother of Darcy Donaldson Zacher ’88, andgrandmother of Will ’12 and Sommer ’13, serves on the Local Organizing Committee.Maura Cohen, wife of Fred ’61, mother of Alex ’87, serves on the Local OrganizingCommittee.Kerry Mitchell, daughter of Tom Mitchell ’44, serves on the Local OrganizingCommittee and as the liaison for the conference to the Canadian Consulate.Preparations and planning for the conference involves hundreds of people. Workingclosely with volunteer and staff leaders at heritage and architectural sites in the WesternNew York and Southern Ontario are:Jack Walsh III ’63, former Board Chair at Nichols and father of Kyle ’95 and Blake’98, is Chair of the Martin House Restoration Corporation, an organization dedicated tothe rebuilding of Frank Lloyd Wright masterwork to the highest preservation standards.Molly Quackenbush, wife of David ’66 and mother of Adrian ’93 and David ’91,is Executive Director of National Park Service’s Landmark – the Theodore RooseveltInaugural Site – one of the most significant historical buildings and noteworthy for therecently opened visitor center in a newly recreated carriage house.Doug Swift ’74, father of Brendan ’05 and Danny ’07, is Trustee of PreservationBuffalo Niagara; Board Chair of the Roycroft Restoration Corporation, home of America’s46 Nichols School

Arts and Crafts movement and one of the premier attractions; and a Principal in CityView Properties, whose work in the Larkin District and the Genesee Gateway will serve asexamples of innovative reinvestment in our unique buildings and places and a catalyst forthe future.Howard Zemsky, former Nichols Trustee and father of Kayla ’05, Harry ’07 andDavid ’10, is Principal in City View Properties, Co-Chair of Richardson RestorationCorporation, past Chair and long term leadership position at Martin House.Jim Wadsworth ’57, father of John ’84, Kate ’85 and Eliza ’87 and Harry Meyer’63, father of Dan ’04, have worked for decades to protect Louis Sullivan’s iconicGuaranty Building. Now home to Hodgson Russ, and our many Nichols friends who workthere, this National Landmark has been updated for a contemporary business use whilemaintaining the integrity of the original design and materials. Generously, Hodgson Russhas offered this private site as a venue for sessions during the conference.Clint Brown ’71, father of Tad ’95 and Peter ’97, is an architect, preservation expertand presenter at the conference, involved with countless projects to be showcased in theU.S. and Canada during conference.Alison Fleischman, mother of Manly Ishwardas ’77, is a docent at City Hall,long term member of Buffalo Preservation Board and worked tirelessly to protect ourarchitectural resources, allowing Buffalo’s conference bid to be successful; she is theBuffalo Ambassador to Austin to invite thousands to Buffalo.Nancy Brock, daughter of David, represents M&T Bank, which has invested in manyspecial sites – Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Darwin Martin House, Graycliff, Albright-Knox Art Gallery and more – to be ready for the conference, including Buffalo Tours andthe free daily tours at City Hall. Shelley Drake, mother of Allison ’00 and Rob ’00, alsorepresents M&T Bank.Susan Gonzalez, former staff member and mother of Erika Pollak ’98, is Director ofSpecial Events for the Office of the Mayor of the City of Buffalo.Several developers and building owners, including Rocco Termini, father of JasonRothschild ’89, Eric ’97 and Brad ’99, is renovating the famous Hotel Lafayette whichwill be on display; Jake Schneider, husband of Katie Vogt Schneider ’73, will exhibithis new Schneider Lofts; and Carl Paladino, Billy Paladino ’89 and Danielle PaladinoJacobs ’92 will welcome conference goers in their buildings and historic spaces, such asthe Ellicott Square.Rick Smith ’79, the proud owner of a grain elevator, also serves as President of theFriends of The Edward M. Cotter Fireboat, America’s oldest working fireboat and adesignated National Historic Landmark.Chris Greene ’66, father of Mandy Webster ’96 and Taylor ’98, is active on theBoard for the Richardson Complex Restoration.And we are appreciative of the generous counsel of alumni who have been involved inthe preservation movement, including Charlie Seilheimer ’59.The National Trust for Historic Preservation www.preservationnation.org selected Buffaloto host the 2011 National Preservation Conference because of the region’s diversity ofarchitectural landmarks, the livability of the city, and the rich landscapes of the surroundingregion.We invite all members of the Nichols community to join us as we welcomea mass of people to our hometown. Conference attendees will begin enjoyingBuffalo on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Opening Ceremonies at Shea’s Performing ArtsCenter, followed by parties and affinity events. On Thursday, Oct. 20, after guests andvisitors enjoy their sessions in the Buffalo Convention Center, The Hyatt (ConferenceHeadquarters) and out in our community, the National Preservation Awards Ceremonywill take place at Kleinhans Music Hall, followed by a candlelight mansion and hometours on Lincoln and Chapin Parkways. Visitors, Buffalo ex-pats and our own neighborscan sign up for tours of our architectural treasures, neighborhoods, and will have a choiceof over 50 varied sessions when they register to attend the conference. The conferencewill conclude with the Closing Plenary and Party on Oct. 22.For more conference information, please contact Bob Skerker at bobskerker@gmail.comor Catherine Schweitzer at cfs@bairdfoundation.org, or visit www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/npc.1966Victor T. Ehre, Jr. recently relocated fromAmherst, N.Y., to New Castle, Penn.,where he works for Mercury InsuranceCompany. At Mercury, he is responsiblefor handling marketing duties for theentire Western Pennsylvania Territory. Heis proud to say that he has recently beenblessed with his first grandchild, CadenceEhre.Jock Mitchell was recently named Chairof the Board of Directors for Gilda’s ClubWestern New York.1968John MacCallum reports that after 31years of happily playing around withBuffalo politics and government, mostrecently as confidential law clerk to theHon. Eugene M. Fahey (Justice, New YorkState Supreme Court, Appellate Division,Fourth), he is retired from state service.1970Timothy J. McNamara will be producinga series of instructional webinars for K-12educators being sponsored by the EdLeaders Network, a group of 11 schooladministrators’ associations from eightMidwestern states.1974Seth Crone is a VP with Bank of NewYork in Beaumont, Texas, and is lookingforward to his oldest daughter’s weddingthis summer.Adam Lehotay writes: “Living the quiet lifewhere the deer and the four-wheelers playwith Gayla, my bride and dearest friendfor 31 years. Thankful for the privilegeto serve and for the bounty that has beenafforded me. Have my hair, smoke like achimney, have been marginally committedto ‘quitting’ for 15 years. I think back oftenwith fondness on all my many Nicholsfriends and wish them peace and grace.”Deborah Raines was selected as the 2010Distinguished Member of the NationalSociety of Collegiate Scholars at FloridaAtlantic University. She was recognizedfor her creation of the Freshman ReadingProgram, for being a mentor to freshmanstudents, for her record of excellence inSpring 201147

teaching, and for inspiring excellence andcitizenship in everything she does.1976Cameron Crone Bilger writes: “Greetingsfrom California! We are officially emptynesters (kids are both at Dartmouth) andhaving fun catching up with friends nowthat every weekend isn’t consumed bysoccer and field hockey. I am now teachingat a start-up in Silicon Valley and creatinga DBA (doctorate) program in Marketing& Management. I have been in touch withKate Schapiro ’76 who took time off fromher portfolio to track mountain gorillas inRwanda and Uganda (fabulous pictures). Igot to catch up with Sharon Kennedy ’76and Lucy Neale Duke ’76 in Baltimoreduring last year’s snowstorm of the century.Both are doing great and are very busy!”Leslie Fox became a proud Bubbe, orgrandmother, to a baby girl, born in Mayof 2010 in Pittsburgh, PA, where she liveswith her parents, Leslie’s eldest son anddaughter-in-law. She is named Matana,after Leslie’s dear father, Myles N. Fox, whopassed away in August of 2009 in Buffalo.Peter D. Graves writes: “2010 was a yearof transition for me and my family.” Peterrecently started a new job at Crown Agentswhere he directs its business developmentefforts overseas. His eldest son, Sam, spenthis first semester of his freshman year atSkidmore College studying in London,England. Peter and his family were excitedto be back in Buffalo for the holidays!1978Bill Crone has been involved with thephysician assistant program at AlbanyMedical College, teaching courses fromanatomy to evidence-based medicine. Healso ran his first marathon since 1988 thisyear, “to see if I could still do it after theAARP card.”Doug Jebb is currently working at HarvardUniversity in the Advanced LeadershipInitiative Department.1980Ronald A. Chmiel, Jr. writes: “Kate andI wish to thank Jackie and Bill Gurneyfor a wonderful 30 th Reunion party. Also,we both enjoyed testing for our 2 nd degreeblack belt in Tae Kwon Do this past April!”Karen Capwell Derrick writes: “I amloving my life here in Vermont. Afterstaying home with our boys, ski instructingand generally holding down the fort, I havelanded in education, working as a BehaviorInterventionist in an elementary school. Ihave been doing Special Ed 1:1 work nowfor six years. Currently I work 1:1 witha very special little boy with autism andmany wonderful gifts. Rewarding work.I’m completely outnumbered by the malespecies in my house but that is OK as Ithink I always have had a tendency tounderstand them better!”Matt Mitchell was a member of theOrganizing Committee for the 2011Special Hockey International FriendshipTournament, held April 28-30, 2011in Marlboro, Mass. More than 500developmentally challenged players and 40teams from the U.S., Canada and London,England participated in the games. Matt’sson, Matt, Jr., played on the host team, theBoston Bear Cubs.Cynthia Sass is the sole shareholder ofan attorney employment law firm. Shereceived awards for 2010 Best Lawyers inAmerica, the Top 50 Women Lawyers inFlorida 2010 and the Florida Trend LegalElite for 2010. Cynthia and her family areenjoying their life in Tampa, Fla. Last yearshe had the opportunity of spending timewith Pam Murphy and Marge Meredith,which was great!1981Neglia Ballet Artists and the BuffaloPhilharmonic Orchestra presentedProkofiev’s setting of the Shakespeareclassic “Romeo and Juliet” at Shea’sPerforming Arts Center on March 11,2011. Heidi Halt, Executive Directorof Neglia Ballet Artists, had a starringrole; Wendy Sheets Mathias is ExecutiveAdministrator of Neglia.Deborah Heath writes: “I am still teachingSpanish at Lakeside School in Seattle. Lastyear I was on sabbatical and our familyspent an amazing year living in Cuenca,Ecuador, where I taught English at theuniversity level. Our kids went to schoolin Cuenca and we spent much of the yearexploring Ecuador and Peru.”Ellen Considine Miller writes: “Thepast year was a busy one for me. In 2009,I was named the Director of the JuniorDevelopment Programs at the JuniorChampions Tennis Center in CollegePark, Md. I am also running our innercity program where we have partneredup with the District of Columbia to offerhigh quality tennis programs to inner citychildren. Last summer, we were part ofMichelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaignthat brought over 40 kids to play tennison the White House grounds and meetthe President. As part of the USTAPlayer Development Coaching Educationinitiative, I have been asked to help traincoaches around the country in the 10and Under Quickstart program. On thehome front, my oldest son, Christopher,is a junior majoring in Chemical andBiomolecular Engineering at Universityof Maryland and a member of the men’sgolf team. Daughter, Allison, is a first yearinternational business student at TrinityCollege, Dublin, Ireland. Jonathan is ajunior in high school and hopes to studymusic in college. Stephanie is 13, goingon 18, and is an 8 th grader at a D.C.school. Michael and I celebrated our25 th wedding anniversary last year! Hardto believe we are that old. Michael isa Managing Director at Perseus LLC,working in their clean energy department.If you ever get to D.C., look us up! Wehave lots of space and are just down thestreet from the White House.”1983Meg Crone Ramsden is in Barrington, R.I.,with her two high school aged-children,and is working at a local pre-school.48 Nichols School

1986Mark Preisler has been named ExecutiveProducer of the NHL Network U.S. andCreative Consultant with NHL NetworkCanada. A two-time Emmy Award-winningproducer who had worked at ESPN since2001, Mark is excited to be living back inWestern New York, along with his wife,Andrea, and their 4-year-old daughter,Francesca.1988David Kirkpatrick, reporter for The NewYork Times, appeared on “Charlie Rose” inFebruary and March of 2011 to discuss thepolitical protests in Egypt and the currentstate of affairs in Libya.1990Nandita Shenoy (actress, dancer andplaywright) is cast for the entire fivemonthseason at the prestigious AlabamaShakespeare Festival beginning in February.She will be in the cast of “Julius Caesar,”will play Ursula in “Much Ado aboutNothing,” and will play Miss Poppenghulin “Moonlight and Magnolias.” In addition,Nandita’s first full length play, “Lyme Park,”will receive a production at the RoundHouse Theatre in Silver Spring, Md.Dan Williams writes: “I recently gotmarried to Lindsay Mills in Keystone, Colo.Fellow Nichols classmates in attendanceincluded Eric Grasser, Andy McDonaldand Jeff Steinwachs. Lindsay and I areliving in Madison, Wis., where I am aurologist at the University of WisconsinSchool of Medicine and Public Health.We both look forward to seeing everyonesoon!”1992Maj. Elizabeth Boll graduated from theNaval Postgraduate School in Monterey,California, earning a master’s degree inStrategic Studies. The school is designedto provide advanced education andresearch programs to increase the combateffectiveness of the U.S. and Allied armedforces, and to enhance the security ofthe United States. Elizabeth’s next dutyassignment is at Ramstein Air Base inKaiserslautern, Germany.1993Chris Plumb is Head Coach of the Boysand Girls Varsity Swimming teams forCarmel High School in Indiana. The girl’steam has set a national high school record,winning 25 state titles in a row – themost for any high school program in thecountry in any sport. Chris also has servedas Head Coach of the Carmel Swim Clubsince July 2006. He oversees all aspects ofthe club, and he coaches the Senior HighPerformance Group. Chris also directed the2010 Carmel Boys and Girls Swim Teamsto IHSAA State Championship Titles. Hewas recently inducted into the IndianaSwimming and Diving Hall of Fame.1995Regan Marsh and her husband havewelcomed a Golden Retriever namedIndy to their family. She is working atMassachusetts General Hospital andgetting a master’s degree in Public Health.Regan also has been making frequent tripsto Haiti with Partners on Health and TheHarvard Humanitarian Initiative.Lori Decillis Tiedje and husband, Garth,welcomed a son, Tycho Edwin Tiedje, onSept. 7, 2010.1996“Dear Lemon Lima,” the feature film debutof writer/director, Suzi Yoonessi, wasreleased theatrically in Los Angeles andNew York City on March 4, 2011. The filmalso became available to a wider audiencethrough video on demand. The storyfollows a 13-year-old girl as she navigatesher way through her first heartbreak andthe perils of prep school in Fairbanks,Alaska. Suzi most recently completedproduction on “The Spring of Sorrow”for ITVS’s FutureStates series, which wasreleased online in March of 2011.1997Ashley Dayer was presented with aPartners in Flight bird conservation awardby the Appointed Director of the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service in March. The awardhonors Ashley’s outstanding leadershipin education and communicationsefforts of international bird conservationinitiatives. Ashley, now with Cornell Labof Ornithology, began these efforts whileserving as the Education and OutreachDirector at Klamath Bird Observatoryuntil 2009. She continues to lead in birdconservation while also balancing hergraduate work as a Ph.D. student at CornellUniversity.Nicholas Priselac and his wife, Alicia,became the proud parents of a daughter,Alexis Jude, on Oct. 20, 2010. The familyresides in Boston, Mass.1999Meg Stevenson Auerbach gave birth toCharlotte Rose Auerbach on Jan. 17, 2011.Clark Banach has been named the SecondCoach for the Women’s Polish NationalLacrosse Team at the next Women’sLacrosse World Cup in 2013. Currentlyliving in Berlin and coaching withBerlin’s Premier Women’s Lacrosse, Clarkis excited to serve as a national coachwith neighboring Poland and is gratefulfor the opportunity to work with suchaccomplished athletes.Spring 201149

Gigi Gatewood is an artist living andworking in Brooklyn, N.Y. In January,she embarked on a 10- month Fulbrightfellowship to Trinidad and Tobago whereshe is working on a photography projectabout the African derived syncretic religioncalled the Orisha Faith. Her current workcan be seen at www.gigigatewood.com.J.T. Soron graduated from the StateUniversity of New York at Buffalo Schoolof Law in May, and is now stationed in FortCampbell, Ky., with the 101 st AirborneDivision.2002Dionne Fabiatos graduated from New YorkLaw School in May of 2010 and is living inNew York City.2003Lee Fabiatos is currently attending ThomasCooley Law School in Lansing, Mich.2004Stephen Johnson is now a studentat California Lutheran University inThousand Oaks, Calif.Chris Mueller made his National HockeyLeague debut with the Nashville Predatorson Dec. 28, 2010, against the Dallas Stars.2005Matt Connors ’05 lives in Los Angeles,Calif., and is Manager of Operations atMezze, a Mediterranean restaurant ownedby four Cornell University alumni. It isthe first restaurant from their restaurantgroup, Real Restaurant Group LLC.Visit mezzela.com.Pierre Islam is pursuing his doctorate atthe Yale University Department of History.2006Claire Franczyk graduated this past May fromthe University of Richmond and is currentlyworking at Sotheby’s in New York City.Natalie Franczyk graduated this past Mayfrom the University of Richmond and iscurrently working for 4 Points Technologyin Chantilly, Va.Kate McHenry writes: “Sorry to missour Reunion because I will be underwayat sea on the USCGC Bertholf. Aftergraduating from the United StatesCoast Guard Academy in May 2010with a BS in Civil Engineering, I wascommissioned as an Ensign aboard theUSCGC Bertholf (stationed in Alameda,Calif.) as an engineering officer. Bertholfis the first National Security Cutterin the Coast Guard fleet (and will befeatured on an episode of ‘Mighty Ships’airing on Discovery Channel this fall).We have sailed to Mexico and CentralAmerica, where our ship intercepted12,400 kilos of cocaine; Alaska and theBering Sea, for protection of fisheriesresources; as well as Hawaii for search andrescue missions. Hope to see more Nicholsclassmates here in San Francisco!”Katherine Riedel lives in Washington,D.C., and is working as a consultant forBooz Allen Hamilton, a strategy andtechnology consulting firm in McLean, Va.2007Sean Pegado, in his fourth year ofproducing podcasts for the WilliamsCollege Office of Public Affairs,interviewed two eminent Tolkien scholarsto create “The Legacy of the Rings: TheStory Behind the Story.” His podcastsare available via iTunes or the WilliamsCollege website. At the 2011 JointMathematics Meetings conference inNew Orleans this January, he presentedhis research in commutative algebra.After completing an Honors Thesis inMathematics, Sean will graduate fromWilliams College with a double major inEnglish and Mathematics.2008A second year student at The JulliardSchool, Mary Edge performed a violinrecital at Nichols in the FlickingerPerforming Arts Center in March of 2011,where she was accompanied by SusanSchuman on the piano. The concertincluded the works of Bach, Mozart andGlazunov.2009Former Nichols squash players, LymanMunschauer (Hamilton College), D.J.Brinkworth (Northeastern University)and Larkin Brinkworth ’10 (GeorgeWashington University) participated at thisyear’s College Squash Association NationalChampionships hosted by HarvardUniversity where they all represented theirrespective institutions.Allison Todd ’08, a junior at SyracuseUniversity, was named to the U23Women’s Crew Pre-Elite National TeamCamp. Allison has been the coxswain ofthe varsity eight during the 2011 springseason. Syracuse will play host to the2011 USRowing Women’s National TeamPre-Elite Camp from June 12-July 12and will conclude at Club Nationals inIndianapolis, Ind. July 12-17. The campdevelops athletes for the U23 and SeniorNational Teams.2010David Pegado is in his second semester atSt. Lawrence University, officially declaredas a Neuroscience major. He also reportsachieving Advanced Open Water Divercertification through outings to AlexandriaBay and vicinity for deep water, wreck andnight dives with the SLU SCUBA Club.Will Regan was named to the 2011 All-Atlantic Coast Conference AcademicMen’s Basketball Team. As a freshman atthe University of Virginia, Regan playedin 20 games this past season. To be eligiblefor consideration for the All-AcademicTeam, a student-athlete must have earneda 3.00 grade point average for the previoussemester and maintained a 3.00 cumulativeaverage during his academic career.50 Nichols School

Faculty ProfileYajie ZhangWhat is your position at Nichols?I am a Chinese language teacher. Thispast year, I taught 5th grade and 6th gradeChinese in Middle School and Chinese I toIV in Upper School.What was your path leading toNichols like?I earned a bachelor’s degree in 1987,and then a master’s degree in 1990 fromRenmin University of China on Chineselanguage and literature.In 1990, I left China to join my husbandwho was doing his graduate studies in Pisa,Italy. From Italy we went to Canada in1991, where my husband completed hisPh.D., and I gave birth to our son, Norman,in 1994. When Norman was six monthsold, we went to Oxford, England, where myhusband held a research fellow position. AtOxford, I started teaching Chinese at theInstitute of Chinese Studies, Oxford, andalso worked one year as a full time librarianat Oxford’s Bodleian Library.In 1997, we came to Buffalo because myhusband was offered a faculty position atSUNY at Buffalo. Since I enjoyed teachingtremendously in England, I decided to goto UB’s teacher program. While pursuing amaster’s of education degree and teachingcertificate at UB’s School of Education, Ialso worked as a pre-school teacher andtaught occasional Chinese classes at UB.In 2003, right after I graduated fromSUNY at Buffalo, I was hired as a duallanguage(Chinese/English) teacher inan immersion program in GlenwoodElementary School in Chapel Hill, N.C.After coming back to Buffalo in 2004,I started to teach Chinese to differentorganizations and schools, such as SheridanHill Elementary School and BuffaloInternational Institute. For many years, Ihave been a Chinese teacher at WesternNew York Chinese School (Saturdays) andserved as its Principal from 2006 to 2009.I was hired by Nichols in 2007 to start theChinese program at the Upper School. Ihave been at Nichols ever since and startedteaching Chinese in the Middle School in2009. This is my fourth year.What extra-curricular activities areyou involved in at school?Tom Michaud and I share the passion ofraising awareness concerning the culturesand customs of different countries for theNichols community. In 2009, we startedGlobal Horizons, a club that involvesour diverse students and invites outsidespeakers in order to reach the goal that weare able to see each other as members ofa global community in which we strive tounderstand and respect those coming fromall different walks of life.What is it like teaching Chinese toboth Middle School students andUpper School students?I greatly enjoy teaching Chinese bothto Middle School and to Upper Schoolstudents. There are, however, differencesin teaching MS and teaching US. MSkids are full of energy; they have a shorterattention span, but are more curiousand enthusiastic. For them, I am moreconscientious to break down lessons, anddo more hands-on activities. Upper Schoolstudents are relatively mature, and canhandle more reasoning. Yet they are shy interms of opening their mouths, speakingthe target language. In teaching them, Imake sure the learning environment isfriendly and I add a lot of culture content.In my teaching, to all, I believe stronglythat music and songs are powerful inlanguage learning.Tell us about how you helped developthe Chinese cultural exchange programat the School.Mary Rockwell organized the first Nicholstrip to China in 2007 before I came. In2008, Mary asked me to lead the trip toChina. At that time, the trip was more ofan educational tour, but it was fascinatingto see how the students can benefit fromthe trip. Nichols had many years oflanguage and culture exchange programswith Spain, Costa Rica and France.After I taught two years of Chinese here,with strong support from the LanguageDepartment and the School, I startedexploring how to develop a Chineselanguage and cultural exchange program.Through connections, I made contactwith the Headmaster of the Middle Schoolaffiliated with HUST (Central University ofScience and Technology). They were veryenthusiastic about establishing the exchangeprogram with us and we formally started theexchange in 2010.What is the best part of your job?The best part of my job is seeing andteaching my students, and interacting withmy colleagues every day. I just enjoy beingat Nichols, love its atmosphere betweenstudents and faculty, its beautiful campus, itswonderful lunch, and, above all, its passionabout teaching and learning.What do you like to do on the weekends?When the weather is warm, you will findme outside in my garden a lot. I also like tocook and watch movies/shows. I volunteeredat Buffalo Chinese School as its Principalfor a couple of years on Saturday mornings.I also teach one class there.

1250 Amherst St.Buffalo, NY 14216Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDBuffalo, NYPermit No. 3658In the Next Issue: Student Awards, 119 th Commencement and Reunion 2011Online School StoreDid you know you can purchase Nichols gear and gift itemsand have them shipped to your home?Visit www.nicholsschool.org/store.Check out our new custom lines from Patagonia and Vineyard Vines!