Spring 2011 - Manlius Pebble Hill School

SPRING 2011T H E O F F I C I A L A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E O F M A N L I U S P E B B L E H I L L S C H O O LB A X T E R F . B A L L1 9 4 7 - 2 0 1 11

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS YEAR’S“ Revved Up” Alumni WeekendFeaturing an exciting blend of the familiar and the newFRIDAY, JUNE 10 EVENTSNEWNEW• 12th Annual Alumni Golf Outing• Manlius School Barbecue and Pebble Hill Dinner – featuring Syracuse’s famousDinosaur Bar-B-Que• 70s Party (MPH Classes of 1971 – 1975)• Retirement Party honoring Peter and Sylvie Terry, and Kathy Kelly• Manlius Pebble Hill Gathering at the Syracuse Suds FactorySATURDAY, JUNE 11 EVENTS• Tennis “Tournament of the Decades”• The Verbeck Family Memorial Service• Guided Walking Tours of the Manlius School Campus and the ManliusPebble Hill Campus• Reunion Classes Brunch• Meet your Lower School Pen-pals for 50th Reunion Classes of Manlius Schooland Pebble Hill• Opening Ceremony; recognizing the Order of the Phoenix recipients• The Main Event: Luau 2011 – all new event (from 4:30 – 9:00 p.m.)featuring an exciting menu and live entertainment!NEWNEWNEWNEWNEWA tribute to our late Head of School, Baxter F. Ball,will be scheduled during Alumni Weekend. Details to follow.Our very own Nick Verro ‘61C and his band, Axis, will perform live!For more information or to register by phone, call Maureen Anderson,director of alumni relations at 315/446-2552, ext. 136.Register online now at www.mph.net

MPH MOURNS THELOSS OF HEAD OF SCHOOLWith the unexpected death of Head of School Baxter F. Ball, Manlius Pebble HillSchool has lost a longtime leader and mentor – and a beloved friend. Mr. Ballpassed away in his sleep Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011 at the age of 64.During Mr. Ball’s 21-year tenure as Head of School, Manlius Pebble Hill grew invirtually all aspects – enrollment, endowment, physical space, curriculum, and reputation.The School grew from roughly 250 students when he took the reins in 1990 to nearly600 students. The endowment, which in 1990 was a mere few thousand dollars, is now$4.7 million.The campus configuration changed radically under Mr. Ball’s leadership, as well. Threenew buildings were constructed (the McNeil Science and Communications Center, theMezzalingua Humanities Center, and the Laurie Mezzalingua ’86 Center for EarlyLearning) and a fourth is planned. The Jean Paul Chappell athletic field and new tenniscourts were built; the Andrews Farm practice fields were developed. Numerous spaces –including classrooms, the Falcone Dining Hall, and the Coville Theater – were renovatedand updated.Perhaps most notably, Mr. Ball oversaw a remarkable expansion in the breadth and depth ofthe MPH curriculum – from the creation of a Performing Arts Department (staffed byfulltime, professional faculty) to the introduction of an Upper School Chinese languageprogram; from an expansion of AP courses to the introduction of elective course offeringsin virtually all disciplines.As Head of School, Mr. Ball saw the reputation of Manlius Pebble Hill solidify as aninstitution dedicated to the life of the mind, as a school devoted to allowing students to takerisks in order to find their own talents, their own passions. The Central New Yorkcommunity has come to recognize MPH as a school that in earnest helps students developinto people of accomplishment, knowledge, and character.Our heartfelt sympathies go to Mr. Ball’s family. We will remember him with enormousfondness and appreciation for his devotion to MPH. We will remember him, too, as a proudfather, a kind and generous friend, a historian, a reader, a learner and teacher, and a devoutchampion of children. We will remember him as a very remarkable man.MPH REFLECTIONS 20113

Table of ContentsMPH Mourns the Loss ofHead of School 32011 Commencement Speaker:Adam Fratto ’86 9Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame 10The John Lenore ’47ALegend Award 12Check your Facts: Fifth GradersLearn Internet Research Techniques 14Charting Their Own Course 15Seven Join MPH Board of Trustees 16Academics in Action 18Goodyear Burlingame Reunion 19Col. Brooks ’39C Honored 20Alumnus Awarded LifetimeAchievement Award 222010 Distinguished AlumniAward Recipient – Josh Wells ’89 23Meet the Newest Membersof the Alumni Association Board 24Q&A with Nat Reidel ’65 28The Way to Stop a Bully 30Alumni Profile: Ben Kram ’95 31Senior Thesis Highlights 32Alumni Profile: Syd Silverman ’50C 35Alumni Scrapbook 36Reunion Class Pen Pals 41Major Malcolm WheelerNicholson 1911A 44Tree of Life 45Student Voices: RollingStone Highlights 46Snapshots from theMPH Online Digest 49Reflections is published each year for the alumni and friends ofManlius Pebble Hill School, 5300 Jamesville Road, DeWitt, N.Y.13214, Phone: 315/446-2452, Fax: 315/446-7359, E-mail:alumni@mph.net, Web: www.mph.net.HEAD OF SCHOOLBaxter F. Ball, 1990-2011INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOLTracy FrankEDITORSMaureen Anderson,director of alumni relationsNancy Gallery,advancement associateSusan Gullo,director of communicationsSusan Leahey,director of annual givingTina Morgan,director of developmentCONTRIBUTING WRITERSAmy Abdo, MPH faculty memberFrederick B. Benedict ’58A, schoolarchivistCristina Danial ’01Jim Eagen, head of Middle SchoolJohn Ellis ’67HQSarah FrazziniKendrick,MPH faculty memberT.J. Gunerman ’05Chris Hempel, head of Upper SchoolWill Kniesner ’13Rosette Lanoir ’11Erica Perry ’11Kathy Ryzewski, MPH faculty memberNicky Wheeler-Nicholson BrownSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHERTony PotterBOARD OF TRUSTEESJamie Sutphen, president*George S. Urist, president emeritus*Josh Wells ’89, vice president*Jennifer L. Hicks, treasurer*Janis Hampton, secretary*Tracy Frank, interim head of school*Sharon Adderley-JonesLaura Austin AllynFrederick B. Benedict ’58A*Peter D. CarmenJayne R. Charlamb ’87Regina ChurchPatrick Danial ’98Nancy L. DockDebbie FreundWilliam A. FuteraM. Gail HamnerGloria Hooper-RasberryDaniel S. JonasMary LernerPeter G. Manolakos*Robert Miller*Executive CommitteeALUMNI ASSOCIATIONREPRESENTATIVERussell S. Andrews ’64PARENTS’ ASSOCIATIONREPRESENTATIVEJennifer Reece-BarnesTHE ALUMNIASSOCIATION BOARDNat Reidel ’65, presidentJosh Wells ’89, president emeritusBob Theis ’67B, vice presidentJim Amodio ’65,executive board memberDavid Temes ’97,executive board memberLawrence Adams ’59ATrent Amond ’74Roland Anderson ’66BJon Budelmann ’85Steve Burchesky ’66CDoug Craig ’89Bill Darrin ’63HQTom Denton ’65John Ellis ’67HQT.J. Gunerman ’05Tom Potter ’67BSondra Roberts ’91Eric Spevak ’77Allison Theis ’04Wendy (Harwood) Van Der Bogart ’74Hilary Yeager ’95Russell Andrews ’64,Board of Trustees RepresentativeAlumni Notes 51The Final Word 664 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011COVER PHOTO:I remember on many occasions, when I looked to Baxter for guidance, he would put onhis glasses so that he could really look me in the eye, clear his throat, and tell me in hisgruff voice that I was “a good soul.” I know he used these words with many others intheir times of difficulty, and I think it is appropriate for us all to remember Baxter Ballfor the good soul that he was. As we struggle with the gift of the tribulations of everydayexistence, let us not forget Baxter’s spirit, and let us not lose track of the goodness in allof our souls, which he could always see and taught us to recognize in ourselves.Brett Messenger ‘07

LETTERS TO THEEditorDear Maureen, Sue, and Tina:Ultimate Kudos and thunderousapplause for your Spring Reflections.It was terrific and demanded diligenceand extra effort to so accurately displayour School. It’s an edition to becherished. It’s great to see what we allbelieve in, set forth in one place for allto see and ponder.Best to you and all yours,Les Deming ’46ADear Alumni Office:Terrific five star weekend from theVerbeck memorial to the Hall of Famedinner it was all superb to say the least.The conversation with Baxter Ball wasjust terrific and a super idea that wasvery informative with the students andteacher. This is what Manlius PebbleHill is about education and MANNERSMAKYTH MAN (still our motto!)Congratulations for a great weekend.Larry Adams ’59ATo you and everyone else at MPH whocontributed, congratulations on anoutstanding Commemorative Editionof Reflections.Howard Miller ’63B140th Reflections yearbook is great –enjoyed a lot of the content!John Wilson ’63BMaureen:Just a quick note of congratulations fora great Alumni Weekend. You and yourstaff did, I think, a super job of pullingit all together.Bob Theis ’67BGreetings,I attended Pebble Hill School from1964 -1968 (7-10 grades). Reading theSpring 2010 Reflections brought back somany memories and caused me toremember with fondness some of thegood times, interesting teachers andfriends which I had then. From time totime I have pulled out my yearbooksand daydreamed a bit about those days.Anyways, I just wanted to say thank youfor a well-done issue of Reflections andfor the walk down memory lane.Nancy Franklin Finch ‘70Allan Pryor, former faculty 1971 inconversation with Maureen wished toacknowledge with much appreciationthe last issue of Reflections, “I thoughtI would just read the notes and I startedreading it and read it twice cover tocover, a job well done, it wasfascinating!”Hello Alumni Office:I just wanted to let you know that thepast two Reflections have been beautifullydone and very much appreciated. Iwas curious about one thing. I wonderedwhy the MPH Alma Mater wasn’tincluded in the last Reflections when theManlius and the PH ones were. Havinggone to PH from 3rd grade to 10th,and then MPH for 11th and 12th, Iwrote the Alma Mater to give life andtradition to the new school. Mrs.Robinson chose the music and togetherwe created something that has lastedfor nearly 40 years. It seemed like itwould have been a nice addition to thehistory of the schools...I had hoped to send in some memoriesback when you first sent the requestbut ran out of time. I have two friendshipstories that are worth sharing: thefirst about Nina Wayne Wickett ’71.She visited my Mom every week for thetwo and a half years while Mom(Mrs. Martha Heer) was at IroquoisNursing Home. Following Mom’sstroke Nina asked what she could do inmy absence since I live in VA. What adedicated friend and former student ofmy Mom’s and my family and I willalways be indebted to her.Our school was such a highlight of myMom’s existence. Another fantasticfriendship formed while at PH waswith Nancy Murphy Kilrain’72. Wehave been good friends since fourthgrade (nearly 50 years ago!) We stillshare many funny stories throughe-mail and visit every decade or so!MPH was my Mom’s life and herlegacy. She gave so much to it, and itgave so much back to her... Shecontinued to mail former studentspapers they had written 40 years beforethat she had saved in her basement(which I always kidded her to be abottomless pit)! She never stoppedcaring and never stopped learning andgrowing. That, to me, is what educationis really all about. Thank you for theopportunity to reflect and for thememories...Julie Heer Chamberlain ’72Editor’s Note:Dear Julie–Thank you for sharing your wonderfulmemories. You are absolutely rightabout the Alma Mater… it should havebeen included in the commemorativeissue and we apologize for theoversight. It is our intention to includeour mission, our motto and our almamater in the front of every edition ofReflections.Dear Ms. Anderson:Thank you for printing my note in yourspecial issue. I know mistakes happen,but I did not get a sex change; I am stilla man. If there is room in your nextissue, you may put that I received mymaster’s degree in special educationfrom the University of CentralOklahoma, and if you do, please stressthe fact that I am a man. Anyway, it waskind of funny, and I know many of myformer classmates got a big kick out ofit as there were amusing remarks on myFacebook page.Bless,Howard Schaffel ’94Editor’s Note:Dear Howard–Please accept our sincere apologies forthe error and thank you for being sucha good sport about it. As noted below,we have reprinted the correct (andorginially submitted) version of youralumni noteHoward Schaffel ‘94, of OklahomaCity, Okla., is currently working in theinner city in Oklahoma City as aspecial education teacher and the onlyMPH REFLECTIONS 2011 5

teacher in an all inclusive classroom.Ever since he graduated from MPH, hehas had the heart to help and serveothers.Maureen,Thanks! These are great pictures! Myten year reunion was definitely ahighlight of the year. It meant so muchto be back on campus and to see oldfriends. Thanks for everything you dofor all of the alumni.Lindsey Randolph ‘00Letter to the Editor of ReflectionManlius Pebble Hill SchoolDeWitt, NYI have been requested by my son, Dr.Peter B. Mires, to write a short letterconcerning my late father, Dr. M.Harold Mires, who was a cadet at St.John’s School (Manlius) 1913-16. Hewas very fortunate to have received amusical scholarship to Manlius, andplayed trombone in the school band.His “Lizzie Book,” kept during thosepre-WWI years, is filled with photographsof the busy cadets engaged in alltypes of activities which would preparethem for military service. The book istoo worn and fragile to permit mysending it to you, but at least I haveincluded a few photos. One photo is ofthe Machine Gun Platoon after beingequipped in 1914 with the ColtAutomatic Machine Gun.In your school magazine, Reflections,you have a photo of members of the1937 Manlius Ski Platoon, makingreference to the School forming the firstmilitary ski unit of its kind. Actually,the history of the ski platoon goes backsomewhat further….. to 1916! Mygrandfather, J.D. Mires of Earlville, wasvery proud of his son at Manlius. Hewas also quite sure that eventually ourcountry would be drawn into the GreatWar. He had been reading aboutskirmishes between Austrian and Italianski troops in the Alps and felt that ourboys should be prepared for this typeof warfare.J.D. Mires owned and operated acarriage or wagon works in Earlville, sohe had his workers manufacture skis fora group of Manlius cadets. Unfortunately,I cannot locate a photo of theski platoon.After three years at Manlius, my fathergraduated and entered the Toronto(Ont.) College of Veterinary Medicine.However, in 1917, as our countryfinally entered the War, he left andapplied for admission to the FirstOfficers’ Training Camp at MadisonBarracks, Sackets Harbor, N.Y. certainlyhis previous military training atManlius was most helpful.Dad, upon receiving his second lieutenant’scommission, was sent over toFrance, and served with greatdistinction throughout the War. He waswounded at Soissons in the summer of1918, and in March of 1919 was adelegate to the first caucus of theAmerican Legion held in the CircleTheatre in Paris.If you will look at the World War Imonument to former cadets whoserved, you will find his name. (I trustthat this memorial on the formerManlius School grounds still exists!)Editor’s Note: The WWI Canon is still animportant part of our School. It was movedto the DeWitt campus in the 1990s.I wanted to be brief, but unfortunatelyseem to have run on. One of the littlemementoes which I prize is a letter sentin March 1924 from Gen. WilliamVerbeck to my father congratulatinghim on the birth of a son and statingthat I have been duly enrolled as afuture Manlius cadet.Maynard H. Mires, M.D.Hello Alumni Office:My father, Robert John Ward, was aninstructor at Manlius in the late 1950s.I was wondering if maybe you haverecords from back then. In June onesummer, between 1958 and 1960, Ivisited him there. It was when I was justa small child; my father was thecaretaker of the school, for the summer.I still have very vivid memories of thatvisit I had with him. Since it wassummertime, we had the whole placeto ourselves. I remember looking at thedorm rooms with their army cots and Iremember it was the first time that Iever saw a bathroom with urinals andmore than one toilet.I recall playing with a water rocket onthe slope in front of the main building(Comstock). My father ended up goingto work for NASA at Cape Canaveralwhen he left Manlius. There, he becamethe chief flight engineer for allunmanned spacecraft (eg: Mariner andVoyager 1 & 2).Thanks for your help,Evan G. WardDear Evan:I am delighted to hear from you andI will be glad to see what we have. Inaddition to being the summer caretaker,do you recall what you fathertaught?Hi Maureen:Thanks for your help, I believe hetaught history and maybe science. Sincethe school was empty at the time, atone point I thought that he washeadmaster!EvanDear Maureen:In reading Reflections, I was reminded ofone of Daddy’s (Alexander Darragh’21C) memories of Manlius (St. John’s).I believe there were weekly receptionsat General Verbeck’s house – attendancerequired – to polish manners. Ourfather taught us how chocolate wasmade at the receptions. Sweetened,condensed milk was available, as wellas cocoa. When those two ingredientswere mixed together in a cup, hot waterwas added from a lovely silver pot andvoila - hot chocolate!With best wishes and thanks,Cynthia Darragh OatmanDear Baxter:Just when I think you have done awonderful job – you do an even betterone. Howell, Guido, and I allappreciate the job you are doing atMPH.Best,Mary Verbeck PomeroyDear Friends:Thank you all for the wonderful jobyou did in coordinating all of theClambake Weekend events. Yourconsistent hard work to help breach thegap between the two schools is payinggreat dividends. Thanks.6MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

Another level of trust has been built forthose who feared the loss of TheManlius School legacy.With great appreciation,Sue BahnerTo “The Ladies ofthe Lodge”Hello from CableBeach. That’s“Atlantis” on thepostcard stamp.I don’t like Atlantisor Paradise Island where it’s located.Good Ole Cable Beach (see arrow) ismuch better. Good weather, hot sun,smaller casino, conch’s still great.Happy 2011!Tom Denton ’65 (Former Faculty)Dear Mr. Ball, Maureen, Tina, and Sue:Thank you once again for a superbClambake Weekend at MPH and formaking the entire weekend complimentaryfor the Morses, which made itpossible for us to attend. Preciouscommitments and scheduled militaryand school reunions in Las Vegas andSan Diego had strained our resourcesand the Manlius trip would nototherwise have been possible.We did not miss a scheduled event atClambake Weekend. The LeadershipDinner and the stage presentation byyour MPH students were outstanding.We thoroughly enjoyed our ManliusSchool Barbecue meeting many oldfriends and making many new ones.The Verbeck Memorial Service was firstclass, Suzi Bahner Harriff did her usualmesmerizing presentation and GeneralEstes (Howell Estes III ’60HQ) remarkswere on point. We enjoyed hearingfrom you at the Conversation with theHead of School and the followingdedication of the Clambake wasbeautifully done - the food and thebuffet were delicious. The Hall of FameInduction and Dinner were especiallymeaningful for us because JohnBrockington ’67C was one of ourcadets in 1966-67 and Teddy Shiro’47A was a high school and collegeadversary of mine in Maine. We had asuper time and will continue therelationship. Thanks again,Col. and Mrs. Gerry MorseManlius Faculty 1963-1967In the Spring 2010 issue of Reflections, we asked readers to translateformer Latin teacher Jim Lawrence’s saying…”Semper Ubi Sub Ubi.”Here are some of the replies…Hi Tina,Now that my “Memories” mega-issue ofReflections has made it safely across theborder, I’ve had a chance to pore over it,several times. I noticed the shaded boxon Page 75 containing Jim Lawrence’schallenge to supply the meaning to“Semper ubi sub ubi”. Not only do Iknow the answer to this, it is somethingI picked up at Manlius!I won’t challenge the reputations of Mr.Leighton, Mr. Fulqueri or CommanderRugh by implying that this was a partof the formal Latin curriculum. Itwasn’t. In fact, I learned this from EdRobinson ‘68C.Ed came by my room one day to talk tomy roommate, Bob Lovell ’68HQ. As hecame in, he glanced at the class schedulecards that we all were required to poston our doors. Noting the fact that I wastaking Latin III, he said: “Hey, Chris—can you translate this: SEMPER UBISUB UBI”?I did so, then thought about it for asecond. I groaned, he laughed and thatwas the end of it, except for the fact thatI never forgot it.OK, the translation is: ALWAYS WHEREUNDER WHERE. When read, it justlooks like Adverbs On Parade, but whenspoken, especially when spoken quickly,it becomes a motto that should be usedby certain Pop Culture icons if they wishto frustrate the paparazzi.Best wishes,Chris Ellis ’68HQLike probably every one of Mr.Lawrence’s student can attest, that is“always where under where.“As the only girl in a class with threeguys, I was the first to translate thatwhen Mr. Lawrence uncovered it on theblack board. To this day, it is the onlything I remember from my two years inLatin!Lisa (Tepper) Mitchell ’78Always wear underwear.Semper Ubi Sub Ubi.Olivia (Lillich) Hilton ’79I actually had to laugh when I read thisin Reflections! I still say this to this day,and I graduated in ‘92. Now I tease mychildren with it. The answer, of course, is“ Always wear underwear“! Not a literaltranslation, but definitely funny. HopeMr. Lawrence is doing well!Donna (Devendorf) Tokaryk ’92As I travel home for the holidays frommy current position in Waco, TX, I oftenread through all of the mail that myparents kindly pile up for me. I love totake the time to read though the MPHpublications.I did see the Mr. Laurence quote“Semper Ubi Sub Ubi”; I can hear himsay that right now. Always wearunderwear, or really “Allays where underwhere.“ He had a few more like that;they still bring a smile to my face tothink about. I’ll never forget Mr.Lawrence’s antics and life lessons.Theodore B. McDonald ’04“Always wear underwear.” (sic).That’s what the box in Reflections says, ofcourse!! I only had to take one year ofLatin with Mr. Lawrence to rememberthat one. I suppose he’s been teachingstudents that important tidbit for manyyears.All-in-all a very nice Reflections issue. Ihope the administration and faculty/staff make use of it as well as alumni.Ben Slutzky ’09MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 7

OUR MISSIONManlius Pebble Hill School is an independent, nonsectarian,coeducational, college preparatory school dedicated to the pursuitof academic excellence in a diverse setting. Our Pre-kindergartenthrough Grade 12 curriculum challenges students to becomeinquisitive and independent learners. We provide opportunities forintellectual and creative exploration within a caring and trustingenvironment. Manlius Pebble Hill fosters self-confidence, respect,integrity, and strength of character in our students to help thembecome responsible citizens in the local and global community.OUR MOTTOManners Makyth ManWhen The Manlius School and Pebble Hill School merged in1970, faculty and students brought many traditions with them.One of these was The Manlius School motto,“Manners Makyth Man,” which remains MPH’s official motto.OUR ALMA MATERLong Live Manlius Pebble Hill,Loud we raise the chorus;And our motto we’ll fulfill,While we’ve life before us.We will win high praise for you,To your honor we’ll be true,As we sing, “Manners makyth man,”As we sing, “Manners makyth man.”Here we stand in loyalty,Dedication, victory;We will never lose our pride,Though the years may pass us by.We will set examples now,For respect we’ll always bow;As we go on through the yearsFriendships hold whether far or near.Lyrics byJoyce Robertson and Julie Heer Chamberlain, MPH ‘72OUR MASCOTThe MPH TrojanMPH Memories AddendumWe inadvertently left out long-time facultymember Laurie Hadlick’s memories fromour last issue. Our apologies to Mrs.Hadlick!My first 7th grade trip to Poko-MacCready was with the class of 1995.We were climbing Rattlesnake Mountainand our guide, who was new to thecamp, got us off the path. We wound upbushwhacking our way up the back sideof the mountain, grabbing ontobranches and scrambling up boulders.I knew when we finally made it to thetop, that the class was destined forsuccess!The first 8th grade to hold a DinnerDance was the class of 1987. The dancewas in the dining hall, which was halfthe size it is today. All the studentsbrought a covered dish for the dinnerand a group of 8th grade boys formed aband to play. The dance has since gonethrough numerous transformations:a sit down dinner in the dining hall,followed by the dance in the “old gym,”munchies and hot food all night,student DJ’s, professional DJ’s and thenew enlarged Dining Hall. Over theyears the dining hall has been transformedinto Paris, Jamaica, NYC,Mardi Gras, Heaven, and many othermemorable locations.My cheerleading memories includepractices in the “old gym” (now thelocation of the Coville Theatre) and thedining hall, as well as trips to Brookfieldand George Jr. Republic in snowstorms.I also remember holding bake sales toraise money for new uniforms and ofcourse, our pompom dance routines(remember “Wake Me Up Before YouGo-Go“ and “Rock the Casbah?“)One of the first Winter Carnivals on theMPH campus was a full day of outdooractivities, including sports and snowsculptures filling the area between theBarn and Jamesville Rd. Later, Sarah andJessie Sherlock suggested a “realcarnival” to add to the fun. The carnivaltook place in the gym and each classcame up with a game and spent severalweeks designing and making a booth.Classes came up with great ideas:Plinko, Name that Tune, Grandma’sSuitcase Relay. Students earned pointsfor their grade by playing and winningdifferent games.Laurie Hadlick, MPH faculty member8 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

Adam Fratto ’86to be 2011Commencement SpeakerAdam Fratto ’86, a Hollywood television and film producer,will deliver the 2011 commencement address to the75 members of this year’s graduating class.Adam Fratto ’86Adam recently described himself asa“recovering Upstate New Yorker,a proud alumnus of MPH, and a formermember of the famous student rockband, Three Martini Lunch.”Known for his quick wit and sense ofhumor, Adam reflected on his immediatethoughts when asked to presentthis year’s address. “When I was askedto give the commencement address, myfirst response was, ‘You have the wrongguy, you need to get someone old.’ It’s atestament to the human ability to live indenial (in this case, denial of the agingprocess). Once I got past the realizationthat I’m no longer the wrong age forsuch matters, I was delighted to havethe chance to come back and see theSchool,” he quipped.Following Adam’s graduation fromMPH, he received a B.A. in social studiesfrom Harvard University. After livingand traveling in Asia for a few years, hemoved to Los Angeles and enrolled inthe University of Southern California’sgraduate program in Film & TVProduction. There, he produced theenvironmental documentary, “Walkingwith Giants,” for which he won astudent Emmy.Adam began his showbiz career as anassistant at Mutual Film Company(Speed, Saving Private Ryan), beforeserving as creative executive for MichaelDouglas’ Further Films. There, he helpeddevelop Wonder Boys, One Night atMcCools’, Don’t Say a Word, and Swimfan.Adam next worked as director ofdevelopment for Rupert Maconick’sSaville Productions, where he built afeature slate including a remake of thefamily classic Ring of Bright Water, aswell as Eddie the Eagle, a biopic aboutBritain’s famously awkward ski jumper.In 2002, Adam joined Piller/Segan asvice president, remaining active indevelopment while also serving asassociate producer on The Dead Zone,Wildfire and as co-producer on Greek.He was also associate producer of theindependent feature film BickfordSmeckler’s Cool Ideas (starring PatrickFugit, Olivia Wilde and MatthewLillard).While at Piller/Segan, Adam developedand sold series pilots to HBO, ABC,NBC, TNT, Lifetime, UPN, and Spikeand worked closely with studios,including ABC Studios, NBCU Studios,Fox TV Studios, and Lionsgate.From 2008 to 2010, Adam served aspresident of Atticus Entertainment, aproduction company founded and ledby Jim Lampley, under a first-look dealwith HBO. (A first look deal covers aproduction company’s overhead expensesin exchange for first crack at allof the company’s projects.) At Atticus,Adam spearheaded television, feature,and new media development, with afocus on scripted series for broadcastand cable networks. With Atticus,Adam is developing projects for HBOand Epix.Adam is currently co-executiveproducer of Haven, a supernaturaldrama based on the “The ColoradoKid” by Stephen King, which airs onSyfy in the U.S. and more than 100cable channels abroad. The show justwrapped up its successful inauguralseason and will return in the summerof 2011 for season two. He is alsodeveloping a number of new televisionprojects, including a series to beproduced in Chile for the Spanishlanguage market, and is a partner in astartup 3DTV venture.Adam is a member of the TV Academyand the Producer’s Guild of Americaand is co-founder and co-president ofHarvardwood, an internationalassociation of 4,000+ alumni in arts,media and entertainment.Adam lives in South Pasadena with hiswife Christina, associate dean at CalState Northridge, and their five yearolddaughter, Anna Ming Sha. Adamsaid he is thrilled to be able to addresshis fellow soon-to-be alumni and hadthis to add when he reflected on hisown time as a student: “MPH shapedwho I am, how I interact with others,how I see the world around me. Idon’t know whether I appreciated it atthe time, but looking back, I amconvinced that no other institution hasinfluenced me as profoundly.”MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 9

Inaugural Athletic Hallof Fame a Tremendous SuccessA Commentary by Coach Don Ridall, MPH Athletic DirectorDon Ridall and Jeff Mangram at the VIP reception prior to the inductionceremony.This past June, Manlius Pebble Hillhosted its first-ever Athletic Hall ofFame induction ceremony. With over200 people in attendance, the eveningwas a smashing success and recognizedathletic accomplishments thatspanned six decades. The MPHgymnasium provided the perfect venuefor re-establishing friendships andmaking new memories. To celebratethe event, MPH unveiled a beautifulrecognition wall in the gym’s foyer,where current and future inducteeswill be commemorated in perpetuity.MPH Athletic Director, Coach DonRidall, was one of the key peopleinvolved in creating the Hall of Fame.As we look ahead to the next Hall ofFame induction in June 2012, CoachRidall reflects on the process of bringingthe Hall of Fame “to life” and shares hisperspectives on the inaugural event.Editor:Coach Ridall, when you heard that yourformer player, Eric Spevak ’77 proposedlaunching the Hall of Fame duringAlumni Weekend 2010, what were yourinitial thoughts?Ridall:My initial reaction was ‘great idea,’ butI honestly didn’t think we had enoughtime to pull it off, since Alumni Weekendwas only eight months away. Ishould have known better, becauseknowing Eric like I do, if he’s going topropose something, he’s going to puthis money where his mouth is, roll uphis sleeves and do it right.We couldn’t have asked for a moreperfect chair for this event, someonewho really gets the impact of athleticson students’ lives and someone whoknows of and has a deep respect for theathletic heritage of our school.Eric really did a great job spearheadingthis effort and made sure that we hadall three schools represented on thecommittee and throughout the awardsprocess.Editor:What made the Hall of Fame such asuccess?Ridall:It may sound cliché, but it truly was ateam effort. From the first committeemeeting, I was impressed at how manypeople were willing to pitch in and giveof their personal time to make sure thisevent was a success. Eric would throwout these big plans and people jumpedright on board to help make it happen.From recruiting our celebrity presentersto selling tickets, this group got it done.Editor:What was your most memorable momentthat evening?Ridall: It’s hard to pick just one. Ithought the VIP reception at the startof the night was a great chance tomingle. But when I saw the sheervolume of people in the gym, therewas a level of excitement… a synergy…that’s hard to capture in words.Seeing the recognition mural was alsoanother highlight for me. It reminds meevery day of what a great event the Hallof Fame ceremony was, and it is great tosee the students studying it andconnecting with our athletic history.Editor::What are your thoughts on the 2010inductees?Ridall:I thought that all the inductees andteams were class acts who were welldeservingof this honor. It is alwaysgood to honor our past athletic historyand it makes a powerful statement toknow that someone like JohnBrockington is part of our School andstill cares about it enough to returnand take part in our event.It was cool to see that athletes fromteams that weren’t being inductedreturned to support their fellowalumni. Right before the 2000 Boys’Team was inducted, the presenter askedall MPH past and present soccerplayers to stand… I was so proud tolook around and see how many peoplewere standing.Editor:What’s on the horizon for the next Hall ofFame induction?Ridall:The next Hall of Fame event will takeplace during the 2012 Alumni Weekendand I would like to see upwards of 300people attend, which I think is definitelywithin our reach. I am also reallylooking forward to seeing the nextround of inductions… with the numberof nominations we already have, it issure to be another great class.MPH’s 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame induction farexceeded any expectations that I had for this event.– Coach Don Ridall10 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

ManliusPebble HillSchoolAthletic Hall of Fameat a GlanceMISSIONSTATEMENTThe Manlius PebbleHill School AthleticHall of Fame wasestablished to honoralumni, coaches, andteams who have madeexceptionalcontributions to thequality, tradition, andspirit of The ManliusSchool, Pebble HillSchool, and ManliusPebble Hill athletics.1963 Manlius Red KnightsFootball Team – whose 6-1record earned it United PressInternational’s rating as the nation’stop prep school football team.Presenter: Marty Byrnes - SyracuseUniversity and NBA Basketball great.THE 2010 INDUCTEESTom Cahill – Manlius Football Coach who, in 10 years at The ManliusSchool (1947-57), amassed an astonishing overall record of 66-8-2. Cahillbecame head football coach at West Point in 1966 and was named EddieRobinson National Collegiate Coach of the Year. Before leaving West Point in1973, Cahill led Army to five victories over Navy. (This posthumous awardwas presented to members of the Cahill family: Tom Cahill ’68C, DougCahill and Betsy Von Mechow.)Presenter: Dolph Schayes - NBA Hall of Fame, Top 50 NBA Player.Mary Rulison ’73 – Multi-sport athlete Mary Rulison was named theSchool’s best all-around athlete in 1971 and 1972 and, in those same years,was Onondaga County’s Singles Tennis Champion. She was 1972 OnondagaCounty Girl Athlete of the Year and played on the 1972 MPH field hockeyteam – the first team in MPH history to have an undefeated season.Presenter: Chuck Beeler ’54 - MPH coach, PH basketball record-holder.2000 MPH Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team –which gave the School its first state soccer championship.The team earned the Class D title with a perfect 24-0season record.Presenter: Lino DiCuollo - executive vice president of MajorLeague Soccer and former college All-American.John Brockington ’67C – Former NFL football great JohnBrockington, a 1967 Manlius School alumnus who went on to play for OhioState and the Green Bay Packers. The first running back to rush for morethan 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, Brockington was 1971 NFLRookie of the Year and is a member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.Presenter: Jeff Mangram - Syracuse University football defensive back.MPH REFLECTIONS 201111

The John Lenore ’47ALegend AwardJohn addresses the crowd at the Hall of Fame induction.Presentation of the John Lenore ’47ALegend Award was the pinnacle ofour Hall of Fame ceremony. The awardhonors alumni and/or teams that havemade a legendary impact on our sportsprograms as a way to recognize bothathletic talent and leadership in ourcommunity. MPH was honored towelcome back John and members of hisfamily for the inaugural presentation ofhis namesake award.Following are excerpts from Head ofSchool Baxter Ball’s Hall of Famespeech.“John Lenore was born in Wheeling, WestVirginia when his mother was visiting herparents from her native Sicily. Married atthe age of 14 in an arranged marriage,John’s mom was widowed with fourchildren at the age of 21, during the heightof the depression. Despite these obstacles,she, along with John’s grandparents,instilled a love for family, faith, andcommitment to hard work that became thefoundation of John’s upbringing.During his teen years, John developed a loveand talent for football. While thumbingthrough a magazine one day, he saw anadvertisement for The Manlius School. Hedescribed that day as, “God working in mylife.” Knowing he couldn’t afford thetuition, he wrote a letter requesting theopportunity to try out for the football teamand, if he was deemed “good enough,” tobe afforded tuition.He was thrilled when he was offered ascholarship in 1945 to attend Manlius andplay football. During his two years there, hestarted every game, playing both as anoffensive guard and a middle-line backerfor the undefeated Big Red football team.John’s leadership skills continued to groweven after his Manlius football days werebehind him, and he has achieved incrediblesuccess in his professional life. He turnedhis first job – as a merchandiser at abrewing company – into an opportunity topurchase a small distribution company.At the time John acquired the company, itemployed 27 people. The John LenoreCompany now employs over 200 people andis one of the largest U.S. producers ofenergy drinks. John still works every day.Despite a busy career, though, John and hiswife put family first. They enjoy spendingtime with their three kids, Pam, Jamie andJay, and with their many grandchildren andgreat-grandchildren.Because of his dedication to his family, hisschool, and his profession, Manlius PebbleHill and the Athletic Hall of FameCommittee were inspired to create the JohnLenore Legend Award to symbolize what weconsider John to be—a legend in all facetsof his life. I think John himself put it bestwhen he said, “For someone who came outof a little coal mining town to Manlius andto be given the opportunity to rub elbowswith a lot of guys who could afford to gothere was a great experience, and itstimulated my desire to succeed in lifethrough the American system of hard workand perseverance.”It is a personal honor and a privilege torecognize John Lenore tonight. I haveknown John for many years and have beeninspired by his leadership, dedication, loveof family, and work ethic. His lifelongaccomplishments are legendary and hisleadership both on and off the athletic field,his commitment to education, and his loveof Manlius are qualities we all admire.2010: A Thrilling Season forBoys’ Varsity Soccer!It was one amazingseason for the ManliusPebble Hill Boys’ VarsitySoccer Team. The teamwas impressive rightfrom the start. It wasranked first in the state with a 9-0-0 in the Onondaga HighSchool Patriot Conference when the team captains werecollectively featured as WSYR-TV’s “Athlete of the Week” onOctober 13 — and the boys kept going!The team recorded its 13th season shutout in late October todefeat Bishop Grimes in the Section III Class C quarterfinal—and the boys kept going!They registered still another shutout against Sauquoit Valley inthe Class C semifinal and then, on November 6, defeatedCooperstown 2-1 in overtime to seize the Class C sectional title.The victory gave Coach Don Ridall his 499th career win — andthe boys kept going!They headed for the state contest in Oneonta, taking onMarathon on November 13. The hard-fought battle ended in aheartbreaking loss for MPH and deprived Coach Ridall of thatlandmark 500th win. Although the game ended this year’sdream of another state championship, the MPH communitycould not be prouder of its Varsity Soccer Team, which had atruly incredible season.Thank you, boys, for so many thrilling games. Thank you, too,Coach Ridall — we’ll be cheering like mad when you get that500th win next year!12 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

THE JOHN LENORE ’47ALEGEND AWARD RECIPIENTSThe John Lenore Legend Award honors and inducts individualsand teams who have made a legendary impact on our School’ssports program.1The 1944-1946Manlius“Big Red”Football TeamsUndefeated forthree yearsPresenters: Jack Wells ’60B and PeterManolakos.John Lenore ’47AA leader on and off the field2Presenter: Baxter F. Ball.The Power of Positive ThinkingWhen John Lenore ’47Avisited the MPH campusfor his 50th reunion in 1997, hewas eager to meet Don Ridall, theSchool’s athletic director, sinceathletics had played such animportant role in John’s time atManlius.After being introduced to Don,who has been coaching at MPHsince 1976, John spent some time quizzing the coach on his pastsuccess and vision for the future of MPH athletics. One thing thatJohn wanted to know was if MPH had ever won a statechampionship.When Don admitted that a state championship had eluded MPH thusfar, John offered the following help: “I’m going to help build you asports kiosk, where you can prominently display the School’s sportsaccomplishments, both past and present. Once that kiosk is built,I guarantee you that a state championship will soon follow.”True to his word, John and his wife Dorothy chaired “The SportsTribute Campaign” and called on fellow alumni to support theSchool’s effort to give athletics more recognition on campus. In 1998,The Sports Memorial Kiosk was dedicated to “the outstanding sportsteams of The Manlius School, Pebble Hill School, and Manlius PebbleHill School.”And...just two years later, in the fall of 2000, the Boys’ Varsity Soccerteam won its first state title. Coincidence?123453Thirteen members of the 1963 Red Knights #1 ranked footballteam attended the ceremony.Former Manlius basketball teammates, Howell Estes ’60HQ,Paul Morton ’59A, and Chuck Richards ’59A reconnect.Mary Rulison ’73 is inducted by her former coach, Chuck Beeler’54.John Brockington ’67C talks about his time at Manlius.The Athletic “Hall of Fame” mural resides outside the entranceto the gym.MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 1345

By Sarah FrazziniKendrick, MPH Fifth Grade TeacherCheckYourFACTS:Fifth GradersLearn InternetResearchTechniquesTwelve years ago, the word “google”was not in Merriam-Webster or theOxford English Dictionary. Today, “google”is acknowledged in standard dictionaries,the verb meaning to use the Google searchengine to obtain information about something.Google’s search engine processesover several hundred million searches eachday. Students routinely google informationon the Internet when they have a questionor a topic they wish to research. Yet,Google does not evaluate the web sitesthat it lists when one searches for a topic.It merely provides one with almost instantaneousaccess to a wealth of sites wherethe search topic is mentioned in somecapacity. While many of these sites mayhave valuable information, students mustlearn to filter through them, to distinguishbetween information from reliable sourcesand information that may be misleading,inaccurate, or extremely biased. Furthermore,even reliable sources need to be readcarefully, examined for bias, and the informationcompared across sources tocompile a more accurate view of theresearch topic.In Fifth Grade, we begin the process ofteaching students to understand themedia that will inevitably play a large rolein their academic career. We want them tounderstand the power of the Internet, theability to have at your fingertips amultitude of information about a singlesubject. We also want them to approachthis information with a critical eye, andwe teach them how to evaluate a websitefor its reliability and bias. We do not wantto censor students’ reading content, ratherhelp them to be informed, and to notaccept as fact the information presentedon any given website. While all sources,including print and published texts,should be evaluated for bias, it isparticularly true on the Internet, whereanyone can buy and register a domainname and “publish” information.When Fifth Graders first begin using theInternet for research, we conduct a lessonthat highlights the importance of examiningthe reliability and bias of Internetsources. We use the example of a studentwho has to carry out biographical researchon Martin Luther King, Jr. A student mightbegin with entering his name into aGoogle Search. Using our classroomSmartBoard, we demonstrate this search. Amyriad of websites, over 60 Google pages,appears. The first site listed is Wikipedia,then a Nobel Prize site, and the thirdwebsite is www.martinlutherking.org. Thetitle of this web page is: “Martin LutherKing Jr. – A True Historical Examination.”[sic] An unknowing student might happenupon this page, which, from the title,sounds interesting and legitimate, andread through the research the authorpresents. From this website, they wouldgather that Martin Luther King, Jr. was anadulterer, a plagiarizer, a communist, andnot so intelligent. The website offers“proof” of these claims, making it seemlegitimate to young eyes.After showing students this search, weexplain to the Fifth Graders that they canactually conduct research into the author/publisher of the website. One website,www.easywhois.com, allows students toenter a domain name/site address to findout who owns and runs the site. From thissite, students discover that thewww.martinlutherking.org domain nameis registered to Don Black. Students canthen research Don Black to uncover that heis a former Ku Klux Klan member, a whitenationalist, and founder of Stormfront.com,a website that promotes white supremacy.With this information, it becomes clearthat the website www.martinlutherking.orgis biased and purposefully misleading.At this juncture, students begin to recognizethat not everything on the Internet is“true.” We then present the Fifth Graderswith the “5 Ws of Website Evaluation,” byKathy Schrock, which gives them specificquestions to help determine the reliabilityof a website. Examples of the questions astudent might ask are, “Who wrote thesite?” or “When was the site written?”These questions help students to investigatea given site independently anddetermine whether its information is validand reliable to their research.Through these lessons, students developawareness of the Internet as an incrediblyuseful tool, but one that has to be viewedwith a discerning eye.14 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

Charting Their Own CourseManlius Pebble Hill is not acookie-cutter school. It doesn’tdemand that all students follow thesame recipe for learning. It doesn’tgraduate alumni cut from the samemold. By design, MPH students fromPre-kindergarten through 12th Gradeare encouraged to indulge theircuriosity, discover what really mattersto them, and follow their passions.By the time they reach Upper School,MPH students have the freedom todefine a significant portion of theirown education. Through independentstudies, an expansive choice of electivecourses, numerous co-curricularopportunities, and the new SeniorThesis Project initiative, students areable to chart their own course. Eventhose interests discovered outsideschool are wholeheartedly supportedby a faculty that delights in the factthat, though all our graduates leavehere with a broad, solid academicfoundation, each leaves also withthe confidence to follow his or herown path.Take Ben Slutzky. Ben graduatedfrom MPH in 2009 havingdeveloped a strong interest incommunications technology andbroadcast journalism. Whilethere was no formal curriculumat MPH devoted to the field, Benhad a special affinity for thetechnological aspects ofbroadcasting. He and severalclassmates, on their own,produced frequent podcasts(featuring popular skits and“wacky news” reports) from the basementof his family’s home. Meanwhile,his interest did not go unnoticed atMPH. With the support of facultymembers like Liza Morrison and MattSpear, Ben, along with pal Sam White‘09, became the driving force behindthe creation of the MPH BroadcastJournalism Club.Now a sophomore in the School ofInformation Studies at SyracuseUniversity, Ben has just been namedgeneral manager of SU’s Citrus TV, theuniversity’s largest student organization.Citrus TV currently produces three live6 p.m. newscasts on the campus TVchannel and streamed online, threesports shows, and two entertainmentsketch shows. Ben takes the helm ofCitrus TV just as it begins the transitionto high definition or HD. He wasinstrumental last year in securing a$270,000 grant from the SU StudentAssociation to help Citrus TV fundthings like a new video switcher, a newnetwork-based video storage system tofacilitate staff editing of video, and anew server to host production software.“The equipment and software is all‘state-of-the-art’ and used in the ‘realworld,’ so our staff is getting crucial,hands-on experience out of the classroom,”Ben says. “The equipment iscritical for preparing our students forcareers and will long outlast our timeat SU.”Although Citrus TV has begun theprocess of transitioning to HD, Bensays the total cost for upgrades to gofully digital and HD will be about$750,000. He and his staff are involvedin continuing efforts to raise theremaining funds.MPH alumni, whether still in college ornow in careers, are, like Ben, chartingtheir own course. They are studying orworking in the fields they arepassionate about — from medicine,music, sustainable agriculture, and lawto marine biology, internationalrelations, and rocket design. Cut fromthe same mold they are not!When Ben was a Junior, he appeared inthis ad for MPH. His words, even then,indicated his appreciation that MPHencourages students to pursue their owninterests.MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 15

SevenJoinMPHBoard ofTrusteesLaura AustinLaura Austin is founder and artistic director of RedHouse Arts Center in Syracuse. She has served on theboards of numerous national and international artsorganizations and, locally, on the boards of theCultural Resources Council, Syracuse School ofArchitecture, Skaneateles Festival, the Sarah G. AustinFoundation, and the Allyn Foundation. She is amember of the Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity, with a performing career thatencompasses television, film, and regional theater. A member of the MPH MarketingCommittee, she is the parent of two MPH students – Grace, who is in Eighth Grade,and David, who is a Junior.SEVEN RECENTLYELECTED TRUSTEESHAVE JOINED THEGOVERNING BOARD OFMANLIUS PEBBLE HILLSCHOOL. ON JULY 1,2010, SHARONADDERLEY-JONES,LAURA AUSTIN,REGINA CHURCH,PATRICK DANIAL,Sharon Adderley-JonesSharon Adderley-Jones, a former two-term MPH trustee,helped in the development of diversity goals for theSchool’s recent accreditation and is a member of theMarketing and Diversity Committees. She operatesManagement Information Consulting Service in Jamesville.Her children, Carissa ’05 and Carl ’08, are recent graduatesof the School.Regina ChurchRegina Church has served for two years on the MPHMarketing Committee and is committee chair this year.A former corporate financial officer, her background infinance also includes public accounting and consulting.The parent of three MPH students (Fourth Grader Rebecca,Seventh Grader Bryce, and Eighth Grader Gerrit), she alsohas taught graduate and undergraduate courses in business.DEBORAH FREUND,PETER MANOLAKOS,AND ROBERT MILLERBEGAN SERVINGTHREE-YEAR TERMS ONTHE BOARDOF TRUSTEES.Patrick Danial ’98A 1998 graduate of MPH, Patrick Danial is chair of theBoard’s Development Committee. He is co-founder andchief technology officer of Terakeet, a Syracuse-basedcomputer technology firm that develops and sellstelecommunications and voice-driven software. His firm’sclients have included hundreds of national and internationalcompanies, including Verizon and AmericanExpress. Pat also has acted as technical advisor to stateand national political projects and provides technical andexpert opinion consulting in legal cases and technically-oriented litigation.16 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

Deborah FreundThe newly appointed president of ClaremontGraduate University outside Los Angeles,Deborah Freund has rejoined the MPH Boardof Trustees, having served two earlier terms, from2003 to 2009. A member of the Board’s CapitalCampaign Core Committee, she is aninternationally recognized health economist andhas held positions as an adjunct professor oforthopedics and pediatrics at State University ofNew York Upstate Medical University, a professor in Syracuse University’sMaxwell School, and a senior research associate at SU’s Center for PolicyResearch. From 1999 to 2006, she served as vice chancellor and provostat SU. Her son, Willie, is an MPH Sophomore..Peter ManolakosPeter Manolakos is a vice president and financialconsultant with Merrill Lynch. He returns to theMPH board, having first become a trustee in1997 and serving as president of the Boardfrom 1999 to 2007. As president emeritus, hecontinued to co-chair Manlius Pebble Hill’songoing $6 million capital campaign, as he doesnow as an elected trustee. He is the parent ofthree MPH alumni – Bryan ’97, Lindsay ’99,and Carrie ’02.Robert MillerRobert Miller owns Miller Agency of New York,Inc., an independent insurance agency providingbusiness and personal insurance. He serves onthe boards of the Syracuse Jewish Association,Jewish Family Services, and Lymestone HillHomeowners Association. Since 1990, he hasserved on numerous MPH board committees,and is currently a member of the FinanceCommittee and its subcommittees oninvestment and accounts receivable. He is the parent of two MPH alumni– his son Jared graduated in 2000 and son Kyle in 2001.Jamie SutphenBecomes MPHBoard PresidentSyracuse attorney Jamie LynnSutphen is the newly electedpresident of Manlius Pebble HillSchool’s Board of Trustees. She has beena trustee of the School since 2005 and ispast chair of its Planned GivingCommittee.A partner in the firm of Baldwin &Sutphen, LLP, Jamie specializes in realproperty law, including commercial andresidential real estate; real estatedevelopment; acquisition and sale of realproperty; institutional lender and smallbusiness representation; zoning andplanning and municipal law. She isplanning board attorney for the Town ofDeWitt and serves on the board ofdirectors of the Onondaga CountyPlanning Federation.Jamie, who has a longtime interest in thearts, is president of the board of directorsof the Syracuse Children’s Chorus. She isalso a member (and former president) ofthe board of directors of PreventionNetwork of CNY, a not-for-profit agencythat provides programs and education toprevent substance use, addiction, andother problem behaviors. Her daughter,Elizabeth, is a 2008 graduate of MPH.MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 17

Academicsin ActionWe determine age-appropriate skillsbased on what the students havemastered in their younger grades atMPH and what the Middle Schoolteachers hope to see in them as Sixth,Seventh and Eighth graders. We alsorefer to national and private schoolstandards. However, we are not drivenby standards to a point where thecurriculum is suffocated. We’re notplanning or functioning under pressureto “teach to tests”, so the learning inour classroom is always based onwhere the students are and wherethey’re able to go.Recently, Amy Abdo, one of our FifthGrade teachers, shared her teachingexperiences at an MPH Open House.We were so inspired by her words, wewould like to share them with you.Mrs. Abdo has taught fourth and fifthgrades for 12 years; this is her secondyear at MPH. Previously, she taught atThe Dalton School in New York City, acompetitive and progressive private schoolwith a philosophy of education similar tothat of MPH. Amy says, “The transitionto MPH felt comfortable and like theperfect match for me.”Welcome to MPH. I’d like to sharea little of what we are doing infifth grade here at MPH.My colleague, Sarah FrazziniKendrick,and I had the opportunity to spendseveral weeks this summer developinga curriculum tailored for our FifthGrade students. We reviewed whatMrs. Abdo (on farright) poses withfifth grade EarlyAct officersthey had been taught in prior years inthe Lower School, talked with theirpast teachers, and even surveyed thestudents as Fourth Graders about theirpassions and interests. From there, weexcitedly worked to weave together acurriculum that overlaps and complimentsitself across the disciplines ofLanguage Arts, Social Studies/History,Science, and Math.Since Sarah and I teach all four subjects,we’re able to manage the skills that wewant the students to master, as well asthe content and process by which theseskills are introduced, taught, andreinforced.We’re able to set multiple and diverse“benchmarks”…. assessing each studentrelative to his/her own progress, as wellas in relationship to the rest of theFifth Grade class. In this way, eachstudent is given the opportunity to growand advance within his or her ownpersonalized learning environment.Our current Lower School curriculum isrich with diversity of opportunity andexperiences. In a project-based environment,students are given a choice andencouraged to research, investigate, andexplore topics that are interesting tothem. From there, they often presenttheir findings to other students (withintheir class or across the grades), as wellas to parents and teachers. Thisapproach allows the students to becomethe experts and teacher. Their understandingof a topic extends well beyondmemorized facts copied from a teacher’s“I have the freedom to do and try all of the ideal lessons that I learnedabout in my teacher’s education programs at the University at Buffaloand NYU. I can read about a new study, hear about cutting-edgeeducational research on the news, or discuss lessons and curriculum withcolleagues and then immediately apply those ideas in the classroom.”blackboard and moves into a placewhere they’re able to both connect withthe material and their own experience asa learner and teacher.(Continued on page 21)18 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

Goodyear Burlingame ReunionMAY 11, 2010You and a guest are invited to theGoodyear Burlingame ReunionTuesday, May 3, 2011Save the date - invitation to comeGelene Lewis, Marilyn Alberding, Ruthie Fish, JohnCirando, Amy Sander, Sierra Sander, Ruth AnnCarpenter, Eunice Pass Carpenter, and Ruth PassHancock.Ginny Irving Steigerwald, Lucia Beadel Whisenend,Virginia Will Yeager, Susan Albright Hawley, HaroldHawley.Jacqueline Sampson, Bob Tucker, Nancy Ridings,Jane Brace and Connie Brace.Bea Monroe Eberst, Martha Dolan Wason, JaneBenham Friedel, Letty Meacham Murray, Mary EllenTracy Ryan, and Betty Jane Boudreau.This past spring, MPHwelcomed 26 GoodyearBurlingame ladies and guests to ourcampus for a reunion. Thecelebrants thoroughly enjoyed thebeautiful spring day. They watchedour students perform a Maypoledance, received a campus tour, andwere treated to lunch in the KnoxFarmhouse, where they also had anopportunity to chat with some ofour Third Graders and compare“school experiences.” It was greatto hear those stories, and all had awonderful time. A special thank youto: Ruth Pass Hancock, JudyOplinger, Ginny Steigerwald andMarilyn Alberding for helping toplan the reunion, care formemorabilia, and prepare for thisspecial event.Ginny Steigerwald, Nancy Bentley Ridings, LuciaMartin Albright and Betty Jane Boudreau watch theMaypole dancing.Celebrating their 70th reunion: Ruth Pass Hancock,Jane Whittemore Brace and Eunice Pass Carpenter.Thank you notefrom Ruth Hancock:Dear Baxter:We Goodyear Girls can’t thank youenough for providing us not only with ahome but also with your delightfulhospitality.The Reunion was the best ever, even asour ranks diminish. Your staff knowsjust how to make us all happy. Theyout-did themselves to make certain wehad a good time. And, an extra plus forme, I was delighted that granddaughterRuthie Fish had an opportunity to workwith such pros. Whatever you are doing– keep on doing, because it seems to beworking just fine in building a vibrantschool.All the best,Ruth Pass Hancock ’40GBThe Third Grade class talking with the GoodyearBurlingame Ladies.Maypole Dance.MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 19

AN INTERNATIONAL HERO:COL. JOHN BROOKS ’39CBy John Ellis ’67HQColonel John M. Brooks, USA, (Ret.)Col. Brooks, ‘39C described his introduction to thenation of France this way:“I was wet; I was scared, and people were shooting at me!”For Captain John M. Brooks, USA, age 24, the Port of Entryfor him and the men he led as a company commander inthe 1st. Battalion, 16th Regiment of the 1st division (The BigRed One) was Omaha Beach in Normandy, and the date wasJune 6, 1944, D-Day. He lost 48 men of his command thatday and witnessed enough horror to change his life forever.For the next five months, Captain Brooks and his menfought their way across Northern France and into Belgium,liberating cities, towns and villages that had been occupiedby the Nazis since June 1940.On Friday, January 7, 2011, 66 years, seven months and oneday after he got his feet wet, literally and figuratively, thepeople of France showed their appreciation and gratitude. Ina ceremony at the Army Command and General StaffCollege, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Colonel John M. Brooks,USA, (Ret.) was invested with the French Legion d’ Honneur,the highest award given by France to people who have“performed remarkable deeds for the people of France.”The award was presented by French Army Colonel Jean-Claude Brejot, who pinned the medal on Colonel Brooks’jacket and then bestowed the traditional kisses on bothcheeks. In his remarks, Colonel Brejot said, “You gave youryouth to France and the French people. You saved us and wewill never forget. I want you to know that for us, the Frenchpeople, you are heroes.”Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen Jr., commander of FortLeavenworth, said of Col. Brooks, “Reading through his longlist of accomplishments is awe-inspiring; and I may say,humbling, for this fellow warrior.”Colonel Brooks was emotional in his response.“In recognizing my service, the French people say loud andclear, ‘We remember’. And that is very important for aveteran to hear. For in honoring me, you honor them — theliving and the dead.”He reflected: “We weren’t even sure we would win the war.With carnage all around us, we didn’t fight for medals. Wefought for each other. We fought for French villages, forFrench women and children, and we fought with otherFrenchmen to free the French People.”His time in France was not entirely without humor. Hedescribed how he was riding in his jeep through a newlyliberated village. The street was lined with cheeringtownsfolk throwing flowers and offering wine. “Then Iturned in my seat and got hit smack in the eye with anapple! I had a shiner for two weeks!”On Friday, January 7, 2011, the French people showed Col.Brooks that he was still the apple of their eye.French Army Colonel Jean-Claude Brejot pins the award on Colonel JohnM. Brooks, USA, (Ret.)20 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

Accolades for Col.BrooksDear Col. Brooks:It is with great pride that I congratulate you on yourachievement. Although your deeds were performed before mybirth, it is because of your performance of duty and the sacrificeof your lost comrades, that we live in freedom today. Myeducation and experiences while at Manlius and my own duty inVietnam River Patrol PBR’s that have forged the steel of my life’ssword. Thank you.Respectfully yours,Duane Weldon ’64HQJohn:I don’t know whether you remember me or my brother Joe, butI came to Manlius in “C” company the year you were Captain.Like you I had a father who also had come to St. John’s in 1915after graduating from Williams College, when he was studying totake an exam to get into the regular army which he did andwhere he served for many years in the Cavalry retiring as a Col.in 1939.As a matter of fact, Col. Guido Verbeck was the best man inmy father’s wedding! I just wanted to send you my heartycongratulations on your high honor and to say “Hi” after allthese many years.Hearty Congratulations and Best Regards,Jim Geer ’42CPS: I later went on to be Captain of “C” company my senior year,too!!Dear Maureen:I just checked my 1942 Manlius Haversack and noted that it wasdedicated to John’s father! I remember he used to fly up from hisbase to visit the school when I was there.Best regards,Jim Geer ’42CDear Alumni Office:Please add my name to the list of people who send theircongratulations and good wishes to the Colonel. That day wasincredibly tough for those who made that landing.Regards,Peter Hovell ’52CThanks for the note on Col. Brooks.I’ll bet there’s an extensive write up that accompanies the medal.The French are superb at description of events like those thatwould deserve such high honor.Bill Darrin ‘63HQAcademics in Action(Continued from page 18)Ultimately, we’re able to teach ourpassions — teachers are able to bringtheir passion for learning and forcontent areas into the classroom andthey are able to encourage students tofind their own. Learning isn’t a destinationor a content standard to pass,but a journey, a process that we allengage in together. This allows us tomaximize teachable moments and reroutecurriculum, lessons, and the day’splan when the moment is right. Ourgoal is for students to love learning andwe do that by modeling it and byhelping them find their own passionsin the classroom.Fifth Grade is the last year of the LowerSchool and so is a culmination of allthe learning experiences that thestudents have had. We have the uniqueand exciting opportunity to provide acurriculum that challenges their knowledge,pushes them slightly beyondtheir comfort zone, encourages them topull from past learning experiences, andpushes them to become even moreindependent as the leaders of the LowerSchool.Our curriculum this year will covertopics such as conceptual mathematics,geology, geography, exploration, reliableresearch methods, personal narrativewriting, expository writing, journaling,Shakespeare plays, mystery writing,media literacy, Scientific Method andexperimentation, poetry, a multipleperspectivehistorical study of WWII,social and emotional learning, andcommunity service through our FifthGrade EarlyAct Club.I leave MPH many afternoons wishingI had attended this School myself. Ourstudents continually surprise, inspire,and push me to think about everythingin new ways.Amy AdboFifth Grade TeacherMPH REFLECTIONS 2011 21

RememberingThe ManliusSchool Band inthe 1930’sMusic has always played abig part in the life of ourSchool. Recently, an alumnusfrom the 1930s shared withus his recollection of theManlius band of that era.The leader of the band wasDewitt K. Botts who also taughtGerman at the School. Ireceived a music scholarshipfrom Manlius along with mybrother Tom. We entered in1935 and also attended in1936. Mr. Botts was a veryinteresting person who had arecord of taking the band toEurope prior to our arrival.His way of leading the bandwas rather exceptional in thathe did not use a baton butachieved musical expression bybody and hand movements andfacial expressions. We played anumber of concerts on trips, oneof which was to Watkins Glen,N.Y. One of the features was atrombone trio piece, “Roses ofPickardy,” where I played thelead and Bob Clyman andCoggeshall played harmony.We also played for Manliusparades.I graduated in 1936 andsubsequently from West Point in1941. I have often wonderedabout what band members didafter leaving Manlius. I heardthat Mr. Botts became a parachutistduring the war. Before Istop I should tell you about theHQ Company (the bandcompany) football team. Mr.Botts and Clyman coached.They named our plays bymusical terms such as allegro,obligato, piano and sonata,which was rather odd. I thinkwe lost every game. I am intouch with my roommate WallyWheeler who is now a doctor inIndio, Calif. and has organizeda big band that plays dancemusic in Palm Springs.Windsor Anderson ‘36HQKent Gillis ’62B, Duane Hitchings ’62HQ, and Sue Bahner, wife of thelate Manlius band teacher David Bahner after the MPH lecture.Reprinted with permission from Eagle NewspaperOctober 13, 2010Duane Hitchings sat perched in adirector’s chair looking out into a seaof young faces that anxiously waited to hearhis life story. He’s performed with the likes ofAlice Cooper, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis andJanis Joplin, yet this gig was quite differentfrom what the musician and songwriter wasaccustomed to.On Oct. 8, the South Onondaga-native wasasked to speak at the Manlius Pebble HillSchool, the descendent of his high schoolalma mater, The Manlius School. Hitchingswas in town for the Music Industry Conferenceand the Syracuse Area Music Awards(SAMMYs), where he received the lifetimeachievement award, and agreed to make astop at the school to talk about his successfulcareer.During the lecture, Hitchings started fromthe beginning: Having grown up on a dairyfarm with a wonderful mom, dad and sister,he learned to play piano at age 5. By 15, hewas playing in rock bands with 19 and 20-year-olds, and failing his junior year atOnondaga Central High School. It was thenthat he was sent to The Manlius School. Bythe time he graduated from The ManliusSchool in 1962, Hitchings knew music washis future, so he attended the San FranciscoConservatory before transferring to SyracuseUniversity, and finally the PhiladelphiaConservatory of Music, where he studiedmusic composition.One student asked what drove Hitchings tobecome a musician.“I had no choice,” he said with a laugh. “Youjust go by your heart.” He then added thatmuch of his inspiration came from hisAlumnusAwardedLifetimeAchievmentAwardby Duane Hitchings ’62HQManlius music teacher, the late DavidBahner.Once Hitchings entered the music industry,he had run-ins with numerous high-profileartists and collaborated with some of thegreatest musicians of their time. As hepeppered the names of artists such as TheWho, Carlos Santana and Hendrix into hisstory, excited whispers washed through thestudent audience. Hitchings was alsononchalant about the Grammy he won forcollaborating on the “Flashdance” soundtrack,and his hit songs “Do Ya Think I’mSexy” and “Young Turks” with Rod Stewart.As the lecture wrapped up and time was leftfor one last question, a student asked, “Canyou play something for us?”“Oh, I don’t know… I don’t know anysongs,” he said with a laugh, before sittingdown at the old piano. After a brief pause, heplayed “The Lord’s Prayer” to end the lecture.After his song, Hitchings received a standingovation from the students who flocked tohim for autographs.In addition to the student audience, DavidBahner’s wife, Sue; a former classmate fromthe Manlius School, Kent Gillis ’62B; andHitchings’ sister also attended the lecture.After lunch in the MPH cafeteria and a tourof the campus, Hitchings headed over to theOnCenter in downtown Syracuse, where hehosted the Songwriter’s Workshop alongsidefellow writers Loren Barrigar and BobHalligan Jr.A piece of advice he had for aspiringmusicians of all ages that day: “Play fromyour heart. You have to be emotional as anartist, and always be willing to go back to thekid [inside] … And be sure to always listento your lawyers,” he added with a laugh.22 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

2010 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD PRESENTED TO:E JOSHUA J. WELLS ’89 FMANLIUS PEBBLE HILL SCHOOLAfter law school, Josh became an associate at Harris, Beach &Wilcox, LLP in Syracuse. In 1997, he moved to New York Cityand joined the firm of Landman Corsi Ballaine & Ford P.C.,specializing in corporate defense litigation in two primaryconcentrations: railroad liability and dental malpractice. Afterfive years of practicing as an attorney, Josh decided to returnto school to obtain his M.B.A. Josh is now vice president andgeneral counsel for American Food & Vending Corporation,a locally based family business that operates nationwide.Josh Wells ’89 receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from AlumniAssociation Board President Nat Reidel ’65Born and raised in Manlius, N.Y., Josh entered ManliusPebble Hill School in 1982 and graduated in 1989.Josh went on to attend Cornell University, where he earnedhis B.S. in hotel administration in 1993. He then attendedBoston University School of Law, from which he receivedhis J.D. in 1996.Despite an extremely busy work and school schedule, Joshstill finds time to give back to MPH. He served on the AlumniAssociation Board from 2002 to 2010, serving as presidentfrom 2008 to 2010. Josh was elected to the MPH Board ofTrustees in 2005 and is currently vice president of the Board.He says he has “always enjoyed being involved with theschool.” Josh attended four New York City regional reunionsbefore co-chairing the 2002 reunion. In 1999, he co-chairedhis 10th reunion and coordinated a reunion gift, which wentto the naming of a music practice room. He serves as the classagent for the Class of 1989 and his humorous class notes forReflections are always entertaining.Josh lives with his wife, Allison, in Manlius. Their son,Benjamin, attends Second Grade at MPH and they have twoyounger daughters, Caroline and Annabel. There are otheralumni in Josh’s family. His sister, Hillary Wells Koyner,graduated in 1991. His uncle, Henry Wells ’48C, attendedThe Manlius School, and cousins Steve Wells ’81, Vicky WellsHabib ’85 and Alison Wells Cowen ’87 are all graduates ofManlius Pebble Hill School.Help us select the next recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award bynominating an alumnus/a you believe has made a personal contribution byvolunteering his or her time, talent and treasure to enrich our alumni programat Manlius Pebble Hill School. The honoree will be announced at AlumniTWeekend 2011 on Saturday, June 11.MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 23

Meet the NewestMembers of the Alumni Boardby T.J. Gunerman ’05LARRY ADAMS ’59ALarry was born in Canastota,N.Y. and graduated from TheManlius School in 1959. Larrywas a member of A Companyand fondly remembers fellowalumus, Fred Benedict ’58A ashis company commander. Whileat Manlius, Larry participated inintramural sports, the debateteam, and other variousactivities.Larry recalls that his favorite teacher was Mr. Leighton, theLatin teacher. As Larry describes, “Mr. Leighton made Latinso you could understand it.” Rev. Laine was someone elsewho Larry admired. Larry appreciated Rev. Laine’s guidanceand advice, noting that he was an exceptional reverend andmentor. In regards to his fellow cadet corps, Larry felt hisclassmates were something very special and that themembers of A Company were a very close knit group. Thesefriendships and camaraderie were something that hascarried Larry through life and the discipline that went alongwith it. As Larry adds, “there are so many memories theyare too numerous to mention.”Larry graduated from Widener College in 1963 with a B.S.in business and then joined the United States Army inArmy Security. He spent three years in Europe and marriedhis wife Linda in 1969. Larry and Linda have two daughters,one living in Fredonia, N.Y. and the other in New York City.Larry works for Rite Aid Drugstore (via Fays Drugs andEckerd Drugs).Larry has fond feelings for MPH. Larry says, “MPH issomeplace very special. I have been very impressed by whatthe School has done over the years and what they havedone to preserve The Manlius School traditions.” Larry’srecent attendance at the State of the School Address furtherenhanced his sentiments as he was impressed by the facultyand programs at MPH. As a call to all Manlius alumni,Larry states, “I think all alumni from The Manlius Schoolshould make it a priority to learn more about where ourSchool is today.”TRENT AMOND ’74Trent attended MPH for hisJunior and Senior years, whichwas a very unique time in ourSchool’s history. His two yearsincluded the last year on theManlius campus and the firstyear the Upper School wasconsolidated on the DeWittcampus. Trent graduated fromMPH in 1974 and began hisdynamic career path that wouldcover education, finances, and the law.Trent attended Harvard University and graduated cumlaude with an A.B. in 1978. He majored in engineering andeconomics with special areas in decision and control,applied math, and environmental engineering. Trent thencame back to MPH to teach math, physics and coach varsitytennis. He also served as the associate director ofadmission. In 1981, Trent then received an M.B.A. fromSyracuse University where he specialized in accounting andwas in the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.Trent went on to work a number of years at BristolLaboratories and Colgate University, serving in severalfinancial management positions. Trent then decided toattend law school, graduating magna cum laude fromSyracuse University College of Law in 1990. The FingerLakes Ambulance EMS then hired Trent as their GeneralManager and he served there for a number of years until hereturned to education.Stemming from his previous years of teaching at MPH,Trent taught and worked at the Charles Wright Academy inTacoma, WA. Trent was the director of finance & operationsand taught in the history department as well. From his laweducation, Trent developed and taught an “Introduction toConstitutional Law” elective. He continued to teach thecourse at his next school, the Columbia IndependentSchool in Columbia, Mo. At the Columbia IndependentSchool, Trent also served as the head of school for threeyears.24 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

In 2009, Trent returned to the School that still remains dearto his heart and where he teaches math. His wife, Janet, isan MPH alumna, class of 1978. Trent and Janet’s two sons,Tristan and Ryley, attend MPH and are in 11th and 8thGrades, respectively.JON BUDELMANN ’85Jon attended MPH from 1981 to1985 and graduated with only 17other classmates. From the timehe graduated to now, Jon canclearly see how MPH has grown,as now the School graduatesaround 75 students each year.The physical presence of theSchool is also remarkablydifferent from Jon’s days as astudent. The tennis courts, which Jon renovated for his EagleScout Project, have been moved from their former locationbetween the Farmhouse and Bradlee Building. There was noMezzalingua Building, McNeil Science Center, or Center forEarly Learning. The soccer fields were next to the dining hall(which was half the size it is today).Within the academic programs, Jon notes that MPH was onthe cutting edge, with a computer lab (outfitted with Apple2e’s). The Barn, changed as well. It was longer then than it isnow and music ensembles met upstairs from the studentlounge. The maintenance department was located where themusic room is currently located. There can be no debatethat MPH has certainly grown in size over the last 20 or soyears.Jon was a Crosby Scholarship recipient and played soccerfor Coach Ridall, basketball for Coach Dieffenderfer, andtrack and field. Jon was also in the ensemble with Mrs.Loew, and he participated in some of the dramaproductions.After graduating from MPH in 1985, Jon attended JohnsHopkins University. In 1989, he received a Bachelor of Arts,a dual degree in economics and psychology. Jon thenattended the George Washington University National LawCenter, four blocks from the White House in Washington,D.C. He received his J.D. in 1992 and was admitted to theConnecticut bar in 1992 and the New York State bar in1993.Jon began working in the Madison County DistrictAttorney’s Office in 1993 and moved to the Cayuga CountyD.A.’s Office in 1995. Jon was promoted to chief assistantD.A. in late 1995 and became district attorney in 2007.Jon met his wife Michelle in 1993 and they celebrated theirfifteenth wedding anniversary last summer. Jon andMichelle have two children. Their daughter Katherine is inseventh grade and their son Jack is in fifth grade in Auburn,where the family lives.BILL DARRIN ’63HQBill’s association with Manliusgoes back to long before he everattended the School. Hisgrandfather, Earland (“Buck”)Farmer was friends with GeneralRay Barker, Manlius headmasterin the late ’40s and ’50s. FarmerHall, former home to CCompany and HQ, was namedafter Bill’s grandfather. Bill’sUncle Cliff graduated in 1950and later served on the board oftrustees. Bill’s cousins, Bucky and Art Spaulding, alsograduated from Manlius in the late ’50s, as did Bill’sbrother, John (“Biff” to most Manlius old boys) in 1964,and his half-brother, Bruce Cornwell, in 1966.Bill attended Manlius from 1959 to 1963. Bill was originallyin C Company until he became Battalion Commander forthe first half of his senior year with the rank of major, andthen executive officer for the second half. Bill also didexceptionally well academically, graduating second in hisclass.After Manlius, Bill attended Hamilton College in Clinton,N.Y. and graduated in 1967. Pursuing an interest in law,Bill then started at Vanderbilt University Law School inNashville, Tenn. Bill was unable to finish Vanderbilt as hisdraft board cancelled student deferments and he joined themilitary. Bill naturally chose the US Army and went toofficer candidate school. Bill became a second lieutenantand served as an infantry platoon leader, executive officer,and briefly as company commander in Vietnam from 1969to 1970.After his discharge in 1970, Bill was free to pursue hisinterest in law. Bill decided to attend Syracuse UniversityCollege of Law to finish his law degree, graduating magnacum laude in 1973. Bill has been a practicing lawyer ever(Continued on page 26)MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 25

Meet the Newest Membersof the Alumni Board(Continued from page 25)since, first with Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue in Cleveland,Ohio, then with a small firm in Pittsfield, Mass. As of 1991,Bill has been in-house with Subway’s franchisor, Doctor’sAssociates, Inc. Bill is the director of dispute resolution andmanages the significant litigation and arbitration affectingthe company.Aside from his law practice, Bill has a growing family. Hehas been in a committed relationship since 1992 with VickyTaloni, has two married sons, and has three (soon to befour) grandchildren. Bill’s oldest son, William III (“Trip”),is assistant headmaster at The Blue Ridge School nearCharlottesville, Va. and has a daughter and a son. Bill’syoungest son, Phillip, is a faculty member and varsitybaseball coach at The South Kent School in Connecticutand has two daughters, Kaelyn and Kacie.Bill lives in Newtown, Conn. where he stays active withfamily and outside interests. Bill sings in the choir andserves on the Church Council at the ReddingCongregational Church. He is on the boards of theFranchise Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association,the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, and WSHU,a National Public Radio affiliate in Fairfield, Conn. Whenhe retires from his career in law, Bill wants to take up hisprimary avocation, golf, in a serious way and devote therest of his time to such leisurely pursuits as doting ongrandchildren, his dog, Riley, and Vicky, but not always inthat order.JOHN ELLIS ’67HQJohn Ellis attended The ManliusSchool from 1961 to 1967 andgraduated as a Cadet SecondLieutenant on the Battalion Staff.John was a member of the HeadquartersCompany and enjoyedhis time at Manlius. Johnespecially remembers the friendshipshe made among his fellowcadets, faculty, and staff; friendshipshe tries to maintain as theclass agent for the class of 1967.After Manlius, John attended Syracuse University. In 1972,he began work at WHEN-TV (now WTVH) as a newsphotographer and reporter, becoming chief photographer in1975. In 1988, John was made chief video editor, a positionhe held until 2006. John married the former Jo AnneO’Brien in 1972 and they have one daughter, Elizabeth,who is a Manlius Pebble Hill graduate, class of 1997.Elizabeth is married to Major Robert R. Pietrafesa, USA.John is also a grandfather to two lively youngsters, Roccoand Gianna.Over the years, John has remained active at MPH, completingnumerous important projects for the AlumniAssociation Board. In the early 1980s, John compiled theavailable school films and produced the video: “TheManlius School, A Video Haversack.” This film has becomea priceless piece of Manlius School history. John alsoproduced videos for a capital campaign and previousclambakes. In addition, John has written several articles forReflections and received the 1997 Distinguished AlumniAward.In possibly his most honored and dedicated role, John wasan integral member of the team that created the Korea-Vietnam Memorial Plaque remembering The Manlius andPebble Hill alumni lost during the Korean and VietnamWars. John led the dedication service as master ofceremonies.MPH is indebted to John for his continuing dedication toMPH. He was part of the team that created the new flags forManlius, Pebble Hill School, and Manlius Pebble Hill andre-created the Battalion Colors of the Manlius School. Johnalso spearheaded the team dedicated to re-activating theOrder of the Phoenix at MPH and has recently beguncataloging the many donated items of memorabilia in theKreitzberg Family Alumni Lodge.John has also taken time to engage current MPH students.As John says, “perhaps the most fun I have had at Schoolhas been the opportunity to teach. I speak to the ThirdGraders about life at Manlius, and to the Fifth Gradersabout how life changed in America as a result of WWII.”T.J. GUNERMAN ’05T.J. graduated from MPH in 2005after attending since hisFreshman year. T.J. was incrediblyinvolved at MPH during his timeat the School. As a varsity athlete,T.J. played on the varsity soccerteam for four years, helping theteam to win the 2001 New YorkState Class D Championship. Inhis senior year, T.J. was a tricaptainof the team and namedone of the team’s most valuable players. His mostmemorable moment was scoring the final penalty kick in apenalty shoot out at the Carrier Dome to win the Section III26 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

championship in 2003. T.J. also played varsity golf, enjoyingmany beautiful spring days out on the course after classes.In addition to his athletic career, T.J. was also a member ofthe National Honor Society and various school committees.As the chairman of the Headmaster’s Advisory Committee,T.J. always thought Head of School Baxter Ball was anexcellent mentor and friend. T.J. was awarded the Headmaster’sService Plate at graduation, an award he stillproudly displays today.After MPH, T.J. attended Colgate University, where hemajored in political science and minored in writing andrhetoric. In his Senior year, T.J. won the Trimmer Award, aColgate award given for excellence in expository writing.During his Junior spring, T.J. studied off campus inWashington, D.C. and worked at the US Department ofJustice. While working at the Office of Consumer Litigationat the DOJ, T.J. solidified his desire to study law. Upongraduation from Colgate in 2009, T.J. accepted a meritscholarship to attend Syracuse University College of Law.After completing his first of three years in law school, T.J. iscurrently working for the Madison County District Attorneyin Wampsville, N.Y. Although he currently lives in Syracuse,T.J. is a Cazenovia native and wished to work for his homecounty.T.J. began his service to MPH while still a student. For hisEagle Scout project, T.J. chose to build a reflection park nextto the Wellness Trail that is still used today. While attendingColgate, T.J. was one of the first members of the Headmaster’sYoung Alumni Advisory Council. Upon graduationfrom Colgate, T.J. interned in the MPH Alumni Lodge forthe summer and he continued parttime through his firstyear of law school. T.J. is a member of the School’s DevelopmentCommittee and served on the Athletic Hall of FameCommittee.T.J. has always felt a responsibility to give back to the Schooland people that provided infinite opportunities for him. Hehopes that the Alumni Association Board will provide evenmore opportunities to help him give back now and in thefuture.ALLIE THEIS ’04Allie Theis graduated fromManlius Pebble Hill in 2004 andwas active in all facets of theSchool. She excelled in academics,athletics, and the performingarts. Allie was the recipient of theJames W. Songster Award (forbest realized academic andextracurricular potential for theManlius Pebble Hill School Classof 2004), an award she considers her greatest accomplishmentat MPH. Allie was also a member of the NationalHonor Society and was a National Merit CommendedScholar. She also won a Scholastic Gold Key for an essaypublished in the School’s literary magazine, the Windmill.On the athletic fields, Allie excelled at soccer, skiing, andsoftball. Known as the “team screamer” and responsible forgetting the team pumped during the pre-game huddle, Alliestill has lifelong friends from her soccer team. Allie was aco-captain of the skiing team her Senior year and considersskiing her number one sport. Out on the softball diamond,Allie and her co-captain were named co-MVPs of thesoftball team.At MPH, Allie also discovered that she really loves toentertain. In a student production, “You’re a Good ManCharlie Brown,” Allie played Lucy, which she remembers asa very fitting role for her. She then landed the lead asAdelaide in the school musical, “Guys and Dolls.” Duringone of her songs, Allie jumped off the stage and into BaxterBall’s lap. She claims she’ll never forget the look on his face!The next year, she was in “A Funny Thing Happened on theWay to the Forum.”Allie also helped found a female barbershop quartet atMPH, the “Sweet Adelines.” Allie also continued her ACappella career into college as a member of DukeUniversity’s oldest all-female group, “Out of the Blue,“ oneof the top female groups in the country. Their last twoalbums won the National Contemporary A CappellaRecording Awards for Best Female Collegiate Album.At Duke University, Allie majored in psychology, minored inchemistry, and spent a semester studying in Spain. Alliecoached and captained the Duke University ski team, was amember of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and had some of herwriting published in a University magazine.Allie graduated from Duke in 2008. Allie was an accountmanager at a digital marketing agency called Razorfish priorto changing careers. Allie is now living in Portland, Ore. andheaded towards a career in nursing. She also keeps herselfbusy by running half marathons, trail races, adventurerelays, and by mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking,backcountry skiing, and alpine skiing.In keeping up with MPH, Allie came back for Clambake forher fifth reunion and brought four of her best friends fromMPH with her. She loved catching up with everyone elseand seeing teachers, especially Dr. Wozniak and Ms. Bentley.Allie makes it a point to give back to MPH every yearbecause, “I’ve said since the day I graduated, I want to beable to give back to MPH even just a fraction of what MPHgave to me.”MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 27

Q A&withNAT REIDEL ’65,MPH Alumni Association Board PresidentQ: What makes Manlius Pebble Hill such aspecial place to you?A: I have very positive memories of my yearsat Pebble Hill. As I look, back I realize myexperience influenced me for the rest of mylife. I was able to participate in a variety ofactivities, like the school newspaper, whichwas (and is still) called The Rolling Stone,Student Council, and athletics. We were avery small school, so we all had to participatein these activities or they would nothave existed.The faculty and staff were dedicated tohelping us strive for constant improvementand knew each student on personal level.I remember playing six-man football (yes,it was tackle) and we all had different colorhelmets because we supplied our ownequipment and playing basketball in thebarn with the hay falling out of the ceiling.We thought nothing of it. I also rememberwhen Mr. Stevenson’s French lab receivednew audio equipment so we could hearreal French spoken to hone our accents.The new ripple tank in the physics lab wasa major event. The construction of the newgym was the highlight of my years at PH.It was not until a few years later that Irealized how lucky I was to have been apart of this unique experience.Q: Why did you get involved with MPH as analumnus?A: Actually, I only recently got involved withMPH. I graduated in 1965 and I revisitedthe campus once in 25 years, when Ibrought my children to see the School.Pebble Hill did not have an alumniassociation and I never heard from them.In 1986, there was an independent groupof alumni that put together a reunion forthe classes of the early to mid ’60s. I wasunable to attend, but it made me wonderwhy there was not a more formal alumniassociation. It was not until the mid 1990sthat I received a call from Russ Andrews ‘64when I realized there was a more formalalumni organization. Russ was asking forsupport of MPH. I did participate and Russencouraged me to visit the School and seewhat it had evolved into. I was pleasedwith the great strides made in regard toupgraded facilities and quality of education.I realized it was not Pebble Hill as Iremember it, but that School could nothave survived, and this School is flourishing.I felt it would be a good thing tosupport MPH and assure that futureCentral New York students have the chanceto experience a wonderful education.Q: What is your vision for the Alumni Boardduring your tenure as president and whatdo you hope to accomplish?A: I think the main goal is to increase theactive number of alumni. I know manyalums think that it only means givingmoney. Needless to say, money is a criticalelement in the survival of private educationand a part of our goal. However, there areother means of support that are just ascritical. I think Baxter Ball put it in bettercontext: the 3 W’s. Wealth, Wisdom andWork. Not all of us are able to contributefinancially. We do have many alumni thatpossess wisdom and have a great energythat would be a tremendous contributionto help achieve our goals. This is an areawith which even the newer MPH alumni28 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

The 2010-11 MPH Alumni Board attheir fall retreat. L to R: MaureenAnderson, director of alumni relations,T.J. Gunerman ’05, Allie Theis ’04,Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72, AlumniWeekend Chair, Bob Theis ’67B,Tom Denton ’65, Trent Amond ’74,John Ellis ’67HQ, Bill Darrin ’63HQ,Jon Budelmann ’85, Nat Reidel ’65,Larry Adams ’59A, Josh Wells ’89, andJim Amodio ’65. Not pictured:David Temes ’97, Rolly Anderson ’66B,Steve Burchesky ’66C, Doug Craig ’89,Tom Potter, ’67B, Sondra Roberts ’91,Eric Spevak ’77, Wendy (Harwood)Van Der Bogart ’74, Hilary Yeager ’95can help. One very recent example of a contribution oftime is the effort put forth by Alumni Board memberEric Spevak ‘77 in creating the Athletic Hall of Fame tohonor past athletes, teams and coaches for theircontributions to the School. Eric not only had the idea,but it was his creativity and enthusiasm that drove allof us to make it happen. This event was one of themost successful alumni events ever held. It broughttogether many alumni who have never been back tovisit the MPH campus. Without Eric’s energy and drivethis event never would have ever happened. I want thealumni to know it is not always about fundraising asthere are many alternative ways to support MPH.Q: With so many demands on our lives today, why do youthink it’s important for our alumni to give back to theirSchool?A: I think the answer to this question is quite simple. It istheir school. It will always be a part of their life andthey are a part of the School’s history. I think helpingto assure future generations the opportunity to have aplace like MPH is important. MPH encompasses thevalues of both The Manlius School and Pebble HillSchool. I think that is well worth preserving. Alumnialso realize the value of a great education and howcritical it is in today’s world and it is a wonderful wayto give back to society. MPH gives students a head startin a very competitive world and that is an importantand wonderful thing.Q: Anything else you’d like to add?A: The only thing I would like to add is the realizationthat two very old and proud schools merged to createMPH. Some 40 years after the merger I still sense somealumni don’t think MPH is “their” school. I attendedThe Manlius School (B Company) for one year, so Iunderstand the School’s distinguished history inacademics, military standards and athletics. I also knowabout Pebble Hill’s history and the pride we took inbeing a part of a small, unique co-ed day school thatoffered a strong academic program. When you visit thecampus, you will see traditions from both Schoolsbeing honored. The newly resurrected Order of thePhoenix Medal (another example of a contribution oftime by John Ellis ‘67HQ) is one example ofcelebrating our rich history. I want the alumni fromboth Schools to take pride in the fact they are theforefathers of this wonderful place called MPH. Therewas a time when it was a possibility that MPH wouldnot survive. Thanks to those who realized the need fora place like MPH, we not only survived – we thrive.MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 29

THE WAY TO STOP A BullyBy: Jim Eagen, Head of Middle SchoolLate last winter, ina Middle Schoolfaculty meeting, itbecame very clearwhat the MiddleSchool needed to do.We just had another alleged bullyingincident where a middle school studenthad been caught harassing anotherclassmate. What was more distressingwas the indecision on the part of thestudents who witnessed the event. Theywere faced with making a tough choice,to lend a hand to an unpopular classmatewho needed help, and theybalked. Incapable of acting on what wasright, the student onlookers did nothingto help a fellow student escape fromanother classmate’s aggression. TheMiddle School faculty, a group dedicatedto helping children grasp corevalues, was chilled. That afternoon, asthe team of teachers talked and searchedfor understanding, one bright, veteranteacher, a model for all others in theroom, stated something quite profound:“I feel like I am not doing my job.”That, of course, was not the reason forthe bullying incident, nor was thisteacher not doing his job. But he feltthat he was failing, and we needed todo something intentional to change notonly his perception, but the socialclimate within the Middle School.Because any social climate is full ofsocial interactions, the entire MiddleSchool faculty was assigned “BestFriends, Worst Enemies” by independentschool psychologist MichaelThompson. Thompson states there arefive laws that govern group life, one ofwhich is “you must find a place in thesocial hierarchy.” A status hierarchyexists in every classroom in every schoolin America. Though some find the factthat schools are places where some kidsdominate others deeply disturbing, it istrue. But Thompson also states, schoolscan do something about this. One wayis to create a common goal or commonmission where groups can cometogether on an important objective.So that is exactly what we decided todo. What we focused our energy on wasa shared document, called the MiddleSchool Commitment to Community.The chief architect and catalyst for thiswork was and continues to be ScienceChair and 6th Grade science teacherSue Foster. Through her thoughtfulness,expertise and guidance, she and theMiddle School faculty created a livingdocument to build our bully programaround.We were now ready to set somecommon standards. The creation of ourbullying definition was a watershedmoment for the Middle School. Withouta clear, concise and agreed upondefinition, there was little harmonyaround what bullying was, when it tookplace and how to deal with it. Designedwith the work of international bullyingexperts, Dan Olweus of Norway andKen Rigby of Australia in mind, wewrote a crisp definition that empathicallystates six characteristics that must bepresent for a situation to be labeledbullying. By doing this, we took theedge off situations where parents felttheir child was being bullied when infact they were only involved in a heateddisagreement. Most importantly forparents and students, the definitionbrought into stark relief what bullyingmeans in our community.After we defined bullying, we set tocreate an intentional, well thought andcomprehensive program for the entireMiddle School community – teachers,parents and students. We adopted theOlweus Bullying program, whichincludes teacher guides, DVD’s and acomprehensive climate survey given toeach student in the Middle School. Weadded advisory into the rotation andcreated a Life Skills class in 6th grade.Conflict facilitators from Vera Housebecame part of our yearly program.Master Rick from a local Karate Dojohas four visits scheduled in our assembliesto discuss behavior. In our classes,teachers have harnessed their power andcommitted to assigning seats in theirclasses and labs. We have embraced oursingle sex classes in Grade 7 as a placeto address specific behaviors of boysand girls. We added a member of thediversity committee to the DisciplineCommittee to balance our perspectivesand give us pause. All of these changesand additions are communicated tostudents and parents repeatedlythroughout the year. With the communication,a community keeps theconversation going and has a realchance to see results.And those results have been remarkable.The feeling in the Middle School hasshifted from heavy to light. Not only dowe have daily anecdotes that things arebetter, we have data. The disciplineissues are not only down this year, theyhave disappeared. There have been nomajor offenses and no consequences tohand out. The discipline committee hasyet to meet. It has been amazing.Though this is just one year, there islittle doubt that the Middle School’sprofound commitment to take on bullyingand social aggression has turned thedivision into a genuine community. Ourstudents know that the adults in thebuilding consider kindness and collaborationto be every bit as important asgraphing linear equations and conjugatingverbs. Every day, students andteachers have conversations aboutrelationships - at the lunch table, duringclass, in the halls and during tutorials.And the real way we changed our communitywas not to preach kindness butto actually be kind to one another – tolaugh, to play, to connect with adultsand students alike. At MPH in theMiddle School, this means we makesure we keep connecting each day, everyweek, all year.30 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

A L U M N I P R O F I L EBenjamin Kram ’95Ben on the Boom LiftAmeditation session during asenior retreat… Typical? Likelynot. However, the purpose behind thesession lead by Head of School BaxterBall was not lost on Benjamin Kram’95. He reflects on some of his lastmoments as an MPH student: “I thinkthat was part of his plan – to set acertain tone.” He believes Baxter wasworking to provide awareness beforethe Seniors stepped into the worldbeyond school.Ben spent Fourth and Fifth Grades atMPH, then left to attend public school.He returned in Ninth Grade and stayedthrough graduation. After graduatingfrom MPH, Ben went to Johns HopkinsUniversity, from which he received abachelor’s degree in cognitive scienceand a master’s degree in computerscience. From there, he and a friendbuilt an online marketing and businesssolutions company, eventually foundingan independent software consultingfirm.Ben left consulting to take a position atHarvard University, working in distancelearning in the Department ofContinuing Education. In this role, heworked with a team of softwaredevelopers designing software andsystems to publish classes online,enabling students to further theireducation remotely. Being part of ateam devoted to helping people start orcontinue their higher education, hesays, was very rewarding because heknew that, for those students, findingthe time to take classes in the traditionalmanner was nearly impossible.During his work at Harvard, Ben wasoffered a position at Google and waslured from Boston to San Francisco towork on high-availability engineeringfor large scale distributed systems.Currently, he leads a team of engineerswho primarily work on GMail’s emaildelivery system, making it morereliable and managing it globally.Ben says that it is satisfying to workwith a team that helps peoplecommunicate with each other all overthe world. He is grateful to work in anenvironment that encourages leadershipand personal identity. “I think asmall team of people who can worktogether with grace can accomplish justabout anything,” he says.“It was clear to mewhen I went tocollege thatMPH is a veryrigorous school.”Ben thinks MPH prepared him well forcollege and beyond: “It was clear to mewhen I went to college that MPH is avery rigorous school.” It was classes likeWestern Civilization, taught by BradBerger, or “the way that Joe O’Brien hadan incredibly sincere appreciation forliterature and poetry” that made Ben’seducational experience so positive, hesays. While he realizes the strongacademic background was anadvantage, Ben says it was the way thatMPH helped to develop the character ofthe entire student that really impressedhim. “I think MPH encourages thedevelopment of identity, which I thinkis very challenging in high school,”he says. “I found MPH to be verycomfortable, and individuality wassupported.”He advises today’s students to discoverwho they are. “Self-awareness,” hebelieves, “buys you a lot. The worldmoves very quickly, and taking the timeto consider yourself is critical.”MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 31

Senior ThesisH I G H L I G H T SSeniors at Manlius Pebble Hillare expected to complete aSenior Thesis Project (STP) aspart of their final year. The STP isintended to help students becomechange-agents within theircommunity, taking on projectsthat have deep personal meaningand a lasting impact on thecommunity. Creating an officialSenior Thesis Project is a multistepprocess. The first step is tocomplete and submit a proposal.Students then convene a STPCommittee that includes an MPHand community mentor to reviewthe proposal and offer feedbackbased on the merit, scope, andsustainability of the project.Once the proposal is revised andapproved by the STP Committee,the student begins doing actionresearch, studying previousapproaches, obstacles andperspectives that convey thecomplexity surrounding thechosen issue. The Senior ThesisProject concludes with a“culminating event“ that is apublic sharing of the student’swork and accomplishments.Culminating events can beperformances, presentations, orpublic events, but must conveythe action taken in addressing agiven issue or cause.A Sampling of Current Student ProjectsCarley BrightCarley Bright has centered her Senior Thesis Project ongiving back to the community and learning moreabout the medical field. Carley organized an AmericanRed Cross blood drive this fall and successfullyencouraged student, faculty, and parent participationthat resulted in 40% more blood donations than herprojected goal. In her project proposal Carley stated,“An annual blood drive, continued by students at MPH, ismy goal for this project. In order to raise interest, I can talkto students leading up to, during and after the drive abouthow the process worked. Students interested in publichealth or even just helping the community will be able to see how they could make adifference by leading a future blood drive.” Carley is planning to host another blooddrive this spring at MPH.In addition, Carley, who is planning to study medicine in college, was offered theopportunity to shadow Dr. Pedro del Pino, a local thoracic surgeon, at OneidaHealthcare Center. She jumped at the offer. The opportunity to shadow thephysician came from a recent MPH community-based learning survey response.This survey was distributed to MPH parents, alumni, and community supporters inthe hope of establishing a database of mentors, resources, and internships meant tocomplement the classroom experience and further personalize learning. Carleyobserved three surgical procedures in the operating room and was also invited toattend follow-up office visits with Dr. del Pino’s surgical patients. Carley describedthe experience as “…something I will always remember. It definitely enforced my desire togo into the medical field.”Nate GrosackAs a summer camp counselor, Nate Grosack heard aboutStudents Today Leaders Forever (STLF). This group createda community service road trip to foster team-buildingopportunities and personal growth experiences. Theservice tour is known as “Pay-It-Forward” and it takesplace at different times of the year in locations rangingfrom the most desolate town in the midwest to places aslarge as New York City.32 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

Since Nate has already participated in theexperience, he will now be a student leader andwill act as the link between the students involvedin the service work for the first time and thecollege leaders. By spreading the message of thePay-It-Forward Tour, Nate hopes to create a rippleeffect and motivate other students to take part inthese fulfilling, strengthening, service experiences.Nate hopes to increase the number of participantsby promoting the tour to students atManlius Pebble Hill and in the local community.Nate states, “I participated in an event that wouldforever change my outlook on life and would highlightthe core values of changing the world one good deedat a time.”Siwei (Ken)Xie & HaoFuFor their STP,Chinese exchangestudents Ken Xieand Hao Fu havepartnered with anorganization called“Youth forUnderstanding.”This groupidentifies newChinese exchange students and partners themwith experienced exchange students, like Ken andHao. This connection helps new students becomeacquainted with living in another country andwith being immersed in a new culture. Ken andHao have successfully adapted to a new cultureand educational setting and they are now helpingother students to transition successfully. Forexample, they give students suggestions of how toget along with host families, get involved inschool activities, and make new friends in theUnited States. “Youth for Understanding” hasidentified five Chinese students located in differentU.S. cities for Ken to help support throughthis transitional process. Hao has implemented a“pen-pal” e-mail program between Chineseexchange students and MPH students who arelearning Chinese to help foster communicationand friendly connections between students. Kenand Hao will also support Mr. Hempel’s newexchange initiative to foster study by MPHstudents in China. Ken and Hao will be the linksto the Chinese community and will continue tohelp students in the transition process.(Continued on page 34)Alumna Gives Back to MPHRecently, Cristina Danial ’01 was asked if she wouldlike to spearhead a reunion giving campaign for herclass. Not only did she accept the challenge, but shecame up with a few ideas of her own. In thiscompetitive giving environment, she has chosen toreward her classmates for their donations. Using theSchool’s fundraising webpage, GiveZooks!, Cristinacreated her own webpage, promoting her campaignthrough traditional e-mail and social media websites such as Facebookand Twitter. The website is personalized to her class and will allow her(and others) to view their giving. Check out the webpage at:http://mph.givezooks.com/grassroots_fundraisers/class-of-2001.Would you like to lead a reunion giving effort? The School will make iteasy — all you really need to provide is the passion. If you don’t want tolead the effort, consider a gift. Your participation will make a significantimpact on MPH. Read what Cristina wrote to her classmates:In a ‘what have you done for me lately world,’ it is easy to overlook theimportance of the foundation that helped make YOU the personyou are today. Albeit, there are many elements that helped shapeyou: family, friends, personal ambition, and more uniquely for theClass of 2001, our Passion. I am, however, a firm believer thatgrowing and learning in an environment, which at the coreembodies creative excellence and personal relationships, allowsone to be truly successful and spread our Passion for Life!I am reaching out to you today to take a moment to give back andallow others the opportunity to realize this same fortunateexperience. There is nothing more powerful than memories, andwe often take these for granted – especially the good ones. Similarto a satisfied customer who purchases a product or service, few goout of their way to tell others, but when asked about it, they sharetheir satisfaction with personal examples. I truly feel that we haveour own unique fond memories of Manlius Pebble Hill that standout above others. Whether it is “Grandparents Day” in LowerSchool, or the classes that pushed the envelope to impress upon usthe freedom of speech far more than neighboring schools can, weall have something that makes us grateful.Please take this opportunity to give back to MPH and allow othersthe same exceptional experiences we had. I ask that each of us targeta donation of $50/person, but if this isn’t within reason for you,keep in mind that even the smallest amount goes a long way. Forthose able to donate $50, we will send out a commemorative “Classof 2001” Koozie that you might put to use at our reunion! :)That’s right! Our 10 year reunion is coming the weekend of June10 and 11. I hope to see everyone there! I also encourage each ofyou to sign the guestbook and share your memories.If you have any questions, feel free to contact me:cdanial@gmail.com. All donations are tax deductible.Stay passionate for all you do!CristinaTo lead a reunion giving campaign, please contact Sue Leahey at315-446-2452 x 112.MPH REFLECTIONS 201133

Senior Thesis Highlights(Continued from page 33)Cara AdelsonCara Adelson is working on aproject called “Take Back theTap.” The title describes theproject that will eventuallyeliminate the use of plasticbeverage bottles on thecampus of Manlius PebbleHill. Cara chose to create thisSenior Thesis Project becauseshe currently serves on theBoard of Trustees’ GreenCommittee and believes in thecommittee’s mission to “help facilitate the coordination ofManlius Pebble Hill School’s existing environmentalinitiatives and to promote further steps towardsustainability and environmental stewardship.”Another opportunity arose from the community-basedlearning survey related to Cara’s interest in pursuing acareer in public health. Shannon Magari, vice president ofHealth Sciences at Colden Corporation, has offered tomentor Cara in her STP and in facilitating furtherexperiences in the realm of public health. Cara isspecifically interested in epidemiological studies and havingthe opportunity to work with Shannon will give her firsthandexperience in the field.Ashley ArkhurstAshley’s STP is the creationof an Intergroup Dialoguewithin the MPH advisorysystem. Intended to run inconjunction with theCommunity Wide Dialogueto End Racism, this programfocuses on addressing issueswithin the MPH schoolcommunity. The objective isto create an atmospheremore open tocommunication within the student body and with thefaculty and staff to work towards understanding, notnecessarily to reach agreement. The program will work toincrease understanding of social identities in the context ofsystems of power and inequalities. It will provide a “voice”for students who normally would not have the opportunityor ability to voice their opinions. The program will act as amini-course in diversity awareness.In her project proposal, Ashley states, “Though there are somechallenges, I believe that the Intergroup Dialogue would beworthwhile and, in fact, beneficial to the Manlius Pebble Hillschool community. I hope that this dialogue will create betterrelations between students of different backgrounds, create atighter bond among the student body, as well as enlighten ourstudents about the realities that others face and work on takingaction in order to resolve them.”All alumni are invited to attendSaturday, April 9, 2011 at The Turning Stone Resort – CasinoVIP cocktail reception, gourmet cuisine, live entertainment,and an Artists’ Invitational, featuring work by:Col. Robert Pratt ’67HQ • Vincent Albicelli ’90 • Antonia Nicoletti-Eaton ’02For ticket sales or more information, call Jennifer Neuner, director of special eventsat 315/446-2452, ext. 116 or e-mail jneuner@mph.net.34MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

A L U M N I P R O F I L ESyd Silverman ‘50CSyd Silverman‘50CWith his father and a great unclehaving both attended TheManlius School, Syd Silverman ’50Csaid, of going to Manlius: “I knewwhere I was going before I got there!”C Company’s winning of the companycompetition that year is one of hisfondest memories of his four years atManlius. While reminiscing, he spokeabout some of his favorite teachers,including Bernie Shaw, Major Jacobsand Lee Sedgwick who he said weregreat teachers. Because of them, hegreatly enjoyed all the subjects theytaught.He said it was the strong values thatManlius instilled and the countlesshours the faculty spent training thecadets to follow a routine that were atthe core of Manlius and that have stayedwith Syd throughout his life. “Manlius,”he said, “was never a flashy school thatwould overwhelm you with bells andwhistles, but would with its nuts andbolts.”It was that experience that he took withhim to Princeton after graduating fromManlius. He entered the ROTC atPrinceton and, after graduating, was onactive duty for two years in Germanyand Austria. When he returned to theStates, he went to work for his family’snewspaper, Variety. The newspaper wasstarted by his grandfather who passedaway when Syd was two years old. Bothof Syd’s parents passed away fromtuberculosis at young ages; Syd’s motherat 37, and his father at 54. As a result,Syd’s grandmother took an active role inraising him. She was also a columnist atVariety and Syd described her as a “livewire personality.”Syd spent most of his career in theeditorial department, but also worked inadvertising and circulation. Heeventually became the publisher andthen the executive editor of thenewspaper. Variety had a weekly editionin New York City and a daily inHollywood. During his career, he saw amajor shift in the entertainmentindustry, with tremendous growth intelevision and in motion picturebusiness. He said he views today’smedia as much more “talkative,” and“oriented toward the creative thoughtsof the editorial staff.” Today’s “breakingnews is now shocking news,” he said.In the mid-1980s, Syd sold the newspaperand moved on to his other greatpassion, racing vintage cars. “I’ve beena car nut all my life,” he said. Heprimarily raced Lister Jaguar, ListerMaserati, and Lister Chevrolet vehiclesall over the country. He has sinceretired from racing and has “downsized”to two cars.“Manlius was nevera flashy school thatwould overwhelmyou with bells andwhistles, but wouldwith its nuts andbolts.”When asked what he thought about thestate of education today, he said he feltit was important for today’s students tokeep the same ethics he was taught atManlius. He advised students to makesure they do the basics; study, workhard, and take the courses that arenecessary, along with those that interestthem, as they decide what to do asadults. “Education is something thatbecomes more valuable as you get older.Many times, when you’re in the processof learning, you don’t think about it,but when you’re exposed to otherpeople, it gives you some knowledge tofall back on,” he said. He equated theeducation years to basic training in theArmy, that if you do it right the workcan be just as difficult.Syd married in the summer of 1954 andhe and his wife had four children:Marie, twins Michael and Mark, andMatthew. His wife passed away in 1997,and he has since remarried. He and hiswife Joan spend their winters in Floridaand their summers in Rye, N.Y. Theyenjoy their eight grandchildren, most ofwhom are in the New York area.MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 35

A L U M N IS C R A P B O O KClambake 2010Clambake 2010 was jam-packed with activities. On Friday, we started off swingingwith the Alumni & Friends Golf Outing at Green Lakes. After a lively round ofgolf, alumni participated in the evening events: The Manlius School BBQ, Pebble HillSchool Dinner, and various class reunions, capped off by the MPH Gathering.After a damp start to the Saturday events, sunlight made it through the trees at theVerbeck gravesite, where the Reverend Suzi Bahner Harriff spoke with her usualpoignancy about The Manlius School. We were honored to have General Howell M.Estes, III ’60HQ and the Rev. Guido F. Verbeck, III also address the crowd. We returnedto the MPH campus for the Conversation with the Head of School and then the officialopening ceremony of the Clambake, when three new flags, donated by Bob Theis ’67B,were raised in recognition of The Manlius School, Pebble Hill School,and Manlius Pebble Hill School. After honor was paid to the reunionclasses, Josh Wells ’89, outgoing president of the Alumni Board, and NatReidel ’65, incoming president, joined me in the ceremonial “first clam”to start the afternoon’s festivities of food, friends and fun. That evening,we held the inaugural induction of athletes into our new Athletic Hallof Fame.The FlagsNew events, time honored traditions, wonderful food – all shared withgood friends. Everyone left the weekend a little richer, with renewedfriendships and many stories! Thank you for sharing your friendshipwith me and making my life much wealthier.Claire A. Myers-Usiatynski, MPH ‘722010 Clambake ChairOpening Ceremonyfor the ClambakeRaising the Flag:John Ellis ’67HQ, Had Fuller ’66A, Steve Burchesky ’66C,Howell Estes ’60HQ and Col. Gerry Morse, PMST.Claire Myers Usiatynski ’72,chair of the Clambake36 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011Opening Ceremony Clambake 2010 John Ellis ’67HQ, Jack Wells ’60Band Bob Theis ’67B with the new schoolflags donated by Bob Theis ’67B.

Class of 2000 celebrating their10th reunionClass of 2005 celebrating their fifth reunionThe ClambakeGeorge Clune ’43Ccontinues to makehis yearly trek fromRochester.Pebble Hill Class of 1970celebrating their 40th reunionThe 1963 RedKnights FootballTeam enjoying theClambakeManlius Classof 1970celebratingtheir 40threunionManlius Class of 1967 celebrating classmate John Brockington’s inductioninto the Athletic Hall of FamePebble Hill Class of 1955celebrating their 55th reunionMPH REFLECTIONS 2011 37

Clambake 2010Sue Bahner receiving her “Order of the Phoenix”from Head of School Baxter Ball.The ManliusSchoolBBQEnjoying The ManliusSchool BBQ DickBeckwith ’50B andRichard Koffman ’50BREGIONAL EVENTSThe Alumni Office enjoyed several opportunitiesto reminisce over lunch with Manlius andPebble Hill alumni this fall.Dallas ReunionWhile attending a conference in Dallas, Head of School Baxter Balland Board of Trustees President Jamie Sutphen spent time with someof our Dallas area alumni and friends. In attendance were: Patty (King)Dorey ’83, Michael Dorey, Steve Herron ’03, Richard (Dick) Nowak’60B, Marie Nowak, John Sly ’52A, Robert Mills’51C, Beverly Mills, JimConrad ’50B, Joanne Conrad, Rev. Guido F. Verbeck III, his son GuidoVerbeck IV and his wife Gennie Verbeck. A special thank you to JimConrad ’50B, who helped to organize this event.Rochester LunchPeter Schwarz ’43C, MaureenAnderson, director of alumnirelations, Dick Olney ’50C,Paul Shanahan ’76, GeorgeH. Clune II ’43C and TinaMorgan, director ofdevelopment.1940s Manliusand Pebble Hill LunchDon Fida ’42HQ. Missing from the photoForbes Tuttle ’42 PH.1967 LunchLloyd Osgood ’67HQ, John Ellis ’67HQ, BobPratt ’67HQ and Mark McDade ’67B. Missingfrom the photo, Paul Silverstein ’67B38 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

The Pebble Hill DinnerAt the Pebble Hill dinner: Carl Jahn ’60, Elena Jahn ’55, WallyHabel former faculty, Kem Branin ’56 and Jackie Habel.Golf at Green LakesGolfing at Green Lakes: Paul Shanahan ’76, Steven Klimczak ’72, BobNasiff, MPH Chess coach, and Brad Roy ’72.The Manlius SchoolFeatured in FolksmarchMembers of the Alumni Office staff were on hand at the Manlius School campus Saturday,September 11, 2010, to greet Fayetteville-Manlius area Folksmarch participants as they walkedthrough the old campus. The “Folksmarchers” were met at the Verbeck Gravesite where theywere given maps of The Manlius School as it existed in the 1960s. Many stories were exchangedand several of the Folksmarchers discovered that they had ties to The Manlius School that theyhad never known.California Cruisin’Participants received thisspecially createdFolksmarch pin.In September, the Alumni Office had the opportunity to spend time with alumni on the West Coast, from San Francisco toBig Sur to Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego. Along the way, Tina Morgan and Sue Leahey had the pleasure of visiting:Sally and Bill Rankin ’59HQ, Barbara and Fred Kreitzberg ’53C, Ben Kram ’95, Nikki-Nicole Miles ’93, Joan and Dick Doust ’61,Tarasa and Peter Dames ’56B, Mark Marcussen ’43B, Hannah Roth ’89, Adam Fratto ’86, Sam Goldman ’06, Donna Sherr ’89,John Lenore ’47A and Betty Knox. Not included on this list are all the family members of these alumni, including the youngestvisitor – three-year-old Savannah Sherr! Thank you for opening your homes and hearts to the Alumni Office!Tina Morgan, Betty Knox,Sue LeaheyAdam Fratto ’86 with Hannah Roth ’89 in LASue Leahey, Peter Dames ’56B,Tina Morgan in Big SurMPH REFLECTIONS 2011 39

Holiday Gathering 2010OUR BIGGEST AND BEST YET!Over 70 alumni, plus their guests, gathered at PJ Dorsey’s onDecember 27 to enjoy each other’s company. A wide range ofclasses was represented, from alumni who were on Don Ridall’s firstsoccer team to the newest graduates, and the stories were flowing.Faculty enjoyed catching up with their former students and recallingtimes at MPH. Thank you all for coming. It was a most enjoyableevening. We look forward to seeing you at Holiday Gathering 2011! Aspecial thank you to Alumni Association board members Allie Theis’04 and T.J. Gunerman ’05, who helped with this event, and also toCarrie Manolakus ’02 and Stefania Ianno ’05, who helped spread theword on Facebook, and to Don Ridall for sharing his “voiceinvitation” on your phone.T.J. Gunerman ’05, Stefania Ianno ’05,Mo Seraji ’08 and Gabe Prussin ’07Akosua Osei-Bobie’06 and AinsleyMeehan ’06Stephanie Kroll ’97,Linda Salter,Shreyas Roy ’96Chris Bianchi ’00,Alex Nitka ’01,Imran Ansari ’01 andMatt Thomas ’01Theo McDonald ’04,Steve Polly ’04 and Ryan Guerra ’04Maureen Polly ’05,Stefania Ianno ’05,Helen Day ’05 andPamela Usiatynski ’05.John Kuppermann ’81,Curtis Smith ’80, John Neufang ’77,Kathleen (Backus) Alibrandi ’81 and Luke McKenney ’8040 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

REUNION CLASS Pen PalsEducating our students about the School’s heritage is an important part of the MPH culture.From the Head Boy plaques that line the hallways of the McNeil Science Center to the KnoxHall benches and the Comstock Hall tables that are still used each day by students, our School’shistory is alive and well.A favorite Lower School activity has become a visit to the Kreitzberg Family Alumni Lodge tohear about our School’s history. This past spring, John Ellis ’67HQ and Nat Reidel ’65 met withstudents to share their experiences as Manlius and Pebble Hill students.After the presentation, students returned to their classrooms to write to their new alumni penpals, members of the 1960 reunion classes. Students jumped at the chance to correspond withthese alumni, who celebrated their 50th reunion at the 2010 Alumni Weekend, and it is quicklybecoming a beloved Third and Fourth Grade tradition!Third and Fourth Grade studentsput great thought into their penpal letters.The teachers took the time to talk about the format of a “friendly letter” and the class had anengaging discussion of the kinds of things that alumni might like to learn about the Schooltoday. The carefully crafted letters were mailed and to the students’ delight, many alumni tookthe time to respond.We have reprinted some of the letters below, and will continue to make this exchange acontinuing part of our Alumni Weekend experience. This year’s Third and Fourth Graders arelooking forward to corresponding with the 1961 classes.A Selection of Third Grade LettersDear Mr. Stewart,Hi! My name is Maddie. I am a 3rdgrader at MPH. We went to the AlumniLodge to learn about The ManliusSchool and the Pebble Hill School. Welearned that at the Manlius School youwore uniforms. On “not-Sundays” youwore green. On Sundays you wore blueand went to church.Every time you were good, you’d get abadge. My dog once got sprayed by askunk. We had to use yellow rubbergloves. Please write back.Sincerely,MaddieDear Mr. Rexford,The Alumni Lodge told us about yourschool. We learned what life was likebefore the schools combined. I learnedthat the officers got to carry swords. Butthe cadets had to carry a 10 pound gun Ithink! They all had to wear a green and ablue uniform. The bedtime was 10:00p.m. but the seniors got to stay up until10:30 p.m. They had to share each roomwith two people and they all atetogether too.From,MakaleaDear Richard F. Whitney,Hello, I am writing from the MPHschool. I have learned a lot about TheManlius School and the Pebble Hillhistory of our school. I have learnedthat Manlius was a very strict andobedient school.I learned that there was a park(Suburban Park) near the school andonly once a year the cadets would getto go down to the park and everybodygot so excited because they were goingto see girls. But they ended up shuttingthe park down just for you.From,LoganDear Mr. Auffant,Hello, my name is Ahmad and I am veryexcited to write to you. How did it feelliving with out your parents? Did youthink it was good or bad to not havegirls in your school? Right now we arelearning about ancient Egypt. Whatyear did you start going to Manlius?Did you think your school was fun orboring? Who was your best friend? Howold were you when you left the school?Thank you for reading this letter. Youdon’t have to answer all the questions.Sincerely,Ahmad(Continued on page 42)MPH REFLECTIONS 201141

Reunion Class Pen Pals(Continued from page 41)Dear Mr. Crandall,Hi, my name is Calista. A few days ago wewent to the Alumni Lodge and Mr. Ellisand Mr. Reidel told us about Manlius andPebble Hill. I learned that Manlius hadroom inspections and now we don’t. I alsolearned that Manlius was a boardingschool for some of the kids. What a normalday would be at our school today would bewriting, P.E., another special (art, music,language, library) math, and on day 6there is performance. There is also recessand lunch. There are a few other thingstoo.Sincerely,CalistaA Selection ofFourth Grade LettersDear Mr. Biele-My name is Lucy and I am nine yearsold and in the Fourth Grade. I have aseven year old sister named Gracewho is in the second grade. I have adwarf hamster and his name is Roboand he is about the size of my fist(and my fist is not that big.)I have a few questions for you. Whatare companies? What is governmentinspection? Did Winter Carnival haveany games?I take tap and ballet and I dogymnastics. I am level two ingymnastics and tap and level four inballet. I might take up horse backriding in the spring.I have some more questions for you.Did you actually join the military afteryou graduated? What is the PhoenixRifles ball? What is a military merit?When did you start playing sports? Iscompany football the same as regularfootball? Who were your friends andwhat did you do with them?I am doing a play called “LittleWomen” with some of my friends.It is coming along great and we aregetting ready to perform it at myfriend’s house. I play a characternamed Meg and I also play acharacter that is a woman (but thescript does not mention her name),I also play someone called AuntMarch in one scene. “Little Women”is a play about three hours long.I go skiing at a mountain called GreekPeak. I can do black diamonds (whichare the hardest kind of run). I can alsodo moguls (moguls are bumps in thetrail). In fact my mom said that I am abetter skier than my dad.Just three more questions: Did youenjoy going to a military academy?Why did you go to a militaryacademy? Do you like living in LosAngeles? Los Angeles sure is a lotdifferent from Syracuse. It is warmthere and freezing cold here.At our school, we had a carnival andall our profits were donated to Haitibecause of the massive earthquakethat happened there. Unfortunately,I could not go because I was going tothis new musical called Wicked.Wicked was absolutely wonderfullyunbelievable, outstanding, andmarvelous. I hope another wonderfulmusical comes to Syracuse soon.I hope you are feeling well and have agood year.Sincerely,LucyRESPONSE:Dear Lucy,I am currently teaching at St. LawrenceUniversity in the North Country ofUpstate New York (about three hoursnorth of Syracuse – near the St.Lawrence River). Accordingly, Ireceived your letter in a pouch of mailfrom my California address onWednesday, March 31, 2010. I amsorry for the delayed response as Inoticed your letter was mailed onWednesday, March 10, 2010.Ironically, just yesterday, I hosted alunch for Tina Morgan and MaureenAnderson from Manlius Pebble HillSchool with three MPH alumnae whoare students at St. Lawrence andClarkson Universities.Let me answer some of your questions.In the military sense, a company wasan organization with one or moreplatoons and each platoon had foursquads. I was in the band, so I was inHeadquarters Company with just oneplatoon.Government Inspection occurred onceeach year when regular Army officerswould come to the military school toperform a campus wide inspection.Everything had to be spotless, becausethe inspector would wear white glovesto check for even a speck of dust. TheManlius School had been a top-ratedmilitary school and accordingly wascalled an honor school. Honor schoolswere rewarded with a preference foradmission to any of the three majormilitary academies, like West Point,Annapolis, or the Air Force Academyat Colorado Springs, Colo.Winter Carnival was celebrated duringthe middle of winter when cadetscould invite female guest on campusfor the weekend. There would beathletic events and each companywould compete in building snowsculptures. On Saturday evening therewould be a formal ball where the girlswore formal dresses and the cadetswould wear their dress blue uniforms.I continued with ROTC in college and,after law school, I had a two yearmilitary commitment to fulfill. I wastrained in the Army field artillery andmy first assignment was at a missiledetachment in Oderzo, Italy (about anhour away from Venice). On October42MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

24, 1969, in mid-morning, our son,Jonathan, was born at the Armyhospital in Vicenza, Italy. At noon, Iwas promoted to the rank of Captain.In the afternoon, I received ordersfrom the Pentagon to go to Vietnam,where I spent my last year in thewar……At first I enjoyed going to a militaryacademy, but after a while I got tired ofthe military environment and decidedthat I wanted to go to a non-military,co-educational university. I obtainedmy undergraduate degree from St.Lawrence University 45 years ago andthen went to law school. I deferred mymilitary commitment to after lawschool.At first I did not think I would like LosAngeles and only moved there becauseI worked for a bank that transferredme to their Los Angeles headquarters.After living near the beach in SantaMonica, I came to love Los Angelesand have lived there for over 35 years.Over the years, Los Angeles hasbecome a very cosmopolitan city withdiverse performing arts such as thetheater, the philharmonic orchestra(directed by Gustavo Dudemel) andthe opera, all of which I thoroughlyenjoy.Thank you for your thoughtful letter.Sincerely,Hugh Biele ’60HQDear Mr. Hart:My name is Gavin and I am nine yearsold. I am in Fourth Grade at ManliusPebble Hill School. My teachers are Mr.Rufo and Mr. Sommer.I started going to MPH in Second Grade,after I saw that my old school did notmake subjects hard enough for me. Mytwo friends from summer camp came toMPH the same year as I did. How oldwere you when you started attendingThe Manlius School?Have you ever visited MPH? You should.We have a lot to see in the classroom.We make mazes on the walls and Imake some in my sketch book.Themazes in my sketch book are very hardto do. Have you ever made a maze? Ilike the ones on the wall because wecan change color, and I don’t like gettingup every five minutes to sharpen apencil.What made you decide to attend amilitary school?Did you have a 5-day or a 6-dayschedule? Every day on our 6-dayschedule, we have something different.We have recess and gym every day, butsome days we have music, Spanish (orFrench if you study French), mediaworks, tutorial, art, performing arts, orlibrary. Some things that we have everyday besides PE and recess are languagearts and math. Every Friday we haveopen math, when you can do strategygames (no computers involved) orbasically anything math-related.At recess, we make forts from sticks,trees and what we call “hay.” We buildoff of long sticks and trees and theirbranches.We put the “hay” on forcovering and then we see if the thingswe put on the forts will hold up for howlong we expect it to.We got the “hay”from the sledding hill when there wasn’tany snow yet. Luke, Zach, Ryan, George,Eli, and I make a good building team. Ifyou ever get to visit MPH, make sure youcheck it out.When there’s enough snow, I belly slide.My coat gets smoother as it gets worndown by belly sliding.Media works is when you go on thecomputer and listen to Garage Band.Garage Band is when you take recordedtracks like various drum beats or a shortlittle guitar song being recorded.Theyeven have FX.You can also play“education” games for a shorter amountof time, or write, or draw.This comes bytwice in a 6-day schedule: once forSpanish and once for French.Tutorial means you can just write orread or get extra help.You can read inMedia Works two, and tutorial alsocomes by once in the 6-day schedule –twice of course.Music is music, where you lean aboutstuff that has to do with music likesinging songs or something. Same goeswith languages. Language arts meansyou can write or read, and it is wherewe work on our independent writingexperiences (IWE for short.) You choosea subject and write about it. For my IWE#3, I wrote about a guy who wants to bethe best sword fighter in town.Art is where you do stuff like make claygargoyles and weave and other things.Library is where you do library-basedresearch and look for books.We have another thing in our classroomcalled Performance Day 6.We show ourGarage Band songs and dance andmore. It is really awesome.You candance or do a science experiment.Youcan pretty much do any act you want.Like media works and tutorial, it comesby once ever six school days. I like beingan audience.Overall, I really like MPH and I think youshould visit. Maybe you could tell meabout your school when you write back.Sincerely,GavinMPH REFLECTIONS 2011 43

Major Malcolm Wheeler Nicholson 1911AMANLIUS ALUMNUSMy grandfather, Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, born in Greeneville,Tennessee in 1890, attended TheManlius School in 1909-1911graduating into the U.S. Army as a 2ndLieutenant in the Cavalry. He had quitea career in the Army, from chasingbandits on the Mexican border tomilitary intelligence in Siberia duringWWI. Under General Pershing hecommanded Troop K of the historicAfrican-American Buffalo Soldiers.Major Nicholson then went on to breakworld records in machine gun readinessin the Philippines and was attached tothe Japanese Embassy in Vladivostok inthe midst of the Bolshevik revolution.This adventurous career formed thebasis of his prolific creative output.Over his lifetime he wrote over 117short stories, novels and serials and thatdoesn’t include the foreign publications,the reprints, and the works listedunder at least two known pseudonyms.The Major, as he was called, wrote forpulp magazines so called due to thepaper on which they were printed.These were popular with the generalpublic and writers such as Edgar RiceBurroughs were among his colleagues.Malcolm Wheeler NicholsonMalcolm Wheeler Nicholson ’11A in the 1910 Manlius YearbookMalcolm Wheeler Nicholson in MexicoBut that wasn’t his only accomplishment.In 1925 he published the firstcomic strips featuring Robert LouisStevenson and Alexander Dumasinitiating the concept for what becameClassic Comics. Later in 1934 MWNpublished some of the very first comicbooks with original scripts and artwork.The company he founded went on tobecome DC Comics. He was the one ofthe first publishers to see the earlyversions of Superman and promptlyhired Siegel and Shuster. Unfortunately,like so many things in the GreatDepression, he was unable to keep thecompany going and lost it to twopartners that had a rather colorful pastin bootlegging.Undaunted, Major Nicholsoncontinued writing fiction and duringWWII, he wrote three books of nonfictionbeginning with Battle Shield ofthe Republic plus numerous articles inLook and Harper’s Magazine amongothers. In the latter part of his life hebecame an inventor, teaching himselfbasic chemistry and published severalpatents including those used formilitary and industrial paint applications.He died in 1965 at the age of 75.In the process of researching mygrandfather’s life and work for abiography I recently visited the ManliusPebble Hill campus. From all theresearch and reading Major Nicholson’smany works, I instantly recognized theconnection to Manlius and how muchit meant to him. In his book Cavalry,written in 1922 he outlines the idealsof a gentleman and soldier. I firmlybelieve these ideals are directly relatedto what was passed on to him byGeneral Verbeck and his teachers. Iknow my grandfather would be sopleased that the school he loved is stillvery much alive and flourishing on thefoundation of the past.This article was written by NickyWheeler-Nicholson Brown, writer andco-owner of BMA studios, an audiopublishing company. Nicky visited MPHthis past fall.44 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

TREE OF LIFE SOCIETYCELEBRATING OUR PAST…SECURING OUR FUTUREPeople who have made a planned gift toMPH are commemorated on the leavesof our “Tree of Life.”ASchool thrives from havingstrong roots… academically,historically, and financially.Much of the financial turmoilthat the School experiences in thelate 1960s could have beenalleviated if the School possessedan endowment. With the awardof a $2 million Malone FamilyFoundation grant, MPH doubledits endowment last year…putting our current level at justover $4 million.While that is great news, ourSchool still falls far short of therecommended endowment levelof 3x our operating budget,which is currently around $9million. Planned gifts are a greatway to help us reach an endowmentlevel of $27 million whichwould provide great stability forthe future of our School.Planned gifts may also havefinancial benefits for donors andtheir families. To the alumni,faculty, and friends included onthis page who have alreadyincluded MPH in their estateplans, we extend our sincerethanks.To those of you who may bethinking of doing so, please letus know and check with yourfinancial advisor on which is thebest way for you and your family.Thank you for your considerationof this important effort. If youhave any questions, please feelfree to contact me.Sincerely,Tina MorganDirector of Development315/446-2452, ext. 124tmorgan@mph.netAnonymousKathy and Mark Adelson(iho Virginia Satterfield)Michael P. Alford ’63Mary Ellen M. AndrewsPhillip M. Andrews ’99Russ Andrews ’64Wheeler Carr Bachman *Baxter F. Ball *Mr. Edward Barber *Elisabeth Barker ’70Mr. and Mrs. Don BarterMr. and Mrs. Richard BarterDaniel S. Baum ’65Charles W. BeachFrederick B. Benedict ’58AHugh I. Biele ’60HQBill Bisgrove *Donald Blair and Nancy DockCol. John M. Brooks (Ret.) ’39CEugene ChappellPaul Clark ’52BGeorge Clune ’43CRobert J. Costa ’53BDoug Craig ’89Peg Cram *Dr. and Mrs. John R. Cryan ’59HQJim and Ceme CurleyPatrick Danial ’98Mr. and Mrs. James Dawley *Mr. and Mrs. Les Deming ’46ATom Denton ’65Richard and Therese DriscollAnna Dodge *Anne and John EndriesEdward W. Foley, Jr. ’28 *Friedman/Heavenrich FamilyKarl Gates ’77John Gibson *Stuart R. Grossman ’56Tom and Penny GunermanBob and Jan HamptonHonorable andMrs. Stewart F. Hancock, Jr. ’40Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hastings, Jr. ’40Martha L. Heer *Jennifer HicksCharlotte and Alexander HolsteinGloria Hooper-RasberryTami and Gary Huested ’63BDan S. Jonas and Alexandra C. EpsilantyLaura and Ed JordanWalter Keating ’48B *Elspeth and George Kerr ’51BDr. and Mrs. David KunzLaura Lavine ’73Gelene and Robert B. Lewis ’45Susan and Peter ManolakosWilliam M. Marcussen ’43BJohn F. Marsellus ’32 *George McCrillis *Edward W. McNeilMr. and Mrs. Crandall Melvin III ’74Kathy and Dan Mezzalingua ’56CLynn F. and Robert I. MillerMelissa and Stephen MontgomeryClaire A. Myers-Usiatynski ’72A. Boyd Pixley 1908HQ*Susan Platner ’66William and Carol PorterRobert H. Reakirt *Mr. and Mrs. Tom Rhoades ’59ASeymour Roth *Kathy RuscittoVirginia P. SatterfieldElizabeth W. ShakeJames C. ShakeJason and Donna (Blount) Sherr ’89Maryon Simmons *Mr. and Mrs. Robert Simonton ’50Elwyn L. Smith, Jr. ’37 *Robert Smutny*Jon Statler ’68AWilliam V. Stone, Jr. ’55Jamie SutphenRobert J. Theis, Jr. ’67BLydia Arnold Turnipseed and TerryTurnipseedGeorge and MJ UristPamela Marie Usiatynski ’05Rielly (Andrews) Vlassis ’97Estate of Carolyn W. and Guido Verbeck,Jr. ’32E*Kathy and Jon VerbeckClaudie and Jack Wells ’60BOrrin B. Werntz ’21C *Dorothy Witherill *Elaine S. and Richard J. Zerveck ’37BNancy and Brahim Zogby*deceasedMPH REFLECTIONS 2011 45

Student VoicesSome recent stories from our student newspaper, The Rolling StoneA World Cup Sojourn:Soccer Brings Hope toSouth AfricaBy: Will Kniesner ’12Isat in row 10 ofLoftus VersfeldStadium, in Pretoria,South Africa on June23, 2010, watchingthe United StatesMen’s Soccer teamplay Algeria for theright to advance tothe second round. Itwas a cold day. Thetemperature hoveredin the mid-40s.Algerians andAmericans packed thestadium. Each set offans wanted to see iftheir team would make history. Iwondered if the millions of UnitedStates soccer fans (me included) wouldget what we’d been waiting for the pastfour years. Or would what we waitedfor turn out to be another disappointment.I wondered if the United Stateswould ever score that ever-so-neededgoal.My dad and I made the 14-hour tripacross the globe to South Africa to seethe World Cup. Ever since I was born, Ihave been a soccer fan. Besidesfollowing international soccer, I spenda fair amount of time watching myfavorite club team, Chelsea FootballClub, and watch other Barclays PremierLeague games in England. I’ve beenplaying soccer ever since I was fiveyears old, and have played club soccerfor five years in Syracuse and Rochester.When you walk into my room, picturesof me playing club soccer fill the walls.So, I, like many other soccer fansaround the world, have alwaysdreamed of traveling to the biggestsporting event in the world. Thatopportunity of a lifetime arrived lastsummer when I traveled to SouthAfrica.Last summer’s World Cup offeredspecial meaning beyond my fondnessfor the sport and the event. I was goingto a country that just 17 years ago wasending the apartheid era – a time filledwith violence, discrimination, struggle,and sadness. Starting in 1910, theSouth African government madesegregation against blacks a nationallaw. If you were black, you could onlygo into the city if you had a pass towork there, with the possibleconsequence of arrest if your passwasn’t correct. When people tried toprotest these passes, the police shot atthe crowd, which killed 69 people, andleft another 180 people wounded. Thisevent was known as the SharpevilleMassacre. Blacks were forced out oftheir homes, separated from theirfamilies, and forced to live in small,overcrowded slums. For 84 years, until1994, when the first democraticelection took place, South Africa’shistory was punctuated with violentacts of discrimination and oppression,and the country became a globalsymbol of injustice.While I was in South Africa, I visitedSoweto, one of the 26 townships inwhich black South Africans were forcedto live during the apartheid era. I satnext to the window in our tour vanand stared as small, torn, shatteredhouses passed by. Many people sat outon the streets with little or novaluables. Some were homeless. Youngkids walked to fill up water jugs tobring back to houses with no runningwater. The poverty in Soweto feltmassive. As I watched the poor and thehungry out my window, I recognizedmy privilege and the things that I takefor granted – a safe place to live, a bed,a phone, an iPod.Yet despite these sad and overwhelmingimages, when I left the bus andmet South Africans, I was charmed bytheir kindness and joy. Before leavingfor one of the soccer games we went tothat day, we met an extremely kindman named Aaron Ncube. We talkedabout soccer and became friends. Eventhough he is on the other side of theworld, we still keep in touch today.And these are the people who paid tocome out and support the BafanaBafana (South African) soccer team onand off the field and blow their noisyvuvuzelas. These fans brought passionand excitement to the game. As I sat inthe stands of the soccer game watchingthe U.S. team and getting morenervous each second, Landon Donovanput in a 90 th minute goal to send theUnited States into the second round.As soon as that happened, excitementrushed through my body. Iimmediately started screaming andturned and hugged my dad. After thegame ended, my dad and I walked outof the stadium with the rest of the fans.Happiness filled our minds, and thatlasted for the following days.On the way to the airport, for ourdeparture back to the United States, mydad and I thought back on all of thegreat memories and experiences. Soccerprovided something more than just afield with people trying to score. Itdelivered happiness to a nation in need46 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

of it and offered the world a differentpicture of a place. I had experiencedsomething rare and learned somethingabout the sport I love — it wasmore than a game.Suited forFormal FridayBy: Rosette Lanoir ’11Freshly starched shirts, dry cleanedblazers, and argyle socks paradedown Amos most Friday mornings,and the 2011 Seniors who created thisfashionable end to the week have aname for their contribution to MPHculture – Formal Fridays.Senior Isaac Signorelli, one of theoriginal participants in FormalFridays, took a moment to explainhow his Fridays went from sweats tosuits: “Formal Fridays were a cleverresponse to the idea of casualFridays.” Signorelli credits fellowSenior John Maher with the idea.“We wear suits, ties, sweaters, andslacks because we care about ourappearance.”Signorelli believes this commitmentto formal attire says a lot about hisclassmates. “I think it says that wetake pride in our appearance – wecare about our public image, somethingthat is incredibly important forour years beyond high school,” hesaid. Pride in their appearance isapparent by looking at their carefullycoordinated ensembles, but some feelthe group is exclusive and comparesthe Formal Friday entourage to ThePlastics, the A-list clique featured inMean Girls. But Signorelli considershis group of friends as just theopposite. “I’d love if people joinedour tradition,” he said. “We neverwanted to exclude people. We justlike nice clothes.” Signorelli alsopointed out that groups of friends arerather common in high school. “Ithink anyone that is included in agroup of close friends could beconsidered part of a clique, but ourmain objective is to present ourselvesin the best manner possible,”Signorelli said. Maher, too, wasadamant that there was no correlationbetween the film and their tradition.“It’s not a reactive response toseparate ourselves from the rest of theschool,” Maher said. “It’s a funtradition we have, and has little to dowith the actual cost or quality of theclothes.”How the Web ChangedPrivacy: What TeensNeed to KnowBy: Erica Perry ’11Facebook, the social mediaphenomenon whose story wasrecently depicted in a feature film,began as a website through whichHarvard students could interact witheach other via the Web. That concepthas since evolved into a worldwideplatform that enables all people toconnect with others, no matter whichschool they attend or where they live.The openness of the Internet hasafforded us tremendous opportunitiesto stay constantly connectedwith friends and family, but it hasalso created a potentially dangerousenvironment, especially for teens.Recently there have been some sad,horrifying youth tragedies seen in thenews headlines regarding teens andbullying. The one that particularlystood out to many was the death of18 year old Tyler Clementi, a freshmanat Rutgers University whosehomosexuality was exposed by hisroommate via secret video footagewhich was then uploaded onto theInternet. Combined, these teensuicides have confirmed the fact thatthis is a pressing issue that has beenoccurring far too frequently. However,the question that seems to be leftunanswered even after hearing eachof the stories is whether it is becauseof Facebook’s new privacy settings orthe recent cases of digital bullyingthat teens and technology are in thenews. Some social media expertsclaim it is the bullying and not the(Continued on page 48)Flags from allthree schoolsfly proudly underthe Americanflag duringAlumni Weekend.Like what you’re reading?The Alumni Association Board and theAlumni Office are proud to present amagazine that reflects the strong traditionsof the Manlius School, Pebble Hill Schooland Manlius Pebble Hill. Reflections isintended to remind you of your friends,teachers, classes, and even a few pranks!We hope that each time you open themagazine, you’re brought back to aspecial place and enjoy your timereminiscing.Bringing all of these great memories toyou does come at a price. The printing,mailing, and staff time involved in researchand writing is an expense to the School.I’d ask that you join me to help offset thatcost. A donation of $25 (or more if you’dlike!) will greatly reduce our cost for theproduction of Reflections. Please see theenclosed remittance envelope to returnyour donation and help us continue tokeep your memories alive.Thanks for your help,Bob Theis ’67BVice President, Alumni Association BoardMPH REFLECTIONS 2011 47

How the Web ChangedPrivacy: What Teens Need toKnow(Continued from page 47)technology that should be the focus ofour outrage and concern.Danah Boyd, senior researcher at MicrosoftResearch and research associate atHarvard University’s Berkman Centerfor Internet and Society has recentlybegun to investigate this issue as part ofher everyday research of social mediausage. Some of her publications includeHanging Out, Messing Around, andGeeking Out: Kids Living and Learningwith New Media. In response to recentevents, she believes, “technology is notthe cause of meanness. But it’s anotherchannel through which meanness takesplace. But meanness takes placeswherever teens are. And when teens areusing technology, there is meannessthere.” In other words, the Internet hasthe potential to amplify the effects ofbullying and online privacy. Forexample, a rumor might spread quickervia Facebook or Twitter as opposed toword of mouth. The issue seems toexpand beyond technology or bullying,as one (technology), grants the other(bullying), power it wouldn’t otherwisehave.An additional component Boyd hasidentified through her research is thatwhat becomes neglected is how muchsomething said or done can impactanother negatively. Another is that thereis a need to combat hurtful commentswith more hurtful comments. We onlyconsider ourselves and realize too latethat we should have considered theperson targeted. “Over and over again,when teens commit suicide becauseothers were mean to them, their bulliestalk about how they didn’t mean it tohurt. This is why it’s important that weall think about how our actions mightbe perceived differently from ourintentions,” said Boyd. In these cases,the best phrase to have in mind is, “ifyou can’t say anything nice, don’t sayanything at all.” This is the one way toprevent what is said from beingmisconstrued, thus resulting in a webof problems.To ensure protection of privacy whenonline, it is important to be aware thatsearch engines like Google make iteasier for predators to find teens. Whenbrowsing the Web, knowing andunderstanding how search engineswork can help teens avoid what couldbe a dangerous situation by helpingthem understand how to protect theironline identities and reputations. A factthat is sometimes overlooked is that ifsomething is posted on the Web,generally it will show up in Googlesearches, which potentially may not begood from a professional standpoint.Teens should be very sure of wherethey are posting and uploading theirinformation, because in some cases,even though the “delete” button ispressed, it isn’t truly removed from theWeb – and though privacy settingsexist, they can’t always conceal everybit of information you feed thewebsite.MANLIUS PEBBLE HILL SCHOOLATHLETIC HALLOF FAME2012Submit Your Nominations for the 2012 Athletic Hall of FameMPH is seeking nominations for the 2012 Hall of Fame Induction. Nominations can besubmitted online via our website, or by e-mailing/calling Maureen Anderson, director ofalumni relations, at 315/446-2452, ext. 136 or manderson@mph.net. For more details,please visit our website (www.mph.net), click on "Alumni," then "Athletic Hall of Fame."48 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

SnapshotsfromtheONLINE MPH NEWS DIGESTFor those not on campus every day,it’s hard to get a sense of all thatgoes on at Manlius Pebble Hill School.What follows is a tiny snapshot of somerecent developments in our Lower,Middle, and Upper Schools. To getthe big picture, we hope you’ll frequentthe new MPH News Digest, ourcontinuously updated online accountof what’s happening at MPH. Just go towww.mph.net and click on the newsicon at the bottom of the homepage.To give you a taste of what you’ll findthere, here are a few stories pluckedfrom the MPH News Digest:Fourth Grade EarnsKudos as “Classroomof the Future”Patrick Bassett, president of theNational Association of IndependentSchools (NAIS), this fall recognizedManlius Pebble Hill’s Fourth Grade asa “Classroom of the Future.” Mr. Bassettidentified a handful of independentschool classrooms nationwide thatfunction as project-based and experiential,classrooms in which “it seems onechanges the geography to change thepedagogy, or vice versa.” He had set(Continued on page 50)Lower School LearningTakes FlightThe entire MPH Lower School beganthe school year with multi-disciplinarystudies linked to the theme of hot airballoons. From the Pre-K’s study ofwind and air to the Fifth Grade’sinvestigations into ballooning andother vehicles used in exploration, theballoon theme has been an anchor forcharacter education, art, music, andvirtually all content areas from scienceto history.To launch their studies, students beganthe second week of school with afirsthand look at a real hot air balloon.With funding provided by the Parents’Lower School children were thrilled to see theinflated hot air balloon.Association, MPH brought BobGrandinetti, of LTA Aviation, to campusto demonstrate what is involved inballooning. Lower School children werethrilled when, after talking to thechildren about the history of balloonsand how they work, Mr. Grandinettibegan to inflate the colorful 90,000cubic foot balloon.Awestruck as the enormous balloonfilled with air, the children also had achance to go up close for a look insidethe gondola. The experience set thecourse for yearlong flights ofimagination and discovery throughoutLower School.When Fourth Graders are in need of quiet timeto read or study independently, they crawl into“The Independent Cloud,” a biosphere that can beinflated and deflated as needed right within theirown classroom. A 14” fan is used to inflate thebiosphere, made of polyethylene and duct tape.MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 49

Snapshots from theOnline MPH News Digest(Continued from page 49)out, by e-mail inquiry, to find classroomsthat would serve as examples ofinnovative design for a Slate magazineinvestigation into “building a betterclassroom for the 21st century.”Mr. Bassett said he was looking for aclassroom that wasn’t merely “a boxwith moveable parts (chairs, desks,manipulatives, technology, etc.),” butfor a classroom “designed for thefuture in a way that is truly unique andinnovative.”The MPH Fourth Grade classroom fitthe bill. Teachers David Rufo and GregSommer describe their classroom notjust as a flexible, open space, but as “achild-centered classroom.” On theopening day of school, there were noassigned desks; nothing was prearranged.Instead, Mr. Rufo and Mr.Sommer solicited student input onhow the room should be developed –what should go where, how thingsshould be used – in keeping with theirphilosophy of student-driveneducation.Since then, the room has continuallychanged to accommodate learning.There are folding tables that can beused for some activities, stored awayfor others… Students make use of theoutdoor, wooded areas of campus asan extended classroom… There’s evena climbing wall, built at the request ofan earlier Fourth Grade class, forintegrating academic concepts withdynamic movement and kinestheticproblem solving.Both project-based and studentdefined,this classroom is, indeed,“unique and innovative.”Sixth Graders Scale theGreat PyramidTheir study of the Great Pyramid ofGiza in history class had Sixth Gradersmarveling at its enormous size. It wasthrough a recent math class, though,that they were able to gain some realperspective on just how big thepyramid is.Math teacher Kendall Hoekstra hadthem use their knowledge of ratios andproportions to develop scale models ofthe Great Pyramid, built more than4,600 years ago. She explains:“Students started by calculating thedimensions from the original royalcubit dimensions. Then they chose ascale, created scale drawings, and,finally, created their pyramids out of amaterial of their choosing.”They also created a scale comparisonobject to more clearly see how big theGreat Pyramid is in comparison toother objects. Turns out you cansometimes count on mathematics toshed light on history.MPH Wins Stock MarketContest AgainFor the third time in five years, ManliusPebble Hill’s AP micro economicsclass, taught by Peter Terry, has won theregional Stock Market Game sponsoredby The Post-Standard and Le MoyneCollege.Each participating team in the 10-weekcompetition began with $100,000 offictional money to invest under rulesestablished by the Stock Market GameWorldwide organization. The MPHclass invested in four portfolios, one ofwhich was based on the conjecture thatU.S. regional stocks beaten down bythe financial crisis of 2008 might beprimed for a turnaround.Explained Mr. Terry: “The class did ascreen on Yahoo, looking for lowpriced, regional banks that lookedstrong and might be ready to advance.The class picked five and loaded up thetruck with these relatively inexpensivestocks (minimum price of $5) in hopesof getting a point or two of gain. Inthe final hours of the last day of thecontest, the five bank stocks overtookthe second place team from WestGenesee High School to win thecontest. The portfolio registered a gainof about 22% over the 10weeks.”Gao Attends TeachingProgram in ChinaMPH Chinese teacher Wei Gao traveledto China in November to participate ina weeklong conference on Chineselanguage instruction methods andresources.Mrs. Gao was selected by The Office ofChinese Language CouncilInternational to join on fullscholarship the 2010 Advanced Studyand Training Program on Pedagogyand Chinese Teaching Materials,organized by Hanban/ConfuciusInstitute Headquarters. The conferenceincluded training sessions, workshopsand visits to local schools in China toshare best practices in the teaching ofChinese.This was Mrs. Gao’s most recent trip toChina on behalf of MPH. Havingsecured a $60,000 grant from the StateDepartment’s Bureau of Educationaland Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Gao lastsummer chaperoned nine ManliusPebble Hill students as they traveled toChina to participate in a six-weeklanguage immersion course. Thatprogram was part of the NationalSecurity Language Initiative for Youth,a presidential initiative to increase theability of American citizens to engagewith people who speak Mandarin,Arabic, Hindi, Korean, Persian,Russian, and Turkish – with theobjective of increasing understandingand cooperation among people ofdifferent nations.50 MPH REFLECTIONS 2011

The Final Wordby Baxter F. Ball, head of schoolMr. Ball wrote this column only a few weeks before his passing.As always, his words are thoughtful and poignant.Manlius Pebble Hill’s LowerSchool has long adhered to a setof guiding principles known fondly asthe “Five Cs” – concern, confidence,consideration, cooperation, andcourtesy. The kids even sing a songtogether about the Five Cs, and as thosefive characteristics develop in our youngstudents, they come to feel a strong andspecial sense of community.I would offer an additional set of “FiveCs” evidenced by students as they continuethrough Middle and UpperSchool, principles I have come to expectin each and every MPH graduate. I referto the principles of compassion,character, communication, creativity,and curiosity.Why compassion? I am firmly convincedthat an education unmatched bycaring is sterile. One of the true powersof a superior education is the ability toutilize it throughout one’s life to helpothers, and I am proud to be able to saythat, during my tenure, the overwhelmingmajority of MPH graduates hasexhibited enormous compassion.Indeed, our current Senior ThesisProjects are aimed largely at communityservice and helping our Central NewYork community to prosper. The list ofservice endeavors of MPH students isliterally too long to list here. Suffice itto say that no student graduates fromMPH without experiencing the rewardsof helping others.Character is as important as a sense ofcompassion. Without strong personalcommitment to ethical behavior, we arelost as a culture. Finding the disciplineand courage to always do what is rightis, of course, a challenge. It is all tooeasy, particularly in contemporaryAmerica, to take shortcuts and lookimmediately for the quick reward or theeasy way out. Nevertheless, the expectationof strong values is rooted in thehistory of this School. Having metmany alumni of our predecessorschools, Manlius and Pebble Hill, I amcertain that character education was atthe cornerstone of their institutionalmissions – and it remains so at MPH.Character education is perhaps evenmore critical today, when we so routinelysee the absence of characterdisplayed in virtually every arena. Witnessthe cruelty that has led recently toa rash of teen suicides. Witness thegreed in large part responsible for thenation’s current financial woes. Witnessthe disintegration of American politicaldiscourse into name-calling and pugnacity.MPH, I can report, hasthroughout every division a strongcharacter education initiative; there iscommunitywide expectation that all onthis campus will exhibit strength ofcharacter.Of the new Five Cs, communicationmay be the most essential for success intoday’s world. Producing precise, flowingverbal and written communication,though, is fast becoming a lost art.Spending one’s life “tweeting,” in myview, cannot help but underminecoherent communication.At the very core of an MPH education,however, is the development of skill inverbal and written communication. Ourstudents not only write very well (theaverage SAT score in writing for the classof 2010 was 616), but are capable ofclear, confident verbal delivery from avery young age. Regular classroom presentationsand debates, assemblypresentations, and participation inModel United Nations, mock trial,science fair, and theatrical performancesall serve to prepare MPH students inthis extraordinarily important aspect oflife.While MPH prizes creativity, the linchpinof innovation and progress, we seethat elsewhere, programs that promotecreativity are being phased out or cutback in order to meet diminishedschool budgets. Our students demonstratean enormous appetite for thecreative – and I do not mean simply inareas like the fine and performing arts.Our young people have a great capacityand great desire to think outside thebox on almost all subjects, to approachmaterial from new angles, to figure outnew ways of doing things. I attribute thecreativity of our students in part to therole modeling of our faculty and amhopeful that our graduates will themselvesinspire through original thought,creative expression, innovation, andinvention.The last of the new Five Cs is curiosity –the grand avenue to all knowledge.MPH is purposeful in encouraging theinnate and persistent curiosity in youngpeople. The life of the mind is whollydependent on a curious nature, and Iwould love it if all our graduates, likethe average two-year-old, would continueto ask why, why, why? The desireto make new discoveries, to findanswers, to formulate new questions, todevelop novel connections… all this ispremised on curiosity.So there you have my new “Five Cs.”If only I could get someone to write alittle song about them!MPH REFLECTIONS 2011 51

Manlius Pebble Hill SchoolOrla AndrewsBoston CollegeMariah AtkinsonNazareth Collegeof RochesterJohn Baringer IIISiena CollegeCaleb BatmanWarren Wilson CollegeJulia BlaskiUniversity of St. AndrewsWilliam BockUniversity of RochesterAbner BoganSUNY BuffaloSchool of Engineering andApplied SciencePeter BrownTufts UniversityBrigid ByrnesUniversity of PennsylvaniaJacob DavenportHamilton CollegeGerard DavisRyerson UniversityCommunication & DesignMarisal DobbinsSmith CollegeKevin DodgeUniversity of RochesterJonathan EmbrySyracuse UniversityCollege of Visual andPerforming ArtsPatrick FeeneyIthaca CollegePark School of CommunicationsAlexander FeiszliUniversity of RochesterEmily FitzGeraldHobart and WilliamSmith CollegesLaura FlaggOccidental CollegeJeremy French-LawyerSkidmore CollegeKendra FuteraUniversity of DenverLogan GittelsonRensselaer PolytechnicInstitute - School of ScienceMiguel Goodlin-SaenzLe Moyne CollegeTessa GreenSUNY College ofEnvironmental Scienceand ForestryJenna GrossmanUniversity of VermontLauren GruenbergBoston UniversityCollege of Fine ArtsAdam HaasSyracuse UniversityWhitman School ofManagementKelly HarringtonVassar CollegeRachel HeagertyLewis and Clark CollegeAdam HegeMercyhurst CollegeCarina HodginsSan Diego State UniversitySchool of Music and DanceConnor HoffmanVassar CollegeSarah HunterPratt Munson-Williams-ProctorNathan JohnsonUniversity of TampaCONGRATULATIONSMPH CLASS OF 2010!Phillip KanyesigyeBinghamton UniversityRossy KatangaCazenovia CollegeJustin KunemanRochester Instituteof TechnologyCollege of ScienceRebecca KunzUniversity of VermontColin LeverichLebanon Valley CollegePhilippe LewalleUniversity of RochesterNatalia Manetti-LaxWesleyan UniversityJonathan MangramSyracuse UniversitySchool of EducationTheodore MarschallUniversity of PennsylvaniaLucas MartinState University of New Yorkat OswegoAkshay MenonColumbia UniversityJonelle MillerBinghamton UniversityElena MishkoSyracuse UniversityCollege of Visual andPerforming ArtsDavid MunteanuBucknell UniversityMitchell MurphyNew York UniversityMichael MyeongNew York UniversityTabrinnay NelsonSt. Joseph’s Collegeof NursingRachel ParksPrinceton UniversityBrandon PuSyracuse UniversityCollege of Engineering andComputer ScienceAlexandra RichardsBrigham YoungUniversity - IdahoSamantha RodziewiczMaryland InstituteCollege of ArtMatthew RufoOnondaga CommunityCollegeLilly SchaberTulane UniversityRebekah SchuSUNY College ofEnvironmental Scienceand ForestryLouisa SchwartzUniversity of Californiaat BerkeleyMaryam SerajiNazareth Collegeof RochesterRory ShamlianUniversity of VermontKatherine ShawHobart and William SmithCollegesMark SielingCrane School of MusicBenjamin SilversteinGeorge Washington UniversityElliot School ofInternational AffairsDaniel SingerRochester Institute ofTechnology - College ofImaging Arts and SciencesLara SmithFurman UniversityLucia SmithIthaca CollegeJi Won SongReturning to KoreaCarl StanbroUniversity at BuffaloArchitecture and PlanningMaya Stevens-UninskyMcGill UniversityAnneliese TrustMarist CollegeAnke von HansteinReturning to GermanyNajwa WebsterSkidmore CollegeKelsey WeinerSkidmore CollegeSusan WilliamsRhode Island Schoolof DesignChongho WonBoston University

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDSYRACUSE, NYPERMIT #10325300 Jamesville RoadDeWitt, New York 13214-2499ALUMNI EVENTS2011March 13-18March 16April 7April 9May 13June 5June 9June 10-11December 27Regional Reunions, FloridaBill Goff ’59B, Scottsmoor, FLRegional Reunion,Jay Galvin ’67HQ, Phoenix, AZ28th Annual MPH Spring GalaRed and White DayCommencementCommencement speaker:Adam Fratto ’86Leadership Recognition DinnerAlumni WeekendHoliday GatheringPlease check the Alumni Events calendar atwww.mph.net/alumni for more information and to registeronline for Alumni Weekend.YOU WON’T WANT TOMISS THIS YEAR’SALUMNIWEEKENDfeaturing an exciting blendof the familiar and the new.See inside front coverfor more details.Register online atwww.mph.net