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Former Faculty MemberPhil Gambone Portrays Gay,Lesbian Americansby Kate LaPine, Director of CommunicationsIn his new book, Travels in a Gay Nation: Portraits of LGBTQ Americans(University of Wisconsin Press, 2010), Philip Gambone tells44 authentic stories of 44 authentic gay and lesbian Americans. Oneof his subjects, the writer Randall Kenan, notes that most people havea “monodimensional” view of African Americans, much the same asthey do for Queer Americans (LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender, and Queer/Questioning). Fellow writer Dorothy Allison,another subject in the collection, concurs, “We are complicatedand enormous.”“I love telling stories,” says Phil, smiling. We are sitting at a surprisinglycrowded Starbucks in Brookline Village on a hot summer day.I want to hear from Phil about the recent release of his book, and howit came to be. In the introduction, he writes,Stories. Haven’t they always helped us to learn who we are,whoever we are? Stories both anchor us in reality and inspire ourimaginations and dreams. They remind us where we have beenand hint at where we are going. Stories allow us to discover thecommon humanity in all people. Other stories initiate us into theculture of our tribe: This is what it’s like to come from our people,to belong to our people. Stories give us vital information. Theyhelp us to make our own story stronger. They save lives. (p. 4)Phil then proceeds to tell me the story about a collection of stories:In the spring of 2007, a New York publisher contacted Phil whileconsidering a series. He explains, “They called me because of an earlierbook, Something Inside: Conversations with Gay Fiction Writers, whichappeared in 1999.” This project would be different in three ways: notjust men, not just fiction, and not Q&A, but written profiles. “I said‘Yes!’” Phil tried to identify individuals who were successful or importantin his or her own field. He sought geographical and occupationaldiversity, ethnic and racial diversity, religious and ideological diversity,and generational diversity,with participants aged 19–84.Geography proved difficultbecause urban spaces havecreated ‘gay culture,’ and sothe book is heavily skewedtoward cities. However, Phil’ssubjects hail from bothcoasts, Chicago, Texas, NorthCarolina, and Florida.That first summerPhil Gambone caught up with theentire Wilsker clan, including Becca ’00,Ben ’07, and Liz ’04.was filled with interviews.During the following year, hemanaged to squeeze in moreinterviews between his busy teaching schedule at Boston UniversityAcademy. “But a year into the project, with the economic downturn,the publisher let my editor go, and then dropped the project.By that time, I had become passionate about doing the book, so Ienlisted a literary agent who put me in touch with the WisconsinUniversity Press.”Switching to an academic press mid-course necessarily changedthe expectations for the book. “They had more constraints,” Philsays, “and could only commit to a book with 120,000 words. In all, Iinterviewed 102 individuals, but we had to whittle the list down bymore than half.” Profiles in this first volume include Kate Clinton,Barney Frank, Hilary Goodridge, Gene Robinson, and David Sedaris.The book captures each of the 44 subjects in a moment in time.“It is not intended to be a definitive biography,” Phil elaborates.“I try to give a sense of setting, context, and what each person’s workis about. I have a talent for getting people to relax and talk aboutthemselves.” To prepare for each interview, Phil immersed himself inhis subject’s work. “I really did my homework,” he admits. For everyinterview, which typically lasted one to two hours, Phil prepared10-20 hours.No doubt, Mr. Gambone’s former students will recall their teacher’shigh standards. For 26 years, Phil shared his enthusiasm and curiositywith Park School students in English, Latin, and social studies classrooms.Since 2004, he has been a member of the Humanities Departmentat Boston University Academy, where he now teaches all sectionsof freshman English and a seminar in Chinese literature (in translation)to seniors. Phil dedicated Travels in a Gay Nation to his students (collectively)“and hopes that everyone —gay or straight—will find storiesthat will inspire them.”54 The Park Bulletin | Fall 2010
In July, Sadia Shephard ’90 married Andreas Burgess.When Louise Baker ’92 married Rich Lee in May, a large Park School contingentgathered for the celebration. L-R: Rebecca Kellogg, Laura Dahmen Merriman ‘92,Vanessa Kerry ‘92, Rich and Louise, Sally Baker, Wanda Holland Greene, NancyBaker Cahill ‘85, and Mary Sarah Baker ‘87.Former Faculty NewsClearinghouse, which he co-foundedin 1994. Former students and otherPark School friends in the area cancatch Bob on CCTV: he hosts a programabout volunteer opportunitieson Channel 9 at 4 p.m. on the fourthFriday of each month.Weddings1990Sadia Shephard and AndreasBurgessJuly 24, 20101992Louise Baker and Rich LeeMay 15, 2010In September, former HeadmasterBob Hurlbut was presented with a“Leading Role Award” by CambridgeCommunity Television (CCTV) tomark his many years in service to theyouth of Cambridge. Since retiringfrom Park in 1993, Bob has been theexecutive director of the CambridgeCommunity Foundation, which hassupplied funding to dozens of Cambridge-basedyouth initiatives. Beyondwork and enjoying his family, Bobmost values his volunteer work withthe Cambridge Senior VolunteerPat Zifcak attended her 34th May Dayin 2010. Her granddaughter, RiverStudley ’16, was performing as a thirdgrader.“It reminded me that I taughther mom (Dana Welshman-Studley ’85)the May Pole Dance and she, in turn,taught River. Park for us is truly a familyschool.”1994Jen Berylson and Jonathan BlockJune 26, 20101996Rob Higgins and Julie CummingJune 12, 20101997Reid Diamond and SarahHildebrandJune 24, 2010Paul Naddaff and Ursula AugustJune 19, 2010Josh Zweig and Jacqueline SmithOctober 17, 2009This summer, Jen Berylson Block ‘94and Jon Block celebrated their honeymoonin Tanzania!1998Caitlin Connolly and Kate KolesSeptember 4, 2010Cindy Doseretz and Matt ArensonMay 29, 2010Alex Kehlenbeck and Kate NielsonAugust 28, 2010Claire Pasterneck and BrianGoldsmithAugust 28, 2010Former Park teacher Phil Gambone sent us two photos from Boston UniversityAcademy’s graduation in June. Here, Phil is flanked by the four Park alumniwho graduated from BUA in 2010. L-R: Jonathan Chau ’07, William Maness ’07,Phil Gambone, David Spierings van der Wolk ’07, and Benjamin Wilsker ’07.1999Maegan Scott and Joshua FadenMay 29, 2010Rob Higgins ’96 and Julie Cumming ontheir wedding day in Newport, RhodeIsland in June.The Park Bulletin | Fall 2010 55
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The Park SchoolFall Bulletin 20102
Page 6 and 7: EW T R U S T E E SCity for Time War
Page 8 and 9: — Class of 2010 —GRADUATION 201
Page 10 and 11: What the Ninth Grade willTake and L
Page 12 and 13: Emily HoytI am taking with me Lilyb
Page 14 and 15: Charlotte RossI am taking the sport
Page 16 and 17: Michela ThomsenI am taking the know
Page 18 and 19: LEARNING SCI16 The Park Bulletin |
Page 20 and 21: Preparing for a Yearlong Reviewof P
Page 22 and 23: What science is worth understanding
Page 24: A L U M N I S C I E N T I S T :SUSA
Page 27 and 28: the local culture. At Tulane Medica
Page 29 and 30: would shout out the real name, “c
Page 31 and 32: Although Nina Frusztajer attended P
Page 33 and 34: I love the scientific process.And i
Page 35 and 36: Russell challenged us to build thes
Page 37 and 38: Alumni from the classes ending in
Page 39 and 40: 5.Former Headmaster Bob Hurlbut hel
Page 41 and 42: The Park School Class of 1985Twenty
Page 43 and 44: P A R K S C H O O L C L A S S O F 1
Page 45 and 46: Alumni Notes1933Ruth Crocker Young
Page 47 and 48: e on!) We take Emma back for hersec
Page 49 and 50: ing in Freetown, Sierra Leone, sinc
Page 51 and 52: N O M I N A T I O N S S O U G H T F
Page 53 and 54: working this summer with FINCAEcuad
Page 55: Next Schools forDeparting Members o
Page 59 and 60: In April, the School hired photogra
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