F O R M A NL E T T E R

FALL 2013

THE BENEFITS OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Report on Annual Giving

Head of School: Adam K. Man P’15Director of Institutional Advancement: Justin SolomonDirector of Annual Fund: Deborah Beach Director of Alumni and Parent Programs: Elizabeth BellingrathDirector of Database & Technology Management: Susan Reis P’07

Editor: Jennifer Christensen, Director of Strategic Marketing & CommunicationsPhoto editor: Kerry Durkin, Communications Assistant Class notes: Elizabeth Bellingrath, Director of Alumni and Parent Programs Designer: Julie Hammill, Hammill DesignPhotography: Jennifer Christensen, Kerry Durkin, Tony Rinaldo, Richard Schultz, Alex Shepack, Chris Whittaker and Friends

Winterim students learn the art form we know as graffiti. Sochi Moghalu ’15 documents the process with his iPad.

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Forman School Board of Trustees

President of the Board Louise Hoppe Finnerty P’11Rye, NY

Vice-President Thomas G. Sorell P’12 Greenwich, CT

Secretary Jeffrey L. Liddle P’13New York, NY

Treasurer Robert D. Patch P’10Cos Cob, CT Jennifer N. Budlow P’15Boca Raton, FL

Michael L. Cook P’15New York, NY

Elizabeth Garber Daniels ’93New York, NY

L. Laird DavisWashington, CT

Kenneth I. Deane ’93New York, NY

Margaret Warner FieldNew Preston, CT

Annette R. Jenner-Matthews, Ph.D. ’87Skaneateles, NY

Preethi Krishna P’16New York, NY

Frederick M. Lione, Jr. P’91Rowayton, CT

Adam K. Man, P’15, Head of SchoolLitchfield, CT

Beatriz G. Sanchez P’15Coral Gables, FL

Martha M. Small P’14, ex officioDarien, CT

Nancy L. Snyderman MD P’13Princeton, NJ

Scott M. Sutherland, ’69 P’93Middlebury, CT

David D. Walter ’69Seattle, WA

Trustees Emeriti

J. Seward Johnson, Jr. ’49 and Joyce JohnsonHopewell, NJ

Diane F. Kessenich P’86, Chairman EmeritaWesthampton Beach, NY

John A. Meyers P’84Vero Beach, FL

Peter L. Phillips ’65Charlotte, VT

Monroe B. Scharff ’42, P’69Exeter, NH

F O R M A NL E T T E R

2 Head of School Message 4 Critical Thinking is Critical to the Rainforest 8 Around the Green 12 Transformations 18 Transition 24 Alumni Events 26 Graduation 28 Growing 30 Giving 29 Class Notes

COVER: James Whatley ’12, Megan Layman (Wamogo High School) and Ella Ciufetti ’12 catch grasshoppers for bio-accoustical data analysis in the Costa Rican Rainforest. This data is supplied to Cornell University.

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H E A D O F S C H O O L L E T T E R

The curiosity and imagination our children possess are truly amazing. Spending time with any kindergartener will always remind us of just how wonderful the mind at play is. Our children have an incredible drive to learn. Their unbridled energy to know more about the world fuels fanciful, imaginative trips to discover far off lands, as well as deep interest in more “academic” pursuits such as mathematics, reading, and science. But today, when a school’s success is measured by test scores, teachers are obligated to construct lessons toward these tests’ objectives, and there is no value placed on fostering imagination. Children who memorize facts easily do well on these tests, and their experience in school is positively reinforced, but children with vivid and active imaginations who struggle with rote memorization do not do as well, and their experience in school is negatively reinforced. Perhaps you already know this from watching your own daughter or son through elementary and middle school. It is painful to watch your child’s excitement for learning dwindle.

You are not alone. Studies confirm that by third grade, the average student has made the statement: “school is boring.”

How is it that in the few short years between kindergarten and fifth grade, many children digress from imaginative, eager explorers to students who equate school as a place of boredom? I believe it comes down to our stripping the “experience of learning” out of formal education. By “experience,” I mean the process of discovery, the inclusion of real world problem solving and the fostering of natural inquisitiveness. This is what makes learning exciting. Experiential learning is the most natural way of learning and the best foundation upon which all other learning experiences are built. There are times when a lecture is entirely appropriate, as well as, at times, there is a need to drill basic facts through memorization. But these should not be the default techniques used in classrooms. It is essential that we continually engage our students’ imaginations, which will result in learning environments that

Some would say it was not seaworthy. Made of little more than cardboard, tape, string, sheets,

and paper tubes, it certainly did not look much like a ship that would travel around the globe,

but for my two children, on that afternoon in my living room, it was a ship that could take

them anywhere. They were on a grand adventure that would take them far away to discover

new lands. Their imagination provided whatever the ship lacked, and for that day, they were

world travelers, regardless if they left the living room or not.

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foster connections to deeper meaning and challenge students to think in creative and novel ways.

Forman values the imagination, and our teachers, dorm parents and coaches foster this through creating experiential learning opportunities. At Forman, the crown jewel in our experiential learning environment is the Winterim program. Started just five years ago, this program allows students to engage in forms of learning not seen in most high school curricula. We suspend normal classes for two weeks and students instead spend their time engaged in just one class. This requires students to immerse themselves in a subject and challenges them to focus on subjects that require active experiential learning. For example, students might study Darwin’s ideas by retracing his steps in the Galapagos, or learn about Medieval warfare by building siege engines, or meet with traditional blues musicians in New Orleans to understand their influence on

popular culture and music. We strive to bring the Winterim experiences and

ideas back into our everyday classrooms. We keep students active, we engage them in real world problem solving and we focus on the learner. At Forman, we know that by promoting experiential classrooms we help our students reengage with their curious nature and limitless imagination.

Our former Board member, Albert Einstein, once said: “Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” This is the essence of what guides us here at Forman, and we are grateful to our teachers, staff, students and their families who join us in this adventure.

Experiential learning is the most natural way of learning, and the best

foundation upon which all other learning experiences are built.

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Forman’s 20 Years in the Mountains of Costa RicaCopyright © 2013 Leesa Lawson

In a remote, mountainous region in central Costa Rica, local

sustenance farmers clear and burn the forest. Once the land is

cleared, farming depletes the soil. Here, crops and cattle can only

be sustained for three to four years, and then the farmers move on

to the next tract of land and repeat the process.

is Critical to the Rainforest

CriticalThinking

5Charlie Myers ’13 recording data

on tropical orthoptera sounds

Critical

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Concerned about both the lives of the farmers and the health of the rainforest, students and teachers from Forman School have been searching for sustainable alternatives—environmentally and economically—to these clear-cutting and cattle-farming practices.

Although the student work taps into all the skills deemed necessary for success in the 21st century, for 20 years, Forman students and teachers have conducted valuable research on behalf of the broader scientific community — including the Audubon Society and Johns Hopkins. Student research has also earned two important U.S. patents.

A Cognitive QuestThe search for solutions to protect the rainforest, while

offering local farmers a sustainable means of making a living, started at Forman School as a search to fully engage its students in learning. Forman School is an independent college preparatory school for students with language-based learning differences. Since its founding in 1930, the school has been committed to best research-based practices. Albert Einstein was once a board member and he helped shape the curriculum. While experiential learning has always been a part of the School’s curriculum, twenty years ago, the School created an experiential learning program designed to develop

C R I T I C A L T H I N K I N G

Equally important, real-world experiential learning turns out to be an ideal model for solving

some of the societal and environmental challenges of the new century that impact us all. When

learning is linked to life, students are capable of incredible creativity and achievement.

John Bolus, Zach Bitan ’13, Sara Simiatus, Billy Cicio ’13, and Wendy Welshans

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critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, communication, cognitive flexibility and persistence.

Today, the Rainforest Project in Costa Rica is the centerpiece of Forman’s experiential learning curriculum, which also includes a Boatbuilding Program and Winterim. The Boatbuilding Program incorporates math, science and history skills as students learn how to build a traditional wooden boat. Winterim is three weeks of immersion in a single course of study. It takes students out of the classroom and onto the beaches of Normandy to study history; to New Orleans to experience the history of jazz; or to the Disney Institute to hone leadership and entrepreneurial skills, for example.

The Rainforest Project traces its roots to environmental activist Chico Mendes’ work to protect the South American rainforest in the 1980s, combined with Forman science teacher Wendy Welshan’s research on climate change.

Cognitive neuroscience confirms why experiential learning is so effective for students who learn differently. But what makes experiential learning ideal for LD-learners—the full engagement of body and mind in applying learning to real-world problems—also makes it ideal for all learners. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, communication, cognitive flexibility and persistence are qualities experts say that all of our students need in order to thrive in this century. It’s a century dominated by information, and one that requires students to have the analytical and reasoning abilities to focus on the right information and then make new connections that lead to breakthroughs.

Equally important, real-world experiential learning turns out to be an ideal model for solving some of the societal and environmental challenges of the new century that impact us all. When learning is linked to life, students are capable of incredible creativity and achievement.

Building Brain and Body“Neuroimaging shows that the brain changes as we learn,”

says Helen Waldron, Associate Head of School at Forman. “And the more regions of the brain that we use, the more it changes.” Research confirms that learning experiences that use all four areas of the neocortex—sensory, back integrative, front integrative, and motor—boost learning and retention.1 These parts of the brain are commonly known as areas for gathering, reflecting, creating and testing. “The new century requires multiple kinds of thinking: critical and creative,” adds Waldron.

The Rainforest Project taps into all four areas of the brain and engages all the senses. The goal is to convert experience into deep understanding. “It’s learning that lasts a lifetime because it engages both the brain and the body,” says Welshans, director of the program. “That’s why it’s also an ideal education for the 21st century.” Research confirms that exercise primes the brain to learn. In the physically challenging rainforest, students’ brains are constantly primed.

This program is not a romp through the rainforest or a laid-back eco-tour. Nor is it simply dabbling in science. The program uses real science based on a scientific research model similar to doctoral research. Students must formulate a hypothesis, test and investigate the hypothesis through direct observation, record data, test their own biases, and analyze results. This model pushes students to think deeply and critically. Throughout the program, students are surrounded by experts and interact with doctoral candidates. They use a university-level curriculum and gather data and specimens for major universities.

Collaboration and CommunicationThe program also requires a long-term commitment, with

extensive time in the classroom, the lab, and remote regions of the Costa Rican rainforest. In addition to building their science skills and knowledge, students must also communicate verbally and in writing. They exchange ideas daily, document data, write and present their research results, all as part of a research team.

The process starts in the beginning of the academic year with interviews to select 12 students who are inquisitive, collaborative and able to keep up with their regular academic work. Then the work begins in the fall as five teams of students develop a hypothesis in the research lab. They begin

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by culling through all the research related to the questions they are asking. They also review the previous year’s work. For example, one year students determined from past research that they needed to discover how to extract spider silk more efficiently, why spider silk is so strong, and particularly, when it is most strong. They took the previous year’s data to the rainforest to correlate it with what they saw in the field. That led to breakthroughs on what color the silk is at time of extraction and how temperature and barometric pressure impact extraction.

The work demands both collaboration and self-directed learning. The questions are often student-initiated, with Welshans posing probing questions at critical times. For example, is global cycling forcing species to move from the lowlands to the highlands? Is the five-degree temperature difference for every 1,000 feet in increased elevation changing with global cycling? “This model means students are motivated to think and work independently,” says Welshans.

Creativity and PerseveranceOver the school’s spring break in March, the students travel

to one of two research facilities in private Costa Rican reserves. The daylong trek deep into the rainforest—over rocky, muddy terrain—is mentally and physically demanding. A tractor loaded with supplies makes the 2,500 foot climb, too. Students learn quickly that not everything they designed in the classroom works in the field as planned. They rethink and reinvent new ways to collect data on a daily basis. In 2012, for example, students designed and built a sound chamber to record rainforest grasshoppers and crickets (orthopterans). As Welshans notes, “The initial sound chamber didn’t work the first time, so students reinvented it on the fly.”

The program fosters flexibility as students learn to anticipate problems and think through alternatives. Problem-solving techniques are applied to everything. “Students must be willing to fail,” says Welshans. She sees students become more effective problem-solvers as a result of trying something new—such as building an orthopteran recording device—and failing on the first attempt. Each day in the rainforest ends with brainstorming sessions that reflect on how students might do things differently the next day.

Initially, the students in the program created an inventory of endangered species and harvested the venom of the bullet ant for medical purposes, such as a neurological agent. Today, the program focuses on harvesting the golden orb weaver’s spider silk, the strongest natural fiber on earth. Spider silk has the potential to be used in a variety of products, including sutures and bulletproof vests, for starters.

The students’ innovative work has paid off: to date, they hold two U.S. patents, one for a method of reinforcing a fiber with spider silk and one for new farming techniques. The latter has become a viable alternative to cattle farming, as students teach local families the new techniques; like how to use the new silk extractors and how to keep accurate data on the weather and time of extraction. Most importantly, Forman students teach local families the reasons why they need to keep local spider populations viable and allow them to colonize, with the goal being to turn the work over to ethical companies that will use the spider silk for medical sutures.

C R I T I C A L T H I N K I N G

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The Power of Partnerships“All the science fills a real need,” says Welshans. “We only

work on projects that help to improve the knowledge base of tropical science.” Last year, Welshans talked to scientists at Cornell University. That conversation led to two projects: an inventory that found a new grasshopper and cricket species and a student-designed sound chamber that, through much trial and error, safely recorded these orthopterans. “We’re working hard to get 100-percent identification to go along with each recording, so that these can be added to the database of animals sounds at the Macaulay Bioacoustics Lab at Cornell University,” said Welshans. “Our hope is to develop a database of orthopteran sounds so future scientists can do a species inventory by hearing their call and not have to capture and preserve.” One student’s detailed sketches of these orthopterans will help with identification. For that student, whole-brain thinking occurred the entire time; recording orthopterans by night and sketching by day.

There have been many other projects and partnerships over the past 20 years of the program: bird banding and fly zone data are now part of the Audubon’s national database in Maryland. This was critical census data since climate change is altering migratory routes and bird populations. Students sent a species inventory of tropical moths, the major pollinators, to Yale University. They also worked side-by-side with a doctoral student to complete a reptile and amphibian inventory. This is the first reptile and amphibian inventory ever taken in the Rara Avis Reserve in Costa Rica. Today, 99 percent of the data for the Costa Rican Reserves comes from the research done by Forman students in the Rainforest Project.

Welshans’ partnerships are dual ones: First, she partnered with Northwest Connecticut high schools, so their students can participate alongside Forman students. Secondly, she continually partners with universities, research facilities and private companies to help fill their research needs. A few of the present and past partnerships include the Minnesota Research Fund, Rara Avis Reserve in Costa Rica, Johns Hopkins University, Royal Ontario Museum, University of Connecticut, and Cortland Company.

But while the projects and partnerships are varied, every project over the past 20 years teaches the same skills: critical thinking and problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, communication, cognitive flexibility, and persistence—all fueled by the desire to do the right thing for local farmers, the rainforest and the planet.

In Service to a Greater Good – Feeling Knowledge

Welshans sees that, as students transform the rainforest, they too are transformed. Part of that transformation, she believes, comes in service to something greater. “Students want to help the world solve the big problems of deforestation, species decline, and climate change; they want to be engaged at a deep level,” say Welshans. “This emotional connection of serving something larger than themselves helps cement the learning process because students are emotionally invested.”

In the spring, the whole school, not just the students in The Rainforest Project, attends Dissertation Day, when students work as teams to prepare presentations on their scientific discoveries. They use their evidence skillfully, organize the research and articulate their results. Communicating concisely is central to each presentation. Parents from all over the world watch online.

Senior Jacob Ratkevich says, “The bird team I was on caught eight migrants—which is a record—and recaptured one, proving they do come back to the same location in the rainforest each year. If the rainforest disappears, these migratory birds may be in danger.” Ratkevich summed up the whole experience: “Knowing that you’re making a difference, made a difference for me.”

“To be able to live and learn and help people living in the rainforest, well, I knew I was part of something that can change the world,” says senior Ella Ciuffetti.

Leesa Lawson writes for Forman School.

This article is reprinted with permission from Independent School Magazine, Spring 2013 issue.

1. Zull, J.E. Key Aspects of How the Brain Learns. (Wiley Press, 2006. Pages 3 – 9)

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A R O U N D T H E G R E E N

1 Students raised $10,000 for the CT Special Olympics with a January dip known as the “Penguin Plunge.” 2 Kevin Mott ’13, Jenna O’Dell ’13, Nick Bartlett ’13, Megan O’Hora ’13,

Maureen Harris ’16, Max Bales ’14 in the winter musical, “Jesus Christ Superstar” 3 Tori Juster ’15, Levi Breier ’14, and Jenny Marcus ’14 4 Danielle Wilkinson ’16, Monique Robinson ’16,

Clare Sannini ’16, Syd Fisch ’16 and Lacey McCaw ’16 5 Peter Newmark ’14 and Max Romanoff ’14 enjoy cotton candy. 6 Forman boys test their strength with a tug o’ war.

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7 Girls lacrosse 8 Nick Risola ’13, Joseph Fore ’13, Chris Kelly ’13, Andrew Eisner ’14 built an igloo during a particularly snowy stretch. 9 Justin Kronemer ’15 10 The football team

sports the new logo. 11 Jonathan Goldstein ’14 and Zack Bitan ’13 12 David Wiskind ’15, Olivia Shelbourn ’14, Joelle Notkin ’13, and Johnathan Goldstein ’14 at Strawberry Fest

13 Charles Laffitte ’13, Gregory Lyall ’14, Chris Moehringer ’13, Bryant Carbone ’15 look dashing at the prom.

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Transforma tions

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Christina E. Bodine-

Aysseh ’95 with her

husband, Nick Aysseh

“I am part of all I have met.” ~Alfred Lord Tennyson

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It’s not surprising when you consider her ancestry: Christina’s parents first met because their own families were intertwined in the history of philanthropy in Bridgeport. Her paternal grand-mother, Barbara Bodine, was on the board of the Bridgeport Hospital for many years and her maternal grandmother, June Felis, was involved in the Ernest and Agnes Kaulbach Founda-tion, an organization that helps mothers and children at risk. Her grandfather, Richard Bodine Sr., and father, “Flip,” were past board chairs for the United Way, and her father also served two terms as its campaign chair.

“Community service is in my blood,” she explains. “Philan-thropy is family business, and I can’t imagine not helping — so many people need help.”

Despite the family heritage, her mother is still surprised at the path Christina is taking. “It’s as if she is from a different genera-tion — her values and sense of community responsibility are un-common today,” said Mary Jo Felis-Davies.

Today, Christina is very much a woman of the new millen-nium. She juggles a full-time career in banking, a busy married life (including a baby-on-the-way), her third term on the board of the Coastal Fairfield County United Way, and coordinating the 32nd annual golf outing for the Kaulbach Foundation and Coca Cola that will benefit the cancer center at Bridgeport Hospital.

She loves the opportunity that her volunteer work gives her to meet other kinds of people. From the neediest of children to the CEOs of Sikorsky and GE (both Jack Welch and Jeff Immelt), she gratefully absorbs all the experiences that come her way.

A Bankable ProfessionChristina was a four-year Forman student who thrived in the

small classes and dynamic exchange with her teachers. She went on to Wheaton College but did not find the accommodations she needed, so she transferred to Fairfield University, which was bet-ter equipped for exceptional students like Christina.

After college, her dad tried to steer her into finance, but Chris-tina was skeptical since she wasn’t particularly interested in math. She decided to give it a try and got a position in the management training program at People’s Bank. “I knew I wasn’t meant to sit in a cubicle,” she explains. The opportunity at People’s allowed her to be out in the field interacting with customers in the local community. While working full time, Christina decided to pur-sue an MBA at Sacred Heart University. “Having an MBA gives you a much bigger view of many industries.”

Christina became an assistant branch manager for People’s

Not only does Christina Bodine-Aysseh have philanthropy in her DNA,

she is personally determined to make a difference in the world.

Christina E. Bodine-Aysseh ’95A Legacy of Giving; Leading into the Future

A L U M N I P R O F I L E S

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Bank, and went on from there to the Bank of New York and Bank of America. In 2007, she landed at Fairfield County Bank as an Assistant Vice President and Cash Management Officer working with small-medium business customers on electronic banking products and solutions. “I happened on this role quite by accident. Business management led me to cash management; but electronic banking is really a growth area now.”

Christina is frankly surprised at her success in banking. She just likes to visit customers to see how their businesses operate and how they utilize E-Banking services.

Finding FormanBy all accounts, Christina has always been a very determined

young woman. In junior high, she was a bright student who was put off by the

mind-numbing, busy work her classes required. According to fam-ily lore, Christina hated school so much that she actually lay down in the driveway in front of her mother’s car to avoid going!

Her ambivalence was understandable. Back when she was four years old, a teacher at her Montessori school picked up on her dif-ferent learning style, but it wasn’t until she started working with an educational consultant that her family learned about something called Visual Motor Perception Weakness. This means that Chris-tina struggled to integrate things that she saw with the coordina-tion of her muscles. For some children, that might mean difficulty cutting on a dotted line because of the inability to integrate the vi-sual image of the dotted line with the muscles movements required to cut along the dotted line.

The consultant encouraged her to look at small, independent schools and Christina found Forman. In looking back, her mother gives the School a great deal of credit for her success. “The founda-tion that Forman gave her has set her up for life,” she said.

Christina had never slept away from home before and the first week was especially tough. She had been down on the fields at pre-season soccer practice when she was overcome with homesickness. Coach Scott McCarty scooped up the sobbing freshman in the dusky evening and delivered her to the office of Lea Dmytryck in the back of Carpenter. Lea had been the Math Department Chair and was the Academic Dean when the two met.

Lea opened her door and her heart to the girl, and a friendship began that lasts to this day. “I let her know that she could always come to my office if she needed a quiet place. There were many afternoons when Christina and Michelle Jordon (Bartram) ’95 would sprawl on the rug of my office to do their homework.”

Forman teachers quickly figured out why she was struggling and her confidence soared. “I thrived in the pace of classes at Forman. I could ask as many questions as I wanted!”

Her relationships with teachers had a big impact on her life. She did community service with Sandra Garcia at a soup kitchen in Torrington and with Helen Waldron at the Pegasus Farm thera-peutic riding school. As her confidence grew, her innate leadership skills emerged. She became an Admission Ambassador and excelled in the National Honor Society.

“One of my fondest memories is working with Christina on a special Earth Day event,” remembers Helen Waldron, As-sociate Head of School. “We had very little time and almost no resources, but with her help, we created a great event that involved the whole campus.”

“Her success doesn’t surprise me. She wouldn’t do something unless she could do it perfectly,” remembers Lea. “What always struck me about Christina is her deep-seated kindness and her will-ingness to take action to make the world a better place. In her time at Forman, she was a student who possessed strong leadership skills and she routinely jumped in to be part of the community,” said Lea. “Her strong moral compass combined with her admirable work ethic opened many doors for her here.”

Future Plans Today, Christina is a poised and beautiful young woman.

She married Nick Aysseh in June, 2012 and enjoyed a romantic honeymoon in Italy. Nick grew up in New Canaan and owns Costal Canines, an in-home pet care company. The couple has a very full life that keeps them active in their community.

While motherhood looms in her near future, she doesn’t neces-sarily envision a long-term career in finance. “Although I love what I do for a living, I would change careers for a non-profit oppor-tunity in a heartbeat,” she said. Our guess is that it won’t be long before that happens!

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A L U M N I P R O F I L E S

Luke is a software user interface designer in the San Francisco Bay Area with a different point of view about success. Instead of locking in a long-term job to build security, his mission is to seek interesting projects that leave him enough time to pursue an active personal life.

Wendy Welshans remembers Luke as a mathematical genius with an insatiable desire to learn. “He loved to interact with data, make correlations and optimize systems according to his findings.”

These skills made him a perfect candidate for harvesting spider silk in the Costa Rican Rainforest, except for one thing: Luke hated spiders. Nevertheless, he went along, lured by the opportunity to test numerous variables in the silk extraction and strength testing processes. In fact, he went three times: twice as a student and once during college as an intern.

Luke lived in Hamilton for his first three years and in Beecher as a senior. He was a Dorm Leader for his last two years at Forman and all-school President as a senior. While he didn’t get into trouble much, he did enjoy pushing boundaries — particularly when it came to the dress code. Unfortunately he pleaded the ‘fifth’ when asked to reveal stories that might incriminate his friends.

Luke attended Bryant University in Rhode Island on

a merit scholarship. “College was a challenge at first,” he admits. But his skills in math carried him through.

During the summer of his junior year, he had a great opportunity to intern at the Hanover Insurance Group in Worcester, MA, and they offered him a full-time position upon graduation. The stability might have been tempting to some, but Luke only had eyes for the tech sector: “I just wanted to work at Apple or Google.”

True to form, Luke networked his way into an interview at Google, eventually receiving an offer to work at the company’s Mountain View, CA headquarters.

Soon after, his girlfriend, Emily Glick, found a job in the Bay Area and the couple moved across country. Luke liked the work/life balance that Google allowed and he and Emily were able to explore and enjoy all that San Francisco has to offer.

Luke’s first job was product support/operations in the Enterprise Division — working with large corporate clients and educational institutions. “These are unique customers because they are paying for our services.”

Most of Google’s revenue has come from advertising that appears on its search engine pages. Google is growing its presence in the service area: Gmail, Google calendar, Google

Luke Bornheimer takes pleasure in telling people that he has a learning

disability. Diagnosed with dyslexia in eighth grade, today he revels in the idea

that people who may not be skilled in one area can be brilliant in another.

Luke Bornheimer ’06Staying Relevant in the World of ‘New Media’

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docs — bundled with more storage and support. After two years at Google, Luke felt stuck. “I outgrew my role

there. I had the opportunity to move elsewhere in the corporation but I just wasn’t passionate about the product offering.”

Optimize for SuccessNow, Luke is an entrepreneur focused on building his own

brand. Luke’s perspective on personal branding is to “focus on what you are brilliant at and build your reputation from there.”

While he admits to missing the perks of Google’s health insurance and paid vacation, he has managed to maintain a steady flow of projects through his networking efforts. “It’s important to be very clear about what you are doing and what you are good at.”

Part of that brand building work is maintaining a commit-ment to be constantly learning. “I try to be forward looking, to stay relevant.” He admits that this requires a lot of self-dis-cipline, and the competition is tough: “There are tons of smart people working in this space.”

It’s not surprising that Luke is all over social media. You can find him on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Quora, Dribbble, and About.me (LukeRB.com). He works the networks and frequently attends Meetups where people share business ideas and look for investors, designers and developers.

Luke is particularly interested in Mobile Design. He describes his ideal project as one that would involve working for a well-funded consumer technology start-up with a strategic

focus on building out mobile applications. “The future will bring increased market penetration of smart

devices, like the tablets we see now,” he explains. “Size is always an issue. People want a usable keyboard, but they want the advantage of mobility. Unfortunately, voice-activated software has not reached its full potential yet.”

“There are two kinds of apps: utilities and lifestyle,” he says. His favorites? Path, Square, Moves, Prismatic (a news aggregator) and Quora, a Q&A site.

He’s excited about Forman’s grant from the Hearst Foundation that will enable the School to develop software to assist students who learn differently. “There are so many ways in which the School is leveraging technology to help students develop confidence and be more productive.”

Back to BalanceToday, while doing freelance mobile app design, Luke is

working on his own service, YourLocalMe, which will have a mobile app. The service connects travelers to a local resident who is similar to them for personalized advice and recommendations as well as real-time answers. Networking again.

As for the ‘life’ part, Luke and Emily have been together for more than four years and are living happily in the heart of San Francisco. Emily works as a sales trainer at Sunrun, a home solar services company. She, too, is clearly in the right place at the right time — the market for energy-efficient home systems is booming. Brilliant and beautiful, Emily is Luke’s running/cycling/hiking/yoga and traveling partner. “She is my number one fan, friend, advisor and source of encouragement; much of my success is thanks, in large part, to her!”

When reflecting on his time at Forman, Luke firmly believes that the School helps students find the things they are brilliant at and grow them into success. He heard entrepreneur, Eli Gesner’s (’88) 2012 graduation speech online (www.ustream.tv) and was moved by Gesner’s message about perseverance. Like Gesner, Luke is determined to succeed. “Every day, I believe that I am going to become one of those people who accomplishes some-thing extraordinary,” he says. “Things may not always go accord-ing to plan, but they have a way of working out — you just need to adjust the variables!”

Luke and Emily at Yosemite

National Park in September, 2012

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A L U M N I W E E K E N D

Forman welcomed alumni back to campus in late April. Friends, old and new, enjoyed a reception hosted by Adam and Beth Man at The Cottage, explored campus and shared stories on the sidelines of sporting events. Saturday evening fea-tured a dinner party at the historic Litchfield Inn with heartfelt tributes to those alumni who are no longer with us.

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1 Nancy Walton Marikar ’68, Carrie West ’68 and Dave Walter ’69

2 JW Avedisian ’08 and Nigel Daniel (faculty)

3 Michelle Gephart Schwartz ’93 with Elizabeth Garber Daniels ’93

and Helen Waldron, Associate Head of School

4 JW Avedisian, Christina Pivirotto (guest), Chelsea Kinsella ’03

and Perry Vaughan ’03

5 Gilah Gersten ’03 with Bob and Michelle Gephart Schwartz and

Bob Stewart ’63

6 Eileen Hill ’92 chats with Scott McCarty ’76 and Tammy Grella (faculty)

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A L U M N I E V E N T S

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BOSTON HOSTS FORMAN ALUMNI1 James Hopkins ’77, Holly Weisenburger ’87, Lori Davis P’15 2 David Thorn ’89 & Michael Berstein P’16 3 Victoria & Sean Maguire ’89 4 Curt Pfannenstiehl ’89, Lori Davis,

David Thorn, Sean McGuire; 5 Holly Weisenburger ’87 & Curt Pfannenstiehl ’89

RAINFOREST DISSERTATION DAY Stephen Dewey ’96, Emily Allen (Kent), Alex Shepack (Wamogo), Fay Curran (Wamogo), Nick Manzella ’11, Sam Lazer ’12, Lauren Morrow ’12, and Chris Friedman

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Kneeling: P. Phillips ’65. Seated:

B. Riley ’68, K. Weyl ’70, S. Prettyman.

Standing: D. Bartlett ’67,

B. Mallory ’65, W. Mosch ’67

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In John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address on January 20, 1961, he called on all Americans to

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Service

has been a hallmark of the generation that came of age during the 1960s, and many Forman

students and alums heeded the call. For some, that service took them far beyond Forman,

beyond their hometowns, and even beyond this country. For one Alumnus, Peter L. Phillips

’65, that call to service led him back to his School.

By Beth Man, Archivist and Special Events Coordinator

TransitionPeter L. Phillips ’65

Transition

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T R A N S I T I O N

Peter arrived at Forman in the fall of 1961 as a 14-year-old freshman from suburban Philadelphia. He and his parents had applied to several other Connecticut boarding schools, but when Peter’s mother, Betty Phillips, met John Newton Forman, she instantly knew that he would take care of her young son. With their strength of character and steadfast faith, John and Julie had that immediate effect on families. At that time, dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD and other diagnosed learning differences were not common terms as they are in the profiles of Forman students today. Forman was and always has been a school that emphasizes the boundless potential in each and every student that goes beyond labels of ability.

When Peter Phillips started school, it was the beginning of a new era for Forman as well. The School had received a Ford Foundation Grant to pioneer the use of air structures, or “bubbles,” so students could participate in athletics during the winter months. During Peter’s tenure as a student, three bubbles would be built to house an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a sports arena with skating rink that featured an air-freeze system for making ice, and a tennis court with the first artificial grass. Peter’s freshman year was also the dawn of a new era for the American teenager as seen through dramatic changes in

clothing and hairstyles. Despite this influence, John and Julie were steadfast in their example; styles of dress and hair remained the same as they always had been for Forman students.

Though fashion maintained its status quo on campus, the status quo of music was about to undergo a radical change thanks to Peter Phillips. Peter’s good friend and classmate, Peter Hayes ’65, described the time they first met in Haggart Hall, “During the evening meal in those days, they piped in music over the new sound board that Dan McAuliffe had just installed…it was like elevator music.” Hayes explained that Peter had listened to a DJ back home in Philadelphia and he thought the kids at Forman were ready for a different kind of music.

Phillips, along with his DJ collaborators, Peter Hayes and Mike Euying, brought the latest music to Haggart Hall and to the weekly socials in Baillie House’s common room. Thanks to “Killer Phil,” one of many names Phillips used as DJ for School events, the elevator music was replaced by Billboard’s Top Hits of the day like “Sugar Shack,” “Surfin U.S.A.,” “He’s So Fine,” and “My Boyfriend’s Back.”

From 1961-1965, Peter developed many other interests and talents, especially photography. From his freshman year through senior year, he was a member of the Photography

Peter’s senior page of The Shield reads: “‘Hi-Ski,’

photographer emeritus; number one Forman

Announcer and emcee for all occasions; he hopes to

be a photographer or radio announcer.”

Right: Peter Phillips (center) with Trustee Emerita

Diane Kessenich P’86 (left) and Peter’s wife, Leigh

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Club and served as Photo Editor for The Shield. Peter teamed up with good friends, Bill Mallory ’65 and Bill Riley ’68, and the trio parlayed this interest in photography, and their access to the darkroom, into an entrepreneurial opportunity.

Alums from those days will remember that it was not easy for students to date, due to “The Pledge” which was so strictly enforced that even the act of holding hands could lead to solitary confinement for a week. Peter and his pals created “Couple of the Week” photos — sold by R.P.M. (Riley, Phillips and Malloy) as priceless mementos. It allowed couples a rare chance to pose together and generated a small income stream for the young entrepreneurs.

John Newton Forman died the year after Peter graduated. Stowell Mears became Forman’s first head to succeed its founder. Over the next several years, the School adjusted to the changing tides of the late 1960s and the tumultuous 1970s. During that time, Peter graduated from Nathaniel Hawthorne College and went on to earn both a CLU and CHFC from American College. After serving with the National Guard at Fort Dix, New Jersey, he started his distinguished career in financial services, beginning with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1969, where he ultimately became Managing Partner. Less than ten years after that, Peter founded PLANS, Inc., his own financial planning firm. Most importantly, during the early 1970s, Peter met Leigh Keiser, his future wife. Mutual friends in Philadelphia introduced them, and Peter invited Leigh to help paint his boat the “Yar;” a trick that would have made Tom Sawyer proud as it turned out to be their first date. The couple married in 1974. After Leigh finished law school at Villanova, Peter’s company transferred him to Burlington, Vermont, where they’ve lived ever since, raising three children, Hally, Brent and Stewart, and enjoying visits from their grandchildren, Clara and Lucas.

In the course of distinguishing himself in his professional career, Peter also began his distinguished service to Forman. He had stayed in contact with his closest friends and classmates after graduating, so when their 20th reunion year rolled around in 1985, Peter’s natural charisma united his classmates in a celebration that was a huge success by all accounts. Charles Saxon Tidd, then acting Director of Alumni Affairs said, “I would never have believed that so many people would show up after 20 years, but it just goes to prove what can be accomplished with some determined

effort.” That year, Peter also served as the Alumni Chairman for the Annual Fund, and he again accomplished much success for the School.

In 1991, when the School was in need of sound financial guidance, Peter was invited to join the Board of Trustees, where he served on both the Finance and Development committees.

Once again, a new dawn on the horizon for Forman coincided with Peter’s arrival on campus. Peter’s mission that first year was to focus on building the School to meet new challenges. And once again, his timing was perfect. The School had begun examining a newly-termed learning disability called Attention Deficit Disorder, and it was the first year the school discussed using computers within the curriculum. That year was also the very first expedition of the Costa Rican Rainforest team, and Haggart Hall was re-dedicated as the Johnson Art Center.

In his first three years on the Board, Peter was elected Vice Chair. Ultimately in 1995, he was elected Board President, the first Forman alumus to hold that seat. Peter remarked that he was honored to be part of “taking the School into the 21st century.” As part of that mission, he brought on board two new heads of school: first Mark Perkins in 1995, and then, in 2008, Adam Man. In his tenure as a Forman Trustee, he served as Vice Chairman, Chair of the Development Committee, Member of the Finance Committee, and Annual Fund Committee Chair, endowed the Perkins Commencement Award, and presented workshops on how to be a good class agent.

On April 19, 2013, 52 years after first coming to Forman, and countless board meetings later, Peter came back for a celebratory dinner honoring all he has done in service to the School. The Johnson Art Center, festooned with antique nautical flags from the 19th century schooner, Andrew Jackson, provided a fitting backdrop for the festivities. Sixty friends, family, faculty members, classmates and Board colleagues gathered to celebrate Peter and thank him for his vision, leadership and dedication to Forman. As the tributes flowed, it was not hard to reflect back to the year 1961 when the 14-year old Peter Phillips first set foot on campus and John F. Kennedy inspired a nation to service. For this extraordinary man, that quote might better read: “Ask not what your school can do for you, but what you can do for your School.” !

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Louise Hoppe Finnerty

Louise is a past parent (Will ’11) and an accomplished professional who retired after a 35-year career in the federal government and as an executive at PepsiCo, Inc. Among her many accomplishments, she was a staff assistant to National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger, the first female professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State during the Reagan Administration. Needless to say, she knows a lot about diplomacy.

Her son, Will, found Forman after attending the Windward School. When they arrived on campus, the family was immediately impressed with the inviting and inclusive educational environment. As the school years progressed, they experienced supportive relationships with faculty members that continued well into Will’s first year of college at Roger Williams.

A professional woman with her knowledge and experience has many prestigious volunteer positions from which to choose. What draws Louise to serve Forman is its commitment to being a leader in the field of education. “Forman is

constantly evolving as an institution that incorporates into its curriculum the most up-to-date research on teaching adolescents who learn differently,” she explains. “This is the kind of organization I want to help shape.”

Will arrived at Forman in 2008, when Adam Man became Head of School. Louise is excited about the momentum that the School is experiencing under his leadership — with its unparalleled professional development program, strong academic offerings, winning sports teams and rich campus life. Still she freely admits, “There is a lot of work ahead to ensure that the School continues to build on its successes.”

Louise and her husband, Dr. John Finnerty, divide their time between Rye, NY, and Sea Girt, NJ, where she is renovating their retirement home; fortunately, Litchfield is not too far from either.

We at Forman are immensely grateful for her dedication, her enthusiasm and her calm presence on the board; we have every confidence that, as President, she will lead us well into the future.

President, Board of Trustees

This summer, Louise Hoppe Finnerty stepped up from her role as Vice President to lead the Board of Trustees.

T R A N S I T I O N

THE FORMAN SCHOOLANNUAL FUND

Make a di!erence today and help us build a foundation for the future! Your gifts make the di!erence between an excellent education and an outstanding one.

Resources to fund teacher training, experiential learning opportunities, assistive technologies, and financial aid all come from your gifts to the Annual Fund.

Every gift counts towards making Forman the best it can be – so join the many people who support Forman in so many ways.

Call Deb Beach, Director of the Annual Fund (860.567.2939)

or visit www.formanschool.com/giving

This summer, Louise Hoppe Finnerty stepped up from her role as Vice President to lead the Board of Trustees.

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C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S C L A S S O F 2 0 1 3 !

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1 Charlie Myers, Talin France ’14, Billy Cicio, Blake Coehlo

2 Joelle Notkin with her sister, Ava, and mom, Cindy Frischman

3 Travis Block with his parents, Jodi and Richard

4 Dimitri Habib, Reed Hatcher, and Charles Laffitte

5 Nick Risola and Morris Kraft

6 Senior Class President Mark Malburg

7 Nick Bartlett with his parents, Kristen and David

8 Vicktoria Rinaldini and Courtney Travin

9 Isaiah Grooms and his mother, Kathy

10 Head of School Adam K. Man

11 Abie Friedman and Mark Blohm

12 The Class of 2013 posed in Baillie to keep out of the rain.

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Growing.Our Shield is carriedinto the future.

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This summer, the School unveiled a new look for the traditional shield and the response on campus has been very enthusiastic.

The process of refreshing a school logo involves many conversations — with alumni, parents, students and other schools — about what the School stands for, how it has evolved over time, and how to portray its strengths with an eye toward the future.

It started with a deep dive with Beth Man into the archives, where we found a shield from 1938 on a letter from John Forman to parents about a roof fire in an upper school dorm.

An interview with Glen Grimm ’44 revealed that the shield many recognize was the result of a project that Glen worked on with John Forman in 1943-44. They spent a year studying traditional heraldry and integrating the popular image of a lion with biblical elements reflective of the School’s then Christian heritage.

In John Forman’s 1956 graduation speech, he underscored the significance of the lion as a symbol for moral courage, the green and white as representing growth and purity respectively. The gold, he wrote, stood for the greatest worth: character.

When the School moved into the 1970s, and religious education was phased out, the Crusaders Cross in the lower part of the shield became less relevant. Over time, the font of the School name and the lion morphed into many different appearances depending on the needs of the situation (or the whim of the user) and inconsistencies were seen across print and electronic media.

Fast forward to the fall of 2012 when discussions began about the need to better define the symbol and its uses. Alumni from different decades were interviewed; students and faculty were

drawn into the discussion groups as we assessed which elements of the traditional logo resonated and which did not.

At last, the unveiling: The shape of the original shield was preserved and our lion was redrawn to be unique to Forman. The gold of earlier days was brought back as an accent to our official Green and White. The cross was eliminated in favor of restoring the “F/S” from earlier days. While the biblical quotation in its entirety seemed long and less applicable to a diverse, non-denominational community, the essence of its message still resonated. For students who may learn differently, the idea of knowing oneself (“Truth”) and using that knowledge for success (“Freedom”) has never been more applicable.

Letter from John Forman,

April 13, 1938The 1944 shield New logo and wordmark

Excerpt from John Forman’s 1956 graduation speech

Our Shield is carriedinto the future.

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Giving.Parents and grandparents from the Class of 2013 joined hands last spring to honor

their graduates by supporting a naming opportunity in the Student Commons of the

new Science Center.

As Senior Class Representative to the Parents Association Executive Committee, Mike

Walters P’13 had many conversations with families over the course of the year about the

transformative power of a Forman education. As the building rose,

it seemed that its foundation and growth were analogous to their students’ experience.

“While graduation is certainly the capstone of their time at Forman, it’s really just a

step along a continuum that will bring them closer to attaining their goals than many

thought possible,” said Mike. “We wanted to tell our sons and daughters how much we

respect their hard work and dedication.”

The families hope that the new Student Commons will become a space where today’s

students can relax, laugh and learn together. And hopefully, it will be a place to which

they can return as Alumni to reflect and refuel in the years to come.

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Ken Deane ’93, Elizabeth Garber Daniels ’93, Dave Walter ’69, Peter Phillips ’65, Annette Jenner ’87, and Scott Sutherland ’69

pose at the Peter Phillips celebration last April in front of a banner created by the Class of 1965.

Alumni E-Newsletter

Are you getting it? The Office of Alumni and Parent Programs sends out a monthly e-Newsletter with alumni news and information about upcoming events. You can also catch up on faculty, campus activities, sports scores and other goings on around the Green.

If you have not been receiving our e-Newsletter, please send us your current e-mail address: alumni@formanschool.org.

Forman Alumni Serve on the Board of Trustees

Please contact your Class Agents with

news, photos and updates. You can also

send updates to the Alumni Office at

alumni@formanschool.org or call

Elizabeth Bellingrath at 860.567.1810.

3942

Monty Scharff and his wife, Edwina,

have welcomed their first great grand-

daughter, a little girl. Monty says, “She’s

got lots on the ball!”

The Forman family sends condolences

to the family of Col. Louis Red Howell

LaMonte who passed away on June 12,

2012. See page 47.

44 Class Agent:Walter B. Roberts, Jr. ’44vanb22@aol.com763.475.2072 _____________________________

Our sympathies go out to the family

of Glenn Grimm who passed away on

June 23, 2013. See pages 29 and 47.

48Lucinda Weil Bunnen showed her col-

lection and work at The High Museum of

Art in Atlanta, GA, in October, 2012.

Ken Latham reported, “After Storm

Sandy hit Long Island, we lost power for

16 days. We came up to Lakeville, CT,

and stayed several days. During that time

we visited Forman School and had a nice

tour of the whole campus.”

4950Class Agent:S. Sherman Clark Jr.shermclark@aol.com513.247.9337 _____________________________

53Robert K. Bell Jr. reported, “I

moved to Orlando in 1972, and have

lived in The Villages for the past 9

years. It is the greatest retirement “city”

in 3 counties! My book, Ask & Accept, has personal stories about Mr. and Mrs.

Forman, my experiences there, and

what I did after Forman with Rollins

College, the Navy, etc. I had a real es-

tate office in Ocean City, NJ, for 10 years

and then worked in appraising in Florida

for 30 years. My book tells all about the

influence Forman had on my education.

I started Forman at 14 with the reading

ability of a third grader. Later I built an

office in Orlando with 16 appraisers with

a total staff of 20 doing work from Jack-

sonville, FL to Key West.” (The book is

in the Forman School library, noted as an

alumnus author)

54Class Agent:Michael N. Cohen860.242.2110 _____________________________

Joan Waxgiser Goodstein wrote:

“Sometime this year I will sell my condo-

minium and move into an independent

living community. I am 76 this year and

feel that the timing is right. Prior to that,

I will be taking a ‘bucket list’ trip to the

Galapagos Islands with two friends. I

majored in zoology, so this will be a ful-

filling trip!”

55 In January, the Alumni Office learned

of the passing of Patsy Cannon on De-

cember 30, 2011. To read Patsy’s obituary

go to 46.

Charles “Phil” Allen has been married

to his wife, Sally, for 46 years. He has two

grown children, Jay and Robin. Jay and

his wife live in Oxford, CT, and have two

children, Cooper (8) and Carter (5).

75TH REUNION

70TH REUNION

65TH REUNION

60TH REUNION

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C L A S S N O T E S

Ken Latham ’48 with Head of School Adam Man

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C L A S S N O T E S

56Class Agent: Richard P. Barkermsb463@msn.com401.849.2182_____________________________

57Paula Eyerly Gilbert sent an email that

she could not attend Alumni Weekend

2013, but would have liked to! She was in

Longboat Key, FL, until the end of April

and then returned to Bloomsburg, PA. If

anyone would be interested in getting to-

gether, her cell phone is 570.594.2116.

59 60Class Agent: Edward T. MarksTed@AtwaterVineyards.com _____________________________

61Class Agent: George K. Allison gallison70@gmail.com _____________________________

Jim MacCormac and Carol Aubry

MacCormac reported, “Both of us are

doing well. We live in Victor, Montana,

outside of Missoula. We now have a great

granddaughter. We both love Montana

and our home!”

62Brenda Luquer is happy and

moving to Brigham House as-

sisted living in Watertown, MA.

63Class Agent: Alfred C. Body Jr. skibumal@aol.com440.543.8971 _____________________________

Ace Body wrote, “Since I graduated

Forman I have been in the U.S. Navy,

skied a lot, graduated from KSU, married,

and had three children: Acey (31), Bridget

(29), and Chrissy (24). My wife passed on

in 2004. I had lots of jobs. The best one

I worked for was a newspaper as district

manager. I am now retired and turned 70

years old on April 15, 2013.”

Megan Moore Eno is the grandmother

of three children, Gretchen (2) and Wil-

liam and Brooke (4 year-old twins).

64Class Agent: Eric D. Murrayericdmu@netzero.com610.678.8163 _____________________________

Brewster Barnard retired in 1993. In

1998, he and his wife went sailing, enjoy-

ing the East Coast, Bahamas and Ber-

muda before moving permanently ashore

on Bald Head Island, NC, in 2006. They

enjoy the peace of island living, except

during the summer months when the

island is invaded by tourists and summer

residents. Brewster works part-time in the

hardware store and still does IT work on

the side. His wife, Trisha, keeps busy with

many of the committees and clubs the

island of 200 residents offers.

Elizabeth Pfleger Victor published a

book entitled Smart Paws about her first

service dog.

John Wells says he is the “same old

single guy living one day at a time in the

warm Florida sunshine. I love to hear

from friends when they come to Florida.”

Our condolences go out to the fam-

ily of Dennis Shor who passed away in

January and the family of Bob Tomp-

kins who passed away in April of this

year. See page 47.

65Class Agents: Sara L. Fliesssallyfl47@pubgames.com203.445.9851

Jeffrey T. Whipple508.627.6622 _____________________________

Fritz Gohl informs us that he is alive

and well, living in Illinois, Colorado and

Canada.

Peter Phillips was named Trustee

Emeritus in April after serving many

years on the Board of Trustees. See ar-

ticle on page 18.

55TH REUNION

50TH REUNION

A group of 1965 graduates “practicing” for the class reunion. They can’t wait to see everyone in 2015 for their 50th! Fritz Gohl ’65, Larry Culleton ’65, Wendy Waller ’65, Jeff Whipple ’65, Ann Pem-berton Mallory ’67, Peter Phillips ’65, Bill Mallory, Bill Pryor, Sally Fliess ’65, Peter Hayes ’65.

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C L A S S N O T E S

66 Class Agents: Bartow S. Curtis Jr.bart4sound_fx@yahoo.com607.767.6445

Debora Gould PetersenHugs38@aol.com727.343.9562 _____________________________

Sally Dunham Taylor wrote: “Our

50th reunion is in 2016. I would ‘love’

to see a joint reunion for classes of

1965-1969. If we joined our reunions,

I hope that more would attend to see

their old friends.”

67Class Agent: Carla McKay Lucey CLucey@unimin.com203.834.2241 _____________________________

Gregory Baecker reported, “From my

Sundays and weeknights at Forman, to

this day, I continue to watch CBS News

and read the New York Times, especially

section 4. I remember the view of the

hills from my door in Hopkins House. I

recall throwing basketballs up to knock off

the ice of the bubble roof in the winter. I

have retired from public education after

38 years. I presently manage and promote

the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New

Milford, where I have been since 1976.

I live in Brewster on Cape Cod with my

wife and two young children, Maddie in

grade 2 and Tate in Kindergarten.”

68Class Agent: Nancy Walton Marikarrakiram@aol.com860.644.8066 _____________________________

Eleanor “Misty” Toby Gundeck

mentioned, “I have two sons, Parker (33)

and Jordan (36). Parker is living in Hobo-

ken, New Jersey, working for Merrill

Lynch and Jordan is living in Boston with

his girlfriend and is a waiter at a very

famous restaurant! I also have a beagle

dog, Harley, whom I adore!”

Dr. David Randall Emery is married

to Dr. Linda Goldberg Emery. They have

four children, three daughters and one

son, and live in West Lafayette, IN.

69Class Agents:Davis A. Deweydavis@netsprinter.net401.247.2518 Scott M. Sutherland jms208@aol.com203.758.2949 _____________________________

70 Class Agent: Susan Spadone Holmes203.259.4964 _____________________________

Debra Pardridge St. Jacques stated:

“I would love to get together with my

classmates, as some could not make it to

the Alumni Weekend. Would anyone

like to get together in Albany, NY? I

live about an hour northeast of Albany

in Argyle, NY, on 58 acres. Each year,

we look forward to maple syrup season.

My husband, Mark, makes about 40

gallons of syrup. Yum!”

Kevin Weyl is a DP and Cameraman

for networks and Fortune 100 corpora-

tions. He keeps in touch with classmates;

Bob Zimmerli, Tom Fletcher, Mike

Finely and Carla McKay Lucey ’67.

71Class Agents: Craig J. Hansoncraigjhanson@yahoo.com203.237.8481

Andrew Krens Jr.drew_krens@yahoo.com413.743.2420 _____________________________

Nancy Arnold Collins and her hus-

band, Kevin, live in Park Ridge, NJ, where

they raised their two sons. Nancy splits

her busy schedule between family, her job

as Corporate Director of Public Relations

and Marketing for a large northern New

Jersey healthcare system, and relaxing with

family and friends on Cape Cod.

Margaret Emery Swingle is married to

Kenneth Earl Swingle III and they have

two children, Ruthanne (29) and Ken-

neth Earl Swingle IV (26). She is taking

it easy while living in a log cabin that her

husband had previously built. After this

year they will both be retired.

45TH REUNION

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C L A S S N O T E S

72Class Agent: David E. Swiftnot_too@hotmail.com850.496.0808 _____________________________

Robert MacMillan lives in Cambridge,

VT, with his son, Alex. He owns the

Cambridge Village Market.

73Class Agent: Joan G. Bieliznajoanrealtor@snet.net203.743.6179 _____________________________

74Class Agent: Paula Nichols-Dille401.463.5569 _____________________________

75Class Agent: Diana Curtis PriceDcprice2000@aol.com

76Class Agents: Peter G. M. Robertspgmroberts@hotmail.com303.437.8664

Kendra R. Van Peltsassyk105@gmail.com919.519.6230 _____________________________

77Malcolm “Chuck” Davidson is liv-

ing in south Florida and loving it! He is

enjoying college and recently got mar-

ried and is thriving in the role of a hus-

band. He would be interested in hearing

from any and all from the classes of

1976 and 1977.

79Lee Robinson is happily married since

1996 to his wonderful wife, Carna. He is

retired in South Florida, where they do a

lot of scuba diving, deep sea fishing and

boating, whenever they get the chance.

He loves to travel and visit family and

friends all over the U.S. from upstate NY

at their summer home on upper Saranac

Lake, to the Bahamas.

The Alumni Office learned that

“KC” Kathryn Campbell passed away

in March, 2013. She was 52. KC will

always be remembered as a fantastic soccer

player, captain of the team and a dorm

manager. To read more see page 47.

80Class Agent: Gardiner S. Mulfordgardiner@mulfordrealty.com _____________________________

Barbara Colegrove Bravo is still in

Hoboken, NJ, working as a TV graphic

artist. Her family is well and looking for-

ward to a peaceful year.

Barney Straus has launched a new ad-

venture therapy program called “Recovery

Adventure Day.” It is designed to support

people in recovery from addictions.

James Rueding Jr. passed away in

June, 2012. See page 47.

81Class Agent: Hilary L. TaylorHilzo@aol.com978.692.6962 _____________________________

Lyne Saul Evanson and her husband,

Eric, have two children. The family re-

sides in Florida.

Kimberly Slenker King writes that her

daughter, Annabelle, is in her second year

at The New School in NYC. Kim lives in

Greenwich, CT.

82Class Agent: Matthew L. LaFlammematt_laflamme@msn.com502.767.4751 _____________________________

David Maier and his wife, Donna, just

celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary

on June 18, 2013.

83Class Agent: Andrew Y. Covertandrewycovert@gmail.com858.353.0256 _____________________________

Lisa Thomas Herndon has been mar-

ried to her husband Brian for 22 years and

has two beautiful children. Their oldest,

Lyndsey, just graduated from Brighton

High School and will be attending Olivey

Narazene University in the fall of 2013.

Geoffrey will be a sophomore at BHS

this coming fall. Lisa is a nurse at the

40TH REUNION

35TH REUNION

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C L A S S N O T E S

University of Michigan Health Systems.

She works in the Pediatric Intensive Care

Unit. Lisa sends her “thanks” to all the

amazing faculty and staff at Forman.

Gus Covert moved back in San Diego,

CA, after 13 years in Maryland. He works

at Stepping Stone of San Diego as a drug

and alcohol counselor. Gus lives at the

beach with his dog, Molly. “Life is simple.

Always great to hear from old friends at

andrewycovert@gmail.com.”

84Class Agent: Peter M. Ahlfeldahlfeld@vermonttel.net802.325.2451

Nancy Robinson Swiftnancysunnyswift@yahoo.com732.741.4711 _____________________________

Simon Jacobson is an architect living in

Washington D.C. One of his designs was

featured on HGTV’s “Extreme Homes.”

Simon was quoted in The Georgetown Dish:

“A special feature is that the house can be

quickly sealed off in the event of serious

weather, ‘like a turtle ducking its head back

in its shell’ … One of the home’s engineer-

ing achievements is that even though it

is primarily glass with custom Jacobsen

doors and windows, it meets the new strict

Florida hurricane code.”

85Class Agents: Jennie Alexandre Bonojenniebono@yahoo.com

William L. Freemanfreeman.will@gmail.com301.587.6916 _____________________

Rick Buell is still

serving in the U.S.

Navy as a commander

assigned overseas in

Naples, Italy. He

currently serves as

the direct Defense Logistics Agency

Europe & Africa liaison, to the U.S.

Naval Forces Europe, U.S Naval Forces

Africa, and Commander 6th Fleet, work-

ing as the joint plans and operations

officer. Rick’s family includes his wife

of 18 years, Kimberly Buell, who is

an Ohio native and is currently work-

ing as a dental technician at the U.S.

Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy. They

have two children, Alexis (17), who

will graduate from her high school next

June, and Evan (14), who will begin

his freshman year at the same school.

The family has taken advantage of their

overseas assignment in Italy by travel-

ing throughout Europe. During this

assignment, Rick was awarded a De-

fense Meritorious Service Medal for his

service as the Defense Logistics Agency

Support Team Commander for Joint

Task Force Odyssey Dawn. JTF Odys-

sey Dawn was established to lead the

operational and tactical international

military response to unrest in Libya.

He was a pivotal member of the joint

logistics team demonstrating initiative

and supply chain expertise by directing

the timely identification, sourc-

ing and transportation of all

DLA managed classes of supply

to a multi-national force of 31

naval ships and 394 aircraft

in the European and North

African theater. Rick and his

family expect to return to the

United States in 2014 for his

final tour, before retiring from

active duty and concluding his

25-year naval career around the

spring of 2017.

86Class Agent: Lisa Richardson Palmerlarfal@aol.com508.548.9614 _____________________________

Late last year the Alumni Office learned

of the death of Christopher Ferrebee.

Christopher died in Old Lyme on July 8,

2010, at the age of 42. Our sympathies go

out to his family and friends.

Alec Chorches stopped by with his

daughter, Lily. This was his first visit back

to Forman since graduation and he re-

membered when Henderson was a boys’

dorm. There used to be a phone booth

where the broom closet is now and he

30TH REUNION

The architectural wonder of Simon Jacobson ’84,

an all-glass home in ‘Hurricane Alley,’ Stuart, Florida

Rick Buell ’85 embarking

the USS ENTERPRISE, the

Navy’s oldest aircraft carrier,

in the bay of Naples, Italy for

a reception with the local

U.S. Ambassador

Alec Chorches ’86 visited with Scott McCarty ’76

in Henderson.

3 8

C L A S S N O T E S

could hear it ringing from his second floor

dorm room. He spent hours on that phone

with his girlfriend (now wife), Sandra,

when she was a student at Boston Uni-

versity. Alex went on to the University of

Colorado at Boulder, along with classmate

Eric Abramson. He still stays in touch

with Eric and former board member Mark

Lemons. Alec is a film producer in Los

Angeles, having recently finished the movie

“Any Day Now.”

87Class Agent: Holly Jones Weisenburgerholly@theweisenburgers.com603.382.8387 _____________________________

Eloise Ribisl Stager is still practic-

ing massage therapy. She is also raising

three busy kids and enjoying life in

Sherman, CT.

88Class Agent: Neesha Nicks Allen _____________________________

89 Class Agents: Sean P. Maguiresmaguire21@comcast.net781.395.0880

Curt F. Pfannenstiehlcurtpfan@baystate.edu508.785.9969

W. David Thorn Jr.dthorn30@yahoo.com508.429.6658 _____________________________

Drey Berry Benson is an executive

chef and lives in Ohio with her family.

She is the mother of four children: Shea

(13), Reston (8), Reza (6) and Stacia (4).

Sean Maguire and his wife, Victoria,

have welcomed a son, Bennett.

Jennifer Brown Anzelone is doing

well, living in Providence, RI, with her

husband and two kids, Sam (6) and

Abbie (3). She is in the process of return-

ing to work after seven years at home

with kids. Jennifer is taking over her

mother’s wholesale brush (artist and in-

dustrial) business.

90Class Agent: Jennifer Winkler Balzijenrwink@gmail.com203.775.1961

Karine Opdyke Lawrencekarinelawrence@yahoo.com864.242.8891 _____________________________

Emily Juster graduated with her As-

sociate’s Degree in Liberal Arts this past

June, 2013, from Greenfield Community

College in Greenfield, MA.

Patrick Noone helped prepare the

sound systems and staging for the Presi-

dential Inauguration, in January of 2013,

at the National Mall’s Washington Mon-

ument. He said it was a great experience.

He was one of the six people hired of

the 400 applicants for this job. Recently

Patrick worked on a leg of the Bon Jovi:

Northeast tour.

Eric North stopped by Forman with

his two daughters and two nieces. He was

in Connecticut visiting his sisters who

live in Waterbury and wanted to show his

children where he went to school. It was

his first trip back since he graduated in

1990. Eric resides in Kentucky and is an

Army Reservist.

91Class Agents: Amy Owen Stettneraostett@hotmail.com303.761.0399

Rob P. TarantinoRob_Tarantino@ML.com860.528.5255

Jenny Virgopiajennyvirgopia@aol.com212.706.2165

_____________________________

Joel Kingston and his wife Bridget

recently moved from San Francisco, CA,

to Granby, CT, after 18 years on the

west coast. The couple enjoys garden-

ing and living in the country. Bridget is

a massage therapist and Joel works for

CT Physicians Services, a comprehensive

Health Care IT Support company as a

technical support specialist. Joel would

welcome contact from any members

of the Forman community: joel.kings-

ton13@gmail.com

Debra Brandt MacDonald moved her

family from Sandy Hook, CT, in New-

town to Fairfield, CT. Sadly, her children

lost a number of teachers and friends from

25TH REUNION

Eric North ’90 and his family

3 9

C L A S S N O T E S

the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary this

past December, but she and her husband

continue to remind their children that life

continues and hearts will heal over time.

Cornelia Ulman Whelan has used

some of the things that Forman taught

her to help her daughter, who graduated

in June 2013 from the local high school.

Her daughter took classes at BOCES,

got good marks in “Advertising and Ani-

mation,” and made honor roll. She is a

very proud mother!

Amy Owen Stettner and her husband,

Rob, were pictured with their four beauti-

ful children: Tula (3), Willy (7), Owen

(5) and Henry (5).

92William H. Davis is currently a Senior

Price Analyst with Delta Airlines. He lives

in Tucker, GA, with his wife, Deidre, and

son, Cameron.

Jen Soderberg Straub is in the very

beginning stages of starting a non-profit

organization called ‘The Dorset Equine

Rescue’ in Dorset, VT. This organization

is trying to rescue horses strictly on dona-

tions alone. She is currently in the process

of getting a 501C3 so all of the donations

they receive will be tax deductible and

go directly to rescuing and caring for the

horses. The plan is to focus on slaughter-

bound and neglected horses that have

ended up in a horse auction, where the

meat buyers go to buy the unwanted and

forgotten horses. Many of these horses

were family pets or show horses that the

owners could no longer care for. “It is my

belief that horses have earned a higher

respect in our society. They have plowed

our fields, carried us through war and de-

serve a second chance at life.”

93Class Agents: Kenneth I. Deanekenneth.deane@gmail.com

Gilah E. Gerstengilahg@gmail.com860.589.5355 _____________________________

Gilah Gersten reported, “Who would

have known that hearing a professor speak

at the Connecticut Dental Assistant’s an-

nual meeting about the dental needs of

impoverished people in Honduras would

lead to such a life-changing experience

for me. The administrators at my job

agreed that this experience of helping the

less fortunate would be a very rewarding

opportunity for me and agreed to the

time off. I also believed that it would be

beneficial to take an adventure because I

had just recently lost my father. I knew he

would be proud to see me taking risks and

helping others.

“On Memorial Day weekend, we set

out to Honduras for 10 days. While in

this small, Central American country, the

dental team saw over 300 patients in five

days and performed over 1,000 proce-

dures. We had approximately $16,000 in

cases and did all the work free of charge.

One girl had four root canals, four posts,

and four crowns all in one sitting! I had

the good fortune to meet some of the

most wonderful and caring people on this

trip. What I experienced will be cherished

forever and without question, it was a

healing process for me. Unfortunately,

I do not have many pictures of myself

while in Honduras, but if you look at the

picture, you can see through my eyes what

I captured on this missionary excursion.

After all, one picture tells it all.”

Jason Byrne left his job at the UN

in Tanzania at the end of March for a

career in filmmaking. After leaving Tan-

zania, he was at an artist-in-residence

program at the Macdowell Colony in

New Hampshire for five weeks and then

visiting family and friends for a month

in California.

Jen Soderberg Straub ’92 with one of the

horses she rescuedGilah Gersten ’93 observed a dentist and two den-

tal students while on a service trip to Honduras.

Amy Owen Stettner ’91 with her family

4 0

C L A S S N O T E S

94Class Agents: Christopher D. Kellogg908.782.2413

Brooke Labriola Shephardbhlabriola@gmail.com203.570.3045

Drew S. Weinsteinweinstein.drew@gmail.com917.620-5376 _____________________________

Drew Weinstein welcomed a little

girl this past March. Her name is Emily

Goldie Weinstein.

Congratulations to Libby Frank Mc-

Quarie ’94 and her husband, Neal, who

welcomed their first daughter, Emma

Elizabeth McQuarie, born May 22, 2013

at 6 lbs and 10 oz and 18 inches.

Brooke Labriola Shephard is the

Director of Marketing and Events at

Serendipity Magazine, a lifestyle maga-

zine that covers Westchester, NYC and

Fairfield County. She writes: “We have

three signature events a year: a Fashion

Show, Opening Day at Greenwich Polo

called Horsing Around for Charity and

our 3-day Greenwich WINE+FOOD

Festival which attracts over 4,000 people.

We have a very strong focus on non-

profits; all our events benefit different

non-profits — we support over 150 non

profits throughout the year.” Brooke was

married on Nantucket on September 7,

2013 to Kyle Shepard. They currently

live in Greenwich CT.

95Class Agents: Christina E. Bodine-AyssehChristinaBodine@msn.com203.521.4022

Allison Herron Gsellallison_herron@hotmail.com860.354.9937

Elizabeth G. Thomaslizgthomas@yahoo.com817.731.2777_____________________________

Jessi Meyer will be attending graduate

school this summer to get her Master’s

Degree in school counseling.

To read about what Christina Bodine-

Asseyh has been up to since graduation,

see page 13.

96Class Agents: Marikay Geibmarikaygeib212@msn.com601.329.6404

Lauren Pattonlauren@cutiecelli.com203.326.0628

S. Tyler Rennstrenn@hotmail.com404.308.0053_____________________________

Tyler Renn is working at Renn Wealth

Management in a new advisor-training

program. He is licensed to sell life, dis-

ability, and long term care insurance to

individuals. In his free time, he serves on

the Board of the Buckhead Lions Club. In

the fall, Tyler enjoys coaching nine- and

10-year-olds in football. He is still playing

lots of golf recreationally and competi-

tively. He also tries to go back to Ole Miss

for football games as much as possible.

97Class Agent: Abbie Graham Durkinabbiedurkin@gmail.com_____________________________

Abbie Graham Durkin looks forward

to receiving your updates!

Ian Shouse is working as a network lab

assistant at Heartland Community Col-

lege in Normal, IL.

20TH REUNION

Emily Weinstein on July 4, 2013

Kyle and Brooke Labriola Shephard ’94

Libby Frank McQuarie ’94 with Neal and daughter

Emma McQuarie

4 1

C L A S S N O T E S

98Susan A. Schonfeldsuzy195954@aol.com609.683.7818 _____________________________

99Class Agents: Elizabeth A. Hanwayeahanway@gmail.com484.832.1300

Jessica Davis Raitzjessica.raitz@gmail.com _____________________________

00Class Agents: Alexandrea Van der Tuinaquapink1@gmail.com973.376.5454

Jesse J. E. Resnickjesse.res@gmail.com646.360.0043

_____________________________

Our thoughts are with the family of

Eric Justin Shay who died on January

14, 2013. To read more see page 47.

Jesse Resnick is an entrepreneur

and creative technologist with over ten

years of industry experience. For seven

years, Jesse served as creative director at

the digital agency, Special Ops Media.

There, Jesse oversaw creative, technol-

ogy and project management for clients

that included: Coca-Cola, Universal

Studios, Stoli Vodka and many others.

In 2010, Special Ops Media was sold to

the global agency, LBi, and Jesse left the

company. Then in 2011, Jesse founded

a boutique agency called Experience-

Interaction, focusing on offering his

clients’ high-level strategy, creative and

technology services. Jesse is still an avid

outdoors enthusiast (thanks to the OLS

Center) and tries to get out of the city

at least a few times a year for a wilder-

ness adventure. Jesse currently lives in

Brooklyn, NY, where he is working on

growing the clients and team at Experi-

ence-Interaction (www.eidigital.com).

01Class Agents: Matthew A. Bonzagni413.636.5224

Leith T. Sharptennis315@yahoo.com _____________________________

Michelle Martello Andrasi is mar-

ried to James Andrasi and they have a

one-year-old son, Jace. Her email is mar-

tello22@hotmail.com. Michelle and her

family live in Norwalk, CT.

Jason Balmer made a guest appear-

ance on campus for the spring sports

awards. After Forman, he was recruited

to play lacrosse at Ohio Wesleyan where

he won two NCAC championships.

After graduation in 2005, he moved to

Park City, Utah, where he and his partner

started the Rocky Mountains Elite 150,

an organization which gives high school

athletes an opportunity to be seen by

collage coaches. Not only did local kids

in Utah participate but also kids from

other states. Jason moved back home to

Philly in 2010. “I have stopped coach-

ing but still like to play. Being back has

been great because it has allowed me to

reconnect with Forman and come up to

help Coach Kowalchick with the Forman

Lacrosse Team. Mike and I went to the

same college and share some of the same

friends.” Jason works for Evenlite (Life

Safety Lighting Solutions Company) and

continues to compete in triathalons.

Matthew Berman works in search and

rescue. He has worked in a lot of disasters

including Haiti, Katrina and Superstorm

Sandy. He provides medical services on a

mobile hospital for those affected.

Sam Caine works as a visual affects

flame artist at Smoke and Mirrors New

York. Over the past seven years, Sam

has worked with some of the industry’s

15TH REUNION

Jesse Resnick ’00

Jason Balmer ’01 with MVP, Patrick Charles

’13 during the spring sports awards

4 2

C L A S S N O T E S

most prolific advertising agencies and

directors. In 2010, Sam’s visual effects

involvement garnered the production

company an Oscar win for Best Live

Action Short for “The New Tenants.”

He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Rachel D’Avino died in the Sandy

Hook Elementary shooting last Decem-

ber. See page 47.

02Julia Barron Strobos has started work-

ing as a veterinary technologist in an

Emergency Clinic in Milwaukee, WI.

03Class Agent: Elizabeth A. Monroelizmonroe@comcast.net _____________________________

Chelsea Kinsella graduated from

Post University this past May, where

she earned her Master’s Degree in

Human Services with a concentration

in clinical counseling.

Celia Marie Strobos has started to

teach horseback riding.

04Class Agents: Laura J. GoodkindLJGoodkind@msn.com973.539.1539

Kathryn S. Johnjohn.katie@gmail.com412.963.0917

_____________________________

Olga French and her husband,

Stuart Kriendler, welcomed their first son,

Thomas. Congratulations!

Jessica Gallagher lives in Massachu-

setts with her husband and 10-month-old

daughter. She is working as a substitute

teacher at Barnstable High School while

working toward her teaching certification.

Congratulations to Elizabeth

(“Beth”) Breininger and Michael Kristo-

pher Laba on welcoming their daughter,

Addison Elizabeth Laba, into the world

on September 28, 2012.

05Class Agents: Cyril P. Thorntonthorntcp@gmail.com610.209.6261

Pearse P. Matthewspmatthews@hillhooks.org917.596.5303 _____________________________

Kyle Halloran shared the back story

of his wedding proposal to Amanda

Horn at the Litchfield Road Race: “I

had a triathlon that morning in Bridge-

port at 6:00 am, then the Litchfield

race at 1:00 pm which I do every year.

The idea was that Amanda would not

expect anything. My uncle went with

me at the start and held the ring so I

would not have to run 7 miles with it.

On the last turn, I met my uncle at the

post office and grabbed the ring. The

announcer was in on the secret and an-

nounced that I was coming down ‘the

chute’ towards the finish line but did

not look too good. I pretended to be

hurt and struggled towards the crowd as

a volunteer grabbed me and helped me

to the side in front of our family where

I proposed to Amanda. It was nice be-

cause it made the paper and was a big

story for that week, and the Litchfield

Road Race crew was incredibly sup-

portive in making it a special day for us.

All the more reason to love the town of

Litchfield!” Kyle graduated from Fair-

field University and has been a teacher

at Forman since 2011. He and Amanda

live in Beecher.

Courtney Powell Lupold got married

on December 1, 2012 to an amazing man

she has been with for five years, Michael

Lupold. The couple vacationed in Cabo

San Lucas, Mexico. Michael will be work-

10TH REUNION

Kyle Halloran ’05 and his bride, Amanda

4 3

C L A S S N O T E S

ing in Omaha, NE. Courtney is currently

a chef at Tamarack Brewing Company.

06Class Agents: Ian C. Haywardbarret12.7mm@gmail.com254.251.0317

Charles A. Phillips239.498.6369 _____________________________

Luke Bornheimer is a software user

interface designer who specializes in

mobile apps. He and his girlfriend,

Emily Glick, live in San Francisco (see

story on Page 16).

Andrew Gares graduated from East

Carolina University in Greenville, NC,

this past May. He got his degree in com-

munications with a concentration in public

relations. Andrew would like to go into

the hospitality field, either in restaurant or

hotel management. He worked at a restau-

rant on Nantucket this summer.

Keaghan Hamilton recently moved

back to New Hampshire after graduat-

ing from Southern Connecticut State

University in May of 2012. She is cur-

rently going to school for her Master’s

in public health and hopes to find a job

in the field soon!

Natalie Hammond and Ry Sanderson

are living together in San Francisco with

their dog, Denver, and loving life!

Olivia Hanson reported, “After four

years of living in Manhattan, I moved out

to Brooklyn, NY, and love it! I work as a

childcare provider for five different fami-

lies while continuing to balance out my

acting career.”

David Rublin is part of a Brooklyn-

based band called American Authors that

performs around the New York area and

recently made an appearance on Jay Leno.

Their first songs “Best Day of My Life”

and “Believer” are available on iTunes.

Check out their website: http://weaream-

ericanauthors.com/

Ian Hayward had re-enlisted in the

Army to go to Afghanistan but instead

will be going to Egypt in late 2013 and

then on to Fort Bliss, TX. Ian will be part

of the Multinational Forces and Observ-

ers who help ensure the peace between

Israel and Egypt after the last war they

had. He is also working on putting on his

sergeant’s stripes.

07Class Agents: Shannon W. Hallenbeckshannon.hallenbeck@gmail.com203.394.1787

Katherine G. McFaddenkmac203@gmail.com203.857.0087 _____________________________

Shannon Hallenbeck is currently

living in Wilton, CT, and working as a

preschool teacher for the NEON Child

Development Program in Norwalk.

This August will make the comple-

David Rublin ’06 with his band mates

Great holiday gifts for the Forman student or alumni in your life. Vintage Logo Vineyard Vines Ties

Special Sale: $42Contact: bookstore@formanschool.org

4 4

C L A S S N O T E S

tion of two years of teaching, which

proves to be a daily joy, challenge, and

constant learning experience. He hopes

everyone is doing well!

Iain Magown is living in Fairfield, CT,

and working in search engine optimiza-

tion and social media management for

The Voice, an advertising agency.

Since graduating college in 2011, An-

drew Carter has been lucky enough to

work on several feature films as well as

balancing his own creative portfolio in

his spare time. One of the films he was

fortunate enough to be a part of is Fox

Searchlight’s upcoming comedy, “The

Way, Way Back,” where he served as the

assistant to writer/directors Nat Faxon

and Jim Rash. This past February, An-

drew directed his third short film and he

really thinks he can actually show this one

to people without getting embarrassed!

Currently, he’s working at Sony Pictures

Television Production.

08Class Agents: Anne Marie MeteAnniemete3@yahoo.com

Hannah Dodd Mortonhmorton1008@gmail.com

_____________________________

Pepper Baumer just finished work-

ing at a non-profit company called Idea

Village. Now he is working at the New

Orleans convention and visitors bureau

and New Orleans tourism and market-

ing corporation. Eventually, Pepper will

head his father’s marketing department

at Baumer Foods, Inc.

Tristan Church and his wife Lisa are

busy raising a family of two in Wilm-

ington, NC. Son Lucas is four and

daughter Kaleigh is two.

09Class Agents: Justin W. DeCauseyjustin.decausey@yahoo.com203.846.8326

Candice R. Earlingtonwacky_candy@hotmail.com

Ms. Kelly Solknicolita5@aol.com203.746.2914 _____________________________

Emory Cooper graduated in May from

Keene State College, NH, with a Bachelor

of Fine Arts degree in Studio Arts. Emory

lives and works in Jackson, WY, where

she finds an abundance of inspiration

from the beauty of the Teton Mountain

Range and the Snake River Valley.

Justin DeCausey visited campus this

past February. He reported, “I am creat-

ing an artistic nature video of ‘Winter in

New England’ for my television produc-

tion class. As you know, one of the things

that New England is known for is the

winter and how beautiful it is. It is a three

minute film that is part of a bigger project.

The big project is called the AVA Awards,

and award show at Norwalk Community

College. I was nominated last year in two

different categories: best supporting actor

and best new director. Sadly, I lost in both

but I was still one of three people to be

nominated. This year I am probably not

going to be in front of the camera but

instead behind it.” Justin is aiming for the

top honor of best director.

Kelly McGuire graduated from Chap-

man University and now resides in South-

ern California.

Gabe Krengel was at Camp Pendleton

in Marine boot camp for 13 weeks; gradu-

ation was in late April.

Alex Revson graduated from Savannah

College of Art & Design, majoring in

graphic design. He studied abroad for a

term in Hong Kong.

Michael Yormark graduated from

Syracuse University on May 12, 2013.

10 Class Agents: Cameron S. Billik203.762.5538

Gretchen G. Conyersggcony10@stlawu.edu441.295.8433

Douglas F. Patchdoug.patch@american.edu203.461.0129

Dayne J. Pricedayneprice@gmail.com

Joshua S. Sacksjsacks28@gmail.com617.964.4773 _____________________________

Jake Douville is studying at Keene

State University. He is a double major in

5TH REUNION

Emory Cooper ’09 with her collage of the Teton

Mountains at the senior Art Show in April 2013

4 5

C L A S S N O T E S

math and education. Jake wants to be a

private school teacher in the near future.

11Class Agents: Rachel C. Haferrchafer@roanoke.edu

Nicholas V. Manzella203.263.4033

Michael D. Satalicmichael.satalic@gmail.com281.713.2854 _____________________________

Kareem Cope finished his sophomore

year at Mount Ida, a small liberal arts col-

lege outside of Boston. His mother writes:

“He’s working hard at his studies, major-

ing in criminal justice, with a minor in

hospitality. Kareem has played two years

of football as a running back.”

Ben Ferguson finished his sopho-

more year at Hofstra University in May

and participated in an acting workshop

over the summer.

Steve Iannotti is currently attending

the Academy of Art University in San

Francisco, CA. He is enrolled in their De-

partment of 3-D Digital Animation. He is

doing well, loves school and San Francisco!

12Class Agents: Lauren A. Morrowlauren.morrow1993@gmail.com978.939.8842

Shelby L. Pierceshelby.pierce93@gmail.com860.489.2425

Daniel S. Sotherlanddsotherland81@gmail.com860.644.5013 _____________________________

Jared LaVergne finished his first year at

Hofstra University, where he is double ma-

joring in marketing and management. This

summer, he worked as a sales manager for

Paramus New Jersey’s Divisional office.

Jared will continue at Hofstra in the fall.

Drew Gregory!spent his first year at the University of New Haven and is

WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

Alumni Class Agents Needed

Do you have contact with many

of your classmates from Forman?

Do you enjoy reaching out to your

friends to find out what is new?

If so, you may be an ideal Class

Agent for Forman! Class Agents are

needed for the following classes:

If you are interested in serving as a

Class Agent, please contact Elizabeth

Bellingrath, Director of Alumni and

Parent Programs, at 860.567.1810

or alumni@formanschool.org.

Be sure to include your full name,

class year, mailing address, email

address, and telephone number(s).

We would so appreciate your help!

1942

1943

1945

1946

1947

1948

1949

1951

1952

1953

1955

1957

1958

1959

1962

1977

1978

1979

1988

1992

2003

Kareem Cope ’11

Nigel and Spencer Daniel ’11 during the NCAA

New England division three championship at

Westfield State University in November 2012.

Spencer recorded a time of 31.05.36.

4 6

C L A S S N O T E S

transferring to Morrisville State College in upstate New York this coming fall.

Austin Iverson will be starting his

sophomore year at Oregon State Univer-

sity in Corvallis, OR. He is currently a

history major and enjoying it. Austin is

also on the ultimate frisbee team at OSU,

playing many other Division I schools

around the Northwest and in tourna-

ments throughout the country.

Lauren Morrow transferred from St.

Joseph’s in Maine to Southern Vermont

College this past spring and will be taking

classes this fall at a local community col-

lege. She spent her summer with family

and visiting friends in Connecticut.

Shelby Pierce spent her first year at-

tending Keene State College and working

in the athletic department. She is transfer-

ring to Tunxis Community College this

fall and will be studying to be a physical

therapy assistant.

13Class Agents: David R. BuckleydavidB21@gmail.com317.733.0562

Francis R. Fiorefffiore27@gmail.com847.235.2037

Mark A. Malburgmmalburg@elon.edu 203.834.2573

F A C U L T Y- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Congratulations to English department

chair Matt Bender and his wife, Amanda,

on the birth of daughter Amelia Rose on

January 5, 2013.

Lea Dmytryk, a for-

mer faculty member,

visited campus during the

summer to share stories

of Christina Bodine-

Aysseh for the Profile

Piece (see page 13).

Genn Giuliano, Adam Haynes and

Nolan welcomed baby Stella this summer.

Six department chairs (pictured below)

completed certification in the Strategies

Instruction Model by the University of

Kansas: Hilary Barhydt (former faculty),

Diane Lucarelli, Missi Boyer, Chris

Ford, and Brooke Crossman.

Amelia Rose Bender

Lea Dmytryk

Hannah Camerota ’12 and David Buckley 13 visited campus during the summer.

4 7

C L A S S N O T E S

I N M E M O R I A M- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Alumni:

Louis “Red” LaMotte ’42

Glenn Grimm ’44

Patsy Cannon ’55

Dennis Shor ’64

Robert “Bob” Tompkins ’64

Kathyrn Cambell Christianson ’79

James Ruedin, Jr. ’80

Christopher Ferrebee ’86

Eric Schay ’00

Rachel D’Avino ’01

Former Staff:

Barbara “Bobbie” Givan

Donald Mordecai

42 Col. Louis “Red” Howell

LaMotte III of Hilton Head Island, SC,

died on June 12, 2012. He attended the

Indian Mountain School, Forman School

and George Washington University.

Colonel LaMotte served in the military

for more than twenty years, first with

the United States Army Air Corps and

then in the United States Air Force. He

was a private pilot and avid boater that

many referred to and knew as “Red.” He

is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anne

Shryock LaMotte, two daughters, Elisa-

beth (Libby) LaMotte-Moore and Lee La-

Motte Anderson, and four grandchildren.

His brother Peter LaMotte ’47 passed

away in 2007.

44 Glenn E. Grimm, 87, of

Avon, husband of Ann Dyson Grimm,

passed away peacefully on June 23. Born

in Chicago, IL, Glenn proudly served

his country with the U.S. Army’s 10th

Armored Division in Germany and Aus-

tria during WWII where he fought in

the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle for

Bastogne. Besides his wife, Glenn leaves

behind five children: Peter Grimm and

his wife, Brenda; Susan Weiner ’71 and

her husband, Bruce; Anabel Rylance and

her husband, James; Jonathan Grimm

’78; and Timothy Grimm ’83 and his

wife, Elizabeth; six grandchildren; and

one brother, Richard H. Grimm. Glenn

was predeceased by a brother, Charles

Grimm ’46.

55 Patsy Cannon passed away

on December 30, 2011. Patsy was born

and raised in Cleveland Heights and

Shaker Heights, OH. Patsy enjoyed

knitting, card games, children and dogs.

For many years, Patsy was honored as

an outstanding volunteer of the year at

the Benjamin Rose Institute.

64 Dennis Shor was born on

October 12, 1945 and passed away on

Saturday, January 26, 2013. Dennis was a

resident of Irvine, California.

Robert “Bob” Tompkins, 67, passed

away on April 12, 2013. After high

school, Bob attended Fort Lauderdale

University, where he met the love of his

life, Mary Lou. Upon graduating, he re-

turned home to pursue a career as a golf

professional, working in Connecticut and

later at the Ponte Vedra Club. Bob was

called into active duty in 1970. While

in the Army, Bob enjoyed a special duty

assignment as golf professional at Fort

Hood. Bob married Mary Lou, joined

his father in business and had a family.

For the last twenty-three years, he and

his family devoted their love and energy

into running a miniature golf course as a

true family entertainment establishment.

Bob leaves his beloved wife of 42 years,

Mary Lou, and son Ryan; daughter Katy

LeClair and son-in-law, Greg LeClair and

grandson, Connor, of Groton, CT;

79 Kathryn Campbell Christian-

son, 52, of Bend, OR, passed away on

March 21, 2013. Kathryn attended col-

lege at Jacksonville University in Jack-

sonville, FL, and majored in interior

design. Kathryn was an accomplished

designer of furniture and interiors of

homes. She is survived by her husband,

Michael Christianson, three children,

Taylor Smith, B.J. Christianson, and

Mattea Christianson, three grand-

children and her father, Breckinridge

Campbell, of Little Rock, AK.

80 James M. Ruedin Jr., 51, died

unexpectedly at his home in Saline, MI,

on June 8, 2012. Jim was a loving hus-

band and father. He was vivacious, kind-

hearted and had a great sense of humor.

He was survived by his wife, Jodi, chil-

dren, Greer and Mary, his mother, Doris,

and sister, Nancy Snyder.

86 Christopher Ferrebee, 42, of Old

Lyme, died on July 8, 2010, at Yale-New

Haven Hospital.

4 8

00 Eric Justin Stock Schay died

on January 14, 2013, from Kearns-Sayre

Syndrome, the rare disorder that caused

him to get a cardiac pacemaker during his

freshman year at Forman. Eric graduated

from Bentley University in 2004 with a

B.S. in Finance.

01 Rachel Marie D’Avino, 29, of

Deerwood Drive died Friday, December

14, 2012 in Newtown, CT, protecting

the children at Sandy Hook Elementary

School. She attended Forman for her

sophomore and junior years, and gradu-

ated from Nonnewaug High School in

2001. Rachel received her Bachelor’s

degree from the University of Hartford,

her Master’s Degree from Post University,

and was working towards her Doctorate

degree from University of St. Joseph. Just

a week before her death, Rachel com-

pleted the final requirements to become

a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her

passion was working with children within

the autism spectrum. She had worked in

various positions throughout her career

providing behavioral therapy to children

with hopes of helping them develop into

happy and healthy adults. Besides her

parents, she is survived by her best friend,

Anthony J. Cerritelli, of Bethlehem. An-

thony had planned to propose to Rachel

on Christmas Eve.

Former Faculty & Staff

Barbara Rose Givan, 82, passed away

on April 4, 2013. Barbara attended Clark

University where she met and married

James Alexander Givan Jr.. Barbara was

an English teacher at Forman. She is sur-

vived by her three children, Debbie Cate

and her husband, Tom, of Knoxville,

Tenn., Betsey Conner and her husband,

Wayne, of Harwinton and Jim Givan and

his wife, Micaela, of Shelton; five grand-

children, Jonathon Lynn of Torrington,

Cora Lynn of Harwinton, Jordan Cate

and his wife, Jennifer, Whitney Cate and

Bailey Cate, all of Knoxville, Tenn.; and

many loving relatives, supportive friends

and compassionate caretakers.

Donald DeCosta Mordecai, 73, of

Scarborough, ME, died on July 23, 2012.

Don graduated from Colby, received his

M.A. from Cornell, and went into the

Navy. Don joined the family food bro-

kerage business and completed the MBA

program at Babson College. Don went

into the independent school world, where

he worked for 16 years as Assistant Head

of School for Finance and Administra-

tion at Forman School, Maret School,

and Trevor Day School. He married

Patricia Carson Nason in 1985, and they

retired in 2006 to Castine, ME, where

they had maintained a house since 1998.

Don was a life-long sailor; he was also an

itinerant cabinetmaker, boat builder and

photographer. He leaves his wife, Pat;

two children, Dan and David of NW

Connecticut; two step-children, Barbara

Nason and her fiance, Peter Sherman of

Dedham, MA, and Thomas Nason, his

wife Jennifer Martin, and grandchildren

Marshall and Leeland Nason Martin, and

Emmelina Bales of Weston, FL.

Eric Shay ’00

Rachel D’Avino ’01

12 Norfolk RoadP.O. Box 80Litchfield, CT 06759-0080

Change Service Requested

I M P O R T A N T D A T E SWinter Musical February 21 & 22, 2014Alumni Weekend May 2 & 3, 2014

Ribbon Cutting CeremonyThe Forman School community

celebrated the opening of the new

Science Center with a ribbon cutting

ceremony on September 27, 2013.

Pictured: Adam Man, Head of School; Louise Finnerty,

Board President; Fred Lione, Trustee; Parker Broadnax

’17; Denni Williams ’58; Olivia Shelbourn ’14; and

Melissa Boyer, Science Department Chair

Spring Parents Weekend April 25 & 26, 2014 Commencement May 24, 2014