Belmont Hill School Bulletin Winter/Spring 2026

Belmont Hill

AP American Studies project.

GRATITUDE, OPTIMISM, & CHARACTER

Chapel Talk Delivered by Gregory J. Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School

August 26, 2025

There is nothing better than seeing this chapel come alive once again with the return of your energy, your laughter, and your smiles. I truly hope that you have enjoyed a spectacular summer and that you arrive here ready to set the tone for another incredible Belmont Hill campaign. I want to welcome the roughly 100 new boys who sit in Hamilton Chapel for the first time as true Belmont Hill students—looking particularly sharp in those coats and ties on an August morning. It is an early start this year, and we can’t wait to get this year rolling. While there may be a few nerves out there, know that I still get so nervous the weekend before today that I can’t sleep. We are all ready to support you, as new members of our community, and trust me that you will find your rhythm quickly. While your friends attending other schools might be anxiously waiting for their first day after Labor Day, we will already be hitting our stride.

A special welcome to those in the front row here, the great Class of 2026. We now turn to you to put your stamp on this community in a new way. I suspect it

doesn’t feel so long ago that many of you were up in that balcony. At Commencement last year, Board President Jon Biotti ’87 offered a great analogy in expressing his frustration when cars in front of him aren’t ready to go and the traffic light turns green. Whether it’s cell phones or daydreaming, he claims this trend is on the rise. His message to our graduates was simple: Be ready when it is your turn to go. This is your moment Form VI—the light has officially turned green, and I know that you are ready to put your foot on the gas.

This has been a summer filled with growth for me as a father in any number of ways. In just a few weeks, I will drop my oldest daughter off for her freshman year in college—and so many parents in this room have told me to buckle up for that moment. While she is unbelievably ready to leave us, it is far less clear to me that her parents or her sisters are feeling that way. Speaking of her sisters, I watched my rising junior power through a club lacrosse summer at a pace that blew me away. It gave me a deeper appreciation for what so many of you endure as you lean into club athletics as part of your college searches. And my youngest eighth-grade daughter found her way into a crew shell for the first time this summer and, for the time being, appears ignited. Lots of change and lots of growth in our family unit during these summer days—all of which gives me a close appreciation for the growth you all likely experienced these past few months as well.

For me, summer also included my usual journeys to Maine to confront my obsessive relationship with the game of golf. There were highs and lows as per usual, but it was all put into a different perspective when I attended my first tournament of the year. A seasonal golfing friend wandered onto the putting green with a contraption attached to his head that shocked me. I wasn’t sure what it meant at the time, but I knew it wasn’t good. No one plays more golf at our course than he—continually honing his craft with conviction,

passion, and relentless attention to detail. As a passionate photographer with children who played hockey in the ISL, I would often bump into him at Belmont HillSt. Seb’s games.

It turns out that he has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, and the clock has literally begun to tick in his case. He told me last weekend his handicap has soared from a 4 to a 16 in one year—so much that the USGA app is locking him out with suspicion. A few years older than I am, his time with his friends on the golf course, as well as with his grandchildren, seems suddenly limited. His presence has been a fixture of summer for me for so many years, and suddenly this feels no longer to be the case. Shaking his hand a few times on the putting green this summer, I struggled mightily with what exactly I could say. We are friendly but not incredibly close friends. Yet it was impossible for me not to be shaken in a personal way—and I recommitted to return to campus this year with a new sense of gratitude for the time that we will share together. Some of you may recall that Dr. Joseph Nelson, who works with our Advanced Action Research students as a research assistant, helped complete a study about character education here at Belmont Hill over the past 18 months. His findings revealed that we do it well here in many dimensions, as he surveyed and interviewed students, faculty, and alumni in considerable depth. So many of us have been thinking deeply about character education at Belmont Hill given its primacy in our mission. We want to know how we can do it even better —even more intentionally with all of you. Coming out of the study, Professor Nelson identified five zones that appear to be the building blocks of character in our community:

I. Curiosity and Empathy

II. Respect and Integrity

III. Grit and Teamwork

IV. Kindness and Leadership

V. Gratitude and Optimism

Our data suggested that Belmont Hill exhibits relative strength in the areas of grit and accountability, with some room to grow in the areas of joy and optimism. We honestly scored extremely high on everything, but reading the report this summer made me want to focus on the positive a bit more with all of you this year. Thus for my opening musings on character this year, I wanted to focus on the fifth zone I just mentioned: gratitude and optimism.

If you have been at Belmont Hill for any long period of time, you know gratitude is a huge part of our culture. I can share with great clarity that I am an infinitely more grateful person than I was before I started here seven years ago. There is something about our culture that has brought this out of me in unexpected and powerful ways. At the IBSC conference this summer, speaker Noubar Afeyan reminded us that gratitude is the greatest renewable human resource in the world. It is, in fact, contagious, as the more gratitude we express, the more others around us feel the same. For me, gratitude is also a way to make sure we maintain perspective throughout our year together. Energy might be high on day one, but we are all going to have days this year that feel less so. Reminding ourselves that we are grateful for our families, this community, and our friends is just so incredibly important. It is too easy to lose sight of this. Not this year.

Optimism, admittedly, is much harder for me. And I am only speaking for myself here—as I am quite sure we have our fair share of brimming optimists in the Hamilton Chapel this morning. As I strive to be a leader dedicated to character, I know that I have my own work to do when it comes to optimism. I think about this dilemma a lot. In so many ways, optimism is a choice. We can choose to believe that good things are coming or headed our way. We can choose to believe that we deserve to have good things happen to us. I am quite sure there is both nature and nurture embedded with my own struggles in this area. On the one hand, as a Head of School, my job is to worry—to worry about and protect all of you as well as the people who work here. Blind optimism is probably not so great for a leader, and we all know that this region of the Northeast loves a little cynicism and realism—it is one way we connect with each other. This might be about our sports teams, or it might be about life in general. Many of us tend to think people who are always optimistic are a bit weird in this part of the world.

Raised in a devout Irish Catholic family, I was basically taught that life was fundamentally hard. That I shouldn’t expect things to come easily—that I should save for the future and not be surprised when bad things happen. No one was going to feel bad for me, so I needed to find a way to figure it out. To quote Mr. Biotti again from graduation last spring—his family taught him “things could always be worse.” In some way, I have coached myself to manage my life

expectations on every level, allowing myself to be surprised when things break my way.

Yet I have so clearly and intentionally surrounded myself with optimists in both my personal and professional lives. My wife, Amy, is the ultimate optimist. She will literally keep circling for parking places in front of restaurants just knowing someone will pull out when we need them to do so. And they always do. She always seems to win the raffle. To her core, she believes that good things will happen to her and her family—and it makes me feel better about the world by being around her.

Similarly, Mrs. Girioni in the Office of the Head of School is one of the great optimists on this campus, and I hope that energy permeates from our office as a whole. She is fond of reminding me in February that “everything is awesome,” and she loves to lead the charge for our “joy club” on campus. There is no question being around someone with that kind of energy allows me to do my job in a better and more effective way for this community.

So why am I sharing any of this with you? As we begin this year at Belmont Hill, I want us thinking about gratitude and optimism in a new way—as a true building block of our mission. What could this mean for you as a student—someone who is potentially putting one foot in front of the other to meet the expectations for the year?

On the gratitude side, think more intentionally about your family and your friends. I am obviously in the stage of driving my kids to all kinds of practices, showcases, and tournaments. Whatever your needs or activities might be, your parents are doing a lot to make it happen for you. Some of that connects to sacrificing deeply for you to attend this school. Don’t wait to thank them. Similarly, your siblings are there for you unconditionally if you have them—don’t take them for granted either. They won’t be living under the same roof as you for that much longer; we find ourselves confronting that reality in our own house this year.

On the optimism side, I dug up a few sports quotes to try to make my point. Not surprisingly in my case, both come from golfers. First Tiger Woods: “Don’t get bitter, get better.” That speaks to Belmont Hill pretty well— when things don’t go your way this year, don’t get bitter—respond by digging in. Said a little differently by golfing legend Gary Player: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” Most of us in this room, myself included,

don’t have trouble with hard work. What I am pledging to believe this year is that good things will head my way when I dig in by working harder. I would encourage you to do the same.

I started my summer reading a book by retired General Stanley McChrystal: On Character: Choices that Define a Life. It probably won’t surprise any of you that I like to read about character in my spare time. And while I have challenged us to think about gratitude and optimism this morning, McChrystal has a more mathematical definition of character:

Character, the appropriate destination of our life’s journey, is not a trait inherited at birth or a gift from a learned mentor. It does not automatically come from education, position, or experience. Character, instead, is a choice. It is built upon convictions, or deeply held beliefs, that we embrace and the discipline we muster to live up to them. Despite its deeply human nature, it is curiously mathematical:

Character = Conviction X Discipline

Meaning, if we lack either substantive convictions or discipline, the resulting product—our character— lacks all value. It is as simple and thunderously consequential as that.

As we launch another year at Belmont Hill together, let’s commit to having both conviction and discipline in the work we will do together. Let’s dig in to the hard work ahead in order to create good luck and to make sure good opportunities come our way as a school. But while we lean into all of that inevitable challenge, let’s keep our heads about us as well. I want our perspective this year to be grounded in gratitude and buoyed by optimism. Think about what this could mean in your life this year, as I am clearly thinking about what it means in mine.

And if any of you ever want to talk about what you have been thinking about any of this, take a few steps up above the sundial and pop in to say hello. Everything will remain awesome up there in the Head of School office (and there is always some chocolate to be found).

Welcome back, gentlemen. Enjoy your first day together knowing everything is going to be awesome. Sixth Form.

remembering chris wadsworth Belmont Hill Head of School, 1979 – 1993

by cameron chittock

On November 22, 2025, former Belmont Hill Head of School Chris Wadsworth died peacefully at his home in Lexington, MA, at the age of 85. Mr. Wadsworth is survived by Lori, his wife of 62 years, and his sons, Benjamin ’85 (Benj) and Thomas (Tim).

Known for his kindness and good cheer, Mr. Wadsworth’s lasting impact and legacy at Belmont Hill can still be felt on campus thanks to the advancements, facilities, and faces he brought to the School during his 14 years of service.

“Chris and Lori made an extraordinary contribution to Belmont Hill’s success, and we are continually grateful for the foundation they built for our entire community to enjoy today,” says Greg Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School. “Early in my tenure, I had a number of wonderful moments with Chris where I could sense his passion for our school as well as a truly remarkable kind of interpersonal warmth.”

remembering chris wadsworth

Mr. Wadsworth was born in Boston on June 18, 1940 to Phillip and Elizabeth Wadsworth, joining his older sister, Virginia. He attended Phillips Academy, Andover, before going on to study American history at Harvard. He would go on to work at both of those institutions—as a history teaching fellow at Andover for a year and then in the Office of Admissions and the Freshman Dean’s Office at Harvard while obtaining master’s degrees in history and education.

Mr. Wadsworth arrived at Belmont Hill in the fall of 1979 after serving as the Head of School at Nichols School in Buffalo, NY. During his tenure on the Hill, Mr. Wadsworth helped steward a modernization and expansion of the campus through the construction and completion of the Byrnes Library, Lynch Center, Kraft Theater and Robsham Center for the Arts, MacPherson Room, and countless enhancements of the classroom and athletic facilities. The spirit of Mr. Wadsworth’s embrace of technology as a vital tool for learning, memorably embodied by his early adoption of the Compaq Portable computer, continues on campus today as the School finds new ways to challenge and empower students.

But while these accomplishments changed the physical landscape of the campus, it was Mr. Wadsworth’s character and his ability to bring out the potential of others that helped truly transform the School for the better.

“My first thoughts about Chris center on who he was as a human being: always kind, upbeat, honest, thoughtful,” says Rick Melvoin, former Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School. Dr. Melvoin took over as Head of School when Mr. Wadsworth departed in 1993 to become the head of Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey. Mr. Wadsworth and Dr. Melvoin’s collaborative transition led to an enduring friendship that traveled the world through flyfishing excursions and family trips.

“If one believes, as I do, that ‘the faculty is the school,’ there could be no greater tribute to Chris’s leadership,” Dr. Melvoin says. “Generations of Belmont Hill families owe Chris a huge debt, for he built a faculty that carried the School forward with a balance of respect for its values and traditions, yet was also ready to change with the times.”

Michael Sherman, now in the sixth decade of his career at Belmont Hill, is one of the storied faculty members present for the entirety of Mr. Wadsworth’s tenure. He remembers the former Head of School for his tireless effort, energy, and enthusiasm. “I so admired Chris’s many qualities and talents. He had the highest ethical standards, but always with a touch of good humor, and an incredible work ethic.”

“As my Head of School, I rarely thought of him as my ‘boss,’ but rather as a trusted mentor and great friend,” Mr. Sherman says. “Chris’s fabulous example of what it means to be the consummate educator means his

4. Foreground: Mr. Wadsworth and Roger Duncan. Background: Hal Melcher and Harold Prenatt.

5. Banjo was among Mr. Wadsworth’s many interests.

6. Mr. Wadsworth, Bob Woodbury ’56 and Carl Amon.

7. Truman Casner ’51 and Mr. Wadsworth.

8. Chris and Lori Wadsworth.

Generations of Belmont Hill families owe Chris a huge debt, for he built a faculty that carried the School forward with a balance of respect for its values and traditions, yet was also ready to change with the times.

– DR. RICHARD I. MELVOIN, FORMER RONALD M. DRUKER ’62 HEAD OF SCHOOL

memory will be a special blessing for those of us fortunate enough to have known him.”

While Mr. Wadsworth’s spirit set an upbeat tone on campus, life as head of any school is full of challenging behind-the-scenes decisions that leave wide-ranging impacts on the School. No one knew how Mr. Wadsworth approached these moments better than the late Truman Casner ’51 who, among many contributions to the School, served as a trustee for more than three decades and as president of the board from 1985–1989.

During the 1993 celebration of Mr. Wadsworth’s time on the Hill, Mr. Casner reflected on how Mr. Wadsworth’s character and care for the School shined even brighter out of the spotlight.

“When you work closely with someone who has to make as many tough decisions as a headmaster does, and when he comes to you—as Chris did many times to me—with agonizing decisions that he alone had to make, you gain the measure of the man,” Mr. Casner said. “We would talk the matter through and, as you might expect, there were many times when the questionable course of action appeared to be the most popular or even the most logical. But it wasn’t the right thing to do. Above all, Chris had to live with the decision and know that it was consistent with his and the School’s high ethical standards. Faced with the choice between expediency and conscience, he never abandoned his principles. And we have been the long-term beneficiaries of that wisdom.”

The thought and care Mr. Wadsworth put into each and every moment at the School is a lasting reflection of what

it meant to him. “Put simply,” Mr. Schneider says, “Chris loved Belmont Hill and the people who worked here.”

Perhaps the best way to honor and remember this remarkable school man would be to live out the sentiment Mr. Wadsworth himself shared during his final Baccalaureate address at the close of the 1992–1993 school year.

“Do not clutter up your life with extra material possessions. When your last breath is taken, the number of things you have accumulated will be less important to you than the relationships you have formed and the treasury of kindly deeds you have given.”

Mr. Wadsworth modeled this philosophy and for that, the entire Belmont Hill community will be forever grateful.

A celebration of Mr. Wadsworth’s life was held on March 8, 2026 in the Hamilton Chapel at Belmont Hill.

GLOBAL EXPERIENCES: Students Discovering the World and Themselves

By Cameron Chittock

For all Belmont Hill offers on campus, some students might find their most transformative moments thousands of miles away as part of the School’s expansive offerings from the Office of Global Experiences. Through access to trips, semester and year-long study away programs, and exchange opportunities, boys can connect to the larger world, and the Belmont Hill mission, in more ways than ever before.

The backbone of the Global Experiences are the weeklong domestic and international trips taking place during the spring and summer breaks. From the mountains of Yosemite National Park to the streets of Tokyo, from the cutting-edge technologies of Hangzhou to the centuries-old castles of Andalusian Spain, each trip strives to expose students to settings, cultures, and people they have not experienced firsthand before.

For Director of Global Experiences Juliette Zener, the lasting impact of a trip takes hold in the moments when the itinerary goes beyond the students’ expectations and sense of familiarity.

“In the ideal trip, in their encounters with the unfamiliar, the students don’t shut down but remain open and expand their zones of comfort and come to discover something about themselves,” Ms. Zener says. “On a seven-to-10-day trip, you’re going to be changed in some way.”

To entice students to embark on these expeditions, the trips are designed to tap into the boys’ academic and extracurricular interests. Faculty members, encouraged and inspired by Ms. Zener, tap into their own vast knowledge and personal passions to create these singular experiences.

The strategy is working as 120 students enrolled in the nine available trips for the 2025–2026 school year. Thanks to the guarantee of one domestic and one international trip accessible to each financial aid student during their time at Belmont Hill, every boy can take full advantage of the benefits of Global Experiences programming.

“When traveling on a Belmont Hill trip, students are able to connect with coursework and curriculum in new and meaningful ways,” says science teacher Tyson Trautz who developed the popular “Ecology and Geology in Hawai’i” trip.

The expedition to the Big Island started in 2011 because of Mr. Trautz’s own personal connection to the state—he previously worked for the National Park Service at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, and it’s where he met his wife.

“As a teacher of both AP Environmental Science and Marine Biology, I could not imagine a better location to

explore alongside my students,” Mr. Trautz says. “The people, culture, Polynesian cuisine, and—of course—the island’s remarkable habitats and biomes, make Hawai’i an ideal destination for meaningful learning and shared experience. It is one thing to see photographs in a textbook or hear about the vast diversity of life on coral reefs; it is another entirely to snorkel above a pristine reef and experience it firsthand.”

That depth of immersive learning can be particularly beneficial for language students. Boys who join French teacher Nancy Montanaro on the biannual “Francophone” trip travel across France visiting the iconic sights of Paris, partaking in a French cuisine cooking class, and playing Petanque in the famed Jardin du Luxembourg. The real highlight, however, is the chance to test and expand their language skills by navigating everyday life in France.

“The opportunity to live and experience the day-to-day culture of the students’ target language, from baguettes and cafés to the metro and street art, is one that is difficult to re-create within the walls of the classroom,” Madame Montanaro says. “I have seen students gain such a sense of accomplishment when they are able to understand and be understood in the language that they are studying in class and when they recognize things that we’ve discussed together at Belmont Hill.”

Chinese teacher Penghua Shen sees similar benefits on the “China Today” trip. Traveling across Hong Kong,

Francophone Trip, March 2024. The Hôtel de Ville in Paris, France.

RECENT

GLOBAL EXPERIENCES TRIPS

Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, boys witness both centuries-old traditions like tea cultivation, and the latest advances in technology. “It gives the boys an opportunity to encounter China not as an abstract subject of study, but as a lived, dynamic reality,” Mr. Shen says. “For the boys who learn Chinese at our school, it makes connections between what they’ve learned academically and what they are seeing firsthand.”

For Mr. Shen, the time abroad affirms the power of experiential learning. “It transforms knowledge into understanding and curiosity into genuine engagement.”

Some of the trips maintain a common theme but explore different locations each year, such as the “Outdoor Adventure” trip, which trekked through California’s Eastern Sierra region in 2024 and Yosemite National Park and the Hetch Hetchy Valley in 2026. Led by science teacher Jake DeCaprio ’16, this year’s trip explores the value of the United States’ public lands by bringing the boys into breathtaking spaces and vistas. “Living in Boston, it is often easy to forget how vast and diverse our country’s landscapes are, and I hope to inspire boys to do what they can to ensure those landscapes are preserved for future generations,” Mr. DeCaprio says.

The trip also provides ample opportunities to observe the impacts of climate and sustainability issues, such as deforestation and pollution, as well as the parks’ efforts to counter their effects. But for all the boys can learn about the natural world during the weeklong excursion, Mr. DeCaprio sees the most impactful change occur in the boys when they are pushed to look inward.

“Part of outdoor education is learning more about yourself,” Mr. DeCaprio says. “I have found that connecting with

Domestic

African American History and Culture Tour

Outdoor Adventure: Hetch Hetchy and Yosemite

Outdoor Adventure: Yellowstone & Grand Tetons

Geology and Ecology in Hawai’i Service, Song, and Sustenance: Nashville Service, Song, and Sustenance: New Orleans

International

China Today: Classic Culture and High Tech

Chinese Language: Taiwan

Classical History and Culture: Rome

Francophone: Paris and Lyon

Japan: Sacred Spaces and City Streets

Kenney Legacy Trip

Spain: Andalusia

Sustainability: Iceland

nature and physically challenging yourself can be both therapeutic and eye-opening for one’s capabilities, and offering those experiences to students is my favorite part of my job.”

While personal growth is a natural byproduct of many Belmont Hill trips, a number of them are designed with an even deeper and intentional sense of service, history, and reflection at their core.

Started by former school nurse Donna David, the annual Service Trip offers boys the opportunity to explore and help communities around the country. In the latest edition of the annual trip, students travel to Nashville, Tennessee, for a week of dedicated community service projects and music history. Whether cleaning up parks and serving meals, or visiting Music Row, the boys immerse themselves in the local community.

The annual African American History and Culture Tour was started in 2022 and visits landmark museums and historical locations for students to gain a tangible KAGEYAMA-HUNT

LECTURE SERIES

The Kageyama-Hunt Lecture Series, established in 2012 by Belmont Hill parents Bill Hunt and Yuko Kageyama-Hunt P ’11, ’18, brings speakers to campus who model global citizenship and can inspire generations of Belmont Hill boys to embrace the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world.

Featured speakers have included distinguished leaders in science, politics, and the arts. Recent highlights include Spanish-Peruvian photojournalist Moises Saman, whose work has documented two decades of conflicts and human upheaval from Afghanistan to Haiti, and Jason Hsu, former Taiwanese legislator-at-large and public policy expert.

connection to pivotal events and figures in African American history. The trip travels through Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia, making stops at iconic locations such as the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Rickwood Field in Birmingham, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta.

In addition to spending time visiting sites with deep historical significance, students engage with local communities to experience contemporary African American culture in regional contexts, such as music, food, visual art, and traditions unique to the South.

Established in 2017 to honor the legacy of Charlie Kenney ’06, the Kenney Legacy Trip visits World War II battlefields, memorials, and museums across Europe, such as the Winston Churchill War Rooms, the Bastogne War Museum, and the beaches of Dunkirk and Normandy.

“This endowed program pays tribute to Charlie’s life and honors his belief in the essential role of the military, the honor in serving one’s country, and the importance of understanding history,” Ms. Zener says.

“Charlie was deeply moved by his travels to World War II battlefields and memorials, and his family’s generosity has made that experience possible for generations of Belmont Hill boys.”

This year’s speaker was Clarice Assad, a BrazilianAmerican composer, pianist, and vocalist renowned for her musical versatility across classical, world music, pop, and jazz genres.

Both the African American History and Culture Tour and the Kenney Legacy Trip require participants to deliver a presentation in Chapel reflecting on their experiences. During his time at the podium, Scotty Moreau ’26 shared what being part of the Kenney trip meant to him.

“I think this trip will have a lasting impact on my life. Being able to see firsthand what American 18-year-old boys just like me were forced to deal with, proved to me to never take anything in life for granted,” Moreau remarked. “I developed a deeper appreciation for Charlie Kenney as well, understanding the privilege he had—just like all of us in the Chapel—to attend a school like Belmont Hill. But still he decided the best thing for him was to serve his country, and leave everything else in his life on hold. I am so thankful for the great opportunity I was given, and I will never forget my experiences on this trip.”

These powerful moments are ultimately possible thanks to the faculty and the Belmont Hill teaching model. The men and women conceiving, planning, and leading the adventures are able to design them with the boys’ growth in mind because of the relationships they’ve already built. The trips are a natural progression of that good work.

“School travel provides faculty with an invaluable opportunity to know students beyond the classroom,”

Mr. Trautz says. “By teaching, coaching, advising, and now traveling alongside them, we gain a deeper understanding of how our boys learn—and a chance to watch them grow, adapt, and succeed in a new environment.”

“Running trips allows me to build relationships with boys in ways I cannot always do on campus,” Mr. DeCaprio adds. “Many boys are pushed out of their comfort zone by doing activities like hiking, rock climbing, or camping for the first time, and it is in these moments that students build and rely on the trust and encouragement of those around them. The same principles apply to international trips. I have traveled to Taiwan with students who did not speak the language, and in many cases, those boys needed to rely on their trust in their peers and faculty chaperones to help them navigate each day.”

Students putting trust in peers they might not have otherwise gotten to know gets to the heart of one of Ms. Zener’s foundational goals for Global Experience initiatives. “It’s for the boys to have a great sense of the Belmont Hill community, teamwork, and brotherhood.

To be connecting to boys who are not only in their existing friend groups but across form levels. The ideal

is that they return to the School with a deeper sense of brotherhood. Not just existing friendships. That they have a distinct sense of a shared experience that bonds them throughout their time here.”

In that way, despite trading a Harkness table for hours traveling, or forging through wilderness instead of working in a lab, the Global Experiences are truly an extension of the work being done on campus each day to fulfill the promise of Belmont Hill’s mission.

JORGE MONTOYA: “I’m going to miss the energy”

By Cameron Chittock

Change is a natural element of school life as new faces, facilities, and traditions come and go.

Since 1993, however, Jorge Montoya has been a reliable constant and steady presence in the Spanish classroom and on the soccer fields at Belmont Hill.

“Dependable and kind, Jorge has always been a consummate professional across campus,” says Greg Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School. “A true team player, he has been a model for younger teachers in so many ways.”

Mr. Montoya first arrived on the Hill as a soccer instructor for the School’s summer sport camps where he worked with Cliff Goodband and former varsity soccer coach and Spanish teacher Mike Schafer. It was Mr. Schafer who recommended Mr. Montoya for the role

he has since held with distinction until his retirement after the first semester of the 2025–2026 school year.

While Mr. Montoya did not anticipate how long or impactful his career at the School would be when he started in 1993, the Belmont Hill community made an immediate impression on him. “The quality of people here, not only the faculty but the kids that we were working with, was outstanding,” he says.

The feeling was mutual, as Mr. Montoya quickly made a connection with students in the classroom, guiding them to reach their full potential in understanding the Spanish language. “I’m going to miss the energy they bring in,” he reflects. “It elevates your level. You have to come in prepared, you have to come in ready, you have to come in with energy.”

Dependable and kind, Jorge has always been a consummate professional across campus. A true team player, he has been a model for younger teachers in so many ways.

– GREG SCHNEIDER, RONALD M. DRUKER ’62 HEAD OF SCHOOL

Mr. Montoya found ways to rise to that challenge with a gift for teaching the language, and a welcoming, easy-going attitude. Matthew Gonçalves ’20 was one of the many students who benefited from the atmosphere Señor cultivated in his classes. “It was a great, lighthearted environment where everybody was encouraged to make mistakes and learn.”

As the modern language chair, Stewart Steffey has also seen the impact of Señor Montoya’s approach. “He’s fantastic in the classroom. He has a quiet demeanor but he’s really funny,” says Mr. Steffey. “You hear kids laugh a lot in his classes.”

A true teacher-coach, the same joy Mr. Montoya fostered in his students in the classroom translated to his teams on the athletic fields where he became the longest-serving head varsity coach in school history.

A graduate of Boston College, Mr. Montoya played soccer for four years and was selected as team captain for his senior season. After college, he played professionally for the Boston Bolts in the summers and in the Major Indoor Soccer League in the winters.

As the School’s varsity soccer coach, Mr. Montoya built an incredible legacy not only at Belmont Hill, but in all of New England. He was named the ISL Coach of the Year in 2008 and the NEPSAC Coach of the Year in 2024. During 33 seasons on the sidelines, he captured five ISL championships and took his teams to the New England Class A tournament 16 times. His final record stands at an astounding 328-113-83. Players from his tenure at the helm have gone on to star at both Division I and Division III programs throughout this time, none more so than in his final season where six players committed to play at the next level.

From winning the ISL championship in his first year, to making a playoff run in his final season, Mr. Montoya built a program of excellence for the entirety of his tenure on the sidelines.

Few people have experienced the profound impact of Mr. Montoya’s coaching career like Grayson Holland ’05 who played for him and joined his staff as an assistant coach upon returning to Belmont Hill as a member of the faculty. “Jorge has been everything to Belmont Hill soccer for more than 30 years, influencing a generation (or more) of players and gifting them with life-long memories from out on the field and friendships with each other,” Mr. Holland says. “While the records and numbers paint the picture of a remarkably successful career, I know it is the memories and bonds with each other that most soccer alumni remember most.”

Mr. Montoya built a program where wins and championships were the byproduct of a larger mission. “At the end of the day he cares about success and maximizing the experience for the boys,” says Chris Bracken ’15, another former player and current faculty member who joined Mr. Montoya’s staff as an assistant coach. “It’s not simply about winning the most games. It’s about how we grow them as young men, as men of character, and as athletes moving forward. Not just on the soccer field but in whatever activity they want to pursue.”

Mr. Montoya’s true talent lay in creating a culture the players simply love to be a part of. “He’s really focused on how he can make the experience the best it can possibly be for the boys,” Mr. Bracken notes. “Whether that’s on an international trip, whether that’s going bowling—he’s really focused on that whole team environment.”

That environment stood out for the ways it struck a balance between competition and teamwork, making each day on the field as fun as it was demanding. “As a young player who sometimes took things a bit too seriously, my experience at Belmont Hill reminded me what and why I love the game so much,” Mr. Holland adds. “I genuinely looked forward to practices at Belmont Hill every afternoon because I was surrounded and supported by good people. We shared plenty of laughs but also demanded a lot from each other.”

Much of the program’s success can be attributed to the adaptability of Mr. Montoya’s coaching philosophy. Rather than making the players fit into his preferred system, he learned the strengths of his players and structured the formation and style of play to maximize those skills.

“You pick the best players to be on the field,” Mr. Montoya says. “From there, you mold the team to fit even better than what a traditional line up would look like.”

For Mr. Montoya, this approach inherently built a sense of belief and selflessness into the team’s identity. “It’s about the culture, not only of the school but also of each team. So they know that if they’re going out for the team, they’re going to do what’s best for the team.”

Whether it was in the classroom, on the field, or across the world, Mr. Montoya took full advantage of opportu-

nities to share his knowledge and experience with those around him. The soccer team frequently traveled internationally for competitions, team building, and community service, and Mr. Montoya also chaperoned trips to Spain as part of the School’s Global Experiences program. “It has always been a pleasure sharing my two passions with the kids—soccer and my native tongue and culture,” Mr. Montoya says.

Reflecting on his time at the School, Mr. Montoya notes the joys of working alongside “so many dedicated and professional people.” For decades, Mr. Montoya set a standard of dedication and professionalism himself and left behind a community full of immense gratitude for his steadfast service.

“I’m very grateful for Coach Montoya for who he was to me,” says Ted Giannacopoulos ’98 who took Spanish with Señor Montoya and was part of the great Belmont Hill soccer teams of the 90s. “He really was a person that was a positive influence to me. Just a kind person, really nice person, who could just be a killer on the soccer field.”

While he returned to family in Spain upon his retirement from Belmont Hill, Mr. Montoya’s true legacy will be carried on through the countless students, athletes, and colleagues who had the privilege of working with him.

CHAPEL SPEAKERS

eric kapitulik | September 26, 2025

In a commanding Chapel Talk to kick off the year’s Speaker Program, Eric Kapitulik challenged the students to make a commitment to getting better every day as teammates and leaders by setting standards, holding each other accountable, and getting out of their comfort zones.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Mr. Kapitulik served in the Marine Corps. In 1999, during a routine training mission, Mr. Kapitulik and his Force Recon platoon were in a helicopter crash that resulted in the death of six of his fellow Marines. In an effort to raise money for a college scholarship fund set up for the children of his deceased teammates, Mr. Kapitulik completed marathons and events such as the Ironman Triathlon. In 2008, he founded The Program, a consultancy group designed to help corporations and athletic programs develop world-class teammates, leaders, and teams.

While Mr. Kapitulik acknowledged that not everyone will have to experience the same level of hardships he went through, everyone will have to be great teammates and leaders on their best and worst days. “Great teammates first set the example,” Mr. Kapitulik said, before emphasizing exactly what that meant for the boys in the pews. “The example is what it means to be one of the men of Belmont Hill. Be who you say you are. Embody your values.”

paige wallace—cum laude chapel | October 6, 2025

The Academic Awards Chapel honors outstanding academic achievements, including writing prizes, Advanced Placement Scholars, and the announcement of the Form VI students inducted into the prestigious Cum Laude Society.

Greg Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ’62 Head of School, opened this year’s ceremony by recognizing the academic commitments made by the entire student body. “I love walking through our hallways and being bowled over by the depth and sophistication of your work in our classrooms,” Mr. Schneider said. “I want to thank everyone in this room for the sacrifices you will continue to make to meet and exceed our standards of excellence. I never take these efforts for granted, and I want you to know that your dedication to these ideals truly does matter.”

Following the presentation of the awards, Cum Laude Speaker and English teacher Paige Wallace encouraged all students to seek out the topics or activities that bring them joy, and to see their Belmont Hill journey as more than a means to an end. “If you focus on developing the habits of asking questions, digging deeply into areas that interest you, and sharing your interests with others, awards and accomplishments will come,” Ms. Wallace said. “But more importantly, so will the excitement and joy of finding your own passion and sense of purpose.” Paige Wallace.

’12.

dave cunningham ’12—what character means to me | October 24, 2025

As part of a new Chapel Talk series entitled “What Character Means to Me,” Dave Cunningham ’12 spoke with honesty and eloquence about his own experiences at Belmont Hill where he credited family and mentors for modeling the values of character that he would come to instill in his own life. “I was fortunate to have amazing heroes in my life who mostly led me in the right direction.”

Of all the people in Mr. Cunningham’s corner, the most meaningful impact came from the example set by his grandmothers. Through their strength and love, Mr. Cunningham came to understand that there is no perfect definition of character. “Character isn’t about words,” Mr. Cunningham explained. “It’s not just the list of virtues you can slap on your classroom wall. It’s something you first identify in others, then embody, implement, chisel at, and refine.”

To truly become a man of high character, Mr. Cunningham encouraged the boys to look to the role models in their lives. “Use your heroes as road maps for what to do and how to act. Then implement those actions into your daily life. Actually be who you aspire to be. The goal is not perfection, but if you embrace challenges, remain present and humble during the joyous moments all while learning from those around you, slowly but surely those traits you adopt will become your character.”

alex santangelo ’15—veterans day chapel | November 11, 2025

As part of Belmont Hill’s annual Veterans Day Chapel Talk, students had the privilege of hearing from Alex Santangelo ’15, a former US Naval Officer who served aboard the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). Mr. Santangelo deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and throughout the Middle East in support of anti-drug and anti-weapon smuggling efforts, escort operations, and regional security. In 2024, he separated from active duty in the Navy and moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to pursue a joint Master in Business Administration and Master in Public Policy at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School.

While life on a Navy vessel might seem to be a different world from what the boys face at Belmont Hill, Mr. Santangelo purposefully drew connections from his experiences as a sailor to the choices and obstacles students face each day on campus. To illustrate this message, he called back to the Latin words adorning the School’s seal: fidelitas, providentia, and studium.

“We honor veterans today, not because they’re different from you. We honor them because they’re just like you,” Mr. Santangelo said. “Fidelitas, providentia, studium. These are not just Latin words. They’re part of the code that turns ordinary people into people who we remember on days like this. You don’t need to join the military to live these values or to lead a life of service.”

dr. maureen courtney—gratitude chapel | November 25, 2025

In the annual Gratitude Chapel, science teacher Dr. Maureen Courtney combined her mastery of the sciences, love for the Philadelphia Phillies, and sharp sense of humor to examine the lasting impact of stepping up for others in their most stressful moments. She explained how moments of embarrassment, fear, and shock can almost immediately become a permanent memory, and how that changes when those low moments are not faced alone.

“When we feel connected socially and engage with other people, we release the hormone oxytocin. It’s associated with relaxation, trust, and psychological stability and connection,” Dr. Courtney explained. “With compassion we can literally rewire someone’s brain. We can hijack that amygdala hippocampus pathway so that there’s a secondary memory of human kindness left behind.”

Dr. Courtney noted how even decades after her own moments of embarrassment and disappointment, she can still recall the people who stepped up and offered encouragement and support. “Strive to be the person someone else is grateful for,” Dr. Courtney said. “Be the person that makes such an impact that someone is expressing gratitude for you more than three decades after an act of kindness.”

rosetta lee—martin luther king jr. day speaker | January 20, 2026

As this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day speaker, Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee of Seattle Girls’ School (SGS) delivered a moving talk examining how storytelling can break barriers and shape community culture.

Since 2004, Ms. Lee has been a diversity speaker and trainer working with over 350 K-12 schools and over 100 colleges and universities. She serves SGS as a faculty member and outreach specialist. In addition to teaching subjects such as science, math, technology, art, ethics, and social justice, Ms. Lee designs and delivers trainings for the SGS community, nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses.

After sharing her own personal background and story, Ms. Lee encouraged students to consider what role they might play in someone else’s story, whether that’s acting as an obstacle, onramp, champion, or partner. By discussing the different ways everyday actions and choices impact others, Ms. Lee shined light on how each student has the opportunity to build an inclusive community at Belmont Hill.

As she reminded the boys, a school’s culture is not created simply by a speaker on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but by the good work done on a daily basis by each and every member of the community.

Arts on the Hill

Upper School

All

on the Western Front—Drew Agular ’28, Patrick Nolan ’27, Will Achtmeyer ’26, and Boston Ezedi ’26.

11. Evan Gerber ’30—Media Club.

12. Coffee House: Jack Baker ’31, Ethan Xie ’31, and Jack Kogler ’31.

and Grant Hanser ’26.

19. Fall Concert: Felix Krockmalnic ’29 and Michael Shortsleeve ’31.

20. Tadhg O’Sullivan ’29—Ceramics

21. Middle School Play: How Not To Be A Wizard Henry Bushey ’31

22. Noah Marrero ’28—Advanced Photography.

23. Fall Concert: Ryan Ho ’28.

24. Coffee House: Mr. Greg Schneider performs with his daughter Avery Schneider.

25. Grant Hynes ’29—Woodworking

26. Ben Smolenski ’29—Photography

27. TZ Snail ’26

28. Fall Concert: The B-Flats featuring a solo by Griffin Vail ’26.

29. Ben Smolenski ’29—Photography.

Coaches’ Corner

Cross Country

TYSON TRAUTZ, Head Coach

The varsity team finished with an impressive record of 13-2, and fought its way to a second-place finish at the ISL championships, where the JV team also finished second. For the NEPSTA Division 1 championships, varsity placed ninth overall and JV finished fourth.

The team started with the Bobcat Invitational in Durham, New Hampshire, a battle from start to finish against 15 New Hampshire schools. Will Trautz ’27 set a new course record of 16:09.9 and finished first overall, leading the varsity team to a fourth-place finish. On the JV side, Riley Marth ’27 stole the show, finishing fourth place overall, with four other Belmont Hill runners in the top 15. The JV team ended up with an impressive second-place finish, only 20 points behind the first-place team.

The first ISL meet of the season took place at the home course of Rock Meadow for Homecoming. In the dual meet against BB&N, the varsity team won with a clean sweep, 15-50, with Fitz Courtney ’26, Yamin Ibrahim ’27, and Declan Woolbert ’27 all sitting under 17:40. The JV boys dominated with another 15-50 win, led by six JV runners finishing before the first BB&N runner. It was a big win on both levels, setting the tone for the successful season to come.

The second race of the season was a quad meet against Nobles, St. Mark’s, and Thayer. Varsity lost a tight battle against Nobles 28-27, but still defeated St. Mark’s, and Thayer in two 15-50 sweeps. Trautz finished first overall with Fitz Courtney right behind in fourth place. JV also suffered a defeat to Nobles, but took down St. Mark’s and Thayer.

Week three was at Middlesex, in a fast quad meet against Thayer, Milton, and Middlesex. With little serious competition on the varsity side, Trautz, Courtney, Eita Fuse ’26, and Ibrahim tempoed the race, finishing first, second, fourth, and fifth overall. The strong performances all around allowed for wins against all three teams, a feat the JV team replicated as well.

For the following race, we returned to St. Mark’s in a tri-meet against BB&N, Brooks, and St. Mark’s. The runners took on the St. Mark’s hill in full force, scooping up another three wins. The JV team, led by Babikir Saeed ’26, also secured three additional wins, defeating these teams with ease. The boys were feeling good with ISLs only a few weeks away.

Next, the teams raced at St. Sebastian’s in a head-on dual meet. The Seb’s student section did not stop the Belmont

Hill boys from leaving them in the dust, led by Trautz, who set a new course record in a blistering 16:31. Overall, the race ended in a 27-32 victory. On the JV side, Saeed, Marth, Pierce Courtney ’28, and Colin Grierson ’29 led the team to victory.

For the last race of the year, the JV team continued its victorious streak, defeating Rivers and Lawrence before falling short to Nobles at Lawrence Academy. On the varsity side, Trautz furthered his list of course records by running a 16:01, shattering the previous record of 16:40. The team swept Lawrence 15-50, defeated Rivers 20-41, and lost to Nobles.

At the ISL championship the following week, Jack Good ’27 led the JV squad to a second-place finish in the league, coming in first place in the race overall with a speedy 17:48. Shortly behind, Colin Grierson ’29 came in third, Saeed in ninth, and Pierce Courtney and Marth both in the top 15. With strong performances all around, the second-place finish was well deserved for the boys of JV. On the varsity side, Trautz stole the show, winning his second consecutive ISL individual championship and coming in first place overall in 15:36. Fitz Courtney came in seventh with a personal record of 16:49, Fuse came in 16th, and Ibrahim came in 21st. Altogether, the varsity team also finished second in the league.

The NEPSTA Division 1 championship would be the steepest competition the boys faced this season. The varsity team took ninth place overall, with Trautz finishing in fourth place, earning himself All New England honors, and Fitz Courtney placing 32nd overall, earning an All New England Honorable Mention. The JV team finished an impressive fourth place overall with Saeed finishing 12th, Miles Keller ’29 in 20th, and Grierson in 24th.

Overall, it was a season marked by personal records and new milestones across all aspects of the team. With a podium finish at ISLs, Trautz and Fitz Courtney were named All League ISL, and Fuse and Ibrahim earned All ISL Honorable Mention. Trautz gathered another three course records under his belt and competed in the Nike Cross Regionals, one of the biggest stages in New England.

Football

ANTHONY FUCILLO, Head Coach

The 2025 varsity football team faced a lot of adversity this past season, but after starting with six straight losses, the boys never gave up and finished with two great wins to end the season. Senior captains Réis Little, Nick Fiumara, Trey Clayton, and Marcus Griffin did an outstanding job keeping the boys focused throughout and were big reasons why the team was able to finish strong.

The highlight of the season was the 38-35 come from behind victory over Lawrence Academy where the boys found themselves down 35-13 late in the third quarter. After scoring one touchdown, Little then connected with Will Fradette ’27 for a two-point conversion that brought the team within two scores, 35-21, at the end of the third quarter. After some great stops by the defense, Clayton connected with Little on the “Philly Special” to pull the boys within seven points. After a successful hook and ladder from Ajani Kromah ’27 to Clayton on 4th and 15, the offense tied the game at 35 with just over a few minutes remaining. On the ensuing drive, senior defensive tackle Riley Castillo, sacked Lawrence’s quarterback, causing him to fumble, and the ball was recovered by defensive end Michael Zapach ’27. The offense was able to get into field goal range for senior kicker Dylan Casillo to kick the game winner with seconds remaining.

The boys finished off the season with a 49-24 win over new opponent Trinity-Pawling where the offense put up a total of 472 yards with Griffin leading the way with 264 yards and two touchdowns. Senior tight end and punter Griffin Vail scored his first career touchdown in the game as well.

Although the season wasn’t like the previous two, The School should be proud of how the boys competed throughout the year. Even when outmatched, the team never gave up. Congratulations to the seniors who have put so much of their time into the program.

2025 Award Winners

William E. Croke Team MVP: Trey Clayton ’26, Cam Kelley ’26

Dr. Robert Saterlee Hurlbut ’29 Most Improved: Riley Castillo ’26, Griffin Vail ’26

Henry B. Sawyer Sportsmanship Award: Nick Fiumara ’26

Réis Little ’26

All-Class B First Team: Trey Clayton ’26

Nick Fiumara ’26

Griffin Vail ’26

All-Class B Second Team: Dylan Casillo ’26

Jack Conway ’28

Cam Kelley ’26

Ajani Kromah ’27

Réis Little ’26

Ky-Mani Monteiro ’27

Michael Zapach ’27

All-Class B Honorable Mention: Riley Castillo ’26

Declan Curtin ’27

Marcus Griffin ’26

Leo Kuehberger ’26

All-NEPSAC First Team: Trey Clayton ’26

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention: Nick Fiumara ’26

Soccer

JORGE MONTOYA, Head Coach

Belmont Hill finished an outstanding 2025 season with an overall record of 12-2-5 and a league record of 8-2-5, which was good enough to tie for third in the ISL. The team qualified for the Class A NEPSSA Tournament as the seventh seed, losing a spirited quarterfinal match 3-2 to ISL rivals Nobles. It was the first time since 2019 that the team qualified for the NEPSSA Tournament and the third consecutive year the team finished within the top four of the ISL.

This also caps off a remarkable run for the class of 2026. A large group of these 11 players have been integral to the team’s success across the last four years. During this time, the team compiled a record of 43-18-14, with 25 wins coming in the last two seasons. Equally impressive is the fact that the team only lost six games (out of 39) in the last two years, a mark of the group’s competitive spirit and resilience.

The team’s success this year can be attributed to many sources, and it was a challenge to try and distinguish individuals who were deserving of formal recognition as part of the team awards and All League ISL selections. Sam Lawrence ’26 and Jack Bartlett ’26 shared the Coaches Award (MVP), Andrew Lyon ’26 earned Most Improved, and James Houghton ’27 earned the Sportsmanship Award. At the league meeting, ISL coaches made selections for All League and Honorable Mention performers. Several Belmont Hill players were honored including All League honors for Lawrence, Bartlett, and

Adonai Samuel ’26, with Honorable Mention for Blake DaCosta ’26. Lawrence and Samuel were also named to the league’s All State team. Belmont Hill was also fortunate to have four players named to All NEPSSA teams with Lawrence and Bartlett named to the first team, and Samuel and DaCosta named to the second team.

This marks Coach Montoya’s final season at the helm of the varsity soccer program. For a remarkable 33 seasons, Señor has dedicated his time, passion, and energy toward building one of the most consistently successful programs in the ISL and New England. He finishes his career with 328 wins, five ISL titles, and a legacy that has profoundly affected a generation of Belmont Hill soccer players.

The team would like to thank everyone involved in making this season special, including Willis Negron and the equipment staff, Dennis Chin and the athletic training staff, Elton Matos and the facilities team, and Athletic Director George Tahan. Finally, the team would like to thank parents, students, and supporters of the team for a special year together.

Alumni & Family Events

form I parents in the chapel

henry b. sawyer jr. ’32 golf tournament for financial aid

September 29, 2025

The Henry B. Sawyer Jr. ’32 Tournament Scholarships were established by the Henry B. Sawyer Jr. ’32 Golf Tournament Committee. They are awarded to well-rounded students and threeseason athletes who demonstrate the personal integrity, the intellectual curiosity, and the sportsmanship that Mr. Sawyer embodied each and every day. The first scholarship was completed in 2004, the second was completed in 2006, the third in 2014, the fourth in 2016, and the fifth in 2021. A portion of the tournament proceeds supports current need-based financial aid, and a portion is building toward the sixth scholarship.

1. Landau Brothers: Scott ’88, David ’80, and Peter ’86.

2. John Carroll ’89 and Deb Sawyer.

3. Carl Dawson ’72, Mike Sullivan ’77, and Peter Gilpatric ’65.

4. Golfers preparing for the scramble.

5. Tim Casey ’82, Mike Ricciardelli ’91, and Rob Ricciardelli ’82.

6. David Bowser ’06, Mark Froot ’06, Ryan O’Conor ’06, and Jay Donovan ’06.

7. Marc Constatini, Chris Egan, Herb Wagner, and Bruce Jacobs.

8. Chip Tarbell ’76, Kevin Tarbell ’09, Austin Atkinson, and George Tahan.

9. Steve Weeks ’74, Bill Achtmeyer ’73, Charlie Doar, and Greg Paul ’09.

10. Josiah Wilde ’80, John Grady ’66, Greg Schneider, and Charlie Kenney.

11. Matt Simon ’18, Brian Antonelli ’18, Oisin Treanor ’18, and Bryan Gotti ’18.

12. Bill Achtmeyer ’73 and John Grady ’66.

13. C.J. Young ’86, Paul Popeo ’86, Jeff O’Neill ’87, and John Skinner ’86.

14. Mac Carroll ’06, Rob Glor ’06, and Teddy Blank ’06.

15. Arthur Sabounjian, Mark Kazanjian, Jim Kalustian ’78, and Ed Keljik.

16. Jim Peck ’77, Tom Green ’77, Emmett Lyne ’77, Tom Darling ’77, and Mike Sullivan ’77.

17. Ken Martin ’65, Mike Bowhers, and Chris Simon ’80.

September 19, 2025

1. Emmett Lyne ’77 and Philmore Anderson ’82.

2. Lydia Foster, Alvin Foster, and Azzie Young.

3. Varun Shah ’17 and Aman Shah ’10.

4. Graham Masiiwa, Greg Paul ’09, Rick Melvoin, Will Forde ’05, and Jalen Walker ’21.

5. Rick Melvoin, Philmore Anderson ’82, and Greg Schneider.

6. Leslie and Harvey Shaff.

7. Amy Safranek and Philmore Anderson ’82.

8. Philmore Anderson ’82 and Bertha Anderson.

9. Caroline Gray, Christina Cosman, Fetiya Omer, and Scheba Sainthelmy.

10. Fritz Sainthelmy, Will Forde ’05, and Greg Paul ’09.

11. Standing: Caleb Collins ’93, Emmett Lyne ’77, Greg Schneider, Philmore Anderson ’82, Bertha Anderson, Amy Safranek, David Walker ’82, Simone Scott-Walker, and Jon Biotti ’87. Seated: Rick Melvoin, Alvin Foster, Lydia Foster, Carolyn King, and Azzie Young.

12. David Walker ’82.

13. Greg Schneider.

14. Philmore Anderson ’82.

15. Emmett Lyne ’77, Philmore Anderson ’82, and Jon Biotti ’87.

homecoming

September 20, 2025

1. Brian Schools and his son, Luke.

2. Corey Cofield and his children, Corey Jr., Aubrey, and Braylen.

3. Louie Marobella ’26, Finn Kilbride ’26, Rylan Flynn ’27, and John Lynch ’27.

4. Dan Fulham ’78, Tim Fulham ’74, John Mazzone ’74, John Mackenzie, Rich Ronan ’74, Bill Finnerty ’74, and Steve Sheehan ’74.

5. Christopher McEvoy ’25, Andrew Hildebrandt ’25, Andy Davis ’07, Emerson Walker ’25, Ryan Pohl ’25, and Thomas Dolan ’25.

6. Sarah Greene, Tammy Kastner, Patty O’Neill Nolan, Jessica Scherer, Katie Healey, Megan Zug, and Lora Farkas.

7. Rick Melvoin and Greg Schneider.

8. The Loop.

9. Belmont Hill Football.

10. The Loop joins the soccer team, celebrating their win.

Terry Iandiorio Memorial Alumni Soccer Game

September 20, 2025

1. Great turnout for the Terry Iandiorio Alumni Soccer Game vs. Roxbury Latin.

2. John Cresap ’12.

3. Sam Iandiorio, Caley Iandiorio, Ellie Iandiorio, Ann Iandiorio, and Mason Iandiorio ’26.

Douglas T. Oppenheimer ’88 Tree Dedication

September 20, 2025

1. Tree Dedication.

2. Michael Beaudoin, Patricia Oppenheimer, Staunton Oppenheimer, Jeff Oppenheimer ’94, and Heather Davidson.

3. Staunton and Jeff Oppenheimer ’94 with Greg Schneider.

4. Jon Biotti ’87, George Lynch ’88, Tagg Romney ’88, Peter Leis ’88, and Tony Maws ’88.

5. Chris Russell ’91, Jason Eslick, John McAlpin, George Seeley, and George Tahan.

Head of the Charles Regatta

October 19, 2025

1. Tony Maws ’88, Pete Leis ’88, and Tim Wood ’71.

2. Halsey Morris, Grant Morris, Pierce Morris ’28, and Laura Morris.

3. Jaiden Lee ’26 and Coby Kelly ’27.

4. Belmont Hill Youth 4+: Tyler Smith ’26, TZ Snail ’26, Babikir Saeed ’26, Andrew Gilmore ’27, and Sammy Flood ’26.

5. Todd Davis, Alex Afeyan ’16, Sarah Galligan, Chris Richards, Jack Richards ’16, Cole Durbin ’14, Dave Leonardis, and Luke Trevisan ’24.

6. Chris Richards, Ryan Ho ’28, Ethan Xie ’26, Griffin Vail ’26, Rhett Curtis ’26, Will Fradette ’27, Cooper Schuldt ’28, Will Achtmeyer ’26, Thomas Danahy ’26, Owen Popkowski-Smith ’27, Stephen George, and Graeme Calloway.

7. Johannes Eikeboom ’27, Blakeley Whitehouse ’29, and Milo Davis ’29.

8. Amy Schneider and Lisa Borneman.

9. Chris Bracken ’15, Myles Walsh ’15, and John Driscoll ’15.

new york city reception

Hosted by Tim Kelly ’88

January 21, 2026

4. Gene Williams ’09 and Colin Hutzler ’06.

5. Jalen Walker ’21 and Lebanos Mengistu ’17.

6. Tim Kelly ’88, Greg Schneider, Scott Parrot ’91, and Chris Boyle ’89.

Peggy Corbett Valentine Brunch

February 11, 2026

1. Erin Butterworth and Natalie Willi.

2. Meg Umlas and Lisa Harrison.

3. Megan Zug, Joe Smith, and Laurel Britt-Webb.

4. Barbara Bailey and Andrea Ricci.

5. Students handed out roses to attendees.

6. The B-Flats performed, led by Donell Patterson.

7. College counselor, Head Form VI advisor, and coach Jamie Phinney was this year’s featured speaker.

8. Greg Schneider.

Class Notes

ALUMNI, FACULTY, AND STAFF: We would love to hear from you and share your latest news with the Belmont Hill School community. Please email your notes and photos to alumni@ belmonthill.org. Length and content are subject to editorial approval; some submissions may appear as excerpts. The deadline for the Summer/Fall Bulletin is June 2, 2026.

VETERAN’S PROFILE: Have you served in the military? To be publicly recognized in the Belmont Hill School Military Register, please complete the online form found under “Alumni” on the website. If you have any questions, please call the Alumni Office at 617.993.5203.

1968

PETER CLARK ’68 writes, “I was named Outstanding Lecturer in the Master’s in Management (MiM) program at UCL School of Management for the past academic year, AY 2024–25. This is the fourth time I have received the Best Lecturer designation. My fifth book, tentatively titled Merger/Wise: The Acquirer Success Program Comes of Age, is intended for publication before the close of 2026.”

’74, Tim Fulham ’74, and Dan Fulham ’78.

Watch The Jimmy Project on YouTube. Or scan the QR code.

1. Bill Cleary ’52 stopped by campus in November.

2. Fred Quinn ’64 and faculty member Caleb Collins ’93 met by chance on the sidelines of a lacrosse tournament in Florida in the fall.

3. Randy Byrnes ’65 and Brian Shortsleeve ’91 at the Naples Yacht Club in February.

4. Bob Wright ’68 encountered Mark Milley ’76, who was also at Princeton’s Homecoming.

5. Bob Wright ’68 and Larry Sanford ’68 at Princeton’s Homecoming in the fall.

6. Chet Homer ’69 stopped by campus in December.

7. Head of the Charles Alumni crew: Tom Pounds ’78, Dan Schley ’73, Jon White ’73, and Tim Fulham ’74.

REMEMBERING JIMMY REYNOLDS ’74

BY STEVE SHEEHAN

’74, BILL FINNERTY ’74, RICH RONAN ’74, JOHN MAZZONE ’74, AND TIM FULHAM ’74

More than fifty years have passed since the fall of 1973, but when we reunited to remember our friend and teammate Jimmy Reynolds ’74, it was as if no time had gone by at all. The bonds we formed as classmates and members of the 1973 Belmont Hill football team remained strong, unbroken, and true.

One evening, we gathered at Steve’s house to reminisce and discuss how to honor Jimmy in a meaningful way. Steve had somehow saved the game tapes from that ’73 season, and from those, The Jimmy Project was born— a video tribute to our quarterback and friend. Hearing Coach John

Mackenzie recall his memories of Jimmy and that remarkable season is one of the project’s true highlights. Jimmy’s death reminded us that even the strongest among our class of 1974 are not immune to life’s fragility. We mourn his loss and share in his family’s sorrow. Yet, in his passing, Jimmy brought us together. Working as a team again after all these years—laughing, remembering, and creating something lasting—has been deeply rewarding. Jimmy reminded us how important we are to each other, and how the memories of Belmont Hill continue to shape who we are today.

1977

JOHN EHRMAN ’77 writes: “After 42 years, I retired from the federal government at the end of September 2025. A month later, Diane (also retired) and I did what we have been talking about for three decades—came back to Boston. Specifically, we bought a home in Cambridge, a twenty-minute walk from Harvard Square. We’re still unpacking, but happy for any classmates to get in touch or drop by.”

1. Paul Alfano ’77 and Mark Alfano ’75 at Mark’s son Peter’s wedding.

2. David Ratcliff ’77 stopped by the Alumni House in September and picked up a copy of the Belmont Hill Centennial book.

3. David Walker ’82 and Philmore Anderson ’82 at the MAP evening honoring Philmore. See page 32 for more photos.

4. New grandpa and former faculty member Chris Sweeney ’83.

5., 6. Tony Maws was interviewed for a February segment on WCVB-TV5’s lifestyle news program Chronicle, pictured with cameraman Bob Oliver and reporter Shayna Seymour Carr. His son Charlie ’26 was also interviewed about his father’s presence and impact on campus.

7. Dan Ronan ’94 stopped by the Alumni House.

Members of the Class of 1976 were joined by Belmont Hill faculty members for a 50th reunion planning dinner and meeting in October. Seated: Larry Diran ’76, Pete Fordham ’76, David Needham ’76, Rick Noone ’76, and Ken Martin ’65. Standing: Bob Puopolo ’76, Chip Tarbell ’76, Alastair Caperton ’76, George Nardi ’76, Michael Sherman, and George Seeley.

Annual Class of 1984 Thanksgiving Day Game: Front row: Ava Guleserian and Matt Martines ’22. Second row: Ryan Martines, Nat Brown, Steve Bilafer ’84, Brian Bilafer, Chris Brown ’84, Tad Guleserian ’84, Ian Levine ’84, Dr. Roger Nowak ’84, Luke Guleserian ’24, and Megan Martines. Back row: Mark Martines ’84, Will Brown, Dan Harding ’84, Doug Wolf ’84, Todd Jackson ’84, Joe Tully ’84, Jason Wolf ’20, Clara Tully, and Tremell McAlpine. Joining the game a bit late and not pictured were Paul Zurlo ’84, Brian McCarthy ’84, Hunter McCarthy, Wayne Fitzpatrick ’84, and Matthew Fitzpatrick. Joining for lunch were Sue Tully and Lydia Tully.

1. Ryan Goodband ’98 stopped by the Alumni House before his son Owen’s (Class of 2028) soccer game.

2. Colin Barnicle ’04 and Nick Barnicle ’03 addressed students in Chapel on October 10, 2025, sharing stories about their career in documentary filmmaking. Pictured with arts faculty Dan Duarte and student Mason Iandiorio ’26.

3. Nick ’03, Mike, and Colin ’04 Barnicle.

4. Zach Heath ’07 and his son Michael bumped into Ryan Dowd ’07 and his son Kelly in the Jordan Athletic Center in January.

5. Zach Heath ’07 stopped by the Alumni House with his sons, Michael and Blake, before cheering on the Belmont Hill hockey team.

6. Kathryn and Mike Wang ’07 welcomed their second child, William James Wang, on September 29, 2025.

7. Brooks Wachter DiBiase and Blaire Elizabeth DiBiase were born on November 28 to Tory and Ugo DiBiase ’09. They join brothers Theo and Archie.

8. Belmont Hill alumni attending the wedding of Robert Alexander ’10 and Mollie McLaughlin (foreground): Nicholas Ogonowsky ’10, Charles Cahill ’10, Peter Kaloostian ’10, Alexander Starr ’10, Thomas Muse ’10, Kevin Connors ’10, John Bergantino ’11, and Henry Adrian van Seventer ’10.

9. Adam Gabriel Luo born on December 19, 2025, to Yuliana and Dave Luo ’13.

10. On September 27, 2025, Mike Leary ’13 married Alison Grogan in Newport, Rhode Island. Pictured: Austin Frank ’13, Patrick Westwater ’13, JP Miller ’13, Jon Goodman ’13, Mike Leary ’13, Alison Leary, David Pottle ’13, Tripp Hostetter ’13, Petros Davos ’13, and Patrick Burpee ’13.

2005

Congratulations to MILES MCALPIN ’05, who has published his first children’s book, Where Ya Goin’, Rowan?

—a heartwarming picture book that celebrates creativity, connection, and the magic of storytelling between parent and child. The book is ideal for ages 3 to 7.

2011

Jessica and Agazi Desta ’11.

Congratulations to AGAZI DESTA ’11 and Jessica Ticas, who celebrated their destination wedding in Cancun in May 2025. Agazi writes, “It was a fun play on my name—we called it a DestaNation Wedding. It was an amazing time for our family and close friends. My brother, A.T. ’05, served as my best man, and a few of my classmates—Mike Spence and Jack Hallowell—were among my groomsmen.”

1. JP Miller ’13 and his wife, Madi’s, NYE wedding in Portland, Oregon. Austin Frank ’13, Petros Davos ’13, best man and brother Nate Miller ’17, Patrick Burpee ’13, Nick Curtin ’13, (behind JP and Madi) David Pottle ’13, Mike Leary ’13, Patrick Westwater ’13, and Tucker Rhodes ’13.

2. Alex Santangelo ’15, the 2025 Veterans Day Chapel speaker, was joined by classmates and several faculty members for coffee in the Alumni House prior to his Chapel talk. Seated: Chris Butler, Dixon Hargrove, Alex Santangelo ’15, Alex Andriolo ’15, and Tim Sullivan. Standing: George Tahan, Joe LaLiberte ’14, Chris Bracken ’15, and Don Bradley.

3. Veterans Day Chapel presentation by Alex Santangelo ’15.

4. Super Bowl LX: Maahin Gulati ’18, Ethan Roberts ’18, Seattle Seahawk Jake Bobo ’18, Matthew Simon ’18, and Tony Marinello ’18.

5. Four Belmont Hill boys—Declan Curtin ’27, Mark Milley ’76, Jack Curtin ’20, and Dan Curtin ’87—at Jack’s commissioning ceremony at Princeton in May 2025.

6. T.J. Cannistraro ’24 returned to campus in January 2026 with the Stereotypes, an a cappella group from Washington University in St. Louis, who performed in Chapel. T.J. is pictured with Belmont Hill Music Director Donnell Patterson.

7. Juan Pablo Fernandez del Castillo ’25 stopped by the Alumni House in October of 2025 while he was home from Notre Dame for fall break.

8. James Keefe ’25 during a visit to campus, with admissions staff member and rowing coach Lawrence Lopez.

young alumni college dinners

1. boston college: In September, the alumni who currently attend Boston College were visited by Belmont Hill for a dinner at Cityside Tavern. First row: Tim Sullivan and George Tahan. Second row: Christopher McEvoy ’25, Nathan Folker ’25, Dennis Chin, Ryan Pohl ’25, Tyler Hanson ’24, Tommy Folan ’25, Samuel Dean ’24, Anton Schmitt ’22. Third row: James Mullowney ’24, Matthew Flaherty ’24, Jack Mackey ’22, Connor Mackey ’24, Charles March ’22, Cole Sparks ’24, and Matthew Martines ’22.

2. dartmouth college: In October, Belmont Hill visited alumni who currently attend Dartmouth College for lunch. Standing: Will Walton ’25, Mac Bobo ’22, Jack Kastner ’25, and Eli Goldstein ’23. Seated: Cameron Connell ’23, Luke Trevisan ’24, and Tom Gougen ’22.

3. tufts university: Belmont Hill joined alumni who currently attend Tufts University for dinner in November. Standing: Andy Davis ’07, Alexander Sousa ’22, Tyson Trautz, Chris Bracken ’15, Jake DeCaprio ’16, Vine Mezzanote ’25, and Miles Sandoski ’24. Seated: Ethan O’Neill ’22, Michael Salvatore ’22, Lev Tolkoff ’24, Jack Sheehan ’24, and Luke Theberge ’23.

Young and Recent Alumni Event at Trillium

Thursday, February 19, 2026

1. Dennis Chin, Tim Sullivan, Tyson Trautz, Chris Bracken ’15, and Joe LaLiberte ’14 attended along with the classes of 2010–2023.

2. Dennis Chin, Michael Dutile ’19, Cal Place ’21, and Jack Flynn ’19.

3. Chris Bracken ’15, Max Rudzinsky ’16, Alex Afeyan ’16, and George Tahan.

4. Nolan Parchesky ’20, Isaiah Gomes ’20, Lawrence Tang ’22, and Will Seward ’22.

FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES

1. Congratulations to science faculty member Maya Gorman and her husband, Dan, on the birth of their daughter, Irina, on December 8.

2. Congratulations to faculty member Andy Davis ’07 and his wife, Colleen, on the birth of their son Liam on January 29, 2026. Liam joins big brother Tyler.

3. George Tahan with coach Bill Belichick, who was on campus during a football game.

4. From former faculty member Jeff Fast, “James Harrison and his son Joseph came to visit on December 28, 2025. James arrived at Belmont Hill in January 1994 on an English exchange program. He took a Milton elective from me that semester. He and his wife Polly have five children. He is a Latinist and, since 2006 has been teaching at St. Paul’s School, an all-boys day school northwest of London. Prior to that, he had been teaching at Westminster School in London. Joseph is a PhD candidate in Theology at Oxford.” They posed with a life-size photo of Jeff from his retirement celebration.

5. Rick Melvoin came to speak to our AP American Studies class in September. Dr. Melvoin led the boys through a deep exploration of Puritan New England. Pictured with Dean of Studies Eric Smith

6. Elton Matos (director of facilities) and Tony Maws ’88 (director of culinary excellence) with Richard Brown (kitchen staff) enjoying his first Belmont Hill hockey game, January 10, 2026. Richie has been a member of the dining crew and Jordan Athletic Center staff for more than two decades.

7. Retired faculty members George Seeley with Jorge Montoya on campus during the tree dedication to Doug Oppenheimer ’88. See additional photos on page 35.

Walter William Welch III, of Keene, NH, died on September 19, 2025. He was 87.

Mr. Welch was born in a town north of Boston in November 1937. He was one of many fun-loving children born to Lillian and Walter Welch Jr.

He spent his formative years growing up in Nahant, MA. As a youngster, he enjoyed his siblings, living at the beach, boating, skiing, wildlife, sports, writing poetry, and all the adventures that the Boston area offered such as Scollay Square. He spent untold days exploring Egg Rock once he was old enough to command a boat on his own. He enjoyed many summers as a youngster attending camp in Cape Cod and later as camp counselor, lifeguard, and swimming and small crafts boating instructor.

After Belmont Hill, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, where he also met his beloved wife, Edna.

Mr. Welch joined the United States Army through the ROTC. He served a long career faithfully with mind and heart, most notably serving multiple tours of combat duty in the Vietnam Conflict.

After an honorable discharge from the military, Mr. Welch continued his service to his country as a civilian. In what he felt became his true calling, he dedicated the remainder of his employed life, well beyond normal retirement age, to ensuring the quality and integrity of the equipment and technologies provided to the young men and women soldiers of the United States Armed Forces. He became well

known in the New England region for his dedication to that cause, and companies like Timken (MPB) kept a desk for him.

During his off-hours, he enjoyed many interests, including the collection of timekeepers, coins, world travel, and hunting and fishing in the New Hampshire woods.

Mr. Welch will be remembered most by his friends for his listening ear, patience, generosity, humility, and gentle spirit. He is survived by his granddaughter, daughter and son-in-law, ex-daughter-inlaw, sisters and brother, brother-in-law, as well as many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. Mr. Welch was predeceased by his wife, his wife’s parents, a brother-in-law, his own parents, longtime partners of sisters, and Edgard Vivas and his older sister, as well as too many comrades in arms.

Frederick Voss (Fritz) Casselman, of Boston and Cataumet, MA, died on September 16, 2025. He was 76.

Mr. Casselman was born in 1949, the youngest of four children of the late Robert Crozer Casselman and Dorothy Voss Casselman. He grew up in Newton, MA, in a home with high expectations and a social conscience. He went on to the University of Wisconsin for his undergraduate years, and while there, he helped lead anti-war protests, wrote a string quartet, and began dating a young Englishwoman, Susan Ashbrook. They married on his 24th birthday and raised two sons, Ben and Peter, in Boston and Cataumet.

He considered a career in politics, helping to run campaigns while theoretically attending law school at Boston University. Law school was more successful than the campaigns, and Mr. Casselman ended up spending the early part of his career as an attorney, first as chief counsel of the state Labor Relations Commission and then as a partner at Bromberg Sunstein & Casselman. He later shifted his focus to biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, working in business development for various companies. Late in his career, he worked for the Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS initiative, using his industry expertise to help make antiretroviral drugs affordable in developing nations.

Mr. Casselman loved people—singing with them, sailing with them, gathering with them afterwards to talk about all the singing and sailing they had just done together, telling stories to them, planning parties, and dressing up in goofy costumes to stick stickers on their faces in Boston’s annual First Night procession. And when, late in his life, illness prevented him from doing those things, he loved simply being around people.

He was a leader in every community he was a part of. In the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, where he lived for nearly 50 years, Mr. Casselman helped forge common ground between residents, businesses, and developers in his years on the board of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB). In the Cape Cod village of Cataumet, where he spent summers since boyhood, he helped revive and lead the Cataumet Club’s biennial clambake, delighting in the way people came together to collect the seaweed, place the rocks, and tend the fire. The community effort mattered more than the meal.

In his personal life, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, with a heartylaugh and a love of a good story. In his professional life, he had a lawyer’s love of argument, but not for its own sake. His colleagues in both his business and volunteer work noted his focus on finding solutions and his willingness to listen to the other side in any dispute.

Other than his family, he was perhaps most proud of his community activities. Besides his work at NABB and the Cataumet Club, he was a director of the Esplanade Association, where he took particular pride in the role he played in the development of the Frances Appleton pedestrian bridge. He also served as a board member at the Learning Project Elementary School, as a member of the Institutional Review board at Massachusetts General Hospital, and as co-chair of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for air-rights development projects over the Massachusetts Turnpike.

A lifelong music lover, he sang for years with Chorus Pro Musica, performing around the Boston area and beyond, including at Carnegie Hall. But he was just as happy strumming the washtub bass he made so that he could join jam sessions after Catboat races.

A skilled sailor, he competed in the famed Newport-to-Bermuda race and the less famous Cold Turkey Regatta (a surprisingly competitive set of Beetle Cat races formerly held on the day after Thanksgiving). But his favorite days on the water were the ones with no destination at all, just a warm breeze and a rising tide. He would come back to the harbor under full sail, barreling toward the beach before making a perfect dock landing, with the whole community watching from the beach.

Mr. Casselman is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susan Ashbrook; his sons and their partners, Ben (Erin) and Peter (Erica); and a granddaughter, Vivian, who knew him as “Bompi.” He is also survived by his brother, Ted ’66; sister, Margery Connor; and numerous nieces and nephews. Another brother, Carl ’62, died in 2013.

Frederick C. Calder, former faculty member in the early 1960s, died on November 5, 2025, at age 80. His obituary will appear in the next edition.

2025–2026 Board of Trustees

Jon M. Biotti ’87, President

William F. Achtmeyer ’73, Vice President

Gregory J. Schneider, Secretary

Christopher J. Hadley, Treasurer

Samuel P. Bartlett

Florence T. Bourgeois

Mortimer J. Buckley III ’87

Mark D. Chandler ’74

James D. Coady ’88

Gretchen R. Cook-Anderson

Christina M. Coughlin ex officio

Warren Cross Jr. ’83

Carl D. Dawson ’72

Groom Dinkneh ’09

Jeffrey D. Drucker ’90

Ronald M. Druker ’62

Jean C. Egan

William A. Forde ’05

John T. Grady Jr. ’66

Danielle A. Heard

Jason H. Hurd ’90

Joshua M. Isner ’04

Stephen R. Karp ’57

Jonathan A. Kraft ’82

George W. Lynch II ’88 ex officio

Emmett E. Lyne ’77

Todd A. MacLean

Amy B. Madden

Carl J. Martignetti ’77

Gregory C. Paul ’09

Sarah H. Pelmas

Taggart M. Romney ’88

Brian J. Shortsleeve ’91

Herbert S. Wagner III

BELMONT HILL

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CORPORATION CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATION

Throughout the School’s history, Trustees and Corporators have been men and women of vision, energy, and wisdom. They are selected for their special interests and talents, for their abilities to bring informed advice to the School, and for their commitment to the School’s mission. They take an active role in philanthropic support of the School and represent Belmont Hill in their communities. In that spirit, the School continues to seek candidates from a range of backgrounds, experiences, and areas of expertise.

Thank you for taking the time to identify individuals who could provide strong leadership for Belmont Hill. Please send your recommendations to alumni@belmonthill.org

Belmont Hill School

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www.belmonthill.org

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please address all correspondence to the Bulletin editor at the above address, or email us at communications@belmonthill.org

director of external affairs

Steven W. Carr Jr. ’93

managing editor

Amy Hirsch

editors

Lindsey Taylor

Cameron Chittock

class notes & in memoriam

Eileen Foley

Harold Prenatt

photography

Jim Campos, Dan Duarte, John Gillooly Jr., Kristie Gillooly Dean, Amy Hirsch, Claire Lewis, Adam Richins, Lindsey Taylor, and the Belmont Hill archives.

©2026 Belmont Hill School. All rights reserved. Design by: amn brand + design amnbrand.com

On back cover: Jorge Montoya walked out to a gathering of students, faculty, and staff for a “clap out” after teaching his final class on January 16, 2026.

Below: Iceland Sustainability Trip, March 2025. Chase Quandt ’28, CJ Fortes ’28, Joe Burns ’28, Antonio Codreanu ’28, and Wyatt Chicos ’28.

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