Courtney Evans Sacchetti ’93 Stamford, Connecticut
TREASURER
Jared Pinsker ’97 Orange, Connecticut
Dr. William A. Petit, Jr. Plainville, Connecticut
Todd Savage ’98
Alexandria, Virginia
Robert Svensk ’64 Southport, Connecticut
Martha Triplett, Esq., P’20 Cheshire, Connecticut
Edgar B. Vinal ’86, P’16,’19 Southington, Connecticut
Donald Rosenberg ’67 Snowmass Village, Colorado
Armando Simosa P’08 Rome, Italy
2 A Mission for Our Future
A
4 Welcome to Our New Trustees
Priya Joseph P’26, William “Willy” MacMullen, and Robert E. Svensk ’64 have joined the Board
6
10
Commencement and Convocation
Celebrating graduating seniors at our 231st Commencement in May and welcoming a new class of students at Convocation in September
Venturing Out
How Cheshire Academy students turn passion into purpose
16 Class is in Session
Cheshire Academy teachers and staff are sharing their expertise with a national audience
A Message from Head of School Tom Woelper
A Mission for Our Future
I’m writing to share an important milestone in our school’s journey — one that I hope will resonate with your own Cheshire Academy experience and inspire your continued engagement with our community.
This past year, we embarked on a comprehensive process to refresh our mission statement as the foundational first step in our strategic planning. This refresh represents more than updating language; it establishes the guiding principles that will chart our path forward.
A Community-Wide Endeavor
Through surveys and listening sessions, we engaged 254 members of the CA community — students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends. Our committee synthesized this collective voice, mapping themes and testing language against both our lived experience and educational best practices.
The result, approved by our Board of Trustees, is a statement both succinct and powerful:
“Cheshire Academy challenges and supports individual students in developing the character, critical thinking, and confidence to flourish as purposeful global citizens.”
The Power of Intentional Language
While this statement is 11 words shorter than our previous version, brevity isn’t the most important change. Every word is intentional, connected to educational research, pedagogy, and historical philosophy.
Consider our carefully chosen verbs: “challenge” highlights how we push students beyond their comfort zones, while “support” demonstrates that we provide the nurturing to help them take necessary risks. The verb “flourish” showcases our commitment to comprehensive well-being — a concept extending from Aristotle to modern research at Harvard. Our students are not just college-ready, but life-ready.
The nouns create a deliberate progression: our community (Cheshire Academy), the whole persons who are our focus (students), and a trinity of development — who they are (character), how they engage (critical thinking), and what empowers them (confidence). It’s a progression from being to doing to becoming.
The result is a mission devoid of trendy language and empty rhetoric, ensuring clear commitment, measurable outcomes, and daily accountability. For those seeking something easier to remember, we’ve distilled our mission into a tagline: “Individual Growth. Global Purpose.”
Looking Ahead Together
As we build our strategic plan on this foundation, I invite you — our alumni, donors, friends, and families — to be part of the conversation about Cheshire Academy’s future. Your experiences and perspectives are invaluable as we work to fulfill this mission and ensure that CA continues to challenge and support students in developing the character, critical thinking, and confidence to flourish.
I welcome your thoughts, questions, and ideas. Please reach out to share how this mission resonates with your experience and how you’d like to engage in shaping the next chapter of our school’s story.
With warm regards and CA pride,
Tom Woelper P’26 Head of School
“Cheshire Academy challenges and supports individual students in developing the character, critical thinking, and confidence to flourish as purposeful global citizens.”
New Trustees Bring Business Acumen, Educational Expertise to Cheshire Academy
Joseph P’26, MacMullen, Svensk ’64 have joined the Cheshire Academy Board of Trustees, bringing a wealth of knowledge from the education and international business fields.
The Cheshire Academy Board of Trustees has welcomed three new members — Priya Joseph P’26, William “Willy” MacMullen, and Robert E. Svensk ’64. They were elected during the Board’s May meeting and began their terms on July 1, 2025.
Joseph and MacMullen were elected to four-year terms. Svensk was elected to replace a vacancy and will serve a one-year term.
Priya Joseph P’26
Priya Joseph is a businesswoman with a background spanning entrepreneurship, investment, corporate leadership, and social development. A global citizen, she has an educational background in public health, ESG investing, and leadership for change, and has over two decades of diverse experience across industries and geographies. Widely traveled, she has lived in the U.K., Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, and China, and studied in five of them.
Her entrepreneurial journey began as part of the founding team of Wonderla Holidays Ltd., Asia’s largest publicly traded theme park company. Her work as an entrepreneur continues; running Buffet Fusion Foods Pvt. Ltd. and Metara Ventures PL (founder and managing partner). She also founded Adhyan, a social impact organization very close to her heart — a nonprofit trust, through which Priya supports vulnerable women and children across India.
Currently, as the director of talent development CSR & ESG at GAO Capital, Singapore, Priya leverages her expertise in nurturing talent and driving sustainable growth.
Willy MacMullen
As head of school of The Taft School from 2001 to 2023, Willy MacMullen has more than 40 years of experience in educational leadership and institutional advancement. Under his stewardship, Taft saw remarkable growth in its endowment, expanded financial aid programs, increased diversity among students and faculty, and advanced major campus development projects. MacMullen’s fundraising prowess was demonstrated through the successful completion of a $180 million capital campaign, while his strategic vision guided the construction or renovation of six major buildings during his tenure.
MacMullen was also an upper school English teacher at Taft, where he created innovative curriculum, including a Wilderness Literature course, and served in progressive roles, including college counselor, director of teaching fellowships, dean of faculty, and dean of academic affairs. His contributions were recognized with both the Edwin C. Douglas Chair and the Abramowitz Award for Teaching Excellence.
A leader in educational accreditation, MacMullen served on the NEASC Commission on Independent Schools (CIS) for eight years — four as chair — and oversaw the accreditation of hundreds of schools, including when Cheshire Academy underwent its Ten-Year Self-Study and Accreditation. He has served on or chaired decennial accreditations at Lawrence Academy, Westminster School, Pomfret School, Groton School, Middlesex School, and School Year Abroad.
Bob Svensk ’64
Bob Svensk ’64 brings more than four decades of distinguished experience in international business, finance, and nonprofit leadership to the Cheshire Academy Board of Trustees. As founder and principal of Trade Credit Underwriters Ltd, he established himself as a leader in the field of export credit and political risk insurance. He was also the founder and former CEO of Exporters Insurance Company Ltd. and president of AIG Political Risk Inc.
Svensk’s foundation in government service and international development financing shaped his understanding of global economics and public-private partnerships.
No stranger to the Cheshire Board, Svensk served from 1998 to 2007 and was an active member of the Board’s Development Committee. He served as a class agent, helping to maintain connections among alumni and supporting fundraising initiatives.
A graduate of Wesleyan University and Harvard Business School, Svensk has been an adjunct professor of international business at both Pace and Sacred Heart universities and has served on the boards of Connecticut Humanities, Preservation Connecticut, and the Southport Conservancy.
The Cheshire Academy community welcomes Joseph, MacMullen, and Svensk to their new roles as Board members and looks forward to the insight and expertise they will bring to the group.
Cheshire Academy Celebrates Milestones: Commencement and Convocation 2025
Cheshire Academy, the nation’s 11th oldest boarding school, marked significant milestones in 2025, celebrating the achievements of graduating seniors at our 231st Commencement in May and welcoming a new class of students at Convocation in September.
Commencement 2025: A Celebration of Journeys
On May 31, Cheshire Academy awarded 97 degrees to the Class of 2025, celebrating individual journeys and future promise. Intermittent rain fell on Slaughter Field, but nothing could dampen the high spirits of those gathered.
“Be brave. Be kind. Be bold,” said Commencement Speaker and former Head of School Julie Anderson P’19,’23. “In a world that sometimes rewards expedience over integrity, let your moral compass guide you.”
Valedictorian Chirag Pahilajani of St. Ann, Jamaica, reminded his classmates how quickly their time at CA had passed. “You’ll want time to
• Armando Simosa ’08 Award: Khamari Brown of Providence, RI
• Barbara Vestergaard Award: Grace Moriarty of Wallingford, CT
• Jennifer Hawke-Petit Book Award: Kaleigh Durkin of North Branford, CT
go faster. That’s your one mistake,” said Pahilajani, who began pre-med studies at Drexel University in the fall. “Savor it. Make the time go slower. But whatever you do, don’t wish the time away. It goes fast enough on its own.”
Salutatorian Phuong “Flora” Nguyen Quynh, who is studying at Georgia Institute of Technology, shared her favorite saying: “Even if you’re just a snail, if you can make it to the top of the mountain, the view you see is just as breathtaking as what an eagle sees.”
The Class of 2025 included students from seven countries, with 56 from Connecticut, including 14
from Cheshire. Of note, the school graduated three sets of twins: Yangtianyue “Ellen” and Yangwenyue “Vanessa” Han, Naomi and Adia Wolfe, and Margo and Betty Weske (pictured on page 7).
Cheshire Academy presented the D. Robert Gardiner Excellence in Teaching Award to retiring history teacher James “Butch” Rogers P’12, who taught on campus for 32 years. Head of School Tom Woelper P’26 also presented a Town of Cheshire citation for bravery and heroism to Music Teacher Kate Bobsein, who ran into the burning Hurley Hall to ensure all students were safe.
ACADEMY BESTOWED SEVERAL HONORS ON MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2025.
• Cheshire Academy Alumni Association Cup Award: Gwen Gersick-Seward of Hamden, CT
• Jeffrey T. Marshall Scholarship Award: Seoyoung “Veronica” Moon of Busan, South Korea
• John J. White ’38 Leadership Award: Jihoo “Brielle” Kang of Seoul, South Korea
• Karen J. Smith Scholarship Award for Scholastic Improvement: Camryn Wagner of Wolcott, CT
• Sheridan Plaque: Garrett Snyder of Unionville, CT
• Bevan Loree Dupré ’69 Award: Gia Acosta of Prospect, CT
• Ralph Morgan Griffiths Award: Chirag Pahilajani of St. Ann, Jamaica
• Leah Stancil Award: Azaria Naccarato of Kingston, NY
• Nicholas J. Susla ’48 Book Prize: Phuong “Flora” Nguyen Quynh of Da Nang, Vietnam
• Michael A Vanacore Award: Jack McCluskey of Danbury, CT
CHESHIRE
CLASS OF 2025 COLLEGE MATRICULATION
American University
Arizona State University
Ashland University
Bentley University*
Boston College
Brandeis University
Bryant University
Central Connecticut State University*
Clark University
Clarkson University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University*
Colorado College
Cornell University
Drexel University*
Eastern Mennonite University
Endicott College
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida State University
George Washington University*
Georgia Institute of Technology
Hamilton College
Hampton University
Kansas State University
McGill University
Monroe College
New York University*
New York University – Florence
New York University
– Shanghai
Norfolk State University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Pace University*
Pasco-Hernando State College
Pennsylvania State University
Rensselaer Polytechnic University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rollins College
Sacred Heart University
Saint Michael’s College
Salve Regina University*
Santa Clara University
Seton Hall University
Skidmore College
Smith College*
Springfield College
St. John’s University*
The Hartt School –University of Hartford
Union College
United States Military Academy
University of British Columbia
University of California –San Diego
University of Connecticut*
University of Denver
University of Hartford
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign*
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts –Amherst
University of Massachusetts
– Boston
University of Minnesota
University of Notre Dame
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Villanova University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Washington & Lee University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
*Indicates more than 1 student
Convocation 2025: Beginning a New Chapter
On September 7, Cheshire Academy opened its 2025-26 academic year with a lively Convocation on Simosa Field, welcoming 394 students from 13 states and 18 countries.
Head Prefect Nia Jackson ’26 described Cheshire Academy as a watershed, “a place where many different bodies of water meet and flow together, creating something far greater than any single source on its own.”
Student Council President Zhouran “Cody” Xu ’26 spoke of his journey from Tongling, China, to playing lacrosse at Cheshire Academy. “All these things came from curiosity, courage, and saying yes to opportunities, and trying to build our own legacy,” he said.
Barbara Vestergaard P’96,’02, GP’26, constituent engagement and annual giving officer, encouraged students to “experience it all. You may not realize how special these moments are when you’re living them, but I guarantee you will look back fondly,” she said. “Cheshire Academy will always be your home away from home.”
Woelper concluded the ceremony by presenting the school’s refreshed mission statement and core values. “Individual growth. Global purpose. These are not competing goals. They are complementary callings,” he said. “So, let’s embrace this year with energy and courage. Let’s build our legacy. Let’s make this year extraordinary together.”
Venturing Out
Finding Their Path: How Cheshire Academy Students Turn Passion Into Purpose
At Cheshire Academy, the International Baccalaureate® meets Rizzolo-Larson Venture grants — and students discover who they want to become.
Aidan Connor stood in the rugged Montana landscape southeast of Red Lodge — trowel in hand, jug of water at the ready — working methodically under the summer sun. The Cheshire Academy 12th-grader had never flown alone before, had never traveled past the Mississippi River, and certainly had never worked on a paleontology dig. But when his brush revealed what appeared to be a dinosaur digit in the fossil-rich soil, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“I found a pinky,” he said. “It’s important sometimes just to dig around in the dirt. There’s always a chance you’ll find something.”
What Aidan found was more than a fossilized bone fragment destined for the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science. He discovered the exhilaration of turning a childhood obsession — one that began years earlier watching scientists remove the head of Yale’s beloved brontosaurus skeleton — into hands-on research that would inform his International Baccalaureate® (IB) extended essay and shape a potential career in paleontology and museum work.
Hundreds of miles away that same summer, another Cheshire Academy senior, Nia Jackson, was making her own discoveries in a Yale University research lab. As one of
just 19 students selected from more than 200 international applications for the Discovery to Cure program, she was performing cell splitting, bacterial transformations, and plasmid DNA extractions alongside medical scientists researching women’s reproductive cancers.
Two students. Two completely different passions. One common thread: Cheshire Academy’s unique combination of the IB Diploma Programme and Venture Grants that allows motivated students to chart their own educational journey.
Where Academic Rigor Meets Personal Exploration
At most schools, Aidan’s love of dinosaurs and Nia’s fascination with medical research would remain supplemental interests — weekend hobbies, perhaps, or topics for the occasional research paper. But Cheshire Academy has built something different: an educational model that treats student passions not as distractions from learning but as pathways into it.
The school’s approach rests on two complementary pillars. The IB program provides the intellectual framework — a globally recognized curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, research methodology, and cross-cultural understanding. Students engage with theory of knowledge questions, complete an extended essay that develops genuine research skills, and study everything from their second language to environmental systems with an emphasis on global perspectives.
But the IB program alone, rigorous as it is, doesn’t fully unleash what’s possible when students have both the tools to think deeply and the freedom to explore what matters most to them. That’s where Venture Grants come in.
Endowed by the Rizzolo Family in honor of former Head of School Jerry Larson, Venture Grants provide $500 to $2,000 for student-proposed projects that merge what the school describes as “academic curiosity, passion, and adventure.” The grants have funded everything from the completion of a novel’s first draft to a student’s efforts to bring gaps of understanding between young people in North and South Korea.
Director of Library Services Kate Daly ’05, who co-directs the program, which was championed by retired longtime teacher James “Butch” Rogers P’12, said it is a
great
Nia gets hands-on experience at her Yale summer internship
opportunity to support students’ passions outside the classroom. Math Department Chair Nick Joaquin is co-director.
“Just reading the applications gives us the opportunity to see them in a new light,” she said. “Butch made it such a signature of Cheshire Academy, and we are so excited to see what students come up with in the future.”
Sasha Russell, director of annual giving, stewardship, and family engagement, added that Venture Grants are a powerful example of how philanthropy can directly change students’ lives. “It’s incredibly gratifying to see students live out their passions and chart their own paths thanks to the generosity of our donors,” she said.
Turning Classroom Knowledge into Real-World Impact
For Aidan, the Montana dig wasn’t just an adventure — it was essential research for his extended essay. His paper examines colonialism and manifest destiny through the lens of paleontology, archaeology, and anthropology, bringing together his IB coursework with insights gained from a week working alongside multi-generational teams in the field.
The experience also gave the Southington, CT, resident something equally valuable: the confidence that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. Between participating in Model UN, singing in chorus and a cappella, and performing in one of CA’s rock bands, Aidan had never lacked for activities. But traveling alone to Montana to do real scientific fieldwork? That was different.
“I love the past,” said Aidan, whose project was highlighted on TV and in online news reports in Connecticut, Montana, and nationally on Yahoo! News. “This was an amazing trip.”
For Nia, a head prefect and soccer team co-captain, the Yale internship represented the intersection of everything she’d been working toward. Her weeks in the lab culminated in a solo presentation to Yale New Haven doctors and researchers: “ENPP1 Variants: Discovering the Impact of Early-Onset Metabolic Disorders."
Breanna Craft, Ph.D., Cheshire Academy’s science department chair and one of Nia’s mentors, attended that presentation alongside fellow science teacher Makaila English. When asked on WTNH-TV’s “Good Morning Connecticut” whether she was surprised by Nia’s success, Dr. Craft didn’t hesitate.
“I wasn’t surprised. Neither were any of her teachers,” she said. “She is motivated, exceptional, curious, organized, and driven.”
It’s an assessment shared by someone else who attended the final presentation: Yale Associate Research Scientist Muthukumaran Venkatachalapathy, her mentor for the summer.
“She’s an amazing student,” he said of Nia, who credited Dr. Venkatachalapathy with jumpstarting her dreams of a medical career.
Once set to become a surgeon, she’s now considering the thrill of medical discovery as a researcher.
“I was not expecting to miss the lab,” she said after her final summer presentation. “I can’t believe how much we learned in six weeks.”
Nia’s combination of admirable qualities — motivation, curiosity, organization, drive — didn’t emerge by accident. The IB program cultivated the analytical skills and research methodology. The Venture Grant provided the opportunity to test those skills in a real-world setting. Together, they created a pathway for Nia to explore her passion for medical discovery at one of the world’s leading research institutions.
Personalized Pathways to Purposeful Citizenship
What makes this model powerful isn’t just that students get to pursue their interests. It’s that they learn to pursue them with intention, rigor, and purpose.
Aidan with his Jurassic discovery in Montana
Traditional education often treats all students as if they should travel the same path toward the same destination. Take these classes, read these books, write these papers, score well on these tests. The system works for many students, but it misses something fundamental about how deep learning happens: students engage most intensely when they have ownership over their education.
Cheshire Academy’s IB-Venture combination honors the diversity of student interests while ensuring every student develops essential capabilities. The diploma program guarantees that whether you’re passionate about paleontology or medicine, sustainable fashion or documentary filmmaking, you’ll develop critical thinking skills, research methodology, ethical reasoning, and cross-cultural understanding. These aren’t optional extras — they’re the foundation.
This approach aligns directly with Cheshire Academy’s mission to develop “purposeful global citizens” — young people who don’t just understand the world’s complexity but who have tested themselves against real challenges and developed the confidence to make meaningful contributions.
Learning Through Doing
Both Aidan and Nia returned to campus transformed by their experiences — not just with new knowledge, but with new understanding of their own capabilities.
Aidan came back with detailed notes for his extended essay and a clearer vision of his future. He’s now considering schools from Wesleyan University to the University of Oklahoma, looking for programs where he can concentrate in sciences and museum work. The boy who once watched in awe as Yale scientists removed a dinosaur skeleton now sees himself as part of that scientific tradition.
Nia returned from Yale with hands-on laboratory skills, professional connections, and confirmation that medical research may be her calling. She also gained something harder to quantify: the experience of competing successfully against 200+ applicants for a prestigious opportunity, then delivering results that impressed established researchers.
These aren’t just résumé builders. They’re formative experiences that shape how students see themselves
and their potential. They’re proof that academic rigor and personal passion don’t have to exist in separate spheres — that in fact, the most powerful learning happens when they intersect.
Their stories aren’t exceptional at Cheshire Academy — they’re emblematic. They’re what happens when an institution believes deeply that the path to becoming a purposeful global citizen isn’t one-size-fits-all, but rather a journey each student must chart for themselves, supported by rigorous academics and the freedom to explore what sets their soul on fire.
In the rugged Montana landscape or the gleaming Yale laboratories, in extended essays and research presentations, in moments of discovery both literal and figurative, Cheshire Academy students are learning not just what they need to know, but who they want to become. And in that discovery, they’re finding their path — uniquely their own, yet connected to a larger community of curious, driven, purposeful young people ready to make their mark on the world.
“I’ll land where I land,” Aidan said of his college possibilities with the easy confidence of someone who’s learned to embrace uncertainty. “The great part is that there is always something more to learn.”
Nia practices her dissection skills at Cheshire Academy
School Happenings
Hardly a week went by without a chance for students, faculty, and staff to get together and enjoy our community. The whole-school celebrations included our Community Weekend series and an Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month extravaganza in May.
Spring and Fall also came with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the warmer weather — from Spring Fling, Color Run, and Celebrate the Yes festivities to a lively Welcome Week, Family Weekend, and Moon Festival in the fall. Inside, students revealed their innovative research and writing at the Academic Expo, including presentations from the Ninth Grade Experience this year, and rocked Richardson at what is sure to become an annual Talent Show.
Prom
Spring Fling
Welcome Week
Talent Show
AAPI event
Family Weekend
Moon Festival
Academic Expo
Celebrate the Yes
Health and Wellness Weekend
Color Run
Class is in Session
Cheshire Academy teachers and staff are sharing their expertise with a national audience
Teaching in the innovative, highly experiential environment of Cheshire Academy takes talent, creativity, and lots of energy. The school’s faculty and staff are constantly looking for ways to bolster our students’ mastery and understanding of the world around them and their place in it — no small feat.
But their dedication to their craft and complex awareness of the many factors that shape their students’ learning landscape have not gone unnoticed. In recent months, our faculty and staff experts have become part of the global education conversation, sharing their expertise and thoughts on CA’s blog, as well as in national publications and podcasts.
“I am often struck by the high caliber of our faculty and staff,” said Head of School Tom Woelper P’26. “Our faculty are not just staying abreast of current educational trends; often, they’re continuing their own education and moving ahead of the field, contributing to the conversation in ways that push the needle forward.”
Woelper can add himself to that list. Long at the vanguard of international education — he was the founding head of New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) — he recently shared his insights in “The Case for Private High School in a Tech-Driven World,” a guest essay published in EdTech Digest in November. In the essay, he argued that independent schools are uniquely positioned to cultivate judgment, creativity, and self-direction needed as routine cognitive work shifts to AI.
In April, his “Lessons from the Startup Frontier: Transforming Traditional Education” ran in EXPLO Elevate, a national organization that partners with schools on strategic planning, governance, and leadership. An essay Woelper penned on global education in our current political landscape is expected for publication by the National Association of Independent Schools in the coming months.
Cheshire Academy is on the forefront of many education hot topics, including AI. In November, Authority Magazine
published a Q&A with George Aiello P’26, librarian and academic technology coordinator, detailing the Academy’s well-considered embrace of AI’s potential for education. Authority is a publication of Medium, where more than 100 million thought leaders come to connect and share their wisdom.
Aiello discussed Cheshire Academy’s traffic light system guiding student use of AI in classroom assignments and the school’s forward-thinking partnership with CONSYLIUM, an AI-in-education consulting group. The Academy also has an AI committee with student and faculty representation.
“We believe this is a unique opportunity for the school to move into a leadership space for artificial intelligence in education,” he said.
Woelper addresses campus visitors
Aiello holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Library & Information Science degree from Valdosta State University, where he is currently earning his Ed.D.
In September, “The Grading Podcast,” a national program reimagining grading as a tool for student success, featured Dean of Faculty and Academic Life Marc Aronson in a discussion of how grading measures learning and motivates students.
“The liberation that can be gained from throwing away the percentagebased scale as a mindset I think is something that people are on different stages of a journey toward,” he said, “and I’m going to do everything I can to help people move along in that journey.”
In a November episode of the podcast “The Brighter Side of Education,” Aronson imagined a school where grades reward collaboration, character, and genuine mastery—not just memorization and speed. He shared with teachers across the country, who can earn professional development hours by listening to the episode, how
Cheshire Academy rethought assessment through Grading What Matters, a framework focused on authentic learning, student agency, and mission-aligned outcomes. The episode explored CA’s use of Final Demonstrations of Learning (FDoL) instead of exams, a Community of Learners model that grades students on contribution and engagement, and a fully open honors pathway where any student can earn honors inside their regular class.
Aronson and students
Aiello peruses the yearbook with advisees
Earlier in 2025, Aronson wrote an informative post about the Global Citizenship Diploma Distinction on CA’s blog entitled, “How Cheshire Academy Developed a New Signature Program for a Global Education.”
The blog is filled with interesting posts by Cheshire Academy leaders, including English Department Chair Jaimeson Lynch P’20,’21, who has written two essays — one on creating a rigorous and relevant annual reading list for her students and a second on harnessing agency accountability, and achievement (“The 3 As”) for student success. Student agency is woven throughout the school’s educational philosophy and is a timely subject for her fellow educators.
Lynch, the 2024 D. Robert Gardiner Excellence in Teaching Award winner, holds a master’s degree from Columbia University and a certificate in Advanced Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
“By giving our students the freedom to choose and the structure to succeed, we see a shift from a student acting as a passenger in their education to one who is the driver of their own learning,” she writes. “This not only
Kelleher on the set of RENT
Lynch
Alfaiate at a Community Weekend
leads to better performance on summative assessments but also fosters a life-long intellectual curiosity and readiness to take on the challenges of the world with confidence and competence.”
Our faculty are not just staying abreast of current educational trends; often, they’re continuing their own education and moving ahead of the field, contributing to the conversation in ways that push the needle forward. ”
Two CA teachers brought readers to their work on campus, showing how their expertise helps student learning and confidence soar. Photography and Visual Imaging Educator Antonio Alfaiate P’20,’21, a published author and longtime TV journalist and producer who has taught college art history, showed how a year in his classroom moves students from passive observation into active perception in “Guiding Photography Students from Looking to Seeing.”
— Head of School Tom Woelper P’26
In the essay “‘Behind the Seams’ — How a Private School Costume Shop is Preparing Students for Life,” Roxbury Academic Support Instructor Sara Kelleher, Ed.D., demonstrates how Cheshire Academy’s lively afternoon activities programs, such as the theater costume shop, boost everything from student math scores and GPAs to all-important confidence and perseverance.
Alex Conaway, associate dean of students for school culture and belonging, who is earning his doctorate in Global Sports Leadership at East Tennessee State
University, wrote “Unlocking Innate Potential: A Holistic Approach to Student-Athlete Development,” a researchbased blog post that details some of the thinking that informs CA’s understanding of the balance required in guiding student-athletes.
“Mentorship programs that prioritize empowerment are essential for student-athletes, providing them with the tools they need to excel in all aspects of life, both during and after their athletic careers,” he writes.
Conaway is able to use his research findings at the Academy and through New Haven-based All Access Training & Student-Athlete Development, Inc, which he co-founded with his brother Adham. He and his colleagues, including Kelleher, have also shared their scholarship at conferences, bringing a wealth of knowledge and leadership to educators across the nation.
Woelper said he’s grateful to have such esteemed colleagues to guide Cheshire Academy into a bright future. “What’s even more important,” he said, “is that they’re sharing their knowledge, experience, and creativity with our students.”
To read more from CA’s thought leaders, visit cheshireacademy.org/news.
Conaway huddles with student athletes courtside
Sports Success
Football wins big, Girls’ LAX makes history, softball shines (again!), and track stars make a run for it
Cheshire Athletics stole the spotlight in 2025, as Varsity Football won its second championship in three consecutive bowl appearances, Girls’ Lacrosse scored their first-ever WNEGL championship, and Softball won its title for the second year in a row.
As if that weren’t enough, three track athletes won medals at the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Division II Championships — on the same weekend.
Varsity Football took home the trophy at NEPSAC’s Danny Smith Bowl, besting Dexter Southfield 31-20 on their Brookline, MA, field in November.
The #1-seeded Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team clinched an 8-7 win over #4 Frederick Gunn and Varsity Softball trounced Millbrook School with a 14-7 win. Track & Field medaled in three categories, as Noah Frazier ’26 won first place in the discus (142.7 feet), Dominick White ’25 placed fourth in the 400m, and Chidera Ogbuagu ’28 took fifth in the 300m hurdles.
The Cats’ talented Varsity Baseball team won its semifinal game and Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse played Canterbury in the WNEBL Tournament. Varsity Girls’ Tennis also participated in the New England Invitational at Suffield Academy. In the fall, Varsity Boys’ Soccer celebrated their winningest season in recent memory, and Girls’ Soccer, Cross Country, and Volleyball all logged exciting seasons.
“We’re extremely proud of all our spring and fall studentathletes and coaches. It’s great to see their talent and commitment recognized with post-season accolades,” said Athletic Director James McCarthy.
John Song ’26 wins big at the O'Connell Invitational.
Varsity Football wins the Danny Smith Bowl for the second time since 2023 in their third consecutive appearance.
Varsity Softball claims a back-to-back WNEPSGSBA B Division championship.
Varsity Girls' Lacrosse makes CA history with their first WNEGL championship.
Afternoon Activities
Cheshire Academy students proved they are a talented bunch — on the stage, at the easel, and in the robotics ring.
Students participated in the Spring Theater Showcase, delivering dramatic and comedic scenes, song, and dance, and in the Fall Play, a sprightly adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. Cheshire’s musicians collaborated on the Spring and Fall Concerts in a packed Richardson Lecture Hall. In between, performers offered pop-up concerts for audiences in Gideon Welles Dining Commons, another chance to hone their skills. Many were acknowledged for their stand-out contributions to art, music, and robotics at the Athletics & Activities Awards in May and November.
Campus artists filled the Kohn-Joseloff Gallery with striking works that were part of the portfolios used by many for college application packages. In May, students invited family and friends to join them for the annual Art Major Exhibition where they explained their visions, shining more light on an intriguing display. In the fall, professional artist Heather Hope Gendron gave a talk on her fall show in the Gallery.
PRESSURE POINT
Emergency Ace Doubles as Chief Medical Officer to the Secret Service
When Asa Margolis ’99, DO, MPH, MS, FACEP, FAEMS, makes critical decisions as chief medical officer for the United States Secret Service, he carries with him lessons learned on the Cheshire Academy tennis courts with Head Coach Robert “Chip” Boyd P’98,’10.
“I played with him a couple of years ago and we re-connected,” Dr. Margolis said. “He has a good amount to do with my success by working with me when I was an athlete. I dealt with adversity and learned to be competitive and learning to perform under pressure as an athlete is relatable to what I do now.”
Today, Dr. Margolis serves in one of the most stressful and unique medical positions in the country. In addition to his Secret Service work, he is associate professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, medical director of the Johns Hopkins Lifeline Critical Care Transport Program, and executive director of the James J. Scheulen Center for Transport and Resuscitative Medicine.
It’s a career that requires not just exceptional medical expertise, but also the ability to make critical decisions under pressure, adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism. These are qualities that Dr. Margolis first began developing during his formative years at Cheshire Academy.
He arrived at Cheshire Academy in the late 1990s, having visited the campus on the recommendation of a middle school teacher. The rigorous academic environment pushed him to excel, while the close-knit community taught him the value of relationships and teamwork — lessons that would prove invaluable in the collaborative world of medicine and federal service.
“He was a serious student,” said Boyd, “but he is just so likeable. There was no one who didn’t like Asa.”
After graduating in 1999, Dr. Margolis pursued his passion for science and medicine with the same dedication he had shown at Cheshire Academy. He earned his undergraduate degree at Connecticut College before earning his Master of Public Health degree at Yale University School of Public Health. Finishing his residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins, he distinguished himself as a student committed to both clinical excellence and public service. His path wasn’t simply about becoming a doctor; it was about finding ways to serve at the highest levels and make a meaningful impact on national security and public health.
The route to becoming chief medical officer for the Secret Service is not a traditional one. It requires a
Coach Chip Boyd P’98,’10 (left) with Margolis (second from right) and the Varsity Boys’ Tennis team in the 1999 yearbook
unique combination of experience in both emergency and operational medicine, and the ability to work within the complex structure of federal law enforcement. Dr. Margolis’ career trajectory took him through various roles in emergency and operational medicine, each preparing him for greater responsibilities. He gained experience in high-pressure medical situations, learned to coordinate complex medical operations, and developed the leadership skills necessary to oversee medical services for one of the most elite organizations in the world. He took the top medical post in April 2025.
In his current role, Dr. Margolis oversees medical support for Secret Service operations and agents across the country and around the globe. He has had oversight of the teams who attend to the former presidents and their spouses, including serving as a lead physician for Republican candidate Donald J. Trump up to the 2025 inauguration, when he moved from former president to president. Dr. Margolis has traveled with former presidents and ensures the Secret Service team has all the necessary personnel, medical equipment and, if necessary, hospital clearances whether dignitaries are traveling domestically or abroad.
Ambulance. In college, he worked for American Medical Response (AMR) and got to know emergency department (ED) staffers and medical directors to better understand the job of caring for others when time is of the essence.
“It reinforced my interest in emergency care,” he said.
Boyd’s guidance on the court coupled with mentorship from teachers like Karen Smith, who taught science and was a Roxbury Academic Support Program instructor for many years, moved him along his career path.
“She was great,” he said. “She was really passionate about the sciences.”
“It’s all about learning how to listen and to ensure you’re getting the most important information from the individual in front of you. ”
— Asa Margolis ’99
Over the years, Dr. Margolis has published more than 40 journal articles, papers, and book chapters sharing his experience and knowledge of evolving procedures and the emergency department, where he still completes six shifts a month. Much of his day is spent teaching and mentoring Johns Hopkins residents and students eager to take their place on the front lines.
“We are the first people to make a difference and evaluate a patient,” he said of the hectic life of the emergency physician. “We stabilize them and set them on paths to a good outcome.
The job demands versatility. While he cannot discuss specifics, one day might involve strategic planning for medical support during an international presidential visit; another might require immediate response to a medical emergency. Dr. Margolis must stay current with the latest advances in emergency medicine while understanding the unique operational requirements of protective services. He works alongside some of the most highly trained professionals in the world, and his medical judgment directly impacts their safety and effectiveness.
“It’s an incredible honor,” he said. “There is a certain amount of pressure to maintain perfection and excellence and bring in the right people. It’s a big responsibility.”
He’s a long way from the youngster fascinated with firetrucks and ambulances, who knew he wanted to be a doctor by his middle school years. “I liked science and thought it was neat to learn about the disease process and how to help people.”
While at Cheshire Academy, Dr. Margolis earned a spot as an EMT with Branford Fire Department and Madison
“It’s all about learning how to listen and to ensure you’re getting the most important information from the individual in front of you. And ensuring no balls drop.”
When your job is saving lives — and bringing “dozens” of new ones into the world — work-life balance is key. Tennis, hiking, and biking relieve stress, and he prioritizes family time with his wife, Kelly, and their two sons, Payce, 7, and Hayden, 4.
He also takes solace in knowing he’s using his experience to train others.
“It’s gratifying being able to help a new resident learn how to think about medicine,” he said. “How to process information and come up with a diagnosis and a plan, all while providing compassionate care.”
As with the tennis game he polished at CA, it requires speed and the ability to work under pressure in situations you can’t always predict.
“It’s one of the few specialties where you’re at the mercy of others,” he said. “The flow is not under your control.”
A ReunionRousing
From a morning round of golf to one of the bestattended Reunion Dinners on record, Cheshire Cats from around the world came to campus to reconnect for two days of Reunion 2025.
Nearly 330 alumni returned to campus, reliving old memories and making plenty of new ones with members of classes across decades. Salutes to retiring teachers drew guests to an alumni art exhibition curated by Fran Poisson P’07, a last class with Robert “Chip” Boyd P’98,’10, and
Hall of Fame
Reunion Dinner
Counterweight Brewing
“Beers with Butch” with James Rogers P’12. Alumni and former colleagues recalled funny and poignant times with outgoing Head of School Julie Anderson P’19,’23 and fans packed the Slaughter Field tent for the Hall of Fame induction that included two new honors — The Alumni Achievement Award and the Distinguished Alumni Service Award.
Alums from all years reminisced over drinks and small bites at Counter Weight Brewing Co. and
the Golden Cats Luncheon included 43 Cats from the class of 1975 and prior at Il Gusto.
Whether you made the scene or not, enjoy these photos from a jam-packed weekend.
And be sure to mark your calendars for Reunion 2026: June 12-14, 2026! Visit cheshireacademy.org/reunion to stay up to date.
Golden Cats
Honoring Julie
Honoring Fran
Reunion Golf
Roxbury Reunion
Dear Cheshire Academy Alumni, Families, Faculty, Staff, and Friends,
We are pleased to announce that our 2024-25 Annual Report and Donor Honor Roll is now available in a digital format. This online platform makes it easier than ever to explore the impact of philanthropy at Cheshire Academy and to recognize the generosity of you, our investors. You can access the report at cheshireacademy.org/donor-roll where you will find an interactive experience that showcases the achievements and community support that define our school.
This past year has been remarkable thanks to the dedication of our community. Last year our 832 donors made gifts totaling $1,409,908 to support Cheshire. Because of you, we have been able to support faculty development, financial aid and scholarships, athletics, arts, campus beautification, and so much more.
We are especially proud that — for the second year in a row — 99% of our employees made the choice to support Cheshire, demonstrating the deep commitment our faculty
and staff have to Cheshire Academy’s mission. These numbers reflect more than statistics — they represent lives changed, opportunities created, and a community united in purpose.
To every donor, volunteer, and supporter: thank you. Your generosity empowers us to provide an exceptional education that prepares students to be impactful global citizens. Whether your gift supports financial aid, academics, student life, or another category, you are making a tangible difference in the lives of our students. We are grateful for your partnership in advancing Cheshire Academy’s mission and look forward to sharing our continued progress with you.
With gratitude,
Joe Long Chief Advancement Officer
Create Your CA Legacy Through a Planned Gift
Charitable gifts help you meet your current philanthropic goals and extend your generosity well into the future. But did you know that a planned gift can also protect your assets, provide for your family, and guarantee you income for life? You can even make a significant impact through a gift that costs nothing in your lifetime through a charitable bequest in your will.
The Office of Advancement’s Planned Giving program helps friends of Cheshire Academy explore seven basic ways to make a planned gift.
Gifts by Will or Living Trust
You name CA in your will or living trust and CA receives the bequest you specified upon your death. You may change your bequest at any time and your designation will not be subject to any potential federal estate tax.
Beneficiary Designations
Name Cheshire Academy as a beneficiary of any of these financial instruments:
• IRA and qualified retirement plan distributions
• donor-advised fund
• insurance products
• bank accounts
• brokerage accounts
Gifts That Pay You Income
Life-income gifts such as gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts can provide donors with an income stream, significant tax savings, and the satisfaction of providing Cheshire Academy with vital long-term resources.
Gifts That Protect Your Assets
Direct gifts to Cheshire Academy for a specified period of time and, in turn, receive either a charitable deduction now for gifts made in subsequent years or a reduction in gift or estate taxes on property you wish to pass to heirs.
Gifts from Retirement Plans
Your retirement-plan benefits could make an excellent choice for funding a charitable gift because of special tax consideration. These include assets held in individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401(k) plans, profit-sharing plans, Keogh plans, and 403(b) plans.
Gifts by Estate Note
Pledge support to Cheshire Academy and execute an estate note to pay it off from estate assets, in case the pledge remains unpaid at death.
Gifts of Assets That Offer Additional Tax Savings
Consider gifts beyond cash assets. Creative gifts of stocks, bonds, and property, such as real estate or artwork, can provide you with charitable deductions and additional tax savings.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
To learn more about how a gift to Cheshire Academy might fit into your individual plans for the future, please scan the QR code or visit cheshireacademy.giftplans.org.
The Harwood Society for Planned Giving offers alumni, parents, and friends a chance to make provisions for Cheshire Academy in their estate plans through a bequest, trust, or life-income gift, or as beneficiary of a life insurance plan. Named for the late Charles Harwood ’40, a research economist and former CA trustee, the Society and planned giving options are a sound way to achieve an individual’s financial and philanthropic priorities while ensuring the Academy has the necessary means to consistently deliver an exceptional, world-class educational experience.
Cheshire Academy’s popular On the Road series pulled into Shanghai, San Juan, Old Saybrook, and many points in between, and Advancement leaders took advantage of the long, sunny days to plan some summer fun with alums and friends.
August meant a trip out to Los Angeles for a well-attended reception at Los Angeles’ California Club and Advancement teamed up with the Cheshire Academy Parents & Families Association (CAPFA) to sponsor a fun night of soccer with Hartford Athletic on August 23.
On the Road in Old Saybrook
Shanghai
On the Road to see the Hartford Athletic
In the fall, hundreds of alumni and friends converged on campus for Homecoming 2025, enjoying several home games, a Counter Weight Brewing Co. gathering, and more. Just one highlight: Chicago Bears VP Pat McCaskey ’68 shared inspiration before Varsity Football’s win over Brunswick at a packed Slaughter Field.
Tom (’55) and Jocelyn Connors
Homecoming
Pat McCaskey ’68
Packed Slaughter Field for Homecoming football game
Class Notes
Submit your news and photos to: alumni@cheshireacademy.org
1950s
Bill Mitchell ’54 reports he “finally had to give up water skiing and golf, but we still get around and enjoy the Annapolis area where there is still plenty to do to keep one busy.”
1960s
Steven Tobin ’61 reports that he and Diane are currently living in Wesley Chapel, FL. Steve is teaching a class, “Talkin’ Politics,” at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of South Florida.
Roger Himmel ’65 has published a new Young Adult book, The Time Travels of Kate Levy. He sent a copy to the Cheshire Academy Library.
Mark Kurlansky ’66 celebrated the Fall 2025 publication of his 40th book, The Boston Way. The new account tells the story of Boston abolitionists who tried to end slavery without violence and establish the approach of the modern Civil Rights movement. Mark will be back on campus in February to speak to students!
Timothy Claypoole ’86 and Marla Cohen ’86
1980s
Timothy Claypoole ’86 writes: “Marla Cohen ’86, (pictured above), my friend for 42 years, passed away on June 3, 2025. How do you mourn someone who held so many pieces of your life? She was fierce and soft, complicated and kind. We lived through each other’s storms and sunlight. Marla had a way of smiling with her eyes, as if she knew something about the world that made it bearable. We shared heartbreaks, laughs, and a deep love for every cat that crossed our paths. She was one of those rare souls who survived more than most and still offered love without condition. Her absence is not a silence. It is a hum, a pulse, a missing rhythm in the background of my life. She cannot be replaced. And she will never be forgotten.”
Sirima Suthipradit ’94 and Soyoung Park Mok ’94
Suthipradit and Park Mok at dinner with former teachers Cheryl and Steve Moody, Jayne Chillemi
Sheri Brady ’87 (below, middle) was recently named the vice president and chief operating officer of the Children’s Defense Fund in D.C.
1990s
Victor Yanguas ’91 and his son, Lorenzo, stopped by campus recently, taking a tour with teacher and Alumni Engagement Associate Robert “Chip” Boyd P’98,’10.
Sirima Suthipradit ’94 came to campus from Thailand in October. She met classmate Soyoung Park Mok ’94 for lunch at the Academy and then joined her favorite teachers, Cheryl and Steve Moody and Jayne Chillemi at a Thai restaurant in New Haven (above).
Sheri Brady '87
Kathy Ewen ’99 recently celebrated working 21 years at Chapel Haven in New Haven. She and Ranger (photo) continue to compete in dressage. They were reserve high point for small horse for National Pony Cup at the July show at Treasure Hill and in September at Governor’s Horse Guard.
2000s
Christie Olivieri ’08 was married to Paul Gillette on July 5, 2025, in Newport, RI. Pictured (above right) with Christie are her mom, Signe Olivieri, Noah Leonowich ’08, Jon Bozzuto ’08, Michael Feinstein ’08, and Sammy Feinstein ’08. Congratulations!
Ariel Scalise ’08 (below) is a secondyear doctoral student in the Health Policy and Management program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a research assistant for the school’s Center for Program Evaluation. After graduation, she hopes to continue research focused on women’s health.
2010s
Kristopher Daoud ’11 reports, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as VP & Chief Operations Officer at Opus: Advice First a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC!”
Patrick Kehoe ’15 and Samantha Milano (right) were wed on May 31, 2025. Congratulations!
Hannah Gailey ’17 was nominated for the 2025 Women to Watch Award from WISE Boston, which celebrates a “mid-career female professional who has already achieved remarkable success and is making a significant impact in the sports industry.”
Hannah is manager, ticket strategy & promotions, for the Boston Red Sox.
Richard Kelly ’17 began his third season as a graduate assistant for the UConn Huskies in 2025-26, having been a member of the support staff for the 2024 national title team. Kelly came to Storrs after a decorated
Kathy Ewen ’99
Christie Olivieri ’08 and classmates at her wedding
Patrick Kehoe ’15 at his wedding
Ariel Scalise '08
collegiate basketball career. He started his career at Quinnipiac where he was a 2018 All-Rookie pick and a 2019 and 2020 Second Team All-MAAC pick. He spent his final two seasons at Boston College and the University of Massachusetts.
Congratulations to Jerry Wu ’18 and Yichen Wu ’18, (above) who recently got engaged. After meeting at CA, the pair graduated from New York University in 2022, and Yichen is a 2024 graduate of Columbia University’s graduate program. Both are in Shanghai’s finance industry: Yichen is in risk management for Guotai Haitong’s investment company
and Jerry is an investment manager for GP Capital. The couple recently attended a CA reception in Shanghai, speaking about their experiences as Cats!
2020s
Taylor Castelot ’20 is a graduate teacher at Coastal Carolina University and will be graduating this spring with her master’s degree in writing. She is currently working on her first poetry collection, as well as research on the effects of meditation on writing.
Temi Onile ’22 reports she will be joining Brown Advisory full-time as a portfolio analyst in the Boston office upon graduating from Boston College.
In May 2025 Ben Goth ’21 (left) graduated from Vassar College with a BA in history and Jewish studies. Ben is currently working as a main campus admissions advisor at Post University in Waterbury, CT.
Katelyn Parrott ’21 graduated from Middlesex Community College and is currently enrolled at Amherst College, majoring in literature.
Molly Golden ’24 (below) writes, “I had the chance to be the sideline reporter for 91.7 WICB FM Ithaca at the Cortaca Jug, often called the biggest little game in the nation! The Jug features Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland football teams in one of the oldest rivalries in NCAA Athletics! In addition to Cortaca, I also served as the sideline reporter for the entire 2025 Ithaca Football season! I will be continuing sideline reporting this summer with my upcoming internship with the Cape Cod Baseball League!”
Jerry Wu ’18 and Yichen Wu ’18
Molly Golden ’24
Ben Goth ’21
In Memoriam
David G. Jepson ’59, a beloved alum, former trustee, and true son of Cheshire Academy, passed away on October 8, 2025.
As a CA student, David received the Costin Cup, the award for the student who most improved while at the school. David always said that was the best part of his CA experience, forming him into the student that went on to be a great success in life.
During CA’s Bicentennial in 1994, he volunteered to be the class agent and actively reached out to classmates for the 200th anniversary. He became a Trustee in the early 2000s, serving again in 2015-2018. In 2019, David was awarded Trustee Emeritus status and he was a tri-chair of the CA Community Arts and Athletics Committee.
David was a friend and mentor to many alumni from different generations. In 2019, he was the second recipient of the D. Robert Gardiner Arts and Letters Hall of Fame award for his work in architecture. In addition to his involvement with Cheshire Academy, he sat on the boards of both the Wadsworth Atheneum and the New Britain Museum of American Art.
1950s
Hugh Berke ’54
Joseph D. LaPolla ’54
1960s
Neil Dansker ’65
Marc Reich ’66
Mark Merola ’68
1970s
Don Svensk ’70
Ronald Gasparri ’71
1980s
Marla Cohen ’86
Last Look
My love of poetry began at Cheshire Academy. I thought it fitting that I respond in verse. Much of my poetry has been published and some put to music. I will add this to my collection.
~ Dr. Joseph B. Geraci ’59
Cheshire Academy
At this time in my life
When age has crept upon my being, Time has spared my mind
From the limits of my motion.
My reverie is still free to frolic
In memories that have long passed, Wedded bliss and children born
Lead the happiest of these thoughts.
Thoughts of trials and painful loss
Became absorbed in the passing of years, My love of life and those who have gone Blend into the mosaic of mind’s eye.
Among my memories cherished still
Was an awakening of my thirst for knowledge, Which lay hidden in a young man’s mind
Awakened by poets who have lived before.
They came to life in small dark rooms
Through masters in whose presence they lived, Also buried on musty shelves
Lit only by dusty rays through louvered glass.
I found myself immersed in a silent library
Amongst voices that spoke to me from ago, Settled in a deep leather chair
I was warmed in a comforting peace.
My mind was captive to the rhythm of verse
Sung by Shelley, Frost, Shakespeare, Poe and more, A chorus of thought, imagery and reflection
A literary concert that echoes still.
Accompanying the lore and mystique of era gone
My passion flowed to the sport of kings, Sadly, my skills lacked the demands of its time
Yet painted my memories of duels in old ivy halls.
Now that years since then have passed
Sixty-six at least,
Among my fondest memories
Remain my timeless days at Cheshire Academy.
BELONGING • ENGAGEMENT • COLLABORATION • GROWTH
Cheshire Academy reignites Lights of Hope, a beloved town tradition.
