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F O R M A N L E T T E R

BELONGING & BECOMING

WINTER/SPRING 2019

F O R M A N

Mission Statement Forman School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for boarding and day students with identified learning differences. Forman develops the whole student, based on his or her unique learning profile, so that every graduate becomes an educated, confident, self-advocate throughout life.

L E T T E R

2 Head of School Message 4 A Safe Place to Take Risks 10 Live to Learn

Forman School Board of Trustees

12 Around the Green 14 “What are your favorite things to do at Forman?”

President of the Board Scott M. Sutherland ’69, P’93

18 Alumnus Profile: Richard Couto ’90

Vice President David D. Walter ’69

20 Alumnus Profile: Jacob Ringer ’04

Vice President Jon E. Zagrodzky P’18, P’19

22 Alumna Profile: Barbara Chace ’87

Treasurer Thomas G. Sorell P’12

24 Giving

Secretary Michael L. Cook P’15

26 Lion’s Pride 28 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

Anne Q. Buckley P’13, P’20

29 Class Notes

Elizabeth Garber Daniels ’93

Barbara Chace ’87 L. Laird Davis Kenneth I. Deane ’93 Eric R. Ebbert P’16 Anthony C. Everett P’18 Elena A. Ford P’18 Annette R. Jenner-Matthews, Ph.D. ’87 Preethi Krishna P’16 Frederick M. Lione, Jr. P’91 Adam K. Man P’15, Head of School Dennis J. Manning P’00 David A. Shaggy ’85 Trustees Emeriti J. Seward Johnson ’49, P’91 and Cecelia Johnson P’91 Diane F. Kessenich P’86, Chairman Emerita Kenneth R. Latham ’48 John A. Meyers P’84

Head of School: Adam K. Man P’15 Assistant Head of School for Operations and Enrollment: E. Michael Kowalchick Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement: Justin Solomon Interim Director of the Annual Fund: Sean Maguire ’89, P’22 Director of Database Management: Susan Reis P’07 Address corrections & Class Notes: alumni@formanschool.org

Editor: Kerry Conroy, Director of Communications Photo Editor: Kerry Conroy, Director of Communications Class Notes Editor: Rachel White, Alumni Coordinator Designer: Julie Hammill, Hammill Design Photography: Adam K. Man P’15, Richard Schultz, Steven Valenti, Austin Zimmer

This page: Students performing during Open Mic Night in the new Malcolm G. Chace Student Center Cover: Lily Reed ’22 and Anneliese Jackson ’22 enjoy a game of foosball

Peter L. Phillips ’65 Monroe B. Scharff ’42, P’69

HEAD OF SCHOOL LETTER

A Place to Be Yourself Forman is often the first place students don’t have to pretend to be something they’re not. For many of our students, at their previous schools, they have tried to hide that they learn differently. Here, in a community of different learners, living in a tight-knit boarding school setting, I see students’ lives change.

When given a place to be themselves, students learn who they are, and they become confident. This allows them to become self-advocates – a skill that prepares them for college and life. Academics alone are not enough. After-school, evening, and weekend activities are essential to develop the whole child. It all comes together at Forman. Spaces at Forman help create a dynamic community. They offer that homey, comfortable warmth where students can unwind and refuel. When I arrived on campus a decade ago, I heard from the students about the need for a Student Center. They wanted a place where they could hang out with all of their friends. A place to play ping pong, watch the big game, grab something to eat, and just be able to relax. I envisioned a place with space for all the different things that different students like to do – that would draw students in. Last year, I got a chance to fulfill that hope when we completed the new Malcolm G. Chace Student Center.

We needed to offer something for everyone: a space big enough for dances, with a professional sound and lighting system so students truly feel like they’re on a dance floor. We needed cozy corners with quiet places to watch a movie, do a puzzle, or play games. We wanted the space to be visually inviting so that when students would walk in, they’d say, “This is cool.” We created a display of vintage instruments from around the world so students could be inspired by seeing woodwinds or strings from Mali or Russia. The large black-and-white prints of jazz greats remind students of this unique American art form. Visual inspiration in every room was the goal. TV room walls show original artwork related to classic films. The stage is flanked by vintage performance posters. The giant pennant in the game room flew over Yankee Stadium when they won. The rest of the room has pennants that represent many other sports. Forman’s commitment to community began with the inspired vision of the Formans nearly 90 years ago.

They designed dormitories around a village green. This remains the heart of our community today. Our smaller and cozier dorms also create a tighter community. Dorm parents live close to students. We’ve intentionally designed all new buildings on campus on a scale that fits with the feel of a quintessential New England village. Even our largest building, the Visual and Performing Arts Center and Jake Cloobeck ’16 Theater, hugs the contours of the hill and doesn’t overwhelm the campus. I understand that it’s hard for parents who have never known someone who went to boarding school to realize the full value of student life here. It’s a leap of faith. But it’s even more important for students who learn differently to have the total experience. It’s often not long before I hear parents say things like: “She’s a

different child; she has come out of her shell.” At Forman we know what it feels like to have a family that understands you, that you can trust when you need help, that makes you feel you have so much to offer. This is what we strive to make true for every student. When I see students congregate at the new Student Center, playing a game of pool, I know we’ve given them the best space to be themselves. A little “nudge and tilt” from their friends as they play pinball – it all comes together here.

Adam K. Man P’15 Head of School

F O C U S

A Safe Place to Take Risks Student Life Creates a Close Community by Leesa Lawson

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And there is always someone to turn to for help. Sarah Auch ’15, a math major and senior at St. Lawrence University, credits Forman for her successful transition to college. “I’m able to balance my life by myself,” Auch says. “I studied abroad in Denmark, learned to manage commuting, and have a social life.” Belong and Believe

Close-knit communities don’t just happen. They’re created and nurtured. Their power lasts a lifetime.

It’s no small feat to navigate the challenges of adolescence: to live away from home, learn to get along in a diverse community, navigate conflict, manage academics, cope with stress, cultivate an emotional and social life, and learn to trust. It’s a tall order for any adolescent, let alone those aware that they learn differently. Because students at Forman learn differently and because learning differences don’t end after class, student life programs are critical for different learners. Surrounded by students who share learning challenges as well as intelligence and talents, students support each other. They’ve known the frustration as well as the joy of discovery. Forman is a safe haven for students to take risks – it’s the

Strong friendships form across all boundaries. “I love speaking Spanish with my friends in the dorm,” Stephania Bendek ’22, a native Spanish speaker, says. “I never feel alone.” Living in small dorms helps students learn to be part of a community; they learn to get along, resolve differences, set boundaries, respect space, and balance sleep and study habits. It also helps with all of the other endless issues that come up while learning to live with others. A dorm parent is always there to help. A structured study period, overseen by faculty, takes place every night across campus. Study Hall follows, and tutors are also available, if needed. There’s the structure and the freedom to become your best self. Students feel safe, valued, and accepted. They’re curious again. They relax into the learning and the living. They’re not afraid to take risks and fail. This prepares them for the real world. Assistant Head of School Mike Kowalchick often hears students say: “I got my life back at Forman.” Celia Tucker ’20 has learned to advocate for herself at Forman. “I’m not ashamed anymore to talk about my learning disability,” Tucker says. “My Metacognitive Strategies teacher taught me so much: strategies for how I learn, how to phrase questions, and how to explain what I need. My dorm parents helped me too. The whole community helps.”

bridge they need to prepare them for college and life. Learning, living, or just “hanging” with fellow different learners, students gain confidence. They learn to believe in and advocate for themselves. They build perseverance and resilience. They reframe and rewrite their story. Like a Family with a Learning Center

Forman is often the first place many students feel understood in a school setting. Not only do teachers understand each student’s learning profile based on a personal evaluation, but coaches and dorm parents also know how each student learns best. Chris Ford, Head of the Ingenuity Program, believes in the power of being understood: “For students, it’s like finding their superpowers and learning how to use them. They see their strengths rather than just their weaknesses.” Forman offers support of every kind, wherever and whenever students need it. It’s not just in class, but on the playing field, in the dorm, in Study Hall, and during all the activities on- and off-campus.

“For students, it’s like finding their superpowers and learning how to use them. They see their strengths rather than just their weaknesses.”

— Chris Ford, Head of Forman’s Ingenuity Program

F O C U S

Boredom Takes a Back Seat to Activities

Letting Off Steam

Since different learners are often bored, activities onand off-campus are as varied and creative as the students themselves. Students initiate most activities, and all of them are designed to balance both close connections and independence. “I like the half-mile walk into the town with my friends to order pizza at Ollie’s. I like the independence,” Harris Goldstein ’19 says. There are old and new traditions: John and Julie Forman started the Strawberry Festival. More recently, students created Green & White Color Wars – a school-wide competition that pits student and faculty teams against each other in everything from dodgeball to lip-syncing. Some students love to stock shelves at a local food bank as part of their community service. These activities build a sense of belonging year-round. In addition to the many extracurricular activities and clubs, a cultural series invites student participation. Nationally renowned artists perform and conduct master classes regularly in the Visual and Performing Arts Center and Jake Cloobeck ’16 Theater. There’s no shortage of student leadership opportunities, from Class Officers to Student Admission Ambassadors to Dorm Prefects. Student pride of ownership is everywhere as Job Leaders assign daily tasks to help keep the campus clean. Responsibility may bring recognition and rewards. Independence grows.

This new Student Center is full of creative ways for different learners to refuel. A sound studio allows students to mix, edit, and cut their own soundtracks. There’s an open mic stage and a professional sound and light system. Multiple game rooms offer TV, pool, ping pong, air hockey, and foosball. There’s a separate arcade game room with Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. Several pinball machines get a real workout. Mr. Man collected and designed the wall displays of vintage instruments from around the world. The space hums and vibrates with creative energy. In the center of it all hangs a portrait of Malcolm G. Chace, in honor of his tremendous support of education at Forman. For some parents, the thought of sending their child to a boarding school may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but then they see the transformation. As Jon Zagrodzky P’18, P’19 says, “We saw the quick success of Maggie’s freshman year. The friends. The smiles. The happy and academically motivated child we had always hoped to see.” Back in the 1930s, evening Study Hall was followed by snacks in faculty apartments and listening to Jack Benny and the radio drama “The Shadow.” Today, students may create a new music track in the Malcolm G. Chace Student Center or go to a Forman production of a Broadway play and then dinner. Tastes change; the desire to connect to a caring community never does.

A New Student Center Like No Other

Different learners generate even more energy than most teenagers, and all that energy needs a release valve. The new Malcolm G. Chace Student Center is a visual, auditory, and gustatory feast, and students gather there every night. Head of School Adam K. Man P’15 was involved in every detail of the renovation, working to create large spaces for students to gather and cozy corners to text, listen to music, share a secret with friends, or burn off excess energy. The fireplace glows on a winter day as the Lion’s Den Bistro, which is also part of the new Student Center and home to the Culinary Arts Program, gets busy. The Music Department is also under this roof and features small private and large group practice rooms.

F O C U S

“The environment in which adolescents find themselves has a profound influence on their maturity and self-worth.” — John Forman

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“Forman creates a safe place for students to try things and fail,” adds Maxwell. She knows firsthand how the right support can lead to independence. A Diverse Family and a Lifelong Learner

Live to Learn New Director of Student Life by Leesa Lawson

Allie Maxwell is an initiator, coordinator, conduit, and builder of ways to give students the social and emotional support they need. “Student Life is the scaffolding for everything,” Forman’s new Director of Student Life says. “It makes all the connections between academics, dorm life, and activities on- and off-campus.” Every day, Maxwell focuses on ways to make those connections and relationships stronger, so students feel accepted and valued. She knows that the right support during these critical years means independence later. In her short time at Forman, Maxwell sees how its

structure gives different learners all the support they need. Close connections begin in small dorms – some with as few as eight students. She notices how students’ minds shift when they understand their learning profile for the first time, and how students grow when they apply strategies that empower them to learn best. She sees the impact of the built-in support every night when students have time to meet with teachers and ask them questions one-on-one. She sees how help with time management from executive function coaches keeps students on track. “They become confident and independent learners,” Maxwell says.

Maxwell has the ideal background for her work at Forman. “I grew up in a loud family,” she says. Her family dinners often included a wide variety of guests. She relished the diversity. But she struggled in school to comprehend what she was reading. Her mother, an educator, enrolled her in a private K-12 school that gave her the one-on-one help she needed. She gained the confidence to attend a college far from home. Then she studied abroad. Each new culture was a revelation. If there were a college major in Student Life, Maxwell would have the best background for it. While earning her undergraduate degree in African Studies, she interned at boarding schools. During the summer, she worked at a kids’ camp. She loved every minute of it. Her master’s degree in International Education focused on building multicultural teams. Before coming to Forman, she was Director of Residential Life at a boarding school in Pennsylvania. Inclusion and Clear Boundaries

Just a few months into her work here, Maxwell was part of a team that created Forman’s inclusion statement. That committee, which included a student, tackled big questions: How do we perceive others? What are our biases? How do we value different races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, and religions? The inclusion statement spells out clear conduct for a caring community. Assistant Head of School Mike Kowalchick says of Maxwell: “She has a plan and always comes up with a solution.” She also helps choose the discussion topics for the student men’s and women’s groups. Last month they discussed consent and appropriate boundaries: verbal, emotional, physical, and electronic. “We covered everything from what’s appropriate to post on your Instagram account to whether you can borrow your roommate’s sweater,” she says. She hopes to expand these groups. Next month’s topic: healthy ways to manage stress.

Diverse Down Time

Maxwell coordinates many student programs. “All activities, both on- and off-campus, are student driven, and we offer many options,” she notes. Many different learners need movement, so some students choose a walk to raise money for cancer research as part of their community service. Other students crave quiet time. One weekend she created a no-pressure space for students to stop by anytime and make snow globes. “Boarding school life helps students reflect on their experience – it shifts their perspective, and students have a deeper understanding,” she says. “They stop using their mental energy wondering ‘Am I good enough?’ We make the space for everyone to feel comfortable and confident.” Recently, she planned Martin Luther King Day events, including a viewing of The Hate U Give, followed by a discussion of nonviolent movements and a trip to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. Allie Maxwell gets her energy around people with different perspectives – like those guests at her family’s dinner table. At Forman she’s fully energized 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and she’s always in search of a solution that gives students the emotional and social support they need. She believes her daily work has the power to last a lifetime.

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1 Head of School Adam K. Man P’15 brings

a group of students to Brooklyn, NY, to see Humans by Circa 2 Fans cheer on the boys’ basketball game 3 Thumbs up for science class 4 The Forman mascot brings some school cheer with a human pyramid 5 Winter play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 6 Kesha Wootton ’21 focuses on his ceramics project 7 Students get into the Halloween spirit 8 A surprise food-truck visit to campus 9 Head of School Adam K. Man P’15 and his wife, Beth, host a sushi night at their house

7 2

We asked students. They answered...

â€œWhat are your favorite things to do at Forman?â€?

A Few of Their Favorite Things:

“Hanging out with my friends.” — Mary Reinhardt ’20

“Hanging out with friends and the arcade games in the Student Center.” — Brenna Radice ’19

“Spikeball tournaments outside.”

“Pinball.” — Rene Burkert ’19

— Rachel Mittelman ’19

“Lacrosse, volleyball, basketball at the gym … I like it all.” — Maxx Brown ’21

“Hanging out at the Lion’s Den Bistro.” — Celia Tucker ’20

“Going to the gym during Y block.” — John Houldin ’21

“Hanging out with my friends in the Student Center. I remember the Philly cheesesteak from the Lion’s Den Bistro fondly.”

“Sleeping in on Sunday morning.” — Jaylin Hopkins ’19

“In the fall and spring they put nets up on the green and I love playing volleyball.” — Kendall Beladino ’19

— Quinn Campbell ’21 16

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Never Give Up Richard Couto ’90

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“ It was only once I had moved on into my life, and I saw how many challenges and hurdles there are, that I saw the value of what Scotty and Nigel taught me: Giving up is an impossibility.”

by John Hassan

— Richard Couto ’90 Richard Couto ’90 is, in many ways, a typical Forman alumnus. Over four years in Litchfield, he lived in Morris, Lodge, and Henderson. He earned 11 varsity letters across the soccer, basketball, and baseball teams, and he found that Forman was the right place for him to blossom.

“Being dyslexic,” says Couto, “translates so many things into being a struggle. As a young person, you hear ‘No’ or ‘It can’t happen’ a lot. But upon arrival at Forman, which is geared to help you with your learning curve, things improve. Forman not only provides academic and educational support, it is laying the groundwork for learning how to cope with all of the obstacles you might encounter.” Couto says Scott McCarty ’76, P’02, P’05 and Nigel Daniel P’11 shaped his life as soccer coaches and overall mentors. “I probably learned as much on the athletic field at Forman as I did in the classroom. The main lesson and inspiration I took from playing for Scotty was to develop the mindset of never giving up. Never.” “Like most young people, I didn’t really understand all of that at the time,” Couto continues. “Forman, as it should, provides you with your own little world. The challenges are there but you are very well supported. It was only once I had moved on into my life, and I saw how many challenges and hurdles there are, that I saw the value of what Scotty and Nigel taught me: Giving up is an impossibility. That attitude, bred into me at Forman, has truly shaped my entire life, especially what I am doing now.” What Couto is doing now is the very definition of battling obstacles on a daily basis.

Couto is the Founder, Chief Executive Director, and Lead Investigator of the Animal Recovery Mission (ARM). ARM is a non-profit investigative organization dedicated to eliminating extreme animal cruelty worldwide. Before founding ARM in Miami in 2010, Couto was a board member and Lead Investigator for the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in South Florida, where he helped expose and thwart illegal animal and horse slaughter farms. Couto’s journey from Forman to ARM had many stages. During his last two years at Forman, Couto signed with the modeling agency Zoli. He traveled regularly to New York City from Forman to work as a model. He appeared in editorial shoots and ads for Valentino, Versace, and other top names in fashion, and worked with noted photographers such as Herb Ritts. Upon graduation from Forman, Couto had a fairly successful career up and going, so he moved to New York to pursue it full time, with a plan to do so for only one year. Couto then studied Business Administration at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, where he had grown up. After college, Couto moved to Boston and sold software for a while. But the corporate world of deadlines and cubicles didn’t feel right. So Couto, a lifelong sailor,

moved to California to sail and race for various outfits in San Diego and San Francisco. Then, desiring a warmer climate, Couto headed down to Miami. After more time sailing, Couto ran into a big obstacle: He broke his neck while racing motocross. Sports was now out of the picture, so Couto turned to real estate development. He made himself a comfortable nest egg after a few years. During this time, Couto began to donate money to the SPCA, which was doing a lot with horse rescue in Miami. One day, he went to see how his money was being spent and his life changed. “I got reeled in by the animals and the people there,” says Couto. Eventually, he joined the SPCA board. Another catalyst was his experience assisting law enforcement with the SPCA. On a ride-along in response to a distress call, Couto found himself at an illegal horse slaughterhouse. “I was shocked,” he says. “I grew up in a bubble. I didn’t know illegal slaughterhouses existed.” He quickly realized that law enforcement was not particularly interested in neglected animals. They certainly weren’t interested in properly collecting the right evidence to put away bad guys who abuse animals. Couto also saw that the SPCA was not doing enough of the investigative work that could really hamper and shut down these operations. That’s why he founded ARM, to protect innocent and voiceless animals from violence and exploitation. “We focus on the worst animal cruelty on planet earth,” says Couto.

ARM works with all levels of law enforcement, from the local sheriff to the DEA, FBI, and ICE, to bring criminal abusers to justice. “When we go undercover, we see that these people are also dealing drugs and guns,” says Couto. “We see human slavery. People are smuggled in from Haiti or the Dominican Republic, but the price of their passage is to work in these slaughterhouses for a while.” After success in Florida, ARM is now active in over 20 states and about six other countries, doing the same undercover work, gathering evidence to get convictions and put these operations out of business. In the United States, ARM is investigating animal cruelty on factory farms and in the dairy industry. ARM also has a disaster response team that traveled to California to assist with animal recovery and rescue during the massive wildfires of 2018. All of these efforts present endless challenges. But Couto feels ready. “If you just concede when someone tells you you can’t do something, if you just give up, you’ll have a very hard time in the real world,” says Couto. “I didn’t know how to fight when I arrived at Forman, but I learned how to dig in and push back and continue on toward what I wanted. The skills and attitudes given to me at Forman are at the foundation of who I am.” Couto sums up his feelings very succinctly: “Forman defines me as a person.”

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“ I struggled until the fourth grade when I was properly diagnosed. That made my choice of Forman a natural one.” — Jacob Ringer ’04

Jacob Ringer and family

Ringing for Results Jacob Ringer ’04

by John Hassan

Jacob Ringer ’04 is running for alderman of the 43rd Ward in Chicago. There are 50 aldermen on Chicago’s City Council, and they serve four-year terms. In an energetic city of nearly three million people, it’s not a casual pursuit.

Jacob’s late father, Jack Ringer, ran for the same office in 1967. “My dad ran as an independent, which was a daring approach in the 1960s in Chicago, and he made it to a runoff.” Politics was often discussed in the Ringer household, and Jacob heard war stories about ’60s politics his whole life. Yet, getting into politics didn’t seem all that likely for Ringer when he graduated from high school. “When I left Forman, I turned down a scholarship to

George Washington University for the specific reason of not wanting to go into politics,” Ringer says. But the passage of time and life experience caused a gradual shift in his thinking. Ringer graduated from Tulane in 2009 with a master’s degree in Finance. But the fallout from the housing crisis and weak economy made for a poor job market. So Ringer traveled for a year, seeing 32 countries in 14 months.

He did volunteer work in Western Africa and other international spots. Upon his return to the United States in October of 2010, he landed a coveted spot on Rahm Emanuel’s first campaign for mayor of Chicago. Emanuel won the election in February 2011 and Ringer started out in the new administration. Six months later, he was the first ever Chief of Staff to the CFO of the City of Chicago. “I spent more than three years in that role and learned a lot while gaining experience in and around city government,” Ringer says. “I oversaw a digital billboard project, involving six different city departments, on the Chicago expressways that has brought in over $40 million to the city without raising taxes, fines, or fees. I got to see how the sausage is made.” After getting married, Ringer left the Mayor’s Office and went to work at a law firm representing private clients on the other side of politics. “I represented a Montessori school that wanted to buy a parking lot from the city,” Ringer says. “It was a win for the city because the price was fair and it was a win for the School to get the property over developers. Now that parking lot is a farm and a part of the school’s programming.” Part of Ringer’s successful career is the fact that he addressed his dyslexia many years ago. “I struggled until the fourth grade when I was properly diagnosed. That made my choice of Forman a natural one.” Ringer spent three years at Forman, living in Hamilton and Beecher, and he has many fond memories of Dean of Students Annie Crawford advising him in the dorm. Ringer was an accomplished athlete at Forman, too.

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He was the soccer captain his senior year, skied, and won Forman Baseball’s Green Bat Award as a junior. Getting to know the Lombardi family was a nice part of athletics for Ringer, and he, of course, was influenced positively by Head Soccer Coach and Director of Athletics, Scott McCarty ’76, P’02, P’05. “I played with two of Scotty’s kids. One of the sweetest people I have ever met, he truly believed in the soccer program,” says Ringer. “Yet, my strongest memory of Coach McCarty is when he cut me from varsity as a sophomore. After I got the news from him, he and I went on a half-hour run in the driving rain and I really unloaded on him. I was so upset. But he let me get it all out. I was grateful for the chance to vent. His willingness to listen to me, really hear me, as a 15-year-old kid, will always stick with me. He didn’t agree with me but he listened.” “Of course, the funny part is I was back on varsity a week later when someone else got cut.” Ringer also has fond memories of Wendy Welshans as he was on the Rainforest Project and the Spider Project. “All of my work with her was pivotal,” Ringer says, “and a big part of my Forman experience.” After leaving the law firm, Ringer spent some time at a non-profit manufacturing incubator called mHUB. He declared his candidacy in January 2018 and left mHUB to campaign full time that April. He estimates he’s knocked on over 7,500 doors, though he’ll ring the bell first if that’s an option. That’s impressive and is about half of the expected voter turnout for his ward. His wife, Dana, and his boys Leo, 3, and Henry, 1, are behind him 100 percent. So are some old Forman friends, Noah Cahan ’03 and Matthew Neistat ’03, who live in Chicago and are still in touch with Ringer. He’s come a long way from the high schooler who wanted nothing to do with politics. His professional experience has taught him how government can and should work as well as how it really does work. “Being an alderman in Chicago is a fairly unique position,” says Ringer. “You are a legislator working on citywide bills but also an all-around administrator for your constituency. Rats, potholes, garbage, snow – whatever it is – you are the go-to person for everyone in the neighborhood. This is a service-first job and I understand that to its core.”

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The Chace Legacy Continues to Make Forman Feel Like Home

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“I think he felt like Forman saved me, and that’s why he wanted to give back so much.” — Barbara Chace ’87

Barbara Chace ’87 by Edit Barry

The Chace name is ever-present on the Forman School campus, from Barbara Chace ’87 Library to Chace Dorm to the brand new Malcolm G. Chace Student Center. Alumna and trustee Barbara Chace ’87 and her late father, Malcolm, are behind these extraordinary gifts. The inspiration for them was Barbara’s own transformative Forman experience, her and her father’s gratitude to the School, and her appreciation for her father’s legacy.

Barbara came to Forman because she was dyslexic, and her early struggle with dyslexia will resonate with many. Until third grade, her teachers would call and send report cards home to her mother saying Barbara was stupid. Barbara remembers being pulled out of class into a “little closet of a room” and thinking, “so I guess I am dumb.” In fourth grade, she moved in with her father and stepmother in Providence, RI. “I didn’t know how to count. I didn’t know how to tell time,” she says. In fifth or sixth grade, her father took her to Boston for a series of tests. “They said I had a learning disability.” “My whole extended family – they all went to Yale,” Barbara says. Her family had no history of learning differences. Yet they were always supportive. When it came time to look at high schools that would meet her needs, her father led the hunt.

Barbara Chace ’87

That’s when they discovered Forman. “The minute we drove up to Forman campus, I knew it was it,” she says. “It was inviting. It looked homey.” Barbara jumped right in and her whole world turned around. “I didn’t feel dumb anymore,” she says. “These people understood me, and they didn’t look at me differently.” She read Shakespeare with Mr. Kerin, whose teaching style was playful and engaging. Her geography teacher, Mr. Thompson, never let her quit. Her Accounting 1 teacher, Mrs. McCarty, “was phenomenal. She made it fun – and the more fun it was, the more you learned.” She also bonded

with Assistant to the Head of School Noreen Kausyla – “the only person in the world who calls me ‘Barbie.’” Outside of academics, Barbara played varsity tennis all four years and did recreational skiing in the winter. Her tight clique of friends looked out for each other, ventured into town together, and took advantage of two long breaks to enjoy Cape Cod and the Bahamas. “It was like a big family,” she says. She hung out with friends most evenings in the Foyer – her generation’s version of a student center. She loved communal traditions like “Lock In,” an allnight movie watching party in the basement of Carpenter. “Everybody was together, which was fun.” When Barbara graduated with an acceptance to college, it was clear that Forman had changed her life for the better. “I was happy. I was finally happy,” she says. Her parents “were just completely blown away.” Her father was particularly moved. “I think he felt like Forman saved me, and that’s why he wanted to give back so much.” Donating the Student Center and naming it after her dad is Barbara’s “thank you” for everything he did for her and for Forman. His philanthropy extended not only to spaces on campus – the library, the residence hall, and, with Joseph F. and Joan S. Cullman P’80, the surface of the tennis courts where Barbara competed – but also to the Rainforest Project. “He wanted to make everything a little bit better and brighter for everybody,” Barbara says. “He wanted every child at Forman to do well and be happy and be themselves. I hope that the Student Center gives them that feeling.” Today, Barbara’s number one job is as the mother of three. Her children are all in school. Her eldest, Michael, is a firstyear student at Marist College. Her son, Matthew, is a junior

Barbara Chace ’87 with her kids: Matthew, Brooke, and Michael

at Storm King School in Cornwall, NY. Her daughter, Brooke, is in seventh grade and lives at home in Wilton, CT. Barbara describes Michael as quiet and shy, Matthew as the class clown, and Brooke as highly social, athletic, and feisty – like her mom. What Barbara tries to instill in all of them is the importance of balancing work and play. “School is not just about going to class and getting good grades,” Barbara says. “It’s also about being with your friends, relaxing the mind, and just taking a deep breath at the end of the day.” When Brooke comes home from school, Barbara gives her the chance to FaceTime with friends, eat a snack, and “just chill” before starting her homework. “Everybody is entitled to have that down time,” Barbara says. “The most important thing is that your child is happy.” She hopes students use “M.G.C.” – her nickname for the Malcolm G. Chace Student Center – to find that balance. She also hopes it gives them the sense of home she found at Forman. “I hope it makes a big difference,” she says. “And I hope the kids love it.”

G I V I N G

A Community of Givers

G I V I N G

A large part of my job is visiting the greater Forman community wherever they may live. Sometimes I am with a grandparent, sometimes a past parent, and often with our alumni. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting in Denver with an alumna from the Class of 1946. She is a woman of boundless energy and accomplishment, someone who I expect will be profiled soon in this magazine.

I bring up this recent meeting because it helped me to focus on the roots of Forman and the threads of connection that carry through to today. This alumna attended Forman at a troubled time for the world and for education. Without the testing and diagnostics available today, students with learning differences then seldom felt understood. By her description, however, Forman was a school of great empathy, with a focus on fundamentals and the building of self-esteem. In short, it was and is the Forman that you so generously support! In this meeting, as in so many others, I show a map of the campus and discuss the new buildings and their purpose. I talk about the vision for the School and how your dollars support that endeavor and the daily life of the students. I also love to talk about how polite and happy our students are, as a symbol of our success. Seldom do I see more happiness than at the Malcolm G. Chace Student Center. Out of all the pictures I show, none elicits greater smiles and applause from our community than to the Student Center. In one short year, it has become an indispensable hub for the campus and a place to enjoy, unwind, and develop those lifelong friendships that are Forman. The Student Center is just one piece of the puzzle that so many families and friends have helped to put together at Forman in recent years. If we did not receive the support to build the Visual and Performing Arts

Center, the Student Center could not have opened. Your support of the many projects we have completed in recent years is an important part of the framework that makes us such a robustly healthy school. Formanâ€™s goals are not complete and we still need your support to pay off the Visual and Performing Arts Center and to keep our budget balanced with the Annual Fund. From the ten dollar Annual Fund gift for participation to the leadership gifts that help to inspire others â€“ Forman needs all of you more than ever. With all of this pushing forward and goals for financial support, I never want to forget to take a deep breath and marvel at all we have accomplished in recent years as a community of GIVERS. Thank you for all of your support, stories, and time. You help to keep the smiles on the campus and inspire giving large and small.

Justin Solomon Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement 860.567.1896 justin.solomon@formanschool.org

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P R I D E

Lion’s Pride The Forman Athletics Program remains a vital part of our School’s experience. It’s rare to have a conversation with alumni that does not include a happy memory from competing in the name of Lion pride. The Athletics Department, along with dedicated teachers, provides a nurturing and stimulating environment in 24 sports, providing students with a wonderful way to challenge themselves, learn how to be part of a team, and have fun. Good competition with strong effort defines a successful athletic program. But there are championships and awards as well. This past year, John Blake ’19 and Nathan Lehner ’19 were named to the Connecticut Soccer Association’s All-State Prep team. And the Girls’ Varsity Softball team won the 2018 Housatonic Valley Athletic League Championship. We celebrate their outstanding achievements.

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2019 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced The Forman School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has unveiled their third class of inductees to join the Athletic Hall of Fame this spring. The inductees will be inducted during an official ceremony taking place during Alumni Weekend, May 3–5, 2019. The committee comprises of current and former coaches, administrators, and former athletes. n The Athletic Hall of Fame honors members of the Forman community who have made significant contributions to Forman Athletics through their accomplishments and dedication. All Forman alumni are welcome to attend the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony to celebrate their classmates

Dan Dumaine ’69 In the late 1960s, Dan’s relentless athleticism helped propel Forman athletics into the next decade. As a three-sport varsity athlete (soccer, basketball, and track), Dan belonged to the esteemed Letterman’s Club. After Forman, Dan remained in highly active careers, that required vigor and stamina: Police Officer, Investigator for Public Defender’s Office, Private Investigator, and then State Representative for the State of New Hampshire. He is now retired and recently purchased a second home in Florida.

Dara is a native New Englander, she has called Colorado home for more than 20 years. There she continues to live an active lifestyle – whether hiking, skiing, pursuing photography, or advocating. Her most lasting memory of being a Forman student-athlete is the genuine camaraderie among her teammates and classmates, and the support she had from her coaches. Many of Dara’s greatest life lessons were learned through playing sports, and she attributes her successes to being a team player, never giving up, and always striving to find an opportunity to achieve her goals.

Kathryn John Blume ’04 Dara Bassock Marvel ’88 When Dara thinks back to her years at Forman, she can credit her success to what she learned as a high school student-athlete. While at Forman, Dara excelled in every sport she played and always demonstrated the utmost respect for her teammates, coaches, and opponents. After Forman, she went on to Roger Williams University to play soccer and was a four-year starter as well as captain. After college, Dara pursued a career in sports marketing and spent 20 years in the snow sports industry. Today she continues to draw off her success, consulting in the ski business and applying her business and marketing skills to passion projects in the non-profit sector. While

CLASS NOTES

Michael N. Cohen _____________________________

called Graft, which one of his four daughters runs. “I owe my success to John and Julie Forman and the devotion they gave to us,” Ted explains. “I ran the Dingly Dell School Store and was the editor of the yearbook while at Forman, learning accounting, meeting deadlines, and how to work with others. I also have been trying to reach out to my classmates and wish they would come back and see how Forman has changed. I know how proud and honestly amazed they would be if they could take some time away.”

Richard P. Barker msb463@msn.com _____________________________

Alfred “Ace” Body Jr. skibumal43@gmail.com _____________________________

Monroe B. Scharff mbscharff@aol.com _____________________________

S. Sherman Clark Jr. shermclark@aol.com _____________________________

being inducted.

Katie made a name for herself on the fields and the court during her time at Forman. She broke records, set new ones, and was invited to play in the All-Star Basketball game her senior year. Athletic Director Scott McCarty ’76, P’02, P’05 confirmed that Katie holds the Forman Girls’ Basketball record with the highest number of points in a game (42 points). Katie played with grit and the determination to win. After Forman, Katie attended Dayton University in Ohio and graduated with a degree in Physical Education. For many years, she taught Physical Education to children in Kindergarten through Grade 8. She now keeps active with a toddler and a newborn.

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Edward “Ted” Marks ted@atwatervineyards.com _____________________________

Edward “Ted” Marks’s newest adventure has been bringing the Edible Finger Lakes Magazine back to life. It is a publication of EdibleCommunities.com that joins with other Edible magazines around the country. Edible Finger Lakes Magazine focuses its content on farms, craft beverages, and restaurants, and their impact on the economic and culinary life in New York’s Finger Lakes Region. Ted owns AtwaterVineyards.com and a restaurant in Watkins Glen, NY,

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Eric D. Murray ericdmu@netzero.com _____________________________

Top row: Jeff Whipple ’65, Larry Culleton ’65, Buck Pryor ’65, Peter Phillips ’65, Peter Hayes ’65. Bottom row: Fritz Gohl ’65, Sally Fliess ’65

holding these events at my house in Marion, MA, for the past 10 years and get a regular group of classmates to attend. We are lucky to have access to two family houses that have enough beds to accommodate most of our class. We meet on Friday afternoon and everyone stays through Sunday afternoon. Saturday evening we have a catered dinner and, if weather permits, a cocktail cruise on our boat out on Buzzards Bay. Most of the weekend we enjoy sharing stories about our years at Forman.”

Jeffrey T. Whipple ’65 jtwhip55@gmail.com _____________________________

Debra Gould Petersen _____________________________

Sara L. Fliess ’65 sallyfl47@pubgames.com

Peter Phillips writes about the Class of 1965 gathering that occurred this past September: “The Class of 1965 had a get-together on one of the off years for our reunion. We have been

Bartow S. Curtis Jr. bart_curtis65@yahoo.com

Alumni Coordinator Rachel White caught up with Bartow Curtis, who is doing well in Elmira, NY. He would love to help organize recording an alumni album with all of the talented musicians and artists we have. Bartow

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worked in the audio-visual industry for many years and said he would donate his time to a project like this.

Joan G. Bielizna joanrealtor@snet.net _____________________________

Duncan Marshall dlmarshall@optonline.net _____________________________

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Paula Nichols-Dille _____________________________

Nancy Walton Marikar _____________________________

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50th reunion

Davis A. Dewey ’69 davisdeweysr@gmail.com Scott M. Sutherland ’69 jms208@aol.com _____________________________

Susan Spadone Holmes _____________________________

Diana Curtis Price Dcprice2000@aol.com _____________________________

Peter G. M. Roberts pgmroberts@hotmail.com Kendra R. Van Pelt sassyk105@gmail.com _____________________________

Malcolm “Chuck” Davidson ’77 has been living in Austin, TX, for two years and positively loves it.

Even though he says the summers can get a little hot, he still likes keeping busy. During the week he works with autistic children, and he teaches public speaking on the weekends.

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_____________________________

Elinor Tucker ’83, Alex Peabody ’81, Pat Devine ’81, Trish Powell Watson ’82 and her husband, Virgil Watson, Michael Curley ’80, and Hilary Taylor ’81 proudly donned the Forman pennants.

Andrew Y. Covert andrewycovert@gmail.com _____________________________

Peter M. Ahlfeld pahlfeld@gmail.com

Gardiner S. Mulford ilovemymead@gmail.com _____________________________

Hilary L. Taylor Hilzo@aol.com _____________________________

Matthew L. LaFlamme matt_laflamme@msn.com _____________________________

Classmates from the early ’80s gathered on High Tower Beach in Satellite Beach, FL, this past October.

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Scott A. Brady skbrady1117@gmail.com Christopher D. Gaynor cdgaynor@gmail.com Nancy Robinson Swift nancysunnyswift@yahoo.com _____________________________

Trey Wills and his family came to visit campus this fall. While on campus, he showed Athletic Director Scott McCarty ’76, P’02, P’05 his letterman jacket – still in pristine condition!

Jennie Alexandre Bono ’85 William L. Freeman freeman.will@gmail.com _____________________________

Lisa Richardson Palmer larfal@aol.com _____________________________

Holly Jones Weisenburger holly@theweisenburgers.com _____________________________

With a devoted passion for how the human body works, Eloise Ribisl Stager became a Diplomat certified CranioSacral therapist. She provides therapy and treatment for adults and children experiencing emotional and/or physical dysfunction with a concentration in rare, complex, and

alumni SAVE THE DATE!

Andrew Krens Jr. drew_krens@yahoo.com _____________________________

Forman School welcomes alumni back to campus to celebrate Reunion!

David E. Swift not_too@hotmail.com _____________________________

MAY 3–5, 2019 L-R: Alex Peabody ‘81, Elinor Tucker ‘83, Pat Devine ‘81, Hilary Taylor ‘81, Michael Curley ‘80, and at the end Trish Powell Watson ‘82 with her husband, Virgil.

connective tissue disorders. Eloise has been chosen to present at Beyond the Dura, an Upledger Institute conference, this April. Her topic will be Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder.

weekend

Craig J. Hanson craigjhanson77@gmail.com

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Mrs. Sue Ehrhardt Scheide ’87 and Mr. Philip Scheide ’86

High school sweethearts Sue Ehrhardt Scheide ’87 and Philip Scheide ’86 reunited later in life and got engaged on campus where it all started. In 2016 local networks found out about this love story and it made national news! On September 18, Sue and Philip had a private ceremony in Warwick, RI, and continue to enjoy life together.

Neesha Nicks Allen _____________________________

Trey Wills ’84

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Sean P. Maguire sean.maguire@formanschool.org Curt F. Pfannenstiehl curtpfann@gmail.com W. David Thorn Jr. dthorn30@yahoo.com _____________________________

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in that time and the advancements made on campus. He, his wife, and two sons enjoyed the campus, played a little basketball in the gym, and remembered the glory days on the field with Athletic Director Scott McCarty ’76, P’02, P’05. Joel Griffith lives in Whitefish, MT, and traveled back to the East Coast to visit good friend Kelly Smith ’89 at his new restaurant, Samurai Soul Food in Fairlee, VT.

Jennifer Winkler Balzi jenrwink@gmail.com Karine Opdyke Lawrence karinelawrence@yahoo.com _____________________________

Kevin Murray lives with his daughter and his wife of 17 years in Queens, NY, where he works with adults with intellectual challenges. Kevin is also eager to embark on a project that will develop a theatre movement for people with intellectual challenges called “The Theatre of the Possible.”

Sean Maguire ’89, P’22, George Winkler ’89, Jennifer Winkler ’90, Shawn Titcomb ’90, and Jim Gray ’90 gathered this past summer in Woodbury, CT, at the annual Guitar-B-Que hosted by Shawn Titcomb’s father. Ben Quintana and family visited campus in January while they were vacationing in Stowe, VT. This was Ben’s first time back on campus in almost 30 years. He couldn’t be more proud of how far the School has come

Amy Owen Stettner aostett@hotmail.com Rob P. Tarantino Rob_Tarantino@ML.com Jenny Virgopia jennyvirgopia@aol.com _____________________________ Joel Griffith ’89 with classmate Kelly Smith ’89

Longtime promoter, partner, and comanager at the Stephen Talkhouse in East Hampton, NY, Nicholas Kraus lined up some impressive performances last summer, from Jimmy Buffett to the Killers and Jimmy Fallon. For his new venture, USA Warrior Stories, he recorded over 30 interviews. It’s growing quickly and Soldier Ride is going strong, too. Nick’s daughter, Veronica, turned three and, he tells us, “She is a champ.”

Brian A. Eisenberg brianadam11@comcast.net _____________________________

Nathan Baldwin is originally from Miami, FL. After attending Forman, he went on to the University of Florida and graduated with a B.S. in Advertising. Post college, Nathan moved to New York and first worked in advertising at several large agencies and then in digital marketing for a start-up. He met his wife, Molly,

in New York and they moved to Connecticut in 2003. In 2015, he became a founding partner of After Inc., a global leader in the warranty services industry. Nathan currently serves as CEO of After Inc. Nate and Molly live in Darien with their two children, Will, 12, and Caroline, 10. When he’s not at the office or on a lacrosse field, Nate enjoys deep sea fishing, often traveling down to Florida and the Bahamas.

Marikay Geib marikaygeib212@msn.com Lauren Cuticelli Patton lauren@cuticelli.com Tyler Renn tylerrenn@rennwealth.com _____________________________

Abbie Graham Durkin abbiedurkin@gmail.com _____________________________

Kenneth I. Deane kenneth.deane@gmail.com Kimberly B. Ertag Gilah E. Gersten gilahg@gmail.com Amy E. Love alove0410@comcast.net _____________________________

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Christopher D. Kellogg

Larissa Hoffman Moon and her husband, Morgan, married on October 21, 2016 and live in Savannah, GA. Larissa enjoys staying at home with their two children. Morgan Donald Moon III will be two this coming April and his baby sister, Della-Mae, arrived November 1. In 2020, Larissa and Morgan are planning a roadtrip to Vermont with their children. Larissa lovingly jokes that it should be fun traveling 1,200 miles with two toddlers!

Brooke Labriola Shepard bhlabriola@gmail.com _____________________________

Allison Herron Gsell allison_herron@hotmail.com Elizabeth G. Thomas lizgthomas@yahoo.com _____________________________

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Susan A. Schonfeld suzy195954@aol.com _____________________________

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Elizabeth Hanway Johnson ehjohnson100@gmail.com Jessica Davis Raitz jessica.raitz@gmail.com _____________________________

Jesse J. E. Resnick jesse.res@gmail.com _____________________________

Matthew A. Bonzagni mattbonzagni232@charter.net Leith T. Sharp leithal29@gmail.com _____________________________

Mark Pesnichak is a land surveyor in Colorado primarily working for oil and gas companies. Prior to his current job, Mark worked as a photographer for three years and took pictures of sororities and fraternities all over the country. He also spent a few years taking pictures for Disney in Orlando. Mark did some part-time photography work for ESPN and NFL, and he took concert photos on the side.

Larissa Hoffman Moon ’97 and husband Morgan

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him on Instagram @baileypoteatmusic and on the Web at baileypoteat.com. He looks forward to hearing from old friends.

Mark M. Roscio gradywhaler@gmail.com _____________________________

Bailey Poteat ’01

Over the last eight years, Jonathan “Bailey” Poteat has been performing as a singer-songwriter-guitarist and session musician for various bands, film/tv projects, and vocal ensembles in and around New York City, where he resides. In 2012, he was one of the cofounders of a cappella group “TSG.” In 2013, he partnered with singersongwriter Joan Mercury to co-found the “Fleetwood Mac-esque” acoustic duo JOAN & BAILEY. Following that, Bailey was part of a male vocal trio called “NO GIMMICKS” until 2016. He is a member of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and just recently finished recording his first country music album, which is slated for release in spring/summer 2019. He will be hosting a record release concert with his band at a TBA venue in NYC. The first single, “Make Me Stop Loving You” (feat. Andrea Levinsky), was released in late December 2018. The second single off the record, “Sunday Morning Lullaby,” was released this past February. You can follow Bailey on Spotify, iTunes, and anywhere else you can listen to music online. Find

Since graduating from Forman, Brian Palma became a Police Officer and is currently a Sergeant with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office in Newark, NJ. He married Laura, his girlfriend of 15 years, on May 20, 2017. Laura is an attorney for the State of New Jersey and Brian tells us that they are loving life and he would like to get together with classmates again. Timothy Brooks works for New England Tractor Trailer School as an Instructor. He’s been training people to drive tractor trailers for seven years. Prior to that, he was a Driver, and during that time, drove through 47 states in a year-and-a-half! Tim has been happily married to his college girlfriend, Becca, for 10 years. They have a beautiful daughter, Emily, who will be three in April. Geoffrey Dale and his wife, Cat, own two companies. Their landscaping company, Dale Complete Landscaping, is the number one landscaping business in Florida. It’s a family business and they are proud to say they are full to capacity with clients and have a waiting list of over 500 people! His company was the first in the state to introduce

hydroponic and aquaponic systems to their landscape design, setting them apart from their competition. Geoff also sold their designs to companies overseas. Geoff loves what he does and his success comes from being driven and having passion for his work. Elizabeth Fort Costa is enjoying life and keeping busy as a stay-athome mom with two little boys. Thomas is four and Ryan was just born this past October.

Candle, a lightly scented soy candle crafted in high-end bottles using a wooden top from authentic barnwood or fallen trees. Adam started selling the candles part-time and sales took off. He quickly realized that this business had turned into a full-time job, and he recently completed an order of 500 candles for the White House. Adam loves what he does and never expected that he’d be doing this, but life takes us down unexpected paths.

Chelsea E. Kinsella squidmail@aol.com Elizabeth A. Monroe lizmonroe@comcast.net

Adam Morton ’02

As a child, Adam Morton used to watch his mother cut glass bottles to use for decorative purposes. He began to teach himself how to make cut bottles and make candles to put inside them. Once this process was perfected, he created the Bridgeview

Bridgeview Candles by Adam Morton ’02

Kevin T. Smallwood smallwkt@gmail.com _____________________________

Chelsea Kinsella has a master’s degree in Human Services and has been working at the Devereux Glenholme School as a Residential Counselor for two years. She is in charge of a cottage where five girls reside and provides a supportive and nurturing environment where she can foster life skills that support the individual girls’ needs while maintaining the Devereux Glenholme core values: Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, and Honesty. Chelsea integrates these essential values into the students’ daily lives by incorporating their interests into daily activities. She lives in Bethlehem, CT, and recently became a 2003 Class Agent. Chelsea is eager to get more involved with Forman again, and she is looking forward to connecting with classmates.

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Kathryn John Blume john.katie@gmail.com Laura J. Goodkind ljgoodkind@msn.com James J. Hamilton jhamilton8492@yahoo.com _____________________________

Jim Hamilton works for the Connecticut Veterans Affairs Department. He remains an active Class Agent and is anticipating reaching out to fellow 2004 classmates to celebrate their 15th reunion this May. Jim’s unabating loyalty to Forman is strong, and he is committed to spreading this positive energy to all of his classmates. On February 23, 2019 in beautiful Key West, FL, Harrison Grover married Amelia Critzer.

Pearse P. Matthews Cyril P. Thornton thorntcp@gmail.com _____________________________

Ian C. Hayward ianhayward88@gmail.com _____________________________

Living in Brooklyn, NY, and practicing law at the Legal Aid Society in Queens, Michael Gluck works with a committed team of attorneys who defend and advocate for their clients and are committed to seeking

Michael Gluck ’06

equal justice for those who struggle with poverty. Mike visited campus shortly after Thanksgiving to see some of the teachers whose influence profoundly affected him while he was a student. He also was amazed to tour the new buildings and happy to know the School is thriving.

Parker W. S. Beard pwsb87@sbcglobal.net Shannon W. Hallenbeck shannon.hallenbeck@gmail.com Audrey Stout Micca micca.audrey@gmail.com Kenneth P. Reid _____________________________

Shannon Hallenbeck moved to South Carolina and started two new businesses. The first, Ten Percent Boutique, is an Etsy store that carries handmade jewelry, artwork, and stationery. Each month, Shannon donates 10 percent of the overall profits to Project Semicolon, an organization that provides resources for those experiencing mental health crisis, as well as a chosen organization

or institution of the month. Shannon also started his own Life Coaching business while completing his certification through The Life Group in December.

Hannah Dodd Morton hmorton1008@gmail.com _____________________________

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Justin W. DeCausey justindecausey@gmail.com

possible. As for filmography, Jeff works mostly on commercials. His recent work consists of an HBO documentary with Senator John McCain and President Barack Obama, a Fendi commercial with Sarah Jessica Parker, and interviews with the cast of The Walking Dead. Jeff affirms that it’s “definitely an interesting career and every week my job is different.”

Audrey Stout Micca often reflects on her experiences at Forman and recalls how the teachers influenced her success. “They really helped make me feel at home while I was away at school. I truly felt they dedicated themselves to helping me with any issue that ever arose. They saw me for who I was and helped me to find my strengths.” During a visit with Major Gifts Officer Duncan Marshall ’67, Audrey tells him that she is doing very well professionally. She is a Realtor for the Masiello Group, and she works in Quechee, VT, and the surrounding areas. In her spare time, Audrey enjoys substitute teaching at the Upper Valley Waldorf School, which her five-year-old attends.

Jeffrey Bell performs a crucial role in the film industry. Working as a Grip in New York City, his main responsibilities are to build and maintain all the equipment that supports the cameras. Grips are technicians in the film industry and perform a critical task to ensure the supply of film is maintained and the camera operates as seamlessly as

Shelby L. Pierce shelby.pierce93@gmail.com Sean Whiting ’10

Krit Singh ’09 Charlotte Braun ’10

Krit Singh is a Shipwright at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, working on the Mayflower II restoration project. The restoration of the nearly 60-yearold wooden ship is a three-year project that will draw to a close in 2020. This project is to prepare the ship for the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival in 1620. Krit looks back on his years at Forman with a sense of pride and satisfaction. He acredits his success to teachers Wendy Welshans and Chris Ford for letting him think outside the box and use his creativity. Krit is looking forward to coming back for Alumni Weekend and working with Wendy Welshans on the first Alumni Boat project.

Lauren A. Morrow lauren.morrow1993@gmail.com

Dayne J. Price dayneprice@gmail.com _____________________________

Kelly Solk ksolk90@gmail.com _____________________________

Audrey Stout Micca ’07

James C. Clancy james.clancy17@gmail.com

Gretchen G. Conyers gretchc23@gmail.com

Candice R. Earlington wacky_candy@hotmail.com

Digital content marketing continues to be the go-to strategy as it helps businesses take their brands to the next level. Justin DeCausey has been busy in Atlanta creating digital content for businesses and up-andcoming social influencers. He also submitted his first article for Geeks of Color, an online community that highlights diversity in “the world of Geek.” Another area Justin has worked in is television. He submitted a comedy pilot for Nickelodeon’s writing program and worked on Lifetime’s Bring It!, The Rap Game, and a pilot called “The Passage”– which is getting ready to air.

Cameron S. Billik csbillik@gmail.com

It’s a wonderful thing when you can combine your passion with your work. A self-proclaimed animal lover, Charlotte Braun found her calling as a Veterinary Technician. “I absolutely love what I do,” Charlotte exclaims. “I’ve always loved animals, even at Forman. I had pets in my dorm!” Jokingly she tells Alumni Coordinator Rachel White, “I’m nine years out now, I think I can tell you that.” Charlotte resides with five rescue animals – two dogs, two cats, and a guinea pig. Charlotte told Rachel she is hoping to make it back to her 10th Reunion next year.

Sean Whiting recently started a consulting business after successfully working in microcircuitry for the past two years. Prime Consultants Ltd. is Bermuda’s newest third-party Apple repair and retail store. Currently, Sean’s company is working at the component level repairing iMacs, MacBooks, MacBook Pros, Windows Laptops, and Windows Desktops; retailing refurbished devices; and retailing new devices direct from Apple to the company’s expanding list of clients. Sean reports his company is off to a tremendous start, and they are training new staff to keep up with the steady flow of orders coming in.

Rachel C. Hafer rcatharinee@gmail.com

Daniel S. Sotherland _____________________________

Rick Stingel ’12 and fiancé Sami

Rick Stingel proposed to his girlfriend, Sami, and the couple will be married in November 2019.

Nicholas V. Manzella nv.manzella@gmail.com

David R. Buckley davidb21@gmail.com

Michael D. Satalic msatalic@saic.edu _____________________________

Francis R. Fiore fiorefr@mx.lakeforest.edu Mark A. Malburg mmalburg@elon.edu _____________________________

David Buckley is a Social Media/ Public Relations Coordinator for Daniel Wellington, a reputable watch company based in Stockholm. David works in the

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classroom into a positive environment for kids that learn differently.

Sarah E. Auch sarahauch@aol.com

David Buckley ’13

Levi Breier ’14

North American Headquarters located in New York City.

processes to ensure safety (x-ray, eddy current testing, ultrasonics, and oil analysis). In early November, Levi left for Okinawa, Japan, where he will be stationed for two years.

After completing a teaching fellowship at Vermont Academy, Frank Fiore is a full-time faculty member at the Hillside School in Marlborough, MA, where he teaches history and coaches golf and varsity lacrosse.

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Natalie R. Canterbury nataliecanterbury386@yahoo.com Grant A. Oslan grant.oslan@comcast.net Logan C. Rice Logan.Rice96@Yahoo.com Jacob H. Sussman jacob.sussman33@gmail.com Coleman C. Walker Cole.walker1995@gmail.com _____________________________

Levi Breier enrolled in the military last summer and has a six-year contract with the United States Air Force as Non-Destructive Inspector. His job is to inspect aircrafts for structural integrity and to check their engine function through various

Jake Sussman ’14

In December, Jake Sussman graduated from the University of Hartford with a B.A. in Communications. It was an emotional day for Jake because growing up with a learning difference, he endured many struggles along the way. However, he was fortunate to have extraordinary educators and mentors on his team who showed him how to use his strengths and light his fire to succeed. Jake is now a motivational speaker who shares his story and talks about how we can change the way we communicate to kids in the classroom. His message is about turning the

Davis W. Ebbert davisebbert@yahoo.com Allison C. Herdje aherdje@gmail.com

Emily C. Cross emilycross9@gmail.com

Lacey O. McCaw lmccaw03@gmail.com _____________________________

David N. Shaw davidshaw1213@gmail.com

Stephen Cloobeck called Alumni Coordinator Rachel White to let us

Dominic L. Weir domweir@gmail.com _____________________________

Sarah Auch and Will Remnick came to campus during their college winter break to visit some of their former teachers and to see the new Visual and Performing Arts Center and the newly renovated Student Center. Dean of Faculty Francey Fenton gave Sarah and Will a tour and they were amazed by how outstanding everything was. Sarah is a senior at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, and recently did a semester abroad in Denmark. She will graduate this May. Will is a senior at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA, and he did a semester abroad studying in Cyprus, Greece.

Will Remnick ’15, Sarah Auch ’15, and Dean of Faculty Francey Fenton

Alumni Class Agents Needed Do you have contact with many of your classmates from Forman? Do you enjoy reaching out to your friends to find out what’s new? If so, you may be an ideal Class Agent for Forman! Class Agents are needed for the following classes: 1951 1952 1953 1954

1955 1958 1959 1961

1962 1977 1978 1979

If you are interested in reaching out to your classmates and collecting Class Notes, please contact Rachel White in the Alumni Office at rachel.white@formanschool.org. Be sure to include your full name, class year, mailing address, email address, and telephone number(s).

know that Jake Cloobeck is excelling at Chapman University and working on a film with Paramount Pictures. Stephen was effusive in his praise for Forman, which provided Jake with the tools needed for success. The Cloobecks are hoping to plan a trip back to campus soon.

Parker D. Broadnax parkerbroadnax@gmail.com Mee Mee B. Filan filanmeemee@gmail.com

N O T E S

FACULTY NOTES ------------------------

Abby Nolin and her husband, Matt, welcomed their first child together, Lachlan Charles Nolin, on November 9, 2018.

Emma M. Forrester emma.forrester@me.com _____________________________

Annabelle Ford-Rippolone Sophia H. Gadsden sophiahgadsden@gmail.com Samantha J. Novick samchop1031@me.com Brendan A. Wilson Brendan.Wilson.A@gmail.com _____________________________

Sami Novick is enjoying her first year at High Point University in North Carolina. She entered as an undeclared major and has chosen Music as her minor. She is hoping to declare Communications or Education soon. She has become an executive board member of Hillel, and the music chair of her sorority, Tri Sigma. Over break she traveled to Madrid and Lisbon with her family and said it was amazing. Sami thinks about her Forman family often and has been missing everyone a lot. She notes, “I know it will always be the place I call home, and I hope to visit soon.”

Cecilia Gallo and her husband, Rocky, welcomed their first child together, Ronan Anthony Gallo, on January 2, 2019.

Joe Odell and his wife, Sherri, welcomed their second child, Josie Deborah Odell, on January 14, 2019.

I N

M E M O R I A M

IN MEMORIAM --------------------------

Gertrude “Alice” Cutler was the daughter of the late Raymond and Gertrude Trudy Cutler. Alice was born on December 13, 1949 in Stamford, CT, and lived in Darien, CT, until she moved to West Harwich with her family in 1959. She attended schools in Harwich until high school, then graduated from Forman School. Alice was a very talented and creative seamstress, creating beautiful works of art from vintage fabrics. She had a shop, Victorian Images, in South Orleans from 1999 to 2000. She also partnered with several theatrical groups in the 1970s and ’80s, designing and creating costumes, including the Harwich Junior Theatre. She loved to travel and explore the United States, especially the deserts of Arizona and areas in Northern California where she lived while attending classes at Chico State University. In 1985, after seven years of dialysis, Alice underwent a successful kidney transplant. She was always very grateful for that exceptional gift, and remained an advocate for organ donation. Alice spent the last 10 years of her mother’s life as her primary caregiver in their family home in South Orleans, where Alice continued to live up until the time of her passing. She was a very caring and sensitive person who loved the natural world around her, especially Pleasant Bay and the family cabin in West Kill, NY. But most of all, she loved her family and her loyal

cat, Sydney. Alice was always fun and positive, and will be missed by her family and her many friends. In addition to her parents, Alice was predeceased by her sister, Harriett Hawee Cutler Gardiner in 1995. She is survived by her sister, Sally Jean Macort, and her partner, Peter Wells of Brewster. Alice is survived by many family members cousins, nephews, nieces, grandnieces, and grand-nephews. Brenda Payne Luquere ’62 Caroline Phillips ’63, GP’12 Edwin N. Vinson ’62 was born on August 31, 1943. He is predeceased by his parents, Taylor and Betty Jane Nelson Vinson of Huntington, and brother, Z. Taylor Vinson. He lived in West Palm Beach, FL, and Huntington, WV, and died on November 23, 2018 in The Wyngate of Barboursville. He graduated from Forman School, Parsons College, and received an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management, Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Vinson served under two presidents of Marshall University before joining his family business in 1978. He was a member of the Order of the First Families of Virginia, Guyan Golf and Country Club, Gypsy Club, City Club of Huntington, and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. In Florida, Mr. Vinson’s memberships included the Palm Beach Roundtable and the Palm Beach Yacht Club. Survivors include his former wife, Cherry S. Vinson; three children,

Col. James T. Vinson (Lindsay), Blair Vinson Morse, and Edwin N. “Ned” Vinson Jr. (Brandy); six grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Blair Koehl of Dallas, PA, and Delray Beach, FL, and Betty Jane Helander of Westfield, NJ, and Delray Beach, FL. Francis Coffin ’39 was born July 31, 1921, in Schenectady, NY, to Francis Parkman Coffin and Miriam Gage Coffin. As a child, he was educated in New England, attending the Forman School and the Putney School. He went on to receive his master’s degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and worked for MIT during World War II. He returned to RPI and taught Physics there before joining IBM as a Computer Programmer. As a young adult, he was an avid rock climber and skier and belonged to a flying club. During an IBM ski trip, he met Helen Seislove, whom he later wed in 1967. While living in Binghamton, NY, Francis and Helen had two children. In the early 1970s, his work with IBM and Holloman Air Force Base brought him and his family to Alamogordo, NM. Francis and Helen fell in love with the area and decided to retire in Alamogordo and continue raising their children. Francis will be deeply missed by his family and those who loved him. Survivors include his wife, Helen Seislove Coffin; his son Charles Parkman Coffin of Jiangyin, China; his daughter Heidi Sue Coffin of Stoneham, MA; his sister Lucy Allen Jamison and her husband, John Jamison of Rockport, MA; and several nieces and nephews.

JULY 1 – JULY 26, 2019 Coed • Boarding & Day • Grades 7–11 Forman School’s four-week summer program offers students who learn differently a taste of the Forman experience. Students entering grades 7–11 receive individualized attention from highly trained teachers, bond with peers who can relate to their challenges, and take advantage of Forman’s beautiful 125-acre campus for art, athletic, and recreational activities.

For more information, please visit formanschool.org/summer or email admission@formanschool.org.

Forman School 12 Norfolk Road P.O. Box 80 Litchfield, CT 06759-0080 Change Service Requested

IMPORTANT DATES Parents’ Forum April 26–27, 2019

Commencement May 25, 2019

Alumni Weekend May 3–5, 2019

Summer Program July 1–26, 2019