Westminster Bulletin Spring 2025

Westminster

BULLETIN | SPRING 2025

ON THE COVER: After 43 years on Williams Hill with his wife Mary, Todd Eckerson reflects on his memorable roles as teacher, coach and mentor. Todd cherished raising their five children while living and learning alongside Westminster students.

Overheard in Chapel

My young self had no clue that this would just be the beginning of a difficult time. But it was also the start of learning the meaning of grit.

MIA MAGRIZ ’25

In a community like Westy’s, the family you make becomes a constant source of love and security.

ALYSSA JIMENEZ ’25

CHIP GENUNG ’25 “ “ “ “

Being away from home gave me the space to grow and build a version of myself that was uniquely mine.

EVA RODGERS ’25

You are not a title, or a job or a role. Who you get to be is the culmination of your family, friends and experiences.

What used to feel impossible has become something I cherish.

MERRILL ’25

WARNER ’25 “ “ “ “ “ “

The quiet doesn’t make you smaller. It makes room for something bigger.”

MAX WILLIAMS ’25

know I’ll be

RICHARD KIM ’25

Being myself sounded simple … but it wasn’t.

MIRA HUGABONNE ’25

Embrace the discomfort, take the risk — and maybe, even if it’s just once, it’ll be worth it.

ANDERSON ’25

From the Head of School

Dear Westminster School Community,

AS AN EARLY MORNING RISER, I often find myself in the office before most alarms have gone off for the day. It is remarkably quiet — the calm before the storm of student voices and laughter and the rhythmic cadence of ping-pong balls that daily fill Cushing halls. In the Admissions Office, where I fill my water bottle, the sunlight spills across the floor, accentuates the golden yellow walls and pulls my eyes out across Commencement Lawn.

It is always a contemplative moment for me — the day is bright with promise, and in these moments there is much that I think about: Westminster heads of school before me who stood in that same spot and welcomed the day, our students who will soon bring joy and energy to the day and our faculty who work from sunrise to sunset (and beyond) each day to ensure the growth and success of Martlets.

This past April, we celebrated a quintessential Westminster evening. The Board of Trustees was on campus for their spring meetings, and they were joined on Friday afternoon by the Westminster Fellows for their annual meeting. Together, these two groups, who represent Westminster’s living mission and its enduring legacy, shared in celebrations that captured the promise that begins each day and carries through each night at Westminster.

Prior to the Friday evening dinner, we honored the life and service of Richard Miller, who had passed away in December. Reverend Miller was first appointed to the faculty in 1967 and retired in 2000, having served as a history and ethics teacher, coach, faculty advisor to the John Hay Society, dean of faculty and assistant head of school during his career. A host of longserving, dedicated Westminster faculty and alumni spoke passionately about Reverend Miller’s remarkable impact on both students and faculty alike. Linda Miller, who was accompanied by her son Greg ’89 and received the many guests after the service, was included in remarks, because as noted by Mark de Kanter ’91, P’19, ’22 in private correspondence, “Richard and Linda epitomized what grace looked like; they greeted each person and day with good humor and a desire to be of service.”

The dinner recognized departing trustees and celebrated the Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni recipient. This year we had three trustees — Powell Holly ’82, Martin Irani ’83, and Kirsten Sichler Webb ’98 — who have each given the last nine years in service to the school. Each chaired a major committee on the board, each championed the Soar Together Campaign and each selflessly supported the school through COVID, a leadership change and the creation of a new strategic plan. Additionally, we honored C. Eve Poole Percival ’90 as the 2025 Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumna. (See page 49.) Established in 2011 by the Class of 1966, the award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies, in thought, word and deed, the school’s mission and who practices Westminster’s core values of community, character, balance and involvement.

Before Todd Eckerson P ’09, ’11, ’17, ’21 offered an encomium on Eve’s professional success, Adam Gordon ’82 shared Todd’s own remarkable impact as both teacher and colleague. It was a surprise to Todd, who had announced his pending retirement in

February, to hear himself recognized publicly, but the honor was no surprise to those in the audience. It was a moment shared with Todd’s wife Mary Eckerson, who has been an integral part of the Eckerson alliance in support of Westminster.

Nothing that we do here happens in a vacuum, and the scope of our celebration that night was proof of that fact. We recognized long-serving teachers who gave or have given their lives to this school, trustees who voluntarily support with remarkable time and philanthropy and alumni who have taken the gifts offered here and multiplied them a hundredfold. They have gone out into the world and lived Westminster’s mission to reach well beyond the ordinary and commit to a life of service beyond self.

Westminster thrives because of its many partnerships. It is the partnerships like that of Linda and Richard Miller and Mary and Todd Eckerson, whose marriage to each other also engendered a commitment to this institution. It is the partnerships between trustees and faculty, faculty and students, faculty and parents, alumni and Westminster that ensure the legacy of this school, keep grit and grace in our hearts and help the sun to rise and set each day on Williams Hill for the newest flock of Martlets.

With grit, grace & gratitude,

Elaine White Head of School

On Stage

Dramat: A Doctor In Spite of Himself

The Dramat Association presented the fall production of “A Doctor in Spite of Himself,” a fast-paced comedy centered on Sganarelle, a brutish woodcutter tricked into playing the role of a doctor. Westminster thespians delivered an outstanding performance filled with wit, drama and captivating stage presence.

On Stage

Winter Performing Arts Festival

This culmination of work showcased the incredible range of Westminster talent. From soaring vocals and beautiful melodies to graceful choreography, students lit up the stage with passion and artistry.

Dramat: Chicago

Westminster’s theater group delivered a show-stopping production of “Chicago,” capturing the glamour and grit of the roaring ’20s. The standout cast brought Roxie Hart’s tale of ambition, deceit and fame to life with unparalleled talent.

Chris Sandy: From Tragedy to Transformation

CHRIS SANDY’S LIFE WAS IRREVOCABLY altered on April 11, 2000, when a night of reckless decisions culminated in a drunk-driving accident that took the lives of two people. At just 22 years old, Chris, who lived near Atlanta, made a choice that would follow him forever. Following the crash, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for vehicular homicide and reckless driving, serving eight-and-a-half years of that sentence. Chris told his story to a captivated Westminster audience. Rather than focusing on statistics about drunk driving, he took a personal narrative approach, illustrating the real-life waterfall that poor choices can make.

The immediate consequences of Chris’ actions were severe, not just for him, but for the victims’ families. He often reflects on the weight of his guilt, understanding that no prison sentence could ever equate to the loss experienced by the families of the two lives he took that night. While in prison, Chris confronted the reality of his choices and the pain they caused. He also spoke about how his choices continue to impact his own personal life in tragic ways, including his incarceration being the cause of his parents’ divorce after 30 years of marriage, losing the close relationship he had with his younger sister and the death of his father, who had a heart attack in the prison parking lot after a routine visit to his son in jail.

During his incarceration, Chris sought ways to make amends through selfimprovement and accountability. He volunteered for various programs, hoping to transform his negative experience into something positive. It was during this time that a documentary about his life, titled “Enduring Regret,” was produced. The film, which later won two Emmy Awards, chronicled his journey and the lessons learned, offering a glimpse into both the consequences of his actions and his efforts to change.

Since his release in 2009, Chris has dedicated his life to advocacy and education. He travels across the country, sharing his story with students and community groups. His approach is grounded in honesty and relatability, aiming to inspire others to make wise choices. “I’m not here to tell you what not to do,” he stated. “You already know what’s right and wrong. My goal is to motivate you to make choices that lead to happiness and success.”

Chris’ message resonates with his audiences, particularly young people who may not yet understand the long-term impacts of their decisions. He encourages them to think critically about their actions and the potential consequences.

The emotional weight of his past remains with him, but Chris has found ways to channel his regret into a powerful and impactful platform. He emphasizes that while everyone makes mistakes, what truly matters is how one chooses to respond to those mistakes.

WESTMINSTER POET FOR 2024-25

January Gill O’Neil Visits

January Gill O’Neil, the 2024-2025 Westminster Visiting Poet, shared her powerful poetry and insights during a twoday visit as part of the Westminster Poet Series. Through readings and discussions, she explored themes of racial identity, personal history and the beauty of everyday moments. A celebrated poet and educator, O’Neil’s work blends personal experience with social commentary, touching on family, resilience and cultural heritage. Her poems, including “Hoodie” and “Praise of Okra,” highlight issues of race, history and survival. O’Neil believes poetry should be accessible and transformative, offering meaning to all who engage with it.

Deacon Art Miller Visits for MLK Jr. Day

Deacon Art Miller visited Westminster for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, sharing his powerful connection to Emmett Till. Through film, discussion and assembly, he urged students to confront injustice, reject silence and join the few who create meaningful change. His message deeply resonated.

THIS YEAR’S ALL-SCHOOL GUND event featured a special performance by Seán Heely’s Celtic Band, a group renowned for their captivating Celtic folk music. Seán Heely is a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and award-winning Irish fiddler and harpist. With a degree in classical violin performance from the University of South Carolina, Seán’s career includes performances across the U.S. and internationally, including venues like the Kennedy Center and Strathmore Music Center. In addition to his performance career, he is also an in-demand educator, serving as an adjunct instructor at American University. The performance brought together a talented ensemble, featuring Heely on fiddle and Gaelic vocals, All-Ireland singing champion Kevin Elam, multi-instrumentalist Beth Patterson, acclaimed percussionist Lucas Ashby, piper Jesse Ofgang, harpist Abbie Palmer, fiddler Colin McGlynn and percussive dancer Agi Kovacs. Together, they transported the audience on a magical winter journey through the Scottish Highlands and along Ireland’s rugged coast.

Gund Event Celebrates Celtic Music and Cultural Tradition

Their program featured a mix of winter-themed Celtic tunes, perfect for the season. From the gentle strains of “Apples in Winter” to the lively “Frost is All Over,” the band’s performance evoked the warmth and joy of the holiday season. One of the highlights was a rendition of the “Galician Carol,” written in 1829 by Jose Pacheco, which tells the story of an old custom in Galicia. The carol describes the tradition of burning a special log, believed to bring good luck and protection to the home during the winter months. This connection to ancient traditions was a moving reminder of the enduring power of music and culture.

The

night was a magical musical winter journey through the Scottish Highlands and along Ireland’s rugged coast.

The festive music made for a warm and interactive community morning with the audience clapping, singing and tapping along to the beautiful music.

The Graham Gund ’59 Visiting Artists Series is sponsored by the Gund family in honor of Graham Gund, Class of 1959.

Winter Weekend on Williams Hill

WINTER PARENTS AND FAMILY WEEKEND offered families a meaningful glimpse into life on Williams Hill, with two days of immersive, community-centered experiences. Parents joined their children in classes, attended Chapel, watched the incredible performance of the winter musical “Chicago,” and showed spirited support for the Black & Gold at athletic contests.

Form-specific sessions gave parents valuable tools and perspectives: Third and Fourth Form families joined “Mapping Your Child’s Journey at Westminster,” a panel on supporting students in academics, athletics and extracurriculars. Fifth Form parents took part in a Mock College Admissions Committee, gaining insight into the complexities of the college decision process. An informal “Coffee & Conversation with College Counseling” session welcomed Third and Fourth Form families, offering a preview of Westminster’s college counseling approach.

Beyond the classroom, the weekend included community-building highlights: Parents and faculty connected at the Head of School Reception, and the Class of 2026 Parent Reception celebrated the Class Gift Kickoff, celebrating a key tradition of family giving and involvement.

Designed to welcome families into the daily rhythms and daily life of the school, the weekend was a true winter highlight.

Guarding the Wild Alaskan guide Tia Shoemaker shares her

story with students

TIA SHOEMAKER IS NOT your average Alaskan hunting guide. Raised in a homestead cabin deep in the rugged wilderness of the Alaskan Peninsula, her life has been shaped by grit and grace, facing challenges that seem unbelievable to most. Today, she is one of fewer than a dozen female hunting guides in Alaska.

Tia’s childhood home is within the Bashirov National Wildlife Refuge, 60 air miles from the nearest village, King Salmon. In this remote setting, her family lives a life that many only read about in books. There are no roads, no modern conveniences, and their home is accessible only by a two- or four-seat airplane. Tia learned to fly before most teenagers could drive. One of her first solo flights was marked by a frozen lake and an overheating engine — just one of many incredible adventures she shared with the captivated Westminster community.

For Tia and her family, survival is an art of resourcefulness, and they approach the land with the utmost respect.

“We live in a way that many might find extreme,” she said. “But for me, it was normal. I grew up hunting, fishing and living off the land. That’s just how it was.”

Raised by wildlife biologist parents, Tia learned early to understand and value the balance of nature. Their decision to leave conventional careers for life in the wild stemmed from love for the land and the desire to raise their children within it. “They wanted us to learn about discomfort, resilience and hard work,” she said. “But looking back, I think they would have called it ‘grit and grace’ if they’d known the phrase.”

It’s this connection to the land that fuels Tia’s mission today. As a registered hunting guide, she is part of a small but growing group of women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field.

She vividly recalls her first hunting experience at age 9. Her mother set the height requirement: Tia had to be as tall as her mother’s shoulder to hunt, which was helpful, since her mother was only about five feet tall. On that trip with her father, she came so close to the animals she could see steam rising from their nostrils.

Tia killed her first caribou that day, feeling a rush of pride, awe and sadness. She tried to hide her tears, but her father saw them and comforted her, saying, “The day you stop feeling something when you take an animal’s life is the day you need to stop hunting.” She has never forgotten those words.

Tia now carries on the family business, guiding clients on hunting, fishing and wilderness trips through the terrain where she grew up. Their mission is to offer “discriminating and adventurous travelers” the chance to experience the true Alaskan wilderness.

Tia’s deep respect for life fuels her determination to protect the land she calls home. For her, the wilderness is not just a place to hunt; it is a living, breathing entity that must be preserved. And right now, there is a looming threat to the pristine ecosystem of Bristol Bay, where her homestead is located.

The wilderness is a living, breathing entity that must be preserved: “This is not just an Alaskan issue. What happens here affects the entire planet.”

The proposed Pebble Mine, a massive open-pit mine for copper, gold and other minerals, threatens the fragile region. Situated at the headwaters of Bristol Bay — home to the world’s most productive wild salmon fishery — the mine could devastate the salmon runs, the wildlife that depends on it, and the people who live there.

“If this mine is built, it could destroy an ecosystem that has been thriving for thousands of years,” Tia warned. “The risks to the salmon, bears, moose and every creature that depends on this land are too great. This is a fight we cannot afford to lose.”

Bristol Bay’s wild salmon runs nourish everything from bears and wolves to eagles and people. The salmon’s return after years in the ocean is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events. The mine could disrupt that cycle, poison water with toxic runoff, decimate wildlife and permanently alter the landscape. For Tia, the fight to protect Bristol Bay is personal. It’s about ensuring future generations can experience the same wild beauty that shaped her life.

“This is not just an Alaskan issue,” Tia said. “What happens here affects the entire planet.”

In addition to fighting for the land she loves, Tia is committed to inspiring the next generation of adventurers, hunters and conservationists. She encourages others to embrace the wilderness and experience the lessons it offers. “Whether it’s a day hike, a week of camping or just turning off your phone and sitting in silence, the wilderness will teach you something you can’t learn anywhere else. It teaches you who you really are. It strips away all the distractions and reminds you that you are part of something much bigger.”

With her grit and grace, Tia is proving that one person, grounded in the lessons of the wilderness, can make a difference. And she hopes her story will inspire others to find their own path — and protect the wild places that matter most.

Transforming Anxiety into Action

ELLEN PALMER BELIEVES that everyone deserves the tools and confidence to create their ideal life, no matter what challenges they face. Drawing on her experience as a coach, educator and former COO of Healing Meals Community Project, Ellen has developed a powerful approach to helping work through anxiety. In an all-school gathering, she shared with the community effective and simple tools to help transform anxiety into action, to practice being present and to make purposeful choices.

One of the most common challenges high school and college students struggle with is anxiety. From worries about grades and friendships, health, future success and performance, Ellen shared that it is easy to get trapped in an endless cycle of rumination, a cycle she herself understands well. She refers to herself as a “world-class worrier,” someone who spent years perfecting the art of anxiety. But over time, she discovered that constant worrying didn’t lead to better outcomes. Instead, it often resulted in sadness, isolation and a feeling of powerlessness.

The foundation of her approach is rooted in two life-changing concepts: presence and practice. She teaches that the most powerful place to be is in the present moment. Too often, we allow our thoughts to be consumed by past mistakes or future anxieties, losing touch with the power of the present. Being present helps us connect more deeply with others, think clearly and make better decisions.

Ellen encourages students to practice

mindfulness through simple exercises like focusing on gratitude, breathing techniques or even just noticing the sensation of their feet on the ground. These practices allow us to reconnect with ourselves, calm our nervous system and gain control over our thoughts. By doing so, we can break free from the thought loops that trap us in anxiety and take intentional steps forward.

The second key concept Ellen emphasizes is practice. We get good at what we practice, whether that’s worry, distraction or calm and clarity. Just as we practice sports or music to improve, we can practice new ways of thinking and feeling. The brain, she explains, is wired to form habits, and with consistent practice, we can train our minds to focus on what we want rather than what we fear.

One of the most effective strategies Ellen designed is the “Way Out of Worrying Wheel.” This simple tool helps individuals pause, identify their thoughts and feelings and choose a different path. By practicing this shift from worry to intention, we empower ourselves to take small actions that lead to greater confidence and peace.

Ellen’s work with the Healing Meals Community Project also introduced her to a profound insight: Helping others is one of the best ways to help ourselves. Volunteering activates the brain’s reward centers, releasing feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. This not only boosts mood but also fosters a sense of connection and purpose. Whether through formal volunteering or simply offering support to a friend, service beyond self can be a powerful antidote to anxiety.

FROM THE SIDELINES: Fall 2024 Highlights

Boys’ Varsity Soccer

The 2024 boys’ varsity soccer team showed true grit. With many returning underclassmen and just four seniors, the team had a steep learning curve. After a rough 0-4 start, they rallied to finish 6-6-1 in their final 13 games. A season highlight was a 1-1 draw under the lights on Hovey Field against Deerfield, where Westminster fought back in the second half.

Leadership from co-captains Henry Warner ’25 and Abraham Monsee Jr. ’25 was vital. Both earned All-NEPSAC and CT All-State honors — the first time in years two Westminster players were selected. Monsee was named team MVP, while Werner received the Squibb Bowl for sportsmanship and effort. Daniel Olaosebikan ’26 earned Most Improved Player. Galima Sonnah ’26 had a standout year, playing in the NEPSAC Junior All-Star game and earning Honorable Mention. Luka Misko ’27 and Jaime Escartin ’27 made the All-Founders League for their commitment and sportsmanship. Goalkeeper Dennis Quiwon ’26, who played over 95% of minutes, delivered key performances throughout.

The real success of the season was the team’s unity, positivity and the fun shared with coaches and teammates.

Boys’ Cross Country

James O’Connell ’25 and Sam Hyde ’25 went back and forth, vying for top runner of the year. Niraj Prakash ’26 dropped 10 minutes in his 5k time over the course of the season. Sam, James, Nick Ramsumair ’27 and Matt O’Connell’s ’25 leadership motivated the team throughout the fall. Nick Lopriore ’26 came out of nowhere and became the third-fastest runner.

Water Polo

Westminster’s 2024 water polo team entered the season with more experience than ever before. Sixth Formers Jason Hu, Trent Jones, Filip Tomic and Reggie Kanu led a strong start with a win over Williston Northampton. Newcomers Jack Owens ’27, Ben Yu ’28, Draven Chung ’26, Jacoby Jones ’27, Bennett Varao ’27 and Jesse Yang ’27 quickly found their footing, while returners Simon Stambaugh ’26, Hudson Black ’27 and Will Larock ’26 provided steady support. The team was competitive in early tri-matches against Andover and Deerfield, often staying close through three quarters.

They showed flashes of strong play but struggled with consistency and decisionmaking in key moments. Practices focused on maintaining leads, counterattacks and sharper defense. A pivotal loss to Suffield, following a strong start and an early ejection, shook the team’s confidence, and momentum was hard to regain. Despite setbacks, the group was praised by opponents for their grit, effort and sportsmanship. With several players returning, the future looks promising. The seniors leave a legacy of leadership, camaraderie and daily commitment.

Girls’ Varsity Soccer

The 2024 season was a testament to Westminster’s resilience, teamwork and growth. The team opened with a dominant 7-1 win over Kent and celebrated Senior Day with a 3-0 victory over Kingswood Oxford, featuring goals from underclassmen Hannah Coccaro ’26, Taryn Overstreet ’26 and Mia Fluckiger ’26.

Maya Goddard ’26 was named to the 2024 U.S. High School All-American Team, becoming the second Martlet in the past three seasons to receive this honor.

A 1-1 draw against Nobles stood out for Goddard’s late penalty and stellar goalkeeping from Emme Pacheco-Hager ’25 . The Martlets also earned a hard-fought 0-0 tie against Berkshire and closed the season with a strong 2-0 win over Pomfret.

Finishing 7-5-4, the team showed consistent determination, returning each day ready to improve. The leadership of nine seniors — including captains and key contributors — helped shape a culture of perseverance and pride that will carry forward.

Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey

The girls’ varsity field hockey team should be proud of their growth. A six-game winning streak to start the season highlighted their early skill and teamwork. More impressive, however, was the determination and grit they showed through challenges and tough losses.

Their final game against Governor’s Academy showcased how far they’d come, reflecting the hard work and support they gave one another daily. The team’s motto — “make a teammate’s life easier” — was visible in both practices and games, with players pushing and uplifting each other throughout.

Special thanks to our incredible seniors — Mana Shida, Liza

Girls’ Field Hockey

Merrill, Hadley Crowther, Lily Vincent, Allysen Whitehead and Lucy Wainwright — for their leadership and example.

Girls’ Cross Country

Westminster girls’ cross country had an incredible season from the start of the year. The strong team of 22 runners made it one of the biggest teams in the Founders’ League, a testament to the positivity and determination of this team. In terms of wins, the team battled with everything they had to increase their win percentage to 80%, more than doubling the percentage from last year! At the championship meets, they displayed strong finishes. Sophia Lazor ’27 placed 12th in Founders and 29th at New Englands’. Sofia Eleuteri ’28 placed just outside the top 30 at Founders’, accomplishing 31st place as a freshman. Through their dedication and embracing of the term ‘underdog,’ the team accomplished seventh place at Founders’ League Championships. Our JV team accomplished fourth place, an incredible testament to the team’s depth and resilience.

The highlight of the year was the annual community service trip where the girls served as leaders and teachers for younger girl runners. At this program, our girls chanted ‘when I say girl, you say power!’ with middle school-aged runners. The team always looks forward to this trip, where they help teach younger athletes the power of women in sports.

FROM THE SIDELINES: Winter 2024-25 Highlights

Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey

The Martlets finished the regular season 13-10-2, closing strong with an 8-2-1 run. Their late push secured the No. 5 seed in the Martin/Earl Large School New England Tournament.

In the postseason, Westminster defeated Governor’s Academy and Belmont Hill to reach the final, where they fell in a hard-fought match against Andover. Notable wins during the season included victories over Avon Old Farms, Salisbury, Kent, Loomis and two over Belmont Hill.

Jack Fichthorn ’26 earned All-NEPSAC and All-Founders League First Team honors as one of New England’s top goalies. Blake Burke ’25, JJ Hurley ’25 and Derek Rhodes ’25 received All-NEPSAC Honorable Mentions, with Burke also joining Fichthorn on the All-Founders League First Team.

Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey

While the Martlets hoped for more wins, their grit and growth defined the season. Competing hard against tough Founders League and out-of-league opponents, the young team gained valuable experience and showed promise for the future.

Season highlights included the annual Harrington Tournament trip and a 6-2 Senior Day win over Canterbury that showcased the team’s progress.

Captains Remi Morello ’25 and Adrienne Hall ’25, along with Ruby Robertson ’28, earned team awards. Morello received the Squibb Bowl for leadership, Hall was named MVP and Robertson was Most Improved.

Hall also earned All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention, while Mana Shida ’25 and Bella Zapata ’27 received All-Founders League honors. With strong returning talent, the Martlets look ahead to next season with optimism and drive.

Girls’ Varsity Basketball

Throughout the winter season, the Martlets battled through a competitive schedule, improving with each game, and finding wins both on and off the court. The team finished their campaign with an exciting 48-41 win against Pomfret, sending their three senior captains — Lilly Murphy ’25, Lauren Neuman ’25, and Eva Rodgers ’25 — off with a victory in their final game on Williams Hill.

The Martlets also had exciting wins over Hopkins, Frederick Gunn and Miss Hall’s School. In addition to the team’s success, Lauren Neuman ’25 was also selected to the All-Tournament Team at the Ethel Walker Holiday Tournament.

Boys’ Varsity Basketball

The boys had a strong season, competing against Class A and B schools and earning wins over Lawrenceville, Frederick Gunn and Taft — including a highlight victory at the Kingswood Oxford Invitational Tournament before break.

Captains Jayden Reid ’25 and Declan Cody ’25 led with skill and leadership. Reid surpassed 1,000 career points in the final game and became the program’s all-time blocks leader. Cody was a vocal presence throughout the season.

Ethan Griffin ’26 earned All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention and was named team MVP. Ethan Villacis ’27 impressed with grit, earning a starting spot midseason. The team gained valuable exposure through showcase events and looks ahead to next year with confidence and ambition.

Girls’ and Boys’ Swimming/ Diving

The girls’ and boys’ swimming/diving teams had a fantastic season filled with fun highlights and fast swimming. The Martlets flew down to Florida in February and got in some warm weather and hard work. During meets, the Martlets scored some impressive victories, particularly at New England Championships, where three school records were broken: John Dwyer ’26 broke the 200 IM school record with a time of 1:52.48. Dwyer also broke the 100 Backstroke school and New England record in a time of 50.12. Reggie Kanu ’25 broke a 25-year school record in a time of 58.74. Dwyer was also named Babcock Swimmer of the meet.

Overall, the team fought with grit and determination all season and looks forward to next winter.

Girls’ Varsity Squash

The girls had a good season, highlighted by their sweep of matches against local rivals Loomis, Kingswood, Suffield, Miss Porter’s and Ethel Walker. They earned a berth in Division 3 of the High School Nationals, played in Philadelphia and in the C division of the New England tournament, which was played in our own Kohn Squash Pavilion. Both tournaments produced tight matchups; the highlight was avenging a loss to Milton Academy at Nationals by prevailing over them in New Englands.

Over the season, number 1 Sophia Lazor ’27 compiled an individual record of 14-6, earning her All-NEPSAC honors. Numbers 2 and 3, Elle Wilson ’26 and Marti Jaramillo ’27, earned All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention as well for their skillful and spirited play over the course of the season. The girls are eager to build on their success, as the entire lineup will return next year.

Boys’ Varsity Squash

The Martlets finished the season by placing third in Class D of the New England Championship, with great wins over Brooks and Pomfret. Junior James Teng ’26 played impressive squash throughout the season and the tournament, earning him All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention. In addition, the team traveled to Philadelphia to play in the US High School Team Championships, where they were placed in Division 4 and earned an amazing upset over squash power Springside Chestnut Hill in the first round. During the course of the season, the team had impressive wins over Pomfret, AOF, Williston Northampton and Greenwich. Seniors Jason Hu, Henry Naylor and Ben Swift provided wonderful leadership and a steady presence in the heart of the lineup throughout the season. The team looks forward to next season, with six members of the program returning to build a strong foundation.

Girls’ Track and Field

The team had a successful 2025 season with some highs and lows, but throughout the team showed a great supportive spirit. Highlights from the season included Emme Pacheco-Hager ’25 finishing second in the javelin and fourth in the shot put at New Englands, the emergence of Chloe Champoux ’28 as a distance runner and Gianna Monaco ’27 in the throwing and sprinting events.

Boys’ Track and Field

The 2025 season had its fair share of highs and lows, however, the team remained connected and supportive. Highlights from the season included strong performances in the New England Championships for Reggie Kanu ’25, who finished third in the long jump; Jayden Reid ’25, who finished third in the high jump; and Nate McCleery ’25, who finished sixth in the long jump; the emergence of Benji Hanson ’27 in the 400m dash; and Draven Chung ’26 in throwing events.

FROM THE SIDELINES: Spring 2025 Highlights

Varsity Softball

The varsity softball team concluded a successful 9-6 spring by winning three consecutive games. The Martlets were captained by seniors Mia Magriz, Paige Herlihy and Meiyin Ren, who were true leaders during an important season of team growth. Anna Hassett ’27 and Caitlyn Eaton ’28 pitched very well for Westy, while Melody El-Amin Stewart ’27, Lily Shuster ’27, Caitlyn Buda ’27, Mya Polatstry ’27 and Gabby de la Fe ’26 had strong seasons. Magriz and El-Amin Stewart achieved All Western New England and All-Star honors, while Ren provided significant contributions at third base, following an unfortunate injury to Herlihy. Beginning with the annual spring training in Florida, the effort and spirit of the team was outstanding throughout the 2025 season!

Girls’ Varsity Golf

Overall, varsity girls’ golf enjoyed a wonderful season, and all the girls have shown significant improvement. Although the 5-11 record may not indicate this fact, the team became much more competitive as the season progressed. They also had some individual highlights during the closing weeks of the season, with Lucy Wainwright ’25 shooting 85 (T-17th) to earn All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention at the Pippy O’Connor Tournament, and Cindion Huang ’25 closing her career with a lifetime low score of 38 (+1) to finish T-3rd in the Founders League Tournament.

Boys’ Varsity Golf

The boys enjoyed one of their most successful seasons ever this spring. The first highlight came when they took first place for the first time ever at the Suffield Invitational. Two weeks later, they took third place, just three strokes from first, at the larger Western New England Tournament, where Reed Ghriskey ’26 posted the lowest round ever by a Westminster player. For the season, the boys lost only once — by a single stroke — in team match play. All but one of the top five players will return for next season.

Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse

The 2025 girls’ varsity lacrosse season was defined by growth, determination and a strong sense of team spirit and pride. Facing one of the toughest schedules in New England, the team showed significant improvement and resilience throughout the season. A highlight came in their final game, where they defeated Kent in the Founders League tournament. Another highlight was celebrating former Head Coach Lindsay Bugbee Crosby in the annual LBC Bowl game against Deerfield. The team’s hard work, camaraderie and perseverance laid the groundwork for future success.

Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse

The varsity boys’ lacrosse team wrapped up the season 4-10, showing determination and growth throughout a challenging schedule. Despite injuries and illness, the group competed closely against top programs, including a thrilling 7-6 overtime loss versus national powerhouse Taft. Strong defensive play led to 9.6 goals against average, reflecting the team’s continued development and competitive play. With experienced players returning and a strong foundation in place, the program is building momentum for future success.

Boys’ Varsity Tennis

The 2025 spring tennis season looked to keep the momentum going, given the competitive success and countless memories over the last four years. This spring saw 11 teammates from various tennis backgrounds come together in late March and deliver another unforgettable stretch. The team went 11-5 on the year, with highlight wins against Salisbury, Taft, Kingswood-Oxford and Avon Old Farms, as well as great matches against Hotchkiss, Loomis and Choate. For the first time in New England Class B tournament history, a Westminster boys’ team won their quarterfinal round by defeating talented hosts Green Farms Academy on the second to last Saturday of the season. It also marked the second time in four years the team was honored with the spring Houghton Award, recognizing team success at the varsity level. Over the same four year span, the team went 14-6 in “toss up” contests, meaning the final result was decided by only one or two matches. Special congratulations to co-captains Alexei Kocatas ’25 and Hugh Olson ’25 on their commitment to the team over their time here, Parks Cuskley ’25 on achieving both coteam MVP and earning a Squibb Bowl Sportsmanship recognition, Liam Hibbard ‘27 for Most Improved, as well as Henry Flaton ’25 and Alexander Brown ’27 on their Founders All League Awards recognizing fair play at the varsity level. Whether it was one year on the team or multiple, all members of the roster should be proud of their accomplishments, contributions, and efforts to keep boys’ tennis at a high level.

Varsity Baseball

The varsity baseball team finished the spring at 10-9, sending the Class of 2025 off with a career four-year record of 51-29. The spring started with a successful trip to Vero Beach, Florida before heading back north for the regular season. Highlights included mercy-rule victories over Trinity-Pawling and Taft and a Senior Day win over New England #1 Avon Old Farms. Seven of the eight seniors head off to play college baseball next season.

Celebrating the Class of 2025

OOn a clear and calm May morning, Westminster School held its 137th graduation ceremony, honoring the achievements and character of the Class of 2025 with tradition, heartfelt speeches and numerous accolades.

Head of School Elaine White opened the ceremony by welcoming families, faculty, alumni and friends gathered on Williams Hill. “This is your day,” White told the graduates. “And we will spend the majority of it doting on you — showering you with love and praising your accomplishments.”

White emphasized the importance of gratitude, calling it the “unspoken third word” in the school’s motto, “Grit & Grace.” She recognized veterans in attendance, the contributions of families and the dedication of faculty and staff in helping students reach this milestone.“We are here because of the love, support and belief of all those behind you,” she said.

SALUTATORY ADDRESS

Dean of Students Paul Kendall introduced Head Prefect Chip Genung, praising his engaged, forward-thinking leadership and the lasting mark he left on Westminster.

In his address, Genung reflected on the class’s journey. “In a few hours, when we all drive off Williams Hill, we will be leaving for the first time not as Westminster students, but as Westminster alumni. We can’t relive it, redo it or retry anything. So instead, let’s reflect.” He highlighted how the class had grown individually and collectively, bonded by shared experiences — from chapel talks and student council activities like Slip ’n Slide Kickball to the invaluable guidance of teachers and mentors.

Genung spoke fondly of the class’s spiritual growth and deepened connections, nurtured through chapel talks that spotlighted vulnerability, humor and wisdom. “With each chapel talk,” he said, “the depth of our understanding of our classmates increased, and so did the impact of each other’s lives on our own.” From Max Williams’ reflection on silence to Alex Goodman’s story of resilience, the chapel became a space for shared humanity and insight.

“To Mrs. Wos, our class dean — thank you,” he said. “You carried each of our successes and failures as your own.” He concluded by urging his classmates to pause and reflect before leaving campus and stepping into the world.

OUT STANDING SCHOLAR ADDRESS

Outstanding Scholar Cindion Huang delivered a poetic and heartfelt address reflecting on memory, growth and the

Westminster School Commencement ceremony honors tradition, growth and the transformational journey of the Class of 2025

bittersweet beauty of parting. Opening with her love of sunsets, Huang shared how fleeting moments helped her appreciate life’s impermanence. “My love for sunsets,” she said, “has nothing to do with the view itself, but more so with the brief vignette of life I was experiencing and how beautiful yet evanescent our time on this Earth is.”

Her address wove personal memories — from evenings in Shanghai to spring dusks on Williams Hill — and reflected on how growth comes from the quiet accumulation of shared experiences: meals in the dining hall, smiles on the Quad and challenges overcome. “Our growth,” she said, “is the coalescence of every smile we give each other, every test we thought we failed, but turned out to be more than okay.” She offered a striking metaphor of an apple blossom tree outside Armour bearing both fresh green leaves and withered ones from the past fall. “They peacefully coexist on the same branch,” she said, “just like how the past and the present coexist in our lives.”

Rather than mourning what’s ending, Huang urged her classmates to carry their memories forward with gratitude. “The sun that has set at dusk will rise at dawn again,” she said. “We will meet again. Love and live again. So here’s to the Class of 2025 — may we live our lives to the fullest, chase our untethered dreams, dare to fail and rise again and be hopeful that we’ll truly thrive.”

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

The keynote address was delivered by Moyahoena Ogilvie ’86, managing partner at McCarter & English and longtime Westminster trustee. She is president-elect of the Hartford County Bar Association, serves on the board of Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity and is a member of the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Access to Justice Commission. Ogilvie provides pro bono legal services for children and individuals in need and supports community initiatives including Hartford Youth Scholars and Horizons at Westminster.

Ogilvie shared her personal journey from London and New York to Simsbury, recounting the challenges of being the only girl of color in her class and the resilience

ADMISSIONS PRIZES

The Joan Howard Award is given to a tour guide whose devotion to learning and the Westminster community exemplifies a depth of passion, dedication and interest in others.

Danny Maher ’26

Ganzenmuller-Buckey Award is given to the student who contributed the most to Admissions at Westminster.

Avauni Anderson ’25

COMMUNITY PRIZES

Outstanding Community Service Award is presented to the student who demonstrates extraordinary service and commitment to the Westminster community.

Alex Goodman ’25

Horizons at Westminster Award for service.

Avauni Anderson ’25, Cayden Darnowski ’25

ACADEMIC PRIZES

Edward Scull Jr. ’71 Award for Excellence in Architecture

Sofia Davella ’25, Emilia Pasquarelli ’25

Cowing Art Award

Remi Morello ’25, Jennifer Yang ’25

The Gretchen Hupfel ’82 Art Prize

Elise Park ’25

Judi Tolomea Dance Award for outstanding contributions to dance

Emilia Pasquarelli ’25

J. Lawrence Gilman Award for Achievement in Music and Participation in Musical Activities

Elise Park ’25

The Butler Bowl

Awarded to a Third Former who demonstrates the traits of character and leadership: Lily O’Callaghan

The Adams Bowl

Presented to a Fourth Former who best embodies the qualities of Richard and Barbara Adams, who devoted more than 40 years of service to the school. Barbara served on the faculty from 1995-2011, and Dick served on the faculty from 1970-2013: Nazar Tatus

The Wilbraham Bowl

Given to a Fifth Former who best embodies the qualities of Geoffrey Wilbraham, who gave distinguished service to Westminster from 1958-1994: Tay Tay Leonard

STUDENT AWARDS

Lewis J. Powers Photography Award

Deepa Palaniyandy ’25

Dramatic Award for Service and Leadership

Cindion Huang ’25

Brian Ford Writing Prize

Sunshine Li ’26

Critchell Rimington Creative Writing Award

Cindion Huang ’25

Gordon McKinley Award for Excellence in English

Lucy Wainwright ’25

Fifth Form History Essay Prize

Teagan Overstreet ’26

Robert Rodney History Prize

Rafa Rodrigues ’28

Peter Briggs ’71 Prize for Excellence in Economics

Jason Hu ’25

Class of 1941 Peter Mars Memorial History Prize

Lucy Wainwright ’25

Burdett Prize for Excellence in the Study of French Cindion Huang ’25

Moncada Prize for Excellence in Spanish

Ellie Pearman ’25

Kevin Kwok-Fun Chau ’79 Prize for Excellence in Chinese Mira Hugabonne ’25, Grace Kim ’25

Richard K. LeBlond, II

Honor Award

Given to a Sixth Former who exemplifies dedication to academics and loyalty to the school: Lucy Wainwright

Paul Winship Alumni

Book Prize

Awarded to the Sixth Former who has made an unusual commitment in breadth and depth to school programs and activities: Alex Goodman

Keyes Bowl

Recognized as the school’s most prestigious commencement award, presented to a Sixth Former who displays loyalty, courage, leadership and humility: Emme Pacheco-Hager

The Richard P. Hopley Excellence in Latin Prize

Henry Warren ’26

Joyce Wilson Prize for Excellence in Mathematics

Meiyin Ren ’25

Excellence in Biology

Pippa Jiranek ’26

The Nancy Urner-Berry ’81 Prize for Excellence in Chemistry

Reggie Kanu ’25

Excellence in Physics

Viktoriia Voitiuk ’25

Excellence in Science

Meiyin Ren ’25

Dartmouth Book Award

Caroline Breslav ’26

Harvard-Radcliffe Book Prize Luna Yang ’26

Trinity Book Award

Sunshine Li ’26

Yale Book Award

Pippa Jiranek ’26

Brian T. Bruyette ’77 Senior Athletic Leadership Award is given annually to the Sixth Form student(s) who through their enthusiasm, sportsmanship, effort and skills, represent all that is best in their school.

Easton Masse, Lauren Neuman, Emme Pacheco-Hager

Outstanding Scholar Award

This award is presented to the Sixth Former who, in the opinion of the faculty, is the outstanding scholar of the class. The award is not necessarily determined by rank in class but is based, rather, on the attributes of the true scholar: curiosity, imagination, power to associate new observations with prior experience, thoroughness, appetite for ideas rather than for grades as an end in themselves and the ability to move easily in the realm of concepts. Cindion Huang

she built at Westminster. “Mine was not the easiest journey, but I can say that Westy was by far the most transformational phase of my life,” she reflected. She offered graduates four parting lessons:

• Embrace adversities and failures — “You will face countless adversities, and that is OK. They will make you grow the most.”

• Develop resilience — “Sometimes you will have to be your own loudest cheerleader.”

• Cultivate community — “Life is richer when we grow and support each other.”

• Define and find your joy — “Service, connection and purpose bring the deepest fulfillment.”

White praised Ogilvie as someone who “embodies Westminster’s core values in thought, word and deed,” and celebrated her role in shaping the school’s commitment to equity and progress.

AWARDING OF DIPLOMAS AND DIPLOMA PASSING

Head of School White and Board Chair Renée Lynch Carrel ’84, P’19, ’21, presented diplomas. In her closing remarks, White offered the class two parting gifts: an appreciation for “Saturday” and a piece of her heart. “We arrived together, and we’ve grown together,” she said. “You will always sit in a special spot in my heart.”

The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Helen Marshall ’25, president of the John Hay Society. “With the applause quieted, may we celebrate and lift up those around us,” she said. “May we find bliss in our future endeavors and adventures.”

Following tradition, graduates passed their diplomas in a circle on the Sixth Form Lawn until they each received their own. Then, one by one, they stepped out of the circle — signifying their official transition to Westminster alumni.

FACULTY PRIZES

The newly established Schuster Family Chair for Visual and Performing Arts, endowed by Kathleen and John Schuster, parents of Justin ’19, Sydney ’21, and Taylor ’24, reflects the family’s deep appreciation for the visual and performing arts. The fund supports the salaries and related expenses of the department. Kerry Kendall, head of visual and performing arts department

The Swayze Prize is given to a member of the faculty for outstanding contributions to the life of the school: Devonna Hall, dean of community and culture

The O’Brien Prize recognizes a faculty member who has been selfless and generous with time and care in the nurture and support of students: Matt Thomsen, fifth form dean and history teacher

Three faculty and staff members were recognized for 20 years of service to Westminster: Newell Grant ’99, director of advancement, Colleen Joncas, history teacher and Sheryl Pierson, administrative assistant

Then, one by one, they stepped out of the circle — signifying their official transition to Westminster alumni.

THE SIXTH FORM - CLASS OF 2025

Avauni Zahara Anderson

Jacob Wilson Andreski

Cricket Kenyon Beard

Behnoosh Behtar

Avery Ruth Boulanger

Blake Stephen Burke

Steven Yufung Chun

Madeline Case Clark

Declan John Cody

Charlotte Grace Covill

Hadley Shreve Crowther

Parks Patrick Cuskley

Cayden Michael Darnowski

Sofia Marie Davella

Miguel Antonio de la Fe

Adrien Louis Dellaert

Adam Dembele

Anthony David DiBartolomeo

Sarah Rose Eddy

Digness Hopper Elwell

Eli Kurihara Faro

Henry Hemant Flaton

Delfina Rose Fraiberger

Andrew Lane Gallagher

Charles Edward Genung

Alexandria Miriam Goodman

Laurence Bonsal Goodyear

Adrienne Marie Hall

Stephen Samer Hamadeh

Paige Honora Herlihy

Ashley McCord Hill

Cullen Peter Horn

Zelin Jason Hu

Xinyang Cindion Huang

Mira Rose Hugabonne

James J. Hurley

James Sherrill Hurley III

Samuel Hyde

Emma Sophia Isakoff

Zachary Cole Jainchill

Alyssa Hilda-Lynn Jimenez

Trent Walker Randle Jones

Reginald Chukwudi Kanu

Jaeyoon Kim

Tae-Hee Kim

Alexei Hayrettin Kocatas

Elle Foster Kozusko

Cooper G. Kraus

Reese Ann Lanzone

Sanggyu Lee

Matilda Quinn Lynch

Connor Duffy Lytle

Mia Rose Magriz

Helen Williams Marshall

Easton Charles Masse

William Sampsell McCarthy

Nathaniel Hayes McCleery

Adela Grace McKinney

Elizabeth Kenyon Merrill

Alexander Stephen Mihailovich

Jillian Marie Mihailovich

Abraham Monsee Jr.

Colin Robert Moody

Remi Haviland Morello

Connor David

Patrick Murphy

Lillian Toulon Murphy

James Henry Naylor

Babson College

Barnard College

Bentley University

Boston College

Bowdoin College

Brown University

Bucknell University

Carnegie Mellon University

Central Connecticut State University

Clark University

Clemson University

Colgate University

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado College

Dartmouth College

Denison University

Dickinson College

Drexel University

Lauren Hathaway Neuman

Benjamin Macarthur Norten

Camilla Adams Norton

James Ryter O’Connell

Matthew Gardner O’Connell

Hugh William Olson

Zoumana Ouattara

Emelia Deanne

Pacheco-Hager

Deepa Dilani Palaniyandy

Elise Hae Min Park

Emilia Bruce Pasquarelli

William John Patla

Elena Cecilia Pearman

John Henry Peterson

Quinn Xavier Pine

Charlotte Kiernan Radin

Lilyana Eden Raskind

Jayden J’Adore Reid

Meiyin Ren

Derek Michael Rhodes

Mark Christopher Richardson

Eva Helen Rodgers

CLASS OF 2025 MATRICULATION LIST

Endicott College

George Washington University

Hamilton College

Harvard University

Indiana University, Bloomington

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Manhattan University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Middlebury College

New York University

Northeastern University

Pace University

Providence College

Quinnipiac University

Randolph-Macon College

Rollins College

Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Sacred Heart University

Saint Anselm College

Santa Clara University

Southern Methodist University

St. Lawrence University

Texas Christian University

Trinity College

Tufts University

Tulane University

United States Naval Academy

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of Central Florida

University of Chicago

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Florida

Hayden Makea Schneider

Dillon Isaiah Seals

Finnian McGuire Seeley

Mana Shida

Corbin Charles Simons

Alba Elena Stack-Rodríguez

Nicholai Nash Steinle

Sophie Grace

Cushman Stevenson

Benjamin Taylor Swift

Emilio Giancarlo Tanzi

Filip Tomic

Shaw Layman Prescott Turton

Lilian Barbara Vincent

Viktoriia Voitiuk

Lucy Long Wainwright

Henry McCaffery Warner

Dylan Kevin Wendle

Allysen Sykora Whitehead

Maxwell Stephen Williams

William Alexander Wood

Hyunji Yang

University of Glasgow

University of Hartford

University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign

University of Kentucky

University of Mississippi

University of North Carolina,

Chapel Hill

University of Pennsylvania

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond

University of San Diego

University of St. Andrews

University of Virginia

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Villanova University

Wake Forest University

Lawn Ceremony Welcomes the Class of 2026

Martlets from the Fifth and Sixth Forms gathered the evening before commencement for the annual Lawn Ceremony. In this longstanding Westminster tradition, members of the graduating class individually invite Fifth Formers onto the Sixth Form Lawn, signifying that members of the Class of 2026 are now leaders of the school. The ceremony reaches a fever pitch when the Sixth Form Prefect Board members escort new board

members onto the lawn, often carrying them aloft. The 2025-26 Prefect Board members are Thomas Blouin, Finn Cathey, Gabriela de la Fe, Brenden Gilooly, Finn Hocking, Anaya Huguley, Pippa Jiranek, Hannah Maltby, Liam Murray, Aidan O’Callaghan, Caroline Pokorny and Lexie Willis. Mimi Salman, a boarder from Dubai, was named Head Prefect. Maya Goddard, a day student from Enfield, Connecticut, was named Junior Prefect.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

FRIDAY NIGHT

SPEAKER SERIES

WESTMINSTER SCHOOL

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Evolution of EDUCATION

AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL, THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION is being shaped with intention, care and a strong commitment to the school’s Strategic Plan Initiatives.* These guiding principles — highlighted by the initiatives to Advance Academics and to Cultivate Community and Culture — are central to a comprehensive educational vision that prepares students for the demands of an ever-changing world. The following articles highlight how Westminster is putting strategy into action — from building executive functioning skills through the Academic Support Office to teaching real-world financial literacy, prioritizing mental wellness and nurturing creativity through literary and musical engagement. Together, these stories reflect a schoolwide effort to empower students not only to succeed academically, but also to thrive personally, socially and ethically.

Skills for Success

Westminster’s Academic Support Office opens the door to student confidence

BY MARISA PROCOPIO

B“BECAUSE EVERY BRAIN IS DIFFERENT, WE REALLY believe that everybody has strengths and everybody has hurdles. And part of success is students learning how to play into their strengths and how to jump over the hurdles.”

Director of Academic Support Kelly Curtis succinctly expresses her team’s credo. Supporting Westminster School students who want to learn or hone executive functioning skills such as time management, organization and comprehension, the office dovetails with the school’s strategic initiative to Advance Academics by enhancing the strength of Westminster’s curriculum.

One of the most visible examples of this initiative in action is the newly established evening learning support program. Launched for the 2024-25 academic year, the drop-in study skills sessions are led by Kelly Curtis and her team from 6:30–9:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Open to all students, these sessions offer personalized guidance in time management, executive functioning, and organization. Often, the peer tutoring initiative — Martlets Educating Martlets, run by Maya Leete — collaborates with adult proctors to provide extra help or host targeted workshops in math and writing.

The Academic Support Office was Curtis’s brainchild. Hired in 2017 as a study skills tutor with a background in special education, Curtis initially worked with about 20 students. But she saw an opportunity to expand. “I worked closely with the Director of Studies Bill Sistare,” she says, “and I said, ‘We don’t really have anything for students who learn differently.’ Third Formers take Learning Theories, which teaches them executive functioning skills, but we weren’t teaching those skills to anybody else. So I said, ‘What if we make this program a little bit bigger? We could teach students these skills for a couple of months to a year, then transition them to working independently.’”

Sistare approved, and as more students visited the office and began to reap the rewards of effective study skills, word got around campus. “Students came to me saying, ‘Mrs. Curtis, you really helped such-and-such with studying for their bio test; could you help me study for this?’” says Curtis. “Or, ‘I have a paper to write and I don’t know where to start; is there an outline you could show me?’”

“During adolescence and early adulthood, the prefrontal cortex is still developing,” says psychoeducational doctor Bina Roginsky, who partners with Curtis, testing Westminster students and offering insight.

“The ability to weigh long-term consequences, resist peer pressure and manage emotions isn’t as strong in teenagers as it is in adults,” continues Roginsky. “Instead, the limbic system, which is linked to emotions and reward-seeking behavior, is highly active during adolescence.* This creates an imbalance: Teens and young adults often feel emotions and impulses strongly, but lack the full capacity to regulate them.”

Because of this phenomenon, adolescents can struggle with executive functioning, says Curtis. “And every human needs it to be successful. I tell students all the time, ‘You could have four PhDs and work at NASA. But if you can’t show up to a meeting on time, or work with people in a group, or budget your time, you’re going to struggle. And not just here at Westminster or at college. In life.”

Thanks to a generous donation, Curtis moved to a larger space in 2018 and titled it the Academic Support Office. Her roster had increased to about 45 students, all of whom sought assistance for different

The Academic Support Office helped me better organize my time, my homework and my schedule. One of the things I struggled with was time management. The office gave me study tips, ways I could get my homework done more quickly and efficiently, and also helped me with my note-taking skills. I think every student could use something from the Academic Office.

— ADRIENNE HALL

’25

“ ” “

Adolescents can struggle with executive functioning. I tell students all the time, ‘You could have four PhDs and work at NASA. But if you can’t show up to a meeting on time, or work with people, you’re going to struggle. Not just here at Westminster or at college. In life.

reasons. One, despite his dyslexia, was particularly determined to succeed. “It probably took him three times longer to do his homework than his peers, but he did it and never complained,” says Curtis. After steadily implementing the strategies he’d learned, he is currently attending an Ivy League institution.

Understandably, “new students get a little apprehensive to meet with us,” says Curtis. But “within the first two meetings, the student says, ‘Thank goodness we’re doing this!’”

When I started my Westminster career, I would meet with Kelly Curtis once or twice a week. We would go through any assignments and outline and prepare for them. By my junior and senior year, I wasn’t having to meet with her as consistently, and my writing had improved. The organizational skills I learned have been vital to my success at Westminster and Princeton.

— COOPER KISTLER ’22

After students have made considerable improvement, their learning specialists curb meeting dates. “The students say, ‘We have to keep doing this. This is why I’m successful.’ But the goal is for them to learn these strategies and have them work independently.” Students have a caring and competent posse on hand — advisors, teachers, study hall support — who can help them as needed. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking for them,” smiles Curtis, but when they take significant steps toward independence, “we’re excited.”

One hundred and fifty

students visited the office in November 2024. The staff now includes three full-time learning specialists and peer tutors to support the burgeoning student list. Curtis plans to expand staff further, and has hired a new learning specialist for the 2025-26 school year. And as more students become successful in their studies, the question on campus is now, “‘How did you get on the Academic Support list? How can I get on that list?’” she says.

Academic difficulties aren’t just a subject for some of her students. Diagnosed with a learning difference in high school, Curtis has walked that road herself, and this motivates her to welcome and celebrate every student who visits the office.

“It was hard being one of those kids. I only needed extended time to be successful, but it was still a label,” she remembers. “When I started the program at Westminster, I wanted it to be a completely open-door policy — for students who have learning differences, those who think they might have one, and those who have none and just need help with multiple-choice tests or comprehension. It’s really fun when students buy in and want to learn the material, and then it pays off for them.”

Likewise, the adult specialists and peer tutors are candid about their own struggles with learning, helping to level the playing field with students who seek their help and build a safe environment to take risks, build confidence and succeed.

“Students learning how to be great advocates for themselves is one of our top priorities,” says Curtis. EDUCATION:

When I arrived freshman year, I had no idea that there was anything that worked differently in my brain; I thought I just needed to work a little harder. Mrs. Curtis taught me to use memorization tools and test-taking strategies every single day in class. My grades quite literally skyrocketed. These skills will translate to college and I think I’ll be using them for the rest of my life.

— JILLIAN MIHAILOVICH ’25

Building Blocks of Mental Health

Students gain confidence and self-advocacy through Westminster’s Wellness program

BY MARISA PROCOPIO

DDIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AMY

Raskind P’25 knows the value of students starting off on the right foot. “My first job out of grad school was at inner-city schools, counseling elementary-school students on basic foundational building blocks, teaching them anger management skills, social skills, empathy training,” she says.

“When I started at Westminster School in 2022, I basically got to create my position,” Raskind continues. “I’m a big believer in prevention and early intervention. If we can frontload the support of students, my hope — and research shows — that we’re not going to see as much need on the back end in terms of mental health issues that pop up.”

Raskind’s own philosophy and strategy for the wellness program she built aligns with the school’s strategic initiative to Cultivate Community and Culture. Her work, coupled with input from school faculty, the health center and private practice psychologists, provides students with the safe, attentive grounding that’s essential for robust mental health development.

“We support students’ overall mental health so they can be their best selves in the classroom, on the fields, as a citizen, as a friend,” says Raskind. “How we feel impacts how we live. I always go back to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: If our basic needs aren’t met, how are we going to reach our higher levels of functioning?”

Building on the Basics

WELLNESS PROGRAMMING BEGINS with a required Third Form Wellness course. It offers a “foundational understanding of basic self care, relationships and communication,” says Raskind. In the course, instructor and Dean of Community and Culture Devonna Hall strives to build kind and effective communicators. “The skill I most hope my Third Formers will obtain is the ability to

engage in thoughtful, respectful and meaningful conversations on important developmental topics,” she says, “fostering self-awareness, empathy and healthy decision-making.”

Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse, the first of a two-part course for the Fourth Form, seeks “to help students better understand who they are and for what they stand,” to recognize their “obligation to engage in their community” and use “courtesy and respect” when engaging with others, says recently retired course instructor Todd Eckerson. The second part of the course, Speech Writing and Public Speaking, aims to give students the skills to craft a well-written and confidently delivered speech — powerful tools for making significant contributions to society.

A Community of Commitment

YEARLONG, WHOLE-SCHOOL education and social-emotional learning programming includes visitors who speak on a variety of topics pertinent to wellness. After the speakers present, trained Fifth and Sixth Form peer leaders facilitate discussion in student breakout groups.

The school faculty is deeply invested in the wellness program, and Raskind is grateful for their efforts in helping to keep the gears moving smoothly.

“We have great scaffolding support,” she says, “working in collaboration with the mission of the school: to support the whole child. I do a lot of teacher education because they’re on the front lines. All of our teachers get mental health first-aid training, empowering them to know what to do when they see something.”

“

We have great scaffolding support, working in collaboration to support the whole child.

Advisory Support

It’s a social struggle in high school, trying to build relationships. Developmentally, over time their insecurity lessens and Sixth Formers become more comfortable with who they are.

THAT EMPOWERMENT BEGINS with the advisory program; each faculty member advises 4-8 students. If a teacher (or coach, or dorm parent) notices something about a student that’s amiss, contacting the advisor is first on the list.

“Theoretically, the advisor knows the student better than anyone,” says Raskind. Next, the advisor will check in with the student. If the issue is out of the advisor’s scope, they will then reach out to Raskind to manage the student’s next steps. When it comes to top issues of concern for the department, student anxiety is the front runner. Technology, especially social media, are chief culprits, and can impede a student’s ability to develop healthy social skills. “We’re not spending as much time, face-to-face, with people,” says Raskind.

But through carefully planned and executed academic and whole-school wellness programming, Westminster students gradually develop confidence and self-advocacy skills. And by the time they’re ready to graduate, Raskind sees considerable growth.

Social Support

“THIRD FORMERS ARE just trying to find their footing,” she says. “It’s like social warfare in high school, trying to build relationships. Developmentally, over time insecurity lessens. Sixth Formers become more comfortable with who they are and, hopefully, leave Westminster with more coping strategies, the ability to communicate their needs, the self-awareness of what those needs are and the comfort to talk about them.”

It all comes back to the school motto,

which aptly summarizes the student journey through the school: Grit (“you’ve got to have some inner strength,” says Raskind) and Grace (“be compassionate with yourself”).

As a matter of course, “students may struggle and have mental health issues. The steps to support this are critical,” she says. “In partnership with the student and their support system, we assess the best ways to help them with these challenges so they ultimately feel and function better.”

While maintaining confidentiality, Raskind reported that students have told her specifically how much they benefited from counseling. She recalled a student saying that they never believed in therapy. After meeting with Raskind they said it was like a lightbulb went off. The student said, ‘I knew something wasn’t right, but never attributed it to my mental health. Just talking, I feel so much better. Why doesn’t everyone get counseling?” She said, this is a common response she’s heard.

Westminster Wallet

Stacking up financial smarts to last a lifetime

BY KRISTEN WELDON

AAT WESTMINSTER, FINANCIAL LITERACY IS NOT just an elective or an afterthought — it’s a critical part of preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the real world. It’s compounding benefits of smart financial habits that last a lifetime. It’s the hope that the interest in financial literacy only grows over time and knowledge dividends pay off in the long run. It’s providing our students the skills necessary to take the cryptic out of crypto. Catch our flow?

The financial literacy initiatives at Westminster go far beyond teaching students how to balance a checkbook. The focus is on equipping students with the critical thinking skills necessary to make informed decisions about money, investments and emerging financial technologies. In an era where financial decisions shape not only personal futures but also the broader economic landscape, real world financial tools and skills are more important than ever. This is achieved through a combination of forward-thinking courses, innovative teaching methods and a faculty that brings both expertise and passion to the classroom.

Two key faculty members, Kelly Wosleger and Tim Blanton, lead the charge in bringing these concepts to life in ways that are engaging, practical, and, most importantly, relevant to the world students will soon enter.

CRYPTOCURRENCY AND BLOCKCHAIN:

Understanding the Future of Finance

ONE STANDOUT EXAMPLE OF how Westminster is preparing students for the future of finance comes from math teacher Kelly Wosleger’s Financial Algebra class. Wosleger took a hands-on approach

to teaching cryptocurrency by introducing her students to the world of blockchain technology — a crucial component of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. To bring this abstract concept to life, she used an interactive game called Secure the Blockchain, developed by Next Gen Personal Finance.

In the game, students simulated the role of miners in a blockchain network. Blockchain technology underpins the security and transparency of digital transactions, and miners are the individuals responsible for verifying these transactions by solving complex cryptographic puzzles. In teams, students had to validate transactions, compute unique “hashes” (digital fingerprints), and ensure that each block in the blockchain was legitimate. The game also introduced the concept of the genesis block, which is the first block in the blockchain and serves as the foundation for all subsequent blocks.

The learning took an interesting turn when Wosleger added a twist: She tampered with one of the blocks by replacing a legitimate transaction with a fraudulent one. This caused the hash for that block to change, affecting not just the altered block, but all subsequent blocks. Students had to work together to identify the tampered transaction by comparing the hashes and verifying the integrity of the entire blockchain. The team that correctly identified the fraudulent transaction first earned fictional cryptocurrency money, which could be redeemed for classroom prizes.

By seeing firsthand how easily fraud can be detected on a blockchain network, students grasped the security and transparency that cryptocurrencies

“

One key lesson is the Pareto distribution, or the 80/20 rule. The idea is simple yet powerful: in many areas of life a small percentage of effort accounts for the majority of outcomes.

“

One key lesson is the Pareto distribution, or the 80/20 rule. The idea is simple yet powerful: in many areas of life a small percentage of effort accounts for the majority of outcomes.

offer. As Wosleger explains, “This game allows students to experience how blockchain technology works in a controlled environment. They can see for themselves how it’s nearly impossible to alter a transaction without affecting the entire chain, which highlights the robustness of this system.”

Wosleger’s innovative approach helps provide the tools to understand a rapidly growing field in finance that is likely to shape their financial futures.

PERSONAL FINANCE AND INVESTING: Preparing for Real-World Financial Decisions

IN ADDITION TO EXPLORING cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, down the hall Tim Blanton is providing his Dollars and Sense class with a solid foundation in personal finance and investing. Here students are provided with the tools they need to understand the complexities of personal finance, investing and the world of stocks and bonds.

One of the core principles Blanton teaches is the concept of diversification and long-term investing. He emphasizes that successful investing isn’t about winning every time; it’s about making informed, strategic decisions that will pay off in the long run. One key lesson that Blanton introduces early on is the Pareto distribution, more commonly known as the 80/20 rule. The idea is simple yet powerful: in many areas of life — whether in business, sports or even entertainment — a small percentage of efforts or individuals account for the majority of outcomes.

For example, when applied to investing, the 80/20 rule suggests that while many investments may not yield significant returns, a small number of

TimBlanton’s DollarsandSenseclass

successful investments will drive the bulk of a portfolio’s growth. Blanton uses the example of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in history, to illustrate this concept. Despite making hundreds of investments throughout his career, Buffett has consistently said that most of his wealth came from just a handful of stocks. Blanton explains that Buffett made most of his money from just 10 of the 400 to 500 stocks he’s owned.

The Pareto distribution serves as a crucial lesson for students interested in investing. Blanton teaches that success in investing doesn’t come from betting on every stock; it comes from understanding that only a few key investments will truly pay off. This is especially relevant in fields like venture capital, where investors know that many of their investments may fail, some will produce modest returns, and only a few will result in massive success.

Blanton also highlights the importance of diversification, which helps investors balance risk and opportunity. He teaches his students that rather than trying to pick the next big winner, it’s often more effective to spread investments

across a variety of assets, such as stocks, bonds and index funds. This helps ensure that even if some investments fail, others will succeed, and the portfolio as a whole will grow over time. Blanton often references index funds, such as those tracking the S&P 500, as a great example of diversification. By investing in an index fund, students learn that they can buy into the market as a whole, benefiting from the performance of the best-performing companies without needing to predict which individual stocks will outperform.

Real-World Experience Through

the Westminster Investment Initiative TO REINFORCE REAL-WORLD financial lessons, Blanton oversees Westminster’s student-run investment club, where students gain handson experience in portfolio management and investment decision-making. Thanks to seed money from generous donors, club members apply classroom concepts to actual financial markets, making real investment choices that carry real consequences.

Blanton designed the club with intention, curating a dedicated team of students who diligently analyze financial reports, assess market conditions and pitch investment ideas to a facultyled investment committee. “We all love ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’” Blanton joked. “This is the opposite. My message is simple: This isn’t glamorous — it’s about understanding the boring but essential details. You need to get familiar with the language, because the company is sharing meaningful information.” His goal is not just for students to generate profits but to sharpen the decision-making skills that financial analysts use in their careers.

A recent highlight of the club’s activities was its stock pitch competition, where students presented their top investment choices — Salesforce and On — to a panel of faculty and parents serving as investor decision-makers. Each presenter delivered a compelling, research-backed argument, using financial analysis and market trends to justify their stock picks. The panel challenged the students

with questions on risk factors, growth potential and long-term viability, creating a high-stakes yet supportive environment. The process tested the students’ investment strategies while providing a valuable opportunity to hone their pitching skills. Ultimately, the panel was so impressed that they decided to invest in both companies.

’sFinancialAlgebra class

Wosleger

Blanton also introduces students to industry-standard tools such as Seeking Alpha, a comprehensive database of financial reports, analyst insights and valuation metrics. “You need to understand what professionals are using,” Blanton explains. “This is a real-world experience, and we want students to walk away knowing the tools they will use in the finance industry.”

Beyond skill-building, the club serves a larger purpose. Profits generated from student investments are reinvested into programs that benefit the broader Westminster community, creating a feedback loop where students not only refine their financial acumen but also give back to their school.

Looking ahead, Blanton has ambitious aspirations for the club’s growth. He hopes to eventually secure access to Bloomberg terminals — an industry gold standard providing real-time financial data, analytics and certifications. While the price tag is a hurdle, alternative platforms like FactSet offer similar resources via laptops. Still, Bloomberg access would be a game-changer, setting Westminster students apart by providing a truly elite investment education experience.

A Comprehensive Approach to Financial Literacy

ANOTHER INITIATIVE IS HELPING students develop financial literacy in a practical, everyday

By allowing students to manage real money in a controlled environment, Westminster is laying the foundation for lifelong financial literacy — an essential skill that will serve them well beyond high school.

setting. Through general support funds, including the Jenny and Bill Philip Student Support Fund, students receiving need-based financial aid are given a monthly allowance to manage their personal expenses, introducing them to budgeting, decision-making and financial independence.

Previously, students often had to request funds for small purchases, creating a dependency on administrators. Now eligible students receive monthly spending allowances loaded onto their school spending accounts. This shift has empowered students by giving them control over their own finances, fostering a sense of autonomy and responsibility.

Rather than a structured financial literacy course, the school integrates financial education organically. Students must decide how to allocate their funds across school trips, bookstore purchases, supplies, clothing, laundry and even discretionary spending. They quickly learn to weigh their wants against their needs helping them to make thoughtful financial choices.

grow, ensuring ongoing financial support for students. By allowing students to manage real money in a controlled environment, Westminster is laying the foundation for lifelong financial literacy — an essential skill that will serve them well beyond high school.

Whether it’s through exploring the intricacies of blockchain and cryptocurrency or learning how to make strategic investment decisions, the goal of these combined initiatives is the same: to prepare students for the financial realities of the world they will encounter after graduation. Their work not only teaches students about managing money, but also about the critical thinking, research and decisionmaking skills needed to succeed in the financial world.

The response has been positive. Students appreciate not having to ask for funds constantly, and many enjoy the sense of financial independence. However, as expected, some students manage their money wisely, while others struggle with impulse spending — a valuable lesson in itself. The system also improves overall well-being by removing financial stress and allowing students to engage in social activities without feeling left out.

Funded through a $5M endowed fund established in 2021, the initiative continues to

Fridays at Westminster

A reflection on the first 15 years of connecting the classroom with creators

BY MICHAEL CERVAS P’96, ’01, ’10

HHAVING RECENTLY COMPLETED ITS 15TH YEAR, the Fridays at Westminster series of readings and concerts has truly become a signature program, drawing audiences from across Connecticut, as well as full crowds of students, teachers and parents. What began as a relatively small idea, “Let’s have some readings and concerts on Friday nights,” has blossomed into a remarkable opportunity for writers and musicians from across the United States to bring their artistry to campus and mix and mingle with students and faculty. As novelist Anthony Doerr once told me, “If my high school had had a program like yours, it would not have taken me so long to tell others I wanted to be a writer.” Over the years, many other writers have echoed Doerr’s sentiments.

Significantly, the Fridays at Westminster program has had a similar effect on many Westminster students, inspiring them to explore their creative impulses, produce stories, essays, poems and songs, and share their work with the school community.

Program Beginnings and Growth

THE CONCEPT FOR THE Fridays at Westminster series took shape in the summer of 2009, when I proposed celebrating the opening of the Armour Academic Center with a new program that would highlight Westminster’s commitment to a broad range of academic and artistic events.

The original idea was to schedule readings, concerts and lectures on selected Friday evenings throughout the school year. The program was first called Friday Nights in Gund because the

Gund Reading Room in Cole Library served as the primary venue. When COVID-19 arrived in 2020, the school switched the venue to the Werner Centennial Center.

The series turned out to be a great success from the beginning, with Pulitzer Prize-winning writers like Anthony Doerr and Jennifer Egan among the first three years’ guests. Alongside nationally known writers like Richard Blanco, Monica Wood, Emily St. John Mandel and Ocean Vuong, the series has also featured outstanding local writers such as Colin McEnroe, Ginny Lowe Connors, Rand Richards Cooper, Lynn Hoffman, Steve Rushin, Jonathan Gilman, Gina Barreca, poet Kate Rushin as well as younger emerging writers. Jazz musicians like Nat Reeves, Josh Bruneau, Tuey Connell ’86, Dana Lauren and Rob Duguay; singer-songwriters like Dar Williams, Kris Delmhorst, Mark Erelli and the Dala Girls; and classical musicians like oboist Jamie Smith ’01 and guitarist Jamie Kerr ’93, two of several Westminster alumni, have also participated in the program.

A Tradition of Engagement

TODAY, WESTMINSTER SPONSORS four readings each year by novelists, poets, journalists, essayists and singersongwriters, plus one culminating event showcasing the Westminster Artists Collective, composed of faculty writers, musicians and artists.

NatReeves,2018

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As novelist Anthony Doerr once told me, “If my high school had had a program like yours, it would not have taken me so long to tell others I wanted to be a writer.”

Two unique features of the series are that events begin with readings by students or faculty members before the guest writers take the stage, and that the writers return on Saturday mornings to engage with students and teachers in spirited Q&A sessions.

When reflecting on the Fridays at Westminster series, it is difficult for me to identify what I like most about it. I have made friends through this program — writers I continue to stay in touch with. I have watched English teachers jump on the bandwagon, often telling me the program is one of the highlights of their year. Most importantly, I have been inspired by how engaged our students have been. Every year, we have students publishing their stories and poems and bravely reading at off-campus venues. “Westminster’s in the house,” I’d often hear people in the audience say when I brought creative writing students to venues like Real Art Ways in Hartford.

Honoring Gordon McKinley

AT THE START OF the 2024-25 academic year, the series was renamed in honor of Gordon McKinley, a beloved Westminster faculty member who served from 1956 to 1986. McKinley chaired the English department and taught creative writing and public speaking, leaving an enduring legacy on campus. The program is now supported by the Gordon McKinley Visiting Writers Fund, endowed by Nathan Hayward ’61. This meaningful endowment ensures that the program will continue to bring inspiring literary and musical voices to Westminster for years to come, while also celebrating the contributions of a teacher who shaped generations of Westminster students.

Looking Ahead

WHEN I ANNOUNCED at the final Fridays at Westminster event in April that our featured writer, Sophfronia Scott, would be our final Friday night reader ever, there was an audible gasp. I let the news sit for a moment before explaining that,

because of the new school schedule, next year’s readings will take place on Thursday evenings. That gasp meant everything to me. Our teachers and students look forward to reading works by visiting writers and then engaging with them in wonderful conversations about their lives and work. The same has been true when we’ve had musicians as our featured performers.

The Gordon McKinley Friday Nights at Westminster series is, in a way, a self-fulfilling prophecy. We dreamed big, and it has paid off immensely. If you build it, they will come — and come they have: writers, musicians, teachers, students and members of the public. In my view, this is absolutely invaluable.

I have been inspired by how engaged our students have been. Every year, we have students publishing their stories and poems and bravely reading at off-campus venues.

A Life of Purpose & Possibility

When Todd Eckerson arrived at Westminster School in 1982, he couldn’t have imagined that Williams Hill would become his family’s home. Together with his wife, Mary, they raised their five children— Christopher ’09, Kyle, Anastasia ’11, Katherine ’17, and Zachary ’21—on campus.

Over the past four decades, Todd has worn many hats: teacher, coach, dean, mentor, advisor and innovator. He has fully embodied Westminster’s ethos of independence, creativity and community. Now, as he prepares to retire after 43 years, Todd reflects on a career defined by the freedom to chart new paths, a commitment to civic engagement, building bridges to Hartford and the transformative experience of living and learning alongside his students.

How did you find your way to Westminster School in 1982?

Todd Eckerson: It’s funny how life works. I grew up in Manhasset on Long Island, where my parents were close friends with the Olneys. Wright Olney, father of Peter Olney ’85 and grandfather of Olivia Olney ’22, was the cousin of Westminster legend Dave Hovey. Through that connection, Westminster probably came onto my radar.

Ironically enough, while I was a junior at Manhasset High School, Dave Hovey brought the Westminster lacrosse team to scrimmage our Manhasset squad. Lee Carlson ’73 was originally from Manhasset and he was good friends with the seniors on our team. He must have had something to do with making the arrangements. I have a foggy memory of that scrimmage. Little did I know that the opposing coach, Dave Hovey, would become my mentor and lifelong friend.

After working at two Quaker day schools, Moses Brown School in Providence and Friends Academy on Long Island, I looked for my next teaching job. The connection to Westminster surfaced again.

Can you share your first impressions of Westminster when you arrived on Williams Hill in 1982?

TE: I remember thinking Westminster was ... well, a little weird! Even after 43 years, I still find some of the traditions and protocols a bit weird. It certainly wasn’t what I expected, coming from public school and then two Quaker schools. Honestly,

while not an unfamiliar concept to me, the idea of living and teaching where you work — especially when the vast majority of students also lived there — struck me as a noble but peculiar concept.

Living on campus and sharing your personal space takes a certain kind of resilience. But looking back, I’m grateful for the stability Westminster provided. I am grateful to the trustees, alumni and leaders who kept the school afloat, especially in tough times. They created an environment where this unique experiment in community-living could continue.

Looking back at the last 43 years, what inspired you to stay at Westminster?

TE: I stayed because of the autonomy that independent schools like Westminster provide. I’ve always felt that one of the greatest gifts of working here was the freedom to innovate and try new things. When I was dean of faculty, I often told young teachers, “There’s so much you can do here. You won’t find this kind of independence in a lot of other places, so make the most of it.”

That sort of freedom allowed Mary, my wife, and me to explore projects and

...dining hall meal? Shepherd’s pie.

...spot on campus? Hovey Field.

...Westminster memento?

The Westminster lacrosse coin given to me by Joe Rodrigues ’96 — a treasured keepsake.

...funny campus memory? Moving refrigerators with Bill Philip during those early summers as young faculty members. The memory still makes me laugh.

ideas that probably wouldn’t have been as feasible elsewhere. For example, we became foster parents while living on campus. Westminster was a magical place to raise kids. I can’t think of a better environment! The school’s independent spirit as well as its commitment to community made it all possible.

During your tenure, you’ve worked with four heads of school. Each has had a profound impact on the trajectory of the school. What did you learn from each of them?

TE: Each head of school shaped Westminster in their own way, and I learned valuable lessons from all four.

Don Werner was a strong leader with a clear vision for the school. His first principle seemed to be that community came before the individual. As you might imagine, there were times when I didn’t always appreciate that approach. But now, I get it! Don trained us to be “good school people,” which means (to borrow a phrase from law professor Michael Josephson) “doing more than is required and less than is allowed.” Don instilled a sense of responsibility that extended beyond job descriptions.

Graham Cole was the consummate listener. Whenever you spoke with Graham, he made you feel that he had truly heard you ... even if he didn’t do what you wanted. He was also a great community builder. At sitdown dinners, it seemed that Graham was always the first to arrive and the last to leave, talking to everyone who crossed his path in between. His office set-up was also unique. He situated his desk so that when the door was open, he could see out of his office and all the way down to the mailboxes — he could see everyone coming down the hall in Cushing. In turn, everyone could see him.

Bill Philip and I shared a special bond because we came up through the Westminster ranks together. He always worked incredibly hard; I have always admired Bill’s work ethic. Whenever you sent Bill an email, he would, seemingly, reply in an instant. On that you could rely. And, you’ve got to remember that Bill led Westminster through the challenges of the COVID pandemic. In addition, I am also grateful to Bill for bringing the Crossroads program “in from the cold”— transforming our independent, standalone 501(c)(3) status and making Crossroads an official part of Westminster School.

Elaine White has ushered in an era of important growth for the school. Her approach is one of thoughtful compassion. She often talks of grit and grace and gratitude. As such, Elaine has smoothed out some of the school’s rough edges. In addition, Elaine makes you feel like she hears you. Ultimately, I believe that Elaine has begun to fulfill — what I would like to think were — the goals that her predecessors shared. The school is in good hands moving forward.

Before coming to Westminster, you spent many years in the classroom. Did any of your own teachers influence your teaching style? If so, how?

TE: I didn’t set out to be a teacher. I think it is fair to say that I fell into it. Gradually and over time, however, teaching transformed from being a job into being a calling. (I like to describe “my learning curve” as akin to horizontal parallel lines.)

Many shaped my teaching philosophy, two in particular.

In graduate school, Herb Arnold at Wesleyan University sparked my intellectual curiosity. He made virtually every topic provocative and interesting. He showed me that learning could be as thrilling as playing sports. Ultimately, Dr. Arnold helped me rekindle my early love of and respect for reading (which I had lost almost immediately upon going to school when books became assignments: tasks). Although I should have learned these lessons long before, Dr. Arnold opened up for me the world of ideas and the life of the mind.

During my time as a student at Williams College, John Hyde wouldn’t let me disappear into the back of his history classroom. I tried, but he kept calling on me, deliberately rousting me out of my self-imposed slumber. Eventually, I had to engage. Professor Hyde’s resolve taught me the importance of pulling students into the conversation, even when they’re reluctant. I’ve tried to channel that same persistence in my own teaching. I tend to zero in on those students who would “prefer not to.” I know the type.

All Fourth Form students take your ‘Civic Engagement’ seminar, a key part of the student life curriculum that fosters meaningful dialogue. What inspired you to create it?

TE: It began with my sabbatical as a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University in 1996-1997. There I hearkened to the idea of summer enrichment programs for students from Hartford. I thought, “That’s what Westminster should do.” I also must have been vaguely aware that Westminster faculty member and Assistant Head of School John O’Brien had already done it. He established the SPHERE program (Supplementary Program for Hartford in Educational Reinforcement and Enrichment) here at Westminster during the late ’60s and early ’70s.

To Graham Cole I proposed the idea of bringing to Westminster an established summer enrichment program. But

A Timeline of the Hartford Partnerships

led by Mary and Todd Eckerson

2002: Mary and Todd Eckerson launched The Crossroads Cooperative Learning Program (CCLP), operating independently of Westminster School under the motto: “Plan to graduate. Graduate with a plan.” Partnering with schools such as Hartford Public High School, Weaver High School, Bulkeley High School, Renzulli Academy and Capital Prep, CCLP offered enrichment programs including Sit for the SAT, Bridge to Hartford (aiding admission to independent schools), and college and career counseling.

2011: CCLP was integrated into Westminster School and renamed the Westminster Crossroads Learning Program (WCLP). The expanded program included initiatives such as Covenant Prep’s Summer Academy at Westminster School (SAWS), afterschool tutoring, summer enrichment and continued college and career counseling for Hartford-area students.

2013: Building on the work of the Crossroads program, Todd Eckerson developed the Civic Engagement curriculum, a required course for all Fourth Form students. The course is designed to help students explore their values.

Growing partnerships led to the establishment of Westminster in Hartford, with Todd Eckerson serving as senior director and Mary Eckerson as assistant director. Their initiatives expanded to include student volunteer programs with Loaves and Fishes and Spring Break in Hartford.

2018: With support from Todd and Mary, Horizons at Westminster was launched. The program began with 15 first-grade students from Moylan School in Hartford’s South End, involved a six-week summer session and included a school-year component. Community engagement for Westminster students continued through partnerships with Loaves and Fishes and the Spring Break in Hartford program.

2025: Westminster receives its first high school applications from students in the Horizons program. Beginning in June, Horizons at Westminster will be fully enrolled with approximately 130 students in grades K–8, primarily from Hartford’s Moylan School. The program will also be supported by more than 50 Westminster student volunteers.

after researching the cost, it just wasn’t feasible. Still, Graham allowed me to pursue something independently. I am grateful to him for listening and then providing me the freedom to pursue this idea.

In 2002, this impulse led to the creation of the Crossroads Cooperative Learning Program (CCLP) in Hartford. CCLP began with my “feet on the ground”— literally walking the halls of Hartford Public High School (HPHS), forging relationships and laying groundwork. The guiding principle came from writer and organizational leader Shane Claiborne: “Start small. Get smaller.” Our first summer program for HPHS students occurred in the Fellowship Hall of Immanuel Congregational Church, which was a few hundred yards from HPHS.

Eventually, Mary and I realized that there could be an academic component for Westminster students in conjunction with this work. Civic Engagement became an elective course. Early students like Nick Aube ’14, Maxine Smith ’14, Emily Clippinger ’14 and others helped launch it. The class itself grew and blossomed into a broader school-year effort to connect Westminster students with tutoring, volunteering and community partnerships in Hartford.

During the COVID pandemic, you launched a weekly class on Zoom. Those classes have continued and remain popular today. What have these classes meant to you, personally?

TE: They’ve been a real gift. The class offers a shared outlet for reading; we no longer read in isolation. But it’s become more than a bookish exercise. Musician/producer Brian Eno coined the term ‘scenius’ to describe the collective creativity of a group. That’s what these classes feel like: a community sparking ideas and deepening understanding together.

The friendships are remarkable — people have even traveled the world to visit one another. When C. Eve Poole Percival ’90 received the Alan Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award, many classmates came to honor her, a testament to the devotion within this ‘little intellectual community.’ I’m thrilled the school is letting us continue these classes, even after my retirement.

Westminster is known for its strong and connected community. What does that community mean to you?

TE: For me, community is deeply tied to family and care. We raised our children here, and I can’t imagine a better environment. When our son Kyle battled cancer, the outpouring of support from the school community was extraordinary. I’ll never forget the fundraiser led by student Colby O’Neill ’10 as well as the many ways people pitched in to help our family.

Community also means shared responsibility. Don Werner trained us to

care for Westminster. If you saw a piece of trash in the dormitory or on the quad, you didn’t wait for the grounds/maintenance crews. You picked it up. Further, in the early days, there was a limited security force, so we were expected to serve in that capacity as well. We each did stints locking up the buildings at the end of the day. In addition, we were also on a roster to serve as drivers for late-night emergency runs to the hospital. Back then, being part of the Westminster community also meant that we were enlisted to help move new faculty into their homes. I have “fond memories” of wrestling refrigerators (with Bill Philip) up the stairs in the dorms.

Westminster asked a lot. However, those collective bleary eyes and sore muscles created community.

You played a key role in launching Horizons at Westminster in 2018, a transformative program that now serves 130 Hartford students in grades K–8 through hands-on learning, community engagement, and a six-week summer session on campus. It must be incredibly rewarding to see how far the program has come.

TE: It’s amazing. One of my dreams was for people in Hartford to know Westminster — not just as a private school on a hill, but as a school with a heart. Horizons is a tangible manifestation of that idea. The road to Horizons at Westminster has taken a winding path, but I’m very pleased with what both former Executive Director Kathleen Devaney and current Executive Director Patrick Owens have accomplished.

Many alumni have fond memories of you as a lacrosse and football coach at Westminster. How did your coaching experience help shape your relationships with students? TE: Coaching gave me another angle from which to view the students. On the field, you see students differently than in the classroom ... and they see you differently too. It sounds so obvious, but coaching and teaching mutually enhance each other. In other words, I learned a lot about effective teaching by learning how to coach, and vice versa.

I feel fortunate to have been coached by, or worked with, some of the greatest characters you can ever imagine. I learned far more than X’s and O’s from these individuals. Upon the occasion of his retirement from Williams, I wrote about my old coach Renzie Lamb: “[He] possesses a genius for turning the

Community also means shared responsibility. Don Werner trained us to care. Westminster asked a lot. However, those collective bleary eyes and sore muscles created community.

ordinary into the extraordinary, the mundane into the hilarious, the obvious into the mysterious, and [for humbling] the selfimportant or pompous.” From Renzie and the others, I learned that even the most commonplace-seeming interactions can be transformed into wonder and joy. I have tried to be alert for those small, transmutable moments, whether in the classroom, on the playing field or just walking the halls of Armour Academic Center.

I also consider myself fortunate to have served as an assistant to every individual who has ever coached boys’ lacrosse here at Westminster: Dave Hovey, Dennis Daly, Peter Newman ’80, Ryan Curtis and Joe Rodrigues ’96. Some of my most cherished Westminster memories have come while at their side.

Your wife Mary has been by your side during your entire tenure on campus. What role has she played in your journey at Westminster?

TE: Everything I’ve done at Westminster was only possible because of Mary. She’s been the glue holding it all together— raising our sons and daughters, caring for foster children, managing life’s daily demands—while I tried to be a good school person. She currently serves as the Kitchen Manager at Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen in Hartford. It is a demanding role that she approaches with grit and compassion. She’s a miracle worker, plain and simple. Without her, I couldn’t have lasted here.

Are you looking forward to anything specific in retirement?

TE: I don’t have any grand plans.

When a financial planner that the Westminster trustees had provided for the faculty asked me what I wanted to do when I retired, I told him that all I needed was a library card! (Not a very inspiring answer.)

I am eager to keep teaching the alumni Zoom class and I hope to explore opportunities to serve the Hartford community. But at least initially, I’m looking forward to just being quiet for a while. The Westminster lifestyle is very intense, the experiences just wash over you, often not sticking. I’d like to become more deliberate and mindful.

You served more than a decade as dean of faculty at Westminster. If you could provide a parting lesson for the current Westminster faculty, what message would you share?

TE: I’d remind everyone to “keep the ‘independent’ in independent school.” That independence is the well-spring of creativity, opportunity and innovation. It’s a treasure worth protecting.

JANE PORTERFIELD ’78, P’09, P’10, P’12

A Return to The Nest

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR Jane Porterfield ’78, P’09, P’10, P’12, founder and co-CEO of The Nest Schools, is set to open a new early education center in Simsbury, Connecticut this summer — nearly 40 years after she started her first childcare facility.

Porterfield, whose mother and grandmother were both teachers, said she always knew she wanted to work in education, specifically teaching high school English. “There were so many experiences at Westminster that led me into education,” she said. “The dedication and commitment of all the faculty was incredibly impactful.”

While earning a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education at LaSalle University, she did her student teaching at a large, inner-city parochial school. “I realized that was not the career path I wanted to take. I returned to my parents’ home in Canton, Connecticut, after graduation and got a job teaching two-year-olds at a daycare center.”

She recalls that childcare was not education-based during her first years working in the field. “It was more custodial,” she said. “Children would go to daycare and get pulled out to go to

nursery school.” Porterfield continued her studies while working and earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut.

With the demand for childcare growing, Porterfield opened her own school in January of 1986. “My parents took out a $65,000 mortgage on their house to help me. They had undeserved faith in me! I lived in a storage space of the school during construction. It was back when kids didn’t want to move home,” she recalled. Her Educational Playcare was only the second childcare facility in the Farmington Valley.

She opened a second center in 1991. By 2019, when Porterfield and her husband Gerry Pastor sold Educational Playcare and started what would be a very short-lived retirement, they had opened 20 locations, including one less than one mile from Westminster. “I had many faculty children at EPC, and my own children grew up there,” said Porterfield.

A year later, the couple saw an opportunity to acquire several operating childcare centers in Ohio and founded The Nest Schools in the fall of 2020. The Nest Schools now operates 60 schools and serves over 7,500 families in 10 states, with more schools in development.

The schools’ infant through preschool curriculum is playbased and designed to teach collaboration, life skills, critical thinking and resilience. “My hope is that we instill our core values of fun, wellness, kindness and innovation in the children throughout their years with us,” said Porterfield. “When they leave us for elementary school, I hope they are ready for success in school and life, and are kind, curious and confident.”

Student success comes without technology in the classroom. “My take on technology in early childhood education is, perhaps, a little old-fashioned. Children are so inundated with technology from such an early age that I believe it can be overstimulating and contribute to shortened attention spans,” explained Porterfield. “With our children, we are back to the basics, with books, blocks and lots of art materials. Yet, we are very sophisticated in the technology that our teachers use, from safety and security systems to daily electronic communication with parents.”

Porterfield said her team works with an increasing number of students with special needs and different learning styles. Nest has its own curriculum development department led by a doctoratelevel educator. “Our staff is involved in national industry-specific groups, and our curriculum is built on best practices and early learning and development standards of individual states and the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

“Nothing is stagnant in education,” said Porterfield. “The hallmark of my entire business career has been to always try to make things better. My schools evolved to coincide with the way that research into early childhood education evolved. There is more awareness of early brain development. Even during free play, the school environment is set up for children to learn, whether the children know it or not. Child-directed experiences are controlled by the environment.”

Recognizing that accessing high quality care is a financial challenge for many families, Porterfield said that her staff works to educate families about assistance available in each state where they operate.

“ My schools evolved as research into early childhood education evolved. Even during free play, the school environment is set up for children to learn, whether they know it or not.

The Nest School in Simsbury is a homecoming for Porterfield and Pastor.

A five-year, non-compete clause from the sale of Educational Playcare kept the couple out of the local market as they grew The Nest Schools in other states. Though their primary home is now in Florida, they resided in Simsbury for decades, including while three of their children, Dean Pastor ’09, Graham Pastor ’10 and Gwendolyn Pastor ’12 were students at Westminster. “It is so much fun to be back in Simsbury,” she said.

As an alumna, Porterfield has supported The Westminster Fund for more than three decades. She reflected, “My time at Westminster was completely life changing. After attending public schools in a small town, Westminster opened up a huge new world of possibilities for me. Meeting students from other places with diverse interests and backgrounds was eye-opening. It was more than just a school for me; it was truly a community. I was so grateful that I was able to send my children to Westminster so that they could have the same experience.”

Creating Belonging and Purpose in Education

WHEN STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF at the Winchendon School in Massachusetts return to campus for the upcoming academic year, they will be greeted by Tyrone Black, Ed.D. ’90, who was appointed assistant head of school and campus director in June. In his three-decadelong career in secondary and higher education leadership, Black has shaped student experiences from enrollment through graduation, serving in admissions, student affairs, multicultural affairs and, most recently, as associate head of school at Tabor Academy.

In each of those roles, Black has drawn on his own experiences to help students find their direction and a place to belong, ensuring each student’s experience lives up to its promise. “I’ve always walked into places trying to find my place — and my purpose beyond what’s written in the ‘job description,’” he said.

As a Westminster student, Black said that he struggled socially until he found his people in choir, theater and track. Even at a young age, he was a natural leader, serving as director of the gospel choir at his church. “I’ve brought creating traditions like gospel choir to every school where I’ve worked — and I’ve been fortunate they let me.”

“When I think about my experience at Westminster, I can honestly say that each year, as it should, presented different challenges that contributed positively to my

personal growth. Year after year, I became a better reader, which strengthened my overall comprehension. Gradually, I was taught how to study, which elevated my retention. Westminster did an excellent job teaching me how to find myself, my identity and purpose in everything I studied. With the structure and support the school provided, I finally embraced the courage to be the curious learner I didn’t even know I could be.”

Following Westminster, Black took on his greatest academic challenge, earning a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Westminster College in Pennsylvania. He recalled that though he was a member of the John Hay Society, he struggled as a writer throughout his

secondary years. “I just knew that if I were to do anything in life, I had to know how to write. You could put me behind a podium, and I could talk your ear off. But

“

I’d be around it 24/7.”

He later earned a master’s in education from the University of New Haven and a doctorate in higher education and

My job is teaching families how the admission process works and helping students match with the personality of different schools.

when you had me sit down and put my thoughts into writing — I just couldn’t do it. It would take me hours to write something, and even then it wasn’t good enough. As an English major, I knew I wouldn’t be able to escape the challenge.

ANNABELLE KARPER VULTEE ’94:

Redefining Learning for a Global Workforce

“The future of education is in developing skills that are valuable in global markets,” said Annabelle Karper Vultee ’94, CEO of Netherlands-based GoodHabitz, a professional education company that provides online people/ soft skills development for workers at all career levels, from frontline staff to executive leaders throughout Europe. The company’s learning library is available in more than 20 languages and covers a wide range of skills, from project management and AI to cultural sensitivity.

“There is an expectation that employers develop and upscale their employees. There’s no option. Otherwise, they’re just going to have a revolving door,” said Vultee. “GoodHabitz presents learning content that is both highly relevant in the current moment and delivered in a format that feels personalized to best fit each person’s learning style — quick, accessible, bitesized learning that becomes less of a task and more habitual.”

Vultee describes herself as a

“completely obsessed learner,” though it took years for her to discover her own learning style. She said she was “very average” in most of her schooling until her last two years at Colgate University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Native American studies in 1998. The program included field work in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“I couldn’t connect with the way I was being taught until I was 20 years old, when I did archaeology for six months and then spent a semester at the University of San Diego as a visiting student. It was my first interaction with true experiential immersive learning. I realized I wasn’t dumb, I just didn’t have the right format to learn,” she recalled. “I’ve now been in the education technology field for almost 15 years. I bring that experience with me everywhere I go.”

As a young student, Vultee’s family relocated frequently. She recalled her time at an international school in Istanbul, Turkey. “The

organizational change from Benedictine University.

Black said one of his proudest achievements came when he was director of early college programs at Goodwin University in East Hartford, Connecticut.

school was operated out of trailers, and it may have been run by trailing spouses. I’m not sure any of them had education credentials” she said. When her father’s job was to take the family to three cities in one year, she began boarding at Fay School in Massachusetts, and then joined Westminster as a Fourth Former.

“I was a strong, opinionated kid — a teacher’s worst nightmare,” she said. “I

There, he created a six-week summer program that helped underserved youth from the local community explore college opportunities. When he approached the president with the concept, it was immediately approved — provided Black could secure grant funding. “That June, I was awarded $350,000,” he recalled. “And then there was the small print. I had to launch the program in July. I hadn’t even developed the curriculum! Within weeks, I had recruited faculty and 25 high school students who were able to have a residential college experience.”

Participants received individualized evaluations and counseling after review of their transcripts. “One young lady with a 4.9 grade point average and 10 Advanced

Placement classes had been advised by her high school counselor to attend a community college,” he said. With his encouragement, the student applied to Dartmouth College and received a full scholarship. She is set to graduate in 2025. “The program was transformative.”

As Black prepares to transition to Winchendon, he will continue serving as chair of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ Commission on Independent Schools, overseeing the school accreditation process.

He will also guide several current high school seniors through college admission as an independent college counselor with his firm, T. Carlton Education Consulting, where he helps students find colleges

where they’ll truly feel they belong. “Most students I work with are the ‘best of the best,’ and their families need to understand that they are competing against applicants with equal profiles,” he explained. “I have visited about 2,500 colleges and universities. Part of my job is teaching families how the admission process works and helping students match with the personality of different schools.”

In his new position at Winchendon, Black will work with the school’s leadership team to foster a culture of academic achievement, inclusion and community. “I felt at home as soon as I first walked on campus,” said Black. “The students were so welcoming — it made me wonder if someone had paid them!”

think the social aspect of Westminster was most meaningful to me. The best memories of Westminster were around food! Going downtown to TCBY, or Subway or Apollo’s Pizza, where the interior had pillars and images of ancient Greece. Or sneaking out after hours to order Chinese food and bringing it back to the dorm.”

Vultee emphasized the value of the resilience and discipline she developed as a boarding student. “You learn what it means to be a respectable and independent human being and a responsible future adult. I wouldn’t say that going to study hall, clearing dishes or working in the pit was fun, but it was formative.”

the hospitality industry, first operating a restaurant in Miami, and then joining an aircraft share firm as director of sales. She was promoted to Chief Operating Officer less than two years later.

An opportunity with Education First Explore America took her career and the company in new directions. As president and head of sales, Vultee expanded EF’s student tour offerings to new geographic areas in the United

“ There is an expectation that employers develop and upscale their employees — there’s no option.

Her career in education came more than a decade after she graduated from Colgate. Vultee joined the Coca-Cola Company as a sales associate in 1998 and moved quickly through the ranks, earning a three-level promotion to become a manager at age 22. “Coca-Cola is a very sales and marketing customer-centric business. That is translatable to any industry. You always need to be able to create value and deliver and steward it.” She left Coca-Cola to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School, then pivoted to

States. She soon relocated to China as Education First’s Chief Operating Officer, taking full responsibility for 90 English language training centers. “All of our competitors were teaching business English that was very academic in nature,” said Vultee. “We conducted a study and found that most Chinese adult English-language learners wanted one thing: They wanted to be confident speaking English. That is what informed all our marketing and sales strategy from there on out.”

Before joining GoodHabitz as CEO in 2024, Vultee worked in education technology leadership roles in Sweden and Vietnam, and earned an executive master’s in artificial intelligence for business from the University of Bologna Business School. “Though I had opportunities over the last few years, none were right. I knew my next step was CEO and I was going to wait until I found what I was looking for,” she said. GoodHabitz is exploring expansion

beyond European markets to both the United States and developing countries in southeast Asia. “Countries that are becoming more economically stable are looking to up-skill their workforces to compete on a global level,” said Vultee. “I truly believe that education is the great equalizer.”

Grit, Grace and Giving Back

FOR KIRSTEN SICHLER WEBB ’98 , WESTMINSTER HAS ALWAYS been more than just a school — it’s been a guiding force, a lifelong community and a place that shaped who she is today.

At Westminster, Kirsten gained skills, learned values, forged friendships and prepared for life beyond Williams Hill. Through it all, she had the steady support of Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12, her advisor and “school dad,” who was always there to cheer her on every step of the way. Even after graduating, Westminster remains a part of Kirsten’s life. To her, Grit & Grace is more than a motto — it’s Westminster’s true north, a philosophy that fosters mutual respect and serves as a compass for navigating life.

Inspired by her family’s dedication to supporting their own schools, Kirsten has prioritized giving back to Westminster and has consistently found ways to say “yes.” She has served on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association, led reunion efforts and recently completed a nine-year term on the Board of Trustees. “Each time, I’m humbled and excited to learn about Westminster from a different perspective,” she said.

Her decision to join the Thring Society was another easy “yes.” “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Westminster,” she shared. To honor that impact, Kirsten has

While the campus may look different, the relationships, the spirit and the values remain unchanged. “It feels like the Westminster I’ve always known. It feels like coming home.”

chosen to establish a scholarship, ensuring that future students have access to the same transformative experience she did.

Through her service and involvement, Kirsten has seen firsthand how Westminster continues to evolve while remaining true to its ethos. She’s witnessed students engaging with faculty beyond the classroom, learning life skills that will serve them well into the future. While the campus may look different, the relationships, the spirit and the values

remain unchanged.

“It may look like a new campus,” she said, “but it feels like the Westminster I’ve always known. It feels like coming home.”

These reasons and many more have inspired Kirsten to say “yes” when she was asked to volunteer as the Planned Giving Chair. She looks forward to welcoming new Thring Society members and partnering with the Advancement Office to share Westminster’s spirit and values at work.

If you’ve included Westminster School in your plans, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Jennifer Keyo, director of legacy and leadership giving, at (860) 408-3039. If you’re considering joining the Thring Society, Jennifer can help you explore the best way to make a lasting impact.

C. Eve Poole Percival ’90 is the recipient of the 2024 Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award

ESTABLISHED IN 2013 and endowed by the Class of 1966, the award recognizes an individual who exemplifies Westminster’s mission and core values of community, character, balance and involvement.

Eve was shocked and grateful upon learning she had received the Distinguished Alumni Award. “When I opened Elaine’s email, I nearly fell off my chair!” she said, calling the honor “singular and momentous.” Despite her relatively short time at Westminster, she feels deeply impacted by the school, acknowledging that much of her success is due to her experiences there.

Her memories of Westminster are filled with warmth and nostalgia. She recalls lighthearted moments, like sharing doughnuts and pizza with Mr. Mears during Latin class, as well as more profound experiences such as participating in the Chorale and portraying Aunt Em in “The Wiz.” Even simple pleasures, like the gospel choir performance at the Werner Centennial Center and the infamous vats of ice cream in the dining hall, remain vivid.

Eve’s early days at Westminster were not without challenge. Arriving from Scotland in 1990 as an English Speaking Union student, she struggled with homesickness and loneliness but turned this adversity into a defining moment. “Westminster gave me the freedom to be anyone,” she says. Embracing

this opportunity, she decided to be “fabulous.” The lessons of grit and grace she learned at Westminster have stayed with her throughout her life.

After Westminster, Eve went on to study theology at Durham University. Her career has spanned roles with the Church of England, Deloitte and an MBA and doctorate focused on leadership, economics and theology. She also taught leadership at Ashridge Business School and wrote several books on economics, leadership and artificial intelligence.

Eve’s career reached new heights when she became the first female chairman of Gordonstoun, the school

attended by members of the British royal family. Her leadership at Gordonstoun earned her an OBE in 2023, awarded by the king himself. She also served as the Third Church Estates Commissioner for England, overseeing finances and governance for the Church of England. Eve has held interim leadership roles at the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland and currently serves as executive chair of the Woodard Corporation, a network of schools across England and Wales.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Eve remains deeply connected to her family and the world of education. She finds great fulfillment in spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Her bond with Westminster has endured over the years, especially after reconnecting with alumni during Todd Eckerson’s philosophy class during the COVID lockdown. She values the diversity of careers and life paths among Westminster graduates, noting that curiosity and a love of learning unite them.

Finally, Eve expressed deep gratitude to Todd Eckerson, who inspired her both during her time at Westminster and beyond. His example of lifelong learning, humility and generosity continues to influence Eve’s approach to leadership and life.

New York City Holiday Reception

1 Elaine White, Danielle Reilly P’27, Kathleen Kocatas P’25, ‘26, Wendy McCarthy P’23, ‘25

2 Barb Meguid P’26, Shalley Wen P’27

3 Bella Ursano ‘23, Kristin Ursano P’23, ’28

4 Grant Kugler ‘11, Alex Gould ‘11, Will Phifer ‘08, Harry Wise ‘11 and Ashley Brown

5 Harvey DeMovick ‘90 and Susan DeMovick P ‘24, ‘26, Melinda Shumway

6 Lisa Cavazuti ‘08, Dorothy Brown ‘08, Harish Dadoo ‘07, Peter Michailidis ’10

7 Justin Schuster ‘19, David DeFronzo ‘19, Maria Clark

8 Troy and Amy Rohrbaugh P’27

9 Christopher Campbell ‘91, P’24, Sanny Warner P’22, ’25

10 Chris Beck P’08, ‘13, Ryan Strange ‘13

11 Adrian Marshall P’25, Mark de Kanter ‘91, P’19, ‘22, Lydia Heenan Marshall ‘95, P’25

12 Rachel Ha ‘21, India Lalor ‘21, Katherine Ashe ‘21

Denver, Colorado

January 18, 2025 • National Western Stock Show

1 Morgan and Neil Hannah ’06

2 Whitney Fitzpatrick ’09 and Paul Graven

3 Matt Wold ’03

4 Jessica and Jake Utzig ’07

5 Piper Stevens ’70 and Becky Armour Stevens ’80

Edge Society Dinner

January 22, 2025 • Yale Club of New York City

1 Powell Holly ’82, Joe Gitterman ’55, P’86, ’86, ’90, GP’24 and Maria Elena Dendaluce Arriaga, Dave Kistler ’87, P’22

2 Justin Schuster ’19, Kathleen Schuster P’21, ’24, Christopher Campbell ’91, P’24, Matt Warner ’91, P’22, ’25, Chris White

3 Gaily Beinecke, Renée Lynch Carrel ’84, P’19, ’21, John Beinecke ’65

Friendships among Westminster alumni extend beyond your form. Whether forged on the playing fields, in the dorms or through clubs and classes, those connections helped shape your experience on Williams Hill. Flock Reunions, which feature multiple class years on a three-year cycle, honor that unique bond by bringing together Martlets to reconnect with classmates, teammates and peers who helped shape unforgettable experiences.

More Classes! Celebrate with friends from nearby class years who were part of your journey.

More Martlets! Larger gatherings create even more energy, spirit and shared memories.

More Memories! A full-campus celebration reflects the spirit of the Westminster experience.

Westminster is thrilled to continue our multi-year “Flock” Reunion format, celebrating alumni in five-year cycles from the fifth to the 85th Reunion. In June 2027, we will honor the classes ending in ’1s, ’2s, ’3s and 6’s, ’7s, ’8s — from the Class of 2022 through 1942 — along with the Class of 2020 and the Seventh Form.

FLOCK REUNION

WESTMINSTER 2027

2027: Celebrating ’1s, ’2s, ’3s and ’6s, ’7s, ’8s, the Class of 2020 and the Seventh Form

2030: Celebrating ’4s, ’5s, ’6s and ’9s, ’0s, ’1s, the Class of 2023 and the Seventh Form

2033: Celebrating ’2s, ’3s, ’4s and ’7s, ’8s, ’9s, the Class of 2026 and the Seventh Form

Visit www.westminsterreunion.org or scan the QR code for additional information. Please contact Thea Leach, Director of Events, at tleach@westminster-school.org or 860-408-3724 with any questions.

Darien, Connecticut

May 13, 2025 • Parent Gathering at Wee Burn Country Club

1 Lee Huguley P’19, ‘26, ‘29, John Hurkala P’26

2 Brian and Kathryn Groves P’26, Tom Blouin P’26

3 Margot Fooshee P’27, A-men Rasheed P’29

4 Missy Dye P’25, Sanny Warner P’22, ‘25, Lis Gailun Baird ‘98 P’26, ‘26, Elaine White, Tim Joncas ‘00, Jamie Baird P’26, ‘26, Matt Warner ‘91 P’22, ‘25

5 Jim and Caroline Gallagher P’25, ‘27, Ben Fooshee P’27

6 Ashley Ghriskey P’22, ‘26, Jessica Blouin P’26

7 Elana Wood P’25, Amy Henry P’23, ‘26

8 Eliza and Andy Brown P’27, Fell Herdeg ‘89 P’27, John Henry P’23, ‘26, Melissa Merrill P’25, ‘28

California Gatherings

San Diego • April 13, 2025, Monarch Ocean Pub • Host: Brett Roenick ’16

1 Bryson Tomcik ’15, Jack Werner ’16, Annie Mayer ’15, Charlotte Loomis ’83, Trish Haskel Freund ’83, Stewart Winkler ’89

2 Brett Roenick ’16, Tim Gustin P’27

3 Phil Sambazis ’99, Newell Grant ’99

Sausalito • April 16, 2025 at Sausalito Cruising Club • Host: Mike Hanley ‘78

4 Sophia Gasser ’18, Ryan Strange ’13, Eva Beale, Kip Denoyer ’10, Paxton Maeder-York, Bouvier Beale ’66, Mike Hanley ’78, Bob Bynum ’69, Chris Beck P’08, ’13, Melinda Shumway, Will Stevens ’12, Emma Beck ’08, Rosie Williams ’12, Newell Grant ’99, Elaine White

Los Altos • April 15, 2025 • Hosts: Amber and CJ MacDonald ‘98

5 Newell Grant ’99, Ryan Strange ’13, Harold Kwan P’22, Andy Logan ’88, Chris Beck P’08, ’13, Logan Sun ’24, Melinda Shumway, Freda Kong P’22, Keegan Bankoff ’22, Jane Lowry P’10, ’13, Michael Downing P’29, Barry Williams ’62, Bob Bynum ’69, CJ MacDonald ’98, Jonathan Symonds ’87, P’23, Elaine White

Los Angeles • April 14, 2025 at Baltaire Restaurant • Host: John Ryan ’93

6 John Ryan ’93, David Pope P’12, ’15, ’16, Ryan Strange ’13, Aleyna Baki ’21, Dick Clement ’56, Darcy Halsey ’94, Elaine White, Kimberly Pope P’12, ’15, ’16, Ellis Lewis ’76, Sujay Desai ’96, Newell Grant ’99, Angela Killoren ’88, Alex Dundas ’94

Palm Beach, Florida

January 28, 2025 • Acquavella Gallery • Host: Eleanor Acquavella Dejoux ’91

1 John and Robyn Davis

2 Rachael Schroeder, Charlie Schroeder and Liz Grant Schroeder ‘84, P’10, ‘14, Thiele Schroeder Donovan ‘14, Kingsley Schroeder ‘10

3 Tim Robinson ‘85 and Michaeline Daboul-Robinson P’10, Elaine White

6 Kendall Delfin Corso

7 Elaine

Seattle, Washington

February 26, 2025

Simsbury, Connecticut

May 6, 2024 • Current and New Parent Gathering at Hop Meadow Country Club

1 Therese Horn P’21, ‘25, Shannon O’Shaughnessy P’28

2 Meri Lee Tyler P’28, Samantha Doering P’29

3 Len and Louisa Desson P’28, Amy and Artie Leigner P’29

4 Mary Ellen and Jamie Reece P’28

5 Joyce Aparicio P’28, Elaine White, Stephanie Sheehan P’27

6 Heena Sultan P’29, ‘29, Heather Tomlinson P’27, Chris White, Julie Roman P’27, ‘29

7 Andrea Waddell P’27, Mike Van Dolah P’28, Wil Clark P’27

8 Jessica Skovron-Rasheed and A-men Rasheed P’29, Tenniel Hacker

Arlington, Virginia

March 5, 2025 • Washington Golf & Country Club • Hosts: Trina and Art Santry ’74

1

2 Doug Baker ‘80, David Pivirotto ‘83, Meg Barnes Taylor ‘10, Andy McLeod ‘78

3 Will Stewart ‘00, Powell Holly ‘82, Lane Bodian ‘06

Brookline, Massachusetts

February 13, 2025 • The Country Club • Host: Tim Egan ’00

1 Newell Grant ’99, Vince Jones ’73, Christopher Brooks P’28, Dave Hovey ’78, P’09, ’11, ’14, Joe Rodrigues ’96, P’23, ’27, ’29, Emily Brooks P’28, Will Leathers ‘17 and Kayla Leathers, Tally Briggs P’01, ‘05, ‘07, Johanna Fehr, Peter Briggs ‘71, P’01, ’05, ’07, Carl Spevacek ’07, Tim Egan ’00, Ben Roberts ’00, Renée Lynch Carrel ’84, P’19, ’21, Madden Payne ’94, Eric Mills, Olivia Frank Mills ’11, Elaine White, John Eder ‘11, Chris White, Mike Frank P’11, ’15, Maddy Paro

Young Alumni Gatherings

Swahn P’22; Ben Wurts P’22, ’24; Miles Bailey ’94;

1 Hamilton College: Lance Dominick ‘23, Taylor Schuster ‘24, Kyle Egidio ‘23, Hunter Hoogkamp ‘21, Ellie Bailey ‘21

2 NYU/Parsons: Rachel Ha ’21, India Lalor ‘21

3 Brown University: Sam Bradley ‘23, Allie Masthay ‘21

4 Boston College: Cassie Goundrey ‘24, Ava Lynch ‘23, Samantha de Kanter ‘22, Sophia Peterson ‘24, Eddie Shin ‘21, Robert Yalda ‘24, and Zach Blest ‘21

5 Middlebury College: Wills Erda ‘24. Kelly Youngman ‘24, Margaret Dilks ‘24, Francesca Bradley ‘21

6 Trinity College: (Top row) Justin Cardia ‘24, Peter Sanger ‘21, Bennett Ostern ‘21, Andrew Nelson ‘23 (Bottom row) Caroline Pratt ‘22, Sydney Courtmanche ‘24, Tatum Constant ‘21, Jenny Guider ‘20, Betsy Winslow ‘21

7 TCU: George Hartmann ‘23, Annabel Thompson ‘23, Payton Harding ‘24, Wills Lown ‘24

8 Wake Forest: Dylan McLamore ‘21, Cisco Lilien ‘24, Charlie Pappas ‘22, Olivia Goldstuck ‘21, Johnny Hadden ‘24, Nick Wurts ‘24, Westie Strawbridge ‘24

9 Tulane: Colin Pogue ‘23, Ella Ungerman ‘24, Jamie Staniar ‘23, Ben Ferrell ‘21, Oliver Hocking ‘23

10 Fairfield University: Kaitlyn McQueeney ‘24, Reid Bulger ‘24, Owen Murphy ‘23

11 Colgate University: Tommy Cramer ‘23, Campbell Swift ‘21, Maggie McCarthy ‘23, Avery Bressel ‘24, Morgan Pineault ‘21, Elizabeth Symonds ‘23, Will Rizzo ‘21

12 SMU: Paige Smith ‘23, Margaret Breen ‘23, Dylan Vincent ‘21, Riley Vincent ‘23, Benno Wurts ‘22, Kaitlin Koch ‘24

13 Colby/Bowdoin: Xander Cardia ‘21, Mandy Busky ‘21, Casey Winslow ‘21, Sarah Lenox ‘24

Seventh Form Gatherings

Brookline, MA • November 20, 2024

Lee Dunham ‘59, David Bailey ‘69, Jeff Cook ‘66, Jim Ladd ‘67, Vince Jones ‘73, Steve Foehl ‘67, David Burke ‘72

Wilmington, DE • December 17, 2024

Peter Fulweiler ‘66, Sam Gawthrop ‘61, Charles du Pont ‘68

Atlanta, GA • October 30, 2024

Bentley Boger ‘73, Jennifer Hugens, John Hugens ‘74, Paul Oliver ‘67, Murray Klein ‘74

Charleston, SC • March 26, 2025

Dick Bondy ‘67, OP Jackson ‘70

New York, NY • December 16, 2024

C. Evan Stewart ‘70, P’11, Bill Downer ‘73, Tucker Robbins ‘72, Elaine White, John Beinecke ‘65, David Bartram ‘74, Steve Scott ‘72, P’06, 09, Jim Steers ‘71, Si Anthony GP’23, ‘25

Los Angeles, CA • February 24, 2025

Dick Clement ‘56, Michael Monagan ‘69, Jeff Crandell ‘73

Springs, FL • January 28, 2025

Barnes ‘65,

Raleigh, NC • January 14, 2025

Back row: Michael Fiske ‘58, P’92, David Hubby ‘54, Reg Morgan ‘66, Peter Anlyan ‘69, Jock Tate ‘68.

Front row: Bill Anlyan ‘68, Chip Cappaletti ‘70, Mark Patlovich ‘70

Portsmouth, NH • May 22, 2025

Class Notes

Send alumni news and class notes via email to classnotes@westminster-school.org. Send updates to contact information to spierson@westminster-school.org

Class notes with numbers correspond with their submitted photos.

1959

Charley Zimmer reports, “Gail and I are living in Jacksonville, Florida, on the beautiful St. Johns River. We’ve definitely downsized — less space and fewer dogs! The weather here is superb, and we’re happy we made the move from Michigan. Our kids all live near I-95, and it’s a straight shot for them to visit us. We’re not traveling much anymore and are simply content to sit still, read, listen to good music and talk with family and friends. My Westminster memories are still some of the happiest of my life. My parents were wise to send me to Simsbury, even if it was a financial burden. I know I grew into a better person because of that experience. It’s a wonderful thing to stay

in touch with the other ’59ers. Hope all is as well as possible with you and our classmates. Grit and grace always!”

“Congratulations and thanks to Lee Dunham,” says Phil Kerr, “on taking on the role of class secretary. The right man for the job.”

1961

Sam Gawthorp celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with a twoweek vacation rental on Lake Thun in Oberhofen, Switzerland. “We’ve visited Switzerland more than a dozen times over the years, and long ago identified Lake Thun as the perfect place for an extended stay. We invited our two children and their families, including four grandchildren in their 20s. The trip turned into a magical time as our children and grandchildren came and went.”

circumstances. The government isn’t capitalizing on its greatest asset: its people. Everything is in a state of decay, with people working to restore cars, buildings and infrastructure using limited resources. Still, they carry on with smiles and humor. Art, music and food are sources of pride. It’s an incredible place of contrasts.”

1967

Evan Boenning hosted Lars Forsberg at his home in Rhode Island. “While reading about this year’s Bermuda Race, I saw Lars Forsberg’s name — his 24th time competing! I wondered if it was our classmate.”

5

Classmates Dick Bondy and David Keene caught up over coffee in Charleston on April 11, 2025. 1

1966

Glen Craft and his wife Cheryl visited several vineyards during a cruise through Portugal in October 2024.

Over the winter, Brian O’Donnell vacationed in Mexico with classmates Scott Glickenhaus and Elliot Cahn

Jody Vail reports, “On April 14, 2025, Jeff Cook, John Knox, Robert Hawes and I enjoyed a meal and hilarity in Boston, as we have done every year for the past 55 years — without missing a single one! We were all handsome and erudite, though mental acuity was occasionally suspect.”

Jeff Cook reports from his trip to Cuba, “I found amazing people — smart, industrious, creative and engaged — living in difficult

Steve Foehl, longtime executive director of New Jersey Golf, has been named to its Hall of Fame Class of 2025. He began his golf administration career in 1977 and led the organization through decades of growth. Member clubs increased from 150 to 280, individual memberships rose from 24,000 to more than 75,000 and annual caddie scholarships grew from 115 to 200. He also expanded the championship schedule and launched initiatives like Member Golf Days, the association’s magazine and its first website. He served on several national boards and received the USGA’s Ike Grainger Award and the IAGA Distinguished Service Award. He continues to serve as a valued consultant.

1968

Porter Berry had the pleasure of a mid-morning coffee and pastry stop with classmate Tom Remley. Tom was driving from Wisconsin to Los Angeles to pick up his bride, who had been in Japan.

Jake Horne with his wife Lisa and their four grandkids.

1969

Richard Porth and wife Debbie standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!

William Caldwell and Judy (Zimmer) Harlow found each other in South Carolina and are now neighbors. “Judy was one of the faculty families at Andrews House back in 1967. She attends my softball games. We often sit around reminiscing about Westminster and are encouraging our grandkids to consider it. It’s a small world!”

O.P. Jackson and Chris Rice found the Westminster School flag at Blackstone’s Café in Beaufort, South Carolina.

1971

Bill Coleman attended the Super Bowl with his friend Crawford Hill. “We’ve been going to Eagles games together for 61 years. Go Birds!”

Will Rolfing and his wife took a twoand-a-half-month journey through South America, including much of the coastline. “It was a friendly, diverse and picturesque adventure.”

1972

David Griffith’s term as chairman of the Academy of Natural Sciences ended in March 2025 after a six-year run. He also retired as head coach at Episcopal Community Services in March 2024.

1973

Franklin Morton reports “Last November, I set a goal to ski 70 days — one for each year of my life. I surpassed it, hitting the slopes 87 times at Deer Valley, just outside my home in Utah.”

1975

Carol Taylor Aiken was sorry to have missed the reunion. “I was hiking the Camino de Santiago. If you’ve never done it, put it at the top of your list.”

Livestreaming the Deerfield and Belmont Hill games between runs during the last two days of Westminster varsity boys’ regular season at John Armour’s house in Park City. From left to right are Piper Stevens ’70, John Armour ’76, Mike Jackson ’75, Paul Armour ’74 and Scott Stevens.

Rick Ford’s book, “The Invisible Yankee,” may be finished this year. “I just signed off on the cover,” he writes.

Spike Lobell writes, “It was fantastic seeing classmates and surrounding classes at the Flock Reunion last June. I urge everyone to attend next time! The memories — many going back over 50 years — were vivid. In 2024, I traveled to New Zealand, Finland and Scandinavia, and also worked on building a new cruising sailboat. Perhaps bigger

news: Right after reunion, I returned to NESS (New England Science & Sailing Foundation) — the nonprofit I founded in 2002 and retired from in 2021 — as CEO. NESS now partners with schools and organizations across the country, including Horizons at Westminster, teaching STEM through sailing and other water-based platforms to roughly 6,000 students. While returning as CEO wasn’t planned, I’m excited to lead our outstanding team again. Most exciting of all: Betsy and I got engaged over New Year’s. I’m looking forward to the future on all levels!”

Jeff Mills hosted classmates Scott Reed, David Wood, Otis Bradley, Laz Santiago and Wally Taylor and their significant others for a mini-reunion in Southern California.

1976

Stephen MacKenzie reports, “Big year for grandbabies! Stuart ’11 and his wife Blake welcomed daughter Parker Hopkins MacKenzie on April 14. My son Drew and his wife Nikki welcomed son John “Jack” Nicholas MacKenzie on Feb. 22.

Betsy Blumenthal writes, “No major milestones — still with Kroll after 36 years. Our two sons aren’t married and we don’t have grandchildren yet. Still, I’m grateful to be kicking and excited to see everyone at our 50th.”

Bob Bristow, Jonathan Seymour and John Fowler got together for dinner at John’s house in April.

Liz McGrath Durkin reports, “My husband

Tim and I enjoy living on the New Hampshire coast, where we raised our family. We recently became grandparents and love spending time with our three grandsons. I’ve been in touch with Jenn Keyo, who is diligently planning our 50th Reunion. I look forward to reconnecting!”

1977

Peter Willard completed a series of small winter landscape paintings in January 2025.

Hunter Millington retired last year after 40 years in publishing. He writes, “Married all that time to Jessica, we split time between Manhattan and Westhampton Beach, Long Island. We try to travel abroad a couple of times a year — last year, France and Argentina, this year, the Pacific Northwest and Eastern Europe. I no longer race motorcycles, but enjoy live music, landscaping and visiting friends.

Cindy Gould shares, “I recently finished work on the new Disneyland ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Hopefully, I’ve climbed my last scaffold. Looking forward to the 50th!”

This spring, Newt Kimberly and his wife traveled to Cascais, Portugal. “It was stunning,” he writes.

1978

Mark Wallace is excited to be a class agent and help plan the 50th reunion. He reports, “Alicia, Beth, Jock and I are determined to make it our best ever. Kristen and I have been married 43 years. I retired in 2018 and enjoy time with our three grandkids — Grayson, 2, and 1-year-old twins Hudson and Blakesly. We split our time between Vermont, Florida and Michigan.”

Beth Anderson Coogan writes, “I’m retiring in June after 40 years as a school psychologist. I recently visited classmate Jenny O’Brien and thoroughly enjoyed the Flock Reunion. I’ll also be helping my husband Tom promote his first book, “Deadheads and Christians,” at Grateful

Dead-related shows. We live near Princeton, New Jersey, with two grown children and two needy dogs.”

Alicia Markus Wagner reports, “Still based outside Boston, though we get to our Cape house often. Our kids are in Nashville, Denver and nearby Andover, Massachusetts. A recent family ski trip to Zermatt was stunning. We now have two adorable grandbabies, 1 and 2 years old, who run the show. Our black Labs, Goose and Remy, take us for beach walks — mostly so they can chase seagulls and ignore us.”

A shoutout from Jock Danforth to the Class of 1978: “Looking forward to our 50th. Amy and I are well and busy. We have three adult children nearby — two are married, and Maggie, our youngest, is getting married in mid-June! Will ’09 and his wife have a 1-year-old daughter, and our daughter Kate and her husband have a 2½-year-old boy and 1-year-old girl. They call us “Pop” and “Mimi.” I just retired from nearly 40 years in wealth management; Will and his team are taking over. We spent six weeks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and I skied over 30 days. Hoping for more next year after a knee replacement!”

William F. Paley. We opened April 3, 2025, at the Winter Garden Theatre.”

Ward Duffy is currently in the Broadway company of “Good Night, and Good Luck.” He writes, “I’m part of the onstage ensemble, covering George Clooney as Edward R. Murrow and Paul Gross

Heather Frahm shared a photo from the celebration for Larry Green ’86 following his death. Back row: Dan Lynch, Mark McKay, Paul McLaughlin, Mark St. Amant, Jeff Tindall ’87, Micky Terry Front row: Amy Thrall Flynn, Moy Ogilvie, Betsy Potter McCormick, Jen Browne Urbanski, Heather Frahm, Katy Hansen. Also in attendance but not pictured: Topher Newmann, Paul Gitterman, Alex Gray and Matt Vendetti ’89

Malcolm Miller (Trinity ’90) and Aly Tolba ’18 (Trinity ’22) teamed up for a squash doubles tournament in February — and won! Malcolm writes, “Aly, now on the PSA Squash Tour, carried us to victory. It was a blast to represent our school and college.”

1989

Rick Wilcox spent spring break at JetBlue Park. “One of the perks of working in schools — I still get spring break!”

2000

Emmy Josephine Roberts, daughter of Benjamin Roberts, was born December 28, 2024.

2001

Sean Devlin is currently living outside Boston. He writes, “With two kids under 10, life is busy with work and the kids’ activities. I lost my job with an energy infrastructure company in February 2024 due to restructuring. After a great 14-year run, the Westminster network helped me land a new role quickly with Pavion, a Wind Point Partners portfolio company. I’m grateful to the Westy network!”

Lisa Sydney reports, “I stepped into a new role this winter with Franklin Yard, a

boutique SAT/ACT tutoring and test prep company. As partnership development manager, I’m building relationships with high schools and consultants to expand access to highquality prep services. My family and I live in the Philadelphia area.”

2003

Kimberly Sullivan Mazzone and her husband Carl welcomed their son, Daniel Joseph Sullivan Mazzone, on October 26, 2024. He joins older siblings Ben, 10, and Adrienne, 6.

2005

For the past two years, Jonathan Leathers has helped sponsor training and equipment for Ukrainian civil defense units — everything from drones to winter gear. He writes, “They’ve had great success retaking territory. I’ve launched Ukraine Torch, a veteran-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit also aiding in reconstruction and humanitarian projects. I invite fellow alumni to get involved — donate or volunteer! Learn more: ukrainetorch.com/donate or email jonathan.o.leathers@gmail.com.”

Julia Rubicam Clouse ’05 and her husband Andrew, along with their children Emmaline and Henry, welcomed twin babies, Jethro Stephen and Georgia Chiyeko, on August 8, 2024. Life is love and chaos.

2011

Matthew Leach and Katherine Falk Desloge were married on April 26, 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri. Over 25 alumni and parents of alumni were in attendance. It was truly a magical celebration!

2015

Nick Rocco and his wife Katie welcomed their daughter, Caroline, on December 10, 2024.

2018

Zach Tarazi, Elton Painstil and Marshall Watts met up for a weekend in Tampa, Florida.

2022

Ben Mihailovich was featured in an article on chapelboro.com for his basketball stat work at the University of North Carolina. https://chapelboro.com/sports/the-uncmens-basketball-statistical-archive-goesway-deeper-than-you-thought

OBITUARIES

1942

David Partridge, a longtime Vermont resident and outdoorsman, died peacefully on March 31, 2025, one week after his 100th birthday. Born March 25, 1925, in Proctor, Vermont, he graduated from Westminster School in 1942. He attended MIT and later served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation electronics mate in World War II. After the war, he earned degrees in electrical engineering and business administration from the University of Vermont. Partridge began as a quality control engineer at General Electric, but soon followed a more independent path. In 1956, he co-founded The Yodler ski lodge in Stowe, where he met Dolores Brock. They married in 1960 and later moved to Montpelier, where he led Wyman’s Inc. until his retirement in 1989. An inventive skier and sailor, he developed an early ski race timing system, served on the Mount Mansfield Ski Club board and raced to Bermuda in 1952. In retirement, he and Dolores traveled extensively and stayed active with trail building and maple sugaring. He was predeceased by brothers Charles Partridge ’28 and Sanborn Partridge ’32. Survivors include his wife Dolores; children Janet Alvarez, David B. Partridge and Laura Partridge; and six grandchildren.

1947

Nesbitt Blaisdell, a stage and screen actor and longtime educator, died December 3, 2024, at age 95. Born December 6, 1928, in New York City and raised in Washington, D.C., he graduated from Westminster School and Amherst College. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and earned an MFA in directing from Columbia University in 1958. Blaisdell began his acting career in 1957 with the Anna Sokolow Dance Troupe. He trained in the Stanislavski method and taught theater at several colleges over 15 years. He returned to acting full time in 1975 and appeared offBroadway at the Public Theater and Irish

Repertory Theatre, among others. His Broadway credits included roles in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “Abe Lincoln in Illinois.” He performed at regional theaters nationwide and internationally in Canada, Hong Kong and Dublin. His film and TV work included “Dead Man Walking,” “Funny Farm,” “Law & Order,” “Oz” and “Empire Falls.” In retirement, he restored the family farmhouse, Wellhouse, in North Laurel, Maryland, and enjoyed walks in the woods. He is survived by his wife, a sister, a niece and two nephews; three sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.

Marcus “Marc” White, of Orford, New Hampshire, and Longmeadow, Massachusetts, died February 28, 2025, at age 95, surrounded by his wife of 72 years, Joan, and their three children. Born May 10, 1929, in New Britain, Connecticut, he graduated from Westminster School, Harvard College in 1951, and Harvard Business School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean War. White spent 42 years in corporate development, specializing in international mergers and acquisitions. His work took him to more than 40 countries. He retired as director of worldwide strategic planning for Emhart Inc., having also worked at Texon Inc. and The Dexter Corporation. In retirement, Marc and Joan moved to a 200-year-old family farmhouse in Orford. Known for his bond with animals, he volunteered as a docent at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and at the VINS Raptor Center in Vermont. A devoted naturalist, birder and family man, he followed world events and sports — especially the WNBA — and delighted in his role as “Grandpa Dr. Doolittle.” He is survived by his wife Joan; children Marc III, Elizabeth and Nicholas; seven grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren; his sister Elizabeth Love; and cousin Jeanne Host.

1949

Robert Kitchel, 94, of Nashville, Tennessee, died peacefully at home on February 18, 2025. Born September 14,

1930, in Islip, New York, he grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Westminster School, where he captained the tennis team, and earned a Bachelor of Science in commerce from the University of Virginia. At UVA, he was president of Chi Psi and a member of Tilka. He began his career at Hercules Powder Company in Wilmington. In 1960, he married Emily Fletcher and moved to Nashville, where he became president and owner of E.S. Brugh Company. After selling the firm in 1988, he continued his career at Crichton, Perry and Brandon until retirement. Kitchel served more than 20 years on the Vestry at St. George’s Episcopal Church, including as senior warden. He held leadership roles with The Harpeth Hall School, The Ensworth School and Cheekwood, and was active in civic and social organizations. A lifelong tennis player, he won numerous titles and cherished time with family in Sea Island, Georgia, and Delray Beach, Florida. He is survived by his wife Emily; daughters Emily and Helen; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Ronald A. Mitchell Jr., 95, of Adams, Massachusetts, died April 13, 2025, at North Adams Regional Hospital. Born January 18, 1930, in Springfield, Massachusetts, he graduated from Stafford Springs High School and attended Westminster School for a post-graduate year. Ronald served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He worked for many years as a car salesman with Bedard Brothers Auto Dealership in Cheshire, Mass. where he was known for his integrity and commitment to customers. A member of the North Adams First Congregational Church, he embraced retirement as an opportunity to explore the world. He traveled extensively, visiting Africa, Russia, Mongolia, Vietnam and Scotland. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth L. Sherwood Mitchell, whom he married on February 29, 1964. He is survived by his son Ronald A. Mitchell III; daughter Nancy Appel; brother John Mitchell; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

1951

Edward “Ned” Bliss, 92, of Sherborn, Massachusetts, died February 6, 2025. Born in Boston and raised in Chestnut Hill and Sherborn, both in Massachusetts, he graduated from Noble & Greenough School and Westminster School before earning his degree from Harvard College in 1955. At Harvard, he played hockey and rowed crew, and was a member of the A.D. Club. After serving in the U.S. Army, Bliss began his career in banking at State Street Bank. He later worked in investment counseling at Eaton & Howard, Loomis Sayles & Company, Eaton Vance and ultimately Morgan Stanley, retiring in 2020. He served on boards including Stayhealthy Inc., Sierra Pacific Resources and the Massachusetts SPCA. He also chaired Friends of Harvard Hockey and supported youth sports throughout his life. In the 1990s, he and his wife Anne took up carriage driving and competed throughout the Northeast and Florida. They were longtime members of the American Driving Society and the Carriage Association of America.

Bliss found his greatest joy with family, whether cruising the New England coast or fly fishing in Rangeley, Maine. He is survived by daughters Molly Lee, Miriam McManus and Bonnie Fratini; nine grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren.

Sidney Smith Gorham III, 92, of Newport, Rhode Island, died March 14, 2025. Born in Chicago in 1932 and raised in Winnetka, Illinois, he graduated from Westminster School, where he captained the tennis team and played hockey and football. He later attended Princeton and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1956, where he also played varsity tennis. Gorham began his career at Marshall Field & Co. and traveled through Europe before finding his calling in education. He taught math at the Hun School in Princeton, New Jersey, and, with his wife, Jean, served as co-head of The Newport School for Girls. After the school closed in 1973, he began a successful real estate career. He founded Gorham Real Estate

and developed several notable projects. A past president of the State Realtors Commercial/Industrial Division, he was named Rhode Island Realtor’s Teacher of the Year in 1990. Gorham was active in civic life, including leadership roles at Trinity Church, Child and Family Services of Newport County and the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean Howell Gorham; his son Sidney S. Gorham IV; and two grandsons.

Peter Kean Roosevelt, 91, of Denver, died December 3, 2024. Born March 19, 1933, in New York City, he spent his early years in Oyster Bay, Long Island, where he developed a lifelong love of the sea. At 17, he crewed in the Newport to Bermuda Race aboard his uncle’s yacht. Peter attended The Hill School and Westminster School before enrolling at the University of Colorado, where he discovered a passion for geology. He mined in Ward, Colorado, skied and mountaineered in the Rockies and built a log cabin — cementing his connection to the American West. He married Marjorie “Midge” Snyder in 1956, and the couple raised their family in Denver. Roosevelt worked in various fields before finding his niche in oil exploration, founding Half Shell Oil Company and later Roosevelt Operating Company. He remained active in his business until shortly before his death. Also a painter and poet, he created plein air landscapes of Colorado and Nantucket and loved reciting verse. He is survived by his wife Marjorie; children James, Christine and Margaret; four grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren.

Roger Hendricks Söderberg, 92, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, died February 20, 2024, at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Born December 21, 1931, in Philadelphia, he was the son of O.A. and Edith Williams Söderberg. He graduated from Westminster School and earned a degree from Yale University’s School of Engineering. Söderberg began his career in 1960 with Deering Milliken Research and rose to become director of development for Milliken & Company’s

Specialty Industrial Business. In 1968, he was appointed plant manager of the Valway Plant in LaGrange, Georgia, where he worked for much of his professional life. He retired in 1997. A lifelong outdoorsman, he enjoyed golf, fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent and is remembered for his quiet leadership, technical expertise and dedication to family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anna Johnson Söderberg; daughter Karen Lyon; son Brian Söderberg; and two grandchildren.

1952

Benjamin C. Altschul, 89, of Hamilton, New York, died peacefully at home on May 6, 2024, just days before his 90th birthday. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he graduated from Norfolk Academy and Westminster School, and earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Virginia in 1956. At UVA, he was a member of Zeta Beta Tau and the ROTC, and served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, later rising to captain in the Reserves. Altschul began his career at Stern’s Department Store in New York City, then returned to Norfolk to join the family business, Altschul’s Department Store. He later founded Ben Altschul Realtor, focusing on properties near Old Dominion University, a career he sustained for more than 50 years. A lifelong outdoorsman, he loved sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was an active member of Ohef Sholom Temple, serving on the board and chairing the house committee. Altschul was known for his warmth, daily fitness routine and kindness. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Candace Summers, and extended family and friends.

1955

Harold Ostby Anthony, of Buskirk, New York, died peacefully on February 28, 2025. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, he attended Rectory School and graduated from Westminster School. He

earned a teaching degree from Texas Tech University. Anthony served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic while stationed in Texas. He later settled in New York, where he taught mathematics for many years before working as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Mechanicville, retiring from that role. A man of many interests, he was a licensed pilot, traveler and sports enthusiast who cheered for the Boston Red Sox, New York Giants and local minor league teams. He also loved cars and roller skating, and was a proud fourth-generation member of the Ostby family. In 1968, he built a log cabin on Ragged Lake in the Adirondacks, a family retreat that remains beloved to this day. He is survived by his wife Karen Guangling; children April, Scott, Allison and Trent Anthony; and eight grandchildren.

1958

Edward L. Reboul, 84, a longtime resident of Winchester, Massachusetts, died June 8, 2024. A devoted husband, father and brother, Reboul will be remembered for his warmth and deep love for his family. He is survived by his wife Laura K. Reboul, and their daughter Kathryn Adele Reboul. He is also survived by his brother John W. Reboul ’55, and his wife Josee, as well as several cousins, nieces including Alexandra Reboul ’01 and nephews.

1959

Charles Dilks, 83, of Philadelphia, died peacefully at home on December 28, 2024. Born November 28, 1941, in Chestnut Hill, he graduated from Chestnut Hill Academy and Westminster School in 1959. He earned his degree in American studies from Yale University in 1963, where he sang in the Yale Glee Club. He later served as a U.S. Navy lieutenant, navigating destroyers in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. Dilks spent over 30 years with the University City Science Center, helping establish it as a major urban research hub. He rose to executive vice president and helped found the Ben Franklin Technology Center and the Kyoto Research Park.

In 2003, he launched Dilks Consulting, advising innovation centers nationwide. He served as president of the Association of University Related Research Parks and received its Career Achievement Award. Passionate about conservation, he served on many nonprofit boards in the Philadelphia area. An avid outdoorsman, sailor and traveler, Dilks was known for pairing adventures with family and work trips. Dilks was predeceased by his brother Peter Dilks ’63. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gene; children Christina, Charles Jr. and Mark; five grandchildren; sister Anne; nephew Nicholas Dilks ’92; niece Lissa O’Sullivan ’96; great-nephew Peter Dilks ’27; and great-niece Margaret Dilks ’24

Graham D. Gund ’59, a visionary architect, generous philanthropist and cherished alumnus of Westminster School, died June 6, 2025, at the age of 84, leaving behind a profound legacy of creativity, generosity and architectural excellence. He is survived by his wife Ann and their son, Graydon.

As Westminster’s campus master planner, Gund brought extraordinary vision to the reimagining of the physical campus. His thoughtful design of spaces for learning, gathering and performing continues to foster community in the daily lives of students and faculty.

A native of Cleveland, Gund was born on October 28, 1940, to George and Jessica Gund. He graduated from Westminster in 1959 before continuing his studies at Kenyon College, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where he earned master’s degrees in architecture and urban design. Throughout his life and career, he remained deeply connected to the educational institutions that shaped him, including Westminster.

Gund was the founder and president of GUND Partnership, a nationally acclaimed architectural firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he earned more than 130 awards for architectural excellence and designed a remarkable array of museums, university buildings, historic redevelopments, and cultural

landmarks across the United States.

His architectural legacy at Westminster began in 1986, when he was invited by Don Werner to reimagine the plans for the Werner Centennial Center. Recognizing the importance of architectural harmony, he proposed a new location and design that honored the school’s traditional aesthetic. The completion of the Center in 1989 marked the beginning of his broader role as Westminster’s campus master planner.

Gund developed a vision for a more cohesive, pedestrian-friendly campus anchored in three distinct commons: residential, academic and athletic. His plan emphasized open green spaces, architectural continuity and a deeper integration with the natural landscape of Williams Hill. His design work for the Armour Academic Center and Armstrong Dining Hall, completed in 2009 and 2017, respectively, remains a lasting testament to his love for his alma mater. Gund shared his vision for the campus during the Flock Reunion last June. (Scan the QR code below to watch his presentation.)

Beyond architecture, Gund also helped shape Westminster’s arts program. In 1991, members of the Gund family established the Graham Gund ’59 Visiting Artist Series in honor of his 50th birthday. The fund supports visits from outstanding artists who enrich students’ understanding and appreciation of the performing arts. These visiting artists perform in the Werner Centennial Theater — fittingly, a space Gund himself designed.

Gund’s life was an example of how creative vision, paired with a generous heart, can leave a lasting imprint on communities, institutions and generations to come. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Gund family, including his surviving siblings, Agnes, Geoffrey, Gordon and Louise, and his cousin Edward Edwards ’76. He will be remembered by the Westminster community with much warmth, admiration and gratitude.

Scan to view the video from his presentation at the Flock Reunion.

1965

Anthony Willard, 79, of Johns Island, South Carolina, died March 29, 2025, surrounded by family. Born December 19, 1945, in New Haven, Connecticut, he was one of five children and grew up in a close church community, where his father served as minister. He graduated from Westminster School, Westminster College and earned a master’s from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. At Thunderbird, he met his wife Dorothy. They shared 51 years together, with chapters abroad in Indonesia, Sydney and Tokyo, and later in New Jersey, Michigan and South Carolina. Willard was known for his warmth, curiosity and generosity. He loved photography, storytelling, tennis, golf and travel, and lived as a faithful servant to God and loyal friend to many. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; children Scott, Weston and Amanda; and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Sherwood Willard ’59; nephew David Penegar ’86; niece Victoria Willard ’87; and great-nephew Simon Stambaugh ’26. He was predeceased by his brother Lawson Willard ’52.

1976

Douglas James Crawford, 66, died May 4, 2024. He was raised in Rowayton, Connecticut, and Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and graduated from The Brooks School, Westminster School and the University of Rhode Island. He dedicated his life to the sea, serving in the Merchant Marine aboard tugboats and barges along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River, and routes to South America. At the time of his passing, he was preparing to begin teaching at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Maryland.

He served on the boards of the Watch Hill Yacht Club and Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association, contributing to preservation efforts and mentoring young mariners.

Known for his humor, generosity and love of the water, Crawford was happiest

at sea and cherished time with family. For more than 25 years, he organized “Men’s Night Out,” fostering connection and camaraderie ashore. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Gillian Moore Crawford; daughters Lydia and Meghan Crawford; and sisters Kristin Edwards and Sandison Dion.

Kirby Shyer, 67, died November 1, 2024, after a long illness. Born October 11, 1957, in New York City and raised in Larchmont, New York, Shyer was known at Westminster for his creativity, humor and enduring friendships. He was a talented amateur filmmaker and a loyal classmate.

A graduate of St. Lawrence University and member of Phi Kappa Sigma, Shyer later founded Zip City Brewing Company in 1991. His brewpub helped revitalize New York City’s Flatiron and Union Square neighborhoods and was an early leader in the craft beer movement. He also introduced Stella Artois to the U.S. market and was knighted by the Belgian Brewers Guild. Shyer was known for his good nature, love of music — especially Lou Reed — and technological curiosity. He was a devoted fan of Boston terriers, especially his beloved dog Indie. He worked as a brand ambassador for Manhattan Beer Distributors and was a fixture in the brewing world. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jennifer Brown Shyer; children Griffin and Grace; mother Marlene Fanta Shyer; sister Alison; brother Christopher; father-in-law Robert Brown; and several nieces and nephews.

1977

William T. Graham Jr., 65, of WinstonSalem, North Carolina, died June 16, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. Born Janunary 15, 1959, in Evanston, Illinois, he grew up in North Carolina and attended Summit School and Forsyth Country Day School before graduating from Westminster School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley

Law School. Graham began his career in private legal practice and was elected District Court judge in 1996, serving for over 20 years. He was known for his fairness, empathy and commitment to justice. A lifelong traveler, Graham visited 109 countries and was always planning his next trip. When asked his favorite destination, he would simply reply, “The next one.” He is survived by his wife Cynthia “Cinny” Strickland Graham; his sister Ashton Cannon Graham; and his father William T. Graham Sr.

Michael B. McLaughlin, 65, of Bluffton, South Carolina, died June 29, 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Born February 14, 1959, in Hartford, Connecticut, he graduated from Westminster School in 1977 and earned a degree in economics and English from Bucknell University in 1981. McLaughlin began his career at Irving Trust Company in New York and went on to become the youngest named partner at Lord, Abbett & Co. He later worked in investment management with SEI Investments, Gerstein Fisher & Associates, NFP Advisor Services and Dimensional Fund Advisors. He retired to Bluffton in 2021. He was known for his integrity, warmth and ability to build lasting relationships. Outside work, he enjoyed fly fishing, golf, classic rock, cooking and hosting family and friends. A former athlete and Boston sports fan, he was affectionately nicknamed “Stickman” on the basketball court. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Susan McLaughlin; sons Andrew and Thomas; two granddaughters; and his brother Stephen McLaughlin ’74

1978

Barton Russell Payne, 65, died January 1, 2025, just days before his 66th birthday. Born January 6, 1959, in Kansas City, Missouri, he moved to Texas in 1962 and proudly called it home. He attended Westchester High School in Houston before graduating cum laude from Westminster School in 1978. Payne studied at the University of

Texas at Austin and later earned a degree in business administration with a focus in accounting from the University of Houston. A licensed CPA, he held finance roles at Kenneth Leventhal & Company, Ernst and Young LLP, and served as controller at companies including US Homes, Sam Houston Race Park and Blohm and Voss. A devoted father, grandfather, son, brother and friend, Payne was known for his warmth, wit and dedication to family. He is survived by his son Kyle Payne; his stepdaughter Courtney Ransom; his mother Muriel Payne; his sister Dedra Payne Coffee; a grandson and several nieces and nephews.

1979

Christian Scott Miller, 64, of Darien, Connecticut, died peacefully at home on August 24, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born August 6, 1960, in New York City, he was raised in Darien and graduated from Westminster School and the University of Vermont in 1983. At Westminster, Miller discovered his love for music. He formed the band Prism and continued to play guitar throughout his life. He was also a painter, athlete and nature enthusiast. His abstract works are displayed in homes and businesses worldwide, and he co-authored “Code Burgundy: The Long Escape,” a World War II memoir. Miller enjoyed skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, sailing on Long Island Sound, New York, and time in East Dorset, Vermont. He cherished family adventures and had planned to retire in Charleston, South Carolina. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lynne; children Caroline Gahl, Craig, Cameron and Corey; and three grandsons. He is also survived by his parents, Scott and Elinor Miller; sister Sarah C. Haun ’81; and two nephews.

1986

Calvert “Larry” Green IV died February 9, 2025, after a courageous three-year battle with glioblastoma. He was 56. Born February 26, 1968, in Waterbury, Connecticut, he grew up in Canton and

graduated from Westminster School in 1986. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Vermont in 1991 and became a Chartered Financial Analyst in 1997. In 1994, he married his high school sweetheart, Maria Paleologos. They raised their family in Norwalk and later Farmington, where Green became a dedicated husband, father and community member. He was passionate about skydiving, hot chili peppers — famous for his homemade sauces — and music, especially the Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin. A fierce competitor, he excelled in mogul skiing, golf, paddle tennis and darts. He was a respected coach in Farmington Youth Baseball, inspiring players with positivity and vision. In 2013, he founded SmartMarketData, creating a widely adopted financial dataset after teaching himself to code — embodying his do-it-yourself spirit and drive. He is survived by his wife Maria; children Cal, Ben and Anna; parents Cal Green III and Jane and Jim Bransfield; and mother-in-law Dorothy Paleologos.

Former Faculty

Reverend Richard Miller, beloved Westminster faculty member from 1967 to 2000, passed away at the age of 83. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary, Rev. Miller joined Westminster in 1967 and served the school with distinction for over three decades. He held numerous leadership roles, including assistant head of school, dean of faculty, and faculty advisor to the John Hay Society. In the classroom, Rev. Miller taught history and ethics, and on the fields, he coached cross country and track. His deep care for students and colleagues, combined with his integrity and wisdom, made a lasting impression on the Westminster community. To honor his legacy, the Richard Miller Invitational cross-country meet and the Miller Faculty Enrichment Fund were established in 2000, recognizing the impact both Rev. Miller and his wife Linda had on faculty life and professional growth. Known for his warmth, guidance and steady presence on

Williams Hill, Rev. Miller was described by colleagues as “the consummate school man” and “a kind and good man who cared deeply about students and colleagues.” In his 2024 Commencement Address, former faculty member Scott Stevens cited Rev. Miller’s enduring wisdom to new faculty: “Most kids, on most days, are doing the best they can do.” A devoted mentor and enthusiastic singer, Rev. Miller was a mainstay of the faculty choir and a source of support for many beginning their careers in education. A memorial service took place in Andrews Memorial Chapel on April 11, 2025. He is survived by his wife Linda, a fellow faculty member from 1980 to 2000; their children Heidi Miller ’86 and Greg Miller ’89; and generations of alumni and faculty whose lives he shaped through quiet service and steadfast care.

Arlene Stein Buckey, 85, of Bloomfield, Connecticut, died peacefully January 9, 2025. Born March 24, 1939, in New York City, she was raised in Kingston and Valhalla, New York. She attended White Plains High School and Centenary College in New Jersey, where she met her husband, John Malcolm Buckey. They married in 1959 and raised a family while living in several East Coast cities before settling in West Simsbury, Connecticut, for 28 years. In Simsbury, Buckey worked as the librarian at Tootin’ Hills Elementary School and from 1982 until her retirement in 1990, she served as associate director of admissions and director of financial aid at Westminster School. The Ganzenmuller-Buckey Award, which is given annually to the student who contributed the most to Admissions at Westminster School, was co-named in her honor. She also volunteered on boards for the Simsbury Public Library, Simsbury Land Trust and Garden Club. Known for her warmth, creativity and joyful spirit, Buckey touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John; children Jill, Peter Buckey ’81 and Susan Buckey ’85; and seven grandchildren.

A Ticket, a Brick and Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

By C. Eve Poole Percival ’90

DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT airplane tickets used to look like?

A counterfoil of flimsy, boarding-pass-sized carbon copies, with a garish dark blue and red picture of a world map to inspire your travels. I still have mine from 1990, in a silver Pan Am wallet, issued by the English-Speaking Union Travel Desk for my big adventure at Westminster. I was 17, attending a public school in St Andrews, Scotland, and no one in my family had ever left Europe. Westminster granted me a free place for the final two semesters of my senior year, and that Pan Am ticket was a ticket to a future I could never have achieved otherwise.

This April, my ticket was a virtual one. I was arriving in Boston to receive the Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award at a dinner on Williams Hill. But I couldn’t get through security. The problem was a dark shadow in my luggage. “Why are you carrying a brick?”

This was not the first time it had caused a scandal at the scanners. The last time, I was trying to get it through security at St. James’s Palace in London. My brick started life in the walls of Squibb House. When Squibb was demolished, the school offered alumni a memorial brick. It seemed a bit bonkers to send a brick to the U.K., so I declined. But years later, I became chair of governors at Gordonstoun School and had to make a speech at a fundraising dinner at St. James’s Palace. All of a sudden, I really needed that brick as a prop. Bill Philip, who was head of school at the time, immediately FedExed it over, but palace security was unimpressed.

“You are sitting right next to Princess Anne. With a brick?”

“I needed the

brick to

help me

talk about what the stones around us witness. In me, it saw a homesick teenager, there on scholarship, yearning to belong. It bore witness to so many others, feeling so many things, over so many years. It is a very storied brick.

”

We compromised: I left it in its packaging until the speech, while they stood sentinel, on red alert. I needed the brick to help me talk about what the stones around us witness. In me, it saw a homesick teenager, there on scholarship, yearning to belong. And it bore witness to so many others, feeling so many things, over so many years. It is a very storied brick.

They tried to confiscate it again on my way home. The supervisor was called. But by then, I had my award — a large and shiny silver salver etched with my name — so I told the story again. They conceded it was, indeed, a Very

Important Brick.

At the April dinner, we were also celebrating my favorite member of faculty, Todd Eckerson. Over the years, I have drawn on his teaching many times — writing to him to check on logical fallacies before I taught them to my MBA ethics class and referencing many of the books he introduced me to in my own works on economics, leadership and AI.

During lockdown, he started a philosophy and literature class for alumni; five years on, it still meets faithfully every week.

In the first lockdown, we read Plato. By the second, we were on to Homer. Since then, we’ve covered everything from Baldwin to Blake, Epictetus to Emerson, and Montaigne to Moby-Dick. Truly, thanks to the extraordinary commitment of Mr. Eck, we have been standing on the shoulders of giants.

For me, these three vignettes epitomize the very essence of Westminster: the generosity of the ESU scholarship, the thoughtfulness of the memorial brick and the example embodied in Mr. Eck of lifelong learning. He has logged a formidable 43 years of service at Westminster and crowned it by drawing alumni back into learning — reconnecting them with one another and with the school.

As Mr. Eck would say, he truly is “Excellent to Outstanding.”

John S. Armour ’76

Emeritus Park City, Utah

Elisabeth M. Armstrong P’04, ’06, ’07 Emerita Dallas, Texas

Jeffrey H. Artis ’72 Atlanta, Ga.

Elisabeth Gailun Baird ’98, P’26, ’26 New Canaan, Conn.

Christopher M. Beck P’08, ’13 Harpswell, Maine

William L. Beckford ’89, P’23 Baltimore, Md.

Christopher J. Campbell ’91, P’24 London, U.K.

Renée Lynch Carrel ’84, P’19, ’21 Chair of the Board Boston, Mass.

Lisa A. Cavazuti ’08 Ex officio New York, N.Y.

Harish Dadoo ’07 Ex officio Mexico City, Mexico

Edward V. Dardani, Jr. P’14, ’18 Waccabuc, N.Y.

John H. Davis P’05 Emeritus Tequesta, Fla.

Harvey DeMovick III ’90, P’24, ’26 Westerly, R.I.

S. Colin Dowling P’24, ’27 Indian River Shores, Fla.

TRUSTEES 2024–2025

Alexandra J. Edwards ’95, P’27 Ex officio Upper Brookville, N.Y.

Philip Edwards P’27 Ex officio Upper Brookville, N.Y.

William C. Egan III ’64, P’92, ’95, ’00, ’02 Emeritus Jackson, Wyo.

Joseph L. Gitterman III ’55 P’86, ’86, ’90, GP’24 Emeritus Washington Depot, Conn.

Halle Grace P’27 Hingham, Mass.

Eunice J. Han ’84, P’21 Harrison, N.Y.

Powell W. Holly III ’82 Fredericksburg, Va.

Martin R. Irani ’83 Encino, Calif.

Katherine B. Kelter ’14 Bozeman, Mont.

David W. Kistler ’87, P’22 Tiburon, Calif.

Ashley Ladd ’09 Canton, Mass.

Shannon Lanzone P’25 Lafayette, Calif.

Philip Lauderdale ’02 Greenwich, Conn.

Bryan R. Martin ’86 Larchmont, N.Y.

Contact Information:

Admissions: (860) 408-3060

Head of School: (860) 408-3012 Advancement: (860) 408-3722

In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry and/or disability.

T. Treadway Mink Jr. ’77, P’11 Emeritus Greenville, S.C.

Ian M. Morton ’87, P’22 West Hartford, Vt.

Moyahoena Ogilvie ’86 Emerita Bloomfield, Conn.

Mary Minns Peck ’90 Denver, Colo.

C. Bradford Raymond ’85, P’19, ’20, ’24, ’24 Emeritus New York, N.Y.

Elizabeth Grant Schroeder ’84, P’10, ’14 Ex officio Dayton, Ohio

Kathleen Schuster P’19, ’21, ’24 Simsbury, Conn.

Gary L. Simpson P’24 Water Mill, N.Y.

Samuel Thorne ’46, P’74, ’76 Emeritus Bedford, Mass.

Mathew L. Warner ’91, P’22, ’25 New Canaan, Conn.

Kirsten Sichler Webb ’98 Greenwich, Conn.

Elaine White Ex officio Simsbury, Conn.

Sara L. Whiteley ’91 West Chatham, Mass.

Editor and Creative Director

Carole Otypka

Director of Marketing and Communications

Jeff Kennard

Photography Seshu Badrinath, Kristen Weldon, Jeff Kennard and Henry Flaton ’25

Contributing Editors

Jeff Kennard, Kristen Weldon

www.Westminster-School.org

Fifth and Sixth Formers take part in the Lawn Ceremony during Commencement weekend.