Winter 2026 Westminster Bulletin

Westminster

BULLETIN | WINTER 2026

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

A Community of Builders

“IF I HAVE SEEN FURTHER, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Isaac Newton’s enduring words capture a truth that resonates deeply at Westminster: Progress is never solitary. It is the product of those who came before us — teachers who challenged, classmates who inspired, and alumni whose lives illuminate what is possible when purpose is paired with generosity.

Westminster’s mission calls us to reach well beyond the ordinary and to commit to a life of service beyond self. These are not merely aspirational phrases; they are living principles, carried forward by graduates who continue to shape the school long after Commencement. Among those giants are alumni Graham Gund ’59 and Alan Brooks ’55, whose enduring influence reflects Westminster at its very best and whom we celebrate in this edition of the Bulletin.

Westminster is, at its core, a community of builders — of intellect, of integrity, of spaces where curiosity and conscience can thrive. Graham Gund’s vision and generosity shaped environments that invite learning, creativity, and connection. As our campus master planner, he reminded us that architecture is not merely about structures, but about purpose — how thoughtful design can elevate daily experience and quietly affirm that education is worthy of beauty, care, and shared aspiration.

Alan Brooks’ powerful impact has been felt in the fabric of relationships that define Westminster. Through lifelong service marked by humility and constancy, he demonstrated that service is not episodic but sustained. His example reinforces a central Westminster conviction: True success lies in showing up — again and again — for others, often without recognition, always with purpose.

That same ethic can be seen daily on Williams Hill because the values embodied by alumni are alive and well in today’s students. From the first day of school, when the prefect board greeted every arriving car with joy and fanfare, to the quiet efficiency of Sixth and Fifth Form RAs unloading cars and easing anxieties, students showed up for one another. Those moments clearly said: You are welcome here. You matter.

The spirit continued under the lights at field hockey, in packed gyms cheering a young varsity volleyball team finding its footing, and on livestreams halfway around the world as students’ voices carried our girls’ varsity soccer team through overtime to victory. Again and again, the language was “we” — a recognition that success is communal, forged through presence and belief as much as talent.

Equally powerful were the quieter acts: students gathering at dawn on September 11 to run the stairs in remembrance; mentors guiding younger classmates; dormmates listening, helping, comforting without recognition. And beyond campus, students carried Westminster’s values outward — serving at farms, food banks, shelters, and community organizations, often doing hard, unglamorous work simply because it needed to be done.

In this issue of the Bulletin, we celebrate not only two remarkable alumni, but the continuum of purpose they helped to sustain. Graham Gund and Alan Brooks remind us that giants are not defined by stature, but by service. Standing on their shoulders, today’s students are learning to see further still — and to build a community where showing up for others is both instinct and inheritance.

With grit, grace and gratitude,

ELAINE WHITE Head of School

Westminster BULLETIN

WINTER 2026

PUBLISHED BY Westminster School 995 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070 (860) 408-3000

CONTACT INFORMATION

Admissions: (860) 408-3060 Head of School: (860) 408-3012 Advancement: (860) 408-3722

Editor and Creative Director

Carole Otypka

Director of Marketing and Communications

Jeff Kennard

Photographer Kristen Weldon

Contributing Photographers

Seshu Badrinath, Jeff Kennard, Elgin Leary, Tyler Wosleger

Contributing Editors

Hilary Kennard, Jeff Kennard, Kristen Weldon

Freelance Writer

Karen Cortes

This magazine is produced twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Office.

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU

Please send correspondence to: editor@westminster-school.org

Address changes and other updates may be submitted to: spierson@westminster-school.org

SEND CLASS NOTES

Submit to: classnotes@westminster-school.org

WEBSITE Westminster-School.org

INSTAGRAM westminsterschool westy_athletics ourspaceatwesty

FACEBOOK WestminsterSchoolCT Westminster School Alumni

X (FORMERLY TWITTER) @WestminsterCT @WestyAthletics

LINKEDIN Westminster School

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.

TRUSTEES 2025–2026

John S. Armour ’76 Emeritus Park City, Utah

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

Jeff 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.

John Beinecke ’65 New York, N.Y.

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

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

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.

Thiele Donovan ’14 Ex officio Old Lyme, Conn.

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

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.

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.

Derrick Logan ’93, P’27 Maplewood, N.J.

Lydia Marshall ’95, P’25 Ex Officio Taconic, Conn.

Adrian Marshall P’25 Ex Officio Taconic, Conn.

Bryan R. Martin ’86 Larchmont, N.Y.

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.

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

Gary L. Simpson P’24 Water Mill, N.Y.

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

Elaine White Ex officio Simsbury, Conn.

Sara L. Whiteley ’91, P’29 West Chatham, Mass.

Ben Williams ’81 Absarokee, Mont.

ON THE COVER

ON THE BACK COVER

hill headlines

PEOPLE, EVENTS & IDEAS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT ON CAMPUS

OPENING DAYS

A Warm Martlet Welcome

WILLIAMS HILL WAS FULL of energy on Sept. 2 as students and families arrived to begin Westminster’s 137th year. A steady stream of cars was greeted by school leaders before reaching the top of Williams Hill, where prefects in black and gold cheered, waved flags, and encouraged drivers to honk in celebration. Music, cheers, and the enthusiasm of student leaders set a festive tone for the start of the academic year.

After completing registration in Armour Academic Center, students made their way to the dorms, where Sixth Formers were quick to help carry

boxes and welcome new Martlets. Peer leaders, international students, and Sixth Formers had returned earlier in the week, and the full student body — 433 students representing 22 states and 22 countries — settled into campus life.

Opening Days continued with the year’s first Chapel, where Head Prefect Mimi Salman ’26 spoke about community and this year’s theme of unity. Sixth Formers then participated in the traditional pin ceremony before leading new students to Andrews Memorial Chapel for the Sign-In Ceremony that officially marked the start of the school year.

Paralympic Gold Medalist Speaks on “Unity”

THE FIRST WEEK OF the academic year, the community gathered in Werner Centennial Center for an interactive presentation on the theme of “unity” from paralympic gold medalist Sydney Satchell. A Windsor, Conn., native, Sydney earned her gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Sitting Volleyball team. A former three-sport athlete who played Division I lacrosse at Howard University, she later endured a life-altering car accident that resulted in the loss of her lower leg.

Her presentation started with a video of the final moments of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball team playing China in the 2024 Paris Paralympics — with Sydney sitting on the bench. She explained that the win belonged to everyone, not just the players on the court. “We’re talking about unity; we do this together,” she said.

Sydney encouraged students to imagine a Westminster year without gossip or loneliness, and her message of perseverance and collective strength resonated: “I won’t give up on me. I won’t give up on you.”

Empathy Through Curiosity

AUTHOR, ENTREPRENEUR, AND EMPATHY expert Michael Tennant visited campus in October to address the school community. In a conversation led by Luna Yang ’26, Tennant discussed his personal journey from marketing executive to social entrepreneur and shared insights on how empathy can strengthen relationships, communities, and leadership.

Throughout his presentation, he highlighted the importance of “checking in” with one’s emotions and aligning daily actions with personal values. Drawing on his experiences of loss, resilience, and growth, Tennant described empathy as both a mindset and a practice that can be developed through awareness and intentional connection.

After the talk, students met in advisory groups in Armstrong Dining Hall to play Actually Curious, the game Tennant created to spark meaningful dialogue. The game’s reflective questions encouraged students to listen closely and find common ground. Faculty members observed how readily students engaged with one another and how the activity fostered understanding across backgrounds. The morning’s takeaway was clear: Empathy, like curiosity, can be strengthened through honest conversation, active listening, and shared humanity.

FAMILY ON THE HILL

The Joy of Grandparents (Day)!

MORE THAN 250 grandparents arrived on campus on Sept. 27 for Grandparents Day, beginning the morning by attending classes with their grandchildren. After a welcome from Head of School Elaine White, visitors joined classes with their grandchildren, ranging from astronomy lessons in the Class of 1957 Planetarium, exploring inprogress art projects, and observing science and language courses. Throughout the day, grandparents toured campus, posed for portraits, enjoyed lunch in Armstrong Dining Hall, participated in Chapel, and watched afternoon athletic contests. Whether returning or visiting for the first time, grandparents left with a warm snapshot of student life on Williams Hill.

“Take advantage of every opportunity you have here. You have so many more opportunities than I did.” —

The weekend centered on conferences, performances, and programming designed to highlight student experiences.

Highlights from Parents and Family Weekend

PARENTS AND FAMILY WEEKEND brought Westminster families to campus Oct. 10–11 for conversations, connections, and time spent experiencing life on Williams Hill together. The weekend centered on parent–teacher conferences, student performances, and programming designed to support families and highlight formspecific experiences.

Friday began with in-person and virtual conferences that offered insight into students’ academic growth. Parents appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with teachers and learn more about the curriculum and classroom culture. At the Fall Performing Arts Festival, students showcased their talents across music, theater, and dance. During lunch in Gund Dining Room, Head of School Elaine White and Parents Committee Co-Chair Ali Dwyer Edwards ’95 P’27 welcomed families and encouraged them to engage fully in the community.

Afternoon events included the first Parents Committee meeting of the year, the Class of 2026 Pavilion dedication, a spirited volleyball game, and the Head of School Open House. Saturday featured additional conferences, informational sessions about the student experience, and opportunities to cheer on Martlets in afternoon athletics. Families left campus with a deeper appreciation of Westminster’s collaborative and supportive community.

Dedication ceremony at the Pavilion, a gift from the Class of 2026

Fall Festival of the Arts

WESTMINSTER’S FALL FESTIVAL of the Arts brought families together for an evening of student music, dance, and ensemble performances, showcasing the creativity and talent of the Visual and Performing Arts Department during Parents and Family Weekend.

Dramat: A Doll’s House

THE DRAMAT ASSOCIATION staged a three-act production of “A Doll’s House,” reimagined with a 1950s period shift. Students delivered compelling performances in Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama of Nora Helmer’s awakening.

Gordon McKinley Fridays at Westminster Series

VISITING WRITER: JENNIFER DE LEON

AS PART OF THE Gordon McKinley Fridays at Westminster series, students and community members gathered in Sejong Lecture Hall on Oct. 16 to welcome awardwinning writer Jennifer De Leon.

Michael Cervas P’96, ’01, ’10 opened the evening before introducing student reader Sunshine Li ’26, who shared her poems “Rain” and “Dear Friend.” Li then welcomed De Leon, who read works in progress as well as “Cranston Street” and “Those Girls” from her forthcoming, currently untitled essay collection.

Born in the Boston area to Guatemalan parents, De Leon is the author of the acclaimed young adult novels “Borderless” and “Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From,” and the essay collection “White Space.” She also edited “Wise Latinas: Writers on Higher Education” and is at work on a children’s picture biography of Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú. Her writing has appeared in numerous literary journals, and she is a contributor on NPR.

An associate professor of creative writing at Framingham State University and a faculty member in the Newport MFA Program, De Leon has earned awards and residencies nationwide. She is also the founder of Story Bridge, LLC, an organization devoted to helping people shape and share their stories.

VISITING WRITER: JULIE CHOFFEL

ON DEC. 11, STUDENTS and community members gathered in Werner Centennial Center to welcome award-winning poet and educator Julie Choffel as part of the Gordon McKinley Fridays at Westminster series.

The evening began with Henry Warren ’26 reading three of his poems before Michael Cervas P’96, ’01, ’10 introduced Julie Choffel. She read selections from her most recent book, “Dear Wallace,” which won the Backwaters Prize and consists of poems she addresses to the Hartford modernist poet, Wallace Stevens. “He is a poet that I thought of a lot when I first moved to Hartford 15 years ago,”

Choffel said. “Writing poems to Wallace Stevens became a way to think about poetry in a new way again and create a kind of creative conversation with another poet, even though he wasn’t alive. It’s also about myself and my own relationship to poetry which was evolving at the time.”

Choffel also read from “The Hello Delay,” winner of the Poets Out Loud Prize, and recent poems from an unpublished manuscript. From 2017 to 2020, she served as Poet Laureate of West Hartford, Connecticut. A graduate of the MFA Program for Poets and Writers at UMass Amherst, she teaches creative writing at the University of Connecticut and lives near Hartford with her family.

This visiting writer series is named for Gordon McKinley, a Westminster faculty member from 1956–1986 who chaired the English department and taught creative writing and public speaking. The program is supported by the Gordon McKinley Fridays at Westminster Fund, endowed by Nathan Hayward ’61.

Student Leadership Starts Early

BEFORE THEIR CLASSMATES arrived on campus for the fall term, Westminster’s student leaders gathered in late August for a two-day retreat centered on this year’s theme of “unity” to strengthen their skills and connections. Led by Dean of Community and Culture Devonna Hall P’25, Dean of Residential Life A-men Rasheed P’29, and Sixth Form Dean Matthew Thomsen, Fifth and Sixth Form Prefects, Resident Assistants, and Peer Leaders received training at Winding Trails in Farmington, Conn. The wooded setting and high- and low-ropes courses encouraged teamwork, communication, and trust, giving students an early opportunity to practice cooperation and problem-solving. Since launching in 2022, Westminster’s Student Leadership Program has expanded to engage more than 100 students each year.

Author Shares His Story

THIS PAST FALL, STUDENTS and faculty gathered in Werner Centennial Center to welcome Nashville author, musician, and lawyer Jeff Zentner as part of the Martlet Must-Read program.

Zentner traced “the story of how I became an author,” describing his small-town upbringing and how after years as a professional musician, he changed course and became a prosecutor, where he discovered his ability to craft compelling narratives. He also emphasized his version of grit and grace, urging students to accept criticism that strengthens them and to keep pursuing creative work.

“Nobody is keeping track of your failures,” Zentner said.

Making Joyful Noise Together

ON DECEMBER 11, Soul Science Lab performed in an all-school event in Werner Centennial Center as part of the annual Graham Gund ’59 Visiting Artist Series, sponsored by the Gund family in honor of Graham Gund, Class of 1959.

With a video backdrop, vocalists, and live band, Soul Science Lab took the stage in a dynamic multimedia show called “Make A Joyful Noize” which blended hip-hop, jazz, and soul music, film, poetry, and movement to inspire the audience to celebrate and re-imagine life

PREVENTIVE WELLNESS WITH GENERATION S.O.S.

THIS FALL GENERATION S.O.S visited campus and delivered powerful, real-life stories to help students and faculty understand anxiety, overdose risks, and coping skills. As part of Westminster’s Wellness program, this national nonprofit organization focuses on fostering open conversations and lifesaving choices by encouraging school communities to create safe spaces for students to discuss tough topics such as mental health, prevention, and healthy relationships with the support of peers and faculty.

through a lens of joy. The Brooklynbased music and multimedia duo of artist educator and creative director Chen Lo and multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer Asante’ Amin immediately engaged with the audience with hip-hop tracks, rhythmic clapping, and chanting lyrics.

The thematic chapters of the “Make A Joyful Noize” show — including “Tabernacle,” “The Pain,” and “Butterfly”— focused on specific emotions and self-motivating concepts that connected performers with the audience and spread a tangible, uplifting energy throughout the school audience.

“Make A Joyful Noize” was originally commissioned by Carnegie Hall and these artists have released several albums, performed around the world, and shared the stage with renowned artists. Additionally, Chen Lo has led master classes at a number of cultural arts institutions including Jazz at Lincoln Center and Amin is a MetLife Meet the Composer award-winner.

The school community thanks Soul Science Lab for sharing their incredible talent, and the Gund family for their generous continued support of cultural life at Westminster.

Cross Country Trails Rebuilt Through Grit & Grace

WHEN A MICROBURST STORM struck campus in August 2024, more than 60 trees were uprooted, and the cross country trails were impassable. Westminster’s cross country teams lost both their training grounds and a season of hosting home meets, and the traditional Martlet Mush was abbreviated. Athletic director Tim Joncas ’00 noted that with the extensive damage, “It was hard to imagine those trails would ever be cleared.”

When Brooke Tyler P’28 of Tyler Equipment came to campus in early 2025 to meet with ground manager Arnie Orschel about a new electric machine, he learned about the condition of the trails. Without fanfare, Tyler volunteered his time, equipment, employees, and expertise to carefully restore the cross country trails for the Westminster community — entirely free of cost. Our community is grateful for this generous expression of grit and grace as Tyler’s hard work enabled the trails to fully open in September. The Richard Miller Invitational and spirited Martlet Mush returned to Williams Hill this fall.

a chapel on the hill

SHARING OUR STORIES, STRUGGLES & MOMENTS OF WISDOM

“

Living life to the fullest doesn’t always need a big ‘why’; sometimes just ‘wanting to’ is enough.

–NIRAJ ‘26

“ Don’t let your precious time here be too quiet.

–PARKER ’26

“

I have decided that my life is not defined by the places I have lost, but by the strength I have built between each one.

–MIMI ’26

“ Love isn’t always loud, sometimes it’s vitamins, careful timing, and a plate of fruit.

–LUNA ’26

“

We have an opportunity to start over every single day. Life has a funny way of giving us second chances. Every speed bump has led me to where I am.

–KELLY

CURTIS, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT

A Night of Candlelight

ON DECEMBER 17, the 89th Candlelight Service was held in Andrews Memorial Chapel. The favorite seasonal school tradition of many students, faculty, and alumni, the service centers on shared peace and community as the light of one candle becomes a glow that spreads throughout the congregation. Each year Candlelight connects people in real time on Williams Hill and beyond, as well as generations of Martlets who remember sitting in pews with classmates watching a small, single flame move from person to person to light the Chapel from within.

Alumni Chapel Moments

KATHERINE KELTER ’14 AND JOHN FARLEY ’98 returned to Westminster this fall to take part in Chapel programs. In September, Kelter presented a Chapel Talk about the power of community and the value of embracing discomfort, followed by a solo musical performance that was on her personal “bucket list.”

At the Veterans Day Chapel, Captain Farley of the United States Marine Corps (Ret.) spoke of lessons he learned during his time at Westminster and in the military. After his talk, the school community recognized Westminster alumni and employees who answered the call to serve.

FROM THE SIDELINES

Fall 2025 Athletic Highlights

Boys’ Cross Country

Boys’ cross country had its biggest turnout in years, with 27 runners pushing one another in practice every day. Michael Wang ’27 and Nick Lopriore ’26 went back and forth all fall as the top runners on the team. Coach MacDonald was proud of the leadership of captains Nick Lopriore ’26, Liam Murray ’26, and Nicholas Ramsumair ’27 and is looking forward to seeing the progress of younger runners, including Charlie Zhang ’29.

Girls’ Cross Country

The girls’ cross country team had an exciting fall, highlighted by hosting the Richard Miller Invitational after a several year hiatus. Sophia Lazor ’27 was named All Founders League and consistently led the team throughout the season. Another major highlight of the season was sweeping a tri-meet at Berkshire in midOctober. Coach Dale looks forward to a solid core of runners returning next year.

Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey

The girls’ field hockey team boasted three solid wins against an increasingly more competitive schedule. The team battled in an incredibly exciting game against Miss Porter’s School to wrap up the season but fell in overtime. The squad also had strong showings against Hotchkiss, Kent, Pomfret, and Berkshire. This group dominated offensively against Taft in the last third of the season which was a true testament to this young team’s growth and competitive spirit. Every player and coach appreciated the incredible community support under the lights against a talented Milton Academy team. This team did a lot of learning about what

it takes to persevere through adversity and how to support one another along the way. They should be proud of their growth. Coaches look forward to working with many returners next season.

Boys’ Varsity Soccer

The record of the boys’ varsity soccer season doesn’t tell the full story of what this dedicated team accomplished. From the first whistle to the final minute of the season, this team embodied a “never-quit” mentality, showing every day what grit and grace truly look like. The players committed themselves fully, grew steadily, and bought into a shared vision. As the season progressed, coaches could clearly see the foundation of something special being built. These

Martlets finished the season excited for the future and proud of the productive steps they took together.

Girls’ Varsity Soccer

The 2025 season (13-4-1) was truly unforgettable. After the disappointment of missing the New England Tournament the year prior, the Martlets returned with purpose, earning their place in the Class A New England Final for the third time in four years. The group hit the ground running with a strong start before facing a challenging stretch, dropping three straight to some of New England’s top ranked teams. But they never gave up. They dug deeper, recommitted to their identity, and put together an impressive nine-game winning streak that propelled them back into championship contention. Throughout the season, they showed grit, resilience, and a consistency rooted in collective belief. While the final result did not fall their way, the journey was

filled with pride, growth, and joy. From hardfought overtime battles to countless laughs off the field, this season built memories that will last forever.

Volleyball

A brand new team of players came together for Westminster’s first varsity volleyball season in almost 20 years. These young athletes showed grit and grace through both challenging matches and exciting wins. Even though most players had never been on a volleyball team, everyone showed improvement and were complimented by officials and opposing coaches who witnessed their growth. Both Chloe Donovan ’29 and June Perrin ’29 served seven-plus strong serves consecutively while facing various teams. Sophia Wen ’29 and Ella Hammel ’28 were consistent defenders who were regularly saving hard hits by diving on the court. Kaitlyn Buda ’27 and Ainslee Deptula ’28 were kind leaders who continued to step up and play any position when needed.

Athletic Highlights

ACCOLADES

Westminster Coaches Honored

Two Westminster coaches were recognized this fall for their remarkable contributions to athletics, earning induction into athletic halls of fame.

MITCH OVERBYE

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR of Admissions and Varsity Softball Head Coach, Mitch Overbye P’05, ’09, H’19 was inducted into the USA of Connecticut Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame on Oct. 11 in Monroe, Conn., celebrating more than two decades of exceptional leadership on Williams Hill.

Overbye, Westminster’s head varsity softball coach for 23 years, has guided the program to 275 wins, 11 Founders League titles, and nine Western New England Championships. Since the team’s first Founders League title in 2007, Westminster softball has compiled an outstanding 241-36 record. His players have gone on to compete at top Division I and Division III programs, and he earned school and league recognition through Westminster’s Swayze Award (2016) and the Nadal Award (2021), the Founders League’s highest honor for sportsmanship.

Tim Joncas Named NEPSAC President

TIM JONCAS ’00 WAS RECENTLY named President of the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) after serving as Vice President in 2025. He has served as Westminster’s Director of Athletics since 2012, overseeing a three-season program of 55 teams in 15 sports within the competitive Founders League, while also coaching varsity boys’ hockey. Reflecting on his involvement with NEPSAC, Joncas emphasized

the collective leadership of the conference.

“I think it’s the power of being together with a group of people who share a common goal and are willing to collaborate, partner, and work for the other people in the room,” Joncas said. “So much of my life and career has been about service beyond self and being a great teammate. When people come to the table with that commitment, great things can be achieved.”

TYLER WOSLEGER

WESTMINSTER ALSO CELEBRATED the induction of Tyler Wosleger, associate director of communications and head varsity baseball coach, into the East Hampton Athletics Hall of Fame. A 2008 graduate of East Hampton High School in Connecticut, Wosleger was an All State selection and the 2008 Shoreline Conference Player of the Year during his high school career. A three-year starter at Division I Fairfield University, he posted a .301 batting average and helped set a school record for wins at the time. At Westminster, he has led varsity baseball to a 50-29 record, two Founders League playoff appearances, and has had significant success placing student-athletes at top collegiate programs, including Boston College, Tufts, Brown, University of Maine, University of Richmond, and Fairfield University.

The Westminster community is proud of and grateful for Overbye and Wosleger’s competitive Black and Gold spirit, their leadership both on and off the field, and their commitment to teaching students sportsmanship and teamwork built on grit and grace.

Athletic Recognition Team Awards

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Most Improved Player: Elijah Woodard ’29

Jones Bowl, Most Valuable Runner: Michael Wang ’27

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Most Improved Player: Zainab Mohammady ’27

Wilbur Bowl, Most Valuable Runner: Sophia Lazor ’27

FIELD HOCKEY

Most Improved Player: June Hodson ’28

Pitcairn Most Valuable Player: Stella Spitz ’27

BOYS’ SOCCER

Wilbraham Most Improved Player: Emanuel Cazeau ’28

1956 Most Valuable Player: Galima Sonnah ’26

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Most Improved Player: Lylah Leigner ’29

Most Valuable Player: Maya Goddard ’26

VOLLEYBALL

Most Improved Player: Arielle Anderson ’28

Most Valuable Player: Chloe Donovan ’29

BOYS’ WATER POLO

Most Improved Player: Bennett Varao ’27

Most Valuable Player: Simon Stambaugh ’26

The Stephen Harris Squibb Bowl honors the athlete from each varsity team who demonstrated the greatest sportsmanship, consistent effort, and inspired performance.

Boys’ Cross Country: Alessio Suarez ’28

Girls’ Cross Country: Avery Gray ’26

Field Hockey: Hannah Maltby ’26

Boys’ Soccer: Connor Gray ’26

Girls’ Soccer: Taryn Overstreet ’26

Volleyball: Ainslee Deptula ’28

Water Polo: Draven Chung ’26

The Hopley-Jackson Award is given seasonally to the Westminster lower team with the best season.

Team: JV girls’ soccer

Coaches: Frantz Batoh, Bridget Cirelli

Captains: Abbey Cirelli ’27, Piper Lundin ’26, Lucy Morton ’26, Lexie Willis ’26

The All Founders League Award is given to two members of each varsity team who best exemplify the League ideals of sportsmanship, hard work, and character in the spirit of competition and fair play at the varsity level.

Boys’ Cross Country: Liam Murray ’26 and Nicholas Lopriore ’26

Girls’ Cross Country: Anna Klapman ’26 and Sofia Eleuteri ’28

Field Hockey: Pippa Jiranek ’26 and Gigi Filippetti ’26

Boys’ Soccer: Dennis Quiwon ’26

Girls’ Soccer: Hannah Coccaro ’27 and Ellie Smith ’27

Volleyball: Kaitlyn Buda ’27 and Ella Hammel ’28

The Frederick D. Houghton Award is given seasonally to the Westminster team with the best season.

Team: Varsity girls’ soccer

Coaches: Kelly Wosleger, Stephanie Marcelino

Captains: Maya Goddard ’26, Taryn Overstreet ’26, Hannah Coccaro ’27

Individual League Achievements

Girls’ Cross Country

Sophia Lazor ’27 – All Founders League

Field Hockey

Pippa Jiranek ’26 - WNEPSFHA All-Star

Hannah Maltby ’26 - WNEPSFHA All-Star

Stella Spitz ’27 - NEPSAC Honorable Mention

Volleyball

Chloe Donovan ’29 – All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention

Boys’ Soccer

Luka Misko ’27 - All State

Galima Sonnah ’26 - All State and All-NEPSAC

Honorable Mention, 2025 NEPSAC Boys’ Soccer Senior All-Star

Girls’ Soccer

Hannah Coccaro ’27 – All State

Natalie Czop ’27 - WNEPSSA All-Star

Caroline Gauvin ’27 – NEPSAC Junior All-Star

Maya Goddard ’26 - 2025 High School All-American

Team, All Region, All State, All-NEPSAC

Hayley Fineberg ’26 – All-NEPSAC

Mia Fluckiger ’26 - All Region, All State, All-NEPSAC

Izzie Leone ’27 - WNEPSSA All-Star

Olivia Martin ’27 - All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention, NEPSAC Junior All-Star

Taryn Overstreet ’26 – All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention

Ellie Smith ’27 – NEPSAC Junior All-Star

Athletic Highlights

The Legacy of

Graham Gund’sArchitectural

ArchitecturalVision

BY HILARY KENNARD

In2024, GRAHAM GUND ’59 returned to Westminster for the Flock Reunion and gave a presentation on his development of a master architectural plan for the Westminster campus over the past 35-plus years. With vintage campus maps, architectural drawings, and humorous asides, his presentation documented how Gund thought deeply about the ethos of Westminster and continued to craft its architectural legacy throughout his professional career.

Sadly, Gund passed away in June 2025, and this personal account of his role as campus master planner is now a valuable archive of how he saw the school’s architectural potential. Without Graham Gund’s vision, our school would look, feel, and inherently be different. His dedication of time and talent to Westminster transformed the campus into an environment that honors its history, anticipates its promise, and supports the mission of the school.

A FRESH VIEW OF THE HILL

ACCORDING TO GUND, in the early 1980s, Head of School Don Werner was considering building a small auditorium on Commencement Lawn, but “I think he knew something wasn’t right. So, he called me up in Boston, and I came down and we talked.” When he came to campus, Gund found that little had changed since his student days more than 20 years before.

He turned his architectural eye on his alma mater. “It started out as a rectangular campus, which seemed to me like more of an urban approach to making a campus with right angles,” he recalled. “The campus was not very cohesive. It had a red brick building [Squibb House], it had a white brick building [Andrews House], and it had a kind of ski lodge-like building [now Alumni House]. Nothing had changed in many years.”

That initial conversation between an alumnus and a head of school about what the Westminster campus could and should look like marked the beginning of an institutional relationship that would span more than four decades and four heads of school: Don Werner, Graham Cole, Bill Philip, and Elaine White. “At one point,” Gund noted, “they had a Bulletin article called ‘Sticking to the Plan.’ For the school to hold on to an idea about the campus has really made a difference.” These heads of school would thoughtfully steward Gund’s plans during their tenures, impacting nearly every building on Williams Hill and reshaping Westminster’s architectural character, its community culture, and its sustainable future.

SPACES THAT DRAW PEOPLE TOGETHER

THE FIRST DESIGN PROJECT Gund took on was Centennial Center and Theater, built where three famously humid (or cold) squash

courts once stood, and became an early showcase of Gund’s philosophy of drawing people together through designed spaces. The building was originally dedicated in 1988 as Centennial Center for the Performing Arts and was renamed the Werner Centennial Center in 1994 upon the retirement of Don Werner.

The theater’s U-shaped seating plan eliminated the typical distance and formality of traditional auditoriums. “By pulling the sides [of seating] right up onto the stage level,” Gund said, “we were able to get the sense that the crowd was really part of being on the stage.” Students started putting on talent nights in the new theater where they could sing, dance, or recite poetry. Gund was pleased with this development and said, “I think that was a great testament to how [the stage] didn’t make students feel like it was difficult to talk to 400 people because it’s as if you were just sitting in a group.”

A LANDSCAPE FOR LIVING AND LEARNING

WITH THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION of the Centennial Center, Gund began creating architectural unity with a campus master plan. Gund’s early proposal in 1992 called for moving from the rectangular scheme to a campus plan that was more appropriately pastoral and incorporated curves that already existed in the roads and geographic aspects of Williams Hill. Former Head of School (2010-2021) Bill Philip notes, “[Gund] observed that Cushing Hall was originally located to align directly with a view down the Farmington Valley, a view that in the early 1900s could be enjoyed across the campus, that was lost during the 20th century, and that was recently restored. The view matters, not just for its beauty, but because it offers an ongoing testament to the relevance of the world beyond our school to all that we do on Williams Hill.”

Gund planned to replace mismatched campus structures with residential and public buildings that echoed the style and scale of Cushing Hall, the landmark that Gund called “the most important building on the campus” because it was “the

most dramatic” and had “a true style.”

Cushing Hall’s iconic facade, Tudor style, and roofline informed the design of every building Gund designed on campus.

“When we started working on the theater,” explained Gund, “we made sure that the theater was as tall a building as Cushing is at its peak.”

Gund’s plan also specified that the residential “houses” (i.e., dormitories and faculty housing) planned around the central courtyard (today’s Baxter Lawn) would be made of stucco to correlate to Cushing’s exterior design, while public buildings, such as academic and community gathering spaces, would use brick to differentiate them from the houses. He thoughtfully designed carriage houses for faculty housing which reflected Cushing Hall’s style, established appropriate scale, hid faculty cars in garages (so as not to detract from his pastoral model), and brought faculty homes closer to where students were living. Additionally, all new construction would have red roofing to unify them visually.

By reshaping circulation patterns and emphasizing sightlines, Gund transformed movement and connections on campus.

“Before, the Sixth Form Circle wasn’t a circle,” he said. “I thought we should get the circle out of the way of student traffic and line the dining hall up with the major entrance to Cushing.” Gund also shared, “We tried to push the boundaries of the campus out to make the center space larger, knowing that the school would grow.”

BUILDING DAILY CONNECTION

IN 1996, Walter E. Edge, Jr. ’35, bequeathed $33 million, the largest gift to the school in its history, allowing for construction that would transform Westminster’s campus. Edge House (1996) was Westminster’s first new dormitory in decades and a model for those that followed. “I always thought of it as like an older English manor house,” Gund explained. The new dorm’s placement closer to the entrance road “was meant to extend the campus,” according to Gund.

Edge House, and Gund (2012) and Kelter (2017) to follow, featured bright common rooms and large faculty apartments with a

neutral space — neither entirely private nor public — where “if you wanted to talk to a student, you had a study that was always there where you could have a chat.” Gund noted that once the school community saw the new residential options “faculty members started moving out of houses on the edge of campus back onto campus.” By reimagining dormitories and faculty housing, Gund made the residential core of Westminster a place of mentorship and connection, not separation.

A UNIFIED HEART OF LEARNING

THE KOHN SQUASH PAVILION was built in 2000 with Armour Academic Center built next, completed in 2009. Gund designed this central academic building to be a space where learning, gathering, and sustainability converged.

In accordance with his overall design goals, Gund ensured that Armour was the same height as Cushing Hall and was divided into distinct parts to echo Cushing’s unique footprint. Armour’s courtyard-centered plan combined the library, science labs, classrooms, and collaborative spaces into one cohesive environment. “Having an indoor courtyard, you can actually have a lot of spaces looking out into it,” Gund said. “The library looks into it and part of the science part of the building looks into it. It’s very compact, but at the same time, more spacious.”

Natural light was essential to Gund’s design. “Whenever we can, we try and get windows on as many sides of a room as we can,” he said. “It enlivens the room to have natural light and to feel the sun moving around the space. It animates it.” Armour marked a new standard for sustainable design on campus, featuring

a large frit-glass atrium window that reduced solar heat gain and a state-ofthe-art geothermal heating and cooling system. “Every classroom has a little heat pump. It can be heating in one area, cooling in another area,” explained Gund. “The school was on the cutting edge with this technology.”

THE CAMPUS GATHERING PLACE

ARMSTRONG DINING HALL OPENED in 2017 and completed the physical and symbolic circle Gund had envisioned from the start: visually balancing Cushing, the Chapel, and a dining hall around an ellipse (the Senior Lawn) connected by pedestrian walkways and a circular driveway.

“

and a field house as well as design ideas for improved traffic patterns, locations for new dorms, and options for classroom buildings.

“So many schools renovate and retrofit older buildings and, as a result, never quite get what they want,” observes Head of School Elaine White. “Westminster had the courage and foresight to think about what students really need and then march purposefully across many years to create

That relational approach of linking people, purpose, and place continues to guide Westminster’s architectural evolution today.

To successfully accommodate daily meals and community gatherings, Gund carefully considered acoustics and social spaces. “Everyone complains about dining halls being too loud and that you can’t talk across a table,” he explained. His team conducted numerous studies on dining table sizes and designed smooth acoustic walls and ceilings with interior layers that absorbed sound. “This is the only dining hall I know of at a school where you can talk across the table,” shared Gund.

A VISION THAT TRANSFORMED WESTMINSTER

THAT RELATIONAL APPROACH OF linking people, purpose, and place continues to guide Westminster’s architectural evolution today. “Since Elaine has been here, we’ve looked at putting a STEAM building on the end of Armour, which actually fits quite well,” Gund said, emphasizing how the original framework remains flexible enough for the school’s future. In his 2024 presentation at the Flock Reunion, Gund shared initial design plans for completing the athletic quadrangle with two ice rinks, courts,

Gund’s architectural legacy is visible in every direction on Williams Hill. His vision unified the physical heart of the school and strengthened a sense of belonging. “

that vision, which has been critical in our success as a school today. I think that William Cushing met Graham Gund at St. Peter’s Gate to shake his hand.”

According to former Head of School (19932010) Graham Cole, Gund’s campus design led “to an amazing transformation of our campus with gorgeous dorms, a stunning main driveway, first-class academic, athletic, and dining facilities, and a brilliant campus master plan for our future. All of us should be eternally grateful to Graham for his vision, his skill, his generosity, and his devotion to our school.” Cole’s successor, Bill Philip, notes, “Fundamentally, Graham Gund’s peerless legacy extends well beyond his architectural accomplishments to the achievement for Westminster of an inspiring institutional cohesion across our mission, place, and history.”

Gund’s architectural legacy is visible in every direction on Williams Hill. His vision unified the physical heart of the school and, in doing so, strengthened a community sense of belonging — and institutional possibilities. “Graham Gund’s imagination, passion and vision transformed

Westminster School. In his humble, understated manner, he embraced our school’s history, our place on Williams Hill, and our defining core values,” shares Philip.

Through his master plan, Gund offered the school not only a more beautiful and functional campus, but also the means to sustain its legacy and imagine what it could become. His influence endures in every gathering space, every walkway, and every classroom filled with light. Each is a testament to the way thoughtful design can shape a community.

From Werner Centennial Center to the Armstrong Dining Hall, Gund’s work at Westminster proves that well-designed spaces nurture learning relationships within classrooms, social and mentoring connections within dormitories, and Westminster’s commitment to character, balance, involvement, and community.

“It’s taken many years,” Gund reflected, “but for the school to hold on to an idea about the campus has really made all the difference.”

Graham Gund’s Campus Projects Timeline

1989

Centennial Center for the Performing Arts — renamed Werner Centennial Center (upon Don Werner’s retirement in 1994)

1992

Master Plan

1994

Master Plan (Phase II)

1995

Perkin Memorial Drive

1996

Edge House

1997

Memorial Hall Renovation

2000

Kohn Squash Pavilion

2003

Sherwin Health & Athletic Center

2009

Armour Academic Center

2012–2013

Gund House and carriage houses

2017

Armstrong Dining Hall and Kelter House

2018

Brockelman Student Center and Grill

In fewer than 10 years, Horizons at Westminster has moved from vision to fruition in extraordinary ways. A look at the origins, the energy, and the commitment to keep the joy of Horizons on campus. BY KRISTEN WELDON

Horizons Grows Up !

BBathing caps on and goggles at the ready, teams gather at one end of the pool, dragging colorful boats they have made themselves with cardboard and duct tape to race. They smile and playfully rib one another about whose will float the best. Horizons Executive Director Patrick Owens and Program Director Kelly Wosleger stand on the pool deck, offering sturdy hands to the young captains of each boat as they climb in, followed by lots of thumbs-up and words of encouragement. Owens steadies the first boats for launch while Wosleger holds up the stopwatch, ready to press start. Friends and classmates line the bleachers, cheering and chanting. One girl grins and proudly holds up a sign that says, “7th grade – Built to float, Born to win.”

The next 10 minutes are pure joy, as sets of boats take off, teammates jump up and down, and arms frantically paddle. Some boats make it a few feet and sink almost immediately; others remain strong as their drivers push through the clear water, aiming for the finish line. Every face is lit with unmistakable delight.

Not far away in Cole Library, Westminster staff member Siobhan Ulrich sits cross-legged in front of a cobalt blue sac chair shared by two kindergarten boys leaning together, intently listening as she reads “The Cool Bean.” In a classroom a level up in Armour Academic Center, a Fifth Form Westminster student plays Connect Four with two first-grade girls, who squeal with excitement as he slides the bottom bar out and red and yellow pieces scatter over the desk. Outside, a small girl in jean shorts, with curly hair and a determined look on her face, swings a golf club and connects with the ball, waving her arms in the air with joy. Safe to say, Horizons at Westminster is in full swing.

For six weeks each summer, Westminster’s campus is filled with more than 135 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, dedicated veteran teachers from Moylan Elementary in Hartford, and dozens of volunteers from the Westminster community, including faculty, staff, and current students. Every day of the Horizons summer program offers a mix of academic enrichment, sports, arts, and swimming, with a daily focus on literacy and math — combating the “summer slide” that disproportionately affects Hartford youth. Young learners return to school in the fall more prepared, confident,

Clockwise from top left: A young Horizons students takes a swing at golf; Keith McGilvery explains his role as a reporter at an inaugural career day event this past summer; Basketball anyone? A favorite activity during the summer months at Horizons; Two teammates race to the finish in a cardboard boat they had to design and build.

and excited to learn. The program also addresses real day-to-day essential needs like food insecurity by providing breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day.

Students arrive at 8:30 a.m. and begin their day with breakfast. Academics are the bedrock of the program, and throughout the day they learn and practice essential skills in subjects like literacy, math, science and technology. In addition to academics, the days are filled with enrichments ranging from art and dance to basketball, tennis, and baking. All participants receive swimming lessons three times a week. Throughout the summer, the group also goes on field trips to a variety of places, including the Connecticut Science Center, mini golf, and Six Flags. Older learners take part in additional enrichments such as speech and debate, mindfulness, financial literacy, and high school preparation.

Classes are led by experienced and certified teachers and supported by college-aged assistant teachers and high-schoolaged counselors and counselors in training (CITs). Learning specialists also provide individual and small-group interventions. A 4:1 student-to-staff ratio ensures that each student receives the individualized support needed to make significant progress over the course of the summer.

One of the best parts? Horizons does not end when summer does. Throughout the school year, the program stays connected through Saturday Academies, bringing students back to Westminster at least once per month. Additionally, staff host special holiday events. On Halloween, Horizons students come to campus to trick-or-treat, and in December, Westminster students host a holiday party for Horizons kids and families, complete with face painting and ornament making.

How It Started

HORIZONS AT WESTMINSTER HAS come a long way since its beginnings, which looked very different from summers now but shared the same commitment. Officially, Horizons began in 2018. In reality, the story started years earlier — before the program had a name, a website, a logo, or any physical presence on the Westminster campus.

After his return from a 1996-1997 Klingenstein Fellowship, Todd Eckerson proposed to then-Head of School Graham Cole the idea of bringing one of the many established outreach programs to Westminster. After a little research, and because of the upfront costs at the time, such a plan was not feasible. Graham Cole did, however, allow Eckerson the freedom to pursue

HORIZONS LEADERSHIP

Patrick Owens EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kelly Wosleger PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Katie McKinney DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

something independently.

From top: Campers get ready to let loose on stage; A young camper cozies up to read with a Westminster volunteer.

Guided by a general principle akin to “start small, but start,” Todd and his wife Mary began to construct a program from scratch — a school-in-a-box. To do so, Todd stepped away from his role as dean of faculty and put his feet to the pavement in Hartford.

The Rev. Dr. Ed Horstmann of Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford provided the Eckersons with a location. Lawyer and Executive Director of the Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative (CULI), and former Westminster faculty member, Barbara McGrath helped negotiate both the process of filing for non-profit — 501(c)(3) — status as well as CULI’s economic sponsorship. This support gave the fledgling initiative the ability to raise money.

And, thus the Crossroads Cooperative Learning Program (CCLP) was born with the motto “Plan to Graduate, Graduate with a Plan.” The first summer it served 12 students from Hartford Public High School (HPHS) in the church hall. The curriculum emphasized SAT preparation and heavy doses of math and English. Bacon was provided for breakfast — five pounds at first, then seven, then 10. Word spread quickly. Students left with full bellies, full minds, and most importantly, knowing they had a place where they were welcomed with open arms. Crossroads became a space defined by care. The work of making the program grow was marked by trial and error, but it was also deeply formative — for students and adults alike.

Over the years, Crossroads engaged countless Westminster faculty members, students, and parents. The program also looked beyond its original scope, seeking additional ways to serve. Other types of partnerships emerged, and students from other Hartford-area schools became part of the story. In 2011, CCLP reached a milestone when then-Head of School Bill Philip made it an official program of Westminster School — the Westminster Crossroads Learning Program in Hartford (WCLP).

Always looking for new approaches, the Eckersons made a visit to the Horizons at Ethel Walker School program. Todd and Mary realized that the Horizons model would be a viable option for Westminster, aligned with the spirit that had animated Crossroads from the very beginning.

Building Trust

WITH GUIDANCE FROM Horizons National leadership, Westminster committed to the next chapter. This led to a thoughtful and values-driven search for the right Hartford partner. That quest led to the Moylan School in the South End — and to Eli Joseph. A 2006 graduate of Hartford Public High School, Eli was not only an accomplished student-athlete but also a former member of CCLP. With encouragement from Crossroads, he and his brother Elijah pursued a post-graduate year at Kent School, opening doors to football scholarships at Temple University. Eli later fulfilled a lifelong dream by playing in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After his professional career, he chose to return home to Hartford, where he earned his real estate license and now gives back to the community that shaped him, working as a Behavior Tech at Moylan School.

It was Eli’s relationships that helped establish the early bridge between

Moylan and Westminster. Moylan Principal Christine McCarthy played a critical role in the program’s growth. Instead of just simply approving initiatives, she immersed herself in the process, personally selecting families and coordinating logistics—an approach that proved key to early success.

Growing With Purpose

“

By summer’s end, students show academic progress and grow into confident risk-takers who raise their hands, find their voices, and develop new self-assurance.

WITH CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM Head of School Bill Philip, Horizons National, and with faculty member Kathleen Devaney named as founding Executive Director, in 2018 Horizons at Westminster launched with 15 first-grade students.

“That initial year, families were really taking a leap of faith,” Devaney reflected. “There was a great level of trust in putting your child on a bus those first few days.” Parents came to believe in the program because it was personal and holistic. “It is a wonderful reminder that education is about who students become, not just what they achieve,” Devaney said.

As part of that initial summer, Eli Joseph was drafted as a bus chaperone. A beloved and respected member of the Moylan community, his presence eased the fear and anxiety of nervous parents who were asked to put their first graders on a bus for a 40-minute ride from their neighborhood school—Moylan—to a strange and unknown place called Westminster. In a true full-circle moment, Eli is a current member of the Horizons at Westminster Board.

Horizons Reaches Maturity

THE SUMMER OF 2025 marked a milestone. Horizons reached its original goal of serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, with 135 participants. In July, Horizons hosted its first annual career fair. Middle school students identified careers of interest, and volunteers from organizations including ESPN, the Hartford Yard Goats, and Travelers Insurance presented and answered questions. Weekly “Lunch and Learns” allowed students to learn about different high school options and tour local campuses.

Teachers like Cyemone Douglas, a lead teacher for fourth grade who has been with the program for several years, witness growth daily — in academics, confidence, and joy. “The teachers want to be here. The counselors want to be here. The students want to be here,” Douglas said. She emphasized that culture is as impactful as academics. That is what creates an environment where students feel welcomed, supported, and confident.

Douglas also highlighted Horizons’ role in combating summer learning loss. “We test kids right away, find out what they need, and provide small-group attention,” she explained. By summer’s end, students show academic progress and grow into confident risk-takers who raise their hands, find their voices, and develop new self-assurance — including Douglas’s own son, a second-year participant who, she jokes, doesn’t want to miss a day.

With a strong academic foundation, many new and successful initiatives each year, and with a continued commitment to growth, Horizons leaders made the big decision to expand beyond

eighth grade and extend into high school. “Seeing how invested our students and staff were, we weren’t ready to say goodbye,” Owens said. Planning is currently underway for a dedicated high school support program.

A Meaningful Milestone

FEW PEOPLE ILLUSTRATE THE program’s impact better than Jacob Flores ’29. A member of the inaugural Horizons class in 2018, Flores grew alongside the program. When Horizons first launched that year, it was an experiment — an ambitious summer program designed to support young students academically, socially, and emotionally. For Jacob, it became something much bigger. He was just a first grader at Moylan School when he was selected as one of the original 30 students invited to join Horizons. He didn’t fully understand what he was signing up for — and at first, he wasn’t sure he wanted to go at all. Still, he tried it. That single decision shaped the next eight years of his life. From first grade through eighth grade, Jacob returned every summer. This past fall, he joined the Westminster Class of 2029 as the first Horizons student to matriculate.

Jacob Flores, a member of the inaugural Horizons class in 2018, grew alongside the program. From first grade through eighth grade, Jacob returned every summer. This past fall, he joined the Westminster Class of 2029 as the first Horizons student to matriculate.

After months of waiting during the admissions process — and struggling to access the portal due to a forgotten password — Flores received his answer not online, but at his front door. At 7 a.m., Owens and Wosleger arrived with balloons and his acceptance letter. “I heard the doorbell ring, and it was Mrs. Wos and Mr. Owens,” Flores recalled. “They had the acceptance letter and balloons. It was pretty amazing.”

Now a Third Former, Flores reflects on how Horizons helped him embrace uncertainty and try new things. “It opened me up to say yes,” he said.

“Jacob’s journey embodies the spirit of Horizons,” shared Owens. “From our inaugural class as a first grader from Moylan, he grew into an honor roll student, a middle school leader, and a powerful ambassador for the program. His admission to Westminster marked a meaningful milestone, and now, as

a thriving Third Form student, Jacob continues to strengthen the deep sense of family that defines Horizons and the Westminster community.”

An Extension of Community FOR HEAD

OF SCHOOL Elaine White, Horizons’ success lies in its people and its deep roots in the Westminster community. More than half of the Westminster student body are involved with Horizons, and the program has become a defining part of campus life. Their commitment is generous and wholehearted, and they celebrate its successes as their own. White noted how transformative the experience is for volunteers. “Each day brings unpredictability,” she said, “requiring mentors to think on their feet and respond with empathy and understanding.”

Students like Jack Owens ’27 embody this spirit. A Horizons counselor from Southborough, Massachusetts, by his own accord, Owens spent six weeks living in a Hartford Airbnb during the summer of 2025 to remain close to campus. He witnessed hesitant students transform over time. “If I just came for a week here and there, I wouldn’t appreciate the growth,” he said, crediting Horizons with helping him better understand who he is and what matters to him.

Throughout the Horizons story, countless individuals have made a lasting impact, along with a select few whose contributions merit recognition. Kathleen Devaney is unquestionably among them. Her steadfast guidance in the program’s early days, along with her deep love for and belief in what Horizons represents, is woven into her ethos. She has continually envisioned how the program can grow and evolve in the years ahead. Devaney sustained the Horizons program through the challenges of COVID, her resilient leadership and unwavering commitment guiding it through a period of profound uncertainty, and she continues her service by having recently joined the Horizons at Westminster Board.

From that period of uncertainty emerged the next chapter of Horizons’ story — one defined by steadiness, vision, and renewed

momentum under Patrick Owens’ leadership. Patrick has truly put the Horizons program on solid ground, thoughtfully and tirelessly building on the strong foundation that Kathleen began. Through his vision and steady leadership, Horizons has flourished. Patrick has attracted exceptional teachers, expanded and enriched the program’s offerings, and led the bold expansion of Horizons into grades nine to 12 — a significant achievement among Horizons programs. His dedication has not only strengthened Horizons but has ensured its vitality and promise for years to come.

From big-picture planning to the smallest acts of support, Kelly Wosleger brings energy, care, and purpose to every corner of Horizons. Serving as the bridge between Horizons and Westminster, she oversees Westminster’s student involvement while also wearing many hats on campus — as a form dean, dorm parent, and soccer coach — strengthening the ties between the two communities. Her hands-on leadership and deep commitment to students, teachers, and families have helped build a joyful, compassionate community and have been instrumental in guiding Horizons through remarkable growth and momentum. For Wosleger, the heart of Horizons is most visible in small but powerful moments. She recalls a summer hike up Talcott Mountain with a group of kindergarteners. One student was scared and unsure when they started off. “To see everyone rally around him was a really incredible thing,” she said. By the time he reached the top, he was already talking about returning next summer. “There’s something so uniquely special about this Horizons community,” Wosleger reflected. “You feel it.”

Horizons at Westminster Director of Development Katie

McKinney brings a deep love for Hartford and the Horizons community. Through her previous work in community relations at Covenant Prep School, she has built meaningful relationships with students and families, strengthening the sense of connection and belonging that defines Horizons.

For donors, Horizons represents a powerful return on investment. McKinney shares that a single gift supports food security, academic confidence, enrichment through sports and science, and long-term mentorship for students ages five through 18. The transformation is visible, even in just six weeks. “Horizons is something you have to see to fully understand: the joy, the growth, and the profound impact that comes from investing in students’ futures, year after year,” said McKinney.

For the Westminster community, Horizons is truly a fullcourt press. This commitment was recognized in October when Horizons at Westminster received the Impactful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award at the third annual ImpaCT Awards, presented by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and FOX61.

“ Authentic, energizing, and deeply human joy. The kind of joy that can only come from meaningful work done together.

So What’s Next?

HORIZONS’ EXPANSION INTO HIGH school marks the next chapter, and with people like Owens, Wosleger, and McKinney at the helm, the sky is the limit. Plans include additional programming, expanded Saturday Academies, and a potential after-school tutoring program. There is also a strong desire to establish a Hartford-based location for school-year programming. The search has begun for a space to make this vision become a reality.

“We see the connections deepen,” Owens said. “It’s something we want to nurture.”

McKinney echoed that sentiment. “Horizons does not just serve students for a single summer,”

A Proud Moment:

Hannah Maltby ’26

As a Horizons volunteer and Westminster Sixth Former Hannah shared one of her favorite moments from last summer during pool time. She describes how a young girl was nervous about jumping off the starting blocks into the pool. While the drop was only a few feet, it felt overwhelming to her. “I told her we could jump together, counted to three, and we leapt. When we surfaced, she was beaming,” smiled Hannah. “She was confident enough to jump on her own, and continued to jump for the rest of the swim time.”

she said. “It walks alongside them year after year.” With that commitment comes the ongoing need for essential funding, so it can continue to expand and make an even greater impact. McKinney is devoted to making that happen.

Current Principal of Moylan Elementary, Thess Cobb shared, “Horizons at Westminster is more than a six-week summer program — it’s a vital partnership that helps our students grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Our children love the experience, the data shows real impact, and we’re blessed and grateful to continue this partnership for years to come.”

Horizons at Westminster stands not as an overnight success, but as the result of years of listening, adapting, and showing up. It is what happens when institutions commit for the long term — using grit, grace, and a vow to do hard things well.

“The joy that fills campus during the summer is unmistakable,” shares White. Authentic, energizing, and deeply human. It is the kind of joy that can only come from meaningful work done together. In fewer than ten years, Horizons has moved from vision to fruition in extraordinary ways. The promotion of the first eighth-grade class, the matriculation of a Horizons student to Westminster, and the promise of more to come all speak to the program’s lasting impact. These milestones reflect not only success, but sustained belief in education as a catalyst for opportunity and change.”

Looking ahead, the hope is grounded as much in sustained commitment as in thoughtful growth. “This work only matters

BY THE NUMBERS

Westminster employees volunteered in the summer of 2025 228 100% 52

Westminster students volunteered during the school year of the Class of 2025 volunteered

if we stay,” Devaney said. Whether through expanded programming, additional activities and field trips, or the ultimate goal — a future presence in Hartford itself — the focus remains unchanged from those early days of Todd Eckerson, looking for ways to be helpful. It is the end of the day. The afternoon sun casts sideways light on the buildings as students meander towards the buses for the ride home. Many with hair still wet from the pool, some chasing one another, some walking arms linked, comparing notes about the day while others hitch a piggyback ride from student volunteers. There are lots of good-bye waves, hugs, and promises of morning catch-ups. Tomorrow will bring new adventures, and the day after that. One thing is for sure. The work continues. Day by day, built not on grand gestures, but on showing up. “Start small, but start.”

A Look Back: Cayden Darnowski ’25

Cayden, now a freshman at Holy Cross, credits his Horizons experience with getting him involved in volunteering at the college level. “Horizons brought out my mentoring qualities and gave me the confidence to take on a leadership role with the students and my peers. This program is so powerful because it creates a sense of belonging for everyone in the community.”

I am not sure that my contemporaries and I, newly minted Westminster teachers right out of college, knew what to think about Alan Brooks on our arrival to Westminster in the early 1980s. We had heard a little about his

history, a distinguished Westminster scholar, athlete and leader hailing from the legendary class of 1955. He had returned to his alma mater after four years of making his mark at Wesleyan to become a triple-threat educator. He was a well-respected teacher, coach and dormitory supervisor first, before taking over as director of admissions and then later as director of development. In our collective rookie naivety, our group of 20-something teaching newcomers had some vague idea about what “Development” was, but essentially we were pretty unfamiliar with and uninterested in the arenas of alumni outreach, fundraising and school advancement. None of that really mattered to us, however, because we all knew, one way or another, all we wanted was to find a way into Alan’s alluring Westminster orbit.

Warm, friendly, kind, smart and thoughtful, Alan was an effective steward of the faculty, welcoming us all with his hearty affect, his enveloping and loving handshake, and his booming signature voice. Surprisingly, or so it seemed, he wanted to know us too and pretty quickly became the “life of the party” at faculty gatherings, the first to arrive and the last to leave, bringing with him his unceasing joie de vivre and clever humor to colleagues who

REMEMBERING

Alan F. Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96, devoted alumnus, longtime faculty member and beloved pillar of the Westminster community, died on Nov. 18, 2025, at age 89. For more than five decades, Alan served Westminster

Alan Brooks

were 25 years his junior. Unbeknownst to us, he also was subtly sharing what it meant to be a school person and the importance of cultivating collegial friendships while having plenty of fun along the way. This same Black and Gold spirit would serve both him and the school well as Alan inevitably set the tone for countless alumni receptions and gatherings where he made everyone feel as if they were the most important person in the room.

As many long-standing faculty are all too aware, some of their best years on the Hill become intertwined with the matriculation of their own sons and daughters. So it was in my early years that I witnessed Alan’s ubiquitous presence in Westminster life both as a guiding administrator and as a father. In his latter role, he often shared the joy at this stage of his professional career with his lovely, warm, graceful and sophisticated spouse Marie-Pier who also loved supporting their children in all of their Westminster endeavors. Fletcher ’89, Ethan ’91 and Rebecca ’96 would forge their own respective and noteworthy Westminster paths, creating more than a few opportunities for Alan and Marie-Pier to participate as parents.

As one of the football coaches in the 1980s, I remember Alan, always in his vintage “W” sweater, planting himself along the sideline at every game and leveraging his stentorian voice, urging both his team and his sons to stand steady and stymie the drive of an opposing team, “C’mon guys. Bear down. Don’t give an inch. You have to play defense. This is your game!” Similarly, Alan’s cheering would only become amplified in the gym, echoing throughout the

BY SCOTT STEVENS P’07, ’09, ’12

as a teacher, coach, administrator, mentor, and tireless ambassador. The following reflection was written by Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12, a retired English teacher and former colleague who succeeded Alan as director of advancement and was deeply shaped by their relationship.

AN ESSENTIAL, QUIET FORCE FOR WESTMINSTER

building as he exhorted the girls’ basketball team and encouraged Rebecca to drain her two free throws. “So clutch,” he would mumble proudly to himself.

But perhaps his greatest joy was actually being on the field with his three children at track practice as he leaned into his extensive knowledge to coach them in the art of the discus, javelin, and his favorite track and field event, the shot put, where he imparted a lifetime of study and competitive experience to help hone their own respective skill sets. All three became All-Americans. This place on campus, now The Brooks Family Track, may have been where Alan was most inspirational.

In 2002, when I succeeded Alan as the director of development, I came to understand the understated impact of Alan’s critical role for stewarding the school behind the scenes. I became all too aware that this learned leader, a man of literature and letters as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of Westminster’s storied history, spent countless hours connecting with the school’s alumni. He was committed to strategically developing key relationships with trustees, parents, alumni and vital donors to advance the school’s aspirations and mission. Not so coincidentally, many of these constituents would become lifelong friends.

In addition, he became a trusted confidant for the head of school at the time, working tirelessly and adding perspective for Don Werner, Graham Cole and Bill Philip as they each navigated the various directions for the school. I also had the chance to witness the gravitas which emanated from within, as well as the respect he had deservedly garnered, when he collaborated with alumni and school leaders. Always carefully prepared, balanced, insightful and wise, he loved these challenging advancement moments while working energetically with others to always find a way forward. He was, indeed, “Mr. Westminster” through and through and never wavered from his loyalty and belief in the wonders of the school community.

Part of Alan’s Westminster legacy which shined brightest was embodied in his devotion to mentoring my colleagues and me in the Development Office during his final “official” Westminster role as a senior development advisor. With varying degrees of advancement experience, our staff always knew when Alan arrived each morning, announcing inimitably and boldly, “Good morning, everyone. We have work to do today,” as he shuffled down the hall with, perhaps, a quiet chuckle to himself as he gladly transitioned from the limelight and his former leadership role. Each day would often include his patient and wise tutelage in helping us all to think strategically, communicate effectively, and find a familiar joy in our own developing relationships with alumni and friends who also cared deeply about the school. Alan may have passed the proverbial torch, but he remained an essential, albeit quiet, force for advancement until his retirement after over 50 years of service to the school.

Last spring, I remember working out in the school fitness room, trying to break a sweat on the rowing machine but really just enjoying the expansive view of the upper fields through the windows. As students began to trickle out in small groups, some inevitably heading to track practice, I noticed Alan’s car pull up and park next to the red shed that used to house football blocking dummies, orange cones and yard markers. Alan’s gigantic frame emerged from his car with clipboard in hand and whistle hanging from his neck, clear signs that he had a job to do. With his shock of white hair, he began to limp slowly, clearly laboring with his bad hip, toward the shot put area where he still coached. Yes, at 89 Alan was doing what he loved, coaching aspiring Westminster student athletes in 2025. Truly amazing, I thought.

When he finally had made his way across the field, I saw him beckon his new charges, drawing them into his powerful and enduring orbit. While I couldn’t hear what he was saying, I could only imagine that he challenged his group of new hopefuls with something to the effect of, “C’mon gang; we are already behind Taft, Hotchkiss, and Choate who probably have been practicing for at least an hour. Let’s get going.” That day, I recall smiling as Alan began to work his Westminster magic, just another day in the office.

He was, indeed, “Mr. Westminster” through and through and never wavered from his loyalty and belief in the wonders of the school community. “ ”

To

read Alan Brooks’ full obituary, please see page 61 in this issue.

“ Reminscing

Alan was a fine man and an excellent role model and mentor for all who knew him. I admired him greatly and am saddened by his loss.

—LINDA MILLER P’86, ’89, FORMER FACULTY

Mr. Brooks was always so motivating and kind in the short time he was my coach. He was such a light, and he will be missed by so many.

—NATHALI

MADRID ’17

Alan Brooks was the director of admissions when I arrived on campus for a tour and an interview in the fall of 1977. I still remember walking into the Admissions Office and meeting Alan, whose presence and personality literally filled the space. His great paw reached out and swallowed mine in a handshake that rattled my young bones all the way to my toes. My tour was actually a little disappointing. I think my student tour guide was preoccupied with other things. But Alan Brooks more

for my own. Such is the immortality of good people. We keep them with us and we pass them on. And countless other fortunate lives are made.

As Edwin Stanton said so memorably upon Abraham Lincoln’s passing, in words that speak to the unprecedented scale of Alan Brooks’ impact in the Westminster community, “Now he belongs to the ages.”

—BEN WILLIAMS ’81, TRUSTEE

Alan was one of the first people I met during my campus interview as a prospective Third Former. During my four years at Westminster, I always considered Alan to be a mentor and role model. As an alumnus, Alan became a dear friend to me and someone whom I always enjoyed seeing and speaking with at school events. He will be forever missed and always remembered.

—POWELL

HOLLY ’82, FORMER TRUSTEE

The mark of a great teacher and person is how they impact your life at school and in the years after you graduate. Alan Brooks was a force at Westy. Made my time on the Hill one of the best experiences of my life. In the years after graduation, I would often quote, think, reflect on Alan and his teachings, philosophy, and general greatness. There is only one Alan Brooks. —TED WOOD-PRINCE ’82

than made up for everything else. I came to Westminster in large part because of him. There just seemed to be a special sort of promise in the community because Alan was there.

We are all fortunate to have people in our lives who help us to see ourselves with greater generosity and clarity. Especially when we are teenagers, it is hard to feel all that great about who we are or to be especially optimistic about who we might become. Alan was the antidote to the darkness that might otherwise creep in. He was warm, kind, supportive, and seemingly filled with confidence about me and for me. Often, it was Alan who made me feel like something was within my reach.

And that is a gift that keeps on giving. Long after I left Westminster, Alan remained a touchstone. I did not see or speak to him often. But I saw him enough. And the momentum he helped me build when I was young never really abated. For the remainder of my days Alan’s imprint will remain on me. It is also on all of those I have taught over the long years, for Alan’s model is the one I took

Such is the immortality of good people. We keep them with us and we pass them on. And countless other fortunate lives are made.

River lazily undulated to and from Route 202, and the abundant foliage ringed the small town, but I was confused by the buildup in housing in the area, and I could not spot the campus. This momentary fugue brought back an experience I had on a summer day in the prior century, when motoring across Connecticut with my wife and daughter. We had paused at the largely unoccupied campus, and I took the family upstairs in Cushing to show them the single dorm room where I lived back in 1966-67. With some fanfare I threw open the door to find that my grand chamber now housed only two brooms and a dustpan.

Anyway, I regained focus back in the plane and quickly (and illegally) consulted my GPS. Suddenly the forest of new residential units parted a bit and I could identify the eternal landmarks of the campus: the distinctive cantilever roofline of the Chapel spilling out to the senior lawn; the stately Victorian roofline of Cushing Hall; the broad swath of green athletic field folding into the square line of forest; and Alan Brooks hurling assorted heavy objects across the fields. The sense of familiarity washed over me. — DAVID KEENE ’67 (WITH APOLOGIES TO RONALD REAGAN)

How can I ‘put’ this, for Alan, I’ll give it a ‘shot’  We lost a great man who did more than a lot For Westminster School, now his friends are distraught

Alan was more than a colleague; he was a friend and mentor who exemplified what a life of service at an independent school should be. Kind, caring, exacting, and with unquestioned integrity and principles, Alan insisted that things be done the right way. He was a Martlet, through and through. I will miss his omnipresence on the Hill; though I suppose this is the grand ebb and flow of life and time, Alan’s loss is Westminster’s loss — he is irreplaceable.

—CHARLIE GRIFFITH P’11, ’14, ’17, ASSOCIAT E DEAN OF FACULTY, DIRECTOR OF WESTMINSTER TEACHING INITIATIVE

It was my first visit back East to Westminster School in many years. Leaning from the window seat of the aircraft as we circled toward the runway at Bradley, I realized we must be over the Simsbury–Granby corridor. The Farmington

When the school needed big hands, we all turned to this man

As Teacher, Coach and Admin, he had so many fans

Because no one could match how much Alan cared

About the Black and Gold, Grit and Grace, he always embraced

Must add he secured the Edge gift which gave the school a huge lift

He provided steady leadership when the place went adrift

It felt like he led wire to wire, many suspect he never retired

His singular essence was always a BIG presence

When he walked the ground shook, our champ, Alan F Brooks

Along with MP his wife, these two were larger than life

Alan, what a difference you made,  what more can one say

About a life so well lived, now RIP, we all pray. — PETER BRIGGS ’71, P’01, ’05, ’07, FORMER FACULTY

Izzy Hurkala ’26

Q

: What drew you to flying, and how far along are you?

IZZY HURKALA : Growing up, my dad was really into aviation and was flying when he was around my age. (He flew the same planes I’m flying now!) I had the opportunity to take a flying course, and I would fly on Sundays, meet with a skilled flight instructor who did ground training, air training, and taught me using a simulator. Now, I’m studying to take my exam for my private pilot’s license and getting in more flying hours while balancing my school commitments.

Q: Does being at Westminster near the Simsbury airport help with flight training?

IH: It’s definitely been a benefit because it’s a short ride to the airport with easy access to planes and getting up in the air. My school schedule can be fairly inconsistent and the staff at the airport has been super flexible with offering access to the airport. Everyone on campus — faculty, staff, and students — are so supportive. Aviation is not an easy industry to get into when you don’t know what you’re doing, so this level of support really makes it easier.

Q: If you pass your pilot’s license and become certified, what would you like to do?

IH: Right now, flying recreationally is wonderful, but aviation opens so many doors — whether that’s at a flight or control tower, an airline job, or possibly going into aerospace engineering. I’m focusing on flying recreationally for now and maybe private jets — there are so many opportunities in the aviation world!

FLIGHT STUDENT

Piloting Her Own Path

Q: Does your college plan include continuing to fly?

IH: Yes, I’d love to keep up with it. A lot of the schools I’ve applied to have both aerospace engineering and access to local airports. The scholarship I’ve won through Learn to Fly in Connecticut and Women in Aviation allows me to get more flight lessons with experienced flight instructors at local airports wherever I move after Westminster to continue my growth in the aviation industry.

Q: What do you love about flying?

IH: To me, it’s so freeing being up in the sky and how you can see everything. It’s so different from being in a commercial plane where you only see out of your tiny window and there are hundreds of other people on the plane around you. You are the one that’s controlling the plane. Being the pilot is satisfying and incredibly rewarding.

Q: What’s it like navigating aviation as a young woman?

IH : It’s been a wonderful experience. Earlier this year I volunteered at a “Girls in Aviation Day” event in Hartford. It was incredible to see the young girls so excited to learn about aviation. Personally, it was amazing to hear from women who have more aviation experience than I could ever imagine and who have so much to share.

Q: Who are your aviation mentors?

IH: My father has been a wonderful mentor and my grandmother, who used to be a flight attendant, is also a huge influence. They’ve both made a big impression on me. I’m also grateful for Mr. Lee, one of my teachers, who taught me so much about aviation.

Peter Michailidis ’10

REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST

Building His Business

grandmother’s car and drive to the Bronx to pick up ice cream and bring it back to Connecticut to sell. I discovered that building a business was a lot of fun, and I was pretty good at it. I think that’s what kicked off my entrepreneurial journey.”

TTHE FOCUSED INITIATIVE Peter Michailidis

’10 first tested selling ice cream in the summer of his Fifth Form year now defines his work as an award-winning commercial real estate broker in Manhattan, sustained by grit, moments of grace, and unexpected Westminster connections.

Today, Michailidis is a prominent leasing broker in the Midtown Manhattan office of CBRE, the world’s largest global real estate firm. A tenant representation specialist, he has secured more than three million square feet of trophy and Class A office space since entering the business in 2016. In 2025, he was honored by the New York chapter of CoreNet Global with its Deal of the Year award for helping secure a full-building headquarters lease for Greek yogurt company Chobani at 360 Bowery Street in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood.

“For a 33-year-old ‘kid’ to be the lead broker on that deal — it was pretty cool,” Michailidis said. His relative youth is an advantage in an industry adapting to postpandemic demand for high-quality, modern office space in New York City. Working on as many as a dozen projects at a time, Michailidis astutely embraced social media, sharing behind-the-scenes looks at some of the most sought-after office spaces in the world.

His commitment to long hours of hard work paired with gratitude for the acknowledgement of his achievements stem

from his time at Westminster. Arriving on Williams Hill in 2009 with a focus on playing hockey, Michailidis describes his enrollment as an unexpected last-minute decision that made all the difference in what he could achieve — and who he could become.

“I knew very little about boarding schools,” recalled Michailidis, but after meeting Mike Hallisey’s ’09 father who praised Westminster and introduced Michailidis to coach Tim Joncas ’00, Michailidis visited campus with his mother and came to what he calls “the best decision I ever made.”

The discipline required to balance academics, athletics, and service at Westminster helped shape Michailidis’ focus and determination. “Peter Ulrich made a huge impact on me,” said Michailidis, and credits the guidance and support from Charlie Griffith and Shawn Desjardins with influencing “the overall human being I became coming out of Westy.”

After his Fifth Form year, Michailidis discovered entrepreneurship. With limited time for a traditional summer job due to hockey training, he followed a lead from his best friend, Miller Robinson ’10, and leased an ice cream truck. “I came up with the money to lease a truck, and then once a week I’d take my

At Hamilton College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2016, Michailidis continued to explore entrepreneurship and launched a business hosting unique city vacations for athletes. While many classmates pursued finance careers, a summer internship in commercial real estate offered some clarity as co-workers encouraged Michailidis to pursue a position in commercial leasing. As his college graduation approached, another Westminster connection proved to be pivotal when Miller Robinson’s father, Pat, a longtime commercial real estate broker, made introductions that led ultimately to a position at Savills Studley in Manhattan. After what Michailidis describes as “about a thousand cold calls,” he landed his first deal, representing Novus Partners in a lease negotiation — a formative moment that built on the initiative he first developed running an ice cream truck in Connecticut.

Building a business was a lot of fun, and I was pretty good at it.

That’s what kicked off my entrepreneurial journey.

Michailidis stays in touch with Tim Joncas and recently retired from a men’s hockey league at Chelsea Piers, where he played alongside Andrew Webb ’07. He is looking forward to marrying his fiancée Kate Anderson this June with his groomsmen largely consisting of friends from his Westminster years. “My fiveyear reunion at Hamilton overlapped with my 10-year at Westminster,” he said.

“I skipped Hamilton to get back to Westminster. That’s how much it means to me.”

EVENTS, GATHERINGS & CONNECTIONS BEYOND CAMPUS

Meeting Martlet Families in Asia supporting westminster

IN NOVEMBER, HEAD OF SCHOOL ELAINE

White, Dean of Admissions Miles Bailey ’94, and Director of Advancement

Newell Grant ’99 were graciously hosted by alumni and parents in Seoul, SK, China (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou), and Hong Kong. From admissions receptions and cultural tours to meetings and events with alumni and parents, the trip built a stronger bridge between cultures and a deeper appreciation for the experience of international students and alumni. Martlet parents and alumni demonstrated their committed support of the school and their heartfelt gratitude for Westminster’s caring and nurturing community.

THRING SOCIETY

Returning Again and Again

MALCOLM MILLER ’86, P’22 WAS 15 WHEN HE CHOSE TO attend Westminster, never imagining that he would return to Williams Hill in different roles again and again.

Malcolm remembers that as an apprehensive Third Former, faculty members Dick Hopley and Dave Hovey “helped me acclimate to the school and navigate my insecurities.” Whether it was Hopley inviting Malcolm and his friends over to talk at his home or being coached in hockey and lacrosse by Hovey, faculty influenced much of Malcolm’s Westminster experience. He also developed a bond

The school has grown but it still has the core essence that kept Malcolm connected to Westminster.

with Todd Eckerson, not knowing Eckerson would be his mentor when he returned to campus as a Westminster faculty member.

After college, Malcolm chose a teaching internship at Westminster because it kept him connected to the place he thought of as a second home. “I taught at Westminster for three years and the quality of the faculty was exceptional. People like Dick Adams and Todd Eckerson showed me how to be a professional, how to present, how to talk in front of people — all life skills I use today.”

Malcolm’s Westminster experiences continued as a parent

when his son, Peter, joined the Class of 2022. While the buildings on campus have changed, Malcolm noted that bigger changes were for the better, thanks to the leadership of Don Werner, Graham Cole, and Bill Philip. The school has grown, but it still had the core essence that kept Malcolm connected to Westminster. “Peter’s advisors and teachers had the same commitment and consideration that I saw as a student in the ’80s.”

And, just like when he was 15, Malcolm chose Westminster when it came to his will. Joining the Thring Society was a way for Malcolm to demonstrate his deep appreciation for Westminster’s remarkable faculty and leadership. “When I get to that point in life, I’ll have enough to give the school what I want — and I want the best for Westminster.”

If you would like to honor your Westminster experience with a gift in your will, please contact Jennifer Keyo, Director of Legacy and Leadership Giving at (860) 408-3039 or jkeyo@ westminster-school.org and share your story.

From left: Tina Miller P’22, Peter Miller ’22, and Malcolm Miller ’86, P’22 at Commencement in 2022.

Marblehead, Massachusetts

JUNE 26, 2025 • Eastern Yacht Club • Host: Will Danforth ’09

1 FIRST ROW Alastair Smith ’13, Bob Knowles ’81, Liz Hibbard Sianturi ’94, P’28, Melinda Shumway, Chris White, Elaine White, Adam Ladd, Ashley Jeffress Ladd ’09, Dave Murphy, Ali Bragg Murphy ’09, Tim French ’80, Greg Carey ’07, Cammie Ahern ’22, Caroline Pratt ’22, Ryan Strange ’13, Robert Tavares P’24

BACK ROW Anto Sianturi P’28, Tuey Connell ’86, Chris Beck P’08, ’13, Emily Buchanan P’20, ’25, Susie Bailey, Maddy Danforth, Will Danforth ’09, Jack Shultz ’71, Joe Rodrigues ’96, P’23,’27,’29

Hamptons, New York

Newport, Rhode Island

JULY 16, 2025 • Host: Laura Guthrie Lear ’91

1

2

AUGUST 3, 2025 • Shinnecock Hills Golf Club • Hosts: Ali Dwyer Edwards ’95 and Philip Edwards P’27

1 Ali Dwyer Edwards ’95, P’27, Elena Frid ShchepinRostovsky P’27

2 Della Leathers P’05, Elaine White, Börje Ekholm P’19, ’20, Erin Lynch P’27, Madeleine Ekholm P’19, ’20, Hudson Stedman ’21

3 Keisha Hamblin P’25, Alex Goodman ’25, Danielle Reilly P’27, Angelique Famulak P’27

4 Clover Cooper ’26, Teagan Lynch ’27, Veronica Edwards ’27, Helen Kennedy ’27, Eliza Reilly ’27

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.

Chatham, Massachusetts

AUGUST 5, 2025

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

AUGUST 6, 2025 • Hosts: Samantha and Tommy Sutro P’22

1 KNEELING: Jeff Lynch, Tommy Sutro P’22

FIRST ROW: Tim Joncas ’00, Gina George P’18, Demitri George ’18, Peter DeLorenzo ’73, Lexi Kerridge, Arthur Kerridge, Charles Kerridge, William Kerridge, Blair Gallagher Sheehan ’00, Susie and Doug Kerridge ’85, Brian Van Linda P’94, ’96, ’00, GP’26, Elaine White, Maddie Brooks Hamilton ’04, Paul Fanelli ’05, Emma Fanelli, Fran Van Linda P’94, ’96, ’00 GP’26, Chris White, Ian Sinclair P’23, Newell Grant ’99

MIDDLE ROW: Sara Whiteley ’91, P’29, Samantha Sutro P’22, Kalilah Akbar ’23, Catherine Rodrigues ’23, Lee Carstensen Genung ’93, P’25

BACK ROW: Jackie Griesdorn-Matzke ’85, Stephanie Houghton Sinclair ’85, P’23, Kevin Matzke ’84, Parker Sinclair ’23, Chip Genung ’25, Austin Black ’24, Andrew Black ’93, P’23, ’27, Hudson Black ’27, Miles Bailey ’94

Harbor Springs, Michigan

AUGUST 12, 2025

Hosts: Kristen and Mark Wallace ’78, P’07

1 FROM LEFT: Elaine White, Betty Kenan P’91, ’95, GP ’26, ’29, Emma Morton, Lucy Morton ’26, Boo Kenan Morton ’95, P’26, Mark Wallace ’78, P’07, Kristen Wallace P’07, Stephen Smith ’72, Jill Smith, William and Sandra Powel P’04, ’11, Newell Grant ’99

Simsbury, Connecticut

AUGUST 28, 2025 • New Parent Gathering at Keyes Patio

1 Dru Breslav P’26, Stephanie Sheehan P’27, Anna de la Fe P’25, ’26, Betsy Heckman

2 Shawna and Herman Woodard P’29, Alan and Sandra Balavender P’29

3 Tom Darnowski P’23, ’25, ’28, Tim Quinn ’96, P’29, Charlie Griffith P’11, ’14, ’17

4 New families gathering at Keyes Patio

CT Alumni Multischool Career and Networking Night

1 LEFT TO RIGHT Mackenzie Griffith ’17, Emma Lange ’18, Ella Varano ’21, Shui Se Phoe ’21, Karus Sabio ’18, Wade Volo ’23, Matteo De Luca ’24, Demitri George ’18, Alec Paro ’19, Delando Clarke ’17, Ben Kleinschmidt ’14, Ryan Strange ’13

New York, New York

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 • Mothers Luncheon • Hosts: Kathleen Kocatas P’25, ’26 and Kristin Ursano P’23, ’28

1 Meredith Brown P’28, Kristin Ursano P’23, ’28

2 Ali Dwyer Edwards ’95, P’27, Kelly Wosleger, Amanda Maeda P’29, Di Petroff P’29

3 Carol Hebbeler P’27, Heena Sultan P’29, ’29, Shana Hurkala P’26, Elizabeth duPont P’29, Elena Frid Shchepin-Rostovsky P’27

4 Barb Meguid P’26, Elaine White

5 Elisabeth Gailun Baird ’98, P’26, ’26, Renée Lynch Carrel ’84, P’19, ’21

6 Halle Grace P’27, Sara Whiteley ’91, P’29

7 Elaine White, Kathleen Kocatas P’25, ’26

New York City Holiday Reception

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • New York Yacht Club, New York City

1 Alexa Dailey ’23, Jess Keough, Gabby Haughton ’23

2 Elaine White

3 Ethan Na ’19, Betsy Heckman, Elizabeth Brewer ’17 Derin Ozturk ’15

4 Katherine and Matt Leach ’11, Alex Gould ’11

5 John Beinecke ’65, Jim Steers ’71

6 Olivia Goldstuck ’21, Xander Cardia ’21, Justin Flaks ’20, Celia Sotirhos ’21

7 Harvey DeMovick ’90, P’24, ’26, Peter and Diana Renehan P’17, ’19

8 Tim Willard ’79, David Hays ’77

9 Bruce Mackenzie ’91, Jeff Bush ’91, Aileen Daversa ’90

10 John Pappas ’14, Ben Kleinschmidt ’14, Mike McNally ’14

11 Janessa Yan ’22, Allie Masthay ’21, Paige Walker, Lily Marvin ’22

12 Newell Grant ’99, John and Della Leathers P’05, Jonathan Leathers ’05

13 A festive evening at the New York Yacht Club

Seventh Form Gatherings

Alumni who have marked 50 years since graduation gathered in person at hosted events across the country.

New Haven, Connecticut • July 15, 2025

Host: Hunter Smith ’68

BACK ROW: Steve Scott ’72, P’06, ’09, Rob Golia ’72, Jerry Glover ’72, Jim Mendillo ’67

FRONT ROW: Hunter Smith ’68, Evan Stewart ’70, P’11, Doug Davie ’72, Richard Petrelli ’61

Atlanta, Georgia • October 30, 2025

Host: Bentley Boger ’73

Paul Oliver ’67, Jennifer Hugens, Bentley Boger ’73, John Hugens ’74

Boston, Massachusetts • November 14, 2025

Hosts: Jeff Cook ’66, Jim Ladd ’67, Tony Howland ’72

BACK ROW: Peter Briggs ’71, P’01, ’05, ’07, Vince Jones ’73, Lee Dunham ’59, Jeff Cook ’66, Tony Howland ’72, Tom Garfield ’67, Charles Fineman ’65, David Bailey ’69

FRONT ROW: Joan Dorr, Alan Dorr ’68, Hunter Smith ’68, Sally Roumanis. Not pictured: Jim Ladd ’67

New York, New York • December 15, 2025

Host: John Beinecke ’65

Evan Stewart ’70, P’11, Tucker Robbins ’72, Elaine White, John Beinecke ’65, Jim Steers ’71, Lex Federbush ’61, Michael Cady ’73

Young Alumni Gatherings

1 Trinity Lily Vincent ’25, Caroline Pratt ’22, Sydney Courtmanche ’24, Lindsey Valenti ’22, Wheatley Sutro ’22, Andrew Nelson ’23, Justin Cardia ’24, Jack Adams ’23

2 UNC/NC State Ceci Owen ’22, Bella Ursano ’23, Lauren Neuman ’25, Luke Holyfield ’22, Ben Mihailovich ’25

3 Wake Forest Alex Wood ’25, Johnny Hadden ’24, Declan Cody ’25, Charlie Pappas ’22, Alexei Kocatas ’25, Westie Strawbridge ’24, Mae Cilmi ’22, Elise Strawbridge ’22

4 Tufts Jacqueline Wu ’24, Maris Cathcart ’23, Elysse Cumberland ’24, Jake Holland ’24, David Suit ’24, Max Williams ’25

5 Boston College Samantha de Kanter ’22, Robert Yalda ’24, Henry Flaton ’25, Sophia Peterson ’24, Tilly Lynch ’25, Remi Morello ’25, Jack Kelly ’22

6 Colgate Tommy Cramer ’23, Chip Genung ’25, Henry Warner ’25, Maggie McCarthy ’23, Liza Merrill ’25, Ben Swift ’25, Avery Bressel ’24, Elizabeth Symonds ’23

7 Hamilton Lance Dominic ’23, Kyle Egidio ’23, Haley Cramer ’24, Chi Kanu ’23

Class Notes

Class notes with numbers correspond with their submitted photos.

1949

Curt Cowan is officially the “last man walking” in the Class of 1949. At their 60th reunion in 2009, members of the class in attendance signed their initials and birthdates on stickers and placed them on a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch. Then the class gave the bottle to the Advancement Office for safe keeping, with the instructions to

send the bottle to the last living member of ’49 as the “last man walking.” Congratulations Curt!

1950

Tuck Craven and his wife Betty celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last summer.

1958

Michael Shapiro published two books in 2025: “Thinking Outside the Canon” and “Negotiating Civic Life.”

1960

Dr. William Carey is still working at the Cleveland Clinic and was recently awarded the John Phillips Founder Award as Master Clinician. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to patient care.

Bill Egan ’64

Last summer, Bill Egan ’64 marked his 80th birthday with an extraordinary family adventure: a multigenerational climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Twelve family members—spanning three generations and including several Westminster alumni—reached Uhuru Peak, the 19,341-foot summit of the Kibo volcanic cone and the highest point in Africa. Bill was joined by his five children, Jane, Will ’95, Kate Egan Gilbane ’92, Tim ’00, and Emily Egan Potts ’02, and the five oldest of his 15 grandchildren, who generously carried the Westminster banner to the summit.

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

1979

Thomas Shafer was elected to City Council of Hayden, Idaho, and sworn in January 2024 for a four-year term. “At the municipal level, our council makes consequential decisions regarding growth, development planning and land use. We are also the ‘watchman on the wall’ making sure citizens’ taxes are well- and efficiently spent. This is like a second job for me, and requires a considerable amount of time, plus mental and emotional fortitude. After 2020 — a year that redefined what ‘participatory government’ means to Americans — I decided to get involved. Otherwise, who am I to complain?”

1981

4

Margie Boll Blue and her son enjoyed hiking in the Dolomites in Italy last summer.

1982

Steven Bristol has been appointed Head of School at Chapin School in Princeton, N.J.

1986

Hugh Connell, Malcom Miller P’22, Curtis Brockelman P’19, Peter Upson and Geoff Hanson P’27 enjoyed a Class of ’86 round of golf in late August on Fishers Island, N.Y.

1990

Eve Poole managed to tempt eight EnglishSpeaking Union (ESU) Westminster Alumni out for Thanksgiving in London. From left to right around the table: Eve Poole, Stephen Benjamin Hickey ’98, Brook Geremew ’10, (George Mingay ’95 arrived late), Rosie Nicholls Byford ’05, Solomon Thomas ’23, Sam Nicholls ’02, Matthew Murphy ’16. Can you spot the martlet at the table?

1994

Jourdan Kurtz was proud to share daughter Parker Joie Kurtz’s first Westy Wear Day when she was seven months old.

1996

Roy Ingraffia ran into classmate Jake Replogle while traveling for work in Milwaukee over the summer.

2002

Proud parents Lizzy Dickson Sheehy and husband Michael Sheehy welcomed daughter Eleanor Frederick Sheehy on August 20, 2025 in New York, N.Y. and say, “We can’t wait to bring Eleanor to Williams Hill one day!”

2003

Stephen Bartram Jr. and his wife Ally welcomed William Bartram on June 28, 2025. Big sister Phoebe is loving her new role, and everyone is enjoying being a new family of four.

2009

Ashley Ladd reports that “There’s only one choice!” for 3-year-old Olivia and 1-year-old Henry and has the photo to prove that her little Martlets are ready to enroll.

2011

Whit Powel Holmes and husband Andy, along with big brother Fisher, welcomed Bennett Hardin Holmes to their family on June 11, 2025.

2013

Alexandra Colon and Ariel Villanueva Rosas were married over Labor Day weekend.

2023

Oliver Hocking is studying abroad and had dinner with Andy Gomez ’06 this fall in Bogotá, Columbia. Pictured left to right is Oliver, Andy and Finn Hocking ’26.

OBITUARIES

1946

Samuel “Spike” Thorne, 96 of Bedford, Mass., died October 19, 2025. Born in New York City, Thorne graduated from Westminster School and served as a Midshipman in the U.S. Naval Reserve before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1950. He enjoyed a long career with Scudder, Stevens & Clark, where he became a managing director and helped shape investment policy for nearly four decades. A devoted alumnus, Thorne served Westminster as trustee, trustee ex-officio, trustee emeritus, Westminster Fellow and member of the Thring Society. He was also a trustee for the USS Constitution Museum and several New England cultural institutions. Thorne is survived by his children including Samuel Thorne Jr. ’74; his stepchildren, including Terry See ’76; and many grandchildren.

1952

James “Nic” Nicoll Cooper, 90, of South Egremont, Mass., died July 19, 2025. Born in New Haven, Conn., he graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University in 1956, later earning a Ph.D. He was a Woodrow Wilson Scholar at the University of Michigan and served in the U.S. Army in Italy. Cooper taught for 20 years at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, then worked in risk management at Price Waterhouse. In South Egremont, he served on the Historical Commission and was active in civic life. Survivors include his wife, Mary; daughters Alix and Jenny ’85; and two grandchildren.

1953

Walter Hart “Terry” West III died June 14, 2025, in Philadelphia at age 89. Born in Chestnut Hill, Pa., he attended Westminster School and Oakham School in England before graduating from Yale University in 1958. At Yale, he was a member of the Whiffenpoofs and remained active in reunions. Known

for his wit, charm, and encyclopedic knowledge, West loved crossword puzzles, films, and time with friends and family. He is survived by his partner of 53 years, Mildred T. Naskret; a sister Janet West Lloyd; brother-in-law Wingate Lloyd; nieces Nina, Janet and Helen Lloyd; nephew George Lloyd; extended Naskret family members; and many cousins.

1954

Barry Mohun Coburn, 89, of West Simsbury, Conn., died March 3, 2025. Born in Hartford, he attended Westminster before graduating from Cheshire Academy. Coburn studied at St. Lawrence University and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was longtime president of Coburn & Meredith Insurance in Simsbury. Later in life, he was active in the Simsbury Youth Hockey program and rebuilt broken and discarded bicycles for distribution to local communities. A passionate fly fisherman, he spent many happy days on the Miramichi River and in the Florida Keys. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jane, three children, 11 grandchildren, and eight greatgrandchildren.

Barton “Bart” Huntington Miller died April 20, 2025, at age 89 after a lengthy illness. Born in New Haven, he attended Westminster and Yale University, where he sang with the Whiffenpoofs, beginning a lifelong love of music. Miller spent his career in banking and wealth management in New Haven, New York and Wilmington, Del. After retirement, he and his wife, Marnie, settled at his family farm in Lee, Mass., traveling widely and embracing the outdoors. An avid fly fisherman and conservationist, he served for decades with Gould Farm and mentored young people in the Berkshires. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, daughters Perry Miller and Martha Bolling ’79, and four grandsons including Ross Bowling ’12.

1955

Edwin Tremain “Trump” Bradley Jr. of Granville, Ohio, died on May 27, 2025. Born in New York City in 1937, he was raised in New Canaan, Conn., and graduated from Westminster School, the University of Rhode Island and the University of Illinois. In 1959, he married Carol Underhill Harris, and they moved to Granville in 1964. Bradley worked at Owens Corning and later offered consulting services to small businesses. He served his church, the Center for Disability, and Granville Rotary. Bradley loved sailing, skiing, and off-road exploring. He is survived by Carol; children Stephen and Julie; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and siblings.

Alan Fletcher Brooks, 89, of Avon, Conn., died on Nov. 18, 2025. Born in Springfield, Mass., he was the son of Clarence R. Brooks and Virginia M. (Jerguson) Brooks and made his home in Simsbury and Avon for more than six decades. A graduate of Fay School and Westminster School, Brooks began a lifelong connection with Westminster that spanned 74 years. As a student he served on the Prefect Board and distinguished himself in football, basketball and track and field. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University in 1959, where he also excelled in athletics, and completed a master’s in liberal studies there in 1967.

Brooks dedicated his professional life to Westminster as the school’s first director of admissions, long-time director of development, house master, coach, and advisor. In retirement he helped lead the school’s 125th anniversary celebration and continued to volunteer, especially as a track and field coach. The Brooks Family Track, completed in 2000 and situated on the upper athletic fields, stands as a testament to the remarkable legacy of Alan and his children and continues to serve Westminster athletes and visiting competitors. His deep commitment to Westminster’s values is celebrated each year through the Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award, established

and endowed by the Class of 1966. The award honors alumni whose character, involvement and service exemplify the mission of the school.

An active leader beyond campus, he chaired the NAIS Committee on Boarding Schools and served on several boards, including the Board of Trustees of Fay School. He also tutored students in underserved Hartford area schools.

He is survived by his wife, Marie-Pier “MP” Brooks; children Fletcher Brooks ’89, Ethan Brooks ’91, and Rebecca Brooks Clinton ’96; brother Rich Brooks ’62; and two grandchildren. Services were held in December at Andrews Memorial Chapel.

1958

Richard “Dick” Holbrook Adams of Landgrove, Vt., died on March 31, 2025 at age 84. Born in Stamford, Conn. and raised in New Canaan, he graduated from Westminster School and Williams College. Adams began his career at Citibank and served in the Westchester County Air National Guard. In 1972, he moved to Vermont, launching a successful custom homebuilding business, Richard H. Adams, Inc. Adams was active in Landgrove civic life and served as a trustee of the Weston Playhouse and Ekwanok Country Club. Remembered for his humor and generosity, he loved skiing, woodworking, and classical music. Adams is survived by his wife Leigh and his extended family.

1959

Philip “Phil” Cooke Sayres Jr. died Aug. 3, 2025 while vacationing with his family in Idaho. A graduate of Westminster School, Boston University and the University of Hartford, Sayres was a gifted builder and inventive craftsman who loved nature, classical music and mountain skiing. Known for his generosity and wit, he led community projects and delighted in sharing knowledge with others. He is survived by his wife, Starr Ellsworth; daughters Aurelie ’96 and Minta ’00; three grandchildren; his sister, Barbara; and extended family and friends who knew him fondly as “Country.”

1960

Alan R. Griffith died Dec. 2, 2025, at his home in Centreville, Md. Born in 1941 in Mineola, N.Y., he attended Westminster before earning a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and an MBA from Baruch College. He retired in 2005 as vice chair of The Bank of New York after a 41-year career and was a dedicated Lafayette volunteer, serving as board chair and receiving the George T. Woodring ’19 Volunteer of the Year Award. He is survived by his wife, Penny; their children, Tim and Libby; two grandchildren; brother David ’72; and extended family including William Beckford ’89, Randy Richardson Beckford ’89, faculty members Charlie and Jeannie Griffith, Lindsay Griffith ’06, Ian Griffith ’10, Kathryn Griffith ’11, Tommy Griffith ’14, Jack Griffith ’17, Susie Black ’15, Ava Beckford ’23 and Will Beckford ’23. His brother, Chuck Griffith ’56, died in 2024.

1965

Henry Stevenson “Steve” Washburn, 76, of West Hartford, Conn., died on May 26, 2024, after a long illness. A member of the Class of 1965, Washburn graduated from Middlebury College in 1969 and spent his career in the family business, Plainville Casting, and later in aerospace manufacturing. Known for his quiet strength, warmth and humor, Washburn cherished time with family, especially at their Niantic beach house. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Noreen; four children including Henry S. Washburn ’98; seven grandchildren; his stepmother; two sisters; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

1966

Robert J. “Bob” Dunbar, 77, of West Hartford died Sept. 16, 2025. He was the son of the late Virginia A. and John R. Dunbar. A graduate of Westminster School, Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School Extension, Dunbar held executive roles with Sealand Service, A.T. Kearney

and Lydall. He later found his calling as development director for My Sisters’ Place and helped lead Malta House of Care. Through his varied and active life, he learned the value of generosity and service. Dunbar is survived by his son Bennett F.H. Dunbar and his sister Deborah Brown.

1971

Thomas “Olle” Lundberg, 70, a San Francisco architect known for his craftdriven approach and the city’s signature “wavy” bus shelters, died suddenly on Oct. 31, 2025. A self-made designer, he founded Lundberg Design in 1987 and later transformed a former mattress factory in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco into a combined design studio and fabrication shop. His projects included the former Twitter headquarters, the restaurants Flour + Water and The Slanted Door, and numerous residences. Admired for his inventive spirit, generosity, and passion for craft, Lundberg was author of “An Architecture of Craft.” He is survived by his wife, Mary Breuer.

1972

Milton “Wayne” Lumpkin, 71, of Windsor, Conn., died peacefully on Feb. 27, 2025. Born in Hartford, Lumpkin was raised in the Rice Heights neighborhood and attended Hartford High Annex before graduating from Westminster School. He was a devoted fan of ’60s and ’70s R&B and jazz, especially artists like Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire, and was a passionate New England Patriots supporter. He is survived by his sisters Lauren and Zaley Lumpkin; several nieces and nephews; many great- and greatgreat-nieces and nephews; aunts; and a large extended family.

1974

Dr. Barrett “Barry” Hopkins Childs, 68, of Riverdale, N.Y., died peacefully on July 9, 2025, surrounded by family. A graduate of Westminster School, Boston University and Rutgers Medical School, Childs

dedicated over 40 years to oncology as a physician, researcher and pharmaceutical leader at Sanofi and Bayer. He was a longtime Jets season ticket holder, avid New York sports fan, and proud Riverdale Little League coach. Above all, he cherished family life. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Leslie; children Diana, Daniel, and Megan; and three grandchildren.

1975

Rev. Dr. Wayne Anthony Carter, 68, of Hartford, Conn., died on August 23, 2025. Born in 1957, Carter attended Westminster where he was a varsity athlete and member of the John Hay Society. A graduate of Bucknell University and Martha’s Vineyard Theological Seminary, Carter served for decades as senior pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Hartford. He also taught at Hartford Seminary and served as chairman of the Hartford Board of Education. Carter is survived by his three sons, siblings including Dr. Gena Carter ’76,

Rev. David Carter ’80, and Rev. Bruce Carter ’81; grandchildren, and extended family including nephew David Carter ’15

Former Faculty

Sara Lewis Anderson, 66, of Granby, Conn., died Sept. 8, 2025. Born and raised in Syosset, N.Y., she graduated from Syosset High School, earned a B.S. from Molloy College and a master’s degree in liberal studies from SUNY Stony Brook. Anderson served as director of technology at Westminster School from 1998 to 2023.

During her 25 years on Williams Hill, she was cherished as a kind, generous and warmhearted faculty member who made a lasting impact on colleagues and students. Former faculty member Richard Adams shared that Sara’s “wonderful ability to listen to our struggles and her patient guidance opened the doors to new technology. Her service to Westminster was invaluable, and Westminster will be forever grateful.”

A communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury, Conn., she taught CCD

classes, served as a lector and was a parish council member. Devoted to her family and friends, she found her greatest joy in their company. A note from Richard Adams read: “Our gratitude extends to the work of her husband Pete, serving as Plant Manager, as well. This was truly a Westminster family. Both Pete and Sara gave over fifty years of service to our community and leave behind a legacy of care and warmth.” She is survived by her husband, Peter; daughter, Mary Anderson ’14; and siblings, including Mary and Todd Eckerson P’09, ’11, ’17, ’21, and their children, Christopher ’09, Kyle, Anastasia ’11, Katherine ’17, and Zachary ’21

The Westminster Fund closes June 30.

Please contact Katherine Malchoff, Director of Annual Giving, at kmalchoff@westminster-school.org or (860) 408-3027 if you have any questions.

The Bridge that Builds Community

COMMUNITY, THE FIRST OF our four core values, stands at the heart of everything we do at Westminster School. Building and sustaining a vibrant community demands strong partnerships among students, parents, and faculty. The Deans Office is a bridge to those relationships, guiding students as they shape their Westminster experience through shared purpose, encouragement, and collaboration. From the moment students meet their Form Dean, they learn that they’ve joined a community where adults and families are deeply invested in their success — academically, personally, and socially.

Following the creation of the Dean of Students role at the start of the 2024–25 school year, the spirit of partnership has become even more intentional. The Deans Office works closely with students and parents building a connected, responsive, and thriving community. Deans often serve as the first sounding board for student leaders eager to make a

“

maintaining trust, respect, and accountability. This type of collaboration has become a staple of our community and it has improved student life while strengthening the bond between students, families, and faculty.

Students have played an active role in shaping the school’s disciplinary philosophy. Working with the Deans Office, they played a leading role in writing a mission statement for Westminster’s disciplinary system, ensuring it reflects Westminster’s emphasis on learning, empathy, and growth. Through these conversations, in conjunction with the Residential Life curriculum, students took on leadership roles in addressing issues that emerge in dorm life, reinforcing shared values and mutual respect.

The Deans Office is far more than an administrative hub. It is a bridge — connecting students, parents, and faculty in pursuit of a common goal: a vibrant, caring community.

Parent partnerships have been equally transformative for our community. Through regular conversations and feedback sessions, parents have provided insight into how Westminster can better support student well-being and balance. Their collaboration has informed initiatives in advising, communication, and student support — efforts that help every student feel cared for while they challenge themselves in all areas of school life.

difference by improving campus policies, strengthening traditions, or finding new ways to bring people together. Form Deans partner closely with faculty, advisors, dorm heads, coaches, and families to ensure each student is seen and supported. These vital relationships help students build courage, learn from setbacks, and lead with authenticity.

An example of the collaboration central to our community was when students expressed a desire for more social connection during the winter months. They partnered with the Deans Office to revisit dorm visitation guidelines. With input from parents and residential faculty, students developed a plan opening more opportunities to gather while

Last year students focused their attention on the election process for Head and Junior Prefects, and their effort was a model of the power of shared vision. The Class of 2025 proposed adding a public speaking component to the election process, inviting candidates to stand in front of the school to deliver speeches before the community voted for school leaders. This change, which was developed in partnership with faculty mentors and supported by parents, has made leadership selection more transparent, inclusive, and engaging for the whole community.

At its core, the Deans Office is far more than an administrative hub. It is a bridge — connecting students, parents, and faculty in pursuit of a common goal: a vibrant, caring community defined by Grit and Grace.

www.Westminster-School.org