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Alumni Magazine
Citation preview
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES...
PREPARING LIVES
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES...
PREPARING LIVES
“Brand” New Beginnings Reunion NewsRecent Grads Return To Offer Advice Slater Museum Update
The Alma Matters is published up to two times per year for alumni, parents and friends.
The Norwich Free Academy305 BroadwayNorwich, CT 06360Tel: (860) 887-2505Fax: (860) 889-4363
Editor: Linda Clang Ververis ’78
Copy Editor: Kristen Fossum
Photographers:NFA Staff, Contributed
Design:Lavender Design
Printer: AM Lithography Corporation
The Norwich Free AcademyBoard of TrusteesDavid Whitehead ’78, ChairmanTheodore Phillips ’74, Vice ChairmanThomas Griffin ’70, SecretaryLee-Ann Gomes ’82, TreasurerSteven Bokoff ’72 Jeremy Booty ’74Glenn Carberry ’72Richard DesRochesThomas Hammond ’75Robert Staley ’68 Sarette Williams ’78
Alumni Association Board of DirectorsJohn Mathieu ’70, PresidentThomas Neilan ’85, Vice PresidentGale Eccleston Ennis ’78,
Secretary/TreasurerJeffrey Blinderman ’82 Gregory Brown ’01 Olive Buddington ’43 Timothy Cummings ’66 Nancy Delorge Farnsworth ’69 Concetta Colonna Franchetti ’78 Ethel Moshier Handley ’60 Eileen Kavanaugh Kalla ’81 Stacy Koehler ’97 Mary Barnett Messerschmidt ’63
The Norwich Free Academy does not discriminate inits educational programs, services or employment onthe basis of race, religion, gender, national origin,color, handicapping condition, age, martial status orsexual orientation. This is in accordance with TitleVI, Title VII , Title IX and other civil rights ordiscrimination issues; Section 504 of theRehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and theAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1991.
Spri
ng
2011
Volume 21
Number 1
Table of Contents
Page 4 A Message from the Alumni Association
Page 5 NFA Alumni Association
Board of Directors Volunteer Application
Pages 6-7 Faculty Profile – Alysha Zaneski Carmody
Page 8 “Brand” New Beginnings
Page 9 Student Profile – Chad Potter
Pages 10-11 Slater Museum – Re-installation and
Cast Conservation Update
Pages 12-13 The Atrium: Behind the Scenes
Pages 14-19 Reunion News
Calling All NFA Alumni
Pages 20-25 Class Notes
Pages 24-25 Memorabilia Order Form
Page 26 E-Mail Alert
Page 27 Momentous Occasions
Pages 28-29 Deceased
In Memorium
Page 30 Recent Grads Return & Offer Advice
Page 31 Save The Date - Homecoming 2011
Back Cover Coming Soon...
Endless Opportunities
Visit our website at www.norwichfreeacademy.com
NEW
BOARD MEMBERS
ELECTED
Please join the Alumni
Association Board of
Directors in welcoming
new board members
Olive Buddington ’43 (left)
and Concetta Colonna
Franchetti ’78 (right),
who were elected at
the Association’s annual
meeting on November 13.
We are also pleased to
announce the election of
Vice President Tom Neilan
’85 and the re-election of
President John Mathieu ’70
and Secretary/Treasurer
Gale Eccelston Ennis ’78.
The Association extends
heartfelt appreciation to
retiring board members
Beverly Freaner Goulet ’61
and Peter Ballaro ’66, for
their hard work and
contributions during their
6 years on the Board.
4
Dear Fellow Alumni:
It has been a long, tough winter in Connecticut and many others areas of the country, and I
know that I am not alone in looking forward to the summer months ahead. As winter marches
on with storm after storm, meeting cancellations and school closures, there is still plenty going
on here at the Academy.
The Alumni Board of Directors is hard at work on the Association’s Annual Jubilee Reunion
for the classes of 1926 – 1951, which will take place on July 16, 2011. Last year’s event, which
reunited our Gold and Silver Jubilee classes at the Holiday Inn, was a big hit, and I have no
doubt that this year’s reunion will be another great affair.
Many other classes will hold their individual class reunions this year as well. Reunions offer a
great opportunity, for alumni who are able, to return to Norwich and reconnect with their
classmates. If you graduated in a year ending in -1 or -6, please see page 18 for reunion dates.
Any questions regarding upcoming reunions may be directed to Alumni Director Linda
Ververis at 860-425-5542 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Even though the snow still flies, NFA seniors look forward to graduation, scheduled for
June 17, 2011. While graduation marks a special time for the Class of 2011, it also offers the
Class of 1961 the wonderful opportunity to return to campus and take part in
Commencement as a part of their 50th reunion weekend activities. This event is special for
both the graduating seniors and for those who graduated 50 years ago!
As young alumni graduate college, marry or venture out on their own, many have moved from
their parents’ homes without updating their addresses with the Alumni Office. Parents, if you
continue to receive your child’s NFA mail, please contact the Alumni Office with his/her current
contact information. This will assist the office with event planning and ensure that your child
does not miss out on receiving invitations and other mailings (like the Alma Matters!).
We are so grateful to our wonderful corps of alumni volunteers for their dedication to our
Alma Mater. If you would like to become a part of this dynamic group, the Alumni Board of
Directors invites you to get involved. Complete a volunteer application or contact Linda
Ververis, Director of Alumni Relations, at 860-425-5542 for more information. Come, and be
part of the fun!
Sincerely,
John J. Mathieu ’70
President, Alumni Association Board of Directors
A message from the
Alumni Association
NFA Alumni AssociationBoard of Directors Volunteer Application
Alumni Board of Directors VolunteerThe Association is an organization that provides leadership to the alumni body and the Academy. Members and volunteers of
the Board represent a range of class years and professions and are active members of their communities. Board members and
volunteers promote the Academy and lead alumni in project development and special events.
Member representationBoard members and volunteers represent Alumni in relation to the mission, programs and activities of the Academy.
They are encouraged to be active participants in alumni functions and programs.
NameFirst Maiden Last Class Year
Email Address Phone Number
Do you have experience sitting on other boards?
If so, what other boards do you currently sit on?
If you do have experience on a board, what committees have you participated in? Have you participated in any other special
board activities besides board meetings?
What special skills would you bring to this board?
Why do you want to volunteer on this board?
Signature
Our board meets every other month throughout the school year for approximately 1 hour. Many committees meet monthly
for approximately 1 hour. In addition, there are various events throughout the year that you will be required to attend. We are
looking for members who are able to commit this amount of time to meetings and other work necessary for this organization.
Please mail or fax your application to:
The Norwich Free Academy • 305 Broadway • Norwich, CT 06360 • Fax: 860-889-4363
The Alumni Association appreciates your interest in the Board of Directors5
6
Technology and the Internet have transformed the graphic
design industry, requiring new knowledge and technical
skills. Through teaching and technology, art teacher Alysha
Carmody motivates her students to develop skills in
conceptual and critical thinking as they learn to design clear
and effective communications. A 2000 graduate of NFA’s
Fine Arts program, Alysha graduated from Townsend
University with a BFA in graphic design and worked in the
field for several years before becoming an educator.
Alysha had not originally planned to pursue the arts when
she stepped onto the NFA campus as a freshman. It wasn’t
until her sophomore year, when she took a clay class with
teachers Kathryn Algiere and Kathy Brandon, that she
realized her passion for fine art. Prior to her junior year, she
applied to the Norwich Art School and was thrilled when
she was accepted into NFA’s Fine Arts program.
Alysha credits each of her art teachers at NFA for steering
her towards a career in the field. She says that they were all
amazing, with different strengths, and pushed her in different ways – all while encouraging her
along the way. “To be working beside so many of them now is incredible,” she says.
Although it took her a little while to realize, teaching came to Alysha naturally. Both her parents are
educators. Her mother, Laurie Zaneski, was a longtime physical education teacher at the Academy
and is now the Assistant Principal at East Lyme High School, while her dad, Peter, is a technology
teacher at New London High School.
After working as a professional graphic designer for a few years, Alysha came to the realization that
she wanted to do something more. She decided to apply for, and was accepted into, the Connecticut
Alternate Route to Teacher Certification (ARC) program. An intensive program administered by
the Connecticut Department of Higher Education, ARC is an authorized teacher preparation
program created in 1988 to attract career adults into the teaching profession. In addition to
possessing field experience, all ARC participants are required to perform five weeks of student
teaching. Alysha was fortunate to secure a student teaching position at NFA, working with Melody
Knight Leary ’68, former Head of the Art Department. Upon successful completion of the ARC
program, Alysha applied for and secured a teaching position at the Academy in the fall of 2007.
One of Alysha’s most popular and successful classes, Community Design, was the outgrowth of a
discussion with Melody Leary during her student teaching assignment. The class, which has grown
Fac
ult
yP
rofi
le
“NFA has
always been a
wonderful
school, with so
many class
offerings, great
athletic teams,
and a club for
everyone on
campus. But,
while NFA is a
great school, a
goal of mine is
to continue to
make it better.”
– Alysha Carmody
Class of 2000 Alysha Zaneski Carmody
CLASSES ALYSHA TEACHES AT NFA
Advanced Graphic Design & Digital Imaging
Advanced-level students continue to develop skills using
Adobe programs (PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign) and
strengthen their creative skills while producing individual
thesis projects as well as class assignments.
Animation & Web Layout
Students continue to develop skills using Adobe programs
(PhotoShop, Illustrator, Flash, Fireworks, Dreamweaver),
focusing on short animations and basic web layouts.
Projects are created both manually and by computer
generation.
Community Design
Provides students with both school and community links,
as creative skills are used to produce visual projects such
as posters, fliers, logos, murals, etc. for various clients with
specific art-related needs. Students develop interpersonal,
social, and verbal communication skills as they work with
a client for a specific outcome.
Digital Imaging 2
Students continue to strengthen skills and expand their
knowledge of the process of producing images that are
computer generated and enhanced through the use of
digital photography, PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator, and
PowerPoint.
Graphic Design 1
Students are introduced to basic design development
using computers as well as traditional art materials.
The course is designed to prepare the student for the
demands of a graphic designer using PhotoShop,
Illustrator, and PowerPoint and the skills needed in the
field of visual communication.
Graphic Design 2
Students continue to develop skills using basic design
principles and color theory to create projects such as
posters, photographic imaging, invitations, text, etc. using
PowerPoint, PhotoShop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Metal & Jewelry
Basic metalworking techniques and design concepts for
copper, brass, nickel, and sterling are presented. Sawing,
filing, soldering, shaping, cold connecting, and finishing
are covered.
7
tremendously since its inception in 2007,
gives students the opportunity to work
with real-world clients from the local
area to create design pieces that fit their
needs. Alysha proudly notes that a design
by one of her students, Leoness Leon ’11,
served as the inspiration for the cover
design of The Eternal Struggle, a book
recently published by NFA social studies
teacher Jim Rourke. The class welcomes
inquiries from the public regarding
projects with which they may become
involved; the only cost to clients is
material fees.
Now that Alysha is a teacher at NFA, she
recognizes the hard work and effort that
is required for teachers to make
connections with and provide a high
quality of education to today’s students.
“Being a faculty member I now see –
although it was seamless when I was a
student – the involvement of faculty
members with special education students
and English language learners,” she says.
“NFA has always been a wonderful
school, with so many class offerings,
great athletic teams, and a club for
everyone on campus. But, while NFA is
a great school, a goal of mine is to
continue to make it better.”
Since becoming a faculty member,
Alysha has completed her master’s
degree in Educational Technology at
Eastern Connecticut State University
and is now working towards her 6th Year
Certificate of Advanced Study in
Administration, with an anticipated
completion date of May 2012. She
resides in eastern Connecticut with her
husband, Cornelius, a Norwich Police
Officer, and their son CJ. They expect
their second child in July 2011.
In 2008 the Norwich Free Academy’s
Board of Trustees adopted a strategic
vision, the NFA 2020, to help guide
school leaders as they plan for NFA’s
future. For the past year, a committee
established under the NFA 2020’s “Pillar
4” has been working with members of
the Board of Trustees and GDA Inte-
grated Services to help NFA define a
strategic marketing initiative, improve
written and visual identity, and develop a
well-considered communications plan.
While this is a gradual process that will
take a couple of years to complete, two
major components are due to be imple-
mented during this academic year: an
updated visual identity and a new website.
As we begin a new decade, the Academy
is proud to be counted among the
leading schools in New England.
One way to protect and enhance
NFA’s reputation is through thoughtful
promotion of our institutional identity.
After careful consideration over the
last several months, the Academy’s
administration has approved a new
visual identity that maintains the school’s
collective appreciation for tradition while
embracing a clean, modern and inviting
look. Consistent use of this new identity
along with our new tagline, “Providing
Opportunities... Preparing Lives,” is an
important first step in a campus-wide
effort to present a clear, unified portrayal
of The Norwich Free Academy.
The Academy’s website is a primary tool for communicating to all
constituencies, including current and prospective parents and students,
alumni and the community at large. Over the summer, The Norwich
Free Academy contracted with finalsite, an international website
design, development and hosting firm based in East Hartford, to create
a dynamic new website for the school. NFA and finalsite are presently
in the design phase, and great care is being taken to ensure that the
design accurately reflects the character of NFA and that all aspects of
the site are user-friendly and easily navigable. The new website is
anticipated to launch this spring.
We look forward to sharing new elements with you as they are
developed and hope you will join us in embracing our “new look” with
pride and enthusiasm.
“Brand” New
Beginnings!
8
Samples of NFA’s new identity system: on letterhead, envelope and business card
Senior Chad Potter has taken full advantage of the
opportunities that NFA has provided him and, during his
high school career, he has used these experiences to
become an exemplary member of the community – both
on and off campus.
Chad has been a member of NFA’s student organization,
Project Outreach, since his freshman year and, over the
past 3½ years, has worked his way up to become a leader
among his peers. Now a Coordinator for Project O, he has
learned the importance of giving back to the community,
and he is ready to provide whatever assistance is needed
when called upon. “Having the opportunity to work
within the Norwich community is what I love most about Project O,” he says. Through the club
he has volunteered at Norwichtown Rehabilitation Center, playing games and working on craft
projects with residents; has worked at the local soup kitchen, providing meals for those less
fortunate; and has been involved with several programs coordinated through the Academy and the
Norwich Public School system.
NFA’s rich and diverse atmosphere has also provided Chad with many on-campus experiences that
have not only contributed to his education, but have helped shape his character. As a former
member of the Student Advisory Board and a member of both the cross-country and volleyball
teams, he has had the opportunity to connect with peers from varied backgrounds. “This
environment allows me to be open to new ideas and challenge my own,” asserts Chad. “Life
requires one to interact with others, and NFA is a perfect place to inherit this ability.”
Intent on being a well-rounded student, Chad places as much focus on academics as he does on
his work within the community, and he is thankful for the experienced, supportive faculty that he
has worked with at the Academy. “We have faculty members who love to pass on their knowledge
to their students,” says Chad. “Without this dedication from the teachers and the standards they
set, I would not have been able to accomplish what I set out to do in my NFA career.”
He is also grateful for the wide range of curriculum offerings that NFA provides. “Prior to
attending NFA, I did not take interest in art, but NFA introduced me to metalworking,” Chad
states. “My teacher, Mr. Daniel Charron ’71, was able to make me attempt something new that,
through a lack of confidence, I was unable to make on my own. He taught me how to express
myself, be creative and take a chance through metalworking. These skills don’t only apply to art; they
will be carried with me throughout my life. I will always be grateful for the confidence that he taught
me to find within myself.”
After he graduates in June, Chad looks forward to attending the University of New Haven, where
he plans to study either Forensics or Criminal Justice. Equipped with confidence and
determination, along with a multifaceted NFA education, it is certain he will be a success through-
out his college career and in life beyond.
Studen
t P
rofi
le
“Life requires
one to interact
with others,
and NFA is a
perfect place
to inherit
this ability.”
– Chad Potter
Chad Potter, Class of 2011
9
10
Slater Museum
To coincide with the re-opening of the Slater Memorial Museum, a temporary exhibition of work byalumni artists is planned. If you area working artist and would like toreceive the call to artists for thisexciting exhibition, please call the Alumni Office event line at860-425-5546 and leave yourname, graduation year, address,phone number and email address.
The current closure of the Slater Museum,
coupled with the immense amount of insidious
dust produced by the construction, has provided
an opportunity for museum staff to bolster and
clean the cast collection. Recently, Robert and
Michael Shure of Caproni Studios spent a day
reinforcing the casts of the centaurs from the
Western Pediment of the Parthenon. As is so often the
case with older equines, their bellies had begun to
sag, which caused vertical, circular cracks. Luckily
the wall immediately behind them formed the
perfect support for additional bracing.
A comprehensive cleaning of Slater’s casts has not
been performed since the 1970’s, when then-
Museum Director Joe Gualtieri ’37, oversaw a
group of teachers on summer break to re-patinate
the casts. A recent interview with Mr. Gualtieri
indicates that the decision was made to paint the
casts at that time because they were very dirty. He
recalls that a color system was implemented to
differentiate the styles – yellow ochre was applied
to the Greek statuary and grey to the Roman. The
water-based paint was brushed on and then wiped
with rags to give it the look of antique stone.
Years of occasional roof leakage and the combi-
nation of high heat and humidity with settling dust
bonded the dirt to, in particular, the horizontal
surfaces of the casts. Add to that the areas
reachable and attractive to the greasy hands of
visitors, and you have an unattractive presentation.
Enter a HEPA vacuum and Vulpex soap! When the
work to install a new fire suppression system
required personal lift equipment, museum staff
requested that it remain in the museum through the
duration of the atrium’s construction. Using the lift,
we were able to reach even the Nike of Paionios,
who received a thorough suction-dusting. Next in
line was Nike of Samothrace. She required both
vacuuming and cleansing with a very mild solution
of water and Vulpex soap, made especially for
sensitive museum objects. It is truly remarkable
how great our girls look when they’re relieved of
simple dirt! We continue to proceed on so that,
upon re-opening, all the casts will gleam once again.
Vivian Zoë cleans the Nike of Paionios
Bob Shure at work on the centaurs of the Western Pediment of the Parthenon
Re-installation and Cast Conservation Update
Instead of colorizing the casts, a new color
scheme for their pedestals will help visitors
maneuver through the centuries and styles while
improving the overall look of the Cast Gallery.
In addition, new hand-held guides will make it
easier for visitors of all ages and abilities to
understand the history and significance of the
figures represented by the Slater’s cast collection.
Other galleries being prepared for re-opening
include a mezzanine level space for an expanded
Crocker’s Norwich exhibition, a preliminary
installation of the Norwich Galleries and two
first floor spaces to accommodate new
permanent exhibitions. The Norwich Galleries
is a project that has been in process for about
five years. Its goal is to tell the story of Norwich
through fine and decorative art, industrial and
utilitarian objects, and documents. The
museum’s collections will be plumbed for
material to be placed on display, some for the
first time.
The former Zimmerman Gallery of African Art
will be revised and combined with other recently
acquired compatible collections, including an
extensive and extremely rare, high-quality group
of objects donated by Lewis and Betty Atherton.
Nearby, a newly created space will house an
exhibition of work by 20th-century Connecticut
artists, with a focus on Norwich and including
past Art School directors and faculty.
Finally, after receiving a new and restored roof,
Converse Gallery will re-open with a fabulous
temporary exhibition of work by NFA alumni
from classes going back several decades. If you
are a working artist, look for a mailing from
the Slater Museum asking for your participation
in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The
museum is still many months from re-opening,
but the promise of a fresh look married to the
strong traditions of the Slater Museum is evident.
11
the Atrium:Behind the Scenes
Progress is evident in visible and measurable terms on NFA's new
atrium. The steel framework in place and concrete has been poured to
create the floors, ramps and stairs that will make the Slater Museum,
Converse Art Building, Norton and Alumni Gymnasiums fully
accessible. A sound booth area and a beautiful new ramping system that
leads to the Slater Building’s two multipurpose rooms have been
installed at the rear of Slater Auditorium.
Upstairs in the Slater Museum, windows covered decades ago with wood
and drywall have been reclaimed, adding natural light and a view into the
new atrium. Carpeting in the Cast Gallery has been removed, wood
floors have been stripped, and they are now undergoing refinishing.
Museum staff offices have moved up one floor to renovated quarters
(the former Zimmerman Gallery area), and work will soon begin on a
new visitors’ center.
The Slater Memorial Museum will remain closed through the 2010–2011
academic year, and looks forward to re-opening in fall 2011 with new &
revitalized exhibitions (see pages 10–11 for more details).
Top, left: Construction workers install glass
panels that make up much of the atrium’s roof
Middle, left: View looking up from the
archway area between the Slater and
Converse buildings
Bottom, left: As dark varnish is stripped
away, beautiful, light-colored wood floors
are revealed
Bottom, middle and right: One of Slater’s
mezzanine-level early American galleries
prior to renovation (below); windows in
the same gallery are exposed to let in
natural light and offer a view into the
new atrium (right)
12
Top, right: On the second level of the
atrium, a ramping system leads from
the elevator to what will soon be the
Slater Museum’s new main entrance.
Middle: As part of the renovations to
the Slater Building, the rear of the
auditorium has been outfitted with a
new access ramp (left) and sound
booth (right).
Bottom: Prior to renovation, this
mezzanine level gallery held Slater’s
Zimmerman Collection of African &
Oceanic Art (left). At right, the same
space is fitted with sub-flooring
before it is outfitted for the museum’s
administrative staff offices.
13
14
The Class of 1955 held its 55th year reunion on
August 28, 2010. The committee, co-chaired by
Anna Brucoli Hansen and Marie Landry
Bontempo, consisted of 16 class members.
Sixty-three people attended the event at the
Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, which
included a social hour, dinner and dancing.
Norwich Bulletin photographer Jeff Evans
took class pictures, and we are amazed at how
young we all look! Class President Lew Randall
welcomed us and offered “Words of Wisdom,”
while Jerry Navick acted as Master of Cere-
monies. Several door prizes included coveted
carved wooden bowls, created and donated by
Chris Lillibridge, and an original painting by
Nancy McCarty. We paid tribute to 98 deceased
class members, and all thoroughly enjoyed a
beautiful evening renewing friendships and
sharing special memories of our high school
days at NFA.
...we are
amazed at
how young
we all look!
Reu
nio
n N
ews
Class of 1955 Celebrates 55th Year Reunion!
Submitted by Marie Landry Bontempo
Members of the Class of 1955
15
Results from our recent Alumni Survey indicate that alumni would be receptive to decade reunions, and the Alumni
Association looks forward creating a new tradition for our alumni. We are excited to begin planning the first, of what could
potentially be several, decade reunions with a special event for members of the Classes of 1952 – 1960, slated for Summer
2011. Invitations with specifics will be sent to members of these classes in the late spring.
On Friday, October 8, 2010, the Class of 1990
celebrated its 20th year reunion at Dock & Dine
in Old Saybrook. The evening was a success –
we had a total of 120 people attend, representing
72 of our classmates. Classmates came from
near (Norwich) and far (Washington State) to
reminisce. It was a great evening along the river
with good food, a mix of ’80s and ’90s music
and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy talking
and catching up. Money raised during a
successful basket raffle has been deposited into
a Certificate of Deposit, and we plan to apply
these funds to a special 25th reunion class gift to
NFA in 2015. We hope to see everyone at our
25th reunion!
20th Year Reunion Held for the Class of 1990
Submitted by Tara Ludlow Hurt
Classmates danced the night away!
The Class of 2000 celebrated its 10th year reunion at the Uncas
Ballroom in Mohegan Sun. One hundred thirty guests attended, and
several classmates traveled from all over the United States (including
California) to share in the festivities for our first reunion. The event,
held on July 10, 2010, turned out to be a wonderful night filled with
dancing, good food, and both old and new memories. The DJ
provided us with a great mixture of music hits spanning from the
’90s to today. Everyone who attended – including two of our class
advisors, Mrs. Flahive and Mrs. Zaneski – had a great time and look
forward to the next reunion. The reunion committee thoroughly
enjoyed reconnecting with everyone and looks forward to planning
our next reunion. Thanks for a great night, Class of 2000!
Class of 2000 Reunites for the First Time
Submitted by Alysha Zaneski Carmody
Reunion committee members (left to right): Crystal Hust Ortega,
Alysha Zaneski Carmody, Jill Caulfield Charron, Jacki Pierce
Spring, Tonya Acosta, and Melissa Kocon Sevigny.
A New Tradition – Decade Reunion
NORWICH RESIDENT / NFA DOUBLE HEADERREUNIONS...
EASTMEETSWEST Submitted by
Kitty Thibault Miller ’51
The luxurious Benvenuto’s Restaurant in
Boynton Beach, Florida, was the scene of
the Annual Florida East Coast Reunion
held Tuesday, February 8, 2011.
As chair of the event for the last 5 years,
I have been fortunate to have a great
crew of volunteers. This year Marion
Hankin knitted a gorgeous afghan for the
auction; Peter Reguin ’62 photographed
the event; Mildred Sadernsky Goldstein
’55 and Barry Goldstein ’51 sold raffle
tickets; Tom LaFreniere ’46 served as the
Auctioneer; and Sue Gough Sullivan ’60,
Marion Hankin and Shirley Winkler
Tomac ’52 called invitees, reminding
them to send in their reservations.
Sue Sullivan also helped with the
program prizes and was surprised when
she won for being the first person to
send in a reservation! Other award
winners included: Dr. Steven Morris ’74,
for having a birthday closest to the
reunion; David and Thelma Shannon
Pisano ’51, for having the most grand-
children (25); and Lou ’39 and Marion
Hankin, for being the couple married
longest. The Hankins will celebrate their
63rd anniversary this spring, on May 8.
Runners-up in this category were Mimi
and Edwin Rabinowitz (63 years on
December 19, 2011) and Edward ’47
and Phyllis Zizulka (60 years on
December 1, 2011). Lou Hankin was
also recognized for being the earliest
grad at the gathering, having graduated
in 1939. The person traveling the
furthest to attend was Harry Axelrod ’50,
who came from California.
Auctioneer Tom LaFreniere gave his
all with his antics and brought in $75
for the Marion Hankin’s afghan, which
was won by Sally Adams. Next on
the agenda was a prize raffle with
lovely gifts, donated by Norwich Free
Academy Alumni Director Linda
Ververis on behalf of the Alumni
Association. An NFA cap was won by
Joann Gilman Hall ’73, tee-shirts won
16
by Harold Dizengoff ’60 and Max
Morris ’49, sweatshirts won by
Marjorie Page Hagert ’58 and Tom
Baldwin ’57, and a commemorative
NFA history book won by Colette
Trailor. Also part of the giveaway were
a ladies costume jewelry set, won by
Tom LaFreniere; a shower/pool
cover-up, won by Ken Adams ’58; a
blue tote bag, won by John Finegan
’50; an alarm clock and umbrella, won
by Chuck Walker ’47; and an original
drawing by Marie Fishbone Spellman
’77, won by Rhonda Lashbrook ’71.
Proceeds from the East Coast raffle
and auction totaled $255, and an
additional $245 in individual dona-
tions brought the overall NFA Florida
Reunion Fund gift for NFA to $480.
The West Coast celebrated their 1st
Annual Reunion on Friday, February
11, at La Venezia Restaurant in Cape
Coral. Joan Selvidio ’55 & Arthur
Gionet and Betty Schatz Rogan ’48
solicited and put together items for
the goody bags; Joan Houston Sturgis
’49, Ray Benoit ’63 and Nancy Buckley
Parzych ’66 handled raffle sales and
drawings; and Peter Reguin ’62 took
photos of the event. Auctioneer Ed
Gionet ’58, assisted by Dorothy
Kellum, successfully auctioned off a
hand-drawn picture by Betty Schatz
Rogan for $100 to Jon Shattuck ’55, as
well as a brick from the former NFA
clubhouse for $30 to James Gionet ’88.
Award winners included: Ed ’51 and
Del Bourbeau, for sending in the first
registration; Ed Gionet, for closest
birthday (February 11th, the same day
as the event); Donald ’50 and Nancy
Vitagliano Woodmansee ’54, for the
couple with the most grandchildren
(19); and Betty and Marty Rogan, for
the longest marriage (59 years on June
15, 2011). Runners-up for this award
were: Barbara & John Finegan and Ed
& Del Bourbeau, each with marriages
of 58 years. The earliest NFA graduate
in attendance was Loretta Leone
Rispoli, Class of 1947.
Raffle prizes included: an NFA cap, won
by Ida Konow ’63; an NFA tee-shirt,
won by Ric Faretta ’56; a ladies pocket-
book, won by Ann Arsenault ’60; an
NFA commemorative history book,
won by Howie Kaminske ’53; a
sweatshirt, won by Arthur Gionet; a
tee-shirt, won by Patricia Hamilton
Bubenicek ’55; a fleece throw, won by
Joan Gionet; an Ulta Cosmetics tote
bag, won by Rosalie Walker Wilde ’68;
an NFA sweatshirt won by Ted Sulla
’53; and a clock calculator and
umbrella, won by Colonel Charles
Connell ’49. Other winners of gift bag/
card sets were: Arthur Gionet, Christine
Czyzewski Selvidio ’57, Peter Davis
’57, Jon Shattuck, Donald Abraham
’54, Ed Bourbeau, Darryl Godreau ’64,
Helene Wojciechowski Tompkins ’55,
and Colonel Charles Connell.
Top, left: East Coast Reunion Volunteers (l-r)
Peter Reguin, Tom LaFreniere, Shirley Winkler
Tomac, Barry Goldstein, Kitty Thibault Miller,
Marion Hankin, Sue Gough Sullivan, Mildred
Sadernsky Goldstein
Bottom, left: East Coast Reunion Guests
Bottom, right: West Coast Reunion Guests
Continued on next page
17
This was a great kick-off for the 1st West Coast
Reunion – the raffle and auction generated $393
in income and, with the success of the event,
Nancy ’66 and Robert Parzych ’68 announced
that they will co-chair the next West Coast
Reunion in 2012 with the assistance of Darryl
Gaudreau ’64.
Chairing the two reunions this year was truly a
Herculean task, and it is comforting to know
that the West Coast will now have their own
chairs and an annual function. Another year has
come and gone and, as we head toward our next
East Coast Annual Alumni and Resident
Reunion from NFA and the Norwich area, I’d
like to take this opportunity to thank everyone
for their past support. I also hope you will
continue to support the many programs that
NFA provides by giving back to the school that
gave us so much. Truly, those of us who
graduated from NFA had a well-rounded
education, which paved the way for a very
exciting life. I can only speak for myself in
saying, “Thank you NFA – I shall never forget!”
NORWICH RESIDENT/NFA DOUBLE HEADER REUNIONS...EAST MEETS WEST
Continued from previous page
2011 CLASS REUNIONS
Class of 1956 55th Year Reunion: August 20 Polish American Citizens Club, Montville
Class of 1961 50th Year Reunion Weekend: June 16 – 18
June 16 Golf Tournament, Norwich Golf Course
June 17 Pre-commencement Reception & Commencement, NFA Campus
June 18 Campus Tour & Breakfast, NFA Campus Reunion Dinner, Groton Inn & Suites, Groton
Class of 1966 45th Year Reunion: September 11 The Marina at American Wharf, Norwich
Class of 1971 40th Year Reunion: June 18 Bozrah Moose Lodge
Class of 1976 35th Year Reunion: October 14 Mystic Aquarium
Class of 1981 30th Year ReunionPlanning Stages
Class of 1986 25th Year ReunionPlanning Stages
Class of 1991 20th Year Reunion: October 15 Location to be determined
Class of 1996 15th Year ReunionNo Reunion Planned – Please contact Alumni House if interested in planning event
Class of 2001 10th Year ReunionPlanning Stages
Top: Nancy Vitagliano Woodmansee ’54 &
Don Woodmansee ’50 at the West Coast Reunion
18
The NFA Alumni Association welcomes information about events taking place in the lives of fellow graduates.
If you have information and/or a photo you would like us to include in the magazine, please fill out this form
and mail it to:
Linda Clang Ververis '78 • Director of Alumni Relations
The Norwich Free Academy • 305 Broadway • Norwich, CT 06360
Callingall NFAAlumni:
Let's Stay
Connected
Name:
Class Year: E-Mail:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
Class Notes:
RED & WHITE DECADE REUNION
CLASSES of 1952 – 1960Summer 2011Location: TBAInvitations to be mailed in late spring
16TH ANNUAL JUBILEE REUNION
CLASSES OF 1922 – 1951Saturday, July 16, 2011Holiday Inn, Norwich12 – 4 PMCost $15.00 Per PersonInvitations to be mailed in May
19
20
1938
Wilfred Joseph Toczko, Sr. writes that formany years he and his wife, Marcelle,traveled to Hawaii for the month ofDecember. In the December 7, 2008, issueof the Honolulu Star Bulletin, he was featuredin an article regarding his wartime service.He has also been featured in Globemagazine, which serves the military andcivilian communities of the DefenseLanguage Institute Foreign LanguageCenter and Presidio of Monterey,California. Retired Army Captain Toczkobegan his military career as a young enlistedsoldier, guarding Hickam Field in Hawaiiduring the attack on Pearl Harbor. He laterflew heavy bombers over Germany andwent on to become a military intelligenceofficer, using his language skills – Polish,German Russian and Japanese – tointerrogate refugees and seek out potentialdefectors. At the age of 49, he finished hiscareer as a civilian agent at Fort Huachuca,Arizona, and has not worked for anyonesince. Until a few years ago, Wilfredcontinued to fly as a private pilot andmaintained a plane at his own airstrip.
1939
Rose Morton Mather and her husband, Bob,will celebrate their 69th wedding anniversaryin April 2011. Congratulations!
1940
Mary Weimann McShane celebrated the70th anniversary of her graduation fromNFA in 2010. She still gets together duringeach summer with two close friends andclassmates, Inez Abel Lattimore and PatriciaConfrey Thevenet, when she travels fromFlorida to visit her children in Connecticut,Rhode Island and Vermont.
1944
As part of the Linden Ponds RetirementCommunity’s “Great Decisions” group,Robert Galton, Ph.D. recently gave a specialpresentation on British and Americanpolicies, actions and consequence in theMiddle East and Afghanistan beginning withdisastrous decisions of the Anglo-PersianOil Company in 1908 and the incrementalinvolvement of the U.S. since then.
1946
Ralph W. Wallen writes that, after his wifeJane passed away, he remarried Marie onSeptember 1, 2007. This past summer Ralphwas excited to bring Marie on a tour of NFAand show off his school to her!
1947
Loretta Leone Rispoli traveled to Australiaand New Zealand during January 2011 andwill be visiting Connecticut in May 2011 tosee her granddaughter graduate from theU.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London.
1950
Stephen Altschuler is celebrating the 38thyear of his business, Altek Electronics, Inc.,which manufactures printed circuit boardassemblies and control panels that are usedin fuel cells, mammography machines,elevators and hazardous material detectionequipment, among others.
1951
Beverly LaRiviere Hitchman resides inWashington State and writes that they have harvested their first grapes in anattempt to make some wines. She invitesfellow NFA alumni to “Come visit theGreat Northwest!”
1952
Mary Pedace Mahler has moved toStoneRidge, a lifecare service community inMystic, Connecticut. She is retired, afterclosing her Stonington antiques business.
Nellie Beetham Stark recently published 15 ebooks that can be viewed atwww.ebook.com. These books, the result ofhalf a lifetime of writing and painting, are alloriginal historical novels. Each book coverfeatures Nellie’s own original artwork.
1953
Linnea Bulford-Barry says “hi” to all thededicated Class Agents who spend theirtime “keeping us together.”
Mary Calkins Muscarella is the proud grand-mother of one-year-old Mia Muscarella.
1954
Hector Richards writes that he retired (for the second time!) from the SanFrancisco publishing branch of John Wiley& Sons, Inc. He has lived at The RedwoodsRetirement Complex in Mill Valley,California for 5½ years, where he belongs tothe Mill Valley Seniors and knits for SarahOliver Handbags (saraholiverhandbags.com).Sarah employs several seniors at The
Cla
ss N
ote
s What haveclassmates
and friends
been up to?
What have
you been
up to? Let
us know!
We know that most alumni members turn right to the Class Notes section to see the latest news on formerclassmates, so please let us know if something important has happened to you: a job change, a marriageor new baby, a degree, a transfer – anything that involves NFA alumni is of interest to us! Your canemail your news to [email protected] or mail it to NFA~Levanto Alumni House~305Broadway~Norwich CT 06360.
One of Nellie
Stark’s book
covers: Nasty
Jack, the story of a
19th-century sailor
who smiles while
doing his duty but
turns on his men
viciously when no
one is looking.
21
Redwoods to hand-knit her bags, which aresold in boutiques all over the USA.“Imagine, actually made in America!” writesHector. His salary goes to The RedwoodScholarship Fund, which grants awards to 6-7 high school seniors each May.
1956
Robert B. Burns owns and operates AikiFarm in Ledyard, Connecticut, where heteaches farming and Aikido. Bob, a Zenmonk, is active on the mission committee ofthe Ledyard Congregational Church and has6 children and 13 grandchildren.
Shirley Niedojadlo Hamm completed fourmission trips to Nicaragua in 2009 and 2010.She looks forward to traveling to Thailand,Cambodia and Laos this year, and will spendthe month of August working in a medicalclinic at a catholic orphanage in Vietnam.After returning home for a couple ofmonths, she will then head to Jerusalem inlate October/early November and finish hertrip in Cairo.
As a Compliance and Accreditation managerfor Western Governors University (WGU)in Salt Lake City, Utah, Shayna FeisterLamson has a great appreciation for qualityhigher education and quality high schoolsthat help students obtain that education.Shayna appreciates the fine education thatNFA provided her and so many others.
Pat Sinclair Tressler and her husband,Richard, celebrated their 50th weddinganniversary on June 4th aboard the RoyalCaribbean cruise line’s Grandeur of the Seas.Their children, children’s spouses and fourgrandchildren accompanied them on thecruise. Pat writes that she now enjoys herretirement, living in Vero Beach, Florida.
1958
Chuck Burdick is currently serving a 2-yearterm as a Councilman for the town of Duck, North Carolina, where he has livedwith his family since 2000. He has been thetown’s contract postmaster for the last fouryears and worked on the “Build the Bridge”committee, which surveyed all of the town’sroad properties. Chuck, a chemical engineer,received his degree from WorcesterPolytechnic Institute in 1962 and has anMBA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
David T. Foley and his wife, Darlene, havebeen enjoying sunny Florida for the past 5years. “Sarasota is a beautiful city!” he says.Dave is fully retired and Darlene works forWhole Foods Market.
1959
Nearly every Tuesday since April 2002,David Conley and his wife, Mary, haveenjoyed day hikes and snowshoe trips withthe Berkshire Chapter of the AppalachianMountain Club. In 2003, they completed allof the Appalachian Trail in Massachusettssouthbound and recently completed thesame route northbound with the Tuesdayhikers.
R. Alan Gross writes that, after spending 27years in the U.S. Navy and 19 years in privateindustry, he has retired from DRSTechnologies, Inc. as the Corporate SeniorVice President of Compliance. Alan and hiswife, Susan, have moved to EasternTennessee, where they enjoy life in a lakeand mountain community. Alan earned aBachelor of Science degree in BusinessAdministration from the University ofNorth Dakota and a Master of BusinessAdministration degree from the Universityof Michigan. He is also a graduate of theIndustrial College of the Armed Forces andis a Certified Public Accountant.
1960
Richard Kurth is pleased to announce thathis twin granddaughters were born onNovember 2, 2010 in Townsville, Australia!
Marjorie Soby Porucznik would like tocommend the class of 2010 for theirwonderful attitudes and behavior at theirgraduation. “It seemed that they truly lefttheir teen years and became the future adultsof which anyone could be proud. It was apleasure to be sharing their day,” she writes.
“Our 50th reunion was overwhelming;every event was beautifully executed. Thewelcome at the pre-commencement recep-tion was so heartwarming, and I will neverforget the surprise and awe that I felt as Iwas presented with the medallion of ourclass. Many thanks to the committee for theirhard work; it truly represented the formalstature that NFA represents. I have alwaysbeen proud to have been a part of such a fineschool. It was wonderful to see classmatesagain and I hope the Internet will keep usclose. For those who were unable to attend, Ilook forward to their keeping in touch.”
1963
Raymond Benoit writes that he recentlyattended the 1st Annual Florida West Coastreunion and says, “Hats off to KittySherman Thibault Miller ’51. She did anoutstanding job! ”
John Gross was recentlyhonored by the Universityof Maine’s College ofEngineering during aceremony in which hewas inducted into theFrancis Crowe Society,which recognizes UMaine
engineering graduates as they accomplishthe formidable goal of completing theirengineering degrees and pays tribute thosewho have made considerable engineeringcontributions and demonstrate a high regardfor the profession. John was honored as aDistinguished Engineer who has mademajor contributions to advancing the art,science or practice of engineering. Johnearned his BS and MS in MechanicalEngineering from UMaine in 1967 and1971, respectively, was a track letter winner,and participated in the Phi Eta Kappafraternity. He later earned a doctorate inveterinary medicine from Cornell University.In 2006, John retired from WinthropVeterinary Hospital in Maine after 28 yearswith the hospital. A former advisory boardmember at the Gardiner Savings Institutionin Winthrop, Maine, John now enjoys flyinghis single-engine airplane and supportsenvironmental causes.
Margaret Weir Walker moved from Venice,Florida, to Charlotte, North Carolina, inMay 2010 to be near her son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons. One grandson isalmost 2 years old and a new baby arrived inMarch 2011.
Bottom Right:
The Purlettes +One features
our own
Hector
Richards.
22
1964Barbara A. Brown sends best wishes to allher classmates for health and happiness inthe New Year.
Valerie Caron Campbell had an eventful yearin 2010. A Manager for Highmark BlueCross Blue Shield in Camp Hill,Pennsylvania, she presented “Best Practice:The Bedrock of a Pay-for-PerformanceProgram” at the Blue National Summit inChicago in October. Her daughter, Sara,who received a BA in Journalism from PennState in 2007, obtained a BSN from GeorgeMason University in August and is now aRegistered Nurse like her mother. Saramarried George Harrum on August 14th –her parent’s 39th wedding anniversary – inthe Eisenhower Chapel at Penn State.Following a honeymoon in Jamaica, thenewlyweds moved to Fort Worth, Texas,where George works for the FederalAviation Administration. Her son, Matthew,is a Major in the Air Force is the father ofValerie’s first grandchild, Annabel MarieCampbell, born in 2009. Matt lives in LittleRock, Arkansas, with his wife Jessica. Valeriewrites that her husband, Glenn, passed awaysuddenly on November 4th and was buriedwith full military honors at Fort IndiantownGap National Cemetery in Annville,Pennsylvania. In 2007, Valerie and Glennadopted three children, who are now ages16, 15 and 12; Valerie and the childrencontinue to live in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.
Patricia Riess Tennison, who received abachelor’s degree in English literature andFrench from Boston University and amaster’s degree in English literature fromBoston College, is a veteran features andnews writer, movie editor, and restaurantreviewer for the Chicago Tribune and Chicagomagazine; the author of James Beard Award-honored cookbooks; and an adjunct profes-sor of writing at National-Louis University inChicago. She has recently combined herpassion for teaching and travel in a newventure: the Paris Café Writing Workshop(www.pariscafewriting.com). Through theworkshop, Pat works with participants tocorral the creative process within a structureas they focus on creative nonfiction writing.
1965
On December 15 and 16, local firefighter,businessman and Vietnam veteran ThomasJ. Burke returned to NFA to speak withstudents in William Howard’s ’90 seniormodern history class about why hevolunteered to serve in Vietnam, the nature
of combat, the American public’s responseto soldiers coming home and the politics ofwar. Tom, who served with the U.S. Army inVietnam from 1967-69, is active in localveteran affairs, was instrumental in the effortto memorialize 12 Norwich men that died inVietnam and currently seeks to memorializeNFA alumnus U.S. Army Capt. KeithHeidtman ’01, who was killed in Iraq in2007. Tom was named 2000 NorwichVeteran of the Year and was inducted intothe Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame,Class of 2010, in November.
1966
In 2010, Kenneth M. Bujnowski exhibitedhis work at Expressions Cultural Center inNew London, Connecticut, and the Alexeyvon Schlippe Gallery of Art at the UConn-Avery Point campus in Groton, Connecticut.Ken studied at the Silvermine College ofArt, Yale University and received a Master ofFine Arts Degree from the University ofHartford.
In January 2010, Paul Field was elected as Treasurer/Registration Chairman of the Pacific Northwest Amateur BoxingAssociation for the 17th consecutive year.Covering most of Washington west of theCascade Mountains, Paul processes 95% ofthe paperwork associated with a $60,000budget. He arranges medical and dentalinsurance for all athletes, as well as liabilityinsurance for every boxing event(approximately 20-25 per year). Paul alsoserves as a judge or referee for almost everypromotion. His resume includes more than5,300 amateur and professional boxingmatches. He invites NFA alumni to contacthim at [email protected].
Roger Martin is studying to become amedical herbalist in traditional Chinesemedicine (TCM), Ayurvedic medicine(India) and Western medicine (USA) at EastWest School of Herbology.
1968
Donna Ralston, Tax Assessor for the City ofNorwich and a Connecticut CertifiedAssessor since 1983, has been nominated asAssessor of the Year Award from theConnecticut Association of AssessingOfficers, Inc. (CAAO) for an unprecedentedsecond time. She received the award oncebefore, in 1993, as the CAAO Motor VehicleCommittee Chair for her efforts to negotiatea contract with the National AutomobileDealers Association (NADA) for electronic
valuation of motor vehicles for taxpurposes. Since 2003, Donna has workedwith the DMV to allow tax assessors theaccess to DMV data online, and in July2010 her work came to fruition as assessors were granted access to this importantinformation. This historical change not onlyassists the assessors in their duties, but it isalso a more efficient way of doing businessfor the assessors, DMV staff and taxpayers.Donna and her husband, Bob, live inMystic, Connecticut. With him, she has 3children, 2 stepchildren and 9 grandchildren.Their son-in-law, Bill Howard ’90, teacheshistory at NFA.
1969
Sharen Paster Peters and her husband, Tom,renewed their vows on June 28, 2010 – the25th anniversary of their first date in 1985.The ceremony took place at sunset at theOcean Cliff Hotel in Newport, RhodeIsland, overlooking Narragansett Bay. OnSaturday, October 9, 2010, a semi-formalreception was held at The ColonnadeBanquet and Conference Center inGlastonbury, Connecticut. Over 100 guestsenjoyed the music of After FiveEntertainment. Several NFA alumni werepresent and had a great time. Sharen ownsher own company – Dental Office Solutions,LLC – and coaches dental offices onemployee relations, productivity and cashflow. Tom works for the University ofConnecticut’s graduate school, and they livein Mansfield, Connecticut. Sharen says “hi”to her classmates and wants to let themknow she is on Facebook, “now if I can justlearn how to use it!”
First row, left to right: Janet Potter Jeffcoat ’74,
Sharen Paster Peters ’69, Stacy Baratz ’96, Ethel
Nelkin Baratz ’69, Dr. Gussie Paster Sitkin ’39;
Back row, left to right: Thomas B. Peters
(Windham High ’69), Barry Paster ’67, Laureen
Krodel Gosselin ’76, Dr. Wendy Eighme Daly ’69
23
1973
NFA Athletic Director Gary Makowickireceived the Connecticut Association ofAthletic Directors’ (CAAD) DistinguishedService Award – From Inside the Field ofAthletic Administration on March 24, 2010.This award, CAAD’s most prestigious, ispresented annually to an athleticadministrator who has made significantcontributions at the local and state levels.
1975
Debra DeChamplain Krodel is a salesrepresentative for Kraft Foods. Her grand-daughter, Ava Brooke Vanase, was born inJanuary 2008.
1976
Lori Buzzell Dougherty was recently namedDirector of Development Marketing for theDana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Judith Pepin, PhD, has been named to afourth term as treasurer of the AmericanMedical Writers Association (AMWA). Sheis a senior scientist with Procter & Gamble’sScientific Writing and Editing Section andresides in Mason, Ohio. Judy is responsiblefor writing projects within the cardiac,gastrointestinal, respiratory and personalcare therapeutic areas, including protocols,study reports, Investigational New Drugapplications, Common Technical Documentsummaries, 510(k)s, manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and regulatory agencybriefing packages. She holds a doctorate anda Master of Science degree in pharmacologyand toxicology from the University ofConnecticut School of Pharmacy and aBachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistryfrom Smith College. She completed herpostdoctoral training at the ClevelandClinic’s Department of Vascular CellBiology and Atherosclerosis.
Louise Plante is pleased to announce thebirth of her first grandchild, Alliana MaxineRobles, on November 1, 2010.
1979
Michelé LaVigne is reaching out to friends,classmates and strangers in the pursuit of aliving kidney donor. If you are interested inbecoming a potential donor for her, pleasecontact her at 860-917-2324 or via email [email protected]. She thanks you for yourconsideration.
1981
Todd Daigneault recently dropped us a noteto thank the Academy for preparing himwell for life’s challenges and opportunities.After graduating from NFA, he attendedJohnson & Wales Culinary School. Sincethen, he has traveled extensively and hascooked for many high-profile celebrities. In 2010, Todd represented the Northeast as one of five chefs chosen nationwide to participate in the Tyson National Chef Competition.
1984
Since 2007, Beth Curran Garver has servedas the Executive Director of Royal CareSkilled Nursing Center in Long Beach,California, where her priority is deliveringthe highest possible care to each patient in asupportive and nurturing environment.Royal Care was one of only three skillednursing facilities nationwide to receive theprestigious 2010 AMDA/Evercare Award,which is reserved for facilities thatdemonstrate and maintain measurableoutcomes and sustained improvement in thequality of life for their patients. With over 20years of experience in the healthcareindustry, Beth has taken part in a variety ofindustry forums. The daughter of BJBushnell ’53 and Walter Curran ’51, Bethand her husband, Dusty, have 3 daughters –Syndey, Julia and Reagan.
1985
Lisa Hinse Morrison was recently promotedto Regional Vice President of the GeorgiaRegion for Coast Dental. The southeast'slargest dental group, Coast Dental operates120 offices, 30 of which are in Georgia. Sherelocated to Atlanta in October 2010.
1987
John M. Newson – former attorney, City of Norwich alderman and state publicdefender – was confirmed as a SuperiorCourt judge by the Connecticut GeneralAssembly on February 4, 2011. A graduateof the University of Rhode Island and theWestern New England College School ofLaw, John maintained a private practice inNorwich from 2001–2010. He is a formermember of the Alumni Association Boardof Directors and has also served as an NFACorporator since 2008.
1992
Kellie Miller Chambers and her husband,Larry, welcomed identical twin sons onNovember 29, 2010. The boys join big sisterBailey, age 3. Kellie is the daughter of NFACampus Safety Officer Jean Miller.
Continued on page 25
24
The Norwich Free Academy Memorabilia Order Form
Name:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
Phone:
Email:
Product Description (Circle Color & Size Requested) Quantity Price Total
Travel Mug $5.00*
Coffee Mug $6.00*
Drink Koozie $2.00*
Coaster with Caddy $8.00*
NFA Golf Umbrella $23.00*
NFA History Book $10.00*
NFA Notecards Set of 10 w/envelopes $8.00*
Decorative NFA Tapestry Throw Pillow $10.00*
Baby Bib $7.50
Red Short Sleeve T-Shirt S M L XL (XXL +$1.50) $9.00
Gray Short Sleeve Paw Print T-Shirt S M L XL (XXL +$1.50) $9.00
NFA Rain Poncho $10.00
Heather Long Sleeve T-Shirt S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $10.50
Heather Long Sleeve Paw Print T-Shirt S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $12.00
Red or Gray Crew Sweatshirt S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $12.00
Red Paw Print Crew Sweatshirt S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $12.00
Alumni Cap Red or Khaki $15.00
Red or Gray Hooded Sweatshirt S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $22.00
Gray Alumni Hooded S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $25.00Zip-up Sweatshirt
Embroidered Short Sleeve S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $15.00Red Polo Shirt Specify Class Year__________
Embroidered Red Sweatshirt S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $37.50Specify Class Year__________
Embroidered Gray S M L XL (XXL +$3.00) $37.50Zip Sweatshirt Specify Class Year__________
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Continued from page 23
1992
Lisa Tracy MacDougall and her husband,Jim, welcomed twins Megan Tracy andMatthew James on December 1, 2010. Thetwins join big sister Sarah, who is 5 years old.
Jared Dillian is pleased to announce thepublication of his first book, Street Freak, amemoir of his seven years working as atrader at Lehman Brothers, from 9/11 to thebankruptcy, and his struggle with manic-depressive illness. The book is beingpublished by Touchstone, an imprint ofSimon & Schuster, and will be availableSeptember 15th, 2011. It is available for pre-order at Amazon and other online retailers.
1993
NFA Information Technology SupportSpecialist Kevin Pescatello and his wife,Anna, welcomed daughter Oriana Eliza onNovember 4, 2010.
1994
Elaine Finnegan Colvin married GlennColvin of Clinton, Connecticut onSeptember 12, 2010. She is a dental hygienestudent at the University of New Haven.
NFA Art teacher Alyssa Lathrop Pendletonand her husband, Gary, welcomed MaxwellBenjamin Pendleton on February 14, 2011.Maxwell weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. and was 22inches long.
1997
NFA Physical Education teacher AnthonyDefilippo and his wife, Anne, welcomed son Nico Anthony Defilippo on Sunday,February 6, 2011, right at the kickoff (6:30 p.m.) of Superbowl 2011! Nicoweighed in at 8 lbs. 7 oz.
1999Katherine Baldwin and Jeremy Andruskiewicz’98 announce the birth of their daughter,Lily Mae Andruskiewicz, on February 2,2011. Proud first-time grandparents are LizCongdon Baldwin ’71 and NFA InformationSystems Coordinator John Baldwin, Jr.
2001
Eric Beit married Bethany Cinque of Milford,Connecticut, on October 8, 2010.
Jessica Stanton, daughter of Mark Stanton ’77and Jeanne (Farr) Stanton, became engagedon New Year’s Eve to Daniel Guglielmo, Jr.The couple resides in Meriden, Connecticut,where they own their own business. ASeptember 2012 wedding is planned.
2003
Emily Ann Fournier obtained her CPAcertification and works as an auditor atBlum Shapiro and Co. in West Hartford,Connecticut.
Brooke Romanski 2024 Eileen Kavanaugh Kalla ’81 Nancy Delorge Farnsworth ’69 Stacy Koehler ’97 Nuffy Jenkins Cagle ’76 Betty Buckley Avery ’69
Tom Neilan ’85 Ethel Moshier Handley ’60 Greg Gates ’77 Diane Romano Morgan ’75 Robin Presti Lawson ’81
Kevin Rodino ’75 Shirley Longo Kutia ’79 Jean LaFreniere Gilman ’76 Mary Barnett Messerschmidt ’63
Please be aware that some
e-mails, like this one from
alumniclass.com, may not
originate from or benefit
The Norwich Free Academy!
26
E-MAIL ALERT
The internet is an integral part of our daily lives and, for that reason,
many individuals and organizations develop websites for personal or
corporate profit and gain. It has come to our attention that several
such websites have been developed that utilize the Academy's name,
mascot and school colors to entice alumni, students and friends to join
and support the NFA community. The following sites have been
brought to our attention thus far:
• alumniclass.com
• classsreport.org
• highschoolalumnireunion.com
• myschoolreunited.com
• prepsportswear.com
• fieldhouse.com
None of these sites are sponsored by or affiliated with NFA, the NFA
Foundation or the NFA Alumni Association. Nor have these sites
obtained permission to use our name, school colors, logo or mascot.
Please be aware that membership fees, contributions or the purchase
of apparel through these sites DO NOT support the NFA community in
any way.
The OFFICIAL site for NFA is www.norwichfreeacademy.com and our
official e-newsletter is NFANow! E-mails originating from NFA, the NFA
Foundation and the NFA Alumni Association are sent from the domain
@norwichfreeacademy.com.
Please visit our official site
to remain in touch with NFA
and your classmates.
Births1990sKellie Miller Chambers ’92 and Larry
Chambers announce the birth of identical
twin sons on November 29, 2010.
Lisa Tracy MacDougall ’92 and her
husband, Jim, welcomed twins Megan
Tracy and Matthew James on December 1,
2010.
NFA Information Technology Support
Specialist Kevin Pescatello ’93 and his
wife, Anna, welcomed Oriana Eliza on
November 4, 2010.
NFA art teacher Alyssa
Lathrop Pendleton ’94
and her husband, Gary,
announce the birth of
Maxwell Benjamin on
February 14, 2011.
Anthony Defilippo ’97, a physical
education teacher at NFA, and his wife,
Anne, welcomed son Nico Anthony on
Sunday, February 6, 2011.
Jeremy Andruskiewicz ’98 and Katherine
Baldwin ’99 announce the birth of their
daughter, Lily Mae Andruskiewicz, on
February 2, 2011.
Marriages1990sElaine Finnegan Colvin ’94 married Glenn
Colvin of Clinton, Connecticut, on
September 12, 2010.
2000sEric Beit ’01 married Bethany Cinque of
Milford, Connecticut, on October 8, 2010.
Faculty and StaffScience teacher Kirti Patel gave birth to a
healthy baby boy, Aiden, on January 5,
2011.
Social studies teacher James Rourke’s 3rd
book was released by Open Books
Publishers on March 5. Unlike his first two
nonfiction educational works – From My
Classroom to Yours: Reflections on Teaching and
The Comic Book Curriculum – this book, The
Eternal Struggle: Two Worlds, One War, is the
first in the fictional Eternal Struggle Trilogy.
NFA digital imaging students submitted
artwork for the cover design and the
publisher’s in-house artists selected the
design created by Leoness Leon ’11.
Although some minor changes were made,
the cover is clearly her design and vision.
Congratulations to both Jim and Leoness!
Gary Makowicki ’73 received the
Connecticut Association of Athletic
Directors’ (CAAD) Distinguished Service
Award – From Inside the Field of Athletic
Administration on March 24, 2010. This
award, CAAD’s most prestigious, is
presented annually to an athletic
administrator who has made significant
contributions at the local and state levels.
Mo
men
tous
Occ
asio
ns
27
1921
Grace Beetham Weeman
1930
Alfred Cohn
1932
Florence Pierce
Sylvia Cohen Yoselevsky
1933
Alice Revell Clegg
Margaret O'Connell
1934
Henry Brinkman
1935
Loretta Epps Lacy
Edith Bowen McCluggage
1936
Jane Janik
Eleanor Nelson Jones
Isaac Paster
Marion Szalkowski Pratt
1937
Charles Knight
1938
Mary Judd
Ernest Ouellet
1939
John Bosko
Sophie Zinavage Gunsalus
1940
Eileen Welsh Kornacki
Claire Desmarais Lubszewicz
Mary D'Amato Marino
Elizabeth Wolfensberger
Maynard
Peter Sakellarides
1941
Joseph Morrissette
Jean Yerrington O'Keeffe
1942
Constance Millard Gabriele
Joseph Gerillo
Wilfred Rokowski
Louise Duhaime Seddon
1943
Frances Gustamachio Brown
1944
Frank Baranowski
Madeline Donovan
Miriam Fox Gabler
Edward Hayden
Marie Valentine O'Connell
1945
Kathleen Kelly Costello
Joyce Benjamin Gloman
Edwin Hanks
Charles Murkett
Arlene Morse Stencel
Genevieve Golembeske Tarryk
John Vogel
1946
Margaret Hiscox
1947
Webster Copp
1948
Jayne Ryan Armstrong
Vivian Pike Bennett
Patricia Tucker Gilbert
Paul Peltier
1949
Ruth Adams Brennan
Henry Brycki
Elaine Sebastian Koen
1950
A. James Clendennin
Berdine Elton
Donald L. Scott MacDonald
1951
Richard Blasco
Thomas Izbicki
1952
Ronald Caron
Frances Brooks Moran
Shirley Bucovetsky Sommer
1953
Barbara Bielecki
Mary Twomey Blye
Barbara Chandler Pomo
1955
Rose Renaldi Ernst
1956
Daniel Chiangi
1957
William Diodato
William Morrissette
1961
Lorraine Stowe Balkcom
Faith Grenier Shamrock*
1962
Robin Spencer
1963
Bernard Nowakowski
1964
Karen Chmelik Mahoney
1965
Joseph Geer
1966
James Howard
Barbara Laws Kervaski*
Ralph Ritacco
Gale Gwiazdowski Scala
Sharon Jackson Schlachter
1968
Dennis Mikutel
Robert Phagan
1970
Linda Caruso O'Brien
1975
Laura Caruso
Patricia Ryan Engerran
1976
Peter Blazejak
1977
Daniel Barrows
William Benson
1979
Alicia Morris Smith
1988
Dana Crowell Wynn
2005
Andrew Hatt
*Deceased prior to November 1, 2010
DeceasedThe following is a list of NFA graduates who are known to have passed away between November 1, 2010 and
February 20, 2011. We express our deepest sympathy to their families and classmates. They will be missed.
28
In Memoriam
Raynold A. Lemaire, NFA
math teacher from 1965 to
1991, passed away on
November 8, 2010, after a
courageous battle with
pancreatic cancer. Mr.
Lemaire entered college at
the age of 33, working at
night to support his growing family while
attending classes at the University of
Connecticut during the day. He earned his
bachelor's degree in mathematics from
UConn and a master's degree, also in math,
from California State University in Fresno. He
loved math, his students (the Class of 1984
dedicated their yearbook to him), and The
Norwich Free Academy. He also enjoyed
teaching mathematics at night at Three Rivers
(formerly Mohegan) Community College in
Norwich, where he served as an adjunct
faculty member for 23 years.
Grace Beetham Weeman,
a member of the Class of
1921 and NFA’s oldest
surviving alumna, passed
away on December 5, 2010,
at the age of 107. Born in
1903, Grace lived on her family farm in
Norwich for a little more than 105 years and
remained active in the community throughout
her life. Before leaving the farm in 2009 for a
convalescent facility, Grace still kept small
crops growing in her farm’s root cellar and
stayed active on the 80-plus acres with help
from friends. Grace was predeceased by sister
Alice Beetham Eaton, Class of 1917, and is
survived by sister Dorothy Beetham Reeves,
Class of 1930.
Photo Credit:
John Shishmanian ’67/ NorwichBulletin.com
29
Norwich Art School Director Melissa
Smith and her faculty welcomed a panel of
nine alumni artists to the Frank Center
Ensemble Room for the Art School’s
annual Alumni Reunion. Panelists talked
with current NFA art students and answered
questions about their experiences at art
school and how NFA prepared them for
their studies. The alumni panel consisted
of: Rosie Allard ’10 (Maine College of Art);
Meaghan Doyle ’10 (Wentworth Institute of
Technology); Jillian Freyer ’08 and Leah Klein
’07 (Massachusetts College of Art and Design);
Victoria Koronkiewicz ’09 (Maine College of
Art); Tara Lukaszewicz ’09 (Eastern Connecticut
State University); Matthew McIntosh ’10
(University of Connecticut); Akanksha Sule ’09
(Quinebaug Valley Community College); and
Katherine Waterman ’09 (Stonehill College).
After the program, alumni and students were
invited to the opening reception for an
exhibition featuring the work of Jillian
Freyer, 2010 Charlotte Fuller Eastman
Scholarship winner, hosted by the Student
Art Association (SAA) in the Frank Center’s
Student Gallery. The SAA, advised by art
teacher Robert Davidson, provides students
with opportunities to explore the art field
beyond the classroom through exposure to
professional artists, artistic experiences,
creative processes and career opportunities
within the discipline.
Meanwhile, another group of recent alumni
gathered in Slater Auditorium to speak
candidly with more than 75 NFA seniors
about their personal, social, emotional and
academic transition to college life. They
discussed and answered questions on topics
ranging from time management, residence
life and finances to meeting new friends
and connecting with professors. The hour-
long forum, arranged by Director of
Guidance Jeanne Elliott and guidance
counselor Ronald Noyes, featured a panel
of the following alumni: Justin Cline ’10
(George Washington University); John Conway
’10, Nicholas Migani ’08, Thomas Teixeira
’09 and Addison Zhao ’09 (University of
Connecticut); Lara Day ’09 (Mount Holyoke
College); Matthew ’10 and Shane Donahue
’10 (Wesleyan University); Chelsea Evans ’10
(Lehigh University); Matthew Exley ’10
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); Lucienne
Fernandez ’10 (Brown University); Giulianna
Franchetti ’10 (Assumption College); Kaila
Madera ’10 (Roger Williams University);
Casey McGarvey ’08 (Eastern Connecticut
State University); Victoria Moebus ’10 and
Margaret Tucker ’10 (University of Rhode
Island); Maura Tramontozzi ’10 (Suffolk
University); Derell ’10 and Terrell Wilson ’10
(American International College); and QingWai
Wong ’10 (Boston College).
Recent Grads Return & Offer Advice
On January 5, two programs featured recent NFA alumni that returned to share their college and
art school experiences with current seniors.
Recent alumni
discussed and
answered questions
on topics ranging
from time
management,
residence life and
finances to meeting
new friends and
connecting with
professors.
30
Save the Date!
Homecoming
2011Saturday, October 15, 2011
Visit:www.norwichfreeacademy.com/alumni/ for updated Homecoming information
31
ONFA WILDCATS vs WOODSTOCK ACADEMY CENTAURS
GAME TIME 1:30 pm
Join us for the NFA Alumni Association’s annual tailgating party prior to the game! 12:00 pm ‘til kickoff in the Shattuck Building Area.
Tailgating parking spaces available by reservation only! Contact the Alumni Office at 860-425-5542 or via e-mail at [email protected] September 1, 2011 to reserve your spot.
Game Tickets: Adults $3 O Sr.Citizens/ Students $2 O Under 10 FREE
O
O
The Norwich Free Academy
Norwich, Connecticut 06360
Change Service Requested
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPERMIT #130
SPRINGFIELD, MA
Alumni & Development Staff:
Deborah J. Lee, Director of Development
860-887-2507 x5540 [email protected]
Ellen Bremner, Director of Annual Fund
860-887-2507 x5545 [email protected]
Kristen Fossum, Assistant Director of Development
860-887-2507 x5547 [email protected]
Allison Turcotte, Development Associate
860-887-2507 x5541 [email protected]
Linda Clang Ververis '78, Director of Alumni Relations
& Constituent Research
860-887-2507 x5542 [email protected]
Coming Soon...The NFA Foundation, Inc. has something new planned for fall 2011! Be on the lookout for more information in the upcoming months.
Do you have a child or grandchild who lives in southeastern Connecticut and will enter the 7th
or 8th grade this fall? Consider NFA’s fun and exciting Endless Opportunities: A Summer of
Exploration! This summer program offers students the chance to explore interests in topics
related to academics, sports and the arts as they experience the Academy’s campus atmosphere.
For more information regarding Endless Opportunities, call Bryant Sheldon, Summer
Intersession Director, at 860-425-5760, email [email protected] or visit the
NFA website at: www.norwichfreeacademy.com/academics/summer-intersession programs/
endless-opportunities/.
Endless Opportunities