village green - summer 2010
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Commencement2010THEBLUEBLAZERBALL|REUNION|THE2010DISTINGUISHEDALUMNUSAWARD
Village GreenThe
SUMMER 2010
Village GreenTheSUMMER 2010
AVONOLDFARMSSCHOOLESTABLISHED1927
HeadmasterKennethH.LaRocque
ProvostJohnT.Gardner
EditorMorganC.Cugell
DirectorofDevelopmentPeterEvans
Designer2kDesign
www.2kDesign.com
PhotographersPeterDeckers’90JonathanLester’63
SpencerSloanTimothyStay’97
PrinterBenchemarkPrinting,Schenectady,NY
The Village Greenispublishedforthealumni,parents,andfriendsofAvonOldFarmsSchool.Itisdistributedtoapproximately8,000readers.Allrightsreserved.
AvonOldFarmsSchool500OldFarmsRoadAvon,CT06001
www.avonoldfarms.com(860)404-4100
Admissions(800)464-2866
admissions@avonoldfarms.com
AlumniWeenjoyhearingfromyou!
Pleasesendusyourlatestnewsandnotes:Email:abramsonl@avonoldfarms.com
Phone:(800)336-8195Fax:(860)675-7135
EmailMembersoftheadministrationandfacultycanbeemailedbyusingthefollowingformula:lastname+firstinitial@avonoldfarms.com.Thedirectoryontheschool
websitealsoincludesemaillinks.
Avon Old Farms School admits students of any race, color,national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities
generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disabilities,
or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other
school-administered programs.
Commencement Reunion
18
CommencementCommencement
8ReunionReunion
14
1 Headmaster
2 NewsandNotes
6 Athletics
20 TheLastWord
The2010DistinguishedAlumnusAward contentsfrom the editorDearReaders,Welcomeback!IhopeyoueachhadawonderfulsummerandareasexcitedasIamtogetbackintotheswingoftheschoolyear!
IlookforwardtohearingyourthoughtsonthislatestissueofThe Village Green,previouslyonlyfoundonline.LookinsideforsomegreatphotosfromtheBlueBlazerBallandReunion,aswellasfull,timelycoverageofthisyear’sCommencementceremonies,featuringtheartshow,awards,matriculationinformation,andthoughtsfromtheoutstandingspeaker,RudyGiuliani,formermayorofNewYork.
Alothappenedoncampusoverthesummer,includingamajorrenovationinthequadrangle,withtherestorationofMrs.Riddle’soriginalbluestone.Itlooksbeautiful,andIhopeyouhavethechancetocheckitout.
Asalways,Iwelcomeyourfeedback!
Aspirandoetperseverando,MorganC.Cugellcugellm@avonoldfarms.com860-404-4239
The Avonian OnlineFindpastissuesat
www.avonoldfarms.com/avonian
Ihopethat The Village Green helps
youtounderstandsomeoftheexcitingeventsweenjoyed
oncampusoverthecourseofthepastfewmonths.From
theBlueBlazerBall,sponsoredbytheParentsAssociation,
toGrandparentsDay,toAlumniWeekend,tograduation,
thisspringwasfilledwiththespiritoftraditionthatmakes
AvonOldFarmssuchauniqueandspecialcommunity.
Ourstudents,faculty,administration,parents,andstaff
joinedtogetherseveraltimestohostsuccessfullyhundreds
ofvisitorstocampus.
Someofthehighlightsofthespringtermincluded
honoringfourdeservingalumniwiththe“Distinguished
Alumnus”award.Twoofthesealumni,DavidBigelow’44
andFrancisMadeira’34,werehonoredontheSaturday
morningofalumniweekend,whileLaurenceGardner’59
andGilmanOrdway’44werehonoredatgraduation.
OnMay16th,musiciansfromAvonOldFarmsjoined
withmusiciansfromtheEthelWalkerSchool,MissPorter’s
School,andtheareatopresentaconcerttobenefitneedy
familiesfromHaiti.Students,faculty,families,andfriends
gatheredontheVillageGreentoenjoythewonderfulmusic
andtoshowtheirsupportforthoseHaitiansleftdevastated
bytherecentearthquake.
OnMay1st,wehostedourschoolpromatthePond
HouseinHartfordandenjoyedourbestturnoutever.Inthe
athleticarena,ourvarsitylacrosseandbaseballteamswon
theirleaguechampionships.Thisspringinthearts,wewere
proudofourstudent-writtenand-directedproductionof
To Protect and Serve,byGrahamNelson’10.
Wewereequallyproudofthecreativetalentondisplay
atourCommencementartshow.Ourstudents’workwith
pottery,photography,architecture,glass-blowing,woodwork-
ing,painting,anddrawinggreatlyimpressedallwhostopped
bytheexhibit.OurSaturdayafternooncommencement
concertwasmemorablefromeveryperspectiveandmoved
theaudiencetostandingovationsonmorethanone
occasion.Finally,theClassof2010enjoyedspectacular
weatherfortheirgraduationonSunday,May30th,andwere
honoredtohaveformerMayorRudyGiulianiofNewYork
CitydelivertheCommencementaddress.
The2009–2010schoolyearwillbearichchapterinthe
historyofAvonOldFarmsSchool.Ouraccomplishments
werecommendableineveryareaofschoollifeandwewere
unwaveringinourfocusonourmissionofbuildingmenof
highcharacter.Thankyouforyourcontinuinginterestin
andsupportofAvon!
Greetings.
byKennethH.LaRocqueHeadmasterfrom the
2 Summer2010 The Village Green
TheBlueBlazerBalldinnerandsilentauctionwasonceagainaresoundingsuccess,heldthisyearonSaturday,April24th.
Thesilentauctionfeaturedprizessuchasafamilyportraitsitting,BostonRedSoxtickets,anAppleMacBook,afour-nightstayattheWaltDisneyWorldresort,reservedgraduation-day
parkingintheHeadmaster’sspot,
andmanyAOFexclusiveitems.ThesilentauctionprecededalovelydinnerinRiddleRefectory,whichwasfollowedbyanexcitingliveauction.Upforbidwereseveralinvaluableprizes,includingtworolesandHeadTableseatinginthe2010–11Boar’sHeadFestival,abronzedstatueofthe“AvonBoy,”andasignedguitarfromcountrysuperstarsSugarland,featuringKristianBush’88.
StephenLash’58,Chairman,Christie’sAmerica,servedagainasauctioneerattheliveauctionportionoftheevening.StephenisamemberofAvon’sBoardofDirectors.AtChristie’s,hehelpsorchestrateallbusinessactivitiesinNorthandSouthAmerica,advisesChristie’smostimportantclientsoncollectingandsellingart,andalsoplaysanimportantroleinguidingChristie’sintonewventures.SincejoiningChristie’sin1976,
Stephenhasbeeninvolvedineverymajorauction,includingVincentvanGogh’s“PortraitofDr.Gachet,”whichsoldfor$82.5millionin1990andremainsthemostexpensiveobjecteversoldatauction.
ThisannualspringeventprovidesauniqueopportunityfortheextendedAvonOldFarms
familytocelebratethetraditionsandvaluesofthisexceptionalschool.ThiseventisalsothemainfocusofalloftheParentsAssociation’sfund-raisingefforts.TheproceedsfromtheeventarecontributedtotheStudentEnrichmentFund,whichenablestheParentsAssociationtocontinuetosupportvariousenhancementstotheacademic,athletic,andextra-curricularexperiencesofthe“MenofAvon.”
The2010BlueBlazerBallParentsDinnerandAuction
Stephenhasbeeninvolvedineverymajorauction,includingVincentvanGogh’s“PortraitofDr.Gachet,”whichsoldfor$82.5millionin1990andremainsthemostexpensiveobjecteversoldatauction.
providesauniqueopportunityfortheextendedAvonOldFarms
parkingintheHeadmaster’sspot,
andmanyAOF
Mark your calendars! Nextyear’seventwillbeheldon
Saturday,April30,2011.
News and
Notes
3The Village GreenSummer2010
AOF PArents AssOciAtiOn MissiOn stAteMentWiththeconcurrenceofAvonOldFarmsSchool’sHeadmasterandtheAvonOldFarmsSchool’sBoardofDirectors,andinaccordancewiththeSchool’sphilosophy,themissionoftheAvonOldFarmsParentsAssociation,asvolunteerfamiliesandfriends,istoraisefundstoenhancetheacademic,athletic,andextra-curricularexperiencesofthe“MenofAvon.”
4 Summer2010 The Village Green
News and
Notes
OnSunday,May16th,AvonOldFarmsSchoolheldabenefitconcerttoraisefundstoaidindisasterreliefinHaitiafterthedevastatingJanuary2010earthquake.IncollaborationwiththemusicdepartmentsofbothMissPorter’sSchoolandtheEthelWalkerSchool,AvonhostedanoutdoorconcertwithperformancesbyAvongroupstheRiddlersandtheacappellasmallgrouptheSing-edBeavers,aswellastheEthelWalkerGrapesandtheMissPorter’sConcertChoir,ChamberSingers,andOrchestra.TheconcertalsofeaturedperformancesfromlocalactsLittleUgly,TheLincolnYoungBand,TheRagtags,andtheBarefoot
Lies.Haiti’sBackPorch,atravelingshopsellingcolorful,authenticHaitianitems,wasalsopresenttosupportthecause.Morethan300peopleattendedthebenefit,whichalsoincludedabarbequecook-out.
Proceedstotalingapproximately$1,200willbecontributedtoAvon’snewestOutreachinitiative,ProjectHaiti,afundraisingventuretoadoptandrebuildaschoolhouseinHaiti.Formoreinforma-tiononhowtofurthersupportProjectHaiti’sefforts,pleasecontactDirectorofChoralActivitiesBryanZarosatzarosb@avonldfarms.com.
HopeforHaiti
GrandparentsDay2010Wednesday,April21st,markedanothersuccessfulGrandparentsDayatAvonOldFarmsSchool.Approximately200grandparentsjoinedtheirgrandsonsforalovelydayintheVillageofOldFarms,highlightedbytripstoclass,aconcertfeaturingwonderfulvocalandinstrumentalmusic,andafestivelunchinthefieldhouse.Thedaywascappedoffwithafternoonathleticcontestsforthegueststoenjoy.
aconcertfeaturingwonderfulvocalaconcertfeaturingwonderfulvocal
5The AvonianSpring2010
Thesecondannual“Push-UpsforPennies”fundraisertookplacefrom6:00p.m.onSaturday,April10th,until6:00p.m.onSunday,April11th.LedbyMajorJohnBourgault’80(USMCRetired)andLeeHuguley’92,theAvonOldFarmsSchoolcommunitycametogetherforafastandfurious24hourstoraisemoneyforaspecialcause:theInjuredMarineSemperFiFund.
BourgaultandHuguleyachievedtheunimaginablefeatofcompletingover14,400push-upseachinjust24hours.Thefundraiseralsosawfiveteams(freshmen,sophomores,juniors,seniors,andfaculty),eachwithupto24members,reachthe14,400push-upmilestone—10push-upsperminutefor24hoursstraight.Hundredsofothermembersofthecommunitysupportedtheendeavorbydoingpush-upsorpledgingdonations.Uponcompletion,theschoolraisedover$12,000inproceeds,whichwillbenefittheInjuredMarineSemperFiFund.
Anoblecause,thefundraisersupportsourwoundedMarineCorpsveterans.ItisespeciallymeaningfulforBourgault,whoserved20years(1984–2004)intheU.S.MarineCorpsandretiredasamajor.HewasaCH-53Ehelicopterpilotandformerinfantryofficer,andlaterservedasdeputydirectoroftheMarineCorpsMartialArtsProgram.Heservedoverseasfourtimes,includingacombattourinOperationDesertStorm.
TolearnmoreabouttheInjuredMarineSemperFiFund,visitwww.semperfifund.org.
Push-UpsforPennies
TheninedaysbetweenMay30thandJune8thwereamomentoustimeforTimKiene’10.HegraduatedfromAvonOldFarmsonMay30thandonJune8th,hewasdraftedbyMajorLeagueBaseball’sWashingtonNationalsorganization.
Likemanyseniors,Timfeltconflictingemotionsduringthespring.Afour-yearstudentfromSouthWindsor,Conn.,Timhadmademanyclosefriendsoncampus,andthespringwasatimewhenhewaspreparingtotransitiontothenextstageinhislife.TimhadcommittedtoattendschoolandplaybaseballfortheUniversityofMary-land.However,unlikemanyseniors,thisspringTimneededtomanagetheconstantattentionofaprofessionalcommunity.
Witheachgameandpractice,mostofwhichwerewatchedcloselybyrepresentativesfromvariousMajorLeagueBaseballteams,Timwasinchingclosertorealizingalifelongdream.IfselectedintheMajorLeagueBaseballAmateurDraft,heldJune7–9,Timwouldhavetheopportunitytosignacontract,delaycollege,andimmediatelyfollowhisdreamofplayingprofessionalbaseball.
Despitethepressure,Timenjoyedaremarkablespring.HefinishedwithexcellentgradesinschoolandproducedoneofthebestoffensiveseasonseverbyanAvonbaseballplayer.Underthescrutinyofprofessionalbaseballscouts,TimledtheWingedBeaverstoaspecialseasonin2010.Hewasoneoftheteamcaptainsandledtheteaminbattingaverage,homeruns,andRBI.Theteamfinishedwitha17–2recordandcapturedboththeFoundersandColonialLeagueChampionships.TimwasnamedabaseballAll-Americanattheendoftheseason,
andisoneofthefinalistsfortheGatoradePlayeroftheYear.
Notsurprisingly,CommencementprovedtobeanexcitingtimeforTimandhisfamily;aheaddormitorymonitor,strongstudent,excellentcitizen,andeliteathlete,TimwasrecognizedduringCommencementforhisoutstandingcontributionstotheschoolwiththeFounder’sMedal,oneoftheAvon’shighestawards.
MoreexcitementwastofollowwiththeMajorLeagueBaseballdraft.Earlyinthedraft,theBostonRedSoxcontactedTimtonegotiateacontracttomakehimanearlyroundselection,butaftermuchdeliberation,Timdeclinedtheoffer,astheRedSoxneededanimmediateanswer.
“Ididthetoughestthingintheworldforayoungbaseballplayer,”Timnoted.“IsaidnotomyfavoriteMLBteam.Ithenhadtositandwait.”Laterintheday,theWashingtonNationalsselectedTim.HewassurroundedbyhisfamilyashewatchedhisnamecomeuponthecomputerastheNationals’selection.Timsayshewas“happierthanIhaveeverbeeninmyentirelife”ashesharedthemomentwithhisfamily.
However,whileplayingprofessionalbaseballhasbeenalifelongdreamforTim,heplanstofirsthonorhiscommitmentandenrollattheUniversityofMarylandtocontinuehisbase-ballcareerwhileworkingtowardacollegedegree.
In2013,TimwillagainbeeligiblefortheMLBamateurdraft.HeisthefourthplayerinrecentAvonbaseballhistorytobeselectedintheMajorLeagueBaseballdraft.
AthleticSpotlight:TimKiene’10Baseball standout drafted by MLB’s Washington Nationals ByRobDowling’91,HeadCoach,varsitybaseball
toattendschoolandplaybaseballfortheUniversityofMary-
andisoneofthefinalistsfortheGatoradePlayeroftheYear.
provedtobeanexcitingtimeforTimandhisfamily;aheaddormitorymonitor,strongstudent,excellentcitizen,andeliteathlete,TimwasrecognizedduringCommencementforhisoutstandingcontributionstotheschoolwiththeFounder’sMedal,oneoftheAvon’shighestawards.
MajorLeagueBaseballdraft.Earlyinthedraft,theBostonRed
Congratulations Winged Beavers! The2010AOFbaseballteamcapturedboththeFoundersLeagueandColonialLeaguetitles.
Athletics
6 Summer2010 The Village Green
andisoneofthefinalistsfortheGatoradeandisoneofthefinalistsfortheGatorade
7The Village GreenSummer2010
IwenttoYeardleyLove’sfuneralwithmy22-year-oldson.Myson,acollegelacrosseplayer,wasfriendswithYeardley,heraccusedmurderer,andmanyofthemenandwomenontheUVAlacrosseteams.Sittingnexttohim,Icouldfeelandseehimtryingtoprocesstheconflictedemotionssurroundingtheenormityofthistragedy,compoundedbyknowingboththevictimandthevictimizer.
Theyoungmensittingaroundmesobbedandsniffled.AtonepointintheceremonyIturnedtoanemotionallydistraughtyoungmanandaskedhimifIcouldgivehimahug.Iwassurprisedatthestrengthandenduranceofhishugasheheldontomeseekingcomfortand,Isuspect,affirmationofhisemotionsandmanhood.Asheletgohesaid“thankyou”withouteverlookingatme.HereliespartoftheproblemandasolutiontotheepidemicofviolencewomenexperienceeverydayinMarylandandAmerica.
Atanearlyage,boysarefittedwithemotionalstraight-jacketstailoredbyarestrictedcodeofbehaviorthatfalselydefinesmasculinity.
Inthecontextof“stopcrying,”“stopthoseemotions,”and“don’tbeasissy,”wedefinewhatitmeansto“BeaMan!”Adherencetothis“boycode”leavesmanymendissociatedfromtheirfeelingsandincapableofaccessing,naming,sharing,oracceptingmanyoftheiremotions.
Whenmendon’tunderstandtheirownemotionsitbecomesimpossibletounderstandthefeelingsofanother.Thiscreatesan“empathy-deficitdisorder”thatisfoundationaltoAmerica’sepidemicofbullying,datingabuseandgenderviolence.Boysaretaughttobetough,independent,distrustingofothermales,andatallcosttoavoidanythingconsideredfeminineforfearofbeingassociatedwithwomen.
Thisleadsmanymentorenouncetheircommonhumanitywithwomensoastoexperienceanemotionaldisconnectfromthem.Womenoftenbecomeobjects,usedtoeithervalidate
masculineinsecurityorsatisfyphysicalneeds.Whenthevalidationandsatisfactionends,orisinfusedwithanger,controloralcohol,genderviolenceisoftentheresult.Violenceagainstwomenisoftenthoughtofasawomen’sissue;butitisamistaketocallmen’sviolenceawomen’sissue.
Sincemenareoverwhelminglytheperpetratorsofthisviolence,thismen’sissuecallstoquestiontheculturalvaluesthatproducemenwhohurtwomen.
SinceYeardley’sfuneralwaspackedwithathletes,coaches,parentsofathletesandsportsfans,weneedtolookattherolesportscouldplayinpreventingfuturetragedies.
Educatingboysandmeninpreventionprogramsiscriticaltoreducingallformsofviolence.Coachescanandshouldteachtheirplayerstochallengetheattitudesandassumptionsthatdehumanizewomen.Playersneedtobetaughthowtoconfrontabusivepeersandhowstandupandspeakoutonbehalfoftheirmothers,sisters,daughters,grandmothers,auntsandfemalefriends.
TwoweeksafterYeardley’sdeathIwatchedtheUVAmaleandfemaleteamstakefieldunderthebannerofONETEAM-ONEHEART-ONELOVE.InthenameoftheworldIwantmysonsanddaughterstolivein;IcanonlyhopeYeardleyLove’smurdersparksONEMOVEMENTtoeradicategenderviolence.
Eachmanandeverycoachmuststartchallengingthesocialnormsthatdefinemanhoodandholdothermenandplayersaccountablefortheirbehaviortowardwomen.
OneTeam–OneHeart–OneLove=OneMovementByJoeEhrmann,President,CoachforAmerica
Joe Ehrmann, Avon’s featured speaker during the 2008–09 Parents Weekend celebration, recently attended the funeral of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia lacrosse player who was murdered at the hands of her former boyfriend in early May. His thoughts on the tragedy, posted on the Positive Coaching Alliance’s blog, made their way to Headmaster LaRocque, who in turn shared the post with the AOF community. The young men in the audience were moved by Joe’s words, and encouraged to look within themselves—and look out for each other—both on and off the playing field. This is an excerpt from the moving blog post.
TheAvonOldFarmsSchoolvarsitylacrosseteamcapturedthe2010FoundersLeagueChampionshipwitha12–7triumphoverLoomisChaffeeonMay19th.ThetitleisthefirstfortheWingedBeaverssince1999.
ThewinalsomarkedHeadCoachSkipFlanagan’s300thvictory.Flanagan,whorecentlycompletedhisfirstseasonsincereturningtotheschoolafterdepartingin1982,coachedtheWingedBeaverstoNo.8inthenationalUnderArmourhighschoolpowerlacrosserankingsthisyear;theyfinishedtheseasonranked12th,inadditiontoathirdplacefinishintheWesternNewEnglandconference.Thetwolossesontheir13–2recordweretoNo.7DeerfieldAcademyandNo.6SalisburySchool.
FlanagancoachedlacrosseatAvonfrom1972to1982andthenlefttoserveasHeadmasterattheWesternReserveAcad-emyinOhio.BeforeheleftAvon,hecoachedoneofthebest
teamsinschoolhistory:the1979squadthatwentundefeatedandwontheNewEnglandDivisionItitle.Flanaganfinishedwithfourtitlesduringhisoriginal10-yearcoachingstretch.
Ofthisyear’steam’s39-manroster,21youngmenwillgoontoplayincollege,includingConnorMooney’10andJoshDionne’10,bothnamedAll-AmericansbyAdidasandUnderArmour.
FlanaganandtheAvonOldFarmsNationalCouncilhostedthereturnofthealumnilacrossegameonMay22.AlongwithCoachFlanaganandSteveDyson’82,CouncilmembersBrianMaitland’80andMikeConroy’85werethedrivingforcebehindtherevivalofthegamethatsawcloseto30formerWingedBeaverlaxplayersbackoncampus.ThealumnigamethisyearwasdedicatedtoandplayedinmemoryofDougDerocher’87,whodiedofpancreaticcancerinMarch2010.
AOFLaxCapturesFoundersLeagueTitleCoach Flanagan Earns 300th Win
8 Summer2010 The Village Green
Aspirando et Perseverando!
77th
Commencement exercises 2010
9The Village GreenSummer2010
Aspirando et Perseverando!
WilliamF.AllredThe University of North CarolinaThomasN.ArnellUniversity of UtahAlexanderS.BallSt. Lawrence UniversityJacksonL.BartellHobart and William Smith CollegesConnorA.BrackettUniversity of HartfordRiggsT.BrackettUniversity of ConnecticutCaelS.BrockmeyerCalifornia State UniversityMatthewKennethBrownMiami University-OhioPaulJ.CadenheadHobart and William Smith CollegesJavierCarabiasCollege for International Studies (Spain)JorgeCarabiasCollege for International Studies (Spain)WooSooChoeNorthwestern UniversityJeeWoongChoiUniversity of IllinoisChuOnJulianChungBucknell UniversityBlakeS.ClintonBentley UniversityAndrewJ.CooperSaint Anselm CollegeMatthewR.Coz(ESU) Escuela Argentina Modelo
(Argentina); Trinity UniversityPatrickM.CreahanLafayette CollegeJingzheCuiUniversity of IllinoisAndrewN.CummingsAlternate YearBenjaminB.CusterMiddlebury CollegeMichaelJ.DebelloAlternate YearMaxwellC.DeversLafayette CollegeJoshuaA.DionneDuke UniversityMamadouD.DioufUniversity of ConnecticutFrancisJ.DoninoColumbia UniversityPatrickBrennanEmmerBryant UniversityIsaiahJ.FarrowUniversity of ConnecticutDónalM.FlahertySt. John’s UniversityJohanD.FrankenbergerSalve Regina UniversityCodyR.FullinwiderUniversity of MississippiGregoryW.GiamalisCollege of the Holy CrossAustinK.GoetjenDrew UniversityPatrickJ.GorhamHigh Point Universityco
llege
matriculatio
n
10 Summer2010 The Village Green
77th
Commencement exercises 2010
You’vereceivedaworldclass
educationhere.You’revery
fortunate.Nowthatyou’re
graduating,lotsofchallenges
lieahead,andyouhavea
foundationthatveryfewothers
have.Andbecauseofthat,you
havearesponsibilitytoproduce
greatthings.Notjustordinary
things,butgreatthings.Andyou
haveanobligationtobeleaders.
Nomatterhowgiftedyouare,no
matterhowsmartyouare,andno
matterhowwealthyyoubecome,
yourlifeisstillgoingtohave
tremendouschallengesand
tremendouscrises.WhatIurge
onyouistobeanoptimist.
Trainyourselftothinkaboutthe
problembutthen,immediately,
thinkaboutthesolution.
RUDOLPH GIULIANI
Former mayor of New York City
RyanR.GrantWheaton CollegePatrickD.HamptonJohns Hopkins UniversityTaftM.HavronUniversity of South CarolinaBrendanR.HelbergSacred Heart UniversityEvanM.HershyNortheastern UniversityJeffreyT.HodgkinsonLake Forest CollegeChadM.HollenshadeSalve Regina UniversityRylanA.HomscheidTulane UniversityJungHoonHongBabson CollegeYao-TeHuangSuffolk UniversityJordanA.IdeSouthern Virginia UniversityGeorgeD.Iverson(ESU) Dollar Academy
(Scotland); Colby CollegeWilliamW.KampfmanCollege of
the Holy CrossFosterT.KellyUniversity of Mary WashingtonTimothyP.KieneUniversity of MarylandDoYeonKimNew York UniversityTaeikKimNew York UniversityBrianE.KincadeUniversity of San DiegoTaeWanKwonBabson CollegeMatthewE.LaBargeNortheastern UniversityJosephN.LangRoanoke CollegeBenjaminB.LaRocque(ESU)Culford School
(England); Harvard UniversityHakeemA.LeckySyracuse UniversityMichaelA.LeeElizabethtown CollegeMarcelD.LevesqueElon UniversityAlexanderJ.LevyLoyola University/MarylandKevinLinBoston UniversityDavidN.LudwigUniversity of MiamiPatrickJ.MacGregorBoston UniversitySeanO.MartzMarietta CollegeSamR.MarvinSt. Lawrence UniversityNicholasT.MasottaAlternate Year
MatthewJ.McGuireState University of New York–Binghamton
JeyviMiavivululuUniversity of Rhode IslandAlexanderJ.MillerFairfield UniversityPatrickR.MillerNorthwestern UniversityConnorJ.MooneyUniversity
of MassachusettsDanielW.MorganUniversity of DenverJorgeMullerUniversity of San DiegoGrahamP.NelsonConnecticut CollegeJonasR.NissleyLoyola University/MarylandEdwinP.PalmStevens Institute of TechnologyDemetriosJ.Papadopoulos
Northeastern UniversityMichaelPereiraUniversity of MassachusettsIvarsPlaudis-LasmanisStockholm
School of EconomicsEugeneK.PriceBelmont UniversityKyleW.QuickAlternate YearJacobM.RedfearnAuburn UniversityMichaelC.ReedProvidence CollegeNathanJ.RileyVirginia Polytechnic InstituteLatifJ.RiversWagner CollegeWilliamD.RosichanUniversity of Puget SoundJonathanS.RubinfeldUniversity
of ConnecticutJohnE.RunkelLoyola University/MarylandMaxwellA.RuschRensselaer
Polytechnic InstituteDanielA.SanstromClemson UniversityDavidS.Silva(ESU) St. Edward’s Oxford
(England); Georgetown UniversityCurtisA.SjodinDickinson CollegeDavidV.SmithIIIHampden-Sydney CollegeHaydenC.SmithProvidence College
QuinnM.SmithBoston CollegeMichaelA.SolomonBentley UniversityGihoonSongCarnegie Mellon UniversityAnthonyN.SpringerUniversity of HartfordComieJ.StallmeyerUniversity of MiamiMaxwellB.StetsonOxford College (England)JonathanA.StoryUniversity of North CarolinaCharlesF.SumnerUniversity of San DiegoConnorP.SuppleVillanova UniversityMinkyoM.SurSyracuse UniversityPeterSweeneyWheaton CollegeBryanW.TatelmanState University of
New York–Stony BrookCraigP.TepperWake Forest UniversityHenryJ.TesarGettysburg CollegeKevinD.ThomasTufts UniversityKevinJ.TiefenwerthBoston CollegeAlexanderJ.TynellBabson CollegeJulioH.Velutini-Boulton
Northeastern UniversityJak-LaurentWawrzyniakLeeds
University (England)BenjaminT.WilliamsNew York UniversityPatrickC.WilsonUniversity of ConnecticutChristopherP.WinerUniversity of the SouthJackM.WinklerUniversity of RichmondNathanWitkowskiBentley UniversityMaxC.WoppererHobart and
William Smith CollegesLincolnC.YoungHobart and
William Smith CollegesAaronW.ZamojskiCentral Connecticut
State University
THEORDEROFOLDFARMSMatthewR.CozWooSooChoeBenjaminB.CusterPatrickD.HamptonBenjaminB.LaRocquePatrickR.MillerConnorJ.MooneyDavidS.SilvaAnthonyN.SpringerBenjaminT.Williams
CUMLAUDESOCIETYAndreasBiekertWooSooChoeJingzheCuiBenjaminB.CusterFrancisJ.DoninoPatrickD.HamptonGeorgeD.IversonMatthewE.LaBargeBenjaminB.LaRocqueMatthewJ.McGuireGihoonSongChristopherP.Winer
THEFOUNDER’SMEDALCaelS.Brockmeyer
Community Service, Town Government WooSooChoe
Academic ExcellenceJingzheCui
Academic ExcellenceFrancisJ.Donino
Academic ExcellenceGregoryW.Giamalis
Community ServiceGeorgeD.Iverson
Academic ExcellenceTimothyP.Kiene
Community Service, Town GovernmentBrianE.Kincade
Community Service, Town GovernmentMatthewE.LaBarge
Academic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government
KevinLinCommunity Service, Town Government
MatthewJ.McGuireAcademic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government
GrahamP.NelsonCommunity Service
JonasR.NissleyCommunity Service
NathanJ.RileyCommunity Service, Town Government
JohnE.RunkelCommunity Service, Town Government
DanielA.SanstromCommunity Service, Town Government
HaydenC.SmithAcademic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government
GihoonSongAcademic Excellence, Community Service
ConnorP.SuppleCommunity Service
ChristopherP.WinerAcademic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government
JackM.WinklerCommunity Service, Town Government
LincolnC.YoungCommunity Service
THEF.REEDESTABROOK,JR.’36AWARDMatthewR.Coz,BenjaminB.LaRocque
THELOUISEB.ADAMSAWARDConnorP.Doyle
THEPETERA.ARON’65AWARDFORCOMMUNITYSERVICEKevinLin
THEGEORGEA.MURRAYCUP
Top Senior Athlete JoshuaA.Dionne,ConnorJ.Mooney
THEJENNINGSCUP
Top Junior AthleteConnorP.Doyle,JohnO.Galloway
SCHOLAROFDISTINCTIONBenjaminB.LaRocque
12 Summer2010 The Village Green
hono
rs,awards
an
d prizes
art
77th
Commencement exercises 2010
show
13The Village GreenSummer2010
ThetotalAvonexperienceisone
thatforcesyoutogrow.Itexposes
youtoremarkableteachersand
classmates,itmakesyouchallenge
yourassumptions,itencourages
youtolivebyasetofvalues.
Anditinspiresyoutobeagood
man.Ourchallengeinthefuture
istohavethecouragetoliveby
thevalueswehaveembraced
here;tonevergiveintothechaos
orthedarkness,andtomakea
differenceinourworld.
TheClassof2010moveson
tomorrow…butwehavemade
ourmarkonthisschool.
Tomorrowwewillleavethis
campusasalumniofAvonand
asbrothers,foreverunitedbyour
experienceshereattheFarm.
BENJAMIN LaROCQUE ’10
Scholar of Distinction
GRADEPRIZESFORACADEMICEXCELLENCE
9th Grade SamuelH.Sims
10th GradeWei-AnChen
11th GradeAndreasBiekert
12th Grade BenjaminB.LaRocque
AWARDFOREARNESTANDPERSISTENTEFFORTINTHEACADEMICAREA
9th Grade DuncanM.Cooke
10th GradeMylesC.Riley
11th GradeTerryGilmoreJr.
12th Grade ChadM.Hollenshade
AWARDFOROUTSTANDINGIMPROVEMENTINTHEACADEMICAREALincolnC.Young
CORNELLBOOKAWARD DominickO.Andre
MIDDLEBURYBOOKAWARDJingweiFan
DARTMOUTHBOOKAWARDGerardD.Hampton
TRINITYBOOKAWARDJosephC.Cusano
HAMILTONBOOKAWARDMatthewJ.Detora
UNIVERSITYOFPENNSYLVANIABOOKAWARDPhonkritSaejia
HARVARDBOOKAWARDAndreasBiekert
YALEBOOKAWARDMarkA.Naclerio
THEKENNETHA.FANNINGFACULTYAWARDBrianE.Cugell
THECASHIONFACULTYAWARDGayleN.Robinson
THESTUDENTCOUNCILSPIRITAWARDJohnE.Runkel
THESTUDENTCOUNCILAWARDBrianP.Doyle
Alumni Weekend was held
May 14–16 this year, with a
great turnout. The weekend was
highlighted by several gatherings, both on and off campus, including an
alumni golf outing, a Headmaster’s Dinner for alumni of the classes
from 1935 to 1960, and the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus
Award to both David Bigelow ’44 and Francis Madeira ’34. Fishing
at Beaver Pond early Saturday morning was followed by the perennial
favorite pancake breakfast at the Nimrod Cabin. The lively alumni parade,
student athletic contests, instrumental concert, and Reunion banquet
dinner in Riddle Refectory rounded out the weekend.
reunion2010
Alumni
14 Summer2010 The Village Green
reunion 2011| May 20–22A L L A R E W E L C O M E !
MILESTONECLASSES:1961 (50th), 1966,1971,1976,CLUSTER (1980-1981-1982), 1986 (25th),1991,1996,2001,and2006.
AvonOldFarmsSchoolhasapprovedtheNationalCouncil’srecommendationtoestablishCLUSTERREUNIONSalongandthefollowingFOURPRINCIPALSrelatingtofuturealumnireunions:
• All alumni and their families are cordially welcome to attend any and all alumni reunion weekends
• Allalumnifromthelast50yearsormore,all5-yearmilestoneclasses,andallclusterclasseswillreceiveinvitationsfortheirReunions.Allotherclasseswillbenotifiedbye-mail,AvonOldFarmsSchoolE-news,andThe Avonian
• Wewillpayparticularattentiontothe25th(Silver)and50th(Gold)reunionclassesasimportantmilestonereunionsandopportunitiestoadvancethemissionofAvonOldFarmsSchool
• Formoreinformation,pleasevisittheAvonOldFarmsSchoolwebsiteatwww.avonoldfarms.comorcontactDirectorofPlannedGivingHenryCoons’71atcoonsh@avonoldfarms.comor(860)404-4226
15The Village GreenSummer2010
CLUSTERS FOR REUNIONS 2011–2021
2011 (1980–1981–1982)2012 (1966–1967–1968)(1991–1992–1993)2013 (1977–1978–1979)(1997–1998–1999)2014 (1983–1984–1985)2015 (1969–1970–1971)(1994–1995–1996)2016 (1980–1981–1982)(2000–2001–2002)2017 (1986–1987–1988)2018 (1972–1973–1974)(1997–1998–1999)2019 (1983–1984–1985)(2003–2004–2005)2020 (1989–1990–1991)2021 (1975–1976–1977)(2000–2001–2002)
16 Summer2010 The Village Green
Alumni
’75
’60s
’60
’70 and ’71’50s
’80
17The Village GreenSummer2010
reunion2010
PAGE 16
Alumni from the ’50s: Carl Candels ’51, Rolf Olson ’59, Jonathan Dugan ’55, Matt Betley ’59, Don Rosenfeld ’55, and Don Monaco ’55.
From the Class of 1960, back for their 50th Reunion: John Aird, Sandy Alves, Brad Lewis, Dick Williams, Jamie Wardrop, Peter Van Winkle, Mike Miller, Tom “Flash” Gordon, Frank Costello, and Bob Bogino.
Back from the ’60s: Knick Curtis ’63, Alan Rozinsky ’62, Perry Benson ’65, George Arthur ’65, Keating Pepper ’65, Randy Eddy ’65, and Matt Gates ’65.
Returning to campus for Reunion from the Class of ’70 and ’71 were: Tim Beeble ’71, Patrick Outwin ’70, John Burr ’70, Harris Bucklin ’70, Rick Sperandeo ’70, Mike Holden ’70, and Henry Coons ’71.
The Class of 1975: Richard Thompson, Randy Becker, David Jack, Lew Smith, Tim Trautman, Mike Cercone, Jason Beeble, and Tom Byrne.
The Class of 1980 celebrated their 30th Reunion. Front row: Loring Hinds, Peter LaReau, Tom Davey, Jeff Golfman, Brian Maitland, and Mark Doherty. Back row: Jim Carpenter, Ken Blanchard, John Harker, Phil Pratt, Henry White, and Peter Hamilton.
PAGE 17
Returning to campus for their 25th Reunion were many members of the Class of 1985. Front row: Steve Anderson, Trace Alford, John Costello, Paul Duwan, Mike Conroy, Stuart Baker, David Hartley, and John Farnham. Back row: Drew Graham, John Kettlewell, Ray Loewy, Sam Rubenstein, Rusty Preston, Greg Ivanov, Tim Orr, Bill Young, Jed Usich, and Doug Grosset.
The Class of 2000 returned for their 10th Reunion: Mike Sorvillo, Steve Malinowski, Matt Biscaldi, Josh Zimmering, Mick Mounsey, Nick Malinosky, Nate Cardoza, Tom Villecco, Ryan Breakey, Strat Dennis, and Mike O’Neill.
The Class of 2005. Front row: Tom Carroll, John Benoit, Rob Tesar, Brian Warner, Joey Sides, Taylor Wuennemann, Patrick Irwin, Dan Righi, Eric McGrath, David Rothschild, and Coursen Schneider. Back row: Jackson Howard, JP Clifford, Rob Rosenhaus, Chris Davis, Jarrad Seiden, Adam Beeble, Adrew “Mook” Lawrence, Sam Orr, Dane Lemeris, Eric Quinlan, and Bryan Sweeney.
’85
’00
’05
18 Summer2010 The Village Green18 Summer2010 The Village Green
ThemissionoftheDistinguished
AlumnusProgramistorecognizea
deservingalumnuswhohasachieved
distinctioninhisprofessionalcareer,
humanitarianendeavors,orother
areasofhislife.Thisawardhonorsan
individualwhohasembracedthecore
valuesemphasizedatAvonOldFarms.
Bycelebratingtheaccomplishments
oftherecipient,AvonOldFarms
nourishesthestrongsenseofpride
withinourschoolcommunityand
acknowledgestheinherentvaluein
recognizingexcellenceamongour
alumni.
Theinauguralrecipientofthe
DistinguishedAlumnusAwardwas
PeteSeeger’36,whowashonoredin
2008forhiscontributionstomusic
asanaccomplishedsingerand
songwriter,andasapoliticalactivist
andenvironmentalist.
Thisyear,fourAvonianswerehon-
oredwiththeDistinguishedAlumnus
Awardduringceremoniesheldduring
AlumniWeekendandCommence-
ment.DavidC.Bigelow’44,FrancisK.
Madeira’34,Dr.LaurenceB.Gardner
’59,andGilmanW.Ordway’44have
eachmadeasubstantiveimpactupon
theirprofessionsorcommunities,
andAvonisproudtorecognizetheir
outstandingandvariedachievements.
FrancisMadeira’34FrancisMadeirawasbornin1917andgraduatedfromAOFin1934.Thedrivingpassioninhislifefor93yearshasbeenmusic,thushisnickname—theMaestro.TheMaestroshowedquiteatalentformusicatayoungageandbeganpursuingformalpianolessonsstartingatage6.
HespentthreeyearsatAvonOldFarmsintheearly1930sandstated“Avonwasmyrescuer.Itwasaplacewheredifferenceswerenotonlytolerated,butencouraged.”
HeremembersspendingmanyhourspracticingontheSteinwayintheRefectory,andactinginschoolplaysinwhichstu-dents,facultyandfacultywivesparticipated.TheseplaysweredirectedbyhisEnglishteacherandmentor,HaroldLewisCook.
Followinggraduation,theMaestromatriculatedtoJuilliard,wherehewonathree-yearfellowshiptostudypianounderOlgaStokowski.Hecontinuedhiseduca-tionatJuilliardforanotherthreeyearsinthegraduateprograminOrchestralConducting,workingunderAlbertStoessel.
In1943,uponfinishinghisfinalfellowshipatJulliard,theMaestrojoinedthemusicfacultyatBrownUniversity.Inadditiontoteaching,hewasworkingandplanningtoformaphilharmonicorchestra.Despitetremendousobstacles,FrancisrealizedhisdreamofcreatingtheRhodeIslandPhilharmonicOrchestra;itsinauguralperformancewasinNovemberof1945.
Forthenext33years,FrancisMadeiraconductedthisorchestraandguideditsevolution.
HeisproudtohavepresentedtothepeopleofRhodeIslandmuchoftheworld’sgreatmusic,includingseveraloperas,excerptsfromWagner’s“Ring”cycleandfiveMahlersymphonies.
Bythetimeheretiredasconductoroftheorchestrain1978,hehadexpanded
The2010Distinguished
AlumnusAward
Alumni
DavidBigelow’44DavidBigelowspentfouryearsatAvonOldFarms—hewasascholarshipstudentandwasaleaderoncampus.HeservedforfourtermsonStudentCouncilandwastheWardenoftheSchoolasaseniorin1944.Hewasanathleteandcompetedinfootball,hockey,andbaseball.DavidwasactiveinNimrodClub,wasanhonorsstudent,andwasawardedtheOrderofOldFarms,Avon’shighestaward.HisyearbookstatedthatDavidhadgreat“energyandcapacityfordoingthingswell.”Followinggraduation,DavidmatriculatedtoYaleUniversity,wherehisstudieswereinterruptedbyWorldWarII,andmilitaryservice.
Whileintheservice,DavidstudiedJapa-neseattheUniversityofPennsylvania.Attheendofthewar,DavidreturnedtoYaleandfinishedhisdegreebeforeenteringthefamilybusiness:theBigelowTeaCompany,whichhasrisenunderDavid’sleadership.
TheBigelowTeaCompanybeganliterallyasahome-growninitiative:David’sparentsfirstproducedConstantComment
theprogrammingoftheorchestratoincludechildren’sconcerts,highschoolconcerts,andpopconcerts.Duringhis33-yearreignastheconductoroftheRIPhilharmonic,FranciswasaguestconductorofthePhiladelphiaSymphonyOrchestra,theSalzburgMozarteum,andoftheViennaSymphonyOrchestra.
19The Village GreenSummer2010
GilmanOrdway’44GilmanOrdwaygraduatedfromAvonOldFarmsin1944havingspentfiveyearsattheSchool.HewasthoroughlyinvolvedinthelifeoftheSchool,andparticipatedintheNimrodClub,theyearbook,theschoolnewspaper,thedebateclub,thecourtsystem,andinsoccerandtennis.
UpongraduatingfromAvonOldFarms,
Dr.LaurenceGardner’59Laurence“Lanny”GardnerspentfouryearsatAvonOldFarms,graduatingin1959.Hewasastrongleaderinhisclassaseditorofhisyear-book,thechiefjudgewithintheschoolcourtsystem,amemberoftheCumLaudeSociety,andwinneroftheOrderofOldFarms.
Upongraduation,Lannyfirstmatricu-latedtotheMassachusettsInstituteofTechnology,fromwhichhereceivedhisundergraduatedegree,andthentotheHarvardUniversityMedicalSchool,fromwhichhegraduatedMagnaCumLaude.
Afterspendingatwo-yearresidencyattheMassachusettsGeneralHospital,LannyservedforthreeyearsasthechiefmedicalresidentattheUniversityofPennsylvaniaHospital.HethenspenttwoyearsasamajorintheUnitedStatesArmyMedicalCorpsinTacoma,Washington,asthechiefofNephrologyService.
In1974,Dr.GardnerjoinedthefacultyoftheUniversityofMiami’sMillerSchoolofMedicine.Forthepast36years,hehasbeenaforcewithintheMiamimedicalcommunityandthroughoutourcountry.
HehasservedinnumerouscapacitiesattheUniversityofMiami,includingchairmanoftheDepartmentofMedicine,andthedirectorofClinicalServices.HecurrentlyservesasexecutivedeanforEducationandPolicyinwhichheleads14specialmedicaldivisions,some250faculty,150residents,and100teachingfellows.
Throughouthiscareer,Dr.Gardnerhasfocusedhisattentionontheimportanceofthegeneralinternist,andhaswrittennumerousarticlesandbooksonthissubjectandonthedevelopmentofhealthpolicyfortheUnitedStates.
Despitehisnumerousadministrativeduties,Dr.Gardnerhasalwaysinsistedoncontinuinghisclassroomteachinganddoessotothisday.
GilmanmatriculatedtoYaleUniversity,wherehemajoredinhistory.FollowinghisgraduationfromYaleandabriefcareerasateacherattheMontclairCountryDaySchool,GilmanattendedtheUniversityofColoradoLawSchool.
HistraveltotheWestbeganalifelongloveaffairwiththatpartofthecountryandignitedinhimacommitmenttoprotectingournaturalresourcesandopenspaces.
GilmanhasbeenastrongsupporterofsuchorganizationsastheWorldWildlifeFund,theWoodsHoleResearchCenter,theNatureConservancy,theGrandTetonNationalParkFoundation,DefendersofWildlifeActionFund,theSierraClub,andYale’sSchoolofForestry&EnvironmentalStudies,whereheservesontheleadershipcouncil.
Overhislife,GilmanhasalsoembracedAvonOldFarms,andhasprovidedenthu-siasticsupportforourcampusandprogramdevelopment.
Forexample,theOrdwaysbolsteredourstrategicbuildingplanseveralyearsagobyprovidingtheleadgiftforourscienceandtechnologycenter,andtheyhaveprovidedendowmentsinsupportofourenvironmentalscienceandmusicprograms.
Anardentcollectorofletters,GilhasdonatedtoAvonletterswrittenbyfamousscientistsandUnitedStatespresidents,whicharedisplayedintheOrdwayScienceandTechnologyCenterandinthehallwayoftheJamersonBuilding.
Gilmanandhiswife,Marge,livejustoutsideofJacksonHole,Wyoming,andhavelongbeenforward-thinkingadvocatesforenvironmentalcauses.ForhisworkonbehalfofAvon,GilmanhaspreviouslyreceivedtheAlumniOrderofOldFarmsandtheAdamsMedal.HeistheproudgrandfatherofthreeAvonians:GilmanCallsen’04,TylerCallsenandSeanMartz’10.Gilman’sdaughterKittyOrdwayiscur-rentlyservingonAvon’sBoardofDirectors.
teainthelivingroomoftheirNewYorkCityhome.BigelowTeahassincegrownintothesecondlargestteacompanyinthecountry,onlyslightlysmallerthanLiptontea,anditexportsteainternationallytomanycountries.
TheBigelowTeaCompanyisacasestudyineffectiveentrepreneurshipandfamily-runbusinesses,andhasbeenwidelyrecognizedinthebusinesscommunityasamodelofexcellence.AmongtheawardsbestoweduponthecompanyistheErnst&YoungRegionalEntrepreneuroftheYearAward“forover50yearsofprofessionalismandcommunityservice,”andtheUniversityofConnecticut’sawardfor“FamilyBusinessoftheYear”inthelargebusinesscategory.TheBigelowTeaCompanywasalsorecognizedasoneoftheoutstandingcompaniesintheMassMutualNationalFamilyBusinessoftheYear,again,inthecategoryoflargebusiness.Thisawardhonorsafamily-ownedbusinessfor“success;multi-generationalfamilyinvolvement,innovationandcontributiontocommunity.”
20 Summer2010 The Village Green
Last Word
The
Ihavethedistinctprivilegeofhavingthelastchapeltalkoftheyear.WhenaskedifIwantedtobethespeaker,Ijumpedattheopportunity.WOW!IgettosummarizetheyearandgivethelasthoorahformyfellowpeersandmyselffromtheClassof’10.ButthemoreIthoughtaboutit,themoreIquestionedwhetherIwaswell-suitedforthetaskathand.Whatgivesmetheauthoritytoaddressthestudentbody?OnwhatbasiscouldIpossiblystandhereandpreachtoallofyou?WhatmightIconceivablyhavetoaddtotheAvoncommunity?WellIhadtothink…andthink.AndIrealizedthatthebestIcouldcontributewouldbeasummationofsomeofthevaluesIhadacquiredfromthisschool.
Opportunity.AsafreshmanIwaspassionateaboutcomputers.IquicklylearnedthatMr.Deckerswasheadofthestudentcomputerdepartmentandwasparticularlybusyatthebeginningoftheyearmakingsuretheschoolwouldn’tberampantwith400newviruses.Realizinganopportunitytonotbealunchwaiter,IbegantalkingtoMr.Deckers.WithinacoupledaysIhadlandedthecoveted
jobofprinterboy.Iwasresponsibleforstockingeachdormwithprinterpaper,and,onthoseveryraredays,replacingtheinkcartridges.Asfarasfreshmanjobsgo,thisisprobablyasgoodasitgets.Opportunityishere.It’severywhere.Ifyousearchforitlongenough,youcanfindanopportunitytodoanythinginthisworld.ThegreatthingaboutAvonisthatyoudon’thavetosearchveryfar.Tryoutforasportyou’veneverdonebefore;writeanarticleforthenews-paper;volunteeratthesoupkitchen.Andafter(orbefore)you’vedoneallofthese,trysomethingoutsideyourowndefinitionofnormal.Jointheanimeclub;offertowalkMr.Playe’sdog;helpthemaintenancecrewplanttulipsalongthewalkwaybytheRefectory.Youronlylimitationisyourimagination.Andifyouareunwillingtoexplorethebound-ariesofwhatyoumightconsiderfunorinteresting,thenyouaregoingtomissoutontremendousopportunitynotonlyhere,butinlife.
Appreciation.Findaquietplaceawayfromthedormandtakeaseat.Thiscanbeonthebenchesoverlook-ingAvonMountain,inthemiddleoftheOakGrove,ordownbyBeaverPond;anyplacewhereyoucantakeabreathawayfromtheconfinesofyourobligations.Thinkaboutallthethingsinthislifethatmattertoyou.Trytoreflectonallinlifeyouareblessedwiththatyoumightnotusuallyconsiderorthinkabout,likerunningwaterortheassuranceoftomorrow’smeal.Weareluckytobeabletopursueatop-notcheducationatthisschool.Everyonceinawhile,stepbackandappreciatewhatyouhave;whatallofusherehave.Appreciatewhatotherpeopledofor,andaround,youeachandeveryday.Maybeit’sateacherwhohasmentored
youinyouryears,orthemaintenancestaffmemberwhoalwaysvacuumedyourroomandneveraskedforathank-you.Maybeit’sapersonyouhavenevermetthat’sfightingforsomeoneelse’sfreedominafar-offland,ortheunder-paid,overworkedemployeerightacrossthecounterservingyouyourfries.AppreciatethisschoolandhowamazingitistoactuallybeanAvonian.
Camaraderie.Thisisaschoolforboys.Manyofusinitiallycomplainaboutthisbefore,orduring,ourfirstfewweeksinthedorm.Butaswegrow,andaswelearn,webegintoappreciatewhatthismalecompanionshipdoesforus.Wecanengageeachotherinanhonestwaythatdoesnothinderourhonestyormasculinity.Findagroupoffriendsthatmakesyouquestionhowyoulivedbeforeyoumetthem.Ifoundmygroup.Perhapsyou’veheardofus.You’vedefinitelyseenus.TheChickenClubrepresentseverythingthatAvonmeanstome.WhereelsebutAvonmightabrotherhoodbeformedonenightafterstudyhallfollowingadancepartyoverachickenclubsandwich?
Thisschoolisprecious.Cherishit,takecareofit,andtakecareofeachother.Whenallissaidanddone,ourbrothersareallwehave.Ifyoucansitandappreciateallthisworldhastooffer,youwillbethatmuchbetterforit.Ifyoucantakeadvantageofwhatyou’repassion-ateabout,ormaybeeventrysomethingnew,Iassureyouthatyouwon’tregretit,becauseevenifit’ssomethingyouenduphating,youwillbeallthewiserandmoreexperiencedforit.Andneverbeafraidtoputyourselfoutthere,makingyourcontributionsaccessibletoanyonewhowantsthem.Whoknows,attheendofthedayyoumightjusthaveachickenclubofyourown.
TheLastChapelTalkIsaiahFarrow’10
To the Underclassmen…
STUDENTARTWORKFROMTHE2010 COMMENCEMENTARTSHOW
Avon Old Farms School500OldFarmsRoadAvon,Connecticut06001www.avonoldfarms.com
Change Service Requested
Non-ProfitOrg.U.S.Postage
PAIDAlbany,NYPermitNo.97
AOFLax:2010FoundersLeagueChampions!
SW-COC-002935SW-COC-002935
COVER PHOTO: Commencement 2010. Photo by Sencer Sloan.
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