Homecoming 2013 Young Alumni Profiles 2013 Red & White Reunion Teacher of the Year
Winter 2014
Volume 23 Number 2
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Table of Contents Page 4
A Message from David Klein, Head of School
The Alma Matters is published up to two times per year for alumni, parents and friends.
Page 5
A Message from the Alumni Association
Pages 6 - 7
Homecoming 2013
NFA Alumni Association 321 Broadway • Norwich CT 06360 Tel: (860) 425-5542 • Fax: (860) 889-4363
Pages 8 - 10
Teacher of the Year – Jessica Vocatura St. George ‘90
Page 11
The Slater Museum Winter 2014 Schedule Dee Church’s Best Burger Recipe
Pages 12 - 13
Young Alumni Profiles – Gabrielle (Gabby) Dawley ‘13 Tom Teixeira ‘09
Pages 14 - 15
Student Profile – Jeffrey Hynds
Pages 16 - 17
Reunion News
Pages 18 - 19
2013 Jubilee Reunion
Pages 20 - 21
2013 Red & White Reunion
Pages 22 - 23
Faculty & Staff News
Pages 24 - 25
Debbie Lee
Pages 26 - 27
Alumni Award Nominations
Pages 28 - 29
0-Year Reunion & Yearbook Distribution
Pages 30 - 32
Campus News
Page 33
Alumni Association Recognizes Reunion Volunteers
Pages 34 - 42
Class Notes
Page 40
In Memorium
Page 41
Deceased
Pages 42 - 43
Email Alert NFA Fund Stick With Us
Back Cover
Wildcat Connection
Visit our website at www.nfaschool.org
Editor: Linda Clang Ververis ’78 Copy Editor: Kathy McCarthy Contributing Writer: Geoff Serra Photographers: John Hassett Photography, Nicholas Bolt ’96, Laura Howe, NFA and NFA Foundation Staff, Contributed Design: Lavender Design Printer: AM Lithography Corporation Alumni Association Board of Directors Gale Eccleston Ennis ’78, President Leslie Lane Christie ’82, Vice President Anna Stankewich Alfiero ’58 Peter Ballaro ’66 Marie Landry Bontempo ’55 Ann Dugas Carignan ’55 Timothy Cummings ’66 Nancy Delorge Farnsworth ’69 Concetta Colonna Franchetti ’78 Ethel Moshier Handley ’60 Eileen Kavanaugh Kalla ’81 Mary Barnett Messerschmidt ’63 Thomas Neilan ’85 Eugene Sullivan ’43 Elizabeth Armen Troeger ’67 Cynthia LaBrie White ’82 The Norwich Free Academy does not discriminate in its educational programs, services or employment on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, color, handicapping condition, age, marital status or sexual orientation. This is in accordance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and other civil rights or discrimination issues; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973as amended and the American with Disabilities Act of 1991.
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A message from the Head of school 4
January 2014
Dear NFA Alums: Greetings and belated New Year wishes from the Allis House. On behalf of our Trustees, faculty, staff and students, I wish you and yours good health, abundant happiness and peace of mind in 2014. We have enjoyed a great first semester on campus, and, as I correspond with you, students are diligently preparing for their midterm exams. I am delighted to inform you that a very distinguished NFA graduate recently returned home to campus. On Wednesday, January 8, Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant of the United States Coast Guard and NFA Alum (Class of ’70), addressed our Grade 11 students – the Class of 2015 – about his time as an NFA student and the factors and special people that contributed to his impressive educational and professional success. He also engaged the students in a very candid and endearing question and answer session. What a proud day on campus for all of us – young, and not so young. Just before the holiday break, NFA said farewell to a trusted and loyal employee and good Academy friend. Deborah Lee left her position as the Director of Development after fifteen years of dedicated and successful service to accept a new development position with The Hyde Art Museum in Glen Falls, NY. This new position afforded Debbie the opportunity to return home to Upstate New York to be in much closer proximity to her mother and immediate family. Debbie left the Academy with a heavy heart and many fond memories of her work, precious friendships and noteworthy accomplishments on behalf of Norwich Free Academy. She will be sorely missed, and I know that you join me in wishing her continued professional success and happiness. Thank you for your continued support of and unwavering commitment to Norwich Free Academy. As you well know, this is a very special school with an exceptionally loyal and enthusiastic family of alums. Go Wildcats! Respectfully,
David J. Klein Head of School
A message from the Alumni Association
Nine years ago, I attended Homecoming festivities here on the NFA campus. What I noticed about the volunteers under the large, red and white tent that day was that they were having a lot of fun. One of the people under the tent was my high school friend and former classmate, Linda Clang Ververis’78, Director of Alumni Relations. I asked her, “What do I have to do to be part of this group?” That was my first introduction to something I didn’t know existed – the NFA Alumni Association. The Alumni Association board volunteers (representatives from the Class of 1943 through the Class of 1985) work hard to represent their fellow alumni. Our mission is to promote and preserve those traditions and programs that are vital to the Norwich Free Academy and its Alumni. To do that, we provide a variety of benefits and services that create and maintain a connection with alumni; we provide opportunities for active and meaningful engagement with current students and alumni; we afford opportunities for alumni to return to the Academy campus; and, we aim to develop new Academy traditions and celebrate those that honor our Wildcat legacy. There are over 41,000 alumni who have graduated from the Academy; nearly 20,000 of you are here in Connecticut and over 10,000 of you are local here in Eastern Connecticut. Keeping in contact with you, and keeping you CONNECTED to the NFA community is our number one goal! One way we keep you all connected is through Homecoming. What a spectacular October weekend it was, weather and all! This year’s tailgating event was attended by over 35 various alumni groups who converged on the library parking lot as early as 10 a.m. to set up their coveted spot. The Alumni Association sponsored the “Best Burger” contest for adults and “Color the Wildcat” coloring page for the kids. After judging the burger contest, my burgers will ALWAYS include some sort of cheese in the middle! Congratulations to Dee Church, Class of 1988 for winning with her absolutely luscious burger. (See recipe on page 11.) Another great way for you to keep connected with classmates is to attend your class reunion. The classes of 2003, 1993, 1988, 1978, 1973, 1968, 1963, 1958, 1953 all held reunion events this year. During the Alumni Associations Annual Meeting held in November, class representatives gave reports, some being very humorous, on the “goings on” at their reunion events. The Annual Meeting also gave the Class of 1963 the opportunity to present the NFA Foundation with a check for $12,284.26 raised in honor of their 50th Class Reunion. During the meeting, Alumni Board members Mary Messerschmidt, Ethel Handley, Eileen Kalla, and Concetta Franchetti were re-elected to 3-year terms and we welcomed Elizabeth (Beth) Armen Troeger from the class of 1967 to the board. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to listen to the Class of 2014 President Steven Craney share with us his gratitude for all that the Academy has afforded him and his future aspirations. During the Thanksgiving holiday we, once again, welcomed back the most recent class to graduate from the Academy to the annual 0-year reunion and yearbook distribution event. It was great to see the members of the Class of 2013 and we hope that they will come back to campus often and continue to keep in touch with us! As I enter my final year as the NFA Alumni Association president, I would encourage you to stay connected to your alma mater. Why? Because you can’t beat that feeling of comradeship whenever you run into a fellow classmate or NFA alum. Even if we didn’t graduate together we are all part of the Wildcat Community. Go Cats!
Gale Eccleston Ennis ’78 President, Alumni Association Board of Directors 5
The annual tradition of tailgating prior to the Homecoming football game was in full swing on October 19, 2013, as dozens of cars filled the Latham Parking lot on a glorious fall day. Classes from every decade from the 1950s through 2000s were well represented and the Class of ’78 even included tailgating as part of their 35th reunion activities. This year capturing the treasured Tailgating Champion Flag took on a different twist. Every year the Alumni Association devises a new idea that will challenge our alums to bring their game to our playing field. This year, a Best Burger Cook-off was the challenge set before them and every decade in attendance submitted a burger to be judged on taste, texture and presentation. Although several different variations of burgers were submitted for the judges’ critique, it was determined that Deidre Church from the Class of 1988 had the best 2013 Homecoming burger and brought home the beloved flag! The day ended all too soon, but a day spent with classmates and friends is another great NFA memory being created!
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Homecoming 2013
Being selected by your peers for such recognition is not a small feat. The Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence. It does not attempt to select the “best” teacher, rather, to identify one teacher to serve as a visible and vocal representative of what is best in the
A member of an NFA family legacy was selected as the 2014 NFA Teacher of the Year. Jessica Vocatura St. George ’90 was born and raised in Norwich. She is the daughter of Cheryl Connor Vocatura, a Class of ‘69 alumna, granddaughter of Goldie Orenstein-Connor and John Connor, who both left NFA in the 1940’s prior to graduation to support the war efforts during World War II, sister to Joshua ’95, and niece to many aunts and uncles, all who have walked the hallowed halls of the Academy.
Teacher of After graduating from NFA, Jess attended UConn where she earned a BA in Psychology in 1994. She continued with her formal education and went on to earn a MS in School Counseling from Central Connecticut State University in 1996 and her Intermediate Administrator (092) Certification in 2013 from Sacred Heart University. She is currently enrolled in the 6th year administrative degree program at Sacred Heart University and expects to earn her 6th year degree in 2014.
profession.
She began working at NFA as a School Counselor in 1996 and recently had the opportunity to take a position as the School Counselor at the Sachem Campus, assisting our students in the alternative/ transitional program. “I really like working with that population of students,” Jess said. “They have various needs and support to get them where they want to go. They’re so energetic. They have goals and they want to be there.”
The program celebrates excellence in teaching and those who have distinguished
When not at NFA she has worked for her family business, Vocatura’s Bakery – something she has done through both high school and college. Her brother, Joshua opened Voc’s Westside Pizza in 1999 and she began working for him as well, which she still does occasionally on weekends.
themselves in their profession.
Jessica’s grandmother, Goldie Orenstein-Connor
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the Year
Jessica Vocatura St. George ‘90 Jess married Thomas St. George, Jr. in 2000 and they have two boys -- Daniel age 7 and Elliott age 5. She comes from a legacy of TOY’s! Her mother, Cheryl, was named TOY for Norwich Public Schools in 2004 and her husband, Thomas, was named TOY for Norwich Public schools in 2012.
My brother Josh Vocatura graduated from NFA in 1995 and as many of you know is a successful business owner in our community. I am hopeful that my two boys Daniel, future class of 2024, and Elliott, future class of 2027 will be just as proud as I am to be NFA grads.
Lorraine Roberts Dooley ’88, NFA Teacher of the Year selection committee facilitator said Jessica had impressive qualifications and is an incredible leader and well respected by her peers. “She has taken on a leadership role, at the Sachem campus, and has helped the program become extremely successful. We chose her because of her accomplishments, but also because of the sincere love of NFA.”
I have to mention my father, Lorenzo Vocatura, a local baker and business man and my husband Thomas St. George, teacher and TOY for Norwich Public Schools last year. While we forgive them for not being NFA grads, they are both amazing role models and supports for me and have always encouraged me in my endeavors.
Excerpts from Jessica Vocatura St. George’s 2014 Teacher of the Year Acceptance Speech I am proud and honored to be chosen as the Norwich Free Academy Teacher of the Year. I am the third generation on my mother’s side to attend NFA, my grandmother, Goldie Orenstein-Connor had to leave NFA 1940 to work as one of the first lady riveters at the Victory Ship yard at the sub base. My grandfather, John Connor attended NFA and was a member of the NFA freshman football team before he had to leave to learn a trade and join the Army during WWII. My mother, a former Norwich Public Schools Teacher, administrator and Teacher of the Year, Cheryl Connor-Vocatura graduated from NFA in 1969.
Much like my family, I can’t tell you how overjoyed I am to be associated with our amazing Academy, to be a part of the generations of local families and students who have attended, and to work with teachers who inspire and guide students. All of you, as well as our partnerships with the Norwich community, have helped to create the legacy of the Norwich Free Academy. NFA has grown exponentially and done so much for the city of Norwich and our surrounding towns. More importantly, NFA has provided hope to the children of these communities. Above: Jessica St. George with Stefan Pryor, Commissioner of Education for the State of Connecticut (l) and NFA Head of School, David Klein.
continued on next page
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continued from page 9 Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Those planted seeds are why we have grown, personally as educators, as a community of learners, and as a school. It is by providing hope to all of our students regardless of race, gender, circumstance or disability that we have seen so much growth and the reason why so many former alumni choose to come back to work at NFA or to support NFA so generously in many ways. At the end of the day when we go home and are thinking of our students, remember that they go home and are thinking about us and what we might have modeled for them or a seed we might have planted for them that day or maybe just a kind word that was said to them. By providing these positive experiences, we instill hope in many of our students whose lives at home may seem impossible. We need to let them know, as Audrey Hepburn said, that “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, “I’m possible!” So I ask you to think about people in your lives who may have planted seeds for you and encouraged you as you were going through various stages of your life. What inspired you to pursue your dreams? We need to keep planting seeds and remember that some seeds may need a little more watering than others. Hopefully one of those seeds that you plant will grow into a proud and honored NFA grad like myself standing here as a member of the esteemed NFA family. Martin Luther said, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces. I would still plant my apple tree.” And that is what we do here, no matter what challenges or obstacles we face.
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I would like to thank my friends and family who have supported me along the way. A special thanks to the teachers, administrators and support staff that I have had the pleasure to work with both as a student and as a school counselor. I am fortunate to have two wonderful parents who instilled a sense of community, acceptance and work ethic in me. I am the person I am today because they always watered the seeds that were planted in my garden of life. Not only do we plant seeds for our students but we plant seeds for each other. Some of my coworkers and friends, Steph, Tam, Tracey, Ana, Amy and Jenny have all encouraged me to take the next step in my life to pursue my 6th year degree in administration. They and so many others have supported me through this journey! I also want to thank those of you who nominated me for TOY for the past 3 years...3’s the charm!! While I do feel a bit like Susan Lucci...( for those of you who are old enough to remember soaps!) Each one of these co-workers and friends planted seeds for me and changed my life. As Warren Buffet said, “Remember someone (such as an NFA alum) is sitting in the shade today because someone (such as an NFA faculty or staff member) planted a tree a long time ago.” In closing I want to say that I am grateful and blessed every day to love what I do and who I do it with at NFA. I look forward to continuing my journey in education, counseling and leadership and to continue to strengthen that shady tree that I am sitting under.
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THE SLATER MUSEUM Winter 2014 70th Annual Connecticut Artists Juried Exhibition FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 21, 2014 2014 Juror: Erin Monroe, Assistant Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Dee Church’s Best Burger Recipe 2 pre-made patties or 80/20 fresh burger made into patties Crumble blue cheese 6 slices cooked bacon/3 slices torn into pieces 2 pieces of lettuce Slice of tomato
MUSEUM HOURS Tuesday – Friday: 9 am – 4 pm Saturday & Sunday: 1 pm – 4 pm Closed Monday & Holidays ADMISSION Adults: $3.00 • Seniors & Students: $2.00 Friends of Slater Museum and Children under 12 are free GENERAL MUSEUM INFORMATION (860) 887-2506
Best Newbie In their March, 2013 edition, Connecticut Magazine listed Slater Memorial Museum’s gift shop as “Best Newbie.” Calling the shop an “up-and-comer,” the article “Best of Show: Museum Shops Often Offer More Treasures than Can Be Found in Their Collections” credits Slater Assistant Director Leigh Thomas, in part, for bringing a panache to the shop. Thomas has added pieces to the store’s inventory from Connecticut artisans including Lisbon’s glasswright Jennifer Johnson and Norfolk’s metal sculptor Karen Rossi. Reproduction Connecticut redware from Griswold’s Steinhagen Pottery, scaled reproductions of Slater’s plaster cast collection, and a growing children’s section focusing on ancient cultures complement the fascinating assembly for sale. Visit the shop on the website; click on the Slater icon in the left hand corner of the homepage and follow the link on the menu banner.
2 slices of Texas toast bread buttered on both sides Take the patties and crumble blue cheese on top of one patty. Take the 3 slices of torn pieces of bacon and sprinkle on top of the blue cheese. Take the other patty and place on top of the crumbled blue cheese and bacon. Close the edges of patty one and patty two, like crimping a pie crust. Cook the patty on the grill. Toast/grill the buttered Texas toast on both sides until brown. Place patty on Texas toast and cover with lettuce and tomato and remaining three slices of bacon. Enjoy!
Dee Church ‘88 (l) with Alumni Association President Gale Ennis and the Church family and friends
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Gabrielle (Gabby) Dawley ’13 She plans on applying to a conservation graduate program in the future and knowing that applicants into that program require a lot of experience hours, she decided to start early. As luck would have it, she applied for and was accepted into an internship program at the Slater, a place on campus familiar to her. She would love to get a better feel for the museum environment, which she has chosen to work in, and also would like a finer appreciation for the amazing history that the Slater has. Although Gabby was not a fine arts student while attending NFA, she has a passion for art and did take three years of clay classes and had her pieces displayed in the student art exhibition each year. As an Academy student she volunteered for several organizations and has continued sharing her time and talents. She worked for the NFA Foundation as a phonation caller and also volunteered at a nursing home every Saturday playing bingo with the residents and was very involved with her church in Occum. At the University of Delaware she is a member of a leadership program that often goes on volunteer trips to local towns, and also finds time to be a member of the UD Equestrian Team. Gabby’s future aspirations include working in a museum in either Philadelphia or Washington, DC, perhaps pertaining to American or Native American history.
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Young Alumni Profiles
A new face has joined the NFA family this winter as an intern in the Slater Museum. Gabby Dawley, a June 2013 graduate, matriculated to the University of Delaware where she is an Art Conservation major trying to decide between history and anthropology as her double major.
Thomas Teixeira ’09 By Geoffrey Serra
On May 14, 2013, Thomas Teixeira ‘09 graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in English, and on June 3, he began the TCPCG (Teacher Certification Program for College Grads) at UConn’s Neag School of Education, Hartford Campus. His graduate study returned him to NFA in September to student-teach with the English Department’s Bryan Burdick and Jeffrey Joyce. In the upcoming Spring, Tom will return to NFA to complete a required internship and inquiry project with English teacher and ELL Team Leader Amy Correia ‘01. Based upon observation and data, Tom is set to determine how well NFA prepares English Language Learners for college.
As an NFA senior in 2009, when Thomas Teixeira received the first George Ripley Humanitarian Award, named for one of the Academy’s first two graduates in 1856, he had no idea where his future would take him, but those who honored him clearly knew where he had been. The award recognized Tom for demonstrating outstanding balance in academic achievement, extracurricular participation, and community service. He was about to graduate from NFA with a grade point average above a 4.0 and an accumulation of 34 college credits earned in Advanced Placement and University of Connecticut Early Enrollment courses. He had run track and cross country for four years and was a senior Project Outreach coordinator. With his friend and NFA classmate, Tom had helped establish an annual run to honor their class and teammate Larry Pontbriant who had succumbed to sudden cardiac arrest on the NFA track. Tom entered UConn intending to become an engineer or architect. His 34 credits, he says, gave him “wiggle room” to discover his interests. He specifically cites a late night in drafting lab as a moment of clarity. “Here I was,” he says, “supposed to be working on an architectural project, but I was immersed in reading Ford Maddox Ford’s The Good Soldier. I was absorbed; I couldn’t put it down. I realized there was a message here.” Tom changed his major to English, worked as a tutor at UConn’s Writing Center and landed a position as a teaching assistant in a talent development program to teach writing skills to struggling freshmen. This experience prepared him to teach NFA seniors in MultiCultural Literature, often called the “AP English course for ELL students” because it attracts a population of nonnative speakers seeking to apply newly mastered English language skills in an college preparatory academic environment.
“When I was student-teaching at NFA, in the MultiCultural Class especially, I said to myself, ‘More of these kids need to go to college.’ I decided right then and there to help them.” With the support of his cooperating teachers and other members of the department, Tom spent hours after school with students working on their writing. “They were great,” he says about the students. “They really wanted to learn, to improve. They stayed after school on a Friday until 5 o’clock to work on their writing. I liked working with them one-on-one and making connections. They really wanted me to be proud of them; and, I really wanted them to be proud of themselves.” While student-teaching, Tom also decided to help his former coach, science teacher Chad Johnson, with track. Whenever he could, Tom showed up at practice, often holding up the rear in laps being sure to include everyone, mentoring, and attending meets. “The whole experience opened my eyes,” he says. “I always respected Chad (Johnson), but from a teacher and coach’s perspective, I just respected him even more. I thought, ‘How do you do all this…stay on top of all of this and your teaching too?’ It’s just such an awesome job and responsibility to be a teacher and coach.” Tom says returning to NFA with an educational background has made him see the school through a new lens. “When you come in and compare NFA with other places…really, how did all these good, bright, talented people end up in one place? It’s amazing.”
We’d like to tell your story… Contact us at alumni@nfaschool.org and let us tell your story.
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Student Profile 14
Wildcat Pride Recipient Jeffrey Hynds – Lego Extraordinaire Jeff Hynds is a student in the Special Education Program. He is a special young man with an extraordinary talent! Creating with Legos is something that he does with remarkable accuracy and precision. After Campus Safety Assistant Director Kevin Rodino ’75 heard of Jeff’s amazing talent he was asked, on behalf of the Campus Safety Department, to replicate the buildings on campus for the purpose of practice training.
Campus Safety now takes the buildings that Jeff built to training exercises to practice for emergency situations if one were to occur on
campus. These exercises are attended by emergency personnel in Norwich which include, but are not limited to, the police and fire departments. A ceremony was conducted last year to induct Jeff into the Campus Safety Department as the “Campus Safety Building Builder.” He proudly wears an ID/Badge from Campus Safety. Jeff was presented the Wildcat Pride pin and certificate from Alumni Association Board President Gale Ennis ’78 at the November board meeting. Since November 2010 the Alumni Association has been recognizing Wildcat Pride students. These students are selected by the Student Affairs department for their tremendous effort and outstanding accomplishments on the NFA campus and within the NFA community.
Wildcat Pride Award Recipient’s
In His Own Words By Jeffrey Hynds My first experience with the LEGO® brand
Chad Potter November 2010 Shannon O’Connor March 2011 James Guimond May 2011
was in 2004 and I was only 10 years old.
Kevin Cutsinger May 2011
It was the LEGO® set 7045: Hovercraft
Courtney Danieluk November 2011
Hideout. My mom built my first set because I couldn’t build it. After a couple of months I chose to build another LEGO® set in the
Anna Kudej January 2012 Jane Conway January 2012
creator theme. This was a house that I built on
Kaylyn Levine January 2012
my own. When I got more LEGO® city sets,
Patrick Kudej March 2012
I started my own city. I built it on an average size pool/ping pong table. I have built with LEGO® bricks for hours after school and on
Emma Fontaine May 2012 Alexa Franchetti November 2012
the weekends. My collection now consists of a
Ryer Caruso November 2012
gazillion and one pieces in one room that is
Bailey Smith March 2013
about 15 feet wide by 27 feet long. In over 9 years I built a city the size of 300 large building plates that measures 32 x 32 studs or 10’’ (25cm)
Colline Wong March 2013 Richard Joseph March 2013
x 10’’ (25cm) with restaurants, a harbor, a
Mackenzie Williams March 2013
small airport, rail service, and a McDonalds!
Tia Olatunmbi March 2013
It also has all the rescue services a normal town would have. I also have a YouTube channel
Joseph Papparelli May 2013
YouTube.com/123legojeff with over 100,000
Evan Seder September 2013
video views and 270 subscribers. Some of the
Jeffrey Hynds November 2013
commissions I have made are: the Norwich Free Academy buildings used for Campus Safety
Hannah Preble November 2013
table top training exercises, the Connecticut College logo, and the NFA seal. My ultimate dream job is to work at the LEGO® groups corporate offices in Enfield CT.
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Class of 1953 enjoys 60th Reunion Celebration Submitted by BJ Curran & Stella Fasolino Smigiel
The Class of 1953 held their 60th class reunion on Saturday, September 14 at the home of classmate Bruce Blye in Mystic. Bruce, along with his friend, Donna Logan, were the perfect hosts and the Class of ‘53 members would like to thank them for their generosity. Bruce’s home and property were absolutely beautiful. Nearly 100 classmates and guests enjoyed a lovely afternoon that included a catered meal and music performed by a band on their lawn facing the Mystic River. The years fly by, but we never forget our happy days spent at NFA.
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Class of ’65 Mini Reunion Submitted by Jonathan Potter On December 28, 2013 members from the Class of 1965 held a mini luncheon reunion in Norwich at La Stella restaurant. Fourteen members of the class met and had a great time. With over 700 in our graduating class we wished more classmates could have attended, but we only used Facebook and called friends to get the word out about the event. Classmates from New York and Maine attended. Please join our Facebook page NFA class of 1965.
Class of ’73 Rocks the Boat Submitted by Susan Selvidio Stanley They called the 40th Reunion ‘fantastic’. The NFA Class of 1973 had a tremendous September reunion weekend filled with handshakes, hugs and activities galore. The first event was the NFA Campus Tour and Breakfast, followed by a Golf outing at the River Ridge Golf Course in Griswold. The evening event brought 168 guests from around the world to the Ocean Beach Park Port ‘N Starboard Ballroom. The 12 member committee was presented with red roses for their arduous efforts which began 20 months prior to the event. The evening included a lovely meal, dancing, door-prizes, shenanigan videos, as well as a video tribute in memory of those deceased. Carol Gonsowski Riley entertained the alumni by singing a lovely rendition of our NFA Alma Mater. But that’s not all! The following day, many classmates boarded the Project O boat from the UCONN Avery Point Campus for a Friendship Cruise and Tour of the historic New London Ledge Lighthouse, led by our classmate Gregg Reed. The weekend weather was glorious and everyone enjoyed connecting and rekindling those treasured friendships.
Reunion News
Class of 1958 Celebrates 55th Year Reunion Submitted by Anna Stankewich Alfiero Saturday, October 5, 2013, the Class of 1958 held its 55th year reunion. No one could believe that 55 years have gone by since we walked the campus of the Red & White. 50 classmates and guest were greeted by Chairperson Carol Cieslukowski and committee members Ann Stankewich Alfiero, Nancy Boldrighine Caplet, Jean Weseman Chmielecki, Sue Hollingsworth Glendon, Brenda Winakor Hollingsworth, Christine Johnson, Jo Zylka McCann, Mary Lou Riley Parkhurst and Robert Strouse. A sumptuous buffet was provided by the Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug in Baltic. As we reunited and rediscovered those present, we fondly remembered our 78 classmates who have passed away. Bob Strouse, Master of Ceremonies, rekindled our spirit by reliving memories and moments of our past and what “The Academy” meant to each one of us and the lasting friendships that we made. His sense of humor captured our class perfectly. Remarkable classmates came from as far away as Greece and parts of New England – such as Cape Cod, Concord, Massachusetts and New Hampshire – in order to share the moment and memories. The afternoon was pure camaraderie coupled with conversation galore. A fabulous time was had by all and, in addition, the Class of 1958 made a monetary gift to the Academy
Class of 1978 Reunites Submitted by Gale Eccleston Ennis What a wonderful October it was here in Eastern Connecticut and the Class of 1978 took advantage of one of its glorious weekends to celebrate our 35th class reunion. A “Welcome Event” was held on Friday evening, October 18th at our local Irish pub, Harp and Dragon. About 35 classmates attended the event and several of those were first time attendees at reunion gatherings. A yearbook happened to show up during the event and that made for a hilarious evening! 30 classmates enjoyed Homecoming Saturday morning on campus by tailgating with other alumni groups in the library parking lot. Dr. Joe Levanto ‘47 joined our group at one point and what a special memory that created for the weekend! A group picture of that moment was taken and it will be cherished for sure. Our main event was held on Saturday night at the Preston Hilton Garden Inn. 92 people enjoyed an evening of reconnecting and eating, but mostly we DANCED! We were serenaded by our own David Sobol, who agreed to provide the music for the night. When the hotel asks you to turn off the music, you KNOW it was a good night! Many thanks to Dave for helping to make our reunion the best we’ve ever attended! Our reunion festivities ended on Sunday with a visit to the Preston Ridge Vineyard. What better way to end a weekend than by sitting with dear friends over a glass of wine and reminiscing about what seemed like yesterday. Thirty-five years sure went quickly. Looking forward to the next gathering! 17
20 The 20th Annual Jubilee Reunion will be held on July 17, 2014. Details
will be included in the
invitation to be mailed in April.
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2013 Jubilee Reunion On July 11, over 350 alumni from the Classes of 1935 – 1953 reunited at the Norwich Holiday Inn for the 19th Annual Jubilee Reunion. Classmates enjoyed an afternoon spent reminiscing, laughing and appreciating the time they had together.
Former Alumni Board President, John Mathieu ’70, was the Master of Ceremonies and the event got underway with all present joining in the singing of the Alma Mater. The group performed a wonderful rendition of the song and the word N.F.A. echoed throughout the ballroom after the 1st and 3rd stanzas, as the guests enthusiastically belted out the name of their alma mater! Afterwards, Head of School David Klein welcomed the group and thanked them for their commitment to and support of the Academy. He invited them to stop by the campus and to see all that is available to our current students. Each class celebrating a milestone reunion was recognized, as were the Alumni Association Board of Directors, who hosted the event, and the Jubilee Reunion Committee who was instrumental in planning the day. Three alumni, Bill Peterson ’52, Bruce Blye ’53, and Carol Weinnrich Treiber ’53, all traveled from different locations in California to attend this Jubilee Reunion and were recognized by the board with a gift in appreciation of the distance traveled to attend. The event closed with several door-prize drawings and the promise that they would meet again, next year!
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2013 Red & White Reunion Celebration The 3rd Annual Red & White Reunion, including the Classes of 1954 – 1962, was held at the Port ‘N Starboard at Ocean Beach Park in New London on August 24, 2013. Over 150 alumni and guests enjoyed a beautiful evening at the beach with classmates and friends from years gone-by. The evening began with a social hour and hors d’oeuvres. Photos, courtesy of the NFA Alumni Association, were taken by John Hassett Photography and each classmate was sent a complimentary copy of their class photo. Alumni Board President, Gale Eccleston Ennis ’78, welcomed the group and a moment of silence acknowledged those who are no longer with us. Carol Cieslukowski ’58 gave a moving invocation prior to dinner being served. Head of School David Klein addressed the group bringing greetings from the Academy
and
encouraged
class-
mates to continue attending events such as the Red & White and to remain connected to their beloved school. An NFA/Norwich trivia contest and door prize drawing rounded out the evening as classmates continued socializing well into the evening.
View from Port ‘N Starboard
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Mary-Anne Hall, the Slater Museum’s Curator of Education, has published the first in a series of children’s books entitled, My Cleocatra, which features the recollections of a cat of faces and places from ancient Egypt. The book is an 84-page odyssey of discovery that is rich in vocabulary and imagery which children will enjoy. Cleocatra’s Adventures will continue with the second book, My Cleocatra on Greece. The book’s lush illustrations are by Brian Lee Boyce ’86, a former art major of the Academy’s Norwich Art School, who graduated from Cooper Union in New York City on a scholarship and currently works as a freelance designer and illustrator there. The forward is written by author Wally Lamb ’68, a former faculty member. The work is dedicated to artist Joseph P. Gualtieri ‘37, a former Norwich Art School Instructor and former Slater Memorial Museum Director . The book is available at the Slater Museum Gift Shop, Monte Cristo Bookstore in New London, will soon be available in other local bookstores and online at www.mycleocatra.com.
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Faculty & Staff News
Long-Time NFA Museum Educator Children’s Book Author
National Publication recognition With two of his colleagues, World Language teacher Kevin Ballestrini was published in the October edition of The Language Educator, the national publication of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The article “Learning Through Operation LAPIS – A Game Based Approach to the Language Classroom” was featured as a special focus on technology and outlines Operation Lapis which teaches students Latin by immersing them in an interactive virtual adventure. Students learn the language – reading, speaking and interpreting historical text – by creating and telling a story through the eyes of an ancient Roman. The program harnesses the students’ facility and engagement with current gaming technology. “Though viewed as a game,“ the article says, the program “might be more accurately called a collaborative narrative grounded in experiential, project-based, and anchored learning.” Ballestrini and his colleagues have presented nationally at conferences.
New Faculty NFA welcomed several new faculty members this fall semester. The new faculty are an impressive group of teachers who will bring fresh ideas and new energy to the classroom.
Front Row: Michelle Jones ‘06 (Intervention Specialist, Sachem Campus), Laura McMahon (Science), Molly Palmer (Social Studies), Emily Caron (Math), Eleonora Boscolo (Italian), Regina Vose ’00 (English), Nate Wheeler ’08 (Greek and Latin), Kim Brennan (English),
Back Row: Megan Frayne (Science), Megan Horst (Math), Becca McVey (Science), Michelle Maher (Social Studies), Matt Gitkind (Social Studies), Reuben Shirshac (Intervention Specialist, Sachem), Luke Gabordi (PE/Health), Jenn Bradley (English), Gretchen Philbrick (English)
Other Faculty News Physical Education Teacher, Jeff Brown ’95 and his wife Amanda Magnano Brown ’96 welcomed their first child, a daughter, Aubrey Ruth Brown on September 13, 2013. Bradlaw House Guidance Counselor, Joe Tella , welcomed his son, Kade Joseph Tella on December 3, 2013. English Teacher, Bryan Burdick and his wife Melissa welcomed their baby girl, Norah Estelle on November 25, 2013. Shattuck House Principal, Kristen Peckrul and her husband Bill welcomed, William “Will” Francis Peckrul on July 5, 2013. Cranston House Counselor, Lyndsie Sheehan married Michael Sumner on August 24, 2013. Aubrey Ruth Brown
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Interview with Development Director,
Debbie Lee Interviewed by Geoffrey P. Serra, Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Lee’s accomplishments at The Academy are many. Expressing his interest in a coordinated institutional development program, Head of School Joseph Levanto, purchased the property on the north end of campus and put a plan in motion. Under Head of School Mary Lou Bargnesi, Lee came on board to lead the initiative, coordinating development, NFA Foundation, and Alumni functions.
After 15 years as NFA’s Director of Development, Deborah Lee has left to assume a development position at The Hyde Collection, an art museum and historic house in Glens Fall, NY, closer to her mother and extended family. 24
In addition to bringing technology to the office, Lee has presided over significant fund-raising, special event, and celebratory activities. She initiated outreach programs and during her tenure among many improvements, The Sydney Frank Center for the Performing Arts and the new NFA Atrium and Slater handicapped accessibility projects were completed. All who worked with her will remember her for her thoughtfulness and unquestionable dedication. Before leaving, Debbie was interviewed, and she reflects upon her time at The Academy.
After all your time at the Academy, what do you believe makes NFA special? The sense of family and community makes NFA special. I was told that I was joining a “family” when I accepted the position in 1998, and I assumed that was just the standard line. It is hard to explain, but NFA gets into your blood and you become a family member. A bond is created with NFA that is shared by all; whether you are a native to the Norwich area and a graduate or a transplant to CT and an employee as I was, one has a sense of belonging. As David Klein expressed to me on my last day, “You will always be family.” What led you to NFA? I moved to SECT to accept a position at the Williams School in New London where I worked with a few NFA alumni. I had never heard of NFA but my colleagues spoke so highly of it I became intrigued. In fact, Sue Wheeler (NFA 1963) was the Williams School business manager and within my first month of living in the area, she drove me to Norwich, took me on a tour of NFA, and shared many of her memories with me as we walked around the campus. At that moment I thought…’I need to work at NFA.’ I think that the grandeur of the campus, the opportunities and choices it offers to students and the passion expressed by those with whom I worked at the Williams School, drew me to apply when the Director of Development position became available.
In your time at NFA, you have worked with many different groups – alumni, students, faculty, administrators, trustees, board members, and corporators. What did you enjoy about working with each group? I enjoyed working with the various groups. What was enjoyable about working with each group is that each has a strong sense of commitment and purpose and works hard to ensure success for NFA. Loyalty to and pride in NFA is expressed by all. What will be your fondest memory about your time at NFA? I have so many fond memories of my time at NFA, but I want to answer this from an employee’s perspective. I’ve worked for “Corporate America,” independent schools and an arts organization, but NFA stands above all. NFA encourages growth as a professional. NFA inspires one to get involved and participate beyond the bounds of the job description. I will always remember and be thankful to NFA for the freedom to develop and plan programs to achieve our goals. In your time at NFA what has changed? Lots has changed. The obvious is the campus… adding the Frank Center, the Atrium and Sachem Building. Other changes include demographics and number of students and the average age of the faculty. What has remained constant, however, is more important ...”do what is best for the kids.” Your accomplishments at NFA are many. Tell us what you consider your greatest. I think my most important contribution was establishing a fundraising structure that provides for consistency and continuity to the development programs. How do you want to be remembered? I hope I am remembered for my dedication and for helping alumni and friends of the Academy to find meaningful ways to remain connected to and invested in NFA.
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Alumni Award Nominations The NFA Alumni Association needs your help to recognize the achievement of outstanding fellow alumni. Please nominate candidates for consideration for the Alumni Achievement Award and Distinguished Service Award. Nominations and supporting materials are due by February 28, 2014. Nomination forms can be completed online or contact the Alumni Office to have one mailed to you. Visit our website at http://www.nfaschool.org and then click on the Alumni/Alumni Association Awards link. If you have any questions, please contact the Alumni Office. The recipients will be recognized at the Annual Legacy Day event scheduled for May 12, 2014.
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Past Alumni Award Recipient’s Alumni Achievement Award 2011-12 Dr. John Tauro, Jr ’75 2013
Linda Desrosiers Smith ’66
Distinguished Service Award 2001
Bernard Savage ’35
2002
Doris Sandberg Royce ’34
2003
The Navick Family
2004
Erin Connell Martinelli ’64
2005
Harry ’36 and Selma Silverman Swatsburg ’34
2006
Paul Desio ’32
2007
Dr. Anthony Tramontozzi & Family
2008
Carol Cieslukowski ’58
2009
Irene Ukarma Donovan ’65
2010
James Cronin ’63
2011-12 Dr. Michael ’40 and Atty. Theodore Phillips, II ’74 2013
Steven Bokoff ’72
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0-Year Reunion
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AND Yearbook Distribution
0-Year Reunion AND Yearbook Distribution The Class of 2013 returned to campus on November 29, only a few short months after graduation, to reconnect with each other. Over 150 students attended the annual yearbook signing session and brunch and enjoyed spending a couple of hours catching up.
0-Year Reunion AND
Yearbook Distribution
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Submitted by Colleen Neito The Wildcat Marching Band had quite a journey this season. It began on Monday, August 12, when about 60 kids reported for band camp. More than half of them were firstyear members having never before marched. The Wildcat’s 2013 field show was titled Ka: Battlefield and featured music and choreography inspired by the Cirque du Soleil show, Ka. The Band competed in five shows during the season and, in the blink of an eye, it was October 26th and the Norwich Free Academy was performing at the New England State Championships and earning the title of USBands Class III Open Connecticut State Champions. Although this was a major milestone in the Wildcats’ season it was not the end of their journey. They had now qualified to compete in the USBands National Championship at MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands in New Jersey on November 9th. Taking part in a national band competition is something that these band members will not soon forget. The band departed from NFA at 4:30 am and arrived at the stadium just before 7:30 am. There seemed to be a nervous anticipation among the students as they got unpacked and dressed for the competition. The Wildcats had nearly two hours to warm up and mentally prepare for the competition. At 9:30 am they marched from the parking lot to the stadium. There was a very special excitement as they waited quietly in the tunnel before taking the field. Most of the students had never been to a large football stadium and peering through the entrance and seeing the vast stadium before them was amazing. As the band performed, it was being shown up on the Jumbotron screens and was a surreal experience for all involved. The Band had an extremely powerful performance and after that they were free to relax and enjoy the other bands’ performances along with the carnival-like atmosphere in the stadium concourse. The band performed at 10:00am and waited until 2:00pm for the awards ceremony. Outside the stadium, there was an amazing crowd of bands all anticipating their score and who would get the biggest trophy. The Master of Ceremonies finally took the stage and applauded all the bands, staff and parents. After a large round of applause he began reading off scores; the Norwich Free Academy Wildcat Marching Band earned 15th place in their division. With the awarding of the last trophy, their amazing journey had come to an end, but not before creating memories that these kids will take with them for the rest of their lives. 30
Campus News
NFA Marching Band Wins State Championship – Qualifies for Nationals
Mobile Food Pantry Submitted by Sue Hopkins Terrell
Cats Corner Submitted by Sue Hopkins Terrell The members of the Norwich Free Academy Food and Clothing Pantry are excited and quite proud of the recent opening of “Cats Corner”! What started out as plastic bins, 2x4’s, shelving, hangers and black plastic bags has become a cozy room with custom curtains and newly painted walls. Located on the lower level of the Tirrell Building, Cats Corner had its grand opening on December 2, 2013. The purpose of the pantry is to assist, through a referral, students in need of clothing and footwear. There are racks of shirts, coats and sweaters, shelves of pants and shorts as well as boots, shoes, sneakers and more! Cats Corner will soon be able to assist students and their families with food items as well. There were many individuals from our NFA family to others in the community that helped in some manner to make this pantry possible. Many thanks to all! Donations of teen-appropriate clothing can be dropped off at the Visitor Check-in Center at the South end of campus or you can contact Jodi Vara at 860-425-5643 or email varaj@nfaschool.org.
Beginning in May 2013, the members of the Norwich Free Academy Food and Clothing Pantry Committee teamed up with the Gemma Moran Foundation/ United Way/ Labor Food Center. Each and every 3rd Thursday of the month, this mobile pantry distributes free food (fruits, vegetables, pasta, frozen meat, and much more) to families not only from Norwich but many surrounding towns. The initial distribution aided 50 families serving 1,854 meals and 2,079 total pounds of food. A mere seven months later this past November 21, over 200 households were served with well over 4,800 meals and close to 6,000 lbs.
We are quite proud of what the food and clothing committee has established. Seeing the enormous crowds of individuals and families in line each month creates feelings of sadness as well as compassion as we humbly and graciously volunteer our time to help those in need. The smiles on the faces and constant thank-yous from those in need means more than can be described. Many departments on campus have volunteered their time as well as employees from the Dime Bank. I know I speak for all as I say, regardless of the heat in July or the cold in November, I look forward to every 3rd Thursday. It truly has been a rewarding experience! Photos Courtesy of United Way of S.E. CT
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Campus News continued
NFA Seniors Sign National Letters of Intent Seniors Alyssa Velles and Emily DeVito signed National Letters of Intent on November 14, 2013. Family, teammates, classmates and friends were on hand for this recognition as Athletic Director Gary Makowicki ’73 praised both of these scholar athletes. Emily, a three sport athlete in field hockey, softball and basketball will play softball at Division II Long Island University Post. Alyssa plays volleyball and basketball and will be playing basketball for Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey, a Division I school.
Senior Juliet Morales Commended Scholar NFA senior Juliet Morales has been named a Commended Student in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program and recognized as a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar by the College Board. As a commended student, Morales is one of 34,000 students nationally recognized for academic promise, and she places in the top 5% of 1.5 million students nationally who competed in the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. As a National Hispanic Scholar, Morales is one of 5,300 Latino/Hispanic students recognized from a pool of over 259,000 students. Juliet is a member of the Girls’ Swim Team and manager of the Boys’ Swim Team, President of NFA’s Science National Honor Society and NFA’s Spanish Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica. She also works a full schedule at Norwich’s TJ Maxx. The youngest of four siblings, she will be the first in her family to attend college. Juliet, who plans on pursuing a career in biochemistry and medicine, also wishes to minor in political science. “I love my teachers,” says Morales. “They understand, are flexible, and are always there to help me.”
Alyssa Velles (left) and Emily DeVito. Photo Credit: Laura Howe
Martin Luther King Scholarship Winners
While not the first NFA commended in the National Merit Scholarship Program, she is the first at NFA to be both commended and recognized by the National Hispanic Recognition Program which began in 1983 to identify outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school students. “We are very, very proud of her,” said her counselor, Kelsey Iovino ’01.
Seniors Tia Olatunmbi and Richard Dale Joseph each accepted a $20,000 scholarship from the Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund at a dinner held in October at the Mystic Marriott. Joseph and Tia were two of five local students to receive scholarships, each funded by a different local organization. Joseph’s scholarship to pursue his academic career was funded by Backus Hospital and Tia’s by Attorney Bart A. Sayet ’76 and Lori Lindfors. Joseph is a member of the school’s varsity track and basketball teams and sings in the gospel choir. He also volunteers in the Norwich NAACP and at his church. He intends to study chemical engineering at Liberty University, St. Lawrence University or the University of Connecticut. Tia Olatunmbi would like to study international economics and corporate law at New York University, the University of Connecticut, or Bocconi University in Italy. 32
On Saturday November 16, nearly 100 volunteers were the guests of the Alumni Association at its annual Reunion Committee thank you brunch. This event, held in conjunction with the Alumni Association Annual Meeting, is the Association’s way to show their appreciation for the hard work and effort the reunion committees put in to keeping their classmates connected to the Academy. Eight reunion classes were represented at the brunch and the spokesperson for each class gave a summation of their reunion. Many reunions were one day events, although there were a few that were entire weekends. Whether it was a 1-day event or an entire weekend, the Alumni Association is grateful for the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly year after year to provide their classmates with the opportunity to reconnect with one another.
Class of 1963 (l-r): Patricia Alessio Lucente, Roberta Delgado Vincent, Susan Donegan Wheeler, John Waggoner, Laurene Jones Shewan, Mary Barnett Messerschmidt and Pat Baggarly Northrop.
Lynx Lab and also at the Larry Pontbriant Memorial Run and on top of all this he has taken on a part-time job to help with college costs. What a dedicated hardworking young man he is and we wish him all the best as he prepares to continue on his educational journey. His parents, Michael and Lisa Jurz Craney ’86, attended the event and were acknowledged.
Alumni Association Recognizes Reunion Volunteers The Class of 1963, who celebrated their 50th year reunion in June, were presented with a plaque by the NFA Foundation for the funds raised in recognition of their milestone reunion. The class raised over $12,000 for their reunion gift; a portion of those funds were used to purchase an engraved granite bench at the entrance of the Atrium and the remainder went to the Reid Fund, which is an endowment to assist worthy students in need who attend the Academy. Steven Craney, Class of 2014 President, addressed the group of alumni, sharing with them what life at the Academy has been like for him the past four years and his hopes and aspirations for the future. Steven has been the President of the Class of 2014 since 10th grade. He has been inducted into the Henry A. Tirrell Chapter of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. He is a member of the Student Advisory Board (SAB) and an Eagle Scout. His service project was the development of a recreational park at the Franklin Multiplex for town residents. He has volunteered as a peer tutor in the NFA
The 136th Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association followed the breakfast. The alumni present approved the minutes from the 2012 annual meeting, as well as the 2013 treasurer’s report. Four members were re-elected for a three-year term to the board. They are Concetta Colonna Franchetti ’78, Ethel Moshier Handley ’60, Eileen Kavanaugh Kalla ’81 and Mary Barnett Messerschmit ’63. One member, Elizabeth Armen Troeger ’67 was newly elected to her 1st threeyear term. Board President Gale Eccleston Ennis ’78 closed the Annual Meeting recognizing board member John Mathieu ’70 for his nine consecutive years of dedicated service to the alumni of the Academy and the Alumni Association. John served as Board President from January 2007 thru December 2011 and on December 31, 2013 reached his term limit as a board member. Thank you John for the commitment, leadership, and enthusiasm you provided to the Alumni Association. Right: Former Bd Member John Mathieu with Board President Gale Ennis Left: Class of 2014 President, Steven Craney with his parents
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Class Notes
What have classmates 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 former classmates, so please let us know if something important has happened to you: a job change, a marriage or new baby, a degree, a transfer – anything that involves NFA alumni is of interest to us! You can email your news to alumni@nfaschool.org or mail it to NFA – Levanto Alumni House, 321 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360
1949 Anna Bellone Longobardi writes that she enjoys reading Alma Matters and learning of recent developments at NFA. She fondly remembers NFA as an enriching and encouraging experience.
1950
1940 Christina Argenti Yeitz still can wear her 1940 graduation ring at 91 years of age. She thinks that’s awesome and so do we!
1942 Lorraine Taylor Svertesky writes that everyone has a “bucket list” regardless of age. This past summer she signed on for a few weeks to join Habitat for Humanity and helped construct houses for very deserving families in Ocala, Florida. The families moved in within 32 days of completion. She said it was a lot of fun and covered by her local newspaper.
Members from the Class of 1950 reunited in September 2013 at their 63rd class reunion and started the day off on a horse drawn carriage ride. Many of them returned to the NFA Campus in October for the annual Homecoming Festivities.
1945 George Miller writes that continuing health issues, combined with his beloved Nancy’s eternal homegoing, have led him at the age of 85 to end his preaching and teaching ministry. One of his greatest joys has been serving, with his precious wife, as co-laborers in advancing the gospel of Christ Jesus. He would also like to send a special thank you to Bahria Hartman ’45, for keeping him updated on their classmates’ activities.
1947 Irene Aubrey Jacaruso has two new greatgrandchildren. Cole Robert Jacaruso is the son of Darlene and Jason Jacaruso and brother to Jason Jacaruso, and Vivienne Blaser is the daughter of Melissa and David Blaser of California. Mary Korenkiewicz Sanborn is very proud of her granddaughter, Amy Rygielski Correia ’01, an English teacher at NFA.
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1952 Nancy Lane Reussig and her husband William have 7 grandchildren – ages 10 to 22 – 5 boys and 2 girls. They keep them busy travelling to Harrisburg, PA, Golden, CO and Plymouth, MN. Dr. Nellie Beetham Stark graduated with a MA and a Ph.D. degree in Botany (Ecology) from Duke University and worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a botanist for six years before joining the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada where she worked on desert and forest ecology and later, tropical nutrient cycling. She has pursued a lifelong hobby of studying British naval history, particularly during the early 1800s when England ruled the
seas. Her grandfather was a whale ship captain for a time which spurred her interest in naval history. She also paints pictures of sailing ships which she has used as covers for her historical novels. She has built several scale models of sailing ships and does extensive research on ships and naval history, traveling to England once yearly. Today she writes historical novels, mostly set in England. She has published some 21 novels in the past twenty years, mostly on the internet. She lives on a farm in Oregon and raises cows and hay. Her books are available at www.nbeethamstark.com or smashwords.com.
1953 Linnea Bulford Barry sends many thanks to Bruce Blye and Donna Logan for hosting a wonderful 60th class reunion. She writes that it was held at their lovely Mystic home and it was a great affair. Everyone there looked much the same as they did 60 years ago! The Class of ’53 is a very special group of folks. Although he was unable to attend the 60th Class Reunion, Tom Kohanski, dropped us a note with an update of the happenings in his life since graduation. He attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and graduated in June 1957 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Shortly thereafter, he married Elinor Evans ’52. Ellie was a graduate of Willimantic State Teachers College but only taught for two years. After graduating from college, Tom worked in the development labs for Linde Co. in Buffalo, NY, but that wasn’t what he was looking for, so he started working for Electric Boat in 1959 in the mechanical design department. After nine years, he moved to California where he worked for Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA. He worked on mechanical equipment, masts, hydraulics and other piping systems on submarines, designing modifications or reviewing upkeep alterations. For 17 of the 25 years, the jobs he worked on were mostly classified, and some of the submarine missions were described in the book
Blind Man’s Bluff, by Sontag and Drew. Tom retired in 1993 and Ellie passed in 1995 after 38 years of happy life together. Tom still lives in the home they bought 33 years ago.
1954 The class of 1954 will hold a 60th Year Reunion on May 17, 2014 at Modesto’s Restaurant in North Franklin. Invitations will be mailed in early April.
1955 Betty Cody Frantz has lived in Alabama for nearly 50 years but still enjoys annual visits and keeps in close contact with her friend Priscilla Pirie Baldyga ’55. She has three granddaughters currently attending Auburn University.
1956 On July 3, 2013, Shirley Niedojadlo Hamm was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International. The award is in recognition of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world. The past five years she has taught pre-school for multi lingual children. She went to Nicaragua on 4 mission trips, spent a month in a Catholic orphanage in Vietnam, and went to Africa and stayed one month in Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia. She was a teacher, tutor, librarian, nurse, lunch room supervisor and helped out wherever needed.
Peter Ring and his wife Jinx find themselves in Paris, France again where he is teaching two classes at ESSEC Business School, one of the most renowned private business schools in France. They are back in their old apartment and loving life in Paris. Their daughter, Kristen joined them in Cassis (in the south of France) for a week where they enjoyed the sun, sea, great food & wine, celebrating her 45th birthday!! They mourn the loss of their dear friend George Strouse ’61.
1960 Don Vines and wife Maryann reside in Rehoboth Beach, DE in the summer and South Beach, FL in the winter. Don missed the East Coast Florida NFA reunion last winter, but is hopeful to make a future reunion. He has stayed in touch with a number of classmates via e-mail and always enjoys hearing from them. Enclosed is a picture of Maryann and Don visiting Jim Phillips ‘60 in The Villages just north of Orlando, FL last winter.
Jim Phillips, Maryann & DonVines
1959
1961
Class of 1959 55th Reunion is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Great Neck Country Club. Further details will be arriving in your mailbox soon!
Warren Osik and his wife Carolyn were in Gettysburg, PA this past June 30 thru July 8, for the 150th commemoration of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Freeman Botnick, MD and his wife, Audrey, moved from Longmeadow Massachusetts to New London, New Hampshire last year and they are enjoying the beauty of nature. He extends their best regards to all at NFA and alumni from the Class of 1959!
1964 Class of 1964 50th Reunion June 12 -14, 2014. Watch your mail for further details!
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1964 continued
In August 2013, Valerie Caron Campbell and her adopted son James moved from her long-time residence in Pennsylvania to Keller, Texas to be near her daughter Sara. Valerie retired from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as a manager earlier in 2013. On August 29, 2013, the Campbell family greeted Gabrielle Catherine Campbell, the second daughter of Valerie’s son Matthew and daughterin-law Jessica. Matthew continues to serve in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Qatar when Gabrielle was born. Valerie looks forward to joining her classmates in 2014 for the 50th class reunion.
1965 Dick Coty recently retired after working for 44 years as a petroleum engineer for several different oil, gas, and underground natural gas storage companies in Louisiana, West Virginia and Illinois. Dick and his wife Vickie have moved to the Ripley, West Virginiaarea, close to Vickie’s family and Dick’s daughter and two granddaughters. Their plans include doing a significant amount of travel in the US and Canada. Above: Dick Coty (on left) with a friend, in front of the Stan Musial statue at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO.
Andrea Kaplan Lieberman and her husband of 44 years, Dr. Michael J. Lieberman, attended the Bar Mitzvah of the oldest grandson, Yonah Elisha Padowitz, in Israel in June 2013. He is the son of their children Rabbi Joel and Shelly (Lieberman) Padowitz who live there. They celebrated with thirty-five family members, including four generations, who were in Israel for the occasion. Andrea and Michael also celebrated the birth of their ninth grandchild, a daughter born to Shelly and Joel a month after the Bar Mitzvah. This child, as well as Yonah, were both born on Michael’s birthday! Andrea is the office manager
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for Michael’s ophthalmology practice in Long Island, New York and the secretary and catering chairman of her synagogue.
1967 Nancy Zulka Przekop and her husband Joe celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in Ireland during the month of September.
1968 Former English teacher and class of 1968 alumnus Wally Lamb recently released a new novel, We are Water, which is a treat for Lamb fans. The novel weaves together recognizable elements of Norwich and Norwich history – the flood of 1963, the Slater Museum and former Director Joseph Gualtieri ‘37, and the self-taught Norwich primitive painter Ellis Ruley, among many others, into a rich narrative with shifting point of view and broken chronology. Secrets, the nature of the artistic temperament are thematic concerns, but at the heart of Lamb’s work is the observation that we are all imperfect and wounded, living and loving the best way we know how. It is Wally at his best. Out in hardcover, We are Water is available at all bookstores and online.
1969 Marsha Barath Jendrewski retired in June, 2012 and she and her husband Dan have spent the past year researching the best retirement community for them. They chose the beautiful town of Lewes, Delaware with its more moderate climate (than CT), four seasons, many amenities and a retiree-friendly tax structure. Marsha writes “we’re going to be very happy here.” JoAnn Faragosa Kohler has recently retired after being a RN for 41 years. Her son John is a pediatric physician in Norfolk, VA where he lives with his wife, Allie and two sons, Jack 2 ½ and Luke 3 months. JoAnn considers Charleston, SC home and would love to hear from any classmates. You can email her at jkohler322@att.net.
Sharen Paster Peters celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on September 22, 2012 at the tender age of 60. It was an achievement she shall remember for a lifetime. She was honored to be received by over 140 guests including many NFA classmates. Her cousin Joy Paster Albright came from California to Connecticut for the first time. Sharen proudly showed her NFA where her dad, Abe Paster, graduated in the class of 1938. Sharen’s Aunt Gussie Paster Sitkin, Class of 1939 also went with her husband. There were at least 15 more NFA alumni who attended Sharen’s special day. On August 1, 2013, her husband, Tom, retired from UConn Graduate School after 35 years of service. They spent the last summer adjusting to their new life style and schedule. Their Sheltie, Rebel, just turned 13 this year, so they have been spending lots of time with him and taking family trips. Sharen writes, “Thanks to Pat Bowman Moravek ’69, I have been enjoying our FB page. I have reconnected with so many NFA friends and made new friends as a result of FB. It has definitely brought me into the 21st century!” She also writes that it’s hard to believe that they will be celebrating their 45th class reunion in 2014!
Elliott Shyer and his wife, Nancy, have lived in Granby, CT for past 30 years enjoying life. Their “kids” Jonathan and Emily are grown and have settled into their careers. Elliot has had a 40 year career in HVAC and is still going strong. He writes that they have been extremely fortunate and sends regards to all!
1970 First Presbyterian Church of Newport, RI welcomed their new Director of Music Ministries, David C. Warfield on Sunday, April 14, 2013. David will be responsible for all aspects of the church music program including development of children and youth ensembles. An accomplished organist and choral conductor, David left a similar position at the Central Baptist Church in Norwich where he had served for more than ten years. During his tenure at Central Baptist, he was responsible for the purchase and installation of a new organ and the implementation of a concert series to bring the arts to downtown Norwich. This past summer, he taught a course in hand bell ringing as part of the Royal School of Church Music at Salve Regina University in Newport. David and his wife, Karen will continue to live in Norwich.
1971 Mike Bogdanski was recently promoted to 8th degree Black belt. After 44 years in martial arts he has been awarded Grandmaster status. He is also an acclaimed anti bully activist and can be reached at mikebogdanski.com.
Janet Ward Lofquist writes that it’s always great to keep up with what’s happening at NFA. “We’ve recently moved back overseas, this time in Moscow. Winters are cold. Summers are great.”
Steve Tumicki crafted 10 stainedglass candleholder centerpieces for the Class of ’73 reunion, which was held in September at Ocean Beach in New London. The centerpieces then were given to 10 lucky alumni as door prizes.
1972 Donna Brannegan Dutrumble is loving life in the country. Their five grandkids keep her and her husband very busy! Heather Glenney Ziemba received her LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) license and currently has a private practice in Norwich specializing in Hypnotherapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) work for mental health & behavioral health.
1973 Dr. Frank Anderson is living well in Wine Country California and practicing gastroenterology as a group practitioner. He writes that both of his sons are in college and he did a TV show about colon cancer screening which is available online at https://www.mylifestages.org/health/ digestive_health/colon_cancer_ videos.page
1974 Bob Faille has been traveling inside Afghanistan and is based out of Kabul as the Program Manager for a vehicle program and Director of Textron International-Afghanistan.
1977 Patricia Oakes Irvin has had two books published, Never Say Never with the Lord and The Lord Has Shown Me Peace! Both are available on Amazon.com.
1978 Monica Allen started a new job as Director of Public Affairs for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research. Michelle Pepin Ciriello retired from the State of CT with 25 years 1 month of service as Director of Pharmacy Services at Connecticut Valley Hospital, Department of Mental Health Addiction Services.
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1980 Jeff Rose has been happily married for 28 years and has a great daughter, who is earning a doctorate at Teachers College and a son who is a first year attorney at Bilzin Sumberg. He’s been loving life in Miami since 1994 where he teaches mathematics at an independent 6-12 school. Jeff will try to make his next class reunion!
Historian for families, businesses, and non-profits. She has recently partnered with the Norwich Bulletin on a new book on the 1938 Hurricane titled, The Hurricane of 1938: Norwich Remembers the Storm of the Century. The book includes interviews with over 65 residents of the Norwich area who lived through the storm 75 years ago. Earlier this year she also completed a book on her own family titled, Sto Lat, A Hundred Years of the Wisniewski Family in America.
1988 Kevin Boss Hill is a US Marine Staff Sergeant currently deployed to Afghanistan. He sent us an email stating “Just re-connecting with the only alma mater that is in my heart. Go Wildcats!” Marla Schlessinger Tapper is proud of her nephew, Ethan, a freshman at Syracuse University!
1981 Chef Todd H. Daigneault has volunteered to collaborate with our culinary arts faculty and return to campus to share his knowledge with our students as a guest chef. He is currently the executive chef for Atlantic Health Care Systems of New Jersey. Todd has won numerous chef challenges and competed on a national stage, including the Tyson National Chef Challenge featured on Fox Television. Most recently, Todd has accepted a chef position with the Culinary Enrichment Innovative program sponsored by Hormel Foods and The Culinary Institute of America. Todd is one of 16 honored applicants chosen out of 3,000 candidates. He has appeared on television and currently has a cooking show in development. Todd welcomes alums to visit his website at www.cookingwithcheftodd.com
1982 Chris Wisniewski lives in Sudbury, MA and runs a business called Saving Stories where she works as a Personal
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Kevin Boss Hill and his beautiful daughter Gwen before he deployed
1991 William L. Taylor and his wife Shelly welcomed their daughter, Ainsley Susan Rose, home in August of 2011. William tells us he has been working for the City of Waco (Texas) as Food & Beverage director for one year.
1990 Todd Pelletier is currently an 18 ½ year veteran Lieutenant firefighter/ paramedic with Jacksonville Fire Rescue in Jacksonville, Florida. Todd graduated in May 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Protection Management from Florida State College at Jacksonville. He will be attending Oklahoma State University starting in 2014 pursuing his Master’s
Degree in Emergency Management. Todd has an A.S. in Emergency Medical Services from St. Johns River State College, A.S. Degree in Fire Protection Management from Florida State College at Jacksonville and A.A. Degree in Fire Science from Florida State College at Jacksonville. Todd closed his note saying, “Thanks, you all do a fantastic job with the Alma Matters magazine and I only wish current and future NFA alum good luck with their future endeavors.” After working as a management consultant and earning an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Adam Digger Stolz has recently published his first novel. Stumbling Thru follows a rollicking cast of characters as they attempt thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail. He’d like to thank his English teachers: Mrs. Flahive, Coach Sullivan and Mr. Adams for showing him the light. Digger’s book is available on Amazon.com.
1992 Amy E. Banks married James “Kit” Kittrell on October 5, 2013.
1994 The class is planning a 20th reunion get-together. Visit their Facebook page NFA Class of 1994 for additional details. Major Robert Weingart, US Marine Corps, was named Aviator of the Year by the Marine Corps Aviation Association for his actions in the September 2012 attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. The award ceremony in Reno, was attended by his parents, sisters, wife and son.
1995 Erin Foley Cronin and her husband Scott Cronin are happy to announce the birth of their first daughter, Colleen Emma Cronin, born on August 15, 2012 in Sarasota, Florida. The proud grandparents are David Foley ’58 and Darlene Foley, also of Sarasota.
2000 Sarah Smith Picard and husband Rick Picard ’99 welcomed the birth of their second child Ryan Joseph Picard in May 2013.
2001 Gregory Knight married Sandra O’Keefe on July 27, 2013. Gregory lives in PA and said he loves reading the magazine and his parents read it too. Greg ended his note with “Thank you for the great efforts made to keep the alumni connected.”
Schiffer Publications. It is a wide-ranging book that highlights stories of abandoned villages, tales of the supernatural and offbeat travel destinations such as museums dedicated to carousels, railroads, and bizarre curiosities. There are also insider’s tips on tasty restaurants and activities near various attractions. The book has something new for first time visitors as well as for long-time residents of Connecticut. The book can be purchased at Amazon.com, BN.com and other online stores. Zac studied regional history and folklore while a student at Boston University, attaining a degree in American Studies, and has since earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Currently he lives and teaches in the Boston Area. Brett Levanto and his wife Holly welcomed their daughter, Ellarene (Ellie) Marie Levanto, on September 6, 2013. Ellie was born to a family with deep roots at the Academy. Her great grandparents Maria Brayman Friswell ’39 and the late Dr. John Friswell ’35 and the late John Levanto ’40 as well as her grandparents Bonnie Friswell Levanto ’66 and David Levanto ’64 along with her dad, three uncles and many, many cousins are all Academy alums!
category for the Core77 Design Awards 2013 program. The project, Rocking Lump, is a chair made with paper pulp that doubles as both a rocking chair and an adult-sized rocking horse. As the jury explained in their comments, the Rocking Lump is “an informal and playful object that showcases a true research material.” The Furniture & Lighting Category honors excellence in the fields of industrial and furniture design.
2004 Amy Jancewicz and her life partner, David Chmielecki, welcomed their first child, a son, Wyatt Jacob, on November 1, 2012. Wyatt’s godmother is Isabel DelVecchio ’04. Amy and her family live in Wisconsin where she is currently a PhD candidate in the Cellular and Molecular Biology program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, studying the genetic mechanisms of polyamines in plant stress response.
2003 On June 14, 2013, Cranbrook Academy of Art student Michael Neville was awarded student runner -up in the Furniture & Lighting
2006 Congratulations to Amy Quay and Chad Greene who will be married on July 12, 2014.
Zachary Lamothe has always been intrigued by local lore and history and recently had his book, Connecticut Lore: Strange, Off Kilter and Full of Surprises, released by
Michael on his award winning Rocking Lump
Sarah Melchior graduated from the College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law in May and recently passed the Virginia Bar Exam. She recently was sworn in by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
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In Memoriam 2007 Since graduation, Randi Ladd attended York College of Pennsylvania where she attained her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education/Social Studies as well as a degree in History. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2011. In college she was part of many honors organizations and was committed through helping her community grow and prosper. She co-chaired the Relay for Life event for York College and helped to successfully raise over $50,000 for the American Cancer Society. Upon graduation she moved back to CT for a year where she became a substitute teacher and supervisor for a Mohegan Sun restaurant. An amazing opportunity presented itself and in 2012 Randi moved to Charlotte, NC to teach at Randolph IB Middle School - an IB magnet school in Mecklenburg County. She has made this her home and hopes to raise her family there.
2009 Rob Kearney is currently a Graduate Student at Springfield College. Rob just competed at the North American Strongman National Championship in Denison, TX where he successfully won the National Title and is now a Professional Strongman. Rob will be competing at the World Championships in Columbus, OH in March 2014.
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Class Notes continued on page 42
Former History & Social Studies teacher, George Mitchell Geer, passed away on June 9, 2013 at the age of 81. He graduated from UConn in 1954 with a BA degree in Industrial Management and entered the US Air Force in December 1954. He received numerous commendations from the military and while serving in Germany, he obtained a MS degree in secondary education from the University of Southern California and a MS degree in counseling from Ball State University in Indiana. He retired from the Air Force as a Captain in July 1975 and started teaching that September at NFA where he remained for twenty years, retiring in July 1996.
Adeline Jaskiewicz Fleming, Class of 1933, passed away on June 21, 2013 in Palo Alto, CA at the age of 97. She was a career elementary school teacher and began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Griswold, Connecticut and also taught in Arizona, California and Massachusetts. When World War II began, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp and served in Africa and Italy. She was active in town politics while she resided in Groton, CT. Adeline is survived by her daughter Jeanne Fleming and son-in-law Leonard Schwarz of Palo Alto, CA; daughter Adeline Fleming of Eugene, OR; and by her sister Irene Jaskiewicz Mahoney, Class of ’31.
Mary Eileen Ukleja Hyde, Class of 1937, passed away on September, 12 2013 in Kennewick, Washington at the age of 94. She was the first in her family to attend high school and was very proud to be an NFA graduate. In April 2010, Mary contacted the Alumni Office and requested a copy of her high school diploma, which was lost during a move at some point. Although the exact diploma that was issued to her in 1937 was not available, a very close replica was sent to her and a note was received from her indicating she was so pleased to once again have her high school diploma. After Mary graduated from NFA she was employed as a personal aide by the wife of Henry Tirrell, then Principal of NFA. She worked for Mrs. Tirrell until she married in 1940. Mary traveled extensively after marrying Don Hyde, a sailor from Washington State. Her family moved to Olympia, WA in 1971 where Mary worked for the State of Washington for many years. After retiring she volunteered for a travel agency for 20 years and, well into her 80s, drove all over the Olympia area delivering airline tickets to State offices and employees. Mary lived a wonderfully full, adventurous and productive life.
Deceased The following is a list of NFA graduates who are known to have passed away between May 14, 2013 and December 14, 2013. We express our deepest sympathy to their families and classmates. They will be missed. 1933 Adeline Jaskiewicz Fleming 1935 Raymond Helmboldt Samuel Kofkoff 1936 Anna Blanchette Humphrey 1937 Robert Brand Armand Fontaine Mary Ukleja Hyde Grace Horton Potter Nicoletta Perrone Thomas 1938 Bernice Busch Brown Genevieve Prezkop Tessier 1940 Patrick Bray Aime Douville Lucille Brunelle Gerillo Louise Fedeli Stott 1941 Irene Fletcher Baker Charlotte Stafford Brauneis Virginia Kellner Cleary 1942 Eilleen LaBounty Rogers 1943 Jean Wilber Roscoe Chrissoula Phillips Sawyer Eugene Speck Sylvia Lahn Stoner
1944 Ruth Jacobowitz Walsh Haus Ethel Barrie Lathrop Richard Lathrop Katherine O’Connell Murton* Mary Donovan Spellman
1945 Michael Brennan Arthur Mitchell Mary Smith Morse Lillian Karkutt Shefer Charles Stone* Sophie Konikowski Varnish 1948 John Brown Virginia Kemmer Schaeffer Frank Wagner 1949 Diana Tedeschi Hinman 1950 Margaret Culotta Stanley 1951 Betty Fitch Barriere Henry Graves Patricia Tracey Lake Ronald LeBlanc 1952 Patricia Barry J. Robert Craney Corliss Kramer Lamperelli Lucy Boenig Theroux 1953 Phyllis Lapuc Ann Martin Lindquist Joseph Piela Theresa Dzialo Tumicki 1954 Barbara Drury Pollard 1955 Elizabeth Shea Chick Patricia Gladue Graves* 1956 John Pedace Walter Korenkiewicz Faith Considine Vigneau-Hubler
1957 Mary Fidrych Avery Shirley Maine Honeysette Linda Paliocha Koonce* William Sebastian 1958 Inez Crouch LaChance Barbara Wolverton Pedace Lillian Waszkiewicz Terranova* 1959 Nicholas Dinsmoor 1960 Thomas Hogan* James Jacaruso 1962 Linda Rogers Bartlett Lucille Lavigne Crute 1963 Paul Mallon Robert Tabaka 1964 Janine Vegiard Eisold William Robitaille 1965 Michael D’Andria Richard Goldberg Leonard Ham 1966 Nancy Markley Bunce*
1971 Lorna Thoma Caviggia David Pupa 1973 Kevin Lamontagne 1974 Andrew Handy 1975 Arthur Smith 1983 Suzanne Labrie Stephanie Wybraniec Levine 1984 Mitchell Bright 1985 Keith Dupont 1987 Annette James 1992 Tracy Guy 1994 Tammy Paul 2001 Nicole Hollis
*Deceased prior to May 14, 2013
1967 Claude Moore 1969 Susan Radwill McLaughlin Mark Pawlikowski 1970 Ellen Moriarty Brennan
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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 classyears.com fieldhouse.com highschoolalumnireunion.com myschoolreunited.com prepsportswear.com reunionguidebook.com reunionposts.org 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 website for NFA is www.nfaschool.org and our official Facebook page is www.facebook.com/nfaschool. E-mails originating from NFA, the NFA Foundation and the NFA Alumni Association are sent from the domain @nfaschool.org Please visit our official sites to remain in touch with NFA and your classmates. Please be aware that some emails will link you to sites like alumniclass.com that do not originate from or benefit the Norwich Free Academy or NFA Alumni Association!
Class Notes continued from page 40
2010 Air Force Airman Nathanael J. Lee graduated from basic military training at Joint Base, San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Lisa MacDonald Lee-Walker ’88 and Warren Lee. Joey O’Shea, along with a group of researchers and students from UConn and Harvard Medical School, have developed a new web program that will help scientists visually analyze DNA and protein sequence patterns faster and more efficiently than ever before. Called the probability logo (pLogo) generator, the program produces graphical representations of amino acids and nucleotides – the building blocks of biological molecules, like protein and DNA. Joey was billed as a co-first author in the online journal Nature Methods on October 6, 2013 for his work on the website.
2013 Hannah Marshall was honored last year for winning a gold award in the 2013 National Scholastic Art Awards and for having her award winning print in the National Scholastic Exhibit in NYC. She was recently notified that her print was selected to be one of the 58 works from the national exhibit to be displayed in the Department of Education building in Washington, DC. Hannah is in her freshman year at The School of The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
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NFA FUND Unrestricted donations to the NFA Fund help provide our students and faculty with resources unparalleled at other schools in our region. Your annual donations make an incredible impact on the opportunities we are able to provide our current and future students. To make a donation to the NFA Fund, please send your gift with the form below to the NFA Foundation, Inc., 321 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360; visit us online at www.nfaschool.org/giving; or, give us a call at 860-425-5547. Gifts to the NFA Foundation, Inc. are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you for your ongoing support of Norwich Free Academy!
Yes! I want to support the NFA Fund! Name/Class of
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To make a gift of stock, please call the Foundation Office at 860-425-5547.
NFA Car Sticker
STICK WITH US The NFA Alumni Association, in an ongoing effort to remain connected to our alumni, is continuing with the Stick With Us! Campaign and encourages alumni to contact the Alumni Office to update or confirm their contact information. A NFA car decal, for you to proudly display, will be sent to you as a token of appreciation. Go to www.nfaschool.org/update to update your contact information. Be sure to tell your classmates. We want you all to STICK WITH US! 43
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Alumni & Development Staff: Kathleen McCarthy, Assistant Director of Development 860-887-2507 x5547 mccarthyk@nfaschool.org Allison Turcotte, Development Associate 860-887-2507 x5541 turcottea@nfaschool.org Linda Clang Ververis ‘78, Director of Alumni Relations & Constituent Research 860-887-2507 x5542 ververisl@nfaschool.org
NFA Alumni Association Established by norwich Free Academy in 1876
Calling all NFA Alumni: Let’s Stay Connected
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 contact us:
on the web…. www.nfaschool.org/wildcatconnection
via email… alumni@nfaschool.org
or through the mail… NFA Alumni Association 321 Broadway - Norwich CT 06360
Follow NFA on Twitter twitter.com/nfaschool or at #nfaschool or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfaschool.
Visit the Wildcat Connection page for Alumni Award Nomination information
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