Avonian - Spring 2010

The Legacy of Avon Old Farms SchoolKriSTiAn BuSh ’88 | OLd FArmS COnvALeSCenT hOSpiTAL

AvOn WinS The Green Cup ChALLenGe

Spring 2010

ArT CuSTer, Dean of Faculty

The CusterLegacy

AvOn OLd FArmS SChOOL

headmasterKenneth h. Larocque

provostJohn T. Gardner

editormorgan C. Cugell

director of developmentpeter evans

director of CommunicationsTimothy Stay ’97

designer2k design

www.2kdesign.com

Alumni notesLizabeth Abramson

photographerspeter deckers ’90

Jonathan Lester ’63Spencer Sloan

Timothy Stay ’97

printerLithographics, inc., Farmington, CT

ContributorsThanks to everyone who contributed to this

magazine. Special thanks to Lizabeth Abramson, Ann Beloin, Cheryl Benoit, Anne Black, Graham Callaghan ’95, heather Callaghan, Brian Cugell,

peter deckers, peter evans, Sue evans, Susan haile, Carol Ketcham, Ken Larocque, dan Seiden ’00,

Tim Stay ’97, and Christine Walder.

The Avonian is published for the alumni, parents, and friends of Avon Old Farms School. it is distributed to approximately 8,000 readers.

All rights reserved.

Avon Old Farms School500 Old Farms road

Avon, CT 06001www.avonoldfarms.com

(860) 404-4100

Admissions(800) 464-2866

[email protected]

AlumniWe enjoy hearing from you!

please send us your latest news and notes:email: [email protected]

phone: (800) 336-8195Fax: (860) 675-7135

emailmembers of the administration and faculty can be emailed by using the following formula: last name

+ first initial @avonoldfarms.com. The directory on the school website also includes email links.

Avon Old Farms School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges,

programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disabilities, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies,

admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Artwork from one of Avon’s most talented young artists, Giri Suarsana ’11. Giri was one of four Avonians recently recognized at the 21st annual Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Competition, held at the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford on January 31st. The exhibition, which is the largest student visual arts event in the state, was featured in the Silpe Gallery through February 5. Giri was awarded a Silver Key in Mixed Media and an Honorable Mention in Drawing, while Gihoon Song ’10 was recognized with a Gold Key in Drawing, Jingzhe Cui ’11 received an Honorable Mention in Mixed Media, and Robert Barker ’12 won a Gold Key and the Simonds Award for Best in Traditional Photography. Congrats!

LeTTer FrOm The ediTOr

dear readers,

This issue is all about legacy—

and everything that word means.

From sets of brothers and

cousins, to faculty who have

been here for decades, to

original architecture that has

stood the test of time, Avon Old

Farms School is steeped in the

history of legacy, and i was

proud to learn about such a

revered tradition. See if you can

connect all of the driscolls on

page 16, or find your classmates

in old yearbook photos. dean of

Faculty Art Custer is particularly

inspiring, as well; the Custer

legacy extends all the way back

to the riddle era!

This issue also highlights

the Old Farms Convalescent

hospital, and the ceremony that

took place this past vevev teran’s

day to commemorate the

hospital’s 65th anniversary.

The entire AOF community was

touched by the extraordinary

legacy of the veterans who came

to campus for the occasion.

Stay tuned for your next

issue, which will be in mailboxes

in early September, followed by

the traditional fall magazine in

late november. We’re trying out

a new format at the start of this

school year: a miniature issue,

with full, timely coverage of the

spring athletics season, the Blue

Blazer Ball, Grandparent’s day,

reunion, and Commencement.

As always, i welcome your

feedback!

Aspirando et perseverando,

Morgan C. [email protected]

860-404-4239

p16

p9

p20

p24

p28

Features

12 The Legacy of Avon Old Farms Schoolby Morgan C. Cugell

30 The Costellos: Frank ’60 and John ’85 by Susan Haile

48 The Last Word: “Alumnus Football”by Grantland Rice

spotlights

8 Athletic Spotlight: Josh dionne ’10by Morgan C. Cugell

20 Faculty Focus: Art Custerby Susan Haile

24 Student Spotlight: patrick hampton ’10 by Morgan C. Cugell

Departments

2 headmaster

4 village Green

8 Athletics

26 The elephant remembers

32 Class notes

CoveR PHoTo: Dean of Faculty Art Custer. Photo by Spencer Sloan.

SW-COC-002935

visit www.avonoldfarms.com to check out our new school website!

2 Spring 2010 The Avonian

From the headmasterby Kenneth h. Larocque

A year ago our economy was in a freefall; Avon’s endowment,

like the endowments of so many independent secondary

schools and colleges, was ravaged, and the consequences of

this situation at school were unpleasant. We were forced to

restructure faculty, staff, and administrative positions, freeze

salaries, adjust employee benefits, and increase expectations

for everyone. We all rejoice that the economy has begun

its arduous climb back to a state of health, but know that

the road to recovery will be long and will require patience,

discipline, and careful planning.

Over the past year, the Old Farms family has recognized the

challenges we face, and has supported us in an unprecedented

manner. Last year, we set a record for unrestricted annual

giving, and that support was instrumental in seeing us through

the most trying time in memory. This year, we are on target to

meet our annual giving benchmarks, and the major operating

restructuring we enacted last year is helping us to meet our

fiscal goals. We are excited to begin to proceed with various

programs that were set aside last year because of concerns with

the economy. For example, this September we will be offering,

for the first time, mandarin as a part of our language program.

The 2009-2010 school year has been a banner year in

many ways. Our hockey team won its record eighth division

i new england hockey Championship; our musicians and

visual artists were honored for impressive accomplishments

in regional and national competition; and, for the first time,

Avon Old Farms finished first in the extremely competitive

northeast division of the Green Cup Challenge! This

competition challenged schools to decrease their consumption

of electricity over the course of a month in a measurable way.

AAA year ago our economy was in a freefall; Avon’s endowment, AA year ago our economy was in a freefall; Avon’s endowment,

like the endowments of so many independent secondary Alike the endowments of so many independent secondary

schools and colleges, was ravaged, and the consequences of Aschools and colleges, was ravaged, and the consequences of

this situation at school were unpleasant. We were forced to Athis situation at school were unpleasant. We were forced to

restructure faculty, staff, and administrative positions, freeze Arestructure faculty, staff, and administrative positions, freeze

Alumni remember the transformative experience they gained in the Village of Old Farms and want their sons, grandsons, nephews, and other

relatives to have the same opportunity. By enrolling legacy students at school, we are strengthening the Avon community in important ways.

FrOm The heAdmASTer

in typical Avon fashion, our boys decided if we were going

to compete, we should strive to win, and we were successful

in cutting our electrical usage by over 18 percent. Avonians

also distinguished themselves as community servants as they

volunteered to work on service projects in Texas, South

Carolina, and ecuador during their spring break, and raised

thousands of dollars to support needy children in hartford at

the holiday season. The Class of 2010 has been a driving force

in our many accomplishments this year.

The theme of this issue of The Avonian focuses on one

of the fastest growing and largest constituencies within our

student body: our legacies. This year we opened school with

89 students whom we consider to be legacies, representing

well over 20 percent of our student population. To qualify

as a legacy, you must be an Avonian who has a relative who

attended our school previously. Because Avon was closed

during the middle of the 1940’s and served as a convalescent

hospital for the rehabilitation of blinded World War ii

veterans, and the size of the student body following our

reopening in 1948 was small for several years, few legacies

enrolled here for many years. That situation has changed

quickly and dramatically over the past decade, and it is

another important signal of the positive evolution of Old

Farms. Alumni remember the transformative experience

they gained in the village of Old Farms and want their sons,

grandsons, nephews, and other relatives to have the same

opportunity. By enrolling legacy students at school, we are

strengthening the Avon community in important ways.

in ending, i want to congratulate John Gardner, our

provost and varsity hockey coach, who is finishing his 35th

year at Old Farms. John is considered by most to be the

preeminent schoolboy hockey coach in the country, having

won over 600 games and eight new england championships.

This April, he was awarded the Gold Key Award by the

Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance. To many the Gold

Key Award serves as Connecticut’s Sports hall of Fame and

includes such state sports figures as Connie mack, Floyd

Little, Bobby valentine, Calvin valentine, Calvin v murphy, Gordie howe, Jim

Calhoun, rebecca Lobo, and president G.W. Bush. And on

may 1 in naples, Florida, the American hockey Coaches

Association presented John with the John mariucci Award

“to honor a secondary school coach who best exemplifies the

spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm of the Godfather of u.S.

hockey, John mariucci.” For 35 years, John has served our

boys selflessly as the quintessential boarding school master,

and we are thrilled that his special efforts in coaching hockey

are being appropriately recognized.

3The Avonian Spring 2010

We’d like to hear from you!

do you have any special Avon anecdotes? memories of your time at

the Farm? please send in any thoughts on your Avon experience for possible

inclusion in future publications.

Avon Old Farms School Class of 2010


Joining the Green Schools Alliance in 2009 (www.greenschoolsalliance.org), Avon entered the Green Cup Challenge for the first time this year and competed in the northeast Boarding Schools division, which included over 50 schools of the 200 participating nationwide. The Green Cup Challenge is “the original, student-driven, inter-school energy challenge…to measure and reduce electricity use and Greenhouse Gas emissions.” entering the competition was a great way to raise awareness and rally the community around the effort of curtailing electricity consumption and reducing carbon emissions as part of the green initiatives gaining momentum on campus. The school was already in the midst of an effort to be more environmentally aware; an extensive energy Audit of the school was completed in October of 2008. Within a year, the school had implemented all of its payback projects, including converting almost all of the light bulbs on campus to CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs), placing weather

stripping on doors and areas that were drafty, repairing broken windows on campus, and replacing some dated appliances and home boilers. Additionally, the heating system in elephant dormitory was completely re-done during the summer of 2009, which also marked the installation of the school’s solar array. Building set points have been lowered from 70 degrees to 68 degrees; night set backs are at 60 degrees. Automated heating and cooling controls in buildings on campus were improved where possible, as well. helping to achieve victory in the Green Cup Challenge, awareness was increased in all dormitories; designated students known as Light hawks monitored electricity usage in their assigned areas, and a highly successful, inter-dormitory competition spanned the four weeks of the Green Cup Challenge, January 25—February 22. The competition centered on unannounced “dorm raids,” wherein small groups of faculty and student volunteers would check dormitories

during morning meeting to calculate the percentage of rooms that had shut off lights and turned off other electronics. each week, the dormitory with the highest percentage of rooms without lights, computers, or other electronics left on won a pizza party. pelican dormitory, whose first-week number was a low 59 percent, raised its counts to 100 percent, 100 percent, and 95 percent for the final three weeks. According to nate riley ’10, co-president of the environmental Club and monitor in diogenes dormitory, “the response from pelican after [the] first week is the epitome of the seriousness the school took towards the competition against other schools and amongst our dorms. Also, being a monitor going through the halls and seeing guys leave the dorm, who normally would not have turned off their lights and electronics, but who now do, speaks of the cohesiveness and the school spirit so prevalent here.” during the four weeks of dorm raids, six of eight dormitories succeeded in

AOF Tops the ranks in Green Cup ChallengeWinged Beavers Finish First Among Northeast Boarding Schools


Village Green

5The Avonian

having 100 percent of their rooms without anything left on, and the total percentage of rooms campus-wide without anything left on was 87 percent.

One of the main suggestions coming from the 2008 energy Audit concerned changing school culture to pay greater attention to everyday instances of wasting energy, and the inter-dormitory competition contributed significantly to our energy reduction. When the final results were tallied, Avon had surpassed all of the other schools in the northeast Boarding Schools division in energy ivision in energy isavings, achieving an 18.72 percent reduction in kWh compared to its average electricity use in the past three Februaries!

Ben Larocque ’10, who is a member of the environmental Club and was a dorm raid volunteer, commented, “The whole process really showed me how far Avon has come in the four years i have been here. As an underclassman, i can remember listening to mr. Last give a chapel talk about how much unnecessary waste Avon produces. The community’s response to the GCC showed me that Avon has stepped up to the plate on this issue.”

Similarly, headmaster Ken Larocque echoed the sentiment that the late michael Stradley, the driving force behind much of the school’s green initiative in recent years, “would be very proud of this accomplishment, and his

spirit was probably with us throughout the Green

Cup Challenge.”

Congratulations to all in the Avon community who made this win

possible!

in 2008, the entrepreneur Club emerged on campus, and has since evolved into The Avon Edge Club. in addition to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit among the student body, this group participates in résumé workshops, interview preparation, and financial literacy certification. highlights from the school year so far have included a partnership with Y.e.S. (Yale entrepreneurial Society) and the Yale School of management for a panel discussion with venture capitalists and young entrepreneurs; an invitation to participate with the m.i.T. enterprise Forum; and the chance to attend lectures from world-renowned speakers such as Steve Forbes.

On march 29, returning early from their spring break, 14 students traveled to Boston to the Fidelity investments headquarters to experience a behind- the-scenes look into the world of finance. hosted by AOF Board member Brian Conroy ’82, these young men had the unique opportunity to gain insight into possible careers in the financial sector while gaining valuable advice from accomplished alumni at Fidelity like mr. Conroy, mike O’neill ’00, and mike Cashel ’80, as well as Jack Sebastian ’84, who works for Goldman Sachs.

The boys sat overlooking the trading floor with stock symbols and CnBCscreens constantly streaming the latest breaking news and taking the temperature of the markets. After the morning session the students were guided through the Chart room, learning how presidential elections have impacted the market and how the

Young Entrepreneurs Travel to Boston

By dan Seiden ’00, Club Advisor

The Avon Edge is the framework for professional networking and career services available in the AOF alumni network. Avon is at the forefront of online networking, utilizing platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn Groups to provide both current students and alumni with extensive professional resources. To connect with the rest of the alumni community please visit www.avonoldfarms.com/alumni.


economy’s progression can be tracked simply through magazine covers.

next stop: FCAT, the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology. The students stepped into what can only be described as Willy Wonka’s factory for “techies.” Based on the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, Fidelity’s technology department strives to improve every day. The innovation at FCAT involved everything from infrared FCAT involved everything from infrared FCAToptic recognition to “magic” wands and pens that make the remote control and the every day writing instrument obsolete. The demonstrations at FCATleft the boys wide-eyed and excited about the next generation of technology that will be at their fingertips. After an overview on portfolio management and research, the students finished the busy day at the Capital markets branch located at the World Trade Center.

Throughout the visit the students noticed several similarities between the financial world at Fidelity and life at Avon. They observed the prevalence of the ‘team’ mentality, and that both institutions foster the competitive spirit. The club’s gracious alumni hosts shared not only their financial expertise, but also some life advice for the world beyond the Farm. mike Cashel encouraged the seniors to “own” their college decisions and Brian Conroy explained that they do not have to solely focus on economics to pursue a career in finance, and cited his degree in religion as a testament to that. mike O’neill stressed that above all else, they have to be passionate about whatever they do, and success will surely follow.

6 Spring 2010 The Avonian6

Since graduating from Avon Old Farms School in 2005, Jackson howard has visited five continents, as both a student and as a budding young photographer. “i studied photography for three years at Avon,” explains Jackson. “in traveling, i’ve been able to capture unique perspectives on different cultures.” As a student at vassar College, Jackson majored in Latin American and Latino Studies, and minored in hispanic Studies, an educational pursuit that afforded him the unique opportunity to combine

his passions for travel, culture, and photography. As a student, he spent a full academic year studying in Bolivia and Chile, in addition to two summer semesters abroad, in mexico and South Korea. “Traveling during college helped me develop my intercultural communication skills, the seeds of which were planted at AOF,” observes Jackson. “making friends with students from all over the world at Avon taught me to take advantage of learning about different cultures and languages.” Jackson cites Avon as the foundation

for his desire to see more of the world, and to learn more about the lives and cultures of his classmates. “my interest in foreign cultures grew at Avon, and since leaving i have traveled to more than 15 countries,” notes Jackson. “A lot of this has been out of curiosity, thanks to my major in college, i was able to explore that passion and learn on a constant, hands-on basis.” having graduated from vassar in 2009, Jackson is now headed to graduate school at American university’s School of international Service.

Jackson howard ’05

Far left: Tifariti, Western Sahara, in August 2009. “The refugees held a large gathering where they played music, and these women were leaving in the late evening.”

Left: Taken in March 2009 atop a hill in the refugee camp of Smara. “I had gone to the top of a hill to take a large panoramic photo and these children came out to say hello.”

Below: Jackson Howard ’05, on a visit to the Saharawi refugee camps.

Village Green

© 2010 Jackson Howard Photography


Kristian Bush ’88 Sugarland Star Spends a Day on Campus

Kristian Bush ’88 visited Avon Old Farms School on Thursday, march 4, spending his first day back on campus in nearly 20 years. Kristian is one half of the country music super-duo Sugarland, also featuring Jennifer nettles. The group has enjoyed massive success over the last five years, including several American music Awards and Academy of Country music Awards, in addition to two Grammy Awards in 2009, for Best Country performance by a duo or Group and Best Country Song, both for their hit single, “Stay.”

Arriving Wednesday evening, Arriving Wednesday evening, AKristian enjoyed dinner at headmaster Larocque’s house, along with dean peter eveve ans, his wife Sue, and former headmaster George Trautman, who had acted as a mentor to Kristian during his time as a student at Avon. in fact, it was George who first gave Kristian access to a room near the Adams Theatre where he would spend time practicing his guitar and writing songs.

Kristian addressed the Avon Kristian addressed the Avon K

community at morning meeting on Thursday, where he recalled the “anxiety” of morning meeting, and observed all the positive change that he saw had occurred since he had graduated, such as the thriving performing arts program. he spoke of all the songs—“bad songs”—he wrote during his three years at AOF, and encouraged student musicians to write as much as they can, about whatever they’re feeling. he recalled that many of his songs were written while in the water as a varsity swimmer, because his stroke kept rhythm. he also encouraged students to endure the countless rejections they’ll face before that one big ‘yes.’

“i have a very unlikely life,” he commented. “But it’s possible for you, too. You have to know you can do it.”

Kristian then spent the day attending classes and answering questions from students. he spent time with the riddlers, Avon’s elite singing group; Kristian himself was an inaugural member of the riddlers when the group was formed during his time at school. The riddlers, as well as the student-run small group, the Sing-ed Beavers, performed for Kristian, who in turn opened up the class to questions. he spoke of his busy travel and tour schedule, his “humbling” experiences recording in the famed Abbey road Studios in London, and his tendency to still get nervous. he also discussed Sugarland’s recent participation in Quincy Jones’ remake of “We Are the World” to benefit relief efforts in haiti.

Kristian then spent the day attending classes and answering questions from

now finishing its debut semester, this new music appreciation ow finishing its debut semester, this new music appreciation ocourse, taught by Chamber ensemble director Sarah Larsen, has become a popular addition to the arts department.

The course was designed to introduce the history of the greatest music and composers of the last 400 years to musicians and non-musicians alike. The course is open to all students, and no formal music training is required.

Students are asked to listen to and identify major works from Bach, mozart, Beethoven, debussy, Stravinsky, and Copland, as well as many others, while they improve their listening skills. The course also surveys American music from the 18th century to present day, focusing on blues, jazz, swing, pop, rock, country, and rap. Assignments and discussions focus on how social and political events have shaped the way music was written and enjoyed. Groundbreaking instruments or techniques in music, and the artists who pioneered them, are also covered, such as auto-tune, a form of which originated with

Academic Spotlight: From Bach to The Beatles

vivaldi and is now used by rap superstar Lil Wayne.valdi and is now used by rap superstar Lil Wayne.ivaldi and is now used by rap superstar Lil Wayne.iAdditionally, the class enjoys periodic guest speakers and Additionally, the class enjoys periodic guest speakers and

performers, such as John the Savage, who are currently touring. performers, such as John the Savage, who are currently touring. The band came in to talk about their lives on the road, and they The band came in to talk about their lives on the road, and they performed and handed out free Cperformed and handed out free Cds. The class recently also engaged in an exciting debate about the validity of antique engaged in an exciting debate about the validity of antique performance practice and historical reproduction.performance practice and historical reproduction.

The music appreciation course, which fulfills the arts eciation course, which fulfills the arts requirement, was made possible by the generosity of Gilman requirement, was made possible by the generosity of Gilman Ordway ’44.

AthleticsJon Quick ’05: Team uSA

Jon Quick ’05 recently represented the united States in the XXiWinter Olympic Games in vancouvvancouvv er, B.C. Team uSA won a silver medal, losing to Canada 2-3 in overtime in the championship game.

This is Jon’s second full season with the nhL’s Los Angeles Kings. L’s Los Angeles Kings. L he continues to lead the Kings as the starting goaltender, and currently holds a 39-24-5-4 record in net this year for the Kings with a .908 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average in 69 games played. his 39 wins are a single-season record for the Kings, passing mario Lessard’s 35 wins in the 1980-81 season.

Since arriving as a sophomore transfer in 2008, Josh dionne ’10 has been a three-sport varsity athlete, competing on the soccer, hockey, and lacrosse teams. Originally from

merrimack, new hampshire, Josh transferred from the Brooks School in north Andover, mass., and made an immediate impact on the athletic scene at Avon.

To date, he’s won a To date, he’s won a T new england prep school soccer championship and not one but two new england division i hockey titles; he was also part of the 2009 lacrosse team that broke deerfield Academy’s two-year undefeated streak. This year, he was named captain of both the soccer and lacrosse teams.

Though he has enjoyed immense success in the athletic arena, Josh is

quick to credit his teammates and coaches as instrumental factors in all of his accomplishments, claiming ron and Sue nentwig as “on campus parents” and coaches Gardner and doyle as his biggest supporters; “simply because they believed in me, i did all i could not to let them down,” he says.

Also crucial in his success is Josh’s sheer passion. “Athletics have opened sheer passion. “Athletics have opened sheer passion. “doors to the future that i couldn’t have imagined existing,” observes Josh. “Through sports, i’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime, whether it be with my classmates now, or alumni who graduated years ago. i’ve made some amazing memories playing for Avon—without sports, ihonestly don’t know what i would have done.”

Josh cites this year’s playoff hockey tournament as one of the defining

moments in his career as a Winged Beaver—specifically, emerging as champions after a rough season start and the ensuing 7th-place seed in postseason th-place seed in postseason th

play. “i’ve been fortunate to have been a part of a lot of unforgettable moments at Avon,” notes Josh, “and have had the pleasure to play with some of the most athletic kids in the country. We had a special group of kids this year, who grew very close as the season went on, and there was no better way of ending my hockey career at Avon than on top, with a championship, and i can’t thank the

team, the coaches, and the Avon Army enough for giving me that memory that will last a lifetime.”osh will attend duke

university next year, where he will compete on the Blue devil evil evarsity lacrosse team.

team, the coaches, and the Avon Army enough for giving me that memory that will last a lifetime.”Josh will attend uwhere he will compete on the Blue varsity lacrosse team.

Athletic Spotlight: Josh dionne ’10

9

Athletics

The Avonian

After getting off to a slow, 5-5-1 start, varsity hockey made dramatic progress during the second half of the season on their way to a post-season berth as the #7 seed out of 61 participating schools in the new england prep School elite 8 Championships. On march 3, a legion of Avon student fans flooded the Gunnery School rink to witness the Winged Beavers defeat the #2 seed by a score of 7-3. An exciting 5-4 win over nobles in the semi-finals obles in the semi-finals obles in the semi-fset up the championship game against northfield mount hermon, where the Winged Beavers, super charged by “the Avon Army,” skated past a well-coached and talented nmh team to capture Coach John Gardner’s record-breaking 8th new england division i hockey championship. Congrats!

Coaching is a privilege. doing it at Avon Old Farms, as an alumnus, is a special opportunity. While Avon has a firm commitment to sports, the school as an academic institution believes that there is educational value in athletics, and we use sports as a venue to teach.

What What W i treasure most about this responsibility is that sports do so much to teach young people about themselves. As a coach, i know my job is to help athletes learn more about who they are and to develop their skills. Some of those skills are physical, but the most important skills they can develop are mental. in this regard, n this regard, nbaseball is a particularly challenging game. The game has so much to do with failure; it can be cruel and frustrating. in baseball, n baseball, nthe opportunities to teach young people how to best cope with failure, aspire and persevere, and give maximum effort, are rich. Great hitters still fail 7 out of 10 times; pitchers throw good pitches that get hit; the ball takes bad hops; the umpires make bad calls. Baseball devours everyone—even the most talented players.

Organizing an appropriate response to that reality is the ultimate test for

baseball players and coaches—to compete relentlessly in a tough and unforgiving game both as an individual and as a team. Continuing to strive for success in a game that involves so much failure provides an opportunity for growth and development. This environment allows players to learn how to cope with challenges, and helps them realize what they can do to successfully confront difficult situations. The truth is that failure and responsibility are important elements in learning.

The point is that all baseball can do is give people an opportunity to do their best to overcome challenges with their maximum effort and their best attitude. They need to take ownership over their performance and effort. They must keep working at it because success is not guaranteed. Talented baseball players and teams cannot let the negative or the routine failures overwhelm them. if they f they fdo, they will never “win.” They have to keep pushing and trying to get better; even if they know they’re going to fall short at times. We play the game because success

brings about a unique amount of joy, fun, and satisfaction in an activity we all have loved since we were boys; however, we never focus on the results, as those are not guaranteed in baseball—we focus on the process of learning and striving to get better. Learning that process is teaching; seeing athletes develop an understanding about how to be their best in a competitive environment is the thrill.

These characteristics are transferable to life. Sports help young people learn about themselves, and teach young people how to be their best, how to compete, and how to be on a team. That is what inspires me about coaching—not my love for the game, but my affection for helping athletes learn about who they are what they can achieve with their best efforts and attitude.

AOF hockey Captures 8th new england Title


Coaching is TeachingBy rob dowling ’91, head Coach, varvarv sity Baseball

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10 Fall 2009 The Avonian10 Spring 2010 The Avonian

HigHligHt s

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Athletics

The Avonian Fall 2009 11The Avonian Spring 2010

spring 2010


of Avon Old Farms School

Legacy the

By morgan C. Cugell


At Avon Old Farms School, legacy takes many forms. The legacy of Theodate pope riddle, and the historic boys school

she created, is undeniable. So is the legacy of faculty members and

administrators who have made Avon their home, and seen nearly four

decades of change, of graduating classes, of history in the making. many

faculty members are also alumni, carrying their legacy across generations

of education. members of the riddle Society leave their legacy by

acknowledging Avon in their wills, with a bequest to the school. Founder’s

era furniture, photography, artwork, and signage can be found in the

archives, a testament to the legacy of the School’s magnificent campus.

And then there are the legacies themselves: currently learning in the

same classrooms as their fathers, or playing on the same athletic fields as

their cousins, eating lunch in riddle refectory with their brothers, or,

in some cases, treading the same ground as some of their ancestors.

The long-standing tradition of legacy at Avon Old Farms School

shows no signs of slowing down; the influence that a boy’s legacy has on

his journey to becoming a ‘man of Avon’ helps make a student’s time

on campus an unforgettable experience, and one that he’ll share with

his family for years to come.

Did you know? There were 90 legacies enrolled at Avon Old

Farms School during the 2009-2010 school year.

Avon Old Farms has become a very important part of my Avon Old Farms has become a very important part of my Avon Old Farmslife, and its impact began before i ever set foot on campus back in the fall of 1976. Growing up in the suburbs of San Francisco i often heard stories and references to this strange and magical place called Avon Old Farms from my father (Jack ’49). Avon was indeed a strange and magical place, and my three years as a student established the foundation of my adult identity. And it also filled me with a burning passion to perhaps someday return to campus and be part of the community.

many years passed before i returned and i was fortunate enough to have my son, Jake, attend the Farm for all four years. That was a unique and highly enriching experience for him, living on the campus and closely interacting with the faculty.

in many ways, Avon Old Farms has changed in the half n many ways, Avon Old Farms has changed in the half ncentury between my father attending and my son graduating. But i think more has remained the same. it is fun and brings us t is fun and brings us tcloser together, sharing our various experiences. This was a great place to grow up and a wonderful place in which to grow old.

–John Bourgault ’80 (faculty)

Jack ’49, John ’80 (faculty), Jake ’09

Bourgaultthe

family

Avon clearly had a major influence on our entire family, our parents included, in large part because of the opportunities the school opened for us educationally, socially, and professionally. At least in my own case, i came to realize that it was possible to “think big.”

Our shared experiences, lessons, teachers/mentors/coaches and friends at Avon, and then at harvard, are the basis of our relationships together up through the present. –John Garvey ’78

The Garvey brothers on a recent ski trip: John ’78, Jimmy ’79, Joe ’80, and Jerry ’82. The Garveys are also all graduates of Harvard University.

John ’78, Jimmy ’79, Jerry ’82, Joe ’80

Garveythe

family

The Garvey brothers on a recent ski trip: John ’78, Jimmy ’79, Joe ’80, and Jerry ’82.

of Avon Old Farms SchoolLegacy the


Avon was the best time of my life- and it is still a major part of it. The ties between Avon and me are definitely strengthened because i am a legacy. Going to the same high school as my father and grandfather made me feel a certain level of pride every single day.

i will definitely want my son to go to Avon. i feel that since Avon was such an enlightening place for me, it could easily have the same effect on my son. mymym father and y father and y i will always have Avon together.

–Jake Bourgault ’09

Faculty member John Bourgault ’80, with son Jake ’09 at last year’s Commencement.


I feel extremely lucky to be a part of the history of Avon Old a part of the history of Avon Old aFarms. i loved the traditions of the school. i loved the richness of the architecture, the small classes, the attention the teachers gave us. i was definitely more of a student than an athlete, but i rose to the occasion in both areas. The school gave me a love of literature and a passion for history and an appreciation of the arts.

What What W i am so excited about is the evolution i have seen at the school. Avon was a good school when i attended and that was it. To have had my three sons go through it has given me a new lens to see that it has become a great school. i am so lucky that to some degree my regrets from my time there have been vindicated by the tremendous experiences and memories my boys have made in their time there. Avon Old Farms has evolved in the 30 years since i graduated into an incredible institution for the whole boy. Avon has gone through a renaissance that is now creating renaissance men. And i am incredibly proud to be a part of its history and a part of this new generation of renaissance men. irevel in my sons’ experiences.

The school does not perpetuate stereotypes. it breaks them. t breaks them. t it doesn’t allow one way alone to be the right way. it has evolved to t has evolved to tbe a place that embraces ALL kinds of gifts. instead of seeming to be what they are not, my boys have been allowed to truly bewho they are. Avon has brought out their gifts, strengthened their weaknesses, and allowed them to shine in their essence.

–Chris hampton ’79

The Hampton The Hampton men following men following Commencement, Commencement, 2009: Patrick ’09, 2009: Patrick ’09, Gerard ’11, Chris Gerard ’11, Chris ’09, and Chris ’79. ’09, and Chris ’79.

Chris ’79, Chris ’09, patrick ’10, Gerard ’11

Hamptonthe

family

Legacy will likely be more relevant to my son, Sean, who is going to be a post-grad at Avon next year. For him, i think the issue is more about living up to our expectations of him being successful at the school. The reality is that we just want him to go there and rely on the school doing what it does. Kind of a reverse legacy thing—in knowing that what Avon did for all of us, i know what it will do for him.

–Jimmy Garvey ’79

My connection to Avon Old Farms is so much stronger, because it’s like i have four graduating classes—we were unique, because we were so close and so tight in age. i shared their experiences, and they shared mine. i was able to see them enjoy the school, and that made it better for me, too. i’m looking forward to watching my nephew go there and continue the legacy. –Jerry Garvey ’82

As the youngest legacy, i feel honored to uphold my family’s tradition of being an Avonian. it is not easy to follow all of my family’s achievements, but i do feel as if i am making my own way. Avon will always be an important part of my life, and will always hold a special place in my family’s history.

–Gerard hampton ’11

The traditions of Avon Old Farms define both the school The traditions of Avon Old Farms define both the school The traditions of Avon Old Farmsand the lives of the people Avon touches. Traditions define the students dressed in graduation gown, stepping from the stage to the grass, holding their diplomas. Traditions define the faculty and staff through Boar’s head, vespervesperv s, and sit-down lunches. Being a legacy upheld a tradition that helped create the Avon experience for me. Arriving on the first day my freshman year, i was familiar with the campus, and had met some of the faculty. Before even meeting fellow students, i had the fortune of already feeling at home. While most students felt nervous, i knew that Avon had become a part of me.

–Chris hampton ’09

Being the third of the first four Garvey boys, legacy had a great impact on my time at Avon. By the time i got there, my brothers John and Jimmy had already established some pretty high expectations for me to live up to. Fortunately, a competitive nature developed by a very strong family made these expectations a welcome challenge and not at all a burden to bear. having Jerry following behind me also supplied motivation to set the bar a little higher in my own way.

The fact that all four of us went to Avon and then to harvard has definitely been one of the major bonds keeping my brothers and me connected over the years. Although we have all since gone our own paths, the things we have in common from our shared experiences have kept us close in spite of separation by time and distance. For me, and for my brothers i’m sure, being an Avonian is in many ways as much a part of my self-identity as being a Garvey.

As far as continuing the legacy, As far as continuing the legacy, As f i have two boys, currently 5 and 8. i consider Avon something i owe them, and i hope to send them there when the time comes. –Joe Garvey ’80

Hard to believe that over the last 37 years, 13 driscolls havewalked the campus of Avon Old Farms. Avon has strengthened Avon Old Farms. Avon has strengthened Aour bonds as brothers, uncles, fathers and sons.fathers and sons.f We haveWe haveW come to realize that we all walked in the same shoes, played on the same fields and sometimes lived in the same rooms (30 years apart) and are a stronger family because of it.

in many respects, Avon has changed little since my brothers and i lived there. As i watch my sons grow into men, it’s amazing to me how their friends are very much like the boys i went to school with. We often gather during the holidays and share stories about our days on the Farm. The memories span almost 40 years but the stories are remarkably similar. The faces have changed, yet today’s Avonions are the same talented, confident and well-mannered boys. i feel very comfortable when i go to sleep at night knowing that the same core values are alive and well at Avon, and i look forward to a day when there is a third generation of driscolls at Avon Old Farms. –Tom driscoll ’79

Avon Old Farms has always been a huge part of my life. Avon Old Farms has always been a huge part of my life. Avon Old Farmshaving come from such a long line of aving come from such a long line of a driscolls who have gone through Avon, it has become a part of my family, just as how Avon is a family in its own. Growing up on campus and having so much of my family go here, Avon has become something that i am so passionate about, and always will be.

my bond with Avon has been strengthened because of my y bond with Avon has been strengthened because of my yfamily and my bond with my family has grown through this school. Legacy is important at Avon because it adds to the feeling of family and tradition. i have pride in my family as i have pride in Avon. As one would always care for their family and their traditions, i will always care about Avon and what it stands for.

–Blaise driscoll ’08

Being the 13th Driscoll to attend Avon has made me feel very Being the 13th Driscoll to attend Avon has made me feel very Being the 13th Driscollconnected to my family. my parents always gave me the option of staying at home or attending Avon; the choice was not difficult to make. i wanted to experience everything that my brothers, uncles, and my father had the chance to experience.

–Stephen driscoll ’11


Driscoll family treethe

Kevin driscoll ’72 dean of Students

Blaise driscoll ’08 Stephen driscoll ’06

Joe driscoll ’72 mark driscoll ’73


I feel incredibly proud of my family’s legacy at Avon. They’re I feel incredibly proud of my family’s legacy at Avon. They’re I feel incredibly proudall good men, good fathers, they work really hard, and they live good, clean lives. This place has given us the opportunity to develop that—and so it’s important to carry on that legacy of giving back. i’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to work with my family—my son, my brothers, my nephews—it’s unbelievable. i’m a lucky guy. –Kevin driscoll ’72 (dean of Students)

Going to Avon, knowing how many driscolls had gone through that campus, was at first mind-blowing and nerve-wracking, but as i became used to the campus and the Avon way of life, it all became a part of me and it became my second home. i feel as if to be a driscoll boy, you need to go through Avon – it’s almost a right of passage to becoming a driscoll man. it is definitely a tradition that my brothers, cousins, and i hope to continue with our boys. When Stephen ’11 graduates it will be a sad day because this generation of driscolls is over, but i guarantee we will be back!

–John driscoll ’09

17The Avonian Spring 2010 1717

Tom driscoll ’79

John driscoll ’09 Stephen driscoll ’11

michael driscoll ’81 James driscoll ’77

michael driscoll ’08

John driscoll ’75

Kevin driscoll ’06

The legacy my father and uncles left at Avon made my experience at Avon different than many of my classmates. eveve er since ver since v i was a child, my father spoke of Avon in a way that made it seem almost magical. When i arrived at Avon as a sophomore, i realized that Avon was no longer a dream world; it was for real. i knew my dad and my uncle Kevin started the legacy by playing hard on the football field and by being young men with a strong sense of integrity and commitment. i looked to continue the legacy by playing hard and tough on the playing fields, and by bringing a sense of pride to my studies. i did my best to play tough, be polite, and respect my family. i wanted to make sure that i took advantage of my time at Avon, and i feel that i did. Avon has meant a lot to me and my family. –Stephen driscoll ’06

Facultythe legacy of the

henry Coons ’71 34 Years

Arthur Custer 28 Years

Kevin driscoll ’72 32 Years

peter evans 39 Years

The legacy of Avon Old Farms has much to do with its extraordinary faculty. As many as four decades of Avonian alumni share memories of the same faculty members. These men and woman have made Avon their home, and the Old Farms community—and 40 years of students—part of their extended family.

18 Spring 2010 The Avonian18

7

Panamathe

connection

The Tapia Brothersrodrigo ’01, Fernando ’02, Alvaro ’04, Alejandro ’11

The school connected me to my family and made me see how small panamanian society really is and how there is so much more to life than just panama. it made me grow and mature as a person by

connecting with people from different cultures, and to have daily responsibilities and a very structured routine, which iend up applying to my daily routine in my job. it taught me the importance of hard work and how a healthy lifestyle helps you in the real world. –Fernando Tapia ’02

The Barcenas Brothersrafael ’99, mario ’01, Guillermo ’03

i believe our experience at Avon brought us together even more. We are a close family, and my dad always reminded us to keep together. Avon brought that to another level. We had to support each other, and be there for each other. i believe it was a great experience that kept us together as brothers, friends, and now businessmen. We all feel very proud to be Avonians, and we all believe that this school prepared us much better for the years to come in life. We would not be the same individuals we are now, if we had not attended Avon; it simply made us better! –mario Barcenas ’01

The school connected me to my family and made me see how small really is and how there is so much more to life than just pand mature as a person by

connecting with people from different cultures, and to have

another level. We had to support each other, and be

The Consuegra FamilyJorge ’51, Jorge ’77, Andy ’80, eduardo ’11, Luis ’14

von Old Farms is a huge part of my life. There is not a day that goes by that i do not think about Avon Old Farms. eveve ery step very step v i take when i am on campus brings back positive

memories. And the improved aspect for me now is that i am formulating new experiences as a parent of a current student. i see that he is supervised so well by my long time friends in the administration and faculty. As i watch him wrestle or see him interact with other students and faculty i am very thankful he is living the values that are so important to life at Avon. And there is no doubt that his experiences there will help him on a path towards becoming a good man. –Jorge Consuegra ’77

One of the great aspects of Avon Old Farms is that while significant and impressive physical changes have been made to the school over the years, the values of hard work, tradition,

community, and friendship will remain the same. So, it is with great pride and excitement that my son will follow in the footsteps of me, my father, brother, and nephew when he enrolls at AOF in the fall. in today’s world of constant change and new n today’s world of constant change and new nchallenges, it is comforting to know that Luis will be exposed to the similar experiences and values that so greatly influenced us over so many years. –Andy Consuegra ’80

memories. And the improved aspect for me

Avon Old Farms is a Avon Old Farms is a Ahuge part of my life. There is not a day that goes by that think about Avon Old Farms. when brings back positive

memories. And the improved aspect for me memories. And the improved aspect for me

One of the great aspects of Avon Old Farms is that while significant and impressive physical changes have been made to the school over the years, the values of hard work, tradition,

community, and friendship will remain the same. So, it is community, and friendship will remain the same. So, it is community, and friendship will remain the same. So, it is

Jorge ’77

Andy ’80 Jorge ’51

Jorge ’77,eduardo ’11


remember giving a speech to the Board of directors when i was a freshman at Avon. ichose to talk about my

family’s legacy, which at the time was, i think, 13 people. i was very proud that i had a family member in the first-ever class at Avon, and that my grandfather and his brothers all became Warden. i enjoyed hearing all of the stories of the old days at Old Farms, and how my grandfather would have tea with mrs. riddle.

The Merritt Family Science Laboratory

honoring all merritt and extended family members who have attended Avon Old Farms School since the school’s founding in 1927

*in november 1998, John C. merritt ’34 donated the very first gift towards the planning of the Ordway Science and Technology Center, completed in 2002

Merritt Family Alumni

i remember giving a speecda freshman at Avon. chose to talk about my

family’s legacy, which at the time was,

William J. W. merritt, Sr. ’31John C. merritt ’34

Theodore C. merritt ’41merritt K. mitchell ’56martin F. mitchell ’58

morgan C. mitchell ’62dwight C. harris, Sr. ’66

William J. W. merritt, Jr. ’66John C. merritt, Jr. ’74

Travis merritt ’93Logan p. Barbiche ’93

Tyler d. erb ’98Coulson C. Barbiche ’99dwight C. harris, Jr. ’04

michael J. Cesaro ’06 daniel C. harris ’08

John Gardner 35 Years

Gailanne Laferriere40 Years

Kathryn Leis21 Years

Ken Larocque28 Years

david mcelheny31 Years

Barbara rozinsky22 Years

George Trautman41 Years


i am very proud to be connected with the school on so many levels. mymym family remained heavily involved for a long time. y family remained heavily involved for a long time. y my my mgrandfather’s brick is part of the school in the Jamerson dorm and the hockey rink. he also “paved” the way for the names set in brick to be purchased and placed in a walkway for alumni. my my muncle gave generously to the capital campaign that helped get the science building constructed.

i would definitely send my sons to Avon, if i have sons. it made a huge difference in my life, and i believe in the ideals of the school. –Travis merritt ’93 Past Faculty


The Custer LegacyBy Susan haile

For the record, there haven’t always been Custers at Avon Old Farms. it just seems that way. Four generations of Custers have inhabited Avon’s slate-floor classrooms, some sitting behind the teacher’s

desk and others in front. Although the two historians in the family might wince at the cliché, for the past 80 years history has indeed been repeating itself at Avon, in an absolutely marvelous way.

“The history of the Custer family is told, in part, by the history of this school,” says headmaster Ken Larocque.

ververv y few current Avon faculty and students can claim a connection with the school’s Founder’s era (1927-1944). The Custers certainly head the list. The family legacy began with John Sherman Custer, who joined the faculty in 1930, just three years after the school’s founding, and stayed until 1944, when the school was forced briefly to close. he served as history department chair, lived in diogenes, and raised two sons on campus, Tom ’36 and edwin ’43.

Only a handful of stories remain in circulation about the Custers of that era, which is perhaps fitting for a family that to this day seems to prefer keeping a low profile. As a student, young edwin was voted “most dignified,” although he defied that label when he was caught red-handed playing monopoly with a friend during study hall. perhaps in connection with

Arthur and Michelle Custer


this shocking infraction, the dignified edwin penned a letter to the editor of the school newspaper that began, “it seems rather hypocritical on the part of certain of our leaders to give summonses for ‘ungentlemanly conduct…’ when their own conduct in the classrooms is scarcely that of a gentleman…”

Like his father, edwin became a teacher, although not at Avon Old Farms. Brother Tom was something of an aberration; he became a chemist in the plastics industry. (in fact he was able to maintain his Avon connection through his classmate reed estabrook ’36, Avon’s longtime board chair, whom he saw regularly at professional gatherings.) But edwin’s sons, John and Arthur, both opted to continue the Custer family’s teaching legacy.

“dad stood over our cribs and said, ‘You will not be not be notindependent school teachers; you will be stockbrokers,” recalls Avon’s current dean of Faculty Art Custer with a laugh. “inevitably, of course, we both became private school teachers.”

Art’s grandfather died when Art was 10, but growing up the young Custer absorbed bits and pieces of the family’s connection to Avon. The Custers spent summers at the family’s home on isleboro, off the coast of maine, and many of their friends there were from central Connecticut—among them a handful of Avon faculty members, including former science teacher holland Sperry. The younger generation

would be kept entertained by stories about Avon, and they also unearthed old family photos taken at Avon Old Farms.

Fast-forward to 1982, when Art was about to graduate from Bowdoin College. he considered his options, firmly rejected his father’s stockbroker ultimatum, and sent his résumé to Avon headmaster George Trautman.

“my cover letter mentioned my grandfather and my father,” Art recalls. “i always thought that, in a stack several inches high of history résumés, mine stood out because of that, and that’s why i got the interview.”

The rest as they say is—well, you get the idea. George Trautman had the good sense to hire him, and Art Custer has proceeded to spend the next 28 years at Avon—28 and counting. Like his grandfather, he is history department chair. Like his grandfather, he and his family lived in the Quadrangle for many years. unlike his grandfather, he has raised three sons on the Avon campus, not two. But all have attended Avon.

Throughout those 28 years, Art confesses to experiencing several poignant moments of connection with his past. When he meets alumni from his grandfather’s era, he often hears about the weekly updates that John Custer gave to the student body during World War ii. “That’s how they got the news in those days,” Art points out. his déjà vu moment came in 1991, when George Trautman asked Art to speak to the student body

“The history of the Custer family is told, in part, by the history

of this school.”–headmaster Ken Larocque.

“The history of the Custer family is told, in part, by the history of this school,” –headmaster Ken Larocque.

“The history of the Custer “The history of the Custer family is told, in part, by family is told, in part, by the history of this school,” the history of this school,” –headmaster Ken Larocque.

John Sherman Custer the history of this school,” John Sherman Custer the history of this school,” the history of this school,” John Sherman Custer the history of this school,” Faculty, 1930-1944Faculty, 1930-1944the history of this school,”

Faculty, 1930-1944the history of this school,” the history of this school,”

Faculty, 1930-1944the history of this school,” h

Faculty, 1930-1944headmaster Ken La

Faculty, 1930-1944eadmaster Ken La

the history of this school,” Tom Custer ’36the history of this school,” the history of this school,” ethe history of this school,” dwin Custer ’43the history of this school,” dwin Custer ’43the history of this school,”

Arthur Custer Arthur Custer Faculty, 1982-presentFaculty, 1982-present

Michelle Custer Charles Custer ’04

Timothy Custer ’05 Timothy Custer ’05 Admissions, Admissions,

2009-present2009-present

Benjamin Custer ’10 Nathaniel Custer Faculty, 2006-2009


about what was happening in Kuwait during the first Gulf War. “That was the first time it really hit me,” Art says. “i thought, ‘here i am, doing the same thing that my grandfather did.’”

Another powerful moment of connection with the past Another powerful moment of connection with the past Aactually took place far from the Avon campus. The Custer family, including Art’s wife, michelle, and their three sons, was visiting alumnus Gilman Ordway ’44 in Jackson hole, Wyoming. Ordway and edwin Custer, Art’s father, had become friends dwin Custer, Art’s father, had become friends dwhile at Avon, a friendship the two continued as classmates at Yale. “While we were there, Gil would come by and visit with all his guests,” Art recalls, “and i noticed that our boys, who were quite young at the time, would be paying close attention as he talked about their grandfather and those days at Avon.”

interestingly, several years later the Custer-Ordway connection took on a new dimension, producing yet another “moment” for Art. “i looked up in the refectory one day and efectory one day and efsaw my son, Charlie ’04, sitting with his friend and classmate Gilman Callsen ’04, grandson of Gilman Ordway,” he recalls. “And i thought, ‘they’re reenacting what their grandfathers would have done.’”

despite moments like these, Art himself tends to wear the Custer mantle lightly. “i don’t really reflect on my own legacy here,” he admits. “i remember in my first few years at Avon, students would ask if i planned to stay forever, and i told them

i didn’t know, but that it would be unusual—most people move on.” Yet nearly three decades later, Art remains rooted to the spot. his wife is also a longtime member of the faculty.

And what about that fourth generation of Custers? With a great-grandfather who taught at Avon, a grandfather who was an alum, and a father on the faculty, the three Custers sons—Charlie, Tim ’05, and Ben ’10—have certainly been unique among their classmates, and for that matter unique among Avon Old Farms students from every era. Their first cousin nathaniel Custer also added to the Custer legacy, teaching at Avon for a few years between college and law school. And Tim, since his graduation from St. Lawrence university, has returned to his roots, serving as an Avon admissions intern this year.

“i loved growing up on the AOF campus, and always felt sort of predestined to become a student here when the time came,” says Tim. “it is only after becoming an Avon employee that i’ve begun to think more about the Custer legacy here… The school is a tremendous part of who i am, and i imagine that it’s the same for my dad as well.”

Charlie, a Brown university graduate and—what else?—a teacher, puts it this way: “The legacy thing meant i was surrounded by other people who had alternative perspectives on my family, and by extension, me and my own history. my father once wrote a poem that was addressed to my

“I loved growing up on the AOF campus, and always felt sort of predestined to become a student here when the time came. It is only after becoming an Avon employee that I’ve begun to think more about the Custer legacy

here… The school is a tremendous part of who I am, and I imagine that it’s the same for my dad as well.”

–Timothy Custer ’05

1. The Custer family in 2004, after Charlie’s graduation from AoF. Left to right: Tim ’05, Art, Charlie ’04, Michelle, and Ben ’10.2. With Pete Seeger ’36, Reunion 2008.3. Art, a Civil War buff, sets up for a reenactment.4. Art in the classroom.

1


grandfather after seeing me recite poetry in Avon’s annual poetry contest. he would never have showed it to me, but he showed it to one of the english teachers, who gave it to me later. A small violation of trust, perhaps, but it gave me some insight into not only him, but also my grandfather, who died before i was born. i guess that kind of thing wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have the legacy we do at Avon.”

The Custer population on campus will be shrinking this may, when the youngest Custer, Ben, graduates and heads off to middlebury College. he reflects on the Custer legacy this way: “my brothers both left their own impacts on the school, and i am frequently reminded of them. more concrete than these reminders, however, are ones of even older Custers. As iwalk to morning meeting every day, i see a picture of my great-grandfather while passing the school store, and another of my grandfather just outside the auditorium doors. These remind me that, while i may be the last Custer to be marked by Avon Old Farms, i am far from the first.”

“it will absolutely make me cry when Ben graduates,” t will absolutely make me cry when Ben graduates,” tlaments Art, who confesses to having also shed tears when Ben’s brothers received their Avon diplomas. “in some ways my life will get easier without a son in the student body,” he admits, “but it has obviously been really cool to have them here.”

Appropriately, Art taught all three—just as his grandfather taught Art’s father and uncle back in the ’30s and ’40s.

Commenting on the Custer legacy at Avon, headmaster Ken Larocque says, “Art views life through the lenses of a historian, and because of the multi-generational connection between the Custer family and Avon Old Farms School, his impact here is amplified powerfully. in speaking with Art, one feels the integrity of his belief in our mission and passion for our school community.”

“i guess i do walk around conscious of it,” Art acknowledges, “although i’m also conscious that this legacy stuff can be overdone. The thing that hits me is that this iswhere i should be, ancestrally.” perhaps not coincidentally, Art’s mother’s family also has deep roots in the Avon area, having been among its earliest settlers.

“But those aren’t the things that will keep me here,” Art contends. What will? “it’s the kids,” he asserts. “roughly 2,800 seniors have graduated during my tenure, and that’s the thing—that’s the tie that binds: my relationships with the kids. One alum, enrique Aguila ’86, once said to me at a reunion, ‘At least we know, when we come back, you’ll be here.’ That stuff trumps the legacy stuff. if you stay someplace as long as ihave, it should be about the boys.”

The Custer Legacy

2

3

4


Pat, the second of the four hampton children (sister Bridget is a student at nearby miss popop rter’s School), has established himself as one of the most respected leaders of the student body.

pat is heavily involved in many aspects of campus life: he is at is heavily involved in many aspects of campus life: he is at is heaa member of the varsity football and vB lacrosse teams; a day student monitor; an officer for the nimrod Club; the chief editor of the Hippocrene; a staff writer for the Avon Record; and a member of both Avon Outreach and the Society of St. Brendan. But he is perhaps most recognizable as a musician. A four-year

member of the riddlers and

co-founder of the student-run elite a cappella group The Sing-ed Beavers, pat’s vocal talents have earned him admission at’s vocal talents have earned him admission at’s vinto the All-State Choir in 2008, the national high School honor Choir in 2009, the men’s honor eastern region Choir in 2010, and the Connecticut northern regional Choir in 2007, 2008, and 2009. he won the Chamber ensemble Book Award in 2008, and entrance in the Tri-m honor Society of the music educators national Conference last year. ational Conference last year. ational Conf he also took on his first musical theater role this past winter, starring as the minstrel in Once Upon a Mattress.

“A defining moment for me at Avon was hearing the “A defining moment for me at Avon was hearing the “

riddlers for the first time,” recalls pat. “my exposure to music at Avon has been an important part of my life, and at the first choral concert, i was blown away by the music that these boys were making. it became clear to me that i could follow my hope… of becoming that musician and singer.”

in 2008, pat won the richard Woodwell ’75 Leadership Award, and in 2009, he received the dartmouth Book Award, following in the footsteps of his older brother Chris, who claimed the prize in 2009. A dean’s List student for four years, he has three community service pins and three academic honors pins, in addition to an Avon Old Farms Arts pin.

pat has certainly distinguished himself as a man of Avon through his own dedication and hard work. however, it’s the hampton legacy before and after him that seems to have had the most influence on how he’s forged that path.

“The fact that my dad had walked the same walkways and sat in the same classrooms and went through a similar experience as me was very cool,” notes pat. “having a brother at Avon also aving a brother at Avon also astrengthened the bond, as i was able to see the school through his experiences as well as my own.”

his connection to Avon—and the growing hampton legacy—was enhanced when his younger brother was accepted.

Student Spotlight:

patrick hampton ’10

By morgan C. Cugell


patrick hampton ’10 and his brothers Christopher ’09 and Gerard ’11 may only be the second generation of hamptons to come through Avon Old Farms School (dad is Christopher hampton ’79), but the legacy they’ve already made for themselves will stand for future generations to come.

member of the

co-founder of the student-run elite a cappella group The

pGerard ’11 may only be the second generation of to come through Avon Old Farms School (dad is Christopher hthemselves will stand for future generations to come.


“When Gerard started as a freshman, i was excited to be the same type of leader to my younger brother as my older brother was to me,” explains pat. “i was excited to show him all the great things that this school had to offer, and help him find his way into the community.” pat is now enjoying the final semester of his four-year tenure at Avon, and, after watching Chris go through the experience only a year ago, he is trying to take advantage of every day he has left here.

“i hadn’t thought in depth about the amazing opportunity that Avon has offered me,” he says. “Yet when i saw my brother relive his four years here, and say how much he missed it, i began to think about my remaining year at Avon. ipromised i would take time to remember how lucky i am to be at such a great place, and think about how much i am going to miss it when i am gone.”

And though, come And though, come A may 30th, only Gerard will remain an ay 30th, only Gerard will remain an aAvonian, there may well be a third generation of hamptons at Avon sometime in the future, as legacy certainly seems to follow these men: pat heads to Johns hopkins university next fall, where his father is an alumnus and his older brother will be entering his sophomore year.

“i guess the hampton family has a similar taste in schools,” remarks Chris, “but…my experience at Avon, as a legacy, definitely played a part in my decision.”


“The fact that my dad had walked the same walkways and sat in the same classrooms and went through a similar experience as me was very cool.”

had to offer, and help him find his way into the community.”

F r o m t H e A r c H i v e sCompiled by Carol Ketcham

26

Remembers…Elephant

The

Spring 2010 The Avonian

When Braille Was BasicTwo young men conversed as they moved into a dormitory at Avon Old Farms School. “Grab that trunk. Where is my typewriter?” “Which way do I go? Where are my hangers?” “Ouch. What, no door there?” Sounds typical enough, except that the conversation was recorded more than 45 years ago by a blinded veteran of World War II.

The place was called Old Farms Convalescent Hospital (SP) then and there hundreds of veterans who had lost their sight from bombs or flying shrapnel were taught how to live in the world again. The snatch of dialogue above was contained in a chatty column written by one of the blinded veterans for Quadrangle review, the hospitals fortnightly publication.

Ð From “When Braille Was Basic at Old Farms,” Kathleen mcGrath, 1982

ay 2010, Avon Old Farms School celebrated the 65th anniversary of the opening of Old Farms

ospital with a moving ceremony in the Susan Casey Brown Auditorium on campus. The entire school community attended the ceremony, as did a representative from the Avon historical Society, state and federal legislators, officials from Avon public Schools, former Convalescent hospital employees and volunteers, and a full contingent of veterans from the Avon vFW post, all in full dress uniform.

Following the presentation of colors by a World War ii color guard and the pledge of allegiance, the riddlers presented a rousing rendition of the national Anthem. david van Loan, blinded in battle, and prvan Loan, blinded in battle, and prv esident of the Connecticut Blinded vevev terans Association, addressed the student body and told how Old Farms, with its beautiful and challenging campus, was a very special place for the recently blinded veterans. he stressed that the innovative and compassionate rehabilitation experienced by these young men is an example of how our nation should care for our wounded veterans.

A highlight of the morning was the introduction of each veteran present. As each veteran stood and saluted, and then briefly told the assembled students where he had been stationed and what he had experienced, pride and patriotism filled the auditorium.

“With its beginnings in World War ii, the Old Farms Convalescent hospital served over 800 returning veterans over its three-year existence and provided countless career opportunities to the soldiers. The Blinded veterans Association, established there in 1945, now boasts over 11,000 members and meets at yearly conventions. in giving vision-impaired united States veterans the best possible care and future opportunities, the

Old Farms Convalescent hospital raised the standards of excellence throughout the nation for standard of care for our veterans through the help of community support and volunteers. “Therefore, i, m. Jodi rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, do hereby officially proclaim november 22, 2009, as Old Farms convalescent hospital day in the State of Connecticut.”

“With its beginnings in Old Farms Convalescent

1OOn OOn vOveOevevOvev terans’ Oterans’ dOday 2010, Avon Old Farms School celebrated Oay 2010, Avon Old Farms School celebrated

the 65th anniversary of the opening of Old Farms Othe 65th anniversary of the opening of Old Farms Convalescent OConvalescent hOhospital with a moving ceremony in the Susan Oospital with a moving ceremony in the Susan Casey Brown Auditorium on campus. The entire school OCasey Brown Auditorium on campus. The entire school community attended the ceremony, as did a representative Ocommunity attended the ceremony, as did a representative

“The blinded veterans were trained in navigation on the campus first, and eventually were taught how to get around in downtown Hartford. A model of the Old Farms campus sculpted in the woodworking class was the starting point for the veterans. Once they knew how to find the classrooms, the soldiers had to spend a certain amount of time learning Braille, typing, and basic skills like shaving and preparing food. They were prepared for jobs such as farming, business and carpentry.”

–From “When Braille Was Basic”


Through the portals of Old Farms to a useful future…“When he arrives at Old Farms, the serviceman who has been blinded in combat is often still confused, sometimes embittered at the blinded in combat is often still confused, sometimes embittered at the fate that sentenced him to a future of darkness, and concerned at the fate that sentenced him to a future of darkness, and concerned at the thought of becoming a possible burden to loved ones.

“In contrast is his attitude some four months later, when he “In contrast is his attitude some four months later, when he “In contr‘graduates’ from Old Farms. Cheerfulness has supplanted doubt; he ‘graduates’ from Old Farms. Cheerfulness has supplanted doubt; he has confidence in newly acquired knowledge that his training at Avon has confidence in newly acquired knowledge that his training at Avon has equipped him to engage in work, responsibilities, recreation, social has equipped him to engage in work, responsibilities, recreation, social and family activities which he had assumed were to be denied him.

“As he steps through the portals of Old Farms into the outer world, As he steps through the portals of Old Farms into the outer world, “As he steps through the portals of Old Farms into the outer world, “the blinded veteran of World War II does so with a firm tread, secure in the blinded veteran of World War II does so with a firm tread, secure in the knowledge that within him lies all the training and ability he needs the knowledge that within him lies all the training and ability he needs to resume the life of a useful citizen in his community.”

–From A Glimpse Into life at Old Farms Convalescent Hospital A Glimpse Into life at Old Farms Convalescent Hospital (SP), produced by the Southern new england Companyngland Company

Thanks to Kathleen mcGrath, Avon News; Barbara Thomas, Barbara Thomas, The Valley Press; Barbara Zuras, OFCh Ceremony Committee; Ceremony Committee; and Cheryl nyberg, daughter of Frank Batey (see p. 28).

1. Avon’s Riddlers sing the National Anthem during the presentation of colors by local veterans of Foreign Wars on veterans Day, 2009.

2. vehicle identification plate, from the Avon old Farms Archives.

3. The Quadrangle Review was printed weekly by the trainees.

4. A complete motor pool was maintained—ambulances, buses, staff cars and trucks provided the transportation necessary to maintain contact with the outside world.

5. “Brailling” this model helped the new arrival to familiarize himself with the school grounds. every building, road, path and tree is indicated on the scale model.

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28

Remembers…Elephant

The

Spring 2010 The Avonian

had to register for the draft in St. Joseph, ii had ended in October 1945

got my notice to report for duty. ienlisted at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. i skipped basic training and was immediately sent to the luxurious Greenbriar hotel in White Sulfur Springs, West virginia, which the army had taken over and turned into a medical center. When Gis were killed, their duffle bags were sent to the Greenbriar—my job was to go through the duffle bags and sort the personal stuff from the army–issue things.

Soon i was sent to serve at Avon Old Farms Convalescent hospital in Avon, Connecticut. i was a company clerk to begin with, and then i went to work in the hobby Shop. The blind Gis would pass the time by learning how to make leather goods, billfolds, purses, etc. i would teach them and help them learn. All of the enlisted guys enjoyed the same benefits that the blind Gis had. Old Farms was the only post where you got milk three times a day, and on Sunday mornings we had a piece of steak or pork and we could order

our eggs “cooked to order.” We also got to enjoy some of the entertainment. The uSO offered many shows and the red Cross had an entertainment center where we could go to dances. Some of the local young women would volunteer to come over and dance with the blinded veterans.

hartford was only about 10 miles from Avon Old Farms, and it was a good place to meet women. That’s because hartford was the insurance company center for the united States, and there were so many secretaries working there that the ratio was 8 to 1 women to men. i met a nice woman at one of the dances and she had a car that was big and comfortable. We went to her house after the dance—no further details!

We got to take trips every so often and once we went to We got to take trips every so often and once we went to WWarner Brothers Studios in new York. We stayed at the Ymw York. We stayed at the Ymw York. We stayed at the Y CA and on our first day the blinded veterans, each with an enlisted ‘guide,’ went to Warner Brothers Studios and had drinks and hors d’oeuvres. That night we all went to Leon and eddie’s night Club on 52nd Street in manhattan. it was very popular t was very popular t

You’re in the Army now!

WWhen WWhen iWi turned 18, W turned 18, iWi had to register for the draft in St. Joseph, W had to register for the draft in St. Joseph, Louisiana, the parish seat. WWWLouisiana, the parish seat. WWiiW iiand in February 1946 Wand in February 1946 iWi got my notice to report for duty. W got my notice to report for duty. enlisted at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. Wenlisted at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas.

1

F r o m t H e A r c H i v e sCompiled by Carol Ketcham


at that time, and we heard Ted Weems and his Orchestra (“me and my Shadow”). The next morning, we had brunch at Toots y Shadow”). The next morning, we had brunch at Toots yShor’s restaurant, the most popular restaurant in new York at the time. its oversized circular bar was a new York landmark. That night we went to the Stork Club and saw the beautiful girls perform a floor show. The blinded Gi i was guiding for the trip, Joe, was hanging all over the railing, and i was describing what we were seeing in detail!

The next night we went to a Broadway show and saw Jean Arthur perform in Loco. After the show, the veterans and their guides got to go backstage and meet the cast. Our sergeant had a date with a gal who had a car, so i got a date with one of the girls in the show and sent Joe back to the convalescent hospital! After dinner the sergeant’s date drove us all the way back to Avon Old Farms.

Back in Connecticut, we sometimes went to the State Theater in hartford. A resident 25-piece orchestra played for both the live shows and the silent movies. double features were the bargain price of 10 cents for matinees and 20 cents in the evenings. due to the State’s large seating capacity and

location in the capital of Connecticut, all the big stars wanted to perform there. harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy dorsey, duke ellington, Frank Sinatra, ella Fitzgerald, the ink Spots, and peggy Lee were among the headliners.

i had some great times during my Army days—a lot of experiences in just over a year for a ‘dirt road sport!’ i was discharged from the Army in may 1947, when i was still 19 years old. my rank was technician 4th grade (three stripes—buck sergeant). i was ready to go home.

it took me 62 years, but i finally made it back to Connecticut in October 2009. my daughter and i flew to Connecticut where we met up with my old friend from my Convalescent hospital days, Bill murphy. Bill and i had not seen each other in over 60 years! We celebrated with a lobster dinner after we enjoyed a wonderful tour of the Avon Old Farms campus. We were amazed at the colorful fall leaves—they were just as beautiful as i remembered them.

–E.K. “Frank” Batey, of Long Beach, Mississippi, with help from his daughter, Cheryl Nyberg

1. Drill on the village Green—Frank Batey first row, fourth from right2. New Year’s eve at Wright’s Restaurant in Avon—Frank Batey on far left.

3. Bill Murphy and Frank Batey, still friends after 60 years, on the village Green again, with the Avon Mountain vista in the background.4. In the Army at age 18—e. K. Batey

2

3

4

For the Costello family, all roads led back to Avon Old Farms this spring. Fathers and sons frequently share an Avon Old Farms legacy—that’s

some families that legacy extends even farther back, to a grandfather who attended the school in its earliest years. But in what may be a first for Avon, this spring Frank Costello ’60 was celebrating his 50th reunion while his son, John ’85, was marking his 25th. Although neither had made it back to an Avon reunion in several years, both father and son returned in may to mark their major milestones.ay to mark their major milestones.a

Both admit with a chuckle that it hardly seems possible that so many years had passed since their student days. “But this is very special,” Frank said. “vevev ry special, indeed.” Frank confesses that he hadn’t initially “put two and two together” about the interesting confluence of father-and-son milestones—not until director of development evelopment e peter eveve ans pointed it out.

Separated by 25 years, their senior pages in Avon’s Winged Beaver hint at the exploits of the Costellos, father Winged Beaver hint at the exploits of the Costellos, father Winged Beaverand son. Their yearbook photos show young men with the same intense eyes and same dark hair, although John sports a smile while Frank remains serious. Frank is described as “displaying great perseverance and an undaunted spirit,” which could just as easily have been written about John. They were involved in different activities and played different sports at Avon, but ultimately they learned similar lessons.

“i bet a lot of students realize only after leaving Avon what a positive impact the school has had on them,” Frank reflected. “i learned to step back and look at each situation, and not to shoot from the hip. The lessons i learned were valuable in college, and in my work life. now that i have

The Costellos: Frank ’60 and John ’85Father and son return to Avon Old Farms School this spring for their 50th and 25th ReunionsBy Susan haile

For the Costello family, all roads led back to Avon Old Farms this spring. Fathers and sons frequently share an Avon Old Farms legacy—that’s

nothing new. in some families that legacy

Alumni


the time and the maturity to reflect on my years at Avon, i can clearly and fully appreciate my education.”

John says he wanted to go to Avon Old Farms ever since he was a little kid. Why? The answer is simple, yet profound. “Because my dad went to Avon, and i wanted to be like my dad,” he admits. The Costello family had moved to the town of Avon in 1978, and by that time, Frank says, he understood the benefits of an Avon Old Farms education. “it worked so well for t worked so well for tme,” he added, “and i thought that John would only benefit.”

So while most of his friends from Avon middle School were heading to Avon high, John chose Old Farms. he had accompanied his dad on several visits to Avon Old Farms over the years, he says, “And there was something unique about the campus. it was a no brainer. t was a no brainer. t it was a natural fit.” t was a natural fit.” t

Sports were important to John, then and now. he worked hard, eventually making the varsity football and baseball teams. But not hockey. “i was a terrible hockey player,” John admits wryly, “never good enough to play varsity.” ironically, hockey is the sport he continues to play, in a men’s league, and hockey is also the sport his two young sons play. in fact,


in recent years the boys have enjoyed following the exploits of the AOF varsity hockey team.

“it’s a very cool fact,” said John about the Costello reunion celebrations this may. Another cool fact is that father and son share more than their Avon Old Farms diplomas. eerily, but perhaps not surprisingly, Frank and John’s yearbook “prophecies” have—mostly—come true. Frank did indeed “become a construction worker,” although the prophecy didn’t specify road construction. And John did indeed “take over his father’s company,” Costello industries.

Based in newington, Connecticut, Costello industries was founded by Frank’s father, Jack, in 1945. in the beginning the firm built roads, but over the years the company has expanded to include the construction, repair and maintenance of transportation systems throughout the eastern united States. Last year Frank retired and sold the business to John. “my dad is still my biggest advisor, though,” says John. “most big decisions i make with him.”

in fact, neither Costello ever really had another job. Both got their feet wet in the family business at an early age, from visiting job sites with their dad to working for the business during summer vacations. After graduating from college, perhaps it was preordained that both Costellos should join the family business, although both found themselves essentially starting out at the bottom and working their way up.

“mymym dad figured out where the bottom rung of the ladder was y dad figured out where the bottom rung of the ladder was yand put me there,” Frank laughs. A generation later, when John graduated from Avon and then from Babson College, he once again decided, “i want to do what my dad does.”

Following in his father’s footsteps has been very rewarding for John, in both “family businesses”—Avon Old Farms and Costello industries. And when John joined the business,

Now that I have the time and the maturity to reflect on my years at Avon, I can clearly

and fully appreciate my education.”–Frank Costello ’60

Frank knew Avon had prepared him well. “i knew that the fundamentals of his education had taught him

life’s lessons,” Frank reflected. “i knew how he learned those lessons, i knew he could practice them, i knew he understood he had to earn it. At Avon he understood that he would sit on the bench in a football game if he missed practice. And to this day he can’t stand it when someone is late for a meeting.”

Like his father, John Costello is a family man. “my three kids are my life,” he reflects. So it’s not at all surprising that his family is in many ways responsible for helping him rediscover his Avon roots. “Typically i haven’t gone to alumni weekends, but now the kids are older, and they’ve discovered Avon hockey. That in part has reignited my interest in reconnecting with Avon, and that’s been fun.” Turns out John plays hockey in the same men’s league as Jed usich ’89, and at a youth hockey game recently he bumped into mike Giannamore ’85, whose son was on the opposing team. “So i’ve been reacquainted with a couple of Avon buddies,” John says, “and now my kids are old enough to appreciate all that.”

Will the Costello family’s Avon legacy continue to the next generation? neither Costello is ruling it out. John puts it this way: “if four years from now my oldest son would prefer to go to Avon Old Farms, and i can afford it, he’ll go.”

But for now, two generations of Costello men are excited But for now, two generations of Costello men are excited But fto be celebrating their big Avon reunions this year. “i’m very proud of our Avon Old Farms legacy,” says Frank. “it has been very rewarding. i hope Avon maintains those core values and never lets them go.”

but perhaps not surprisingly, Frank and John’s yearbook

Frank knew Avon had prepared him well. “of his education had taught him

life’s lessons,” Frank reflected. “

Please send us your personal notes!

Class notes can be submitted to Lizabeth Abramson at:[email protected]

The deadlines for Class notes submission are as follows:

Fall issue notes are due by June 1, 2010Spring issue notes are due by march 1, 2011


36DonalD r. hart Jr., Class Agent

17 Cobble rd., unit F-2, Salisbury, CT 06068-033

[email protected]

40FaYette plum sent a wonderful letter in

december. “i am still active (pushing 90) in

the antique business, due primarily to George

Lenaria, who taught cabinet making at AOF. i

was very active in this along with others. reeD

estabrook ’36 was a senior when i was a ‘new

boy’ and he was kind to me. i will never forget

him. he was a great cabinet maker and also a

model maker. greg linDin and i were great

‘Woods Crew’ workers with ‘Woods Crew’ workers with ‘W verne verne v priest, who

had the job of forest manager at the time.”

memories were also triggered of life at Avon for

greg linDin when he saw the power house

photo inside the fall 2009 issue of The Avonian,

with mr. Wall explaining how the three-cylinder

diesel generator powered the school. Greg wrote,

“For me that early exposure to engineering led

me to follow engineering throughout my working

career.” Greg fondly remembered the masters who

taught him. “Apart from the academic side, many

of us developed long-lasting fellowship during

our stay at Avon. They became our mentors

whom we highly respected. Additionally there

were non-academic instructors also whose lives

impacted ours. verne verne v priest, for example, taught

us the correct way to cut overgrown brush in the

school woods. i remember FaYette plumb

and i were given the responsibility of preparing

meals at the island and cabin (the island now

is part of ‘Winding Trails’). i had great respect

for Theodate pope riddle and remember being

invited with evan Jennings ’39van Jennings ’39v to join her at

the hill-Stead for dinner. After we graduated, she

told us her true story, over a round of scotch and

soda, of being torpedoed off the coast of ireland

aboard the Lusitania and surviving the irish Sea.”

Don Monaco ’55, right, enjoyed the Avon gathering at the Pacific-Union Club in San Francisco last January with Jenifer Shields and Tim orr ’85.

Brad Lewis ’60 was part of Country Walkers, a hiking group in Waterbury, ververv mont, for a tour of the Snowdonia region of Wales last September.

42russell hunter, Head Class Agent

p.O. Box 22, Farmington, CT 06034-0022

Last April, russ hunter gave a personal tour of

Avon to friends visiting from Australia. They loved

the school’s architectural beauty and rurur ss mentioned

how impressed he was with the similarity between

mrs. riddle’s original garages, which he remembers

as a student over 70 years ago, and the reconstruction

of the Brown house. rurur ss hopes to stop by campus as

soon as his torn Achilles tendon heals.

49Dick sears, son of faculty member dean richard

Sears, sent the following remembrances of Avon in

winter: “Avon with a snowy Christmas was magical.

Almond cookies, hot chocolate, and carols in the

refectory, a big tree and Choppy Fowler as Santa

handing out navel oranges. i will never forget the

spirit of that special time in the chilly, fading, twilight

hours.” [editor’s note: dick passed away recently.]

50harveY rubin, Head Class Agent

102 Barbour Cir., newport news, vA 23606

[email protected]

51Warren ForD, Head Class Agent

115 Center St., Wolcott, CT 06716

[email protected]

52seth F. menDell, Head Class Agent

28 north St., mattapoisett, mA 02739

[email protected]

seth menDell shared his research on the

exploration, discovery, and piracy of the elizabeth

islands as part of the mattapoisett historical

Society’s lecture series last winter in his home town

of mattapoisett. Before a packed house at the library,

mendell held the attention of listeners for more than

an hour. Giving the program a special dimension was

the fact that mendell relied on hard copies of charts


and maps and an old-fashioned wooden school

pointer to tell his tale—and transport his audience

back to the early history of the elizabeth islands.

53JaY toole, Head Class Agent

874 ridgeside dr., monrovia, CA 91016

[email protected]

54rust kessel, Head Class Agent

3785 Thistlewood, Okemos, mi 48864

[email protected]

55anDY treaDWaY, Head Class Agent

12100 provincetowne dr.,

Charlotte, nC 28277-8438

[email protected]

56siDneY greer, Head Class Agent

354 Tamarind pl., vero Beach, FL 32962-7349

[email protected]

57James c. Flippin, Head Class Agent

1311 Old Bernville rd., Leesport, pA 19533-9605

[email protected]

Christmas greetings from peggy and Dick

thornDike included the following highlights

from 2009: a two-week canal barge trip throughout

Belgium and the netherlands right in the height of

tulip season; time on nantucket in June; two trips

to Tanglewood; and visits with family and friends.

Their grandchildren range in age from 8 to 14.

58austin chambers, Head Class Agent

317 Flanders rd., Stonington, CT 06378-2109

[email protected]

59charles W. Davis, Class Agent

6905 West 99th St., Overland park, KS 66212

[email protected]

Douglas b. marshall, Class Agent

2 Berkshire rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002

[email protected]

rolF olson emailed last fall, “Sioux retired from

the Goodspeed and we have been motorcycling

with the new england road riders. in September,

we completed trips to Killington, vermont,

and provincetown, massachusetts. in late July,

Lynn Armstrong and Knick Curtis ’63 enjoyed dinner in Dallas at the home of Rebecca and Mark Masinter ’82, who hosted an Avon reception last January.

Robin Taliaferro ’63 (#492) placed 2nd in a USA National Championships race in California for men 60-64.

Cookie Boyd ’67 went to the Homestead Miami racetrack to watch NASCAR with some close friends. Cookie and Nancy are still residing in Naples, Florida where Cookie is a realtor specializing in golf course real estate and is also working for a large golf equipment company in town.

the motorcycle group rode the Cabot Trail on

Cape Breton island and we joined them for that

journey. it has been great fun.”

in march, Jock Davenport and his wife, Batya,

visited with dick Loveland (Jock’s history teacher at

Avon) and his wife, margo, in Oregon. Last summer,

he went on a concert tour with the Yale Alumni

chorus to Guatemala and mexico. While Jock is

retired from teaching, his daughter, Sarah, teaches

American history at the university of Chicago.

60richarD l. Williams, Head Class Agent

p.O. Box 218, South Orleans, mA 02662-0218

[email protected]

61george F. henschel Jr., Head Class Agent

101 Seminary rd., Bedford, nY 10506

[email protected]

62alan D. rozinskY, Class Agent

Avon Old Farms School, 500 Old Farms rd.,

Avon, CT 06001

[email protected]

63richarD r. bennett, Class Agent

11776 Stratford house place, Apt. 1208,

reston, vA 20190-3385

[email protected]

thomas k. curtis, Class Agent

4306 pomona road, dallas, TX 75209-2822

[email protected]

64W. b. harWooD iii, Class Agent

24 Overhill Ave., new Britain, CT 06053

[email protected]

65perrY benson, Co-Head Class Agent

2135 naudain St., philadelphia, pA 19146

[email protected]

barton g. barrett, Co-Head Class Agent

1 maple Ave., richmond, vA 23226-2339

[email protected]

66michael D. barker, Head Class Agent

139 Kirkwood rd., West hartford, CT 06117-2835

[email protected]


67James W. corrigan, Co-Head Class Agent

826 Gould hill rd., Contoocook, nh 03229

[email protected]

William F. roberts, Co-Head Class Agent

786 Brownsville rd., Sinking Spring, pA 19608

[email protected]

Josh lipman joined deutsche Bank in October

2009 as a director, private Client Group.

68george l. purnell, Head Class Agent

4822 Brighton Lakes Blvd.,

Boynton Beach, FL 33436

[email protected]

chase DonalDson and his wife, Judy, recently

attended an opening in Louisville, Kentucky, of

JaY golDstein’s artwork, “moments in Time.”

Jay creates his paintings of people from old Kodak

photographs in their natural surroundings doing

the thing that made them comfortable and happy

at that moment in time. Chase and Judy also had

a nice visit with geoFF DoughtY and his wife,

pam, in maine in december.

69Winston p. mckellar, Head Class Agent

311 east rose Ln., phoenix, AZ 85012-1243

[email protected]

70harris h. bucklin iii, Head Class Agent

3004 margaret Jones Ln., Williamsburg, vA 23185

[email protected]

stuart harper emailed, “it has been a while

since i have written in, but i have five children

ranging in age from 33 to 6. my son Ben is also an

Avonian, from the Class of 1995. We are all doing

well. i live in elma, new York, outside of Buffalo,

and am president/executive director of the Buffalo

mission Society, inc. We run the region’s largest

men’s, women’s, and family homeless and recovery

facilities in Western new York. i ran international

sales departments for two Fortune 500 companies

and traveled all over the world for 35 years, but

nothing is more rewarding than seeing a man

or woman beat their addiction and become a

participating and contributing member of society.

it’s great to see Avon doing so well and i send my

best to all my old classmates (and they are all old

now). Looking at some of the fresh faces of today’s

Avonians, it is hard to believe we ever looked like that.

God bless you all! i am proud to be an Avonian.”

71henrY r. coons, Head Class Agent


Avon, CT 06001

[email protected]

hank coons sends greetings from campus

during his 34th year at Avon and is looking forward

to the Class of 1971’s 40th reunion in may of 2011.

he encourages everyone in the class to mark their

calendars now for the big event. daughter Christina

is finishing her fourth year at the perkiomen School

in pennsburg, pennsylvania, where she teaches in

the middle school and coaches field hockey and

lacrosse. Brittany Coons is loving life in the russian

hill neighborhood of San Francisco and works for

Amica mutual insurance as an adjuster and recruiter.

She was recently engaged. caseY ’07 is finishing up

his junior year at St. Lawrence university, where he

is majoring in math and economics with a minor in

environmental science. he plays attack on the Saints

lacrosse team, which has won four consecutive

Liberty League titles and has advanced to the nCAA

tournament each of the past three seasons.

72Dan carpenter; Class Agent

18 pondside Ln., West Simsbury, CT 06092

[email protected]

bill blumberg and bart rinker spent

three great days at Catalina island on Sea Casa, the

rinkers’ 53-foot Selene trawler.

73John bourget, Class Agent

7 Andrea Ln., Avon, CT 06001

[email protected]

74george J. giannoni, Co-Head Class Agent

36 Twilight dr., Granby, CT 06035-1212

[email protected]

eDWarD p. molloY, Co-Head Class Agent

6 Winhart dr., Granby, CT 06035

[email protected]

Jeb bell, along with his son, Jamie (13), and

neD thompson enjoyed dinner with pete and

Sue evans at Avon Old Farms hotel’s Seasons

restaurant in January after Jamie’s admission

interview at Avon. Jeb and his wife, eda, have two

other children: daughter ellie (16) and son Charlie

(8). ned and Jeb reminisced that they had followed

similar paths from rectory, to Avon, to Wooster.

ned’s daughter, Blair, has finished college, son

Brian Mullins ’68, co-host of the San Francisco reception at the Pacific-Union Club in January, enjoyed a drink with Henry Jeanes ’87.

Family of Stuart Harper ’70, from left to right, row 1: Stuart Jr. (11) and Macuen (7); row 2: Stuart’s wife, Laura, and daughters, Anna and Lindsay; row 3: Stuart ’70 and son Ben ’95.

Chase Donaldson ’68 and artist Jay Goldstein ’68 at the opening of “Moments in Time,” featuring artwork of Jay Goldstein ’68.

Henry Coons ’71 and Preston Cherouny ’84 enjoyed the Avon gathering at the Chevy Chase Club last December.


charlie ’03, who graduated from university

of denver, wants to become a paramedic, and

son preston ’08 is enjoying union College.

during the summer, the Bells, from delaware,

enjoy their second home in nova Scotia while the

Thompsons, who live in new hampshire, go to

their place in maine.

75tom bYrne, HeadClass-Agent

31 helena rd., Avon, CT 06001-3433

[email protected]

tom bYrne ran a very chilly Chicago marathon

in October and raised over $7500 for Autism

Awareness. Tom has a relative named Bryan who

has autism so four out of Tom’s 10 siblings ran

in and completed the marathon. Tom wrote the

following to his supporters after the race:

“Alla (our youngest sibling) led our pack at 4:24. Alla

was followed by myself, Tracy (Bryan’s mom) and

mike in 4:28, 4:31, and 4:41. race morning dawned

at a very chilly 34 degrees along the lake front and

never really got much warmer than 40 degrees. The

marathon is a huge event in Chicago and, despite

the cold, every foot of the 26.2 mile course was

lined with screaming, bell-ringing, music-playing,

dancing, and fun-loving supporters. At many points

they were 10 and 15 deep. each of us had our

own hard time at some point along the way, but

for the supporters we might have stopped running.

i can honestly say that i used the backing of all of

you to get me through the hardest miles. Thank

you for that. i was lucky enough to make eye

contact with my own screaming and jumping wife

and daughter about three miles from the finish

and it replenished my empty tank and made a big

difference in how i finished as i was floundering

at the point i glimpsed them. Thanks most of all

for your support of our cause to assist in Autism

Awareness. We can all make a big difference.”

Tom will be hosting the Class of ’75 at his home

the Friday night of reunion weekend.

76alexanDer n. WorleY, Head Class Agent

20 Shore Grove rd., Clinton, CT 06413

[email protected]

bruce levinson emailed, “i have seen Jamie

haskell here in California and have touched

base with a few alums on Facebook. Thirty-three

years ago is a long time since graduation —i hope to

make our 35th reunion next year.”

Blaise ’08 and Margie Driscoll, children of Maria and Kevin Driscoll ’72, dean of students.

Children of Marie and Henry Coons ’71: Casey ’07, Brittany, and Christina Coons—Worthington, Massachusetts—December 2009.

Bruce Anschutz ’74 and his wife, Linda, stopped by campus and enjoyed a tour from Peter evans. Bruce and Linda had not been back to Avon since his 25th Reunion a decade ago. [from left: Sue evans, Linda and Bruce Anschutz, and Peter evans]

“PK” and Gordon Linke ’75 enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Avon reception in San Francisco with Headmaster Ken LaRocque.

In September 2009, Fred Haack ’75 and Chris Welles P’11 won the A. J. Drexel Paul Cup at The Gulph Mills Golf Club. The competition, Four Ball, Better Ball of Partners Match Play, required winning six 18 hole matches over three days. The tournament is considered to be one of the premier amateur golf events in the Philadelphia area.


77Jorge e. consuegra , head Class Agent

5 Andrews rd., Greenwich, CT 06830

[email protected]

78kenneth g. clouD, Head Class Agent

8317 Kingsthorpe Terr., richmond, vA 23229-7465

[email protected]

The garveY brothers, John in California,

Jim ’79 and Joe ’80 in Florida, JerrY ’82 in

massachusetts and their respective families decided

to meet for a new Year’s getaway in utah this past

January 2010. John’s Christmas card dubbed the

vacation “a mini Avon reunion.”

ranDY pike moved back to houston with

Shell after an assignment in Brazil.

79anthonY m. graY, Co-Head Class Agent

6212 Wagner Ln., Bethesda, md 20816

[email protected]

scott b. linke, Co-Head Class Agent

116 eleven Levels rd., ridgefield, CT 06877-3011

[email protected]

80kenneth h. blancharD, Co-Head Class Agent

846 mountain rd., West hartford, CT 06117

[email protected]

thomas e. DaveY, Co-Head Class Agent

4816 Sandestin dr., dallas, TX 75287

[email protected]

81samuel c. bookbinDer, Head Class Agent

Wells Fargo Advisors LLC

30 South 17th St., Suite 2000

philadelphia, pA 19103-2707

[email protected]

brien bionDi has been named president and

COO of British Columbia-based League Assets

Corp., which manages the iGW real estate

investment Trust, a fast-growing private reiT.

Formerly, Brien served as executive director, Chief

executives Organization (CeO), and he is a former

CeO of Young entrepreneurs’ Organization (YeO).

in his new position, he will be based in Alexandria,

virginia, where he will oversee League Assets’

expansion into the united States. he’ll spend one

week a month in the victoria, B.C. office. Brien

Mark Masinter ’82 hosted a dinner at his Dallas home, attended by Tom Davey ’80 and Headmaster Ken LaRocque.

Daughters of Jerry Garvey ’82: Anna, Lily, and Caroline with Cleo

Children of Dyan and George Getz ’80: Alison (13), Kit (7), and Chip (11)

Timothy orr ’85 and his son, Benjamin, visited with Pete Seeger ’36 at the Monterey Jazz Festival 2009.

Matt Weir ’84 married Courtney Kirby November 7, 2009, on Mustique Island. Avonians in attendance were classmates Joe Giannamore and Preston Cherouny.


says, “We have staff located in victoria, vancouver

(good-size office there), Toronto, dallas, and

phoenix—and, of course, Alexandria, virginia. We

will be building out of the d.C. area as the primary

u.S. office location.” Before signing on with League

Assets Corp., Brien and his wife, Amy, traveled

extensively with children Sam (7) and Lilli (4).

82gregorY t. Fish, Co-Head Class Agent

56 Blue ridge dr., Simbury, CT 06089

[email protected]

WaDe mc Devitt and his wife, Wendy Brown,

announce the birth of Coulter mcdevitt. “Colt”

arrived two months early, weighing 3 lbs. and

measuring 17 inches.

83richarD c. gregorY, Head Class Agent

30 Walnut Farms dr., Farmington, CT 06032

[email protected]

84John gorDon, Class Agent

246 nacoochee dr. nW Atlanta, GA 30305

[email protected]

85sam l. rubenstein, Head Class Agent

2640 endsleigh drive, Bloomfield hills, mi 48301

[email protected]

DreW graham and his wife, margarita,

announce the arrival of their second child, devin

Andrew Graham, born on January, 12, 2010.

devin weighed 4 lbs. 14 oz. and big sister, Amara

(2), welcomed him home.

86John g. ashe, Class Agent; 50 edgewood Ave.,

Longmeadow, mA 01106-1308

[email protected]

aDam Whelchel was at Fisher meadows

watching his daughter play soccer when he ran

into headmaster Larocque, who was walking

his dogs on the same fields. Currently director of

conservation programs for the nature Conservancy,

Adam attended university of vermont and pursued

a career in conservation. he is doing a lot of

fulfilling work in Africa and locally. Adam has three

children and lives in Wethersfield, Connecticut. he

speaks often to college students at Yale, Wesleyan,

and Trinity College about conservation.

The extended Drew family: Children of Chris Drew ’85 and his brother David ’87 and their sister, Katie: Alli (4), elisabeth (2), Brian (9), Teddy (4), Carson (11), and William (4)

Cluster Reunions for Avon Classesduring the spring 2009 national Council meeting, council member Knick Curtis ’63 made a presentation to consider a cluster reunion format for Avon’s future class reunions. Knick, like all Avon alumni, had school friends in classes other than his own. he wanted to find a way to reunite with Avon students who graduated before and after him during future reunion weekends. After researching the growing number of colleges and schools that have “cluster” reunions in place, he presented a rotation schedule to the Council that would achieve this objective. Because the cluster reunion format is based on a pre-determined rotation schedule, the school would then publish the rotation for future reunions on the school’s website. in some anniversary years, 10th, 25th, 40th, and 50th, each class would still have its own reunion. in other years, 5th, 15th, 20th, 30th, 35th, and 45th, each class would come together with two other consecutive classes to enjoy a larger cluster reunion. To make this possible, some classes would be having these particular reunions a year off schedule. And, in order to give every class the widest possible contact with other classes, the schedule staggers cluster reunions. That is, in some cluster reunions a class will join with the class immediately before and the class immediately after. in other years, a class will join with the two years before or the two years after. See example below. if you have an opinion on the concept of cluster reunions, please contact Knick Curtis ’63 at [email protected] or 214-358-2882 or hank Coons ’71 at [email protected] or 860-404-4226. The national Council would like to make a recommendation to the school in the spring of 2010, and alumni feedback will be key in their decision-making process. if adopted, the first cluster reunions would commence in the spring of 2011.

Example for the Class of 2000Year event Class(es)may 2016 15th reunion with 2001 & 2002may 2021 20th reunion with 2001 & 2002may 2025 25th reunion 2000may 2029 30th reunion with 1998 & 1999may 2034 35th reunion with 1998 & 1999may 2040 40th reunion 2000may 2045 45th reunion with 1999 & 2001may 2050 50th reunion 2000


Rob Hornish ’91 and his wife, Jennifer, announce the birth of their daughter, Mckenna Anne Hornish, on April 24, 2009. Mckenna weighed 8.4 lbs and was 21 inches. Rob emailed, “She had a full head of hair at birth. Words cannot explain how special this experience has been for my wife and me.”

Mike Schwartz ’88 with his wife, Lisa, and children, Carolyn (8) and Alex (5) stopped by Niagara Falls last summer.

Chris Stone ’88 and David Fox

evan (11), Graham (9), and Marah (6) Deckers, the children of Tina and Associate Director of Technology Peter Deckers ‘90, with their dog, Brady

Last September, Barbara and George Trautman ’98H enjoyed a terrific Sugarland concert at New england’s great state fair, “The Big e,” and caught up with the band’s singer-songwriter, Kristian Bush ’88.

brian leetch was inducted into the hockey

hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. After

18 years in the nhL, Leetch is regarded as one

of the great u.S. players in history. Check out his

induction speech on YouTube.

James kahl emailed, “hello from Cincinnati.

i am very busy again chairing the 5th annual

‘One more victory Ara’ Celebrity Golf invitational

in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 2 to benefit the

Ara parseghian medical research Foundation.

Our 6-year-old son, Casey, was diagnosed with

niemann pick C at the age of 2. he continues to

do well although childhood or teenage death is the

expectancy for these children. in our four years,

the event has raised over $500,000 for the ApmrF

to fund medical research grants to find a cure or

treatment for Casey and other children with npC.

For further info please visit our website at

www.parseghian.org.”

87William c. begien, Class Agent

8 maple St., Watertown, mA 02472

[email protected]

aDam lYnch and his wife, vayia, along with

their two sons, nathan (2½) and evan (8 months),

took a trip through eight states as part of Adam’s

new business venture, premier processing, a new

aerospace facility in Wichita, Kansas. The world-

wind tour started and ended in marina del rey,

California where the Lynch family still resides. The

Lynch family is getting ready for a big european

vacation this summer, which will include italy for

four days on the way into europe, and Germany for

five days on the way out, but the main focus of the

trip will be Greece, where, during their two-week

stay, Adam and vayia will baptize their youngest

son, evan, on his first birthday.”

Jim angelus lives in San Francisco. he and

his wife, Birgess, welcomed daughter Sloan Zazie

on march 22. Brother teD ’82 welcomed son

Oliver Kiss on march 18. Jim wrote, “i’m the Gm

of a restaurant in SF so if any Avonians are in San

Francisco stop on in.”

88shaWn e. atkinson, Co-Head Class Agent

[email protected]

peter reeD, Co-Head Class Agent

91 Butternut Ln., Southport, CT 06890

[email protected]

Children of Shannon and David Hession ’87: Kiley (10) and Michael (7)

Brendan McKernan ’89 became engaged to valerie Reynolds in January 2010.


mike schWartz received his ph.d. in english

literature from Brandeis in 2007 and is now

teaching supernatural fiction and gender/sexuality

studies at The College of new Jersey. he still sings

a cappella and recently moved to princeton, new

Jersey with his wife, Lisa, and children Carolyn (8)

and Alex (5). in november, he returned to campus

with other alumni (including chris stone and

bruce miller) to meet with and help support

AOF’s new Gay-Straight Alliance, and will be

assisting in future AOF GSA efforts.

After completing pre-mission training in Colorado,

Jamie haYes deploys to Afghanistan in August

2010. Once again, Jamie will command a combat

advisor team that will train, advise, and assist an

Afghan army unit. Jamie wrote, “it won’t be like

commanding a unit of Green Berets, but it’s the

next best thing and i feel honored to have been

selected for such an assignment.” in december,

Jamie was able to enjoy the annual Avon reception

at The Chevy Chase Club.

chris stone is living in new York’s West village

with his partner of eight years, david Fox. Soon

after meeting in 2001 they founded their architec-

ture firm Stonefox Architects and have completed

residential and commercial projects in Colorado,

Texas, new mexico, and their home state—new

York. Chris returned to campus with four fellow

alumni in november and met with the student

members of the Gay-Straight Alliance and diversity

Club to hear about their efforts to promote a culture

of respect for all. After being on campus, Chris

remarked, “The new music and athletic facilities

have made the campus truly amazing, but it is the

students’ leadership in valuing difference that makes

each feel they belong to such a remarkable place.”

89brian riva, Class Agent

14 Chatfield dr., Lakeville, CT 06039

[email protected]

90aDam J. crane, Class Agent

932 Trail Ct., eagan, mn 55122

[email protected]

91michael m. mullin, Head Class Agent

8 nickerson Ln., darien, CT 06840

[email protected]

craYke WinDsor emailed from Salisbury,

u.K., “england is great. Our move here is turning

into one of the best things we could have done as

a family. The kids are settling in very nicely. Amy

has integrated into the community and i commute

about 45 minutes by train into Southampton

every day. Since i have been here, not a day goes

by i am not reminded of Avon. The architecture,

low ceilings, wood beams....good stuff. The

course work is good. A bit slow at first, but it has

ramped up steadily and i find myself having to

put in more effort than i initially thought would

be required—which is a good thing. hindsight

being what it is, i should have done this program

shortly after leaving Boston university. For that

matter, if Avon has any students who are keen on

naval architecture and such, have them look at this

program (Southampton Solent university) or i am

happy to answer any their questions.” Crayke and

Amy and their three sons, Theodore (10), Cooper

(7), and Stuart (3), are in england while Crayke

is pursuing a B.eng.

toDD carroll and his wife, Amy, live in

Woodbridge, Connecticut. he is currently

developing film and Tv projects to be filmed

in the Connecticut area and can be heard every

Saturday on the inside hockey radio show on nhL

hOme iCe Xm 204 and SiriuS 208. Aside from

the entertainment business, he continues to be

involved in C Solar LLC, a renewable resources

company in which he has an interest.

rob hornish saw coleY lYnch in Avon

over the Christmas break and wrote, “if you

guys are ever around, please reach out. i am

in the process of moving to new Jersey from

Austin, Texas.”

92Damien J. egan, Head Class Agent

54 White Oaks dr., Longmeadow, mA 01106-1739

[email protected]

93travis merritt, Class Agent

350 east 62nd St., Apt. 4n, new York, nY 10065

[email protected]

mark French and his wife, meghan,

announce the arrival of their son, Brayden, on

January 25, 2010. he was welcomed home by big

sister, Campbell (2).

Travis Merritt ’93 and Sara Tyluki were married on August 8th, 2009, in Red Bank, New Jersey. They enjoyed a honey-moon safari in Kenya and Tanzania. They both currently teach and reside in New York City.

Nelson West Cashion, son of Kathryn and Lance Cashion ’93.

Kurt Sjogren ’93 with wife Dory and daughters ella and Ava.


kurt sJogren emailed, “ella (5) started full

days of pre-k at The Greenhill School this past

fall. i coached her soccer team to an 8-1-1 record

where she scored 12 goals. dory was kept busy

chasing after Ava (2) who attempted to join the

soccer action. i am continually impressed with

the athletic and academic achievements of both

student body and faculty at Avon. i talk about Old

Farms with great pride to family and friends and

without doubt my four-year experience gave me the

foundation to build on and be successful today.”

94Jason c. murgio, Class Agent,

336 e. 53rd St., Apt. 4, new York, nY 10022

[email protected]

After graduating from Carnegie mellon with a B.S.

in management information technology, Jong

hoon paik returned to Korea to serve in the

Korean military, then worked for 2e Consulting,

a Korean iT company, as business enterprise

architect consultant. Joon met his wife, rumi, in

1994 while both students at Carnegie mellon and

they were married in 2002. rumi has a B.S. in

industrial design from Carnegie mellon and her

m.S. from Syracuse university. She has worked in

LG’s electronics mobile design team. The paiks

currently reside near Santa monica with their two

sons—edward (4) and Louis (1½). Joon emailed,

“We love the great California weather and beach. i

work at Wien uSA, a Korean-brand cake house, as

marketing manager and hope to expand the Wien

brand and values to the West Coast.”

95anthonY D. silvestro, Head Class Agent

3 Beech Cir., Andover, mA 01810-2901

[email protected]

A graduate of the university of Colorado, JeFF

schleppY currently lives in new York City with

his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Lyla rose

(1½). he is a senior analyst with Geosphere Capital.

in January, Worldwatch institute released its

new report State of the World 2010: Transforming

Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability,

which Worldwatch senior researcher erik

assaDourian directed. Take a look at

www.transformingcultures.org.

Headmaster LaRocque and Spencer Beal ’95 enjoyed a relaxed evening at the Dallas reception in January.

Kelly, Cameron (1½), and Chris Rennick ’96.

eric Miner ’98 was best man at the wedding of Tim Corey ’99.

Jason Murgio ’94 and his wife, Tricia, announce the arrival of their first child, Peter Colt Murgio, born on october 11, 2009. Colt weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. Former Avon Director Peter Murgio and his wife, Kathy, are proud grandparents!

“Peas on earth” card sent during the holidays show Jack (1) and baby Anna Lee, born November 14, 2009, the children of Caitlin and David Farrell ’98.

Brendan Mooney ’99 married Stacey Michelle Lyman in January.


96mark a. caruso, Co-Head Class Agent

17 Cedar Ln., Chatham, n.J. 07928-1103

[email protected]

John t. Jones, Co-Head Class Agent

125 main St., Apt. 3, newmarket, nh 03857-1623

chris rennick emailed last fall, “i’ve been

married to Kelly three years in September and we

have one son, Cameron, who is 18 months old

and is running the household already! We live in

Warwick, rhode island, with our english Lab,

mya. i consider myself lucky to have attended

Avon and the things i learned there cannot be

duplicated. i am not only talking about academics,

but also being the man you should be and how to

carry yourself in this world both personally and

professionally. even today, i go back to think of

what i learned there. it’s an amazing place and

i hope my son will be able to experience it as a

freshman and not a pG.” After spending 10 years

in the power quality industry, Chris was recently

appointed vice president of government sales at

e-mon, LLC.” e-mon is the industry leader in

solid-state electronic, kilowatt-hour submeters

and is an active member of the Federal energy

management program task force, Alliance to Save

energy, Association of energy engineers, u.S.

Green Building Council, and other organizations.

brent Drake lives in Austin and finished

his m.B.A. at u. of Texas this winter. . of Texas this winter. . of T he has

also been working at dell and swimming, biking,

and running to try to qualify for the iron man

competition in hawaii.

97timothY b. staY, Co-Head Class Agent

500 Old Farms rd., Avon, CT 06001

[email protected]

kYle r. Youngquist, Co-Head Class Agent

635 West 42nd St., Apt. 9C,

new York, nY 10036-1922

[email protected]

Western Connecticut State university head

men’s Lacrosse Coach Jason ouellet (who

was married in January) is working with three

new assistants including Jim crozier ’98, who

has been involved with lacrosse for the last 16

years. After graduating from St. michael’s College

in 2002, as a three-year starting goalie, Crozier

coached youth lacrosse, high school level, and

at St. michael’s College with a specific focus on

improving the goalie play.

Gilbert Son ’99, Se Jun Lim ’01, Sang Toon Kim ’98, Brian Son ’01, Woo Il Lee ’01 and friends joined Headmaster LaRocque and Dean evans for an Avon alumni reception at The Seoul Club in February.

Alumni Online CommunityThe Avon Old Farms Online Alumni Community continues to grow into a popular web destination and forum for alumni. The site allows alumni access to all sorts of information including reunion year homepages, classmate contact info, an online directory search, online donations, enews archives, ews archives, epersonalized contact lists, class notes submissions, a monthly alumni feature article, and up-to-date information regarding any upcoming alumni events in your region. A registration identification number is needed for you to gain secure access. if you did not f you did not freceive an id number by email, or if

you have any other problems, questions, comments, or suggestions regarding this resource, please do not hesitate to give us a call in the Alumni Office toll free at 1-800-336-8195 or email us at [email protected]. Thank you!


98geoFFreY r. barloW, Co-Head Class Agent


Avon, CT 06001

[email protected]

J. anDreW corrigan, Co-Head Class Agent

23 Beacon St., Somerville, mA 02143

[email protected]

DaviD Farrell and his wife, Caitlin, announce

the birth of Anna Lee, born november 14, 2009,

and weighing 8 lbs. 4oz. Anna arrived a day after

headmaster Laroque and dean peter evans visited

the family in illinois. Anna was welcomed home by

big brother, Jack (1).

craig evans vans v has taught at the rerer ctory School

since 2003 and was recently awarded the Kellogg

Grant by the headmaster. Craig is passionate

about improving the lives of young people, and his

leadership and dedication to placing the needs of his

students above his own made him the perfect recipient.

99DaviD r. grYboski, Co-Head Class Agent

5337 Gulf dr., Suite 300, holmes Beach, FL 34217

[email protected]

brenDan mooneY married Stacey michelle

Lyman at the Westbury Lyman at the Westbury L manor in Westbury,

new York, on January 16, 2010. Avonians braD

steWaWaW rt ’99 and thatcher martin ’99

were in attendance. Brendan met Stacey through

her two brothers who work for him at Fire island

Ferries in Bay Shore, new York. Stacey teaches 7th

grade math in Queens, new York.

raFael barcenas is the director General

of the Civil Aeronautics Authority in panama, a

position equivalent to the FAA Administrator in

the united States. he is the youngest person to

hold this position in panamanian history, and the

youngest person in the world to currently hold the

position. rafael is responsible for flight standards

(law, aircraft, and flight regulations), airports, air

navigation and airspace, airport security, and air

transport (passenger carriers and cargo). he also

supervises presidential aviation (all maintenance

and training of flight crews) and is the Chief pilot

for the CAA Search and rescue team, and the

captain of the SAr Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. r Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. r

The Cole Family: Marty, a member of Avon’s Board of Directors, Terri, Liz, Jack, and Sam ’04.

Rob Dowling ’91 and eric Hill ’00 enjoyed a day of golf during the summer of 2009 at the Madison Country Club in Madison, Connecticut. Despite the smiles on the faces in the picture, the golfer of the day was eric’s father, Christopher, who was the unchallenged leader on the scorecard!

In case you missed it…vvisit www.avonoldfarms.com/avoniansit www.avonoldfarms.com/avoniansit for the www.avonoldfarms.com/avonian for the www.avonoldfarms.com/avonianFebruary 2010 issue of February 2010 issue of The Village Green, the online-only supplement to only supplement to The Avonian. The winter issue featured highlights from the fall athletics season featured highlights from the fall athletics season as well as coverage of many of the exciting 2009 as well as coverage of many of the exciting 2009 holiday events at AOF, including winter concerts, holiday events at AOF, including winter concerts, Toys for Tots, and the Boar’s Toys for Tots, and the Boar’s head Festival.

Log on now to catch up!

Brooks Clinton ’02 is engaged to Melissa Miller. They met at an apartment complex where they were both residing and plan to marry on August 6, 2010, in Morristown, New Jersey. They recently bought a house in Scotch Plains.


00michael J. o’neill, Co-Head Class Agent

37 Anderson St. Apt. 6, Boston, mA 02114

[email protected]

Daniel seiDen, Co-Head Class Agent

59 Fox hollow, Avon, Ct 06001

[email protected]

kc tenukas, Co-Head Class Agent

1919 W. Carmen St., Tampa, FL 33606

[email protected]

mike o’neill recently got engaged to maryellen

Sullivan and the two are busy planning their wedding,

which will be on Block island August 28, 2010.

01christopher D. coleman

Co-Head Class Agent

4464 Greenwich parkway nW

Washington, dC 20007

[email protected]

nicholas h. larocque, Co-Head Class Agent

128 Fuller St, Apt. 9, Brookline, mA 02446-5724

[email protected]

02William p. beatson, Class Agent

355 east 88th St., Apt. 4F, new York, nY 10128

[email protected]

charles WarD took a job transfer with

Ferguson enterprises and moved out to San

Francisco in September. he attended the Avon

reception in January at The pacific-union Club.

in January Avon heard from DaviD tu from

Taipei, Taiwan, who was at that time getting an

m.B.A. from hitotsubashi university, Graduate

School of international Corporate Strategy in Tokyo.

03Jamie tang, Class Agent

309 east 81st St., new York, nY 10028

[email protected]

JoeY karolY is engaged to Laura Cook after

proposing in West palm Beach this past december.

They look forward to a June wedding next year.

John charles ierarDi is an actor in Los

Angeles. he landed a national Gillette shaving

cream commercial with Tiger Woods and roger

Federer. he is also in the upcoming films The Truth

About Angels and Spread, with Ashton Kutcher.

Gilman Callsen ’04 married Katrina elizabeth Preston on August 7, 2009, at the virginia Living Museum in Newport News, virginia. Gilman’s brother, Tyler ’06, was the best man and another groomsman was Wes Jayne ’04. Gilman wrote, “It was a wonderful day!” Katrina is a middle school math teacher at Kipp Academy in Lynn, Massachusetts.

Bill and Mary Hayes P ’06 and Morgan Barrieau ’04 attended the Dallas gathering of Avonians at the home of Mark Masinter ’82 last winter.

04luke archambault, Class Agent

59 high St., South hadley, mA 01075

[email protected]

mac mcDonalD lives in Baltimore and

emailed, “i am still teaching history at Boys’ Latin,

doing my best to channel my inner-narsipur. in

addition to coaching lacrosse, i am faculty advisor to

our brand new model un Club this year.” [editor’s

note: Chandra narsipur taught history at Avon

for 21 years before retiring in 2003.] mac attended

Avon’s Chevy Chase reception last winter.

alvaro tapia represented his native country,

panama, in the Americas Cup Golf Tournament in

Argentina on January 6th. The tournament brings

together 12 countries of the Americas. The fourth

and last round was played January 9 at Los Olivos

Golf Club in Argentina. Alvaro won the right to

represent panama last October at the Golf Club of

panama. While a student at Avon, Alvaro played

on the golf team his sophomore, junior, and senior

years. his senior year, Avon won both the Founders

League Championships and KiT (new england’s).

zach bartholomeW took part in the 2010

polar Bear plunge on Saturday, February 27. Funds

raised through the polar Bear plunge help advance

the goal of Special Olympics new Jersey, to provide

free, year-round training and competition in 24

Olympic-type sports to more than 18,000 children

and adults with intellectual disabilities.

05Dane lemeris, Head Class Agent

38 Chelsea dr., Cromwell, CT 06416

[email protected]

patrick healY emailed in October, “hope all

is well. We have a serious ’05 reunion coming up in

may 2010. i’m looking forward to it. i have been

working for three months with the Bullen insurance

Group in Long island. i got my broker’s license at

the end of August and have had a great experience

so far. i am excited about my new position and look

forward to building a book of business. if anyone is

ever in need of any personal or commercial insurance

services, please feel free to contact me. i am also

happy to talk with anyone who may be starting the

process of looking for a job. i would be happy to share

my experience (success and failure) with anyone

interested. As i am just starting out in the professional

world, i am always looking for good networking

events and contacts. hope to hear from some of you.”


James Little ’06, Joe DiFiglia ’06,

Alex Feld ’06, and Casey Coons ’07

enjoyed the Avon v. Taft Hockey

game at Fenway in December.

JeoFF Jarnot was named the new england

Small College Athletic Conference men’s hockey

player of the Week in december. Jeoff is a senior

defenseman and assistant captain for Colby.

sam orr graduated from hobart College last

spring and started work in the real world this

past June. Sam was captain of the lacrosse team

along with fellow Avonian matt smalleY.

Sam works for a commercial real estate investment

trust firm (reiT) called Boston properties. After

an internship with Bp last summer in Boston at

Bp’s corporate office, his boss presented him the

opportunity last spring to work in d.C. Sam lives

on Capitol hill, two blocks behind the Capitol

building with a friend who graduated from

Bowdoin. Sam attended the Avon gathering in

december at the Chevy Chase Club and enjoyed

connecting with other Avonians in the area.

06aDam bauer, Class Agent

22 highwood St., Simsbury, CT 06070

[email protected]

braD lipkvich is a senior at endicott College.

he has been a starter on the lacrosse team for

three years and his team won the conference and

TCCC (The Commonwealth Coast Conference)

championship when he was a freshman. he also

won the Conference rookie of the Year. For his

college career he has two eCAC championships, an

nCAA tournament appearance, an all-conference

midfielder award, and a number five national team

ranking. having scored 51 goals and 37 assists for a

total of 88 points in three years, he is on his way to

perhaps breaking the 100 point mark this spring. he

is working on a full-time internship with the Boston

Blazers, a semi-pro lacrosse league, when he is not

practicing lacrosse himself.

khaliD verJee graduated from Babson after

three years and started work at hamilton Spill,

his family’s furniture business. he currently lives

in vietnam where he manages the quality and

scheduling of the factories they run there while

also expanding business to india.

Barbara and Dan Butts ’06 were able to personally congratulate their sponsored student, Jalmar, in his ecuadorian village for his academic accomplishments. [Jalmar is wearing a super hero shirt Dan gave him and the little girls are Jalmar’s younger sisters.]

Baird Clinkscales ’06 and his mother, Ann, as well as Kathryn and Lance Cashion ’93, were among the Dallas alumni and friends gathered at the Masinters’ home for dinner last January.


The School has learned of the deaths of the following alumni:

herbert F. schiFFer ’36

seth loW Jr. ’38

DaviD r. stinson ’42

Dr. James b. kenYon ’45

richarD c. FoWler ’48

clauD harris crook Jr. ’56

thomas t. noYe ’62

michael a. viner ’62

John i. carrington ’66

William (billY) livingston goDDarD ’69

thomas F. trimingham ’70

Douglas Derocher ’87

In Memoriam

Members of the Class of 2007: Casey Coons, Brady Kain, Jonathan Higginbotham, Armand Wilson, Ryan Petersen, and Dempsey Quinn join Mike Recchia for his 21st birthday celebration on a trip to Atlantic City in December.

John Driscoll ’09, Stephen Driscoll ’06, and Pete Theis ’06 met at The Chevy Chase Club in December for the DC Area reception.

inspired by the amazing trip he had taken as a

student at AOF with travis merritt ’93 to

ecuador and peru, Dan butts and his mother,

Barbara, traveled to ecuador over the Christmas

holiday. They were hosted by ewere hosted by ewere hosted by lena, the wonderful

person who shepherded the group when dan first

visited as an Avon student. They visited the beach,

went to an went to an w indian market, and one day dan dressed

up as Santa to the delight of the village children.

dan said it was so rewarding to meet Jalmar, their

sponsored student, and his little sisters [see picture

of dan and Barbara Butts with Jalmar and his

sisters]. dan was able to congratulate him on

graduating second in his class and let him know

how proud he is that Jalmar now attends college.

dan was encouraged to see the elementary school

Avon donations helped build. dan continues his

studies of engineering at north idaho College.

07matt beath, Class Agent

12229 prince Towne dr., St. Louis, mO 63142

[email protected]

08Will henDricks, Class Agent

p.O. Box 38, Shawnee-on-delaware, pA 18356

[email protected]

kevin sisti, Class Agent

64 pinnacle rd., Farmington, CT 06030

[email protected]

DreW leclerc and richarD WooDWell

are roommates at umass and are living in the

Southwest Complex.

kiho suh is doing military service in Korea.

branDon moore received an appointment to

West point.

09Jp rotchForD, Class Agent

54 navesink Ave., rumson, nJ 07760

[email protected]

mattheW lauro made dean’s List and

was named defensive rookie of the Year for ookie of the Year for ookie of the Y

football at rpi. he is roommates with michael

hermann, who earned Offensive player of the

Year accolades.Year accolades.Y matt has connected with evril

claYton ’01 for a possible internship to work

with rensselaer’s endowment Fund this summer.

matt is thankful for the networking opportunities

that exist in the AOF alumni community.

michael mangan wrote, “i am writing to

you from up on Beacon hill in the great city of

Boston. it is hard to believe that my first year at

Suffolk university and new england School of Art

and design is almost over! i am in a dual program

with both schools as a fine arts major and i must

say this is without a doubt the busiest year of my

life so far. i am always in and out of the studio or

in my three-hour studio classes, but i really love

what i am doing. Although college has been very

fun thus far, i miss Old Farms every single day.

i miss the campus, the community, the people,

the school spirit and everything. The times i have

been back to visit make it seem like i never left.

This is one of the many reasons why i will always

love Avon Old Farms.”

kaz nakamura is loving school at William

and mary. The former riddler joined an a capella

singing group and the wrestling club, and hosts

his own radio show. he misses Avon and credits

teachers like mr. Bourgault for challenging him.

greg miller will be playing in the new

england Collegiate Baseball League for the

Sanford mainers of maine this summer after his

season at Tulane ends.


Faculty notes

having begun his wrestling coaching career

here in the ’70s, it was fitting that when former

faculty member steve Ward was inducted

into the national Wrestling Coaches’ hall of

Fame in October 2009, dean peter evans,

former wrestler lew smith ’75, and dean

henry “skip” Flanagan would attend. Lew

won the wrestling title of national prep School

heavyweight Champion when Steve was his

wrestling coach at Avon. The friendship between

Steve and peter goes back to their undergraduate

years at Amherst College, where the two

were roommates and Steve was best man in

peter’s wedding. Steve’s honor was presented

in a spacious hall within Gillette Stadium in

Foxboro, massachusetts, with many students and

staff also present from roxbury Latin in Boston,

where Steve currently teaches and coaches.

Faculty member andy riemer is engaged to

Jessie Condon; they will be married at Avon

Old Farms School on August 7, 2010.

Faculty member Jamie reece and wife mary

ellen announce the birth of daughter Charlotte

mary, born on march 18th. She was welcomed

home by big sister Louisa, 1.

Faculty member Andy Riemer and fiancée Jessie Condon

Louisa and Charlotte Reece.

Dean Peter evans, former faculty member Steve Ward, Lew Smith ’75, and Dean Skip Flanagan.

Jake, Chancey, eamon, and Seamus, sons of Avon teacher Tim Beneski, pose with White Sox bullpen coach Juan Nieves ’83 at Fenway Park. Thanks to the generosity of Avonian Mike Cercone ’75, the Beneskis had a tour of Fenway, which included going on the field for the Sox batting practice.

Anaya (2), daughter of Taz and Lee Huguley ’92. Lee is the assistant dean of faculty and the family lives in Pelican dormitory.

The family of John Haile, former academic dean.

47The Avonian

We are proud to recognize the following individuals who have We are proud to recognize the following individuals who have made plans in their estates to make a difference for Avon Old Farms School over the long term. These deferred gifts to Avon Old Farms include bequests, gift annuities, charitable remainder Old Farms include bequests, gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance, real estate and collectibles.

By building our endowment through planned gifts, we can offer more financial aid to deserving students, provide better compensation to our faculty, maintain the beauty of mrs. riddle’s ddle’s magnificent campus, and enhance the academic, athletic, and arts programs. Currently there are over 160 alumni, parents, and arts programs. Currently there are over 160 alumni, parents, and friends of the school who have, either openly or anonymously,

made their planned gift intentions known to the school. We welcome you to follow their lead and join the riddle Society. By planning ahead, they have not only become part of the pipeline for future advancement of Avon, but have also provided for their loved ones and have reduced their exposure to local, state, and federal taxes.

if you are about to construct your first estate plan, or plan to f you are about to construct your first estate plan, or plan to fupdate your estate when the circumstances of your life change, please think about Avon Old Farms School, where graduates, sons, and grandsons become men and make friends for life.

By Grantland riceThis poem was recited by Duncan Cooke ’13 on March 9, 2010, as part of the

annual Poetry Recitation Contest. Duncan was awarded an Honorable Mention.

Alumnus FootballThe Last Word

Bill tried to punt out of the rut, but ere he turned the trick Right Tackle Competition scuttled through and blocked the kick. And when he tackled at Success in one long, vicious prod The Fullback Disappointment steered his features in sod.

Bill was no quitter, so he tried a buck in higher gear, But Left Guard Envy broke it up and stood him on his ear. Whereat he aimed a forward pass, but in two vicious bounds Big Center Greed slipped through a hole and rammed him out of bounds. Big Center Greed slipped through a hole and rammed him out of bounds.

But one day, when across the Field of Fame the goal seemed dim, The wise old coach, Experience, came up and spoke to him. “Oh Boy,” he said, “the main point now before you win your bout “Oh Boy,” he said, “the main point now before you win your bout Is keep on bucking Failure till you’ve worn the piker out!”

“And, kid, cut out this fancy stuff—go in there, low and hard; Just keep your eye upon the ball and plug on, yard by yard, And more than all, when you are thrown or tumbled with a crack, And more than all, when you are thrown or tumbled with a crack, Don’t sit there whining—hustle up and keep on coming back;

“Keep coming back with all you’ve got, without an alibi, If Competition trips you up or lands upon your eye, Until at last above the din you hear this sentence spilled: ‘We might as well let this bird through before we all get killed.’

“You’ll find the road is long and rough, with soft spots far apart, Where only those can make the grade who have the Uphill Heart. Where only those can make the grade who have the Uphill Heart. And when they stop you with a thud or halt you with a crack, Let Courage call the signals as you keep on coming back.

“Keep coming back, and though the world may romp across your spine, “Keep coming back, and though the world may romp across your spine, Let every game’s end find you still upon the battling line; For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes—not that you won or lost—but how you played the Game.”He writes—not that you won or lost—but how you played the Game.”

Bill Jones had been the shining star upon his college team. Bill Jones had been the shining star upon his college team. His tackling was ferocious and his bucking was a dream. His tackling was ferocious and his bucking was a dream. When husky William took the ball beneath his brawny arm When husky William took the ball beneath his brawny arm They had two extra men to ring the ambulance alarm. They had two extra men to ring the ambulance alarm.

Bill hit the line and ran the ends like some mad bull amuck. Bill hit the line and ran the ends like some mad bull amuck. The other team would shiver when they saw him start to buck. The other team would shiver when they saw him start to buck. And when some rival tackler tried to block his dashing pace, And when some rival tackler tried to block his dashing pace, On waking up, he’d ask, “Who drove that truck across my face?” On waking up, he’d ask, “Who drove that truck across my face?”

Bill had the speed—Bill had the weight—Bill never bucked in vain; Bill had the speed—Bill had the weight—Bill never bucked in vain; From goal to goal he whizzed along while fragments, strewed the plain, From goal to goal he whizzed along while fragments, strewed the plain, And there had been a standing bet, which no one tried to call, And there had been a standing bet, which no one tried to call, That he could make his distance through a ten-foot granite wall. That he could make his distance through a ten-foot granite wall.

When he wound up his college course each student’s heart was sore. When he wound up his college course each student’s heart was sore. They wept to think bull-throated Bill would sock the line no more. They wept to think bull-throated Bill would sock the line no more. Not so with William—in his dreams he saw the Field of Fame, Not so with William—in his dreams he saw the Field of Fame, Where he would buck to glory in the swirl of Life’s big game. Where he would buck to glory in the swirl of Life’s big game.

Sweet are the dreams of college life, before our faith is nicked— Sweet are the dreams of college life, before our faith is nicked— The world is but a cherry tree that’s waiting to be picked; The world is but a cherry tree that’s waiting to be picked; The world is but an open road—until we find, one day, The world is but an open road—until we find, one day, How far away the goal posts are that called us to the play. How far away the goal posts are that called us to the play.

So, with the sheepskin tucked beneath his arm in football style, So, with the sheepskin tucked beneath his arm in football style, Bill put on steam and dashed into the thickest of the pile; Bill put on steam and dashed into the thickest of the pile; With eyes ablaze he sprinted where the laurelled highway led— With eyes ablaze he sprinted where the laurelled highway led— When Bill woke up his scalp hung loose and knots adorned his head. When Bill woke up his scalp hung loose and knots adorned his head.

He tried to run the ends of life, but with rib-crushing toss He tried to run the ends of life, but with rib-crushing toss A rent collector tackled him and threw him for a loss. A rent collector tackled him and threw him for a loss. And when he switched his course again and dashed into the line And when he switched his course again and dashed into the line The massive Guard named Failure did a toddle on his spine. The massive Guard named Failure did a toddle on his spine.

Patrick Ashe ’91 and Kevin Driscoll ’72

Study Hall, circa 1930. A Lower School, grades seven and eight, was part of the academic structure of Old Farms from its founding until the mid-1950s. During the early years, classes were an hour and a half in length, with the last half hour devoted to a study period. –William Rittase photograph, from Avon’s archives.

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Avonian - Spring 2010

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