Beyond the

56 Pages·2017·8.68 MB·English

HILLTOPPER
Beyond the
HILLTOP
+

ROBOTIC
PIANO PLAYER
HENRY DORMITZER ’88
REUNION 2017
fall 2017
VOLUME XXVI / ISSUE 1
CONTENTS
4
beyond the hilltop:
Worcester Academy
students discover
their world,
make their mark
FALL 2017
contents
12
Use the Layar App to
discover digital content
Matt Adiletta ’17
with your mobile device.
Download the App from wins big with robotic
iTunes, Google Play,
piano player—an
or Blackberry World.
engineering marvel
1
14
Find a page with a
Layar call to action
(pages 13, 27, 28,
board of trustees
and 35).
service brings
2 deeper connection
Use Layar to scan for Dormitzer ’88
the page by tapping
device screen.
(Hint: make sure
entire page is viewable
for scanning).
16
3
departments
Watch for a photo gallery
Reunion 2017
to open or for a
video to play. 3 HEAD OF SCHOOL
3 LETTERS
22 22 ALUMNI NEWS
4
26 ON THE HILLTOP
Tap video to view in full 32 WA ATHLETICS
36 GIVING NEWS
screen, or slide finger to
38 CHECKING IN
view additional images
50 PASSINGS
in photo gallery.
5
26 35
Enjoy!
the
HILLTOPPER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES fall 2017
officers & members
VOLUME XXVI / ISSUE 1
President Henry Dormitzer III ’88 Head of School Ronald M. Cino P’21,’22,’24
First Vice President Susan Weagly Jacobs, J.D. P’03
Second Vice President Sarah (Sullivan) Pulsifer ’91 Hilltopper Editor Neil R. Isakson P’15,’19
Secretary Brian A. O’Connell, Esq. ’67 2015 Case DI
Treasurer Jonathan S. Stuart ’86 Graphic Design Good Design LLC
Bronze Award
Benny Sato Ambush ’69 Photography Ursula Arello winner for Best
Dr. Lauren S. Baker P’15,’18 David Barron, Oxygen Group
Designed Magazine
William Breidenbach ’69 Anthony Butler
Patricia Z. Eppinger P’16,’20 Marillyn Earley
R. Victor Fields ’71 Jonathan Endow 2016 CASE DI Silver
Matthew Finkle ’87 Alicia Figueiredo
David P. Forsberg ’65 Hockmeyer Studios Award winner for
J. Michael Grenon ’88 Ronald Inman General Excellence,
William Haddad ’92 Neil Isakson
Independent School
Arthur Kentros ’74 Pam Lefferts
Jamie E. Lavin ’02 Anette Macintire Magazines
Dana R. Levenson ’75 Tony Rinaldo Photography
Andrew B. O’Donnell, Esq. ’73 Peter Smith
Megan O’Leary P’20 Valerie Price
Jacqueline Peterson
James J. Pietro ’81 Videography Neil Isakson
Susan Puryear P’19,’21 Peter Smith
Hervey S. Ross ’46 OskeeVision
Robert Scumaci P’15,’18
David V. Shamoian ’70 Development Office Kim Stone, Director of Development
Luke M. Vaillancourt ’01 Ursula A. Arello ’85, P’21, Director of Donor and Alumni Engagement
Frank R. Callahan ’71, Director of Planned Giving
Alicia Figueiredo, Manager of Alumni Programs and Events ON THE COVER
Neil R. Isakson, Director of External Communications
Seniors Caitlin McNamara
and Development Marketing
and Louis Scumaci at
Anette Macintire P’22, Database Coordinator
a Habitat for Humanity
Dexter P. Morse, Headmaster Emeritus
build at 21 Aetna Street,
Kate Morse, Gift Processing Coordinator
a property donated by
Erica Driscoll Ribeiro P’20,’24, Director of Annual Giving,
Worcester Academy.
Marketing and Participation
(Tony Rinaldo Photography)
Donald E. “Dee” Rowe ’47, Special Assistant to the Head of School
Featured Writer Jody P. McNamara P’09,’12, founder of marketing strategy and services
firm Socially Adept Solutions, is a longtime feature writer and former director
of parent relations at Worcester Academy. Jody, who organized and chaired
MISSION
two consecutive auctions for WA, lives on Cape Cod.
Worcester Academy exists to instill in its students the desire to learn
throughout life, to engage passionately with the world around them, Contributing Writer Caroline G. Reich P’06,’08 is a former development staffer for Worcester
and to be honorable persons of strong and resourceful character. Academy. She and her husband, Joel Reich, are benefactors of the Summer
Scholars Program, which serves children living in the WA neighborhood.
CORE VALUES
The Hilltopper is published twice yearly by Worcester Academy.
We are a community—curious, thoughtful, generous, and thriving in our
Reader comment, as well as information of interest, is always welcome.
diversity. We embrace each of our core values as essential to the mission
Please write to Neil R. Isakson, director of External Communications,
of Worcester Academy and as testimony of our beliefs and commitments.
at Worcester Academy, 81 Providence St., Worcester, MA 01604,
or email [email protected].
HONOR | RESPECT | COMMUNITY | PERSONAL GROWTH | CHALLENGE
2 the HILLTOPPER : fall 2017
from the head of school letter to the editor
Life Beyond the Hilltop FRIENDSHIP WITH DENIS GAINTY ’88
“NEVER WAVERED”
Central to WA Mission I met Denis Gainty in the fall of 1982, when we both
started 7th grade at Worcester Academy. I don’t remem-
ber how we first met, just that we were friends since
that day. An instant friendship that never wavered over
“Worcester Academy exists to instill in its students the almost 35 years.
Worcester Academy had a tradition that the valedic-
desire to learn throughout life, to engage passionately
torian and salutatorian of the graduating class were not
with the world around them, and to be honorable persons picked by the school but voted on by the senior class.
Denis got the most votes and was our valedictorian,
of strong and resourceful character.”
and while the tally was never made public, I’m con-
vinced that he won in a landslide. While he did have his
close group of friends who voted for him, I’ve always
That is the mission of Worcester Academy, and that on the world’s challenges, with their WA education and thought that just about every classmate voted for him
is the mission of every faculty member, staff member, engagement with Worcester as their foundation. because he was truly friends with everyone and moved
coach, and me, as head of school—to ensure sure that And it doesn’t stop in Worcester. Students involved between all the cliques at the school with ease.
we fulfill this promise for every student who lives and in Habitat for Humanity on the Hilltop have taken their After high school, getting together became more diffi-
learns on our storied Hilltop. passions for building to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, cult, especially as Denis followed his passions all over the
For anyone who has visited Worcester Academy, Florida, Tennessee, and most recently, South Carolina. world. I never felt out of touch with him, though. We could
we are no ivory tower set apart from the city. Far from Our Middlers immerse themselves in the New York City go days, weeks, or months without speaking, but then
it. We value our community and our neighbors—and Outward Bound program that has become a signature when we reconnected, it was as if no time had passed.
we invest in and partner with them—and we value experience of the Eighth Grade. There are opportunities Henry Dormitzer ’88 said, “I always thought Denis
the importance of this work and its connection to our in Peru, China, Denmark, and Italy—all with multiple layers had the manual to life that they forgot to give me,” and
classrooms. We value what it means to be an urban of learning, intentionally planned and executed. Graduation I totally agree. Denis was the perfect combination of
institution, sharing the city with a dozen colleges and and Capstone Projects, too, have taken students across intelligence, friendliness, sincerity, and love. He brought
universities, a biotech corridor, and all the history the country and to locations such as Haiti, China, and out the best in people and deeply loved his family and
that comes with being a part of New England where Kazakhstan, where they explore, study, and grow. friends. I loved spending time with Denis and I am heart-
America’s story began. The city of Worcester grew to By encouraging WA students to engage passionately broken that I will not be able to have another animated,
prominence during a time of industry and innovation, with the world around them, we grow our understanding intelligent, and thoughtful conversation with him. While
and it is in the midst of enormous growth once again. of the rich opportunities that await them in Worcester and I feel cheated of many more years I hoped to have with
With such resources, the city beyond our gates beyond—opportunities to apply what they have learned him, I feel extremely lucky that I did have his love, friend-
is itself a classroom and living laboratory for WA in the classroom and to live out the Academy’s mission. ship, and support for most of my life.
students. They are engaging in service learning According to one WA parent responding to our recent
at St. Francis Xavier Soup Kitchen, volunteering at parent survey, the curriculum takes students “beyond —David Frem ’88, Boylston, MA
Community Harvest, and lending a hand at Friendly the textbook experience and creates meaningful proj-
House. With support from such initiatives as the Bernon ects that enable kids to apply what they are learning to
Junior Service Award, established by Alan Bernon ’72, their passions and the world around them.”
Worcester Academy students take their efforts to the A 21st century education requires such opportunities,
next level and become philanthropists. That Award is but it also promises a lasting impact on WA students
given annually to a student in recognition of outstand- as culturally competent global and digital citizens, as
ing community service. The student receives $10,000. lifelong learners, and as honorable persons of strong
$2,500 remains with the student, while the other and resourceful character.
$7,500 is directed to a charity, preferably local, of the Life beyond the Hilltop is central to those outcomes.
student’s choosing. Last year’s recipient, Gabriela Ohl
’18, directed the funds to Main IDEA, a free Worcester
From left, David Frem, Denis Gainty, and Henry Dormitzer—
summer arts program for children. Gabriela is just one
all members of the Class of 1988—and their dates at their
example of the many ways that WA students are taking Ronald M. Cino Worcester Academy junior prom in 1987.
Worcester Academy 3
Beyo nd the
HILLTOP
4 the HILLTOPPER : fall 2017
WORCESTER ACADEMY STUDENTS
DISCOVER THEIR WORLD,
Make Their Mark
by Jody P. McNamara
Worcester Academy students are exploring exhibits and research endeavors just a few miles away and
traveling to other continents. They’re reaching out with effective service learning projects and applying that
knowledge to a broader understanding of economic and social concepts. They’re meeting experts in their
fields and collaborating with them on real-world solutions. The cornerstone of Worcester Academy’s outreach:
the Hilltop itself. It’s our urban location that gives us nimble access to museums, higher-ed research,
and those service learning projects that teach us the most and pave the way into the wider world.
Here on the Hilltop we think it’s a
great, big, beautiful world out there,
and we think it’s worth exploring.
As an institution that discourages
wearing blinders, our students are
constantly going Beyond the Hilltop to
discover more and to make an impact.
Moving outside of your realm of
IT IS NATURAL FOR MAN TO
“ experience is critical to becoming a
WONDER WHAT LIES BEYOND responsible citizen of the world. In
a methodical, structured, and well-
THE MOUNTAIN PEAKS, WHAT
conceived way, our students learn more
STRANGE AND INTERESTING from each experience and the next until
THINGS MAY BE BELOW THE the world is truly better understood.
As you can imagine, we begin our
ENCIRCLING HORIZON. WITHOUT
horizon-broadening experiences small
THIS INCENTIVE, THERE CAN and work our way up to encompassing
the globe. Our Middle School students
BE LITTLE PROGRESS. MAN’S
start by investigating the world just
INBORN DESIRE TO SEEK, beyond what is most familiar to them.
TO KNOW, HAS BEEN THE For our 6th and 7th graders, it’s their
new classmates and the local environs
DOMINANT FACTOR IN THE
of our city and state that bear examina-
EXPLORATION OF THE WORLD.” tion. Our 8th graders move even further
out of their comfort zone and travel
out of New England. By the time our
—Donald B. MacMillan
Hilltoppers reach Upper School, they’re
Arctic Explorer, Worcester Academy Faculty member (1903–1908)
ready to spread their wings wide.
Worcester Academy 5
B e y o n Ld Tt hO e P
L
H I
come out good and we could really
Learning About Learning Moving Further
feel each other’s enthusiasm. And
you know what? It came out great!”
Each Other About Our Out of Your
Grade 8 doesn’t stop there. In
what could be considered our
Environment Comfort Zone
QUESTION:
Middle School’s capstone event,
What’s Step One in learning
those about to rise to Upper School
to experience the world? Getting to know each other is a Our Grade 8 explorers take advan- take what many consider to be the
great first step, but getting to tage of one of Worcester Academy’s trip of their young lives: an Outward
ANSWER: know your environment follows greatest assets when it comes to Bound Urban Trek into New York
Gain the skills necessary right on its heels. Our 7th graders discovery: Our very own city. In City. Outward Bound made its
to understand those on take it a little further with days an ingeniously conceived interdis- name on wilderness experiences,
the road with you. away from home in one of Nature’s ciplinary project, our 8th graders but truly nothing can compare to
Classroom’s acclaimed environ- go about the business of produc- the knowledge gained through
This is the impetus behind our mental education programs. ing a Guide Book to Worcester’s conquering the urban landscape.
Grade 6 participation in Springfield Jason Saito ’22 made the many ethnic markets. Anthony Now-WA freshmen Devin Lomax
College’s Youth Leadership most of his week off the grid Petrone ’21 describes it best. and Anna LeClerc absolutely agree.
Training Program. Through a with his classmates. “We split up into groups and go “It was the best field trip I’ve
series of physical challenges, “It was a great way to start the to different ethnic markets around ever taken!” Devin exclaims. “I
this innovative program asks its year because I could reconnect Worcester. We purchase various was really pretty nervous going
participants to not only stretch with my old friends and make some foods, describe the outside of the into it, but I kept a positive atti-
themselves personally but also— new ones. It also really helped me market … what you can expect to tude, and I think that made it more
and perhaps more importantly—to to understand this year’s science see and what you can purchase fun and exciting. I was nervous
collaborate for a better result. unit much better. It was so much inside—everything from what about what we’d eat and where
Noel Gomez ’23 definitely made fun to be more independent,” foods are available behind the deli we’d sleep. But, I loved it. I actu-
the most of the adventure. Jason continues. “Going to the counter, what fresh foods, what ally missed it when it was over.”
“It was a really cool experi- salt marshes and beaches to see canned items … all of it. Then we “On the very first night, we
ence,” Noel tells us. “It wasn’t just all of the marine wildlife and how write up our experience so that visited a Sikh Temple,” Anna tells
a ropes course. We had to learn to they live was great. For example, other people will know what’s us. “It was so interesting for me
work very well together because we went crabbing on the docks available right here in our own city. and it really challenged stereotypes
many of the activities had to be one day. All we had were hot My group was assigned Ed Hyder’s that you just pick up. We learned
done in groups. To succeed, we dogs on strings that we lowered Mediterranean Market on Pleasant that Muslim men don’t usually wear
really had to figure out a way to into the water. It was fascinating Street. It was great! My favorite turbans, but Sikh men do wear
communicate with each other. I’m to watch the crabs move for the thing was probably the baklava.” turbans. That was just something
actually a little terrified of heights hot dogs and, as I look back on Baklava aside, the significance that I never knew before. The media
so this was a challenge for me. I it, I realize it had a really posi- of the project isn’t lost on Anthony. portrays some things that are just
had to collaborate with my group tive effect on me. I really love to “This was something different,” he not correct and it was great to break
in an environment that was really go outside and explore now.” continues. “This project took us out those misconceptions down. You
way out of my comfort zone.” to explore our urban environment. can learn a lot from a textbook, but
And the “challenge zones” It wasn’t something I would have it’s just so different to see it first-
keep broadening for Hilltoppers ever expected to do at WA. Before hand and experience it for yourself.”
as they make their way the Market Guidebook project I was Anna relays another mind-
through Middle School. not a fan of groups. This made me changing experience. “We visited
a fan. We all wanted the project to a homeless shelter, and we played
I MADE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT NEW YORK, AND THOSE
“
ASSUMPTIONS AREN’T THERE ANYMORE. EVERYONE MAKES
ASSUMPTIONS, AND I LEARNED THAT MOST OF MINE WEREN’T TRUE.
”
6 the HILLTOPPER : fall 2017
Worcester Academy 7
8 the HILLTOPPER : fall 2017