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MiltonMagazine turn
table of contents
6 KQED Is Executing a Pivot
"KQED's challenge is to extend our digital capacity while we sustain the radio and TV business," says Anne Avis '77.
10 Discovery: A Personal Model, a Business Model
Ashley Fouts '94 is facilitating the myriad decisions necessary to turn breakthrough science at the bench into life-changing drugs for patients.
14 Recraft a Company to Create a Lifestyle Brand
David Pun '99 embraces the challenges of running a lifestyle fashion brand in the hyper-competitive
Across the Quad
48 Head of School "Leave Room to Be Surprised"
34 Sports
by Todd B. Bland
Hall of Famer Coach Mac Reaches
49 Messages
200 Career Wins 52 Alumni Authors
by Liz Matson 38 Faculty Perspective
55 Class Notes
Comeback by Jim Connolly
60 Post Script A Kinder, Gentler Place:
40 In Sight
An Appeal to My
Photograph by
by Martha Rose Shulman '68
Michael Dwyer 42 On Centre
retail market.
18 Headed for Mars, On Schedule Confident about human capability, Ryan Sebastian '06 and Harry O'Hanley '06 are on the SpaceX team, working to design and execute breakthrough aeronautics.
19 SpaceX on a Need-to-Know Basis
Editor Cathleen Everett Associate Editors Erin Berg Liz Matson Design Stoltze Design
Photography Laura Barkowski '15 Erin Berg Martin Berman Michael Dwyer Evisu Ferm Living Genentech John Gillooly Sheila Griffin
Akintola Hanif Liz Matson Glenn Matsumura Jane McGuinness The Posse Foundation David Rabkin SpaceX Susan Wheelwright Greg White
23 The Power of a Posse Lamont Gordon '87 is helping transform students' lives and colleges' expectations.
26 Mentors: Honest Talk About Teaching Bringing the tool of observation to a professional level fuels growth for Milton mentors as well as new faculty.
30 Engineering Solutions for a Species in Peril
Milton Magazine is published twice a year by Milton Academy. Editorial and business offices are located at Milton Academy, where change-ofaddress notifications should be sent. As an institution committed to diversity, Milton Academy welcomes the opportunity to admit academically qualified students of any gender, race, color, handicapped status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally available to its students. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, handicapped status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, and athletic or other school-administered activities. Printed on recycled paper.
Grade 3 students take a role in reviving the Monarch butterfly population.
spring 2015
mi lt on maga z i n e
Turnaround. How does a shift in direction begin? What kind of insight galvanizes action and produces unforeseen progress or unprecedented growth? After the fact, we note when a turnaround has happened. A business rebounds; a nonprofit makes inroads on meeting a need; a team builds victories after a stretch of defeats; an idea burgeons into an enterprise. In this Milton Magazine, we talk with alumni and faculty whose work and sense of purpose enables them and others to find strategies and opportunities that change our terrain.
spring 2015
acro s s t h e qua d
Faculty Facts: The Lives They Lead Teacher: a person or thing that teaches something; especially: a person whose job is to teach students about certain subjects (Merriam-Webster) Does that include being house heads, class deans, coaches, advisors, coordinators and sponsors? Does it include weekend dorm duty, driving students to the airport or community service, directing plays, choreographing dance concerts, running music rehearsals, leading hikes, or chaperoning dances? above
Do you recognize this mustachioed man? Bob Sinicrope began in the math department in 1973. For 40 years he has led Milton's jazz program. He recently became president of the Jazz Education Network. His inaugural JEN conference hosted 3,500 jazz educators and Herbie Hancock as the keynote.
College "Recs" Faculty each write, on average, six to twelve college recommendations per year. Department heads and faculty who teach mostly juniors and seniors get the most requests.
Advising students on matters big and small At five to six students per year, senior faculty have guided many advisees over the years.
vivian wu wong History:
English and history faculty member Elaine Apthorp once wrote a record 26 recommendations in one year.
"It's a major matter for each student's application, so I devote a lot of time and thought to preparing each one." — Elaine Apthorp
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dar anastas
don dregalla
tarim chung
Performing Arts:
238 180 84 laurel starks
mary jo ramos
terri herr neckar
Modern Languages:
189 110 75
Did you know?
The secret lives of faculty
Just athletics:
Math faculty members climb 73 steps in
Mark Connolly is training for a 134-mile bike ride in
They outfit and equip 85 teams
Ware Hall to their classrooms an average
June. Jennifer Hughes performs in community theater
(57 Upper School; 28 Middle School)
of five times a day.
productions. Josh Emmott is an avid fly fisherman.
for three athletic seasons.
Athletics and physical education faculty each spend roughly 500 hours per school year on the fields/courts/rink/training rooms at Milton and another 30 to 40 hours on team buses.
Matt Bingham can juggle. Hal Pratt is a cabinet maker. Louise Mundinger collaborates with other composers
Average purchases each year include:
to create new works for the pipe organ. Elaine Apthorp
24 footballs
plays acoustic guitar, five-string banjo and a "sweet
80 soccer balls
little ukulele named Amy." Hannah Pulit just became
12 volleyballs
a certified yoga instructor. Matt Simonson was a
60 field hockey balls
The science department orders about
competitive figure skater. Susan Karp paints still life.
14 dozen squash balls
20,000 pairs of gloves for the labs each year.
Tarim Chung is an avid cyclist and triathlete in the
300 hockey pucks
summer. Ted Whalen served as a non-ordained minister.
36 basketballs
Paul Menneg, visual arts faculty, orders
Don Dregalla has a keen interest in the Civil War.
108 dozen tennis balls
Linnea Engstrom loves to Zumba. Gary Shrager used
24 dozen baseballs
Middle School robotics students use
to play ultimate Frisbee. Sachiyo Unger is a long-term
40 dozen lacrosse balls
9,600 LEGO pieces every year.
practitioner of Baptiste yoga. Dar Anastas designed seven
144 Gatorade bottles
three to four tons of clay per year.
The performing arts department stages eight major productions each year.
floors of lighting in the Prudential Tower. Ryan Stone
120 towels
spent a year in China as the head coach of the Chinese
750 pounds of laundry detergent
Women's National Hockey Team. Matt Petherick has run six marathons. Heather Sugrue speaks French.
A year of reviewing papers, quizzes, exams, and labs — just a sample: Performing Arts
Susan Marianelli listens to 2,000
Maria Gerrity: 720 papers
speeches each year
Caroline Sabin: 800 papers Tarim Chung: 420 essays
History Math Susan Karp: 600 quizzes/exams Heather Sugrue: 900 quizzes/
Heather Zimmer: 4,500 lab pages
Modern Languages
Matt Bingham: 166 tests,
Severine Carpenter: 1,800
Laurel Starks: 416 papers/exams Josh Emmot: 384 papers,
39 exams
K–8 Sachiyo Unger, Grade 2: 1,800
quizzes/tests/projects Sandy Butler, K–5 art: Hundreds
of projects, "from painting parrots with kindergarteners to group Lewis and Clark murals with third
35 mid-terms, 65 major labs,
and 170 mini-labs
Mark Connolly: 750 to 1,000
Sarah Richards: 192 tests,
graders with their self-designed
72 major labs, and 216 mini-labs
Isabelle Lantieri: "A lot!"
social justice artwork."
graders, to Egyptian masks with fourth graders, to helping fifth
spring 2015
case one
mi lt on maga z i n e
anne a v is ' 7 7
KQED Is Executing a Pivot Anne Avis '77 "Part of the value and the beauty of the public media system," Anne Avis says, "is that it reaches 99 percent of the country through this network of independently run local stations." Not only in hip, urban centers but in remote, rural areas, NPR stations air news that is intensely local, as well as regional, national and global. "We need all of that news," Anne says, "to make real and
Rewarding interactive experiences, and the chance to
important decisions about the people and issues that
be part of a vibrant social community, have to happen
affect our lives. That's why public media is so important
alongside excellent content.
to democracy." Anne recently completed eight years as a board member at KQED and six years on the NPR Foundation board. "What's surprising is that our business model — with a diverse revenue mix that includes membership dues — is a model that other news organizations are testing right now.
All media are scrambling to address the reality that audiences use multiple platforms, at once, to find what they want. KQED is uniquely "well-positioned" in this environment, Anne believes, "to successfully accomplish the transformation that's under way." Headquartered in San Francisco, KQED is public TV,
Ours evolved organically; it has worked and is still working.
radio and online media serving nine counties in Northern
We have a value proposition and a financial model that
California. KQED is explicitly intent on fulfilling a
is enviable. It's so hard to build a news organization from
leadership role in the nation.
scratch. Many are trying to do it, so the responsibility to adapt and thrive is strong." The demise of television and radio that was widely predicted early in the digital revolution has not come
Location is one reason for Anne's confidence that the station will succeed. Not only is KQED the single dual licensee in the Bay Area (TV and radio), but Northern California is also the most receptive and supportive region
to pass. People are still watching TV and listening to radio,
in the country for public broadcasting. Those engaged
and at the same time, online, mobile and social media
KQED fans are in their cars as well. "Everyone is looking
activity is growing rapidly. "So our challenge," Anne says,
to us to see how we execute this transformation," Anne
"is to extend our digital capacity while we sustain the
says, "because we can be the model. This awareness helps
radio and TV business. Our digital technology has to be
us push to be better. We're testing and experimenting
just as robust as our radio and TV infrastructure."
with strategies that can be replicated."
s p r in sp ing 2015
on climate change issues, and her husband Eric, former Google CEO, for example, are now KQED "underwriters."
"Everyone is looking to us to see how we execute this transformation, because we can be the model. This awareness helps us push to be better. We're testing and experimenting with strategies that can be replicated."
After a two-year transition to a custom Salesforce database, KQED can better define its audiences. "We're beginning to learn things about who's engaging, what our value is for them, and who might join that audience," says Anne. "Then we filter what we've learned from listening to them through the lens of our mission — improving people's lives." Creating new apps, blogs, e-newsletter feeds, curated content for streaming in Bluetooth-equipped cars — moves like these, according to the most recent Pew Research report on media, seem to be building audience in the public domain, while listening to radio or watching
KQED's president is Anne's other key reason for confidence. Anne served on the search committee that
Area Bites, the food blog, and MindShift, a blog about trends
resulted in John Boland's appointment in 2010. As he
in the future of education.
assumed his role, John Boland said that his big dream "was that this institution becomes the 21st-century model
Quite a few public media stations have a "chief content officer" now. John Boland created the position first, at KQED and then at PBS, assigning top-level responsibility
for what public service media can be." KQED may recently have been seen primarily as a
for integrating content across all the station's channels
San Francisco–oriented institution, but during Anne's
and platforms. That focus and function recognizes today's
eight years on the board, the station has earned regional
audience expectations.
relevance, and has engaged San Jose and Silicon Valley
TV has leveled off. KQED's most popular blogs are Bay
A stream of innovations, along with updated fund-raising
leaders. Strengthening these connections has been a
techniques, demonstrate KQED's commitment to nimble,
priority for KQED and for Anne as board chair. Some of
expert marketing, a critical element of the 21st-century
the region's experts in digital media, marketing and
public media model, in Anne's opinion. "We focus on how
education are now invested in helping to realize the front-line
we can more directly target and engage people who might
vision for KQED. Wendy Schmidt, a philanthropist focused
be inclined to public media," says Anne. John Boland also
m i lt o n m a g a z i n e
believes in the power of partnering, as a structural and
programming infrastructure works in a complicated and
marketing option that could breathe new awareness
delicate equilibrium.
and vitality into the public media "product." He's referring not only to the well-respected cultural and educational
An ambassador for the station's aspirations, Anne outlines the campaign building blocks: expanding KQED's
institutions in the area, like Stanford University or the
technology infrastructure; growing the capacity to create
de Young Museum. He's talking about unconventional
new programs, especially in the news, arts, sciences and
partners, like the San Jose Mercury News. KQED's newsroom
Bay Area life; and expanding KQED's footprint in tech-
is strong. Can KQED fill the news gap, especially in
nology education, at a time when the need to cultivate skills
local and regional news, when fewer reporters from other
at the intersection of teaching and technology is great. The
organizations are out there in the field? As a nonprofit,
prospect of reaching these goals will really speak to some
KQED doesn't threaten corporate news organizations, and
donors, Anne knows, and will simply not resonate with
joining strengths might help create a more valuable service
others. She serves as an unflagging, honest communicator
and product. Boland is focusing the station on imaginatively
with those who might be capable of helping KQED make
looking at what's working in the marketplace and where
strides on its key priorities.
the audience is going — rather than hunkering down in the silos and conventions of the public broadcasting past. Of course the resource question looms large for KQED
"I've learned so much from doing this work," Anne says. "I had so much to learn, I needed advice and counsel. I asked, I got it, I learned, and I keep learning. I like being
as it does for every public media outlet. Working with
part of a mission-driven and educational institution at a
the board's nominating committee, Anne has focused on
time of amazing change.
finding and recruiting skilled, committed people to KQED's
"I believe in the power of the best information and
board. Careful to emphasize the board's governance role,
storytelling to motivate and bring out the best in people. The
and distinguish that from management, Anne knows that
medium for the storytelling might change, but people are
talent on the board can facilitate KQED's strategic direction.
hungry for the information, and they'll find it. I hope there
She has been working with John Boland to develop
will always be a demand for those institutions that create
KQED's capital campaign and identify the philanthropy
quality news and the chance to learn more about your world.
that will address the resource question. Unpretentious,
They are powerful forces for good."
earnest and compelling, Anne easily shares her mastery of how each element of the public media financial and
by Cathleen Everett
spring 2015
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case t wo
Discovery: A Personal Model, a Business Model Ashley Fouts '94 Last December, Ashley Fouts moved away from a lab bench. That is, away from her own lab bench. At Genentech, she began a new job keeping track of a molecule and the teams working on it. As a project manager, she facilitates the myriad decisions that are necessary to turn breakthrough science at the bench into life-changing drugs for patients. Genentech's business is discovery. Genentech wants to
unknown terrain had a certain high tension to it. With
be "the leading biotechnology company, using human
no one looking for them or at them, they were free and
genetic information to discover, develop, manufacture and
mobile on their wheels; they discovered a dead mouse
commercialize medicines to treat people with serious or
in an alley. "What wasn't to love about that adventure?"
life-threatening medical conditions."
Ashley summarizes. "We had freedom, and we discovered
For example, Ashley points to Genentech's drug Herceptin, a treatment for metastatic breast cancer, as "the fi rst personalized medicine." Drugs like Herceptin are
Ashley, who loved math, ran into a crisis when she moved
now commonly called targeted therapies; they can be
from Denver, Colorado, to Franconia, New Hampshire. For two full years, the Franconia schools did not introduce
certain genetic composition. Today, genetic testing of
her to any math she hadn't already learned in Denver.
a patient's cancer cells drives certain decisions about what
That deprivation only fed an aggressive appetite, and when
treatment regimens may be most effective. Herceptin helped
she got to Milton, Ashley "dove into the deep end." She
lead that pivotal shift in responding to certain diagnoses.
devoured math and science regardless of whether she was
A competitive cyclist and hard-core skier whose early Ashley would not have predicted her work world today. Still,
Molecule Building Set, photo courtesy Ferm Living.
and tools at hand."
effective if and when a person's breast cancer cells have a
post-college years played out in Jackson Hole, Wyoming,
something we could examine right up close, with sticks
formally "ready" for the levels she chose. At Penn, she took advantage of many different science programs, all over the world, like a semester of marine
as she points out, some of her earliest memories of childhood
biology in Australia. She majored in ecology and
do seem predictive, at least in hindsight.
environmental science, "but that didn't feel right as a
One of her earliest and happiest memories was of getting lost on her bike with two neighbors. Prowling around in
career," she says. So she put off finding a career and joined the many highly educated skiers living and working in
"The physicality of it, building something with my hands, literally running from the centrifuge to the bench — 'I really like this,' I thought.�
remarks. "He taught me to ask the questions that would
Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Her timing was fortuitous. The CEO of a biotech firm located in La Jolla, California, bought a Jackson Hole company and hired local people
disprove my hypothesis, and ask them as soon as possible. Ask them first, if you can. Researchers tend to
to work in his lab, sequencing DNA. "Five of us worked
ask questions that would prove, rather than disprove, a
from 3 p.m. until midnight, after skiing all day,� Ashley
hypothesis, because doing the opposite is hard. Sometimes,
says. "This is where I learned the basics of molecular
in the end, people catch what's missing, but not always.
biology.� This is also where she discovered how much she
There's a reason why so much of the scientific literature
loved working at the lab bench. "The physicality of it,
that is published today just doesn't hold up.� "A really good scientist develops,� Ashley says. "It's like
building something with my hands, literally running from the centrifuge to the bench — 'I really like this,' I thought.�
cooking: you have this intuition about what you can and
When two Ph.D. friends left the lab for research at Emory,
can't do, but it's building on experience that really matters
Ashley decided to explore graduate programs herself. She
and enables your skills to grow.� Having earned her Ph.D., developed a body of work
began at Stanford in the biology department but the search for research that met her own definition of excitement led to Stanford's microbiology and immunology department. "Microbiology is actually comparable to ecology, in that
"that held up,� as Ashley describes it, and worked on a post-doc project, Ashley moved from academia to join Genentech's new program in infectious diseases. She
it's about a pathogen and a host, and all those interactions,
worked on CMV (cytomegalovirus), a common human
at a molecular level.�
virus that typically does not become symptomatic. However, if a woman becomes infected with the virus for
"You're in the deep end,� Ashley comments about research leading to a Ph.D. "The intense problem solving,
the first time during pregnancy, the virus passes to the
continually motivating yourself to 'build and scale brick
fetus. Babies infected in utero can be severely compromised,
walls'; then figuring out what the next 'wall' should be,
developing symptoms that include hearing loss and
building it yourself, and getting over that one as well was
mental retardation. The virus is also very dangerous for
rigorous. You develop problem-solving skills, and more
immunosuppressed individuals. "Developing a drug to treat CMV in pregnant women
than anything, a core of self-motivation.� "My advisor was fantastic,� Ashley says. "His methodology and focus were similar to Dr. Eyster's at Milton,� Ashley
seemed both noble and important,� Ashley thought, and trying to achieve that was consistent with Genentech's
mission. Ashley was using her training to address basic
Ashley says, on the 30 molecules currently under
research questions like, "How does the virus enter a cell?"
development at Genentech. "Each molecule has its own
But what differentiated her work at Genentech from that
devoted teams: pharmacology, clinical, biomarker,
DNA on parade. Photo © Genentech, via flickr.com.
at Stanford were the other questions that occupied so much
core, and technical development (manufacturing). Project
of her time. Who are the patients we want to treat? What
managers tend to work on more than one molecule,
type of drug might be safest for them? Could such a drug
thus gaining exposure in diverse disease areas.
work on CMV? What would a clinical trial look like to test whether it works? In the end, the decision on Ashley's molecule was a "no go." The clinical path involved too many hurdles; the sum of the barriers put the project out of reach. But the rigorous review that led to that negative finding had an alluring appeal: "I got to see all these fun decisions," Ashley says, "a strategic side of the process, wholly dependent
"I'll be helping the teams make the best decisions on their molecule, bringing experts from all different functions together and holding team members accountable for their contributions." "Once again, I acted opportunistically and followed a passionate interest," Ashley muses, having now taken on the work of discovery both literally and metaphorically. "Sometimes I ask myself, 'How does this make sense,'
on the science of course, but at a higher level." It led her to
having left the physical lab bench where I was so thrilled
take on an intense new internship at Genentech, testing
to be?"
her aptitude and inclination to help lead at the crucial intersection of science and strategy. As a result, the whirling set of "as-yet-unknowns" that orbit around the development of any drug are now Ashley's
"Well, I'm exploring a different sort of ecology," she says, naming a concept that wraps the present and the past tidily. "You can compare a company to an organism, and in my new role I smooth the interactions between
home base. Her deep, tested knowledge of science is vital,
the distinct parts of the company." The best memory of
and her role is to help teams work together to craft the bigger
a 7-year-old lost on her bike may go one better to explain
picture beyond individual perspectives. She is a project manager, one of roughly 50 people in a field of 1,200 researchers; she is part of the Portfolio
where Ashley is now: the thrill of being lost, the rigor of real evidence, the power of shifting perceptions, the diligent pursuit of a new path.
Management and Operations (PMO) group at Genentech. Project managers help "pull everything together," as
by Cathleen Everett
spring 2015
case three
da v id p u n ' 9 9
Recraft a Company to Create a Lifestyle Brand David Pun '99 Everyone has a favorite pair of jeans. Whether it's a worn pair that has seen better days or a designer pair that fits just right, jeans are a personal wardrobe staple. David Pun's jeans are works of art. He is the enthusiastic chairman and CEO of Evisu, a Japanese lifestyle fashion brand best known for producing jeans with high-quality craftsmanship, vintage buttons and hand-painted details. Six years ago, David was working for a private equity firm and Evisu was one of the portfolio companies. According to David, Evisu was "grossly mismanaged and the brand
brand. I felt it was the right way to reposition the company
had lost its identity." David saw promise in the company
for growth. At the time, it was a one-step backward,
and tried to convince his firm's founders to keep investing,
two-step forward strategy. We wanted to figure out what the
but they wanted to sell. "Even though the company was on the verge of bank ruptcy, I felt confident that my plan could turn the company around. So I organized a management buyout. I mortgaged
brand stands for and what we are trying to communicate to consumers." Within one year of David's leadership, Evisu went from five years of red ink to operating in the black, cutting
my mom's house and used all my savings. I basically put all
expenses from $12 million annually to $4 million. Instead of
my eggs in one basket and everyone thought I was crazy,
offering 1,000 different products per seasonal collection,
but these opportunities are rare."
David's team cut down to 400. Today, Evisu has 120 stand-
The Evisu brand, named after the Japanese god of
alone stores in Asia. They are mainly concentrated in
prosperity, was founded in 1991 in Japan. At the time, Levi's
China, including a five-story concept store in Hong Kong
was selling their original shuttle loom machines, which they
filled with art and a mixology bar.
no longer considered efficient. Evisu bought the looms and
All imagery courtesy Evisu.
"We thought there was a huge opportunity in the China markets, where our consumers really embrace the
"Selling the lifestyle of the brand, instead of just focusing
became part of the vintage heritage denim movement that
on 'please buy us,' is important," says David. "A consumer
took off in the '90s. The brand expanded quickly and globally,
who wears Evisu appreciates art, challenges the status quo,
but it began to flounder in the 2000s. One of the first deci-
and wants to self-express in a unique way. Our customers
sions David made when he took over was to exit the U.S. and
appreciate the more irreverent and humorous elements of
European markets and retrench the business back to Asia.
the brand."
spring 2015
certain deals that in hindsight he would have managed differently. Now that the business is stabilized and it's a
"Fostering the right culture and having people who are passionate and work closely together to achieve the same goal is important. It's a very different environment from my finance days. In the creative world, the rewards aren't all financial."
"reasonably strong" franchise, David's next move is figuring out how to reenter the U.S. market. "What I like most about what I do is being an effective and motivating leader for my team and my peers," says David. "Fostering the right culture and having people who are passionate and work closely together to achieve the same goal is important. It's a very different environment from my finance days. In the creative world, the rewards aren't all financial." David is energetic; his life is fast-paced. Four months each year he travels to stores, visiting anonymously to observe consumers in action. In his downtime, he enjoys racing cars at the racetrack and playing squash. As a student and squash player at Milton, David was hugely
There were certainly missteps along the road. David was initially very cost conscious, he explains, and didn't hire a full team. Now he feels that slowed the turnaround. Because he doesn't have a fashion background, he believed
influenced by former coach and beloved faculty member Frank Millet. "When I was a student, he was a grandfather figure to me on and off the squash courts," says David, who
that hiring international design talent would be more
affectionately calls him FDM. "I apply what I learned from
effective; over time he learned that design talent in Asia is
him subconsciously in my work — lead by example, roll
strong. And his initial China business partner was not
up your sleeves and get to work. I once saw FDM fixing a
the best choice, but financial pressure led him to rush into
clogged toilet at the squash courts! Another time after
mi lt on maga z i n e
a match, he was the last person there, picking up the trash all the students had left behind — their wrappers, their drinks. He could easily have had someone else do it, but he was doing it himself, and that moment stayed with me. I learned there are no shortcuts. Everyone has to do their time; put in the hard work and the hard work will pay off." David embraces the challenges of running a company in the hypercompetitive retail market. He balances ambition with pragmatic business sense, striving to keep a creative element in his commercial enterprise. "When you take a risk like this, a lot of naysayers challenge your thought process or your strategy. When we exited the U.S. market, industry people said it was going to be the end of Evisu: 'You don't know what you are doing, you are a finance guy!' But that's the beauty of not having a fashion industry background, because I think differently. I ask a lot of questions, talk to many different people, and do my research. But at the end of the day I stick with my gut instinct. Obviously, you have to be realistic and listen to what people say, but at the same time, you have to dare to challenge the norm, be confident in yourself and use your best judgment." by Liz Matson
spring 2015
case four
r yan se b as t ian ' 0 6 and ha r r y o ' han l e y ' 0 6
Headed for Mars, On Schedule Ryan Sebastian '06 and Harry O'Hanley '06 of SpaceX are designing and executing breakthrough aeronautics. Ryan Sebastian and Harry O'Hanley, graduates in the Class of 2006 who were also Class IV roommates in Goodwin, are among the designers, engineers and fabrication specialists working on breakthrough aeronautics at the massive SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Ryan and Harry are immersed — for many intense hours every day — in the design and operations of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Reaching beyond what many of us may have considered the outer limits of human capability fills them with enviable energy and purpose. This conversation with Ryan and Harry sheds some light on the whys and hows of their lives with rockets today. Were you the prototypical little guys shooting rockets
When did working on rockets become mainstream
off in empty fields while you were growing up?
academic work? At Milton?
ryan: Definitely. I was always into rockets. My uncle
ryan: At Milton. Mr. Gagnon, in particular, was totally
introduced me to rockets and I built them in my parents'
onboard with my investigation and exploration of rocketry.
garage and launched them in the park fields nearby. I
Whenever I spent time away from Milton, I was building
couldn't get enough; as I grew, so did my interest. I applied
rocket motors and developing solid propellants at home.
rocketry to as many school science projects as I could
When it came time for my senior project, with Amanda
and kept flying bigger rockets in bigger fields. I found
Brophy and Kathryn Evans, I designed, built and launched
rockets fascinating then and still do today. In terms of
an 11-foot, 85-pound rocket to an altitude of 1.5 miles.
engineering and design, rockets travel further and faster above
Portrait photos by Martin Berman. opposi t e
Photos courtesy SpaceX.
I attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for
than anything else man-made.
college, where I majored in mechanical engineering with
harry: Not at all. I really stumbled into this work. I was
supported explorations in rocketry. Contrary to what I
an aerospace concentration. WPI had few institutionally always interested in engineering but had no intention
expected, I had more support and encouragement at Milton
of going into aerospace. In fact, the beginning was hard,
than at WPI. The projects I was involved with waned
because my background was not in aerospace.
while I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees.
mi lt on maga z i n e
SpaceX on a Need-to-Know Basis what is spacex?
when it expects to have a fully certified,
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation
human-rated launch escape system
SpaceX Headquarters
(SpaceX) designs, manufactures and launches
incorporated into the spacecraft.
Hawthorne, California
advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company
Launch and landing sites
was founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling
"As of February 17, 2015, SpaceX has completed
Cape Canaveral, Florida (launch pad 39A,
people to live on other planets. More than
17 back-to-back successful missions on its
site of Apollo rocket launches); Vandenberg Air
3,500 employees work at SpaceX on this effort.
Falcon 9 rocket."
Force Base, California; and South Texas
"Profitable and cash-flow positive, SpaceX In December 2008, SpaceX won a NASA
has nearly 50 launches on its manifest,
Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.
representing more than $5 billion in contracts.
SpaceX will fly a minimum of 12 cargo resupply
The SpaceX customer base is diverse, including
Rocket-development facility McGregor, Texas Offices
missions to the International Space Station
space station resupply missions, commercial
Houston, Texas; Chantilly, Virginia;
(ISS) for NASA; and in the near future SpaceX
satellite launch missions, and U.S. government
Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington
will carry crew as well. SpaceX is planning
science and national security missions."
its first crewed Dragon/Falcon 9 flight in 2017,
founder Elon Musk, entrepreneur whose other companies include Zip2, PayPal, SolarCity and Tesla Motors
spring 2015
spac e x on a n e e d - t o -k now b a si s , c on t.
Elon Musk believes that our becoming inter-
Falcon 9: two-stage launch vehicle, designed
First privately funded, liquid-fueled rocket
planetary is the next key step in evolutionary
from the beginning to be reusable and
(Falcon 1) to reach orbit on September 28, 2008
life. If something is important enough to figure
carry crew.
on the scale of evolution, he asserts, it's worth our commitment and our resources. "The lessons of history would suggest that civilizations move in cycles. You can track
Falcon Heavy: heavy-lift launch vehicle, designed from the beginning to carry humans into space. Restores the possibility of flying missions with crew to the Moon or Mars.
First privately funded company to successfully launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft (Dragon) on December 8, 2010 First private company to send a spacecraft
that back quite far — the Babylonians, the
Dragon: a free-flying spacecraft designed
(Dragon) to the International Space Station
Sumerians, followed by the Egyptians, the
to deliver both cargo and people into orbiting
on May 25, 2012
Romans, China. We're obviously in a very
upward cycle right now and hopefully that remains the case. But it may not. There could be some series of events that cause that technology level to decline. Given
"It is the only private company ever to return "To control quality and costs, SpaceX designs,
a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which
tests and fabricates the majority of its
it first accomplished in December 2010. The
components in-house, including the Merlin,
company made history again in May 2012
that this is the first time in 4.5 billion years
Kestrel, and Draco rocket engines used
when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the
where it's been possible for humanity to
on the Falcon launch vehicles and the Dragon
International Space Station, exchanged
extend life beyond Earth, it seems like we'd
spacecraft. This has helped SpaceX to
cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth —
be wise to act while the window was open
offer one of the lowest launch prices in the
a technically challenging feat previously
and not count on the fact it will be open
industry and to significantly reduce
accomplished only by governments. Since
a long time."
conventional rocket development time."
then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from
www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/17/ elon-musk-mission-mars-spacex
the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA." www.spacex.com
h e a ded for m a r s, on sch edu l e , con t.
production "The SpaceX factory is vast and employs
harry: I knew engineering was my thing, but rockets just
weren't part of the picture for me early on. My undergrad
3,000 people but is remarkably clean, bright
work at MIT concentrated on mechanical engineering. I
and quiet. Technicians are casually dressed
returned to MIT and got my master's in nuclear engineering.
in shorts or jeans, sneakers or sandals. One group checks on a Falcon 9 launch system;
How did you get started, professionally?
across the corridor another works on
ryan: I started my career at Raytheon Missile Defense
protective fairings to encase cargo; a few
Systems but at the advice of one of my WPI professors
yards from that a guy with goggles produces
began looking for a job in rocket propulsion to align my
spare parts from a 3-D printer; in a sealed
career with my interests and get more involved in rocketry
lab next door colleagues with hairnets and
as I had been before WPI. I moved to California to work
blue coats inspect equipment for a launch
on solid rocket motors at Aerojet, where many space and
later this year, the company's third supply mission for NASA. "The factory exudes Silicon Valley's no-fuss ethos, a streamlined contrast to NASA bureaucracy and bloat . . . . SpaceX's focus on reusable technology has slashed costs — the company says it can get an astronaut to the space station for $20 million, versus
"At SpaceX there are clear goals, a 'get it done' attitude, and a persistent desire to do better from all aspects, all while not throwing cost out the window."
$70 million charged by Russia for a seat on a Soyuz rocket. SpaceX is testing reusable prototype rockets that can return to Earth intact, rather than burn up in the atmosphere.
defense propulsion systems are built. Aerojet primarily
If successful, rockets could be reused
sells solid propellant systems in which the oxidizer and
like aeroplanes, cutting the price of a space
fuel are premixed — cast and cured into a physical solid
mission to just $200,000, for fuel."
contained within a chamber. Using a propellant that's in
www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/17/ elon-musk-mission-mars-spacex
place and ready to be ignited when you need it has a practical advantage in military situations. These motors are very similar to what I was making in my garage. At Aerojet, I led several teams working on different
sources www.spacex.com http://aeon.co/magazine/technology/ the-elon-musk-interview-on-mars www.theguardian.com/technology/ 2013/jul/17/elon-musk-mission-mars-spacex http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX
projects. I enjoyed learning how to motivate people, translate expectations, keep stakeholders and engineers happy, and at the same time gain insight into solid propulsion system designs. Although the technical work was fascinating, the exposure to the business model of the defense industry made me turn toward SpaceX. harry: I interned at SpaceX in 2011, left to go to graduate
school, then returned to SpaceX in 2013. I've always opposi t e
worked for SpaceX.
Photos courtesy SpaceX.
What are your days like at SpaceX? ryan: I am the Falcon 9 Second Stage Build Engineer.
[Falcon 9 is the two-stage rocket designed to launch satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit.] I connect the build processes to the design and make sure we are meeting the engineering intent in the physical rocket. The
spring 2015
h e a ded for m a r s, on sch edu l e , con t.
teams need to be in continual communication to make
harry: The schedule at SpaceX is very impressive. We
sure that the parts we're building meet the design needs
turn things around at a fast speed. You go from concept to
and that those build processes are always improving.
seeing something "real" quickly. Typically, we complete things on the order of days, rather than months or years,
harry: In terms of a position, I'm a Falcon 9 First Stage
as in some businesses.
Responsible Engineer. My job is to design and develop the first-stage propulsion systems and provide launch
What do you draw upon from your personal tool kit
support. I can be at the design phase of the design operations
most often?
ladder or actually be driving the launch vehicle — that is,
ryan: My interest in searching for the root cause of an
on the console, in mission control, monitoring the rocket,
outcome, the driver behind a result. I learned to investigate
in Hawthorne or Cape Canaveral. There are plenty of
and understand issues while building and flying amateur
interesting engineering problems, and working all the
rockets; any outcome would be the result of the level of
way along the ladder is great.
detailed thinking I did beforehand. Because of that experi ence, I enjoy digging into the details of systems and problems. harry: Operations necessarily generate huge data sets.
They're complex. You need to form an understanding
"Operations necessarily generate huge data sets. They're complex. You need to form an understanding quickly, about what happened or what is about to happen."
quickly, about what happened or what is about to happen. You need a fundamental understanding of the system to do this. I've always been good at forcing myself to dig deep and understand the system I'm working on so that I can intrinsically know what's going on. What do you love most about your work now? ryan: Besides being able to work on rockets? The
environment: At SpaceX there are clear goals, a "get it done" attitude, and a persistent desire to do better from all Can you talk about some of the challenges?
aspects, all while not throwing cost out the window. There's
ryan: Integrating myself into the liquid propellant rocket
a confidence that we can and will accomplish things that
world: Familiarizing myself with the rocket as a system
haven't been done before. It's fast-paced, collaborative, and
has been challenging but an excellent learning experience.
people are excited. I love coming into work and being
Ever-growing responsibility and insight in all aspects of
surrounded by people so passionate every day.
the rocket and SpaceX's business tools are both a challenge and an opportunity at SpaceX.
harry: It's the freedom and responsibility tension that I
like the most. It gives me the sense that I control my own harry: Every person at SpaceX has an uncommon,
destiny. I work on high-tech Falcon rockets and having direct
probably unrivaled, amount of freedom and responsibility
responsibility on the vehicle does it for me. Some cool stuff
from day one. I enjoy that. When your work involves
is going on here that isn't going on elsewhere. There's lots of
operating systems you need to make decisions in real time,
responsibility throughout SpaceX; it's a unique company.
like during the launch campaign.
We're involved in the next frontier.
How does the reality of your job compare with what
by Cathleen Everett
"outsiders" might think your job involves? ryan: People might not realize the level of detailed work
that is involved in every aspect of the vehicle. Every item goes through design and analysis before it is built, inspected and tested. The reality of the job is managing the minute details to make sure that the components and vehicle are ultimately successful.
mi lt on maga z i n e
case five
l amon t g o r don ' 8 7
The Power of a Lamont Gordon '87 Growing up in Washington, D.C., son of a single father, Lamont Gordon '87 attended seven different schools through eighth grade. Most of his family didn't graduate from high school; no one had gone to college. When he discovered Milton through a summer enrichment program, boarding school was an unknown concept. Buoyed by an admission brochure and encouragement from his father, Lamont applied and earned a full scholarship. Move-in day was the first time he set foot on Milton's campus. "Milton was a great opportunity for me, but it was also my only opportunity," he says. "I had no options at home. Milton changed the trajectory of my life." Today, Lamont is professionally dedicated to educational access and equity. He discovered the Posse Foundation while working at Brown, his alma mater, helping to scale up the university's impact on public education. The Posse Foundation helps young people — many of whom would be overlooked by traditional admission processes — attend some of the country's top colleges and universities. "I was impressed with the mission, the model and the outcomes," he says. "The program was perfectly in line with my career interests and goals." Posse has partnerships with 51 top-tier colleges and universities, and places 10 students each year into each entering class of schools like Dartmouth, UVA, Boston University, Tulane, Cornell and Wesleyan. The name "Posse" refers to the linchpin of the program's success.
spring 2015
"The name and the model developed from student
public school system and community-based organizations;
Photo by Sheila Griffin.
feedback," says Lamont. "Students need a network when
students are accepted into the program in December
p r e v io u s pa g e
they're leaving their own communities and transitioning
of their senior year in high school. (In 2014, 700 students
Photo by Akintola Hanif.
to these colleges and universities."
were admitted from a pool of 16,000 nominees.) Posse's
opposi t e
Photo courtesy the Posse Foundation.
Founder and president Deborah Bial earned a
criteria, which are dominated by SAT scores. "We're
of Posse's cohort model and outstanding graduation rate.
not just looking for academically talented students, we're
Founded in 1989, Posse has helped place more than 6,200
looking for leaders," says Lamont. "We're looking for
young people and maintains a graduation rate of 90 percent.
students who work well with a team, communicate well,
Lamont began with Posse as director of the Boston office,
are strategic thinkers, and who will bring those skills to
which serves about 300 students each year from the city's
campus and to the workforce. The best way for us to assess
public schools. Eager to be part of the foundation's strategic
these qualities is to see them in action."
direction, he became an associate vice president in January
The program achieves that observation and selection
2014, based at the national headquarters in New York City.
through their Dynamic Assessment Process (DAP). During
Posse's partner schools commit to admitting the
the DAP, students problem solve during activities large
selected cohort of students and providing a full scholarship
and small, which allows them to showcase their qualitative
for each student, over four years. Posse recruits the
skills. Evaluators walk around the room, observing,
students, prepares them, and provides the support that
taking careful notes. After a second round of traditional
helps them succeed.
interviews, students rank their top three school choices.
The foundation works from nominations from the
admission process pushes back on traditional admission
MacArthur "Genius Grant" for the overwhelming success
mi lt on maga z i n e
By accepting a spot in a posse, students effectively enter
into an early decision agreement. Once admitted to the program, Posse Scholars partici pate in weekly workshops on team building, leadership
also stimulating changes in the way colleges approach evaluating students for success. "The program is not just about college access and graduating — it's about looking
development, cross-cultural communication, and academic
at the people running this country, and wanting to make
awareness from January until August, preparing for the
sure those decision makers represent the diversity of the
transition to campus. They anticipate and discuss the
United States. When a 12th grader steps into that room, we
challenges ahead and figure out how to access resources.
want to be able to determine whether she might one day
"Posse is an asset-based organization," says Lamont. "We focus on our students' strengths. When students say,
be running Citibank, spearheading medical research, or starting a nonprofit. If so, we want to help her get there."
'I can't do this,' we say, 'Yes you can.' They may not be used to hearing that message, but they internalize it. Posse is
by Erin Berg
a merit-based scholarship. Kids are here because they're smart, driven, accomplished students with great potential and strong academic backgrounds, well prepared, and with every right to be there. "We're not simply a diversity program, but that's part of what schools are looking for. They also partner with us because they know our scholars are going to graduate, and they're looking for leaders who are going to be active, contributing members of their campuses." These days, Lamont is expanding several key initiatives from Posse's recent strategic plan. Those include the foundation's career and alumni programming, graduate and fellowship opportunities, and the new veterans initiative. "Posse Scholars graduate and become leaders in the workforce, so we want to help them think about long-term goals as soon as they enter the program," says Lamont. "Our model is based on partnering with undergraduate institutions, but we have affiliations with some top graduate programs as well. We want to create a culture where students know about fellowship opportunities and they know they have access to them. We learned that 40 percent of Posse alumni were pursuing or had earned graduate degrees two years after college, but many were not going to top-tier programs. We want to help students see themselves as eligible and then help position them well." Posse's Veterans Program leverages the cohort model to serve post-9/11 military veterans looking to earn bachelor's degrees at top schools. Vassar was the first school to admit a Veterans Posse; Wesleyan was next, and Dartmouth committed in 2014. Posse is applying its cohort model — which has been successful with younger students for 25 years — to a new population with very different needs. Lamont oversees a team that is working to help build a strong nomination network, and gain a foothold in veterans' community programs and the military's transition services. They are thinking through what a "posse" means for 20- and 30-year-olds, some with families of their own. Posse operates in nine cities across the country and is opening its tenth site in San Francisco this year. Not only is Posse changing life opportunities for students, but it's
spring 2015
at milton
t he men t o r p r o g r am
Mentors: Honest Talk About Teaching You won't catch Lydia Thorp walking. If she runs she can get where she needs to be on campus, just barely. Lydia has taught Spanish at Milton since 2010, and she lives in Millet House. Twice each week she also attends classes taught by new Milton faculty members. She sits alongside students taking Spanish III with José Benítez-Meléndez; and she leans on the art tables with students in the Drawing course that Jenny Hughes teaches. Each week Lydia also meets with José and with Jenny separately, so they can talk about what she observed. Chiseled out of schedules that are famously tight, a new
turn; watching the cues; guessing the right word; keeping
mentoring program links eight veteran Milton teachers
track of the score. José closes the class with a worksheet.
with 14 teachers new to the School for work over several
The pulse of the class never falters.
years. In year one, they spend their most significant time observing one another and reflecting on what they see. Launched this year, Milton's Mentor Program deliberately creates a non-evaluative space for new faculty
Lydia watches, smiles, take notes continually. Using a chart, she tracks the progress and timing of elements within the class (travel vocabulary build-out; quiz game gamble; worksheet closure). She records José's techniques,
to ask questions, talk honestly about teaching, and learn
his interaction with students (who speaks, how often,
about the School.
who doesn't). She notes how students arrange themselves in the room: Can José connect visually with each student?
A week's chronicle
She and José have already discussed his objective for
José's smile is as wide as the classroom door; he greets
this class, so she notes what happens compared to what
each of his students in Spanish, with a separate comment.
he had planned. In follow-up classes, José plans to build
The moment they're seated he moves them into a discussion,
organically toward the grammar and usage complexity
completely in Spanish, about travel and vacations. Through
involved in the concepts they launched together today.
quick "Q&A," reacting and playing off their answers, José
concrete facts. They give me constructive feedback; general
generate more — about logistics, people, what happens at
comments do not. For instance, I'd like comments about
the airport. Once their web of words consumes the
my writing on the board, how I communicate the definition
whiteboard space, José sets up a quiz game. Teams of
of a word, the pace of the class, to what extent students were
three: two kids sit facing the class; a third stands, facing his
involved, and did the material and the activities vary enough.
teammates. The standing team member must give apt
All photos by John Gillooly.
"I've always looked for feedback," José says. "I like
records words, phrases, concepts. His follow-up questions
"I want feedback from students as well," he says. "I'm
enough clues (in Spanish, of course) that his teammates
impressed at Milton's willingness to get students' feedback.
successfully guess a particular word. The clock is ticking.
I'd like to know what they think of the homework, whether
Teammates rotate sitting and standing. Five teams of
they like the stories we're reading, whether the pace of the
three keep the game hopping. One team will ultimately win.
course is okay. They might tell me, for instance, 'It's okay for
The students are invested — anticipating their own team's
honors; a little fast for non-honors level.'"
mi lt on maga z i n e
spring 2015
"Getting to know the academic culture of the School, the
exists. Students move from the art table to desktop
expectations within this environment — mentors can help,"
computers in the digital design lab. Some students are
Lydia explains. "Going into this, I anticipated explicitly
Photoshop "pros"; some are Photoshop-phobic. Each
observing teaching and learning. Often other things come
student dives in, and different types of individual requests
up too, part of teachers' daily lives that affect their teaching,
pop up quickly: One boy needs an explicit explanation;
assumptions you don't realize you make if you've worked
someone else needs an approach to a technical problem;
here for a while. For instance, what it means to live in the
another is looking for an interim critique. Jenny moves
dorm and interact with students day and night; or comment
around the room, responding calmly and thoroughly,
writing; or particular idiosyncracies of the Milton schedule.
person by person. Regardless of a student's starting place,
"José planned the vocabulary lesson to stage his teaching of the grammar," Lydia explains. "His methodology is
Jenny helps him or her gain the ground that makes an independent follow-up step possible. One student, for
more organic, whereas I use a kind of 'equation' format to
instance, was having trouble moving her drawing from her
help kids understand grammar. It will be interesting for
email inbox to Photoshop so she could work with it. Jenny
both of us to see which students respond to each of these
ultimately got a camera and reshot the image, saved it to the
two approaches, as we observe one another over time. I
hard drive where the student was working, and helped
document what José's process was, and I watch for a general
her browse to find it and move it into Photoshop. Students
gauge of students' reaction to the material and the process.
ask one another for help as well. They all seem to know
I take note, too, of whether any kids drifted off into their own
who can help with what. Their project choices are diverse:
conversations, and how consistently they seemed to focus
a poster advertising an NFL game; a highway sign to
on what was happening. Clearly, doing this with José makes
advertise a movie; a book cover designed around the profile
me reflect intensely on my own practice."
images of the characters; and an ad for Planet of the Apes,
Jenny Hughes is slight, relaxed and soft-spoken. Without
original promotion. In one class, Jenny needed to be an
creating a visual treatment from a tiny element of the raising her voice, she owns every student's attention as
unflappable resource, teaching general digital skills,
she reviews the project they've undertaken. Each one is
Photoshop application specialties, design considerations,
developing a poster, an ad, a book or a DVD in Photoshop
and artistic conceptualization.
for printing in large format. They work from an image, a
Once Jenny had launched the class, Lydia walked around
drawing or a photo (their own, or one they've found online);
the room, noting the number and pace and range of
they conceive a plan, then use attributes in Photoshop
questions from and responses to students. She observed the
to design an original treatment. It cannot be a reflection of
designers at work, watching to see how each was making
some other promotional material or image that already
progress independently. Lydia drew a "map" of the work
mi lt on maga z i n e
stations in the room and numbered the students so she
in the past, and that was mostly for their own evaluations,
could keep track, for Jenny, of which students asked how
Lydia explains. Training for the mentor team, which
many and what kind of questions during class.
happens both on and off campus, redefines observation.
Like José, Jenny was eager for what Lydia's observation
"You need to begin with a clear understanding of what
could bring to light. Boys asked fewer questions, it turned
a teacher's specific objective is for a class," Lydia says.
out, although all the students wanted Jenny's help, from the
Natural tendencies to critique or praise, or both, need to be
experienced kids to the novices. The two teachers looked
refocused on a different kind of attention, recording and
at Lydia's map and the patterns of interaction. "As a
reviewing. Mentors also learn about instructional coaching,
department, we're working on integrating art and tech nology," Jenny says. "This project puts the two together, and we'll see how the differences in Photoshop familiarity
goal setting, diversity, and Milton's recently crafted "Principles of Teaching and Learning." "We learn so much from each other," Lydia says
work out. Once we know, we can stay with this plan, or
frequently. "Across disciplines, levels, vastly different
consider giving students several smaller projects that build
kinds of learners, and diverse teaching strategies,
to this larger one. Or, I could present Photoshop tools in
the growth that goes on is absolutely reciprocal." These
one class — how to add text, enlarge or size down, select and
teachers seem to have a tactile feel for each other's styles
erase color. Each person would have to learn quickly, but
and motivations, energy and ways of connecting with kids.
at least everyone would have the basics when we started
Their meetings give them insight into how a particular
the project."
person parses a teaching challenge and plans to approach
Lydia went on to ask Jenny about the status of her
it. Each of them learns how that effort worked, in real
advisees. They had been talking over the semester about
time. They can help one another be aware of the socio-
effective supportive steps for different students. They
cultural issues active in teenagers' lives, their fears, their
rounded out their meeting by previewing the challenge of
expectations about their own competencies, or how they
Milton's January schedule. "I know I'm always surprised
understand risk.
at how quickly we move from break, through to review, to exams," Lydia said, "and I thought you might want to think about how the month would go." Observation is frequent and steady (at least once,
Observation by your colleagues is a luxury; teachers know that. It's also a nearly invaluable asset; a discrete skill; and a powerful motivator for growth. The bonus, when veteran and newer teachers observe one another, is
weekly) and the debriefing meetings follow at the same
reciprocal growth. That was fully anticipated — now it's
rhythmic pace. Those logistics are one key element, and
being fully appreciated.
new skills are another. Milton mentors reflexively start observing by relying on how they have been observed
by Cathleen Everett
José Benítez-Meléndez earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish education with minors in French and Italian from the University of Puerto Rico. José earned his master's degree from Middlebury College in Mediterranean studies, Spanish, and Italian. José has tutored students in Florence, Italy; instructed kindergarteners in Romania; and, most recently, taught Spanish and lived in a dormitory at the Darrow School. José lives in Wolcott House. Jennifer Hughes of the visual arts department earned her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College and her master's degree in printmaking from the University of Iowa. Since 2009 she has served as studio manager at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, where she has also served as an instructor. Jennifer has taught at the Eliot School in Jamaica Plain; at Tufts University's Experimental College; and at the Boston Architectural College. A practicing artist, she has held solo shows at Harvard University's Holyoke Center Arcade Gallery and Roxbury Community College. Lydia Thorp joined the Milton faculty in 2010. A graduate of Skidmore College, Lydia lived in Madrid for eight years before moving to Milton, and she served as an admission representative at the Madrid campus of Saint Louis University. Earlier in her career, Lydia taught Spanish, served as a dorm parent, and coached at the Westtown School in Pennsylvania.
spring 2015
at milton
in t e r discip l ina r y ac t ion in g r ade 3
Engineering Solutions for a Species in Peril "Engineering is the future, and young people are primed to learn about it," says Phoebe Ryles, Milton's Lower School woodworking teacher. "To design and construct, children have to think through steps and decide what should come next. You just need the right project to launch 8-yearolds into this work." Inspired by a program on cutting-edge engineering curriculum developed by the Museum of Science, Phoebe
and experience, the students design what they hypothesize
leveraged the Grade 3 Monarch butterfly unit. Phoebe
will work. Phoebe walks the children explicitly through
charged her students with researching, designing,
the Engineering Design Process — a five-stage course of
building and installing a 4×8 foot raised planting bed —
asking questions and solving problems: Ask, Imagine, Plan,
a butterfly way station. With teachers Jane McGuinness
Create, Improve.
and Susan Wheelwright, third graders learn about
Students build models — several — and then test them.
the Monarch's life cycle; they raise butterflies from the
They learn as much from the failed ideas as they do
caterpillar stage and learn about habitat, diet, and
from their success. From drawing plans on paper, they move to cardboard models, to building "to scale" models.
migration patterns. In recent years, students also learn that Monarch
Challenges are many, and often unexpected. "We're
butterflies could become extinct, because their natural
problem solving in real time, all the way through," says
habitat is being destroyed. Each year, migrating Monarchs
Phoebe. "For instance, if we run out of wood, we need
lay their eggs on abundant milkweed. Housing and
to reassess and come up with a new plan. I'm trying to
commercial development, as well as the increasing growth
teach the children to be resourceful and think through
of genetically modified corn, has decreased the wild
challenges. I tell them, 'You made it, so you can fix it.'"
milkweed. An intercontinental movement is working at
Children rely on concepts of fractions and
placing way stations strategically, at points where the
division — math above their grade level. When the time
butterflies can feed and lay their eggs. In building their
comes to learn about division, they're prepared and excited.
raised-bed way station and planting it with the right flora, Milton students learned that they could help reverse the decline in the Monarch population. The third graders began by examining other raised
kind of lumber was used? Together, based on their research
"These children gain confidence based on ability," says Phoebe. "Assembling and installing the raised bed means manipulating — lifting, measuring, cutting — solid 2×12 boards. The students do the lifting on their own!
beds on campus and asking their own questions: How are
They figure out how to work together, and they feel capable,
they joined at the corners? Are any weak or breaking? What
because they are."
mi lt on maga z i n e
spring 2015
i n t er disci pl i na ry ac t ion i n gr a de 3 , con t.
Students need to apply what they've learned of life
"Grit is a top predictor of success, and this is what they're experiencing. The physicality of woodworking makes it appealing and tangible. Creating a concrete, practical product makes this learning real for [the students]."
science (keeping data, forming hypotheses) to this engineering-math-woodworking collaboration. With Spanish teacher Lucia Castineira, students learn the related Spanish vocabulary and test it, connecting via Skype with peers in Mexico — other young people committed to this cause. Students use the Internet program Journey North to track the butterflies' migration north and south; they keep track of current events; and they artistically express what they're learning in nature journals. "We're focused on extending and connecting lessons throughout the year," says Grade 3 teacher Jane McGuinness. "Students bring in New York Times articles about the declining Monarch population that they've found online with their parents. On top of everything else, they're using technology well to help with their research."
mi lt on maga z i n e
"This unit involves many academic skills, but it also appeals to students' character, persistence, desire to do good," says Phoebe. "Grit is a top predictor of success, and this is what they're experiencing. The physicality of woodworking makes it appealing and tangible. Creating a concrete, practical product makes this learning real for them. Students love helping a creature they've come to care about. We're helping them develop great habits — being good citizens, communicating, compromising productively, and persevering in the face of challenge." by Erin Berg
s p r in sp ing 2015
Hall of Famer Coach Mac Reaches 200 Career Wins by Liz Matson
A perfect day for football. Cool and breezy with peeks of
sun. The last game of the season against rival Nobles
where he played hockey and football, Coach Mac knew
and Greenough. As always, Coach Kevin MacDonald, or
he wanted to be a teacher and a coach. His first job was
"Coach Mac," is the first to arrive at the Robert Saltonstall
teaching English and history, and assistant coaching hockey
Gym — getting organized and filling water jugs. A man of
and football at Archbishop Williams High School in
habits and rituals, he calls himself "obsessive compulsive."
Braintree, Massachusetts.
"I always sleep the night before, but before games, I'm
"I was lucky to work for Joe Crowley, a legendary
very nervous," says Coach Mac, who was inducted into
football coach," says Kevin. "His theory is that football is
the Massachusetts Football Coaches Association Hall of
not complicated; it's a simple game. He ran only four plays,
Fame last spring. "The kids will tell you that I pace. I'm
but the players always knew what they were doing. He
always pacing. I feel that if I'm not nervous, they're not
was very consistent. We went from being one of the worst
going to think it's an important game."
programs around to one of the best programs around."
When the team takes the field, Coach Mac paces the
As an undergraduate at College of the Holy Cross,
After two years, Coach Mac became head coach when
sideline, carrying his clipboard, his face set in concentration.
Coach Crowley retired. He continued winning at Archie's
A win against Nobles would be the season's highlight. And
for 19 years before coming to Milton in 1996. He continued
this win would be Coach Mac's 200th career win as a
the upward trajectory of the Milton football program that
football coach. A huge milestone in any coach's career. The
his immediate predecessor, Joe Lang, had begun. He
players are amped up, knowing what is riding on this game.
also excelled in the classroom, and he still enjoys teaching
mi lt on maga z i n e
Expository Writing. It is telling of his coaching and teaching that former players and students make up the majority of his coaching staff. The Mustangs are dominant in this Milton–Nobles game, up 21–0 in the first half. Coach Mac, pacing, bellows across the field: "Don't relax! Do. Not. Relax!" His go-to phrases both encourage and direct the action: "Dish it out, don't take it!" "Kick and stick!" and "Poison! Poison!" when he doesn't want a player to touch the ball. He compliments players and notes sportsmanship as he sees it. In the last two minutes of the game when Milton is up 40–7, Coach Mac finally releases the tension in his face. The players can't contain their excitement over the win. When Coach goes out to shake the Nobles coach's hand, his players swarm him, shouting and whooping, and Coach Mac's smile is big and wide.
"You could be a great coach as far as wins and losses go, and not be a great high school coach. A high school coach needs to be a good role model. You should be teaching right from wrong. You should be helping to get students into college. That's why high school coaching is so rewarding."
Justin Yoon '15, a National Top Ranked Kicker When Justin Yoon '15 first arrived at Milton in Class IV, his athletic focus was hockey. This spring, he graduates as one of the top-ranked high school football kickers in the country and will bring his talent to Notre Dame. He will be the starting kicker for the Fighting Irish and a student in the Mendoza College of Business. From Nashville, Tennessee, Justin started playing football in eighth grade, after a middle school coach took notice of his soccer kicking skills. He pursued this kicking talent at summer football camps. His spot-on, long-range kicks added a new dimension to Milton football, and Justin credits Coach Mac for his support. "He really trusts me, and that trust factor makes me believe in him, as he believes in me," says Justin. "It's not always easy to trust the kicker to get the job done. I respect Coach Mac for letting me do what I do and believing in me." Justin says one of his most memorable games was Milton's 27–21
"Winning is important," says Kevin. "That is your chief
win over Lawrence Academy in his sophomore year, in which he blasted
goal. But you could be a great coach as far as wins and losses
four successful field goals, the final one from an amazing 54 yards.
go, and not be a great high school coach. A high school coach
These long kicks led to Justin being selected to play in the 2015 Under
needs to be a good role model. You should be teaching right
Armour All-American Bowl Game this past January. Justin was spot on
from wrong. You should be helping to get students into
and set records for most field goals made (three) and longest field goal
college. That's why high school coaching is so rewarding."
made (47 yards) in the seven-year history of the bowl game.
When the season ends, Coach Mac is busier than ever.
A dedicated student, Justin's work ethic is strong, both on and off
First up is working with seniors and helping them through
the field. When he was injured in the season opener this year, Justin
the college process. Over the school year, roughly 100 college
turned his focus to rehabilitating his injury, but he also spent hours
football coaches visit Milton on recruiting trips. Coach
mentoring Min Park '17 to be Milton's next kicker. Justin says although it
Mac handles this constant flow of visitors, maintaining an
was frustrating to miss five games this past season, he enjoyed what
important network. He also keeps tabs on the juniors as
has always been his favorite part of Milton football: "Just spending time
they start their college plans. In the summer, he works at
with the team and being around my friends on the field." And when he
various college football camps where he can "advocate for
was back in form for the last game against Nobles, Justin capped off his
our players."
Milton career with a 49-yard kick.
spring 2015
sports, con t.
Since Coach Mac shines the spotlight on his players rather than himself, we asked some Milton football alumni for their thoughts on Coach Mac. The stories poured in. Coach Mac, Year One
"I had high expectations and a lot invested in Coach Mac's
The Championship in '14
"I was the starting quarterback for three years and a senior
inaugural season at Milton. My teammates were equally
captain under Coach Mac. Playing for Milton and Coach Mac
invested. With the 100th Milton–Nobles game as the '96
was an honor. Before every game he would talk about the
season headliner, nothing short of an undefeated season
word 'pride.' Before Milton, that word didn't mean much to
was acceptable to any player on the roster. Anticipation and
me, but when I left it meant a whole lot. He taught me how
curiosity took a hairpin turn toward concern during our
to take pride in my studies, athletics and my day-to-day life.
first team meeting with Coach Mac when we learned that
He strived for his players to be 'good guys' on campus and
our balanced, offensive attack would be overhauled into
to do the little things — hold doors open for people, or thank
a run-only offense, reminiscent of the Vince Lombardi days,
the staff in Forbes. He was one of the most approachable
when a pass was considered a trick play. Coach Mac didn't
people on campus, always willing to lend a hand and lead me
give our concern an opportunity to fester. His actions made
in the right direction if I struggled with a class or any
it clear that he had just as much riding on the '96 season;
aspect of School life.
our goals were aligned. Coach Mac led with hard work, accountability,
My greatest memory was winning the New England Championship my senior year. Winning it with Coach Mac
perseverance and pride, and the latter singularly defined our
was so gratifying, because our team had grown with him
'96 season. He dove in with his players, especially his seniors,
over my three years. We were a below average football
taking an interest in all of their pursuits. He maximized his
team during my sophomore year, and one of the best in
players' ability with daily encouragement and unwavering
New England my senior year."
support. Coach Mac naturally gravitated toward the tradition
— anthony scurto '14
and rivalry at Milton Academy. He embraced and valued Herbert "Stokie" Stokinger, and made Stokie the focal point of the 100th Milton–Nobles game. To say that Coach Mac's first season at Milton was a
This Milestone
"Coach Mac was a fantastic coach and role model for me
success is an understatement. Not only did he lead the '96
when I played fullback and linebacker. I learned about being
team to victory in the 100th Milton–Nobles game, he also
a team player and challenging myself both on the field
made good on an undefeated season and added a New
and in the classroom. I have wonderful memories of Milton
England Championship for good measure. With Coach Mac,
and many are related to playing for Coach Mac from 2001
the lessons we learned on the field were as valuable as the
to 2005. He is a great coach, a great mentor, and most
lessons we learned in the classroom. On behalf of the '96
importantly a great person. He has had a huge influence on
team, and all his players, congratulations on a hall of fame
many young men who have graduated from Milton, and the
coaching career and teaching excellence."
200th win is a testament to his dedication and commitment
— alexi evriviades '96
to players, present and past. An amazing milestone and well deserved." — ryan fitzpatrick '05
mi lt on maga z i n e
A Game of Emotion
The Fundamentals
"I played tailback for Coach Mac from 1996 to 1999 and went
"I was the running back in 2003 and 2004 when we went a
on to play for Brown University. I was lucky enough to be
combined 13–2–1. Coach Mac was not about trick plays or
a part of Coach Mac's first Milton Academy team that went
snazzy, spread offenses. He believed in fundamentals, doing
8–0 and won the New England Championship. Coach Mac
your job, and simply being stronger, faster, and better
made it clear from day one that our goal was to be the
prepared than the opposition."
number one team in the ISL. He brought a winning attitude.
— timothy daniels '04
By the time we opened the season, he had instilled so much confidence in us that we felt unbeatable. Coach Mac told us that 'football was a game of emotion.' He used our emotion to motivate and inspire us. He played the underdog card to
The Joy of the Game
"Coach Mac's competitiveness and focus are matched by his
get us fired up for a big game, to inspire us to be our best
integrity and desire to see his players succeed. He loves seeing
and compete fiercely for ourselves, our families, our School
his players get where they want to go, in football and in life.
and for each other. We all loved and respected Coach Mac's hard-nosed philosophy. No frills, finesse or trick plays, just old-fashioned man-on-man football. He demanded that we be the most
Mac always has a plan and a reason for what he is doing — a seemingly crazy drill or pre-game pep talk. It usually sets you up to succeed and to learn, which are often the same thing. Coach Mac also has a ton of fun, and he instills the joy of
fit team, and that often showed up in the fourth quarter of
the game in his players. He enjoys victories for the same
games. Coach Mac gave us a platform to be ourselves and
reason players do. He gets pumped up, hates to lose, and can't
to succeed in doing so. Down 20–0 at the half against Thayer
wait to get back to work for the next week.
(for the New England Championship), there was no panic
Coach Mac doesn't get caught up in the hype or the
in the locker room. We had been coached to respond to
moment, and he embodies what he preaches: living up to your
adversity and to dig deep. We won that game 21–20.
own best standards, keeping your word, never giving up, and
I learned so much from Coach Mac about the value of hard work, preparation, and an emotional commitment
working not just for yourself but also for those around you. I feel honored to have spent time with him on the football
to the task at hand. Running into guys I played with and
field and to have had his guidance; and I would not be the
reliving some of the special moments is fun. I am excited
person I am today had it not been for Coach Mac. He has a
for Coach Mac's 200th win and proud to have been a small
generous spirit and understands what truly brings satisfaction
part of his legacy."
in life. It's really great to recognize him for reaching this
— l eo evriviades '99
milestone. He deserves every accolade. He's a legend." — tom pilla '02
spring 2015
fac u l t y p e r s p e c t i v e
Comeback by Jim Connolly, English faculty
Jim Connolly of the English department, who has taught creative writing at Milton since 1983, has long been a poet and writer of fiction. The textbook devoted to teaching poetry that Jim developed is unique in including students' writing and commentary. He has shared this text with many educators — individual practitioners eager to maximize their effectiveness in the discrete art of understanding teaching and teaching poetry. Jim's poem, "Comeback," is included in his recently published collection, Picking Up the Bodies. Jim is now at work on a novel.
mi lt on maga z i n e
Rocco Francis Marchegiano:
They come back to me like letters
I met him once. He shook my hand,
through a chute, the forgotten words
said "Nice to meet you, kid" and looked
of a boy who learned the lessons
away, money on his mind.
that each fist delivered: fight
I was with his nephew. I said "Nice to meet you, champ" and looked
to the death, be willing to die on each street corner,
away. I was sixteen,
every win and defeat another notch
my own hits and licks on my mind.
in a reputation that tells you who you are —
Our city's legend retired into a dull weight of fame —
I was a dumb kid,
overrated, underrated —
I say to myself, who has grown old and dumb,
and death in 1969,
neither embarrassed by it nor proud of it —
Newton, Iowa, a mangled plane.
we were boys who grew up in our fists.
His body flown home to Brockton, to our family's funeral home,
And, today, I wonder what Rocky would say
my grandfather buried him —
about The Brockton Enterprise's front page news,
my father, the embalmer, touched him up.
the heroin addiction infecting our city,
In 1970, I went to Des Moines, Iowa
the headlines spreading across the country,
to teach and met Lowell Coburn,
the White House announcing
the young undertaker who shipped Rocky's corpse
the match between the government
back home to Brockton.
and the bad batch of stuff
He lived next door. "Nice to meet you,"
that's killing our city's immigrants
he said. "Coincidence is what death can give us."
in staggering numbers, the newspapers recording
And when I returned to Brockton,
of a one-sided fight.
each day's deaths like judges scoring the rounds a beaten-up place with window grates
And I remember my grandfather
on Main Street's abandoned stores,
chalking the names of the deceased on his blackboard,
the steel defending against the nothing that is left,
the posting of the wakes and funerals.
I couldn't find the signs of my old hometown. At George's Café,
I stare Rocky down once more.
one of the city's last landmarks,
Hanging high above the other boxers,
I walked through its rooms to study
his right arm is raised in victory,
all the newspaper clippings and photos hanging
and that right hand, famous,
on the restaurant's walls.
now, and then, is always
I stalked each fight in search
coming back to me, heroic
of the city that was gone:
in that night of near defeat against Walcott, our champ coming back in the thirteenth round,
Below Rocky's photos, Ali snaps a left through the bloody mouth of Cooper, and Hagler's right cross clubs
that right smashing into Jersey Joe's jaw, a bullet in a bolt that locks shut — what we had and can never get back.
the "Motor City Cobra's" chin, a right, that night, as right as right, the "Hit Man's" legs collapsing, his eyes on queer street, that bewildered look that takes me back to the rings and heavy bags of my youth, all the bad words, the punches given and taken.
sp r in g 2 0 1 5
in sight
Beatnik Nanseera Wolff, Class IV, Robbins House. Photo by Michael Dwyer.
spring 2015
on centre
John P. Reardon '56 Receives the Milton Medal On January 23, 2015, the Milton Academy Board of Trustees awarded the Milton Medal to Jack Reardon, a longtime trustee and a wise and loyal supporter of his School. Head of School Todd Bland recalled the dinner meeting
"Jack's service to Milton has been vast, deep and meaningful," Brad concluded. "He epitomizes the life and spirit of Dare to be True. Jack, we are aware and most grateful for your decades of commitment, engagement and
in 2008 that he and his wife, Nancy, shared with Jack
service to Milton. Please join me in thanking my friend
Reardon and Brad Bloom — an evening that solidified Todd's
and mentor, Jack Reardon, recipient of the Milton Medal."
decision to serve as Milton's head of school. He spoke about the supportive care and insight that Jack reliably
Citation from the Milton Medal Program
and generously provided throughout Todd's last six
Jack Reardon was elected to the board of trustees in 1991.
years. Similarly, Brad Bloom credited Jack with his own
With skill, loyalty and generosity, Jack supported every
willingness to assume the presidency of Milton's board.
aspect of Milton's institutional strength until and beyond his
Brad noted, in particular, Jack's ability and willingness
retirement from the board in 2013. Jack began by chairing
to listen, and his effectiveness in helping institutions
the campaign steering committee in 1992 that prepared
understand what challenges should be addressed, and
for Milton's first comprehensive capital campaign. "The
what changes should occur. "Four heads of school — E d
Challenge to Lead" raised $60 million from 1995–2000, and
Fredie, Robin Robertson, Rick Hardy and Todd Bland —
expanded the supportive connections with alumni and
and four board presidents — Harold Janeway, Marshall
parents that would be a critical foundation for meeting
Schwarz, Fritz Hobbs and I — sought his counsel," Brad
Milton's aspirations in the future. Jack chaired the Trustees
said. "In every conversation, public or private, Jack is
Committee during his tenure, guiding trustees and trustee practices, informed by his unfailing acumen about matters of governance. That position signaled a much broader port-
"Jack's service to Milton has been vast, deep and meaningful. He epitomizes the life and spirit of Dare to be True."
folio: trusted emissary, diplomat, counselor, honest broker, or change agent when that was necessary. On the board and in the School, Jack was an astute listener, and always promoted the broadest possible understanding of an issue. Co-chair of the search for Head of School Todd Bland, Jack implemented a process that stands as an example of open, responsive communication with the full Milton constituency. Milton is extremely grateful for Jack's seemingly limitless
steady, calm, and focused on the point. He responds with
service over 22 years, helping Milton to be both daring and
candor, wisdom and sensitivity, regardless of the issue. He
true, always; he has prepared Milton well for the future.
frames the importance of a decision in few but relevant words. We all try to understand the full measure of each of those words." As he delivered the Milton Medal Award, Brad summoned Mr. Frank Millet's words about Jack from just that week: "Jack has a wonderful way with people. When you talk with him, you know that you have his full attention. If you want something, he will do the best he can to honor that. He's regularly in contact with many people and he has many friends. He understands the essence of a person, no matter the person's age. He's been devoted to Milton since 1956. He's a very loyal person."
mi lt on maga z i n e
spring 2015
on cen t r e , con t.
Randall L. Kennedy Shares His Thoughts on Race Relations in America Milton's 48th War Memorial speaker, Professor
favoritism and has done too little to educate
Randall L. Kennedy, told students, alumni
the public on the hazards that blacks face."
and parents that despite "a chasm that
"Beneath the malaise is a deep current of
He cited numerous statistics and laws that traced the long, slow path of blacks from an oppressed group of four million slaves in
separates the circumstances in which whites
racial pessimism that has a long history in
1860 through the civil rights era to the election of the first African-American president.
and blacks typically find themselves," he
American and African-American thought," said
is still an optimist about race relations in the
Mr. Kennedy. "Pessimists believe that racial
United States. Professor Kennedy is the
harmony predicated on fairness is not part of
have clearly elevated the fortunes of African
Michael R. Klein Professor at Harvard Law
the American future. They posit that America
Americans as individuals and black America as
School, where he teaches in the fields of
will not overcome its tragic racial past."
a collectivity," said Professor Kennedy. "Hard
criminal law, contracts, and the regulation
Professor Kennedy made clear that he is
"Changes in public attitudes, law and custom
facts may give plausibility to the pessimistic
of race relations. In September, Professor
an optimist while stressing that "intentional,
tradition, but they make the optimistic tradition
Kennedy continued an important Milton
invidious racial discrimination constitutes a
compelling. Despite the many wrongs that
tradition that brings to campus public figures
force in American life that is far from negligible.
remain to be righted, blacks in America
who discuss core social and political issues.
It is a substantial headwind that blacks and
confront fewer racist impediments now than
other racial minorities face in many key areas,
ever before in the history of the United States."
Although the election of President Barack
The War Memorial Lecture was established
Obama was an amazing and pinnacle moment
including housing, finance, employment,
for America, Mr. Kennedy said many African
criminal justice, electoral politics, and markets
in 1922 to honor those Milton graduates who
Americans were deeply affected by the economic
for romance and marriage."
gave their lives in World War I, and the
downturn and believe President Obama has "been too fearful of being charged with racial
Professor Kennedy said he is hopeful of the "prominent trajectory" of African Americans.
foundation brings to campus notable guests who have dedicated their careers to the responsibilities and opportunities connected to leadership in a democracy. Professor Kennedy was born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1954. He attended St. Albans School, Princeton University, Oxford University, and Yale Law School. He served as a law clerk for Judge J. Skelly Wright of the United States Court of Appeals and for Justice Thurgood Marshall of the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the bar of the District of Columbia and the Supreme Court of the United States. Awarded the 1998 Robert F. Kennedy Book Award for Race, Crime, and the Law, Professor Kennedy writes for a wide range of scholarly and general-interest publications. His most recent books are For Discrimination: Race, Affirmative Action, and the Law (2013), The Persistence of the Color Line: Racial Politics and the Obama Presidency (2011), and Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal (2008). A member of the American Law Institute, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Association, Mr. Kennedy is also a Charter Trustee of Princeton University.
mi lt on maga z i n e
Volleyball Earns ISL Title in Record Season With chanting fans packing the ACC, the atmosphere was electric as the girls' volleyball team faced off against Nobles and Greenough in the final game of their regular season. The Mustangs blocked and spiked their way to a thrilling 3–0 victory. With only two losses to ISL teams this season, this win clinched the league championship title and earned the team a spot in the New England playoffs. "For that hour and a half, the girls were rock stars out there," says
Among College Students and Professionals, Milton Seniors Win First Prize at MIT's Hackathon
Derek Palmore, varsity coach and Middle School faculty member. Last year the team finished strong, but this season surpassed all expectations. "The girls sustained such high-level play this season," says Coach Palmore. "As a team, they had incredible turnaround and recovery time. So if we found ourselves down a few points or lost a match, the team did a great job moving forward quickly."
Neekon Vafa '15 and Harry Kwon '15 took their computer program-
This marks the first time in more than a decade that the team has
ming skills to a whole new level when they participated in — and
made the playoffs. Though they fell to Phillips Andover in the first round,
placed first at — MIT's Internet of Things Hackathon in October.
captain Marina Fleites '15 credits both Coach Palmore and Assistant
A hackathon is an event in which computer programmers and
Coach Fang Yuan with bringing the players up to their A game.
software developers collaborate intensively on software projects. "The spirit of a hackathon isn't competitive," says Harry. "Everyone goes there to learn, even the most experienced programmers." Most of the attendees are working professionals; Neekon and Harry were the only high school students participating. Last
"In practices, we would split up," she says. "Defense players went with Coach Fang, because that is his specialty. Coach Palmore focused on offense. This way we worked on a lot more technique, got specific feedback, and then brought it all together as a team." Most players pick up the
summer, Neekon added his name to MIT's waitlist after researching
sport in high school, because
various hackathons. The night before the two-day event, Neekon
volleyball programs are not
received word that he was in, with a couple of extra tickets included.
as entrenched in New England
The event kicked off with team leaders pitching their projects.
as they are in warmer parts
Participants then chose which team they wanted to join. Neekon
of the country. Marina is the
and Harry picked the "Perfect Playlist" project, which involved
most seasoned veteran on
programming dynamically adjusting playlists that use sensors to
the team, playing since her
read the atmosphere of the room. For example, at a house party, the
freshman year.
sensors might pick up that it's time to play a dance song.
"I'm so excited we made
"Although we were younger than the other team members, we
post-season," says Marina.
both understood what they understood and what they were saying,"
"I remember as a freshman
says Neekon. "We also contributed our own ideas and felt very
looking up at the banners
comfortable as part of the team." Harry and Neekon are both taking
hanging in the ACC, and
Mr. Hales's Programming Applications class this semester.
all I wanted was a banner
When work was complete, each team presented its project to
for volleyball. And now we
the judges. Neekon and Harry's team was awarded first prize. The
have one! I am so proud of
prize included tickets to the main Internet of Things conference
the team. Everyone played
the following week, which Neekon and Harry attended for one day.
amazingly well against
"We learned a lot of actual programming and engineering at the hackathon," says Harry. "The event also gave us an idea of what
Nobles, and the energy of the crowd certainly helped."
real software engineering is like. Now I see how the whole process works, from designing and building the product to working efficiently as a team."
spring 2015
on cen t r e , con t.
Dr. Eyster Fuses Biology and Art as She "Looks Closely" Linde Eyster enjoys looking closely at things — as a scientist,
the leaves and stems in my small garden, where I witness
as a teacher, and as a photographer. For the past few years,
both amazing organisms and fascinating animal behaviors."
she focused on the natural environment in her backyard
a photographer and member of the visual arts department —
lens. The result was a stunning, colorful collection that was
answered her photography questions and helped her sort
on exhibition in Pieh Commons in October.
through hundreds of photos to select the ones to exhibit.
"I wanted the photos to tell biological stories," says Linde,
Linde's interest in photography began as a child, when
who has taught a variety of life science courses at Milton
she occasionally converted the bathroom into a darkroom
since 1990. "So, you're not just looking at a photo of two ants.
to develop her prints. For research toward her master's
You are looking at a biological process. The ants are on a
degree, she took her first close-up photographs to document
stem guiding the tiny aphids up and down, because the ants
the colors of nudibranchs (sea slugs), which fade quickly
are dependent on the aphids for their nourishment."
when the organisms are placed into preservatives. During
Linde shot all the images outside in natural light, with
her doctoral research on embryonic shell formation at
the subjects in their usual patterns and environment.
Northeastern University, she spent many hours photo-
The plan grew out of a cross-curricular biodiversity project
graphing subcellular structures with transmission electron
she assigned her Advanced Biology students, who were
microscopes, followed by hours of printing thousands of
required to find and photograph a dozen different inverte-
black-and-white images of cells and cell parts. Many of these
brates on campus or near their homes.
images were published in her scientific papers.
"I did the assignment myself to estimate how long it would
Linde's friend and fellow faculty member Bryan Cheney —
garden, photographing a range of organisms with a macro
"Without realizing it, I was learning skills through my
take to accomplish, and the project reawakened my love
microscope photography, such as composing the shot,
of photographing little things," says Linde. "Even without
finding the right angle, and cropping to focus on the elements
a camera in hand, I love the surprises of looking closely in
you want," says Linde.
mi lt on maga z i n e
A Tricycle Rides Back to Milton A new art installation hanging from the rafters in the Art
and find building materials. So much of the trike came
and Media Center completes a circle that began with two
from the old Milton dump!"
inquisitive students in the late 1970s. David Rabkin '79 and
After 1,000 man-hours during the winter, the trike was
Justin Aborn '79 were in their junior year when they built
ready to ride that spring. Ian Torney '82, chair of the visual
a large, recumbent tricycle called the "A-Rab."
arts department, says he remembers David and Justin riding
"Both of us were fiddlers," says David, who is now the
the trike around campus. After they graduated, the trike sat
Farinon Director for Current Science and Technology at the
in David's mother's garage until 1997, when they extensively
Museum of Science in Boston. "We liked building, and we
refurbished it for an arts festival. This time it was stored
were always taking stuff apart and putting it back together
more carefully, so when they took it out of the garage in 2013
again. The idea of the trike came about because we really
to hang in the AMC, it was in much better shape.
wanted to learn how to weld. Welding is one of the great
"Seeing the trike hanging in the AMC is very satisfying,"
crafts, being able to work with metal and bond it in a way
says David. "It does my own and Justin's heart good to
to make it really strong."
know that it's somewhere other people will enjoy it. It's an
They approached Michael Bentinck-Smith, who was the woodworking teacher in the Lower School at the time. He
interesting form. From where it is hung, you get to look at it from all angles; it looks different from various directions,
agreed to teach them to weld, but to count the work as an
and you can appreciate a whole other dimension of it. Milton
independent project they needed a solid idea and design.
students are so bright and motivated, so if even a little
"Something that went fast with wheels made sense to our adolescent minds," says David. "We decided that a human-
inspiration is derived from looking at it, and that leads somewhere interesting, that is great. If it opens a door and
powered vehicle would be much more elegant, so the design
shakes up someone's mental model of something they
grew from that idea. Back then, you could go to the dump
were thinking about, then we've achieved our mission."
spring 2015
head of school
"Leave Room to Be Surprised" by Todd B. Bland
Every Wednesday morning, I look forward to
Milton students set high expectations for
was irrevocably changed by these events.
themselves. The same great qualities that
And I am grateful every day for the friends
14 students in my section of Senior Transitions.
brought them to Milton — intellectual curiosity,
and mentors who helped me alter my plans
This course is designed to help Class I students
self-motivation, focus on a passion — can make
and realign myself with a new — exciting,
manage the complexities of senior year and
them particularly vulnerable when realities
terrifying — set of circumstances.
the college admission process, and focus on
alter the plan they had envisioned. Sometimes
how to make a smooth and healthy transition
without even knowing it, young people define
"best" pieces of advice. But this one is a gem:
from high school to college. Senior Transitions
success by a set of external criteria, and find
Be open to plans that evolve over time. Life
is one of four courses in Milton's Affective
themselves living lives that they are "supposed
comes at you fast, and often you do not know
Education program that all students take over
to" live, rather than lives they choose.
what you know, until you know it. Moving
sitting around the Harkness table with the
I am a planner. I believe in setting goals
their Milton years.
My students are often subjected to my many
from failure to success; despair to fulfillment;
and creating plans to help you realize those
financially strapped to financially capable;
questions: What makes you happy? What does
goals. I also believe in pausing regularly,
illness to health: Navigating those transitions
success look like? Who are you now, and who do
to assess, to make sure my goals and plans
takes grit, courage, flexibility, resilience, and
During this year, we focus explicitly on life
you want to become? How does a person lead a
align with my priorities. Life invariably
striking out into unknown territory. So many
good life? These foundational questions, and the
interrupts even the best-laid plans. Falling
Milton graduates I have met and admire have traveled these pathways.
answers they prompt, set a context that enables
in love with my wife at age 18; taking on a job
students to make the most of their final year
for which I felt woefully under-qualified;
at Milton, of college, and of the world beyond.
having three children in 14 months. My life
In his commencement speech to Milton's Class of 2011, author Reif Larsen '98 said, "We like plans. But don't plan too hard. Leave room to be surprised." I am proud to be part of a School that prepares students to follow paths that they have determined — that helps develop confidence, and courage, and creativity, that helps young people pursue their passions and find authentic, meaningful success, and fulfillment. Our graduates show us, again and again, that Milton fosters and supports this thoughtful way of leading a life.
mi lt on maga z i n e
me ssage s
Jennifer Finney Boylan
Debby Irving
What does it mean to be transgender? What is gender identity? This
Activist and author Debby Irving talked with students
year's Talbot Speaker, Professor Jennifer Finney Boylan, answered
about what she explained as an epidemic of "white silence."
these questions for students and faculty, with charm, personal anecdotes,
Ms. Irving, this year's Multiculturalism and Community
and compassionate advice. Professor Boylan is the inaugural Anna
Development Speaker, said that when it comes to racism
Quindlen Writer-in-Residence at Barnard College and the author of
in the United States, white people must be part of "cross-
She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders.
racial conversations" in order to make progress on racial divisions and injustices. A graduate of the Winsor School
"The question is not how you go
in Boston, Ms. Irving holds a bachelor's degree from
from being a man to a woman,
Kenyon College and an M.B.A.
or a woman to a man. The real
from Simmons College. She is
question is: How do you live
the author of Waking Up White.
an authentic life? How do you be you, out in the world?
"We are all connected, but we
That well-intentioned
are damaged, and we need to
advice, 'just be yourself,'
repair that damage."
can be the most difficult advice to follow."
m e s sage s, con t.
Donald Johnson Dr. Donald Johnson — English professor and poet in residence at East Tennessee State University — was last fall's Bingham Visiting Reader. In honor of Veterans Day, Dr. Johnson began his reading with two poems about soldiers and war. The first, "The Sergeant," was inspired by his father, a World War II veteran who later commanded a squad of the Honor Guard that traveled through West Virginia. The second poem he read, titled "Point Lookout, Maryland," recalled the American Civil War. An avid sports fan and accomplished
Blake Gilpin
sportswriter, Dr. Johnson served for 16 years as general
This year's Henry R. Heyburn '39 Speaker
editor of Aethlon: Journal of Sports Literature. His most recent
in History, Professor Blake Gilpin, used
book of poetry is More Than Heavy Rain.
his expertise on the 1850s abolitionist John
When others mustered out in '46, you soldiered
of history are created: by combining fact,
Brown to illustrate how the narratives on, commanding a squad that buried the box
perspective, and sometimes imagination.
after narrow box the Army sent home from abroad.
Dr. Gilpin, a professor of history at Tulane University, has spent a decade studying
For a year the wind off the Kasserine,
John Brown and the cultural phenomena
peasants muddled to their knees on Mindanao
surrounding the man and his legend. His
and oceans being oceans all over the world
book John Brown Still Lives!: America's Long Reckoning
kept turning up dead West Virginians.
with Violence, Equality, and Change was a finalist for
— From "The Sergeant"
Gilder Lehrman Center's Frederick Douglass Book Prize. Dr. Gilpin earned his Ph.D. from Yale University.
Anand Giridharadas Journalist Anand Giridharadas had an "almost American
"You are all historians, the moment you learn two facts and link them together, creating a narrative. Our history actually tells us more about who we are today than about people in the past. And that's okay. We need
life" growing up. Born in Ohio, the son of Indian
that narrative, that context, to make sense of who
immigrants, he shared with students the story of what
we are, and where we are, now."
led him to live in India for six years. A New York Times columnist and the author of India Calling: An Intimate Portrait of a Nation's Remaking, Mr. Giridharadas was this year's Hong Kong Distinguished Lecturer. "The country I grew up with in my mind was giving way to a different India. It was a revolution from within . . . The changes had to do with people revolting against parents who told them they would be a doctor or a lawyer, or who they would marry . . . You had millions of people starting to say to themselves that destiny is what you make it."
Junot Díaz Pulitzer Prize–winning author Junot Díaz spoke with students not only as a creative writer, but also as a Dominican American
Maysoon Zayid
immigrant and an activist. Hosted by Milton's student Latino
Maysoon Zayid — comedian, actress and activist — was the
Association, Mr. Díaz answered questions from a packed room
2015 Margaret A. Johnson Speaker. Born with cerebral
of students, on topics ranging from the writing process to the
palsy, Ms. Zayid is a powerful advocate for the disabled.
response to Ferguson, from gender equity to immigration. Mr.
She told stories about growing up in New Jersey, where
Díaz is the author of several books, including The Brief Wondrous
she was accepted for who she was. But as a theater major
Life of Oscar Wao, for which he earned the Pulitzer Prize for
in college and a struggling actress pursuing a career, Ms.
Fiction in 2008. He is a creative writing professor at MIT and
Zayid realized that disabled people were almost nonexistent
the fiction editor of Boston Review.
in the entertainment industry. She has appeared on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," Comedy Central, PBS, CNN, HBO, MTV, ABC and Huffington Post Live. She is a "When your teachers tell you to 'write what
recurring columnist at The Daily Beast and was a speaker at TEDWomen 2013. She is the founder of Maysoon's Kids, an
you know,' they are
education and wellness program for disabled and wounded
teaching you to scale
Palestinian refugee children.
things correctly. In other words, if you
"The world is broken, but together we can fix it. Including
can't draw a cup, it's
people is important not because we have to, but because
going to be hard to
it makes for a better world. Don't let other people define
draw a battle station.
you. Clap for yourself, and other people will join you."
Until you can accurately describe your own world, it's probably going to be difficult for you to describe someone else's."
Michael A. McKenna Mike McKenna, network manager of Milton's Academy Technology Services department, delivered this year's Veterans Day assembly speech to students as a proud and accomplished veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Growing up in Manville, Rhode Island — home to the country's first World War I monument — he knew and admired many American veterans. Enlisting at age 19, Mr. McKenna spent ten years as a U.S. Marine. "The military can provide you with invaluable experiences: an education, leadership opportunities, problem-solving and planning skills, just to name a few. In the military there's a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. We plan for everything, because no matter how much planning you do, Murphy (as in Murphy's Law) will always pay you a visit."
spring 2015
a lu m n i au t hor s
The Season of Migration: A Novel
Out of Left Field
The Big Trip: A Family Gap Year
by Nellie Hermann '96
by Liza Ketchum '64
by Martha McManamy '75
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, January 2015
Untreed Reads, July 2014
Lulu Publishing, July 2014
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most popular
The summer of 2004 is full of promise for
Taking a year off from the "rat race" is an idle
painters of all time, and yet we know very
Brandon McGinnis. He has a job, a spot on the
dream for many, but the McManamy family —
little about the difficult period in his youth
varsity swim team, loving parents, and loyal
including their three teenagers — decided to
when he and his brother, Theo, broke off
friends. Brandon and his dad, ardent Red Sox
make it happen. The Big Trip: A Family Gap Year
all contact. In The Season of Migration, Nellie
fans, wonder: Could this be the year the Sox
tells how they put high school, college and
Hermann conjures a profoundly imaginative,
finally win the World Series? Then Brandon's
work on hold while they learned Spanish
original and heartbreaking vision of Van
father dies suddenly. His will, signed just
in Spain and volunteered in Bolivia, Guatemala
Gogh's early years. In startlingly beautiful
before his death, reveals a secret kept for 30
and Kenya. Choosing home stays and local
and powerful language, Hermann transforms
years. As shadows of the Vietnam War bleed
transportation over hotels and rental cars, they
our understanding of Van Gogh and the
into the escalating war in Iraq, Brandon sets
undertook a deeply immersive journey of
redemptive power of art.
out to solve the mystery his father left behind.
Nellie Hermann was born in Boston and lives in Brooklyn, New York. Her first novel, The Cure for Grief, was published in 2009. She teaches creative writing at Columbia University and has taught and lectured widely on the use of creativity in non-traditional contexts.
"slow travel," living simply, and experiencing
His journey takes him to Canada's Cape Breton
life as the locals do. A vivid account full of
Island, where he uncovers the bittersweet
adventures and lively observations, the story
truths about the past, and a family facing its
also offers a template for anyone yearning
own hidden demons. Brandon's courageous
to undertake an intellectual, emotional and
search throws him into life's game, with its
spiritual journey of discovery.
devastating losses, unexpected curve balls, and thrills as wondrous as a home run on an autumn night. Liza Ketchum is the author of 15 books for young people, including Where the Great Hawk Flies, winner of the 2006 Massachusetts Book Award for Children's Literature. Liza is on the faculty of the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Hamline University. She divides her time between Massachusetts and Vermont.
mi lt on maga z i n e
Martha McManamy is a multi-lingual, Quaker activist with a serious travel bug and a desire to make a difference. She lives with her husband and children in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
The Social Profit Handbook:
and value. To create and capture social profit,
The Essential Guide to Setting Goals,
David argues, you need both quantitative
Assessing Outcomes, and Achieving
and qualitative measures, both numbers and
Success for Mission-Driven Organizations
assessment of things that can't be expressed
by David Grant, former faculty
in numbers. In his newly published handbook,
Chelsea Green Publishing, Spring 2015
David "shows how to measure success in a way that helps you achieve it, illustrated by
People working in non-profit organizations
examples of organizations that have done
can and will lead us out of our world's
exactly that." Those who lead, govern and
"mess," David Grant believes, but to achieve
support non-profit organizations can learn
that, they have to change the way they
about formative assessment in The Social Profit
think about assessment — measuring their
Handbook — assessment practices that will
success. To begin with, David argues for a
improve future work rather than merely judge
shift in vocabulary. We are familiar with
past performance.
organizations that create or preserve financial profit; the groups that give us access to medical care, art and music, clean rivers, high-functioning public transportation or that empower young people should be called social profit organizations. Social profit organizations have to define the outcomes that people they seek to help actually need
David Grant, former Milton English department faculty member, and his wife, Nancy Grant, a co-founder of Milton's Mountain School Program, have developed this handbook for mission-driven organizations. David's career has centered on innovative teaching and learning; he served as president and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation in Morristown, New Jersey. He now consults with organizations around the world that have a social or educational mission.
Veteran of Two World Wars: Charles Davis Morgan, Class of 1902 A memoir about a Milton graduate who fought in both
During the first he was wounded three times, badly gassed,
World Wars arrived in Mr. Frank Millet's hands this fall. The
and was decorated for valor by King George V. During
author, Dick Morgan '46, remembers fondly Mr. Millet's
the second war, while in his late fifties and suffering from
role during his Milton years. Mr. Millet delivered Dick to the
the effects of the previous war's wounds, he spent
ship in New York that would reunite him with his father in
four years as a POW in Germany and died shortly after. . . .
England. Dick had not seen his father for six years; during
He was a highly courageous, literate, sensitive man."
four of those years, his father was a prisoner of war. "I believe that the enclosed manuscript can be of
Dick completed the memoir "One Family — Two Wars," as an 86-year-old, for the benefit of his children,
interest to you," Dick writes, "as it is largely based on the
grandchildren, and other interested family and friends.
correspondence of one of Milton's most outstanding
Remembering the important role that Milton played
graduates, my father, who fought both World Wars in the
in his father's life, he made sure that Mr. Millet was able
British army, thus twice losing his American citizenship.
to read it.
spring 2015
For information on gift planning, contact Suzie Hurd Greenup '75 at email@example.com or 617-898-2376.
mi lt on maga z i n e
class notes 1942 In December, Henry Moulton lunched with John Carey and John's wife, Pat, at the Grand Central Oyster Bar in New York City. John is a columnist for The Rye City Review; his column is called "A Rye Oldtimer." He brought with him a recent column, which mentioned his football days as captain of Milton's team.
▲ Tare Newbury, Josh Lane and
▼ Ernesto Macaya Ortiz
the late Hale Sturges learned
Tom Turner 's first book, Palm
and his wife, Roberta Hayes
at their 50th Reunion that they
Beach Nasty, was published
Macaya Ortiz, celebrated their
were distant cousins, united by
in January. The crime novel
son, Roman, who was made
the "Ware" name. Since then, they
has attracted the attention of a
ambassador to the United States
have held reunions in New York,
Hollywood production company
published his first book,
from Costa Rica. Ernesto and
Maine and Massachusetts. This
interested in making the book into
Palm Beach Nasty,
Roberta are pictured with
picture was taken at their most
a movie. Tom is also working on a
in January.
President Barack Obama, Roman
recent gathering at Tare's house
screenplay called Underwater. Tom
Macaya Hayes, and Roman's wife
over the summer. Hale passed
lives in Charleston, South Carolina,
and children.
away just weeks later.
Tom Turner '66
and would love to connect with local Milton classmates.
1978 On September 29, 2014, Gregory Jacobson hosted the second
annual "The Jake" best ball golf tournament for men and women in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The event was held at the Salem Golf Club in North Salem, New York.
Gregory Jacobson '78
Dr. Curt Cetrulo recently
hosted the second annual
dedicated a scientific article to
"The Jake" best ball golf
longtime Milton faculty member
Mr. Frank Millet. In the article, Curt cites Mr. Millet's influence on his pursuing a career of caring for burn-injured patients. Curt's research on the subject was awarded Best Poster at
spring 2015
cl a s s no t e s, con t.
the meeting of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons in
June 2014.
Steve Lehman earned the top spot
in the 2014 NPR Music Jazz Critics Alejandro "Ali" Danois was
Poll — Jazz Album of the Year — for
named a finalist for the 2014
his album Mise En Abîme.
Salute to Excellence Award by the National Association of Black Journalists for his article "New
Jersey Drive," featured in the
▼ On September 16, 2014, James
November 2013 issue of Ebony
Meeks and his wife, Jennifer,
magazine. Ali recounts the story
welcomed Adam Thomas Meeks
of George Briscoe of Newark,
New Jersey, who set out to help
▲ Laura Beatrix Newmark
in Grand Rapids, Michigan,
his son, Isaiah Briscoe, reach his
welcomed the birth of her son,
weighing 9 pounds and 14 ounces.
NBA dreams against the back
Milo Liev Zaklad, on November 13,
drop of high-stakes recruiting
2014. First son Elias is adjusting
wars between major collegiate
well to his role as older brother
programs over middle- and high-
to "Mellow Milo." Laura says she
school athletes. Ali is a senior
is tired, but enjoying her family
writer and editor with The Shadow
of four.
League and co-host of WEAA's Blacktop Xchange Sports Report.
▼ Old friends Mollie Nelson
Webster and Lily Davis '97 enjoy
1991 Steve Lehman '96 earned the top spot in the 2014 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll for Jazz Album of the Year.
James Matthew Chamberlain,
who attended Milton's Lower School, passed away on November 10, 2014. Formerly from Milton, Hingham and Scituate, Massachusetts, he spent his career as a renowned chef initially in the Boston area and for the past 15 years in Sarasota and the Charlotte County areas of Florida.
1993 Jessica McDaniel is a baby
photographer who has been running Boston Baby Photos for 11 years. She lives in Milton.
mi lt on maga z i n e
beach time in Little Compton, Rhode Island.
into the world. He was born
2000 Ashley Carter was married over
Labor Day Weekend to Phillip
▲ Trustee Erick Tseng married
▼ Lindsay Lowder and Milton
Rachel Lee on July 26, 2014. The
friends Lydon Vonnegut,
ceremony was held at Campovida
Sarah McGinty London and
Parker Rider-Longmaid was
Vineyard in California wine
Nia Hays got together with their
named a 2015 Bristow Fellow, earning a one-year fellowship
country. The entire weekend was
babies and toddlers for a photo
one massive party, including an
shoot with Lindsay's sister,
in the U.S. Solicitor General's
Indian baraat procession. From
Jessica Haynes McDaniel '93 ,
Office to work on cases pending
Milton Academy, sister Anita
a local photographer. Lydon's
before the Supreme Court. The
Fellow, earning a one-year
Tseng Shaw '99 and honorary
daughter Janie, Lindsay's
fellowship is awarded to recent
fellowship in the U.S. Solicitor
cousin Janet Lin were there to
daughter Josie, Sarah's son
law school graduates with
help the happy couple celebrate
Mac, and Nia's son Gus were
outstanding academic records
their special day.
all smiles.
and top clerkships.
Parker Rider-Longmaid '04 was named a 2015 Bristow
General's Office.
spring 2015
cl a s s no t e s, con t.
James McHugh '12 helped the Vanderbilt Melodores a cappella group
▲ Liz O'Neill and John Dennison
James McHugh, musical director
were married in Apthorp
of the Vanderbilt Melodores,
Chapel on September 20, 2014.
helped the a cappella group place
Longtime O'Neill family friend,
first in the holiday edition of
Rev. Scotty McLennan, parent
NBC's hit singing competition
to Will McLennan '00 and Dan
show, "The Sing-Off." On the
McLennan '03 , officiated the
show, the Melodores wowed the
ceremony. Malcolm Thayer
judges with their renditions of
Dennison was best man and Kate
Jason Derulo's "Trumpets" and
O'Neill '00 was maid of honor.
Hozier's "Take Me To Church."
place first in the holiday edition
Liz and John are the second
of NBC's hit singing competition
Milton Academy marriage in the
show, "The Sing-Off."
Dennison family, the first being
John's maternal grandmother and
Ellen Sukharevsky contributed
grandfather, Jane and Malcolm
to the recently published The
Mackenzie, who met fighting
Boarding School Survival Guide,
over an alumni bulletin at Jane's
a book written for students
nursing station at Columbia
by students. Ellen's piece, "Day
Presbyterian. The reception was
Students: Finding Your Place,"
held at the MIT Endicott House
is one of several chapters in this
in Dedham, Massachusetts.
unique guide that is designed to help students navigate life at boarding school.
mi lt on maga z i n e
Deceased Class of 1971
Barbara Wendell Kerr
Sara J. McCarthy
Class of 1940
Class of 1976
Alice Hurd Moulton
Jonathan A. Spound
Class of 1941
Former Faculty
The Reverend Augustus
William M. Moore
L. Hemenway
2014 ▼ Eighteen years after Emily
Class of 1928
Corinne Kernan Sevigny ▲ Milton pulled off a 1–0 win in
To read the obituaries of deceased alumni, you
Bland and Maggie Bland were
the 33rd annual Milton–Nobles
Class of 1942
can log in to Milton's
born two months prematurely
alumni soccer game against a
Ernest H. Gunther
alumni web pages and visit:
and spent the first six weeks of
Nobles squad at least twice as
their lives at Mount Auburn
numerous. Milton's record in the
Class of 1943
Hospital, the twins returned to
alumni matchup is 14–11–6 with
Anne Sage Saxton
the hospital in a different capacity.
two cancellations (hurricane and
Anne Putnam Seamans
Emily and Maggie delivered
snow!). Front (L to R): Chris
to the newborns caps that they
Robertson '83 , Zac Trudeau '05 ,
Class of 1945
knitted as part of their senior
Doug Sibor '05 , Max Hoffman '05 ,
Peter N. Toulmin
service project, "as a way to give
Dan Sibor '01, Eric Pascavage '01.
back to the wonderful community
Back (L to R): Trevor Prophet '07,
Class of 1949
that gave us the chance to live
Colby Tucker '05 , Mike Chao '08,
Charles Robinson
the healthy lives we do today."
Matt Enright '05 , Chris Trakas '77,
The caps were purple in honor
Seth Reynolds '90, Ted Hays '70.
of November's Shaken Baby
Class of 1950 Hugh P. Chandler
Awareness month. Class of 1954 Gunther E. Fritze Class of 1955 Albert J. Scullin Class of 1956 Hale Sturges II Class of 1957 Kenneth W. Gregg
sp r in g 2 0 1 5
post script
M a r t ha Rose S h u l man ' 6 8
A Kinder, Gentler Place: An Appeal to My Contemporaries concern to my parents. Making friends was easy, but I never developed any passion for the place. Few of us did. Decades later I was surprised to hear from two of my closest, coolest friends in L.A. that their daughter, Tess, had decided to go to boarding school and had chosen Milton. She had a wonderful time, and when they told me what the place was like, I could tell that things had changed since my Milton days. Private school for my own son had never been on my mind. It was not a financial possibility for me, and Liam was getting a good enough education in the magnet public schools he attended in Los Angeles. But by eighth grade he was bored, and one day he told me he wanted to go to boarding school. I told him to research several East Coast and California schools online. "If you get in, and if you get financial aid, Martha Rose Shulman '68 is a cookbook author and writes Recipes for Health for the New York Times.
When I graduated from Milton Academy in 1968, I did not
look back. I kept in touch with close friends and a few of my teachers, and I visited the school once, but I never went
In April 2013, Liam and I went to Milton's revisit day. My sister came, too. It was the first time we had set foot on
to a class reunion and I never donated. Nor did my sister
campus since 1968. We were flabbergasted by the different
(Class of 1967). I always appreciated the amazing education
world we walked into that day. We were not surprised by
I got at Milton, especially because I didn't go on to lead a
the excellent education. The beautiful, new facilities were
conventional life, and I've always believed that my Milton
also not unexpected, nor that the place was now thoroughly
education gave me the intellectual confidence to do that.
co-ed. But everything else was different. Life at Milton
But I do not have fond memories of my time there.
seemed balanced. The administration and teachers seemed
So I am more surprised than anyone that I am now a
to really care about the total well-being of the students, and
Milton parent and thrilled to be one. This is not because
the students looked happy! The faculty and administration
I have changed; it's because the School has changed. The
looked happy too, and both the faculty and student body
Milton Academy that my son goes to is not the Milton
were diverse.
Academy that I went to in the '60s. That School was not kind, and it certainly was not fun. Nor was it diverse, by any stretch. It was an enclave of
What changed? We cornered Mr. Ball after a presentation and asked him. He seemed to know exactly what we were referring to, and said that the changes had begun to take hold
WASPs; it made me more aware that I was Jewish than I had
in the 1990s. "We knew that we had to change if we were
ever been in my life. When I first arrived at Milton I was a
going to survive as a school," he told us. And so they did.
fish out of water. That first week I shook during classes, my
The gamble Milton Academy took on Liam is paying off
hands sweat, and I had a lump in my throat. I know this still
both for Liam and for Milton. Which is why now, to my great
happens to students who suddenly find themselves out of the
surprise, I find myself to be one of Milton's biggest boosters.
little pond where they had always been the smartest, but at
One way I can give back is to reach out to my contemporaries,
the time this feeling had more to do with the fact that Milton
who, like me, may not have the best memories of Milton. Look
was not nurturing in any way. It was sink or swim.
again; go and visit; check out the website. You will smile
Driven survivor that I am, I swam, willing my teachers to
then I'm all for it." Both of those things happened.
and shake your heads in disbelief. I hope you'll be inspired
love me, becoming an enthusiastic hockey goalie, and work
to give, so that more students can have the life-changing
ing so hard that the headmistress, Miss Johnson, expressed
opportunity that was so generously given to my son.
mi lt on maga z i n e
boa r d of trustee s George Alex
Margaret Jewett Greer '47
Yunli Lou '87
Frederick G. Sykes '65
Cohasset, Massachusetts
Shanghai, China
Chevy Chase, Maryland Robert Azeke '87 New York, New York Bradley M. Bloom
Rye, New York Stuart Mathews
Franklin W. Hobbs IV '65
Vice President
Dune Thorne '94
Waban, Massachusetts
Lincoln, Massachusetts
New York, New York
President Wellesley, Massachusetts
Harold W. Janeway '54
Bob Cunha '83
Webster, New Hampshire
Chris McKown
Erick Tseng '97
Milton, Massachusetts
San Francisco, California
Wendy Nicholson '86
Kimberly Vaughan '92
Vice President
Boston, Massachusetts
Emeritus Milton, Massachusetts Claire Hughes Johnson '90 Mark Denneen '84
Caterina Papoulias-Sakellaris Peter Kagan '86
Randall Dunn '83
Boston, Massachusetts
Milton, Massachusetts Ted Wendell '58
New York, New York H. Marshall Schwarz '54
Vice President Chicago, Illinois
Dorothy Altman Weber '60
Menlo Park, California
Boston, Massachusetts Elisabeth Donohue '83
New York, New York
Stephen Lebovitz
Weston, Massachusetts
New York, New York
Milton, Massachusetts Ronnell Wilson '93 Jersey City, New Jersey
Chicago, Illinois V-Nee Yeh '77 James M. Fitzgibbons '52
Hong Kong
Emeritus Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Kevin Yip '83 Hong Kong
John B. Fitzgibbons '87 Treasurer Bronxville, New York
Milton Magazine
Non-Profit Organization
Milton Academy
U.S. Postage
Communication Office
Milton, MA 02186
Boston, MA Permit No. 58423
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