village green - summer 2010

Commencement2010THEBLUEBLAZERBALL|REUNION|THE2010DISTINGUISHEDALUMNUSAWARD

Village GreenThe

SUMMER 2010

Village GreenTheSUMMER 2010

AVONOLDFARMSSCHOOLESTABLISHED1927

HeadmasterKennethH.LaRocque

ProvostJohnT.Gardner

EditorMorganC.Cugell

DirectorofDevelopmentPeterEvans

Designer2kDesign

www.2kDesign.com

PhotographersPeterDeckers’90JonathanLester’63

SpencerSloanTimothyStay’97

PrinterBenchemarkPrinting,Schenectady,NY

The Village Greenispublishedforthealumni,parents,andfriendsofAvonOldFarmsSchool.Itisdistributedtoapproximately8,000readers.Allrightsreserved.

AvonOldFarmsSchool500OldFarmsRoadAvon,CT06001

www.avonoldfarms.com(860)404-4100

Admissions(800)464-2866

[email protected]

AlumniWeenjoyhearingfromyou!

Pleasesendusyourlatestnewsandnotes:Email:[email protected]

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

EmailMembersoftheadministrationandfacultycanbeemailedbyusingthefollowingformula:[email protected]

websitealsoincludesemaillinks.

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

generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disabilities,

or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other

school-administered programs.

Commencement Reunion

18

CommencementCommencement

8ReunionReunion

14

1 Headmaster

2 NewsandNotes

6 Athletics

20 TheLastWord

The2010DistinguishedAlumnusAward contentsfrom the editorDearReaders,Welcomeback!IhopeyoueachhadawonderfulsummerandareasexcitedasIamtogetbackintotheswingoftheschoolyear!

IlookforwardtohearingyourthoughtsonthislatestissueofThe Village Green,previouslyonlyfoundonline.LookinsideforsomegreatphotosfromtheBlueBlazerBallandReunion,aswellasfull,timelycoverageofthisyear’sCommencementceremonies,featuringtheartshow,awards,matriculationinformation,andthoughtsfromtheoutstandingspeaker,RudyGiuliani,formermayorofNewYork.

Alothappenedoncampusoverthesummer,includingamajorrenovationinthequadrangle,withtherestorationofMrs.Riddle’soriginalbluestone.Itlooksbeautiful,andIhopeyouhavethechancetocheckitout.

Asalways,Iwelcomeyourfeedback!

Aspirandoetperseverando,[email protected]

The Avonian OnlineFindpastissuesat

www.avonoldfarms.com/avonian

Ihopethat The Village Green helps

youtounderstandsomeoftheexcitingeventsweenjoyed

oncampusoverthecourseofthepastfewmonths.From

theBlueBlazerBall,sponsoredbytheParentsAssociation,

toGrandparentsDay,toAlumniWeekend,tograduation,

thisspringwasfilledwiththespiritoftraditionthatmakes

AvonOldFarmssuchauniqueandspecialcommunity.

Ourstudents,faculty,administration,parents,andstaff

joinedtogetherseveraltimestohostsuccessfullyhundreds

ofvisitorstocampus.

Someofthehighlightsofthespringtermincluded

honoringfourdeservingalumniwiththe“Distinguished

Alumnus”award.Twoofthesealumni,DavidBigelow’44

andFrancisMadeira’34,werehonoredontheSaturday

morningofalumniweekend,whileLaurenceGardner’59

andGilmanOrdway’44werehonoredatgraduation.

OnMay16th,musiciansfromAvonOldFarmsjoined

withmusiciansfromtheEthelWalkerSchool,MissPorter’s

School,andtheareatopresentaconcerttobenefitneedy

familiesfromHaiti.Students,faculty,families,andfriends

gatheredontheVillageGreentoenjoythewonderfulmusic

andtoshowtheirsupportforthoseHaitiansleftdevastated

bytherecentearthquake.

OnMay1st,wehostedourschoolpromatthePond

HouseinHartfordandenjoyedourbestturnoutever.Inthe

athleticarena,ourvarsitylacrosseandbaseballteamswon

theirleaguechampionships.Thisspringinthearts,wewere

proudofourstudent-writtenand-directedproductionof

To Protect and Serve,byGrahamNelson’10.

Wewereequallyproudofthecreativetalentondisplay

atourCommencementartshow.Ourstudents’workwith

pottery,photography,architecture,glass-blowing,woodwork-

ing,painting,anddrawinggreatlyimpressedallwhostopped

bytheexhibit.OurSaturdayafternooncommencement

concertwasmemorablefromeveryperspectiveandmoved

theaudiencetostandingovationsonmorethanone

occasion.Finally,theClassof2010enjoyedspectacular

weatherfortheirgraduationonSunday,May30th,andwere

honoredtohaveformerMayorRudyGiulianiofNewYork

CitydelivertheCommencementaddress.

The2009–2010schoolyearwillbearichchapterinthe

historyofAvonOldFarmsSchool.Ouraccomplishments

werecommendableineveryareaofschoollifeandwewere

unwaveringinourfocusonourmissionofbuildingmenof

highcharacter.Thankyouforyourcontinuinginterestin

andsupportofAvon!

Greetings.

byKennethH.LaRocqueHeadmasterfrom the

2 Summer2010 The Village Green

TheBlueBlazerBalldinnerandsilentauctionwasonceagainaresoundingsuccess,heldthisyearonSaturday,April24th.

Thesilentauctionfeaturedprizessuchasafamilyportraitsitting,BostonRedSoxtickets,anAppleMacBook,afour-nightstayattheWaltDisneyWorldresort,reservedgraduation-day

parkingintheHeadmaster’sspot,

andmanyAOFexclusiveitems.ThesilentauctionprecededalovelydinnerinRiddleRefectory,whichwasfollowedbyanexcitingliveauction.Upforbidwereseveralinvaluableprizes,includingtworolesandHeadTableseatinginthe2010–11Boar’sHeadFestival,abronzedstatueofthe“AvonBoy,”andasignedguitarfromcountrysuperstarsSugarland,featuringKristianBush’88.

StephenLash’58,Chairman,Christie’sAmerica,servedagainasauctioneerattheliveauctionportionoftheevening.StephenisamemberofAvon’sBoardofDirectors.AtChristie’s,hehelpsorchestrateallbusinessactivitiesinNorthandSouthAmerica,advisesChristie’smostimportantclientsoncollectingandsellingart,andalsoplaysanimportantroleinguidingChristie’sintonewventures.SincejoiningChristie’sin1976,

Stephenhasbeeninvolvedineverymajorauction,includingVincentvanGogh’s“PortraitofDr.Gachet,”whichsoldfor$82.5millionin1990andremainsthemostexpensiveobjecteversoldatauction.

ThisannualspringeventprovidesauniqueopportunityfortheextendedAvonOldFarms

familytocelebratethetraditionsandvaluesofthisexceptionalschool.ThiseventisalsothemainfocusofalloftheParentsAssociation’sfund-raisingefforts.TheproceedsfromtheeventarecontributedtotheStudentEnrichmentFund,whichenablestheParentsAssociationtocontinuetosupportvariousenhancementstotheacademic,athletic,andextra-curricularexperiencesofthe“MenofAvon.”

The2010BlueBlazerBallParentsDinnerandAuction

Stephenhasbeeninvolvedineverymajorauction,includingVincentvanGogh’s“PortraitofDr.Gachet,”whichsoldfor$82.5millionin1990andremainsthemostexpensiveobjecteversoldatauction.

providesauniqueopportunityfortheextendedAvonOldFarms

parkingintheHeadmaster’sspot,

andmanyAOF

Mark your calendars! Nextyear’seventwillbeheldon

Saturday,April30,2011.

News and

Notes

3The Village GreenSummer2010

AOF PArents AssOciAtiOn MissiOn stAteMentWiththeconcurrenceofAvonOldFarmsSchool’sHeadmasterandtheAvonOldFarmsSchool’sBoardofDirectors,andinaccordancewiththeSchool’sphilosophy,themissionoftheAvonOldFarmsParentsAssociation,asvolunteerfamiliesandfriends,istoraisefundstoenhancetheacademic,athletic,andextra-curricularexperiencesofthe“MenofAvon.”


News and

Notes

OnSunday,May16th,AvonOldFarmsSchoolheldabenefitconcerttoraisefundstoaidindisasterreliefinHaitiafterthedevastatingJanuary2010earthquake.IncollaborationwiththemusicdepartmentsofbothMissPorter’sSchoolandtheEthelWalkerSchool,AvonhostedanoutdoorconcertwithperformancesbyAvongroupstheRiddlersandtheacappellasmallgrouptheSing-edBeavers,aswellastheEthelWalkerGrapesandtheMissPorter’sConcertChoir,ChamberSingers,andOrchestra.TheconcertalsofeaturedperformancesfromlocalactsLittleUgly,TheLincolnYoungBand,TheRagtags,andtheBarefoot

Lies.Haiti’sBackPorch,atravelingshopsellingcolorful,authenticHaitianitems,wasalsopresenttosupportthecause.Morethan300peopleattendedthebenefit,whichalsoincludedabarbequecook-out.

Proceedstotalingapproximately$1,200willbecontributedtoAvon’snewestOutreachinitiative,ProjectHaiti,afundraisingventuretoadoptandrebuildaschoolhouseinHaiti.Formoreinforma-tiononhowtofurthersupportProjectHaiti’sefforts,pleasecontactDirectorofChoralActivitiesBryanZarosatzarosb@avonldfarms.com.

HopeforHaiti

GrandparentsDay2010Wednesday,April21st,markedanothersuccessfulGrandparentsDayatAvonOldFarmsSchool.Approximately200grandparentsjoinedtheirgrandsonsforalovelydayintheVillageofOldFarms,highlightedbytripstoclass,aconcertfeaturingwonderfulvocalandinstrumentalmusic,andafestivelunchinthefieldhouse.Thedaywascappedoffwithafternoonathleticcontestsforthegueststoenjoy.

aconcertfeaturingwonderfulvocalaconcertfeaturingwonderfulvocal

5The AvonianSpring2010

Thesecondannual“Push-UpsforPennies”fundraisertookplacefrom6:00p.m.onSaturday,April10th,until6:00p.m.onSunday,April11th.LedbyMajorJohnBourgault’80(USMCRetired)andLeeHuguley’92,theAvonOldFarmsSchoolcommunitycametogetherforafastandfurious24hourstoraisemoneyforaspecialcause:theInjuredMarineSemperFiFund.

BourgaultandHuguleyachievedtheunimaginablefeatofcompletingover14,400push-upseachinjust24hours.Thefundraiseralsosawfiveteams(freshmen,sophomores,juniors,seniors,andfaculty),eachwithupto24members,reachthe14,400push-upmilestone—10push-upsperminutefor24hoursstraight.Hundredsofothermembersofthecommunitysupportedtheendeavorbydoingpush-upsorpledgingdonations.Uponcompletion,theschoolraisedover$12,000inproceeds,whichwillbenefittheInjuredMarineSemperFiFund.

Anoblecause,thefundraisersupportsourwoundedMarineCorpsveterans.ItisespeciallymeaningfulforBourgault,whoserved20years(1984–2004)intheU.S.MarineCorpsandretiredasamajor.HewasaCH-53Ehelicopterpilotandformerinfantryofficer,andlaterservedasdeputydirectoroftheMarineCorpsMartialArtsProgram.Heservedoverseasfourtimes,includingacombattourinOperationDesertStorm.

TolearnmoreabouttheInjuredMarineSemperFiFund,visitwww.semperfifund.org.

Push-UpsforPennies

TheninedaysbetweenMay30thandJune8thwereamomentoustimeforTimKiene’10.HegraduatedfromAvonOldFarmsonMay30thandonJune8th,hewasdraftedbyMajorLeagueBaseball’sWashingtonNationalsorganization.

Likemanyseniors,Timfeltconflictingemotionsduringthespring.Afour-yearstudentfromSouthWindsor,Conn.,Timhadmademanyclosefriendsoncampus,andthespringwasatimewhenhewaspreparingtotransitiontothenextstageinhislife.TimhadcommittedtoattendschoolandplaybaseballfortheUniversityofMary-land.However,unlikemanyseniors,thisspringTimneededtomanagetheconstantattentionofaprofessionalcommunity.

Witheachgameandpractice,mostofwhichwerewatchedcloselybyrepresentativesfromvariousMajorLeagueBaseballteams,Timwasinchingclosertorealizingalifelongdream.IfselectedintheMajorLeagueBaseballAmateurDraft,heldJune7–9,Timwouldhavetheopportunitytosignacontract,delaycollege,andimmediatelyfollowhisdreamofplayingprofessionalbaseball.

Despitethepressure,Timenjoyedaremarkablespring.HefinishedwithexcellentgradesinschoolandproducedoneofthebestoffensiveseasonseverbyanAvonbaseballplayer.Underthescrutinyofprofessionalbaseballscouts,TimledtheWingedBeaverstoaspecialseasonin2010.Hewasoneoftheteamcaptainsandledtheteaminbattingaverage,homeruns,andRBI.Theteamfinishedwitha17–2recordandcapturedboththeFoundersandColonialLeagueChampionships.TimwasnamedabaseballAll-Americanattheendoftheseason,

andisoneofthefinalistsfortheGatoradePlayeroftheYear.

Notsurprisingly,CommencementprovedtobeanexcitingtimeforTimandhisfamily;aheaddormitorymonitor,strongstudent,excellentcitizen,andeliteathlete,TimwasrecognizedduringCommencementforhisoutstandingcontributionstotheschoolwiththeFounder’sMedal,oneoftheAvon’shighestawards.

MoreexcitementwastofollowwiththeMajorLeagueBaseballdraft.Earlyinthedraft,theBostonRedSoxcontactedTimtonegotiateacontracttomakehimanearlyroundselection,butaftermuchdeliberation,Timdeclinedtheoffer,astheRedSoxneededanimmediateanswer.

“Ididthetoughestthingintheworldforayoungbaseballplayer,”Timnoted.“IsaidnotomyfavoriteMLBteam.Ithenhadtositandwait.”Laterintheday,theWashingtonNationalsselectedTim.HewassurroundedbyhisfamilyashewatchedhisnamecomeuponthecomputerastheNationals’selection.Timsayshewas“happierthanIhaveeverbeeninmyentirelife”ashesharedthemomentwithhisfamily.

However,whileplayingprofessionalbaseballhasbeenalifelongdreamforTim,heplanstofirsthonorhiscommitmentandenrollattheUniversityofMarylandtocontinuehisbase-ballcareerwhileworkingtowardacollegedegree.

In2013,TimwillagainbeeligiblefortheMLBamateurdraft.HeisthefourthplayerinrecentAvonbaseballhistorytobeselectedintheMajorLeagueBaseballdraft.

AthleticSpotlight:TimKiene’10Baseball standout drafted by MLB’s Washington Nationals ByRobDowling’91,HeadCoach,varsitybaseball

toattendschoolandplaybaseballfortheUniversityofMary-

andisoneofthefinalistsfortheGatoradePlayeroftheYear.

provedtobeanexcitingtimeforTimandhisfamily;aheaddormitorymonitor,strongstudent,excellentcitizen,andeliteathlete,TimwasrecognizedduringCommencementforhisoutstandingcontributionstotheschoolwiththeFounder’sMedal,oneoftheAvon’shighestawards.

MajorLeagueBaseballdraft.Earlyinthedraft,theBostonRed

Congratulations Winged Beavers! The2010AOFbaseballteamcapturedboththeFoundersLeagueandColonialLeaguetitles.

Athletics


andisoneofthefinalistsfortheGatoradeandisoneofthefinalistsfortheGatorade


IwenttoYeardleyLove’sfuneralwithmy22-year-oldson.Myson,acollegelacrosseplayer,wasfriendswithYeardley,heraccusedmurderer,andmanyofthemenandwomenontheUVAlacrosseteams.Sittingnexttohim,Icouldfeelandseehimtryingtoprocesstheconflictedemotionssurroundingtheenormityofthistragedy,compoundedbyknowingboththevictimandthevictimizer.

Theyoungmensittingaroundmesobbedandsniffled.AtonepointintheceremonyIturnedtoanemotionallydistraughtyoungmanandaskedhimifIcouldgivehimahug.Iwassurprisedatthestrengthandenduranceofhishugasheheldontomeseekingcomfortand,Isuspect,affirmationofhisemotionsandmanhood.Asheletgohesaid“thankyou”withouteverlookingatme.HereliespartoftheproblemandasolutiontotheepidemicofviolencewomenexperienceeverydayinMarylandandAmerica.

Atanearlyage,boysarefittedwithemotionalstraight-jacketstailoredbyarestrictedcodeofbehaviorthatfalselydefinesmasculinity.

Inthecontextof“stopcrying,”“stopthoseemotions,”and“don’tbeasissy,”wedefinewhatitmeansto“BeaMan!”Adherencetothis“boycode”leavesmanymendissociatedfromtheirfeelingsandincapableofaccessing,naming,sharing,oracceptingmanyoftheiremotions.

Whenmendon’tunderstandtheirownemotionsitbecomesimpossibletounderstandthefeelingsofanother.Thiscreatesan“empathy-deficitdisorder”thatisfoundationaltoAmerica’sepidemicofbullying,datingabuseandgenderviolence.Boysaretaughttobetough,independent,distrustingofothermales,andatallcosttoavoidanythingconsideredfeminineforfearofbeingassociatedwithwomen.

Thisleadsmanymentorenouncetheircommonhumanitywithwomensoastoexperienceanemotionaldisconnectfromthem.Womenoftenbecomeobjects,usedtoeithervalidate

masculineinsecurityorsatisfyphysicalneeds.Whenthevalidationandsatisfactionends,orisinfusedwithanger,controloralcohol,genderviolenceisoftentheresult.Violenceagainstwomenisoftenthoughtofasawomen’sissue;butitisamistaketocallmen’sviolenceawomen’sissue.

Sincemenareoverwhelminglytheperpetratorsofthisviolence,thismen’sissuecallstoquestiontheculturalvaluesthatproducemenwhohurtwomen.

SinceYeardley’sfuneralwaspackedwithathletes,coaches,parentsofathletesandsportsfans,weneedtolookattherolesportscouldplayinpreventingfuturetragedies.

Educatingboysandmeninpreventionprogramsiscriticaltoreducingallformsofviolence.Coachescanandshouldteachtheirplayerstochallengetheattitudesandassumptionsthatdehumanizewomen.Playersneedtobetaughthowtoconfrontabusivepeersandhowstandupandspeakoutonbehalfoftheirmothers,sisters,daughters,grandmothers,auntsandfemalefriends.

TwoweeksafterYeardley’sdeathIwatchedtheUVAmaleandfemaleteamstakefieldunderthebannerofONETEAM-ONEHEART-ONELOVE.InthenameoftheworldIwantmysonsanddaughterstolivein;IcanonlyhopeYeardleyLove’smurdersparksONEMOVEMENTtoeradicategenderviolence.

Eachmanandeverycoachmuststartchallengingthesocialnormsthatdefinemanhoodandholdothermenandplayersaccountablefortheirbehaviortowardwomen.

OneTeam–OneHeart–OneLove=OneMovementByJoeEhrmann,President,CoachforAmerica

Joe Ehrmann, Avon’s featured speaker during the 2008–09 Parents Weekend celebration, recently attended the funeral of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia lacrosse player who was murdered at the hands of her former boyfriend in early May. His thoughts on the tragedy, posted on the Positive Coaching Alliance’s blog, made their way to Headmaster LaRocque, who in turn shared the post with the AOF community. The young men in the audience were moved by Joe’s words, and encouraged to look within themselves—and look out for each other—both on and off the playing field. This is an excerpt from the moving blog post.

TheAvonOldFarmsSchoolvarsitylacrosseteamcapturedthe2010FoundersLeagueChampionshipwitha12–7triumphoverLoomisChaffeeonMay19th.ThetitleisthefirstfortheWingedBeaverssince1999.

ThewinalsomarkedHeadCoachSkipFlanagan’s300thvictory.Flanagan,whorecentlycompletedhisfirstseasonsincereturningtotheschoolafterdepartingin1982,coachedtheWingedBeaverstoNo.8inthenationalUnderArmourhighschoolpowerlacrosserankingsthisyear;theyfinishedtheseasonranked12th,inadditiontoathirdplacefinishintheWesternNewEnglandconference.Thetwolossesontheir13–2recordweretoNo.7DeerfieldAcademyandNo.6SalisburySchool.

FlanagancoachedlacrosseatAvonfrom1972to1982andthenlefttoserveasHeadmasterattheWesternReserveAcad-emyinOhio.BeforeheleftAvon,hecoachedoneofthebest

teamsinschoolhistory:the1979squadthatwentundefeatedandwontheNewEnglandDivisionItitle.Flanaganfinishedwithfourtitlesduringhisoriginal10-yearcoachingstretch.

Ofthisyear’steam’s39-manroster,21youngmenwillgoontoplayincollege,includingConnorMooney’10andJoshDionne’10,bothnamedAll-AmericansbyAdidasandUnderArmour.

FlanaganandtheAvonOldFarmsNationalCouncilhostedthereturnofthealumnilacrossegameonMay22.AlongwithCoachFlanaganandSteveDyson’82,CouncilmembersBrianMaitland’80andMikeConroy’85werethedrivingforcebehindtherevivalofthegamethatsawcloseto30formerWingedBeaverlaxplayersbackoncampus.ThealumnigamethisyearwasdedicatedtoandplayedinmemoryofDougDerocher’87,whodiedofpancreaticcancerinMarch2010.

AOFLaxCapturesFoundersLeagueTitleCoach Flanagan Earns 300th Win


Aspirando et Perseverando!

77th

Commencement exercises 2010


Aspirando et Perseverando!

WilliamF.AllredThe University of North CarolinaThomasN.ArnellUniversity of UtahAlexanderS.BallSt. Lawrence UniversityJacksonL.BartellHobart and William Smith CollegesConnorA.BrackettUniversity of HartfordRiggsT.BrackettUniversity of ConnecticutCaelS.BrockmeyerCalifornia State UniversityMatthewKennethBrownMiami University-OhioPaulJ.CadenheadHobart and William Smith CollegesJavierCarabiasCollege for International Studies (Spain)JorgeCarabiasCollege for International Studies (Spain)WooSooChoeNorthwestern UniversityJeeWoongChoiUniversity of IllinoisChuOnJulianChungBucknell UniversityBlakeS.ClintonBentley UniversityAndrewJ.CooperSaint Anselm CollegeMatthewR.Coz(ESU) Escuela Argentina Modelo

(Argentina); Trinity UniversityPatrickM.CreahanLafayette CollegeJingzheCuiUniversity of IllinoisAndrewN.CummingsAlternate YearBenjaminB.CusterMiddlebury CollegeMichaelJ.DebelloAlternate YearMaxwellC.DeversLafayette CollegeJoshuaA.DionneDuke UniversityMamadouD.DioufUniversity of ConnecticutFrancisJ.DoninoColumbia UniversityPatrickBrennanEmmerBryant UniversityIsaiahJ.FarrowUniversity of ConnecticutDónalM.FlahertySt. John’s UniversityJohanD.FrankenbergerSalve Regina UniversityCodyR.FullinwiderUniversity of MississippiGregoryW.GiamalisCollege of the Holy CrossAustinK.GoetjenDrew UniversityPatrickJ.GorhamHigh Point Universityco

llege

matriculatio

n


77th


You’vereceivedaworldclass

educationhere.You’revery

fortunate.Nowthatyou’re

graduating,lotsofchallenges

lieahead,andyouhavea

foundationthatveryfewothers

have.Andbecauseofthat,you

havearesponsibilitytoproduce

greatthings.Notjustordinary

things,butgreatthings.Andyou

haveanobligationtobeleaders.

Nomatterhowgiftedyouare,no

matterhowsmartyouare,andno

matterhowwealthyyoubecome,

yourlifeisstillgoingtohave

tremendouschallengesand

tremendouscrises.WhatIurge

onyouistobeanoptimist.

Trainyourselftothinkaboutthe

problembutthen,immediately,

thinkaboutthesolution.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI

Former mayor of New York City

RyanR.GrantWheaton CollegePatrickD.HamptonJohns Hopkins UniversityTaftM.HavronUniversity of South CarolinaBrendanR.HelbergSacred Heart UniversityEvanM.HershyNortheastern UniversityJeffreyT.HodgkinsonLake Forest CollegeChadM.HollenshadeSalve Regina UniversityRylanA.HomscheidTulane UniversityJungHoonHongBabson CollegeYao-TeHuangSuffolk UniversityJordanA.IdeSouthern Virginia UniversityGeorgeD.Iverson(ESU) Dollar Academy

(Scotland); Colby CollegeWilliamW.KampfmanCollege of

the Holy CrossFosterT.KellyUniversity of Mary WashingtonTimothyP.KieneUniversity of MarylandDoYeonKimNew York UniversityTaeikKimNew York UniversityBrianE.KincadeUniversity of San DiegoTaeWanKwonBabson CollegeMatthewE.LaBargeNortheastern UniversityJosephN.LangRoanoke CollegeBenjaminB.LaRocque(ESU)Culford School

(England); Harvard UniversityHakeemA.LeckySyracuse UniversityMichaelA.LeeElizabethtown CollegeMarcelD.LevesqueElon UniversityAlexanderJ.LevyLoyola University/MarylandKevinLinBoston UniversityDavidN.LudwigUniversity of MiamiPatrickJ.MacGregorBoston UniversitySeanO.MartzMarietta CollegeSamR.MarvinSt. Lawrence UniversityNicholasT.MasottaAlternate Year

MatthewJ.McGuireState University of New York–Binghamton

JeyviMiavivululuUniversity of Rhode IslandAlexanderJ.MillerFairfield UniversityPatrickR.MillerNorthwestern UniversityConnorJ.MooneyUniversity

of MassachusettsDanielW.MorganUniversity of DenverJorgeMullerUniversity of San DiegoGrahamP.NelsonConnecticut CollegeJonasR.NissleyLoyola University/MarylandEdwinP.PalmStevens Institute of TechnologyDemetriosJ.Papadopoulos

Northeastern UniversityMichaelPereiraUniversity of MassachusettsIvarsPlaudis-LasmanisStockholm

School of EconomicsEugeneK.PriceBelmont UniversityKyleW.QuickAlternate YearJacobM.RedfearnAuburn UniversityMichaelC.ReedProvidence CollegeNathanJ.RileyVirginia Polytechnic InstituteLatifJ.RiversWagner CollegeWilliamD.RosichanUniversity of Puget SoundJonathanS.RubinfeldUniversity

of ConnecticutJohnE.RunkelLoyola University/MarylandMaxwellA.RuschRensselaer

Polytechnic InstituteDanielA.SanstromClemson UniversityDavidS.Silva(ESU) St. Edward’s Oxford

(England); Georgetown UniversityCurtisA.SjodinDickinson CollegeDavidV.SmithIIIHampden-Sydney CollegeHaydenC.SmithProvidence College

QuinnM.SmithBoston CollegeMichaelA.SolomonBentley UniversityGihoonSongCarnegie Mellon UniversityAnthonyN.SpringerUniversity of HartfordComieJ.StallmeyerUniversity of MiamiMaxwellB.StetsonOxford College (England)JonathanA.StoryUniversity of North CarolinaCharlesF.SumnerUniversity of San DiegoConnorP.SuppleVillanova UniversityMinkyoM.SurSyracuse UniversityPeterSweeneyWheaton CollegeBryanW.TatelmanState University of

New York–Stony BrookCraigP.TepperWake Forest UniversityHenryJ.TesarGettysburg CollegeKevinD.ThomasTufts UniversityKevinJ.TiefenwerthBoston CollegeAlexanderJ.TynellBabson CollegeJulioH.Velutini-Boulton

Northeastern UniversityJak-LaurentWawrzyniakLeeds

University (England)BenjaminT.WilliamsNew York UniversityPatrickC.WilsonUniversity of ConnecticutChristopherP.WinerUniversity of the SouthJackM.WinklerUniversity of RichmondNathanWitkowskiBentley UniversityMaxC.WoppererHobart and

William Smith CollegesLincolnC.YoungHobart and

William Smith CollegesAaronW.ZamojskiCentral Connecticut

State University

THEORDEROFOLDFARMSMatthewR.CozWooSooChoeBenjaminB.CusterPatrickD.HamptonBenjaminB.LaRocquePatrickR.MillerConnorJ.MooneyDavidS.SilvaAnthonyN.SpringerBenjaminT.Williams

CUMLAUDESOCIETYAndreasBiekertWooSooChoeJingzheCuiBenjaminB.CusterFrancisJ.DoninoPatrickD.HamptonGeorgeD.IversonMatthewE.LaBargeBenjaminB.LaRocqueMatthewJ.McGuireGihoonSongChristopherP.Winer

THEFOUNDER’SMEDALCaelS.Brockmeyer

Community Service, Town Government WooSooChoe

Academic ExcellenceJingzheCui

Academic ExcellenceFrancisJ.Donino

Academic ExcellenceGregoryW.Giamalis

Community ServiceGeorgeD.Iverson

Academic ExcellenceTimothyP.Kiene

Community Service, Town GovernmentBrianE.Kincade

Community Service, Town GovernmentMatthewE.LaBarge

Academic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government

KevinLinCommunity Service, Town Government

MatthewJ.McGuireAcademic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government

GrahamP.NelsonCommunity Service

JonasR.NissleyCommunity Service

NathanJ.RileyCommunity Service, Town Government

JohnE.RunkelCommunity Service, Town Government

DanielA.SanstromCommunity Service, Town Government

HaydenC.SmithAcademic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government

GihoonSongAcademic Excellence, Community Service

ConnorP.SuppleCommunity Service

ChristopherP.WinerAcademic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government

JackM.WinklerCommunity Service, Town Government

LincolnC.YoungCommunity Service

THEF.REEDESTABROOK,JR.’36AWARDMatthewR.Coz,BenjaminB.LaRocque

THELOUISEB.ADAMSAWARDConnorP.Doyle

THEPETERA.ARON’65AWARDFORCOMMUNITYSERVICEKevinLin

THEGEORGEA.MURRAYCUP

Top Senior Athlete JoshuaA.Dionne,ConnorJ.Mooney

THEJENNINGSCUP

Top Junior AthleteConnorP.Doyle,JohnO.Galloway

SCHOLAROFDISTINCTIONBenjaminB.LaRocque


hono

rs,awards

an

d prizes

art

77th


show


ThetotalAvonexperienceisone

thatforcesyoutogrow.Itexposes

youtoremarkableteachersand

classmates,itmakesyouchallenge

yourassumptions,itencourages

youtolivebyasetofvalues.

Anditinspiresyoutobeagood

man.Ourchallengeinthefuture

istohavethecouragetoliveby

thevalueswehaveembraced

here;tonevergiveintothechaos

orthedarkness,andtomakea

differenceinourworld.

TheClassof2010moveson

tomorrow…butwehavemade

ourmarkonthisschool.

Tomorrowwewillleavethis

campusasalumniofAvonand

asbrothers,foreverunitedbyour

experienceshereattheFarm.

BENJAMIN LaROCQUE ’10

Scholar of Distinction

GRADEPRIZESFORACADEMICEXCELLENCE

9th Grade SamuelH.Sims

10th GradeWei-AnChen

11th GradeAndreasBiekert

12th Grade BenjaminB.LaRocque

AWARDFOREARNESTANDPERSISTENTEFFORTINTHEACADEMICAREA

9th Grade DuncanM.Cooke

10th GradeMylesC.Riley

11th GradeTerryGilmoreJr.

12th Grade ChadM.Hollenshade

AWARDFOROUTSTANDINGIMPROVEMENTINTHEACADEMICAREALincolnC.Young

CORNELLBOOKAWARD DominickO.Andre

MIDDLEBURYBOOKAWARDJingweiFan

DARTMOUTHBOOKAWARDGerardD.Hampton

TRINITYBOOKAWARDJosephC.Cusano

HAMILTONBOOKAWARDMatthewJ.Detora

UNIVERSITYOFPENNSYLVANIABOOKAWARDPhonkritSaejia

HARVARDBOOKAWARDAndreasBiekert

YALEBOOKAWARDMarkA.Naclerio

THEKENNETHA.FANNINGFACULTYAWARDBrianE.Cugell

THECASHIONFACULTYAWARDGayleN.Robinson

THESTUDENTCOUNCILSPIRITAWARDJohnE.Runkel

THESTUDENTCOUNCILAWARDBrianP.Doyle

Alumni Weekend was held

May 14–16 this year, with a

great turnout. The weekend was

highlighted by several gatherings, both on and off campus, including an

alumni golf outing, a Headmaster’s Dinner for alumni of the classes

from 1935 to 1960, and the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus

Award to both David Bigelow ’44 and Francis Madeira ’34. Fishing

at Beaver Pond early Saturday morning was followed by the perennial

favorite pancake breakfast at the Nimrod Cabin. The lively alumni parade,

student athletic contests, instrumental concert, and Reunion banquet

dinner in Riddle Refectory rounded out the weekend.

reunion2010

Alumni


reunion 2011| May 20–22A L L A R E W E L C O M E !

MILESTONECLASSES:1961 (50th), 1966,1971,1976,CLUSTER (1980-1981-1982), 1986 (25th),1991,1996,2001,and2006.

AvonOldFarmsSchoolhasapprovedtheNationalCouncil’srecommendationtoestablishCLUSTERREUNIONSalongandthefollowingFOURPRINCIPALSrelatingtofuturealumnireunions:

• All alumni and their families are cordially welcome to attend any and all alumni reunion weekends

• Allalumnifromthelast50yearsormore,all5-yearmilestoneclasses,andallclusterclasseswillreceiveinvitationsfortheirReunions.Allotherclasseswillbenotifiedbye-mail,AvonOldFarmsSchoolE-news,andThe Avonian

• Wewillpayparticularattentiontothe25th(Silver)and50th(Gold)reunionclassesasimportantmilestonereunionsandopportunitiestoadvancethemissionofAvonOldFarmsSchool

• Formoreinformation,pleasevisittheAvonOldFarmsSchoolwebsiteatwww.avonoldfarms.comorcontactDirectorofPlannedGivingHenryCoons’[email protected](860)404-4226


CLUSTERS FOR REUNIONS 2011–2021

2011 (1980–1981–1982)2012 (1966–1967–1968)(1991–1992–1993)2013 (1977–1978–1979)(1997–1998–1999)2014 (1983–1984–1985)2015 (1969–1970–1971)(1994–1995–1996)2016 (1980–1981–1982)(2000–2001–2002)2017 (1986–1987–1988)2018 (1972–1973–1974)(1997–1998–1999)2019 (1983–1984–1985)(2003–2004–2005)2020 (1989–1990–1991)2021 (1975–1976–1977)(2000–2001–2002)


Alumni

’75

’60s

’60

’70 and ’71’50s

’80


reunion2010

PAGE 16

Alumni from the ’50s: Carl Candels ’51, Rolf Olson ’59, Jonathan Dugan ’55, Matt Betley ’59, Don Rosenfeld ’55, and Don Monaco ’55.

From the Class of 1960, back for their 50th Reunion: John Aird, Sandy Alves, Brad Lewis, Dick Williams, Jamie Wardrop, Peter Van Winkle, Mike Miller, Tom “Flash” Gordon, Frank Costello, and Bob Bogino.

Back from the ’60s: Knick Curtis ’63, Alan Rozinsky ’62, Perry Benson ’65, George Arthur ’65, Keating Pepper ’65, Randy Eddy ’65, and Matt Gates ’65.

Returning to campus for Reunion from the Class of ’70 and ’71 were: Tim Beeble ’71, Patrick Outwin ’70, John Burr ’70, Harris Bucklin ’70, Rick Sperandeo ’70, Mike Holden ’70, and Henry Coons ’71.

The Class of 1975: Richard Thompson, Randy Becker, David Jack, Lew Smith, Tim Trautman, Mike Cercone, Jason Beeble, and Tom Byrne.

The Class of 1980 celebrated their 30th Reunion. Front row: Loring Hinds, Peter LaReau, Tom Davey, Jeff Golfman, Brian Maitland, and Mark Doherty. Back row: Jim Carpenter, Ken Blanchard, John Harker, Phil Pratt, Henry White, and Peter Hamilton.

PAGE 17

Returning to campus for their 25th Reunion were many members of the Class of 1985. Front row: Steve Anderson, Trace Alford, John Costello, Paul Duwan, Mike Conroy, Stuart Baker, David Hartley, and John Farnham. Back row: Drew Graham, John Kettlewell, Ray Loewy, Sam Rubenstein, Rusty Preston, Greg Ivanov, Tim Orr, Bill Young, Jed Usich, and Doug Grosset.

The Class of 2000 returned for their 10th Reunion: Mike Sorvillo, Steve Malinowski, Matt Biscaldi, Josh Zimmering, Mick Mounsey, Nick Malinosky, Nate Cardoza, Tom Villecco, Ryan Breakey, Strat Dennis, and Mike O’Neill.

The Class of 2005. Front row: Tom Carroll, John Benoit, Rob Tesar, Brian Warner, Joey Sides, Taylor Wuennemann, Patrick Irwin, Dan Righi, Eric McGrath, David Rothschild, and Coursen Schneider. Back row: Jackson Howard, JP Clifford, Rob Rosenhaus, Chris Davis, Jarrad Seiden, Adam Beeble, Adrew “Mook” Lawrence, Sam Orr, Dane Lemeris, Eric Quinlan, and Bryan Sweeney.

’85

’00

’05

18 Summer2010 The Village Green18 Summer2010 The Village Green

ThemissionoftheDistinguished

AlumnusProgramistorecognizea

deservingalumnuswhohasachieved

distinctioninhisprofessionalcareer,

humanitarianendeavors,orother

areasofhislife.Thisawardhonorsan

individualwhohasembracedthecore

valuesemphasizedatAvonOldFarms.

Bycelebratingtheaccomplishments

oftherecipient,AvonOldFarms

nourishesthestrongsenseofpride

withinourschoolcommunityand

acknowledgestheinherentvaluein

recognizingexcellenceamongour

alumni.

Theinauguralrecipientofthe

DistinguishedAlumnusAwardwas

PeteSeeger’36,whowashonoredin

2008forhiscontributionstomusic

asanaccomplishedsingerand

songwriter,andasapoliticalactivist

andenvironmentalist.

Thisyear,fourAvonianswerehon-

oredwiththeDistinguishedAlumnus

Awardduringceremoniesheldduring

AlumniWeekendandCommence-

ment.DavidC.Bigelow’44,FrancisK.

Madeira’34,Dr.LaurenceB.Gardner

’59,andGilmanW.Ordway’44have

eachmadeasubstantiveimpactupon

theirprofessionsorcommunities,

andAvonisproudtorecognizetheir

outstandingandvariedachievements.

FrancisMadeira’34FrancisMadeirawasbornin1917andgraduatedfromAOFin1934.Thedrivingpassioninhislifefor93yearshasbeenmusic,thushisnickname—theMaestro.TheMaestroshowedquiteatalentformusicatayoungageandbeganpursuingformalpianolessonsstartingatage6.

HespentthreeyearsatAvonOldFarmsintheearly1930sandstated“Avonwasmyrescuer.Itwasaplacewheredifferenceswerenotonlytolerated,butencouraged.”

HeremembersspendingmanyhourspracticingontheSteinwayintheRefectory,andactinginschoolplaysinwhichstu-dents,facultyandfacultywivesparticipated.TheseplaysweredirectedbyhisEnglishteacherandmentor,HaroldLewisCook.

Followinggraduation,theMaestromatriculatedtoJuilliard,wherehewonathree-yearfellowshiptostudypianounderOlgaStokowski.Hecontinuedhiseduca-tionatJuilliardforanotherthreeyearsinthegraduateprograminOrchestralConducting,workingunderAlbertStoessel.

In1943,uponfinishinghisfinalfellowshipatJulliard,theMaestrojoinedthemusicfacultyatBrownUniversity.Inadditiontoteaching,hewasworkingandplanningtoformaphilharmonicorchestra.Despitetremendousobstacles,FrancisrealizedhisdreamofcreatingtheRhodeIslandPhilharmonicOrchestra;itsinauguralperformancewasinNovemberof1945.

Forthenext33years,FrancisMadeiraconductedthisorchestraandguideditsevolution.

HeisproudtohavepresentedtothepeopleofRhodeIslandmuchoftheworld’sgreatmusic,includingseveraloperas,excerptsfromWagner’s“Ring”cycleandfiveMahlersymphonies.

Bythetimeheretiredasconductoroftheorchestrain1978,hehadexpanded

The2010Distinguished

AlumnusAward

Alumni

DavidBigelow’44DavidBigelowspentfouryearsatAvonOldFarms—hewasascholarshipstudentandwasaleaderoncampus.HeservedforfourtermsonStudentCouncilandwastheWardenoftheSchoolasaseniorin1944.Hewasanathleteandcompetedinfootball,hockey,andbaseball.DavidwasactiveinNimrodClub,wasanhonorsstudent,andwasawardedtheOrderofOldFarms,Avon’shighestaward.HisyearbookstatedthatDavidhadgreat“energyandcapacityfordoingthingswell.”Followinggraduation,DavidmatriculatedtoYaleUniversity,wherehisstudieswereinterruptedbyWorldWarII,andmilitaryservice.

Whileintheservice,DavidstudiedJapa-neseattheUniversityofPennsylvania.Attheendofthewar,DavidreturnedtoYaleandfinishedhisdegreebeforeenteringthefamilybusiness:theBigelowTeaCompany,whichhasrisenunderDavid’sleadership.

TheBigelowTeaCompanybeganliterallyasahome-growninitiative:David’sparentsfirstproducedConstantComment

theprogrammingoftheorchestratoincludechildren’sconcerts,highschoolconcerts,andpopconcerts.Duringhis33-yearreignastheconductoroftheRIPhilharmonic,FranciswasaguestconductorofthePhiladelphiaSymphonyOrchestra,theSalzburgMozarteum,andoftheViennaSymphonyOrchestra.


GilmanOrdway’44GilmanOrdwaygraduatedfromAvonOldFarmsin1944havingspentfiveyearsattheSchool.HewasthoroughlyinvolvedinthelifeoftheSchool,andparticipatedintheNimrodClub,theyearbook,theschoolnewspaper,thedebateclub,thecourtsystem,andinsoccerandtennis.

UpongraduatingfromAvonOldFarms,

Dr.LaurenceGardner’59Laurence“Lanny”GardnerspentfouryearsatAvonOldFarms,graduatingin1959.Hewasastrongleaderinhisclassaseditorofhisyear-book,thechiefjudgewithintheschoolcourtsystem,amemberoftheCumLaudeSociety,andwinneroftheOrderofOldFarms.

Upongraduation,Lannyfirstmatricu-latedtotheMassachusettsInstituteofTechnology,fromwhichhereceivedhisundergraduatedegree,andthentotheHarvardUniversityMedicalSchool,fromwhichhegraduatedMagnaCumLaude.

Afterspendingatwo-yearresidencyattheMassachusettsGeneralHospital,LannyservedforthreeyearsasthechiefmedicalresidentattheUniversityofPennsylvaniaHospital.HethenspenttwoyearsasamajorintheUnitedStatesArmyMedicalCorpsinTacoma,Washington,asthechiefofNephrologyService.

In1974,Dr.GardnerjoinedthefacultyoftheUniversityofMiami’sMillerSchoolofMedicine.Forthepast36years,hehasbeenaforcewithintheMiamimedicalcommunityandthroughoutourcountry.

HehasservedinnumerouscapacitiesattheUniversityofMiami,includingchairmanoftheDepartmentofMedicine,andthedirectorofClinicalServices.HecurrentlyservesasexecutivedeanforEducationandPolicyinwhichheleads14specialmedicaldivisions,some250faculty,150residents,and100teachingfellows.

Throughouthiscareer,Dr.Gardnerhasfocusedhisattentionontheimportanceofthegeneralinternist,andhaswrittennumerousarticlesandbooksonthissubjectandonthedevelopmentofhealthpolicyfortheUnitedStates.

Despitehisnumerousadministrativeduties,Dr.Gardnerhasalwaysinsistedoncontinuinghisclassroomteachinganddoessotothisday.

GilmanmatriculatedtoYaleUniversity,wherehemajoredinhistory.FollowinghisgraduationfromYaleandabriefcareerasateacherattheMontclairCountryDaySchool,GilmanattendedtheUniversityofColoradoLawSchool.

HistraveltotheWestbeganalifelongloveaffairwiththatpartofthecountryandignitedinhimacommitmenttoprotectingournaturalresourcesandopenspaces.

GilmanhasbeenastrongsupporterofsuchorganizationsastheWorldWildlifeFund,theWoodsHoleResearchCenter,theNatureConservancy,theGrandTetonNationalParkFoundation,DefendersofWildlifeActionFund,theSierraClub,andYale’sSchoolofForestry&EnvironmentalStudies,whereheservesontheleadershipcouncil.

Overhislife,GilmanhasalsoembracedAvonOldFarms,andhasprovidedenthu-siasticsupportforourcampusandprogramdevelopment.

Forexample,theOrdwaysbolsteredourstrategicbuildingplanseveralyearsagobyprovidingtheleadgiftforourscienceandtechnologycenter,andtheyhaveprovidedendowmentsinsupportofourenvironmentalscienceandmusicprograms.

Anardentcollectorofletters,GilhasdonatedtoAvonletterswrittenbyfamousscientistsandUnitedStatespresidents,whicharedisplayedintheOrdwayScienceandTechnologyCenterandinthehallwayoftheJamersonBuilding.

Gilmanandhiswife,Marge,livejustoutsideofJacksonHole,Wyoming,andhavelongbeenforward-thinkingadvocatesforenvironmentalcauses.ForhisworkonbehalfofAvon,GilmanhaspreviouslyreceivedtheAlumniOrderofOldFarmsandtheAdamsMedal.HeistheproudgrandfatherofthreeAvonians:GilmanCallsen’04,TylerCallsenandSeanMartz’10.Gilman’sdaughterKittyOrdwayiscur-rentlyservingonAvon’sBoardofDirectors.

teainthelivingroomoftheirNewYorkCityhome.BigelowTeahassincegrownintothesecondlargestteacompanyinthecountry,onlyslightlysmallerthanLiptontea,anditexportsteainternationallytomanycountries.

TheBigelowTeaCompanyisacasestudyineffectiveentrepreneurshipandfamily-runbusinesses,andhasbeenwidelyrecognizedinthebusinesscommunityasamodelofexcellence.AmongtheawardsbestoweduponthecompanyistheErnst&YoungRegionalEntrepreneuroftheYearAward“forover50yearsofprofessionalismandcommunityservice,”andtheUniversityofConnecticut’sawardfor“FamilyBusinessoftheYear”inthelargebusinesscategory.TheBigelowTeaCompanywasalsorecognizedasoneoftheoutstandingcompaniesintheMassMutualNationalFamilyBusinessoftheYear,again,inthecategoryoflargebusiness.Thisawardhonorsafamily-ownedbusinessfor“success;multi-generationalfamilyinvolvement,innovationandcontributiontocommunity.”


Last Word

The

Ihavethedistinctprivilegeofhavingthelastchapeltalkoftheyear.WhenaskedifIwantedtobethespeaker,Ijumpedattheopportunity.WOW!IgettosummarizetheyearandgivethelasthoorahformyfellowpeersandmyselffromtheClassof’10.ButthemoreIthoughtaboutit,themoreIquestionedwhetherIwaswell-suitedforthetaskathand.Whatgivesmetheauthoritytoaddressthestudentbody?OnwhatbasiscouldIpossiblystandhereandpreachtoallofyou?WhatmightIconceivablyhavetoaddtotheAvoncommunity?WellIhadtothink…andthink.AndIrealizedthatthebestIcouldcontributewouldbeasummationofsomeofthevaluesIhadacquiredfromthisschool.

Opportunity.AsafreshmanIwaspassionateaboutcomputers.IquicklylearnedthatMr.Deckerswasheadofthestudentcomputerdepartmentandwasparticularlybusyatthebeginningoftheyearmakingsuretheschoolwouldn’tberampantwith400newviruses.Realizinganopportunitytonotbealunchwaiter,IbegantalkingtoMr.Deckers.WithinacoupledaysIhadlandedthecoveted

jobofprinterboy.Iwasresponsibleforstockingeachdormwithprinterpaper,and,onthoseveryraredays,replacingtheinkcartridges.Asfarasfreshmanjobsgo,thisisprobablyasgoodasitgets.Opportunityishere.It’severywhere.Ifyousearchforitlongenough,youcanfindanopportunitytodoanythinginthisworld.ThegreatthingaboutAvonisthatyoudon’thavetosearchveryfar.Tryoutforasportyou’veneverdonebefore;writeanarticleforthenews-paper;volunteeratthesoupkitchen.Andafter(orbefore)you’vedoneallofthese,trysomethingoutsideyourowndefinitionofnormal.Jointheanimeclub;offertowalkMr.Playe’sdog;helpthemaintenancecrewplanttulipsalongthewalkwaybytheRefectory.Youronlylimitationisyourimagination.Andifyouareunwillingtoexplorethebound-ariesofwhatyoumightconsiderfunorinteresting,thenyouaregoingtomissoutontremendousopportunitynotonlyhere,butinlife.

Appreciation.Findaquietplaceawayfromthedormandtakeaseat.Thiscanbeonthebenchesoverlook-ingAvonMountain,inthemiddleoftheOakGrove,ordownbyBeaverPond;anyplacewhereyoucantakeabreathawayfromtheconfinesofyourobligations.Thinkaboutallthethingsinthislifethatmattertoyou.Trytoreflectonallinlifeyouareblessedwiththatyoumightnotusuallyconsiderorthinkabout,likerunningwaterortheassuranceoftomorrow’smeal.Weareluckytobeabletopursueatop-notcheducationatthisschool.Everyonceinawhile,stepbackandappreciatewhatyouhave;whatallofusherehave.Appreciatewhatotherpeopledofor,andaround,youeachandeveryday.Maybeit’sateacherwhohasmentored

youinyouryears,orthemaintenancestaffmemberwhoalwaysvacuumedyourroomandneveraskedforathank-you.Maybeit’sapersonyouhavenevermetthat’sfightingforsomeoneelse’sfreedominafar-offland,ortheunder-paid,overworkedemployeerightacrossthecounterservingyouyourfries.AppreciatethisschoolandhowamazingitistoactuallybeanAvonian.

Camaraderie.Thisisaschoolforboys.Manyofusinitiallycomplainaboutthisbefore,orduring,ourfirstfewweeksinthedorm.Butaswegrow,andaswelearn,webegintoappreciatewhatthismalecompanionshipdoesforus.Wecanengageeachotherinanhonestwaythatdoesnothinderourhonestyormasculinity.Findagroupoffriendsthatmakesyouquestionhowyoulivedbeforeyoumetthem.Ifoundmygroup.Perhapsyou’veheardofus.You’vedefinitelyseenus.TheChickenClubrepresentseverythingthatAvonmeanstome.WhereelsebutAvonmightabrotherhoodbeformedonenightafterstudyhallfollowingadancepartyoverachickenclubsandwich?

Thisschoolisprecious.Cherishit,takecareofit,andtakecareofeachother.Whenallissaidanddone,ourbrothersareallwehave.Ifyoucansitandappreciateallthisworldhastooffer,youwillbethatmuchbetterforit.Ifyoucantakeadvantageofwhatyou’repassion-ateabout,ormaybeeventrysomethingnew,Iassureyouthatyouwon’tregretit,becauseevenifit’ssomethingyouenduphating,youwillbeallthewiserandmoreexperiencedforit.Andneverbeafraidtoputyourselfoutthere,makingyourcontributionsaccessibletoanyonewhowantsthem.Whoknows,attheendofthedayyoumightjusthaveachickenclubofyourown.

TheLastChapelTalkIsaiahFarrow’10

To the Underclassmen…

STUDENTARTWORKFROMTHE2010 COMMENCEMENTARTSHOW

Avon Old Farms School500OldFarmsRoadAvon,Connecticut06001www.avonoldfarms.com

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AOFLax:2010FoundersLeagueChampions!

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COVER PHOTO: Commencement 2010. Photo by Sencer Sloan.

village green - summer 2010

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