nfa magazine

InspiringYouthful Minds

The magazine for Norwich Free Academy Alumni and Friends Spring 2015

NFA

2 www.nfaschool.org

A New Approach to World Language8

On Friday, November 14, 2014, over 100 veterans, active duty, and retired military personnel were in attendance for NFA’s Military Appreciation event before the NFA vs. Woodstock football game. Photo – Aaron Flaum, Norwich Bulletin

Spring 2015 3

The Many Languages of Learning10 Lofty Ambitions

Expand NFA’s Reach16

Alma Matters is still here with all the content you have come to expect – class notes; news and photographs of events, activities and classmates; and notices of upcoming events – but you will also find more content and a clean, fresh, visually engaging new design.

NFA magazine expands our audience to include, not only our loyal alumni, but also our faculty and staff, students, parents and partner communities together in one publication to represent and celebrate the Wildcat spirit shared by all. Additionally, we hope to expand our list of contributors.

Do you have a story to tell? We are actively seeking contributed content for upcoming issues of NFA magazine. Share a milestone in your life through a class notes submission to [email protected]. Pitch your idea for an article to [email protected]. We want to hear from you.

This redesign project has been lovingly conceived and executed over several months. We have consulted design professionals, engaged photographers, conducted focus groups about design and content and reached out to many for advice and ideas. We have aggressively chased down stories and written them with you in mind. We hope you like the result, because your opinion matters to us.

We will continue to listen to and respond to you our readers. This issue is our test balloon, and like the students in our Ham Radio Club, we are invested in the data a smooth sailing and safe landing afford. Your feedback matters. We hope you like our new direction.

EditorsKathy McCarthy & Geoff Serra

Welcome to the new

NFA magazineEDITORS

Kathleen McCarthy Director of Institutional Advancement

Geoffrey P. SerraDirector of Communications & Public Affairs

MANAGING/COPY EDITORMolly Hudson

ALMA MATTERS EDITORLinda Clang Ververis ‘78

CONTRIBUTING EDITORNicholas Bolt ‘96

PHOTOGRAPHYBrian Ambrose Photography

Robb Cyr PhotographyLaura Howe

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSage Bierman ’10 Maria Porada ‘15

Vivian Zoë

DESIGNLavender Design

PRINTERThe Pyne-Davidson Company

NFA magazine is produced three times a year by the NFA Foundation, Inc. and the

NFA Office of Communications & Public Affairs, 321 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360.

Phone 860-887-2507 • Fax 860-889-4363 Email: [email protected]

Letters to the editor, comments, class notes and address changes may be sent to the

NFA Foundation, Inc.321 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360

or [email protected]

Views expressed in the NFA magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NFA Foundation, Inc., the NFA Alumni

Association, Norwich Free Academy or the editorial staff.

NFA Spring 2015

I am very excited about this opportunity to contribute to the first edition of NFA magazine. This issue contains a number of human interest stories, personal profiles and important historical pieces speaking to the history, tradition and social conscience of Norwich Free Academy.

In my view, this issue reinforces that everything matters when it comes to achieving success. The pieces all highlight that attention to detail, attitude, ethics and, most importantly, a genuine commitment to people and relationships distinguishes greatness from mediocrity.

The NFA community matters; perhaps now, more than ever before, the Academy needs its alumni. Diverse and changing, loyal and steadfast, young and old – we are all connected by the glue of the “NFA Experience.”

As you make time to read NFA magazine cover to cover, I hope that you will be pleasantly reminded about why Norwich Free Academy has such a powerful impact upon your life and continues to offer a transformative experience to students, employees and alumni.

Our rich history and strong tradition of excellence endure because, while it is true that everything matters at NFA, the foundation of our generational success continues to be a belief in and sincere commitment to people and relationships – to our NFA community.

Everyone who has the “NFA Experience” is a better person because of it.

David J. Klein Head of School

Spring 2015 5

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Marine Science Program Flourishes

Recently, the Norwich Sunrise Rotary made a donation to the marine science program. Group members were on hand to visit classes, meet teachers and students, and learn about the sea creatures and projects students care for and advance daily. Rotarians saw first-hand how they support science education at the Academy. They also learned about how NFA students are regularly monitoring water quality in Norwich Harbor.

NFA science teacher Ryan Czaja seeks to continue partnerships with organizations and businesses in support of the program as marine and environmental sciences are of growing interest to students. At NFA a number of students take courses like Going Green, Introduction to Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Marine Technology, Coastal Studies, Ocean Science and Technology, and Oceanography. Students learn major scientific concepts, principles, processes and skills while also learning the content of marine and environmental science. Building Bridges

NFA senior and Eagle Scout Jarrett Brine, president of the Outdoors Club, received permission from Scott Dawley, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Eastern District manager, to undertake a significant project for local hikers – the reconstruction of a foot bridge spanning a 12-foot causeway north of the Pachaug and Nehantic Trail junction in Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown.

Brine spent over two weeks developing the project design and pulling together all the needs for reconstruction – tools, materials, and a volunteer crew.

On Saturday, Jan. 10, the group arrived at the trailhead off Firetower Road, transported freshly cut oak lumber to the site, stripped the old surface from the bridge girders, and then cut and applied new decking, posts and rails. The job was completed just as the sun reached the horizon.

Members of the crew included NFA technology and art teacher Duncan Bailey and Brine’s father.

AROUNDCampus

Spring 2015 7

Students Prepare for the Future

On Thursday, March 19, NFA held its annual College Fair in Alumni Gymnasium. All 10th and 11th grade students attended to obtain important information about different two and four-year college programs and the application process. Students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about the many possibilities that exist for “life after NFA” by collecting informational booklets from different colleges and talking to admissions staff from a variety of institutions. Over 100 colleges and military representatives were present.

NFA Band is Tulsa’s Pep Band at ACC Playoffs

On Saturday, March 7, NFA’s band played as the official pep band for the Tulsa University Women’s Basketball Team in the American Athletic Conference Championship at Mohegan Sun. Heading into the tournament, the Tulsa women were seeded #3.

Standing in for Tulsa’s pep band, 29 members of NFA’s marching band and their director, Kristen Motola, donned Tulsa gold and blue t-shirts and waved the Golden Hurricane’s flags. Students spent a week practicing their own repertoire of 14 songs and learning Tulsa’s fight song for their pep band performance.

Because the conference ran several days, Motola formed two pep bands to give as many students the opportunity of this experience as possible.

Motola told the group, “I am so incredibly proud of each and every one of you! Your hard work and dedication continue to give all of us such amazing opportunities.”

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Two individuals meet. One is hearing. One is deaf. American Sign Language (ASL), a system of hand and body movements, enables them to communicate.

American Sign Language is the fifth most-used non-English language in the United States, according to A Journey into the Deaf-World by Harlan Lane. ASL allows individuals to express themselves in a unique manner.

For the first time, Norwich Free Academy is offering an intensive ASL course, taught by world language teacher Nathan Wheeler ‘08.

“My high school years were some of the best years of my life,” Wheeler said. “I gained lasting friendships and a network of incredible people in addition to an education and culture that helped me land back here as a teacher.”

Wheeler’s mother, NFA Student Services Director, Lisa Souter Wheeler ‘78, describes her son as a “very worldly soul who appreciates and embraces many cultures.”

In his college years at the University of Vermont Wheeler began perfecting the art of sign language.

“Nate became fluent in ASL through his college courses and by interacting with several of his professors who were deaf,” Lisa said. “Actually, he was so fluent that when he was in the company of others who were deaf, they welcomed him, assuming he too communicated only through sign. Nate was deeply moved as that acceptance was the biggest compliment one could receive as an ASL communicator in that community.”

A distinct language class, ASL is often a good option for students, hearing and deaf, who are visual

BY MOLLY HUDSON & MARIA PORADA ‘15

N F AA NEW APPROACH TO WORLD LANGUAGE

Spring 2015 9

learners, as they sometimes struggle in traditional languages like Spanish, French and Chinese.

The classroom is full of silence as Wheeler and his students use only their hands to speak to one another. A typical day consists of student-to-student interactions through basic signing games and skits, mimicking daily conversations.

“Sometimes it is a fingerspelling game, and other times it is the deaf form of Simon Says,” Wheeler said. “Students are working on a video project, in which they introduce themselves and a friend, and include information about school and their favorite color.”

Students have the opportunity to become acquainted with signs and their origins from a simple “hello” to implementing the art of a signed conversation.

“I became very involved with the deaf community in Burlington, and they are always offering events and trying to spread awareness about deafness and American Sign Language,” he said. “[Most people] I interacted with in the deaf community see deafness as a difference among humans rather than a disability.”

Students are fascinated by communication among the deaf. This language breaks the barrier between communities, and is useful in the workplace. American Sign Language opens doors for job opportunities and allows individuals who cannot hear or speak to connect with others on a personal level.

Wheeler is passionate and enthusiastic about growing NFA’s ASL program.

“The course proposal has been approved for ASL 2,” Wheeler said. “I hope to make strong connections around the greater Norwich area with the local deaf community to have guest speakers and have events become an integral part of the ASL program.”

Wheeler would also like to sponsor a Deaf Awareness Week, featuring activities such as Silent Game Night.

Senior Kristina Malerba, who dreams of being an interpreter, enjoys using ASL on campus.

“ASL class is my new favorite,” she said. “I love learning how signs become what they are and it is fun using ASL outside of class with other students.”

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Language is fundamental to personal, social and economic success for every immigrant and immigrant family.

Since 2012, NFA’s non-English speaking population has doubled.

Today over 20 languages other than English are spoken by students attending NFA. At least 17 percent speak another language at home. Many

“¡Hola!”

“Shalom”

“h-ell-o”“Kon-nichiwa”

“Nei Ho”

“CIAO”

“OLÁ”“Bonjour”

“As Salam Alykom”

“Guten Tag”“CZESC”

hellkhelloTHE MANY LANGUA

“Sat siri siri akal”

Spring 2015 11

are proficient enough in English to excel in their subject classes or to be eligible for language acquisition classes in NFA’s English Language Learners (ELL) Program. At least seven percent of NFA’s population is ELL.

A trend is an increase in students with absolutely no English language skills who arrive at NFA eager to learn. They need more intensive instruction, experience, and support to succeed.

Norwich Free Academy has faced the increase in non-native speakers boldly. During the past ten years, Leo Butler has headed up the Diversity Department. Together, first with Susan Iwanicki (now principal of John B. Sliney School, Branford) and now with ELL Team Leader Amy Correia, the Academy has built a strong program to help students learn English, while not falling behind in subjects like history and science.

“English will be the third or fourth language of many of our students,” Correia says. “For others, who have experienced interrupted education or no formal education to speak of, learning English presents the profoundest challenges of literacy. Learning to speak, read and write in English well enough to succeed in an academic environment depends, not only on native language, but also upon literacy experience.”

THE MANY LANGUAGES OF LEARNING

Recent regional and global changes have fueled new waves of immigration. Service industries have drawn Asian and Southeastern Asian peoples especially to work in local casinos. Political, economic, and social unrest and violence in the world have brought others to Norwich from India, Africa, and the Mideast. Also, immigrants from South and Central America and the Caribbean now claim Norwich as their home. A cataclysmic earthquake in Haiti five years ago and a devastating volcano still spewing lava today in Cape Verde, are examples of other forces propelling people to Norwich. New Americans enrich Norwich’s cultural diversity, but learning English remains central to achieving the American Dream.

NFA’s Changing

Community

“The challenges are enormous,” says Correia, “we are confident that we are making a real difference and preparing good students and contributing citizens, whatever path they take in life after leaving us.”

This year NFA added The New Arrival Center, an immersion program for those with little to no English language and literacy skills. Taught by Piper Deletere, a world language teacher fluent in Spanish, the Center has strengthened the overall program by servicing a cluster of students, thereby advancing the pace of English instruction for others, while meeting the basic linguistic, social, and emotional needs of those in the Center.

The Center doubles the hours of literacy instruction to eight hours of English Language Learning and four hours of reading instruction weekly. At the same time, students have bi-lingual instruction to ensure they don’t fall behind in critical subjects like science and social studies. As soon as students are ready, they move into mainstream mathematics classes, as mathematics learning often transcends linguistic barriers.

The addition of a dedicated guidance counselor and inter-vention specialists has added much-needed personnel.

Corriea is very aware of the needs of immigrant students that often surpass language

acquisition. Meeting these needs, as in other areas of education, improves learning. “There are other needs, “Correia says. “We need to consider the whole immigrant experience, to comp-lement the program with social, emotional and developmental supports.”

Butler embraces these students and advocates for them. “It doesn’t matter where they are from, what language they speak, or what they look like, they all share NFA,” says Butler, reflecting NFA’s long history of inclusion, experience and bonding that bring together all under the red and white umbrella of the Academy.

Although he hasn’t become either of his childhood heroes – Rocky Balboa or Indiana Jones – Pat Kirker has become a hero to his students.

Kirker, a freshman English teacher and nine-year NFA veteran, is the 2014-15 Teacher of the Year.

“Becoming Teacher of the Year has been a humbling experience, and it’s an honor to represent NFA,” says Kirker, who has also taught Contemporary Bestsellers, Public Speaking, English Language Learners and an ECC prep course at NFA.

The Norwich native student-taught at the Academy under the leadership of Denise Grant ‘82 in the spring of 1999 while completing his Master’s degree from the University of New Haven. He then taught at Grasso Technical High School in Groton, where he was also named Teacher of the Year, and then at Baldwin Middle School in Canterbury before taking a position at NFA in 2005.

“I think NFA is the perfect institution at which to build upon the craft of teaching,” said Kirker, who hopes to spend the rest of his career at the Academy.

One has no trouble under-standing exactly why Kirker plans to remain at NFA.

BY MARIA PORADA ’15 & SAGE BIERMAN ’10

InspiringYouthful Minds

Spring 2015 13

“I love everything about working here,” Kirker says. “The level of professionalism, the collective dedication to students, and the resources the school offers to both the teachers and the students are near limitless.”

Kirker is one of the resources that makes this an exceptional institution. Tracey DeDonato, who leads the English Department and has known Kirker since his time as a student teacher, says he contributes tremendously to the department.

“I met him when he was student teaching with Denise,” she said. “I remember she told me what an amazing job he was doing and how she was really excited to have him.”

Kirker continues to impress his colleagues.

“Pat is a complete team player and is always positive,” DeDonato continued. “He is always willing to try new things in his classroom, work with student teachers and provide help to students whenever they need it.”

A student teacher no longer, Kirker enriches his program by making certain that college students working in his classroom gain valuable experience to complete their education. Jake Carpenter student-taught with Kirker in the fall while studying to obtain his teaching certification.

“It’s been fantastic watching Pat’s teaching style, and he really has a great rapport with the students,” Carpenter said.

Kirker’s lessons go far beyond English literature and language. By mentoring student teachers, he has a significant impact on the next generation of educators.

“I’ve learned to create a classroom that is as academically stimulating as it is comfortable for the students, to put my personality into my teaching and to follow a teaching style that values respect and responsibility,” Carpenter said.

Kirker’s effective teaching methods do not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the administration.

Head of School David Klein is quick to acknowledge Kirker’s many indispensible contributions to NFA.

“In my mind,” Klein states, “there’s no doubt that Pat’s kids know that he genuinely cares about them and wants them to succeed.”

NFA’s faculty has long ensured the Academy’s place at the forefront of secondary education. Kirker is an essential part of this legacy as well as a trailblazer in his own right.

In DeDonato’s words, “The thing about Pat is that he brings out the best in the people around him and that he makes connections with people that others cannot.

“I adore and love working with Pat, and I know when I speak with his student teachers, they can’t say enough good about him.”

DeDonato’s words ring true for Carpenter, who similarly recognizes the unique energy Kirker brings to his classroom and the extraordinary way he motivates students.

“He’s just a very charismatic individual,” Carpenter said. “And his teaching style is one that I’d like to emulate in my own classroom.”

Kirker is dedicated to ensuring that his students are able to pursue their passions and that their futures are bright, productive and promising.

“One of the qualities that encouraged me to become a teacher is their skilled ability to inspire,” said Kirker, who strives to “instill the tools for students to be able to thrive in the real world and ignite the spark of inspiration.”

Kirker’s students reap many benefits from his enthusiasm and passion. Klein, perhaps most effectively, conveys the hugely positive effect Kirker has on the NFA community.

“The best gift his students have,” Klein says, “is getting to spend time with him, the man, Patrick Kirker.”


Spring 2015 15


A project that seemed almost impossible rose high above all expectations.

“We wanted the project to work and to take videos of the launch and flight,” said senior and Ham Radio Club Vice President Julia Breen. “We wanted to see how far we could go.”

On a sunny Saturday, May 17, 2014, in conjunction with Celebrate NFA the Ham Radio Club set out to launch a weather balloon to collect wind, weather and atmospheric data.

With the help of club advisors Anthony Girasoli ’89, Sean Hough, and Brett Monroe, of the Information Technology Department, club members spent nearly a semester preparing the balloon’s technical components, which performed flawlessly until just an hour before the launch when everything suddenly stopped working.

“In the balloon’s payload we placed a video camera, Ham radio equipment, and a GPS to radio back its position in real time,” Girasoli said.

Luckily, most components were quickly restored, and a club member loaned his personal camera to the cause without knowing if it would return.

Once the balloon itself was filled with helium, it became over seven feet wide, and attached to the pale blue box containing all the electronics, the apparatus took flight from the center of the turf field.

In just over four hours, the balloon traveled 240 miles, reaching a maximum altitude of around 80,000 feet. Transmissions indicated that the sky winds were around 100 mph and the temperature was as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

And Then the Search Began:

Based on the GPS coordinates transmitted, the weather balloon should have landed at 44°56.64’ N 71°34.24’ W, just north of Hudson Road, in Canaan, Vermont, ironically one of the least populated counties in New England, and approximately ten miles south of the Canadian border.

With that bit of information, the search to recover the balloon began.

Upper George Main IV, who serves as president of the Ham Radio Club, and his mom, Tina, who recently earned her radio license, used Google Maps and a Vermont phone book to call residents living within a mile radius of the suspected landing site.

“The first call referred us to people who owned a tree farm where we thought it had landed,” Main said. “So we contacted them, and they did a nice search, but, unfortunately, they didn’t find it.”

With no more clues of the balloon’s whereabouts, the club could only wait.

Ambitions Expand NFA’s Reach

By Molly Hudson & Sage Bierman ‘10

LOFTY

Spring 2015 17


Six Months Later:

“It was a sunny, picturesque fall Sunday in the Northeastern kingdom of Vermont,” laughed Stephen Dexter, recalling the day’s events. “It was the perfect day to find a weather balloon!”

Dexter, of High Gate Springs, Vermont, was enjoying a normal day of ruffed grouse hunting with his English Springer Spaniel, Chase, at their deer camp in Canaan, when he spotted an object perfectly out of place.

“I was just walking through the woods, and I saw this blue box, and I was like, ‘What is that,’” Dexter said. “It was sitting there, upright, like somebody just carried it out there in the woods, put it down, and sat back waiting for it to be stumbled upon.”

Startled by his discovery, Dexter was cautious.

“I was very hesitant; I didn’t just walk up to it,” he said. “I stood back and looked at it for a while trying to figure out what it was.

“I saw the antenna sticking up. Then I saw the string and what looked like a deflated plastic bag and I was trying to figure out what it could be.”

After a while, Dexter inspected the box.

“I decided to very carefully open it. So I sliced the box open,” he said. “I was very gentle. It was how I imagine working for a bomb squad would feel.

“When I looked inside, it had all kinds of technical doodads, then I saw a camera and a walky-talky looking device for tracking GPS. At the bottom there was a piece of paper, ripped up, like the mice had been making a home in it. I started putting the pieces of the paper together and saw ‘If you see this, contact Norwich Free Academy’ and the contact information, so I took it back to camp with me.

Canaan, VT

NFA

Spring 2015 19


The NFA Ham Radio Club has a 70 year history at the Academy. Founded in 1944 as the “NFA Radio Club,” the club operated out of a room members affectionately called the “Ham Shack.” After 20 years of activity, the club unfortunately experienced a lull in participation beginning in the late-1960s to early-1970s, and for more than two decades the once flourishing club was nonexistent.

In 1996 a new ham radio room, created in Cranston, marked the start of a new era for the Ham Radio Club. Made possible by the generous donations Harold Becker ‘38, the room would eventually serve to revive the Ham Radio Club. Becker was a passionate amateur radio operator who donated his radio equipment to NFA so that it would be possible for the Academy to provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with amateur radio.

Becker’s wife, Jean Becker ‘53, said that her husband “felt that every student, male or female, would not be interested in playing a musical instrument or going out for sports. He wanted them to have a chance to learn about Ham radio.”

In 2009, when the FCC assigned the club’s original call letters, W1HLO, the Ham Radio Club once again became an active campus organization. In the new millennium, NFA students enthusiastic about Ham radio were once again able to pursue their passion.

In an email in which he shares some memories of W1HLO, former NFA Radio Club member, Vince Chrzanowski ’60 (W1OOW) says that as a result of the ideal atmospheric conditions of the mid- and late 1950s, it was possible to pick up radio stations from around the world.

“Europe, particularly, would come booming in during our study hall periods,” Chrzanowski wrote. “Somehow we would manage to get passes to the library and then sneak up to the shack on the top floor. Those, indeed were memorable days!”

Chrzanowski’s excitement discussing his days in the Ham Radio Club illustrates the club’s importance for those passionate about amateur radio. For many members, the time they spent in the Ham Radio Club was the foundation for a career in the radio business.

David Sumner ‘67, K1ZZ, works as the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for amateur radio. Among his responsibilities are managing the affairs of the League, including its headquarters staff and official journal, for the ARRL Board of Directors.

Thanks to the Beckers, NFA students who are passionate about Ham Radio have equipment to use and, in a media age, they are laying the foundations for the future.

NFA’s Ham Radio History

“On Monday I got hold of [Girasoli] and he was excited to hear that it had been found,” said Dexter after finding the weather balloon remains less than a mile from its predicted location. “So I boxed up the equipment and sent it to NFA.”

Just a few days later, Ham Radio Club members were surprised when they walked into their weekly meeting to find a random package waiting. Once they opened it, they realized the wait was over.

Next Steps:

Since the fall, the club has been building more weather balloons to better understand the atmosphere.

“We want to learn from our mistakes from the last one and gather more information,” Main said. “We learned that we need to do a lot of testing on all the electronics.”

Two new balloons are set to launch at Celebrate NFA on Saturday, May 16. The first, a balloon like the original, is expected to capture video footage of the entire flight, send photos back live, and be recovered. The second balloon, a smaller “Pico” weather balloon will hopefully fly around the world, reporting its location and environmental data via Ham radio.

In a new way, the journey of the club’s weather balloon contributes to NFA’s long tradition of reaching beyond its borders to explore the world.

Spring 2015 21

Exosphere The farthest layer. 400-40,000 miles above

Earth’s surface. Air dwindles to nothing as molecules drift into space.

Troposphere Where weather forms - Up to 10 miles above Earth’s

surface. Storms take place in the troposphere, which contains about 75 percent of the atmosphere.

Stratosphere Where the protective ozone layer floats.

10-31 miles above Earth’s surface.

MesosphereWhere the protective ozone layer floats.

31-50 miles above Earth’s surface. Space debris begins to burn up as it enters the mesosphere.

ThermosphereWhere the temperatures rise. 50-400 miles

above Earth’s surface. Though the air is thin, it absorbs so much solar radiation that the

temperature can reach 440 degrees Fahrenheit.

UPPER ATMOSPHERE

MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE

LOWER ATMOSPHERE

EARTH

NFA

Adap

ting

THE

PLAY

BOOK

By Molly Hudson & Sage Bierman ‘10


After he made the varsity team as a freshman, Wheeler’s athletic career at NFA was on track to be an exceptional one. As the basketball season progressed, however, it became clear that something was impacting Wheeler’s ability to play the sport.

“I was always throwing the ball away,” Wheeler said. “They just couldn’t figure out how I could be so good one minute and terrible the next.”

The problem became especially apparent when the team played at high schools with elevated running tracks above the gym floor that cast shadows over the basketball court. As a forward, Wheeler had to position himself in the corner of the court, in the shadow of the track. With his vision obscured, Wheeler became unable to distinguish his teammates from the opposing team and would often pass the ball to the wrong player, or out of bounds.

Howie Dickenman, Sr., who was the NFA boys basket-ball coach at the time, took notice of the pattern. By the time Wheeler was a sophomore, Dickenman decided that it was time for his player to see an optometrist.

This visit to the eye doctor changed Wheeler’s life. He was colorblind.

At other high schools, this discovery may have signaled the end of a promising athletic career. Dickenman, however, ensured that colorblindness would not end Wheeler’s time on the team.

Instead, NFA found a way to make it possible for Wheeler to continue playing the sport he loved. The boys basketball uniforms were redesigned to compensate for Wheeler’s vision. Solid colors were replaced with red and white stripes.

“There have been a lot of other schools with color-blind athletes,” says Athletic Director Gary Makowicki ‘73, “but no other school has ever taken the initiative to solve or accommodate the problem.”

The basketball team was soon known for its unique uniforms.

“We looked like a bunch of candy canes,” Wheeler laughs, “but at least I wasn’t throwing the ball away anymore.”

After graduating in 1959, Wheeler went on to have a successful career. He worked for Pfizer for two years and then joined the Marines. To pass the vision exam he memorized the colorblindness test. Finishing his service in the Marines, Wheeler returned to Pfizer, where he worked for 35 years. Now retired for two decades, he lives in Stonington with his wife of 44 years, Patricia.

Action to accommodate Wheeler’s colorblindness demonstrates the investment the Academy places in each student’s success.

Makowicki, says it demonstrates NFA’s “entirely unique” support of students.

ames “Jim” Wheeler ‘59 had a unique experience playing for the NFA boys basketball team during his time at Norwich Free Academy.

J

Spring 2015 23

Joseph Gualtie

(1916 – 2015)

SLATER

riremembers

Spring 2015 25

ri

In a memoir written as a script for an oral presentation, Charlotte Fuller Eastman, Class of 1897, Norwich Art School Director from 1911-1943, notes “This year the work of Joseph Gualtieri … bore unmistakable evidence of a most unusual talent. Gualtieri was awarded the scholarship offered by the Art Institute of Chicago. It seems that the young man also submitted work in a scholarship competition at the Art Students League in New York. He won this scholarship, too.”

Joseph Peter Gualtieri, Director of the Slater Museum for nearly forty years (1963-2000), studied at the Norwich Art School and at the Art Institute of Chicago. He began his artistic career in Chicago in the late 1930s and became a registered Illinois Works Progress Administration (WPA) artist.

Around 1945, Gualtieri moved back to Connecticut to assume a teaching position at the Norwich Art School. He was a full member of the Mystic Art Association and exhibited his work at such major institutions as the Museum of Modern Art, New York,

National Academy of Design, Corcoran Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Whitney Museum of American Art. In its permanent collection, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D. C., lists an impression of his lithograph Conversation.

The Slater Museum still reveals many traces of Gualtieri’s decided influence during his 56 year association with the Academy. He diligently studied and created copies of Egyptian Hieroglyphic paintings to augment the museum’s casts of ancient Egyptian sculpture and reliefs. An entire gallery has been named in his honor, and he acquired many of the works of 20th century artists held in the museum’s permanent collection. A most notable piece is the outdoor steel sculpture entitled Aspirations by Bill McCloy. When McCloy was chairman of the art school at Connecticut College, he and Gualtieri kindled a long-lasting friendship. Gualtieri raised the funds to commission the piece in 1976 as part of Connecticut’s Bicentennial celebration.

Gualtieri was born in Royalton, Illinois, December 25, 1916. As a youth, he spent ten years in Italy with his family, before returning at age 14 to settle in Norwich. He graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1937. He died, January 25, 2015, at the age of 98. Gualtieri had been living at the Elms in Westerly, an assisted living facility.

A memorial service for Gualtieri will be held at 2 p.m., June 25, at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich.

Lee-Ann Gomes ‘82 is proud of the Academy, and she has reason to be. Daughter and sister to NFA alumni, she is mother to Kendall ‘13 and Bryce Simmons ‘16. A Corporator, Foundation Board member, and current treasurer of the Board of Trustees, she looks forward to future service on the NFA Alumni Association Board.

“There is so much to do here that is important,” says Gomes of both the Academy and the city. “I cannot overstate the love I have for NFA and Norwich.”

Recently, Gomes assumed the position of Director of the Human Services in Norwich after many years of serving in the department. Her civic engagement includes involvement in her church, serving on the Board of the Dime Bank and as president of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness.

Gomes understands the Academy from many points of view, and her perspective is broad.

“Diversity is not about the color of your skin or what you look like,” says Gomes. “It is more about perspective, seeing things from different angles.”

Gomes is proudest of bringing the national school lunch program to the Academy and of providing resources “that make NFA different from a public high school.” She credits her colleagues on the Board of Trustees for their openness, and says many

factors have converged to make the present Board a steady force to move the school into the future and to support student and faculty success. “NFA is small enough to be its own community,” remarks Gomes, “but just big enough to be something important.”

Gomes finds it challenging to communicate to students how very special is the NFA experience. As she herself is a testament to service, it is not surprising that Gomes wishes today’s students to understand their commitment to “pay it forward.”

She believes attending NFA comes with rights and responsibilities.

“Students are given the right to attend. It is key that they understand that with the right comes a responsibility to maintain and serve the institution.”

leadersmatter


“I am just so proud to be part of this Board and to have the opportunity to honor the intent of donors to our Foundation by providing excellent opportunities for education and keep the campus as beautiful as it is. This will be the most beautiful and prestigious institution many of our children will ever be a part of.”

– Trustee Lee-Ann Gomes, upon the NFA Board of Trustee approval of the 2015-16 budget with support from the NFA Foundation, Inc., February 12, 2015

Spring 2015 27


ALMAMatters51 Fred Johnson, a resident

of Bellevue, Washington, writes that he was

overwhelmed and overjoyed to receive a copy of the last edition of Alma Matters in his mail. Fred was among the “missing alumni” and this was the first piece of mail that he received in many years from NFA. After graduation he attended Mitchell College in New London graduating in 1954, and then the University of Connecticut where he graduated in 1956 with a degree in Physics and Math. He began working in the field of underwater acoustics and joined the Honeywell Company in what was to become their Marine Systems Division in Seattle in 1972. Fred is extremely happy NFA was able to locate him and looks forward to remaining connected to his alma mater!

52 Old friends, Don Gregory (right) and Bill Peterson (left), enjoyed a temporary

farewell at the Del Coronado Hotel in San Diego, before Don’s move back east. Bill writes “We promised each other that we will meet again. And we will!”

55 Mildred Sadernsky Goldstein earned an Associate’s degree at the

age of 71 in 2009. Deciding to enroll in college at 65, Mildred attended Kingsborough Community College (KCC) tuition-free though the My Turn program, which offers New York residents over the age of 60 the opportunity to go to college at no cost. Taking classes in the summer

and fall allowed Mildred to spend the winter months in Florida while still earning her degree. Mildred at KCC, named one of the top four community

colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, maintained a spot on the Dean’s List and was asked to join the prestigious academic society Phi Theta Kappa. A former member of the NFA Music Club, Mildred has maintained a lifelong passion of singing, a talent which she has the ability to do in seven different languages. She says that NFA is the “foundation” that made it possible for her to pursue her education and looks back at her time at NFA “very dearly.”

59 Steve Longo joined a Habitat for Humanity build in Guastatoya, Guatemala.

Joe Baker ’62 gave him a NFA Golf Team cap to wear on the build. Steve spent many of his days at NFA on the links with Dom DeNicolo ’59, Bob Sullivin ’59 and Doris Olsen Guglielmo’s ’59 brother Pete ’60.

61 Kenneth D. Tiven’s career in media has spanned more than five decades.

He spent most of 2014 in Mumbai, India, as the chief consultant for Star Television India, the equivalent of ESPN in India. After graduating from NFA, Tiven worked as a reporter at The Hartford Courant and served as the Vice President for Television Systems at CNN for more than a decade before retiring.

63 Rill Bellantone Reuter contacted former classmate Rich Arenberg in

September 2013 after reading about Rich in that year’s Alma Matters summer edition. An article featured Rich’s meeting with Edwin Portugal ‘13. Rich took the opportunity to relate his move from Norwich to Washington, D.C., where he resided for 34 years before teaching at the Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions at Brown University, where Edwin is now a sophomore. Rill, an accomplished chemistry professor at Winona State University in Minnesota, invited Rich to speak at the Winona State University’s Lyceum as a part of a distinguished lecture series.

Spring 2015 29

64 Patty Riess Tennison is proud to announce that she is now a grandmother!

65 Carloyn McCullough Valluzzi and husband Ron are retired educators who

split their time between Connecticut and Little River, South Carolina Carolyn and Ron enjoy traveling, which they do whenever possible.

68 David Sawyer, Assessor for the Town of Windham, Maine, has been

recognized by the Maine Association of Assessing Officers as the Maine “Assessor of the Year.” David has worked in the profession for over 30 years, including ten years for the Town of Windham.

Karen Troeger Stewart is continuing to fulfill her lifelong passion for teaching. She has taught grades 6-12 in four states and spent the last 26 years at a private Christian school in Greeley, Colorado. She is now the academic advisor for that institution and plans to retire in a few years. Karen writes, “It’s been a most amazing adventure.”

69 Joan Beauregard is the Head of School at Hamlin Robinson School

in Seattle, Washington. Joan worked at St. Thomas School in Medina, 1981 – 2005, as a teacher. She has served as Associate Head of School.

Charles Nafie, a New York City architect, was honored when The Oyster Bay House designed by his firm was chosen as one of ten “Favorite Design Projects for 2014” by Dering Hall, a national website that enables the finest interior designers, architects, artisans, and design galleries to showcase their work.

73 The Class of 1973 is planning a 60th Birthday Celebration

for October 9-12, 2015 in Sarasota, Florida. Email Sue Selvidio at [email protected] for more information.

77 Timothy A. Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer at Orthopedic Associates

of Hartford, the largest orthopedic practice in Connecticut with over 32 practicing physicians. He has more than 33 years of healthcare

experience in both hospital and private-practice settings. Graduating from UConn in 1981 and receiving his MBA from Western New England University in 1984, Timothy now resides in Longmeadow, Massachusetts with his wife Anita.

78 Karen Favreau Hellier is now a freelance writer living in northern

Georgia. She and her husband enjoy traveling and are planning a cruise for 2015.

80 Marla Schlessinger Tapper married Jerome Wasserman in April 2014.

They honeymooned for four weeks in Italy and ten days in Ireland. Marla retired in June 2014 after 12 years in finance and 20 years teaching math. She spends her summers with her husband in New York and in Needham, Massachusetts, with her parents and sister Reva Schlessinger Winston ’83 and Reva’s three beautiful children. Marla winters in Fort Lauderdale and visited Disney World for ten days this past December with Reva and her family.

Laurie Topor Zirkle, daughter of Rosemarie Buttacavoli Topor ’52, recently bowled her third perfect game. Her most recent 300 was bowled in October 2014 during the Virginia State 600 Club Bowling Association Annual Tournament. She was the first woman in the Roanoke Valley to roll a USBC-sanctioned 300 game in 2006 at Vinton Bowling Center. She is the only female in the association to have bowled multiple 300 games, the second coming in 2012, also at VBC.

Matters

Class of 1969 Reunion Committee UpdateAfter a great 45th Reunion, the Class of 1969 is looking to the future. The 50th Reunion Committee, which met for the first time in November 2014, adopted bylaws, and elected the following officers: Chairman, Faye Ringel; Vice Chairman, Ward Eccles; Secretary, Pamela Aey Adams; Treasurer, Marsha Prokop. Reunion means “the act of reuniting or coming together again; the state of being reunited,” and today’s social media can make that statement easier to achieve. That’s why the Class of 1969 Facebook Group is called NFA 1969 Reunited. To join, contact Class President Pat Bowman Moravek on Facebook. Plans are also in the works for a class website; watch for more exciting news.


81 Kevin & Lynnette Piacenza Lundy celebrated 30 years of marriage on November

23, 2014. On November 9, 2014, their son Sean celebrated his first wedding anniversary with his wife Sara. In January 2014 Sean opened Lundy’s Barber Shop in Uncasville, and Kevin and Lynnette are very proud.

Rose M. La Femina was included in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the field of Trusts and Estates Law. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally

regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Rose practices as a Florida Bar Board Certified Trusts and Estates Attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

82 John Bilda is filling the role of Interim City Manager of Norwich, to

which he was appointed February 3 by the City Council. He is also the General Manager of Norwich Public Utilities, where he has worked for 28 years.

86 Juanita Foresman Cavallaro graduated from Bridgeport Hospital

School of Nursing RN program on December 19, 2014 after being a LPN for 24 years.

89 Andrew Nollman was selected as the new chairman for the Greater

Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce. He serves as the president of the Norwich Noontime Rotary Club and was president of the Rose City Business Networking International. He is also the owner of Rose City Financial Services, LLC.

90 Kimberly Sullivan was promoted to Navy Commander (O5) status

on February 1, 2015.

96 Sonya Cyr, NFA world language

teacher, and her husband Erik Flaucher, NFA history teacher, announce the birth of son Konrad Francis, November 17, 2014.

Helen Volkov Behn lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and started a business called Spand-Ice. She designs clothing to make it possible for people to manage back pain and inflammation with mobile therapy garments. The athletic-inspired, patent-pending design is backed by an orthopedic doctor, chiropractor and multiple physical therapists.

Marlon Delgado is recruiting NFA men’s basketball alumni to form a team to play a game against the New London High basketball alumni in June. Contact Marlon at 860-861-7301 or visit his Facebook page Marlon Delgado to join the team.

97 Chris Staley, NFA Special Education teacher, announces the birth

of son Camden Padraic Staley, September 2, 2014. Bob Staley‘68 & his wife Pat are proud grandparents.

On Wednesday, September 17, 2014, over 75 NFA alumni representing graduating classes ranging from 1949-2012 gathered at the Harvard Club for the NYC Metropolitan area Alumni Outreach Reception.

Head of School David Klein, Chairman Ted Phillips ’74 and Charles Nafie, Jr. ’69 addressed the crowd.

NFA Big Applein the

Spring 2015 31

98Abigail Miles Piacenza, NFA Science teacher, and

husband Thomas ’00 announce the birth of son Samuel Raymond Piacenza, December 11, 2014.

01 Jessica Stanton Guglielmo and husband Daniel announce the birth of

daughter Abigail Jeanne, October 14, 2014. She weighed 5 pounds, 15.9 ounces. Grandparents Mark ‘77 and Jeanne Stanton of Willimantic and Aunt Erika Stanton ‘08 of

Norwich are thrilled at the arrival of the first grandchild of the family. Uncle Jim Stanton ‘09 returned from school in Tennessee

in mid-December to meet his new niece.

Erin Harwood and Eric Beit married December 28, 2013. The couple had engagement photos taken at NFA, the place where they met.

02 Dr. MariMeg Clairwood and Michael Flannery announce the birth of son

Quinn Thomas, January 18.

Jonathan Weaver received the Young Leaders Award from Worcester Telegram & Gazette, March 2014, presented to a Central Massachusetts resident in the early stages of their career in recognition of outstanding achievement in private business, professional life, or community leadership. Jonathan was a senior project manager for the Worcester Business Development Corporation. In September 2014, Jon became the vice president of Real Estate for MassDevelopment, which works with businesses, nonprofits, and local, state, and federal officials and agencies to strengthen the Massachusetts economy. Jon and his wife Katie, announce the birth of daughter McKayla Grace, June 4, 2014.

03 Emily Dutra Cush and her husband announce the birth of son Joseph

Morgan, June 6, 2014. He joins big sister Julia.

04 Amy Jancewicz and her life partner David Chmielecki announce the

birth of son Ethan Abraham, July 1, 2014. He joins big brother Wyatt. Amy is finishing her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The boys’ godmother, local attorney Isabel Del Vecchio ’04, presented and won her first jury trial Fall 2014. 06 Jocelyn Miner and Steven

Tedisky, Jr. were recently engaged. Jocelyn is the

daughter of Sue Selvidio-Stanley ’73 of Norwich and Steven is the son of Jessica Woodmansee Tedisky ‘76 of Preston. The couple graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2010.

08 Kayla MacGregor and Alvin Cruz will be married September 2015.

One hundred thirty-six alumni and friends gathered Monday, February 23, at the Pelican Pointe Country Club for the 2015 Florida Alumni Reunion. Hosted by Bob ’68 and Nancy Buckley Parzych ’66, the annual reunion in Venice, Florida, featured games, prizes and a special video of current students thanking the reunion participants for their support of a scholarship and the Reid Fund.

Alumni Reunite in the Sunshine State

Over 150 alumni and friends, classes of 1954-1963, gathered at New London’s Port ‘N’ Starboard on Saturday, September 20, 2014, for the annual Red & White Reunion.

The attendees at the fourth annual event – some who traveled from as far as Nevada and Arizona – enjoyed conversation with friends, raffles and a trivia game about their alma mater. Continues to Grow

RedWhite&

On November 15, 2014, the NFA Alumni Association bid farewell to Tom Neilan ‘85 and Gale Eccleston Ennis ‘78, welcomed new Board President Leslie Lane Christie ‘82 (pictured left), and welcomed new Board memebers Beth Kalinowski Belliveau ‘86, James Topalis ‘82, and Eileen Lamothe Nagel ‘66 (pictured right).

Alumni Association Annual Meeting


We Will Miss

1931 Edward Seder

1932 James Dutton 1935Beverly Slosberg Gordon Ellen Smith Ring

1937 Elizabeth Main ChandlerJoseph Gualtieri Rose Fritz Mulholland

1938 Anne Schwartz Berlad Margaret Strnad Davignon Edward Power

1939Margaret McCaffrey Kuzyk Fred Pomazon Elizabeth McCarthy Shefer

1940Harlan Hyde Paul Morosky Raymond Roselund Akiva Weisman Eleanor Santo Willey

We express our deepest sympathy to the families and classmates of the following NFA graduates who are known to have passed away since the last issue of NFA magazine.

Attorney James Dutton ‘32 husband of Nancy Driscoll Dutton ’42 passed away October 30, 2014 at the age of 99. Upon graduating from NFA, Jim attended the University of Notre Dame where he received a BCS degree, obtained an LLB degree from the Hartford College of Law, and earned a JD from UConn Law School. After graduating from Officers’ Candidate School of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he served as Lieutenant on the Staff of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. After his military service he partnered with former Justice Joseph Longo ’32 in private law practice. Jim was a founding partner of Brown, Jacobson, PC in Norwich, a member of the New London Bar Association, CT Bar Association, American Bar Association and a longtime supporter of the Academy. He was named to the NFA Board of Corporators in 1968 and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1970, serving as chairman from 1981-1983. He was named an Honorary Corporator in 1988. He is survived by his wife Nancy; son Attorney Philip Dutton ’80 and his wife Leslie; and, granddaughters Sydney, Shannon and Cassandra. He was predeceased by three sons – James Dutton III ’73, Thomas Dutton and Paul Dutton ’78.

Stanley Israelite ’43, father of Michael Israelite ’68, Abby Israelite Dolliver ’73, Mindy Israelite Wilkie ’77 and Jonathan Israelite ’81, and husband of Linda Davis Hershman, passed away December 22, 2014. Stanley was predeceased by his first wife Pauline Barber Israelite ’43. Stanley had a long and varied career, beginning as the owner of Modern Jewelers and later as the Executive Director of the Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce. He served for 23 years as state director and senior

advisor to Senator Christopher J. Dodd before becoming the industrial development specialist for the Norwich Community Development Corporation where he served until 2008. Stanley was a driving force for the creation of educational and employment opportunities for Connecticut residents, and was featured in the November 27, 1995 issue of U.S. News and World Report as one of 12 indispensable Americans for his tireless efforts in fighting government bureaucracy on behalf of the citizens of Connecticut. Stanley was honored in 2000 when the Norwich Industrial Park was renamed the Stanley Israelite Business Park.

Spring 2015 33

ALUMNI & FRIENDS


1941Marian Hagen Arico Hedwig Bartnicki Brown Natalie Wheeler Fournier Elaine Lawrence Heinrich Helen Kapuscik Mierzejewski Mary Yerrington Moran Shirley Beit Redish

1942 Catherine Fellows Eastwood

1943Rosalie Franzone Banas Julia Ukleja Brostek Vincent CilianoAntoinette Cellucci GoskyStanley Israelite

1944Mildred Lawrence Bode Helene Yuhas Gift Caesa Lebuis Virginia Thompson

1945James Kaminske Robert Kenerson Cecilia Carpenter Koestler

1946Edward Freeman Jane Sweeney

1947Bobby Barnette Ann Hill BordeauCarmela Denovellis DelesioArthur Leone John Morosky Marjorie Rice Rousseau Grace Brown SterryMary Brown WatermanErnest Yohe

1948William Boyd Frank Zagaski

1949John Alfieri Dorothy Brown Collins Helen Kopko Connelly Enez Tremontozzi King Thelma Blinderman Lorinsky Roland McKeon

1950Robert Bassett Michael Diodato Ernestine Panciera Magowan James Mileski Shirley Lewis Mock Estelle Smith Scott

1951Theresa Belliveau Gauvin Alden Holdridge Claribel Johnson Doris Yohe Leffingwell Elizabeth Peltier ParsonsPatricia Levarge Welch

1952Georgia Sturgis Bliven Patricia Lee Pappagallo

1953Phyllis Waldrop Gorton

1954Jeanne Trudeau Coady Norman Grabowski Richard KalinowskiThomas Phalen

1955Dorothy Grady DeBartolo Jean Holdridge Goheen Rocco IannacciRobert Longo Lewis Randall

1957Claudia Dembrowski Graves Patricia Mizger Gwiazdowski Charles Leone Leo Paradis

1958David Blanchard Kenneth Krodel Robert Muttart

1959Sonya Skindzier

1960Daniel O’Connell Gary Wise

1961Kenneth Allard Gary Benoit John Sebastian

1962Cheryl BlaisDakota Chapman Sharon Watrous Mingo

1963Julian Dzialo George Ruffo

Virginia (Ginny) Thompson ’44, Administrative Secretary for Heads of School Charles Hamblen. Sr. and Joseph Levanto, 1974 -1986, passed away on January 15. Ginny and her sister Miriam ’42, who passed away February 2, 2014, enjoyed attending the annual Jubilee Reunion events hosted by the NFA Alumni Association, and she often commented on how she treasured the time she spent at NFA as the secretary to the Head of School.

Michael Diodato ‘50 passed away unexpectedly February 6. Mike joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1959. He retired as Captain of the Naval Submarine Base New London-Groton Fire Department after a 30 year career. He then worked as a bank security officer at New England Savings Bank and as a campus safety officer at NFA, retiring in September 2005. Mike is survived by his wife Patricia Harris Diodato ’55, son Jeffrey and his wife Kathleen Hall Diodato ’78, and two grandsons Christopher ’02 and Nicholas Diodato ’09.

Dr. Lewis Randall ’55 passed away September 12, 2014. An accomplished baseball, football, basketball and tennis player while a student, Randall was inducted into the Norwich Free Academy, Thamesville Athletic Club and Springfield College Halls of Fame. After graduating from American International College, he played minor league baseball for the Cleveland Indians and Washington Senators. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from American International College, attended the

Brook Army Medical Hospital while in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he became a medical and social specialist, and earned a Master’s in Education from Springfield College and a PhD from UConn. He was recognized for his life-time achievements and presented with the Norwich Native Son Award in 1984. Randall was also an NFA Corporator. He leaves behind his wife, Helen Huchinson Randall, daughter Yolanda Graham, sons, Lewis Randall, Jr. and Keith Randall, and sister Norma Randall Parrish ‘42.

1964Carl Benker Jean Manizza Jubenville

1965James Congdon Robert Mobley

1967Douglas Brown George Sabrowski James Taft

1969Kurt Caplet Michael Nylen

1970Janet Fleming Lanphear David Rigero Gary Tallman

1971Theresa Perkins Iannaci

1973Brian Aksterowicz Norma Wallace- Martin 1974Andrew Bohara Larry Kudlach William O’Hearn Sandra Lewitz Woodward

1975Wayne Curriden Donna Morgan Garcia

1976Cynthia Harding Fogle

1978John Brosnan David Davenport Thomas Sullivan

1981Jeremiah Mahoney

1982Cheryl Cloutier Cote

1986Lynda Olander

1990Neil Ryan

1994Joseph Doran III

2002Shawn Jurczyk

2006Rylee Cummins

2010Tyler Breault

Raymond Kalinowski ‘54 passed away July 30, 2014. Ray worked as a teacher, teaching principal, and principal in many local elementary schools including Wequonnoc, Broad Street, Elizabeth Street and Smith Avenue as well as in Kelly Jr. High and Veterans’ Memorial during the 1960s and 70s. He believed all children should receive a quality education. In 1965 he helped institute the first after school study program in five Norwich elementary schools to give additional assistance to students. Ray was proud of the education and athletic experiences he received while at NFA and often reminisced about them and teacher Pop Congdon and Coach Kelly. Ray was a member of the NAACP and was involved with the Democratic Party, assisting with campaigns and local political activities. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marie; children Mark ’79, and Beth Belliveau ’86; brother Jack ’69, sister Mary Ann Beams ’66; and grandchildren Paul ’11, Matt ’12, Alysha ’13, and Connor ’17.

Spring 2015 35


MAY

May 1Unveiling of Russell Hubbard 5 - 7 p.m. – Slater Museum, Formal Presentation begins at 5 p.m., followed by refreshments

May 8Student Art Opening6 p.m. – Slater Museum

May 16 Celebrate NFA 11 a.m - 3 p.m.

The Class of 1955: Saturday, September 19

The Class of 1960: Saturday, August 1

The Class of 1965: Weekend of June 12


The Class of 1975: Saturday, October 10


The Class of 1985: Saturday, October 17


The Class of 2005: Thanksgiving weekend

The Jubilee Reunion for the Classes of 1929-1955: Thursday, July 16

The Red and White Reunion for the Classes of 1956-1964: Saturday, August 15

NFA HAPPENINGS

UPCOMING REUNIONS

May 28Pops Concert 6 p.m. – NFA Front Lawn

JUNEJune 11Class Night 6 p.m. – Alumni Gym

June 15Graduation 4 p.m. – NFA Turf Field

May 16 Celebrate NFA 11 a.m - 3 p.m.

NFA HAPPENINGS

Spring 2015 37

For specific information about upcoming alumni events and reunions visit www.nfaschool.org

Mathematics teacher, Nosa Imasuen and his wife Carila, are the proud parents of Noah Joshua Osaozemen Imasuen born September 17, 2014.

English teacher Christopher Brown and his wife Kerri welcome their son Cormac William Joseph Brown, October 6, 2014.

Congratulations to Family & Consumer Science teacher, Laura Dance who married Eric Sczygiel, October 4, 2014.

Slater Museum Assistant Director Leigh Thomas welcomed son, Oliver George Thomas, October 23, 2014.

Congratulations to Guidance Counselor Kelsey Iovino ‘01, who married Jakob Klaeson, February 21.

Chinese language teacher Chongmin Ji gave birth to her daughter Kiarra Ji Yang, November 16, 2014.

Cormac William Joseph Brown

Kelsey Iovino ‘01 and Jakob Klaeson

NewsFACULTY & STAFF

Christopher Brown and Colleen Caulfield, of the English Department, presented at the National Council of Teachers of English convention in Washington, D.C.

Christopher Brown and Colleen Caulfield

Spring 2015 39

LEO BUTLERDIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY

“This is your school. It is a part of

you. It is your legacy,” Leo Butler

tells all of his students. Since 2001,

NFA has been his school, too.

As the Director of Diversity, Butler

forms relationships with both

students and the community,

because “building a school is about

building relationships.” Although

he was born, raised and still lives

in Providence, R.I., Butler knows

every street and neighborhood in

Norwich. He loves NFA because

the opportunities for students are

limitless and because everyone

here has the opportunity to become

a better person.

“You can come to NFA speaking

no English, go through ELL, then to

college, and come back here to

work,” he says. “That’s opportunity.”

peoplematter


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